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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5012, 17 April 1877, Page 2

It will be seen by our telegraphic despatches that the Hon. W, Gisborne has been put in nomination for Totara. The West Coast Press strongly urges the election of a local man, and we believe Mr. Gisborne’s chances of election are not very encouraging. The ball to Commodore Hoskins and the officers of H.M.S.S. Wolverine and Sapphire promises to be a great success. His Excellency the Governor has promised to be present, and arrangements have been made for a special train from the Hutt. This will arrive in town at nine, and the ’bus will leave the Provincial Buildings at 2 a.m. to catch the return train. Private letters received by the mail report that Mr. Raymond, who some years ago occupied the position of manager of the Wellington branch of the Union Bank, died in London on the 4th February. Deceased will be remembered by many old colonists, the more particularly as he paid a visit to the colony a couple of years ago. A thinly attended meeting of the promoters and shareholders of the Empire Gas Company was held at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last night to decide as to whether the company should or should not go on. After some little talk, Mr. J. McLean proposed, and Mr. Sloan seconded that the company should be wound up, they believing that the object of the promoters, viz., to cheapen gas, had been attained. Mr. T. Kennedy Macdonald moved to the effect that the company be at once registered, and Mr. E. W. Stafford seconded the motion pro forma, expressing the opinion that all the shareholders, some of whom had gone into it as a commercial speculation, should be consulted by circular or otherwise. Ultimately it was resolved to adjourn the meeting to a future date, all shareholders in the meanwhile to be waited upon, and invited to express their opinion in writing either for or against proceeding with the venture further. A deputation yesterday waited upon the Hon. the Minister for Public Works with reference to the railway wharf. The object of the visit was to ascertain, first, whether in the event of the old scheme of a railway wharf being abandoned the vote for it must lapse, and a new vote be taken if a new project were accepted; and, secondly, to obtain further information as to what the Government would do in respect of connecting the railway and the Queen’s wharf. This latter proposal could only be carried out by reclaiming the whole of the foreshore in front of the Provincial Buildings, and enclosed within a line drawn from a certain point on the present reclamation to the second T of the Queen’s wharf. The report of the interview appears in another column, by which it willjbe seen that the Minister for Public Works answered neither question definitely, but promised to communicate with the Chamber of Commerce after conferring with his colleagues, A rather unusual point occurred at the Supreme Court yesterday in the case Hodder v. Wardell. Counsel for plaintiff called defendant as a witness, and defendant's counsel had in consequence no evidence to call. Therefore, when the plaintiff’s case closed the question arose as to whose province it was to address the jury first. The rule states “When all the evidence on both sides is closed, the party who had not the right to begin shall address the jury generally on the case, and after him the party who had the right to begin, shall have the reply.” No rule provided for what should bo done when there was no evidence for the defence. Mr, Allan contended that Mr. Travers must sum up his case, leaving liim the right to reply to the whole. The Judge held that the party on whom the burden of proof lay should have the right of reply. It will be seen from our advertising columns that the second private concert of the season will be given to subscribers on Friday next, at the Odd Fellow’s Hall. The programme will consist of Sir Michael Costa’s oratorio “Naaman,” composed specially for the Birmingham Musical Festival of 1864. It has boon under rehearsal fo 1 the past two months, and from the interest displayed by both band and vocalists, we anticipate a great musical treat for the subscribers. The oratorio has been rendered here once before, and will no doubt be familiar to some of the old subscribers. A book of the words and argument has been specially published by the committee, and ean bo obtained from the musicsellers ; and wo would strongly recommend all those who purpose being present at the concert to obtain copies to enable them to follow tho various incidents depicted in the oratorio.

We understand that an inquest will be held this afternoon on the body of the late Emily Laffin, who died on Sunday night last. An American organ, just imported for St. John’s 'Pro.-bytei'ian Church, was used for the first time on Sunday. The instrument has an exceedingly sweet tone, and will be of great assistance to the choir.

The chess match between members of the club was resumed last evening. Bishop played an even game with 3).ivies, resulting in a victory for Bishop, llullett gave Green pawn and move, but after a long and hard struggle the game was declared drawn. The contest which now rests between Hullett, Green, Bishop, and Horwood, will be resumed on Monday next.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Frank Broughton was charged with embezzling certain sums of money amounting together to ,£42 from his late employers, Messrs. Donald and Pascoe. Mr. Barton prosecuted, and Mr. H. H. Travers defended. Messrs. W. J. Nicolls, W. H. Pascoe, Overton, and Donald gave evidence. Defendant was committed to take his trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, bail being allowed in two sureties of £IOO each, and his own recognisance of £2OO. A number of small summons cases were heard, as well as a few civil cases of no public interest.

We regret to have to record the death of Mr. Wm. Craighead, of the Taita, Dower Hutt, which occurred on Saturday. He was engaged in some outdoor occupation when he suddenly fainted, but on restoratives being applied he rallied sufficiently to allow of his walking into his house; however, he then lay down and died. Deceased was well-known in the Wellington province as an old colonist of some 36 years standing, having arrived in the Lord William Bentinok in 1841 ; and it is not too much to say that he was a favorite with all persons with whom he had come into contact, especially those resident in the locality of the Hutt. His wife died less than a year ago. He leaves an only daughter. A meeting of the vestry of St. Paul’s was held last evening. Present—Rev. B. W. Harvey, Messrs. H. T. Clarke, H. S. McKellar, Dr. Kemp, D. Anderson, jun., T. Garrard, and Riemensohneider. In respect to the Hymnal question, after considerable discussion it was resolved, —That the incumbent be requested to call a parish meeting to decide whether “ Hymns Ancient and Modern,” with certain restrictions, or the “New Zealand Hymnal” shall be used in St. Paul’s Church, Thorndon. A meeting of the parishioners will be held on Monday next in the schoolroom, Sydney-street, to consider the matter. We believe a similar decision was come to by St. Peter’s vestry.

The bazaar in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church, Sydney-street, is to be opened this morning at 11 o’clock. His Worship the Mayor will perform the opening ceremony. It has been the custom for bazaar frequenters to complain of the exorbitant prices charged for the various articles displayed, but we understand this is not to be a fault of the present bazaar. Among the attractions of the evening will be a band, galvanic battery, magic lantern, weighing machine, &c. The (roods no doubt are adapted to all varieties of purchasers, and we should imagine that those who visit the bazaar to-day will not return home empty-handed.

The Masterton Nexus has the following further information as to the nature of the land contained in the Mangaone Block of 15,000 acres offered by the Waste Lands Board for settlement by the Association. The block extends along the east bank of the Makakaha River, which runs nearly parallel with the main road a distance of eight and ahalf miles. The strip of land between the west bank of the river and the road, averaging from thirty to forty chains wide, is reserved for native purposes. A strip of the land in the block running along the east hank of the Makakaha is exceptionally good. Unfortunately, however, that strip, although upwards of eight miles in length, is not more than twenty chains wide at any given point. Beyond that, and extending back to the vicinity of the Mangaone River, which represents about two-thirds of the whole block, the land rices into low, broken ridges, which would cost the ploughman a very great deal of trouble to get broken up. The soil is good ; in fact, it is exceptionally good, its depth being something extraordinary; but, despite that fact, our information is to the effect that, for settlement purposes, it is not at all eligible land. Along the west bank of the Mangaone a strip of good land runs, in many respects similar to that of the strip at the Makakaha, both as regards the quality of the ground and its breadth. The Tawataia River again runs parallel with the Mangaone at a distance of from two to five miles further on towards the back of the block. The intervening country is superior to that on the west side, its formation being described to us as rolling country. Still further on towards the back of the block the land, or rather the configuration of the country, continues to improve. Immediately behind the Scandinavian settlement at Eketahuna there is a very good flat two miles square. These are the main features of the block in question. The land is all good—first-class—as regards soil, but large tracts of it is broken and abrupt, so much so that cultivation would be rendered a-work of no small difficulty. No fewer than five roads, including the main line to Alfredton and Castlepoint, have been laid off, running right through the heart of the block from the Masterton and Woodville road. Three cross-roads have likewise been laid off, so that for traffic purposes the block is well provided. The land is all surveyed into sections, pegs having been put in, but the lines are not cut. The extreme point of the back part of the block is situated at between six and seven miles from Alfredton. We have been requested to direct the attention of those in the wine and spirit and general grocery trade to Mr K. J. Isaacs’ advertisement in this morning s issue as there appears to be a very large assortment of general goods. Mr. Isaacs has informed us of his intention to sell every line regardless of price—in fact without any reservo. The wines and spirits will be sold cither in bond or duty paid, to suit all buyers. Owing to the number of lines to be offered, the sale will commence positively at 2 o’clock.