Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5013, 18 April 1877, Page 2

Wo were informed last night that the difficulty with Mr. Saunders as to proceeding with the concrete wall at the water supply works had disappeared. Mr. Saunders has agreed to take the foundations of the wall down another seven and a half feet, and the advent of Mr. Blackett need not be waited for. If our information be correct, one little matter in connection with the waterworks contract will have been put to sleep, as it were, and we shall miss the interesting information which the discussion of the subject seemed to promise. It is quite possible, however, that we have been misinformed, only we scarcely think so. It will be seen by telegrams from London that Mussulman is taking advantage of_ Mussulman. Persia seizes the opportunity of Turkey’s difficulty to lay claim to Bagdad. Reference to a gazateer will inform anyone that “Bagdad is a city of Asiatic Turkey situated on the Tigris. It was once the seat of the Saracen caliphs, but has lost much of its ancient splendor and opulence. The chief manufactures are red and yellow leather and silk and cotton stuffs.” The population is given as 60,000. His Excellency the Governor made an official visit to H.M. ship Wolverene yesterday afternoon. On his Excellency going on board the crew of the Wolverene manned the yards, and those of the Sapphire assembled on the poop and presented arms. The Governor stayed on board for about two hours, and on his leaving a salute of seventeen guns was fired. The workshops and shanties round the new Government Buildings have been removed, and active preparations are being made to carry out the plan of ornamenting the spare ground round the buildings. As a good part of the street has been for some time encroached upon, a considerable amount of additional room will be obtained by this change, and the footpath will be carried along the fencing to be erected. In another column of the present issue is published a report of the proceedings at the coroner’s inquest held yesterday into the circumstances of the death of Mrs. Baffin, the unfortunate woman who had to apply for a protection order to the E.M. some little time before her death in consequence of the brutality of her husband. The evidence at the inquest disclosed still further how miserable must have been the existence of the poor woman, and what a fiendish rascal the man must have been to commit such revolting acts of cruelty. Michael Baffin is now doing a term of imprisonment in consequence of his inability to find bail only ; and if to-day lie could find persons willing to become security for his good behaviour the ruffian might be at liberty. It is a pity that Mr. Crawford did not consider the case one in which he would have been warranted in inflicting a heavier penalty. A sensational accident occurred yesterday morning near the Post Office Hotel—one man accidentally shooting another in the street. The circumstances were these : Mr. James Halkett, blacksmith, and Mr. Robert Taylor, express driver, were talking about some minute and beautifully finished Derringer revolvers belonging to the former, who, assuming that they were not loaded, was handling them pretty freely whilst showing the workmanship, when one suddenly went off, and passed through the calf of Mr. Taylor’s right leg._ He was placed in a cab and taken to Dr. Diver, who dressed the wound, and gave the sufferer the comforting assurance that no bones were broken. Most persons will consider, no doubt, under the circumstances, that Mr. Taylor should consider himself fortunate to have escaped more serious injury. The occurrence we should imagine, was purely accidental, but it was necessary that the police should take cognizance of it, and therefore during the day James Halkett was brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, and charged with unlawfully wounding Robert Taylor with a revolver. Taylor, having been removed to the hospital, could not appear, and on the application of the police, defendant was remanded for a week, bail being allowed in his own recognisance of £SO and one surety of £SO. An accident occurred on the railway line near the Lower Hutt station yesterday, by which a boy about twelve years of age, named Wylie, was seriously injured. The boy, who was playing with some companions, rashly attempted to cross the line as the first up-train from the Upper Hutt was approaching. He had not time to get out of the way before the engine struck him, breaking his leg, cutting his head, and bruising him on thechest. Thepoor fellow was carried to Mr. W. A. Eitzherbert’s house, and Dr. Wilford sent for, who set the fractured limb and dressed the other wounds. Toward the afternoon the sufferer was able to be carried on a stretcher to the station, and was brought into town by the 4 o’clock train, and conveyed to the hospital. On the arrival of the train Mr. Pilcher very kindly offered the use of his express to convey the patient to the hospital, but it was thought better to carry him. The injuries, although serious, may not prove fatal. In this case, we believe, there is no blame whatever to be attached to anyone but the poor boy himself. The enginedriver could not possibly have pulled up in time to prevent the accident.

The case of Irvine v. Brooke came to an unexpectedly sudden termination. At the conclusion of plaintiffs case the jury hinted pretty plainly that they thought he had_ not made out his case, and the Judge doubted if he could accept a verdict for defendant at that stage. The point had never arisen with him before, though ho had upon one occasion declined to accept a verdict before the case was finished, but that was in Dunedin, where a special jury actually had the audacity to ask him to accept a verdict against a defendant before the case for the defence was opened. He thought the jury in this case had better hear Mr. Barton’s comments, as ho might be able to present the evidence in a now aspect. Mr. Barton said he should not, after the hint given by the jury, feel inclined to address the jury, or oven cross-examine a witness. Evidently their minds were quite made up. Mr. Travers said in that case ho should not call evidence, contenting himself with merely addressing them on plaintiffs case. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Barton then commenced to speak, but Mr. Travers objected as Mr. Barton had promised not to take any further active stops in the case. The Judge said ho had not understood Mr. Barton to make any such arrangement. However, Mr. Barton then addressed the Judge on a law point, after which the jury were charged, and then found for defendant. A meeting of the Wellington Literary Association was held last evening, when several interesting readings were given, which were duly discussed and criticised by the members present. The proposition “ Ought the teaching of religion to form part of the national education of the colony ” will be discussed next Tuesday evening. A youth employed at Mr. Burrett’s met, we hear, with a nasty accident yesterday or the day before. Whilst at work he in some way or other got his hand entangled in a cogwheel and had it much lacerated. Ho was taken to the hospital, and although suffering much pain, it is hoped he will sustain no permanent injury,

We understand that there are a number of cases set down for hearing at the Hutt Court to-day.

Late last evening a gentleman caught a large New Zealand lizard on Lambton-quay. It is supposed that it escaped from the Museum. The gentleman took bis prize home with'him. A temporary transfer of the licence of the Clyde Hotel, from Michael Moore to Henry Berg, was granted at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday. While the train was on its way from Palmerston to Eoxton on Monday afternoon it ran into a fine large bullock, severing its head almost from the body. This collision caused a temporary stoppage. After some little delay the carcase was removed from the rails.

An accident happened to a man named William Hutchison last night on board the s.s. Easby. It appears that a small trolly used for conveying coals from one vessel to another happened to fall down the hatchway of the Easby, striking Hutchison on the head and back, causing him some nasty injuries. Dr. Harding was in attendance, and did all he could for the sufferer.

The undermentioned prisoners wore flogged in the Gaol at 9 o’clock yesterday morning, in the presence of Mr. Read, Governor of the Gaol, Dr. Johnston, and two of the turnkeys;— John McCann, 30 lashes, second flogging ; Owen Kane, 25 lashes, second flogging ; Rudolph Laurent, 20 lashes, only flogging. The punishment was severe.

Among the cases heard at the R.M. Court yesterday was one in which Mr. Metcalf, of the Theatre Royal Dramatic Company, sought to recover from Mr. Howard, lessee of the Theatre, a sum of £2O, the amount of loss alleged to have been sustained in consequence of the non-fulfilment by the defendant of an agreement that plaintiff should have during his engagement at the Theatre one benefit. Mr. Howard’s defence was that no such contract had ever been entered into, and as showing the improbability of the plaintiff’s statement pointed out that the consequence of Mr. Metcalf being given a benefit would be that all the other “ stock” actors would claim an equal license or indulgence. Mr. Crawford gave judgment in favor of defendant on the ground that there was nothing to show that any such contract as that alleged to have existed by the plaintiff had ever been entered into.

There was a good attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, the stalls and pit being crowded, whilst the dress-circle was fairly patronised. As may be imagined by those who have had the pleasure of witnessing Messrs. Baker and Farron’s performances, the audience were highly delighted with what they saw, particularly with the ‘entertainment in the second act, when those gentlemen gave a number of pretty songs and dances, and in the scene between the eccentric Irishman, Tim Flaherty, and the Dutchman in the third act, Mr. Farron’s acting was quite indescribable, so exceedingly funny is his “make up” and “business,” to say nothing of a magnificent brogue he has acquired. As stated in yesterday’s notice of the performance, the leading people are well supported. The same programme will be repeated this evening. A musical and literary entertainment in aid of the harmonium fund, Congregational Church, Courtenay-place, was given by the members of Mr. Charlton’s singing class, assisted by a number of local amateurs, in the Polytechnic Hall last evening. The hall was largely attended, being full to the doors, and the entertainment was of a most pleasing character. Numerous songs were sung in really excellent style by ladies and gentlemen, and some recitations were given admirably. The audience appeared to appreciate the performances, for they applauded frequently, and in a most spirited manner. The following extract from an article in the Spectator respecting the failurd of the Conference three months ago, are of interest in connection with the cable messages of the past two or three days :—The plan adopted was of course weak, for it is characteristic of diplomatists among all mankind, that a group of them never agree upon an “ extreme,” that is an original course ; but still it was a reasonable plan, very like the sort of arrangement family lawyers often make in a family dispute. It settled nothing finally ; but still it would work for a time, and it prevented a family lawsuit The arrangement, though disappointing to men who, like ourselves, know that while a Turkish soldier remains in a Christian province the Christians will never be exempt from terror, seemed practicable and reasonable to most Englishmen ; and the diplomatists were congratulated, especially by men intent on Stock speculations, on their admirable moderation. Then the “plan,” carefully formulated and elaborated in all details, was submitted to the Turkish pashas, and then —the diplomatists discovered that they were all deceived. The Turks did not believe in their unity, did not care one straw about the moral force of Europe, did not see any bayonets, or at all events sufficient bayonets, behind that moral force, and did not intend to yield. The diplomatists might as well have threatened the Emperor Theodore, who felt the rockets as appeals to his conscience with the moral censure of all good men . . . But many of our readers will say the Conference, if it has not protected the Christians, has at least prevented war. Where is the evidence of that ? In what way has the Conference removed any of the conditions out ot which war was expected ? Are the Turks more humble ? On the contrary, the failure of the Conference is to them new evidence that they can do as they please, that they are essential to Europe, and that any agitation caused by atrocities that they may commit is sentimental merely. Are the Christians protected ? Not one whit. Midhat Pasha may order all Betak to be impaled for having had the seditious insolence to tell Mr. Schuyler the truth, and though the ambassadors will remonstrate, nobody will fire. Are the Russians contented ? On the contrary, the Turks have laughed in their faces, have defied them even when they threatened war, and have threatenedjtheir own ports on the coast of the Black Sea. Has Europe announced its will 2 The Conference has proclaimed to all the world that Europe has no collective will, or that if it has one, it is the will of a man who _is only determined when there is no resistance ; but when there is, begs permission to retire before he is thrown out. Every cause of war which existed before the Conference exists now, and this additional one, — the Romanoffs have publicly challenged Turkey, only to be defied, and if they do not fight, will in Continental eyes be disgraced for years. The Conference, in short, by shrinking from coercion has inflamed the pride of Turkey, humiliated the pride of Russia, and aggravated the position of all Turkish Christians—and that is called diplomacy.

Mr. N. J. Isaacs will continue Ills great trade sale at 2 o’clock to-day. The wines and spirits, as catalogued, were not offered yesterday in consequence of immense number of lines having to be got through in the grocery and produce. Wo are informed all goods as advertised in this morning’s issue will be offered as catalogued for yesterday’s sale.