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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5014, 19 April 1877, Page 2

At the meeting of the Wharf Committee wharfage on flour and grain was reduced from Is. fid. to Is., Mr. Reeves offering no opposition. The committee added a charge of Is. per ton for examination on all bonded goods that required examination. This Mr. Reeves begged the committee not to pass, as it would certainly be laid to his door, and ho would incur the odium of all the importers of the place. The committee authorised him to state publicly that lie had no hand in it, and that it was their spontaneous action. Towards the close of the meeting a deputation of carters waited on the committee about the petition agai-st the wharfinger, when the Mayor informed them of the reasons which influenced Clio committee not to entertain it. They desired to bring in Mr. Reid, but the committee declined to see him, stating that everything would be published in the papers. Tho ball to Commodoie Hoskins and the officers of H.M. ships Wolverene and Sapphire took place at the Provincial Buildings last night. There was a good attendance. His Excellency the Governor and the Commodore were present, together with the officers of the Wolverene and Sapphire, also members of the Government, Sir William and Lady Fitzherbert, the city repieseutatives, and the leading members of society in Wellington. The assemblage was most gay, the gorgeous uniforms of the officers adding to the brilliancy of tho scene. Supper was served about midnight, Mr. Laing being the caterer. His Excellency the Governor remained an hour longer than he had originally intended, being enabled to do so o>ving to the detention of the Hinemoa.

A Sunday-school conference was the other day held in Christchurch, when it was resolved to form a Diocesan Sunday-school Association for the purpose of securing greater unity and efficiency in Sabbath-school work. The Dean of Christchurch, after some remarks, during which he pointed out that the necessity for forming such a Sunday-school Association was now all the greater, as it was rumored that even the little opportunity given of imparting religious instruction in schools was about to be taken away under a purely secular system which it was stated was to be introduced by the Government next session of the Assembly. If this intention were correct he hoped that petitions would be got up and largely signed, so that each churchman might at least clear his soul from complicity in such Godless work.

We are very glad to notice the return ol

Mr. H. A. Severn, who is about to deliver a

series of six experimental science lectures before his final departure for Auckland. Mr. Severn’s reception while at Dunedin (though a complete stranger) by the University of Otago

and the Otago Institute, as also by the Mayor and citizens, was most marked j> the former placed their magnificent hall at Mr. Severn’s disposal free of cost, and Professors Black and Shand all the apparatus that could in any way render Mr. Severn assistance. His Worship the- Mayor of Dunedin presided at the opening lecture, when the largo hall was crowded ; and Bishop Neville, as President of the Otago Institute, occupied the chair at the second discourse. Throughout the eight lectures the hall was crowded each evening, and the utmost interest taken not only in the lectures themselves, but in the rare and splendid experiments that were so successfully carried out each night. We hope Mr. Severn’s reception here will be equally hearty. The first lecture is on Saturday next.

The final rehearsal for the “ Naaman” concert is to bo held at Mr. Hunter’s rooms, this evening. At a meeting of the committee on Tuesday night, the hon. secretary reported that over 500 tickets had been issued to subscribers and members, and that he had received a number of applications for extra tickets from subscribers, which he was unable to supply, owing to tho Odd Fellows’ Hall not being largo enough to seat more than the above number. The Otago Daily Times says ;—“ It seems Captain Andrew will bo reinstated as a com-

mander of one of the company’s boats. In the meantime, he will suffer a pecuniary loss of some £SO, and we trust that our correspondent’s suggestion will bo acted upon, and that this small amount will be at once subscribed by those in whose interests he has been temporarily deprived of his post.”

Mr. N. J. Isaacs offered for sale at his auc

tiou mart yesterday the well-known Dry Elver estate in the Wairarapa. The property was purchased by tho mortgagees, Messrs. Jacob Joseph and Co., for £8000; but subsequently to the sale several offers were made to buy the estate at an advance on this sum. The property has therefore been placed in Mr. Isaac’s hands for sale by private treaty.

It is notified that tho fire-bell at the Wel-

lington Brigade’s new station may be rang during the day, as it is to be hung, therefore, tho sound of the boll must not be taken as an indication of a fire having broken out. The Wellington correspondent of tho Otago Daily Times refers to this journal in the following complimentary manner :—“ The New Zealand Times being as wretched a rag and as thoroughly unpopular as a paper could well be.” The bazaar at the Odd Fellows’ Hall was continued yesterday, when a good amount of business was done. The proceeds for the two days amounted to about £l2O. The bazaar will bo again open this evening, tho use of the Hall having been secured for a third night. At tho Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, a man named Thomas Hamilton was charged with vagrancy, and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment ; and two or three cases of drunkenness were dealt with in the usual way.

Iho iheatre Royal was again well attended Ififit evening, when ** Conrad and Lizzette n w;as repeated. It will be noticed that this piece will be played for three nights more only.

Mr. Justice Richmond leaves for Wanganui to-day to hold the usual Circuit Court. We observe that Mr. F. W. Delamain, the well-known sportsman, sides with Mr. O’Brien, the owner of Fishoook. At a late meeting of tho Canterbury Jockey Club stewards he is reported to have said;—“Fishhook had run in the Publican’s Handicap, :■ ;d he was afterwards entered for the Fly in; Handicap. After the fust mentioned race he was kept walking about. His own opinion was that the horse was stiff ; he did not h liove he was pulled at all. Nor did he think he was fit for the race, and he had told Mr. O'Brien so. He (the speaker) had himself backed the fi'ly.” Thu Wanganui Herald of Monday says ; A meeting of the creditors of Henry Fletcher, tobacconist, of Victoria Avenue, was held this day at 11 o'clock. The creditors were well represented, Mr. John Ward, of the firm of Messrs. Bridge and Ward, being elected chairman. Mr. Fletcher submitted a statement of accounts, showing total liabilities amounting to £4OO, with assets, consisting of stock and book debts, to the value of £2OO. After discussion it was proposed that Mr. Fletcher should close his establishment, handing the keys of same to Mr. Ward, and at once filing his statement of inability to meet his engagements.

We (Napier Telegraph) learn from native sources that the division of the £17,500 paid by Messrs. Watt Bros, to the “ Repudiation Office,” was approximately as follows ;—To Hirini Harawira, £IOOO ; Pukepuke, £I4OO ; Karaitiaua, £3OOO ; Henare Tomoana, £3OOO ; Meihana, £1000; Henry Russell, £4OOO ; Otene Wirahaua, £6OO ; Rora (daughter of Paora Nonoi), £6OO ; Hohepa te Ringanohu, £6OO ; Nikora, £3OO. These sums amount to £15,500, leaving £2OOO to be accounted for, which our informants were not able to do, further than to state that various small sums were to be divided amongst the other natives with whose names they were not acquainted. Some of our informants stated that Mr. Henry Russell received £6OOO, others £4OOO. The legal expenses amounted to £2OOO. By the Opawa, which has arrived at Canterbury from London, some valuable thoroughbred stock were safely imported. They consist of five mares, amongst which is a halfsister to Gang Forward, and full sister of Dukedom. They have arrived in fair order, and will no doubt prove a great addition to our thoroughbred stock, having been carefully selected by Mr. W. Bevill, of the Middle Park Stud Company. The Press gives the names and pedigrees as follows : Aglaia, oh in by Kuowsley Miss Wilkinson, by Cossack—The Bee, by Sweetmeat —Wasp, by Muley Moloch—dam by Emilias, out of Bee in a Bonnet. Knowsley by Stockwell—Orlando mare. Aglaia is stinted to the Speaker, by Filbert —son of Nutwith. Fleurange, ch m foaled in 1872, by Consul —Mademoiselle de Fontenoy, by Heir of Lynne—Twilight, by Velocipede. Consul, by Monarque Lady Lift, by Sir Hercules. En Evant, b f foaled in 1873, by Lord Lyon—Lady Mary, bj Orlando—Splitvote, by St. Luke —Electress, by Election. Lord Lyon, by Stockwell— Paradigm. En Avant is out of the dam of Gang Forward. Streuua, br f foaled in 1874, by the Duke —Mellona, by Teddington— Honey Dear, by Plenipotentiary. The Duke, by Stockwell—Bay Celia, by Orlando. Strenua is own sister to Dukedom. Rupee (late HalfCrown), b m foaled in 1871, by Dollar— Minouche, by the Baron—Fiction, by Royal Oak or Physician. Deception, by Defence — Dollar, by the Flying Dutchman—Payment, by Slane. Two handsome setters, which have been named by the crew Moody and Sankey, were also passengers by the Opawa. A remarkable disputed will case has just been ended here (writes the Sydney correspondent of the Brisbane Courier), after occupying the attention of the Primary Judge in Equity and a special jury of twelve for nearly a week. A few weeks ago there died, leaving money and property to the amount of £120,000, an old man, Robert Hancock, who carried on business in Sydney for several years as a wheelwright, and had lived here for upwards of half a century. At the time of his death he kept a small publichouse at the Glebe, living very economically, if not miserly, notwithstanding his immense wealth. He had formed an intimacy with a Mrs. Hannah Hincksman, by whom he had a son, and also with a young woman named Mary Payne. He left a will bequeathing half his property to Mrs. Hincksman, and the remainder to Mary Payne. Probate of this will was granted to the executors, but subsequently a document, purporting to be the last will and testament of Robert Hancock was found, and the legatees under this will sought to stop probate. The legatees under the first will declared this document to be a forgery. Under the second will Hannah Hincksman receives only £BOOO ; Mary Payne, £3OOO ; and George Hincksman, £2OOO ; the balance being distributed amongst nine or ten different people—amongst others, Mr. Read, the Governor of Darlinghurst Gaol —and to a Sydney charity. Tho jury before whom the case was tried, declared this second will to be bad, and allowed probate of the first w’ll to go.

Mr. J, H. Wallace will hold an important sale of land, as advertised, at his saleroom, this day, comprising a valuable piece on Lambton-quay, adjoining the premises of Mr. Lowes, saddler; also, other city and country properties.