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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5050, 31 May 1877, Page 2

At the Council meeting on Tuesday evening the Mayor gave notice of two rather important motions, one having reference to the inauguration of a public market either weekly or bi-weekly, for the sale of country produce ; the other being that the reclamation of the Te Aro foreshore should be proceeded with at once.

We are glad to learn that the directors of the Wellington Gas Company, Limited, have decided to send a telegraphic message to London, ordering a new gas-holder, capable of containing 180,000 cubic feet of gas, to be shipped with the least possible delay. It is found that the demand is increasing, and the Board are anxious to be prepared to meet it, and also to make a reduction in the price at the earliest possible moment. The meeting of the creditors of James O’Shea will be held, under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Act, on Monday next, at 2 p.m., at the Court House. Meanwhile, Messrs. F. A. Kvull and G. Thomas have been appointed trustees.

Messrs, Beauchamp, Campbell, and Co. yesterday offered some valuable town properties. The first lot put up was the piece of land in Willis-street on which Mr. Asher’s shop now stands. Among the conditions of sale were—first, an engagement to the Corporation to move the buildings back to the proper street frontage when required to do so ; secondly, the necessity of giving the present tenant a month’s notice in case of the purchaser wishing to occupy, lu connection with Jhis latter, Mr. Asher, present occupier, gave formal notice that he should, under the terms of his occupancy, require three mouths’ notice from next Lady Day. The property was started at £3O a foot, and ran up in £1 bids to £43, at which price Mr. Leary became the purchaser. The adjoining piece of land brought £39 per foot, Mr. Mitchell being the purchaser. A cottage in Majoribank-street was withdrawn, as were also preperties in lugestre-street. A quantity of plate was then offered, but little was sold. The yacht Minnehaha found a purchaser in Mr. Scott at £2l,

At the recent meeting of the Builders and Contractors’ Association the question of the wharf tenders was -discussed, and while the association was not desirous of influencing or expressing an opinion in any way while the matter was undecided, they thought that by pointing out where the Council was at fault it might prevent the like confusion occurring again. They hold that—First, the Council should not have received or discussed any informal tender, or which did not comply with the terms of the contract. Second, that it was not right to make a new condition after the tenders had been opened. In the flx-st specification it was intimated that the work would be let in one contract, no such clause being in the second specification. The resolution re saving £IOOO was practically a new condition. Third, it was not right after the tenders had been opened and published to admit any amended tender or combination of tenders where the same would affect the other tenders.

There seems to be no end to the slips of laud round and about the Athenaeum buildings. Since this falling of earth commenced, Plhnmer’s steps have suffered considerably. Thenposition had to be shifted some days ago, and yesterday men were again employed in rendering them safe to walk on, the earth having fallen away from the foundation.

A meeting was held at the Star Hotel yesterday evening, to consider what steps should be taken for the improvement of the Basin Reserve, and after discussion a committee was appointed to wait upon the Mayor, requesting him to convene a public meeting at which the subject could he discussed. Taking into consideration the inclemency of the weather, the attendance at the Theatre Royal last evening was very good, when the Georgia Minstrels went through a performance which appeared to give satisfaction, judging from the frequent applause of the audience. The weather recently has not been favorable to shows of any kind, hence the patronage to the Georgias is flattering. A clever capture was effected by Constable Smart yesterday evening, the circumstances surrounding the case with which he had to deal being decidedly peculiar and rather difficult. It appears that yesterday afternoon a velvet coat was mis-:ed from the shop of Messrs. Kirkealdie and Stains, and information was at once convoyed to the police. Constable Smart was deputed to recover the coat and arrest the thief, if possible. Shortly afterwards he recovered the coat from Mr. Frankel, with whom it had been deposited ; but he obtained no further information as to the appearance of the man who left it there than that he wore a “Tnapeka hat” (whatever style of headgear that may be), and a mackintosh. In tire evening Smart was standing at the gate of the station, when there passed a man wearing a mackintosh, a circumstance not peculiar, inasmuch as it was raining at the time ; but this man also wore an uncommon kind of hat, which, not unnaturally thought Smart, might be a “ Tuapeka,” so he followed the man, and when he had.arrived as far as the Theatre Royal sent a small boy to Mr. Frankel, with a message that he was wanted. In obedience to the summons Mr. Frankel came, and as soon as the suspected man saw him he proffered his hand and claimed acquaintance. He was then recognised, and Constable Smart took him to the station. He gave his name as James Harris. He will appear before the magistrate this morning, charged with larceny. The annual general meeting of the members of the Wellington Club was held at the clubhouse yesterday evening. There was a large attendance of members. The accounts were received and adopted. The committee were authorised to send Home an order for two new billiard tables and for suitable furniture fertile room. A vote of thanks to the committee closed the proceedings.

A meeting of the creditors of Robert Stanley, ferryman, of Manawatu Gorge, was to have been held at the Supreme Court House yesterday; but at the appointed hour there were no creditors present. The estate is a small one, the liabilities not exceeding £3OO, and the only creditors are Messrs. Taylor and AVatt of AVanganui and Mr. Phillips of Palmerston. A meeting of the creditors of Henry Tudor Brower, of Foxton, carpenter, also lapsed for the want of a quorum; aud there was a similar result to the efforts of the trustee in the estate of John McLauchliu, of Featherstou, who endeavored to get a meeting iu order that debtor might be examined. Complications between outgoing and incoming traffic on tbo Rimutaka frill are rife as ever. Last Saturday, says the News, a heavilyladen waggon got “ bogged” at one of tire more exposed pinches. During the endeavor to get it “ dug out,” a perfect block took place drays, waggons, timber lorries, and passenger coaches all meeting together iu one confused heap.. Talcing out teams, loading and unloading coaches, together with careful navigation and close shaving, eventually resulted in the coast being left sufficiently clear to admit of the coaches proceeding on their respective journeys. Other instances of a similar kind have been brought under our uotice during the week. How the traffic manages to escape as well as it does we are at a loss to understand. On more occasions than one wo have pointed to the urgent necessity that exists for some stringent regulation being imposed, so that the hill may be left free during a reasonable period of the day, at least for passenger traffic. AVe presume the subject will remain over until the old adage is fulfilled about drowning a bishop and then building a bridge. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Education Board, which should have been held yesterday, was (in consequence of there not being a quorum) adjourned till 12 o’clock to-day.

A Melbourne Baptist Church has resolved to ask Mr. Spurgeon to visit that colony. Messrs. Jiastwell and Macara are preparing to run a line of coaches between Masterton and Castlepoint. The position of Mrs. Bryant, whose husband shot himself, is we understand very distressing, and offers an opportunity for charitably inclined persons to express practical sympathy. The business of the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday is hardly worth recording, there having been only one case of drunkenness to dispose of. The Melbourne Cricket Club, at a special meeting, offered to engage Hill and XTllyetfc, two of the English cricketers, at .£2OO each, for next season, and they will come out in November next.

The great race for the Derby Stakes came off on Epsom Downs while the people of this part of the world were wrapt in calm repose last night. We shall no doubt know the name of the winner before many hours are over. The Lyttelton Times considers the decision of the official Court of Inquiry at the Chatham Islands on the total wreck there of the ship Ocean Mail, is unsatisfactory in the extreme. If that decision is final, there is great reason to regret that the judicial investigation was not held at one of the principal ports in New Zealand, where a searching inquiry, assisted by counsel on each side, could have been made, and where we should have had some guarantee that a proper decision, in conformity with the evidence and adequate to the occasion, would have been ihe result.

The Nelson Mail has been shown a sample, received by the San Erancisco mail, of wool which recently sold in London at the enormous price of ss. l|d. per lb. It is scoured merino, and very nearly as fine as silk. There was but one bale of it, and the competition was keen, several of the buyers having determined to secure it at any reasonable price. The gentleman who forwards the sample says that although such a price could not be expected for any large quantity, he believes that 500 bales might have been disposed of, even .at the then unsatisfactory state of the market, at 3s. per lb. The wool, we believe, was from the Ercildoun station, Victoria.

A project is on foot for making Manchester a seaport by improving the tidal navigation of the Irwell. A memorial (says the Pall Mall Gazette) has been addressed to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce requesting that the whole question of Manchester tidal navigation be taken into earnest consideration by that body. It is urged that the following advantages, among others, will result from the successfuHmprovement of the navigation The transference of the cotton trade from Liverpool to Manchester, its legitimate and most convenient centre ; a large saving in cost of conveyance of imports to and exports from Manchester and the manufacturing districts of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire. The town dues upon Manchester exports and imports now levied by Liverpool, which have hitherto proved an enormous source of revenue to that town, would be altogether saved. The periodical recurrence of disastrous floods caused by the overflow of the Irwell would be effectually prevented by the widening and deepening of the channel below Throstle Nest. The tendency which has recently shown itself of having goods for export packed at the outlying manufacturing districts and forwarded direct to Liverpool instead of via Manchester would at once be checked, as it would then be cheaper for goods to pass through Manchester as heretofore. The groat impetus to the trade of the city, and large increase in the population which would follow from making Manchester one of the principal ports of the kingdom. The board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce have passed a resolution affirming in general terras the great benefits which would undoubtedly accrue from the successful accomplishment of the proposed scheme, but have expressed no opinion as to its practicability either as a commercial undertaking or in an engineering point of view.

The Times Parliamentary report of the 21st February contains the following with reference to the Russian squadron at San Francisco : “ Captain Fim inquired of the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been drawn to the following statement in The Times of the Ist of February last :—‘ Russian Ships of War. —“A.M.” sends us a note, dated January 9, received by him from Sim Francisco on Wednesday morning ;—“ There is a small fleet of Russian corvettes in the bay here. They are waiting for English vessels which come here for wheat in the event of a European war. I think they have thirteen men-of-war.” Whether it was true, as stated by the Globe of the 13th of January, that ‘to oppose 11 Russian war vessels England had but seven ships in the Pacific, carrying but 50 guns f And further, whether tire statement in the Globe of the 6th February was true, to the effect that ‘ should England side with Turkey, this Russian squadron will be conveniently near to Esquimalt, the British North Pacific naval station, which is comparatively unprotected, and contains an immense quantity of naval stores and ammunition?’ Mr. Hunt—My information does not agree with that quoted by the Iron, and gallant member. (Laughter.) It is to tire effect that on the 24th January there was at San Francisco a Russian squadron, consisting of one corvette, two gun vessels, and three gunboats. (Laughter.) The, Iron, and gallant member seems by his questions to anticipate an outbreak of war between this country and Russia. That is an anticipation in whiclr I do not share, our relations with that empire being of a friendly character. Should, however, British interests be threatened from any quarter iu any part of tire globe, I hope tire House may rely upon her Majesty’s Government taking proper steps to afford them protection. (Loud cheers.)” The Queensland people are now bothered with a constitutional question. A Brisbane paper relates how tire Premier, Mr. Thorn, resigned his position, and continues ; —“ A furious discussion arose as to whether this exploit meant suicide or resignation, but Governor Cairns cut short the controversy by selecting Mr. Douglas as Premier, and accepting tire services of an ostensibly remodelled Cabinet, without requiring Ministers to go to their constituents. But after reflection it appears to have been found that a mistake had been made, and Mr. Douglas resigned his seat as member for Maryborough in order to remove doubts by re-election. But the effect being precisely the reverse, the AttorneyGeneral Iras published a two-column minute, iu whiclr he argues the constitutional question at length, and closes by affirming that Mr. Douglas’ re-election disposes of the question. This, however, is only Mr. Griffiths’ interested opinion, the real knot being still unsolved. H«w the crisis will end —for such it really is—cannot be known until Parliament meets.” The agricultural returns of Victoria for the year ending the 31st March, 1877, show that the total area of land in occupation for agricultural and pastoral purposes at the end of the period named was 13,039,245 acres, of which 12.702,051 acres were enclosed, and 1,201,105 acres were under tillage. The figures for the previous twelve months were 13,084,233, 12,105,197, and 1,120,831 respectively. It will be seen that the area under tillage in the year 1870-7 was greater than iu the year 18756 by 104,274 acres. The total extent of country under wheat shows an increase of 80,016 acres, but the increased return only amounts to 300,810 bushels. Other grain crops, with the exception of peas and beaus, show a considerable falling off. On the whole, the grain crop account stands thus—the laud employed was greater than during the previous twelve months by 00,090 acres, but the return was less by 387,534 bushels. Whether this result was owing to the dryness of the season or a bad system of husbandry, it is impossible to say. The acreage under the green and forage crops (with the exception of hay) has increased considerably, while the cultivation of “other crops,” such as tobacco, fruit, &c., lias also been carried on on a somewhat larger scale. The area given up to vines was less by 306 acres, while the decrease in the yield of wine (273,412 gallons) shows a greal falling off. We believe, however, that this season will show a fair average vintage. Thera is a large increase in the area laid down with permanent

artificial grasses and dedicated to the production of fodder plants, such as lucerne, vetches, &c., and from this we gather that the small holders are rapidly coming round to the opinion that the system of constant cropping is a mistake, and that to make farming pay they must combine grazing with agriculture. <{ H3gles,” in the Australasian, says:—“Two thousand men, under Chamat Croun and Prince Silvio, with several ironclads, had engagement with the Russian batteries at Ibrailha," &c. This is the ingenious interpretation placed upon a submarine message by the Sydney Morning Herald of 7th inst. A little consideration will suggest that on that occasion its sporting reporter and its war correspondent had been spending a cheerful evening together. The real purport of the first part of the message was, that ihe Two Thousand Guineas had been won by Chamant, .with Crown Prince and Silvio second and third ?” The telegram was forwarded from Srdae r to New Zealand in the same condition as " the Herald published it.

Some excitement, says the Melbourne.lryyj, was occasioned under the Verandah at Sandhurt, the other evening, by a fracas that took place between two persons over an election matter. The agent for a gentleman who was a candidate for the representation of Mandurang at the recent election, was making a statement to the effect that there were “2000 liars in Mandurang,” basing his assertion on the circumstance that his principal had been promised more votes than he had polled. Whilst he was speaking, however, a person stepped up from behind, and said “ That’s a lie, and you’re a liar,” upon which the agent referred to struck him a blow in the face, and requested him to “put up his hands.” On bis refusing to do so, he gave him another blow, and then threw him into the gutter. The same agent (observes the Bendigo Advertiser) has been wearing a black band round his hat ever since the election, to mark the death of Truth in Mandurang. He greatly deplores the necessity which compels him to do this, and steadfastly declares that there are 2000 men in the electorate who have not voted as they promised.