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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5056, 7 June 1877, Page 2

A return which has just been prepared for the information of the Chamba» of Commerce demonstrate tho rapid progress of Wellington during the past seven or eight years. The rateable property of the city in 1870-71 was £72,125, it now stands at £176,050, showing an increase in value during the period named of £104,000. Tho principal increase has taken placfl in Te Aro, viz., £52,000 ; Lambton ward shows an increase of £32,000, and Thorndon £20,000. The inward Suez mail, which arrived by the Kingarooma yesterday, two days in advance of the contract date, consisted of 612 letters, 125 book-packets, and 584 newspapers, via Brindisi ; and 194 letters, 80 book-packets, and 248 newspapers, via Southampton. The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council, which will be held this afternoon, will no doubt bo rather a protracted sitting. A number of important matters, such as initiating step 3 far carrying out the drainage scheme, and the report in respect of tho Corporation officials, will coinu up for consideration.

The Zealatidia, with the London mails of the 3rd of May, left San Francisco for Honolulu and Auckland on the 23rd ultimo, and is due at Auckland on the 15th inst. The City of Sydney, with the New Zealand mails of the 9th of May, reached San Francisco on the 31st ultimo.

Someone was good enough, on the arrival of the s.s. Ringarooma at the Queen's wharf at half-past six o'clock yesterday morning, to present himself to the purser of the steamer as the shipping reporter of the New ZEALAND Times, and, in vulgar language, to"collar" the files of the Melbourne Argus directed to this journal. A similar occurrence took place some time ago, but a threat of setting the police on the track of the offender prevented its repetition until yesterday morning, when it happened again. There is a difficulty about catchiDg thieves of the kind described by the mention of the circumstances, but the delinquents may be assured that no effort will be spared to find them out.

A meeting of the committee of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon. There was a pretty full attendance ; the Chairman of the Chamber presiding. A letter was read from several persons in business in the city, on the subject of the difficulties in the way of arresting absconding debtors, and suggesting to the committee the advisableness of urging the Government to propose legislation for providing machinery whereby absconding debtors might bo arrested anywhere within the colony. _lt was hinted that this might be done, providing that on the affidavits of two or more persons, or otherwise, an officer, to be appointed for that purpose, might bo enabled to telegraph authority for the arrest of the absconder. The committee recognised the drawbacks against which creditors had to contend, but saw considerable difficulties in the way of carrying out the proposal; therefore it was decided to refer the matter to the quarterly general meeting of the members, to be held on the 20th inst. The attention of the committee was also drawn to an Act on the subject of bills of sale, which had been passed by the Victorian Legislature during the last session, to the effect that no bill of sale shall be filed until notice of an intention to file such bill of sale shall have been lodged at the office of the registrar fourteen clear days prior to the proposed filing thereof; and in the meantime any creditor of the grantor may enter caveat forbidding the filing until his debt be paid. This matter was also referred to the general meeting. A letter was received from Captain W. TJ, Williams on the subject of the new reclamation and wharf extension, whieh was ordered to be acknowledged. (Several other matters were disposed of, and the meeting then adjourned.

The stiver inkstands that were referred to when we reported the presentation to Sir Wm, Eitzherbert and Mr. Bunny by the members of. the old Provincial Service, arrived by the mail steamer yesterday, and were immediately placed on view in Messrs. Shaw and Sons' window, where they were inspected by a great many persons. They respectively bear the following inscriptions :—" Presented to the Hon. William Eitzherbert, C.M.G., late Superintendent of the province of Wellington, New Zealand, by the officers of the Provincial Government Service, in token of their esteem. Nov. 1, 1876." "Presented to Henry Bunny, Esq., M.H.8., late Provincial Secretary and Treasurer and Deputy-Superintendent of the province of Wellington, New Zealand, by the officers of the Provincial Government Service, in token of their esteem. Nov. 1,1876." A man named Williams was brought before the Resident Magistrate yesterday, charged with drunkenness, and the information was amended to vagrancy, the prisoner being a man of exceedingly bad character. Constable Sullivan gave evidence as to the arrest of the prisoner, and Sergeant Price stated what he knew of the man's career so far, which was not by any means of a complimentary nature. The Inspector of Police also said that Williams was a worthless character, who might, if he liked, earn money, but would not. He was therefore sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with hard labor. As an instance of enterprise in our midst it may be well to mention that there has been manufactured by Mr. Wm. Thompson, of the iron and brass foundry, Willis-street, a massive Ijeamington range to the order of Mr. Lichtscheindl, of the Empire Hotel. It is the largest range made in the Australasian colonies so far, its length being 13 feet, height 3 feet 2 inches, with a depth of 3 feet. In addition to its size, the range has all the latest improvements—sliding racks for warming plates, patent grizzle, with staudard, to bo heated by coke, together with shoe-boiler fitted at back of range. Altogether this is one of the finest pieces of workmanship executed in this colony, and persons able to judge were of opinion until npw that such ranges could not be made in the colony. Ranges of various sizes are in course of construction; one of 5 feet i inches, combining finish and neatness, being for Nelson. Captain W. B. Williams, one of the largest shipowners in Wellington, has we understand very decided views on the subject of the proposed new reclamation and wharf extension. He considers that by carrying out the reclamation from Mills' foundry to the outer part of the middle T, the Government will simply spend thousands of pounds to spoil a first-class harbor. In the first place it would take away five berths, while if it were only carried to the outer part of the inner T it would take away but two berths. Next, the sharp curve that would be formed by a reclamation fiom the foundry to the outer part of the middle T, would render it dangerous for vessels to lie at it during the strong northerly winds that prevail in the summer time, the busy season of the year. He also points out that steamers are constantly calling in just for a few hours' coaling at the outer T, and then getting away; and that under present circumstances, these steamers frequently have a great deal of difficulty in getting away when the wind is from the northward, or on the starboard bow. But if the vessels were to be ordered alongside the proposed breastwork, where a vessel's head would be about six points further to westward, the difficulty of getting away when the wind was from the northward would be greatly added to. If a vessel were to go ahead under theso circumstances, it would run on shore; and if astern, then into the wharf or shipping. The only alternative would be to place buoys abreast of each berth, and regularly haul vessels out head to wind, a process which would be productive of great loss of time, and would prevent the possibility of the harbormaster, in caHeofneed, double-banking vessels. Hecontends that all this trouble and inconvenience could be avoided, and in place of these berths being taken away, six or seven new ones could be made, if in the place of carrying the reclamation to the middle T the less expensive plan of carrying it to the onter part of the inner T were adopted. These views were submitted to a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday. The Ilawhe's Say Herald says—The Wellington publishes a map of the seat of war, with reference to which it says: 'The execution is most admirable. It is, in fact, the most perfect map which has yet been put before the public' This is rather too much ! impudence, considering that tho New Zealand Times has issued maps which are fac similes of the maps attached to Major Russell's work, and arc almost equal to those in Keith Johnston's atlas. In tho 's map, we notice that Kara lies in the midst of a vast solitude. Such places rs Ardahan, Olti, and Bayazid—the latter said by a high (authority to be the most important military position in Western Asia—arc quite; beneath the compiler's notice. The map is well lithographed, and, so far as correctness goes, is fairly good, but it certainly does not condescend to many particulars." At St. Joseph's Church, Dunedin, on Sunday, Bishop Moran read an allocution by the Pope, delivered to the Cardinals in consistory on March 12, and in which the destruction of the temporal power and the suppression of the religious houses in Rome, and of the missions there, aro deplored. The Times says :—ln his remarks upon the document which he read, Bishop Moran expressed the opinion that war in Europe would soon become general, and that it would not only settle the Eastern, but also the Roman question.

The " New [Zealand Jurist " for May is to hand.

On Monday at the Canterbury Waste Lands Board 6281 acres of land were sold, realising £12,562. It hag been decided to establish a volunteer corps at Maaterton, to be called the Wairarapa Bangers.

Yesterday was the usual Hutt Court day, but Mr. Crawford did not attend as there were no cases to be heard.

The.usual lecture to the young will be delivered in the Terrace School on Saturday next by the master. Subject, " James Watt and George Stephenson." Admission free.

A meeting of the creditors of Robert Findlay Blaker, cab-driver, of Wellington, was to have been held at the Supreme Court House yesterday, but lapsed for want of a quorum. A ploughing match under the auspices of the Mastei'tou and Fast Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Association is to bo held during the first week in July. The trystiug place has not yet been fixed upon. Iu a paragraph respecting the rainfall, published yesterday, a typographical error occurred. The number of days during which it rained in Wellington in the month of May was 20, not 23, as it appeared yesterday. The attendance at the Theatre Royal last evening was numerous, when the Georgia Minstrels went through a programme which was full and varied. The Minstrels will appear for the last time this evening. The conquering rifle match between Masterton and Carterton resulted in a victory for the former by two points, the respective scores being 261 and 259. The highest scorer was Mason, of Carterton, who made 48. The further hearing of the case Hooper v. the Reformer Company will take place to-day at the Resident Magistrate's Court. Mr. Travers and Mr. Barton, who appear for the plaintiff and defendants respectively, will address the Court.

Shareholders in the Wellington City Tramway Company are reminded by advertisement to pay up their allotment call prior to the 20th inst., in order to allow them to vote at the meeting for the election of directors to be held this month. The News Letter states that Mr. Andrew has himself telegraphed to an elector at Masterton his intention of resigning. The Standard mentions the name of Mr. R. J. Duncan as a candidate, also Mr. R. J. Barton, in addition to Messrs. Pharazyn and Beetham. The Choral Society's concert comes off this evening at St. George's Hall. We have no doubt that there will be a large attendance, and that the concert will be favored with that success for which the society has attained such a reputation. A gentleman who on Tuesday opposed the application for a license to Mr. Duff's house in Cuba-street, has been treated to a lawyer's letter demanding an apology for statements Jhe [made respecting the sobriety of Mr. Duif. He has referred Mr. Duff to his solicitors.

A meeting of the creditors of one O'l/oghlen a laboring contractor and boarding-house keeper, at the Upper Hutt, was held at the Court House yesterday. The liabilities in the estate are £252, and the assets nil. Mr. Burt, of the Upper Hutt, is trustee. There was a suspicion that there had been some unfair dealing, just prior to the declaration of insolvency, between bankrupt and one Macmillan in respect of a horse and some land. Three or four witnesses were examined by the creditors yesterday, but nothing particular was elicited. The meeting then adjourned. An accident of a character not precisely serious, as the result proved, but which might have turned out to be exceedingly unfortunate for the sufferer, occurred on the Tinakori-road yesterday afternoon. A mau named Jones was walking along the road mentioned, when he suddenly stumbled and fell, in consequence of catching his foot in a rut in the road. He fell heavily, and remained where he fell for some minutes. He was taken by some neighbors to a house near the spot where the accident occurred, and having received the necessary attention at the hands of the medical gentleman called in, it was ascertained that the man had sustained no material injury.

The skeleton of the tower of the new Athenajum was raised yesterday, so that a good idea of what the front elevation will be may now be obtained. We believe the building committee have been scarcely satisfied with the speed with which the contract was being carried out, and that they had to make pretty strong remonstrances, which have had the desired effect. A large part of the protective wall at the back has now been pulled down, and the superincumbent mass of earth is being removed. The reason assigned why the wall did not stand was that it was not erected in the dry weather, according to specifications.

The News Letter reports a curious case of sticking up as having occurred at Masterton on Friday evening. A son of Mr. McCardle's, a lad about eight or ten years old, was returning from Masterton at dusk, and when Hear home a Maori came up with him and asked him to give him one of the loaves of bread he was carrying. The lad refused, and the Maori then gave him a blow in the face, took tho bread, and hurried off. The proper name of the Maori is not known, but nearly everybody knows him'by the sobriquet of " Rawbones."

The Otago Daily Times referring to some dismal forebodyings as to the future indulged in by some of its contemporaries, remarks : " Nothing, of course, is easier to predict, but all such prophecies have hitherto failed to satisfy their authors. It is very provoking, certainly, but it is nevertheless a fact, that although by this time the colony ought, by every calculation that has ever been made, to have passed through one or two at least of the most severe of severe crises, we are still going on, to all appearance, in the greatest outward prosperity, undisturbed by European disruptions, and unmoved by the troubles and sorrows of far-off lands. The other day, in the discussion on the Bank of New Zealand balance-sheet in Auckland, notice was taken of the fact that the Government deposits were likely largely to diminish in the future as they had in the immediate past. As against this, »nd we ask our readers to mark the fact (if this betokens disaster, wo really do not know what on earth betokens success), tho deposits, the assets, had increased by no less a sum than a million, within the year." Within the last few days, says tho Argus, the City of Melbourne Bank has been victimised to the extent of about £3OO, by a person who is evidently an adept in the art of forgery and uttering. Steps were taken by the authorities to prevent the matter getting premature publicity, in the hope that the offender would be the more easily captured. Sufficient, however, has now leaked out to show that the swindle was perpetrated by means of two skilfully forged cheques, one of them being uttered several days after the other, and in a different manner. On the 9th instant, a man, giving the name of Elias Thompson, called at the City of Melbourne Bank, and presented a cheque for £l4O, which purported to be signed by Mr. John Hood, manufacturing chemist, Elizabeth-street, and requested payment of the same. Mr. Hood having au account in this bank, and the signature being almost a facsimile of Mr. Hood's autograph, no suspicion was excited, and the money was paid. Not satisfied with this success, the fellow about a week afterwards repeated the fraud, but ÜBed additional artifice. He went to the Colonial Bank and opened an account tharc for himself with another cheque on the City of Melbourne Bank for £l6O 4s. This cheque was also in the name of Mr. Hood, whose counterfeit siguature was as skilfully appended to it as in the former instance. When it was presented by the Colonial Bank at the City of Melbourne Bank the amount for which it was drawn was at once paid, the first fraud having not yet been detected. Immediately after the money had thus been collected Thompson withdrew it all, with the exception of £B, from the Colonial Bank, and disappeared. On the following morning, when transacting some business at the City of Melbourne Bank, Mr. Hood'a clerk observed an

unaccountable deficiency in his employer's account, and when this was inquired into the swindle was discovered. Information was then sent to the detective office, and Mr. Secretan appointed two of his most experienced men, Detectives Williams and Browu, to investigate the matter, arid to bring if possible the offender to justice. These officers have been since exclusively engaged in the case, but the offender has not yet been arrested.

In an article which appeared in the Daily Telegraph a ie\v days ago on the subject of acclimatisation, in. which special reference was made to Mr. Edward Wilson's efforts, it was stated that a couple of green and yellow Australian paroquets, which made their escape two or three years back from a cage in the neighborhood of Lincoln's Inn Fields, had bred and multiplied to such an extent as almost to drive the sparrows from that metropolitan oasis.

The ship Gareloch, lately arrived at Liverpool from San Francisco, was boarded off Pitcairu Island by two boats, the occupants of which stated that all were well on the island, but the rats had eaten all their crops of wheat, and they were badly in want of corn.