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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5085, 11 July 1877, Page 2

The following appears in the Otago Guardian of Monday, July 2 -.—With regard to an article which appeared in the Otago Guardian of 15th May, ‘IB7B, and in which certain personal criticisms, appeared ’ upon the editor of the New Zealand , Times, Mr. John M. Perrier, we are glad to state that the criticisms we have had proof were unfounded, and we freely withdraw them, remarking more particularly that we feel satisfied Mr. Perrier in no way acted unfairly towards his predecessor, Mr. It. J. Creighton.

The New Zealand Times have received no notice of the contemplated libel actions against them. The Ocean Mail perjury cases came to a conclusion yesterday, and the result was that the conviction was practically quashed. The Court decided that on certain counts of the indictment the verdict could not stand, and so far as these are concerned must be acquitted on them. As to the. other counts prisoners .were .released on their own recognisances to come up for judgment when called upon, a contingency extremely improbable. The Otago Daily Times learns that the tariff rates of freight from London to New Zealand which were recently agreed to by the various shipping companies, no longer hold good, and that the rates ia future will be solely regulated by open competition.

A man named William Reid was found dead in an outhouse at Palmerston North yesterday morning. It is supposed that death was caused by excessive drinking. An inquest will be held to-day. A Mr. Hooper was attacked with a horsewhip by a Mrs. Baker yesterday. It is said that the published accounts of the affair are erroneous. The matter created some little talk in town.

The Choral Society band had a first-rate practice last evening, at Mr. Hunter’s room, there being a large attendance. Members of both band and chorus are particularly requested to be present on Thursday evening next, at 8 o’clock sharp, as the choruses to Weber’s “ Oberon ” will be taken for the first time with full orchestral accompaniment. At the Theatre Royal last evening “ Eaust and Marguerite,” followed by “ Hunting a Turtle,” were repeated to an audience which appeared delighted with the performance. For this evening a treat is announced. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton’s splendid historical drama of “ Richelieu ” will be produced, Mr. Morton Tavares in the title role.

1 Amongst the improvements at Clyde-quay we are glad to notice one which has been done by private enterprise. Mr. Berg, the proprietor of the Clyde-quay Hotel, has, at his own expense, constructed a flight of steps to the north of his hotel to the top of the hill, making an easy and short way to the delightful walk round the rooks tor the inhabitants of Roxburgh and Majoribanks streets. A meeting of the committee of the Wellington Benevolent Institution was held yesterday afternoon. Present : Mr. L. Levy (elected chairman), Rev. B. W. Harvey, Archdeacon Stock, Rev. W. H. West, Rev. R. Coffey, Rev. J. Paterson, Rev. E. Trivett, Messrs. D. Lewis, J. G. Holdsworth, and the Secretary. Subscriptions received—Mr. G. Moore, £1 125.; Mr. J. Slater, £1 ; M. E., £1 Is. ; Mr. J. Marks, £1 ; Mi-. E. Anderson, £1 Is. ; Mr. J. McDowell, £1 Is.; Messrs. Krull and Co., £5 55.; Messrs. Turnbull and Co., £2 25.; Mr. Whitehead, £1 ; Mrs. Marriott, 10s. fid.; Mr. Tustin, 10s. Several cases were considered and relieved.

Dir. Clifford, proprietor of the “ Mirror of the World," may be congratulated on the success his excellent entertainment has met with during the present season, which ia now near its close. It shows that a genuine article in the shape of a “show” is sure to be well patronised in Wellington. There was a failattendance at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last evening. This evening will be the last on which the Mirror will be exhibited.

Yesterday one of our reporters inspected a number of railway station panel advertisements, on view in the large room, Panama Chambers, and we notice that several of the leading merchants, shipping agents, and hotel-keepers have already taken advantage of this mode of advertising, which is becoming very popular here, as it has been for a long time in the neighboring colonies, and in England and America. Mr. Donne is the agent for an Auckland firm, who turn out these frames, the sign painting of which is really a work of art. Some of the advertisements are got up in a most elaborate style, the painting being solely in oil colors, and the effect is at once artistic and striking. No doubt this mode of advertising will be largely patronised. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday an apprentice- belonging to the ship Bvoomhall named Matthew McCallum pleaded guilty to an information charging him with having, on the 2nd inst., broken into the captain’s cabin, and stolen therefrom four shirts, of the total value of £l. The evidence of the captain, was to the effect that he had missed the articles enumerated on the passage out. He had for a long time past been missing property, the value of which in all amounted to about £7O, and he had reason to believe that prisoner was the thief. He did not wish particularly to press the charge, as the prisoner had respectable parents at Horae, and possibly this would be a warning. The Court then sentenced the prisoner to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labor. A second charge, of maliciously injuring property on the vessel, was withdrawn, as was also a similar charge against George Lye, another apprentice belonging to the same vessel. The adjourned case Holm v. Flanagan—a claim of £50 —calne on for hearing at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when Mr. Eitzherbert appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Buckley for the defendant. The evidence for the plaintiff was to the effect that on the 19th May he had been splicing the main-royal sheet,’and had overlooked some loose rope in the rigging. On coming down on, deck, the defendant, who was mate of the ship, told him he was a treble adjective useless person, and struck him on the face and head, and then, jumping on the skylight, kicked him violently several times in the thigh and ribs, aud although the plaintiff was much hurt he was not permitted to leave off work until his watch below, when he complained to the captain, and went to the doctor. He had to lie up for two or three days owing to the injury to his side. Corroborative evidence was brought, and then the defendant’s side of the story was heard. It was to the effect generally that Holm had been very troublesome, not only to the officers, but the crew. The defendant did not deny having struck the man, but stated that he had been provoked by .insolence, and a distinct refusal to do duty when ordered, and this was substantiated by the second and third mates and other witnesses, although the exact nature of the insolence could not bo specified. His Worship, in giving judgment, remarked that although it was admitted to bo highly necessary to maintain discipline on board a vessel, yet the mate had adopted the very method by which that discipline would be subverted. There appeared to have been no evidence of mutinous conduct on the part of the crew, and although hinted at, there had been ho evidence of insolent ■ language on the part of the plaintiff, and, therefore, no excuse for the action of the chief officer. The mode he adopted of treating men was not of a character calculated to keep order amongst seamen, but was rather of an opposite nature. The assault, however, had not been of a very serious character, and would be amply met by a verdict of £5 and costs.

Yesterday afternoon about half-past five o’clock, a little lad named Brannigan, employed in selling papers, went on board the s.s. Taranaki, lying at the wharf, aud not perceiving that the afterhatch was open, the men having just finished working there, fell down into the vessel’s hold. He was speedily taken up, and beyond a nasty cut on the back of his head and a severe shaking received no other injury. He was able a short while after the accident to walk down the wharf to a cab, which conveyed him to his homo. Some of the settlers at Jackson’s Bay have lately turned their attention to the enterprise of capturing seals among the rocks and caves to the southward of the bay, and have been comparatively successful. It is stated by a correspondent of the 1 Vest Coast Times that a party of five men were absent for five days about a fortnight ago, and returned with a cargo of 140 seal skins. The actual time of killing the seals was only six hours. As they are worth from 25a. to 80s. each, they will make a handsome profit by their venture. This party are away on another trip, and tvo more boats are fitting out, and will start as soon as the weather is favorable.

At the Kaiapoi Resident Magistrate’s Court three printers have been charged with stealing a quantity of type belonging to the Canterbury Independent.

The Standard remarks that it does not speak well for the agricultural enterprise of the Wairarapa to be informed that the only flour mill south of Masterton is not employed for more than half the year.

A number of the members of the Georgia Minstrel Troupe, on Independence Day, asked permission of the Dunedin City Council to fire off a few crackers in honor of the day. The request was refused. Mr. Sibbald, proprietor of the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, has expressed a wish, in order to allay the fears of some over-timid people, that three members of the fire brigade shall be present at every performance, and has offered to reserve three dress-circle seats for their accommodation.

A well-attended meeting of the Wellington Literary Association was held last evening, when the question, “ Would the Separation of the two Islands be advantageous to New Zealand?” was discussed ; both the affirmative and negative views being warmly supported. After the close of the debate, the question was put to the vote of the meeting, and carried in the negative. The subject for next evening's debate will be, “Is a purely vegetable diet more conducive to health than the ordinary mode of living?” The leaders on both sides being two of the society’s best members, a very interesting discussion is expected. The management of agricultural societies seems to exercise the Wairarapa people. One society got on pretty well, but difficulties cropped up, owing to the scene of the celebrabration being annually changed. Then a second society started, but it was discovered that two could not well be supported, hence a movement for amalgamation. A meeting Was held at Masterton on Saturday, and there was a very long discussion on the subject, but ultimately it was decided to recommend to the respective societies amalgamation. The Cure Boating Club, Kaiapoi, seems to have come to an untimely end. The Press reports that at a late meeting it was proposed by Mr. J. Sims—“ That sufficient of the club’s property be disposed of to defray the existing liabilities.” He regretted very much to have to make such a proposition, but it appeared to be the only course open. Through no fault of the members, the club had been placed almost hopelessly in debt, and in common honesty the property must be sold to pay its bills. Mr. G. H. Wearing stated he felt very sorry that matters had come to this. It was simply impossible for the annual subscribers to make up the deficiency within a reasonable period. There was no doubt whatever but every club in Canterbury was more or less dependent on the winnings at the regattas to help its finances out, but it seemed as if the club had begun a system of cutting this source of revenue away entirely. He alluded to the fact that recently clubs had been lending their boats to persons outside the clubs to which the boats belonged, and thereby assisting some of the disaffected of a club to compete against the boats entered by their club. Taking this into consideration, as well as the fact that the interest in boating generally appeared to be on the wane, he was forced into supporting the motion. Other members having expressed similar opinions, the motion was put and carried unanimously. Warden Price, the special licensing officer for Kumara, in opening the proceedings last licensing day, called attention to the disproportion of licensed houses in Kumara compared with other towns. In Christchurch, with a population of 15,000, there are only thirty-nine retail licenses ; in Hokitika, fifty ; in Greymouth, thirty-two ; in Wellington, forty-two. Kumara, with a population of 1400, half of whom were women and children, had already forty licenses, and now applied for nine more. Mr. Price spoke in very warm terms of the inefficiency of the present system of dealing with inebriates. He deplored the increase in the number of cases brought before him of late, and expressed his determination to deal- with all in the severest manner the law perrmfctocl. He hinted that his experience led him to believe that not only the drunkard should be punished, but also the person who supplied the drink. His Worship spoke also of the advisability of a provision being made, by future legislation, for the temporary seclusion of dipsomaniacs. There seems to have been a lively scene at the Christchurch Circuit Court the other day owing to the Resident Magistrate of Akaroa being unable to produce a certain plaint required in the hearing of a perjury case. During the discussion Mr. Justice Johnston said the present system of conducting, or rather getting case?, was highly improper, and until another system was established evils would continually result. There was no professional advice nor solicitors to get up the case, and, as a natural consequence, the administration of justice often failed. On the previous day a very gross case had broken down simply because it had not been looked properly into beforehand. ... lam not aware whether the Executive have a proper view as to the duties of Crown prosecutors, and whether they dp not think their duties go far beyond the mere conducting of cases in court. Mr. Duncan: I am not supposed to do more, but I often do. The Court : The solicitor’s work does not appear to me to be provided for at all, and that is of more importance than the mere conducting of the case. The Upper Taieri correspondent of the Otago Guardian says :— Perhaps you will be rather astonished to learn that for a number of years a resident in this district has been busily engaged in trying to establish by machinery “ perpetual motion.” The individual referred to has at different periods during recent years given an exhibition of his labors in that respect. I understand that he is at present in Duuedin for the purpose of bringing the model under the notice of several scientific men in your city. He has expressed himself confident of ultimate success. Whatever may be the result, he has certainly produced a clever model in the original. Recently he has been engaged in perfecting an improved model of the original for exhibition. The Dunedin Star expressed disappointment with the County Chairmen’s Confeience. It says:—“ We had expected to hear the matters of principle in which the Act is notoriously defective reasonably discussed and the opinions of the several chairmen present given with all the weight of their experience, short though it may have been. Nothing was, however, approached or attempted to be dealt with except points of mere technical defect and the drafting of some of the sections; or equally unimportant details of management of elections and arrangement of business. One question somewhat, however, just now of secondary interest in the face of the uncertain future of the county system was certainly talked over, that is whether or not it would be advisable that existing counties should be amalgamated so as considerably to increase the area and reduce the number; and provided other necessary legislation takes place, to which we shall presently allude, we should be inclined to agree with the chairmen present last night, that such amalgamation is, on various grounds, exceedingly desirable.”

The ironworkers of Dunedin have resolved to forward the following petition to Parliament “To the honorable the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled : The petition of the undersigned artisans ard others humbly showeth—That we, your petitioners, feel aggrieved at the injustice being done to us by the importation of manufactured materials from foreign parts, since so many of our class have come out hero under the Public Works and Immigration Scheme. That we were led to understand that we should find constant employment at our several trades, but we have found nothing but disappointment, and a great number of us are of necessity going idle. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that all railway plant, iron shipbuilding, engineering, and all iron and brass moulding required for public service may be manufactured in the colony, and that tenders may be invited for all such materials requisite for the public service. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.”

Daniel Heggarty, of Carterton, was yesterday committed for trial on a charge of arson. The Patea County Council has resolved,-y- ---“ That, with a view to supplement the revenue of the county, the Government be respectfully requested to endow the county with a block of land of at least 20,000 acres, and in making application to the Government, the exceptional circumstances of this county be pointed out, it being a newly settled county, and a county that has been kept back by native wars.” While the Chinese gambling case was being tried in the Supreme Court, Dunedin, his Honor Mr. Justice Williams said that the effect which the prosecution would have upon Dunedin morality would probably be to acclimatise “fan-tan” among the European residents. Mr. Haggitt, however, remarked that he hardly thought that such would be the case, as he did not think that the game was exciting enough for Europeans. A steamer has been put on to run between Christchurch and Timaru, in opposition to the railway. The proprietors promise to convey goods between the places at at least half the cost charged for railway carriage, in view of which the Herald says:—Several business-men have ordered their goods to be sent from Christchurch by her, instead of by rail as heretofore.

The Patea Mail sqys that on the Ist August next, Major Brown (Civil Commissioner) is expected to pay a visit to Normanby, for the purpose of handing over to natives interested, the balance of money Government has decided to pay on account of confiscated lands lying between that district and the Waingongoroa Kiver. It is said the balance of land will be taken whether the natives take the balance of the money or not. The Masterton Newe Letter reports an accident which illustrates the danger of playing with firearms. Sam Creighton, a native, had a gun in his hands, and having snapped several caps, merely for pastime, concluded that it was not loaded. Butting on another cap, he said to a Maori who was standing near him, “ Now, you’re a sorcerer, and I will shoot you.” Suiting the action to the word he took aim. The gun, much to the surprise of both, went off, the charge of shot hitting the man in the fleshy part of the arm, and also knocking a hole in the wall. The wound is said to be very slight. Some of the residents of Timaru adopt eccentric methods of alleviating the ennui of existence there. The following appears in the Times: —At 11 o’clock this morning, in pursuance of a bet made between Mr. J. W. Hill and Mr. E. Ball, the former took up his position on the roadway, between the Ship and Clarendon Hotels, in full evening dress and white gloves, broom in hand, and swept the crossings between these two hotels, and afterwards between the Clarendon and the Old Bank Hotels. There was a large crowd of persons to witness the event, and ®n his plucky conclusion he was loudly cheered. The bet was for a new hat and ss. During the operation several coppers were thrown to the sweeper, who afterwards handed them to some children who were amongst the lookers-on. Heuare Matua, a Maori chief at Hawke’s Bay, is not partial to bagmen. In the Wananga, Henare Matua says to the packmen :—“lf you persist to take goods to the Maori settlements after the publication of this my notice to you, and if you are outwitted by the Maori children, or if your goods are stolen, and if you make a charge against such children, they will not be in the wrong, but you will be wrong, because you have seen this notice, and afterwards you took your goods to the native settlements. Friend, European, cease to take your goods to the native settlements. Build a shop or store for yourself in some town to which the Maori and Europeans may go to purchase goods from you. My Maori friends, do not let such Europeans come to your settlements. Send them away, and let them go on the road with their goods. If you wish for goods go to the town and buy them, where you can buy goods at lower prices than you can obtain them from packmen, and where you can get the exact goods you are in want of.”

T!u; 1 {Vm fleoTgo 1 jeau lias addressed following letter to the editor of the Aharon Mail :—“ Sir,—l have to acknowledge the receipt of your.letter of the 28th inst., in which you ask to be informed of the steps that have been taken in the matter of the erection of a lighthouse at Akaroa Heads. In reply, I have the honor to inform you that the site for the lighthouse has been surveyed by the marine engineer, and the road to it from the landingplace pegged off. An order for the lantern and apparatus has been sent to England. The ' work of forming the road will be proceeded with at an early date, and the erection of the tower will be commenced as soon as certain necessary particulars connected with the lantern and revolving machinery are received from the engineers charged with the superintendence of the construction of the lantern and apparatus.” We draw attention to an announcement in another column that Mr. N. J. Isaacs will to-morrow sell by public auction the lease and goodwill of the business in the bankrupt estate of Charles Grey.