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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5093, 20 July 1877, Page 2

Mayor. The House of Representatives meets this afternoon for the despatch of business, when tho Address in Reply will bo moved by Mr. Beetham, the new member for the Wairarapa. . There were of course various and many rumors flying about the lobbies of the House yesterday as to the probable political outcome of the session. Some gentlemen talked loudly, others gently, of “ a groat middle party ” in course of formation, which was to extinguish everything and everybody. As n matter of fact, however, the most likely outcome of the session will be an attempt by “ the outs,” re-

presented by Sir George Grey as a leader, to oust “ the ins ; ” the failure of that attempt, and the wholesome efforts of a majority anxious for the wellbeing of the colony, to advance the business of the country as much as possible. No intimation of the opening of Parliament was forwarded to the Foreign Consuls. Consequently none of them were present yesterday. The omission, we believe, was not intentional ; but was none the less the result of ignorance, just as was the letter telling the New Zealand Times that “ one representative” would be admitted to the Hansard gallery in the Legislative Council Chambers. In this connection it may be well to advise those who are ignorant, that getting a literary bravo to defend them by means of personality will not be to their advantage.

The inward English mail via San Francisco, which arrived in Wellington by the s.s. Taranaki on Tuesday last, consisted of 3164 letters, 520 books, 9000 newspapers.

For the accommodation of the Press this session “ the authorities ” have provided in the Parliamentary Buildings one small room without a fireplace, a large table, and one chair. Clifford’s Mirror of the World will re-open for one week only, commencing on Saturday, and we have no doubt it will be well patronised.

The regular monthly meeting of the New Zealand Pacific Lodge, No. 517, E. 0., will be held on Monday next, the 23rd instant, at the Masonic Hall. The case of Harrison v. Palmer is set down for hearing at the Supreme Court at ten o’clock this morning. It is an action to recover damages for an alleged breach of agreement between plaintiff and a bank manager. It is reported that Air. Andrew Young, the well-known coach proprietor, has sold t© Messrs. Hastwell and Co., a portion of his coaching business, including the plant used on the Wellington and Wanganui line. The promenade concerts at St. George’s Hall appear to lose none of their attractiveness. There was a good attendance again last evening. Air. li. W. Cary will make his first appearance to-night, and we expect to see him greeted by a full house. A memorandum from the General Alanager New Zew Zealand Telegraphs was received by us yesterday afternoon, which stated that in regard to European telegrams, communication bj the Dutch lines had been interrupted, but that the speedy restoration of communication was probable. A man named Harold Bay was yesterday , taken before Alessr. Holdsworth and Graham, ; J.P.’s, and charged with having embezzled several small sums of money, but the evidence for the prosecution not being forthcoming then, an application by the police for a remand was granted. The Supreme Court was occupied all day yesterday with the case of Alorris v. O’AXalley, an action for damages arising out of an accident on Air. O’Alalley’s . reclamation work, by which plaintiff’s leg was crushed and had to be amputated below the knee. A report will be found in another portion of our columns, from which it will be seen that the jury awarded the plaintiff £75. Air. Walker, the trance-medium, has arrived in Wellington, and purposes commencing a series of entertainments in the Odd Fellows’ Hall. Judging from the sensation caused by Air. Walker’s professions and performances, he should do a good business in Wellington for a short time at least, for the curiosity of most persons (and even non-theatre goers) will induce them to visit the “ medium.”

The Police Court records yesterday disclosed a “ rummy ” state of things as affecting certain unfortunate males and females in this city. Eliza Wilson was proved to be a vagrant and worse, she was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. John Johnson, an old man of dissipated habits and jocose demeanor, was also convicted of having come within the terms of the Vagrancy Act. He was sent to gaol for three months, being two months longer than his last term.

The theatre-going portion of the community cannot complain that they have not had plenty of novelty lately, a new piece having been produced almost every night since Mr. and Mrs. Morton Tavares have been here. Last night the sparkling comedy of the “ Two Roses” was produced to a fair though not overflowing house, and to-night the “Overland Route,” which has hit the popular taste here, as indeed from its intrinsic merit and the manner in which it is produced it deserves to do, will be repeated. We understand that the salvage case re the Star of the Mersey and the Luna will very probably have to come before the Admiralty Court for settlement. Mr. Kennedy, one of the owners of the Luna, went down to Christchurch the other day to try and come to a settlement with the owners of the brig Star of the Mersey, but noting satisfactorily was arrived at. Consequently the case will in all likelihood have to be settled by the Admiralty Court. It is stated that the salvage claim is £ISOO, but the other side are only willing to give £3OO. One James Brown, connected with a portion of the local Press, has summoned Henry Anderson to show cause why he should not be bound oyer to keep the peace. The information runs as follows : —“ Henry Anderson, of Wellington, did threaten James Brown in the words, and to the effect following, that is to say—l have a good mind to give you a thrashing ; if you ever write about me again I will blacken your two eyes,’ at the same time holding his fist in the face of the said James Brown; therefore the said James Brown is afraid that the said Henry Anderson will do him,' some grievous bodily harm, and therefore prays that the said Henry Anderson may be brought before a justice of the peace, and required to find sufficient sureties to keep the peace towards the said James Brown, the complainant, who also says that he doth not make this complaint against, nor require such sureties from the said Henry Anderson from any hatred, malice, or ill will, but merely for the preservation of his life and person from injury.” It is unnecessary to mention that the informant in this case is not Mr. Lionel Brown who is connected with the New Zealand Times. The case comes on for hearing at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, and is likely to prove amusing; as well as calculated to inspire public respect for the Press. Attention was drawn last evening to three persons being sentenced to three mouths’ imprisonment for drunkenness at the Police Court, where Messrs. Hoklsworth and Graham were the presiding justices. Now, the facts of the case were far from stated fairly. Grace Sugini, Eliza Wilson, and John Johnston were not ordered to be incarcerated for a lengthened period merely on the usual charge. The two females have frequently figured at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, and when out of gaol are an unsightly pest, frequenting the vilest dens in the city. As for Johnson, he is a poor demented old man, unfortunately given to drink, and has no home. It is only a few days ago ho came out of gaol, since which time he has been roaming about the streets during the night, and it was a charitable act on the part of the Bench to send him back to gaol ; if they had not done so, iu all probability Johnson might be picked up dead some morning in a public street. We notice this matter in justice to Messrs. Holdsworth and Graham, and also for the purpose of preventing people outside the city being led to believe that drunkenness has assumed such proportions in Wellington that it requires such a strong remedy as three months’ imprisonment in an ordinary case. We have often commented on the cold, miserable, and utterly wretched room devoted to the purposes of the Supreme Court. Yesterday Mr. A. P. Stuart, who was summoned as a special juror, begged his Honor the Chief Justice to excuse him, saying he suffered from rheumatism, and his medical adviser said it would be positively dangerous to his health to sit in such a cold, draughty apartment for a number of hours. His Honor admitted that the room was as cold and uncomfortable as it well could be, and excused Mr. Stuart’s attendance. Once more let us express the hope that during the present sitting of Parliament something will be done in the matter.

A meeting of the Te Aro Working Men’s Club was held last evening in Mr. Bedstone’s schoolroom, Courtenay-plaoe, J. G. Holdsworth Esq., in the chair. The attendance was not large. The rules of the Dunedin Club we;e read over, and several amendments were made, the sale of liquor being altogether repudiated. Owing to the paucity of attendance the election of officers was postponed to a future meeting, when the future prospects of the club will be discussed.

Writing of the meetings of the Canterbury Hunt Club, thePressof the 18th inst. says;—The runs during the season have been exceptionally successful here, and the lines taken can be viewed for the greater portion of the way by the spectators, .a large gathering is anticipated.

A large and fashionable audience was present at the concert at the Odd Bellows’ Hall last evening, given as a grand complimentary benefit to Mr. rf. Hollister. Mr. Edwards and Mr. Raymond ably officiated as conductor and acoompanyist respectively, and the entertainment passed off most satisfactorily. The bill of faro comprised “Lovely Night," a part song by four gentlemen amateurs, which was admirably rendered ; the pretty song “ Sweethearts,” which deservedly elicited an encore ; “Flow, Gentle Dev,a,” which was also encored; and the “ Army and Navy,” given in response to the call. The violin solo, “ Less Huguenots,” by Mr. Isherwood, was beautifully played and warmly applauded. Then followed “The Wanderer," a song by a gentleman amateur ; the duet “ I’ve Wandered in Dreams,” by a lady and gentleman ; the “ Nightingale’s Trill,” by a lady amateur ; the “ Will-o'-the-Wisp,” by a gentleman amateur ; the part song, “ Lutzow’s Wild Hunt,” by four gentlemen amateurs ; the “Death ®f Nelson,” “O, Ye Voices Gone,” “ Poor Jack Brown,” “Sing, Sweet Bird,” “Pasquinade,” “Sing, Birdie, Sing,” “ Queen of the Sea,” “ The Moon has ■ Raised,” “Don’t Tickle Me, I Pray all these were well rendered, and cordially received by those present, who went home much pleased with the evening's entertainment.

A telegram received last evening from our own correspondent at Napier, in reference to the Waka Maori libel case, says ; —“ The taking of evidence before the Commissioner appointed by the Supreme Court in the Waha Maori libel case commenced to-day. Dr. Buller and J. W. Garble are conducting the defence on behalf of the Government ; the plaintiff is represented by Messrs. J. N. Wilson, Bell, and Sheehan. The evidence is being taken with closed doors, and Mr. F. E. Hamlin is the sworn interpreter. The town swarms with natives who have been subpoenaed. The case is likely to occupy several weeks.”

Theatrical prospects at Timaru appear to be looking up. The Timaru Herald, speaking of the opening performance at the Theatre Royal, Timaru, says it was a complete success. Some 600 persons were present on the occasion, and the general arrangements are spoken of as being throughout excellent. The programme comprised Byron’s comedy of “ Old Sailors,” produced at the Gaiety here, and the burlesque of “Aladdin.” Both pieces went well. Prior to the commencement of the performance the company sang the National Anthem, and Mr. Hall then made a speech, in which he expressed his intention to make the Timaru Theatre a first-class one. The new Odd Fellows’ Hall at Kaiapoi is to be formally opened on the 26th instant with appropriate ceremonies.