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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5108, 7 August 1877, Page 2

It will have been observed by an advertisement in yesterday’s Times that dividend warrants are now ready for issue to shareholders in the Colonial Bank of New Zealand,

The little informal caucuses of Opposition members from different provincial districts took place yesterday, as we mentioned they would ; but nothing was done towards a common caucus on a common platform. Consequently up to the present there is no prospect of an organised Opposition fronting the Government when the adjourned debate on Mr. Bees’ motion is called on to-night. In reference to the disjointed efforts made yesterday, it may be noticed that at the Municipal Counference in the morning several of its members thought it would be a good plan to have an audience with the borough members in the House; but Mr. Swanson, M.H.8., said; “It’s no use, gentlemen, trying to see them to-day ; they’re all busy. They’ve got their own little games to work.” A meeting of Otago members, convened by private invitation, was held yesterday, in one of the committee rooms of the Government Buildings, for the purpose of receiving a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Reeves and Roberts, as representing public opinion in Dunedin, with respect to the construction of a line of railway to connect that city with the interior. Some slight difficulty occurred at the outset of the proceedings, through a division of opinion among the Otago members present as to the desirability of the Strath-Taieri as opposed to the Oamaru-Naseby line; but this, after discussion, was so far overcome as to enable the meeting to pass the following resolution: —“ That the members of Otago who are disposed form a deputation, in conjunction with Messrs. Reeves and Roberts, to wait upon the Hon. the Minister of Works, to advocate the construction of the Strath-Taieri railway line to the interior of Otago, and the immediate completion of the main trunk lines. The deputation, we learn, waited upon the Hon. Mr. Ormond, by whom they were courteously received. The result of the interview was that Mr. Ormond promised to consult with his colleagues as to the possibility of giving effect to the wishes of the deputation. There is, we hear, every probability that to-day a caucus of the Parliamentary malcontents will I>e held. The programme, it is almost needless to say, is the old one—“turn out the Ministry at any price.” ■ A meeting of College governors was held yesterday morning at 11 o’clock. Present: Mr. Jackson (in the chair), Mr. Travers, M.H.R., Mr. Brandon, M.H.8., and the Rev. Mr. Paterson. ...The object of the meeting principally was to consider the draft of a BiU> prepared by the solicitor of the Board, for the purpose of empowering the governors to cut up into building leases a portion of the Wellington College Reserve, and let the same for periods extending over 42 years. The Bill was approved of, and Mr. Brandon instructed to insert a clause providing that the leases should be sold by auction. This was at the suggestion of Mr. Travers, M.H.R., who pointed out that it would prevent certain inconveniences, such as had arisen in the case of a Town Belt section which had been originally intended as a reservefortreeplanting. Ithadbeenleased by the Mayor to Dr. Johnston for £2O per annum, whereas an offer of twice that amount had been made for it. The matter was, however, in dispute, and might occasion some little trouble before it was settled. Another subject under the consideration of the governors was the constitution of the Board, and it was resolved that the number of members should never be less than eight, and that upon any vacancies occurring the governors should supply a list of double the number of vacancies, from which the Governor would make the appointments. On the suggestion of Mr. Travers, it was decided, with a view of introducing something like a popular element into the Bill, that the two city members of Parliament should be members of the Board. With regard to the bank overdraft the Secretary stated, in answer to the Rev. Mr. Paterson, that there appeared no immediate prospect of its reduction, as no reply had been received te the letters sent by the secretary, as to the grant in aid. Therefore it was resolved that a deputation be appointed to wait on the Government on the subject, such deputation to consist of Messrs. Travers, Brandon, and the Rev. Mr. Paterson Since the rain set in a fews days ago Plimmer’s Terrace and the approach thereto have got into a slippery mud and slush condition almost impossible of description, and, a drain is being opened up along the centre of the terrace, so that traffic is impossible unless persons are willing to risk life or limbs. As there are several houses on the terrace, whose entrances are almost blocked up by loose earth, the inconvenience to the residents is considerable. Much of this unpleasantness might have been prevented had the Corporation set about the work at an earlier date. There was a fair attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, when “ Love’s Sacrifice ” was played and warmly received by the audience, Miss Colville sustaining the part of Margaret, and Mr. Steele that of Matthew Elmore. The performance will be repeated this evening. Last evening Mr. George Cotterell and Miss Isabella Oarandini (Mrs. George Cotterell) gave their first drawing-room entertainment at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather the house was fairly filled. Mr. George Cotterell was as funny as ever in his impersonations, and received rounds of applause. Mrs. Ootterell’s songs were listened to with breathless interest, the audience on nearly every occasion insisting upon an encore. This evening they appear again for the second and last time but one, when the entertainment will be under the patronage and in the presence of his Excellency the Governor. The Rose Brothers gave a private seaEce at the new Princess Theatre, Tory-street, last evening, and notwithstanding the wretched condition of the weather, their was a fair attendance of ladies and gentlemen, invited to witness the performance, which was of the same character as that gone through by the Davenport Brothers, with the exception that an additional attraction is presented by the ventriloquial performance of one of the brothers. As to the merits of the entertainment, it may he stated that the Rose Brothers would hear favorable comparison with the Davenports, which, considering certain unavoidable disadvantages connected with an opening night in a new theatre, k saying a good deal ; and we have no doubt that the troupe engaged by Mr. Margetts will find favor in Wellington. It may be mentioned that Mr. and Mrs. Sam Poole, well known throughout New Zealand, will arrive in Wellington on Saturday, under engagement to Mr. Margetts. The person who stole the calf’s head was brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Cour yesterday, charged with the offence. He sau it was all a lark; but the Bench did not loot upon the performance in the same light, am sentenced him to one month’s imprisonment with hard labor. We have been requested to remind those who may contemplate being present at the fancy dross hall on Thursday to purchase their tickets early, in order that the committee may know for how many it is necessary to provide. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce will meet the Mayor at the Town Clerk’s office to-day at noon, to discuss the question of reducing the existing charges for the storage of kerosene. The Mayor and City Council will entertain the members of the Municipal Conference at dinner at the Empire Hotel this evening. btrangers paying a visit to Wellington, and country settlers arriving in town, are very often at a loss to know which is the best house or cheapest general drapery'establishment to visit for buying drapery and clothing. J. McDowell and Co. offer special advantages. They keep at all times the largest and best assorted stock of every class of goods, imported direct from the leading manufacturers of Great Britain and Ireland, which, being bought on the most advantageous terms, enables them to offer goods of sterling qualities at prices that cannot be improved on by any house in the trade. Every article is marked at a fixed price that cannot be deviated from, so that inexperienced people can buy equally with the best judges, the terms being 5 per cent, discount on all sums of £2 and upwards,. and 2J per cent, on all accounts settled monthly; on all quarterly accounts or statements, no reduction. We consider that cash buyers are entitled to the above discount, and have adopted the above as a permanent system with our customers. A full description of stock can bo obtained from our catalogues and advertisement. Note the address—Opposite the Bank of New Zealand, corner of Lamb- | ton-quay and AVillis-streot, Wellington,—Advt.