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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5115, 15 August 1877, Page 2

j The European and American mails via San 'Francisco which arrived in harbor yesterday jaffcernoou by the sis. Hawea consisted of 3635 jletters, 892 books, &c., and 10,741 newspapers. The Legislative Council met yesterday jafternoon at the usual hour. Various reports (were laid upon the table, and'notices of motion Tor next sitting day given, and then, on the ’motion of the Hon. Mr. Hall, the Council adjourned until Thursday next, owing to the abisenoe of Dr. Pollen through indisposition. , ; The advocates of temperance and reform' of the licensing laws at present in force throughiout the colony are generally bestirring them- ■ selves to acquaint the legislature with their ■views on the subject. The number of petitions before the House in relation to this important question is already-large, and yesterday again two petitions numerously signed 1 were laid before the House of Representatives, i One, presented by Sir George Grey, was from the Thames, praying that no measure might be i introduced during the present session to lega- ■ Use the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sundays. The other, presented by the Hon. Mr. Fox, was in favor of the Local Option Bill. ‘ We have been • informed ’ that on Sunday evening last, during the absence of the inI mates at divine service-,, the premises of Mr. J. Smith, Cuba-street; were feloniously entered, some of the rooms ransacked, and various , articles of jewellery stolen. The return of some of the occupants before- they were expected by the_ burglars induced the latter—said to be t.wo in number—tp make a hasty retreat before they could be captured; The Tararua, which arrived here yesterday after a very rough passage-from Melbourne via Hobarton, has brought over from Australia some valuable stud merino sheep tor Mr. Douglas. McLean’s • .station ,at Waraekakabo, Hawke’sHay. ‘ These animals were in charge of Mr. A. McLean (Mr. D. McLean’s manager), who has succeeded in landing them in good condition, notwithstanding the dangers of the voyage, and he desires to thank Captain - Sinclair. and his- officers - for their skill, care, and attention, without which it is doubtful* if Mr. McLean could have landed ‘ his valuable freight in safety here. Mr. Benbow/the vice-presidenfc of “the Wellington Chess Club has, we hear, received a friendly challenge from Mr. H. Charliok, the well-known Adelaide chess-player. The challenge has ibeeh accepted,'and is a similarbne to that now in course of play between Mr. Ecnbow 1 a’jul “Mr. ITookliam, of. Christchurch, consisting of three games. Mr. Charliok has also sent to Mr. Banbow a problem of his, together with one or two games, which Mr. Benbow, with lub usual courtesy, has placed at our disposal for publication in the weekly chess column in the New Zealand Mail, and which should prove very interesting to New Zealand chess-players. - ; Owing to arrangements not having been completed, the Princess Theatre will not open to-night, ’as announced. The company, including the Lydia-Howarde. Troupe, with Mr. Sam Poole and Miss Patty Holt, under the direction of Mr. Margetts, will leave for Napier to-day, and will be .absent for about a fortnight; when they will- appear, and will, we haye.no doubt, meet with the hearty reception to which they are entitled.A meeting of the Wellington Literary Association was held last evening, when a number of recitations were giyep by the members present, and criticised in the ordinary manner. The evening’s programme,being finished before the usual time for closing, several of the senior members gave other, recitations in a very masterly style, which were warmly applauded. The subject “Should imprisonment for debt be entirely abolished ?” will be discussed next evening. ,

A musical and literary entertainment under the auspicee of the 1.0.G.T. was given at the Boulcott-street Hall last evening in aid of the Grand Lodge Reception Fund. Mr. D’Aroy occupied the chair, and on the platform we observed Mr. M. Keid, the Eev. Mr, Redstone, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Turner, and others. A number of Well-selected readings, songs, and recitations were gone through, to the evident delight of the audience. Mrs. Palmer supplied the piano accompaniment, and contributed not adittle to the success of the evening’s entertainment. There was a good attendance.

Mr. G. Thomas sold yesterday afternoon, at , his new rooms, Hunter-street, a quantity of t goods in bond, being a portion of the estate of Mr. J. O’Shea. Fair prices were realised. Shortly before the sale commenced an excellent provided in Mr. P. Laing’s usual 1 style, was partaken of. Mr. George Oraw--1 ford occupied the chair, and proposed the 1 health of Captain Thomas in a neat and appropriate speech, alluding to the latter having i taken Mr. business, and wishing him every success in his new premises. The toast was warmly received. Captain Thomas responded, thanling' the chaiiman'and the company for their good } wishes, and alluding in . feeling terms to his [predecessor, Mr. G. H. : .Vermeil, .being about to leave for England in search of health; Mr. Duncan also, as the ; oldest auctioneer. present,'expressed his good , wishes for Captain Thomas’s success. .. -At the Recent Magistrate’s Court.yesterday, before H, S. Wardell, E«q., R.M., three charges, of . drunkenness were disposed of in the usual' manner.—Michael O’Connor, who 1 ha(l given-himself-into custody the previous ; night, saying ho had ho money and ho home to go to,-was cjiavgeil with vagrancy, to which he pleaded guilty, saying “ he’d “be glad to I work, jf only for his Igrub-’”,,,.The,lnspector intimated that’a fondness for strong drink was the cause of thfe man being put of work. The Bench' discharged the i accused with a caution, recommending him to go tp werk ferthwith, and te keep sober—David Merley, an elderly man, whese wife had ebtained a protectieu erder and was living apart frem him, was charged with geing te her residence when very drank, using very faul language tewards her, and refusing in leave, the place at any price. The accused, vihe maclo ne defence, was fined £l, or in .default ,48 i hours' incarceration— Charles Allen,' charged with permitting t he chimney of hfe premises on Lambtoa-quay to catch fire,.waa,fined 405.,-and costs. It appeared that Captain'Moss, of the Fire Brigade, having his attention called to the fact of defendant’s chimney being on fire, went over to his place to tell him about" it and take steps to put out the fire, when Mr, Allen became very abusive,.and sxid ho did .not want tho —— brigade about his place. Defendant' denied having used any improper language to Mr. Moss, and copiplamed.tbat the decision of the Court was l *unjust.” For this he was ordered into custody for contempt of Court; but on making an apology, he was released shortly afterwards. /The amount of the fine was paid. —On the civil side 'the following oases were disposed of: —City Council v. Curtis, £2, rates; same v. Clayton, 1 4s. 6d>, rates ; same v. Minifie, IJs,,,rates saTO® Y- Luxford, £1.125., rates Mblnf “v: MhD&nald,-' £37 os. 6d. ; Co-operative Society v. -NeWman, £2 3s. lid. Several other cases were set down for hearing, but were either ( settled . out ,°f Court or adjourned. ; • :i 1 • We understand that a committee is preparing a memorial in support of the demand made by tho, Southern artisans that Government should support local industries and manufacitures. • ■ ■ -

The Odd Fellows’ Hall was again crowded last evening, and it is evident that Hr. Thompson has hit the popular taste here. The intrinsic value of many of the prizes nightly given away amongst the audience, added to the decided merits of the Diorama, have' succeeded in nightly drawing crowded houses, and to-night we expect to see as full a house as ever. A meeting of the committee of the Benevolent Institution was held yesterday afternoon. Present : The Bishop of Wellington (elected' chairman), Archdeacon Stock, Kev. J. Dura-bell,-Rev. W. H. West, Rev: F. Trivett,Messrs. L. Levy, H. J. G. Holdsworth, and i the Secretary. A subscription of £3 from F. T. was received. Several cases were considered and relieved. ' There was a good attendance at the Royal last night when the splendid play o! “ The Hunchback ” was, very ably performed, Miss Florence Colville and Mr. J. B. Steele ad-, mirably sustaining the leading characters, and ’ being well supported by the rest of thecctnpany. To-night the performance will be for the benefit' of Miss Florence Colville and Mr. J. B. Steele, and will be their farewell appearance. The celebrated comedy “ She Stoops to Conquer” will be produced, and the occasion ought - certainly to draw all lovers of the drama to the house. The Queen Bee Relief Comrqittee have appointed Mr.- Sharp, M.H.R., and Mr, Curtis, M.H.R., to receive subscriptions in aid of the sufferers. Subscriptions; can also be fprwarded to the several banks and newspaper offices, whore lists have been left. The people of [Wellington are always ready to respond to cases of real distress, and will, we; have no doubt, answer liberally to the call made upon them in this instance. , , ; Mr. R. J. Duncan will submit to public competition to-day, at two o’clock,.forty sections of land in .the eligible tewnship of Dreyertown, situated nine miles from Masterton, at,, the entrance of the FortyMile Bush, on the Manawatu and Masterton' road. ■The projected main line of railway, passes through the northern portion of the township. ■ The whole of the (land is level, and only partially timbered. The neat nearest township is wdodviile, nearly forty-eight nnlcs from Dreyertown, and fifty-seven, miles from ; Masterton. 1 The. title to the land is under the' Land ;Transfer .Apt, the terms of payment are liberal, and an -excellent' opportunity presents Itself to intending investors. . a- a./ ■■ • -