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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5127, 29 August 1877, Page 2

It will be admitted that Jones and his privilege case occupy a good deal of space in the' New Zealand Times this morning. r With a very trifling ' exception they occupied |the entire • time •of the House yesterday. Under these circumstances we need not apologise for making our remarks about Jones as brief as possible, and in answer therefore to ;the question, “ who is Jones,” ail that can be said is, there are, according*to the last census,* families of Joneses in Wales alone. Inquirers are accordingly referred to Wales in ,the first instance, and have the world itself to Hall back upon if they, cannot find out, from amongst the 1500 families an answer 'to ■ their* question. The Diorama at the Odd Fellows’ Hall was again well patronised last night, the pictures, the ventriloquist, and the prizes combining to make a very attractive entertainment. This evening a lady’s gold watch and other valuable gifts will be distributed.

At seven o’clock last evening there was an alarm of fire at the Te Aro end of the town, the bells were quickly set ringing, and the fire brigades with commendable promptitude turned out immediately, accompanied by a considerable section of the people who are always to be found al,fires.. On reaching the scene of action it was found that the chimney of a house occupied by Mr. Frederick Cook, in Majoribank-street, had caught fire, hut the flames were quickly extinquished before any serious damage was done to the building. A nasty accident; however,'happened to two men who were riding on the Central Brigade’s fire engine. As they were proceeding along Man-ners-street two or three loose horses came in contact with the vehicle, a smash of the: pole followed, and the driver, Mr. Brown, was thrown out, and severely cut and bruised. Another accident occurred to a member of the AVellington Brigade, Mr. A. Darrah, who, as as he was mounting the. engine slipped and fell on the ground, one of the wheels passing over his leg and ancle, injuring him considerably, but we are glad to hear not seriously. In regard to the first accident the police last evening were making enquiries as to how the horses got pt large, and who is responsible for their being so, Avith a view to ulterior proceedings. The Supreme Court was occupied during the whole .of yesterday in hearing evidence in the Walca Maori libel case, which promises to be protracted, as the whole of the evidence taken by the commission at Napier has not yet been laid before the Court, and we understand that there is a mass of verbal evidence to be given by the defence, to say nothing of the addresses of counsel, which will follow in due course. A person named Michael Neilly, whose ideas on the subject of enjoyment would seem to be intimately associated with “ strong waters,”, made bis appearance at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday forenoon, charged with assaulting Mr. Joseph Ames, proprietor of the Star Hotel. It appears that he went into the hotel in a slightly excited state, became additionally excited there, then began to cavort round, throw money about, and break glass, and when ultimately he was turned out; he assaulted Mr. Ames, a remarkable feature about the man being that after he had ren-' dered himself as disagreeable as it was possible for one man without assistance to make hjinself, and being overcome at last, he inquired plaintively if he had not a friend thereabouts to help him, which of course was “very like a whale.” In default of a friend, he discovered a protector in the person of a constable, who put him in the lock-up, and on being brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning he ivas fined £2, and £1 damages, the alternative in case of default being fourteen days’ imprisonment. A long discussion took place in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon on the ques- ’ tiou of adjournment. Dr. Pollen moved that the Council should meet again at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Another motion was proposed, to ,the effect that the Council, at its rising, should adjourn for a fortnight. Several gentlemen spoke, amongst them being Messrs. Holmes, Robinson, Acland, and' Buckley, Avho complained very strongly of the Council being called together for the transaction of business, Avhen, in reality, there Avas little or nothing for them to do. Mr. Buckley considered that such Bills as the Sheep Bill, the Fencing Bill, and the Slaughter-house Bill, could very easily have been brought before them. Ultimately, the second motion Avas withdrawn, hon. gentlemen being apparently satisfied with having had Avhat Mr. Miller termed a good grumble, and Dr. Polleii’s motion Avas agreed to, The libel case now pending before the Supreme Court, Avhich so far has proved the reverse of invigorating or lively, Avas relieved slightly of its monotonous character yesterday OAviug to the occurrence of some slight contention betAveen the learned Judge and Mr. Macassy, arising put, of .a point of etiquette. Counsel in’ taking objection to a portion of the. evidence taken before the commission, which Avas .being read by counsel on the other side, merely gave as his ground ■of objection that the question which called forth thp particular answer referred to Avas similar in' character to a question previously objected to. In reply,' his Honor accused Mr,. Macassy of having mistaken bis duty to the Court; Which Avas to have submitted /to the Court any observations that might have, suggested themselves in supporting Ithe objection. : Mr. Macassy expressed regret that the Court should have felt it,necessary to mako such an observation in reference to him. In the Avhole course of his professional experience he had never before had such an observation made in reference to him. Said bis Honor : Possibly not, sir, as you may not hitherto have given cause for such an observation being made. Last evening a musical and literary entertainment. Avas given in the St. John’s schoolroom, Willis-street. The Rev. J. Paterpon occupied the chair, and there Avas a very large attendance. The programme Avas varied and entertaining.; The concert opened by a chorus by the choir, “Don’t Hove the bonny broom.” This.Avas sung Avith much spirit, and Avas loudly applauded. A song entitled “To the woods” Avas then pleasingly snug by a lady. The “Death of Nelson”/.Avas, then very ably sung by an old favorite, and elicited loud applause. A Scoth ballad entitled “ Last May a braw Avooer” was sung by a Scotch lassie, to the infinite delight of those who hail from Caledonia, of' whom many Avere present. ! A tenor song, “The Mountebank,” was given Avith great spirit and feeling by a gentleman amateur, aud Avas heartily received. This was folloAved by a solo on the pianoforte by a young lady. It Avas played with great taste and skilful execution. A reading, “Up in a balloon,” folloAved, by a gentleman amateur, Avhich, after exciting the feelings of the audience up to the highest pitch, finally elicited hearty laughter from all present. A song from the opera of “La Sohnambula,” “Do not mingle,” Avas sung with taste and feeling, and elicited a hearty encore. An Irish ballad, “Peggy Blane,” was then given by a gentleman amateur. This Avas followed%y a duet entitled “ When the bosom heaves a sigh.” This was rendered in. |an artistic manner, the voices blending harmoni.ously, and Avas one of the gems of the evening. A song by a young lady, “Oh Erin my country," Avas pleasingly rendered and Avarmly received. A duet on the piano by two ladies (a selection from the opera of “ Norma ”) Avas a moat brilliant performance. This Avas fol-lowed-by a comic reading, “ Dropping in to dinner,” which elicited hearty laughter. A Christy song, Avith chorus, was then sung with great taste and feeling by a gentleman amateur, the refrain being taken up by the choir, and Avarmly applauded. Next came the favorite’duet “Home to our mountains," Avhich Avas Ayell rendered. The humorous Scotch song “ Hame cam our guid man at e’en” followed, and Avas so Avell rendered as to elicit a rapturous encore, Avhen a humorous Scotch reading Avas given, the subject being scandal. This, from its broad humor, was heartily appreciated. The chorus “Daylight is fading” was then sung by;the choir, and Avent smootldy and well. A Afery agreeable evening’s entertainment Avas brought to a conclusion by the singing of the National Anthem. - The proceeds of the entertainment lAvill be devoted to the organ fund. A meeting of parishioners of St. Peter’s Parish Avas held’at the Te Aro schoolroom last evening, for the purpose of eleeting a member to represent the parish, in the room of Mr. E. Pearce, Esq., resigned. Mr. Didsbury, the returning officer, having stated the object for which the meeting had been convened, Mr. Ledger thereupon proposed, and Mr. Robert Hunter seconded, the nomination of Mr. C. Rous Marten’to fill the vacant’seat. There being no other gentleman proposed, Mr. Marten Avas declared duly elected. A vote of thanks to the returning officer terminated the proceedings. *! > The Thames Advertiser of the 22nd inst. records a painful case of scalding, resulting in the death of n lino little felloAV aged three years, the son of Mr. Ei • Bestic, of the Moanataiari Creek. It appears that the child took hold of a teapot containing hot tea, and drank out of the spout, aud although the usual remedies Avere applied to alleviate his sufferings death ensued some hours after the occurrence.

There was a fair attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, when the “ Phenomenon in a Smock Frock” . was produced in a very good style by the Theatre Company, and followed by the performances of the Vaudeville Troupe, which were well received by the audience. Yesterday at the Court'of Enquiry into the circumstances connected with the wreck of the barque Robina Duulop, the counsel engaged in the case, Mr. Stafford for the Crown and Mr. Quick for the captain of the vessel, addressed the Court on the evidence adduced, which has been already published. The Court reserved judgment until to-day at 11 o’clock. An entertainment will be given on Friday next by the Theatre Royal and Vaudeville Companies in aid of the sufferers by the wreck of the Queen Bee. The performance is to be under the patronage and in the presence of his Excellency the Governor and suite, Captain Digby aud the officers of H.M.S. Sappho. A brilliant and crowded house may be anticipated on this occasion. A meeting of the committee ef the Benevolent Institution was held yesterday afternoon. Present—The Rev. B. W. Harvey (chairman), Rev. F. Trivett, Rev. R. Coffey, Messrs. L. Levy, X). Lewis, J. G. Holdsworth, aud the secretary. A grant from Government for June aud July of £25 was received; and also donations from Mr. W. M. Bannatyne, £5, and Rechabite, £5 ; and the s following subscriptions—Mr. J. R. George, £1 Is.; Messrs. Eddie' and Jack, £1 Is.; Mr. P. Moeller, £1 Is.; Messrs. Kirkoaldie and Stains, £1 Is.; Messrs. Ladd and Co,, £1 Is.; Mr. Stains, £1 ; Mr. E. W. Lowe, £1 Is. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before H. S. Wardell, Esq., R.M., a woman, apparently suffering from old age and infirmities, named Mary Ann Hurst, who was found wandering about the streets the previous night, and was taken charge of by. the police as a destitute person, as'she could not make them understand where'she lived, was discharged, a friend of hers, who it was stated received 16s. per week to take charge of her, appearing in Court to see her home, and stating that Mrs. Hurst, who was not able to take care of herself, had managed to get away from home unperceived -for some time, but would now be well taken care of.—On the civil side judgment was given for defendant, but without costs, in the case of Edwards v. Richards. The claim was for a balance of account amounting to £42, arising out of transactions between the parties at Major Edwards’ boiling-dowa establishment, some six years ago. Mr. Ollivier and Mr. Fitzherbert appeared for the respective parties to the’suit. • Messrs. Gilmour and Son, ironmongers and hardware importers, notify in our advertising columns that they have leased and made very considerable improvement in their premises, and will open on the Ist September with a first-class stock of goods imported direct from the English and American markets.