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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5165, 11 October 1877, Page 2

Nothing definite as to the formation of anew Ministry transpired yesterday. There will be a meeting of the City Council this evening, when the long pending question of the drainage of the city is again expected to be discussed, and other business of importance transacted. The Agent-General reports that the Eangitikei left Plymouth for Lyttelton on August 12, with 277 emigrants ; Mataura from Plymouth same day, for Napier, with 181 emigrants ; and Marlborough, from Glasgow, for the Bluff, on August 16, with 185 emigrants. The Legislative Council has adjourned until the usual hour on Tuesday afternoon. To facilitate the despatch of business, Dr. Pollen yesterday afternoon moved that the Council should meet at 2.30 p.m. on Monday next; subsequently an amendment to this was moved by Dr. Menzies, that the day and hour of meeting again should be 2.30 on Tuesday next. The amendment was carried, the original motion being declared lost on the voices. During the discussion Sir F. D. Bell remarked that it was an unusual thing to propose an amendment to such a proposition as had fallen from Dr. Pollen, but this aroused the spirit of Captain Fraser, who considered that the Council knew its duties sufficiently well, and that its members did not come there to be instructed by the Hon. Sir F. D. Bell. One of the Judges of the Supreme Court recently stated that it was fast becoming a Court of gunpowder. The legal profession certainly does contain a considerable amount of explosive material. The late case ot Leach v. Johnston occupied the Court in this city three days, although there is little doubt that if it had not been for the personal contentions of counsel it could easily have been finished in a day. Yesterday personalities reached a climax, when Mr. Barton denounced the conduct on the other side as of “ the most iniquitous and swindling character.” Mr. Allan sought the protection of the Court from such language. His Honor, while allowing every latitude to counsel in the interests of their clients, spoke disapprovingly of the personal abuse which was too frequent in this colony, which no doubt was in a measure owing to the merging of both branches of the profession. Full advantage seemed to be taken of the old maxim, “No case, abuse the attorney on the other side.” In England the courtesy of the Bar restrained its members within legitimate bounds, and his Honor thought it would be well in this colony if counsel observed the etiquette of the profession. Mr. Barton said he was the victim of disparaging remarks from opposing counsel, and he had only acted in self protection. Mr. Justice Richmond, however, informed Mr. Barton that in his opinion not one offensive word had fallen from Mr. Gordon Allan. Mr. Barton hinted that he was of a different opinion, and continued his address, in which he denounced the other side in strong terms of disapprobation for the manner in which they had attempted to “ swindle ” his unfortunate client. A trotting match of five miles came off on the Hutt-road yesterday afternoon between Messrs. Woods, Crosbie, and Co.’s horse Young Ferguson and Mr. McCulloch’s Sandy McGregor. The start was effected shortly after three o’clock, and Sandy went off with a good lead, which was kept up for four miles, when Young Ferguson came to the front in capital style, and won by about 100 yards, never having been pushed. There were a large number of spectators along the road, and about fifty horsemen followed in the wake oi the contesting animals. The consequence was that there were many spills, horsemen jostling each other in their desire to keep in view of the race. However, we are glad to say that no serious accident occurred.

At the R.M. Court yesterday Annie Greer, charged with being drunk, was discharged with a caution.—James Pearce, charged with assaulting Richard Woodman, was fined 20s, and costs. - On the civil side judgment was given for plaintiff in the case o£ the Wellington and Wairarapa Carrying Company v. Anderson, for £1 Bs. 4d. In the matter of G. J. Whitehouse v. William Rowlands, a claim for £B7, the defendant was ordered to pay the amount within a fortnight, or in default go to gaol for a mouth. Several other cases were settled out of Court or withdrawn.

Notice is given that the criminal case of the Queen v. Haggerty is postponed until tomorrow at 10 o’clock a.m., at which hour jurors and witnesses are required to give their attendance.

The case of Donald v. McMillan, now pending in the Supreme Court, has been postponed until the 17 th iust. The “ Peep-o-Day Boys” was reproduced at the Theatre Royal last night to a fair house. To-night “Hand and Glove” will be given for the first time, and to-morrow there will be a grand benefit in aid of the Indian Famine Relief Fund.

Mr. B. Barber, of the well-known firm of Messrs. J. and H. Barber, has, we understand, been requested to act as a judge of sheep at the ensuing Canterbury Agricultural and-Pastoral Show, and has accepted the invitation. The show in question is the largest and most important one of the kind in the colony. The Rev. Charles Clark, the eminent lecturer, is announced to reappear before a Wellington audience on the 15th inst., at the Odd Fellows’ Hall. The subject chosen on this occasion is “Oliver Cromwell, or the Bible and the Sword,” and it is almost needless to say that it is sure to be ably handled by Mr. Clark.

The funeral of Mr. George Moore, one of the pioneer settlers of Wellington, took place yesterday, and was attended by a large number of persons who desired to pay this mark of respect to the memory of a good and useful colonist who formerly took an active part in public life, and was much esteemed by a large circle of friends.

A man named John Henry Thompson, upwards of seventy years of age, who was only released from gaol on Monday last, was taken into custody again yesterday on the charge of stealing articles of clothing from the several establishments of Messrs. McDowell and Co., Smith, and Pirie, and will be brought before the sitting magistrate this morning. A large and fashionable audience assembled last evening at St. George’s Hall exhibition and entertainment. The Witches scene from “ Macbeth” and Fair Rosamond’s Bower” were both well played, and received well-merited applause. The City Rifle Band added selections during the evening, and the manager presented a silver watch among the gifts to the audience. To-night the burlesque of “ Norma” will be produced for the first time, with a powerful east, and, together with the gifts, is sure to draw a crowded house. Mr. J. T. Peacock has by virtue of a writ from his Excellency the Governor resumed his seat in the Legislative Council. He was introduced yesterday afternoon by Colonel Brett and Mr. Peters, and was about to be sworn, when Mr. Robinson jumped up and protested against his having to take the oath a second time. He said that members of that Council were members for life, and that Mr. Peacock never having broken his first oath had no occasion to take another. Sir F. D. Bell gave it as his opinion that unless Mr. Peacock took the oath he could not be considered a member of the Council, and in this opinion the Hon. the Speaker coincided. Mr. Peacock then commenced to read a statement he had prepared of a protest against his having to take the oath, but he was interrupted by the Speaker, who, on a question raised by Sir Francis Dillon Bell, ruled that Mr. Peacock could not address the Council until he had resumed his seat. Mr. Peacock then agreed to take the oath under protest, but it was pointed out to him that no one could take the oath under protest, and that any remarks he had to make could be just as easily made after he had resumed his seat. Mr. Peacock then resumed his seat, having taken the oath, and proceeded to read his protest, the two main features of which were that he had not and had not required to take another oath, having never broken the original one which he first took on being called to the Council. Altogether the scene was a lively one. During the sittings of the Supreme Court yesterday his Honor Mr. Justice Richmond intimated that the trial of Haggerty for arson (originally fixed for to-day) will not take place till Friday, owing to the s.s. Albion not having reached Nelson at the expected date. Mr. Justice Richmond stated that there was little doubt that the Chief Justice would be in Wellington in time to try the case on Friday, and jurors were relieved of their attendance till tomorrow. The remainder of the civil business is postponed till next week. A shock of earthquake was felt on Tuesday night in various parts of the Province of Otago, with more or less intensity, as appears from the following telegrams received by the Press Agency yesterday : —“Naseby.—There was a sharp shock of earthquake a few minutes before 10 last night. The direction was nearly due north and south. Oamara.—There was a slight shock of earthquake last night at 9.98. Direction, south to north. Palmerston South.—There was a sharp shook of earthquake *at 9.58 last night. The direction wat from north to south. The shock was followed by heavy rain. Dunedin.—There was a rather smart shock of earthquake at 9.58 last night. It lasted about five seconds. Direction, north to south. Lawrence.—An earthquake was felt here last night at 9.56. There were three distinct shocks experienced. It was accompanied by a rumbling noise. Direction, from north-west to south-east. Roxburgh.—There was a severe shock of earthquake at 9.45 last night. Three distinct and heavy movements were felt from north to south. The sky was very wild, and there was heavy lightning at the time. Balclutha.— There was a smart shook of earthquake at 9.58 last night, lasting a few seconds. Direction, north to south. The night was dark and showery. Port Chalmers. Two distinct shocks of earthquake, preceded by low rumbling noises, were experienced last night at 10 o'clock. The first shock lasted about tweuty seconds ; the second was of much longer duration, and more violent. Heavy rain followed."

The Home News of the 23rd August says;— The Secretary of State for the Home Department has appointed a committee, consisting of Sir H. Selwin-Ibbetson, M.P„ Lieut.-Gol. the Hon. William Feilding, of the Coldstream Guards, Mr; W. Overend, Q. 0., and Mr. J. B. Maule, Q.C., to inquire into the management, discipline, and efficiency of the detective force of the Metropolitan Police. Two of the metropolitan magistrates have been added to this list.