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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5190, 9 November 1877, Page 2

It was currently reported in the lobbies yesterday afternoon that Mr. Reader Wood, who is supposed to have left on his way to England, is to be the new Agent-General. This will scarcely suit the views of “ another party.” To-day being the anniversary of the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, will bo observed as a general holiday. The public offices, banks, and most other places of business will be closed (the Parliament Houses excepted), and if the weather be fine a very large number of the inhabitants of the city and suburbs will turn out for a holiday. They will have plenty of choice as to where they shall go. There arc sports at the Basin Reserve, sports at the Upper Hutt, and numerous other amusements. At the Supreme Court yesterday his Honor the Chief Justice observed that there was a case pend ng—Schultze v. the Corporation of Wellington. Now both the Judges (Mr. Justice Richmond and himself) were residents in the place and were ratepayers ; therefore perhaps an objection might be raised after the trial was over to tho . case having been heard by them ; it would be better to arrange so that the objection should not be taken, or that some other Judge should try tho case. Mr. Barton said ho would consult with Ids client (Mr. Schultze), and mention the matter again on Saturday. After a reference to the Corporation Act, however, it was discovered that there was a provision made which obviated the difficulty, and that either of thoir Honors could try the case, without the point being effectually raised against their adjudicating. About 9 o’clock last night some gentlemen who have private boxes at tho Post Office went there to get their letters. The door of the passage was locked, but lights were burning inside, and it was evident that some of the employes were still in the building. Knocking at the door, however, had no effect. It has been suggested to us that the passage leading to the private boxes should be left open until the last employe leaves, and if a light were also kept burning it would bo an additional boon. Yesterday morning at 7 o’clock Peter Michael Anderson, a laborer, residing with Ida brother-in-law, Henry Jacobson, in Jolm-stroet, was found dead in his bed. An inquest will be held to-morrow (Saturday), at 2 o’clock p.ra., at tho Metropolitan Hotel

The cricketers who were unable to go to Wanganui yesterday, owing to the Stormbird being barbound at that place, have made arrangements to play a match at Blenheim, and left by the Napier at 11 o’clock last night. On Sunday next anniversary services will be held in the Primitive Methodist Church, Sydney-street. The Rev. A. G. Jeynes will preach in the morning, and the Rev. D. Dutton, F.R.A.S., in the evening. Both gentlemen recently arrived from England in the St. Leonards. The committee of the Wellington Working Men’s Club, lately started in this city, have been most successful in their endeavors to provide a grand programme for the concert which is to be given at the Polytechnic this evening. The overture which was played at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening last by the fine band of the Choral Society, will be played on this occasion by a few of our best amateurs, assisted by Mr. Parker. Messrs. Isherwood and Caddy will also play solos on the violin and clarionet respectively, each of which in itself may safely be anticipated to prove a great musical treat. It is always a painful task to chronicle the passing away of. old colonists. It is unusually so in this instance, namely, on the death of one who, in her own unobtrusive sphere, had endeared herself to a very large circle of friends, and who in every sense was not only a good colonist but the mother of a large family of sons and daughters, who have emulated the virtues of their parents in fulfilling the duties of good citizens in the work of building up this young colony. We refer to the death last evening about seven of Mrs. Smith (better known as Mrs. Old Smith), of Molesworthstreet, at the ripe old age of 68. Mrs. Smith and her husband, who is left to lament his loss—and a keen one it is—arrived at Wellington some time in the year 1845, and have resided here ever since. The late Mrs. Smith was in every sense of the word “ an old identity,” and for very many years the shop which the old lady kept, and which was mainly attended to by herself until within the last few months, when illness overtook her, had become an institution of the place. If a lady wanted a servant no such reliable medium as Mrs. Smith could be found ; and there are few ladies in Thorndon but who will peruse this notice with feelings of regret. They will miss the cheery gossip of the kindly matron who found them servants or lent them the latest new novel, for a circulating library was part of the quaint but useful kind of business managed by Mrs. Old Smith. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before H. S. Wardell, Esq., William Haynes and Hugh Weir were each fined 10s., with the alternative of forty, eight hours’ imprisonment, for drunkenness. —William Bennett, an elderly man, charged with a like offence, was discharged with a caution, this being a first offence.—Charles Sparkes, a sailor belonging to the St. Leonards, was charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct on board the vessel, and also with absenting himself without leave, and using abusive language to the mate of the vessel. Thd case was proved to the satisfaction of the Bench, and the accused was adjudged guilty and sentenced to seven days’ hard labor.—William Robinson was charged with permitting a chimney of his house to catch fire. Mr. D. Asher deposed to having seen flames issuing from the chimney, and that for several minutes afterwards sparks followed. Mr. Asher’s sou corroborated this statement. Evidence was called for the defence to show that the chimney was somewhat poculiarly constructed, and that during a high wind sparks frequently issued from it without there being anything amiss. The case was dismissed. —On the civil side the following cases were disposed of : Stonu v. G. M. Cameron. This was a judgment summons case for £l4 145., and defendant was ordered to pay within a fortnight, or go to gaol for a like period.—Judgments were given for plaintiffs in the following cases: —J. Guilford v. A. C. Riggs, £3O 17s. 9d. and costs ; B. Doyle v. William Eirth, £3 and costs ; E. Buck v. G. Harris, £ll and costs. In the matter of the Co-Operative Society v. j. Price, for £8 4s. 4d., the Court made an order for the payment of the amount claimed on or before the Bth December, or in default defendant to go to gaol for fourteen days. At the Royal last night there was a very fair house, and the performance went weli, giving general satisfaction. To - night the company will produce a strong holiday programme. The performance will commence with “ Hand and Glove,” at the close of which the prizes that are to be contested for at the fete at the Basin Reserve will be awarded to the winners, and then “ Family Jars,” a very pleasing farce, will’ conclude the entertainment, when the usual distribution of gifts will take place. To-morrow (Saturday) the renowned Italian artist. Signor Majeroni, will make his first appearance, when he will be honored by the presence of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Normauby and suite. The performance will open with the “ Old Corporal,” and as it is to be produced with new scenery and splendid effects, we shall expect something out of the ordinary run. The Majeronis come with the high commendations of all the leading papers throughout the colonies as artists who are without rivals in their peculiar line. St. George’s Hall was again well attended last evening when an entire change of bill was presented, consisting of Byron’s musical legend, “Giselle” and a Scotch comedy entitled “King James the V." Both pieces were well put upon the stage, and the introduced songs and dances called forth great applause. To-night extra attractions are promised. Besides the burlesque of “Giselle,” there will be grand allegorical tableaux, and the song “God Bless the Prince of Wales ” will be sung by the company. The Ziugari Minstrels will appear again and open a budget of locals. The usual distribution of gifts will take place, and the City Rifle Band will render selections during the evening. Smith and Co.’s grand panorama of the Franco-Prussiau war has arrived, and will be exhibited at the Odd Fellows’ Hall on Saturday the 10th November. From what we have heard, this is one of the best panoramas that has ever visited our shores, and will well repay a visit. The pictures are well selected, and are faithful representations of the scenes they are intended to pourtray. They will be accompanied by a lecture describing that terrific encounter which convulsed two of the leading Powers of continental Europe some few years since. This splendid effort of the limner’s art is also accompanied by two full bands —brass and string. Some very fine strawberries were left at our ofiice yesterday by Mr. Barlow. They were imported from Nelson, and are the first we have seen this season from that fruit-bearing region. These strawberries were certainly equal, if not superior to those which gained a prize at the Horticultural Society’s Show on Wednesday. Mr. J. Tuck, of Hawkhurst and Masterton, a well known and highly respected settler of twenty years’ standing, is, we are sorry to hear, compelled by ill-health to return to England. He has already sold his Rangitumau and Forty-Mile Bush properties, containing between three and four thousand acres ; and the balance, consisting of the homestead, and 1224 J acres, is now advertised to be sold. This presents a rare opportunity to start a stud of longwools or shorthorns, as the place is said to bo specially adapted for such a business. A rather mysterious occurrence (writes the BAllarat Star) took place recently. A Indy travelling from Melbourne by rail, on her arrival here missed her box, containing a large quantity of jewellery, and could get no tidings of it anywhere. She gave information to the police, who kept the matter very quiet, but did not find the box. Some weeks afterwards the box, with all the jewellery quite safe, was found in a well-known hotel, in a room recently occupied by another lady, and was duly forwarded to the no doubt well-pleased owner. The presumption is that the lady in whose room the box was found took it unknowingly amongst a lot of other boxes she had out of the railway carriage, and on leaving the hotel, she saw that the box did not belong to her, and concluded that it was cne left in the room before she came.