Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5193, 13 November 1877, Page 2

A little forgetfulness is convenient at times, and particularly so amongst politicians. An episode occurred in the House of Representatives last night which unfortunately is not unique in parliamentary proceedings. Mr. Rees had taunted Mr. Travers with a hungry desire for office, and the latter gentleman rose and informed him that he had several times within the cast few weeks refused office in the present Ministry. This was a staggerer to Mr. Rees. He evidently could not understand why he had been so passed over to make way for the learned member for Wellington City, and he asked the hou. gentleman to name the party who made the offer. Mr. Travers pointed to the Colonial Treasurer. Mr. Larnaoh rose and said he had no recollection of ever making such an offer, and Mr. Travers again stated that he had, and that it was made in the presence of Mr. Bunny. Mr. Travers disappeared from the chamber for a short time, and on returning informed the House that he had seen Mr. Bunny, who admitted in the presence of four gentlemen that such an offer was made. The Colonial Treasurer adhered to his former statement that he had no recollection of asking Mr. Travers to join the present Ministry, and there the matter was allowed to rest. This misapprehension, or shortness of memory, whichever it may be, is certainly very strange upon weighty matters of State. A letter has been received from the Australian cricketers by the secretary of the Wellington Association, whose terms have been accepted by the Australians. They may be expected here by the end of January. The funeral of the late Mr. Alfred Ludlam took place yesterday afternoon. The hearse left the residence of Mr. McNab, Thorudon, at half-past 3 o’clock, and was followed by a' large number of people, amongst whom were several members of Parliament, including the Speakers of both Houses and the Premier. The .Legislative Council and House of Representatives adjourned in the afternoon out of respect to the memory of the deceased. Persons de-irous of nominating friends in Groat Britain for passages to Hew Zealand are informed that the monthly list will be closed on Thursday, the 15th instant.

A call of 10s. per share has been made by the directors of the Te Aro Theatre and Public Hall Company. The Civil Service examination, which was to have been held in December next, is unavoidably postponed until the following month. Smith’s Eranco-Prussiau War was exhibited for the second time last evening, and will be repeated again to-night. The sum of .£4O has been collected from the pensioners in the Pentridge Stockade, Victoria, in aid of the Indian Famine Belief Fund. Tenders are invited by the Under Secretary for Immigration up to noon on the 30th inst. for the conveyance of immigrants and cargo from the United Kingdom to this colony for a period of twelve mouths. The fairy extravaganza entitled “ Cinderella” was performed at St. George’s Hall last night for the first time. The piece was loudly cheered, and proved a great success, bliss Nye, Miss Vernon, and Mr. Keogh being especially good. The burlesque was preceded by a laughable farce, entitled “The Volunteer Keview.” “ Cinderella” will be repeated tonight, and “The Bride of Abydos” will be given shortly. An entertainment was held in the schoolroom, Ohariu, on the 9th inst,, under the management of the school committee, consisting of sports for the children during the day, a tea meeting in the aft irnoon, and a ball at night. Upwards of 200 persons attended, and seemed to enjoy themselves very much. Dancing was kept up till 3 o’clock in the morning. There was a large number of visitors from Porirua and other districts. There was a very good attendance at the Theatre Koyul again last night, when the “ Old Corporal ” was presented for the second time, and loudly applauded—more so indeed than on Saturday, when the piece was presented for the first time. It will be repeated this evening, and doubtless to another full house. On Wednesday Signora Majeroni will make her debht before a Wellington audience in “Jealousy,” an emotional drama which has been played with great success in the sister colonies, and will doubtless be equally appreciated here. The annual meeting of the Central Volunteer Fire Brigade was convened for yesterday evening at 8 o’clock, at which hour tl ere was a considerable attendance of the members of the brigade, as many as 43 answering to the muster-roll. Captain Moss occupied the chair. Owing to the absence of the secretary (Mr. Austen) through illness, the general business was postponed until Monday evening next. Some minor business relating to the internal management of the brigade was disposed of, and the meeting then adjourned until Monday. The growing importance of the provincial district of Wellington is nowise shown more conclusively than by the necessity that exists for providing new townships adjacent to the large areas of land laid off from time to time by the Government, the rapid increase of settlement rendering it necessary that all the usual conveniences of civilisation should be brought as close as possible to the doers of the settlers. The Sandon Block, in the Manawatu District, is one of our richest agricultural areas, and in response to the wishes of a number of settlers situated in ttie Kiwitea division of the block, a new township is being surveyed, called Kiwitea, and will be offered privately at low upset prices for a month by Mr. Macdonald, of Temple Chambers. We have inspected the plan of the township, which is situated on the Orua Kiver, some 16 miles from Eeilding station, and is laid out with great taste and judgment. An unusual number of large and valuable reserves have been made for educational, religious, benevolent, and other purposes, while the health of the inhabitants will be secured by the admirable nature of the site. The land abounds with the most valuable description of totara, which can be conveyed by means of rafts on the river direct to the Eeilding railway station, an advantage of no small moment to the settlers. The township is situated on the direct route to the wonderful lake and volcanic region of the North Island—Taupo ; and from its central position must before long become an exceedingly important place. We understand that lithographic plans of the township are now in course of preparation, and will be ready for issue this week. The principle of submitting the land to private selection at an upset price has the merit of fairness, and will no doubt be largely availed of. A meeting of the directors of the Caledonian Society took place last evening at the New Zealander Hotel, Mr. George Crawford in the chair. There were present—Messrs. J. Dransfield, J. S. M. Thompson, J. Lockie, G. B. Tolhurst, A. J. McTavish, J. H. Bethune, James Eeid, Captain Mclntyre, and Dr. Diver. The programme as arranged by the sub-committee was adopted, with a few amendments. It was also resolved to make certain alterations to the grand-stand, which will add to the convenience and accommodation of visitors. An elegant sterling silver enp was liberally presented by J. S. M. Thompson, Esq., as an extra prize in the 440 yards New Year’s Handicap, in addition to the prize given by the society. The programme, which consists of twenty-eight events, amounting in all to about £l6O in prize-money, was authorised to he published shortly. A vote of thunks to the chairman brought the business of the evening to a conclusion. The cup referred to was manufactured by a Dunedin firm, is a highly creditable piece of colonial workmanship, and one of the handsomest of the kind we have seen for a long time. The good example of Mr. Thompson may he followed by others, and a great stimulus be imparted to the sports.