NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5196, 16 November 1877, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH

OCTOBER—NOVEMBER, 187"

For transmission hy the P.M.C.S. Zealandia, from Auckland on the SOlh November, to Europe via San Francisco.

The political situation still continues in an unsatisfactory state. The Gp.ey Ministry continues in office, but has a vote of want of confidence hanging over its head, which if put to the vote is pretty sure to ba carried, as the. Opposition have a majority in the House, although a small one. The question of “ privilege,” which has arisen through the Governor declining to nominate Mr. Wilson, barrister, of Napier, to the Upper House, on the recommendation of his Ministers, whilst a vote, of want of confidence was pending, has been referred by his Excellency to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who, it is reasonable to suppose, will endorse the view the Governor has taken on the subject; but some months must elapse before the reply is received. The Parliament has now been close upon four months in session, and people aru complaining of the great waste of time taken up in “talk,” and the very little business that has been done in comparison. The long pending and very important question of the drainage of the city has been again under discussion. The scheme propounded by Mr. Climie, the drainage engineer to the Corporation, was submitted to Mr. Napier Bell, the consulting engineer, who pronounced a very unfavorable opinion on it, upon which Mr. Climie asked for and obtained a week’s time to prepare a report in reply, to the objections raised. This was done, Mr. Climie urging that Mr. Bell was in error. The Council thus having the opinions of two professional men, which were diametrically opposite to each other on points upon which none but an engineer skilled in this particular branch of science can pronounce a reliable opinion, have determined to refer the matter to a third party, —Mr. Clarke, an engineer lately brought out from England by the Sydney Government, and said to be thoroughly acquainted with questions affecting the drainage of large cities! Whatever may be the result, and whatever scheme is adopted, the desirability of having this town thoroughly well drained is obvious.

Tho citizens of Wellington are looking forward to the completion of the waterworks, which is fnllyr expected to take place by the end of the month, when we are assured, on the testimony of “ experts” in such matters, that an abundant and never-failing supply of water for a town twice the size of Wellington at the present day will be afforded. Both for domestic purposes and for the prevention of the spread of fires this is a consummation devoutly to be wished.-. On the 22nd nit. a most destructive fire, attended by the loss of six lives (those of a widow and five children), occurred in Molesworth-street; and for a considerable time after the alarm of fire was given there was np water to be obtained from the hydrants. Had there been an adequate supply much of the property which was destroyed might have been saved, although it seems very doubtful whether the lives of the poor creatures could have been saved, as they appear to have been suffocated in their beds before the alarm was given. The occurrence, however, awoke the authorities and the citizens to the urgent necessity of pushing on the waterworks to completion, and men have been working night and day ever since. A supplementary water supply on a small scale from Polhill Gully is also doing good service, and the town is now far better off as regards its water supply than it has been for a long time past. Since the date above referred to there have been one or two other alarms of fire, but nothing serious has occurred. Whilst writing on the subject, it is only justice to give a word of praise to our local fire brigades, whose members havq turned out immediately on each alarm being given, and when their services have been required have acted with a zeal, vigilance, and alacrity highly commendable. A volunteer fire police has also been established to preserve order and prevent the great and unnecessary waste of property which so frequently occurs at fires. On the 24th ult. there was a narrow escape of a fire in a house at the corner of Dixon and Quin street. As Detective Farrell was passing the spot he observed flame s in a room on the ground floor, and at once obtained admission andput them out. From the fact that a quantity of papers w'ere lying about saturated with kerosene, with which, also, the desk and floor were sprinkled, it is thought that some further inquiries should be made into the matter, but up to the present time wo believe no further action has been taken.

The generous manner in which the people of Wellington, and indeed the inhabitants generally throughout the colony, have met the call- made, for aid to the Indian Famine Relief Fund, is most creditable to them, and proves that in the midst of prosperity they are not unmindful of the sufferings of their unfortunate fellow-subjects in Southern India. This evening a concert is to be held at the Odd Fellows’Hall in aid of the object in view, when a large attendance and a considerable addition to the funds may confidently be looked for. The pioneers of the colony—the old colonists who came hero some thirty years ago and laid the foundation of what is undoubtedly destined to be a great and prosperous nation—are having their ranks rapidly thinned by the inexorable hand of death. Amongst those who have passed away since the publication of our last summary are, Mr.. Alfred Ludlam, of the Hutt, formerly a member of the General Assembly and also of the Provincial Council, and Mr. Robert Lambert. The latter was a high Mason, and was buried with the usual honors accorded by the craft to distinguished members. ' The vacancy which occurred in the City Council by the resignation of iVJr. E. W. Mills, was filled on Tuesday last by the return of Dr. Diver, who polled 249 voles against Mr.'E. H. Hunt’s 220. There have been several sales of town and country land this month, and in almost all cases excellent prices were realised. The price which town sections are fetching appears at first sight astonishing, but when the matter is carefully looked into, there can be very little'doubt indeed that the investments-made will prove lucrative, ovefi at the high rates ruling. The spring show of the ' Wellington Hort-icuUnrar Society, which .'.was held last week, was very creditable., Notwithstanding that-considerable damage was done: to the gardens in the locality by recent heavy-gales, a varied and excellent assortment ‘ of flowers,' fruits’, and Vegetables was-displayed; • The Chor.il Society’s concert; on : the Oi.’u iast. was one of the best attended and most successful entertainments of the kind that has over taken place here,

and it will long be remembered with pleasure by all who were, present on the occasion. * ,

The. Supremo Court of Appeal is now sitting. The cases are for the most part appeals against decisions: of the Supremo Court of Otago, and are very uninteresting, except to the parties concerned. The only case of any general interest which has as yet been brought forward is one that has been pending for a long time—the Corporation of Wellington v. Schultze. Mr. Schultzb, the owner of a Hour-mill on the Kaiwarra Creek, brought an action against the. Corporation for alleged damages sustained by the damming up of the creek, and the consequent diversion of the water. The jury awarded him £6OO ; but of the benefit of this verdict he was deprived on technical grounds. The matter is not yet settled, and will come on again at a future time. On Monday next the Court will sit to try divorce and matrimonial causes. There are several cases set down for hearing. Signor and Signora MajerONl, Italian artists of considerable celebrity, are now starring it here, after a very successful season in Australia, The “ Old Corporal” and “Jealousy, or Mistaken Education,” are the only pieces which have yet been played, and the manner in which these “stars” have acquitted themselves is the subject of most favorable comment. His Excellency the Governor has given his patronage for the season, and was present on Saturday last—the opening night —and also on Wednesday. The variety entertainment at St. George’s Hall still continues to draw good houses almost every night. The Prince of Wales’ Birthday was observed as a general holiday at all the centres of population in the colony, and was kept up with much spirit in Wellington. There were sports at the Basin Reserve and the Upper Hutt, horse racing at Lyell Bay, marine excursions in the Bay, and picnics and other pleasure parties of all kinds in various pleasant spots in the neighborhood. The weather was remarkably line, and a very enjoyable day was spent by the holiday makers. Lovers of cricket, which has a large number of votaries amongst the young men of the colony, are looking forward to a visit from an Australian team, who are expected here in January.