GENERAL NEWS.

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

GENERAL NEWS.

It wag currently reported in the lobbies on Thursday, November 8, 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.” , His Worship the Mayor forwarded by telegraph to the Lord Mayor of London on Nov. 6th £IOOO in aid of the Mansion House Eund for the relief of the sufferers by the Indian Famine. The Mayor also acknowledges the receipt of £75 from Carterton as a contribution to the fund.

In the I! oubb on November 7, Mr. Ballance succeeded in having inserted in the Local Option Bill the compensation clause, of which he had given notice. At a previous stage of the Bill Mr. Fox had stated that if the clause was adopted he would'abandon the Bill, and this promise he fulfilled last night, when ho moved that the further progress of the Bill he delayed for another fortnight. This, of course, at this late period of the session virtually shelves the Bill.

The question of the excision or retaining of the Bth or money clause of' the Education Bill is at last settled. In the Legislative Council on November 7, by the casting vote ef the Hon. the Chairman, who prefaced the giving of his vote with these words, “T will not bring about a collision between the two Houses on a money clause,” the clause was retained.

The Hon. Dr. Meuziea’ amendment for the insertion of “ Bible reading ” among the subjects of instruction in the public schools was negatived on a division by a majority of six, tlie general feeling of hon. members of the Council being that whereas there would be no objection to opening school with reading a chapter of the • Bible, to include this book among the subjects of instruction would be very objectionable. Another amendment by the same gentleman in the same clause, — “That the Bible shall be road daily without comment immediately after the opening of the school,'’ —was also negatived on a division by exactly a similar majority. The Lowry Bay Estate, the sale of which to Mr. Sinclair and others was notified in our columns of the 29th ultimo, is to be greatly improved : and a portion of it laid out as a public recreation ground. The existing buildings bn the property are to bo put into thorough repair immediately so as to bo fit for the; reception of visitors. Fronting the bay an esplanade is to be formed, and on the level land between the shore and the hill there will be a reserve laid down in grass, with a fountain in the centre, and ample provision will be made for cricket, football, croquet, and other outdoor ganies. 1 Streets ’will be made on each side of this reserve, . and the land abutting on thein will be / '6ht ; up 'into^building allotments, which will be offered to the public for lease on suitable terms! 1 A commodious bathing house will! be erected ou the beach, and a convenient jetty will be built, at which a steamer running to audffromWellington will call at frequent intervals. On Saturday afternoons and at any other holiday times this will no doubt become a favorite resort’of the citizens, and the specu-, lation will doubtless prove' a good one to, tile, proprietors. i

The number of births registered as having occurred in the borough of Wellington during October last is 88 ; of deaths, 35 ; and of .marriage certificates issued, 18. The return of patients in the Wellington Hospital during the month of October, last is as follows :—Admitted—Males, 11 ; females, 3. Discharged—Males, 9 ; females, 3. Died —Males, 6 ; female, 1. Left in hospital—■ Males, 39 ; females, 10. Total remaining, 49.

To use a vulgar expression, Mr. Tawiti’s speech in the House on Oct. 30th was “a sell” for some people. The guileless Mr. Brown (J. C.) had invited him to speak by a nod, which combined the courtesy of a Roman Emperor with the salute of a pot-companion, and had applauded him on his rising, looking around as who would say, with little boys, “ Our side’s best.” But as Mr, Tawiti went on to say that he intended to vote with the Opposition, Sir. Brown’s usually angelic expression of countenance began to look as if he had just eaten plentifully of green gooseberries, and had reason to remember it. When Tawiti sat down Mr. Brown did not applaud him. The Wellington Artillery with their baud, and the City Rifles, mustered at the Central Fire Brigade Station on Friday, October 26th, under command of Major Lockett, in order to attend the funeral of Seaman Parker, of H.M.S. Sappho, and with twelve men of the Armed Constabulary, under charge of Sergeant Richmond, who formed a firing party, marched to the Hospital, and thence to the cemetery. The service at the grave having been read by the Rev. B. W. Harvey, the usual volley was fired, and the men marched back at quick step, the baud playing. A large number of civilians were present at the station, and along the line of route.

The Christchurch Press of October 30, says :—“ Mr. Dooherty, who was the discoverer of a lode of copper ore at Dusky Sound some months ago, paid a visit to Christchurch yesterday, as a passenger by the steamer Maori on his way to Dunedin, after a second' visit to the Sound. He was accompanied on his second visit to the Sound by Captain Malcolm, who remains here to join the steamer Tarauaki, of which he is to assume the command. The result of this second examination of the lode is likely to be the immediate formation of a company to work it, the ore, as analysed, having been proved to be of a valuable character.

The running match between Hearn and Smith, which had been talked of in sporting circles for some time past, came off on Monday, October 29tb at the Basin' Reserve. The match was for £ls a side; distance, two miles. Shortly after 5 o’clock, at which time there were a large number of people present, the men came to the post. On the word being given Smith: sprang away with a lead of a couple of yards, which he maintained until the thirteenth round. Hearue then made a spurt, and led to the fourteenth lap. In the fifteenth some change of position took place ; but Hearn eventually drew away from his opponent, who gave in some 200yds. from home. The time as taken by two chronographs was llmiu. 31 secs.

The Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. S. Carroll, has forwarded a circular to the employers of labor in town, calling their attention to the Australian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, to be held at Ballarat next February, requesting that any young persons of either sex who may be in their employment, or be otherwise known to them, may be made acquainted with the matter. The circular is accompanied by a statement of the articles desired for exhibition, and an abstract of the regulations affecting exhibitors. Attention is also called to the following notice issued by the Ballarat Central Committee“ Ladies aud gentlemen are invited to give special prizes for any particular class of exhibits for the young people to compete for, which may consist of any useful or ornamental article, medals or cash, which will be awarded by the judges.” Recently a native woman named Pauuma (says the Marlborough Express ) residing at Kaituua, went down to live at the pa near Grove Town, and after some time died there. As we understand,- it is the custom to bury all the property, of the deceased with them ; but in this case the surviving relatives at Kaituna, as she died from home, threw the things down ■ the bank into the river. Some boys playing near found some of the properties, aud among the rest two watches, or to judge from the specimen before us it would be better to say their remains. This appears to have been the watch belonging to Chief Constable Maling, who was murdered in the celebrated Wairau massacre.. On the interior of the case the name “ T. Maling, 1833,” is scratched, and has been partially erased. Panuma was the daughter of Brown, a chief of one of the hunted tribes. The watch is intended to be hung up as a memento of the good old times in Mr. Gibson’s museum.

A meeting of the shareholders of the Wellington Trust, Loan, and Investment Company (limited), was held on October 23th for the purpose of confirming a resolution passed at an extraordinary meeting held the previous, month to increase the capital of the company by a sum of £loo,ooo v and for altering some of the articles of association and rules. About thirty shareholders were present, Mr. J. Woodward in the chair. The chairman having read the advertisement convening the meeting and explained its object, called upon the secretary to read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were confirmed. The chairman observed that this was all the business they had to do ; but it was necessary to hold this meeting 'as the law required it to be done. The chairman announced that the directors would be prepared to pay an interim dividend of I per cent, next Tuesday week, and they confidently expected to be able to pay 10 per cent, at the annual meeting. The Board would fix as early a date as possible for receiving applications for shares, of which due notice would be given. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. Tire cutter Margaret Soollay had a very narrow escape from destruction by fire on Sunday morning, October 28th. It appears that at about half-past three o’clock one of the men on board, of whom there were three, happened to awake, and hearing the dog barking loudly, went on deck, and discovered smoke issuing from the forehatoh. He at once aroused his shipmates, and when they took the hatch off a dense body of smoke came up, accompanied with fire. There was a strong wind blowing at the time, and to keep the hatch off would only have fanned the flames. Consequently it was placed on again, and water was then poured down the chain locker. After some time had elapsed the hatch was again taken off, but the fire was still raging below, and it had to be again placed on. Captain Scdones then, as a last resource, determined to oft away a portion of the deck on either side to admit of water being poured down into the hold. Unfortunately, the only axe which was on board was down where the fire existed, and to get it great difficulty was experienced, as the smoke which rolled up whenever thp hatch was taken off was simply blinding. As soon as the axe was secured two planks of the dock were cut away ; and as by this time assistance had been rendered from the shore, the watchman on the wharf and two other men, who perceived the smoke from shore, having put off with buckets, the fire was got under. The place where the fire existed was used for keeping the ship’s gear. It contained sails, ropes, and also a quantity of clothing and tar, which latter were very fortunately untouched by the flames. Two sail and a quantity of gear were burned and also a box of clothing ; but beyond the woodwork being charred on the ceiling of the deck, no other damage was discovered. Captain Scoones and the other two men who were on hoard with him used the greatest possible exertions to extinguish the fire. The vessel is only insured against total loss, but .perhaps the insurance companies will recognise the services these men have rendered.

The following are the railway traffic returns for the provincial district of Wellington for the quarter ending 22ud September last;— Wellington District—Number of passengers, 7985 ; receipts, £661 9s. 9d. goods, £3Ol 11s! 9d ■ total, £963 Is. 6d. Eoxton . and- IMauawatu—Number of passengers, 12-12 ; receipts, ,£220 75.,5d.: goods, £309 6a. 2d.; wharf dues; £95105. Id.; total,£7ll 13s. Bd, Wanganui—Nnumber of passengers, 535 ; receipts, £6l ; goods, £lO5 15s;' 9d.: total, £166 15s. 9d.

Upwards of 1000 live trout were recently sent from Christchurch to Wanganui without the loss of a single fish, and were supplied from the fish-breeding establishment of Mr. Johnson, at Opawa.

The number of letters brought, by the San Francisco mail on Nov. sth, per Wanaka, which arrived three days before the contract time, consisted of 3609 letters, SSO book packages, and 9620 newspapers. The following tenders for the • Halcombe contract (permanent way) were received at the Public Works Office Accepted : A. Nathan and J. Wilkie, Wanganui, £4607. ■Declined ; W. S. Bassett, Wanganui, £4697 ; ,W. Brown and Co., Wellington, £4937. • Our correspondent writing from Fielding says: —I have to notice this week an unusual occurrence at Feildiug, viz., that two men were taken into custody for having been drunk and disorderly one day last week, and were fined five shillings each. It is remarkable because no other ease of the kind has occurred here within the last twelve months.

A man named Cunningham, alias Emerson, who has been bound over to appear as a witness in a ■ case of burglary now pending at Timaru, was arrested on Nov. 2 in Wellington, as he was on his way to Sydney in the Wakatipu, on the charge of absconding from his bail. As he was not able to find sureties for his appearance he was detained in custody, and sent back to the South by the first steamer.

From G-rahamstowri we learn that a miner named George Spiers was killed in the Piako mine on October 27. He was proceeding on a shift at 12 o’clock, a few minutes behind bis mates, and was alone in the cage. He is supposed to have fallen out. He bad 400 ft. to fall, and struck against the timbers in his descent, the body being fearfully mangled. He leaves a widow and eight children totally unprovided for. An inquest was held, when a verdict of accidental death was returned.

A very successful entertainment was given by the pupils of the State school, Lower Hutt, on Tuesday, November 6th, in aid of the Indian Famine Belief Fund, to a crowded audience. The recitations were exceedingly well rendered, and indicated that clear enunciation and intelligent expression occupy a prominent place in the teaching of reading in this school. Not the least attractive portion of the programme consisted of musical selections, vocal and instrumental, by some friends who kindly gave their assistance. The pupils of this school have contributed themselves upwards of £lO to the fund.

The anniversary ball in aid of the Widow and Orphan Society, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held at the Odd Fellows’ Hall on Nov. Ist. About fifty couples were present. There was an excellent quadrille band, which suppliedthe dance music, and the refreshments, which were provided by Mr. McDonald, were of the best description. All the fashionable dances followed each other in quick succession until an early hour this morning-, when the guests separated, evidently highly pleased with the evening’s entertainment. The usual open monthly meeting of the Manners-street Improvement Society was held on Nov. Ist, when an essay on the “Writings of John Kuskin” was read and criticised. Afterwards several selections from Euskin were given by the members, including the “ The Slave Ship” and “ The Aspect of the Clouds.” A number of other recitations, both grave and gay, were also delivered, and a very agreeable evening was spent in listening to various opinions on art and literature. Mr. Dewsbury presided, and gave an extract from Kuskin to prove that all high art was based on goodness. Working Men’s Globs are gaining in popularity throughout the country, and the success which has attended these excellent institutions wherever started, if properly managed, is stimulating other localities to follow the example. The Wairarapa Standard of the 3rd inst. states that “a committee meeting of the South Wairarapa Working Men’s Club was held at the Institute, Greytown, on November Ist. A letter was read from G. Beetham, Esq., M.H.K., supporting the movement, and enclosing application fee for ten shares. It was reported that the deed of land for site was in preparation by the solicitor of the club, and it was resolved that before tenders for building were invited the land should be surveyed. It was decided that a general meeting of shareholders should be called at an early date for the election of trustees and provisional directors. The meeting then adjourned till Thursday, November 15.” The New Zealand Herald of the 27th ultimo says “Te Hira, Mere Kuru, and a number of their friends, who have up to this time been residing at Ohinerauri, have cleared out from that settlement and have gone up the Piako, where they intend to plant at a place about six miles inland from Tarapipipi’s settlement. A short time since Te Ngakau, the King’s secretary, paid a visit to Piako, where he saw Te Hira, and we suppose this removal is the result. Te Hira took up all his household gods, including ploughs and working implements. The manner in which the old chief has stuck to Ohinemuri must be fresh in every memory. For years he resisted the opening of the district, and was the means of keeping it closed. He had some excellent reserves made for him, and it was thought he would stick to the place where he had lived so long, and which he had for so many years defended against the invasion of the pakeha. Since the opening Te Hira has had several disputes with Europeans who had purdhased portions of the Ohinemuri flat, and no doubt he has felt altogether out of his element. Whether he will finally take refuge amongst the Kingites no one can tell.” On the 31st ultimo we published a telegram from a correspondent at Gisborne, stating that Judge Eogan, of the Native Lands Court, who is about to retire on a pension, had been presented by the native chiefs of the district with a gold watch. The following additional particulars of the prerentation are taken from the Poverty Bay Herald of the 30th ultimo:—On Saturday afternoon a deputation of prominent Maori chiefs and landowners, consisting of Wi Pere, Kerehona Piwaka, and Wi Paraone, waited on John Kogan, Esq., Judge of the Native Lands Court, and presented him with a handsome gold watch, in token of the respect they entertained for him, both privately and in his official capacity. In the addresses which accompanied the presentation, the donors deeply regretted that the Judge was going to leave them, and they expressed the hope that his successor, should one be appointed, would be like him with whom they could find no fault. The gift, which was acknowledged by the Judge in appropriate terms, had been imported by Mr. Nasmith specially for the occasion, and was certainly a most handsome present. The incident must have been most gratifying to Judge Eogan. Some time ago (says the Poverty Bay Herald) a party of Kawakawa (East Coast) natives had their nerves considerably shaken by a war steamer passing down the coast. While the party, some eight or ten in number, were fishing in a boat at some distance from land, they noticed a large steamer approaching from the direction of Matakaoa Point (off which she had been at anchor), and apparently making straight for them ; on her appoach they discovered her to be a man-of-war, when within a short distance of them they heard the drum beat to quarters, and suddenly the quarter-deck ports flew open, and they observed with dismay the seamen going through all the evolutions of sponging out and loading the guns and running them in and out. The natives were paralysed, expecting every moment to be blown out of the water, to use their words—” Ka rere o matou wairua ki waho” (our spirits flew out of us). They sat quietly in their seats calmly awaiting their doom, when what was their relief as the noble vessel passed abreast of them, to see an officer spring up into the mizzen rigging and, politely doffing his cap, sing out in a cheery voice, “ tenakoe.” The natives immediately knew that their fears had been groundless, and with one accord they gave a hearty cheer in response. The man-of-war was H.M.S. Sappho on her way from Auckland to Wellington, and her men were being exercised; at the ordinary big gun drill, which caused the natives such groundless alarm as she passed them. . From the RangitUcci Advocate we learn that on the 12th October, Kudolph Yon Mirbach, a medical practitioner at Bulls, well-known _in Wellington, was fined £3, with the alternative of U days’ hard labor, for assault and battery on John Schmidt.

On Thursday morning, November Bth, Peter' M’diael Anderson, a laborer, residing with his brother-in-law, Henry Jacobson, in Johu-street, was found dead in his bed.

, James MoDougall, a man about 50 years of age, was committed at Masterton on Oct. 30tb to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court in Wellington on the charge of criminally assaulting a girl two years old. , A meeting of the Waste Lauds Board was held on Nov. 1, Present—Messrs. J. G. Holdsworth (in the chair), H. Bunny, and T. Mason. The laud sales sinee’last meeting amounted to H 7 acres, realising £524. An application was read from Mr. P. E, Warburton, solicitor, Palmerston, asking that a company now being formed should be allowed to purchase 100,000 acres of land for a special settlement near Fitzherbert, Manawatu, at ss. per acre on deferred payments, extending over a period of five years, and asking the Board to support the passiug of a Bill for the purpose this session. The Board declined to entertain the application.

An accident happened at Mr. Gower’a station, Manawatu, on October 24th, which might have proved fatal. It appears, according to the local journal, that a stag turned out with some does on Mr. Gower’s property came up to the homestead and began to knock things about, when a Mr. Blunder, who was on the spot, tried to drive him away, at which the beast got irate and made a charge, bitting Mr. Blunder, and inflicting a severe wound. Dr. Bockstrow was immediately sent for, and promptly attended the sufferer, who is going on favorably. Some men were sent out to shoot the stag, so as to prevent his doing more damage. The annual athletic sports in connection with the Wellington College were held on the Basin Reserve on October 26. There was not a large attendance of the public present, but there was' a fair number of competitors for the various events, which were on the whole well contested. An impromptu race created not a little interest, the competitors being Mr. Wilson, .Principal of the College, Mr. Graham,. Secretary of the Education Board, Mr. Butts, Chief Postmaster, Mr. Hardy, and Mr. Holmes, Masters in the College, Mr. Gore, Secretary of the Philosophical Society, and Mr. Andrew Young, who it is well known takes a great interest in all sporting matters. The distance was one hundred yards, there was a good start, and the contestants kept well together during the race. Mr. Gore came in first, Mr. Wilson second, and Mr. Young third. The band of the City Rifles arrived some time after the sports commenced, and enlivened the proceedings during the afternoon. The Timaru Agricultural Show was held on Oct. 31. There was splendid weatherand a large attendance. At the diuuer at the Grosvenor Hotel the secretary announced the following as the successful competitors for the cups, &c.; — Eor merinos, a cup , value £25 and a gold- medal, the best ram, Canterbury and Otago Association. For English Leioesters, a cup value £ls, Mr. Postletbwaite. For Border Leioesters, a. cup value £ls, Gillies and Street. For Eomney Marsh, a cup value £lO, Ford and 00., Christchurch. For Lincolns, a cup value £2O, Canterbury and Otago Association. For Cotswolds, a cup value £lO 105.,-W. IC McDonald. A gold medal for the best longwoolled ram, H. J. Hall. For cattle, a cup value £2O, Fleming and Hedley. A gold medal for the best bull, P. H. Bussell. Fop draught horses, a cup value £2O, E. Menlove. Eor the best draught entire horse, a cup value £lO 10s., E. Ruddock. A gold medal value £6 10s. for the best draught mare, Mr. Menlove. A gold medal value £6 10s., for the best thoroughbred horse, E. Archer. A gold medal for the best wheat, Mr. Guscott. The dinner was largely attended. Mr. Archer was in the chair.

A few minutes before 10 p.m. on November I as the first act of the burlesque of “ Ali Baba” was being performed at St. George’s Hall, Mr. Charles Keeley, the leading comedian, who was taking his part in the piece, and playing it remarkably well, was seen, as he left the stage at the close of the first act, to stagger as if in a fainting fit. Assistance was at once rendered, and an attempt was made to get him to swallow a little brandy and water; but he could only touch it with his lips, and was evidently dying. He was removed to the lower room of the building, and medical aid was procured ; but on the arrival of Dr. Bradford, who came almost immediately, life was pronounced extinct. Mr.- Keeley never spoke after leaving the stage. He leaves a wife, but, we understand, no family. Immediately after the melancholy occurrence Mr. Cary, the manager, announced that there would be no further performance that evening, nor on the following one. Mr. Keeley was much liked and esteemed by his colleagues, and was a decided favorite with the public, and quite a gloom was cast over the members of the profession when they heard last night what had taken place. An inquest will be held in all probability to-day. The deceased was about thirty years of age, and had suffered from heart disease for some time. The funeral tcok place on Saturday afternoon, November 3. All the leading members of the theatrical and musical professions, besides a number of private friends, followed his remains to the grave, where the Kev. Mr. Harvey read the burial service. The following are the particulars of acts of vengeance carried out by H.M. schooner Beagle at Tanna, New Hebrides. This island has been notorious for the murders of Europeans living on it. Apart from what occurred before, a series of murders has taken place since. The natives commenced with Eoss, Bell, Captain Haggett and others, and terminated with the locally celebrated Boss Lewin, which it was said ought to have been visited with the punishment of the murderers by the several Governments of whom they were subjects. The murders were passed over and criminal native agents began to believe in their total immunity, until at last the British Government, stirred by the utter wantonness and atrocity of the last murder, was induced to teach them a lesson. Preliminary inquiries were first undertaken, and then the Beagle was ordered to the locality to execute the murderer. The vessel went down to the spot, and managed to procure the presence of a number of natives on board. At a preconcerted signal these men were pinioned, and laid on the decks. Either from amongst their number or procured from the shore was the brother of the actual murderer. He admitted attending with his brother at the murder of the man referred to, and acknowledged that had his brother failed in his shot (which he did not) he would have fired himself. At an appointed hour this confessed criminal was hung from the yardarm of the Beagle in presence of the natives on shore. The body was allowed to hang for a good length of time to convince the natives of his being really dead, and then the prisoners were released, and the body taken ashore'and buried. For some considerable time past exertions have been made by the ■ fraternity of Freemasons to establish a Lodge in the Manawatu district, the result being the formal opening at Paltoerston on October 30th of the United Manawatu Lodge, with complete success, no fewer than thirty-eight brethren being assembled upon the occasion from Foxton, Feilding, Marton, Bulls, Sandon, Wanganui, and Wellington, P.M. Charles White, of Welington, and P.M. Pawson and Bro, Kobinson,of Wanganui, being specially invited to conduct the ceremony, with the able assistance of three other Past Masters resident in the district ; and it is worthy of remark that each of tbe three great constitutions, England, Ireland, and Scotland, were represented by rulers of the craft. After the ceremony the brethren were invited to a banquet at the Clarendon Hotel, presided over by the newly-installed Master, William J. Batt, ample justice being done to the excellent creature comforts provided by the host, although without doubt the great success of this part of the celebration was due to the care and'supervision of Bro. Owen’s better half.' The Hon., Mr. Fox addressed the children and; their friends attending the Sunday-school in connection with St. John’s Presbyterian Church on Oct. 28, which was a day set apart for special prayers and exhortations on behalf of the scholars attending the various Sabbathschools. A very large number of both parents and children were present. In the evening Mr. Button, M.H.E., preached a most excellent sermon in St. John’s Church.

The Armed Constabulary, under Major Roberts, are busy making a road to the Hot Springs, repairing the redoubt, and putting their quarters in order. A meeting of the creditors of Messrs. .T. McDowell and Co. was held on Monday, Oct. 22nd. The liabilities in the estate are set down at £32,000, and the assets at considerably over that amount. The creditors agreed to a deed of arrangement, and expressed their approval of what had been done by the trustee. The funeral of Mrs. Johnson and her five children who perished in the recent calamitous fire took place on October 25, and was largely attended by persons of all classes. Amongst those present we observed 70 boys, the elder scholars attending Mr. Young’s school, to ■which three of Mrs. Johnson’s children went regularly, who were well spoken of by their teacher. A general meeting of the members of the "Wellington District 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held at their new lodgeroom, Dambtcn-quay, on October 30tb, G. M. S. Waters in the chair. The chairman informed the brethern for what object the meeting had been convened, viz., “to provide a subscription to the Indian Famine Relief Fund,” and appealed to their sympathy in assisting him to carry out the object he had in view. Several of the past officers expressed their deep sympathy for -their starving fellow subjects in India, and discussed the best mode to raise a fund for their assistance. It was ultimately resolved, — That a circular be sent to each lodge in the district, asking them to subscribe, and to send in their amounts as .soon as possible, in order that one amount may appear as a subscription from the Wellington District. A subscription list was opened in the room, which- was liberally subscribed to. A vote of thanks to the G.M., D.G.M., and C.S.. brought the business of the evening to a close. We have received a copy of the report of the engineer, Mr. T. Hardy Johnston, on the scheme for converting the Milford Lagoon into a harbor, enablibg vessels drawing from eighteen to twenty feet to enter. The scheme, as far as we can judge, seems practicable enough. The estimated cost is £91,927, exclusive of that of the construction of a branch railway from the main line at Temnka, estimated at £OOOO. The work is to consist of concrete blocks set within a powerful framework of timber staging. The engineer points out that the great benefit to be derived by this system is not only economy and rapidity of construction, but the greatest stability also, as it mainly contributes to the rapid consolidation of the work in preventing the blocks from being spread or moved laterally or vertically by the force of the waves. By this method also very large blocks—which entail heavy expenditure in plant—need not be used, as blocks of from ten to fifteen or twenty tons can be laid in place, even in deep water, so as to form a comparatively good bond, while .the interstices between the joints and the vacancies about the piles can be easily filled by liquid concrete, or concrete in bags. Large blocks will also be laid pell-mell or at random on the sea slope of the mole, so as to form as near as possible a slope of about 45degs., and thus further strengthen the work and break the force ef the water.

The Rabbit Nuisance Act 1576 Amendment Bill passed its third reading in the Legislative Council on the 23rd October; but before it did pass, the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin moved that the Bill he read again that day six months, ■which was negatived. Mr. Chamberlin delivered a financial statement on rabbits. He said there were some 100,000,000 rabbits in Otago and Southland, the cost of extermi-. rating which, supposing them to be all exterminated, and their offspring left, would be £415,000, pins a bonus of £230,000, or close upon £700,000. Then again, one bale would contain 3000 rabbit skins, which, being valued at Jd. each, would be worth £6 55., and so on. He” considered the best thing that could be done was to sell the land devastated by this nuisance for a fair price, say 2s. 6d. per acre, to small holders, who would naturally feel a more direct interest in it, and have abetter opportunity of ridding themselves of the plague. At present he considered stationholders were like Government ratcatchers — it was not likely they would kill off all the rabbits while they were making money by them, and not leave some to breed ; of course they would go on killing as long as the Government would go on paying a bonus. Mr. Duncan’s land sale on October 25th may aoain be pronounced as a most decided success. There was a large attendance, and for more than three hours the proceedings were most animated, and the bidding was spirited throughout, really never flagging for a single moment. Lowry Bay was bought in by the auctioneer at £3500. The reserve price fixed by the Government was declared afterwards to have been £4OOO. Vogeltown was then, offered, and for some of the lots there was very active and eager competition. About 150 sections were actually sold, at prices ranging from £lO to £2O, and we understand that these figures will average over £ls a section of a quarter-acre each. A section of land and house in Tinakori-road brought £360. Owing to the late hour at which the sale concluded, viz., 5.30, Mr. Duncan was compelled to withdraw several other town and country properties. By this sale Mr. Wright has disposed of every perch of land in Vogeltown. The following gentlemen were the principal buyers amongst a large number of purchasers :—Messrs. J. - T oseph, T. ‘ K Macdonald, J. Burne, M. McCredie, W. Jamieson, John Compton, and E. Reeves. The bouse and land in Tioakoii-road was purchased by Mr. Edward Toomath. The total amount of the sale we believe reached over £4OOO.

The universal sympathy felt at the present moment for the famine-stricken subjects of the Empress of India, and the desire to hoar an appeal on their behalf from the lips of one of the greatest pulpit-orators of the day, attracted an immense concourse of people of all denominations to the Wesleyan Church, Manners-street, on Sunday night, Oct. 21. At 6 o’clock (half an hour before the time for opening the service) every seat in the church was occupied ; and probably as many as 2000 people were disappointed in obtaining admission. After singing the 100th Psalm, the rev. gentleman offered prayers and read lessons from the Old and New Testaments. Another hymn was sung, and the preacher took his text from Acts xx, 35th verse—“l have shewed you all things how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to ■ receive.” The sermon was a wellargued and eloquent exposition of the “higher law of Christian charity,” and the array of facts, the poetic tropes, the exquisite language andbumingearnestnessof the preacher,held his listeners enthralled from beginning to end. Tho thrilling effect of the discourse was evidenced hy the practical response of the congregation, in the shape of a collection which reached the munificent stun of £77—a most admirable precedent for the churches of New Zealand.

The schooner Norval has arrived from Tonga ami Samoa. The British Consul at the latter |'l.i cc has written to the native Government levying the following fines :—For- the collision between the'natives and the Barracoota, 10,000(1oIb.; for the insult offered• Commodore Hoskins, 10,000dols.; for surrounding and threatening the British Consulate upon two occasions in the month of July with firearms, 10,000.dels.; for various claims made by British subjects, both in present and past times, So,ooodols., more or less. . Pending the deci sion of her Brittanio Majesty upon the matter, the islands are held as security. Whether this will receive the sanction of the British Go vernment or not, remains td bo seen. There is every prospect of another outbreak at Samoa. The party now in power (Steinberger’s party) are outnumbered by the other faction, and an appeal to arms is expected at no distant date.

It is gratifying (says the Napier Telegraph) to report that the natives of Hawke’s Bay are exhibiting in the best possible way, just at present, a sense of their duties and responsibilities as British subjects. The chief Taveha has forwarded through Mr. Locke, ns his own contribution, the sum of £11) to the Indian Famine Belief Knud, and other chiefs are using their best endeavors to raise subscriptions for the same fund.

The Dunedin vital statistics for the month of October are—Births, 163 ; deaths, 47 ; marriages, 33. ■

The prospectus of the Hawke’s Bay Fire Insurance Company was issued on Nov. 2. Its capital is to be £IOO,OOO, in 20,000 shares of £5 each, £1 only to'bo called up, in six instalments, of which only ss. is to be paid on application, amiss. on allotment. The remaining 10s. is to bo paid in four further calls of 2s. 6d. each at, intervals of three months. The provisional directory includes the Hon. H. R. Russell, Captain Russell, M.H.R., the Hon. J. D. Ormond, M.H.R., F. Sutton, M.H.R., and a number of other local and influential persons. The reperfc of the consulting engineer to the Corporation, Mr. Napier Bell, on Mr. Climies drainage scheme, will be read with interest. On the whole Mr. • Bell’s opinion is decidedly unfavorable to the adoption of Mr. Oliinie’s plans ; and such being the case, we presume the Council will pause before they attempt to carry thorn out. After going very minutely into the details prepared by Air. Climie, which Mr. Bell says wore in a somewhat unfinished state, the latter gentleman states he considers the scheme impracticable, and when this is taken into consideration, together with its great cost, and the large annual expense which would be required to keep the works in order, the Council would not be justified in adopting it unless it could be shown that no other system of drainage was practicable. As to the cost of the scheme, Mr. Bell considers that it would be much in .excess of that contemplated by Mr. Climie. This drainage scheme, about which so much has been said and written, is one that only an engineer can express any opinion upon that it is entitled to carry weight, and unfortunately the opinions of “ experts” will often differ. Before Mr. Bell's opinion was received, we had heard engineers express great doubts whether there was a sufficient fall between Charlotte-street and the Te Aro end of the town for the sewage to be carried off, unless there was an enormous quantity of water power from the higher level to flush the drains. The question is one of very great importance. It lias been referred to the consulting engineer, Mr. Bell, who is probably as good an,authority as can be found here to give an opinion on the matter, and the Council as it appears to us is bound to be guided by what he says. The question will corns on for discussion at the next meeting of the City Council, when we presume that body will arrive at some definite conclusion on the matter, which has been in suspense now for a very considerable time.

Drunkenness on a railway train is an offence not only dangerous to the offender but also to respectably conducted - passengers. Lately (says the New Zealand Herald of the 21st nit.) a drunken man, who had unobserved got into a train, all the carriages of which were crowded, would persist in standing on the platform at the end of the carriage, and was at last half-persuaded, half-forced to go into the carriage. At one of the stations where there was a brief stoppage ' this person frot out, and was reeling about when the train started. He ran after the carriage and clung to the upright rod of the platform, the train at the time going at a smart pace. Aided by the guard, who saw the man’s peril, and by a passenger who was standing on the carriage platform, this foolish person was partly pushed and partly dragged on to the carriage, for if he had let go his hold with the train in motion the chances were he would have fallen among the wheels. It appears that the guard has no power to compel a drunken person to go into the carriage if the latter should prefer standing on the platform; but when a man is endangering his. life the guard would be justified in compelling his removal. The theory is, that no person in liquor should be permitted to travel by the railway; but it is next to impossible for a guard to detect all cases of the kind. This was one of those cases; and it would be-doing good service if the culprit were prosecuted for getting upon a train while in motion.

The greatest flood ever experienced in the Grey River took place on Nov, 4th, when the river was higher than was ever known before. Bat little damage was done in town, as the harbor works stood admirably, but up the country there was great havoc done to the fences, the live stock, bridges, &c. No coaches were able to travel on the Reefton road, many miles of it being covered with fallen timber. The river has cut a new channel to the sea, about half a mile south of the previous one. We hear from Christchurch that there was a heavv north-west gale on Sunday, November 4th, which has done considerable damage in the country districts. The following incident occurred :—At Malvern, as the West Coast coach was approaching Redfern’s Hotel, it was met by an extraordinary squall from the ranges, which the homes could not face, and as it - became evident the coach must be upset, the driver and passengers jumped out. Air, Crombie Brown, who was on the box seat, had a very narrow escape, but only sustained dislocation of the ankle. The moment the coach was relieved of the weight of the passengers it was lifted bodily into the air and dashed to pieces. Ihe passengers had for some moments to lie on the ground to prevent being blown away, and with difficulty reached the hotel, which was only two hundred yards distant. Two bush fires occurred near Oxford. One was extinguished, bat the other burnt for several days, and destroyed a number of cottages. Fifty thousand of the Californion ova apportioned to Southland were received there on Nov. Bth, and were immediately taken to the breeding ponds. When unpacked, they were found in splendid order, not more than one per cent being dead. Great care had been bestowed in packing. The other in.icty of the shipment was left behind at Port Chalmers through some mistake. There was an unusually high fresh in the Opawa river, Blenheim, on Sunday, November 4th. The bridge on the main road was washed away. Communication with the railway station and the railvyay was cut off. A piece at the north end of the bridge was acting as a breakwater, and throwing the current on the fcoutb bank, which was in great danger. There was a very high flood in Awatere. A meeting of the Borough Council was held, when it was decided to chop down the piece of wreck at the north end of the bridge, and to put a temporary ferry for passengers. Tbis.has been the heaviest fresh since 1868.

A New Zealand Oqzette, dated the'lßth ult., notifies the resignation of Sir George Grey, K. 0.8., as Colonial Secretary, and the appointment of the Hon. George Stoddart Whitmore, C.M.G., to that office, A comparative return of the quantity and value of gold entered for exportation from New Zealand for the quarter ended 30th September, 1877, and on the same date in 1876 is published, by which it appears that for the first-mentioned period 108,6880z5., value £415,216, were entered ; and for the corresponding quarter of 1876, 77,0480z5., value £307,688. A return of the Customs revenue for the quarter ended 30th September, 1876, shows the total revenue daring that period to have been£3o9,o9B,and for the corresponding quarter of 1876, £303,430. The amount collected at the port of Wellington for the quarter ended 30th September last was £■14,889, and for the corresponding quarter of 1876, £44,951; at .Auckland, £53,225, as against £54,734 for the corresponding quarter of 1876; at Napier,, £9340, corresponding quarter, £10,213 Lyttelton, £52,026, corresponding quarter, £49,111 ; Timaru, £4740, corresponding quarser, £5306 ; Oamaru, £2827, corresponding quarter, £2803 ; Dunedin, £89,278, corresponding quarter, £84,C08 ; Invercargill, £7578, corresponding quarter, £7959. An application forapatentforwoolpressingmacliine is made by Mr. J. Beid, of Clive, Hawke’s Bay. Several notices are given under the Land Transfer Act. The appointment of Mr. 0. A. M. Cromhietobea cadet in theDepartmontof Justice is gazetted, the appointment to date from the 6th Juno last. The following appointments in the Postal Department have been made in the Provincial District of 'Wellington :—J. T. Shaw to be postmaster at Carterton ; A. Jackson at Eketahuna ; J. Brown, Turakina ; W. G. Fraser, Waitotara ; H. S. Mason, at Gladstone ; J. A. Tompkins, at Hal combe ; J. Macdonald, Wangaelm ; W. C. Peacock, Waverloy ;F. W. Connell, at llorokiwi. Eketalmna and Gladstone are new offices. The post office at Pakuratahi has been closed.

On the sth instant a man named Joseph Walker was drowned in the river near Masterton, and since then the police and others have made diligent search along the banks of the river with a view of finding the body, but up to yesterday they had been unable to discover any traces of it. At a meeting of the Hutt District Agricultural, Horticultural, and Pastoral Society, held, at Petterd’s Hotel on Friday night, Mr. W. A. Fitzherbert in the chair, the following gentlemen were elected stewards for the forthcoming show:—Messrs. A. Braithwaite, D. Buick, C. F. Worth, 0. W. Brown, D. Speedy, D. Sinclair, W. B. Buick, J. Hill, H. Eusseil, T. W. Ca verb ill, W. A. Fitzherbert, I). Knight, W. E. Welch, E. T. Mellow, and C. Bruce. The secretary was instructed to procure a good band for the second day of show. It was decided that the following booths, &0., should be sold by public auction on Tuesday, the 13th inst., viz.;—Grand stand with bar, one publican’s booth, two refreshment booths, one fancy bazaar, right of stabling, and catalogues of entries. It was resolved that the secretary see Mr. Hunter and request him, with the .President, to wait on his Excellency the Governor, re show, &c. Several of the committee wore requested to see various influential geutleraeu with a view to obtaining a general holiday for the 22nd inst., and also special trains. The secretary will be in attendance at Mr. Fenton’s Now Zealander Hotel on Tuesday, the 13th iust., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.ra., to receive entries, &c., when gentlemen wishing to become members of the association are requested to call and give their names, as it is impossible for the committee to wait on all the gentlemen who they know are willing to contribute to the funds of the society, tlie committee having so much work on their hands, and intending to make this show a great success.

The prospectus of the Wellington City Tramway Company appears in another column. The directorate is a most influential one, and of itself guarantees the undertaking to the public ; though, with the well-known remunerative character of such enterprises as that under notice, it is almost unnecessary to make the statement. From a circular addressed to those who in the older and initiatory stage of the company promised to take shares, we find that when the promoters of the company originally allotted the shares they were under the irapve-sion that a large number of persons who bad promised to take shares in the company would at once fulfil their pledges; they found, however, that there was a disinclination on the part of a number to do this until the line was in course of construction, it was therefore necessary to make special financial arrangements, in order to enable the works to be proceeded with, and the following gentlemen, having confidence in the payable character of the undertaking, took upon themselves the responsibilities attaching thereto : —Messrs. E. W. Mills, Robt. Greenfield, Henry Mace, Edwd. Toomath, Dr. Diver, O. W. Schultze, W. T. L. Travers, Win. Conyers, Hon. Jno. Sheehan, T. K. Macdonald, and John Henderson, C.E. These gentlemen, in conjunction with others, registered the company on the 27th October, 1877, and in accordance with the understanding with the original promoters, the line being now in course of construction, and the objection first taken by a number of intending shareholders therefore removed, offer the old shareholders the right to take up the original number of shares applied for, and also as many more as they may desire. For the purpose of extending the line, the capital has been increased from £40,000 to £50,000. It is notified that in • any application for new shares preference will be given by the directors to old shareholders. A tea meeting and recognition service was held in connection with the Congregational Church, Courtenay-place, on the evening of the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, to welcome the Rev. F. T. Trivett as pastor. A large number of persons sat down to an excellent repast. After the tea the recognition service opened with singing the hymn “All hail the power of Jesus’ name.” The Rev. W. H. West then read a portion of Scripture, and the Rev. S. Dmnbell led the meeting in devotion. After another hymn had been sung, the Rev. F. T. Trivett. addressed the meeting, more especially those i present forming the Church which had received him as their pastor. He spoke earnestly, soliciting their prayers, sympathy, and co-operation. The singing of another hymn was succeeded by Mr. West delivering the charge to Mr. Trivett. Mr. West dwelt with eloquence and at considerable length on the responsible duties of Mr, Trivett as a minister of the Gospel. The Rev. A. Reid then addressed the Church with earnestness, pointing to their several duties. The Rev. J. Paterson spoke, and theraeeting closed with prayer. It may be mentioned that there was a busy bee among several friends of the Church, at 7 o’clock on the morning of the same day, to place the ground in order, &c. Thanks are due to all who so willingly assisted on this occasion. A deputation consisting of his Worship the Mayor and Councillors George and Allan waited upon thePreraier on Wednesday in reference to the bringing into,operation in Wellington of the Contagious Diseases Act. Councillor George, who moved the resolution at the City Council in favor of enforcing the Act here, stated his views to Sir George Grey. The question was discussed by the deputation, and by Mr. Macandrew, who was also present. The Premier pointed out the strong objections which were entertained in England against the Act there, but added that if the public of Wellington made it clear to him that they desired to have the measure introduced, he should feel himself bound to comply with their wishes. He would, however, like to have some further information as to the opinions and wishes of the inhabitants on the subject. Ho thought, if it was considered necessary to take action in the matter, that legislation in the direction of the system adopted in France and Germany would be a suitable course to adopt. The deputation having thanked the Premier for the courtesy witli which he had received them, then withdrew. A line of road, we understand, is being surveyed between Kiwitea, about sixteen miles from Feilding and Taupo. It is said that a goad practicable road can le made for the most part along a valley, and if this can be done a new and more eligible route to the Hot Lakes District than that by way of Napier will be opened up. passengers from Wellington would go to Feilding by railway, and thenco by tbs new line of road, thus effecting a saving in both time and distance. Ultimately there can be very little doubt this will be the popular route from Wellington and the South to the Lake country.

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 thelarge arcasof land laidoff from time totime 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 settle's. 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 the XCiwitea division of the block, a new township is being, surveyed, called Kiwitea, and will bo offered privately at low upset prices for a month by Mr. Macdonald, of Temple Chambers. Wo have inspected the plan of the towuship, which is situated on the Orua Kiver, some 16 miles from Feilding 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 hy means of rafts on the river direct to the Feilding 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 aro now in course of preparation, and will be ready for issue this week. The principle of submitting’ the laud to private selection at an upset price has the merit of fairness, aud will no doubt bo largely availed of.

I A meeting of the directors of the Caledonian I Society took place on Monday night at the New Zealander Hotel, Mr. George Crawford in the chair. There were present—Messrs. J.Dranafield, J. S. M. Thompson, J. Leckie, G. E. Tolhurst, A. J. McTavish, J. H. Bethune, James Reid, Captain Mclntyre, and Dr. Diver. The programme as arranged bv the sub-committee was adopted, with a few amendments. It was also resolved to make certain alterations to. the grand-stapd, which will add to the convenience and accommodation of visitors. An elegant sterling silver cup 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 tlio society. The programme, which consists of twenty-eight events, amounting in all to about £IOO in prize-money, was authorised to be published shortly. A vote of thanks 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 tlie kind we have seen for a long time. The good example of Air.- Thompson may be followed by others, and a great stimulus be imparted to the sports. The Grey Hirer Argus has a paragraph descriptive of a small scene witnessed by Messrs. W. S. Smith and Wilson, that was of special interest to naturalists, namely, a fight between a water rat and an eel—the last being a very rare specimen on the Coast, to wit one of the lamprey species. The eel had scaled a cliff upon the Kai Ati Creek, about forty feet high, when the rat tackled him, and the fight was carried on at least five minutes in the presence of the gentlemen. Every trick and dodge to bite the slim brute was tried by the rat, which also endeavored to keep away from the edge of the bank, but with no avail, as its opponent enveloped it in its folds, and slowly but surely worked its way back in the direction of the water, and as soon as it had reached the edge of the bank both tumbled over into tlie pool below, when the slippery one escaped, and the rat was last seen swimming about and looking for his late adversary. Messrs. Smith and Wilson, on looking up the steep bank, saw another lamprey busily employed making his way to the top of tlie cliff, but he was soon made a prisoner and brought to town, where he was viewed as a curiosity upon the Coast, as none bad been previously seen there. It appears from private telegrams received in town that on Wednesday last a large party of natives drove a number of. cattle from Mr. Parker's land on the south side of the Moanatuatua swamp and took them over the Puniu into the King country. Apparently the act had not been authorised by the chiefs of the King party, for a telegram received yesterday stated that 170 cattle had been brought back. It is believed that restitution was made by order of Rewi ; but upon this point, and also as to what caused the natives to take such a course, information has not been received. The land from wfiich the cattle was driven is not part of the , confiscated territory, but is land purchased or leased from the Government, and the only explanation that can be given of the affair is'that some party of the natives mean to set up a claim to the land on the ground that it had been improperly passed through the Court, and that some who claim to be the owners have not been dealt with. Mr. Delaraaiu’a stud of racing stock has been sold by auction. The following were the principal lots sold ;—Mares ; Belle of the Isle with filly foal by Albany, Nosworthy, 300 guineas; Miss Flat with filly foal by Anteros, C. F. Barker, 325 guineas ; Folle Farine, Digby, 125 guineas. Horses in training; Templeton, B. Ray, 650 guineas; Pungawerewere, R. Ray, 300 guineas ; Elfin King, R. Mason, 70 guineas; Titania, R. Bay, 150 guineas ; Oberon, B. Mason, 300 guineas ; Parthenopoeus, J. Lunn, 350 guineas. -Young stock; Becky Sharp, yearling filly by Traducer out of -Miss Flat, the Middle Park Company, 125 guineas. Two-year olds: Haidee, by Traducer, dam Belle of the Isle, E, Walker, 250 guineas; Flattery, filly by Traducer, dam Miss Flat, R. Ray, 200 guineas; Mountaineer, colt by Traducer, dam Mountain Nymph, S. Garforth, 250 guineas; Atlantic, colt by Traducer, dam Atalauta, S. Garforth, 176 guineas. Yearlings : Filly by Traducer, dam Belle of the Isle, W. C. Webb, 150 guineas ; colt by Blueboy, dara Miss Flat, F. Digby, 150 guineas. Mr. ‘Delamain purposes visiting England with the view of importing new blood of superior stamp to that now in Canterbury. The Governors of Canterbury College have decided to erect a building, to cost £6OOO, on the ground purchased for the Model Farm, and advertise for a manager at £SOO per annum.

We learn from Taupo that Air. Turner, the District Surveyor, accompanied by Air. C. O. Davies, visited the Ngatu and other tribes in connection with the required surveys there, and matters have been satisfactorily arranged. Taupo township is to be immediately surveyed for building purposes. A man named Bell, employed by the Westport County Council, was drowned on the Buffer road during the flood on November 4tb. He was washed from the roof of a hut, where he had taken refuge. The remains have since been found.