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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5203, 24 November 1877, Page 2

The prospectus of the Wanganui Steam Navigation Company, Limited, has been issued. The proposed capital is £30,000, which it is intended to call up in the manner set forth in our advertising columns. It is proposed to purchase suitable boats for the cattle aud sheep trade, with adequate passenger accommodation. The list of provisional directors is an influential one, and the prospects of the undertaking appear to be most satisfactory. Mr. Oapstick, of Wanganui, will furnish forms of application and all other information. On a sufficient number of shares being called for a general meeting will be convened, and all necessary steps will be taken for the formation of a company on a permanent basis.

The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to sit to-day at half-past 2, the sitting not to extend beyond 11 o'clock p.m. It was curious to note last night when the Estimates were under consideration how members were defeated in their endeavors to raise the salaries of officials in their several districts. Now and again a gentleman would rise and point to the grossly inadequate remuneration which some official received for his arduous services in the speaker’s district. The only sympathy he metwith was another hon. member rising and pointing to a similar circumstance. The outcome of this was that the majority thought that no individual was worse off than many others in a precisely like position, and the votes were allowed to pass without increase.

The House of Representatives made rapid work with the Estimates Iflst night. On the vote for the Geological and Meteorological Department some discussion ensued, and diverse were the opinions held of the usefulness of the meteorological branch. Some members wero of the belief that it was of no possible service, and one went so far as to state that he would back any of our coasting captains to forecast the weather more correctly than the whole strength of the meteorological staff, aided by all the observatories in the colony. Others held that it was of great benefit to the shipping, and ultimately the vote passed without abatement. Mr. Swanson has not much faith in the efficacy of prayer upon our legislators. The legislative Council insists that the public schools shall be opened with prayer, and the Education Bill has been referred back to the House of Representatives. One gentleman, in supporting the amendment of the Council, used as an argument the fact of Parliament being opened with prayer. Well, said Mr. Swanson, if it has no more good effect upon the scholars than it has upon hon. members it would be better dispensed with. He was not of an over-religious turn of mind, but the prayers read by Mr. Speaker often gave ruse to sad reflection in his mind when he thought of what might transpire in tho House a few minutes afterwards.—Yes, Mr. Swanson, the argument was a peculiarly unfortunate one. The volunteers are not wanting of defenders in Parliament. Last night Sir Robt. Douglas and others made some disparaging remarks about the volunteers, which Mr. Hamlin warmly replied to, and asked where had forty of the regular army stood against three hundred natives. That had been the case in an engagement in the North Island where the volunteers were engaged. They had heard of Maoris breaking through the regular forces of tJie nation whose “ flag had braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze, ” but they had never heard of the volunteers, giving way before the Maoris. They would have stood their ground, and would have been out to pieces before they allowed the enemy to pass through their ranks. Sir Robert Douglas said he did not desire to depreciate the courage of the volunteers; they no doubt possessed the natural courage of Englishmen; hut he had had considerable experience himself in New Zealand warfare, and the result of his observation was that the volunteers were unfitted for active duties because they were untrained men. In replying to some remarks which fell from tho Colonial Secretary in the Legislative Council yesterday, the Hon. Sir J. L. C. Richardson remarked that it would be just as impossible for prisoners who were once located on tho sugar-loaves at New Plymouth to escape into the hush as it would be for the troops to get out of Plevna.

- A very stormy discussion took place yesterday in the Legislative Council about the vast amount of important business which it was always attempted to rush through at the close of the sessiou, and the Colonial Secretary took occasion to remark that if any important measures were rushed through, the Council had only themselves to thank, as they had it in their power to sit as long as they liked, and to take what time they chose for the consideration of the different Bills sent up to them from tire House of Representatives. The steamer Luke of Edinburgh is now employed repairing the fault in the cable between Singapore and Batavia. When that is finished she will proceed at once to repair the Port Darwin to Banjoewangi cable.

To-night at St. George’s Hall a double bill is announced, including the popular burlesque of “ Little Don Giovanni ” for the last time, and a farce entitled “ Odd or Even.” On Monday night the Alleen Troupe occupy the boards of this favorite place of amusement.

There was a very good house at the Theatre Royal last night, when “ Marie Antoinette ” was repeated, and enthusiastically received. His Excellency the Governor honored the theatre with his presence, and the dress circle contained many of the leading citizens with the ladies of their several families. By particular request the piece will be repeated this evening, positively for the last time, and doubtless to another full house.

The “ Mirror of the World ” at the Odd Fellows’ Hall drew a moderate attendance last evening. There will be another change in the programme this evening, and the views will embrace a variety of attractive scenes in America and on the European Continent ; also Australia and New Zealand landscapes. Vesuvius in eruption, a snowstorm, and the amusing feats of the Dancing Skeleton are also to be found in the bill of fare to-night. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Sarah Kent, charged with drunkenness, was fined 205., with the alternative of 48 hours’ hard labor in case of non-payment. This was the only police case. —On the civil side judgment was given for plaintiff in the case of Brown v. Clayton, heard on a previous day, for £BO, Notice of appeal was given in the matter of Bailey v. S. Moore, —a claim for £4 Is. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £2 10s. and costs.

In reference to the cutter Dido, a report of the wreck of which vessel appears in our telegrams, we understand that she will probably be got off, and that most of the cargo she has on board will be landad. The hull was insured for £4OO in the Union and the cargo in the same office for £7OO, half of each policy being re-insured with the National. She had lauded the greater part of her cargo, which was for. Collington, at that place, before the accident occurred. The loss, therefore, it is said, will he comparatively slight. A cricket match will be played this afternoon between tbe Rising Star and United cricket clubs.' Play will commence at 1.30 sharp. The following are the teams :— Rising Star: Messrs, Smith, Danks, ICibblewhite, Tusfcin, Robinson, Mansi!!, Brown, Godber, Helyer, Bennett, and Read ; emergency, Whyte and Cobham ; umpire, Mr. E. Dixon ; scorer, Mr. G. Godber. United : Messrs. Nation, Brown, McGirr, Wylie, Keefe, Howe, Doyle, Dryclon, Gamble, Wrath, and Iggulden; emergency, Emeny and J. Natwin. An esteemed correspondent writes ;—“The immortal bard has said, ‘ There be land rats aud water rats,’ aud we are glad to say that there has been evolved another specimen of this interesting rodent, which happily has recently succeeded in pressing itself upon our notice. It is a large plump animal of an uncertain color —at present of a greyish tic go, and much inclined to embonpoint. Of a harmless placid nature, it seems thoroughly gregarious, and to revel in the society of other rats, although deprived, alas ! so far as is known, of any society of its own particular species. From its curious shades of color it has been called the Rodens cyanosis or blueskiu rat.” We shall be glad to receive from any of our readers further information about these interesting creatures. A pleasing ceremony took place at the close of yesterday’s proceedings at the Resident Magistrate’s Court! Upon the conclusion of a long argument between Messrs. Barton and Ollivier, Mr. Baker, the Clerk of the Court, handed a letter to Mr. Warded, R.M., signed by the various officers of the Court, presenting that gentleman with a handsome meerschaum pipe as a small token of their respect for him as a private gentleman and as the official head of the department during the four months’ sick leave of Mr. Crawford, R.M. Mr. Warded expressed himself as highly pleased, and assured the various officers that he would greatly value their present and letter. Mr. Ollivier, the only member of the Bar present, then addressed the Resident Magistrate, saying that the profession were not aware that Mr. Wardell's term of office was so soon to expire, or they would have been pleased to present him with a testimonial, and thanked him warmly for his courtesy to tire Bar. Mr. Warded stated that he would desire publicly to thank the members of the profession for their courtesy towards him, and, that he would look back to his terra of office iu Wellington with pleasure. At St. George’s Hall on Monday evening next the Alleen Troupe will appear before a Welliugtou audience for the first time. The oompauy consists of Miss Alleen Laurel, who comes with a high reputation as a trapeze performer, aud Masters Harry aud Albert Elder, infant prodigies, ’dhe Northern papers speak of these clover - children as follows ;—“ The two young Elders are of themselves special attractions, the younger one iu particular, a little fellow of about five years old, fully deserved the great applause he received. His singing and dancing were quite unique. He was continually exciting laughter by his comic antics, and admiration by the grace of his dancing; when, dressed up as a little nigger lady he brought down the house, aud was recalled by the unanimous voice of the spectators.” Mr. J. Elder, the one-legged gymnast, is also exceedingly clever, and goes through some remarkable feats on the bar and rope. The other members gof the company, Mr. I'e Bries, the boneless man ; Mr. J. Laurel, serial gymnast ; and Mr. T. Lament, speciality artist, are all spoken of as excellent performers. The company have been very successful up North, and should draw crowded houses here, as they only stay a week. We notice with pleasure that Mr. Frederick Back, who for some time past has held the appointment of chief accountant for constructed railways, has been promoted to the post of assistant traffic manager of one of our most important railways in the colony, viz., the Christchurch section, Mr. Back leaves for Christchurch, to-morrow. His friends in the Civil Service yesterday presented him with an address and a handsome gold hunting watch, as a token of their regard for him, and as a memento of bis Welliugtou friends. The presentation was made by Colonel Gorton, who, in a short but well-chosen address, fully expressed the feelings of all who knew Mr. Back. Colonel Gorton said that the testimonial, was presented entirely by Mr. Back’s personal friends, who for the whole time during which he had been amongst them in the Civil Service had esteemed him highly for lits invariable good nature and- thoroughly kindhearted behaviour. It gave him (Oolonel Gorton) double pleasure, as an old “Marlborough boy,” to have to present such a testimonial to one who had been educated at the same old school. —Mr. Back responded in a very feeling speech, and said he fully appreciated the kind feelings of the gentlemen presenting the testimonial. —The following is the substance of the address presented :—“ To Fredk. Back, Esq. Sir, —We, the undersigned brother officers iu the New Zealand Civil Service, beg to express to you our congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of your promotion in the service, and request your acceptance of the accompanying testimonial of our esteem aud regard.—Wishing you every success and prosperity in your new appointment, we are, &c. (here follow the signatures of between 30 and 40 members of the Civil Service.)” Ou the inside of the reverse of the watch is the following inscription ; “ Presented to Mr. Fredk. Back by some of his friends in the New Zealand Civil Service. Wellington, Nov. 23,1877.” I