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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5212, 5 December 1877, Page 2

TheGovernmentcaraeoutof Monday’s debate very badly. The Premier’s attempt to supplement the Treasurer’s Financial Statement was a miserable failure. Even his thick-aud-thin supporters could say nothing for it. The Financial Arrangements Bill was carried, because a great many members on both sides of tho House were determined to secure the generalisation of the laud revenue ; but tho policy or want of policy of the Government was condemned all round. The Premier could not tell the House how ho proposed to balance his accounts—how much the Government intended to borrow, or indeed anything about the financial position. There was an overwhelming majority for the measure, chiefly made up of opponts of the Government. The Ministry have played their game, and got their reward in votes and loss of credit. It will be remembered that last Christmas several gentlemen in Wellington chartered a steamer and had a very enjoyable trip, visiting Pelorus Sound, Kapiti, and other places in the vicinity. Those who were of the party last year, and others who were not, and who have regretted it ever since, have, we hear, just concluded arrangements for a similar excursion this Christmas. Wo have to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of “ Bradshaw’s Guide” for December. This number is quite up to the usual excellent standard this publication has attained, and the travelling public must find it a very useful work.

When the Bill introduced by Government to amend the Disqualification Act was under consideration, attention was drawn to a remarkable provision introduced last year into the Act by the Legislative Council, which excepted some twenty members of the House of Representatives from one of the disabilities to which other members were subjected. It was, in fact, provided that, whereas no other members of the Legislature might accept any office of profit under the Government within the year after he ceased to be such member, any Superintendent or member of the Executive Council holding office at the date of abolition should be exempted from the effects of this disqualification. It was pointed out the other night that this exception in perpetuity of certain gentlemen from the provisions of the Act could not have been intended by the House, and subsection 4 of section 6 of the Disqualification Act of 1576 was repealed by a large majority. The amended Bill is now before the Legislative Council, and we presume will become law in a few days. Mr. Bruuton preached last evening to a large congregation at the Polytechnic Hall. Mr. Bruuton will deliver another “ Gospel address ” this evening at the same place. A tea and public meeting will be held at the Wesleyan Church, Molesworth-street, this evening, when the chair will be taken by Mr. Holdsworth, and the meetiug will be addressed by several ministers and other friends. The Waxworks Exhibition at the Odd Fellows’ Hall yesterday was well attended, and as its merits become more generally known still larger houses may be looked for. It is an excellent exhibition of its kind, and is well deserving of the patronage of the public. In our issue of yesterday we published the particulars of the finding of the dead body of a man on the beach at Terawiti. The remains being in a too far advanced stage of decomposition to render it at all likely that they could be identified, it has been deemed unnecessary to hold an inquest, and they have been buried near the place where they were found. Mr. Tafner, of Cuba-street, has erected in the spacious front window of his establishment a fernery, which has a very pretty effect, and is quite an ornament to the street. A small fountain, from which the water falls into a basin filled with gold an 1 silver fish, forms also a very attractive feature in the scene, which for the past few days has drawn quite a crowd of visitors to the spot.

St. George’s Hall was well attended last evening, when the programme of the previous night was repeated. Herr Schott’s performance again elicited great applause. To-night a change in the bill is announced, when Arthur Sullivan’s operetta the “ Sergeant’s Dilemma,” and for the last time “ Lucia di Lammermoor,” will be produced. Herr Schott wil perform on the liguridzolosophone and oboe. For to-morrow a great programme is announced, consisting of “ Girofle Girofla.” The Hawke’s Bay Telegraph hears from a correspondent in Wellington that Mr. Laruach will probably be called to the Upper House shortly, and that he will be succeeded in the Ministry by Mr. Ballance as Colonial Treasurer and Mr. J. Evans Brown as Minister of Public Works. Mr. Bunny is to be rewarded by the new appointment of Commissioner of Railways, while Messrs. Gisborne and Sharp, who have been ratting during the whole session, are still kept on the string, thinking they will get office. It is reported, however, that Sir George Grey will eventually throw over both of these gentlemen. Yesterday at the Resident Magistrate’s Court Mr. Gordon Allan said he desired to bring under the notice of the Bench a case of hardship, and to ask their Worships’ advice upon the matter. As they were probably aware, the Zealandia when she arrived here was placed in quarantine, there being infectious disease on board, and as is usual in such cases the clothes of the crew were ordered to be destroyed, as a sanitary precaution, in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act, which unfortunately was silent as to who should bear the cost. Application had been made to the Government authorities for compensation; but the Secretary of Customs said the ship ought to bear the expense, as the destruction of the clothing was for the benefit of the ship. He (Mr. Allan) wished the Bench to express their opinion on the matter. Mr. Crawford, R.M., said he really did not see what the magistrates could do in the matter. The case certainly, however, appeared one of hardship to the men whose clothes were destroyed, and no doubt the Press would give publicity to the statement made by Mr. Allan. Mr. Allan said it was desirable that this should be done, and if no compensation was to be obtained otherwise, a public subscription might be started, the men being without a change of clothing. They were a very orderly and well-conducted set of men, who not had made any complaint until they were obliged to do so. We have no doubt now that full publicity has been given to the case that something will be done to assist these men, who are sufferers from no fault of their own, and appear really deserving of assistance. Atthe.R.M. Court yesterday, before J. 0. Crawford, Esq., R.M., an elderly woman named Elizabeth Downie, charged with being drunk, was discharged with a caution. John Brown, charged with a like offence, was fined 205., with the alternative of forty-eight hours’ imprisonment. Maurice O’Connor, who had been charged on suspicion of lunacy and remanded for a week for medical treatment, was again brought before the Court, and having now recovered his health was discharged with a caution. Arthur Low, charged with leaving his horse and cart in the street with no one to look after them, was fined ss. and costs. Henry Victor Clifford, charged with embezzling, on the 21ar November, ten shillings, the property of his employer, James Hamilton, of Oamaru, was remanded. The case will be dealt with by the magistrate at Oamaru. Ou the civil side judgments were given for plaintiffs for the amount claimed and costs in the following oases;—J. Smith v. J. Sexton, £1 12s. 6d.; same v. Chaney, £4 ; Poulson v. Jury, £4 125.; same v. Smith, £3 ; Hillen v. Prosser, £7. Amongst the many handsome stores and shops in Wellington one has just been added which is certainly one of the handsomest of all, viz., Mr. Jacobs’ new fancy goods bazaar at the Athenaeum. The apartment, which is immediately below the reading-room of that institution, is lofty, spacious, well-lighted and ventilated. The fittings, which are of New Zealand and Australian woods, the massive plate-glass and other accessories, are in excellent taste, and reflect much credit on Mr. Roberts, the contractor. The stock is one of the largest and most varied we have seen in the colony, and contains all those useful and elegant articles to be found in first-class establishments of the kind. It is well worth inspection, and there can be no doubt that Mr. Jacobs' enterprise will be rewarded by a liberal share of public patronage. Mr. H. E. Walton, who makes his first appearance in Wellington at the Theatre Royal on Thursday evening next, brings with him Mr. John P. Hydes, who, it will be rememhere ', is a very excellent comedian. We are informed that he has been specially engaged to support Mr. Walton during his engagement here. He appears as “ Our Mr. Jenkins ” in “The Two Roses”—a part which he has played repeatedly with Mr. Walton, and in which he made a great hit in in Melbourne. Judging by the attention that is being paid to the success of this charming comedy we anticipate a great treat next Thursday evening. At the Theatre Royal last evening there was a fair house to see the “ Living Statue.” His Excellency the Governor and suite were present. The performance passed off splendidly, the Majeronis, as usual, being recalled after each act. To-night is the last night of their engagement, when they receive a grand complimentary benefit, under the patronage of Sir J. L. Richardson, Sir William Fitzherbert, members of the Executive, and other magnates now in Wellington, whose names appear in our advertising columns. At half-past 10 o'clock the Majeronis will deliver theiijfarewell address. Wo expect to see a full house on the occasion of the farewell of these talented and fascinating artists.

The Land Bill and the Financial Arrangements Bill passed the House of Representatives last night. The sale by auction of the shops in the Arcade will take place this afternoon, commencing at 2 o’clock. The central situation of the Arcade, and the excellent accommodation afforded for stall-holders, should excite considerable competition on the part of the public. Hr. John Gwynneth, jun., civil engineer, &c., lately connected with the firm of Messrs. Brogden and Sons, has, we are glad to hear, been appointed engineer for Messrs. Barry and Co., on the Port Augusta and Government Gums Railway in South Australia. The line will be 200 miles in length, and will take about six years to complete. Mr. Gwynneth has many friends in Wellington, who will be glad to hear of his good fortune. A dramatic and musical entertainment was given last evening at the Catholic School, Boulcott-street, by the Young Men’s Dramatic Club, assisted by other amateurs, in aid of the funds of the Convent and Brothers’ schools. There was a very large attendance, the spacious schoolroom being densely filled with a most appreciative audience. The programme comprised an excellent selection of songs and duets, followed by the laughable comedy entitled “ A Race for Dinner,” in which Mr. Whittaker ably sustained the leading character of Sponge- The parts of Doric (Mr. Leahy), Robert Fred well (Mr. McNamara), and Gammon (Mr. Gibbs) were also very creditable performances, as indeed were those of all the actors, whose efforts were greeted with much hearty laughter. More duets and songs followed, and after a dance by a gentleman amateur the entertainment was brought to a conclusion by the ever popular farce of “ Box and Cox,” which sent the audience home in great good humor. The result in a pecuniary sense will be the addition of a handsome amount to the funds of those excellent scholastic institutions for whose benefit the entertainment was especially got up. The Thames Advertiser of the 24th instant publishes a letter from the Rev. leather Nivard, dated Chefoo, Shantung, China, Ist September, acknowledging the receipt of subscriptions amounting to £55 in aid of the distressed Christians in that province. The writer says ;—“ The famine has diminished a good deal, though it is still felt iu some districts ; iu fact, though in general the crops have been pretty good, yet many districts have either suffered drought again or have been devoured by locusts, or beaten by hail. Typhus has fearfully raged in several places, and just now there are daily, here in Chefoo, several cases of cholera, which has carried away as victims a great many people in the port of Newchwang, iu Manchooria, 24 hours’ distant by steam from here. Truly it is not only the Shantung province that has been sorely afflicted iu 1876-77, but iu various and different ways nearly every province of China: cholera, inundations, famine, great fires, hurricanes, typhus—such is, as far as I know, the epitome of Chinese history for these two years. Thanks be to God the district in which I am has been far less tried than others, and I myself enjoy excellent health ; I am, iu fact, a great deal stouter and stronger than X ever was iu New Zealand. The Chefoo climate agrees well with me, and, on the whole, I have a happy life. lam very poor, it is true ; but poverty is not a disgrace, because, all considered, even the rich have for themselves nothing else but what they actually eat and drink. All their ease, all their comforts, have many thorns.” Most of the United States journals (says the Examiner) are always looking out for means to induce people to subscribe, but the latest novelty in this line, and the most remarkable, is the invention of a Kansas newspaper. The editor found that the giving away of highlycolored chromo-lithographs had no longer the old effect as of yore in increasing the sale of the paper, neither had clocks. In fact, all the farmhouses for miles around were adorned with chromo-lithographs, many of which were relegated to the stables and outhouses, while, as for clocks, there were so many that no farmer could form any idea of the right time, and the editor of the Kansas journal was in despair. At last a bright idea struck him, and he announced a series of prize young women as inducements to subscribers. Every number of his paper had a coupon. After a certain time all the coupons entitled their possessor to a chance in a lottery where all were prizes and none blanks. The prize consisted of a photograph, name, and address of one of the prize young women. A correspondence was naturally supposed to ensue, endiug, if all went well, in a happy marriage. The idea proved an immense success ; ever so many young women offered themselves for prizes, all the eligible young men iu the country took in the paper, and for a time the journal had it all its own way. Soon, however, the idea began to spread ; domestic and ladies’ journals began to offer prize young men, and soon the new scheme passed from the boundaries of its original district, first all over Kansas, and now is gradually making progress among the newspapers of the other States. The original journal, however, is again in a difficulty, for the idea succeeded so admirably that there is not an unmarried young man in the district, and the editor now thinks of offering prize children to any who may stand in need of them ; and if this fail, of applying to the State for permission to start a series of prize divorces.