Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5222, 17 December 1877, Page 2

Dr. Lemon received the following official memorandum from Mr. Todd, of Adelaide, yesterday ;-—“ The Fort Darwin and Banjoewangi cable was repaired at 11.45 this morning.”

The outward mail via San Francisco, despatched per the llotorua yesterday, for transhipment to the City of Sydney at Auckland, consisted of 1531 letters, 551 books, and 3024 papers for Londou ; and 247 letters, 92 books, and 207 papers for America. Mr. Cotterell, celebrated for his drawingroom entertainments, died yesterday morning. He was the husband of one of the Oarandinis, and was very widely known and respected by his brother professionals and the general public. At about twelve o’clock last night there was an alarm of fire. The bells were set ringing, and a large number of people hurried towards the scene of action, which was on Lambtonquay, at the rear of Professor Augustus’ premises, where a chimney had caught fire. In a very few minutes after the alarm was given the fire brigades were on the spot; but happily their services were not required, the fire, which apparently originated from an overheated fine, being extinguished by the application of a few buckets of water almost as soon as it arose. The promptness with which the brigades came to the rescue on this, as on former occasions, is deserving of all praise. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday-, H. C. Williamson was brought before the Bench mharged with obtaining on false pretences a quantity of goods of the value of £32, the property of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains. The case was remanded until to-day for the production of the necessary witnesses. On the civil side, the case of Jaeger v. Mabin, a .claim for £4O for wages due°and damages for alleged wrongful dismissal from service, the defence 'to which was a set-off, was postponed for a week, in order to enable the defendant to produce his books, which were in Auckland. —Mr. O. W. Clayton, charged with driving at too quick a pace round the corner of a public thoroughfare, was fined ss. and costs.

A very largely attended meeting of the Wellington Typographical Society was held in the Polytechnic Hall on Saturday The reports, and balance-sheet showed the society to be in a very prosperous condition, the credited funds amounting to about £230. The following officers were elected for the ensuing six months: —President, Mr. O. Monaghan; vicepresident, Mr. J. Keogh; secretary, Mr, H. Mason; trustees, Messrs. Everitt, Bannister, and Inues; treasurur, Mr. J. Innes; auditors, Messrs. Tattle and Fj. Johnston; board of management, Messrs. Grant, Brooke, Stevens, Mackintosh, and McNeil. The Arcade in Manners-street was opened for business on Saturday, and attracted numerous visitors. When lighted up in the evening it presented a most attractive appearance, and formed a most agreeable promenade. Several tradesmen have already availed themselves of the opportunity offered to take stalls, Messrs. Bishop, Isaac, Lloyd, Sheldon, jClowes, B. Jones, Codings (of the Hutt), and others, being amongst the number, which will no doubt be considerably augmented as the desirability of having a retail establishment in this central situation becomes more generally appreciated. “ Professor Augustus,” of Lambton-quay, has lately added to .the resources of his haircutting establishment a set of baths, hot, cold, vapor, and shower, of a very superior description. The bath-rooms are lofty, spacious, well ventilated, and fitted up with every convenience. There is certainly nothing of the kind to surpass them in the colony, and they would do credit to many a European city. The wants of the ladies have not been forgotten, for whom there is a most luxuriantly finished set of bath-rooms, with a separate entrance and waiting room, presided over by Mrs. Agustus. Nothing appears to be wanting to render the establishment complete in every respect. It reflect! the utmost credit on its enterprising proprietor, Mr. Augustus, as well as on Mr. Chatfield, the architect, Messrs. Nash and Mapleson, the contractors, and Messrs. Hayes, who did the plumbing and engineering work. If any of our readers have not yet paid a visit to the professor's establishment, we recommend them to do so.

We have inspected the plans for the drainage of the Mungaroa Swamp. They are on view at the office of Mr, D. P. Davies, 0.E., Chamber of Commerce Buildings. The execution of the plans is admirable, and they are drawn in such a way as to be easily understood by any one. A large number of contractors have already inspected the plans, and doubtless in the tendering for the work, of draining the swamp there will be keen competition. Mr. Davies informs us that the area of the valleyadvertisedfordrainagecomprises 3000 acres, being three miles in length and over one in breadth. When the swamp is drained it will comprise one of the best blocks of land in the colony of its size, and its proximity to the Upper Hutt railway station—soma half a mile distant only—renders it an excellent site for a small farm settlement. There is no better land now in the Province of Otago than the Taieri Plains, which at one time formed a large swamp. The tenders for the drainage of the Mungaroa Swamp close to-day, and the work offers an excellent opportunity for a number of working men who may desire to enter into a co-operative undertaking. Full particulars as to plans and specifications may bo seen at Mr. Davies' office.

Intending competitors for the various handicaps on the programme, of the Caledonian Society for the annual gathering on New Year’s Day are reminded that entries close at the New Zealander Hotel, Manners-street, this evening, at 9 o’clock. The secretary will be in attendance from halt-past seven till that hour.

The following prizes have fallen to the lot of New Zealand subscribers to the art union of Glasgow this year :—Mr. Leo. G. Reid, Hokitika, £2O ; Mr. William Virtue, Hokitika, £lO ; India-proof engravings, “ Many Happy Returns of the Day,” Mr. John Davie, Dunedin ; “ Playground,” Mr. W. H. Haydon, Dunedin; “Punch,” Mr. Sydney James, Dunedin ; also, India-proof engraving, Mr. J. M. Hutchison, Wellington. To those of our readers who are interested in the township and district of Kiwitea an important announcement appears in our advertising columns, Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co. having been instructed to offer for selection, at low upset prices, on Wednesday next, an additional number of sections in the township of Kiwitea, being the subdivision of some fifty acres not previously included. We understand that the effect of this will be to open a large number of valuable frontages with several new roads into the township; and looking at the large'amount of money already invested, and the fact that that settlement is now proceeding at a rapid rate, we have no doubt the sections forming the extension of the township will be selected as rapidly as those in the township were a few weeks ago. A match was played on the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon between the United Cricket Club and a team selected from the Post and Telegraph Offices, which proved a very exciting contest. The United went in first, and only put together 17, while their opponents scored 58, Duncan making 32 off his own bat, not out. In the second innings of the United they got 68, Doyle batting well for 22, the Telegraph having 28 (in one hour) to get to win. They succeeded in getting 24 for nine wickets down, when the umpire called time, thus winning by 41 runs on the first innings. The annual meeting of the Wellington Building Society will bo held at Mr. White’s office, Panama-street, on Wednesday next, at 7 p.m., for the production of accounts and the report of the committee of management, and also to elect members of the committee.

The Hon. Mr. Sheehan left Napier by the Hawea yesterday morning for Wellington. The N apier Gas Company invite tenders up to the 15th January for the supply of Anvil Creek and Greymouth coal. The quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce will be held on Wednesday next, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, for the election of members and the transaction of general business.

A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a direct road from Wellington to Kilbirnie will be held at Mr. White’s office, Panama-street, at half-past seven o’clock this evening. . - -

, There was a good attendance at St. George’s Hall on Saturday evening, when “ lugomar” and a musical melange made a very attractive bill of fare. To-night—positively for this night only—“ Don Coesar de Bazan” will be performed, Mr. Dillon playing the leading character. A numerous audience may be expected. Great preparations, we hear, are being made at this popular place of entertainment f.ir the production of a Christmas pantomime.

Signor Nobili, agent for the Italian Opera Company, arrived in Wellington by the Rotorua yesterday. This company has for many months past been playing with great success in Sydney, Melbourne, and Dunedin, and arenowperformingto crowded houses in Christchurch. By them the beauties of “ Lohengrin” and “Aida” were first made known to colonials; and if we may believe the criticisms of the Australian Press and our Southern contemporaries, they were no unworthy exponents of the “ music of the future.” Both these operas will be produced during their stay in Wellington, which will only extend over eighteen nights from the 31st inst. Their repertoire contains, it addition to the two operas above named, all the well-known operas, “Faust,” “Rigoletto,” “Tin Ballo’in Maschera,” “ Lucrezia Borgia,” “ Semiramide,” “ Roberto II Diavolo,” “II Barbiere,” “ Puritani,” “ Mosd in Eggito,” “Luoia de T.ammermoor,” “Trovatore,” “Sonnambula,” “Norma,” &c., &c., none of which, owing to the brevity of the season, are likely to be repeated. Subscription lists will be open at Mr. Bounington’s music warehouse, Lambtou-qnay, tomorrow, and we have no doubt, judging from the success which attended the visit of this company, both in Dunedin aqd Christchurch, that they will be equally successful here, and that the subscription list will be rapidly filled up. In view of the limited appliances of New Zealand theatres suitable for the production of the lyric drama by a first-class company like the one under notice, a large quantity of scedery has been ' brought over from Melbourne, so that we may expect to see the masterpieces of the great musicians placed before us with at least a slight i egard to the befitting accessories of Italian opera. The dresses are also said to be the same as those used in the Opera House in Melbourne, and altogether the company comes better equipped, in a musical point of view, than any which have gone before them. The arrangements made by Signor Nobili have everywhere been highly spoken of, and we believe he will spare no exertion or expense to render the Wellington season in every way worthy of substantial public patronage. A number of lady and gentlemen amateurs met on Saturday evening at Mr. Hunter’s rooms (kindly placed at their disposal) for the purpose of rehearsing the carols, which form a part of the lecture to be given by the Rev. Charles Clark on Christmas Eve. All those present being—what is technically termed by musical people—good readers, in less than a couple ofhours fourteen carols were practised, and sung with fine effect, the pianissimo passages being especially good, and notably so in the “ Golden Carol ” and “ Christmas Song.” A somewhat startling sensation is produced occasionally by unexpected bursts of rustic chorus in unison interrupting plaintive melody, as in the “Noel, Noel,” making sudden contrasts which are particularly effective. This style of singing being a novelty in Wellington, and the lecture such a celebrated one, it is very doubtful it the Odd Fellows’ Hall will accommodate half those desirous of hearing the entertainment. A book of words of the carols is to be published. On Friday afternoon the p'-esident of the Caledonian Society (Mr. George Crawford), and a number of the directors, visited the cricket ground and carefully examined the various improvements recently carried on by the Corporation, under the direction of Mr. Charles O’Neili. Nearly 1000 trees have been planted, and are growing capitally. A mile of gravelled walks have been formed, two bridges thrown across the creek, new entrance gates made on three sides, and a handsome fence guarding the trees is in rapid progress. Carpenters are at work on the grand stand building glass partitions and swing doors, and fitting up a comfortable luncheon-room, &c., for ladies. Rustic seats are to be placed at various points. Altogether the grounds at the forthcoming sports will present a most attractive and finished appearance. The president expressed the highest satisfaction at the various improvements and large amount of work completed so well and expeditiously.

Four figures, which are Intended to stand round the pedestal of the gold trophy of Victoria in the Paris Exhibition, have been prepared for the commissioners by Mr. Kreitraeyer, of the Melbourne Waxworks. They consist of a blackfellow and his lubra, a stockman, and a digger. Both the blades may be regarded as a faithful likeness of the first inhabitants of the colony. They are clothed in the conventional 'possum rug, and the woman bears a child on her shoulders. For the typical digger and stockman two good-looking men have evidently stood as models. The stockman is noticeable for the excellence with which the sun brown has been wrought into his complexion. The head and arms of the figures have been executed in wax. Should they reach Paris in safety, the Argus thinks they ought to have a magnetic influence on visitors. In New Zealand there are about 800 specimens of minerals from the colony ready for transmission, and it is thought the number will reach 1000. Twenty-six viguerons have promised exhibits of wine. Nearly all the Montana companies are sending exhibits of coal.

The chemical and anatomical divisions of the new University buildings at Dunedin will, it is confidently expected by the Daily Times, be finished within contract time, the Ist of April next. At pre-ent the contractors, Messrs. McGill and Forest, have about 50 men employed on this work, and the building will bo ready for the second-floor joists by the end of the week. The basement is of Port Chalmers stone, the outside walla are of bluestone, with facings and mouldings ot Oamaru stone, similar to Knox Church, and the interior walla are brick. With this portion of the new University buildings, and such accommodation as can be obtained in the Museum, the Council expect to provide for the next session of the University classes. The contract price for the erection ot the chemical and anatomical division is £567-1. The firm ot McGill and Forest have also the contract for the portion of the main building which it has been decided to erect, including the 100 ft. tower. This work is to be completed by the 3rd of April, 1878, and the amount of the accepted tender is £13,837. The foundation of the tower has been laid down to the level of the bed of the Leith, and the ground is so loose that the remainder of the foundation has been put down to within two feet of the same depth. However, a good foundation upon the boulder bed, and it is believed close to the rock, has been obtained. About 12 men are engaged at this work, and the contractors will be ready to lay the foun-dation-stone of the main building during the first week of the new year, which is the time appointed for the performance ot the ceremony.

The Otago Daily Times ot the 13th inst. says ;—We are requested by his Worship the Mayor to state that the Dunedin branch of the Bank of New Zealand has practically contributed to the Indian Famine Belief Fund the handsome sum of £l6O, that being the amount of exchange upon the remittances to London, which the bank very liberally transmitted at par.