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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5226, 21 December 1877, Page 2

,-Tlie City Council I met yesterday. - ’A report .of the proceedings - will be found, in another portion’ fit Our' columns. The Council will meet.again at noon to-day, when-all -tedders sent in tip to yesterday will be opened, including applications for the vacant Corporation offices. ' - ■: -

We understand that the City Couucil are about to try the experiment of using Nelson granite for the construction ofjwater channels, and instructions have been sent to Nelson to charter a schooner to convey a cargo of granite to this port. /

The equity of redemption of the property known as the Empire Steam Laundry on Kent-terraoe (subject to a raortgage ,of £1700) was sold by ’ Mr. G. Thomas yesterday at auction for £2OO. Mr. R. Port was the purchaser..- ■■ - - -. ■

Tho consignees per Zealandia will, we feel sure, be, glad to ace by reference to an advertisement in another column that the adjustment of average by that ship has been brought to a close. Evidently time has not been wasted over the case.

Our readers are reminded by advertisement in our columns that the selection of town sections in Kiwitea is now proceeding,, at T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co.’s exchange laud offices, and they-are advised to lose no time in making their selections. At the Theatre. Royal last evening the “Ragpicker of Paris” and “ O’ Callaghan on His Last Legs” were successfully repeated to a not very large audience. Td-uight, as will be seen by reference to a paragraph in another place, the Amateur Dramatic Club will make their first appearance on the boards. St. George’s Hall was closed last evening to make preparations for the coming- Christmas pantomime, which is entitled, “ The Little Old Woman that Lived in the Shoe, Little Bopeep that Lost her Sheep, and Harlequin Jack and the Bean Stalk.” Judging from the extensive preparations this should be a great success.

We understand that the Sun Fire Insurance Company of London intend to open branches in New Zealand, and that Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Co, have been appointed agents for this city. This company ranks as one of the oldest and most influential iu the world, having been established since the year 17X0. The prizes at the Buckle street school were distributed yesterday to the successful pupils by Mr. Kenneth Wilson, principal of the W elliugton College. The hoys attending the school theu presented Mr. Everett, the head master, with a handsome writing desk . and cruet stand, as a token of their respect and esteem. The AVellington Dramatic Club will make their first appearance at the Theatre Royal this evening in the “ Old Chateau,” and “ Lead Me Five Shillings.” The club possesses some firsDrate talent amongs( its members, and the entertainment promises to be an excellent one in every way. During the'evening Mr. Hill’s string bond will perform musical selections. We expect to see a full house. A,meeting of the Board of Education was held yesterday morning with reference to the elections under the Act of last session. Present—Messrs.- Pharazyn (in the chair), Gisborne, and Bunny. Mr. Gi .borne reported that meetings had been held for the election of local committees for the Thorndon and Te Aro schools, and that committees had beemdnly elected. 1 -There was no other business brought before the meeting. The quarterly meeting of the District Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand was held-at the Masonic Hall, Boulcott-street, last evening. There was a full attendance of the fraternity, all the lodges in the district being represented. The Provincial-Deputy G.M., C. J. Toxward, presided. A considerable amount of business was transacted. W. S. Moorhouse, Esq., M.H.R., was nominated for the office of Provincial Grand Master for the Northern Island, in the room of the late lamented Sir D. McLean.

Mr. J. H. Wallace sold by auction yesterday afternoon the. privileges iu connection with the Foresters’ fete to be held on Boxing Day. The following was the result of the sale : —No. 1 publican’s booth, £9, Mr. Quin; No. 2, do £l2, Mr. Quin; No. 3 do, £lO, Mr. Quin ; No. 4 do, £lO, Mr. Quin; No. 1 refreshment booth, £3 10s., Mr. Phillips; No. 2 do, £3 55., Mr. Phillips; No. 1 fancy bazaar, £2 10s., Mr. Ashton; No. 2 do, £1 7s. 6d., Mr. .Martin ; cards of the sports, £1 7s. 6d., Mr. Withers ; admission to grand stand, £2, Mr. Quin; total, £55. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterterday, before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M., Charles Wise was fined ss. for drunkenness. A sailor named James Daly, charged with unlawfully absenting himself from the Hurunui, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, with hard labor. Henry Jennings, lately employed as cook on hoard the Mataura, pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing the sum of £9 10s,, the property of Alfred Lancaster, steward of the vessel. Mr. Lancaster stated that before going ashore the previous evening he locked up his cashbox, in which the money above-mentioned was placed. On his return he found that the box had been broken open and the contents stolen. He informed the police of the occurrence, and also stated that he suspected the prisoner, whowas-shortly afterwards arrested by Sergeant Price, and admitted that he was the thief. Prisoner said he was drunk at the time, and asked the Court to deal leniently with him for the sake of hia family. The Magistrate remarked that the case was one that if sent to the Supreme Court would entail a heavy sentence on tho prisoner ; therefore this Court would not he justified in passing a light sentence. The prisoner was then sentenced to twelve months’ hard labor. A large number of civil cases were set down for hearing, but only two came before the Court, viz.Schultze v. Teague, a claim for £3 Is. Bd. on a promissory note, which case was adjourned for a week ; and Beck and Tonics v. Sheen, in which judgment was given for plaintiff for £4 6s. and costs. The Melbourne Argus of the 12th iust. gives tho following particulars of a receut attempt to defraud the Customs department: —“An ingenious attempt to defraud the Customs department was brought to light and frustrated peaterday morning. The authorities, it appears, received information recently which caused them to exercise special vigilance over persons arriving, by steamer from Sydney. The s.s, Wotonga arrived early yesterday morning, and, on being cleared, the passengers landed at Sand ridge railway pier. Major Spreut, Mr. Macfarlane, and several other Customs officers, were present -on the pier, and scrutinised, tho passengers , as they walked towards the railway station • whilst Constable Keane was, in attendance in case police assistance should'be' required.. A tall gentleman, having the appearance of, a commercial traveller, and carrying a box about a foot square; was eventually reooguised as the person looked for, and was called into the Customs office. Hia box was opened, and inside was found a plnster-of-paris bust of the Queen, which, on being inspected, was fouud to contain a quantity, of diamond rings and other jewellery, the value of which is estimated at about £6OO. The suspicion that a plan had been laid to defraud the Customs department was thus confirmed, and the property was seized.” ■ ,

An exchange says :—Holdship’s Mills and Sash and Door Manufactory at Auckland have been put into a company, with a capital of £60,000, £50,000 of which are paid up. J. S. Macfarlane, Esq., M.H.R., is chairman of the company, and the directors are Messrs. W. C. Daldy, Thomas Morrin, H. Watson, and C. Errington. The company will commence business on the Ist January, 1878. The mills this company will possess are situated at Wangaroa, Port Charles, and Kennedy Bay. The company will also have a large tract of reclaimed land—4oo feet—to the west of Queenstreet wharf, lately rented by the Harbor Board for sixty-eight years, with the right of 100 feet to the sea, and a sash and door manufactory at Newton.; ■ Mr. Barr, Mayor of Momington, says the Otago Times , pursued a novel course on Tuesday evening last in order to: tost the efficiency of tho new fire brigade. Ho ;set fire to a large quantity of hush on ffiis own ground,, and got the brigade to try there skill on the flames. The men worked well together, and displayed a creditable''amount of proficiency. Probate to tho wills of the following deceased persons was granted iu the Melbourne Equity Court lately : : — George William Putty, £126,852 ; Peter J. Petheriek, £BSOO ; Henry Davenport, £I6OO ; Elizabeth W. iSwiuhouruc, £OOO.

In connection with the loss of five thousand sovereigns from the P. and O. Company’s steamer Avoea, on learn that the commander of the steamer, Captain Pockley, and his chief officer, Mr. Ellistoun, have been called Home to explain to the directors of the company the circumstances under which the gold was lost, and to answer for an alleged breach of instruc- ■ tions, the two officers being said to be absent from the steamer while gold was on board, contrary to the company’s regulations.