The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5235, 3 January 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1878.

It is again rumored that Mr. Ballance has consented to join the Grey Ministry. The Waterworks investigation committee of the City Council had a rather ion"' sitting yesterday afternoon, '/'here were present—Councillors Hunter (in the chair), Diver, Fisher, Logan, an I Macdonald. ,It was resolved that the committee meetings should be open to the publ c Mr. Hester (late town clerk), Mr. Page (accountant), and tire office boy were examined, and shortly before 6 o’clock the committee adjourned un il this afternoon at 3 o’clock, when it is probable that Mr. Hutchison (the exMavor) will give evidence. Within the past few days the Acclimatisation Society has liberated 2000 young salmon in the rivers in the provincial district, and the fish have been since seen in various localities in a thriving condition. These are from the first lot of Californian ova sent to Christchurch to Ire hatched. The experiment therefore so far appears highly successful, and is to be repeated again shortly. A number of blackbirds have also been distributed by the society, and will doubtless thrive well in their new home.

The report of the Astronomer Koyal on the Transit of Venus in 1874 has just been published, from which it appears that the observations taken in New Zealand proved of vs ne, notwithstanding the unfavorable weather experienced on the eventful day. The final result is to show that the distance of the earth from the sun has been hitherto underestimated by a million of miles, and that the true distance is 93,321 000 miles. As is well known New Zealand will be one of the principal stations for the Transit of Venus on December 6, 1882. The secretary of the Cricketers’ Association informs us that the Canterbury cricketers will pay a visit to Wellington on their way from Auckland to Christchurch, and will engage a Wellington team on Monday next, on the Basin Deserve, commencing at ten o’clock. Members of the Cricketers’ Association will be admitted to the ground free, but a charge of one shilling will be made to outsiders. The Wellington team are requested not to neglect practice, in order to be able to give a good account of themselves when the match comes off. We understand that Colonel Gorton has resigned his appointment of In-peotor of Stores for the General Government, and that ho is about to join Mr John Stevens at Bulls as a partner in au auctioneering business, for the sale of land, stock, &c. Colonel Gorton, it will be remembered, commanded the Wellington, Wairarapa, and Castlepoiut districts from July ls'63 to September 1865. He was then promoted to the rank of Ueut.-Oulonel, and was in command of the Wanganui district in 1865 to the end of 1368. He was Acting Quartermaster-General under Colonel Whitmore until April 1869, when he returned to Wellington, having received the appointment of Inspector of Defence Stores. In 1871 all Colonial Government stores wore brought under his audit and inspection, which has been his work up to the present date. About 200 children belonging to the several Homan Catholic schools in We lingtou enjoyed a picnic on New Year’s Day at Kvaus Bay, to which pleasant spot and back they wore conveyed in carriages. The young- people appeared greatly to appreciate the treat provided for them by their entertainers, the conductors of the schools. On such fine weather as that of Tuesday last Kvans Bay is a delightful place for such a gathering. 1 -—The -children attending the Dixon-street Wesleyan Sunday school'had also a very pleasant picnic in Mrs. Bogan’s, paddock, where they were well entertained by their teachers, ami appeared heartily to enjoy themselves.

Persons desirous of nominating relatives or other friends iu Great Britain for passages to New Zealand are reminded that the monthly list will be closed to-day. A meeting of persons interested in getting up a regatta, to he held on tha 22nd inst., is convened for to-morrow (Friday) evening at the Pier Hotel.

farther progress is being made with the tramway, the men being now busy at work on it in Custom House-quay between Harborstreet and Grey-street, A very large number of persons were conveyed to am! from Lowry ‘Bay on New Year’s Day by the steamers Stormbird and IVIoa. This locality is evidently becoming a very popular one for holiday-makers. Mr. G. H. Vennell, we hear, is leaving for England by one of the wool ships now loading. We hope that the trip Home will improve Mr. VenueU’a health, and we wish him and his family a pleasant voyage. The following is the return of patients at the Wellington .Hospital for the mouth ending December 31;—-Admitted; Males, 16; females, 7. Discharged ; Atales, 8 ; females, 4. Died; Males, 3; females, 2. Left in Hospital; Males, 38; females, 9. Two inebriates were dealt with in tire usual way at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, James Kerry, who was violent in his cups, and assaulted Mrs. Pettavd, of the Family Hotel, Lower Hutt, was fined 205., with the usual alternative. A cricket match was played on New Year’s Day at Newtown between the Wandering Stars and the Fixed Stars; the former obtained a score of 54, and the latter 49. A most .substantial and excellent luncheon was provided, which reflected great credit on the caterer, Mr. Haines, of the Newtown Hotel, and was duly appreciated by all present. An accident occurred during the display of fireworks on the wharf on New Year’s Eve, a little boy' named Blake being hit with a rocket. It was at fir.-t reported that he was dangerously hurt, but we are glad to hear that such is not the case—that although severely burned he is progressing favorably, and being, of a strong and healthy constitution will in all probability soon be quite well again. St. George's Hall was crowded in all parts last evening, when the versitile clown, Mr. Stoneham, took his benefit. The audience were most lavish in their applause throughout the whole entertainment. To-night the burlesque of “ II Trovatore ” will be produced, with Mr. J. Hydes in the part of Azuccna. The whole will conclude with the comic pantomime. Monsieur Galon, who brings with him the highest testimonials from leading gentlemen in Melbourne and Adelaide, intends settling down in this city as a teacher of music. Judging from the references shown us by Monsieur Galon, there can be little doubt that he is highly proficient in ins profession, and will give every satisfaction to those pupils who may be placed under bis charge. He has been fifteen years in Adelaide and Melbourne, and was for two years organist in the cathedral in the former place. Wo must not omit to mention that Monsieur Galon brings with him firstclass references as to character. The Pioneer Lodge of Good Templars held a tea-meeting at the Rechabite Hall, Mannersstreet, on Now Year’s evening, at which ove;' 200 sat down. After tea there was an entertainment and public meeting, at which the Rev. Mr. Dumhell occupied the chair, and addressed the meeting. The Rev. Mr. Redstone, Mr. Fiaser, and Mr. Morgan, of the ship Hurnnni, also delivered short addresses. Several members of the lodge enlivened the proceedings by a number of songs, which were excellently rerdered. Recitations were also given in capital style. The hall was very tastefully decorated, and inscriptions with the usual mottoes adorned the walls. A handsome banner, painted by Mr. F. Marryatt, was particnlary conspicuous, and elicited many favorable remarks us to the skill of the artist. The whole affair was highly creditable to those who got up the entertainment. The Wellington and Masterton railway was opened for public traffic on New Year’s Day as far as Kaitolce, eight miles beyond the Upper Hutt, and a considerable number of people availed themselves of the opportunity of going over the line. From town to the Upper Hutt the line of route is fatui'iar no doubt to most of our readers, but the sec'ion beyond must be new to most of them. Soon after leaving the Upper Hutt station the Hue ascends, and after running in and out like a corkscrew amongst the hilts and gullies, passes through a tunnel under a steep spur. Then, after more puttings and twinings in and out, a little flat country, or what appears flat to the traveller, is met with ; then there are more cuttings and another tunnel, and after a little more country of the same kind as that just passed, Kai-oke is reached. The scenery throughout almost the whole of the distance is well worth seeing. The bush is very dense in many parts, and as some of the gullies are passed one gets a glimpse of a picture fresh from Nature’s hand which no art can paint. There is at present but little of a township at Kaitoke, but probably one may spring up there shortly now that the railway has reached it, as happens general lv under such circumstances. There is a refreshment room at the railway station, which will bo a great convenience, and it was well patronised on Tuesday last ; and Prkuratahi is not far distant, whore good hotel accommodation can bo procured. Pleasure parties can find many a pleasant spot for a picnic in this locality. As it b°cnmes more generally known it is pretty sure to become a favorite resort with the people at holiday times. The Hutt Parish Fete, for which considerable preparation had been going on for some time previ m-dy, came off most successfully on New Year’s Day, there being not less than 400 people—some say 500—present in Mr. Kiddiford’s grounds du ing the day. Racing, dancing, (the Hutt Volunteer Band supplying the music) athletic sports, and games of various kinds were indulged in, and an excellent luncheon was spread in a large barn close atrhand. The resu t of the racing is as follows Boys’ Race, 200 yards Clapcott, 1 ; Edwards, 2. Bong Jumu—D. Judd, 1 ; Percy, 2. Quartermile Handicap—J. Pringle, 1 ; D. Judd, 2. Mile Walking Race G. Knight, 1 ; D, Pringle, 2. Boys’ High Jump—E. Knight and Epnni were equal. I'.gg and Basket Race— D. Judd. 1 ; D. Pringle,. 2. hundred Yards Race—C. Cudby, 1 ; J. Pringle, 2. Boys’ Long Jump—Silva, 1 ; Chapman, 2. One Milo Ham Heap—tD. Judd, 1 ; D. Pringle, 2. There was a fancy stall and a Christmas tree on the ground, which were well patronised, and the result, in a financial point of view, must have been a most satisf ictory one. The manner in which the arrangements were got up reflected the utmost credit on the committee of management. About forty ladies and gentlemen sat down to a temperance breakfast at Tafner’s Temperance Hotel, Cuba-street, on Ne’w Year’s morning. The meeting was intended to inaugurate similar gitboriugs of the friends of temperance in this city. The Rev. Mr. Redstone occupied the chair .and the Rev. Mr. Paterson the vice-chair. There was an excellent spread provided by Mr. Tafuer. The bill of tare included almost everything in season, and those present expressed themselves highly pleased at the efforts which had been made by Mr. Tafuer to provide all things suitable for the occasion. Although it was the first affair of n similar kind in the city, Host Tafuer proved himself equal to the occasion, and left nothing to he desired. After the good tilings provided had been partaken of with the hearty zest of good abstainers, several gentlemen addressed the inee-ing on the good effects of temperance, and Mr. Fraser gave a brief account of the progress which had been made in this city by the various societies established for the spread of temperance principles., The company separated at half-past ton, well pleased with the meeting, and with the hope that although it was the first gathering of the kind which had taken place in this city it would not be the last. The S. Jif. Herald of the 13th inst, says an accident occurred at the circus , last Tuesday night during the performance of the Lazulle Brothers on the trapeze. They had completed

their mrial exertions known as La Chille Perelouse in their usual dashing style, and one of them had descended to the ground in safety. The other was about to do so “by swinging from a flying trapeze, turning a somersault, and catching a rope extending from the roof to the floes. From some cause the rope was not in its proper line with the rest of the paraphernalia, and Mr. Lazelle, instead of catching it, fell heavily to the ground from a distance of several feet. He lay senseless for some little time, apparently having struck a railing that ought not to have been near the spot, and eventually was carried out in that condition. The audience were in a state of suspense for some time as to whether he had been seriously injured, but were agreeably relieved about ten minutes afterwards by seeing him return to the ring apparently as safe and sound as ever. This day, as advertised. Mr. J. H. Wallace will sell, at the residence of Mr. G. H. Vcrneli, Fitzherbertterrace, the household furniture belonging to that gentleman. Mr. Francis Sidey will this day at 2 o'clock, at the Arcade Buildings, dispose of some valuable rly properties, including the lease for twenty-one years of 43ft. frontage to Cuba-street, and the lease for forty-two years of three frontages of 25ft. each to Cuba-street