NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5236, 4 January 1878, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH DECEMBER—JANUARY. Per transmission by the P.M.O.S. Australia from .Auckland on the Sth January, to Europe, via San Francisco, Since the publication of our last summary, on the 146 h December, the Chiistmas and New Year’s holidays have intervened, and people have been busy holiday-making. The weather has been delightful, and a series of sports and festivities has been held, which have been heartily participated in by the majority of the people. A detailed account of the leading events in connection with the sports will bo found in another portion of our columns. It is a fact worthy of remark, that in Wellington, with a population of 20,000 people, there has been an almost entire absence of cases of drunkenness and disorderly conduct brought before the magistrates at this season, which speaks well for the morality of the inhabitants. It has not arisen from lack of money to spend, as is proved by the large number .who have attended the several festive gatherings and excursion trips which have lately taken place. In mutters political there is not much to relate. Sir George Grey, after spending a brief Christmas vacation in Auckland, is again c * on, the stump, and in company ■ with the Native Minister, the Hon. ,Mr. Sheehan, is resuming his tour through the colony. He is expected shortly to address the electors in the South Island. It is now confidently stated that Mr. Eallaxge has consented to join the Ministry, but whether with or without portfolio is not specified. His accession is likely to add some strength to the ministerial ranks. Another section of our local railway has been opened within the past few days, viz., that from the Upper Hutt to Kaifoke, a distance of only eight miles, but from the configuration of the country presenting considerable engineering difficulties, which have been surmounted after no little trouble. The Rimutaka Hill,, a', formidable obstruction to its progress, has yet to be overcome before the fertile valley, of the Wairarapa is penetrated ; but when once this is effected, the rest of the line to the point where it is to join the Napier and Wanganui railway is comparatively easy, and settlers looked forward to seeing at . no distant date uninterrupted communication between the capital and the above centres of population. When this is .completed an immense stimulus will be given to the progress and settlement of the interior, and" to the already rapidly-increasing trade and commerce of this port. The subscriptions in aid of the Indian Famine Relief Fund have closed, the liberality with which the appeal has been met not necessitating the lists being kept open any longer. The return, which was roughly estimated in our last summary at £15,000 for the whole colony, and £2OOO for Wellington, appears to he very near the mark, but the exact items have not yet reached us. The total however will not be below that amount, which :1s certainly a very handsome contribution, and speaks well for the generosity and kindness of the community. A pleasing feature in connection with this matter is that the Maori population have willingly contributed to the funds in aid of their suffering fellow-subjects. Thus it may be truly said that in New'Zealand all classes have nobly responded to the appeal made to them.

The work of laying down the local tramway has been vigorously proceeded with during the last fortnight, and the line is now completed from the terminus of the Adelaide-road to the north end of Willis-street. When completed the line will traverse a distance of about four miles, and will be a great convenience to the public. In the way of amusements the people of Wellington are as usual, and especially at this season of the year, well off. The Italian Opera Company are drawing good houses’ at the Theatre Royal, and a Christmas pantomime and burlesque has been very successful at St. George’s Hall. The Rev. Charles Claek has also been lecturing with success here until within the last few days, when he went to Wanganui for a short time, but is expected to return here again soon. On the night of Christmas Day he had an exceedingly large audience, the entertainment consisting of the singing of Christmas carols, with introductory remarks by the lecturer, the whole making up a very pleasing programme. With the beginning of the New Year an alteration of some importance has been made in the time for receiving Press telegrams in the colony. At the request of the proprietors of several morning journals the authorities have consented that these telegrams should be received at the offices in the chief towns up to ten o’clock at night, instead of eight as heretofore. This is a considerable boon to the public as well as to the Press, as everything of importance which transpires in any part of the colony on any particular day is made known to the people of the .various centres of population early the following morning. There has been some speculation during the past few days as to the somewhat important appointment of the AgentGeneralship in London. It was understood that Sir Julius Yogel desired to retire from office at the end of the year just past, but as yet nothing definite has transpired as to who is likely to succeed him. Several names have been mentioned, but nothing reliable has been stated in the matter. That Sir Julius Vogel has been doing the colony great and essential service during his term of office' at Homo is unquestionable,:and Ms recent speeches at Sheffield and in the metropolis respecting New Zealand are marked by his customary knowledge of local affairs, and his zeal for the interests arid welfare of this country, to which he, is evidently greatly; attached, and in whose future welfare and progress ho has the fullest belief. There has been very little doing in our LawCourtaduringthelastfortnight,but tomorrow the Supreme Court will commence sitting in banco, when the very long pending case of Schultze v. the Corporation of Wellington will be again proceeded with. Our readers will remember that this case is one in which Mr. Schultze seeks to recover damages arising from the alleged diversion of the Kaiwarra stream from his flour-mill. The case was tried by a jury, who awarded him a verdict of £6OO, the benefit of which verdict, however, he never realised, as it was contended the action should have been brought in another form. It is now probable that the matter will soon be definitely settled in some way or other. With the coirimencement of the now year the Corporation has made almost a clean sweep of its officers. Mr. Hester, the Town Clerk, has been succeeded by Mr. C. C. Graham, late secretary to the

Board of Education; Mr. Levy has been appointed Collector, and Mr. Michael Monaghan, long connected with the local police-.force, Inspector of Nuisances. These are all excellent appointments, and for once- it may be said that in these three instances the right men have been put into the right places. The appointment of Engineer to the Corporation is not yet filled up. The long-talked-of completion of the Waterworks is not yet an accomplished fact, but before the publication of our next summary it is confidently predicted that everything will be finished. In connection with a payment of £3OOO for extras to the contractor an investigation is now being held, upon which, as the matter is still pending, it is better not to make any remarks. The ex-Mayor, the ex-Town Clerk, and others are to be asked to give evidence, to throw light upon the matter, as it is considered by many that the payment was irregularly made, whilst on the other hand it is alleged that the payment was made in dae° course. Considerable local interest attaches to the result. Dr. Alfred Butler, a recent arrival in the colony from England, died somewhat suddenly on the 24th ult., in Tara-naki-stroet. The deceased gentleman brought out with him high testimonials as to his qualifications as a medical practitioner, and was gradually getting into good practice here.