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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5245, 15 January 1878, Page 2

We have been informed that the Mayor lias returned to Mr. Hutchison Mr. Saunders’ cheque for the sum of £2970, with a letter stating that he declines to hold the cheque subject to the conditions named in the letter from Mr. Hutchison, which we published yesterday. A Hew Zealand Gazette, issued yesterday, notifies that hia Excellency the Governor has been pleased to accept the resignation by the Hon. Sir George Grey, K.C.8., of hia appointment of Commissioner of Customs, and that the Hon. John Ballanoe has been appointed Commissioner of Customs and Minister of Education, and has taken the necessary oaths as a member of the Executive.—lt is notified that Tuesday, the 22nd instant, is to be observed as a general holiday in all public departments of the Government throughout the provincial district of Wellington. Mr. Hunter, M.11E., waited on the Colonial Secretary y<- ;terday forenoon on behalf of the Wellington .jockey Club. He was to have been accompanied by Sir W. Eitzherbert, but that gentleman was unable to come in from the Hutt, and the other members of the deputation, Mr. George, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Martin, were engaged as jurors in the Supremo Court. The subject of constructing a branch railway from the ICorokoro to the Racecourse was fully discussed, and the Colonial Secretary, who is acting for the Minister of Public Works, assured Mr. Hunter that if some difficulties respecting the titles to the land over which the railway would pass could be overcome, every effort would be made to complete the work in time for the February meeting. Peculiar arguments are sometimes used by lawyers with which to impress juries, and one of the most novel we have heard of for a long time was shadowed forth by Mr. Barton in the Supreme Court yesterday. In the case under consideration, plaintiffs had sent to the defendant an account for £llß, whereas they only sued for and admitted as the proper sum £IOB. On this ground that the account rendered was £lO in excess of the just sum, Mr. Barton held that no demand had been made for the amount due, but he was unable to cite authorities in support of this statement. Hia Honor suggested as an hypothesis if a man sent in an account for £IOO, and he was only due £99 19s. lid., could it be held that he had made no demand. Mr. Barton would not give in to such a fine distinction; he preferred to make a larger difference. Notice is given in our advertising columns that on the evening of the 22nd instant (Anniversary Day) a ball and soiree will be given in the Arcade, Manners-street, under the patronage of his Worship the Mayor and principal citizens of Wellington. - We learn that the repairs at the Patent Slip are now completed, and that everything is in working order. Thanks to the energy of Mr. George, the manager, and Mr. Thirkell and his excellent staff, work was only suspended for two days through the late accident. A new wheel has been ordered, but even without it vessels of a. larger size than usually visit the slip can be taken up and lowered.

At the nisi jprius sittings of the Supreme Court yesterday, Jacob Joseph and Co., merchants, brought an action against Carl Peters, upholsterer, to recover £839 ss. Bd., balance of an account for goods delivered. The case was not one possessing much interest for the public, and was disposed of by four o’clock. The jury found for the plaintiffs, £277 ils. 6d. On Thursday evening next Miss Jennie Nye will take her benefit at St. George’s Hall, and will, we have no doubt, meet with that cordial reception which her talents and long continued exertions to amuse the theatre-going portion of the public deserve. Miss Nye is deservedly a great favorite in Wellington, and is certainly most deserving of a hearty recognition on this occasion. The pioneers of the Wellington Working Men’s Club have reason to be satisfied with the success attending their efforts in inaugurating the establishment of this very excellent social institution. From the report of the proceedings submitted at the first half-yearly meeting last evening, the strength of unity was exemplified, and the mutual good feeling which exists among the numerous members of the club must contribute to success. By judicious management the club occupies the happy position of its assets exceeding its liabilities by £4O, estimating in the assets the value of its properties. We were glad to see that St. George’s Hall was filled to overflowing last night, on the occasion of Mr. Cary’s .benefit, a compliment which ho has certainly well deserved by his indefatigable exertions in catering for the public amusement at this popular place of entertainment for several months past. The programme comprised the operatic burlesque of “ Faust,” in which Misses Nye and Stoneham and Messrs. Stonehara and Love played the leading parts. This passed off most satisfactorily, and was succeeded by Sullivan’s well-known operetta “Trial by Jury,” which was capitally rendered by the Lydia Howard Troupe, and elicited roars of laughter. Mr. Cary performed the part of the Judge with characteristic humor, which was heartly appreciated. The whole of ■ the company gave their gratuitous services on this occasion, as a token of their appreciation of Mr. Cary’s uniform kindness and of the general esteem in which he is held. To-night a popular concert will be given, of which particulars will be found in our advertising columns. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before J. 0. Crawford, Esq., 8.M., three persons were dealt with in the usual manner for being drunk.—William Avery, who had been arrested at Eeatherston, was’ charged with assaulting an elderly man named Benjamin Beddoes on the 10th inst. Erom the evidence of the prosecutor, it appeared that an altercation took place between them in reference to an alleged debt owing to Beddoes by Avery, which resulted in Avery knocking the witness down, and inflicting such injuries as necessitated his being placed under medical treatment. In reply to Mr. Gordon Allan, who appeared for defendant, the complainant denied that he made use of any bad language. The prosecutor’s wife and other witnesses were examined. The defence was that Beddoes, when applied to for a payment of a debt, became very violent and abusive, and provoked hostilities. The Bench considered the ease made out, and fined defendant 50s. and costs. —On the civil side, the following eases were disposed of by judgment being given for the amounts cldmed;—J. Lnkat v. H. Lusty, £3; D. Kinniburgh v. J. Hudson, £4 16s. 9d. ; Pasooo & Co. v. Odgers, £5 10s. and casts. Some short time ago the pupils of the Lower Hntt school gave an entertainment to raise funds in order to have a picnic during the vacation, and by the assistance of some kind friends and the local committee they were enabled to carry out their wishes, and on Friday last the picnic was given at Petone, in the grounds of the Maori chief Opuni. Owing to the harvesting, only 104 children were present, with soma of their parents and friehds. A most enjoyable day was spent, and all the usual amusements were indulged in. In the afternoon the certificates of merit for successful progress during the year were presented by Mr. Toomath, the member of the Education Board tor the district, he having kindly attended for that purpose at the request of the committee. Mr. George Beetham, M.H.R., another member of the Education Board, was also present for some time. In presenting the awards, Mr, Tonmath made some very suitable observations to the young p»ople, and concluded by b 'gging they would profit by this seed-time of their youth, and gain all the useful information possible ; for they would find as they grew older, the truth of that old saying—“ Knowledge is power.” The honor list he he’d in his hand showed they had not been idle. It was creditable alike to them and their teachers; and must be very pleasing to the committee and their parents. The Chairman, Mr. Ya]entine, thanked Mr. Toomath for his kindness in attending on the occasion, and for the many other good turns he had done for the Hntt Educational District; and the boys then gave cheers for Mr. Toomath, the teachers, and Mr. Valentine. The following is the honor list:—Class VI. (Upper).—Marks : Ist, John Pringle; 2nd, Samuel Knight. Arithmetic: Ist, Samuel Knight; 2nd, J. Pringle. English : Ist, Jishu Wilkins ; 2nd, J. Pringle. History and Geography : Ist, Chas. Clifford ; 2nd, J. Wilkins. Class VI. (Lower). —Marks : Ist, A. Frethy ; 2nd, Eliza Speedy. Arithmetic ; Ist, A. Percy and L, Mudgway (equal); 2nd, Graham Pringle. History and Geography : Ist, Joseph Mundlo ; 2nd, R. McKenzie. English ; Ist, Lucy Mudgway; 2nd, G. Pringle. ' Reading (special) : Claude Jordan; Class V,—Marks : Ist, James Knight, 2nd, Emily Speedy. All subjects ; Ist, Emily Speedy ; 2nd, Clara Speedy. Class IV.—Marks : Ist, Bessie Smith ; 2nd, Arthur Hall. Examination : Ist, Arthur Hall ; 2nd, G. Clifford. Class lll.—Marks : Ist, John Wollend. Examination : Ist, George Ashton ; 2nd, Robert Scrimshaw. Arithmetic (special): H. Valentine. Class ll.—Marks : Ist, Kirk Hall; 2nd, Ethelbert Ransom, Examination : Ist, Herbert England. Class I.—Marks ; Ist, S. Mudway ; 2nd, Win. McKenzie. Examination : Ist, Wm. McKenzie; 2nd, E. Death. There was a well attended meeting of the Regatta Committee last night at the Pier Hotel—Captain Rose in the chair. Letters were read from his Excellency the Governor, enclosing a cheque for £5 ; from Mr. N. H. Levin, stating that the manager of the Union Steamship Company had authorised him to give £lO 10s. in lien of a cup ; from tho Premier’s Private Secretary, that the Government had anticipated the wishes of the Regatta Committee by deciding that the 22ud instant should be proclaimed a public holiday ; and from Messrs. Mclntyre and Co., to tho effect that they wore afraid that the Moa would not be available on that day in consequence of repairs going on. Sundry tenders for the privilege of erecting booths on the wharf were left in the secretary’s hands for arrangement. The secretary stated that he had arranged for the printing of race books and other details. Canvassers’ reports were put in showing the total funds to amount to about £l7O. A new race was added to the programme, viz., the Junior Four-oared Inrigged Gig Race. The time of starting of each race was fixed, of which due notice will appear. A number of details were arranged, and after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting was adjourned to Thursday evening next, at 7 o’clock, when all preliminaries hitherto omitted will be settled prior to receiving tho entries for the various races. The N.Z. Herald of the sth inst. says ; “ At tho present time, when so many are suffering from diarrhoea and other similar complaints, the following information may be useful :—Mr. Shaw called at the publishing office of this journal yesterday, and stated that the settlers of New Zealand have a cure for these complaints at hand without co-t, and without much trouble. He stated that the well-known shrub “ kororaiko ” of the Maoris is an infallible cure for all bowel complaints either in man or cattle. He has used it for years in his own family, and amongst his stock, and in every case it effected a safe and speedy cure. His mode of using the shrub is to gather a small handful of tho green leaves, and digest them amongst hot water as tea is prepared. Then take a cupful of the decoction in the morning, sweetened or otherwise, and another

in the evening before retiring to rest. Two such doses will invariably effect a cure even in very severe cases. To cattle a large quantity should be given. The liquid is not unpleasant to the taste. It is slightly bitter, but does not leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth. He states that the shrub is quite harmless, and that no injury need befeared from taking a much larger quantity than the above. We are not aware of this plant having been made the subject of chemical analysis, hut if the statement of Mr. Shaw be realised in the experience of others, it would be desirable to have such an examination made, for thereby a useful drug might be added to our chemists’ stores, when it would be more available and in a handier form than using the green, leaves just when wanted.” In consequence of Mr. Duncan’s compulsory attendance on a Grand Jury, the sale advertised for yesterday will take place this day (Tuesday) at 11.30 o’clock, sharp, the land sale following. We are requested to call attention to Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Co.'s sale, to be held at their rooms this day at 2 o’clock, when a great variety of useful and ornamental household articles recently imported from England will be offered.