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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5256, 28 January 1878, Page 2

The Supreme Court will ait in banco at ten o’clock this morning, when the following cases will be heard :—Gillon v. Macdonald, motion for an injunction ; Joseph v. Peters, motion to enter judgment for defendant, &0., ; and Wallace v. Crawford, a motion re costs of action. The Court of Appeal is set down for eleven o’clock, the cases to be disposed of being Oalder v. Duff, aud Spence v. Pearson. Mr. Wright, who left here in charge of the sa’mon for Wanganui, has just returned, and reports that with the exception of a few they arrived in first-rate condition. Mr. Brewer, the honorary secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, had determined upon taking them all 40 miles up the river, and accompanied by Major Nixon He had a canoe and crew of Maoris in readiness. Immediately the steamer arrived the fish were put on board the canoe and a start was made, and about 18 miles made that afternoon, the rest of the journey being performed next day. The fish were distributed in various places, 250 being turned out at Kaimacira, 700 at Raurikihea, 500 at Puketerata, 250 at Te Moire, and 1000 at Te Rimu under the lee of the island. Mr. Wright states that the Wanganui River is specially adapted for salmon and trout. It appears slightly muddy at the mouth, but when you get up a few miles it is composed of loner gravelly reaches, swift cold water, and small rapids. The Maoris at the various pas evinced great interest in the fish, and showed their visitors every hospitality. They promised to look upon the young fish as tapu (sacred), aud to report to the secretary at any time if they saw them. We trust valuable returns will result from this trip in a few years ,

At no very distant period the already thriving township of Featberstou is likely to become an important and busy railway depflt. It is there that the trains from Wellington, after accomplishing the difficulties of the Rirnutaka pa-sage, will take fresh engines to carry them speedily along the levels rails of the plain, while the trains for town will have to be harnessed to the centre-wheeled Fell engines, and prepared for the severe gradients and sharp curves of the passage before them. TheFeatherston station will thus from the first be a busy place, and probably the Government will soon* find it necessary to establish workshops. No one who knows the country can doubt that one of the first brancii railways which will be made in this is and will be one from Featberstou down the rich and luxuriant lower valley of the Wairarapa. At a distance of about a mile and a half from Featberstou, along the Lower Valley road, Mr. Bunny, M.H.R., has just subdivided 200 acres of rich 1 alluvial soil, partly covered with fine timber, into forty sections, containing five acres each; and these allotments, the value of which must increase rapidly and soon become very great, are to be sold by auction by Mr. R. J. Duncan on the Bth February. The terms are of a decidedly liberal character, and vigorous competition may he confidently expected for the ownership of these comfortable little farm-s in what promises to be one of the most progressive and prosperous neighborhoods in the colony. The case of alleged fraudulent bankruptcy brought against Francis Doneghue aud Robert James Parr, lately carrying on business as coachmakers, under the style or firm of Doneghue and Parr, was brought before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M., on Saturday. Mr. J. ■Brandon appeared for-Mr. E. W. Mills, the prosecutor, and Mr. Barton for the defendants. Mr. Mills stated that on the 4th of September last he sold to the defendants some conch bodies and other articles, which were delivered to them, and a bill was given in payment, bearing Messrs. Doneghue and Parr’s signature. In reply to Mr. Barton, witness said both the defendants spoke to him about buying these goads, hut the principal part of the business was with Mr. Doneghue. The actual sale was made by witness’s manager, Mr. Biddle. Witness believed that Messrs. Doneghue and Parr subsequently gave a bill of sale to Mr. Mac-, the brewer, to cover an overdraft at the Bank of New Zealand, and witness considered that it was out of the ordinary course of trade to buy goods on credit and then give a bill of sale over them. Mr. Barton then proceeded to put several questions to the witness as to the latter’s private affairs, which, as the Resident Magistrate very truly observed, had nothing to do with the case, although he would not say that they could not be put; but Mr. Mills might just as well be asked if he was married and how many children he had. When Mr. Mills desired to make a statement Mr. Barton objected. Ultimately, as it appeared to the Court that the case was likely to he a protracted one, and as many of those engaged in Court desired to go to the Intercolonial Cricket Match, the case was adjourned until Thursday, the magistrate assenting to the defendants being allowed bail in the same amounts as before.

We are very sorry to hear that Dr. Diver met with an accident on Saturday. As he w*as driving his horse and trap along Syduey-street the horse, frightened at the barking of a dug, started off at a rapid pace, and one of the wheels giving way, the doctor and a groom who was in the vehicle with him were thrown out and hurt, although not seriously. The horse continued on its course, but was pulled up near the Government buildings by Constable Coffey. We again take the opportunity of reminding the theatre-going portion of our readers that the Princess Theatre, Tory-street, will be opened this evening, when the new and sparkling drama entitled the “ Queen’s Diamonds ” will be performed, under the patronage and in the presence of his Excellency the Governor and suite. We expect to see a full house on the occasion. Messrs. Beauchamp, Campbell, and Co. sold the privileges of the Wellington race meeting of 1878 on Saturday. The following is the result of the sale i—Gates ' Mr, McLean, £2BO. Publicans’ booths : No. 1, Mr. Swain, £2l ; No. 2, Mr. Pell, £2l ; No. 3, Mr. Corbett, £l6 ; No. 4, Mr. Dowsett, £ls. Confectioners’ stalls : No. 1, Mr. Phillips, £l3 ; No. 2, Mr. Martin, £B. Fancy bazaar : Mr. Loubero, £5. Stables : No. 1, Mr. T. Wade, £5 ; No. 2, Mr. T. Wade, £1 10-s.; No. 3, Mr. T. Wade, £1 10a. Horse pens ; Mr. George, £5. Total, £393. The cards were withdrawn. From the Wanganui Chronicle of Saturday we learn that a meeting of the Regatta Committee was held the previous evening at the Commercial Hotel. There was a full attendance. A letter was read from Mr. C. H. Snow, of Wellington, in which that gentleman expressed his regret at not being in a position to accept the office of umpire at the forthcoming regatta, owing to an accident which had resulted in his being laid up with a broken leg. It was proposed that Mr. G. E. Anson bo requested to act as umpire; but as it was thought that perhaps some little objection might be felt to the appointment of a local gentleman, it was decided to defer the further consideration of the question till next meeting. The Reception Committee were empowered to engage the Rifle Band for the occasion. An offer by the Wanganui Rowing Club to give up the use of half of their shed for the accommodation of visitors was accepted. The chairman was requested to write to the railway authorities with a view to having special trains put on for the convenience of visitors from Marton who may be desirous of returning to their homes on the evening of each day. The meeting adjourned to Friday next, the Ist February^ Notice is given to shareholders in the Union Fire and Marifie Insurance Company that a call of 2s. 6d. per share will be due on the Ist February, payable at the Union Bank.

The Secretary of the Jockey Club notifies that Opawa and Sky blue have been scratched for the Wellington Cup, and Skyblue. for the Derby. , Mr. Marshall Wood, the eminent sculptor, accompanies Sir George Grey upon his visit to the King Country. Whether he is to be honored with an order for a bust or full length figure of his Maori majesty we are not aware. A gentleman sends us a paragraph relative to his right to certain lands at the Thames. As, however, he says the matter is to come before a judge and jury it would be manifestly unfair to give publicity to an ex parte statement on the matter, or to comment upon it. Yesterday an elderly man riding a grey horse, which we understand is the property of Mr. Marohant, the waterworks engineer, bolted in Ghuznee-street, and threw his rider. Both horse and man we hear were considerably hurt. The Wanganui Chronicle of Saturday last says ;—“ A meeting of the Harbor Board was held yesterday afternoon, to consider the answer from the Bank of Australasia with regard to the application for an advance of £27,000 in anticipation of the proposed loan. We are unable to give the result, as the meeting was held with closed doors.” We understand that the Theatre Koyal Company will return to We.lington tomorrow, after a successful season at Wanganui. Arrangements have been made for the appearance of Miss Ada Ward in “Lost in Loudon ” after the 7th February; and judging from all we have read of the talents and accomplishments of this lady, the lovers of the drama may look forward to a great intellectual treat. St.- George’s Hall was well filled on Saturday evening, the Australian and Wellington teams of cricketers being present. A capital programme was presented, including the performance of the “ Forty Winks,” followed by a sparkling burlesque on “ Faust,” which was played with great spirit by the Misses Nye and Stoneham and Messrs. Stoneham and Love. The entertainment concluded with a very laughable farce entitled “ Penelope’s Lovers.” For to-night a triple bill is announced, consisting of a musical comedietta called “ The Young Widow,” followed by “ Forty Winks ” and the “ Area Belle.” On Wednesday evening that great favorite, Mr. J. P. Hydes, will take a benefit. It will be seen by advertisement in another column that Mr. Charles Bright having, in consequence of the delay in the sailing of the Hawea, a day longer in Wellington than he anticipated, is to give a lecture-satire, entitled “ A Certain Race of Barbarians or Our Noble Selves,” at the Theatre iloyal this evening. A number of Mr. Bright’s friends are interesting themselves in the sale of tickets, and there will doubtless be an overflowing house. The lecture in question has formed the subject of leading articles and Punch cartoons in the Australian colonies, and has been everywhere lauded as a treat of no ordinary character. Those who might object to some of the strongly-expressed sentiments in Mr. Bright’s other lectures will find this a good opportunity of hearing him without having their nerves unduly shaken.