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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5262, 4 February 1878, Page 2

The letters, &c., despatched by the outward San Francisco mail on Saturday compressed 4487 letters, 318 books, and 3270 newspapers for the United Kingdom: 8306 letters, ,21 books, and 8325 newspapers for America. A meeting of the Karori-Makara Highway Board: was held ou Saturday. Present : Messrs. Graham (chairman), Wright, Page, Cook, and Bowler. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The correspondence outwards was also read. The balance at credit in the bauk was stated at £239 15s. Bd., and the amount of rates in arrear (mostly good) £49 2s.—Two tenders only were received for the new bridge over the South Karori stream, and it was determined to accept Mr. T. McMaunaway’s tender for £4O, provided the stringers be of heart of red pine and tlie supports and covering heart of hinau; the width of the bridge to be 12ft., and to be completed in one mouth.—The clerk was instructed to inform the contractor for the Makara Hill and North Makara road that, no attention having been paid io the letter of 7th January, in reference to the state of the roads, unless the necessary work was done within seven days from date, it would be done by the Board at the expense of the contractor. The sum of £lO was authorised to be paid as tho Board's contribution towardsputling theßoanlroom in proper r.-pair, the same having been done to the satisfaction of tho Board. —A deputation waited upon tire Board to advocate the formation of a road from VVdlis-street, via Polliill Gully, and was introduced by Mr. W. Finuirnore, who pointed out its many advantages, amongst which was the fact that the whole of the land required to be taken up by the road would be given free of compensation, and also that the road would bo free from steep gradients and sharp curves, and would 1)0 in every way superior to the present road, to say nothing of the advantages of having au alternative road from Karori to Wellington, opening up the Te Aro end of tlie city. Mr. Donald brully endorsed Mr. Finuimore’s statement. Mr, Finnimore stated that the estimated coat for the miles was £IBOO. The Chairman stated how the matter stood at the present time, and how a meetiug of ratepayers had already voted in favor of improving tlie present road at the Devil’s Bridge, but that he personally was fully persuaded o c the superior advantages of the Polhill Gully road. After due deliberation the Board unanimously decided in favor of the Polliill Gully road, and agreed to do all in their power to aid the scheme, and as a subsidy were prepared to vote £3OO out of the incoming rates, and a similar amount out of the next year’s income—provided the Board were still in existence, —on condition that the contract was entered into forthwith, and tlie work to be completed within a reasonable time. The chairman was further authorised to make application to the City Council and the Hutt County Council, and to ask their aid and assistance in tlie matter.

We are requested to state that Councillor has not altered one word in any of the evidence given before the Waterworks’ Investigation Committee. It will be remembered that on Friday Councillor Fisher said that alterations made by Councillor Logan had been allowed, while his had been struck out. Our informant states there is no foundation for aucli au assertion. At St. Joseph’s Church, Bouloott-street, last evening, Mr. Amery (of the United State 3 Mi 'Strels) sang at the oflertorium Clifton’s “ Eoco Deus Salvator mens” in a most effeetive manner, showing a really intimate acquaintance with the music. In tlie evening ho sang one of Orlando Piccoloraini’s grandest compositions in a very artistic manner. Some time ago we drew attention to the groat favor in which the Orient Lina of steamers Home was held by the public. As a proof of this we may mention that already all tho saloon and second-class accommodation of the Lusitania, sailing at the latter end of February, is engaged, and numerous applications have to be refused. Two reputed oard-sbarpers, named respectively Lewis King and Alexander Muir, were brought before Mr. Crawford, K.M., on Saturday, and remanded until to-day. It is stated that tlie men were gambling at Mr. P. A. .Tones’ll hair-cutting establishment, and that they succeeded in easing a man named Mahoney of £56. A large sum of money was found in the pockets of one of the prisoners.

The body of a man named Soloman, who was drowned on the East Coast on Thursday last, came down here in the Kiwi yesterday morning, in charge of his brother, and was interred during the afternoon. There will be a meeting of the Regatta Committee this evening at the Pier Hotel, to receive statement of accounts and for any other business that may be necessary. It is to be hoped that the attendance will be as full as on previous occasions, the more especially as this is the winding up meeting. Mr. <T. B. Howe, a member of the theatrical profession, who is well and favorably known in the colonies, especially in old men’s' parts and burlesque, will take a benefit at the Theatre Royal this evening. A capital programme is announced, with a strong combination of talent to support it. A performance was given at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening for the benefit of Mr. J. P. Hydes, he being supported by the old company and by Messrs. Walton and Howard. The attendance was meagre, but counter attractions may account in a degree for this. The programme was gone through in a very satisfactory manner. The United States Minstrels were again greeted on Saturday evening with a crowded house, when the previous night’s programme was repeated, giving a great amount of amusement. One noticeable feature with these minstrels is the prompt manner in which they change the . scenes, never keeping the audience waiting for the space of a minute. An entirely new programme is announced for this evening. Amongst the items in the bill of fare are the “ Birthday Festival,” “ Hudson’s Act on the Stilts,” the “ She Giraffe,” the farce of “ Shandy Gaff,” “Slocum's I)og,” and other si e-splitting farces. St. George’s Hall will reopen on Thursday next, when a panorama of the Russo-Turkish war will be ready for exhibition to the public. This panorama has been compiled from the leading illustrated papers, and executed by eminent artists, the paintings covering over 7000 ft. of canvas. The mechanical appliances are all arranged on the latest and most improved principles. We have no doubt but that the hall will be well patronised now that the war in the East is engrossing so much attention. The management of the ball intend resuming the giving of presents, every person visiting the panorama having a chance of getting some useful article. ; The Princess Theatre was again well attended on Saturday evening, when the entertainment as usual met with the well-merited approbation of the audience. Mr. W. 0 Dillon and Miss Edith Pender were very successful in their original characters in the drama of “The Devil in Paris.” The musical interlude was an immense success, Miss Nelly Daley, Mr. J. P. O’Neill, and Mr. Mack Alexander being repeatedly encored in their songs. ! The drama of “ Dick Turpin” brought the performance to a conclusion, and Mr. Dave Clinton, as Tom King, and Mr. St. Lawrence had to respond to several enthusiastic calls, elicited by their forcible and brilliant acting of the parts allotted to, them; while Messrs. Huntley, O’Neill, Alexander, and Misses Nelly Daley i and Vernon came in for their share of applause. , ! To-night will be preseiited, for the first time, the popular drama'entitled “The Duke’s Motto,” in which Mr. Dillon plays Lagardere, and as this is one of his most successful characters we have no doubt it will be well patronised. Another highly interesting series of experiments was made recently by Mr. W. J. Thomas (says the Geelong Advertiser), bringing out new and still more wonderful powers of the telephone, showing that many messages may be simultaneously transmitted along a single wire, each perfect in itself, and in no way interfering in passing and repassing with other messages transmitted in a contrary direction. Two instruments were placed at each end of the line, both connected independently with the earth, both connected with the line ; alistener and speaker were at each end. Reoi- ■ tations, reading, speaking, singing, successively, were carried on at each end of the line at exactly the same time ; and the listener at the north end heard the singing, talking, &c., at the south end at, the same time as the, listener at the south end heard distinctly all the performances at the north end. The waves of electricity traversing the line in contrary directions did not affect in the slightest degree the instrument through which a person wis speaking, whilst at the same time every word and every note from the other end were distinctly heard by, the listener at the other instrument. Truly, as Professor Bell says, the telephone is yet in its infancy. There was a brief sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday. Christopher King, a fireman belonging to the Central Brigade, was summoned for assaulting Edward Tolley, a fireman of the Wellington Brigade. As the defendant had been summoned under a wrong name, a fresh summons was ordered to he issued. —On the civil side there was a case of Bird v. Buck, in which plaintiff sued for 6d., being the value of 241 b. of coal alleged to he short in a hundredweight for which plaintiff had paid. Counsel were engaged on both sides, and judgment was given for defendant, plaintiff having to pay all costs (about £5). — In a case of Lusty v. Lucknet, a claim of £4 15s. for board and lodging, judgment was given for the defendant, with costs. A man named Thomas Doores was arrested on Saturday at Porirna on the charge of vagrancy. He, is said to have been lately going from house to house in that locality begging in a very importunate manner, and complaints have been made of his being a nuisance to the neighborhood,. He will be brought up at the Police Court to-day. A young man named Frederick Flower, said to be a sou of Mr. Flower, one of the police magistrates at Bow-street, Loudon, committed suicide at Stony Creek, near dunes, a few days since. .His body was discovered on Saturday by a search party. He was employed as traveller by Mrs. Holms of the Beeohworth Brewery, and the Ballarat Star says ; hat he failed to account for money collected on her behalf. Of bliss Ada Ward’s first appearance in Dunedin the Herald says ; —“ Miss Ada Ward comes to us with the highest credentials as a clever artiste. So far as we could judge by her efforts last evening, we must honestly say that the high reputation which she has earned is fully deserved ; indeed, we have no hesitation in saying that she is quite equal to the best tragediennes we have scon either in Dunedin or elsewhere. In the selections which she gave last evening, she displayed the highest intelligence and great elooutionai-y powers. Miss Ward possesses a clear sonorous voice, well under control, and capable of much varied expression. She at once secured from the audience immediate recognition of her elocutionary powers. Indeed, Miss Ward’s entire performance during the evening was characterised by great dramatic power, combined with a distinct enunciation,rare intelligence, and studied quietude of manner that were highly artistic. No greater compliment could have been paid to Miss Ward than the breatless silence with which everyone in the theatre listened to her recital.”