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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5267, 9 February 1878, Page 2

A meeting of the stewards- of the Jockey Club was held last evening at the Empire Hotel ; George Hue ter, Esq., presiding. The - protest entered by the representative of the owner of Otupai was read, and after evidence had been taken by the stewards it was decided to disallow it. The stakes -will be paid over at the Empire Hotel on Monday: evening next at eight o’clock, but in the event of any of the winners wishing to leave before that time the sums they are entitle 1 to receive will be paid to them by Mr. Andrew Young or Mr. Thompson. We learn from the New Zealand Gazette of the 7th instant that during the quarter ended 31st December last 302,977 telegrams were forwarded to the colony, being an increase of 28,828 over the corresponding quarter of 1876; the revenue in cash being £17,942 14s 4d, as against £16,286 9s. 2d. for the corresponding period of the previous year. The total number of vessels entered inwards during the year was 812, as against 878 in the previous year. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, a man named James Dunn was charged with assaulting William Strickland, a bailiff, by knocking him down. The accused was remanded, the complainant being unable to attend the Court—Thomas Ward and John Connor, charged with drunkenness, were discharged with a caution. They had been to the races the previous day, and imbibed rather too freely on their return.—Elizabeth Foster was brought up on remand, charged with keeping a disreputable house in Taranakl-street, and was again further remanded until Monday. Messrs. J. Dransfield and O. O. Graham were the presiding magistrates. A New Zealand Gazette, dated the 7th instant, notifies the appointment of Mr. F. W. Frankland and Mr. S. Hollester as clerks in the Kegintrar-Geueral’s office and of Sir Edward Osborue-Gibbas to be chief clerk in the Department of Education. It i« notified that payment of money on and entry into negotiations for the purchase of certain blocks of native land in the Wellington Provincial District has been made. These comprise 74,018 acres known as Manawatu Wairarapa, No. 3 ; 5600 in the Otaki District, known as Pukehou, No, 5 ; 52,000 acres at Horowheaua ; 7105 acres, Middle Aorangi ; 4925 acres, Lower Aorangi; 147,000 acres, Otamakapua;. 35,660 acres, Mangoira Ruahine ; 20,585 acres, Eetaruke ; 1112 acres, Pikopiko, No. 3. At the last ordinary meeting of the committee of .the Wellington Benevolent Institution there were present The Bishop of Wellington (elected chairmau), Rev. O. S. Ogg, Rev. A. Reid, Rev. B. W. Harvey, Rev. J. Paterson, Archdeacon Stock, Messrs. J. G-. Holdsworth, W. Bishop, L. Levy, D. Lewis, and the secretary. The following, subscriptions were received:—The Bishop of Wellington, £2 25.; anonymous, 55.; Mr. N. Levin, £10; Mr. W. H.; Levin, £5 ; Johnston and Co., £5 ; J. Hughes,,los.; P. Laing,£l; J.E.Coker, £2 25,; O. D. Barraud, £1 Is.; J. Maginity, £1 A. G. Shaw, £1 ; B. Smith, £1 Is.; T. Bailey, £1 Is.; Woods, Crosbie, and Co., £1 Is.; Professor Augustus, 10s.; H. Read, £1 ; E. Wilson, £1 ; O.Wiggins, £1 ; proceeds of concert at the Lower Hutt, £1 iOa. Total, £37 3s. Several cases were considered and relieved. The institution is greatly in want of funds, notwithstanding the amount acknowledged above, the moneys granted by the committee in aid of distressed families exceeding the funds in hand by. upwards of £2O. Miss Ada Ward’s Leah is such a powerful and impressive impersonation, that it seems a mistake not to have introduced her to a Wellington audience in the character ; for though she fulfilled all the expectations raised, it is as a tragedienne that she will make her greatest fame. Although called - in,the' biffs Augustus Daly’s drama, the “Leah” produced at the Theatre Royal last night-differs iu no essential particular from Moscuthel’s “ Deborah,” which Madame Janansoheck- always Chose for her first appearances. The touching story of the young Jewess who falls in love with a .Christian and is betrayed by him, is "familiar to all playgoers. The part of Leah .demands from the artiste the pourtrayal of intense feeling in all its stages, whether as the loving and trusting, or the indignant deserted maiden, and the culminating simulation of resignation and forgiveness must be in marked contrast to the bitter passion of the preceding act. The character is full of light and shade, requiring delicacy as well as vigor to give a just conception of the author. Miss Ward did more than satisfy, for she aroused sympathy to the utmost. Iu the curse scene, and at every point where the interest is keenest, she received marked approbation that must have .been flattering even to her, and she did this so legitimately and naturally as to prove her a true actress. The house was very full in spite of the rain, and much enthusiasm marked the whole performance, taking the form, at times, of “ calls.” The company supported Miss Ward extremely well, Nathan, Rudolf, Lorenz, and Father Herman were capitally played by Messrs. Burford, St. Lawrence, Hesford, and Keogh respectively. Mr. Sam Howard was very funny as Ludwig, and the ladies, Misses Morgan and Willis notably, were very happy in their parts. In fact, the whole cast was a good one. To-night Miss Ward appears in the “ Woman in Red,” a favorite drama with Saturday night audiences. Of her appearance in this the Timaru Herald says :—“ The great sonuambula scene from “The Woman in Red,” as acted by her, threw her Juliet altogether in the shade. No language can convey an adequate idea of Miss AVard’a acting. Her facial expressions, her illustrations with her hands, and the movements of her body—all of which are iu harmony with her utterances—cannot be represented on paper, and therefore must be seen to be appreciated. In this respect Miss Ward surpasses all we have seen. Her acting last night was something magnificent—altogether out of the common—and we have not the least hesitation in pronouncing it one of the finest exhibitions of the histrionic art we have ever witnessed.” The promised whip presentation to the rider of Lara was postponed till to-night, the reason ■ being explained by the stage manager. St. George’s Hall was well attended last eveaing, when the Panorama of the RussoTurkish War was presented for the second time. The views worked a great deal smoother, and the mechanical battle scene between Russian torpedos and Turkish ironclads was lifelike. At the close of the performance a number of valuable gifts were distributed. Tonight the same programme will be repeated, accompanied by a large number of gifts. The Princess Theatre was again well attended last night, when Mr. W. C. Dillon appeared iu his great part of “ Nick Simms, the Jockey,” and achieved a great success. The endeavors of tho proprietors of this popular place of amusement to cater for the public to their satisfaction are evidently highly appreciated. To-night Mr. Dillon will appear as William in “Black-eyed Susan,” and a full house may confidently be looked for on the occasion.

The IJ.S. Minstrels introduced some , fresh items in their entertainment at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last evening/ and succeeded in effectually pleasing the large audience assembled. A change of programme is announced for this evening. The crowded houses which are nighly drawn to this entertainment is the best testimony possible of‘ its merits and its appreciation by the public. A pricket match will be played this afternoon iu Mrs. Leitch’s paddock, between the Rising Star; and Government Printing Office clubs, commencing at 2 o’clock. A match will also bo played between the Star and Wellington clubs on the Basin Reserve ; play to commence at half-past 1 o’clock. A. cricket match will'be played (weather permitting),'in Mr; Whitehead’s paddock, between -the- -Excelsior and' United C.O.’s;. this afternoonl ■ The followingteam will represent the latter club :—Messrs. Munt, MoGirr,' Doyle, Dryden, Nation, Wratt, Gamble, Brown, Ohatwin, Keefe, and Howe ; emergency men, Wylie and Nation.

Fresh tenders are invited up to the 16th instant for additions and alterations to the Wellington Gaol. A steamer will leave the wharf this evening at 5 o’clock, conveying passengers to the ship St. Leonards. ' A meeting of creditors in the estate of 0. A. Curtis, schoolmaster, was held yesterday, at which Mr. J. M. Taylor was appointed trustee. The late agent of the National Bank of New Zealand, at Greymoutb, Frederick Israel Davis, has been committed for trial by the magistrates there, on the charge of embezzling the funds of the bank to the extent of £2OO. Tenders are invited up to the Ist March f«r the purchase of the property of the Wanganui and Rangitikei Brewing Company, particulars of which will be found incur advertising columns. The Count de Zala, a Polish nobleman who lectures upon the wrongs of his country and a new method of teaching synchronological history, will arrive in Wellington by the Ringarooma, accompanied by a pupil (Master Wolege, whom be instances at a proof of the value of this method of teaching. The pastor of the newly-termed Baptist Church, the Rev. Thos. Harrington, will preach at the Polytechnic Hall, Featherstonstreet, to-morrow as usual. The subject of the sermon in the morning will be “Comfort for sorrowing saints;” and in the evening, “The important question, and the important reply.” The Soldene Opera Troupe will open in Wellington on the 26th instant, at the Theatre Royal, in “ Girofle-Girolla,” which is said to be one of the very best things they play. A letter received from Christchurch yesterday confirms the statements previously received that the company has been doing an excellent business there.

The N. Z. Herald of the 4th instant says;— “ Our Roman Catholic readers and others will be pleased to learn that the Bishop of Brisbane, Queensland, who is at present staying at Waiwera (Hot Springs) for the benefit of his health, continues to improve. On Sunday, the 27th' ultimo, his lordship celebrated mass in the new and spacious dining-room of the Waiwera Hotel; after which he delivered an impressive and learned discourse, which was listened to with marked and eager attention by a congregation composed of representatives of all Christian denominations. The altar was elegantly prepared and decorated for the occasion by a young gentleman who is staying at:the' hotel.” . ■ • The Taranaki Herald of the sth instant says:—“We have been shown the plan of a new township, which may be considered one of the first fruits of the harbor movement. The energetic trustees of the Wesleyan Mission property have taken steps to cut up, the whole, of the portion of that property situated to the seaward of the Main South-road, into building sites. There are upwards of 100 sections, and as most of our readers are aware, the site is admirably adapted for a town. Its proximity to the harbor should render the sections valuable, while the perfectly level nature of the ground renders the formation of streets an easymatter. We believe that it is suggested to call the new township by the name of Whiteley, nor could a more appropriate name ■be chosen, as that gentleman resided for many years on the mission station, —in fact, up to the day of his death. It has also been suggested that four out of the five streets by which the town is divided should bear the names of the Revs, Buddie, Bnller, Reid, and Kirk, these gentlemen having been engaged in the management of the property. The fifth street, which is indeed the commencement of the Harbor Board’s new road, will doubtless be named, by that body. The land is, we believe, to be thrown into the, market next month, and persons purposing to invest in property will do well to turn their attention to this promising scheme. Roberts (the English champion billiardplayer),-. has been threatening to take the law against Land and Water, for insinuating that a match between Roberts and Timbrel!, which the champion lost, was not what it was represented to be, a match for £250 a-side, the concluding portion of the paragraph which was objected to running thus;—“lt is evident the large pockets did not suit the present champion, as the other, day he scored 118 on a championship table. We are, however, sorry for those who stood in with the champion in his stakes. We do not know who backed Timbrel!.” Roberts replied with a lawyer’s letter, of which the offending journal took no notice. Roberts thereupon issued a writ for damages, and the proprietors of Land and Water instructed their solicitor to defend the action. But Roberts, jun., considered discretion the. better part of valor, for he withdrew the proceedings, and paid the newspaper’s costs. Land and Water then replied;—“ Our remarks that gave rise to this attempted action were mild in comparison with what the case deserved; and if honest reports are to be suppressed at the caprice of a player who objects to impartial criticism, the liberty of the Press becomes a by-word, for in sport more than any other branch of its profession judicious criticism and deserved censure can effect a most salutary tone and prevent many a dishonest manoeuvre.” Roberts (says the Australasian of the 26th ultimo), has notified his intention of leaving England. We presume he will pay Australia another visit.

The Australian and New Zealand contributions to the Indian Famine Relief Fund have been the subject of some laudatory remarks by the London Daily News. After referring to the other sources from which the fund lias been derived, th e Daily Nezcs observes;— “ Lastly, thero ia to be taken into account the -extraordinary munificence of the Australian colonies. At the end of last week nearly £BO,OOO had been subscribed in Australia, and it is thought that the announcement of this large benevolence enabled the Madras committee to cry ‘ Enough.’ The pleasantest thing about the famine and its fund—a thing in which it is more legitimate to take pride as well as pleasure -is the evidence afforded of the willingness of the colonies to help their sister dependency. Only a few days ago Lord Carnarvon had to hand over the goodly sum of £2OOO as a contribution from British Guiana. Guiana is by no means an exuberantly rich colony, and it has had to suffer from some hard things which have been said of it in relation to its laborers—fellow-countrymen of the afflicted Madrassees—whom it imports, so that the subscription was a pleasant revenge upon its decriers and an honest acknowledgement of indebtedness, as well as an act of liberality. Still more remarkable is the Australian subscription, to which we have already alluded. Assuming that the subscriptions came from the whole of Australia, and remembering that the population of the continent is about onefifteenth the population of Great Britain, we have been fairly beaten by our own children in the matter of charity. In no better way could the different colonies show their solidarity is not a mere matter of after-dinner talk."

Mr. Sub-inspector Douglas has recently been camped (says the Cairns Advertiser) some seven miles up the Mosman River, and while on patrol hia troopers came across and captured a half-caste gin, about fourteen or fifteen years old. The girl has a pleasant countenance and European cast of features ; she is decidedly more white than dark, that is that the appearance of the skin of the troopers who found her was very dark compared with hers. This gin has an extraordinary birth mark, being a pure white patch from the under lip to the chin on the right side Of the face, extending 3 inches in length and 1 inch in breadth. The subinspector kept the girl in the camp all night, fed her well on the following morning, and let her return to her tribe, after cautioning her to tell lief friends and what other blacks she met with that the police had no intention to disturb or interfere with them, so long as they did not spear cattle and horses, or commit other depredations. , It may be observed that on this occasion there were two girls together, the second one, who managed to elude the vigilance of the troopers, being reported as being the fairest of the two.' These incidents give rise to the notion that white men are still re-

siding amongst the blacks. We, however, are under the impression that the half-castes met with in so many different parts of the northern coast may be otherwise accounted for than by the supposition. It will be generally known that for several years b£che-de-mer stations have been established upon islands near the main land, and at other points, and it is no secret that on many occasions raids upon the blacks from such stations have been made, and black gins captured, . Other circumstances have been narrated, tending to confirm this idea, and show that the appearance of halfcastes should cause no great surprise. It is, however, worthy of notice that no half-caste children have been seen, and when these are met with we may perhaps fall in with the popular belief that white men are with the ■ blacks on our coast, but not till then. The Waikato Times of Saturday last says:— “ The passenger train arriving at Hamilton yesterday evening had a narrow escape between Newcastle and Hamilton. When near the houses of Messrs. Hall and Washer the engineer perceived a rail lying across the line, aiM stopped the train in time to avoid it. A similar occurrence happened the preceding evening about the same place, only then two rails were placed across the line. There are % quantity of posts and rails lying beside the line at this plaoe, and the supposition is that the rails on both days were placed there by children. Had they been placed there by a man with malicious intent, the heaviest rails or posts would have been used, but the rail yesterday picked up ivas one of the lightest ia the heap. A strict investigation is being made into the matter in the interest of public safety.” Mpsrs, Beauchamp, Campbell. & Co., will sell at the Nag i Head yards to-day at 2 o'clock, a number of vainable horses, amongst these are the well known pony Jenny, and the race horse Sailor, the property of Mr. Andrew Young, whoso reason for parting with them, is that he is about to leave the colony on a visit to \ ictona. • The stallion Emperor will also be offered.