Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5274, 19 February 1878, Page 2

The San Francisco mail per Hawea did not arrive in Wellington till 9 o’clock last night, owing to the steamer experiencing rough weather on the trip down from Napier. The Hinemoa, with the Premier, the Hons. Messrs. Macandrew, ' Piaher, and Captain Fraser, and Mr. J. C. Brown, M.H.R., left for the West Coast shortly before midnight yesterday. Westport will be the first port of call. The divers of H.M.S. Nymphe went down to the Eli Whitney yesterday, and arranged a charge of 301bs. of dynamite under her. The first attempt to explode it proved a failure, but the second was successful. The report was loud, and the shock, which shook the wharf greatly, was felt on all the vessels lying at it, and also on the breastwork. The explosion killed a large number of fish, and also threw up to the surface of the water a considerable quantity of debris from the hulk. It is considered that the explosion has nearly, if not entirely, blown,the wreck to pieces. A diver will go down to-day to ascertain. The Rev. Dr. Somerville, the evangelist, delivered his third address in Wellington at the Wesleyan Church, Manners-street, last evening. The address was specially intended for ministers and Christian workers. The church was crowded in every part. The platform was occupied by ministers of the Gospel and the choir. Proceedings were commenced by the singing of the hymn “ Sowing the seed at the dawnlight fair,” after which the Rev. Mr. Reid offered up a short extempore prayer. The Rev. Dr. Somerville then came forward and delivered a vigorous address from Ephesians. He spoke for an hour and a half, and was listened to with marked attention throughout.: The service of song was conducted by Mr. W. E. Somerville. Dr. Somerville will deliver an address each evening this week at the same time and place, and noonday prayer meetings will also be held daily, except on Saturday, when a special address for children will be delivered.

A. numerously-attended meeting of the Working Men’s Club was held in the Wellington Fire Brigade Hall last evening, the President, Mr. P. Galvin, in the chair. The meeting had been called specially to consider some pl ans for a new building, Messrs. Eddie and Jack having offered to erect suitable premises for a weekly rental of £5. It was stated that a deputation had waited on the Mayor with a view to getting the market hall reserve on the same terms as it was offered to the volunteers some time ago, viz,, £IOO a year for 42 years. The ■proposal was submitted to the City Council, which did not accept it. One or two offers |iiad been made to the club, but the premises were not suitable. The plans were fully explained, and after a prolonged discussion it was unanimously resolved, on the motion of Mr. Ashton, seconded by Mr.. Tolly,—That the committee will accept, if it should see fit, Messrs. Eddie and Jack’s offer; that this meeting pledges itself individually and collectively to support the committee by every means in their power. The Princess Theatre dramatic company left for Blenheim yesterday, and the theatre will be closed until Saturday night, when it willbe-opeaed withtheproductionot a burlesque now in course of preparation. Mr. Borthwick Kcid, champion swordsman, will also make his appearance on this occasion.

A lecture will be given in the ■O'M Fellows’ [ Hall this evening, on the history of Poland, by Count Zaba. The proceeds will be devoted in aid of the Wellington Benevolent Institution. . Mr. W. Douslin, of Blenheim, has given notice of his intention to apply for a patent for “An invention for universal sockets for candlesticks.” The sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday was a very brief one, there being no civil cases set down for hearing. William Mack, Robert Towton, James Murray, and George Burn were severally charged with drunkenness and let off with a caution. St. George’s Hall was well intended last evening, when the panorama of the RussoTurldsh war passed off most successfully. As usual a large number of gifts were distributed at the clo<e of the entertainment. To-night the programme will be repeated. Notice is given in our advertising columns of the times at which the Rev. Dr. Somerville will hold prayer meetings and evangelistic services at the Wesleyan Church, Mannersstreet. .From the very large audiences that have so far attended these services here, and from the great interest taken in the movement there can be no doubt that great numbers, will be drawn to hear this eminent preacher whilst he remains here, and that great good may flow from his visit to the colony. A correspondent at Pabautanui sends us the following : —A cricket match was played on Saturday at Pahaut mui between an eleven of the Pabautanui Cricket Olubaud twenty-two of the Horokiwi Valley and Small Farms cricketers combined. For the eleven, E. Boulton, J. Bradey, and J. Gardner, did good service with, the bat, and were the only ones ;in their team who scored double figures. For both innings—Boulton, 39; Bradey, 27; and Gardner, 16. In future it would be well if Boulton were move careful in running, as two good men were ruu out by him in this match. Colgate deserves credit for a very pretty catch which he made, and the fielding generally was very good. Iggulden and Loudon did good service as usual in bowling. For the twenty-two, F. Connell and G. Millen were the only ones who got to double figures, viz., F. Connell 15, and G. Millen 12. They also did the bowling, and shaped very well for it, especially G. Milieu, who has a good pitch dead on to the wicket. Total scores Pahautanui : first innings, 58 ; second innings, 78. The twenty-two : first innings, 72, As there was not time for the twenty-cwo to have their second innings and play the game out, they were declared winners on the first innings. It was reported in town yesterday that a robbery had been committed on Mr. Elliott’s premises at Pakuratahi, and that a man named Patrick Shine, formerly resident at Auckland, was inculpated. It appears that two men .staying in the house were robbed during the previous night of 18s. and £1 respectively, the money being taken from their pockets whilst they were asleep. Patrick Shine is reported to have rushed into the lan* fiord’s room, stating that he had been robbed. He had a pistol in his hand, and said that he had fired at the robbers. This version of the matter is, however, discredited. The police are, we believe, making inquiries with a view to elicit the facts of the case, and to trace out the real culprits, whoever they may be. Since writing the above we learn that Sergeant Smith, who, together with another constable, was despatched by the Inspector of Police to the scene of action yesterday, has succeeded in arresting four men at Featherston who are supposed to be concerned in the affair. They will be brought into town by the first train this morning.

We understand that a musical and dramatic entertainment will be given in the North Makara schoolroom to-night, in aid of the district library funds. Arrangements have been made by the committee for the conveyance of persons desirous of going from Wellington to* patronise them. A very popularpiece will be acted by soma well-known Wellington amateurs, who have on more occasions than the present placed their vocal and dramatic talent at the disposal of those desirous of promoting the social enjoyments of others. As the,fares there and back will be only 3s. we anticipate a bumper house for them. After the concert dancing will take place and be carried on till morning. Preparations have been made to supply refreshments through the night at a very moderate oust. The proprietors of the Princess Theatre are to be congratulated upon having secured the services of Professor Borthwick Reid, who is described as the Scottish athlete and champion swordsman of the world. He has been engaged for six nights, in conjunction with the Burlesque, Comedy, and Variety Company. The following extracts from the opinions of various papers respecting Mr. Borthwick speak for themselves :—The New York Clipper says :—“Prom what we have seen of Mr. Borthwick Reid’s handling of the sabre in this city, we believe there are few, if any, in the United States who can compare with him.”—The London Times says;—“Borthwiok Reid performed a number of difficult feats with the broadsword, evincing much skill and strength, and electrifying his audience.”— The Australasian says :—“We had the pleasure of witnessing Professor Borthwick Reid, at the Academy of Music last evening, perform some of his wonderful feats with swords, which were truly startling. Many of them we would have pronounced impossibilities had we not witnessed their accomplishment, and the agility and preciseness displayed by the performer fully proved that he has, by immense training, perfected them to a scientific certainty.” Pull particulars will bo shortly announced.

The Odd Fellows’ Hall last night was filled to overflowing to witness “Romeo and Juliet,” for the benefit of Mr. Thatcher. At a very late hour an apology was made for Mr. Walton, who was to have played Mercutio, and his place was filled by Mr. Burford, who kindly undertook to appear ns a substitute. ’ Miss Ward’s Juliet was of such an excellent nature as to lead to the belief that she had reserved her best performance for her last appearance. Of course the stage of the hall does not admit of very lavish scenic effects, but the piece was vary creditably played. Mr. Dillon was not very happy as the love-sick Romeo, but the minor parts were well played, especially when it is considered that the absence of one of the three stars announced had a very depressing effect. The orchestra, under the direction of Mr. A. E. King, played the overture to “ William Tell ” with splendid effect, and at its conclusion was greeted with a most decided and genuine applause. This overture is rarely performed except by the well-traiued orchestras of opera companies, the great gem being, as everybody knows, the oboesolo. Thiswasundertaken last night by Mr. Spreat, and that gentleman must be congratulated most sincerely upon the perfect manner in which ho rendered it. We hope that now it has been once performed here we shall have other opportunities of hearing one of the most charming examples of orchestration known, for such the overture to “William Tell” undoubtedly is. Herr Schott and the other gentlemen ably assisted to make the orchestra last night quite a feature in the entertainment. At the conclusion of the performance Miss Ward gracefully thanked the people of Wellington for the kind patronage afforded to herself and the rest of the company during their stay here.