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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5290, 9 March 1878, Page 2

Justice sometimes appears to wander, and not only have we seen it here, but elsewhere as well, .aod'Cspecially in oases coming before the petty'Courts, wherein matters are decided the peace and wellbeing of the Coilimbhity; We are led to these remarks thrpuglwlje decision of Mr. J. C. Crawford in the K.M. Court yesterday, when ho fined a bully in the sum of £5, or in default of payment one month’s imprisonment, for assaulting a weak inoffending man, an employe in one of the principal . hotels in the city, in a manner which may prove a serious injury for life. ! Delivering a blow : sufficient to fell au ox, and which has rendered the unfortunate man| unfit to. pursue his avocation for the present, this bully, who, stood nearly 6ft, 2in, high, escaped with the alternative of the fine, which, being very speedily made up by his mates, became in fact no punishment at.all. And what of the :unfortunate victim of the assault ? Why, that he has to suffer the cowardly blow he was subjected to, and “ grin and bear it,” a result which says little for that justice which we are all led to expect. It may, be all very well to say that a civil action for damages might lie, but with a very hazy prospect of any result from such a proceeding, and a decided demand for s costs would be made at the outset. Such a course offers virtually no redress to the unfortunate man who is obliged to suffer the results of a most unprovoked and blackguard assault.

The adjourned quarterly licensing meeting for the Hutt District .will,be held on Wednesday, the 13th inst., at noon'. j'' /i

All school teachers are invited to be present at Count De Zaba’s lecture on history, which, is to take place at Thorndon school at eleven o’clock this morning. The Venerable Archdeacon Thorpe, of Nelson, is about to resign the incumbency of AllSaints Parish iti that district, in order to take ,thg assistant curacy of St. Paul’s, Wellington. ■ A meeting of those favorable to the formation of a Reform Association was called for yesterday, but only, three persons put in an appearance. The meeting was adjourned till to-day. : : ~ ■, , ' i The Rev.’ Gervase. Smith, who is spoken of as a highly eloquent preacher, will deliver an address in the Wesleyan Church, Mannersstreet, oh Wednesday evening next, and will also preach at the same time and place on the following day.

\lt is officially notified that ~the following gentlemen have been elected members of the Education Board for the District of Wellington;—Messrs. G. Beetham, M.H.R., E. Toomath, W. Gisborne, M.H.R., Rev. J. Paterson, H. Bunny, M.H.R., W.,Hutchison, Ven. Archdeacon Stock, 0. J. Pharazyn, M.L.C., and C. Pharazyn. i ,

, To-morrow (Sunday) anniversary- services, will be held in the, Primitive- Methodist Sun-S day-school, Sydney-street. ‘ The Rev. F. T. Trivett will preach in the mornirig, and the Rev. F. C. Dewsbury in the evening.-- A tea meeting will be held on the following Wednesday, and a collection will be made on behalf of the school funds. ; . .'i

■ A combination troupe comprising several well-known dramatic performers will appear, at the Odd Fellows’ Hall this evening, assisted by, Mr. Borthwick- Reid, the- “champion swordsman.” Amongst, the- performers are Misses Jenny Nye, Daley, and Bell, and Messrs. J. P. Hydes, Mac Alexander, and De Vauve.

As previously announced in our columns a meeting of the, Typographical Society will be held this evening at the Athenreum. From a correspondent’s letter, which appears in another portion of our columns, we learn that it is intended to register the society under the Friendly Societies Act. An Assessment Appeal-Court was held before Air. Crawford, 8.M., at Kaiwari-a, yesterday. There were no objections made to the assessments in the district, and the only business to be transacted was the. alteration- of two names on the roll, in oases where the property rated had changed hands since the last valuation was made. ,

A meeting of the Reform Association was balled;for yesterday afternoon; at the Queen’s Hotel, Lambton-quay, but as there were only present Councillor Fisher, Messrs. J. H. Wallace and M. L. Marks, the meeting was adjourned until the following (this) day, at noon, at Mr. Marks’ office. It appeared to be the opinion of the three gentlemen present that many of those who had promised to be present had mistaken the hour of meeting, and therefore the paucity of attendance.

A'committee meeting of the Athletic Club was held at Magiaity’s Royal Hotel last evening, when all preliminaries for the ensuing Easter sports were arranged. ’ The club sports promise to be this year , eyen more successful than they invariably are, as lots of amateurs have signified their intention of competing. The programme will shortly be published. One very noticeable feature in -all the club meetings is the total absence of any show business, everything being; conducted and carried out in a true athletic manher,

Several cricket’ matches are to be played this afternoon.. One on the Basin Reserve, between the Present andPastPupilsof Wellington College, to which we referred in our issue of yesterday; another between the Rising Star and Excelsior Clubs, in Leach’s paddock, Polhill’s Gully; and another, at the Lower Hutt, between the Thorndou , and United Clubs. The names of the' players in the match Rising Star v. Excelsior are:—Messrs. Smith, Robinson, Hansel, Tustin, G. Godber, C. Godber, Helyer, Kirk, Crowther, and White; emergency, Bonthorne; for the Rising Stars. And for the Excelsiors, the following team has been chosen :—Messrs, Astbury, Duncan, Grubb, W. Holmes, J. Holmes, Hoggard, Kreeft, Mountain, Mcßeth, J. Renner, R. Renner; emergency, Bannister and Cook. In the match between the Thorndon and United Clubs, the latter will be represented by:the following players:—Messrs. MoGirr, H. McKenzie, Dryden,. Keefe, Gamble, Doyle, Kelly, Nation, Howe, Chatwin, Wylie; emergency, Emeny and Kemble. Sir George Grey appears, and no wonder, to have been much surprised with the remarkable evidence of progress he witnessed at Kumara. In the course of his speech at the banquet there he said, inter alia .-—“ It was with feelings of peculiar gratification that he found himself in the youngest town in New Zealand, and he was glad to see that, as the whole colony advanced, her youngest children went ahead of all that had gone before. He had lived for many years in many countries, but he had never before seen any town rise so quickly to such a height of prosperity as had Kumara. He could hardly believe his eyes when that morning he had for the first .time seen the place ; he felt that in a short space of time, on a spot which but a few months ago was occupied by the virgin forest, a great work had been done.

Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of the weather during the afternoon of yesterday, and the downpour of rain last night, there was a crowded house in all parts on the occasion of ■ Miss Soldene’s benefit. No greater compliment could have been paid this most talented artist. The performance consisted of the repetition of “ Girofle-Girofla,” and the second act of “ Ba Fille de Madame Angot,” in which the beneficiaire appeared as Mdlle. Lange. It is almost needless to say that “ GirofleGirofla was a brilliant performance. The cast was the same as when first produced, but the performance, if possible, was even better. Miss Soldene and Mr. Campbell were both in fine voice, and encores for their renderings were very numerous during the evening. Until we saw Miss Soldene' last night as Mdlle. Lange we confess that we never saw Mdlle. Lange played. In acting, merit, and vocal excellence it is as far removed from all others that we have seen on the colonial stage as the proverbial poles are wide asunder. She is Mdlle. Lange in every particular, and we cannot give her higher or more deserved praise than to say this. Her rendering of the beautiful air “I Love Him,” was perhaps the treat of the evening—a fact testified to by its narrowly escaping a triple encore. It is sweetly pretty, and is sure to find its way in this city amongst the popular parlor music of the day. Miss Soldene'.-! greeting on coming on the stage was most enthusiastic. To-night this company give their last performance, when they will produce “Trial by-Jury” and the first and second acts of “ Chilperio,” including the great umbrella dance by Miss K. Slater and the company. We notice (says the Canterbury Times) that an expedition is being organised by some practical miners for the exploration of portions of Ney Guinea.:-iThe first remark to be made is that none but practical miners ought to go. Anyone unacquainted with the roughness of mining life, and unfamiliar with the mysteries of gold-getting in all its forma, would in such an expedition be not only useless to himself, but a burden on his comrades. Nobody but miners, we presume, will be allowed to embark. Those who start should be well provided with everything, and should be accompanied, if possible, by some one who, besides practical mining experience, possesses some scientific knowledge of his profession. There will probably be lots of danger, peril of wind a.nd waves, unknown seas, savage ,tribes, wild animals, unhealthy climates, and many hardships. But these- will be no deterrent, for amongst Englishmen the spirit of adventure flourishes. This is what has m:;d i them spread oyer the face of the globe, and .it will not prevent them swarming over New Guinea; . Least of all have warnings been regarded when rumors of gold are the attraction to journey into unknown lands. Though gold has not been discovered in any quantity

anywhere in New Guinea, we wish every success to the adventurous gentlemen who are about to start on their romantic expedition. We hope they will keep up the character of their race, and return safely when their money < is done.

Already the telephone is bearing, fruit in the colony. Says a Southern exchange :—A sheet entitled “ The Telephone” was circulated in Amberley on Friday evening, containing an account, by telegraph, of the day's racing in, Dunedin, from “The special correspondent.” In addition to the sporting news, local adver: tiseraents and answers to correspondents filled up the little paper. It was very neatly got up, and caused no little amusement in the township. The paper was produced by the “Electric Pen,” a most ingenious and-useful invention. The copies, some 200, were struck off in an hour.

; A Parisian hairdresser, who was decorated with the Order of Christ of Portugal, has found that honor rather costly. A Portuguese customer of his, who is said to be a manufacturer of corks,: but who often visits Paris, encouraged him to baptise a hair wash of his invention “ Eaii de Portugal,” and to forward, a sample of it to .the Portuguese Queen. The hairdresser complied. Two quarts of . the liquid were transmitted to Lisbon in valuable cut-glass bottles; , and soon afterwards an acknowledgmlent was returned under the form of letters patent of knighthood, according to a promise previously made by the manufacturer of corks. When', the haircutter ventured to . issue 20,000 prospectuses engraved with the insignia of his decoration, the Portuguese Embassy took qffeace, and . communicated to the new knight a Royal decree “ graciously revoking” the distinction with which he had been favored. On the hairdresser’s declining to recall his emblazoned prospectus, criminal proceedings were instituted, and he was fined £2O. He has now brought an action inline of the Parisian Courts to assert his right of knighthood despite the Portuguese Government, but the Judges of his country have nonsuited him, with : costs. Many other hairdressers may tbiulc this all the harder, as the bottles of hairwash r forwarded for the use of the Portuguese Court have never been returned. '•

Writing on the subject of torpedoes, a correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald directs attention to the method of placing these engines of destruction adopted by the Austrians during the war of 1858. The Austrians ' held Venice at the time, and to protect the port torpedoes were laid down. This was the first instance where torpedoes were, tired by electricity,' and composed of nitrous compounds. To know when to fire these, a camera obscura was built overlooking the harbor, and upon the white table of this instrument were refected the waters of Venice. As the torpedoes were sunk one by one, a sentinel in the camera noted the place of their disappearance with a pencil, giving each torpedo a consecutive number. A rowing-boat, in , the harbor now described a circle. around the sunken torpedo, indicating, the zone of its destructive power, and the sentinel again with his pencil made a corresponding ring upon the camera table. In the end, therefore, while the harbor itself was apparently free from all, obstruction, a very effective means of torpedo defence was established; the key of wdich was only to be found in the camera obscura. The sentinel here had wires in connection with every tor; pedo, and was in a position to fire any one as a on as he observed, by means of the camera, the presence of a hostile vessel within the limits of any of the circles , marked upon his white table.

The Government have taken prompt action (the South Australian Advertiser says) to provide without delay for the defence of the colony. On Tuesday, February 12, they telegraphed to the Ageiit-Geheral instructing him to apply to the War Office requesting that two 10-iuch 18-tou gnus might be forthwith supplied, with carriages, dwarf platforms, and fittings complete; also two ca riages, dwarf platforms, and the necessary appliances for the two 9-iuch 12-ton guns which are already at the port, and four sets'of C racers for the 9 and 10-iuch guns; ,two 61-pounder guns of 640 wt., with two wooden standing carriages and appurtenances, two 16-pounder guns with limbers and waggons complete, and 10,000 ball cartridges for Martini-Henry rifles. Sir Arthur Blyth was also instructed to obtain and immediately forward to Port Adelaide 500 more Martini-Henry rifles. The AgentGeneral, with commendable promptitude, lost no time in applying to the War Office, and telegraphed the result the next day, after receiving the telegram from Adelaide. The Government received his reply on Thursday, February 14, to the effect that the Secretary for the War Department had undertaken to call for tenders for the supply of the armament and the Armstrong guns, carriages, and racers, as the War Department had hot got them in stock. The rifles would be purchased at once, and forwarded by the steamer Garonne, and the cartridges would shortly follow by the Boland.

A young lad named Thomas Paten, about eleven years old, a visitor to Avoca from New South Wales, met with an accident on the 16th February, by which he suffered a broken arm. The Avoca Mail states that “ the lad, in company with some others, was riding a small pony belonging to Mr. Buhlert, in the neighborhood of the Avoca Lead, when the animal became frightened and bolted, through some cur dogs barking at its heels, and the boy was thrown, his foot hanging in the stirrup, by which he was dragged for some distance. Owing to the pony’s hoof striking the lad as it galloped, young Paten might have been killed had it not been for the sagacious and prompt assistance rendered by Mr. Buhlert’s Newfoundland dog, which generally accompanies the'children in their excursions. The dog, immediately on seeing the boy thrown, started in pursuit of the pony, and endeavored to stop it by pulling at the stirrup. Failing in this, he ran to the pony’s head, caught the reins, and then quickly brought him to a standstill, holding the animal until the boy disengaged himself from the saddle.”

The South Australian harvest (says a late exchange) is now over, and the Register has published an estimate, of the results, based upon returns supplied by its correspondents in the various agricultural settlements. The official statistics will not be published for fully another month, but as the Register's estimate generally corresponds approximately with the Government returns, it may be assumed that we are already in possession of sufficient facts to enable us to form a fair idea of the crop that has just been in-gathered. It would, appear that the area reaped has ■ been' :1,050,000 acres, or 180,000 acres more than was reaped last year. The average yield per acre is estimated at bushels, or fully four bushels per afcre less than was expected up to November, This gives an aggregate quantity of 8,137,000 bushels, out of which about 2,700,000 will be required for seed and home consumption, thus leaving a balance for export of five and a half million bushels, or 150,000 tons, representing at current rates a money value of one million and a half sterling. Agricultural settlement is proceeding apace, and it is not improbable that next year something like 1,300,600 to 1,500,000 acres will be placed under wheat cultivation.

; The following is Captain Dudfield’s account of the attack on the erew of the missionary lugger Mayri by natives, off Stacey Island: — “ While anchored at Stacey Island, where the Rev. J. Chalmers and wife and four native teachers r.re stationed, on the afternoon of Saturday, 29th December, sent three of my black crew to out wood, myself and another native only remaining on board. One Stacey Island native came off to barter. I told the cook to give him the wood, and he lay down in the cabin, After a few minutes a spear was thrown into the cabin and struck me on the left side, pinning mo on the deck. Another went into my right thigh. On turning round for my gun I received another spear in the left shoulder, and another through the hand. I fired several shots, and tried to get on deck. There I found six or eight natives, and received a wound in the foot, severing all the tendons of the toes. We wounded several and killed one. They then left, and on going on deck I saw two or three hundred natives on the shore. Mr, Chalmers came off and in-

formed me that the natives were launching war canoes, and insisted upon my leaving. I pressed him to come with his wife and the native teachers, but he refused to deserthia post. Mr. Goldie's party returned upon hearing this, and grave fears are entertained for the safety of Mr. Chalmers and party.” Captain Dudfield is maimed for life. It will be remembered that Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers were in Dunedin a few months ago!” Mr. W.Finnimoro will submit to public competition,at his auction map this afternobn at two o’clock,a quantity of excellent household furniture, etc. Messrs. Beauchamp; Campbell and'Co. will sell « “ eleven o'clock this morning, at tbeir rooms, a number of canaries just landed from ; Nelson, and a quaa tity of produce, fencin|j wire, etc;; also, at the Nag’S Head yards; at 2 o’clock; horses, etc. • : y : Mr. F. Sidey will sell at the Arcade to-day, at three o’clock, town acre No. 153, Adelaide-road, with a dwelling-house lately erected thereon. The property commands h fine view of, the city and harbor, and i* well adapted :for cuttingMip. This sale is well worth the attention of speculators and investors, as land In this part of Wellington is rapidly rising in value, and opportunities of obtaining it are daily becoming scarcer;-