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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5298, 19 March 1878, Page 2

We understand that the Hon. Mr. Stout was sworn inyesterday as Attorney-General. It will be seen by reference to our telegrams that the great libel case of Whitaker v. Jones has terminated, as moat people expected it would do, in a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged. The man referred to in our last issue as having effected his escape from the grounds of the Lunatic Asylum was retaken yesterday near Evans Bay by the party sent from the Asylum in search of him. There will be a sitting of the Supreme Court in banco this morning, when judgment will be given in the case of Evans v. Horsfall, and a motion will be made for a rule nisi in the matter of the Queen v. Barton. We hear that the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, at the corner of Manners : and Willis streets, which recently changed hands at £ISOO, has again changed hands, the price given this time being £5500, Messrs. Gilmour, of Grey month, being the purchasers. A telegram received by the Government states the following as the prices of New Zealand securities in London on the 30th January, 1878; —Present medium prices—s per cent;' consols, lOOjr ex dividend ; IJ per cent, consols, 9DJ : 5 per cent, consols, 1031 ex dividend. The above is the highest point yet, reached by New Zealand securities. A melancholy and fatal accident occurred in the harbor yesterday. A youth about sixteen years of age, named Astridge, the sou of a widow residing at Te Aro, whilst sculling a boat from Plimmer’s wharf to Clyde-quay, lost his balance and fell overboard. Unfortunately he was unable to swim, otherwise, as the weather was very calm, and the water as smooth as a millpond, he would in all human probability have been saved. As it was, he sank and was drowned. As soon as the accident was observed from shore, boats put off to the rescue, but arrived too late. After searching with grappling-irons for some time, the body of the deceased was found and brought on shore. An inquest will be held to-day at the Albion Hotel.

In our last issue we stated that reports had been received by the police that a Mrs. Fuller had been missing from her home since Friday last, and also that a young girl named Emily Munster, a domestic servant iu the employ of Mr. Lett, of Ouba-street, was missing, and that in each case fears were entertained of the safety of the individuals. From inquiries made yesterday, we learn that both of them have been heard of, and that no tragical end has befallen either of them.

There was a good attendance of members at the special meeting of the Wellington Working Men’s Club, which was held last evening at the Fire Brigade Hall, Manners-street, for the purpose of taking steps to furnish the new premises in course of erection in Manner-street. After a lengthy discussion, in which most of those present took part, it was decided to get up an art union for £SOO. It was also decided to have an Industrial and Fine Arts’ Exhibition, if possible, on the opening of the new premises. The object is certainly a worthy one, and we trust that the matter will hove the support of the entire community. We understand that Mr. Dillon will open a new dramatic season on Saturday next at the Theatre .Royal. He has obtained the services of the following artistes :—-Mrs. Walter Hill, Miss Hill, Miss Lizzie Morgan, Mis j Fender, and other : ladies, Messrs. Sothern, Musgrave, Poole, Graham, Tyrrell, Clinton, O'Neil, Burford, and several others. A full staff of operatives are now busily engaged in renovating and painting new scenery. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M., Charles Collins, charged with drunkenness, pleaded guilty. As he had been locked up since Saturday, the Resident Magistrate discharged him, with a caution not to appear again.—William Wilson, charged with being drunk and disorderly, admitted the offence, and was fined XOs. and costs, with the alternative of forty-eight hours' imprisonment iu case of non-payment, —Charles Simpson and Patrick Chambers were charged with assaulting James Goodwin on Sunday morning about one o’clock, at the foot of Grey-street, near the wharf. From the evidence it appeared that there was a row amongst some sailors, and that one of them, Goodwin, had been kicked and beaten by the others. The Inspector and two other constables who were iu the neighborhood rushed in and succeeded in stopping further fighting, and iu apprehending two of the apparent ringleaders in the affray. Goodwin had gone away in his vessel to Napier, and consequently was not present to give his version of the affair; and the Court, having heard the statement of the police and other witnesses, dismissed the case against Simpson, and fined Chambers 2fls. and costs.—On the civil side, Mrs. Charlotte Leonard sought to recover the sum of 1-Is. from E. Walker, for the alleged unlawful detention of a pair of boots. Mr. Ollivier and Mr. Buckley appeared for the respective parties to the suit. It appeared from the testimony brought forward tiiat there was evidently some misunderstanding between the vendor and purchaser of the boots iu question, which, having been purchased, together with another pair, by the lady, were returned shortly afterwards as not fitting, when the shopman alleged that they had been stolen, and threatened to call in the aid of the police. The evidence was somewhat conflicting; but ultimately the magistrate gave judgment for plaintiff with costs, observing that the case was a somewhat singular one, and that he could hardly believe the version of the matter set up for the defence, which amounted to this: that the plaintiff, whose testimony was corroborated by that of another respectable witness, had not only purloined the boots, but bad subsequently taken them back to the place from whence they were said to have been stolen, and then sued for their value.

Mr. Barton, M.H.R., will address his constituents at the Theatre Royal on Thursday evening next, at 8 o’clock. The Catholic art union, the drawing for which was to have come off yesterday, has been postponed until the 28th inst.

A meeting of the New Zealand Pacific Lodge was held last evening at the Masonic Hall, Boulcett-street. There was a numerous attendance of the fraternity, and a considerable amount of business was transacted.

The members of the Young Men’s Christian Association and their friends are invited to meet the Rev. Hr. Somerville at St. Jelm’s Presbyterian Church this evening. Mr. Somerville and the choir will conduct the service of song. There was another good attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, when the Salsbury Troubadours appeared in their operatic extravaganza of “The Brook,” which proved a decided hit. It will be repeated to-night, and the new comedietta, entitled, “ Two can Play at that Game,” will, be produced for the first time. To-morrow is announced positively as the last night of the entertainment, which lias proved a thoroughly attractive cue. Mr. Tom Margetts’ benefit at the Princess Theatre last evening was well patronised, and the entertainment, which comprised a concert and “ Singing Bee,” passed off most successfully, and afforded great amusement to the spectators.- Some of the sentimental and comic songs were exceedingly good in themselves, and were very well rendered. Mr. Margetts may certainly be congratulated on the result of the evening’s performance. A committee meeting of the Athletic Club was held at Maginity’s Hotel last evening, when the programme was slightly altered, the tug of war event being taken out, and also the quarter-mile race for members of the new Tradesmen’s Club. It was arranged that small bills should be printed and distributed forthwith. The following gentlemen have signified their intention of giving special prizes to the’ club :—Messrs. Kolm and Co., Jackson, James, Jacobs, Aldous, Mountain, and Lyon and Blair. Last night a large audience assembled at the Odd Follows’ Hall to listen to Mr. Massett in his new selections of readings, poems, and ballads. His effective rendering of the dramatic composition called “ Fra Giacomo” produced quite a sensation. The songs “ Happy as a King” and “ When we" two parted,” Mr. ' Massett’s own compositions, were admirably snug; and “ Bob Cratohet’s dinner,” “ New Year’s Eve,” and “My lady rides in her carriage ” completed the pathetic portion of the entertainment. The comic portion of the “olla podrida” created great laughter, and the concluding sketch of the “ Woman’s Rights Lecture,” in which a colored lady was personated, caused much merriment. A correspondent sends us the following : “ The old notion of fortune-telling may be said to have long been exploded, although now and then curious instances crop up in which warnings come to pass. The other day an old dame in this city, who is noted for her dealings in this description of necromancy, was waited upon by a young lady anxious to have apeep into th e future. Amongst other things that were to happen, the latter was told that in a very short time she would receive news of the death of a very near relative, and very shortly afterwards notice was received.of the death of her mother. Of course, as a mere coincidence, the matter was peculiar, and for the time might have confirmed the belief of the recipient of the unwelcome news as to the soundness of fortune-telling, although, upon after reflection, she might have altered her opinion. A pack of cards was the means used on this occasion to obtain a glance into futurity, and on their being shuffled and arranged, their occult meaning was interpreted by the operator with due solemnity.”

Messrs. Levin and Co., the agents for the Orient line of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, inform us that the s.s. Chimborazo, which vessel went ashore at Jervis Bay, has sustained serious damage, and that the repairs necessitated by the occurrence will cause an inevitable delay, and consequently she will not be able to leave for London at her advertised date. She is now at Jervis Bay, and her cargo is being transhipped to Sydney. Her passengers are already safely landed at that port. A notification appears elsewhere that the passage money received will be refunded, on application to the ship’s agents, Messrs. Leviu and Co. The Garonne, leaving Melbourne on the 22nd of May, will be the next steamer of the company’s line for London. The annual general meeting of the Wellington Land and Building Company (limited) was held yesterday afternoon. There was a good attendance. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. The report aud balancesheet were read , and adopted, and were of a most satisfactory nature. The report stated that the directors had much pleasure in drawing attention to the statement of liabilities and assets, by which it would be seen that the balance in favor of the company exceeded the amount of the paid-up oa ital. The directors therefore recommended the payment of a dividend of seven per cent, upon all calls made by the company ; such dividend to be computed from the Ist day of the month next following the date of each call respectively, up to the Ist day of March now instant; in other words, the dividend payable upon the original issue of shares would reach 10s. Id. per share, and the dividend under the further issue (September, 1877), will reach lOd, per share. In anticipation of an increase in the capital of the company, the directors farther recommended tha“. the shareholders should take into consideration the necessity of equalising in value iiuy further issue of shares, by allotting to each present shareholder as many shares as he now holds, and by making such allotment paid up to the extent of £2 10s. per share, to be derived from the present assets of the company. lu accord - ance with the deed of association, the meeting would have to elect two directors in the room of Messrs. Burrett aud Greenfield, who retired by rotation, but were eligible and offered themselves for re-election. An honorarium was voted to the directors, aud the two who retired were re-elected. The proposal to increase the capital was favorably considered, and referred for confirmation to another meeting to he held on Wednesday week. A vote of th inks to the directors and officers, aud to the chairman, terminated the proceedings. The Hawke’s Bay Herald says :—“ The opinion appears to be gaining ground that the Premier is the Government, more emphatically now even than when Sir Julias Vog -I occupied that high office, and that Sir George Grey’s colleagues cannot take any step iu ;n direc tion except such as he approves. He disapproved, it seems, the rewarding of Mr, Bunny for the political support afforded, aud the result is that Mr. Bunny has not been rewarded, aud probably is not to be. We trust that the Premier will persist in taking his own line iu reference to any similar appointments that may in future be proposed to be made.” On Tuesday, Jan. 26 (says Public Opinion) communication was established b ;twe m die House of Commons and the office of the Daily News iu Bouverie-street by means of the t.-le phone, which is specially attached to the ordi uary telegraphic wires running between r.he Houses of Parliament and the Daily News office. Conversation was distinctly audible despite the noise from the other wires, an I part of the Parliamentary debate anil sum mary iu Wednesday morning’s Daily News was received by tliis novel and interesting agency.

A meeting of stewards of the North Otago Turf Club took place on Tuesday evening, at the Umpire Hotel, the president, J. O'Moagher, Ksq., in the chair. Evidence, says the North Otago Times, was taken in tile matter of a complaint by Mr. Samuel Powell against H. Money, of refusing ti pay a bet on the Dunedin Cup, and this being found conclusive, it was resolved, —“That it having been proved to the stewards that Harry Money is a defaulter, to wit, having refused to pay a bet of £I2OO to £7 (or two bets of £IOO to £4 and £IOO to £3) made with Samuel Powell, about Luna, on the Dunedin Cup, 1878, resolved, that the said Harry Money bo warned off the Oamaru racecourse, and that all the clubs in the colony be asked to endorse their decision.”