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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5313, 5 April 1878, Page 2

A New Zealand Gazette issued yesterday contains an official notification of the appointment of the Hon. James Macandrew to be Minister of Public Works.—Notice is given by the Mayor of Plymouth that the resolution to borrow £23,000 for the purpose of constructing waterworks for the town, for erecting gas works for the manufacture of gas, and for forming and metalling the streets of the borough has been carried.—The following gentlemen have been appointed cadets in the Surveyor-General's Department : Gibson, Daniel William, Dunedin; Fisher, Prank Owen, Auckland:; Smith, Henry Martin, Auckland ; Phillips, John Israel, Auckland. Yesterday morning Sir W. Pitzherbert, M.H.R. for the Hutt, and Mr. Mason, Chairman of the County Council, waited upon the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, to urge the desirability of the money which was voted by Parliament, last session for making the county roads being expended as soon as possible in that direction. Mr. Macandrew said that as soon as the money was available it would be handed over to the Council. The deputation having thanked the Minister then withdrew.

The Waste Lands Board met yesterday. Present : Messrs. Hpldsworth (in the chair), Bunny, W. Johnston, E. Pearce, and T. Mason. The land sales during the previous fortnight were stated to be 70 acres, and the receipts £26 ss. It was announced that proceedings had been taken against Mr. Winks for illegal occupation of land, and that his cattle had- been impounded for trespass, and the penalties paid. The Chairman called the attention of the Board to the fact that there were several applications from selectors under the Immigration Act, who were bound to occupy the land, and make certain improvements within two years, in order to obtain a Crown grant. The applicants wished to obtain their grants, but as they had not lived on the land, it was doubtful whether they could be deemed to have “ occupied” it, in the legal sense of the term. Crown grants were issued to Messrs. Stuart and Munroe, of Bunny thorpe, and also to Messrs. John Newson and James Evans, of Palmerston. In the case of J. G. Langton, Rangitumau, and John Whittle and Co., of Palmerston, no improvements having been made, the land was ordered to be forfeited. Mr. Holdsworth was appointed to act as auctioneer at the Government laud sale to be held on the 23rd inst. In reference to an application by Mr. Johnston, on behalf of the Manawatu County Council, for roads to be made through a low-lying block of land, the consideration of the matter waa_adjourned until the next meeting of the Board. . The large hall of the Athenaeum was crowded last night by an audience who listened most attentively to an earnest and impressive discourse from Mr. Ord on the parable of the good Samaritan. Mr. Ord’s visit to this bity has doubtless been productive of much good, the results of which will bo seen hereafter, and great regret is felt that his meetings have come to a close so soon. He leaves to day for Melbourne, taking with him the best wishes and sincere regard of many here'. The Evangelistic choir have rendered valuable service in helping on this series of meetings, as they did those of Dr. Somerville.

“ Lanioheff ” was repeated at the Theatre Royal last night, aud elicited as usual frequent expressions of approval from the audience. To-night Mr. Sotherh will take his fare .veil benefit, under i tte patronage of his Worship the Mayor, when Robertson’s great comedy entitled “ Ours” will be produced for the first time in Wellington, Miss Pender and Mr. Sothern sustaining the leading characters. The piece, is highly spoken of, and has been very successful both at Home aud in the sister colonies. This will be followed by Miss Morgan in one of her charming ballads. ■ The whole entertainment will conclude with the famous Screen scone from the ever-popular comedy of the “School for Scandal,” Mrs. Walter Hill; taking the, part of Lady Teazle, and Mr. Sotherh that of Charles Surface. ,

Full regulations in reference to the use of water for other - than domestic purposes are published elsewhere in this issue. 1 ■ Sir Julius Vogel and Mr. N. Chevalier were among those who attended the levee held byhis Royal 'Highness the Prince of' Wales, on behalf of the Queen, on February 9.

At the B. M. Court yesterday . William Richards and Alexander Holmes Wrie etch! fined 55., with the customary alternative in case* of non-payra’eut,' tor drunkenness. Samuel Birch was fined ss. for driving round a street corner at a pace faster than a walk. We again direct the attention of those who want a valuable freehold within thirty minutes of Wellington to the very important sale which Mr. J. H. Wallace will hold on Tuesday next, the 9th inst., at his saleroom, Hun-ter-street, of the building sites in tho Lower Hutt township. Mr. Wallace announces that he will be in attendance on Saturday at the Lower Hutt to point out the allotments, which are all pegged off and numbered. The whole of these valuable building sites adjoin and are in the immediate vicinity of the Hutt bridge, Fraser’s Hotel, Cleland's, Burt’s, the church, the Family Hotel, &c., and, in fact, are the very centre of the town, which is rapidly rising into importance. Two very important features in this sale are the liberal terms of payment and the announcement by Mr. Wallace that he is prepared to assist with liberal advances all persons who desire to build on any lots purchased.