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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5346, 16 May 1878, Page 2

Sir John Goode,-0.E., will make an inspection of the harbor, with a view to the proposed works, this morning. No doubt his report on the matter will be looked forward to with interest.

At the sittings of the Supreme Court in banco yesterday the Chief Justice intimated that judgment in Peters v. Joseph and another would not be given until this morning at 11 o’elock. No arrangement has been made for hearing arguments in Joseph and another v. Peters and Gillou v. Macdonald and others, as the date of Mr. Justice Richmond's return to Wellington is uncertain.

" Of late we have not heard much about the Waterworks contract, which some weeks ago was the leading topic of conversation in the city. Things appear to have been-going-on smoothly of late, and yesterday Mr. Blackett, the consulting engineer, with Mr. Baird, city engineer went to the new - reservoir to inspect the works with a view to passing them. It was found that a few trifles required to be done, but as they involve an outlay of less than £2,- the works may be taken as completed. Mr. J. F. B. Wright, the managing partner of the West Wanganui Coal Prospecting Company, who has just returned from a visit to the mine, reports that the schooner. Shephei'dess had loaded Up with a cargo of coal; and sailed for (his port. The Elizabeth Curie 1 has been chartered, and will leave with a cargo for here, and may be expected soon after the Shepherdess. Two cargoes have been sold in Nelson, delivery to be taken at the pit’s mouth, the, price being 18s. per ton. There is a ready demand fora large quantity, as the! coal is in high favor in that town, and several cargoes would find a market at once. The shaft is down 53ft., with a chamber 10ft. square, and the main level has been entered 63ft. A firstrate seam of coal is being worked, and blocks weighing 4owt. have been taken out. One of these will be placed in the Museum on the arrival of the Shepherdess. Those of the shareholders who have been at the mine are highly pleased with its prospects, and . speak confidently that it will prove to be of high value. ..pit.the’arrival of the first cargo, it is probable that portions of it will be distritributed to persons who will thoroughly test its merits for gas, steam, and domestic purposes. The opening up of sq.good a mime as this promises to be will be of great importance, and jvill prove especially advantageous to Wellington, as almost the whole of the interest is held here.

The vocal and instrumental concert given last: night in the Odd Fellows' Hall; for the benefit of the Artillery Band, was in every way a perfect success.. All -the available, seats were occupied, and many persons had to stand. The concert was under the patronage of his Excellency the Goyernor,: who was present. The band of the artillery have certainly made great progress lately, and much praise is due to their leader, Mr. Cemino. A number of very nice and pretty selections were played by them during : the evening. I ' Several ■ young ladies greatly assisted to the success of the performance by singing some charming songs, aud duets. The programme was a varied one, and calculated to please the most fastidious. One of the most prominent items was the cornet duet “I know a bank,” which ■ was really very correctly and nicely played by two members 1 of the hand. Another member contributed in no small way to the success of the concert by singing some comic songs in a-most humorous style. The pex-foisnanoe concluded by the Artillery Volunteer Band Ministrels appearing in the orthodox burnt cork business. The choruses were well rendered, and the voices blended excedingly well. ‘ The corner business, however, we cannot say so much for, as the jokes were rather old, and in some instances they were given with a slight Gaelic: accent instead of an Ethiopian one. ’ - Mr. Turnbull, architect, has prepared plans for the alterations to the Odd Fellows’Hall. The front of the present building is to be removed, and replaced by four shops, with plate-glass windows. Over .these shops, and running round to the north side of the building, there will be added eight rooms, designed principally for offices. All the additions are tq ,be of stone and brick. The gallery inside the hall is also to be pulled down, and in its place a dress-circle will be erected; in- horseshoe form. When these additions are completed, the appearance, of the building,' both' inside and out, will be greatly improved. ~ “Lost in London,” and “ His;Last Legs” were played at the. Theatre Royal "last night. Considering the counter attractions and the wretched weather, there was not a bad house. The pieces, as on previous occasions, were well received by the audience. To-night “Our Boys ” will be played, when no doubt, from the popularity of the comedy, there will be a good attendance. We drew attention a few days since to the fact of the National Bank of New Zealand, Limited, having opened a sub-branch in Cuba sti'eet. We find they have now opened another office in Vlolesworth-street for the accommodation of the bank’s customers irithe Thorhdon end of the city.

We publish as an. inset with this morning’s issue a plan of thirty-four building sites, situated in Hawker-street, near the ; residence of J. E. Fitz Gerald, Esq., 0.M.G., and being the subdivisions of ; town acres, Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406, in the plan of the city. The position of these sites is clearly defined from all parts of the city by a great number "f small flags aud three enormous banners, the largest, of which attracted a good deal of attention during yesterday,. the letters upon it ■ being easily; read from the Terrace. There is no doubt that the sites command a fine panoramic view of the city, and from the exceedingly liberal terms on which they will be sold—say 5 per cent, deposit, and the balance by easy instalments—that will doubtless readily command purchasers. They are to be ofiered by. Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co., at the Exchange Land Mart, on Monday next, at two o’clock p.m. We shall take an opportunity to-morrow of referring in detail to a large number of other valuable .properties to be offered :by the firm on the same day. ■ This' : evening the report on the drainage of the city, prepared .by Mr. W. Clark, will bo considered by the City Council.., The Mayor particularly requests that Councillors will be punctual, as Mr; Clark has promised to attend at 9 o’clock to give, any explanation the Council may desire. It is therefore necessary that all other business should be disposed of before that hour.

Our readers will observe by an advertisement in another part of, to-day’s paper that the Meat Market Company commenced business in the Arcade yesterday. The display of merino mutton .was most attractive, and a large business was done. Wo have been requested to state that the shop is open daily from 0 a.m, to 10 p.m. The dress-circle and private box office in connection with, the Imperial Opera House will be opened at two o'clock’:tty's'afternoon, at Messrs. Bennington’s music warehouse, Lambton-quay, where plans may be seen and seats secured. ,

There was only a very short, sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. Fredei'ick Holmes was charged with drunkenness, and discharged. : Dr. Diver, J.P., was on the bench.

Mr. F. O. Kreeft, of Wellington, merchant, has been appointed trustee of the estate and effects of Mr. H. T. Phillips, of; Wellington, storekeeper, &o. ■ Mr. G. Themas notifies that his sale of stock, &0., on the premises of Mr. James Sim, of Johnsonville, will not take place. It is notified that Mr. Charles White, accountant, &e., has been appointed trustee in the estate of Mr. Sam Howard.