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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5348, 18 May 1878, Page 2

It was stated, apparently on good authority, yesterday, that the lowest tenderer for the Kai Iwi-Waitottira Hallway . contract was officially informed that in consequence of the unsettled state of affairs in Europe the Government have determined not to incur further liabilities in connection with railways until the receipt of further advices from Home, when they will communicate with the_ lowest tenderers for the contracts from Kai Iwi to "'Waitotara, and aleo from Foxhifi.

The Port Darwin line is again interrupted north of Charlotte Waters, South Australia. Sir John Ooode, accompanied by rnthers and Mr. Blackett, Lett here yesterday at midday iu the Hiuemoa, for Napier, for the inspection of the harbor works at that port. A telegram from the railway manager at Wanganui, received in town yesterday, states that the line will be open on Monday next between Fox ton and Wanganui. This, is two days earlier than was previously announced.

; There were only two tenders for the steam postal service from Porirua to, Foxton,. one from Mr, Martin Kennedy, ou behalf of the owners of the Luna, at £12,000 :a year, aud the other from the New Zealand Steam Ship ping Company, for £2600. Both, as we stated yesterday, were declined. A contract has not yet been agreed to with Hastwell, Maoara, and Co. for the special coach .service. It has been arranged that a month’s trial shall be made, and a price to be adjusted hereafter paid for that period. . The firm, made an offer to the Government, but it was thought better not to come to anything like a permanent arrangement until further information had been obtained as to the traffic. We take the opportunity of reminding the theatre-going portion of the community that the Imperial Opera House in Manners-street will be opened on Monday evening next by the Royal Italian Opera Company, when their grand inauguration concert and ballet will be produced. The third act of Gounod's beautiful opera of “ Faust ” will be performed; and the grand orchestra, ■ engaged expressly for this occasion, will be under the conduotbrship of Hons. L. Caron. Dress-circle seats may be secured at Mr. Bqnnington’s music warehouse; stall and family-circle seats at Mr. Jacobs' Athenaeum Bazaar ; and pit-stalls at Mr. Maryatt’s, tobacconist (opposite the Opera House). Those intending to be present ou the opening night will do well to secure seats beforehand, as there is almost sure to be a crowded house. We have on a previous occasion given a full description of the new building, which is certainly one of the finest of its kind south' of the Line. Amongst the members of the band are the following ;—Conductor, Mon?;' Carbh; violins, Messrs. Isherwood and Jacobs; viola, Mr. King; bass, Mr. Dixon ;-clarionets, Messrs. Caddy and Sewell; cornets, Messrs. H. aud J. Currie ; trombone, Mr. Briscooi A rehearsal took place Ist evening, when everything passed off most satisfactorily. Yesterday Mr. Clark and Mr. Baird proceeded to Wainui-o-niata to inspect the stream there, with the view of ascertaining if it would be nu advantageous source for a large water supply for the city. One most important point to be proved was whether there would be sufficient elevation, and tbe height was taken by barometer. The result ai rived at was satisfactory, but the atmosphere was in such a dis - turbed state that until the readings have been checked by the proved variations in Wellington the measurement cannot be taken as reliable.- However, it is probable that the height will be sufficient to enable the water to be led to all parts of Wellington at present built upon; but should that not be the case, the present water supply would be available for the higher levels. Should the Wainui-o-mata source be adopted, it would necessitate two rather important works, namely, tunnelling through the range, and carrying the pipes across the Hutt River. Thu pipe track would pass near the mouth of the Hutt, and hence the present bridge would not be available for the mains. The flow of the river has slightly increased owing to the recent rains, but Mr. Sinclair states that it has been lower this summer than for many years ; however there was such a body of water yesterday that it was apparent that the normal flow of the stream would be far more than sufficient for all the demands the city would make upon it. This source would possess the great advantage of having a very large drainage ! area, a groat deal of which is Crown laud aud could be placed at the disposal of the city by the Legislature. ‘ The length of mains would be about thirteen miles, some five miles longer than to the Korokoro Creek.

The following letter regarding the Waterworks extension contract was received yesterrday by the Town Glerk from Mr. John Blackett, assistant engineer-in-chief for the colony:—" Wellington, May 16, 1878. Sir,T have the honor, to report, for the information of his Worship the Mayor, that I yesterday made an inspection of the Waterworks extension contract along with the City Engineer. The various works which were unfinished at the date of my last report have, with very few trifling exceptions, been carried out. A day or two will suffice to finish these, and the contract may then be considered as practically complete, and final payments may be made in accordance with the terms of the contract. The amount due will be" adjusted by calculations of the quantities of work. actually extended since my last report, as compared with the,quantities shown on plans or specified, more particularly in reference to the items bye-wash, tunnel entrances, and tunnel lining, &0., of which Mr. Baird has all the necessary measurements. lam glad to be able to report that the contract as a whole has been carried out faithfully and substantially, and I beg to offer my congratulations to the Mayor and citizens ou the successful completion of so important a piece of woik.—l am, &0., John Blackett. —To C. 0. Graham, Esq., Town Clerk.”

An article iu the Canterbury Press of Thursday, in reference to the defence of the colony, points out that those who advocated the organisation of a defence force were poohpoohed by those who, following iu the wake of the Premier, maintained that the British fleet would effectually protect these colonies. To this the Imperial Government has replied that “ Defence by sea is impracticable, and should not he attempted ; but land batteries should he constructed at the four principal porta of New Zealand.” The Government has lately altered its tone, and has lately telegraphed for guns; and the proposed armament of the four ports is to be carried out. The Press gives the Ministry due credit for haying changed their opinions for the better in this matter, but thinks they might have gone further, and asks, “What have the smaller ports, Nelson, Timaru, Oainaru, tho West Coast ports north and south, the Bluff, Napier, and the Thames, done,'that they should be left unoared for ? as the danger of these minor ports from enemies will be increased to precisely the same extent that safety is bestowed upon Lyttelton, Auckland, Dunedin, and Wellington.” The Press _ thinks that the question is one of sufficient importance for the opinion of the Legislature .to be taken upon it, and suggests that it would be no great inconvenience to summon Parliament a mouth or six weeks earlier than usual this year, which would place the Government in a. proper position to deal with the question, and is a step the propriety of which would scarcely be called in question by any party in the House.

“ The Kivals ” constituted the performance at tho Theatre Koyal last night. There was a very fair attendance,and thepiece, judging from the"applause bestowed upon it, was thoroughly enjoyed. To-night the “Courier of London, of the Attack upon the Mail," will be produced. The company have re-engag;d Mr. Walton and Airs. Fitzwilliam, and have also strengthened their cast by adding thereto Mr, Harry Stoneham, an old Wellington favorite. Mr. K. J. Duncan mil bold an important land sale on Tuesday next, when he will offer, under instructions from Mr. G. E. Barton, the whole of his unsold allotments iu the favorite township of Petoui. After which a large number of valuable properties at Masterton, Carterton, Taratahi East, Woodville, &c., will be brought under the hammer. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns, and are well worth the attention of intending investors and speculators.

Madame Moller announces in our advertising columns that she purposes giving a grand concert on the evening of the Queen’s Birthday in the Athenaeum Hall. . Madame Moller will he assisted by a fine band of instrumentalists, and most of the prominent lady and gentlemen vocalists of tht city. Judging from Madame's success iu the directing of the Monday popular concerts, a very large attendance on this occasion may be anticipated. Should the weather be fine this afternoon a good game of football may be expected to take place on the Basin Reserve. ; The match arranged is a selected fifteen against all comers. The following are the names of the fifteen :—H. Pollen, 0. Pollen, Cowie, Galbraith, Davie, Kerr, Welsh, Blacklook, A, Campbell, C. Webb, J. Berry, W. Berry, G. Bishop, Lockett, and Churton. Letters patent were granted ; yesterday to Mr. Charles O'Neill, 0.E., for • his patent Caithness flagging, samples of which have been laid down' in Grey-street opposite the Colonial Bank, and also in front of the Athenaeum, Lambton-quay. The application was opposed by Mr. Travers on behalf of the Corporation, .and supported by -Mr. Edwards (Messrs. Moorhouso and Edwards). Mr. S. Carroll was agent for tho applicant.

In the Court of Appeal yesterday argume its were heard in Regina v. Simoans and Regina v. Barnsley, Crown cases reserved. Judgment in each was reserved. The proceeds of the concert given in the Odd Bellows’ Hall on Thursday night, for the benefit of the Benevolent Institution, amounted to £ls.

The tenders for the Wanganui Harbor Improvement, which were to have been decided on the 16th instant, are deferred for acceptance until the 30th. The rehearsal of the Choral Society at the Provincial Hall was well attended last evening. Mr. Rous-Marten wielded the conductor’s baton. Wo learn that the plaintiff in Peters v. Joseph and another has been advised by Mr. Barton nob to proceed further with that action, in the face of the Court having refused to set aside the order of the 22nd February. A communication has been received from the Nelson football club that they will not be able to visit Wellington, as anticipated, on the Queen’s Birthday. The annual match, however, will probably be played on that day between the Civil Service and Town players. Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, Revising Officer for Wellington District, held a Revision Court at the Athenamra Hall yesterday. Mr. Fitzberbert’was in attendance at 10 o’clock, but the necessary rolls and lists of householders had not been forwarded to him. The Court was then adjourned untill 12 o'clock. As no one appeared to support the objections the whole of the names were placed on the list. A fire, happily unattended with any serious results, occurred yesterday afternoon in one of Mr. John Martin’s houses near the Panama Hote'. The fire brigades wore promptly on the spot, but fortunately the fire was confined to tile, chimney, and was very quickly extinguished. The house was occupied by Mr. Cazuean.