The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5377, 21 June 1878, Page 4

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1878.

In several issues of the Times there have lately appeared, under the heading “Footprints on the Sands of Time,” articles giving an insight into the days when the settlement of Port Nicholson was in its very infancy—a young colony in swaddling clothes —quite unable to toddle along without much tender assistance and motherly care from the old country generally, and particularly from those who, forming the New Zealand Company, sent forth well-equipped hands of sturdy and resolute men to found colonies in these islands. In those days each settlement appears to have been called a colony, and the word did not bear the comprehensive meaning it now has. Wellington is the capital of the colony, but in 1830 Port Nicholson was a colony. In another part of this issue will bo found some “Footprints,” from which it will be learnt that the public buildings in 1842 were, to say the least of them, not extensive. The editor of the local paper graphically describes how he saw the postmaster engaged on a Sunday in stopping cracks in the ricketty whare which was the General Post Office, by stuffing into them an old potato-sack ; but this indication of the unsubstantial nature of public offices is as nothing compared with the rather cleverly burlesqued account of the burning of the police-office, court-house, postoffice, courts of justice, and the church, whereby a loss to the colony was caused of, at the least, fivo _ pounds. Now the Government offices in which most’ of the departments are sheltered, form, it is said, tho largest wooden building in tho world. The time which has passed between “then” and « n ow ” is not foriv years ; yet what a chance has occurred,- notwithstanding many years of slow progress, periods of retrogression and times or stagnation; but it must be remembered that the greatest advance has been made in comparatively recent years. In 1871 nearly all the reclaimed land north of Grey-street was a waste, overgrown with grass in some places, a depot for rubbish, and allotments could be had for what was little more than a nominal rental. Now every lot is highly valuable, and every leaseholder who rented a block from the Corporation at 10s. per foot a year has secured an annuity for a long time to come. An immense area which, has been reclaimed at Thqrndou will soon be m the market, and it is contemplated to reclaim 70 acres more at tho Te Arc end of the harbor. Tho demand for land in any part of tho city has been, and is, incessant, at prices which have rapidly increased, and suburban town acres now

being as much as some of the acres almost in the centre of business commanded in 1871. Ever since landed property commenced to rise in price people—and not a few—foretold that a change would come, bad times would fall upon us, land would go down, would be unsaleable, and there would possibly bo a commercial panic. So far the city has escaped these ills, and the prophets of evil have in many instances been found bidding rates for town lots far above anything that even a sanguine man but a few years ago would have imagined could have been paid. The subjoined table gives an idea of the speed with which the city has grown, showing as it does the number of dwellings &c. for two years. In the last four years the population has doubled;—

We do not write these things in any spirit of bombast, but to let our Home readers see the marvellously rapid growth of the city, and to show how continuous has been its prosperity for years past. The future looks as bright as one need wish, and Wellington is making steady strides towards the position of the commercial as well as the political capital of New Zealand.

The following were passengers by the Hinemoa, which left for New Plymouth yesterday: —Sir George Grey, Premier; the Hon. James Macandrew, Minister for Lands and Public Works; the Hon, J. Sheehan, Native Minister; the Hon. Hoaui Nahi, Maori Minister; the Hon. Wi Tako Ngatata, M.L.C.; Mr. Wi Parata, Mr. Matiui to Whi-whi, Mr. W. S. Moorhouse, M.H.R., Mr. Mitchell, and Mr, Grace. About thirty of the Ngatiawa tribe were also passengers. The attempt to hold a special meeting of the City Council yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of dealing with the nightsoil question, resulted in nothing. If there had been a meeting, nothing could have been done ; but there was not a quorum, and after half an hour had been wasted. Councillor Pisher handed the Town Clerk the following notice of a motion to be moved at the next meeting ;—“ That the resolution of the 4th April re the removal of nightsoil be rescinded, and that tenders be invited for the removal of the nightsoil of the city, in either one or two contracts.” The Councillors present were Messrs. Dixon, Greenfield, Allen, Fisher, Allan, and Moss. A special messenger was sent to ask the Mayor to come, but his Worship did not put in an appearance ; and if he had, no business could have been transacted. It is said that an arrangement has been made with Mr. Saunders to continue his present contract for two mouths longer. The depth of water in the reservoir yesterday was 44ft, 6in,, and as has been before slated, only prudence now prevents its being allowed to become full. The custodian’s house (a neat little structure enough) is all but ready for habitation. By the way, we suppose it may be regarded as certain that the embankment could not give way ; but if it did in the night time that custodian, house and all, would be quickly found in the harbor. Was it wise to build this house right in front of the restraining bank ? While on the subject we may suggest to our readers who may wish to have a look at the fine sheet of water which Wellington now possesses the propriety of leaving their dogs at home. The custodian yesterday informed the writer (who had with him a valuable retriever) that he had orders to destroy all dogs. On being told to go home, that dog went, as though he understood the case exactly, and didn’t care at all for a swim. To-morrow the sale by auction takes place of a number of sections at Carnarvon. The lots, as per catalogue, are principally acre sections, and the roads marked on the map are all a chain wide. Of late attention has been directed to the Manawatu and Rangitikei districts, and it the projected branch line of railway connecting Carnarvon, Sandon, and Foilding be shortly completed, it should add considerably to the value of land in these townships. Mr. J. H. Wallace, estate auctioneer, held an extensive sale of laud yesterday at his land mart, Hunter-street. The attendance was large and bidding spirited, prices realised being very satisfactory. The following sales were made, viz.: —Section 950, Palmerston North, 11. J., Duncan, at £24 10s. per acre; section 1087, Palmerston North, G, W. Firmin, at £l6 per acre ; section 1088, J. Billings, at £ll 10s. per acre; section 1089, C. Whitehead, £lO 10s. per acre ; town section 664, Captain John Mowlem, £l4O ; equity of redemption of section 69, G. W. Firmin, £35 ; section 690, Mr. Ring, £65 ; No. 22, Masterton, F. Train, £3O. Several other properties were offered at upset prices and withdrawn, and are for sale privately. In accordance with a notice issued by the Education Board, a public meeting was held in the schoolroom, Pahautanui, on Monday evening last, the 17th inst., for the election of a local committee of seven members. Mr. Francis Brady was elected chairman of the meeting, and having read the notice and several clauses of the Education Act, the meeting then proceeded to elect a committee by ballot. Twelve candidates were nominated, and the following seven were elected, viz.;— G. Goldfinch, D. Galloway, W. Tappin, Fred. Brady, Francis Brady, A. Iggulden, and D. Brown.

On her Majesty’s birthday his Excellency the Governor gave a State dinner, at which were present the members of the Cabinet then in Wellington, his Honor the Chief Justice, the Puisne Judges, all the foreign Consuls, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, members of the Assembly, several heads of departments, and other guests. An “Amateur Casual” surveyor writes for “ the information of the city fathers and engineer that tho footpath between Berg’s Hotel and the baths is being gradually encroached upon by carts and other vehicles, and will very soon disappear altogether unless a few hours’ labor is bestowed upon it. All that is needed is to have the gutter re-formed. The road is a slough of despond, and if the path is destroyed people will have to use stilts or boats, or else stop at home. The footpath on the north side of Vivian-street is at night in a very dangerous condition from tho numerous holes in it; and if it is not repaired the Council may have to pay for any number of broken lege.”

The first of a series of concerts in connection with tho Star of Wellington Lodge, 1.0.G.T., took place in the Athenasum Hall last night. Brother Golder, D.D.G.W.0.T., was in the chair, and previous to tho performance gave a short address, congratulating the members on tho success of the lodge. The programme provided for the night’s amusement was of a miscellaneous nature, and comprised songs both sentimental and comic, recitations, and a stump speech. All tho items wore very creditably rendered, and those who took part received a fair share of applause from the audience.

Tlio City Engineer intends to cover some of tho footpaths in Manners-street with cinders Sec., from tho Gasworks. This material will be cheap, probably costing nothing but the cartage, and it will make excellent footways. In many other towns it has been tried, and has answered very well indeed. The following are the names of tho Athletic Club football team chosen to play against the Wellington Club to-morrow : Messrs. A. B. Campbell, Dumb ell, Taylor, Welsh (captain), W. Berry, J. Berry, Blacklook. O, Webb, Hickson, Wright, Cooper, Churton, Leokie, Burnea, and Kane ; emergency, E. Webb and Morrah. Tho match will begin nt 2.30 sharp, and players are requested to attend punctually. At the Theatre Royal to-morrow (Saturday) evening the Imperial Minstrels will make their first appearance. The company includes Messrs. Poole, Cary, Clinton, Spiller, Cullimore, and others. A full quartette will render the concerted music, while tho funny element will be in the bands of Mr. Poole (tambo) and Mr. Clinton (bones). A number of character, sketches and songs-and dances will conclude tho entertainment. We have no doubt there will be a full house.

The animal meeting of the Pastoral Association takes place to-day at Carterton, at 11 a.m.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of Mr. F. W. Oakes will be held on the 24th instant, at 2 o’clock p.m., at the Supreme Court buildings. Mr. Thomas Lovejoy, not Love, as stated by mistake in our issue of yesterday, notifies that he intends to apply to the Bankruptcy Court on the 22nd inst. for an order of discharge. On the completion of the railway to Featherstou, we (Standard) understand that there will be a second daily mail between Wellington and the Wairarapa. Thomas Campbell was brought up yesterday on a charge of larceny from a dwelling-house in Conrtenay-place, and was remanded until Monday next on the application of Inspector A.tcheson. The grating at the foot of the hill in Piriestreet is choked up, and consequently all the water lies on the surface, instead of going into the drain. Half-an-hour’s work would rectify this; but the street itself is in a very bad state, and if not attended to will soon be impassable. It is intended to give a concert at an early date in Palmerston North, in aid of the local hospital. A large number of ladies and gentlemen have volunteered their services, and a most attractive programme is, we hear, in preparation. The inaugural banquet of the Wellington Licensed Victuallers' Association was held at the Metropolitan Hotel last evening, and was in all respects a most successful affair. An extended report of the proceedings appears elsewhere. The five gentlemen, out of whom one will be selected for the office of librarian at the Athenamm, will meet the committee at eight o'clock to-morrow evening. The result, however, will not be made known until Monday next. At the Kesident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Wm. Duffy, a lad about 14 years old, was committed for trial.ou a charge of stealing a cheque for £2O 16s. Bd. His younger brother deposed that the prisoner had given him the cheque to get it cashed at Mr. Alcorn’s.' The fourth concert of the Wellington Choral Society will he given at the Theatre Koyal on the evening of Tuesday, the 25th instant. The programme will consist of “ Masaniello,” preceded by a short selection of sacred music taken from celebrated oratorios. Full particulars will bo found in our advertising columns. In a very short time there will be nothing recognisable left of the Odd Fellows’ Hall, which for so many years past has been one of the landmarks of the city. Yesterday the pillars were removed, and by to-morrow the whole front of the building will have disappeared. As we before stated, the new facade will be an architectural ornament to the city. Should the weather be favorable a match at football will he played this afternoon on the Basin Reserve between teams from the Wellington College and English High School. The College team are Barnett, Bid well, Cooper, Crawford, Dransfield, Gair, H. Gore, I’. Jackson, Kirk, Knight, Luxford, A. Morrah, E. Morrah, Snow, and Taylor; emergency, E. Barnes, A. Gore, and Jackson. The other day a correspondent asked information as to the greatest height a man had jumped. The following has been handed to us for publication. Mr. J. Brooks, of the Oxford University, jumped 6ft. 2Jin. on the 7th April, 1876, at the Lillie Bridge Grounds, London. Mr. Brooks was then twenty years of age, 6ft. high, and weighed list. 51b. This is said to be the highest recorded jump. A height of Sft. llin. was cleared by Mr. Brooks in 1874, and by Mr. M. G. Glazebrook, of the Oxford University, in 1875, both feats being at the Little Bridge Ground. The committee of the Choral Society met last evening, the president, Mr. G. Hunter, in the chair. The business, which consisted of revising the rules, took a long time to dispose of. The rules were all carefully gone through, and alterations made, with the view of submitting them to the subscribers at the next annual meeting. It was proposed to ask the consent of the subscribers to the incorporation of the society under the Act of 1874. The Manawatu Times of the 19th inst. says: At the last sitting of the Manchester Highways Board the balance-sheet for the year was read and adopted. From the document it appeared that the receipts for that period were £2593 Us. Id., and the expenditure £2219 3s. 10d., leaving a balance in bank to credit of £374 7s. 3d.

Householders (says the Manawatu Times of Wednesday last) should exercise considerable care in the management of their lamps, as evidently (the quality of the kerosene in use in Palmerston does not rank as Al. On Sunday evening a hall lamp in the Royal Hotel burst with a loud report, a perfect jet of flame shot upwards, while a stream of burning oil fell upon the landing beneath. With the aid and destruction of a tablecloth the fire was smothered; but were it not that help was at hand, the consequences might have been more serious.

The “Vagabond” (says an exchange) got pretty well laughed out of Queensland, and he is not faring much better in New South Wales. A Sydney writer (“ Venator” in the Bathurst Sentinel) says :—“The ‘Vagabond’ has at length found a temporary haven as scrap writer to the somniferous herald, and his effusions are now worth reading, if only to show how far a man’sjegotism may lead him. His account of his travels, what he saw, and what he did, has never been equalled since the days of Munchausen. He fought with Joshua at Bashan and Ulysses at Troy; he returned thanks for the Press at Belshazzar’s feast, and made one to hump tho dead Csesar into the Forum. Cleopatra was sweet on him in Egypt, and Mrs. Potiphar said he was worth fifty Josephs. The Borgia loved him too well to physio him, and he held the lamp whilst Morgiana scalded the forty thieves ; was the original man with the iron mask, and lodged in the same house with Pontius Pilate ; he married a sister of Sitting Bull, and I verily believe he’s the Wandering Jew himself. He has been everywhere ; he has seen everything ; and if he can only be persuaded to mind his own business, he will bo perfection.”

Total.. To Aro Cook Lambton .. Thomdon .. Total .. To Aro and Cook. Lambton .. Thorndon .. P* 1 1107 1242 251 734 1 2013 1078 248 687 Dwellings. , Stores, schools, g 8gsa SO 134 23 &c., hot inhabited. Rateable but un09 L28 ' 581 56 83 g occupied land. w Total number of m rateable pro- ° v< ftpcrties.