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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5379, 24 June 1878, Page 2

A New Zealand Gazette extraordinary, published on Saturday 1 ist, calls Parliament together, for the despatch of business, on Friday, the 26th of July next. . A memorandum received from the Telegraph Department yesterday informs us that the Tasmanian cable is again in good working order. The City Counoil will shortly be invited to take action in the direction of having a portion of the Thorndon reclamation handed over to the Corporation on what will be considered liberal terms. Councillor Maginity has given notice that at the next meeting he will move —“ That his Worship the Mayor endeavor to make arrangements with the Government for the purchase of the new reclaimed land at a price as near the cost price as possible.” The meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce to be held on Wednesday should be of unusual importance. It may be expected that there will be another discussion on the kerosene question, and the intimation made by the Government that it is intended to place the Thorndon reolaimation in the market will be sure to have due attention paid to it. There are many other matters that are likely to be discussed.

The intended irial of the West Wanganui coal on the Hutt railway has been postponed. A lot of five tons was required in order that a locomotive might be run for a week with it, so as to test it against Newcastle coal, which would be used in another ; but there is not so much to be obtained here at present, as the last cargo was quickly disposed of. Captain Moore returns to the mine to-day, and when he arrives there raising coal will be resumed. In consequence of Saturday’s heavy rain having made the Basin Reserve exceedingly wet and slippery the football match between the Wellington and Athletic clubs did not take place. It will probably not come off until next Saturday week. The footballers mustered in pretty good force, and determined to have a scratch match, sides being chosen by Berry and Welsh. There was some good play, notably a well kicked goal by Welsh ; but on the whole the kicking was uncertain, in consequence of the difficulty of getting a sure foothold. Members of both clubs were anxious to meet, and were greatly disappointed when they found Saturday morning come in with a stiff south-easter, accompanied by heavy rain. Late on Saturday night last a case of stabbing occurred on Lambton-quay, near Mr. N. J. Isaac's auction mart. Two men named Patrick Conroy and Phillip Ritchie had a row, and the former drew a k fife and stabbed Ritchie in the left side. The latter was at once conveyed to his bedroom at the Empire Dining Rooms, and Dr. Diver was sent for ; and in the meantime Conroy was arested, and taken to rhe look-up. It was found on examination that the wound iufl otad on Ritchie was of a slight character, and that no fatal results were likely to ensue. When brought to the look-up Conroy admitted having used a knife ; but although every search was made for the instrument, it could not be found. Judging from the condition of the prisoner’s face, it was evident that he had received some punishment. Both men were under the influence of liquor. Conroy will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning. A most singular case of drowning occurred on board the steamer Rangatira, which arrived here from Napier on Saturday. A woman named McKenna took, her passage by the steamer with her three children, one an infant, who was put into a berth with its sister. At the foot of the bed there was a bucket of water. After two of the children had been in bed for a few hours, the steward was called by one o p them, a little boy, who said, “Come and see baby; it’s in the bucket.” The infant was at once taken out of the water, but life was extinct. The body of the child was taken to the Morgue, where we understand that an inquest will be held. This evening another of those popular concerts at the Athenseum which are evidently becoming a perm merit institution will be held, and we have no doubt will be well patronised. An excellent programme has been prepared, and amongst the items we observe the recitation “Shamus O’Brien.” which will be given by one of our beat local amateurs, and a duet from “Norma,” in which a lady vocalist from another province will take part with Madame Mollor. TliOjSame lady vocalist will sing the “ Last Rose of Summer.”

Councillor Maginity will move at the next meeting of the City Council—“/ That Thora-don-quay from Burrett’a corner towards the railway station, and Mulprave and .Sydney streets at their junction with Thorudon-quay, be at once reduced to their permanent levels.” Tho City Rifles and Rifle Cadets will parade for monthly inspection at half-past seven o’clock this evening, and the Wellington Artillery and Artillery Cadets on Wednesday next, at the same hour.

At a meeting of the Athenaeum Committee held ou Saturday evening Mr. Hamilton, manager of tho Thorndon baths was appointed librarian, and Mr. Gosloy messenger. The Melbourne Argaa of June 10 says:—A petition to her Majesty the Queen, calling attention to the misleading character of the despatches transmitted to the Colonial Office during the recent crisis, by Sir George Bowen, has been prepared for signature. The document sets forth tho complaints made with regard to the extraordinary statements of the Governor with force and precision, and in a manner which can scardely be overlooked. We are requested to call attention to Messrs. J. H. Bethuue and Co.'s sale by auction of eligible building allotments at Wadestown (adjoining the property of O. J. Johnston, Esq ), to-morrow afternoon. The lots have a frontage to the main road, command charming views, and there is an excellent spring of water on the property. Yesterday afternoon many persons took a walk to the property, carrying plans with them, in order to make a personal inspection of the allotments and judge for themselves of the desirability of making investmeuts in this direction. Mr. W, Finnimore will sell to-morrow (Tuesday, 25th inst.), immediately after the sale of St. George's Hall, four building allotments at Newtown (part of town acre 834), and also three allotments in the rising township of Featheraton, particulars of which will be found in our advertising columns. The Imperial Minstrels gave a performance at the Theatre Koyal on Saturday night. There was a very good attendance in the pit and stalls, and the audienco appeared to thoroughly appreciate the performance,

There will be a final rehearsal by members of the Choral Society this evening, prior to the concert on Wednesday. Notice is given that the quarterly general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce will be held on Wednesday afternoon next at three o’clock.

Mr. Slesinger, the well-known veterinary surgeon of Dunedin, and the inventor of slesinger’s rheumatic balsam, notifies in our advertising columns that he is staying at the Empire Hotel for a few days, where he maybe consulted.

But for one civil action at the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday last, there would have been a clean sheet. ’C. Mclntyre sued C. Huntley for Af Is. Bd., and after hearing the evidence the Resident Magistrate gave judgment for £3 Is. Sd. and costs, 7s. Mr. R. J. Duncan will sell to-morrow (Tuesday, 25th iuat.), at noon, at his mart, Panamastreet, in one lot, that parcel of land fronting Lambton quay on which are erected the buildings used as the Supreme Court, the Re sideut Magistrate's Court, and the Police Station, one of the most valuable properties in the city, for which there will no doubt be keen competition.

It appears that the boys at the Training School at Kohimarama, near Auckland, are apt to play truant from that establishment. In reference to this subject the Star says : The fact that so many la Is have run away from the Training School at Kohimarama lately may possibly have led some people to think that they are harshly treated there. Wishing to sift the matter, a reporter ef the Star paid a visit to the police cells on Saturday afternoon, and interviewed some of the fifteen young scamps who decamped early that morning. In answer to questions all the hoys said they were kindly treated and got plenty to eat. "Then why did they run away ?” One said he wanted to see the town, but would he very glad to get again to the school. “ Would he be flogged?” No, he didn’t think so, for other boys who had run away before had not been punished when they came back ; occasionally they were strapped up to the mast and given several “licks,” but nobody min led that. “ How was it so many had run away at once “Oh, O'Connor” (the ringleader, a lad with a villainous cast of countenance, who is recklessly impudent to everybody) “had persuaded them.” He said they were to come to the Waikato with him, and he would find them situations, or they could steal from the Maoris. “ Wern’t they afraid of being caught before they got to the Waikato ?” No, O'Connor had said that it they walked along the railway line no one would see them. “ What was it he found d sagreeable at Kohimarama ?” “ Well (after a p mse) the paddock they had to play in was so small. He would like the place well enough if they avere allowed to stroll about a bit ” O’Connor had run away more than once before. Hitherto the authorities at Kohimarama seem to have been a great deal too lenient with runaways.