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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5380, 25 June 1878, Page 2

The Press Agency inform us that tho short message from Waitara which appears in our telegraphic columns, was put into the office there at noon, and was received by the Agency at 6.46 p.m,, “ having been detained by Government work.”

A meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday. There was a large attendance, and an animated discussion took place on the kerosene question and on the matter of wharf accommodation. Nothing definite, however, was done in either case, it being agreed to refer both matters to tho quarterly meeting, to be held on Wednesday. At the meeting of the Public Works Committee yesterday a deputation from residents in Lorne-street informed the committee that they would pay one-half of the cost of making that street. It was agreed to recommend to the Council that, on payment of £IOO in cash and the receipt of a guaranty from three responsible persons that the balance would be paid on completion of the street, the work should be gone on with at once. The deputation agreed to this. Mr. J. B. Evans requested permission to erect an iron building instead of a brick one, as provided by the building regulations, but this was not acceded to. Mr. Myers asked that ha might finish a building on the Terrace in accordance with the terms of the old building regulations which were in force when the work was commenced. This was agreed to. It was decided to kerb one side of Hawkestona-street. A letter was read from Mr. Clark, 0.E., stating that he would forward his report on the City Water Supply through the Agent-General. He requested the Council to be good enough to instruct the Agent-General to have the report printed in London, and to pay Mr. Clark’s fees. Tho consideration" of tho letter was postponed. Plans submitted by tho City Surveyor, showing the permanent levels and proposed alterations in Hill-street, Wellington-terraoe, Austinstreet, and Willis-street, were referred to the Council. A-number of minor matters were dealt with.

The following have been elected members of the Korokoro school committee: —H. Damant, J. Gigger, J. Butler, W. H. Bassett, j. McEwen, J. Stevens, and A. H. McEwen.

The Karori-Makara Highway Board notify in our advertising columns that they intend to strike a general rate of one shilling in the pound for the twelve months ending 30th June next.

The case brought by Mr. Travers against Mr. T. Kennedy Macdonald, for a breach of the Law Practitioners Act, was dismissed yesterday. A full report of the proceedings appears elsewhere. At a recent meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club it was stated that the added money given by the club at the forthcoming Metropolitan Meeting, to be run in November, would amount to about £2200.

In consequence of alterations in the photolithographic department of the Government, Mr. Deverill, who has been photo-lithographer at the Government Printing Office for some years, is about to retire. We hear that a man named George King, who was working on board a hulk in the harbor, yesterday fell down the hold and sust deed some serious, although it was not thought at the time dangerous, injuries. He was removed ns soon as possible after the occurrence to the Hospital, whore he is progressing favorably. Last night about 10 o’clock a drunken man was very nearly run over in Willis-street, and was only saved by the skill of the driver of a carriage. The coachman called to the man to get out of the way, but instead of doing so he staggered about, and it was only by the horses being drawn almost on to the footpath that an accident was avoided.

For the forthcoming exhibition of the Working Men’s Club the exhibits are coming in quite above expectation; several of them are of great value. Intending exhibitors are notified in our advertising columns that to-day is the last day of receiving exhibits. They will be taken up to 10 o’clock to night. We trust that the general public will at once do all they possibly can to make this exhibition a great success.

The final rehearsal of the Wellington Choral Society took place last night at the Theatre Royal, and wont off most satisfactorily. The concert takes place this evening at the Theatre Royal. Auber's grand opera “Masaniello” will form the chief feature, and judging from the manner in which the rehearsals have gone, there should be a great treat. There will also be selections from the oratorios of “ Creation,” “Elijah," “Mount of Olives,” “Eli,” and “St. Peter.”

Mr. Sotbern and troupe arrived by train this afternoon overland from Wanganui, after a successful season of four weeks through the Rangitikei and Wairarapa districts. It is very probable, we are informed, that we shall have the pleasure of seeing Mr. Sothern again in Wellington for a short season. We shall hail his reappearance with very great pleasure, more especially as we are now without any amusement whatever ; and if he should make up his mind to reappear we predict for him a very successful season. There was a good attendance at the Athenfeum last evening, and the concert, No. 7 of the popular series, passed off exceedingly well. Undoubtedly, the moat attractive performances were those of the young lady who sang “ Kate O’Shane ” in the first part and “ Golden Days ” in the second. For each she was encored, and in the latter case she gave “ Forsaken ” extremely well. “ Sharuus O’Brien,” a recitation so well known that it always provokes general criticism, was creditably given. “ The Last Rose of Summer ” was sung very nicely indeed by a lady who, in another town, had a high reputation as a vocalist. “Oh hear me, gentle Maritana” was hardly a success. A recitation, “Little Jem,” which was well received, was given with pathos. “ When time hath bereft thee” was encored, and “Kit the cobbler,” given in response, was loudly applauded. For several of the other songs the performers had hearty applause awarded to them.

In order to have a ss. and 2s. postage stamp ready for issue by the first July, the date at which the Government desired to bring them into use, some ingenuity had to be displayed in making a die. After consultation Mr. Kirk, the electrctyper at the Government Printing Office, hit upon a plan which would obviate the necessity of sending to London for a die at a cost of somewhere about £SO, and much loss of time. Mr. Kirk took the die for a twopenny stamp, and filled up with composition the part on which were the letters stating the denomination, and also the ornamental groundwork in the corners. A mould from this showed the Queen’s head, and but little else, most of the rest of the stamp being a blank surface. Then that was put in the electrotype bath, and after it was removed, the denomination of the stamp w.‘S engraved on the foot of it, thus making the die complete. From this 120 moulds in gutta-percha were made, which were placed in the electrotype bath, and the plates thus obtained having been mounted, the printing of the stamps could be commenced. They are struck off in sheets 120 at a time, and the stamp thus produced Jis certainly a very good one, though it is not quite so clear as those made from the origins l die. The mode adopted has saved a sum of nearly £6O, and has avoided a long delay. Mr. Edward Jennings, taxidermist to the Dunedin Museum, arrived here yesterday by H.M.S. Nympho. Mr, Jeu ings left with the Nympho at Port Chalmers for the purpose of visiting the Auckland Isles to collect specimens for the museum. Unfortunately, however, a succession of bad weather prevented him from obtaining anything like a large number of specimens. The principal amongst those he managed to get are some species of birds and a number of curious fish. They will, no doubt, be a great acquisition to the Dunedin Museum. Mr. Jennings left by the Hawea yesterday. The following petition was forwarded yesterday to the Governors of the Museum • “We, the undersigned residents of the city of Wellington, and others, humbly pray that you will grant to us the privilege of visiting the Colonial Museum on the Sunday in every week. By opening the door of your institution on that day, you will confer a lasting benefit upon us. We are not unmindful of the value of the Museum as a medium for disseminating knowledge and information, and we fully appreciate its acknowledged capacity, embodied in its scientific and other appliances, for imparting instruction. But to render it more popularly and effectually so, we hope that you will grant this our prayer.” [Here follow the signatures of about 300 persons.] We were shown yesterday a stand for flat irons in the shape of a horse shoe of brass, supported on brass legs springing from a framework of polished pine. It is a very neat and well executed piece of workmanship, and reflects credit on the maker, Mr. Sexton, of Willis-street, who intends to forward it as an exhibit to the Fine Arts and Industrial Exhibition in connection with the Working Men’s Club. We hope to see many other skilful workmen sending in specimens of their handicraft.

The funeral of Mr. Hugh Black took place yesterday afternoon in the Presbyterian burying ground. The Ilev. Mr. Paterson read the service in a very impressive manner, and also addressed to those present a few observations appropriate to the solemn occasion. Amongst those present were representatives from each of the Wellington journals, all of whom had known the deceased for some time, and were desirous of paying this last mark of respect to the memory of one who in his lifetime was greatly liked by everybody who came in contact with him, and especially by his brethren of the Press.

The usual inspection of the Wellington City Rifles was held last night before Major Stack. There were present forty-four rank and file. After drill Major Stack presented the district prizes for shooting as follows:—Private Nodder, Ist, £4; Private Ballinger, 2nd, £3; Sergeant Harris, 3rd, £2 10s.; Private Cording, 4th, £2 1 Os.; Private Mclntosh, sth, £2; Private W. Ballinger, 6th, £1 10s.; Sergeant Bowie, 7th, £1; Sub-lieutenant Christie, Bth, £1; Lieutenant Hale (Cadets), 9th, £l. The company then held a meeting for the purpose of electing a finance committee. The resignation of Sergeant Warren was accepted. The company passed a unanimous vote of thanks to him, in recognition of his past services in connection i with the company. The following were elected the committee;—Sergeant Bowie, Corporal Sheaan, Private McDonald (treasurer), Private J. Ballinger (secretary). The following are ex officio members ;—Captain Crowe, Lieutenant Walden, and Sub-lieutenant Christie.

A publican summoned a man to the Worshipstreet (London) Police Court for refusing to leave his bar when requested. The defendant pleaded that, as a customer, he had a right to be served with drink, but tho magistrate referred to a recent decision, which empowered a publican to arbitrarily decline to admit persons to his house, and ordered the defendant to pay the costs of the summons.

The club met as usual at the club-room, Panama Chambers, last evening, when the annual match, Town v. Civil Service, was commenced, and the following games played:—

Town. Civil Service. Winner. Willis v. Brown, AV.B.E. Brown Whittcm v. Thane Whittem Kennedy v. Didsbury Didsbury Barraud v. Horwood Barraud Dr Wanlesav. Kirk Dr. Wanless Bishop v. Bate Bishop

We are glad to note that the Walea Maori is about to be launched again. The want of a journal printed in Maori, for the information and improvement of the natives, has been greatly felt of late, and both Maoris and pakehas have contributed to the new enterprise by becoming shareholders in the company formed for the purpose of starting it. The necessary plant has, we are informed, come to hand, and the publication will be commenced at Gisborne without delay. The polities of the new journal will be liberal and independent, we believe. For the present, the publication will be fortnightly; there will be 24 pages of reading matter, English and Maori, besides advertisements; and as the circulation promises to be large, the paper will afford a good medium for advertisements. We wish the adventure all success.

The New Zealand Herald of the 20tb inst. reports the opening at Auckland of the works erected for the preparation or refinement of sulphur from what may be called the raw material, wbicb is said to be abundant on Whale Island or White Island, as well as in several places inland in the Bay of Plenty. The demand for sulphur is very large, even already, in these colonies, where it is extensively used for the preparation of sheepwash. It used also to be regarded as a specific for a particular form of cutaneous disease in the human subject which was supposed to have some occult association with oatmeal as a principal article of food; but although the necessity for its employment in that way is rare in this favored colony, the fact of the establishment of a new and useful industry, which utilizes a native product and makes us independent of supplies from abroad in any article of common use, deserves a public record. We wish Messrs. Pond and Tunny all the success their enterprise merits, and hope that the manufacture of sulphuric acid will follow the sublimation of the sulphur without delay, and that it may be produced in quantity on such terms as will make its use general in the preparation of soluble manures for agricultural purposes throughout New Zealand.

The Oamaru Mail concludes an article on the relative merits of the Dunedin and Oamaru harbors as follows “We are not a bit jealous of the Dunedin harbor, because, in our opinion, there is nothing to be jealous about. There is plenty of trade for the ports of Oamaru and Dunedin, without indulging in anything more than fair rivalry. We, therefore, offer the Dunedin Harbor Board the following valuable suggestion :—Cut a channel from °the Ocean Beach, across the flat, into Dunedin Harbor. If we mistake not, this scheme was propounded some years ago by a Dunedin architect, and, although it seems somewhat chimerical, there appears to be no other way out of the dilemma into which the Dunedin Harbor Board have drifted.”

A public meeting of the settlers at Wairaatuku, Limestone Plains, and Oreti Hundred, was held on the 12th inst. in the house of Mr. MoHardy, Waimatuku. Says the Southland Times ;—There were thirty present, and Mr. W. A.. Lyon, Islabank, occupied the chair. The chairman explained that it was proposed to construct fifteen miles of railway, which would cost £2OOO per mile for formation and permanent way. The Waiau Company proposed to adopt the route through Waimatuku Flatjas the outlet for their line, provided the settlers took sufficient shares in the company. The junction with the Waiau line would be effected at the west corner of section 130, Oreti Hundred. After a long discussion a motion in support of the object in view was carried on the motion of Mr. Lindsay, seconded by Mr. Duncan.

Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Co. will sail at their rooms to-day land at Wadestown, to which wo have called attention in previous issues, and which is well worth the attention of investors and speculators. "We again remind our readers that Mr. R. J. Duncan will submit to public competition at noon to-day one of the most valuable city properties in Wellington, on which stand the Supreme Court, the Resident Magistrate’s Court, the police quarters and offices. The property is so well known that it is needless to enlarge up n its manifest advantages. Considering the large prices which land in the city has recently been fetching, there can be no doubt that this property will be eagerly competed lor, and will prove a splendid Investment tor the purchaser. Mr. Duncan will also sell to-day other town and country properties, particulars of which will bo found in our advertising columns.

We are requested to call attention to the following sales by auction to-day by Mr. W. Finnimore The large, well-finished, and handsome building on Lamb-ton-quay known as the Scotch Church (without fittings); possession will be given on the 2Cth inst., and ten days from that day will be allowed for its removal. Immediately afterwards, the lease of the St. George’s Hall property on Lambton-quay will be submitted to public competition. This sale will be followed by that of a number of eligible building lots at Newtown (part of town acre 834), and part of section 135 in the rising township of Featherston. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. Wo would call the attention of our readers to Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co.’s advertisements respecting their fortnightly land sale next Monday, when they will submit a largo number of valuable properties in town and country.