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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5382, 27 June 1878, Page 2

After due inquiry into the wreck of the Ann Gambles and all circumstances connected therewith, the Government have come to the conclusion that the suspension by the Court of the captain’s certificate was not justified by the evidence adduced at the inquiry. It is proposed that the board shall order that the captain’s certificate be handed back to him. At the quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, held yesterday, there was a long discussion respecting a direct steam route between this colony and England, and a resolution was carried unanimously that it was desirable to support the Hon. Mr. Macandrew’s proposal for the establishing of such a route. During the debate several members bore testimony to the regularity of the San Erancisco and Suez services. Mr. Pearce brought under the notice of the Chamber a rumor which had been in circulation, that the Government intended to sell the land on which the present Post and Telegraph Offices and Custom House were situated. The committee were requested to ascertain whether there was any truth in the report. Members strongly condemned the sale of the Court House site, they being of opinion that it was not advisable to part with such reserves. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere. The drivers of the Eoxton coaches, and several of the passengers by those vehicles, complain of the want of sufficient accommodation and appliances for crossing the rivers between Paikakariki and Eoxton with safety and comfort. Tho want of paddles or oars on a recent trip, when the horses had to swim with the coach across tho Chau, caused such a delay that the train was missed at Eoxton.

Messrs. J. H. Bothuno and Co,, pursuant to instructions from Messrs. Benjamin Smith and Co., held a land sale yesterday, which was well attended. A piece of land immediately opposite the Parliament Buildings, Moles-worth-street, part of town section 531, having a frontage of 23ft. Din. by 81ft. 10in., with sixroomed house and large workshop, fetched £BSO, Mr. E. Pearce being the purchaser. An allotment of land on the north side of Turnbullstreet, Thorndon, part of town section 588, having a frontage of 30ft. by a 125 ft., with a seven-roomed house and outbuilding, occupied by Mr. Benjamin Wilson at tho rental of £7B a year, realised £OIO. Half acre allotments at Waverley realised £3O each. *Lots at Now Plymouth and other localities also realised good prices. Tho following tenders have boon received at the Public Works Office, Wellington, for the Ohaupo contract of tho Kaipara-Pnnui railway :— Accepted.—W. Foughy (Auckland), £22,516. Declined.—D. Fallow (Auckland), £23,952; J. Jay (Wellington), £25,712; Topharn and Angus (Auckland), £32,428 ; Boss and Dunbar (Auckland), £33,263 ; Allan Maguire (Auckland), £33,734. The football match arranged for next Saturday is tho Athletic Club v. Wellington Club. The following are tho names of tho Athletic Club team:—Messrs. Blaoklook, H. Burnes, A. B. Campbell, Berry (2), Cooper, Kerr, Davy, Galbraith, Pollen (2), Cowie, Fitz Gerald, Welsh, and McLaren; emergency, Hickson, Wright, and Ohurton. Mr. J. F. E. Wright, manager of tho Phcenix Goldmining Company, Collingwood, has received from tho mine a piece of smelted gold, weighing about 5 ouuces. Tho company, with a view to finding out tho value of some of the quartz, which is greatly impregnated with pyrites, sent by the Ringarooma a parcel of five tons to be operated on at the works of the New North dunes Mining Company, Clunes, Victoria. This company has probably one of tho best gold-saving plants in the world. An entertainment will bo given at the Imperial Opera House, Manners-street, to-morrow evening, when Mr. Lytton Sothorn will appear in his groat impersonation of Lord Duudreary, assisted by Mrs. and Miss Stoneham, Miss Jennie Nyo, Mias Vernon, Miss Vincent, and Messrs. E. Haygarth (his first appearance in Wellington), Poole, Clinton, Huntley, Howe, Reid, Williams, and others. Tho members of tho Hibernian Band have kindly consented to play a choice series of musical selections, and the now and beautiful scenery recently painted by Mr. Willis will add to tho other attractions of tho evening’s entertainment. A good house may confidently be anticipated on tho occasion.

In another column appears correspondence which has taken place between Mr. G. E. Barton, M.H.8., and the Government. Seven new members of the Chamber of Commerce were elected by ballot at the quarterly meeting held yesterday.

It is notified in our advertising columns that the partnership hitherto existing between Drs. Johnston and Bradford, as- medical practitioners, has been dissolved by mutual consent. Shortly after five o’clock yesterday afternoon an alarm of fire was given. Some soot in a chimney in Dixon-street had caught fire, but no harm was done.

Mrs. Brown, who had wandered from her home, and was out in the cold during Tuesday night, died at about 10 o’clock last night from the effects of exposure. Dr. Diver had been in almost constant attendance on the old lady during the day. Tenders are invited up to the Cth July for the construction of about thirty-two chains of road, with brick culvert across the Kaiwarra stream, on the Kavori-road. Full particulars can be obtained ot the office of the Hutt County Council, Wellington, lately many of the Government departments have been greatly in want of stationery, and it is said that Stephens’ blue-black writing fluid is quite out of stock. A largo supply of paper, &c., is on board the Pleione, and the scarcity will now cease.

The Te Aro foreshore question was discussed at the special meeting of the City Council last evening. We regret that want of space has compelled us to curtail our report of the proceedings.