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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5408, 27 July 1878, Page 2

Parliament -was opened yesterday with the ordinary ceremony, as detailed in another column. There was not a large number of members present i i either House, but the Council was especially poorly attended. The first business, after the opening speech had been made by the Governor, was the reception of a formal message from his Excellency stating that Messrs. Reynolds, Buckley, Henderson, and Martin had been called to the Council, and that the seats of Messrs. Rhodes and Taylor had been vacated, owing in the former case to death, and in the latter to a neglect to attend the Council extending over two sessions, leave of absence not having been first obtained. Messrs. Buckley and Martin were then introduced, and subscribed the usual' oaths. The hon. gentlemen seemed terribly puzzled what to do with themselves after they had been sworn in. They looked about the Chamber in a rather bewildered manner, and as no one seemed inclined to lead them to a bench, Mr.Martin met the emergency by pushing Mr. Buckley into a seat next the Hon. Mr. Pharazyn, and making himself a neighbor of the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin. A little formal business was then disposed of, and the Native Lands Act Amendment Bill was passed through all stages, after which the Council adjourned till Tuesday. In the Legislative Council yesterday the Colonial Secretary stated that the Treasurer might, if the forms of the House allowed, make his Financial Statement on Tuesday, as everything was ready. It is very improbable, however, that such will be the case. Mr. Seymour George, M.H.R. for Hokitika, will move the address in reply to the Governor's speech, and Mr. Hobbs, M.H.R., will second it.

Wo print in another column a copy of the Native Lands Act Amendment'Act which was passed through all its stages yesterday. The main object of the Act is to compel the attendance of witnesses at tile Native Lands Court, and to enable the natives to bo represented by counsel or agents. The urgency of the measure consists in the fact that a certain interpreter in the North Island refused to attend the Native Lands Court at the Thames unless the Government gave him £IOO ; and the passing of the Bill yesterday places it beyond his power to levy blackmail for his attendance. lu the paper on immigration laid on the table of tho House yesterday by the Hon. the Minister for Immigration we find the record of tho appointment of the Rev. Joseph Berry to deliver lectures in Great Britain throughout the agricultural districts, for the purpose of influencing suitable emigrants to come to New Zealand. He is described by the Hon. James Maoaudrew as a most attractive and effective public speaker and lecturer, and one who had been strongly recommended to the Government as one of the most suitable men who could bo employed for the purpose in question. Mr. Berry was leaving for a visit to England on his own account, and proposed to devote the whole of his time for six months to tho service of the colony, in lecturing to promote immigra-* tion, provided the Ministry would give him a douceur- of £250 and his travelling expenses. This proposition was, however, not acceded to, the Ministry preferring to pay a lump sum of £3OO for the services of Mr. Berry,to incurring unknown incidental expanses.J The story of retrenchment in the AgentGeneral’s office assumes a different atpeot when related by the Hon. the Minister for Immigration to that promulgated by the member for Tnapeka. In despatch 10,bearing date sth April, from the Minister for Immigration to the Agent-General, the following appears :—I would observe that the Government entirely concurs in the terms of my predecessor's letter to you of date, as per margin (20th June, No. 122), with the important exception that, instead of limiting the expense of the agency, as indicated by him, to tho £4OOO a year, we desire to redneo the cost so as not to exceed £2OOO to £2500 a year, exclusive of Agent-General's salary and., advertising expenses. , In your letter of 20th August last you enter very fully into details, showing that tho establishment cannot be reduced under £4114 without seriously impairing its efficiency. In this I regret to say that tho Government feels constrained to differ from you, and it is of opinion that the figures may bo reduced to tho amount above refeg'ed to —viz, £2OOO to £2500 a year—without detriment to tho service of the colony. It is obvious that, in curtailing tho expenditure of the agency, within the limits now prescribed, you must be the best judge as to the particular direction ip which services may be dispensed with. It is therefore deemed inexpedient to fetter you iu any way in tho exercise of your discretion ; at the same time I cannot but feel that the task.now imposed upon you is an invidious one, and, if called upon to indicate tho specific heads under which savings may bo effected, I would point out those of “Private Secretary,” “Secretary to Edinburgh Agenoy,” ‘f Despatching Officer,” “ Accountantindeed I may say that it is not clear to tho Government that there is any necessity for a secretary at £BOO a year; at all events, if that office is to bo continued, tho duty of private secretary may well be combined with it. We cannot disguise from ourselyea the conviction that tho agency, looking at tho amount of )ts business, is much overmanned, and that the oireumstanoes qf the colony imperatively demand retrenchment in this as in every other brauoh of the public service. It will be noticed that there is in this despatch no intimation on the part of the Government that it was desired that a reduction in the salary of tho Agent-General should take place—only a desire to cheek unnecessary expenditure, and to abolish certain agencies' and officials —and if is probable that iu this ■ manner the mistake arose, if a, mistake is found to exist. From the above extract an illustration of tho manner of “ the amalgamating of offices,” and a “ simplification" of “ administration” referred to in his Excellency’s speech of yesterday may bo found. Tho Working Men’s- Exhibition was well, attended yesterday. During the afternoon a number of the pupils from the English High School, accompanied by tho.Rov.'Mri Borritt, visited fho Exhibition. In the evening tho attendance, was exceedingly large. As arrangements have boon made ,to return the exhibits by Wednesday next, tho committee find it impossible to keep it open after to-night. Those, therefore, who have not yet paid a visit should not miss this last opportunity. Sir. Cary, tho manager, has requested us to call the exhibitors’ attention to tho fact that tho office will be open on Monday next, from 9 a,m. until 9 p.m., for the purpose of delivering and forwarding exhibits. •

It: U understood the Government will bring down the Native Lauds BUI in a few days.

The Right Rev. Bishop Redwood and the Rev.',Father Hennebory left yesterday in the Arawata, for Christchurch. The case of McDonald v. Guildford terminatecVehortly before 0 o’clock last evening in a verdict for the plaintiff, damages one-shilling.

- We notice that the old wooden sewers on the south side of Manners-street are being taken up. New ones, similar to those on the other side of the street, will be constructed at once. As will be seen from our report of the proceedings of the House of Representative?, six new members took the necessary oaths and their seats yesterday. Mr. Woolcock, M.H.R., has been chosen to represent Inaugahua County in the Conference, which is to commence its sittings, we understand, on the 6th August. The Treasurer of the Wairarapa Hospital acknowledges the receipt of the following subscriptions :—C. Pharazyn, £5 5s ; M. Caselberg, £2 2s. The annual meeting of the Wairarapa Horticultural Society is convened for Friday evening, August 9th, nt the Institute, Greytowu.

The annual meeting of the. Wellington Artillery Volunteers will be held at the Central Fire Brigade Hall on Monday next, at 7 p.m. The dinner takes place in the evening at the Metropolitan Hotel. „Mr. Tafner,* of the Temperance Hotel, Cuba-street, celebrated the opening of Parliament yesterlay by giving a ball and supper to his numerous friends in the evening. The affair was a great success, and all present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Speaking of the newly-elected member for Hokitika, a West Coast paper says :—“ Of Mr, George we know nothing except that on a recent occasion he accompanied Sir George Grey, to Hokitika, and if we mistake not, wore an uncommonly ‘.loud * suit of checked tweed.” After the termination of last session the mace was put away so carefully that its whereabouts could not be clearly ascertained until shortly before the opening of Parliament yesterday. There was,‘of course, no little uneasiness about it, but all fears were allayed by its being unearthed some minutes before the House met. It is well known that the Hon. F. Whitaker during last session, before leaving office, had prepared a comprehensive measure dealing with the whole question of representation in this colony, which Bill .is known to be based ou Mr. Hare’s system of representation, the applicability and necessity of which we have frequently pointed out in our column-. It is now understood that Mr, Whitaker will introduce this measure during the present session, unless the principles it embraces are embodied in the Government measures dealing with the same subject. We sincerely, wish Mr. Whitaker success, being satisfied it is a measure of great merit, and hope the question will be dealt with by the House oh its merits, and not made the subject, of party squabble, as Mr. Whitaker is known to have no desire to make political capital out of it.

The friends of the late Mr. Robert Allen, who it will be remembered died at the Bay of Islands on board of the steamer Kotorua daring her last passage from Sydney, are subscribing amongst themselves to erect a tombstone for the deceased. Mr. . Allen was formerly a traveller in the employment of Mr. Jacob Joseph, of this city. It is principally commercial travellers who are interesting themselves in obtaining subscriptions. Mr. James Wheeler, proprietor of the Princess Hotel, Tory-atreet, will, receive donations.

In the General Government Gazette of the 25th inst. is published a return of the number and amount of money orders and Savings Bank transactions in the several postal districts of New Zealand during the quarter ending 31st June, 1878, and the corresponding number and amount of the quarter bearing the same monthly date in the previous year. The increased number of the offices open ahftws an increased proportional amount of transactions completed and an -excess in deposits. The increaseds shown as follows, the quarter ending June 30,1377, being first in the following figures :— Money Order and Savings Bank Offices open, 126 to 111; money orders issued. 22,899 to 24,516 ; amount issued, £85,402 19s. lid. to £90,794 18s. 7d. ; number paid, 17,235 to 18,141 ; amount paid, £53,297 16s. 7d. to £85,852 19s. 3d. ; accounts opened,. 3010 to 3373 ; accounts closed, 2162 to 2400 ; number of deposits, 13,443 to 17,579 ; number of withdrawals, 15,443 to 15,579 ; amount of deposits,£l79,22B.ss. 7d. t0£i96,654 155.1 id.; amount of. withdrawals, £175,142 7s. 7d. to £189,677 14s. 9d. ; and the excess of withdrawals, £4083 18s. Od. to £6977 Is. 2d. There are only four places in the colony where the withdrawals exceeded the deposits, and they are—the Thames, New Plymouth, Westport, and Hokitika. Christchurch stands first in the amount of deposits, the figures reaching to £53;556 17s. lid. Dunedin follows with £45,468 7s. Wellington comes third on the list with £40,552 6s. Id. The Theatre Eoyal will bo ro-opened this evening with a double dramatic bill, in which two celebrated and entirely now artists will appear. Miss Bessie Vivian hast been a favorite on tho Southern boSrds, and is acknowledged to be an actress of great merit, a capital danseuse, and a vocalist of more than average ability. Mr. Hooper Is also a juvenile of ability. These artists will bs supported by * full dramatic compauy, and will appear in the comedy of “ How to Marry" and the drama of “ The Tioket-of-Leave Man," two pieces especially adapted to display tho capabilities of Miss Vivian as an actress and vocalist.

Thu Wanganui football team who are to play against Wellington to-day, arrived here by the steamer Manawatu yesterday morning. We have already published the names of both sides. Play will commence on the Basin Reserve this afternoon at half-past two'o'clock. Should the weather be flue, there will no doubt bo a large number of spectators. Judging from the general appearance of the men on both sides, the mafcb should be well contested. A dinner will take place in the evening at the Metropolitan Hotel.

A social gathering in connection with the Wesleyan Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association was held last evening in the schoolroom, Dixon-street. After ample justice had been done to an excellent tea, the secretary, Mr. Puller, read a short report, which showed the society to be in a thriving condition. Several songs and recitations were given in first-class stylo by some of the members and other friends, who afterwards joined in a number of social games. About 100 persons wore present, and all appeared to enjoy themselves. As the gathering proved so successful it will doubtless be repeated on a future occasion. The institution appears to bo growing in numbers and popularity. On the re-opening of the Supreme Court yesterday, Mr. Thompson, a special juror, who was fined £5 on the : previous day for nonattendance, asked leave to explain the cause of his absence on Thursday, He stated that he was one of the trustees in the estate of McDowell and Co., the assets of which amounted to over £30,000. His co-trustee was a gentleman representing an English firm as an agent, and was not inclined to take the same responsibility as he (Mr. Thompson) was. They received tenders for the estate which he (the speaker) thought; were a pgnsideyahio amount under what should' have been offered, and he declined to accept any of them, although considerable pressure was put upon them to accept tho highest tender, which was that of the junior partner in tho firm of J. McDowell and Company. He received notice from his cp-trusteo to attend a meeting yesterday morning a( 11 o'clock, and it was of the greatest importance that he should be present, as he perr sonally represented an interest of over £6OOO in the estate. Had ho not attended, probably some action would have been taken which would have been most detrimental to himself and tho other creditors, and might bo tho means of leaving no surplus, after paying tho creditors, for the partner who was now absent, but who would return by tho next San Francisco mail. He expressed his regret that the Court should think for a moment that lie had wished to shirk his duty or had acted out of any disrespect to tho Court. His Honor allowed tho cause shown, and remitted the fine. Last week (says the Standard of Thursday last) there were three local newspapers in the Wairarapa. The Register, the Guardian, and ourselves. The (Jaardian has collapsed pi'o tol., tho Register is burnt out, and we are left alone. We are glad to say, however, that the Register will rise Phoenix like from its ashes without missing more than oue issue. An Interim Supply Bill for £900,000 was passed through ajl its stages in tl;o Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council, Victoria, on tho IGth instant. In tha Council some disposit'on was evinced on tho part of Sir Charles Sladeu to oppose tho Bill on account : of the magnitude of tho amouut asked for, but it was eventually carried. , '

The cultivation of the sugar beet is being carried on to some extent at Blueskin, Mr. David Miller, of Port Chalmers, who has a large tract •of land under cultivation at the Waitaki, has several beet weighing from 281 b. to 321 b.

The Taranaki Herald of the 21th instant says Captain Edwin’s forecasts have been remarkably accurate during the last three or four months. Day after day have wo pub-' lished his warnings, and day after day have these predictions been verified. Wo do not suppose that for many years such a severe winter has been experienced in New Zealand as the present one. Not only has the rain been more continuous, but the. weather has been far colder than on any previous winter for at least many years past.

A telegram in the Sydney Morning Herald of the 17th iustaut says the Tasmanian Parliament was opened by the Governor on the previous day. The Volunteer Rifles for the first time formed the guard of honor, and there was an immense attendance in the streets and inside the Council Chamber. The speech congratulated hon. members on the position and prospects of the colony, and ex- ‘ pressed a hope that the anticipated war was ' averted, but urged that the defences be proceeded with, and also the establishment of a small permanent defence corps. It expressed gratification at the promptitude of the Volunteer movement, and the result of the Cable Con- • ference, and referred to the fact that no indication had been given of Tasmania -co-operat-ing, The main line of railway dispute occupied three paragraphs, and his Excelleucy'said it would be dealt with when the London deputatiou arrived. An alteration of the mining and land laws and the Electoral Act were promised, and Bills will be introduced making the office of Attorney-General non-political; for regulating the civil serviefe ; and for the creation of the office of Minister for Justice and Education. Further public works, and provision for the maintenance of roads, will also bo prepared. The financial condition of the colony was never sounder or more prosperous. Tho population was largely increasing, and there was a iparked increase in every branch , of revenue.

The Masterton correspondent of the&anc&mfc writes:—“Fred, the billard marker at the ' Club Hotel, was a most conspicuous example - 1 of heroism at the late fire, sticking at the post of danger through blinding smoko and heat, m *ir He held the hose ou the roof of thfe hotel, and was mainly instrumental in saving that building.” - ' On Monday next Messrs. T. K. Macdonald and Co., will submit to public competition, at the Exchange > Mart, at 2 o’clock, some valuable properties, the par--' ticulnrs of which will be found In our advertising' V" columns, - Sixty-seven sections at Wanstead, Hawke’s Bay, will be offered, and in all probability the bidding for them will bo spirited. In a former issue we described fclio property at some length, and quoted a ' letter from a Napier correspondent respecting it. Wamtead is situated in one of the best parts of that fo“fcilo provincial district, Hawke’s Bay, and the largo price which land in this locality has recently fetched is a most convincing proof of tho estimation In which it is deservedly held.