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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5412, 1 August 1878, Page 2

His Excellency the Governor has notified his willingness to receive the address in reply at quarter past 3 o'clock to-day. The House of Representatives had a-short sitting yesterday, and although everything passed off quietly the Premier took the opportunity of gently “ sitting” upon hon. members who wanted to know you know or offered suggestions as to what they thought should bo done. Mr Pox received a curtly official reply to his interesting query about the visit of the Japanese Commissioners to Australia, but Mr. Johnston, for daring to ask if Hawaii was in any county, and if any rates wore paid upon it, received 'much harsher treatment. - Among the new Bills introduced was ono for the reclamation o£>f Te Aro foreshore, which is to bo piloted through by Mr. Hunter. A number of motions for returns were agreed to, one being by Mr. Woolcock for a return as to the amount of honorarium leftiu the Treasury,by hon. members last year. The Mercantile Law Amendment Bill and Trade Union Bill were read a second time, and the House then adjourned. The Premier would appear J;p hw secured a doveted follower in the person of Mr. V, ABuckley. Judging from the hon. gentleman a speech in seconding tho address in reply yesterday, in ‘ tho mind of Mr. Buckley there is but one Grey, and Sheehan is his prophet. - Judies cannot be expected to know much about .the forma of Parliament, and though uncommon, it was not a matter for much surprise wheu the Speaker of the House of Representatives yesterday .mentioned'ho had received direct a petition from a lady, and begged to ha allowed to lay it on the table.'

Mr. Rutherford has been appointed clerk pro tern, to the Municipal Conference. There was no sitting at the Eesident Magistrate's Court yesterday, it being the day on which his Worship holds Court at the Hutt, The number of births in Wellington during the month of July, 1878, have been 88 ; marriages, 38 ; deaths, 13. At the meeting of the Municipal Conference yesterday it was resolved that seven members should form a quorum. ■. A meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society will be held on Saturday evening next, when papers will be read by Mr. J. 0. Crawford, Dr. Bailor, and others. The Municipal Conference held their third sitting yesterday. The business was confined solely to making alterations in' the' Municipal Corporations Bill of 1877. A report appears in another place. ' , - The following is the return of patients in the Wellington Hospital during the month of July, 1878 :—Admitted : 23 males, 2 females. Discharged: 21 males, 2 females. Died : 2 males. Left in hospital: 4+ males, 9 females. Total, S 3.

Colonel Whitmore in the Oouncil.yesterday paid a very high compliment to the New Zealand riflemen. He stated that some of the corps he had seen were really fine troops. The various artillery companies, too, he considered were a credit to the colony. Mr. A, A. Barnett will sell to-day at 2 o’clock, at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, one hundred allotments in Belmont. This is a good opportunity for persons desirous of obtaining a pleasant country residence within easy access. The land is situated close to the Belmont Railway Station. Matters wore a gloomy aspect in the Government buildings yesterday, tor the reason that there was no money in the Treasury wherewith to pay the salaries. All votes expired at the end of Juno, and no money can bo paid till an Imprest Supply Bill has been passed. This will be introduced into the House to-day, and if possible pushed through both branches of the Legislature at once.

Among the notices of motion given in the House of Eepresentatives yesterday, was one by Mr. Stout for the introduction of the Electoral Bill, and the Prevention of Corrupt Practices at Elections Bill. Mr. Hursthonse, amid laughter, gave notice of his intention to ask for the production of all papers and correspondence in reference to the pulling down of the triumphal arch at Now Plymouth on the occasion of the Premier's visit to that town. Mr. Sheehan will to day introduce the new Licensing Bill. The following tenders have been received at the Public Works Office, Wellington, for the Tapanui branch railway contract of the Wai-taki-Invercargill railway :—Accepted : Proudfoot and McKay, £61,500. Declined : Topham and Angus, Invercargill, £67,551 ; Allan and Stumbles, Timaru,'£6B,7ll ; H. Howatt and Co., Tapauui, £72,800 j T. McKenzie and Co., Dunedin, £74,000. The members of the Press whoss duty it was yesterday to report the Supreme Court proceedings have a grievance against _ the officials. No tables or chairs were provided for reporters, aud they had to sit. at the counsel's table. There being a large Bar present it was most inconvenient to the learned gentlemen to be as it were “ crowded out” by the reporters, who would much have preferred to have been sitting at their own table. The matter being’thus publicly brought forward it is to be hoped that at the next sitting the cause of complaint will have been removed. During the recess the wires which ran across the House of Eepresentatives 'for the purpose of improving the sound were taken away, and the result has been that the acoustic properties, which before were anything but what they should be, have become worse instead of better. This was easily perceptible in the reporters’ gallery on Tuesday night; aud it some hon. members had been addressing the House, it would have been impossible to hear what was said, or to report the speeches made with any degree of accuracy. A performance will take place this evening at the Princess Theatre for the benefit of Mr. Dimond, who was formerly a ticket collector at the Theatre Royal, and met with an accident by which he was deprived of the use of ■ his right hand. The members of the theatrical profession, sympathising with the sufferer, have resolved to give him a benefit. Under the circumstances we have no doubt a large section of the public will give their patronage aud support to to-night’s entertainment. There was a very fair attendance at the Theatre Royal last night. The piece chosen for the evening's performance was the “Day after the Wedding, and. Betsy Baker.” Judging’from the applause bestowed by the audience, the piece was highly appreciated. After the fall of the curtain a grand carnival masque was held on the stage. A brass band was especially engaged for the occasion, and the company thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The affair may well be termed as very successful. A number of persons remained in the theatre to witness the dancing. I A deputation from the Waiohine River Board of Conservators, from Greytown, waited on the Hon. Mr. Macaudrew, Minister of Public Works, and the Hon. Mr. Sheehan yesterday. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Bunny aud Beetham, members fair the district, Mr. Caselberg, Chairman of the Eiver Board, and Mr. Haswell. Mr. Caselberg said the object of the deputation'was to request the Government to grant a • sum of money for the prosecution of certain works necessary for the protection of Greytown. The deputation produced a. statement of liabilities’ showing an indebtedness of £I7OO, and that works of vital importance had to be suspended on account of the Board not having sufficient money at their disposal to pay wages. The Minister of Public Works -stated that there were no funds at present which such an amount could be taken from, but that the Government would lend them £SOO for the purpose of keeping the works going on for the present. The Hon. Mr. Maoandrow also promised that he would ask the House to vote a sum of money for the works. Mr. Casolberg explained that at the time the Board was formed the Piovinoial Government which was then in existence promised them substantial support to enable them to perform the functions for which they wore formed. Mr. Bunny corroborated all that Mr. Casolberg had said, and pointod out the great injustice that had been inflicted on country districts by the Colonial Government taking over the , land revenue to the amount of £400,000. Mr. Macaudrqw promised the Board that they should receive £SOO immediately, aud that ho would ask the House for a grant of £IOOO to carry out the work. The .deputation thou' thanked the. Ministers and withdrew.