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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5434, 27 August 1878, Page 2

It is said that the Public Works Statement will bo made by the Hon. Mr. Macandrew this evening. There will be a sitting of the Supremo Court in bankruptcy this morning. A meeting of the recently-elected stewards of the Wellington Pacing Club was held at the Empire Hotel last evening, when a large amount of routine business was gone through. A sub-committee was appointed to draw up a programme for the next race meeting. It will in all probability, from what we hear, be found to bo one of the most liberal, as regards the amount of money to bo run for, and in other respects, that has over been announced here. Tho disqualification was removed from Fishhook and hia rider, Derett, The city tramway was largely patronised by the general public yesterday, every car being filled on each occasion of tho trams run-

ning, which occurred at frequent intervals. This novel aud pleasant mode of locomotion has evidently hit the popular taste, and if the number of passengers who travelled yesterday may be taken as a criterion, the rolling stock of the company will soon have to bo increased, to meet the demand for additional accommodation. No serious accidents occurred yesterday, but still there were a few, and it seems probable that the practice of blowing off steam as the train moves along the street is an element of danger, ; as most horses in the vicinity will shy when this operation takes place. It was understood that the engines were to be “ noiseless, smokeless, and steamloss." The two first mentioned conditions havo beeu pretty well kept, but as regards the third it has not been fulfilled, and if it is possible by

means of a condeuser, as we are informed it i to avoid the letting offof steam in the streets, the liability to accidents caused by horses shying will be reduced to a minimum. Yesterday afternoon, whilst one of the engines was being shunted near Burrett's corner,, a horse shied, and the guard of the tram, who, with commendable promptitude, went to render assistance, was knocked down by the engine, and sustained some severe cuts andbruises. Medical assistance was quickly pracured, when it was ascertained that no serious results are likely to ensue. One or two persons trying to get on to the.cars whilst in motion were thrown off, but 'not hurt. In ■ mpre • than on© -instance; horses became restive as they met the tram, and backed on to the pavement, but the casualties on the whole were not numerous or serious. Care and caution on the part of the enginedrivers and other employes of the company and the co-operation of those riding and driving along the public thoroughfares will, especially if the necessity of letting off steam can be avoided, greatly reduce the probability of accidents. All who travelled by the cars yesterday seemed pleased with the ease, speed, and comfort with which they were carried along the line, and with the facility with which the engines can be brought to a standstill to take up or set down passengers, or as occasion may otherwise require.

“ Woodcock's Little Game " and the burlesque “II Trovatore” were repeated last night at the Imperial Opera House, and both pieces went with great success. In the burlesque, the songs and dances of Miss Tilly Andrews and Miss Amy Johns were encored, and on the male side the audience were convulsed with laughter by Messrs. Hydes and Hill. To-night a very attractive programme will be provided. It should be stated that the orchestra, though few in number, is an exceedingly effective one, and the music they dispense generally between the acts is of a kind that cannot fail to satisfy all tastes ; it is always diversified and frequently of a high class.

An expressman named William Brown coolly left his express standing on the tramway track yesterday, opposite Bennett’s Commercial Hotel. A moment or two afterwards the engine and carriage rounded McDowell’s corner, and the engine-driver, perceiving the express on the line, immediately stopped the engine. A couple of onlookers led the horse out of the way, but - this was not done in an instant, as one of the wheels of the express was locked. The owner of the express then appeared on the scene, and seemed to take things with the most unblushing amount of sanyfroid. Luckily Sergeant O’Connor perceived the obstruction, and no doubt Brown will hear more of his culpable negligence. Where the public safety is involved, examples must be made of those whose acts of carelessness might lead to the occurrence of serious accidents.

The adjourned meeting of the Wellington Cricketers’ Association was held last night at the Pier Hotel, Mr. G. B. Kelly in the chair. The auditors certified that the treasurer’s statement was correct according to voucher and cheque-blocks, but wished the delegates to understand that no receipts or check of any kind had been placed before them as to the takings at the interprovincial matches. After a lengthened discussion their report was adopted. The resignations of tho secretary and treasurer were accepted, and Mr. Duncan Cameron and Mr.J.J. M. Hamilton were unanimously elected secretary and treasurer, A cordial vote of thanks to tho chairman brought the meeting to a close.

The concert at the Athenaeum last evening was well attended, and was perhaps the best of the season, from the varieties introduced. The lady singers were warmly applauded, and their various songs were well rendered ; the gentlemen singers also were deservedly well received. The leading features in the entertainment were the fine pieces performed by the band, under the direction of Mr. Bennington ; and an agreeable part of the programme, which was breathlessly listened to by the audience, was the lady’s solo with chorus of singers in the distance. Such pieces of harmony are always welcome. The reading from Sheridan’s “Rivals" was given with an excellent imitation of the three different voices and characters of Sir Anthony, Mrs. Malaprop, and Sir Anthony’s nephew. The effect was remarkably good, and elicited hearty applause. The comic part of the performance was also capitally rendered, and every one seemed pleased with the entertainment, in which there was not a single hitch. The two duets in the programme were not sung, owing to the indisposition of one of the singers. .The evening’s concert was altogether a moat enjoyable one.

The first annual meeting 1 of the Wellington Working Hen's Club was held yesterday evening. A report of the proceedings will be found in another portion of our columns. The affairs of the institution appear to bo in a satisfactory condition, and if the club is as well managed iu future as it has been in the past, of which there is every probability, it will continue to flourish, and afford an excellent incentive to the establishment of Working Men’s Clubs in other places which do not at present enjoy this advantage.

The Thames correspondent of the New Zealand Herald, 21st iust., thus speaks of the visit of Kilgour to Wellington :—“ It is very much to -be regretted he did not take this step sooner, and leave fully a month earlier, for then he c >uld have been present at the sittings of the County Conference, where his influence would, no doubt, have been felt, especially in matters which affect the Thames district. Since hia election as Mayor, his Worship has done all in his power to advance the interests of the place, and has tried, in every possible way, to work for the good of the borough. No one has been more earnest in advocating the construction of the Thames Valley railway, or more fully alive to the advantages which will be obtained thereby, and while in Wellington his whole energies will be devoted to pushing through the Bill now before the House, in every way that it is possible for one to do so who has not a seat in the Assembly. There are several other matters of importance which he will give attention to, and, no doubt, before 'he returns the Thames, community will have good cause to thank him for having gone to Wellington.”

Yesterday morning a horse drawing a cab was driven along Lambton-quay near the top o i Grey-street, when one of the traces got loose and the animal getting frightened plunged on to the footpath, breaking Mr. llutton’a shop window. It was at first reported that the accident was caused by the horse taking fright at a passing engine on the tramway, but such, we understand, was not the case, there being no train near tho spot at the time of the occurrence. A youug kiwi, which species of the feathered tribe is said to bo getting scarce, was captured a few days ago by a miner a little distance up the Moanataiarl Creek, Thames. The bird will be presented to the Auckland Acclimatization Society. The collections made on Sunday last at St. Paul’s, St. P»3ter’s, and St. Mark’s Churches in aid of the diocesan fund were, wo understand, £3G 03. 3d., £lB 13s. 2d., and £5 Bs. Bd. respectively, Mr. R. J. Duncan will soil to-day, at 2 o’clock, without reserve, JO hhd*. English ale ex Orarl, after which ho will submit a quantity of general merchandise, of which particulars will bo found in our advertising columns. Mr, F. Sldcy will soil to-day on tho premises, furniture and effects, at No. 4, Avundol Cottages, Vivianstreot. Mr. G. Thomas well sell at noon to-day (without reserve), on tho reclaimed land, near the railway station, 18 Jarrah plies, 17 x 50, 13 pieces sawn jarrah timber, sleepers. Ac.

A youug kiwi, which species of the feathered tribe is said to bo getting scarce, was captured a few days ago by a miner a little distance up the Moanataiari Creek, Thames. The bird will be presented to the Auckland Acclimatization Society. The collections made on Sunday last at St. Paul’s, St. P»3ter’s, and St. Mark’s Churches in aid of the diocesan fund were, wo understand, £3G 03. 3d., £lB 13s. 2d., and £5 Bs. Bd. respectively.