Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5435, 28 August 1878, Page 2

The debate on the financial policy of tho Government will be commenced at 7.30 p.m. on Friday next, when it is proposed to read the Land Tax Bill a second time.

la tho House of Representatives to-day Mr. Bastings will move that the House do sit on Monday next, in order that it may adjourn on 'the Wednesday, instead of the Thursday following. It is understood that the Government do not intend to make tho office of sheriff any longer a special appointment, and it is expected that tho next Gazelle will contain a notification that all Registrars of the Supremo Court will, by virtue of their office, act as sheriffs of their respective districts. His Honor Mr Justice Richmond sat at the Supreme Court yesterday, when an application was made by Mr. Gordon Allan on behalf of Alfred Colson, of the Hutt, for an order of discharge. The application was adjourned for a week.

A good deal of amusement was created in the House of Representatives last evening by the awkward, and frequently fruitless, attempts of Mr. Maoandrew to pronounce Maori words, when delivering his Public Works Statement. Kaukapakapa, a word comparatively easy of pronunciation, quite posed tho hon. gentleman, and after several ineffectual endeavors lie finally gave it up, amidst laughter. In many other cases ho succeeded in getting round tho words to his own satisfaction, but as lion, gentlemen from the North laughed cynically Mr, Macaudrew, for the rest of his report, adopted the practice ho had no doubt learned in early days, and slipped fcho'hard words, substituting in their place tho rather indefinite indication of locality, somewhere or another.

The Supremo Court will sit in banco this morning at 11 o'clock.

There will be a meeting of the Board of Education at a quarter-past 11 o’clock this morning. Some amusement was created in the House of Representatives yesterday when Mr. Tole intimated his intention to ask whether the Government proposed to do away with the tolls throughout New Zealand. It.is rumored (says the Rangitikd Advocate and Manawatu Argus of Monday, August 26) in Wellington that Mr. Anderson, father-in-law of the Colonial Treasurer, is shortly to be “ raised" to the Upper House. A meeting of the committee appointed to canvas for subscriptions in aid of the fund for providing a suitable residence for the Anglican Bishop of Wellington was held yesterday. Subscriptions to the amount of £52, in addition to those previously acknowledged, were received.

At a meeting of the Wellington Literary Association held last evening, a discussion took place on the question,—“ Is human conduct more influenced by the fear of punishment than by the hope of reward ?”—most of the members being of opinion that the latter is the correct view of the subject. Referring to the opening of the Christchurch and Dunedin railway, we notice that the Union Steamship Company, with their usual thoughtfulness for the wants and requirements of the general as well as the travelling public, have arranged to put on a special steamer, to enable those members of our community who wish to be present on this interesting as well as important occasion, and for that purpose will despatch the s.a. Taupo on Wednesday, the 4th September, for Lyttelton, taking excursionists at reduced fares. Arrangements will be made for slipping the Taupo here on Monday previous to her departure, in place of her regular docking in Dunedin, and we have no do*nbt the company’s enterprise and energy will be duly rewarded by taking a large number of excursionists away next week. The announcement that Mr. Maoaudrew would last evening deliver his Public Works Statement for the year drew a large number of visitors to the House, the ladies’ gallery particularly being well filled. The Statement will be found in our parliamentary report. Of course in dealing with the recent administrative changes, Mr. Macandrew, on behalf of the Government, declared that they had not been made with a view of leading up to separation, though he boldly announced his own belief in the righteousness and wisdom of a Separation policy, a remark not very well received by the House. In reference to railways iu the Wellington province, the Government propose to take appropriations for extending the main north line from Masterton to Woodville. Thev declare against the proposal to make a line" to Foxton via the West Coast, on the ground that all energies should be concentrated in promoting the main line. The proposals of the Government as to railway construction are represented by an expenditure of eight millions of money, extending over a period of five years, £4,650,000 being appropriated to the South Island, ami the balance, £4,350,000, to the North Island; the cost mainly to be borne by the sale of land. As to roads and bridges, with the exception of works already commenced, the policy of the Government was to absolutely close the account so far as the colonial exchequer was concerned, to throw upon the local bodies the whole burden of providing for local works, notwithstanding the many hardships it would no doubt involve to some out districts. No middle course could be taken between granting every application and listening to none, and the Government chose the latter, but they intended to revive the proposal brought forward by the late Government last year, but which the House rejected, to make advances to new settled districts, the particular advances, however, to be specified. It was also mentioned that the Government hulk in Wellington Harbor, no longer being required for present purposes, would be fitted up as a training ship for boys convicted of crime. The statement was well received,andoooupiedabout an hour and a quarter in delivery. At its conclusion, Mr. Stout rose and said in view of property in the neighborhood of the proposed lines increasing in value, and the probability of speculators rushing after the land, instructions had been given to the Waste Lands Boards to withdraw such land from sale, especially in Canterbury. The House then adjourned. A preliminary meeting of volunteers was held at the Panama Chambers last night. The meeting was called for the purpose of forming a New Zealand Shooting Association, and representatives were present from the Kaiwarra, Makara, City Rifles, Artillery, and Artillery Cadet companies. It was resolved that a provisional committee should be appointed to make the necessary arrangements, and to communicate with the companies of other districts, with a view to bringing up a report at a future meeting.

The proceedings at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday were more than usually lively, and several times the voice of the bailiff was hoard commanding “ silence.” This, however, was no easy matter to accomplish, especially during the hearing of the case preferred by Mr. T. L. Shepherd against Mr. S. Gilmer, of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, for an assault. During the hearing of the case the spectators were frequently convulsed with laughter, particularly when Hr. Moorhouse (complainant’s solicitor) asked the defendant to look calmly on the figure of Mr. Shepherd and say whether that gentleman looked like a “ fighting man,” or whether he ever saw a fighting man “ got up” like Mr. Shepherd, with black kid gloves, a tall hat, black coat, and the rest of the costume to match. The defendant “smiled,” and answered in the negative. A report of the case appears elsewhere. Another large audience assembled at the Imperial Opera House last night, when one of the best programmes of the season was submitted. That Mr. Hoskins is the comedian of these colonies par excellence is the verdict of everybody whose opinion is worth having, and if he only played one character in the way he plays Mr, Affable Hawk, in itself it would be sufficient to establish a lasting fame for this talented actor. During the three acts, the audience were intensified by the cleverness of his impersonation, and whilst at the end of the first and second acts of this sparkling comedy of “ The Game of Speculation,” Mr. Hoskins was honored with a recall before the curtain, a perfect ovation followed the termination of the piece. As Earthworm, Prospectus, Crosswick, and Hardcore, Messrs. Stark, Walter Hill, Tom Burton, and Alfred Burton acquitted themselves remarkably well. The spectacular extravaganza, which followed the comedy, was produced on a degree of splendor in respect to dresses, appointments, and scenery that has never been equalled in Wellington. Miss Tilly Andrews as Feramorz, and Miss Amy Johns as Hafed, were vociferously encored every timo they sang and danced, and Miss Nelly Daley’s singing was highly appre* dated. Some excellent hits were given hy Messrs. Hydes and Wilkinson in connection with tlxe Electoral Bill, the female franchise, and a recent local assault case, and the applause of the audience was unbounded. A few excellently painted scenes by Mr, Williams were shown by way of a panoramic display towards the end of the extravaganza, and the audience came away delighted with the whole evening’s entertainment.

Mr. P. Sidey holds an important sale of land and houses at Mr, B. Smith's rooms at 2 p.m. to-day. tVe are requested to call attention to Mr. R. J. Duncan’s sale of furniture to-day, particulars of which will bo found In our advertising columns. On Thursday first, at 2 p.m.. about eight town sections of land in Wolllngton-torrace, the property of George lluntor, Esq., M.H.U., will bo sold by public auction. This most valuable and beautiful property, situated in such a fashionable locality, will bo sure to attract a number of purchasers. Plans of the various lots have been prepared by Mr, Charles O'Neill, C.E. and architect, and can bo seen at the office of Messrs. Bothuno and Hunter, Exchange Buildings ; and flag polos have boon erected all round the boundaries. ■