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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5449, 13 September 1878, Page 4

Colonel Whitmore was not present at tho sitting of the Legislative Council yesterday in consequence of indisposition. The proceedings in the House yesterday were of a character which the Yankees would describe os being “considerably mixed.” A motion was brought forward by Hr. Green in reference to the buildingof a bridge. The Government opposed it, on the general principle that local works must bo performed by local bodies,' and this created a discussion on the broad question involved in that declaration, Mr. Gisborne then alluded to the conduct of the late Government in reference to provincial liabilities; this drew out Messrs. Richardson, Ormond, McLean, and Atkinson. The ground of discussion was further widened by Sir George Grey, who burst into a most extraordinary speech, in which the Canterbury runholders and others, his Excellency the Governor, and English statesmen came in for the usual criticism. He was proceeding to get even further away from the question, when the Speaker called him to order. Ha submitted ho was not out of order, and a desultory discussion arose on this, the result being that Sir George said the hon. members opposite had broken the thread of his argument and he could not proceed further. Subsequently several hon. members were call .d to order for travelling out of the record, but the Speaker said he could not attempt to restrain the discussion further, it had got far beyond his control. As Mr. Hursthouse said, tho afternoon’s proceedings were discreditable to the House.

Mr. Wason made a point in the House yesterday. It was frequently said that the late Government had endeavored to create a privileged class in the country, but it seemed to him that there was a privileged man in the House—the Premier himself. He was constantly allowed to throw about indiscriminately the most baseless charges, which he never attempted to justify—charges no other man would dare to make or be allowed to make iu the House.

The following tenders have been received at the Public Works Office for the Brunswick perinauent-way contract of the Patea-Mana-watu railway. Accepted—A, Tawse, Wanganui, £3559. Hccliued—J. Whittaker, Dunedin, £3573; W. Howe, Wanganui, £3339; G, Bassett, Wanganui, £3687; H. Wilkie, Waitotara, £4209; D. N. Wilkinson, Wanganui £4394; Coates and Gregory, Dunedin, £4612 A new map of New Zealand, showing the division of the colony into counties, has been issued by Mr. L. T. Bowden, Athenaeum Buildings. It is compiled ffom official sources by Dr. Hector aud Mr. T. A. Bowden, B.A, and Drawn by Mr. W. Hughes, F.R.G.S. It measures 5 feet 8 inches by 4 feet 6 inches, and is mounted on rollers and varnished. The joint publishers are Messrs. Philip aud Son, of London and Liverpool, and Messrs. Bowden of Wellington. The map in all respects appears one of very superior description and likely to command a ready sale. As an incident of the municipal elections which has a spice of humor the following may be mentioned, to which the writer was an eye-witness. He was in fact a particcps cnmmiSf having tossed up the coin which settled the destination of six votes. Two wellknown residents of Te Aro having met casually A asked B who he was going to vote for, whereupon B reflectively stroked his chin, looked wise, and said, “ Well, I think C is a very good man.” A : “He’s got a point to work, but I suppose they’ve all got that; besides, D is a pretty good sort, —let’s toss up heads D, tails O.” The coin was spun, and the Fates sent six votes to Mr. C. And so Mr. 0 gets a chance to make history. . A New Zealand Gazette issued yesterday notifies the appointment of Mr. A. T. Bothamley to the office of clerk assistant of the Legislative Council, in the room of Mr. Jordan, resigned. Mr. Beefcham, R.M. at. Napier, is gazetted R.M., sheriff, &c., at Titnaru, in the room of Mr. Woolcombe, resigned. Mr. J. Cnrnia is appointed clerk in the Laud Claims Office.

There was a good attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, when the Cheevers, Kennedy, and Bent Minstrels gave another of their attractive entertainments, which was heartily received by the audience. This evening Mr. Martin Simonson will make bis second and last appearance this season, when he will* perform his celebrated solo, “ The bird on the tree,” To-morrow (Saturday) ;a announced as positively the farewell performance of the company, when the entertainment will be for the joint benefit of Messrs. Cheevers and Kennedy. A complimentary concert will be tendered to Mr. O’Connell, an amateur comic singer of considerable abilty, at the Theatre Royal, on Friday, September 20. The concert is under the auspices of the Athenaeum Committee and Cricketers’ Association, and is intended as a mark of appreciation of Mr. O’Counell’s many efforts iu assisting at charitable entertainments. Full particulars will be shortly advertised.

The usual weekly meeting of the Wesleyan Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society was held in the vestry last evening, the president in tho chair. An essay on “Modern Warfare” was ably given by a member of the society, and elicited some very good criticisms by the members. Next Thursday there will bo a debate on the question, “ Is the principle of art unions justifiable V* The members of the Choral Society will not meet for their usual practice this evening, owing to the Provincial Hall being required for other purposes. Wo have been requested to correct an error that appeared iu our report of Mr. Maginity’s meeting on Wednesday night. It was there stated that an apologetic letter had beep received from Mr. Fisher. Tho sentence referred to a letter, of explanation written by Mr. Fisher to Mr. Maginlty in September, 1877. The Supremo Court will sit iu banco at noon to-day, when the cases adjourned from Wednesday last, in consequence of the indisposition of his *Hou. Mr. Justice Richmond, wtfl be proceeded with. The Town Clerk invites tenders up to Thursday, tho 19th inst., for the kerbing of Boulcott'Street and other works, particulars of which will be found iu our advertising column?. .

Tho scheme (says the J lanatoata Times, of September 7,) propounded by bis Worship the Mayor for the floating of tho borough loan is one which should meet with hearty support from the ratepayers. Tho plan submitted at the Council meeting on Wednesday night was to the effect that persons desirous of having town improvements made, footpaths formed, or roads metalled, contiguous to their property, should apply to the Council to have the work done. The matter would then be placed in the bands of tho overseer of works, the improvements made, the payment to be undertaken by the ratepayer, for repayment of which he would get borough debentures, payable iu seven years, with seven per cent, added. Tho benefits to investors may be briefly summed up by saying that by having the improvements made they would enhance the value of their properties, they would finally recover the whole of their outlay, and in the meantime receive a high rate* of interest upon tho advance. j Q addition to all this, the debentures have been made as low as £25 each, are a negotiable commodity iu the market, and if a return of the money were desired before the expiration of the seven years, it would be readily obtainable, By this means the progress of tho town would be not only sure but swift, and all the interest paid by tho borough would be kept amongst the residents. As we have stated, the matter was mooted by the Mayor for the first time on Wednesday,- but so highly Ins tho idea been thought of tint already a number of debentures have been applied for, Mr. EUot Warburbou, of Main-street, has gone in heartily for shares in the loan upon the principle explained, aud his spirited example has been followed by many others. As will be seen from our Council report, it is intended to call a public meeting to place tho matter prominently before the ratepayers, aud wo feel convinced that when tho many advantages to bo derived from the scheme are properly put before them a sum far in excess of tbe proposed loan will be readily raised. By this plan the Palmerston

Square could be improved by tho burden falling upon those who would be materially and Substantially benefited by the outlay. For about £4OO the whole of the square could be levelled and sown with grass, and a twelvefoot fence erected all around ; and this sum could be raised by sixteen of the ratepayers whose properties face the square taking up a £25 debenture each.