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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5453, 18 September 1878, Page 2

In committee on the .Electoral Bill yesterday, Mr. McLean hoped that felons or criminate who might have’ been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment should not be allowed to become qualified as electors by a six months’ occupation of a tenement of that description. The clause was postponed, but no doubt a criminal will not be allowed to be qualifying as an elector by undergoing punishment for a crime.

Tho following M.H.R.te returned to Wellington by tho steamer Hawea yesterday;— Messrs. Driver, J, C. Brown, Seaton, and Rollestou,

We notice the arrival of the schooner Aspasia iu 23 hours, from West Wanganui, with a cargo of coal for the West Wanganui Company of this city. Householders will be glad to learn that a constant supply of this favorite coal can in future be depended upon, as several vessels are now loading for this port.

An accident occurred at Pahautanui ou Monday afternoon last, by which a young m»n named Bolton, the son of an old settler in the district, was seriously hurt. He and two others were at work excavating gravel from the side of a lull, when a heavy fall of earth from overhead took place and buried him. His mates at once set to work to dig him out, and were not long in accomplishing the task, when it was discovered that young Bolton was seriously hurt. There being no medical man in the neighborhood, the sufferer was brought into town, accompanied by his mother, sister, and two friends, and now lies at the house of one of his friends under Dr. Harding’s care. Although muck shaken and bruised, no bones are broken, and the patient, we are glad to hear, last night was progressing favorably, although it will probably take some time before he is able to get about as usual. The Wellington Artillery Volunteers have received au invitation from the Wairarapa Reception Committee to be present at the opening of the railway to Featheraton, to fire a salute and form a guard, of honor to his Excellency the Governor ou his arrival by the first train on the opening day, 12th October. The coi’ps have, we understand, accepted the invitation, and intend to take their Armstrong guns with them, and will proceed to Featherstou the evening before, accompanied by their band.

At a meeting of the Bishop’s Residence Fund Committee yesterday, at which were present Mr. E. Pearce (iu the chair), bis Honor the Chief Justice, Messrs. Levin, Lowe, Didsbury, Marten, -and Powles. Subscriptions in hand to the amount of £llll 17s. Od. were announced, and it was stated that a further s*ira of £SOO was expected from the diocesan fund, and the parishes. Messrs. Pearce, Marten, and Powlea were appointed a sub-committee to make arrangements as to the appointment of an architect and ‘proceeding with the work, and to bring up a report at the next committee meeting.

At the Imperial Opera House to-uight a great novelty to many of the people in Wellington will be introduced, via., a war dance. It will consist of haka and waiita evolution-*, and will be performed by upwards of fifty natives dressed in war costume. We understand that the affair is under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor, Sir George Grey, the Hon. J. Sheehan, and other gentlemeu, and the proceeds will be devoted to the Benevolent Society. At intervals between the dances the Artillery brass band and a number of lady and gentleman amateurs have kindly consented to assist. Judging from the way the seats are reported to be taken up in the dress circle, a very large attendance may be anticipated. An old resident of Wellington, Mr. Julius Myers, who had been in ill health and under medical treatment for some time past, died somewhat suddenly yesterday. He retired to< bed about midnight on Monday, and as he did not make his appearance at breakfast time the next morning, the landlord of the house where he lodged, Mr. J’acobwltch, of AVillis-street, went into Mr. Myers'* bedroom and found him lying dead. Au Inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Albert Hotel before Dr. Johnston, coroner, and from the evidence it appeared that the deceased had been ia the habit of taking hydrate of chloral to induce sleep, and had taken by mistake on Monday an overdose, which resulted fatally.. Tho jury returned the following verdict That tho deceased, on the 17th day of September, 1878, accidentally did die in consequence of taking an overdose of a drug known as chloral. Mr. Myers was about seventy-four years of ago. He was a native of Baden Baden, aud had served in the Dutch army, in which he .attained the rank of sergeant. He was unmarried, and is said to have uo relatives in the colony. He was a very quiet unassuming man, and had many friends and acquaintances in Wellington, by whom his loss will be much regretted. The concert given by the ICarori Minstrels in aid of the Makara Library-ou Friday night last was very successful. There was a good attendance. Several ovortures-aud solos were played by the band during the evening. “ Dad, dad, dad” was sung and acted with much humor, and created great laughter. “Do they mLa me at home, “ iCiaa me mother,” “ Orange blossom,” “Good old Jeff,” “The cars on the track,” and other piece*, were given with much expression aud feeling. “ Kathleen Wavourneeu” and “ Holborn Hill” were rendered very beautifully, and elicited loud applause; while “Tim Flaherty,” “Susan’s Sunday out,’ « Sarah'* young man,” “ I wish there were no bobbies,” “The funny old girl,” “Patent medicines,” aud “The jolly old miller,” were repeatedly encored. “The gipsy” was rather nervous, and had there,been a stage scene representing a meeting ’neath the cypress tree in the old dim cloister, tho effect would have been very natural. The lady who impersonated the character did her part capitally, and the Count was more pathetic than in other pieces. Two farces caused much merriment amongst the audience. The whole performance was a decided improvement ou the former entertainment of a similar kind. Dancing commenced after the concert, and was kept up till an early hour next morning.

Amongst the pictures ou view at Mr. Myers’ establishment, Lambtou-quay, is a small one by Mr. All m, the Registrar of the Supreme Court, which has many admirers. It is entitled “A False Alarm,” and represents a Maori half kneeling on an eminence aud intently scanning the valley below him. In his hand is a tomahawk, and the appearance of the warrior suggests that great vigilance and alacrity would not be wanting on his part if called upon to take immediate action. It is a very spirited picture, and will doubtless call to the minds of many who took part in the late Maori war familiar incidents in the campaign, The surroundings of tho principal figure arc in good keeping : the Maori whare, tho stream running out through low-lying laud to tho not far distant soa, are in very good keeping, aud on tho whole the picture ia au excellent one.

The Makara Volunteers decided at their parade ou Saturday last to change the hour of meeting from 2 o’clock p ra. to 3 p.m. They elected a committee to look after the target arrangements under their new by-laws. It was resolved to support as far m they could the formation of tho Rifle Association, and Captain Mona-diau was appointed delegate. Captain Monaghan aud Mr. Lancaster were authorised to get the necessary instruments for tho band.

- A complimentary concert will be tendered to Mr. O’Oonuell at tho Theatre Royal on Friday evening.n»xb by tho Atheursum committee and the Cricketer** Association. The programme just issued is a very strong one, and includes most of our leading amateur vocalists aud tho Bijou Minstrels, who number sixteen iu tho chairs. The box office is open at the Atheutcum Bazaar, where tickets may bo obtained.

At Messrs, Laory and Campbell’s auction .mart yesterday fifty shares In tho D’Uivillo Island Copper Mining Company were sold at Ite. each. 1

At a meeting of the Wellington Literary Association yesterday an -impromptu debate was held oh the question, “ Was Mahomet an impostor.” ..The subject for discussion next Tuesday will be, “ Should the Government part with the fee-simple of their lands V

A dramatic entertainment by the members of the Albert and Wellington Young Men’s Clubs is announced for to-night at the Princess Theatre, Tory-street. The programme comprises “ Hunting a Turtle,” “ A Trip to Paris and Back for Five Shillings,” and “ The Happy Pair.” Mr. Alfred A. Barnett will'sell by auction, commencing at 2 o’clock this afternoon, at the land office next the Odd Fellows’ Hall, 151) town sections, comprising acres, half-acres, and quarter-acres eligibly situated In the rising and important township of Foxton, the port of the Mimawatu District, and the present terminus of the Wanganui line. When Wellington Is connected with Foxton by railway, as it will be In all probability at no distant date, land in this neighborhood is certain to be greatly in value. The present sale is well worth the attention of investors und speculator*. The title to the property is unde • the Land Transfer Act, and the terms are liberal. Full particulars will be found iu our advertising columns.

It was a happy thought on Mr. Gil igan’s part to name his new township at tho Taueru after the genial and popular magistrate of the Wainrapa. No more substantial monument to perpetual© the name of Wardell could have been devised, and tho township so named will doubtless goon from year to year growing in size and prosperity. A bettor site for an inland town could not bo selected. It seems to have been formed by nature for the purpose, and the Maoris, always good judges of situation and of the quality of land, long ago recognised this; for the Taueru flat was one of their-most favored and populous settle ments in the Wair.trapa. Wurdell forms part of Mr. Gilligau’s splendid Abbotsford estate. It is laid out on a be utiful richly-grassed slope, rising from tho Taueru River, and surrounded by a perfect amphitheatre of hills, grassed to their very summits. The whole of the country around is a limestome formation, and all around stretch open, undulating grass lands and magnificent forests of totara, pine, and birch. The township is only nine miles from the Mastcrton railway station, and is approached by a capital road, half tho distance being perfectly level, and tho remainder of most easy gradient. The main road from Mastcrton to Cjistlepotnt through Wardoll, and just across the river there is a very fine hotel, kept by Mr. T. Thompson. Around the township proper Mr. Gilligan has laid out a number of suburban allotments of from ten to twenty acres cadi. A number of these have rive • frontages, and main toad frontages also. They at present timbered mainly with totara, which of itself gives them a market value; but in addition, to this, the richness of the soil offers every Inducement to the small settler, and close by he has a practical^example of wh«t energy and pewever inco can accomplish under similar circumstances. Tills example is afforded by Mr. John O’Connor, for many years a woodman in the nelgliborhood, who acquired ft few acres of land in all respects simila’' to that to bo sold by Mr. Duncan on Thursday, cleared it in his spare time, and now has one of tho nicest and most comfortable little homesteads in the valley. We hope that Mr, Gilligan’s action tn cutting up his property for sale will lead to the formation of many similar homesteads in the neighborhood. ' Messrs. Lyon and Blair notify by advertisement that they have received Nautical Almanacks for 1870, 1880, and XSSI; which are now on sale.