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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5463, 30 September 1878, Page 2

On Saturday afternoon the committee appointed by the City Council to make arrangements for celebrating the opening of the railway to Featherstou in a fitting manner, met the representatives of the several friendly societies, volunteers, schools, and fire brigades, at the Council Chamber. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and explained the object of the meeting, observing that the Council did not wish to dictate in the matter' would be glad to hear any objections that might be made, and to leave it to the societies and the heads of schools. The opening day had been fixed by the Government for Saturday, the 12th October, and the Council were of opini m* that the following Tuesday would be the most convenient day on which to hold the city celebration.* After some discussion it was resolved that tho demonstration should be as follows :—A monster procession, iu which the friendly societies,, school children, volunteers, &c., would take part, through the town to the cricket ground, where his Excellency the Governor would be asked to deliver a short address ; after which the children and others would be provided with refreshments, and a series of sports would take place, Iu the evening the citizens would be requested to illuminate their premises, and a torchlight procession would be formed by the fire brigade, who would march to the Opera House, where a ball and supper would take place, at which his Excellency the Governor would be present, and would be received by a guard of honor. The meeting generally appeared to approve of tho programme as being a very suitable one, and the representatives of the societies present expressed their willingness to co-operate in carrying it out. A resolution was curried that the celebration should take place on Tuesday, the 15th October, and tho Mayor said he would make an application to the Government to have the day proclaimed a public holiday. The meeting then adjourned until Wednesday evening next.

By a printer’s error, a remark made by Mr, Rollestou taunting Mr. Gisborne with willingness to vote against ills principles so long as he had not stated them, was attributed to Mr. Ballance in our report of Parliament on Saturday. Stern and unflinching as is Mr. Ballance on principles when he knows the Hmse and country are with him (vide his reported remarks ou the Land Tax Bill in committee), he has'not yet arrived at such a state of independence as will enable him to taunt a slippery supporter on his pcccidillues. The strangers’ gallery at tho House was full during a long portion of Friday evening, but one gentleman alone sat it out to the bitter end, and his interest must have been very deep to have induced him to do that. That he was interested he showed, fur about 1 o’clock, when Hr. Murray was enlightening the House, this gentleman was so deeply engrossed in the proceedings that he so far forgot tho proprieties as to call out loudly “ hear, hear.” The Chairman of Committees looked severe, but many bon. .members enjoyed the joke, especially Mr. Murray, who seemed as if he appreciated the comjfiiment paid him. Mr. Swanson, in his usual forcible style, tho other night in talking about lucky men, said there were some men who, if they fell down at all, always fell on their feet, and if you threw one of these really lucky men into tho water he would come up* with a fish in each hand.

Mr. Francis Sicley reports the result o£ his laud sales on Friday and Saturday last at the Arcade buildings as follows: —18 sections in Carlyle (Patea) at prices ranging from £l7 to £lO per section; 3 sections in Hawera at £35 per section; 13 quartern ere sections in Woodville (Patea), from £7 10s. to £l2 10s. per section; 1 suburban section, nearly 6 acres, at Woodville (Patea), for £l7; 1 section at Sanson, No. 311, with small cottage, £80; 5 sections in Waverley, averaging £3O each; sections* in Normanby and Kakararaea were bought in; 1 suburban section, No. 43 of No. 33, nearly an acre, at Woodville (MastertonNapicr line) sold for £37 10s.; and 36 back sections at Featherston, each quarter-acre, at from £5 10s. to £3 15a.; a dwelling-house in Majoribanlosfcreet was bought in at £150; 1 cottages in Douglas Wallaco-street were not sold.

It is admitted by all that no one invention has done bo much to cheapen what may be termed the luxuries of life as that of steam. The latest use to which ateam has been put is the conveyance of passengers through the principal thoroughfares by steam tramways. Within the last mouth tho steam tramway has been introduced into this city, and has proved itself a great boon to the public. When this undertaking, was first mooted it was not taken up by the public very freely ; now that they see 5t is likely to become a groat financial success they regret not taking up the shaves. An opportunity of obtaining shares is given by tfio directors of tho company, particulars of whioh appear in another column, Tho surprising success which has attended tho introduction of tho tramway gives promise of good dividends, which will bo increased when tho line is extended to all parts of the city, and when the full complement of tho rolling-stock in received. Tho shares will, wo have no doubt, be taken up rapidly, and os tho number of shares ia limited, and allotment will be made in order of priority of application, we would advise intending applicants to apply early, Eor the good of tho town and shareholders wo heartily wish to see the Hue extended to every part of tho city.

Tho Lyttelton regatta is announced to take place on the Ist January. The programme comprises a number, of events, of which the leading features will bo found iu our advertising columns. From the value of tho prizes to be°cqmpetod for numerous entries ami a largo gathering of lovers of aquatic sports juay be looked for on this occasion,

Mr. George 0 imeron, a passenger by the St, Leonards, from London, died from consumption on board that vessel oh the 11th August. It was reported to the police yesterday that a patient at tho lunatic asylum named Ann Colsie had died suddenly. Au inquest, we hear, mil be held to-day at the Asylum. Henare Panipi, a native of some standing, and the owner of property at Te Aro, died somewhat suddenly on Saturday. He was suffering from consumption, and had. we hear, been- under medical treatment. It is not, therefore, considered necessary to hold au inquest.

Preparations are commenced on tho Basin Reserve for the cricketing season. On Saturday several men wore engaged arranging the turf. It to be hoped when it is put in order that the public will refrain from walking about on this particidar part until the turf gets regularly set. A resident of Eeatherston-t rrace informs us that a broken-down cart has been left in the middle of Tinakori-road, near Mr. W. R. E. Brown’s residence, for the past two days, and as there is no light near it an accident is very likely to occur on a dark night. This obstruction ought certainly to be removed without further delay. The services held yesterday in cmnecbiou with the Young Hen’s Christian Association were, as usual, largely attended, so much so indeed that great inconvenience was emsed by want of room, every available scat beinv occupied. Several natives were present at the Bethel service, whoa a short and suitable ad dress was made to them in their own language.

A bazaar in aid of the new schoolroom, in connection with the Wesleyan Church at Thorndon, will be held in the large hall of the Athenaeum on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next. Besides the usual amount of useful and elegant articles to be found at bazaars there will be music at intervals during the day, experiments with the electrical machine telephone, microphone, &c. There was a good house at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, when the popular drama of “ The Black Sheep” was performed by Mr. J, B. Steele’s company, Mr. Steele taking the part of Stewart Routh, and Mrs. Walter Hill that of Harriet Routh. The piece was well played throughout, and the leading characters were ably supported by Misses Lizzie Morgan (who sang an original song in a very pleasing manner), Bell, Lily May, Laurence, and Messrs. Muagrave, O’Brien, and Williams, The audience appeared much gratified at the bill of fare placed before them, and testified their approval by frequent applause. This evening the “ New Magdalen ” will be produced. Mr.-Steele’s merits as an actor are well known to the public here, with whom he has always been a very great favorite, and during the present season his many old friends, as well, also, as many of the more recent arrivals, are sure to patronise the Theatre Royal libeially. The Imperial Opera House was again well filled on Saturday evening, when Mr. and Mrs. Hart, assisted by La Petite Louise and Herr Geyger, appeared for the second time in their exceedingly pleasing entertainment, entitled " Happy Honrs.” In the operetta u Diamond cut Diamond” the Harts were as happy as on the previous evening. Among the leading features of the evening may he mentioned the “ Hunting scene,” in which is introduced the really capital and effective song “ Ha, ha,” by Mr. Hart, which is followed by the character scena “ Esmeralda,” which shows Mrs. Hart’s vocal powers to the best advantage. Mr. Hart’s performance on the banjo was exceedingly clever, and elicited loud applause. Tonight there will be a change in the programme. They stay of the company is, we understand, limited to four more nights, during which they will no doubt receive a fair share of patronage from the theatre-going portion of the community.

A “knight of the road” was recently at a public house at Wanganui,, when a customer called for “ A pint of colonial.” After he bad been served he looked into the pewter with a very wry face for some little time. The publican 'asked: “What was the matbevl” To which the customer replied : “ 'Hie point aint full.” Mine host, a man evidently not without wit, then said: “There you are mistaken! the pewter is three quarters full of beer and the duty will * Balance ’ the measure.” This “fetched” the customer, who smiled and drank his beer.

Yesterday afternoon acting-detective Smart arrested a man named Clarke, at Newtown, on warrant, for disobeying an order of. the Court. The man was summoned at the instance of a Chinaman for wilful damage to property, but failed to put iu an appearance, and has kept out of the way f>r about two months. Yesterday evening tlie constable, whilst on duty at Newtown, met him and arrested him on a warrant Uued at the time when he failed to appear to the summons. This evening another of the present series of popular concerts will be given at the Athenaeum. An excellent programme has been prepared, and amongst what promise to be the gems of the entertainment may be mentioned the duet “Sainted mother,” by two lady amateurs; the ballad, “Bid me discourse;” the aria, “1 he lost chord;” the duet, “ Love and war,” by two gentlemen amateurs; the song of the “ Village Blacksmith,” by Mr. Cary (with shadow chorus); the cavatina, “ Come into the garden Maud;” the song, “The dashing white sergeant;” the duet, “ The ABC lesson,” &c. The piano accompaniment will be supplied by Madame Moller, and if the weather prove fine the hall is sure to bo as crowded as it almost invariably is when these concerts take place.

The remarkable success which attended the sale of the Hon. Robert Campbell’s Whitstone estate on Wednesday by Mr. A. H. Maude, says the Oamaru Evening Mail of the 20th inst., is likely, we understand, to lead to the cutting up and sale of other large estates in the district. The very high value which good agricultural land possesses now, and the eager manner in which land of that class is sought after, are likely to prove far more effectual in breaking.up the large estates than any “bursting up ” policy could possibly be. Large land owners are discovering that by cutting up their immense tracts of country and disposing of them in lots of sufficient area to meet the requirements of persons anxious to acquire farms and homesteads, they can reap greater advantages than they could expect to do by retaining possession of them, and trusting to the ever fluctuating state of the wool market lor their profits.

Ittr. Francis Sidey sells to-day, by auction, at Mrs. Calvert’s residence, near Hallway Station, furniture and furnishings, at 2 o’clock.

On account of the opening of tho Featherston railway, Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co.’s next land sale is postponed till Monday, 21st October. Tho sale of Goatlmrst Farm, by Messrs. Uethuno and Hunter, Is postponed until October 20.