Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5464, 1 October 1878, Page 2

Mr. Bowen, after paying a high tribute to Mr. Barton's great social qualities in private life, last night, said many hard things about him as a member of the legal profession. He declared that Mr. Barton had a monomania on the subject of Judges. It was notorious that he had so conducted himself as to render it a matter of impossibility to carry on the business of the Court in a decorous manner. He would even say that Mr. Barton had since then so acted as to render it a very painful matter to soma persons even to read the reports of what occurred iu the Court. He also dealt a heavy blow to Mr. Bees when he said that he hoped that before that gentleman should be called upon to occupy a seat on the bench he would display a more impartial and judicial spirit than ho showed in tho House. Mr. Shand, the notice of whoso death appears in another column, will he well remembered by all the old settlers of Wellington and tho Hutt as “ tho Laird of Waiwetu.” Ho arrived in the colony in the ship Oriental iu 1810, and was one of tho first who commenced farmin'- in the then scarcely known district of Waiwetu, where we believe ho erected a flour mill. He was not very successful as an agriculturist, and after a time obtained a situation in the Customs Department, and for a time was sub-collector at Port Chalmers. From thence he was removed to the Chatham Islands, and for a long time was almost tho only representative of the Government there. Some years ago ho retired upon a pension, and has enjoyed (rood health until a short time before his death, when he had a fit, apparently of an apoplectic character, in which ho passed away quite quietly, after some hours of insensibility. Ho leaves a widow, who, wo regret to hear, is quite unprovided for. There is a family also, but wo believe all are grown up.

One of tho constables on duty on Lambtouquay yesterday observed largo volumes of smoko issuing from behind the Lion Poundry. On arriving at the spot he found that a heap of rubbish had -boon eet on fire by some boys. No damage was done, ■ -

It 19 stated that a writ has been issued hy the Hon. John Martin, M.L.C., against the proprietors or the Tirmru Herald for libel.

Eighty-seven births, twenty-two marriages, and twenty-one deaths have been registered at Wellington during the month of September. All persons interested in forming a Warehousemen and Merchants' Cricket Club are requested to meet at the Pier Hotel at 8 o'clock this evening. Messrs. Baker and Barren, who are. old favorites here, announce that they will shortly appear in an entirely new and powerful dramatic combination at the Theatre Royal. There will be a sitting of the Supreme Court in bankruptcy this morning. The only cases set down forbearing up to yesterday'were the applications for discharge of Edward Reeves and Peter Gundersen.

A hoy named William King fell from the wharf yesterday morning while trying to step on board the steamer Jane Douglas. Beyond his getting thoroughly saturated with salt water no harm was done.

At the inquest held at the Asylum ‘ yesterday, Mr. Jamieson, who was summoned as a iuryman, was fined 10s. for non-appearance. The Coroner observed that in future ho would impose a fine of 10s. in such cases.

Acting-Detective Smart arrested on warrant a man named Charles James at the Upper Hutt yesterday, for disobeying an order of the Court at the Thames. The accused will be brought before Mr. Mansford, R.M., to-day.

A foot-race came off yesterday between two peds named respectively King, of Picton, and Wm. Delaney, of the West Coast, for £5. The race took place in Abel Smith-street, and was won by Delaney by a yard and a half. King received 5 yards start. The concert at the Athenasum yesterday evening, considering the unfavorable state of the weather and counter attractions, waS remarkably well patronised, and as usual the performance passed off most pleasantly, the audience going away delighted with the evening’s entertainment. The programme of the annual race meeting, under the auspices of the Wellington Racing Club, which is to bo held on the Hutt Park course on Thursday and Friday, the 6th and 7th February next, is published in.our advertising columns. We have on a former occasion drawn attention to the extent and liberality of the programme, which are such as ought to ensure good sport. There was a fair attendance at the Opera House last evening considering the unfavorable state of the weather, and the entertainment was again highly successful, Mr. and Mrs. Hart and La Petite Louise being heartily applauded. To-night there will be another change of programme, and those intending to witness this capital'entertainment will do well to remember that this is announced as positively the last night but two of the season. ' At the Theatre Royal last night Wilkie Collins’ great drama entitled the “ New Magdalen ” was produced to a very fair house. The part of Mercy Merrick was taken by Mrs. Walter Hill, and that of Julian Gray by Mr. J. B. Steele. Both these characters were remarkably well performed, and were well supported by the rest ot the company. The piece was well mounted, and ran very smoothly from first to last. From the hearty manner in which the audience greeted the performance it may be safely predicted that it will bear repetitioc.

At the Lower Hatt last Wednesday, Mr. Valentine, addressing the Resident Magistrate, said before the opening of the Court he wished to make a small present to him on the occasion of the opening of the first Court House in the Lower Hutfc. He was one of the oldest inhabitants of the district, and his sou having been the builder of the Court House, be took a lively interest in it, and trusted it would conduce to the good order of the inhabitants. Mr. Valentine then presented Mr. Hansford with a handsome pair of vases, filled with some of the choicest flowers of the Hutt.

A coroner’s inquest was held at the Mount View Asylum yesterday touching the death of a patient named Ann Colsie. From the evidence it appeared that the woman, who had made previous attempts to destroy herself, was for safety locked up at night iu a cell. She was so locked up on Saturday night, and on the following morning was found hanging from one of the window bars, about Bft. from the ground, by a strip of calico tied round her neck. A verdict to*the effect that the deceased- committed suicide whilst suffering from insanity was returned by the jury. An accident happened to a couple of vehicles in Molesworth-street yesterday afternoon. It appears that Clifford, a driver of a hackney carriage, was driving his vehicle and two horses down Molesworth-streeh, when one of the bits broke short off in the horse’s mouth. The consequence was that the man lost all command of the horses, and they bolted down the street, throwing Clifford from his seat.- On turning the corner the horses came into collision with an express. Both vehicles were considerably damaged and the horses much injured. No blame is apparently attributable to anyone in the matter. According to Mr. Moss, the Judges have succeeded in instilling into the Press of the colony such a fear of their power and majesty that it is not as outspoken or as free in its criticism as it might be, or even as it actually is in England. We may be allowed to doubt whether it is true that the floor of the House is the only place where the conduct of the Judges is open to criticism. Fortunately the good sense of the Press leads it to support the. Bench in resisting the factious and disrespectful conduct of some members of the Bar who impugn the impartiality of the Judges, and endeavor to direct the Judges on point of law, and dispute the ruling of their superiors. The first Judge who displays any bias or partiality in the administration of justice will as certainly be criticised by the Press as Mr. Barton’s conduct has been unfavorably reviewed by it generally. A report of the Registrar-General of Land for the year ended 30th June, 1878, has been presented to both Houses of the General Assembly. From the return it appears that the receipts, exclusive of assurance fund, have been £16,810, as against £13,652 for the preceding year. The expenditure, exclusive of £1933 charged against the Survey Department for salaries of draftsmen, &c., has been £9006. The amount standing to the credit of assurance fund on the 30th June is stated at £11,654. The receipts for the year ending 30th June last have been £17,071, as against £16,485 for the preceding year ; the expenditure has been £9962. The number of applications is set down at 1174 ; the area of town and suburban land applied for, 440 a. 3r. 31p.; of country land, 146,749 a. Or. 14p. f of the value of £926,983*145. lid. The number of transfers is stated at 6770 ; area, 5059 a. 3r. 20p. town and suburban, and 900,373 a. 2r. 9p. country. Amount of consideration money, £2,043,935 13s. lid. Number of mortgages, 4081 ; area—town and suburban, 1876 a. 3r. 27p. ; country, 1,170,159 a. Or. 30p. Amount secured, £3,329,597 14s. Number of Crown grants, 2407 ; area town and suburban, 1267 a. Or. 9p.; country, 356,887 a. Or. 28p.; value unascertained. Certificates issued, 4893; caveats, 7; searches, 4280; general searches, 338 ; caveats against dealings, 174 ; maps deposited, 145; leases registered, 042; powers of attorney, 393. Tho Wellington Volunteer Artillery intend to make a display worthy of themselves and the occasion on tho opening of the railway to the Wairarapa. The services of their band have been specially engaged, and it is expected that a full muster of the rank and file will proceed to Featheraton for the purpose of forming a guard of honor for his Excellency the Governor. According to present arrangements, they will leave for Featheraton by special train on tho afternoon prior to tho day of the official opening, and willnob return to Wellington until the following Monday evening. During tho stay of the corps in tho Wairarapa, some shot and shell practice will take placo ; and as several members of tho corps belong to tho Bijou Minstrel Troupe, endeavors will bo mado to have an entertainment on Saturday night. On tho whole, a most enjoyable outing may be anticipated by all volunteer artillerymen who can avail themselves of it, and it is expected that very few will be left behind,' Free passes on the railway will of course bo issued; and tho people of the Wairarapa will no doubt treat their visitors with every display of attention and hospitality. The township of Seatoun, Worser Bay, attracted a largo number of visitors from Web lington last Sunday, and the day being fine, tho excursionists bad a very enjoyable trip. Tho salo of the sections is announced to take place at Mr. R. J. Duncan’s rooms to-morrow (Wednesday), tho 2nd insb., at noon. The steamer Moa, weather permitting, will leave tho wharf at half-past H o’clock, to convoy passengers to tho township ; and for those who prefer the road coaches and carriages will leave town at frequent intervals during the day. On Thursday, the 3rd iust., Mr. Duncan will sell Mr, Gilligau’s freehold property at tho Taueru, consisting of 3000 acres, more or less, and between 3QOO and 4000 sheep.

Among the British Indian troops now quartered at Malta (says the Jewish World) there ore some -black Jews, members of the community of B’nai Israel, existing on the coast of Malabar. They claim (to be descendants of 'the Jews sent by King Solomon to India to collect ivory and precious stones. They differ very materially from other Jews in many of their religious ceremonies, and only observe the 'Jewish Sabbath and the Passover.

- The reserve men who are now restored to the pursuits of civil life seem to have as much reason as the London constables to complain of their worldly position and prospects. In some cases they have been able to go back to their old employments ; in others —and this is the experience of the majority—they are without any work to do, and in consequence without the means of living. Of the first-class army reserve, 9318 were in employment of some sort or another. They have done their duty for their country, and they now find that in doing it they have done their best to rum themselves. Messrs. Bethuno and Hunter will sell at noonto-clay the valuable property known as Pahaua station, on the East Coast, comprising 10,000 acres of freehold land, with 17,000 sheep and a number of cattle; and also the well-known Blairlogio station at Whareama, containing an area of 10,000 acres, with 12,000 sheep. Mr. U. J. Duncan notifies that in order to afford intending purchasers another day to inspect Seatoun, the sale of that township is postponed until to-morrow (Wednesday), the 2nd instant. Mr. A. A. Braniott will offer for sale at 2 o’clock this afternoon a number of desirable acre sections at Fitzherbort, Manawatu.