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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5466, 3 October 1878, Page 2

A memorandum received yesterday from the Telegraph Department states that the steamer William McKinnon is due this afternoon at Port Darwin. She is to leave on Sunday for Sourabaya (Java), and will take on all telegrams. The following important notices of motion, on the House going into Committee of Supply, were' yesterday given by Mr. W. A. Murray, the member for Bruce:—l. (a) That more revenue should not be raised by general taxation than is sufficient to meet the existing liabilities of the colony, and the efficient and economical performance of the legitimate functions of Government; that local taxation should provide for local requirements, and that State subsidies from taxation to local government bodies should cease, (h) That property specially benefited by public expenditure should be specially taxed, and that all such property should be taxed without exception. 2. That all money raised under the Laud Tax Act shall be devoted to repay to tho Consolidated Fund any deficiency between the interest on the coat of railways constructed in the provincial district and tho net revenue derived from such railways : proviued always, that in boroughs and counties where no railways have been' constructed the whole of the money raised under this Act within tho borough or county shall be paid to the borough or county council respectively. Yesterday morning Messrs. Bastings, Pyke, Oliver, Driver, Brown, Thomson, Murray, De Lautour, Seaton, andManders, waited upon the Minister for Public Works to ask fur assistance from Government in repairing roads and bridges injured or destroyed by the recent heavy floods Ux 4 tho counties of Vincent, Tuapeka, and Wakatipu. The damage was estimated at about £40,000. Mr. Macandrew expressed his sympathy in the matter, and undertook to bring it before his colleagues.

When the division on Mr. Fox’s motion took place yesterday there was one hon. gentleman whose appearance so thoroughly betrayed a troubled conscience as to earn for him the pity of all onlookers, —that was Mr. McMinn. He perceived a divided duty—there was the duty to his party, the question having been made a Ministerial one, and there was on the other hand a duty to himself to preserve intact the good-will of his constituent s, who are all exceedingly wroth at the action of the Government. The hon. gentleman stood fully two minutes at the entrance of the “aye” lobby pensively weighing the probabilities and possibilities, and then sadly and sorrowfully sauntered over to the other side and recorded his vote with the “ nocs.” It is greatly to be feared that he has sacrificed his political prospects on the altar of party.

Mr. Wakefield will ask the Minister of Justice in the House ®f Representatives today whether there is any truth iu the statement made in the iVew Zealander , on the 2nd October, that the provisions of the Public Libraries Subsidies Act, 1877, were violated, so that the Auckland Mechanics' Institute illegally obtained £175 “at his special request.” A supplement to last Thursday's Gazette, published yesterday, proclaims Thursday, the 10th instant, a bank holiday within the Provincial District of Hawke's Bay. Regulations for trout fishing in the County of Waitaki are published. Notices of the incorporation of the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society and of the Patea District Agricultural and Pastoral Association are given. The sale of the township of Seatoun, Worser Bay, took place yesterday at Mr.. Duncan’s auction rooms. There was a large attendance, ami very good prices were realised. An excellent luncheon, got up in Mr. Laing’a wellknown style, was provided, to which, about 250 persons sat down, and it. is almost needless to add that champagne was not wanting on the occasion. The bidding was spirited throughout, e.-pscially towards the latter end of the sale, aud the result must be highly satisfactory to the vendor aud auctioneer. It is also a proof that suburban land near Wellington is not lessening in value. A foot-race for £25 a-side came oft on the Adtlaido-road yesterday afternoon between two peds—Delaney and Stanton (of Pioton) Mr. Bishop officiated as referee, and Mr. Walden as starter. A good start was effected, both men getting away well together. The distance was 100 yards, Delaney took the lead, and kept it throughout, coming in a winner by 3or 4 yards ; time, lOfpec. It is notified in our advertising columns that F. Woods, who is in training by Delaney, is open to run Hart, of Pioton, three distances of 100, 150, and 200 yards respectively, iu Blenheim, within five weeks from the time of signing the articles. F. Martin notifies that he is open to run King, of Pioton, at any three of the following distances :—IOO, 150,200,250, and 300 yards.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the forthcoming railway demonstration was held last night in the Council Chambers. His Worship the Mayor was in the chair, and explained that at the last meeting it was arranged to hold the present meeting for the purpose of hearing the views of the different school committees and heads of friendly sooicti s. Mr. Woodward, as a member of the Thorndon school committee, observed that the committee which ho represented did not see their way clear to allow the children to take part in the demonstration, as they thought they would be iu danger among so many adults. Mr. West, who represented the Terrace school committee, said that the matter had been fully discussed, and it was deemed impracticable for the children to take part.—His Worship observed that ho was greatly disappointed at the decision arrived at by the Thorndon and Terrace schools. Ho never laid down any rule whereby the children should enjoy themselves; it was rather left in the hands of the school committees to arrange a programme. It was ultimately arranged that the various school committees should meet and cons dt with the City Council committee, and arrange some way whereby the children may enjoy themselves iu a becoming way on the occasion of the demonstration. The following bodies and societies agreed to take part iu the procession ' —Foresters, Odd Fellows, Central and Wellington Fire Brigades, Fire Police, Rcohabites, Good Templars under the English constitution. It was stated that the various volunteer corps would take part and form a guard of honor to the Governor. It was also stated that they would probably fire a salute. After some further conversation of a formal nature the meeting adjourned until next Thursday, evening at 8 o’clock. “ Who is big Davey This question was asked by Sergeant Smith yesterday when a witness in a case of assault said ho big Davey, aud gave a man in charge to hiun Ihe witness stated, in answer to Sergeant Smith, that the person referred to as " big Davey was Constable Smart.

Mr. a till Mrs. E. A. Hart were again well patronised last night, and gave an enjoyable programme. To-night they will positively give their last performance, and will render their best tfeleotitta of songs, &o.

We understand that the amount • realised at the Wesleyan bazaar yesterday was £llllos. Bd. '

We have received a copy of u Bradshaw’s Guide 0 for the mouth of October, which is compiled with the usual fullness and accuracy which characterises this useful publication.

Mr. George Thomas sold yesterday a leasehold property in Manners-street, being a portion of the estate of Messrs. Beck and Xouks, for. £I6OO.

The manager of the Opera House, Mr, M Browne, haa completed arrangements whereby the theatre-going portion of the public of this city will have an opportunity of witnessing the performances of the eminent tragedian Mr. G. I). Chaplain, who will open ft season of twelve nights at the Opera House, commencing on 16th October, under the management of Mr. J. B. Steele.

A lad carrying two small bags was stepping from the ship St. Leonards to the wharf yesterday, when his foot slipped and he fell in the water between the vessel and the wharf. The youngster very pluckily stuck to his bags, and managed to struggle to one of the piles of the wharf, where he climbed up. On reaching the wharf the first thing he asked for was brandy. Beyond getting a good ducking no harm was done.

Information reached Waipawa by telegram on Thursday last (says the Mail) that a man named Peter Mangus had been stabbed at Kopua by a man named Russemau Peter en. Both are Scandinavians. On receipt of the information Sergeant McGuire immediately proceeded to the scene of the occurrence, and arrived at Kopua between eight and nine o’clock. He found that Mangus was seriously wounded in the neck. Petersen has been arrested.

At the Theatre Royal last evening there was another capital house, and the performance was again in every way successful. Tho opening piece was Lady Audley’s Secret,” Mr. J, B. Steele taking tho part of Robert Audley, and Mrs. Walter Hill that of Lady Audley This was followed by “ Old Gooseberry,” in which Messrs. Musgrave, O’Brien, Williams, and Mason, and Misses Laurence and May took part. To-night, by particular desire, « The New Magdalen ” will be repeated, and considering the intrinsic merits of the play and the excellent manner in which it wan performed the other evening by this company, a crowded house may confidently be expected. Mr. Field, at a meeting of gentlemen interested in the forthcoming demonstration, which took place at the Town Hall last night, said he thought if would be advisable that the representatives from the various schools then present should confer together with regard to the part which should be taken by the children in the approaching demonstration. The Mayor explained that tho matter was left entirely in their hands. Several of those present thought a trip to Somes Island would be a suitable outing for the youngsters. The matter was left to the school committees themselves to decide.

The engravings on view at the rooms of Mr. J. H. Wallace, and which, we observe, are to be offered for sale to-day, call for something more than a passing notice. The groat interest which sales of rare and choice prints has for connoiseurs in art in the old country is shown by the extraordinary prices realised by the sales held at the great auction mart of Messrs. Chris ie and Mauson, in London. Among tho prints to bo offered to-day we notice some of great merit. The engravings of dogs, »-ach animal a favorite of her Majesty, are all executed with an evident fidelity and skill which must have been satisfactory alike to Sir Edwin Landseer and Mr. Mottram. Conspicuous among the collection will be observed the portrait of one of England’s moat distlnguiscd generals—Lord Napier of Magdala. This engraving is from the well known portrait of his Lordship, by Sir Francis Grant, president of the Royal Academy. The wonderful paintings, by the late John Martin, representing “The Plains of Heaven” and “The Great Day of His Wrath,” are reproduced with a truly marvellous fidelity, and are in themselves a remarkable example of the late engraver’s skill. There are a number of other prints equally deserving of notice, but our space will not admit of our doing more than calling attention to them Some are well known and popular subjects, and will no doubt be eagerly competed for by those who know how to value such gems of the engraver’s art. ’ '