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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5470, 8 October 1878, Page 2

There was a rumor current yesterday that Mr. Stout had resigned his seat in the Cabinet. Of course there was uo truth in it, but it was cruel of Mr. Stout to run away to Otago and give color to it, and still more cruel of Ur. Sbrimski, arrayed in festive garments, including the orthodox white necktie, to take his scat on the vacant bench on the House meeting last night, and so give further confirmation to the canard, which of course included, the statement that another Otago member had taken a portfolio. Our evening contemporary says that after all what the House has already accomplished is by no means a bad session’s work. Three measures are named as justifying this congratulation, and they are the Laud Tax, £he Customs Remissions, and the Electoral Bills. An opinion is also expressed that it is most probable that all of them will pass the Legislative Council. Predictions are proverbially dangerous tilings to meddle with, but as a rival prophecy wc venture to express a decided conviction that. the.. Electoral Bill will , not pass the Upper House. The injustice of the Maori freehold franchise has been so generally admitted that a' very strong . Government would find it difficult to force such a measure through tho Council. The present Ministry 1 can hardly claim the title any-Jonger. , The author of “ Parliamentary Personalities ” asks m to correct a mistake into which he was betrayed by accident. He has learnt that Mr. Macfarlane ia-not a learned member of the legal profession. Au extensive legal experience may have qualified him for the post, but -he has not yet passed the usual examination. A stranger may bo pardoned for occasionally making a mistake through the want of knowing the safest sources of information. 1 Mr. Fox’s conduct in regard to tho beer tax has been severely commented on by many sections of tho Press. Those who may not have carefully followed the Parliamentary debates might bo glad to, hear the reasons brought forward by that gentleman in defence of the course he has taken. His objection to the tax was founded upon a' dislike ho had always felt to allowing the revenue of the colony to become dependent upon the consumption of any intoxicating liquor. The temperance party belicvo that the main reason why so much opposition is raised against tho laws they propose to enact to check the consumption of spirits is tint the Treasury is so largely dependent upon this source for its funds. Mr, Fox says, in effect, if wo once begin to find that beer-drinkers are good and willing taxpayers, wo shall soon desire rather, to increase than to limit their 1 numbers. When it is remembered that both here, in England, and on the Continent tho’duties bn spirits and tobacco are the easiest collected and one of tho most fertile sources of revenue open to the Government of the day, Mr. Fox’s argument will bo sfec.u to have some force,'and the accusations against him of inconsistency to bo devoid of solid foundation. When Mr. Fox laughingly said that tho glasses in which beer was sold could not well bo’smaller,’Tib no doubt believed : that if small tho-voudors thought their customers more likely to repeat the dose. ■ ■ , ■ - , ■ ■ : ■ ■ Tho kerosene scare-Booms likely to make that article a drug in the market. Upon inquiry we find that the whole of the kerosene that has been 1 recently condemned is supposed to have been submitted to a tost in America, Our informant says that he believes the method of conducting the tests here is too stringent, and not tho one commonly employed. However tins may be, as - information hag been applied for from other ports of entry both inside and outside of tho colony, this texata qucestla will probably soon be set at rest. In the meantime it may bo reassuring to those who have kerosene labelled dangerous to know that efforts are being -made to prove the label a ■ libel only. '* Another' case was added ’ to tho criminal calendar yesterday. Joseph ’Higginson was committed, at Wairarapa for stealing five £1 iibtes from a man named Richard Kelly. Prisoner arrived la town yesterday. .

A Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives last night '-to equalise publicans’ licenses all.over the colony Jacob Hobberly, charged with forgery at the .Supremo Court yesterday; was discharged, the Grand J ury throwing out the bill. A number of men were yesterday employed in laying down and forming a permanent stand for drays opposite the Pier Hotel. Detective Smart arrested a man named William Green, under a warrant, yesterday, for beating and assaulting hia wife. The prisoner will be brought before Mr. Mausford, R.M., to-day. We understand that Mr. J. B. Steele and company proceed on Wednesday on their upcountry tour, commencing at Featherston., On Thursday they show at Greytown, and on Friday and Saturday at Mastertou. The Grand Jury yesterday found no bill for murder against Hcuare Peti and Peneamine Tuhaka, but brought in a true bill for manslaughter. The charge of rape against Aldridge was not sustained, but a true bill was found for indecent assault only. It is evident that the price of land in this city is not declining. Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald aud Co. have just sold that vacant piece of laud opposite St. Peter’s Church, having a frontage of 66 feet to Willia-atreet by a depth of 70 feet along Ghuznee-atreet, the price paid being £IOOO. In order to prevent disappointment, it may be stated that the mere purchase of tickets for the Wairarapa banquet on Saturday next will not of itself entitle persons to travel by the special train to Featherston, or by any other train, free of charge. 'This privilege will extend to the recipients of special invitations only. ; The special meeting of the Education Board that was called for yesterday fell through owing to the want of some forradity in the notice oonveuing the meeting. Notice is now given of an emergency meeting on Thursday next at 11.15. The business is to consider what should be done in reference to the landslip hear the Terrace school. Mr. A. O. Shaw was fined £1 for not answering to his name as one of the Grand Jurf yesterday, During the morning Mr. Shaw made his appearance and apologised, stating that he had entirely forgotten tho day. His Honor said that, under the circumstances he would only impose a fine of £l, but that if it was not paid at once the costa would bring it up to £6 We beg to acknowledge .the receipt of a treatise on-“ Light Country Railways and Street Tramways, &c.” Mr. F. O. Rowan is the author of this little work, to which we hope to recur again at more length, as the subject is one of much importance both to this city and to the colony at large. Mr., Rowan’s present address is Chamber of Commerce, Lambton-quay. The Dunedin Morning Herald of October 1 has the following ;—lt appears to be a very hard matter to squeeze the return of the Hinemoa’s passengers, &c., out; of the Government. “ Unforeseen difficulties” are constantly occurring. We feel inclined to conclude that the advertisement returns must be equally difficult of compilation ; it is now a considerable time since they were promised. There was another very largo and appreciative audience at the Theatre Royal last night. Messrs. Baker and Farron, as usual, greatly amused those present by their comicalities. A word of praise is due to the orchestra, who play some charming selections in first-rate style. The programme of last night was the same as Saturday’s. We have lately inspected a piece of work by a local artist which deserves special notice, it is entitled “ A Souvenir from New Zealand,” by William Brechell Gibbs, lately appointed landscape photographer to his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby. It consists of a series of twelve excellent photographic views of landscape scenery and public buildings in and around Wellington. They are enclosed in a tastefully bound portfolio, which does credit to our local bookbinders. Those who are inclined to avail themselves of the chance can take this opportunity of making their friends in England or elsewhere a present that will give them a correct idea of New Zealand scenery, and will also be a handsome ornament for the drawing-room. At the Convent schools last evening there was a gathering of the children of the schools and others, the occasion being the presentation of two addresses to the Lady Superior, congratulating her upon her successful voyage, and welcoming her return. One address was from the children attending the schools, and the other from the general body of the Catholics of Wellington. One of the scholars drew up and presented the first address ; Mr. C. O’Neill was the author aud presenter of the other. A lively little entertainment was given by the Convent school children after the presentation, which proved quite a success. We learn (says the Manawatu Times) that .steps are being taken for floating a company for the erection n£ a public hall at Feilding. Mr. Halcombe, on behalf of the Corporation, has liberally offered to grant a site in one of tho most prominent positions in the town, and shares to the amount of £SOO have already been guaranteed to be taken up. We understand.a meeting is to be called during the coming week to place the y matter upon a substantial basis. Captain W. J. Barry delivered, a;lecture at the Princess Theatre, Tory-street, last night. The lecturer acknowledged that he was selftaught, but we must admit that he possesses an extraordinary memory, and his colonial experience is of. a varied and highly interesting nature. The captain was born in 1819, and lauded in the colonies iu 1820, and during that time has seen many ups and downs, or, in colonial pbraso, “ roughed it.” The audience showed marks of approbation by constant ap-; plause, the lecturer having patiently to wait their pleasure. Captain Barry is about to leave for the mother-country, after an absence of half a century, to have his work published entitled “Fifty Years’Colonial Experience,” for which he has at present upwards of 4000 subscribers. Alfred William Thompson was found guilty at the Supreme Court yesterday of tho robbery of certain articles of jewellery from the dwelling of Thomas Walker. The jury strongly recommended the prisoner to mercy; he will bo sentenced to-day. Henry Aldridge was acquitted of a charge .of indecent assault , upon Elizabeth Miriam Saveli. Eliza Broughton, Mrs; McGee, and E. Ho ward wore each found guilty of stealing money, and were sentenced to six months’imprisonment, with hard labor. Mr. AV. H. Warren will sell the ; furniture aud effects’of Thomas Kitchen, Esq., on ho premises, Hill-street. Thorndon, at 1 o’clock 10-day. The goods will bo on show at 9 o'clock. Tho furniture la nearly new, and must ho sold.