Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5478, 17 October 1878, Page 2

A Bill, having for its object the settlement of the “ repudiation " difficulty in the I’roviuce of Hawke’s Bay, has been introduced in the House of Representatives by the AttorneyGeneral. The Native Lawsuits Act, 1878, will be found in another place in our columns, and with it some “ observations” addressed to the Premier on the subject, which have been printed and circulated as expressing the opinions of one side in this cause. During a discussion which occurred yesterday in the House of Representatives in relation to private Bills, the Attorney-General incidentally mentioned the Church of England endowment at Wanganui, and said, looking to the trust and the grant, the endowment had been greatly mismanaged, and he should be glad to sec a Bill passed dealing with it, and also with other trusts in a similar position—indeed ho had voted for a Bill going in this direction a couple of sessions ago. The Hon. Mr. Eox at once jumped up and said he desired to pin Mr. Stout to that declaration in case he might have to speak on the subject hereafter. He hoped that now Mr. Stout was Attorney-General, the adviser of Her Majesty, and keeper of her conscience in matters of this sort, the Government would bring down a Bill dealing with these trusts next session. A curious rumor has got abroad in England. Last evening in the House, the Hou. Mr. Macandrew read the following telegram from the Agent-General:—“ English papers have a telegram stating that six missionaries have been eaten by natives in New Zealand. Have denied it. Wire facts.” The reading of the telegram was received with great laughter in the House; but the matter has a serious, as well as a comical aspect, for a story of that character going the rounds of the Home papers would go a long way towards increasing the misapprehension that exists at Home regarding colonial life, and would create an impression respecting Now Zealand amongst the ignorant, which shoals of pamphlets would not remove. Fortunately Sir Julius Vogel took active steps at once to contradict the statement.

The following is the proviso which the Local Bills Committee of the Legislative Council recommend should be added to the Wellington College Act Amendment Bill : —ln clause 5, —Provided always that only such of the said blocks shall be so leased as are described on a certain plan to be deposited by the governors in tho office of tho Colonial Secretary, showing the allotments into which the lands intended to be let were subdivided, and the streets to bo dedicated to public use ; provided also that it shall be a condition of every lease that not more than one house with necessary outbuildings, to be designed on plans to be approved by the governors, shall bo erected on each such allotment, and that no manufacturing business nor any public-house be erected thereon, nor any nuisance or offensive trade be carried on in any such building. Just before the Council adjourned this morning, Colonel Whitmore gave notice that he would move to-day that tbe Parnell Reserves Bill be read a third time to-morrow (Friday). It will be remembered that the Bill in question, which proposes to divert certain reserves from the Auckland Lunatic Asylum, was discharged from the order paper on Tuesday last, on the motion of Dr. Pollen, Messrs. Bethune and Hunter, Lloyd’s agents, received the following telegram from Captain Bendall, marine surveyor, and Captain Selims, master of the ship Zealandia “ Otaki, Obober 16.—Surveyed stranded barque Felixstowe. No chauco of saving her. Peopls now employed saving gear and stores. We recommend a sale as quickly as possible. We leave by coach to-day.” Mr. Beetham is to-day to ask the Minister for Public Works, —If tho Government, during the recess, will cause a flying survey to bo made of the Wangaehu Valley, for the purpose of proving whether the line of .railway now surveyed by Opaki and Eketahuna is the best adapted for tho purposes of the through railway line. The lion, gentleman was to have asked the question j'esterday, but being absent from tho House, through his attendance at the Wairarapa railway opening, on the motion of Mr. Fitzroy the matter was postponed till to-day. Mr. Pyke yesterday had a joke at the expense of provincialism. He said during the recent floods in the Clutha Valley seven or eight bridges constructed by the Provincial Government had been washed away, and the only one constructed under the county system Providence in its wisdom had preserved. In fact, the floods had washed away the last vestige of provincialism, and he hoped it would never again bo seen rearing its ungainly head iu that locality. We have received a copy of a petition signed by about sixty ratepayers living in Williastreet, in favor of the proposed alteration in the gradient of that thoroughfare. The reasons set forth in the petition are—(l) That the present gradient is steep and inconvenient, thereby causing traffic to go round by Manners-street; (2) this unnecessarily crowds Manners-street; whereas, since the establishment of the tramway, it is very desirable to relieve that street of traffic as much as passible ; (.3) the connection of Te Aro with Karori-road is only a question of time, and, when completed, will necessarily increase the traffic in Willis-street the proposed alteration of the gradient will then become imperative. It is assumed that the above reasons are unanswerable, and tho petition sets forth that the sooner an alteration is made the better, as all now buildings can then bo erected in accordance with tho recognised levels. We understand that a great majority of the ratepayers more immediately affected are in favor of the proposed alteration. It is very doubtful if any claims for compensation can bo made good, because no definite street level had hitherto been determined by tho authorities, and those parties who erected buildings before these levels were ascertained are held to have done so at their own risk. The question will come before the City Council to-night. Pressure on our space compels us to abridge our report of the proceedings of tho R.M. Court; Before Mr. T. A. Mansford, R.M., and Mr. W. Hutchison, J.P., several cases of drunkenness ■wore dealt with as usual. Henry and James Handcock were fined £l, or in default seven days’ imprisonment, for fighting in the street. The charge against F. Talberg for assault on T. Winslow was dismissed. The libel case preferred by Mr. T. L. Shepherd against tho Evening Chronicle was withdrawn upon an assurance being given by that journal that the paragraph complained of did not refor to Mr. Shepherd. We arc requested to call the attention of members of the Choral Society to tho advertisement iu this issue intimating that Mendelssohn’s “ Elijah” is to be placed in rehearsal at once, aud Gounod’s “ Mass” withdrawn, and a full attendance is particularly desired this evening of'vocalists* only, the band being requested to meet on Tuesday next. Owing to the preparations for the sittings of the District Court, tho Provincial Hall will be engaged, and members will notice that the practice will take place at the Athemeum. The rehearsal will be under the direction of Mr. Robert Barker, the recently appointed conductor, Mr. and kits. 33. A. Hart, assisted by La Petite Louise and Herr Geyger, appeared for the first time last evening at tho Odd Fellows’ Hall, Featherston. Thfi attendance was tho largest yet seen in Featherston, no doubt owing to tho indefatigable efforts of Mr. Cary, the business manager. The entertainment is far superior to anything of the kind yet seen iu the Wairarapa, and as the company play in Carterton, Greytown, and Masterton, wo predict a most successful season. A butcher's cart carno into collision with one of the tram-cars while passing the Panama Hotel yesterday. Both tho shafts of tho vehicle were smashed, the horse knocked down, and the driver thrown on the ground, but not seriously injured. Regarding direct steam communication between England aud Now Zealand, tho AgentGeneral telegraphs : —“ Galbraith and Denny will subnj.it proposals relative to direct steam communication with tho colony next mail.” The 'Right Rev. Jlishop Redwood and tho Rov. Father Hennebery arrived hero by tho steamer Wellington from Nelson yesterday. The Agent-General telegraphs to the Ministrv:— ‘' If you want salmon ova this year send instructions early.”

There was no performance at the Circus last night,-owing to the boisterous weather having damaged the tent.

Communication with Java has been interrupted during final repairs to the cable, but now it is permanently restored. Mr. Woodyear, the advance agent for Burton’s circus, arrived in town yesterday. The place where the circus will be erected has not yet been fixed. A good house gathered at the Theatre Royal last evening to witness the production of Liza Eocles. The piece ran smoothly, and was applauded as usual To-night it will be produced for the last time, “Struck Oil” being announced for to-morrow evening for the first time in Wellington. “ Struck Oil ”is a drama of some celebrity, which has had a long and favorable run throughout Australia, England, and America, and Messrs. Baker and Earron have won the praises of the Press wherever they have placed it on the stage. On Saturday night the Baker and Earron season closes with a benefit to those gentlemen, which will no doubt be well attended.

Mr. J. B. Steele opened the Imperial Opera House last night for a short season to a very good house. As already notified, Mr. G. D. Chaplin, the eminent tragedian, had been engaged, and appeared in Shakspero’s play of “ Hamlet." Mr. Chaplin is an actor of some standing, a fact which will be at once admitted by all who saw his impersonation of the Prince of Denmark last night. His elocution is splendid, his acting natural, and his efforts were most heartily applauded. The Ghost was taken by Mr. J. B. Steele, who, as usual, received considerable applause. Mrs. Walter Hill took the part of the Queen, and Miss Lizzie Morgan that of Ophelia, both of which were very creditably rendered. The remaining characters were well sustained by the other members of the company. The piece throughout was exceptionally well put on the stage, and the actors at the close of each act were honored with a “call.” Judging from the performance of last night, Mr. Chaplin should enjoy a good season during his stay here.