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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5485, 25 October 1878, Page 2

The Wellington City Boundaries Bill passed through committee in tbo legislative Council last night in the form recommended by tho Local-Bills Committee. .The Bill , recites the old boundaries, and takes in the new reclamations, ■

The Maoris at Otaki in former times were often spoken of as representing one of the moat satisfactory and flourishing examples of the good effect of mission work. The good seed appear* to have borne fruit of late. Not only were the Maoris mainly instrumental in rescuing the survivors of the Felixstowe, but they even exposed themselves to considerable personal risk, and throughout acted, bravely at the scene of the wreck. Now,'again, we hear of their vigorous efforts in helping to land immigrants per City of Auckland, and of the assistance they have rendered in providing bullock-drays, &c., for transporting the shipwrecked people. Not content with this, they have since made presents of food to the immigrants, and have supplied them with sheep and potatoes. We hope that the kindness shown by the natives may be heartily recognised by all and gratefully acknowledged by the recipients. According to a report laid on the table of the House yesterday by. Mr. Macandrew, it seems that the estimated loss arising from the recent floods in the Clutha district was £103,000. Mr. Macandrew said he proposed to ask for authority to advance £50,000 ou security of the subsidies to be paid to the local bodies. Captain Russell intimated that when the proposal was before the House, he should oppose it on principle. Mr. Hunter considered tlxis was a special case, and hoped the necessary authority would be given to die Government to advance the money as they proposed. The matter then dropped. Amid laughter, Mr. Fitxroy gave the following funny notice of motion:—To ask the Government,—lf they intend to or have declared the colony of New Zealand an independent State; and, if so, the date‘on which they propose such declaration shall take effect. Also, under what authority the Government propose to alter the national anthem of British colonists ? Also the number of copies of the said national anthem it is estimated will be required to supply all the primary schools throughout the colony, and the estimated cost of the same ? Also, if the Government do not thiuk that the said anthem might be looked upon as an infringement of the present system of secular education in the colony. Subsequently the Speaker ruled that that part of the question relative to the independence of the State was out of order, and could not bo put. The second part of the question only would be put.Yesterday Mr. Barton gavo notice of his intention to ask the Government whether they proposed running working men’s trains on the Wellington and Hutt line, similar to those whick had proved so successful ou the Dunedin and Port Chalmers line ; also if it was proposed to remove the Petone station to a moreconvenient site than it at present occupies.

It is understood that the Government will propose to lend the County Councils, whose arterial public works have been seriously injured by the late floods, a sufficient sum to enable them to replace those works with as little delay as possible. The loan will probably be for five years, either without any interest, or at a very low rate, and the loan will be secured on the 20 per cent, of tho land revenue accruing to the counties. The exact amount of the proposed lean cannot be settled until the full accounts are received as to damage done.—Southern paper. We have received the ninth annual report of the Botanic Garden Board. The report shows that five meetings of the Board have been held during the year. Tho principal work during the past year has been making a new approach from the Tinakori-road, and a new gate erected at the main entrance to the gardens in that direction. From this gate a broad road has been formed for 12 chains, as the first part of a carriage drive, which it is proposed to extend through the Domain and Town Belt to Wellingtcm-terrace, so as to provide easy access from the Te Aro end of the city. A number of other minor improvements have been made, and several useful works aro now in progress. The large number of 4253 young trees were distributed to various public gardens and reserves on application to the Board, and 4915 plants were disposed of by salo to private individuals. Donations of plants were received from Mr. Justice Gillies, Trustees of tho late Mr. L'udlam, Mr. Drake, Mr. T. Mason, and the Hon. Mr. MantclL In compliance with a request made by the Board, the Government have given the necessary authority for a further supply of seeds from California, an order for which will be forwarded by the outgoing mail. The usual statement of accounts, showing tho receipts £BB2 3s. 2d., and expenditure £721 Bs. 7d„ for the past year, are appended to the report, which gives a balance in hand to date of £l6O 16s. 7d. We notice among other items included under receipts that the sale of plants, hay, fee., realised £175 10s, We consider that the Board is to be congratulated upon the result of their labors.

The passage of tho Thames Harbor Board Bill through committee in the Council last night was provocative of considerable amusement. The evidence taken before the committee to whom tho measure was referred had been ordered to bo printed, and was quoted repeatedly during the discussion. A passage in tho evidence of Sir George Grey, wherein he described the residents of the Thames as amongst the most honorable men in New Zealand, was quoted by Mr. Hall amidst laughter, whereupon Mr. Chamberlin sharply adeed Mr. Hall if he doubted Sir George's assertion. “No, no," quoth Mr. Hall; “by no means; but I know many most honorable men to whom I would not lend £IOO,OCO without security.” Later on Mr. Waterhouse was afraid that the Council could not rely on its proper leader (the Colonial Secretary). In this case he was clearly not “ sound upon the goose for in the evidence of the Premier he was described by that gentleman as going with tho ruck of the Council.

The Canterbury Board of Education have, says the Christchurch Star, decided that if the teachers and the children or any of them and their parents choose to devote half an hour during the time stated for Scripture history, and the committees would give the use of the school for the purpose, there would be no objection ; but it must be distinctly understood that the committee must make no regulations on tho subject. The Star Cricket Club will play their opening match on Saturday, the 26th instant, at Petone. The following members have been selected to play on tho respective sides, and any other members of tho club wishing to take part in the same are requested to meet at tho railway station at 1 p.m. sharp :— Captain's team—J. A. Salmon, W. Garwood, J. Grey, Humphries, J. Lockett, W. Mason, Bussell, W. Staples, T, B. Spiller, Wills, G. Bishop, Welsh, and S. Waters Vice-Captain's team —J. Blacklock, 1. J. Salmon, H. Haughton, C. Howe, H. Lockett, T. Bobinson, Speed, Bernington, Thompson, Hansford, Tait, Kucheu, and Hamilton.

An interesting essay on the " Lost Ten Tribes of Israel ” was given 67 one of the members of the Wesleyan Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society, in the Mannersstreet Vestry, last evening. A lively discussion took place, followed by some forcible remarks from the president against the arguments brought forward in favor of the identification of lost Israel; with the British nation. Next evening two essays will bo read ou the “ Spanish Armada.” We have received the report of the Govern, ment Insurance Commissioner, which states shat tho progress of the (Upnrtment has been very satisfactory, The.amount of new business, notwithstanding the increased competition of foreign companies, has been greater than in any previous year, and exceeds the whole of the new business obtained by lifo insurance companies in the colony during the same period. 279 7 proposals were received during the year for £971,000, of which 80C were declined or not completed, leaving 1991 policies issued for £080,600, tho particulars of which are shown in tho following summary:—The claims during tho year, under 42 life policies, amounted to £18,250, and arose from the death of 37 persons,., It is gratifying to note that the rate of mortality experienced still continues very much below that on which tho tables used by tho department are based. The number of policies issued since the establishment of tho department is 10,813, assuring £3,816,813; of which 1909 have been discontinued, leaving 8841 existing policies, assuring £3,267,231. Attached to tho report are tho accounts prescribed in tho 41bt section of the Government Insurance and Annuities Act 1574. The income of year from all sources amounted to £111,201 16s. 2d., and the accumulated fund now stands at £292,523 2s. 4d., being an increase of £73,128 18s. 4d. during tho year. The policy-holders are being transferred as rapidly as possible to the ordinary branch. Two claims, for £179 45,, have arisen during tho year, caused by tho death of two persons. Tho Grand international Circus ou the reclaimed ground was again unfortunate last uight, and could not show owing to the bois-terous-weather* : -They, however; hope to play to-night. As they only give two more performances, those who have not yet witnessed the circus should uot lose the chance.

Before adjourning night, Colonel Whitmore said that next day-he would move that the Council should sit on Saturday, at 2.30 p.m. All the cases set - down for hearing at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday were .adjourned, owing to Mr. Mansford, R.M., being too ill to attend. At a meeting of the general committee of the Wellington Cricketers’ Association held last night, Mr. Kelly in the chair, it was resolved not to visit Wanganui, as invited, on the 9th prox., as the recurfing of Basin Reserve,, rendered necessary through the cutting up by the footballers, has delayed practice until after that date. “ Enoch Arden ” was repeated, at the Imperial Opera House last night, and was excellently played. To-night “Ingomar, the Barbarian,” will be produced. On Monday Mr. Chaplin will take a well-deserved benefit, when the “Merchant of Venice” will bo placed upon the stage. There was a regular deadlock with the tramway cars in front of the Imperial Opera House yesterday afternoon. As the engine “Victory” wa< coming from Te Aro it ran off the line, and was some time before it could bo righted again. The consequence was that three engines and six cars were stopped for fully half an hour. Afc last, with the assistance of the other engines, the one that ran off was safely pub back upon the rails, and the ordinary traffic was resumed, •The Hebrew persuasion held a hall at the Princess Theatre Hotel last night. .There was a large attendance, and the affair was a great success. The supper, provided by Host Wheeler, was exceptionally good, and was the subject of much comment by those present. An excellent band was in attendance, and dancing was kept up with spirit until the small hours of the morning. Burton’s Circus at the Theatre Royal was witnessed last night by a very large audience. The dress-circle was as full as it could well be. The performance, as on the first night, was most highly approved of by the audience, who testified to the genuineness of the entertainment by their loud applause. Nearly all the feats elicited approbation. Several specialities were introduced last night, and to-night there will be a number of novelties. The Rev. Father Heimebery, 0.F.P.5., delivered a very impressive and interesting lecture on temperance in the Catholic School, Boulcott-street, last night. The schoolroom was crammed, and members of the Total Abstinence Association wore their sashes and medals. The proceeds of the lecture went towards liquidating the convent liabilities, and judging from the large attendance a considerable sum was realised. The sale of the Lexley Hall Batata takes place on Thursday next. This property is situated at Kolwanu, about a mile from the railway station in this city. T o mam road abuts upon the estate, and easy access can also bo had by rail when desired. .Tli s little village is one of the pleasantest suburbs of the town, so that a keen competition Is expected to take place at the sale, which will be held by Mr. Wallace, as per advertisement in our columns.