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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5487, 28 October 1878, Page 2

Parliament will re-assemblo at half-past two o'clock this afternoon. We understand that the Wanaka has been detained until Tuesday, in order to take down the Southern members. The Bast Coast members will leave by the Taranaki on Wednesday, and the Marlborough, Nelson, Taranaki, and Auckland members will proceed home by the Hinemoa. Those arrangements are of course liable to alteration in the event of the deadlock between the Houses not being removed. Six special coaches arrived at three o’clock 1 yesterday morning from Otaki with the remainder of the City of Auckland’s immigrants. Mr. Elliott, Under-Secretary for Immigration, gave one of the passengers named, Peter Colfield in charge for disorderly conduct. One of the nuisances connected with the Parliamentary Buildings is the incessant din created by the ringing of the House of Representatives bell and the thrashing of the Legislative Council gong just before the hour of assembling or oil tho occasion of a division. The messengers of the respoutive Houses seem to vio with each other in making as much noise as possible, and the result is considerable annoyance to hon. members, and to all others who have to frequent the, buildings, especially ill these latter days when incessant work and Ion" hours have unstrung tho nerves. On Saturday, Major Atkinson called the attention of tho Speaker to tho matter, and asked if anything could bo done to abate tho nuisance. The Speaker replied that' so far as tho gong was concerned ho bad no jurisdiction, hut lie could stop tho bell, and would do so, because ho reco"nised that tho noise was intolerable,, and quite unnecessary so far as tho assembling of the House was concerned, because all iion. members must ho aware of tha hour of meetin". As to divisions, it was necessary that hon. members should be notified, but ho thought tho plan might bo followed which ho understood was in vogue in the other colonies, that was to fiayo efectrio bells in every room in the buildings, and touch thfiso when a division was demanded. This would i;e a very good plan, but there is a danger that inconvenient occurrences might take place unless some safeguard were provided to prevent the wires being cut on important ooeaeions, so as to proy.oijt members being warned of a division. Of course, as JVIf. Barton would say, wo don’t suppose for a moment that there aro any whips in the House or would-be politicians in the colony who would bo guilty of such a dishonest practice, but there may bo pbr- • sons ou their way to the colony who might have recourse to such i a species of “good generalship.” We may mention that is Tfvsnjania, where there is a

system of bellsia t each.room;bf the buildings, an unacTupulehs-'whip' an. important' occasion lately-put the- r wireg, and so utterly diacomfitted hxs opponents. ' = . 'Barton’s Circus'was again crowded on Saturday night in all . parts. The performance was thoroughly, enjoyed ,by the audience, who were most liberal in their applause. To-night there will be a change of programme, A young man riding* along Wiilis-street was thrown from his. horse yesterday afternoon. The animal and the rider, who was evidently not accustomed to equestrian exercise, fell rather heavily on the road. He was, fortunately, not much-hurt. - - Referring to a clause that Colonel Whitmore in- theLegislative Council proposed to introduce in the Electoral Bill, the Napier Daily Tdcyraph'oi 25th instantsays “ This second' attempt to flood the rolls with Maori names provoked a long discussion that led eventuallyto the clause being rejected ou the voices. Lord Brougham once felt inclined to say, ‘ Thank God we have a House of Lords,- and at no former period in the ’history of this colony have we had so much reason to be thankful that wo have a Legislative Council. The thanks of the country are due to that body for the preservation of the liberties of the people;” Messrs. Clarke and Hamilton, photographers, have finished a splendid collection of our members of Parliament, audit is nowon view at the Parliamentary Library. The photographs are exceedingly good ;' but in one instance the lion, member declared that he had a decided objection to being, “taken,” and Messrs. Clarke and Hamilton were cdmpelled to send an artist into tho stringers’ gallery to take a , sketch of the hon. member as he sat in his place in Parliament, , Not knowing Mr, Turnbull, the artist mistook Mr. McMmn for the hon; member for Timarii, and the result , has been that alongside a capital photograph of the lion, member for Waipa is placed a something or other that might , bo supposed to have a connection witlv the McMiun. family some generations back. It is certainly neither flattering to the hon, member for Waipa nor to liia brother legislator who has such a decided objection.to being “ taken.” . This evening’s popular concert at the Athenjeum will apparently support the character for popularity earned by all .its predecessors. In spite of-wind or rain or the counter-attrac-tion of other amusements: there has always been a good attendance at these entertainments. We believe that most of our favorite amateurs appear to-night; and encores will, we predict, follow the rendering of the following pieces :—“Page thou angry storm,” “Dermot Asthore,” “Only for thco,” and the duet “X know a bank.” The recitation, we understand, is from Shakspere, and is to be given by a. popular amateur. Tho tram cars were running yesterday throughout tho day—a fact . which, if duly considered, will go far to justify the premium of 10 per cent, which was given for the shares, sold on Saturday last. We noticed that as it was “ another wet Sunday ” they were largely ■ patronised, quite as. much or more so by. church-goers than by pleasure-seekers. This may partly recommend the practice to those among us who most strongly disapprove of Sunday work, even though they conscientiously , read their Monday morning’s paper. We believe that the trams were only running during railway hours, and were idle during service. We have received notice of the intention of Messrs. Kelly and Leon's Minstrels to. visit this city. They are an operatic troupe of well-known celebrity, giving performances both in the ordinary “ darkie” garb and also in European costume. Eor those who have not heard of the specialities of this troupe it may be as well to mention that the prima donna's part is undertaken by Mr. Leon, whose “ get up” and acting of the female character is said to be truly marvellous. Wherever this company have performed they have received great praise from the Press. .We believe that ; they have among their company a dwarf only 2ffc. Din. high, who can both dance and sing in good style. Though short, ho is in other respects a well-made specimen of humanity. Mr. Sidey’s sale of freehold properties in the Arcade Buildings on Saturday was numerously attended, and’ the bidding lively. A threeroomed cottage in King-street was sold to Mr. Edward Smith for..-6225. . A small, farm of 41. acres rich agricultural laud, at Mauriceville was offered, and withdrawn for £3OO, and is now for sale privately, a bargain, for cash. A four-roomed, house in Nelson-street, with 20 feet frontage, was. sold to Mr.-Chiltera for £2BO. Several sections in Carlyle-street were sold at. prices averaging; £25, each, and 18 quarter-aero sections at Fcatherston were sold for £BO. Some shares in the Tram way Company (not advertised) were offered, and sold at 10 per cent, premium. We have received a supplement to Thursday’s Gazette. ' It declares. Wednesday, November 13th, 1878, to bo a bank holiday in Auckland. The supplement also includes a copy of the articles of agreement between Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co. and the Postmaster-General. ' The steam vessels, when carrying mails from Melbourne, shall proceed the ace by way of and callihg at Bluff Harbor, Port Chalmers,, and Lyttelton, in New Zealand; and when •• carrying mails from Wellington to Melbourne, shall proceed thence by way of and callihg at Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, and Bluff Harbor ; aforesaid. One of tho said steam vessels shall/within a reasonable time after the arrival of the European mail at Hobson’s Bay in each month, leave that port for Wellshgton aforesaid, proceeding thereto by tho route specified ; and shall deliver the said mails in Now Zealand within tho following times from the arrival of the European mail in Hobson’s Bay, that is to say, —At Bluff Harbor, 168 hours, or 7 days; at Port Chalmers, 192 hours, or 8 days; at Lyttelton, 228 hours, or 9& days ; at WeiUngton, 252 hours, or 10£ days: Provided that, if the said European mail shall arrive in Hobson's Bay more than forty-eight hours before its due date, then a proportionate time shall bo added to the number of hours fixed for the delivery of the mails at Wellington. The fine for non-delivery of the mail within contract time is £IOO, and £4 per hour after 24 hours. A £IOOO penalty for a wilful breach. of contract is stipulated for. The amount to be paid for the double monthly service from Melbourne to Wellington is £384 12s. 4d. per lunar month. The*obher items in the Gazette are of local interest only. Tho Waivavapa Free Press says :—“ It is rumored that the ladies in Greytown contemplate forming an archery and croquet club this summer, A more agreeable method of promoting social intercourse could not well be devised, and wo see no reason why a similar club should not bo established in this borough and the sister townships. If a suitable lawn could be obtained, a tournament might bo held during the season. In England, nearly every rural district has its archery and croquet club, and such societies never fail, under efficient management, to become popular and successful,”

Tho Canterbury Pastoral Association seems to have lilt upon a good plan for enlisting auctioneers as members of their society. The Press says :■ —At a meeting of tho committee of tho Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Saturday it was determined that tho sale of booths, &0., ou the ground of the Association he conducted by an auctioneer who is a member of the Association. The name of each gentleman or firm was written on a slip of paper, and tho first drawn was to be appointed. The lot fell to Mr. J. G. Hawkos, who will accordingly transact that branch of the Association’s business thia season. In consoquouceof the monthly meeting of tho Association falling on tho 31st instant, which will be the last day for taking entries for tho forthcoming show, it was resolved to hold that meeting on the 4th of November instead. The Napier Daily Tclcyrapk has the following little; items ; about the City of Auckland which wo have not scan mentioned elsewhere ; —Until last voyage Captain Boils owned a fifth of the vessel, but while in Auckland parted with his share to Mr. Seccorab, a son of tho brewer of that name, who was then, and probably is now an officer ou board. , It is not tho first time misfortune has befallen tho ship. In 1871, while loading wool at the Auckland wharf, she took fire, and was scuttled tp save her from destruction. After tho fire was by this means extinguished, she was raised by Mr. George Ellis, now of Napier, and loaded afresh for London. Some notoriety was attached to the occurrence in consequence of it happening during tho excitement caused by tho incendiarisms of tho noted Cyrus Haley, to .whom, we believe untruthfully, was attributed' this attempt to destroy the ship. The latest files from Napier are .enthusiastic on tho subject of Mdlle. Oharbonnot's musipal performances ;we clip the following :—“ Her reception yesterday evening amounted almost to an ovation, while her every performance was greeted with a storm, of applause. , Nor was JVfdJle. Oharbonnet without' a critical audience, one that could fully appreciate tho exciuisite treat with which she regaled her heaiers.”

In spite of the unpleasant weather yesterdaythe services held in connection with the Young Men’s Christian Association were largely attended. The cricket ' match which was arranged for Saturday between two elevens of the Star Club broke through owing to the non-attendance of players.: Some or persons smashed two panes of glass in Mr. Palmer’s. shop window .on Saturday ;.night.-, 'We v understand that the offenders are known to the police. The Great International Circus on the reclaimed ground was well patronised on Satur- - day. - The performance concluded with “ Dick, Turpin's Ride to York,” which was loudly applauded. ,: ‘ Mr. G. D. Chaplin repeated his very nue impersonation of Othello on Saturday night at the Opera House, and fully confirmed our first impression of his great abilities as an inter-, preter of Shakspere. To-night Mr. Chaplin will take his benefit and will appear as Shylock. To-morrow night closes his season in Wellington. Mr. A. Hayman, Madame Carlotta Tasca’s manager, has concluded arrangements with the manager of the Imperial Opera House for the eminent pianiste to appear there ou the 9fch November. Madame Tasca has won “golden opinions from all sorts of persons,” but especially in Australia and in Dunedin, where this lady has just concluded a very brilliant season. Speaking of the immigrants by the City of Auckland/ the Napier Dc^ily , Telegraph says : .—“ A Wanganui telegram informs us that the council of that county held a meeting yesterday, and a t once voted £SO for the relief of the sufferers. This amount will go, however,.but a little waytowards providing a change of clothing . for 240 persons. . . - L , We hope Hawke's Bay will not be behind Wanganuiln generosity, but that out of our abundance we will give to those who need. Subscriptions will be received and acknowledged at the office of this paper.” , , The TaranaH Herald of the 21st instant has the following :—The young salmon and trout for the Acclimatisation Society were.brought here this morning per Taiaroa. Of the 6000 trout ordered only 2600 were shipped. About 400 are dead, leaving a balance of about 2200 alive. This is considered a very good average. Of the 100 salmon ordered only about a dozen are alive. They are six inches in length. The reason of such a small shipment was that they were too far advanced for the ordering of a large shipment being considered a safe undertaking. It is proposed to place tho salmon in the Waiwakaiho River, and the trout in the following five rivers :—Henui, Waiwakaiho, Mangaoraka, Waiongona, and Waitara. The Union Steamship Company have arranged for the s.s. Taranaki to run tbo annual excursion to the Sounds during the Christmas week this year. Ifc is proposed (says the Christchurch Press) that the steamer should leave Dunedin on the 24th December, returning about the Ist Jauuaiy, so that those who wish to avail, themselves of this Beautiful trip can do so without exceeding the holiday week. The Marlborough Press says :—“Wo have in New Zealand 450 parsons, the number being as follows : —Church of England, 156 ; Presbyterian, 108 ; Roman Catholic, 67 ; and other denominations, 129—0 r about Ito every 880 of the population. There are 262 lawyers, of whom Dunedin claims 51 ; Auckland, 44 ; Wellington and Christchurch each 30; the balance being pretty evenly scattered—the proportion is about Ito every 1100. The doctors muster 242, and Dunedin has again the lion’s share—3l ; Christchurch following with 24 ; Auckland, 21 ; and Wellington with .15—1 to 1230 ; while of commission agents there are something like 350.” Messrs. Benjamin Smith and Co.’s next auction will be held at their rooms, Lambtonquay, to-morrow (Tuesday), when will be offered 355 acres in the well-known Saudon Block, 79 acres in Rangltikei, a splended farm on Tawa Elat, a few miles from town, and several valuable properties in the city, a complete’ list of whicjji will be found in our advertising columns. We have been requested to remind intending purchasers that Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Co.’s unreserved sale of superior English-made furniture will take place, as advertised, at their rooms at the • corner of . h’eatherston and Brandon-streets, this day at 2 o'clock precisely. , ~ '