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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5490, 31 October 1878, Page 2

The Legislative Council before adjourning this morning determined to meet halt an hour earlier than usual to-day, viz., two o’clock. Wo hear that there is some talk of getting up a petition in Wellington calling upon Mr. Barton to resign his seat, so strong is the feeling that has been raised by his action in respect to the Wellington Reclaimed Land Sale Bill, We notice that among the Supplementary Estimates passed on Tuesday night there was a sum of £IO,OOO for lighthouses. Mr. Sheehan stated that Mana lighthouse would he re-estab-lished, and that other lights at the entrance to tho Strait would also he furnished. This expenditure should tend to prevent the recurrence of wrecks on tho West Coast, and will be generally approved of. Those who have not been down to the wharf lately may bo glad to learn that extensions arc constantly going on. Tho widening of the northern side of the centre span Ims progressed rapidly of lato, and several additions aro being proceeded with. A large new shed is in course of erection upon the inner T, and this will prove very serviceable during the coming wool season; it is well lighted from above through skylights, and owing to the roof being braced with jointed iron rods, has a very neat and light appearance. Tho re-sheathing of the parts which had old and rough planking aud required removal has now been completed nearly half-way down the wharf, and is a great improvement both in looks and in regard to the ease it gives to tha porters with their trucks, and to the horses in carta and waggons. In addition to tho above, vve understand that at tho instance of Captain Halliday another small T is to be added to tho wharf, which will provide two moro berths for vessels visiting our port. Tenders aro now being invited for tho work, which will shortly bo undertaken. The Wanganui Chronicle says'.— “Such men as Mr. Roilestou, Mr. Walter Johnston, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Wakefield, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Seymour, Mr,’Curtis, Mr. Thomson, and a dozen others we could name, would probably talk less about building up a great nation, and about tho interests of the countless milions of tho future; but they would attend to tho business of their departments . instead of stumping the country and setting class against class • and thoy could meet the Parliament next year witii a rational financial policy, with a fair electoral law, aud with such a scheme for the adjustment of tho representation as would make the Parliament a truo reflex of tho popular will. Wc aro not in the secrets of the now party, aud give the rumor for what it is worth. One thing only scorns to be agreed upon generally, viz., that Sic George Grey’s Government is now holding office ou sufferance, aud that Us ‘ friends ’ aro a woeful minority.” The flhtuai'Mlii Herald says;—There is every appearance of a splendid fruit season this year. From MJloa aud all tho other out-districts, wo hoar of promising buds hanging iu thick clusters, and there ia every probability this will he ono of the best fruit seasons known for many years. We also hoar that in many quarters now potatoes are ia an advanced condition. Wo understand that Mr. R. Wakelin, of the Wairarapa Standard, Ims presented to the town of Foatherston a piece of laud, conveniently situated, ns nn archery, cricket, and recreation ground, for tho common use of tho inhabitant:! of that township.

A Maori haka took place in the Princess Theatre last night. The performance was very similar to that .‘given at the Imperial Opera House a’few weeks ago. At tire Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday Charles Bath, on remand, was charged by Captain Williams with destroying property. At the suggestion of Mr. Mansford the case was settled out of Court. Tho Theatre Royal was again well filled last nwht. As usual, the performance was thoroughly enjoyed by those present. To-night is their last appearance, aud those who have not witnessed this talented ’ troupe should not lose this opportunity, as they are well worth seeing. A magisterial inquiry was held yesterday relative to the loss of the stranded barque Felixstowe, before Mr. Hansford, R.M., and Captain Halliday, nautical assessor. George Midwood, John Steele, and James Golden, three sailors of the wrecked vessel, were examined, and gave corroborative evidence to that of tho second mate, which has already been published. Messrs. Gordon Allan and Samuel complained to Mr. Mansford, U.M., yesterday that they were unable to obtain summonses for the next sitting of tho District Court. Mr. Mansford said that he made application for the forms, but that the Government printer had been so busy that they had not boon yet printed. He said that if the applicants would get their summonses made out in manuscript ho would have them signed and sealed. We are requested to state that the subscription list that was opened by Captains Croll aud Armit in favor of Mrs. Pigott is now closed. By tho help of subscriptions raised from members of the House of Representatives the amount has reached between £llO and £l5O, which we hope may prove sufficient to enable tho widow to tide over a trying time.' The list is open to inspection to any person wishing te do s*. We understand that the promoters of the gymnasium will endeavor to procure a site for the establishment from the City Council at their sitting this evening. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of a gymnastic institution in a crowded city, and we hope that the request will meet with a favorable bearing from the Town Councillors, Only those who have had a practical acquaintance with tho working of these institutions in other countries can form an idea of the high place they hold in the estimation of tho various Eftropean States. We remind our readers that the Bijou Minstrels give one of their favorite entertainments this evening at the Princess Theatre, in aid of the funds of the company. From tha well-known ability of the members of this troupe, and judging from tho exco’lent programme which has been prepared, we expect to see them greeted with a crowded house, especially as the running of the tramway has made the distance between Thorudou and the Princess Theatre a mere nothing. We notice that the new cartstand near tho wharf is now taken into use. We believe that the use of wooden blocks, placed “ endways,” as pavement, has proved in other places a very satisfactory form of pavement, and, so far as our observation goes, it is thoroughly efficient at the different crossings throughout this town. A proposal has been made to pave tho whole town in this manner, the advantages claimed being very little noise caused by wheel traffic, no dust, aud scarcely any dirt in wet weatl er. In additiou to this it is said to be very saving in the wear and tear of horsc-flosh, because there is hardly any jar. The prime cost is considerable, but it as durable as it is stated to be it might prove economical in the long-run. The funeral of Mr. Alfred Scales took place yesterday afternoon, and there was a large attendance of friends to accompany his remains from his late residence, PipUca-.-trcet, to the Church of England Cemetery. The Rev. Mr. Harvey read the funeral service in a mo t impressive manner. Tho late Mr Seales was in partnership with Mr. R. J. Creighton in Auckland, anti leased th q Southern Gross newspaper for a considerable time. That paper was greatly improved] during their proprietorship, aud took a leading position amongst the newspapers of tho colony. After the Waikato war Mr. Scales made a tour of tho North Island, visiting tho different townships, and ultimately took up his residence in Wellington. Ho was engaged ns reader at the Government printing office for a considerable period, aud was acknowledged to be one of the best in the colony, being both painstaking and correct. He left the Government printing office in order to acquire tho appointment of sub-manager of the New Zealand Times, but afterwards returned to the Government employ. Mr. Scales leaves a widow aud a large circle of friends to lament his loss. A musical treat of no ordinary character is presented for acceptance this evening at tho Opera House, on the occasion of the opening concert of Mdlle. Alice Oarbonnet, tho wellknown pianisto; the difficult programme issued heiug certainly very strong testimony in confirmation of ail that has been written of the young artiste’s talents. In the classic school Mdlle. Charbonnet will interpret Beethoven’s beautiful “Moonlight” sonata ; whilst Weber's “ Invitation a la Valse” is a real, yet popular, specimen of the German florid school; Giorza's brilliant caprice ou the “Grand Duchess,” a piece that entitles the writer to rank amongst the best composers of the day ;—all present contrasts so marked, that such a selection requires nc little courage ou tho part of the executant to assay, as well as great self-reli-ance ou her own powers. Mr. G. Bonnington and Mr. Thomas will prove able assistants to Mdlle. Charbonnet iu Hummel’s trio. Miss Neville will also make her debut iu Wellington on this occasion in some favorite pieces, as well as in some new to the public of this city; aud Mr. 11. N. Montagu, who has, wo understand, for many years devoted himself to tuition in elocution, numbering among his pupils many of our stage favorites, will give some recitations. His Excellency tho Governor and the Marchioness of Normauhy have signified their intention of being present at tho Opera House this evening. Who is Betty Nicliol, and why has Hori Kerei forgotten her so long 1 Let Betty rejoice aud be glad, for after many days she is remembered. The following is one of the items in the schedule to tho Special Powers and Contracts Bill, which was agreed to in committee of tho Council yesterday ;—Betty Nicol, a native woman. To grant 150 acres, to be selected by her from any rural land open for sale in tho district of Wellington. The grant to bo issued to a trustee named by the Governor upon trust for the sole and separate use of the said Betty Nicol for life without power to anticipate, and after her death for all her half-caste children in equal shares. Trustee to have such powers as Governor may think expedient to set forth in tho grant. The grant may be registered under the Land Transfer Act, 1810, notwithstanding any trusts expressed therein. The.assurance fund not to be responsible for any breach of such trusts. Grant to bo subject to the provisions of the Crown Grants Act, 1860, and Acts amending the same. The Governor may reserve in tho grant a right of road not exceeding 100 links wide. And the reason for giving Betty tho land is thus printed in tho Bill ; —To give effect to an undertaking made by Governor Sir George Grey in 1853. “Who shall decide where doctors disagree 1" is tho question suggested by the following paragraph from the Wanganui Chronicle: —The question is whether the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, or the Ministerial organ—.tha New Zealander —is to bo accepted as the mouthpiece of tho Government with reference to tho probable place of sale of tho Waimato Plains. In answer to a question by Mr. Barton iu the House of Representatives, Mr. Sheehan replied “ that he expected that tho Waimato X’laius would be ready for sale early next year; that he could not say positively where the sale would take place, but ho thought Wanganui would probably be selected as tho most central place," Iu reference to this tho New Zealander argues that “it would bo a groat injustice to the purchasers and to the proprietors, viz., tho public, if this sale was held anywhere else save in Wellington—unless, of course, it could he held upon tho land itself,” It goes on further to sneer at Wanganui as a “ comparatively obscure township,” and as an “ out-of-the-way town.” We are not surprised that a Wellington journal should take up such a stand. But what wo want to got at is an answer to tho query with which wo opened—is the New Zealander or tho Native Minister tho more reliable exponent of Ministerial intentions in this matter ? However that may be, Wanganui people arc not likely to view with increased favor a Government which maintains a journal that thus wantonly heaps insult aud injury upon thjs town and district. The Clutlm Times has the following, which tends to prove the truth of the saying, “ That gratitude is but a lively anticipation of future favors”;—“lt will bo aoeu from tho result of a deputation which waited on Mr. Maoandrew on Wednesday, that so far as the repair of public works damaged by the floods is concerned, tho Government arc prepared to make

most liberal provisions. They propose to advance money without interest for five years to 10. al bodies. This is exactly as it should bo; but we are sorry to say that Mr. Macamlrew then went on to e:iy something with which the people of the Clntha most decidedly will not agree. He expressed himself,as opposed to the re-buildiug of the Clntha Bridge, and thought that a punt would answer all tho purposes for which a bridge would bercqnired for years to come.” We understand Captain Piggott’s body lias not been discovered yet, aud a reward has been offered for i;s recovery. It is thought by some that the body has been found, aud after being robbed has been again buried. It is known that he had a largo amount of money and two watches upon him when drowned. Bobbing the dead is about the meanest tiling a man can do, on the earth. We {Maiumatu Times) hope the body will yet be found. The IL.iwarm hnihUng allotments advertised In our columns are to be sold to-day by Air. J. 11. Wallace, at 2 o’clock. As they are situated in a pleasant suburb of the city, an I within easy distance either byroad or rail, wc expect that they will command good competition. Mr. Francis Si iey will ;;-ll by auction to-day, at 3 o'clock, a number of nood allotments of hind. Among others wo notice a block of land in Cambridge* avenue, with two houses upon it, town acre No. 870. and some sections In Abci Smith-street. Among the sales of rural land two sections are advertised in Canterbury province, and also section of land in the Lower Hutt- Some town lots in Carlyle are also mentioned very favorably by Mr. Si ’ey.