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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5509, 22 November 1878, Page 2

His Excellency the Governor is expected to return to town to-day after his visit to the Wairarapa. A Carterton correspondent telegraphing last night says :—The result of the contests for the champion prizes in the sheep and cattle departments at Wednesday’s show is not, yet officially made known, but there is no doubt that Mr. George Hunter, of Wellington, is successful in both. We regret to state that Mr. Teschemaker, member of the House of Representatives for the electoral district of Gladstone, died in Wellington yesterday morning. The deceased gentleman took ill at the termination of the last session, having an attack of inflammation of the bowels, but a week ago it was thought all danger was past, though he remained weak and low. A day or two since, however, he suffered a relapse, and yesterday morning his illness terminated in death. Mr. Teschemaker was a new member at the last general election, and during the time he held a seat in the House showed himsolt to be possessed of a good deal of practical common sense. He spoke seldom, but then to the point, and always commanded respectful attention from either party. As a pleasant companion and a genial hearty gentleman he will be greatly missed, more especially in Canterbury, where he was well known. Deceased was unmarried. It will be seen by a telegram from Dunedin in our shipping columns that the whole (not part, as previously stated) of Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co.’s New Zealand fleet, with the exception of the Claud Hamilton, has been purchased by the Union Company, and that delivery is to be taken of all the vessels at once. This marks a new era in New Zealand’s commercial enterprise,. and it is to be hoped that as the Melbourne trade has passed into the hands of New Zealand residents every endeavor will be made to poularise the line. By the judicious and liberal management of this line of steamers the colony will be benefited immensely, for in the summer months visitors will crowd over to New Zealand to escape the hot winds and scorching sun of Australia. The following is an abstract of the Regis-trar-General’s report on the vital statistics of the boroughs of Auckland, Thames, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hokitika, and Invercargill, during the month of October, 1878 -

The deaths of persons not residents of the boroughs, occurring at hospitals, have been excluded in all cases. The births were 35 less in number than in September, without including Invercargill, now brought into this table for the first time. The deaths were 4 less in number than the deaths in September ; no deaths were registered at Invercargill. Of the deaths, males contributed 50 ; females, 45 ; 30 of the deaths were of children under 5 years of age, being 31'57 per cent, of the whole number ; 24 of these were of children under 1 year of age. There were 4 deaths of persons over 65 years of age (3 males and 1 female), viz., 2 males of 68 and 72 years, and 1 female of 73, died at Dunedin, and 1 male of 66 years at Nelson. A pair of carriage horses exhibited at the Wairarapa Show by Messrs. Hastwell and Macara, and which gained first honors, have been purchased by his Excellency the Gtovernor. The Court of Appeal was engaged all yesterday in hearing arguments on a demurrer to the declaration, in an action brought by the Press Agency against the proprietor of the Poverty Bay Standard. Judgment was reserved. The Carterton people are crying out about the delay which is taking place in commencing the Carterton extension of the railway line. It is said that the contractor should have been allowed only one year instead of two, and that he is now dawdling away valuable time. We notice that the through-cutting in Willis-street, in front of the Scotch Church, is being energetically pushed forward by the contractor. The work, when completed, will ease the steepness of the grade very considerably, and divert some of the wheel traffic from Manners-street, which is daily becoming more crowded. A presentation is to take place this evening at the Diocesan Library, Mulgrave-street, at 8 o’clock, to Mr. W. Mowbray, from the vestry and parishioners of St. Paul’s Church, upon the occasion of his retiring from the office of choirmaster, a position he has' occupied for over nineteen years. All the parishioners are invited to be present. The Waiohine seems to be as troubleseme as ever, notwithstanding all the efforts of the Grey town people. In consequence of the late rains it is no longer confined to the main channel, but flows across the road for a hundred yards', the depth being so great that vehicles are immersed up to the axles. It is said by some that the construction of railway works will have some effect upon the coarse of the unruly stream, but it is very doubtful. A well-attended practice of the Choral Society was held last evening in -the Provincial Hall. The annual meeting of the Wellington Volunteer Artillery Cadets was held last evening at the Wellington Eire Brigade station, Captain Best in tho chair. There was a large attendance of members. The balance-sheet showed that after an expenditure of £146 there was still a credit balance of £l2. Captain Best was elected treasurer, Sergeant Ludwig secretary, and Bandsman Gamble and Lieutenant Taylor auditors. These gentlemen, with Sergeant Fraser, were appointed a general committee. A sum of £1 Is. was voted out of the funds to Gunner MoColl, who met with an accident at tho last drill, whereby his foot was injured. Tho ordinary business being over Sergeant Fraser stepped forward and said ho desired, on behalf of the corps, to make a presentation to Mrs. Best in recognition of her uniform thoughtfulness and interest in the corps, and especially of her kindness and hospitality at a recent picnic. Ho then handed over to Mrs. Best a massive, handsome gold bracelet, on the inside of which was inscribed the following:—“Presented to Mrs, Captain Best by tho Wellington Artillery Cadets.— 21 |ll | ’78.” .Captain Best, on behalf of Mrs. Best, replied, thanking the corps for the present, but above all for tho kindly manner in which they thought of Mrs. Best. Tho proceedings then terminated. Qreytown is not going to bo left behind by Masterton. In this week’s Gazette it is proclaimed a borough, and in course of time will have its Mayor and Borough Council.

Hr. E. J. Blake, of Hawera, has been appointed to be an interpreter under the 12th section of the Native Lands Act. An exchange says the Siam’s mails wore delivered in Melbourne eight days under contract time, or in 374 days from London. From Wanganui we hear that tho election for the Mayoralty has passed off very quietly, no opposition being'offered to the return of Mr. Thomas Bamber. Hr. and Mrs. F. M. Bates arrived by tho Taupo from the South yesterday. They opeu here ■ with Mr. Hyde’s burlesque troupe on Monday next in “ The Pink Dominoes.” In our yesterday's issue we referred to a judgment given in banco by the Judges in the Supreme Court. At a late hour this was unavoidably crowded out, but it will be found in our columns to;day. The rainfall in Wellington during October was 6’BBo inches, as compared with T 517 in. in the same month of the previous year. The number of days of rain, however, were identically the same iu each case, We have been shown some very fine specimens of quartz from Jacksons Head. The specimens were brought over by Captain McGee in the s.s. Wellington. The gold is very plainly visible in the stone, which is exceedingly rich. Messrs. Leon and Kelly’s minstrels had another good house last night, and the performance as usual passed off to the entire satisfaction of the audience. To-night Mr. Leon takes a benefit, when no doubt ho will be greeted by a crowded house. A telegram in our commercial columns, and for which we are indebted to Messrs. Murray, Common, and Co., states that the wool sales have opened with a moderate attendance, and sales have been effected at 10 per cent, under the closing rates of last series. The weekly meeting of the Wesleyan Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society was held as usual last evening. Selections were read from the various newspapers, and interesting criticisms delivered. A full attendance of members is requested at the half-yearly meeting next Thursday. Deeds of grants have been prepared and are now ready for issue iu favor of the undermentioned- persona:—O. J. B. Marsh (2), G. Hunter and others (3), A. de B. Brandon (2), Henry London, W. H. London, Henry Lynch, Edmond Spencer, Patrick Moran, Patrick Brogan, Susan Smith, John S. Smith, N. Valentine, J. M. Kennedy, W. G. Roberts, Hoaui Mebana and another. We regret that in our report of the Horticultural Show in yesterday’s issue the prize list of the cut-flowers was accidentally omitted. The list is as follows :—Class ll.—Cut Flowers. Antifrhimums : Pegden, 1; Reid, 2. Verbenas: Bosoher, 1; McNab, 2. Roses: McNab, 1 ; Mason, 2. Roses; Mason, 1 ; Boscher,2. Rhododendrons: Mason, 1. Azaleas: Mason, 1 ; Boscher, 2. Bulbs: Mas->n, 1 ; Bosoher, 2. Pansies: Boscher, 1; McNab, 2. Peonies: Mason, 1. Collection of native flowers: Mason, 1 ; Bramley, 2. Collection of native flowers; Bramley, 1 ; J. Duncan, 2. Collection of geraniums: Boscher, 1 ; McKay, 2. Dress flower stand : McNab, 1 ; Hales, 2. Hand bouquet: McNab, 1; Bramley, 2. Hand bouquet flowers): Bramley, I; McNab, 2. Bridal bouquet; McNab, 1 ; Hales, 2. The Manawatu Herald is severely critical at the expense of Wellington playgoers in the following extract: —“ Madame Tasca, the eminent pianesto, has recently been performing in Wellington to very thin houses. Mademoiselle Charhonnet also gave a series of piano selections at Wellington a week or two ago, but played each night to a poor house. The fact appears to be that in Wellington musical taste is not sufficiently cultivated to enjoy such exquisite music as Mozart’s and Beethoven's. ‘ Tommy make room for your undo’ and ‘ Real jam' are nearer the gauge of a Wellington audience.” Local papers give particulars of a rather singular case pending in the Resident Magistrate's Court at Christchurch. A man named Alfred King Harlock, formerly of Akaroa, is render remand on a charge of forgery. He is suspected of having endorsed another person’s name on a promissory note on the Colonial Bank of New Zealand. Tho instrument is also endorsed with two other genuine names. Under these circumstances, and as the note is not due until the 26th, the bank authorities decline giving up possession of it; the consequence of which is that until that date the legal proof of the forgery is not available to the police. We are glad to notice, says the Wairarapa Standard, that Messrs. Blinkhorn and Peacock are putting the finishing touches to their contract for the erection of the Masterton Hospital, and that the building .will be ready to hand over by the end of this week. The structure, though of an unpretentious architectural character, is well calculated to impress visitors by the excellence of its internals arrangements, for which great credit is due to Mi-. King, who designed it. The male ward is roomy, lofty, well ventilated, and will accommodate all the patients likely to be admitted for many years to come. The female ward is sufficiently commodious, and the minor arrangements for bathroom, operation-room, private rooms, &c., are all that can be desired.

An advertisement in the Lake Mail, announcing an entertainment in aid of the hospital, winds up with the following unique hint Purchasers of tickets are reminded that their presence as well as their money is required to render the entertainment a complete success. As affording an idea of the extent to which cultivation is now carried on upon the large estates of Otago, it might be mentioned that upon four of them, lying pretty close together, there are this season 4115 acres of grain, viz.: —Totara, 1600 acres wheat, 500 do. oats ; Moeraki, 15 acres wheat, 200 do. oats ; Toipo Hill, 150 acres wheat, 400 do, oats, 150 do. barley ; Kauro Hill, 600 acres wheat, 540 do. oats, 60 do. barley. A great fuss was recently made (says the Timaru Herald) about a quarter-acre section with trifling improvements, in Cathedralsquare, Christchurch, being sold for £IO,OOO. We are informed on the best authority that first £BOOO and then £IO,OOO has been offered for a quarter-acre section in Timaru, but that the owner stands out for £15,000, and is likely to get it. It is impossible to say what the value of land is in a town or neighborhood progressing as Timaru is just now. Wo desire to draw attention to a very select lot of furniture to bo offered for sale by Mr. Duncan to-day. We understand that tho suites are very good Italian carved walnut frames ; the granite ornaments and jewellery are from the celebrated, house of George Janson and Sons, Aberdeen, and wo therefore think the sale well worthy tho attention of our readers. Messrs. Leary and Campbell will sell to-day by public auction, at their roams at Lambton-quay (unless previously released), the equity of redemption of part of town section No. 273. There are two well-built cottages on tho section. Mr Sldey sells to-day, in Ghuznce-street, furniture, bedding, Ssc.; everything Is new. Sale commences at 2 o'clock, and is entiiely unreserved.

Boroughs. Census population, March, 1878 Total Births, Total Deaths. Proportion of Deaths to the 1000 of Population. Auckland ■ .. 13,758 58 22 1-60 Thames 5.424 2 0‘37 Wellington 18.053 07 17 0‘90 - Nelson 6,004 24 3 0*45 Christchurch .. 13,425 BO 14 104 Dunedin 22,525 70 31 1-38 3,202 0 0 rs7 Invercargill .. 3,701 25 Total.. 337 95