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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5510, 23 November 1878, Page 2

The Telegraph Department has been advised that communication with Singapore is temporarily interrupted by the repairing ship. The New Zealand Shipping Company have received a telegram from Christchurch, dated 20th instant,stating that the Plako’s delay is not likely to be serious. The extent of the damage is unknown. The Minister of Justice has addressed a letter to Mr. Dransfield, as Mayor, in reply to the resolution passed at the meeting re O'Connor, held in July last, stating that the Government are not aware of any reason why the verdict of the jury should be cet aside. - For purposes of economy the Government recently dispensed with the cervices of the photo-lithographer, a gentleman who had been brought from Melbourne under an arranged permanent agreement, and whose rights had to be commuted by a lump sum payment of £4OO or £SOO. Since then, we hear the expenses of the department have been increased by £7OO or £3OO a year, and now there is little else but confusion. .This is economy and efficiency. The Court of Appeal was yesterday occupied in bearing an appeal from the decision of Mr. Justice Richmond in refusing a new trial ia the case of Buckeridge v. Wardell. The suit, which has been proceeding for some time, is in respect of the ownership to an acre of laud in Featherstou, and it would seem that whoever gains the case will still be a heavy loser, for the law costs on either side must far exceed the value of the land. The case was not finished yesterday, and was adjourned till Monday at 2 p.m. The Court will he occupied up to lunch time, it is expected,'with an argument on a divorce case. Th e opeeiugmatch of the seasoa will be played on the Basin Reserve this afternoon between the We'lington and Wanderers Cricket Clubs. The foßowing are the names of the teams. Wellington team : Messrs. Armitage, Cowle, Fordham, Godden, Irviro, Knapp, Kennedy, Lloyd, Morton, Watson, and Worry. Scorer ; Mr. A. T. Bate. Wanderers team; C. France, R. Decide, McDermott, Morrah, Chapmar, Maplcsden, Hickson. Nicola, Mausford, A. W. Decide, J. M. Speed ; emergency, Taylor, F. France, and H. Hall. Play will commence at 2 o’clock sharp. No doubt if the weather is fine there will be a large number of spectator"! present. The inward San Francisco mail was landed from the Taiaroa at half-past 2 o’clock yesterday morning, a day in advance of the contract time. Owing to the admirable arrangements of the Chief Postmaster, Mr. E. D. Butts, the f.o-ting was carried on so smartly that the Wanganui portion of the mail was enabled to be despatched by the morning’s coach at half-past 4, otherwise it probably wcu'd not have been delivered in Wanganui before Sunday. The work was finished by 7 a.m., and the mail was delivered in Wellington long before business hours. In consisted of 31)12 letters, 825 hook packets, and 10,150 newspapers from Europe; and 265 letters, 112 book packets, and 710 newspapers from America.

A fire alarm was sounded last evening, but the-.e proved to be no reasonable ground for it. It would be as well if some arrangement were made by which the fire-bells shoidd not bo rung unless it be necessary to call the fire brigades out. There have been several false ov needless alarms during the past week or two, and men who at personal sacrifice volunteer their services for the purpose of saving property, will probably soon get tired of their position if they are to be called out so frequently without reasonable cause for it. At any rate th*se occurrences may be expected to have the elect of damping that ardour upon which depends the usefulness of the brigades. There is another point to which the captains of the va\loas brigades might direct their attention, viz,, the establishment of a code of signals by which could be indicated the locaHfcy of a fire. At present there is no such code, or if there is it is not lo used as to be of any value to the general public.

Hr. Hutchison, one of the aspirants for the Mayoralty, addressed an open air meeting at the rear of the Victoria Hotel last night. Several lines had been stretched across overhead, from which were suspended about a dozen Chinese lanterns. A rough bench was arranged for the reporters, which was lighted , with what are known as bush-lanterns, viz., half-a-dozen bottles with their bottoms knocked out and a bit of candle dropped in the nock ; these were given to small boys to hold. In addition to these there were a couple of stable lanterns. The candidate took up his position on a bank about 6ft. high at tbe rear of the reporters* bench. There was a table there,on which was placed a large slush lamp, or a can full of melted fat, with a large wick. Everything went on very well until the end of the meeting, when some excited percon jumped on to the reporters’ bench, and with an erratic movement of his legs, which would have done credit to a trained acrobat, cleared off the bottles and lanterns with two movements of his feet. A chair was immediately thrown at the gymnast, this was followed up by some person throwing the can of melted fat over him ; nothing daunted, however, he still defied the crowd, and twisted an ugly looking bludgeon over his head. One of the reporters finding matters rather warm kicked away one of the supports of the table, and the gentleman with the stick was soon on the ground amongst chairs, lanterns, bottles, and planks. The members of the Press thought it was then time to leave, which they did. We had heard from several independent sources that the new Temperance Hotel and diemg-rooms lately erected on Lambton-quay were well worth a visit. Our informants were all agreed that a most excellent meal could be procured there for a shilling, that the cuisiue was first-class, and the . attendance as smart as could be wished. It was with some misgiving that we ventured upon a visit after hearing such high pra'se. But thinking that the public could not be too soon made awaie of so good a caterer for their wants, we found our way up there yesterday, and came away satisfied that the accounts of the goods provided were not in any way overdrawn. We have no des.rc to expatiate upon the merits of the luncheon, but wiU simply recommend those who are foud of a good luncheon or dinner at a very moderate price to pay a visit to the establishment and judge for themselves. The annual sermons in aid of the pension fund of the Anglican Diocese of Wellington, will bo preached to-morrow—that in the morning by Archdeacon Stock,* in the evening by Archdeacon Thorpe. Humor is busy (says the Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Herald) as to changes in the Ministry and Civil Service before the next proclamation convening Parliament. Ho doubt in some instances these rumors are well founded ; but at present it would be as well to class what I am about alluding to as very likely probabilities. The Colonial Secretary and Commissioner of the Armed Constabulary, Colonel Whitmore, it is believed, will shortly bo leaving for Europe, and, ns a consequence, will resign bis position in the Ministry. The second meeting of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Ciub is fixed for Saturday afternoon, December 14. The event of the day is a twenty-mile walking match, to be walked in less than four hours. Pirst prize, a gold watch, value fifteen guineas; second prize, a silver watch, valued at seven guineas; and third prize, a gold cha J n, valued at three guineas.

We understand from the manager of Felton, Grimwa.de, and Co. that over 3000 shares were applied for yesterday in ICempthorne, Prosser, and Co.’s New Zealand Drug Company. The total number of shares applied for m.Kempthorue, Prosser, and Co.’s Drug Company to date, is 9235. There was another very good house at the Theatre Royal last uight. Tonight is the last appearance of Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels, and those who have not seen them should not lose this opportunity. ■ By an advertisement in another column we observe that the consignees per Oraigie Lea are informed that they can obtain a settlement of the average on application at the office of Messrs. Levin and Co. ; We congratulate the consignees” on such a speedy termination of a complicated case, and the captain on his being able to have the matter closed before leaving port. . „ Mr. Hoskins brings to us next week a dramatic company of which the following artists form a part:—Messrs. Walton, Haygarth, Harford, Graham, Ashton, Misses Tilly Andrews, Nelly Daley, Marie Wilton, &c. “Our Boys" and “ O'Callaghan ” will be the first bill of the season. Mr. Lewis, second master of the Thorndon school, who has obtained leave of absence for a short time, was yesterday, before leaving the school, presented by a number of the scholars with a very handsome writing case. The gift was quite unexpected, and therefore presum* ably all the more gratifying. A cricket match will be played at Mrs. Leltch’s paddock, Polhill Gully, this afternoon, between the United and Excelsior Cricket Clubs; play to commence at 1.30 p.m. The following are the names :—United O.C. : Messrs. Astill, Brown, Dryden, Hqwe, Keefe, Linklater, Hountier, Hunt (captain), McGirr, Sunley, and Wylie; emergencies, Stewart and Ohatwin, Excelsior O.C. Messrs. S. Kennedy, Williams, Holmes, Mansill, Chimes, Kreeft, «T. Renner, R. Renner, Brown, and Duncan; emergencies, Mcßeth, Harding,and Dumbell. News indeed. - The; Otago Times in its monthly summary, tells English readers that “ the Electoral BUI perished at the hands of the Legislative Council.” Tn coDseqvenco of the plans not being'completed 1 , Mesrrs. J. H. iiethune and Co.'s sale of Karori land is postponed until Tuesday, 3rd December. This property is well known in Karori as 11 Fleet’s." Wo have been requested lo call attention to AJe'jvs. J. 11. Bethuue and Co.'s sale of splendid building sites for private residence situated at Fitz-hert-terrace, Thorndon; also valuable* freehold and leasehold properties at tnc Upper Unit, and buildleg sites at Aln-clown, Hutt, which takes place as advcitlsei on Monday, at 2 o’ckck, Mr. Sidey sells to-day, at 12 o’c T ock sharp, at the residence of Mr. Morey, Upper Willtx?treet, all Ms household furniture, bed and table line;', &c., without the slightest reserve. Mr. Sidey wl 1 ! also hold an attractive land sale at the Arcade buddings at three o'clock, There is to bo offered a nice freehold cottage and land situate in Elizabeth-slreet, a most desirable investment, and the terms are announced to be eacy. Also, a first-class freehold dwel-ling-house in Vogeltown. .Then there are a number of properties in country districts which are progressing rapidly and are becoming very'populous Messrs. and Campbell yesterday sold the equity of redemption of Edward Sheehap of a plot of laud, part of town acre 373: but 1 ■ consequence of the purchaser not being able to fulfil the conditions the piopeity will again be offered 10-day at noon.