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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5515, 29 November 1878, Page 2

The Singapore and Batavia cable is now working again all right. A poet, ons.of the “ upper ten ” apparently, on reading a local in our issue of yesterday, on the euro of gout by the sting of bees, hailed tho discovery of another means of alleviating the occasional misery of himself or his fellows in the following epigram : Our fathers, too fond of “ bces-wing,” Got tho gout, arid were forced to endure it; We, more fortunate, find a bee’s sting Will, applied to a gouty limb, cure it. Tho Agent-General telegraphs to the Government under dato London, 21st instant, that ho had before that date despatched the ship Boyne for Lyttelton with 391 immigrants, and tho Hudson for Wellington with 250. The Royal Commission to inquire into the condition of collegiate or higher and secondary education, and the relation of both to the common school education of tho colony, is composed of tho following gehtlemen Messrs. J. A. Tole, G. M. O’Eorko, M.H.R.; Rov. Dr. Wallis, M.H.R.; Hon. Mr. Gisborne, M H.R. : Rev. J. W. Habena, InspectorGeneral of Education; Dr. Hector ; Professors Cook, Shand, and Sale, of Otago University ; Dr. Macdonald, Rector Dunedin High School; Mr. W. H. Cutten, M.H.R.; Profetsor Ulrich, Otago University. The director of tho geological survey, Ur. Hector, who is one of tho Hon. Mr. Sheehan’s party, will if possible work his way through to the Waikato, in order to gather information as to the geology .of a comparatively unexplored part of the colony. The Town Clerk requests owners and drivers of hackney carriages to call at tho Corporation offices and make application for their licenses.

Wo regret to hear that Councillor Dixon is seriously ill. Saturday next, being St. Andrew’s Day, is a legal bank holiday, and will bo observed accordingly. Philip Murtagh, tho man who attempted to stab two others at Masterfcon, was committed for trial yesterday. The official declaration of the poll in regard of the Mayoral election was in accordance with the figuea published in our issue of yesterday. We have been requested to call attention to the fact that the share list in Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co.’s Drug Company closes tomorrow. There was no meeting of the City Council last night. The only Councillor who put in an appearance was Councillor Youug. The meeting will take place to-night. Mr. Chatfleld, architect, of Lambton-quay, has prepared plans for the new residence for the Anglican Bishop of Wellington. Tenders are invited for the erection of the same. The Government are desirous of the committee of the Wellington Benevolent Institution taking over the charge of all charitable institutions in tho city, but these gentlemen ,do not see their way to take over such a heavy ; responsibility. The Wairarapa Daily understands that a requisition is in course of signature calling on Mr. Pharazyn, as chairman of the Pastoral and Agricultural Association, to convene a special meeting for the purpose of taking steps for the holding of a ram fair at the show grounds, Carterton', in the month of March next. It will be seen by advertisement that a meeting of the Philosophical Society will be held at the Museum on Saturday evening, when a paper will bo read by Hr, J. T, Thompson, Surveyor-General, on “ The Drainage of Towns.” We understand that the panerhas been printed, and that a few copies will be distributed amongst those who intend to take part in the debate. Of course there was a good deal of gossip about town yesterday in reference to the late election, and all sorbs of stories were current as to what certain individuals were going to do with a view of upsetting the election. If no other data than was yesterday in hand be discovered it in exceedingly improbable that the wishes of the ratepayers, as expressed at the ballot-box, will bo interfered with. In connection with the election there was a rumor of another Parliamentary election being necessary soon, it being very freely stated that Mr. Barton had determined to resign his seat for the city. The Bruce Herald believes that Mr. G. M. Reed’s elevation to a Government billet has rejoiced the hearts of the Otago Daily Times* directors.

The Lyttelton Times of a recent date reports: miscellaneous entertainment in the Foresters’ Hall, Oxford-terrace, the use of which had been kindly granted for the occasion. There was not a large attendance. A well-arranged programme of classical and political readings, interspersed with pianoforte solos, was submitted, and the various items appeared to afford great satisfaction. Mr. Wakefield’s reading was characterised by a considerable amount of feeling, and his delivery, although at times too low to be heard distinctly, was tasteful and effective. A brief address on 1 Taxation’ was included in the programme.” With reference to prison management in Hew Zealand the Lyttelton Times makes the following remarks : —“ The evils inseparable from the present system of the colony, if it can be called a system, have been the subject of denunciation from the judicial bench for years, and have been put on record bycompetent men specially commissioned to examine into them. As long as the prison discipline cares for nothing but the safe cus-' tody of the prisoners, as the Commission of 1368 reported, so long do the prisons deserve the reproach of Mr. Bowen—made when introducing his motion last session for the appointment of the special committee—that they are nothing but vast criminal education establishments. It is impossible, perhaps, to wholly deprive any prison, however conducted, of this character; but the evil can be reduced to a minimum. It is at present a recorded fact that the evil is at as great a height as it is possible for it to be. One of the objects of good government is the repression of crime, and one of its highest aims should be the reformation of the offenders which the State punishes. We hope the Government will see their way to bring down next session a scheme of prison management based upon the various recommendations of tho two reports at their disposal.” There were seven inebriates brought before the Court yesterday for drunkenness, who were discharged, as they stated it was the result of the election. John Thurgur was charged by the proprietor of the Melbourne Hotel with breaking a billiard-rest, and was fined 55., together with 15s. damages. In the following cases judgments were given for tho plaintiffs, with costs:—John Gell v. W. Steven, .£6 (claim £9) ; J. Cottrell v. W. E. Armstrong, £2 ss. i J. P. Johnson v, H. T. Duncan, £5 10s. 6d.; D. Anderson v. T. Bould, £4 9s, Bd. (claim £6 19s; 4 9d.) ; National Bank of New Zealand v. E. Walker, £B2 13s. 2d.; J. Smith v, Jacobowich, £3 9s. sd, (claim £4 9s. 5d.); Shaw and Sons v. A. J, Stevenson, £5 ss. ; J. Smith v. J. N. Bel), £1 19s. Bd.; Frith and Levien v. D. Bell, £l3 2s, lOd. (claim £l6 Bs. 10d.); Valentine and others v. G. S. Sellars, £2B 16s. sd. Mr. T. A. Mansford, R.M., was on the bench. A Punishment of Drunkards Bill has been introduced into the New South Wales Legislature, and this is what Mr. Buchanan, an ex M.P., has to say about it : —This Bill, in its every clause, is in flagrant violation of every principle of liberty, so much so that I think the Speaker should be authorised to read to the House a chapter of John Stuart Mill’s book on ! Liberty every day before beginning the busi- i ness. And what does this Bill do ? It provides that any respectable man who may have got a little top-heavy, through good-fellowship, may be walking quietly and inoffensively home, interfering with nobody, but little dreaming that a policeman has his eye upon him, and who will give him a summons next morning to appear at the Police Court to answer a charge of drunkenness, where the policeman will have it all his own way and the poor victim not tho slightest chance. And the worst of it is, if this occurs three times, the Bill gives the magistrates the power to send to gaol for six months. I am not sure, not having tho Bill before me,-whether a third conviction for simple drunkenness empowers the magistrates to imprison for six months ; but even if it requires three convictions for being drunk and disorderly, the punishment is outrageous, and tho whole spirit of the little abortion of a Bill is the spirit of ignorant, blind oppression. Every man has a right to get drunk so long as ho interferes with nobody, and gives no annoyance : and how any assembly of enlightened gentlemen could for one moment dream of enacting that a policeman should have power to summons any man whom bo sees walking along tho street—it may be somewhat unsteady, but occasioning no annoyance to anyone—before tho Police Court to answer a charge of drunkenness is, to me, surprising indeed. A capital joke at the expense of a Civil Service is thus recorded by the" Home corres-: pondent of an Australian paper:—“l, mentioned last month some successful frauds at the Admiralty, due to tho careless manner in which documents supposed to be merely formal are signed there without perusal. I have since fallen in with an illustration of this carelessness which seems droll enough to be worl'h mention. The facts date some yeai*s back, and belong to the * larky ’ period when tho Admiralty clerks wore truly said to bo like the fountains iu Trafalgar-squarc—playing from 10 to 4at tho public expense, A certain Mr. C—•, a disappointed patentee, had published a violent letter against Mr. E. J. Reed and Admiral Robinson (then respectively Chief Constructor and Controller of the Navy), suggesting, inter alia, that these two dignitaries should be * put into a glass case on the wooden side of the Admiralty,’ A wickod wag, whom X must not name, though he has long quitted tho Civil Service, conceived the happy thought of getting this suggestion and the letter containing it formally approved by the two officials. Mr. Reed happened to be then acting for the Controller, which made the hoax easier. The offensive letter was sent him, duly stamped and numbered, with the instruction ‘ Controller N. to report on that part of Mr. C ’s letter which relates to tho building of a glass construction with reference to Mr. Reed.’ There was appended this footcote : ‘ There is a large glass case used at tho Exhibition, in which tho model of tho Queen now stands at Somerset House, which, were the model removed, might be adapted for this purpose.’ Tho document is now extant bearing date * 3rd October, 1863/ and signed below tho note by tho Chief Constructor, * E, J, Reed, for Controller,’ I need hardly add that it was not duly laid before ‘ My Lords.’ ”

There are 27applications for thepoat of night watchman at the Boulcott-etreet tower. The salary is £IOO. A meeting of creditors in the estate of Beck and Tonks is convened, at the request of a creditor, at Barrett’s Hotel at noon to-day. Mr. Robert Morton is about to open a school in Wellington. The Wairarapa Daily , speaking of him, says:—“He is well known in this district, both as an efficient teacher and a gentleman.” The third competition for the City Rifle challenge medals takes place to-morrow, when the first squad will commence firing at five o’clock in the morning, same as last occasion. The afternoon squad wjU commence at halfp.istone o’clocksharp. The Inspector of Nuisances yesterday inspected 1600 cases of Devoe’s brand of kerosene imported by Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull and Co. The flashing point ranged from 92 to 102 deg., the average being about 95 deg., or about 15 deg. below the standard required by the-Dangerous Goods Act. The Rev. A. Knell is so seriously indisposed as to necessitate, in the opinion of his medical adviser, abstinence from his clerical duties for a period of twelve mouths. The Wairarapa Standard trusts that this will not necessitate his leaving the district, in which as a citizen he has been so useful, and in which he is so highly and justly esteemed. The half-yearly meeting of the Young Men’s Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society was held last evening in the Manners-street vestry. The committee’s report, which showed the society to be in a most satisfactory condition, was read and adopted. The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing session :—President, Rev. A. Reid ; vice-presi-dents, Rev, W. J. Williams and Mr. A. Goddard ; secretary, Mr. W. J. Helyer ; treasurer, Mr. W. E. Fuller; librarian, Mr. Smith; committee, Messrs. Grant, Tiller, Gell, and W. G. Tustin. Miss Sherwin leaves for Christchurch, m route for Dunedin, to-morrow. She will give concerts in Dunedin, and then return to Christchurch ; give concerts there, and then take a farewell benefit in Wellington. She will afterwards proceed to Auckland, and take steamer for San Francisco in February. Miss Sherwin purposes visiting England, France, and Italj. We understand it is the intention of Signor Pompei when in Europe to organise a first-class Italian opera company, with Miss Sherwin as a star, in company with other stars such as Patti, Albani, DeMurska, &c. All the principal cities in Europe will be visited, and at the termination of the tour the colonies will be visited, New Zealand first in order. The Wairarapa Standard advocates a more complete system of brakes on the incline section. It says “ Surely with a special clasping contrivance and brakes applied to every wheel, the speed down the incline could with safety bo made far greater. Goods and passengers to Wellington could be carried much more expeditiously than at present.” The Viticultural Committee of Paris has opened a subscription among the vinegrowers for getting up a fund that shall enable it to invite a number of foreign “ savans ” to come to the help of their French brethren, to determine the nature of the diseases now affecting the French vines and threatening to make a clean sweep of the French wine trade. In the region famed as the source of the Chablis (white) wiue, the growers are in despair, a new and moat deadly malady having broken out among their vines. The grapes turn to an ash color, get very hard, and do not ripen. This strange disease, which is spreading rapidly over tho Chablis region, will, it is said, completely empty the vineyards in the course of another year, if no remedy can be found. As for the phylloxera, it appears to be confirmed that it can be got rid of by planting strawberry roots between the vines, A scientific vinegrower, author of various important treatises, at Trigny, in the department of the Rhone, has completely cleared his vineyards of this destructive pest by planting the species called Triomphcde Liege, at a distance of two feet, between the rows of vines. Tho large strawberries borne by these plants engender, or attract, a little insect which possesses the invaluable quality of discovering and feeding on the phylloxera, so minute as to bo invisible to human eyes, except with the aid of magnifying glasses. This plan is being adopted by other grower’s, and everywhere with equal success, the vines becoming perfectly healthy wherever the strawberry plants have been introduced among them.

The rumor of an engagement between the Prince Imperial and Princess Thyra, of Denmark, appears to have been somewhat premature. The Continental correspondent of the Sydney Morning Ilevald says : —The project has undoubtedly been seriously entertained, although the Princess is two years older than the Prince ; and it is probably not laid aside, although tho difficulty of providing funds for a suitable style of living for the young couple is understood to be causing a pause in the proposed arrangements. The King of Denmark is poor, although five of his six children arc, or are to be, occupants of thrones ; and he can only scrape together some £40,000 as a dot for his pretty and amiable daughter. The Empress Eugenie, on her side, is not rich ; she is ready to sell whatever property she possesses, including some houses in this city, among others the one in the Rue de I’Elysee, occupied by one of the chiefs of the Imperialist party, M, Rouher; but tho two, between them, are unable to provide for the young pair the sura of £15,000 a year, which they consider to be the minimum amount on which they could live “ respectably” in England. And so the affair is in abeyance for the moment. The Princess of Wales is a strong partisan of the marriage, as she is longing to have her sister near her. The Prince of Wales, with whom Prince Louis Napoleon is a great favorite, would see the match accomplished with much satisfaction. As no political difficulties appear to have been raised by the project, which appears to delayed only by the difficulty of finding the funds needed for the housekeeping of a pair of Imperial Highnesses on the most modest scale of expenditure compatible with their nominal rank, it is supposed that some means for overcoming this difficulty will bo contrived by the partisans of tho Empire,and that the marriage which would make “ the heir of Napoleons” tho brother-in-law of four sovereigns (of Denmark, England, Russia, and Greece) will become, ere long, a fait ac • compl i. The township of Carterton North will be sold to-day in the Exchange Land Mart, at 2.30. Tho fact that Carterton is rapidly outstripping tho other townships iu that district cannot be denied. Carterton,, on account of its freedom from floods, its natural position, audou account of the large timber trade which is carried on, must always be a centre of trade, &c. The want of an extension has long been felt. This want is now met by the sale of the above township, which contains 268 sections, and is tho subdivision of section 213, formerly part of Mr, Fairbrother’s original selection, and noted as being one of the finest pieces of land iu this highly-favored district. Lithograph plans, showing the position of tho township, &c., have been freely distributed, a banner has been placed on the land,'and every facility has boon given to enable purchasers to see what they are buying. The railway line runs at tho rear of the township, and it is adjacent to Carterton railway station and opposite tho Roman Church and tho residence of Father Halbwachs. The terms aro 10 per cent, cash, balance in 18 months by quarterly instalments. These terms should suit tho speculator, and by tho time he has paid for his land the lino may bo opened to Carterton, and he will then ho able to dispose of his investment at a large profit. In the course of an article on tho return of the Jews to Palestine tho Christian Siynal says ;—“ The mystery which veils Heaven’s ultimate plans in reference to this irrepressible race may not bo removed in our time ; but in contemplating tho distant results of tho reorganisation of nationality and political government by the Jews wa look forward to their establishment in Palestine as a blessing to tho world. They are, happily, innocent of the brutal Sclavonic instincts which propel Muscovites to slaughter neighboring peoples, and on hypocritical pretexts, to annex their territory. Neither do wo indulge apprehensions that Jerusalem will ever become the focus of such Socialist conspiracies as are sapping the foundations of society in Germany, France, and Russia. They are too characteristically pacific and contented with their lot over to hatch plots of vengeance against the descendants of Christians who massacred their fathers in York Castle, burned them in the fires of the Inquisition, and cruelly robbed them of their property and freedom.” Messrs. Dwnn and Kirfcon announce a sale to-day at tho Arcade at 2 p.m. of allotments of land in Kilbirnio, Woodvillo, Feathcrstou, and Wavorley. They also offer a lot of drapery and other goods. Tho samo linn notify that on Monday first they will soli farms in tho llawora District, "Whiteman's Valley, Feathorston, ■Wainulomata, and Wavevloy. They also have for sale a largo run, 24,000 acres of which is freehold, with 19,000 sheep, horses, and cattle. Messrs. Laory and Campbell announce tho sale of consignments por tho Rotorua and Taupo to-day at 11 o’clock. They comprise oranges, lemons, Fiji arrowroot, provisions, &c. j