Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5520, 5 December 1878, Page 2

We are officially requested to state that the mails for the Australian colonies, per Albion, close at tho Bluff at 11 a.m. this day. District Judge Hansford leaves to-day for Masterton, where a sitting of the District Court will be held to-morrow. There are four cases set down for hearing, two of which will bo tried by a jury. As an instance of the extensive scale on which sawmilling in the Wairarapa is being or is about to be carried on, it may bo mentioned that Messrs. Booth and Co., of Taratahi, are now importing between thirty and forty tons of rails, to be used in the construction of tramways for the purpose of bringing timber out of the forest. It is understood that on account of the great probable cost the Government have given up the project of straightening the Hutb lino. An estimate prepared in the Public Works Office shows that it would have cost £20,000 to effect an alteration in some of the worst pieces, including those between Ngahauranga and Potoni. Another of the Government promises has gone to the wind-*, Mr. Macandrew in his Publ c Works Statement announced the intention of the Government to make tho hulk Omega a training-ship ia Wellington harbor. Kitber the promise, with many others of the same kind, has been forgotten, or the Treasurer is very impecunious ; at any rate, Mr, W. H. Warren has been instructed to sell the hulk by public auction. It is understood that a number of questions in connection with the alleged invalidity of the late Mayoral election were remitted to the At-torney-General by Mr. Hutchison’s supporters for consideration, including those relating to the right of members of the constabulary to vote, to personation, to the single polling booth, and in regard to there having been a roll for each ward instead of a special roll for the whole city. As to the first point it is said that the Attorney-General holds that members of the constabulary have a perfect right to vote at municipal elections, but he is still considering the other points. A Wellington visitor to tho Masterton Horticultural Society's exhibition on Tuesday sperka very highly of it. The pot plants were very good, especially the fuchsias ; and the cut flowers were also excellent, some very pretty table bouquets having been made up. But tho feature of the exhibition was tho fruit and vegetable class. lu the former department the strawberries were a sight worth seeing, the lot from tho garden of Thomas Murray, Esq., of Te Ore Ore, which took the prize, being infinitely superior to anything seen in - the city this season. There was a good display of farm produce and poultry, and on the whole tho exhibition was really a credit to the district, and far in advance of all its predecessors. Christmas, which comes but once a year, comes on this occasion in the middle of the week, and breaks it up in such a fashion as, after deducting Boxing Day, to leave tho balance pretty nearly useless for mercantile purposes. Some young men of our acquaintance think therefore that tho Friday and Saturday of the Christmas week should bo thrown in, and that his Excellency tho Governor should be moved to proclaim them as bank holidays. Wo do not doubt that the devoted Ministers who have been left by their colleagues to arrange with the auctioneers about tho sale of the reclaimed land would be willing to give judicious advice upon this point, and, under gentlo pressure, even to add the Monday and Tuesday preceding to the list.

We have received from Mr. A. P. Stuart a prospectus ot the Art Union of Glasgow, the object of which is set forth as being to aid in extending a knowledge of the fine arts by distributing among its members meritorious works of art, A subscription of a guinea entitles each subscriber to a copy of the presentation work for this year, which consists of a handsomely bound folio volume suitable tor the drawingroom table or library, containing a series of four photographs, printed by the carbon pro. cess, by Mr. Thomas Annan, after paintings commissioned from Robert Herdman, Esq., E.S.A., illustrative of Thonns Campbell’s poems, accompanied by descriptive letterpress. The subscription-fist will close to-morrow, for despatch by the outgoing mail. A fatal accident occurred at the ship Hyderabad on Tuesday, resulting in the drowning of a seaman named Peter Petersen, belonging to the ketch Forest Queen. Captain Watchlin, Mr. Gibb, and two seamen were pulling to the ship Hyderabad, when a huge curler rose without any warning, broke on board the boat, and capsized her. All four occupants were thrown at once into the water. The accident was observed from the Hyderabad, and some of the hands on board threw lifebuoys. Mr. Gibb stuck to the boat, Captain Watchlin and a man named Charlie clung to an oar, but the fourth man, Peter Petersen, was never seen from the time the boat capsized. The other three being washed by the current to the southward in the surf, a boat was launched from the Hyderabad, and pulled out in charge of Mr. Koss and six men, picking up Charlie, who was greatly exhausted. They immediately took him off to tho ship, and as he was apparently drowned, appllied the usual means of recovery, and after a time succeeded in restoring animation. Captain Watchlin swam on shore, aud Mr. Gibb al-o got safely to land, clinging to the boat. Mr. Koss aud oraw, to whom great credit is due, then put tho men on board their respective vessels. Tho accident was not observed on board the Glenelg until tho Hyderabad's boat was launched, when it was too late, even if it had been prudent to attempt to send a boat through tho rollers, to render any assistance.

tho ordinary meeting of tba Wellington Benevolent Institution this week there were present the Bishop of Wellington fin the chair), Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Kev. B. W. Harvey, Bov. Mr. Harrington, Rev. Mr. Reid, Rev. Mr. Coffey, Rev. W, IT. West, Messrs. J. G. Holdsworth, J. E, Smith, and h. Levy. Tho minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and a number of cases wero relieved A contribution to the funds of £5 from Mr. Campbell’s art union was received. It was noticed that the subscriptions were coming in slowly. Those whoso good fortune it was to make one of the happy crowds of excursionists who went round the coasts of thoso islands in previous years will have a keen recollection of the pleasure experienced on these trips. All tho excursionists wero loud in their praise of tho whole affair, and many were tho resolutions formed by those who heard them tp take advantage of tho next opportunity offered by the Union Company, and boo the splendid scenery of our coasts and sounds, The disappointment will bo exceedingly bitter to those who had intended to go when they learn that the company will not be able to send a steamer round this year. T’tijs is no doubt owing to the loss of tho Taranaki, and though much to bo regretted, it cannot bo helped.

Wa notice that the partnership hitherto subsisting between Messrs. Zohrab, Knocker, and Holmwood has been dissolved by mutual consent. Amongst the improvements which strike a visitor to the Wairarapi is the large storage shed being built by Mr. T. W, Pilcher, the carrying agent. The new time-table of the tramway comes into operation on Monday next, when all the trains will run right through, starting from the respective termini at intervals of twenty minutes. Mr. R. J. Duucau yesterday completed negotiations for the sale of Mr. James Gilligan’a Abbotsford station at Taueru, to Mr. Hadfield, a well known Canterbury contractor. The price was £13,000, and the purchase includes the estate, 2818 acres of rich land, about 3000 sheep, and a few horses. This is a good evidence of the favor in which property in this provincial district is held by Southern capitalists. We hear that a Gorman named F, Legerpnsh was brought down from the Whareama district yesterday by Constable Darby. The man appears to have been living a strange kind of Robinson Crusoe life on the Rev. J. Andrew’s property lately, and when apprehended said that ho was about to shoot a sheep for food. Ho has been sentenced by Mr. Warded, the K.M., to a* month’s hard labor for vagrancy. A meeting of the creditors of Beck and Tonka was held yesterday, when it was found that new and difficult complications had arisen owing to the recent judgment of the Bankruptcy Court in the case. Several creditors were strong in their condemnation of Mr. Beck’s conduct particularly, and one or two unpleasant scenes occurred Mr. Tonks’ part in the affair was held to be much more satisfactory, and several creditois expressed the opinion that there wo »ld be little opposition to an application for his discharge. Referring to the case of the children who were arrested on Tuesday night for flower stealing, we hear that it is not the intention of the gentleman whose garden was plundered to proceed in the matter. No doubt these petty depredations are becoming a serious nuisance, to owners of well-kept gardens more especially; but, in sooth, the hasty arrest and confinement of girls of such tender years has to a considerable extent turned sympathy in the direction of the juvenile delinquents. It is mentioned that in consequence of a difficulty having arisen in connection with the swearing-in of deputy land-tax commissioners by Supreme Court Judges in various parts of the colony, an Drder-in-Couucil has been issued authorising District Court Judges to perform the function of swearing those gentlemen in. It seems, according to the Act, that these officers must be sworn in withiu fourteen days of their appointment by a Judge of the Supreme Court; but as all the Judges have lately been congregated in Wellington, owing to the sittings of tho Appeal Court, the oath could not be administered. Hence the difficulty, A layman might reasonably take the view that in tins matter the Government have exceeded their powers, as section 17 of the Act, which sets out the purposes for which Orders-io-Council may be issued, is a very doubtful authority for such action. It might have been better to extend the time in which the swearing-ia was to be done, under clause 63. H»s Worship the Mayor, tho Chairman of tho Chamber of Commerce, Messrs. Charles O’Neill, J. F, E. Wright, and E. W. Mills, formed a deputation yesterday to wait upon the Government and to inquire whether there was any chance of a sum being set aside from the amount voted for gold prospecting to be expended within the Provincial District of Wellington. Tho deputation requested that a sum oi £2OO might be devoted to this end, and a prospecting party be arranged accordingly. His Worship the Mayor read a testimonial in favor of the appointment of Mr, Moore, signed by a number of members of both Houses of Parliament, to the following effect:—“Believing that New Zealand abounds with vast mines of mineral wealth now lying waste, and only waiting development, and having considered tho large and practical experience of the bearer, Mr. Daniel James Moore, as a prospector and explorer of long standing, intimately acquainted with tho geological construction and the mineral resources of the colony, to the study of which he has devoted tho last seventeen years, of bis lifetime, —we have great pleasure in recommending his appointment by the head of the Goldfields Department as a most suitable prospector, Mr. Moore having heretofore rendered very important services in this direction by the discovery of the valuable goldfields at Moore’s Gully, Mace Town, the Garrick Ranges, and elsewhere.” The Hon. Mr. Ballance stated that in the absence of Mr. Stout he was nob able to give any positive assurance, but he believed that if private subscriptions were raised towards the furtherance of the object in view the Government would be prepared to supplement the sura subscribed with an equivalent amount from the grant for prospecting purposes. He would submit the matter to the Attorney-General, and would forward a reply to his Worship the Mayor. Having thanked tho Hon. Colonial Secretary and the Hon, Mr. Ballance, the deputation then withdrew. A sitting of the Supreme Court in banco was held yesterday before his Honor the Chief Justice. The case of most general interest perhaps was an appeal from a decision of Mr. Shaw, a Resident Magistrate on the West Coast, in regard to the employment of barmaids in public-houses. The Licensing Act Amendment Bill of 1874 provides that no hotel proprietor shall employ in his bar before 11 a.ra. and after 11 p.ra. any female to sell alcoholic or other liquors. The sergeant of police at Reefcon laid an information against one Neville for having broken this law, and the Bench considering tho charge proved inflicted a penalty. Neville appealed, and yesterday Mr. Buckley arguod his case, contending that as in this caso tho female was in tho bar contrary to the orders of her employer, the employer could not be held to be guilty of a breach of an Act, the whole scope and purpose of which was to protect females. What she had done was under no pressure, but of her own free will, and the employer ought not to be held responsible. The Court took a different view.—Mr. Bauoke, who has persisted in suing tho Colonial Treasurer of the day for the last ten years, was again before the Court, having brought a suit against the Hon. Mr. Ballance. As the Chief Justice had advised in tho case when Attorney-General ho declined to hear argument, and the matter is to be remitted to Mr. Justice Richmond, tho only Judge in tho colony who has not yet heard Mr. Bauoke’s case. Plaintiff always insists on appearing in person, and as the case, like all suits against tho “powers that bo,” involves clever pleading, Mr, Baucko hitherto has always been unsuccessful. His original claim was for some £3OO or £4OO, but the special damages now claimed alono amount to £12,000. Several other cases wore disposed of, and the Court at 4 p.m. adjourned till to-day. Under the heading “ Payment of County Council Chairmen,” tho Press says :—“ Mr. Mathias, in proposing the election of the Hon. John Hall as Chairman of tho Selwyn County Council yesterday, said his own opinion was that tho gentleman holding this position should receive an honorarium. He said, however, that he had spoken to Mr, Hall on tho subject, and that that gentleman had firmly refused, if re-elected, to receive anything. The Hon. John Hall was unanimously rechairman for the ensuing twelve months.”

. It is remarkable that most of the eminent English statesmen of the present and past generation have lived to be old men, and have remained in active public life up to the last. They enjoy vigorous health, and live, as Earl Kussell did, long beyond tho allotted throe score aud ten years. There is tho Earl ot Albermarlo, who is now 79 years old; tho Duke of Somerset is 74, tho Duke of Devonshire is 70, tho Duke of Portland is 78, the Duke of Wellington is 71, tho Marquis of Hertford is 77, tho Marquis of Cholmondoly is 78, tho Marqnis of Ailesbury is 74, Earl Suffolk is 74, Earl Shaftesbury is 77, Earl Stanhope is 73, Earl Graham is 79, Earl Ashburnham is 81, Earl ot Buckingham is 85, Earl Hardwiokc is 79, Earl Bathurst is 88, Earl Chichester is 74, Earl Grey is 76, Earl Lonsdale is 01, Earl Harrowhy is 80, Earl St. Garni dns is the same age, Earl Howe is 82, Earl Stadbroko is 84, Earl Zetland is 83, Earl Alleuborougb is 88, Earl Crowly is 74, Viscount Leinster is 87, Viscount Hill is 78, Viscount Stratford do Eedeliffo is 00, Viscount Eversloy is 84, Viscount Halifax is 78, Lord do Boss is 81, so is Lord Berners, Lord Say aud Solo is 70, Lord Donmaris 88, Lord Toynham is 80, Lord Sondes is 84, Lord Level is the same, Lord Grantley is 80, Lord Gago is 'B7, Lord Olanbrassil is 90, Lord Kavcnsworth is 81, Lord Eayjcigh is 82, Lord Wigan is 08, Lord Blanket is 85, L?r4 Fingal is 87, Lord Kenlis is 91, Lord Hamilton is 85, and Lord Wolvevtoa is 31; Bari Beaconsfleld is in hi? 74th year, Mr- Gladstone is tour years younger, John Bright is oajy 67, and Earl Granville is but 08.

A general meeting of the Wellington Cricket Club was held at the Pier Hotel last night. The only badness done was the election of ten. new members. A special meeting of the City Council has been called for Thursday, to cousider a proposed by-law under which no licensed hackney carriage shall be allowed to carry either a corpse or a coffin. “ Flying Scud” was played for tho last time at the Imperial Opera House last night, to a fair audience. The piece was remarkably well put on the stage, and the performance decidedly deserved better patronage. To-night “ Green Bashes” is to be played. Complaints as to the delays and difficulties in connection with the goods traffic on the Featherston line still continue. The rolling stock evidently is quite inadeqate to the requirements of the line, and to make matters worse, it is said three out of the four Fell engines for use on the other side of the hill are laid up, and are undergoing repairs in the workshops. There is thus only one available for working the line, and if it were to break down the result would be the practical closing up of the line for a time. It is pretty freely stated that the cause of the mishaps to these e igines has been the practice of making the trains too heavy; and that if more frequent trips with lighter loads were made the result would be much more satisfactory. When oue of the engines was dragging a load up the hill the other day one of the cog-whee's in connection with the centre rail snapped off. This certainly requires to be seen to if the statement be true, because were a cog-wheel to go when a train was proceeding down the hill, with momentum on, the result would pro bably be a very serious matter. Robinson’s sparkling comedy of “ Society” will be played to-morrow night at the Imperial Opera House. The principal character is that of Daryl, the only son of a nobleman, who to help out his means writes for the monthly magazines and other papers. He becomes acquainted with one Chodd, whoso son is very desirous of entering into society, and apes the airs of a gentleman, and has a considerable income. He promises to supply Daryl with means sufficient to start a daily paper if he, on the other hand, will introduce him into society. This Daryl indignantly refuses to do, saying that his friends are not marketable commodities. Chodd vows to have revenge. Scene 2 shows apartments in a London square, and introduces Maud Hetheriogtoa, who is waiting for Daryl. He declares his love for her, but states that he is too poor to marry. He is interrupted by two aristocratic visitors, Lord and lady Partington, who upbraid Daryl. Maud vows eternal fidelity, and as a love-token gives him a majenta ribbon. Act 2 shows the Owls’ Roost, a back parlor in a London tavern, occupied by a number of literary men, who aro unable to raise ss. amongst them to purchase some beer. News has been brought of the intended marriage of J, Chodd, jun., to Maud Hetherington. A ball-room scene follows, in which a stormy interview takes place between Daryl and Maud. Act 3 shows the “ Owls’ Rood; ” by day. Tom Styles is seen editing a new paper called the “Homing Earthquake” started for electioneering purposes. News comes to hand that John Chodd is going to stand for the borough which has been represented by the Daryls for many years. Daryl’s friends propose that lie should oppose Chodd, and at once form themselves into a committee to secure his return. He is returned, and in the end marries Maud. We hopo to-morrow night to see a good house, for tho management are sparing no expense to have the piece put on tho stage in a most creditable style.