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We hear that his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby has been informed that Sir G. Bowen will leave Auckland for the Mauritius in February next. His Excellency has been directed to make arrangements so as to arrive in Victoria towards the end of February, and not in January, as has been stated.

It is understood that the Hon. Mr. Sheehan will only stay in Wellington for an hour or two after arriving from the West Coast, as he is expected to proceed to Auckland with the utmost despatch, to confer with the Premier. The Suez mail does not leave till the Tuesday this mouth. The time allotted for the trip of the P. and 0. Company’s boats to Galle has been reduced by another day, making it two days less than the period ordinarily occupied. The full advantage of this alteration is derived by New Zealand; thus the mail is hereafter to be despatched on Tuesdays instead of on Sundays. His Worship the Mayor, unable to obtain the use of the Athenaeum Hall at an earlier date, has called a public meeting for Tuesday evening next, at half-past seven o’clock, to discuss the railway-station question. The public meeting called to discuss the antiChinese immigration question will be held immediately after the other public meeting shall have come to an end.

It has'been suggested that the Government should employ prison labor to make bricks for the new Court House. There is a first-rate plant, and an inexhaustible supply of the best clay ready to hand, and as the prisoners have pretty well completed brickmaking for the new hospital building there is no reason why they should not at once be set to work making for the Court House. A cheaper mode of getting material could scarcely be found, and as the tramway runs nearly the whole distance the cost of carriage should be comparatively speaking very light. It is to be hoped the Government will accept the suggestion, and give an earnest of their intention to build a new Court House by acting upon it.

Tbe Chairman of the Hokitika Harbor Board, who is at present in Wellington, informs us that the harbor works, tho plans of which were approved of by the Government, were commenced last week by the contractor, Mr. W. Smith, who is bound to complete his section by the end of next year. The work consists of a close tramway wall of piles commencing from the lower end of the present wharf and running south with a moderate sweep for a distance of twenty chains, when it takes a curve, and runs about twelve chains due west out to sea, finishing with a substantial pier-head designed by Mr. Blackett. Tho intention of this wall is to guide the Hokitika River, and fix its erratic course in one direction, thereby securing a permanent channel across the bar. The south spit will be secured by a corresponding wall, leaving a f u'rvvay of about GOOEt. wide. The entire o-xt of the work is estimated at £31,000. Mr Virtue is sanguine that these works will pro re effective, and greatly tend to secure prosperity to the provincial district of Westland, a country rich in minerals and timber. The latter industry, which could be developed to any extent, has been hitherto circumscribed, and, indeed, almost paralysed by the difficulties of shipping and landing, and by the exorbitant towage rates charged by the steam tug for fetching vessels into port. This county, it would appear, has been 'somewhat neglected by the Government, and it is to be hoped that every legitimate facility will be extended to the Harbor Board, to enable it to carry to a successful issue the present undertaking. We are also informed that the apparatus foi the lighthouse to be erected on Cemetery Hill has arrived per Otaki, and that tenders will be immediately called for its erection. This will be a great boon to coasters. The Mayor holds the opinion that Wellington ia no worse than its neighbors in respect to the condition of its streets, but he would scarcely contend that the mode of streetmaking which obtains in this city is at all satisfactory. The process seems to consist in throwing down a mass of metal varying in size from dust up to Gin. Rolling or blinding is never thought of, the result being that for a short time horses’ feet are cut, and travelling made most disagreeable ; but after a while the loose metal is scattered in all directions, completely wasted, and the process begins anew. In a number of blind streets the same system of making is pursued, and there it appears to be eminently satisfactory bo far as durability is concerned, for people will not travel over it. So with footpaths, there is no attempt at making them solid. Shell gravel is heaped on iu profusion, but from the way it is knocked about immediately after being laid half is wasted and the water channels at the side are choked' up. A little more expenditure ia labor would really be economical. A deputation of the executive committee of the New Zealand Rifle Association, composed of Captains Crowe, Thompson, and Best, waited on the Hon. the Defence Minister yesterday, for the purpose of ascertaining what portion of the £2OOO voted by Parliament would be paid over to the association, and in what manner. The Minister, in reply, stated that the Government would not pay over the whole amount, but would subsidise the funds of [the association ,iu the usual way, that is, for every £1 subscribed the Government would give a similar amount; also, that they would appoint a competent staff to take charge of the camp, and superintend the firing at tho meeting which will be held at Nelson in February next. After thanking the Minister for the information the deputation withdrew. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, C, H. Thompson, an old man, and an inmate of the hospital, was charged with stealing a suit of clothes from Te Aro House. Prisoner said he had been to a wedding and and had taken more drink than was good for him, and in a fit of kleptomania he had taken the clothes. After consulting with Dr. Johnston, Hospital surgeon, his Worship discharged the prisoner, and said he would be allowed to go back to the hospital on account of hia old age, but he would have to be careful not to get beyond the gates again and commit himself in the manner he had done on this occasion.

The Karori'* bazaar closed yesterday afternoon with an auction sale of the remaining articles, conducted by Mr. Augarde. So far as we could learn, the bazaar has been a great success, and the promoters are very thankful to Wellington residents for the kiudly interest and support accorded to the effort. The accounts will not be made up for a day or two, so that it is impossible to state the financial result.

At the Imperial Opera House last night Charles Selby's great romance of real life, “The Marble Heart,** was produced for the first time in Wellington. The scene is laid in France. Rachael Duchallet, a sculptor, dreams that he is living in the age of Diogenes, and has executed three statues to the order of Georgias. The sculptor falls in love .with his work, and will not part with it. A dispute arises as to the ownership, when Diogenes interferes, and leaves the statues to decide. The sculptor appeals to them as the author of their being, but Georgias, the man of gold, offers them wealth. The statues immediately point towards him, and the curtain falls on the prologue. The scene then opens on a picnic party near Paris, in which . the characters of the dream are realised in Veaudoro (a rich Parisian) and two others. The statues become Mademoiselle Marco, the woman with the marble heart, Raphael is introduced to her, contrary to the advice of hia friend Volage, He neglects his work, follows her to Paris, and spends all his money in a useless attempt to soften her heart who has been taught from her childhood to care for nothing but gold. He returns home, and finds that hia mother has died from a broken heart through his desertion. The performance of Mr, Walton was one of his best efforts, especially with Marco in the fourth act, when ho curses her, and tho violence of his emotion causes him to break a bloodvessel. Volage was very well played by Mr. Burford. Mr. Hill was amusing in his character. Miss Tilly Andrews as Marco appeared to better advantage than we have yet seen her, and contributed largely to the success of the piece. The remainder of tho characters were creditably rendered by the remainder of tho company.

Georgo Webb was remanded for a week, yesterday, on a charge of forgery. The prisoner had purchased some goods from Mr. Thoiburn, draper, Willia-street, to the amount of £i 10s., and tendered a cheque for £7 sa. in payment, which ho said was drawn by his uncle, Mr. David Smith, of Silveratream. Mr. Thorburn handed £2 16s. in change to tho prisoner, and when the cheque was presented at the bank it was returned marked “no account/?

The Hon. Mr. Fisher returned from the South yesterday.

“ A Woman of the People” was repeated at the Theatre Royal last night to a moderate house. To-night the curtain will rise to “ Under the Gaslight and on Mond iy evening Mr. Hates will take his farewell benefit. We are requested to state that the Choral Society’s rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday next will not take place at the Opera House as stated in our yesterday’s issue, but only the final rehearsal on Saturday, the 21st. We regret that we were misinformed on this point. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday Phcehe Butler, a girl 13 years of age, was charged with stealing a dress, hat, and feather, the property of Mr. Charles Hastings Snow. The accused was remanded until Monday next in order that she might undergo examination touching the state of her mind. An advertisement elsewhere announces that excursion and picnic parties to Evans Bay and the district can be supplied with everything in the shape of refreshments at most reasonable terms. Luncheons will also be supplied at Hampshire House on Sundays, commencing to-morrow.

We have received a copy of a new song, entitled “ Our Able Plucky ream," written and composed by Mr. A. H. K. Thurston. The publication appears to bo very nicely got up, and we hear that it was sung with much applause by Mr. J. A. South at the Theatre Royal iu Sydney. It is scarcely necessary to say that the song is in honor of the brilliant success of the Australian cricketers in England and America.

The great twenty-mile walking race takes place to-day on the Basin Reserve, commencing at three o’clock sharp. There are seventeen entries, but probably three of this number will not start. The majority of the competitors have been iu active training, and considerable interest is being evinced iu the contest. The following are the names of those entered: — W. Beswick, R. S. Black, H. Berry, J. Ohurtou, DeOastro, F. France, P. Galbraith, F, Harrison, F. Henley, P. M. Kingdon, R. F. Lynch, T. S. Morteth, E. Maxwell, A. E. Mansford, H. Pollen, G. Saunders, and G. Wright. Should the weather be fine there will doubtless be a large number of spectators present. The second engagement of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Bates will be brought to a dose this evening, and these talented artists will bid farewell to the Wellington public on Monday night, on which occasion Mr. Bates will take his farewell benefit. It would be withholding from them a compliment which Mr. and Mrs. Bates are justly entitled to if they were allowed to take their departure from this city with merely a passing notice. A few years ago they resided so long in Wellington as to identify themselves thoroughly with the city and its inhabitants, and their departure for the neighboring colonies was then regretted not only by those to whom in public life Mr. and Mrs. Bates had afforded a great deal of pleasure and instruction, but also by a large circle of private friends to whom they had endeared themselyes by their rare personal quaffties and worth. Speaking of them in their public capacity, it may be truly said of Mr. and Mrs. Bates that their exertions have always been to improve the tone of the stage, and to elevate and improve the taste for dramatic representation. Where management is concerned, Mr. Bates will divide honors with Mr. Hoskins ; and for real downright hard work, to place their pieces on the stage in as creditable a manner as possible, Mr. and Mrs. Bates have had a few equals. During their present visit to Wellington they have presented to the public—Aubrey's comedy entitled “ Pink Dominoes,” which had a run of six nights; McClosky's drama “ Across the Continent,” which held possession of the stage for four evenings; this was followed by the historical play of “ Elizabeth,” in which the acting of Mrs. Bates in the principal role and Mr. Bates as Essex was so universally admired ; then came “ The Streets of New York,” followed by Robertson’s comedies of “ Caste" and “ School,” “ East Lynne. “A Woman of the People,” “Under the Gaslight;” and “ lugomar” and “Toodles" are the pieces which Mr. Bates has announced for his farewell benefit on Monday evening next. Tbe round of characters which Mr. and Mrs. Bates have sustained has been of a very diversified nature, and has afforded abundant proof of the extent and versatility of their histrionic powers. Their stay has not been sufficiently long, owing to other engagements, to permit them to appear in other pieces in which they excel—notably the great historical play of “ Richelieu,” in which Mrs. Bates makes such an excellent Julie, and Mr. Bates sustains the part of the wily Cardinal with such force and dignity. • On Monday night the public will have an opportunity of seeing Mr. Bates for the last time in a part which he has made peculiarly his own, because as Toodles he is decidedly unapproachable. There will no doubt be a large house to say good-bye to two members of the profession who are a credit to it—to wish hon voyage to a lady and gentleman who have not only made themselves popular with the public generally, but who are deservedly esteemed by a large circle of private friends, by whom their excellent social qualities will not readily be forgotten.

Mr Sidey’s land sale at the Arcade to-day at three o’clock will be more than usually attractive. Several first-class town properties will be offered; also, the sections in Woodville and Featherston for which such a demand has sprung up lately. Dwan and Kirton will submit to public competition at the Arcade Buildings, this day, at 2 o’clock sharp, in addition to other properties, portion of section 277, corner of Tory-street and Courtenay-place, and from the eligible position of this valuable piece of freehold no doubt close competition will be the result. Messrs. Laery and Campbell will sell this afternoon, at 2 o'clock, at the Nag's Head yards, a lot of horses from the Manawatu, which are advertised as a really splendid mob. They will also offer a pair of carriage horses, &c.

In another column will bo found Mr. Sidey’s advertisement for the sale of town acre No. 71. cut up in’O building allotments, and to be sold on Saturday next. The property is really well worthy of a visit to either intending purchasers or for pleasure seekers, as the view from the grounds is really very beautiful. .

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18781214.2.10

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5528, 14 December 1878, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,637

Untitled New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5528, 14 December 1878, Page 2

Untitled New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5528, 14 December 1878, Page 2

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