Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5532, 19 December 1878, Page 2

Mr. Dransfield was formally installed as Mayor of Wellington at noon yesterday. His Worship the Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Wellington, has sent a telegraphic message of condolence to the Queen, deploring the death of the Princess Alice.

A deputation, consisting of Sir William Fitzherbert, Mr. Bunny, Mr, T.- Mason, Mr. Knight, and Mr. Humphrey, waited upon the Hons. Mr. Ballance and Colonel Whitmore yesterday to request that the River Conservators Act might be brought into operation in the Hutt district, and the usual subsidy of pound for pound granted. Ministers at once acceded to the request. His Worship the Mayor has written to the Government asking when it would be convenient to receive a deputation with regard to the railway terminus question. Up to an advanced hour yesterday afternoon no reply had been received.

The annual meeting of tho Wellington Building Society was held last evening, and it was stated that during the past year the success of tho society had been greater than in any previous yearß. A report of the proceedings appears in another column. All tbe Hermione's passengers were landed on the quarantine island yesterday. There are no new cases, and no appearance of any others occurring. There are however two very bad cases, viz., Mr. P. Dunkerton and Mr. G. Jenkins. Now that the passengers are ashore and able to get plenty of fresh air and exercise it is thought that the fever will soon be rooted out. The ship is expected to be admitted to pratique in about ten days. We have received copies of supplements to the New Zealand Gazette, dated Monday and Wednesday last. In the first supplement the divisions aud apportionments of the education reserves in the provincial district of Auckland are given, including botli those for primary and those for secondary education. In Wednesday's issue the regulations under the Land Tax Act are given in full. Tabulated forms for the guidance of tho valuers and tax collectors, and form 3 of objections to assessed values, as well as a number of other forms and returns, are given, all of which will be necessary for a complete levy of the land tax. Altogether there are 12 forms aud 18 schedules of notices, &c, under the Act. In the Supreme Court yesterday his Honor the Chief Justice referred to the case of the man Hill, committed to gaol for contempt of Court in having refused to obey au injunction restraining him from interfering with his wife. His Honor said Hill had written a letter to the Begistrar, expressing regret for what he had done, and a willingness to inake any reparatian possible, but stating lie was penniless. Obviously the Begistrar oould do nothing, and there were no fundß in this colony out of which to pay the expenses of unfortunate suitors in Hill's predicament. Certainly he (his Honor) did not know what to do, but ho might suggest that if one of the junior counsel at the bar would take the case up he would really do tho Court a service. Mr. Cowan said he would not mind seeing Hill aud taking any steps that might be necessary to bring him before the Court. His Honor said he was much obliged to Mr. Cowan. Mr. Brandon, jnn., remarked he had heard of the letter sent to the Begistrar, and he had seen Mrs. Hill. She had no objection to her husband being released if he would give some security that he would not again oommit a breach of the injunction, and would give up his right to the children. His Honor replied he cou'd have nothing to do with tho latter matter yet. The only thing for Hill to do now was to purgo his contempt by expressing regret for what he had done aud promising amendment in the future. The matter then dropped. The- benefit concert tendered to Miss Florence Neville last evening was a great success from an art point of view, but it is regretful to state that the attendance was not so large as it should have been. The front seats were quite full, it is true, but considering the low price of admission, the attractive programme, and the great ability of tho ladies and gentlemen announced to take part, it was to have been expected the room would be full in every part. However, those who wero present fully appreciated the musical treat put before them, and were most enthusiastic in their admiration of the splendid pei formances of Mdlle. Charbonnet, Miss Neville, and others who took part. Almost every effort was rewarded by great applause and floral compliments. It is hardly necessary to criticise tbe various performances. Mdlle. Charbonnet's fresh, delicate, crisp touch, brilliant execution, and exquisite taste were never more thoroughly displayed than in her rendering of a selection from "Mose in Egito," Weber's " Kondo brillante," and several other pieces, last evening. One appreciates her talent and culture more on every occasion she performs, because it takes some considerable time to become acquainted with her versatility and thorough command over tho pianoforte. Miss Neville was in excellent voice, and her vivacious spirited , rendering of " Come bello," from " Lucrezia Borgia," at once placed her en rapport with her audience. Madame Moller is so old a favorite with tho Wellington public that it is only to say she was as usual very pleasing, and took the accompaniments with that fine discrimination and taste for which she has acquired no high a reputation. Two or three lady amateurs gave valuable assistance, tho young lady who assisted Mdlle in the "Polonaise brillante" deserving a special word of praise for her correctness, fine touch, and easy manipulation. Mr. Bonnington's violin playing must not be forgotten. In the duet, selections from "William Tell," he was heard to groat advantage, aud for the timo being equally divided honors with Mdlle Charbonnet. Tho distribution of the prizes at tho Kaiwarra school will take place this day at 3 p.m. Mr. Brandon, M.H.R., will preside, aud most if not all of the members of the committee will be in attendance.

The following was tho civil business disposed of at the B. M. Court yesterday:—Mills and Co. v. C Wilson, £2B lis lid; ordered to pay by instalments of £lO per month, or 3 months imprisonment. Zohrab and Co. v. G. Wilson, £l4 18s 2d; ordered to pay within three days, or one month's imprisonment. T. J, Mountain v. G. Wilson, £5 9a lOrl; judgment for amount and costs. Kirkcaldie and Stains, v. G. Wilson, £9 12s 10a ; judgment for amount and costs.

Notice is giyon to passengers by tho Bakaia, for London and elsewhere, that the stoamer Moa will leave tho wharf, carrying passengers and luggage to tho homeward bound vessel, at 2 o'clock to-day.

A meeting of the Artillery Cadet Corp 3 will bo held to-day immediately after tho parade," when arrangements will bo made for an excursion at Christmas. Tho p trade takes placo at 7 p.m. Mr. Jackson, tho manager cf the Tramway Company, resigned his office yesterday. We understand that a committee of directors will take tho management, with Mr. Greenfield as acting-manager. Another engine, tho Cambria, was landed yesterday, aud one is daily expected by tho Alexa. When these two aro in working order a new time-table, witlj trains running at shorter intervals, will probably bo arranged, ' ' ,•

There was only one case of, druukenness at the It. M. Court ye-rterday, and the offender was mulcted in the sum of five shillings.

Great preparations aro being made at the Imperial Opera House for the production of " Henry V." on a truly magnificent scale. We have been shown a number of criticisms which speak in the highest terms of praise of Mr. Kignold. He will make his debut before a Wellington audience on Boxing-night, and no doubt tho people of this city will flock in numbers to see Mr. Kignold lu a part in which he has made such a deep impression elsewhere. " The Willow Copse " waß repeated at the Imperial Opera House last night to a rather scanty audience. The performance certain!, deserved better patronage. Mr. Walton took the character of Luke Fielding, and Misa Tilly Andrews that of his daughter, Bose Fielding. Both these representations were faithfully rendered. The rest of the characters were very creditably given by the other members of the company. They leave to-day for a tour round tho country towns. During their stay here they have produced several novelties, and no doubt will receive good receptions whenever they perform in the neighboring towns. At- tho Theatre Boyal last night the curtain rose to the petite comedy of " Who Speaks First," which was fol'owed by a rrusical interlude Tho cavatina from " Lucrezia Borgia," by Miss Amy Sherwin, so pleaced the audience that they would not be denied an eucore. Miss Sberwiu felt constrained to comply, and she sang in response " Home, Sweet Home" in a manner that carried her audience quite away. They had doubtless never before heard thesongreuderedwith such tasteand expression, and it was certainly the gem of tho interlude. The cavatinaandduo, "Don Pasquale," were also liighly appreciated, and in the bridge Bcene Miss Sherwin gave further evidence not only of great vocal but of acting power. The afterpiece was "Nuraey Ohickweed." Tonight thoro will be a change of programme, and it may be mentioned that the musical portion of each night's entertainment will comprise' an entire change during the remainder of Miss Sherwin's engagement.

In referring to tho appointment of Messrs. Holt and MoCarthy as Reuter's Press agents, the Ranyitikei Advocate says :—" The selection has been a most judicious one, both for Beuter and for the Press generally. The business of the New Zealand Press Agency is in every respect efficiently conducted, its reports being characterised by uniform accuracy and impartiality, whence their universally admitted reliability." The Waipaioa Mail is enthusiastic on the subject of the port of call for the proposed new line of steamers direct from England. It blows our Wellington trumpet for us with no uncertain sound, aid as it is a good thing to know what our neighbors think and say about our merits, we select the following from an article in tho above-named paper:—"The establishment of direct steam communication between New Zealand and the mother country would certainly confer great berefits upon the colony. However, there is one great object to be surmourted before it can be carried out. The financial aspect of the affair weighs as nothing against provincial jealousies. Dunedin is at present the first commercial town in New Zealand, but it is fast being overhauled by Wellington, that ' windy out-of-the-way place in Cook Strait,' as Dunedin and Auckland journals not .infrequently denominate the capital of the colony. There will be a strong opposition in both Auckland aud Dunedin to Wellington being made the port of call, and if this point is not yielded, there is small prospect of the scheme bearing fruit for some time to come. There is nothing plainer than that direct steam communication with Great Britain would have been established years ago had it not been for the selfishness and jealousy of Dunedin and Auckland, and the dread that Wellington will become the great commercial, as it is the geographical, oontre of New Zealand. It is not a question of subsidy at all. . . • By a telegram in a contemporary we see that Mr. Macandrew is endeavoring to bring tho ports into agreement, but, wo fear, despite his great popularity in Otago, he will find it a difficult matter to induce the people of Dunedin to consent to Wellington being the p</| ~ f call. That the latter is the proper Pv, .'--i*|jjisinterested person can have the sli|;.- »»S doubt, fort Nichohon from its position commands both the North and South Islands, and the sooner Dunedin. and Auckland people accept the inevitable the better it will be for themselves and the colony. Let the question of the port of call be left to the contractors. They will fix on the proper spot right enough. They will be entirely uninfluenced by local jealousies. The two main considerations with them will be the amount of trado which tho port commands, and the nature of the harbor and its means of ingress and egress."

The privileges in connection with the Foresters' fete will be sold by public auction to-day by Mr. J. H. "Wallace.

Messrs. J. H. Bethuno and Co. hold an Important sale of llrst-class household furniture and fancy goods at their rooms this day at two o'clock. The furniture is qnlte new and of superior quality. The fancy goods consist of a choico collection suitable for Christmas and Now Year's gifts. Mr. Sidey's sale of ladies' and children's boots and shoes takos placo in tiie Aroado to-day at two o'clock (upstairs). Tho stock is entirely new, and will bo sold without reserve. Heads of families aro invited.

Messrs. Laory and Campbell will soil a quantity of paperhangings, olothing, furniture, &c, at their rooms, at 2 o'clock; also, a quantity of goods—flour, oats, bran, hay, &c. —ox Torea, wUliont reserve. Mr. G. Thomas will hold, at his rooms, Lambtonquay, to-day, a largo and important sale of general merchandise.

Mr. B. J. Duncan holds an important land sale at his rooms to-day, at 11.30 a.m. The properties to bo offered aro tho Toorhanga property in tho township of Featherson, consisting of 200 acres of valuable grass land and a family residence This is a well-known propeity formerly belonging to Mr. S. C;irkook. ISO acres of Masterton land, described as being in tho best part of tho "Wairarapa ; a shop and house in Maiustreet, Masterton; a very valuable town aero in M,sterton, No. 75, situate in Bannister-street; five allotments, with flvo-roomed housos thereon, situate in "Webb aud Hopper streets ; 115 acres 2 roods of land in the Upper Hutt District J and 20 acros of land in Carterton North".