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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5583, 19 February 1879, Page 2

A leading topic of conversation yesterday was an incident said to have occurred at Government House the previous morning in connection with the departure of Lord Normauby. His Excellency, presumably in consequence of “ information received,” was led to ask a question in regard to the guard of honor at the timo of Ids embarkation. The reply was that it was not proposed to arrange for one, the reason being assigned that it was not considered usual to draw up a guard on such occasions. Hia Excellency coldly wished the Colonel good morning, and in a very few minutes had despatched a direct order for tho parade of the Armed Constabulary aa a guard. Such is the story, and from what we can hear its reliability is not to be doubted. Another tumor which gained credence was that Ministers endeavored to countermand the order for the firing of the salute by the Volunteer Artillery, but vve are unable to vouch for its accuracy ; still its truth is not improbable.

The City Engineer is busily engaged iu the work of preparing plans for the proposed filter basins, but lias not yet completed tho job. It is probable that a meeting of the Water Works Committee to consider this aud other matters will take place the first thing next week, if not previously. It was last night decided by a large majority to open the Athemeum every Sunday afternoon. The hours will be fixed upon by the committee, to whom that branch of the subject has been left.

Tho Hon. Mr. Ballauce and the Hon. Mr. Stout return to Wellington by the Hinemoa this morning. The Hon. Mr. Fisher is at present Raugitikei way, and with this one exception all Ministers will be in Wellington.

Commercial confidence is, on good authority, reported to be pretty well restored here. Business is considered sound, aud legitimate commercial accommodation is rather more freely accorded by the banks, although a bill is thrown out now and then, to show that the banks still have teeth left. Laud speculators, however, continue to find great difficulty in meeting their obligations, as money for mortgage purposes remains very scarce.

The first instalment of the city by-laws has been handed in to the Town Clerk by the City Solicitor, aud is now in the printer’s hands. Some of the proof sheets are now being revised by the Town Clerk and the Inspector of Nuisances, aud will be ready for issue shortly. In order that no inconvenience may be felt by the travelling public, the Union Steamship Company have arranged that the Albion shall leave Wellington for Lj'ttelton and Dunedin, in place of the Taupo, on Friday afternoon at two o'clock. The Hawea is ordered to turn back from Auckland on Friday, aud will arrive at Wellington on Monday, leaving again in the afternoon for the South, and taking Melbourne passengers to join the Albion, which waits the arrival of the Hawea at Fort Chalmers.

Mr. Smith, electrician of the Telegraph Department stationed at the Government buildings, was yesterday engaged in endeavoring to .discover how it was that false fire alarms are continually being given. It is needless to say he discovered nothing which will lead to the detection of the culprits. At the weekly meeting of the Wellington Benevolent Institution, held yesterday, there were present; Mr. J. G. Iloklsworth (chairman), the Yen. Archdeacon Stock, the Bovs. Coffey, Paterson, Beid, Messrs. B. Smith, J, 15. Smith, and L.Lovy. Several cases of distress were considered and relieved. The following letter was read from the Town Clerk :—“ The Chairman of the Wellington Benevolent Institution.—ln reply to yours of the 12th February, I have to inform you that the memorandum enclosed therein was submitted at a meeting of the City Council held yesterday, and was approved of.—Yours, C. C. CitAHAM.” The Board then adjourned. Several accidents by road have been reported within the past day or two. On Monday afternoon a horse attached to a trap containing three men and thrice as many geese was being driven from Karori into town, and when the sharp turn on top of the hill at the other side of the Devil’s Bridge was reached, the horse shied off the road, and the horse, trap, men, geese, and all went careering down the aide of the precipice in mad confusion. It is a great marvel that the men were not either killed or very seriously injured, but there is a divinity thatdothhedge arouudsome people,and these travellers must be among tho lucky ones. The horso was badly hurt, and the cart will require plenty of attention from the wheelwright. On the same day a peculiar incident occurred on the express waggon stand in Pa-nama-street. One old horse appeared to be dozing, when suddenly he woke up with a start, as if from a dream, and rushed forward at a furious rate. The express lie was drawing came into contact with another, the latter suffering considerably, and then the horse took a turn round the reclaimed land, thence into 'Larabton-quay, and along to opposite Messrs. Daery and Campbell’s auction mart, where a gas-lamp post was carried away, and the “bolt” came to an end. Yesterday a horse and landau belonging to Mr. Somerville was being driven down Cuba-street, when the animal became restive, and before it could be quieted played sad havoc with an ornamental glass front, by sundry kicking*. Intending exhibitors at the Sydney Exhibition may obtain copies of the Sydney Mail of the 18th ult., giving certain information, on application at the Chamber of Commerce, Lambton-quay. Copies of a series of general regulations, issued by the New Zealand commissioners, may also be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce. These set forth that all exhibits must he forwarded to the commissioners at Wellington, being accompanied with full written descriptions. All expenses up to the time of the reception of exhibits by local committees are to be paid by the local committees, but after that the expenses will be paid by tho commissioners. Particulars of the class of exhibits are then given, it being explained that raw material and products are what are principally wanted. If such specimens of the raw products of the colony as are enumerated are not freely given, the commissioners will take into favorable consideration any suggestions made by local committees as to their purchase. The commissioners will use every endeavor to provide against the loss or damage of the collections, which will be duly insured, but they will not hold themselves or the Government responsible for any damage or loss. Any exhibits not absolutely given to or brought by the commissioners (unless the owners expressly desire that they be disposed of at Sydney) will be returned to the local committees at the expense of the commissioners, who, however, will not be responsible for any damage or loss. The Mayor has received from the Mayor of Hokitika an illuminated address, got up by the people of Hokitika, as indicative of their respect and appreciation of the services of Mr. Inspector James, recently removed from Hokitika to take charge of the Wellington police force. The address is transmitted with a request that his Worship will present to Inspector James on behalf of the people of Hokitika. The presentation will take place on tho occasion of the next Council meeting—on Thursday evening, at 7.80.

The Assessment Court sitting takes place at the R.M. Court this morning.

Mr. O’Brien’s company left by the steamer Napier yesterday for Blenheim, The firing team of the Nelson Naval Brigade arrived by the steamer Murray yesterday morning.

The inquiry into the collision between the steamers Go-Ahead and Huia was completed yesterday afternoon. The decision will be given at 10.30 this morning. At the meeting of the Public Works Com mittee of the City Council this week little or nothing was done. The truth is the Council is becoming short of funds, and no works of any importance can be taken up. At the annual meeting of the Northern Loan, Land, and Building Company of Wellington, held yesterday, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. A dividend at the rate of 15 per cent, was declared, and also a bonus of 11s. per share added to the shares. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday two women were dealt with in the usual way for drunkenness. Isaac Kalika, a German, was charged with stealing from Samuel Meyer a basket, value 7s. The case was a very trumpary one, and accused was discharged.

Messrs. Bright Bros, and Go. Melbourne, have received a telegram announcing that the Orient Steam Navigation Company’s steamship John Elder sailed from Plymouth on tho 30th January with 422 passengers and 1050 tons cargo, for Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. They are also advised that the s.s. Cusco arrived at Plymouth on the Ist of February. Aa will be seen by advertisement, the Uncle Tom’s Cabin Combination Company will make their first appearance at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening next, and Mr. Marshall is working very hard in order to ensure a successful season. Tho Southern papers speak of the performances of this combination in the most glowing terms. A curious difficulty (says the Argus) arose recently in connection with the signing of the contract for the erection of tho Victorian Exhibition buildings. It was found that the commissioners had no authority to affix a common seal, so that if the president, Mr W. J. Clarke, had signed the contract, he would have rendered himself personally responsible for tlie payment of the contractor. The difficulty was brought under the notice of the Attorney-General, who has drafted a clause in the contract extending the liability to the commissioners as a body. Wo observe in our contemporary, the Evening Chronicle, a leader, which appears to have been inspired, with regard to direct steam communication between England and New Zealand. It is stated that —“ Letters received by tire last English mail indicate that the proposals for a direct steam service between London and New Zealand have now assumed a practical shape. Sir Julius Vogel and Mr. Laruach have had several interviews with Mr. Galbraith and Mr. Denny, the eminent Glasgow shipbuilders, and those gentlemen propose, on certain conditions, to establish a Hue of steamers equal, if not superior, to any line afloat. It is proposed to build three steamers. These steamers would suffice to carry on an alternate month’s service between Eugland and New Zealand and vice versa. Each having a grass register tonnage of about 4215 tons; and the passenger accommodation provided would be sufficient for 84 first-class, 34 second class, and 450 third-class, or a total of 563. It is estimated that the steamers would do the outward trip via the Cape of Good Hope in forty-two days, and the homeward voyage via the Suez canal in forty days. The suggested passenger rates would be—saloon £7O, second cabin £35, and steerage £lB, the General Government guaranteeing to find a specified number of steerage passengers (emigrants) for the outward trips. It is calculated that with an alternate mouth’s service, only two full cargoes of wool per annum would be obtained, and that during the remainder of the year the steamers would require to depend chiefly upon wheat as homeward cargo, probably obtaining a freight of 455. per ton. It is estimated that the three steamers would cost £115,000 each, or £345,000 in all. The estimated amount of capital required to work the undertaking would be £365,000. The conclusion has, we believe, been arrived at by Mr. Galbraith that a yearly subsidy of about £BO,OOO, from the colony to the contractors, would be required to carry out the service, that the- contract must run for a period of not less than eight years. The suggested port of departure outwards would be London, calling at a port in the Channel (outwards and homewards) to embark and disembark passengers and mails. The proposed contractors desire that the fixing of the port of arrival and departure in New Zealand should be left in their own hands. They emphatically declare that both dry dock and wharfage accommodation would require to be available in the colony for the use of the steamers. The length of dock and jetty required must not be less than 410 ft., and the draft of water for admittance to former 22ft., and alongside the latter 24ft.” The Manawatu, Times says:—We learn that orders have been given for timber to one of the mills at Cheltenham by Mr. A. Dalziel, who is about to erect the first hotel in the new township. Two or three stores will soon bo built, and no doubt the place will soon make rapid progress. Mr. Carr has sold some of his sections on the Kimbolton-road, abutting on the township, at the rate of £l2O an acre.—lt has been announced by the District Engineer of the Manawatu that in order to give small settlers an opportunity for tendering for a portion of 25,000 sleepers advertised for in another column, contracts for 500 will be accepted. The tenders closed on Monday last.—We hear that during his trip to the Middle Island, Mr. Haloombe secured for the Manawatu County a considerable quantity of trout ova in Dunedin. The hatching’boxcs are now being constructed, so that we may in a short time expect to have the jouug fish distributed in the principal streams in the county. For interesting himself in this matter Mr. Haloombe is deserving of the best thanks of the disciples of Isaak Walton, and of all lovers of the genuine English pastime of fishing. All who will aid in stocking our rivers will be doing a good work, not alone to themselves but to those who are to come after them.

The New Zealand correspondent of the Aryus writes as follows respecting the refusal of the Hinemoa to the Governor :—“ In connection with the departure of the Marquis of Normanby, a paragraph appeared in a Ministerial paper—the A T cw Zealander —stating that his Excellency applied for the use of H.M.S. Hinemoa to take him to Australis, but that he was told the steamer could not be allowed to leave New Zealand waters. The true version of the matter, however, is this. While Sir George Grey was in the North, the other members of the Ministry offered the use of the Hinemoa to the Governor, adding that she would he available to send to New South Wales to bring Sir Hercules Bobinson to New Zealand. All that remained to be done to complete the arrangement was to get the formal consent of the Premier, bnt no difficulty was apprehended on that point. Sir. Geo. Grey, however, never did give his consent, and it is equally true that the Marquis of Normality never made the request.” “On the evening of Thursday last,” says the St. Arnaud Times of Feb. 4, “ the day on which the stripping match was held at Avon Plains, advantage was taken of the presence of the Minister of Lands to impress upon him the necessity of at once grappling with the rabbit pest. For this object Mr. Longmore was visited at Meyer’s Hotel shortly before the banquet by a deputation comprising the following gentlemen: —Messrs. Waddell, C. M. Bowan, Vernon, Williamson, Murdoch, J. A. Meyer, and Danaher. The gravity of the matter was very fully set forth by the members of the deputation, who reproduced all the facts that had been advanced before, pointing to the probable depopulation of the country north of Donald if some repressive steps are not at once taken. One object of the deputation was to ask Mr. Longmore to place the £ISOO promised to a recent deputation from the Corack district within the supervision of the shire council, to carry out the desired object. Mr. Longmore promised that if the sum of £SOO was locally raised, he would recommend his colleagues to supplement it with a similar sum. On Friday, Mr. Longmore, accompanied by Mr. Dow, paid a visitto the district more particularly affected by the pest.”

Messrs Dwan and Kirton have to-day, at 2 o’clock, at their auction mart, a most important sale of freehold property in Courtenay-place, where land is rising rapidly in value. This is one of the most promising parts for a business site in the city. Merchandise and furniture will also be disposed of. Mr. Sidey holds a sale of two brick cottages in Martin-square this day, at 2 o’clock : also, a freehold allotment on the north side of the same square. The properties are well and conveniently situated, and are sure to bo sold a great bargain at the present time. It is not often that brick dwellings are in tho market and we commend this opportunity to investors generally. A nice cottage in John-streot, Arte-laide-road, will also be offered, which has a coachhouse a good garden, &c.; as well as a four-roomed cottage In the same street, upon very liberal terms. The tale takes place In the Aicsds.