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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5586, 22 February 1879, Page 2

His Honor the Chief Justice was at 3.30 yesterday afternoon sworn in as ActingGovernor. The ceremony was gone through at Government House, and the oaths of office were administered by his Honor Judge Johnston, as senior Puisne Judge. The following Ministers were present : —Hon. Sir George Grey, Hon. Messrs. Ballance, Macandrew, Stout, and Whitmore. His Honor’s associate, Mr. Henry Hal], will act as private secretary to the .Acting-Governor during his term of office. Hie Excellency will not taka up his residence at Government House, but will merely attend at the Executive Council Chamber during certain hours of the day. Wo believe that Ministers as yet have not received any official intimation as to when Sir Hercules Robirtson will leave Sydney for We!Hngton, but no doubt the recent telegrams as to his leaving on 15th March are correct, in which case he may be expected to arrive here on Thursday, 20th March. The commission appointed under the Repeal of Statutes Act of last session, consisting of his Honor Judge Johnston (chairman), Mr. Reid (Solicitor-General), and Mr. J. H. Shaw, is now sitting. So far the commissioners have simply beeu considering the direction their work is to take, and how far their powers extend. It is understood the commissioners intend to plot out the work, and then allocate to each member certain portions ; that done by each gentleman to be forwarded for the approval of his fellow commissioners. It is thought this course will prevent the necessity of sitting continuously, which would be inconvenient to all tho gentlemen forming the commission. The sessions of the commission will therefore take place occasionally. As previously stated, there is a great deal to do, and much time must necessarily be taken up. We have been asked why we have not noticed several entertainments held in Wellington lately. For instance, the Rechabite meeting on Thursday evening, and the musical reunion by the Wesleyan choir last night, have not been reported by us. Neither our readers nor ourselves had received any intimation of either of these entertainments in the usual way by advertisement, although they were advertised in our contemporaries. Under the circumstances we did not feel called upon to report the proceedings, as our readers and ourselves had both been completely ignored by the managing committee.

During the hearing yesterday of the football case some very hard swearing occurred. Some half-dozen witnesses swore for the plaintiff most distinctly that at the time Campbell ran over the boy Bell he was not pursued by any of the players. For the defence as many witnesses swore just as emphatically that one of the players named Cowie was just behind Campbell at the time. The case lasted the whole day, when his Worship reserved judgment for a week. A report appears elsewhere. It will be seen by advertisement in another column that the Rev. J. W. Inglis will preach in St. John's Presbyterian Church, Willisstfeet, to-morrow (morning and evening), when many no doubt will avail themselves of the pleasure of hearing one of the moat popular preachers of the Church to which he belongs. “An Evangelistic meeting for young men will be held in the Athenaeum building on Monday evening next, under the auspices of the Wellington Young Men’s Christian Association.

Messrs. Woolcock, Gisborne, and Reeves M.H.R.’b, waKtd on the Minister for Public Works at 11 am. yesterday, by arrangement, the primary object' of the interview being to urge tiio importance of the immediate construction of the Brunnerton and Amberley line of rail.v.ay, tli-;rebv connecting by rail the oast and west coasts of the Middle Island. The Minister informed them that certain action had alreadv been taken in the matter, and that ho hoped before toe close of the present financial year that sections at each end of the line would he under construction. They also brought under the Minister’s notice the state of the main roads in that part of the colony, pointing out the fact that the present county revenue was alrogether insufficient to keep such long lines of main roads in repair. Mr. Macandrew admitted that their case was a very strong one, but at the same time expressed his deep regret that he could do nothing for them. Not being satisfied with this, they urged on him that he should bring their case before the Cabinet, which he promised to do. Our irrepressibles then left, feeling no doubt, at any rate, they had done their best. The Wellington City Rifles and Rifle Cadets will parade for annual inspection on Monday evening next, and the Wellington Artillery and Artillery Cadets on Tuesday. The Kaiwarra Rifles will be inspected this evening at six o’clock.

A meeting of the College Governors was held yesterday afternoon. Present—Hon. Mr. Gisborne (chairman), Mesrs. Brandon, M.H.R., Hutchison, and the Mayor. A letter was received from Mr. i’. A. Bowden, offering to sell to the governors the buildings belonging to him in Ghuznee-street, and suggesting that they were suitable for a girls’ high school. A committee, consisting of the Chairman, Mr. Hutchison, and the Rev. J. Paterson, was appointed to look into the matter and report to the next meeting. It was decided to meet again on the 18lh March, to consider applications for the masterships. A letter was received from Mr. O. Pownall, suggesting that an. arrangement should be made by the governors with the Tramway Company, so that a concession might be granted to boys attending the College from a distance. The board deputed Mr. Hutchison to interview the manager of the tramway on the subject. The secretary reported that Mr. C. R. Carter’s lease of certain WilHs-street property (occupied by Mr. Waring Taylor) was about falling in. It was resolved to lease the section by auction, Mr. Duncan to be the auctioneer, and the terms to be a lease for 21 years, with the right to an additioual term of 21 years at an increase of 50 per cent, on the rent paid during the first term. In reference to the scholarships instituted at the instance of the saving bank’s trustees, and the subsequent modification of terms by resolution of the board, the Board’s solicitor forwarded a written opinion, by request of the secretary, to the effect that he held the Board had uo power to depart from the terms of the savings bank’s trustees unless authorised to do so by the General Assembly. Mr. Hutchison was added to the committee appointed to see about leasing part of the College reserve, as provided for by Act of last session. The Board then adjourned. The s.e. Wallace is expected to loave about 5 p.m. to-day for Nelson, and will take the naval brigade home again. The artillery cadets will parade on the wharf to see their visitors off. If the departure of the steamer is delayed, the parade advertised in another column will be postponed until the steamer sails. Some men (says the “ Loafer,” in the Press) are born to greatness, some have it thrust on them. This is how Mr. Ballance, the Colonial Treasurer, has it slung over him in a Northern almanac. After giving a short history of his career, his biographer goes on to say, “ He bred the celebrated racehorse Fishhook, and was chosen Deputy Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the North Island.” One is reminded of the lady whose epitaph sets forth that “ She was bland, passionate, and deeply religious. She played on the harp, and painted in water colors, and of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." The following proclamation has been issued by the Government on the assumption of the Government of New Zealand by the Chief Justice;—“Whereas her Majesty has been graciously pleased, by warrant under the Royal sign manual and signet, bearing date at Balmoral, the seventh day of November, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, to constitute and appoint me, James Prendergaat, Esquire, Chief Justice of the colony of New Zealand, to administer the Government of the colony in case of the death, incapacity, or absence from the said colony of George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normauby, Governor and Oommauder-in-Chief in and over the said colony, with all and singular the powers and authorities granted to the said George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normanby, in a commission bearing date at Westminster, the sixth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four : And whereas the said George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normauby, is now absent from the said colony, having sailed thence for Melbourne, in the colony of Victoria, on the twentieth day of February instant : Now therefore, I, the said James Prendergast, Chief Justice of the colony of New Zealand, do hereby proclaim and declare that I have this day taken the prescribed oaths before his Honor Alexander James Johnston, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the said colony, and that I "have assumed the administration of the Government of the colony of New Zealand under and by virtue of her Majesty’s said warrant.—Given under the hand of Ilia Excellency James Prendergast, Esquire, Administrator of the Government in and over her Majesty’s colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, and Vice Admiral of the same, at the Government House, at Wellington, and issued under the seal of the said colony, this 21st day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.—G. S. Whitmore.—God save the Queen !

We have been called upon by a representative of the firm of C. A. Nichols and Co., Springfield, Mass., U.S., America, publishers, who contemplate, we are informed, establishing a branch house in this colony, through which all American publications can be obtained direct. While arrangements are being completed, the publishers are introducing a new work called “ Our First Century,” by R. M. Deveus, M.H.S., giving an account of the leading events relative to the progress of America during the past one hundred years. The work, which seems worthy of patronage, is complete in one volume of over one thousand pages, illustrated with suitable engravings, and is not an expensive book of its character. We learn from a private telegram that the burning of the Grey County Chairman in effigy at Oobdeu was accompanied with most striking demonstrations of anger towards that gentleman, and that it is further the intention of the people of Greymouth and the surrounding district to hold an indignation meeting to protest against the conduct of Mr Guineas. We learn from the best authority that the case is as follows ;—A bridge over the Grey River, connecting the borough of Greymouth with the Oobdeu district on the other side, has been a long-acknowledged want. This bridge was most distinctly and solemnly promised by the Premier on his visit there last year, which promise was subsequently confirmed by the Minister for Public Works, and the necessary funds set aside for the purpose, and distinct instructions given to the engineer to proceed with the works—nay, the works ware commenced. About this stage of the proceedings Mr Guineas, the county chairman, visited Wellington, when he informed Sir George Grey that this amount of i£3ooo, which was set aside for the Cobden bridge, could be better expended in other parts of the county, and on works, if rumour speaks truly, in which Air. Guiness has a pecuniary interest. On this representation the Premier gave instructions that the bridge was not to be proceeded with until further orders. Hence the indignation. We may here remark that Air. Guiness was foremost in the ranks of the most devout worshippers of the Premier ou his visit to the Coast, and would no doubt have wiped his shoes, or even kissed his toe, on the slightest intimation that it would have given him the least pleasure. He may now well boast of the influence he has with the Premier. We understand that Air Guiness is looked upon by Sir George Grey as a very promising young statesman.

A new issue of shares has been determined on by the Northern Land, Loan, _and_ Building Company of Wellington, Applications will be received at the company’s office from this date up to Alonday, April 5 th.

The volunteer corps of the district will parade for the annual inspection as follows : The Kaiwarra Rifles parade to-day at 6 p.m.; the City Rifles aud Cadets on Alonday next at 7.30 p.m.; the Wellington Artillery and Artillery Cadets on Tuesday, at 7.30.

Air. W. A. B. Adams has been gazetted as a member of the House of Representatives for the city of Nelson. Hori Kerei Taiaroa has been summoned to the Upper House, and is gazetted in Thursday's Gaidic.

In our account of the Kaitangata disaster will be found full particulars of almost all the 34 mou who loit their live- 1 , aud of the families the? have left behind them, iu too many instances destitute an 1 unprovided for. A melancholy cue of sudden depth occurred yesterday, Mrs. Cullimore dropping down dead. It Is stated that deceased had for some time past been suffering from heart disease, but as no medical man n 1 a del immediately before death an inquest is £o bo held. A proclamation is published authorising the taking and laving down of roads iu and over lands granted to natives in the Wellington Provincial District, aud authorising John King, engineer to the Mastertoa Highway, to act under this authority. Mr. King is also county engineer to the counties of Wairarapa East and West.

The sale in the Exchange Land Mart on Mondar next should be well attended, as the catalogue contains a larg ■ and varied assortment of valuable pro pertics. After the sale of land, shares in the following c 'tnpanies will be sold, in lots to suit purchasers, via.—Wellington Gas Company, the Equitable Building a d Investment Camp .ny of Wellington, the Wellington City Tramways Company. West W nganui Coal Company, ‘South British Insurance Company. Standard usurance company, Wellington Land and Building Company.