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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5656, 16 May 1879, Page 2

The Sydney Exhibition Commissioners yesterday received a letter from Mr. Morris, executive secretary in Sydney, stating that it was desired to get up a good ethnological display, and soliciting aid from New Zealand in that behalf. It was suggested that if there were any relics of the occupation of New Zealand prior to the Maoris, the committee on science and education made the following recommendation, which was adopted by the commis-' sioners in Sydney :—“ Your committee, desirous that the first International Exhibition to be held in the Southern hemisphere should be appropriately signalised, recommends the Commission to organise arrangements for the collection and exhibition, on as comprehensive a scale as possible, of the dwellings, full-sized or models, arms, economic implements, dress ornament, and art, as well as'samples of articles diet, illustrative of the ethnology of the abooriginal inhabitants of Australasia and the Pacific Islands. Should the foregoing recommendation be favorably received, your committee would propose that this Commission should invite the Commissions appointed by the Governments of New Caledonia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Australian colonies to cooperate in providing a complete collection of the objects desired. And, further, your committee recommends that Commodore Wilson be requested to purchase and collect ethnological specimens from the islands which his ships may visit during their present cruise, and that a sum not exceeding £IOO be placed at his disposal for such purpose." The question of altering the boundaries of the wards of the city in order that there may be more equality in the representation of the city at the Council table, has not been lost sight of, but.there is some difficulty in connection with the matter in consequence of the many requirements of the Act, and in any case the residents of the various wards must take action in order to bring their wants before the City Council. The following appointments of local interests appear in yesterday’s Gazette: —E. W. Brookfield, to be Deputy District Land Registrar for Wellington ; O. Wakefield, Esq., to be Under-Secretary for Mines ; Colonel William Leokie, to be Governor of the Wellington College; Jonas Woodward, Esq., David Lewis, Esq., Joseph Godfrey Holdswortb, Esq, Daniel Mclntyre, Esq., and Thomas McKenzie, Esq., to be trustees for the Management of the Wellington Cemetery. . A commencement has been made in forming the road from the Reclamation past Mr. E. W. Mills’ Lion Foundry. An old shed, which we understand belongs to the Telegraph department, will have to be removed, as it stands exactly in the centre of the line of street.

The drill-instructor to the 'Volunteers intends attending at Karori on nest Saturday to put the company through the various evolutions necessary to be gone through on the Queen’s Birthday. Owing to the inclemency of the weather on the last inspection day the attendance was not good, and Drill-Sergeant Bell has kindly consented to again attend and give them every opportunity of acquiring a due knowledge of their drill.

There were thirty-six civil summonses issued at the R.BI. Court yesterday. Mr. G. Hart is gazetted as M.H.R. for Coleridge. ' The services of the Masterton and of the Carter on Rifle Volunteers have been accepted. The City Council met last evening, and sat till a late hour, dealing with a variety of subjects, as reported in another column.

We would remind our readers that the meeting of persons interested in the formation of a gymnasium will he held at the Athensum tomight at eight o’clock. It was agreed by the City Council, at its meeting last night, that a further advance of £75 should be made to the Benevolent Institute.

Another of Shakspere's plays was given at the Imperial Opera House last night, when “ As Yon Like It” was performed to a fairly good house. All playgoers have at one time or other seen this favorite drama ; it is therefore only necessary to say that on this occasion it was rendered admirably. Bliss Ashton lent grace to the sweet creation of Shakspere's brain, Rosalind, and we need scarcely say that Blr. Creawick interpreted the character of Jaqnes in a manner to entirely satisfy his audience. The part of Orlando was well filled by Blr. H. H. Vincent, while Bliss Navaro ab'y seconded Bliss Ashton in the opening and other scenes. Of the characters in the play, generally, it may be said that they were well taken throughout, and the piece ran smoothly. It was excellently mounted. Is it necessary to remind our readers that to-night Blr. Oreswick takes his benefit ? “ William Tell” and “Katherine and Petruohio” are announced for the occasion, and the benefit performance is under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Robinson. The circle is of course sure to be filled, and looking to the delight which crowded audiences have experienced during the last three weeks from the acting of Blr. Creswiok, it may be expected that the house will be crowded in all parts. Certainly the beneficiaire deserves the compliment.

Any one paying a visit to Mr. E. W. Mills’ Lion Foundry may see several engines and different kinds of machinery in course of construction. The first idea that strikes one is, why are engines imported from Home when they can be made every bit as well in the colonies ? We are glad, however, to notice that several companies and also private persons who require engines are now becoming aware of the fact that the colonialmade article is worth patronising. The Golden Point Goldmining Company some short time ago gave an order to the firm to construct machinery for the working of their mine, including engine, boiler, Ac. The engine is known as the high-pressure horizontal engine, 25 horse-power nominal, but capable of working up to three times that strength. The cylinder is 16Jin., with a 30in. stroke, and is of superior design and workmanship. It is fitted with high-speed governors, which are found to answer remarkably well. The boiler in connection with the engine is ready for, transshipment. It is of semi-Cornish tubular design, and has been tested to withstand a pressure of 1401bs. to the square inch. The plates are gin., with Ain. ends. The remainder of the machinery in couneotion with the mine, such as the cage, gear for working the pumps, &c., are nearly all completed. This is the third engine of the kind turned out from the Lion Foundry within the last six months. The first was to the order of Mr. Corpe, at Blasterton, for saw-milling purposes. The second was also made for a saw-mill, and was fitted up at Palmerston North. We also saw in course of construction an engine and boiler for Messrs. Robinson and Nichol’s saw-mills at Carterton. The. engine for the Golden Point' Goldmining Company is worth inspection by those interested, it being very compact and beautifully finished.

“ The Evils of Sabbath Desecration ” was the subject discussed last night at the Young Men's Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society. There was a very large attendance of members present, several of whom took part in the debate. Some remarks from the president brought an interesting and conflicting discussion to a close. Next meeting an essay on “ Hamlet ” will be given by the rev. vicepresident. The Post Office Hotel had a very narrow escape from being burnt down early yesterday morning. As is often, the case the ashes were emptied into the dust-bin with live coal amongst them, the consequence being that a current of air fanned it into a blaze, and very qufckly set fire to the side of the house. Eortunately, Mrs. Monk happened to be awake at the time, and heard something crackling, and woke .up her husband. Their bedroom window overlooks the. ash-bin, and just as Mr. Monk looked out of the window the smouldering weatherboards burst into, a large flame. Mr. Monk, who displayed great presence of mind, ran into an adjoining room and threw water on the flames, at the same time giving the alarm to the kitchen man. The two together very quickly got the flames under. There is no doubt had it not been for the energy displayed by Mr. Monk there would have been a very large and alarming fire, and destruction of property. The diorama of the American War still continues to draw large audiences. Last night was no exception, and those present went away thoroughly well satisfied with the evening's amusement. ! ’ : ■

A Mr. Reynolds, a fine art dealer from Melbourne; is now on a visit to this city. We understand that his collection is a good one, and the place, he has chosen to display the pictures will be very convenient to most of those who take an interest in such things.. The Dunedin Morning Herald notices him very favorably in the following terms :—“ Mr. Reynolds’ excellent collection—which is a very miscellaneous one, comprises oil-paint-ings, water-color drawings, prints, photographs in great variety (plain and eolored), photoengravings, oleographs, chrOmo-lithographs, studies and sketches of heads (mostly female), by Miles, Hanley, Seymour, &c., and many other pretty things which our readers will.no doubt find out for themselves. In such a collection there will of course be a great variety in point of excellence, as well as of class and subject. We have, however, seldom seen, sp large a collection with so little trash in-it. There is hardly an article, however minute, that has not some positive value, and it is scarcely necessary to add that there is nothing in the whole collection that would offend a modest eye. The prints are by much the beat part of the collection, and it fortunately requires no great skill to point out the beat of these.” , , . . 1 ,

In the R.M. Court yesterday Mr. Fitzherbert asked for a re-hearing in the case of; Xnglis v. Creswick, heard on Wednesday. He said that he had witnesses who could prove that Creswick set his dog on to the model one. Mr. Fitz Gerald, defendant's solicitor, was rather surprised at the application. The case had been standing over for three weeks, and his friend had had plenty of time to bring all the evidence he could. What additional evidence might be brought could have no bearing on the case. Mr. Fitzherbert submitted it would at any rate show that Creswick had attempted to incite his dog at some time or other. His Worship said that was evidence that might have been foreseen. The plaintiff should have taken the precaution to keep his model dog from injury. Mr. Fitzherbert : Am I to understand then that should a dog break articles in a museum the owner would not be held liable 1 His Worship : An hotel is different to a museum. Mr. Fitzherbert: The museum is a public place. His Worship . As a rule dogs are not admitted in museums. Mr. Fitz Gerald : Except stuffed ones.—The application for a rehearing was refused.

The Bijou Minstrels gave au entertainment at the Lunatic Asylum last Wednesday night.* The room was crowded and the audience quiet and orderly. One of the lists which have been opened in favor of the recreation fund of the asylum is now lying at this office; and subscriptions are much needed in order to supply the entertainment which modern practice has proved to be so beneficial in cases of mental disease. An open account is, we understand, also kept for the same purpose at the Bank of New Zealand, into which subscriptions may be paid. The new wing to the asylum is now approaching completion, and when this is at the disposal of the superintendent the accommodation of the patients will be greatly increased. A musical entertainment for ,'the benefit of the patients was given about a week ago by the Reform Club, which is said to have been one of the best which has been given in town for some time.

In an article on the financial position of New Zealand, the Timaru Herald says:—One thing is quite certain already, and that is that a great deal of the borrowed money was altogether wasted, - so far as any good that the colony derives from its expenditure is concerned. The statement that has often been made, and made truly, that a great proportioa of the loans went straight into the public-houses, is much more 'significant;than appears at first sight. Many people suppose that money which is

spent in drink does good by circulating in the colony ; but that is clearly a mistake. Only the profit on the sale of liquor circulates in the colony, the remainder of the price of the liquor is sent out of the colony, and is an absolute loss to the colony. Within the last ten years two millions sterling, or nearly one-seventh of the whole of the monev borrowed during that time, has been sent out of the colony for spirits alone. This startling fact is sufficient by itself to indicate the waste that accompanies a profuse public expenditure. Then there has to be taken into cousideratiou the loss that occurred through bad material, bad workmanship, and incompetent eugiueeriug, at the outset of the public works admiuiatration, and the still heavier loss caused by the construction of what are called “ political railways,” that is to say, railways which were only made as a bribe to members or localities, and which are of little or no value to the colony. If all these losses were added together, and the aggregate deducted from the amount borrowed, it would be found, we believe, that, instead of having acquired assets equal in value to the debt incurred on account of them, the colony is not really richer by more than half that amount. The Otago Daily Times says ;—“ A very beautiful piece of statuary marble from Caswell Sound, on the West Coast, has been dressed by Blessrs. Thomson and Co., of Bloray-place, and will be forwarded to the Sydney Exhibition. The marble is cut into the shape of a cross embellished with water lilies, and the workmanship, as well as the material, is well worth exhibiting. The marble is said to be superior to the best Carrara, in color quite equal to the best Italian statuary marble, and of almost the same quality, the difference being that the West Coast marble is of harder texture. This is said to be a fair specimen of the marble found on the West Coast, and its exhibition may be expected to draw attention to one branch of the mineral wealth of this colony.”