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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5661, 22 May 1879, Page 2

Both candidates fertile Mayoralty addressed meetings of the ratepayers last evening, Ur. Hunter at the Athenrcum and Mr. Hutchison at the Biincess Theatre. Mr. Huchison made a speech of the character peculiar to him, full of claptrap, spiced by variations from the truth when points were iu that way to be made. Both candidates received votes of confidence. Mr. Hunter will to-night address the electors at the Princess Hotel, Molesworth-street.

A meeting of the Hospital Committee of the City Council and several medical gentlemen who are associated with the committee, was held yesterday afternoon for the purpose of considering what stops should be taken for organising a system of management for the Wellington Hospital in future. Dr. Johnston propounded two schemes, leaning strongly to one based on the support of the institution by voluntary contributions. In this he was strongly supported by Dr. Kemp, and in the course of his remarks the latter gentleman expressed an earnest hope that the Wellington Hospital would remain upon the present site. After some little discussion it was agreed that the medical men of the city should be invited to draw up a written report embodying their views.

The Government are treating Dr, Johnston with scant courtesy. This gentleman has been in the service of the Wellington province and the colony for a period of twenty years, but yet when a change was this month suddenly made in the control of the Hospital, he was curtly informed of the fact without a word of explanation to guide him, or to inform him in what position he stood in regard to compensation for loss of office after so long a period of service,, He wrote asking for the information which should have been tendered without its being asked for, but though ten days have now elapsed since he wrote no answer has been vouchsafed. This is scarcely proper treatment of a Civil Servant of twenty years standing.

During the course of Henderson v. Napier Harbor Board in the Appeal Court yesterday, a question arose as to what was “ perversity on tile part of a jury. The Hon. the AttorneyGeneral illustrated his idea of “perversity” by au anecdote. In a case he knew of plaintiff sued defendant for malicious prosecution ; there were four counts, and upon these had been framed four issues with a general question as to damages. The jury found “no” to each of toe issues—every issue in favor of defendant—but still they found £SO damages as against the defendant. The presiding Judge pointed out that he could not receive such a verdict as that, and sent the jury back. In a few minutes they came hack and found “ yes” to every one of the issues. That was what he called a perverse verdict. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston observed that the jury in that case were a very impressionable, if not a very intelligent, set of men. The official valuations now complete show on paper that the land tax will produce 4105,623. The value of the taxable property in the various land tax districts has been returned as follows : —Auckland, £3,235,000 ; Hawke’s Bay, £3,899,079 ; Wellington, £7,933,361 ; Nelson, £3,000,000 ; Canterbury, £15,790,000 ; Otago, £16,800,000 ; giving a grand total of £50,707,110, on which the tax of Jd. in the £ will yield an annual revenue of £105,625. The Wellington district includes the Wellington and Taranaki provincial districts, the Nelson district includes Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland provincial districts, and the Hawke’s Bay district in addition to the provincial district of that name includes port of Cook County. The cost of collection will be about double the estimated amount. The £105,625 will be subject to reductions on appeals.

What appears to have been a deliberate attempt, to bum down the offices of Messrs. Moorhouse, Edwards, and Cutten, solicitors, occurred on Tuesday night. The office was shut up at'* G o’clock, and everything left in perfect safety. At 7 o’clock Mr. Moorhouse, junr,, fortunately returned to the office and found a number of old briefs which were stowed on a shelf in a blaze. Mr. Moorhouse, however, had very little difficulty in putting the fire out. A window overlooldng Mr. Drausfield’s yard, which is always kept shut, was found to be open, and several wax matches lying about the floor. The papers destroyed were of little or no value. Messrs. Moorhouse and Co. send us the following letter concerning the fire :—Wellington, May 21, 1879.—Sir, — Will you kindly permit us through your columns to correct an error into which one of the evening papers has fallen in referring to the lire upon our premises. Our offices are not insured for £3OOO, or for any sum apart from the block of buildings of which they form a portion. We are not aware what the insurances may be upon the block, as we have no interest in them. The only insurance by which we are affected is one for £l6O upon our law library and office furniture, effected with the South British Insurance Company.—We are, &c,, MOOUHOU3E, EDWAED3, AND CUTTEN. The Revision Court sat yesterday at the Athemenm for the purpose of revising the electoral roll for the city of Wellington. There were about the usual number of objections, arising principally from change of residence and death ; and all were sustained with the exception of soma half a dozen. Mr. Henry S. Fitzherbert is the revising barrister. Councillor Dixon has given notice to move at the next meeting of the City Council that the triangular piece of land lying between Oriental Bay and the beach road be fenced in and planted. The Queen’s birthday holiday will be completely marred on account of it unfortunately falling on Saturday, which is mail day. The Artillery will fire the usual salute, and those who make holiday will have the advantage of cheap railway' fares. There is to be a grand football match at McNab’ Gardens, Lower Hutt.

A very large number of people inspected Mr. Reynolds’ fine collection of pictures yesterday, and some choice works were secured by vi-itors. We are, however, sorry to hear that a large number of pictures are being soiled through the thoughtlessness of persons handling them with black gloves, &c. Mr. Reynolds is glad for visitors to look through the collection, but asks those persons who do not intend to purchase not to touch any of the pictures. It was very gratifying to Mr, Reynolds to receive yesterday the following letter from the Bishop of Nelson, who is one of the best judges of works of art we have in New Zealand ; “Nelson, N. Z., May 17, 1879. Sir—l am sometimes asked for testimonials which I have some difficulty in granting, in reference to books, exhibits, and qualifications. You have not asked me for one, but if it will be of any use to you, I write to say that I consider the coming of your collection to the colony of New Zealand a great boon. The collection, so far as I saw it, was of a remarkably excellent character, in the best taste, pure, and recent.There is so much poor stuff imported into the colonies and sold cheaply, that it makes persons think the necessary prices for good engravings and pictures rather high. But your customers may be sure they are having what is worth paying tor. You ought to be encouraged for bringing within our reach works which have but recently been looked at with admiration at Home. Notwithstanding the monetary difficulties of Wellington, there must be many who can afford a good picture, and I should be very sorry to hear that you left New Zealand with any large number of your excellent collection unsold. If you think my recommendation of any use to you, you are welcome to make such use of it as you think best. Wishing you every success in the interests of art and education,—l, arn, &c,, Andrew Brice Sutor, Bishop of Nelson.—Mr.P. B. Reynolds.” The following tale of the times is told by the Ashburton Herald :—“ Scene : A Bank. Enter a merchant, doing an extensive business, but having no mean overdraft at the bank. Banker : ‘ Good morning, sir. Dull times these, and money very, verj tight. By-the-way, my instructions are to have all overdrafts paid up. You must reduce yours at once.’ Merchant ; ‘But I can't.’ Banker ; ‘But you must; it is imperative.’ Merchant: ‘ If I do I must press men for money who must inevitably go through if I demand cash.’ Banker: ‘ Can’t help that; my instructions make no allowance.’ Merchant : ‘ All right. You owe me [we do not care to give any amount], and it has been longer owing than my overdraft. If you do not pay me before to-morrow morning I’ll take legal measures to recover !’ Exit merchant, leaving the banker’s face presenting all thfl changing colors of the Colorado bettle.” An election of two members of the Kaiwarra Local Board will take place on the 26th and 27th instant, to fill the places of Messrs, Guilford and Taylor, disqualified. Mr. Ashcroft, manager of the WellingtonMasterton railway line, intimates in another column special arrangements for Queen’s birthday.

Through pressure on our space we are compelled to hold over the report of the Court of Appeal. The annual meeting of the members of the Wellington AthenEeum will he held on the 30th instant.

Mr. Mansford proceeds to Wairarapa today to hold a sitting of the District Court there.

There was a very good attendance at the Athenseum last night to witness Mr. Griffiths’ phonograph. This wonderful little instrument will bt exhibited for the last time on Monday. Writing of Inch Clutha the Leader says : “ The surface of ‘the garden of .Otago’ now presents a most desolate appearance—silt, silt, everywhere. In many places the tops of the fences only are visible, and these will all have to he renewed. Where the ground had not been broken up the rushes and other rubbish are all covered up, the tops of the ‘ Maoriheads’ only being seen. There is some consolation iu this, viz., that the surface is now considerably raised, and will not for the future be so liable to floating. As the ground previously was, the cost of clearing and burning would have been about £2 an acre. As it is now the tussocks will speedily rot, when the ground will be ready for the plough. Altogether, although the disaster has been a very serious one, the loss is not a total one, and hopeful elements regarding the future are not wanting. We have no doubt that life and activity will shortly be everywhere manifested in Inch Clutha, and that the present difficulties will in due time be got over and forgotten.” The Lyttelton Times says :—“ Mr. W. H. Leach, a farmer, lately resident in luangahua, but who has determined to make Canterbury his home for the future, has just accomplished a journey, which a few years ago would have been considered absolutely impossible. In a two-wheeled dray, drawn by two horses, he has brought overland his wife and family of six children, from Reefton to Christchurch in eleven days, starting on Sunday week and arriving yesterday. The party camped out every night, and had singularly favorable weather, having experienced only one shower during the whole journey. The distance from Malvern was done by rail.”