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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5710, 18 July 1879, Page 4

The House bad a short sitting yesterday, adjourning at half-past three umil the usual hour of meeting to-day. The business was not of a very important character, and none of the questions or motions elicited any discussion worth mentioning. To-day the Address in Reply will be moved, and the real work of the session will begin.

Among other committees which it is proposed to appoint ia one to inquire into the question of the grievances of the natives of the West Coast, and report to the House ; and another to prepare a report and balance-sheet, showing the condition of the various municipalities, county councils, and road boards, throughout the colony on the 30th of June last.

The following are the names of those who were absent when the division took place on Wednesday afternoon, and which were accidentally omitted in our issue of yesterday :

Bastings Brandon Brown, J. E, Bunny Cutten Driver

Green

Hislop Moirhonso Hobbs O’Borke (speaker! Hodgkinsoa P.i ke Kelly Kowe Kenny Seaton Murray Turnbull

Amongst the motions of which notice was yesterday given by members of the House of Representatives, was one of a very extraordinary character by Mr. Rees, to the effect that in the opinion of "this House the conduct of Sir William Fox in accepting his title from the Home Government, without the advice of the Ministers of the Crown in New Zealand, is unconstitutional. The notice was received with loud laughter from all parts of the House,

The resignation of the Hon. William Swainson as a member of the Executive Council has been gazetted ; and the Hon. J. W. Thomson and the Hon. Hoani Nahe have been sworn in as members of the Executive Council.

The Hawera deputation had a second interview yesterday with the Hon. Colonel \\ hitmore, who gave them an assurance that three miles of the railway between Hawera and Normanhy would be commenced forthwith, as the plans had been passed through the Public Works Office and forwarded to the District Engineer. He also informed the deputation that an additional seven miles would be commenced as soon as the plans had been forwarded and approved of. This would, he thought, afford plenty of employment to the men who were leaving the district. In reply to the Defence Minister, Messrs. McGuire and Lysaght stated that in case of an emergency the volunteers in the district would be quite prepared to occupy the position at present held by the Armed Constabulary.

We have received the following communication from a gentleman resident in the South Island, who has had a long and thorough acquaintance of the natives*. —-“Those Taranaki fanatics are acting in a most extraordinary manner, but my opinion is that, without great provocation on the part of impatient Europeans, they are perfectly harmless. If Te Whiti can rule, there will be no bloodshed. Of course his conduct is very vexatious, but the fool is under a delusion. But still he is really a wonderful man. I have felt the disagreeable influence of the old fellow for several years, and perhaps know as much about him as anyone. He has long since cleared out the Maori population from this district right through to Oollingwood, and the few that remain here keep up a continuous communication with Parihaka. I have been, and frequently am still, sick at heart at contemplating the change for the worse which ■ has come over the native mind.” The intelligence that fifteen of the Maori prisoners were to be taken before the B.M. yesterday morning sufficed to draw together a large crowd of eager spectators, only, however, so be disappointed, for the event was postponed until the afternoon. At 2 p.m., the hour apnointed, another large assemblage gathered'at the Athenoeum, where the ease was heard, and much interest was manifested in the proceedings. The prisoners, consisting of Ngamari and 14 of his tribe, were drlven to the Court in Mr. Somerville’s large Empire coach, and were guarded by a detachment of Armed Constabulary. Mr. Mackay, Native Commissioner, was in attendance in Court, and Mr. Butler was sworn in as interpreter ; Mr. Bell prosecuting, and Mr. Gully defending the prisoners. As will be seen from our report, the prisoners were all committed for trial. They were driven away to the gaol again in the coach under the same escort, and by this time the crowd which had gathered completely blocked the thoroughfare. A number of the prisoners were quite lads, and others presented the appearance of being fine stalwart young fellows. There were one or two elderly men amongst * them, notably the gallant chief Wiremu lOngi IVlatakatea, who rescued thq shipwrecked people of the Lord Worsely some years ago. All the prisoners maintained a quiet and respectful demeanor in Court, and listened attentively to the evidence as interpreted to them. One of them hung his head apparently in deep dejection throughout the entire proceedings. The men were all cleanly clad in moleskin trousers and blue serge blouses, the gift of a “ paternal Government.” We learn with much regret that Mrs. Holmes, principal of the School of Arts, died on Wednesday of heart disease. This lady’s death will bo severely felt, and it will not be an easy matter to fill the place which she has occupied. Mrs. Holmes was a lady of varied talents, and was at one time, we believe, one of the teachers employed at Somerset House. The deceased lady, who was a sister to Mr. John Knowles, Under-Secretary for Public Works, was very much respected and beloved by a wide circle of acquaintances, by whom her loss will be much deplored. She was also very much liked by her pupils at the School of Arts, which was held at the Athentoura, but which was under the control of the Board of Education. We are given to understand that the classes usually held on Saturday will have to’be postponed until such time as steps can be taken to fill the position occupied by the deceased lady.

The usual weekly meeting of the Young .Men’s Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society was held in St. John’s schoolroom last night, the Kev. W. J. Williams presiding. The

evening was devoted to the reading of two short essays—one on “William, Prince of Orange,” and another on “Places I have seen.” Tha last was the personal experience of a member, and created considerable interest. After the essays had undergone criticism'at the hands of the members, the meeting closed. There will be no meeting, we are given to understand, of the society next Thursday, The Athenmum Hail, however useful it may be as a place of public amusement, is certainly not at all suited for the transaction of Court business, as the events of yesterday fully showed. While the case against the Maori prisoners was proceeding, the hubbub in the hall caused by the continuous entrance and exit of spectators, rattling of doors, &0., was very great, rendering it extremely difficult for Court officials or reporters to take cognisance of what was going on. Apart from this_ defect there is a glaring want of accommodation for Press representatives. We would suggest that the practice of holding a second Court in this hall should he discontinued, and that a plan in vogue in some of the other colonies be substituted, namely, the holding of a Mayor s Court the Mayor to sit with or without other magistrates —once or twice a week at the Council Chamber. This would act in the same manner as the present assistant Court at the Athenseum does, while the advantage would be gained of using a much more suitable Court-room. Of course the business of the Mayor’s Court would be confined to city cases, but these already comprise by far the largest proportion of the business brought before the justices at the Police Court. The “Mammoth Minstrels” presented a first-class programme yesterday evening, at St. George’s Hall, where a large and appreciative audience assembled to greet them. The company is, all round, an excellent one, comprising as it does first class vocalists, negro humorists, and a good orchestra, and it is a difficult matter for us to say which of the many features of last night’s performance best pleased the audience, for whether it was the singing of Braham, Amery, Hawkins, and Reid, or the eccentricities of Brown, Newland, and Bent, manifestations of equal approval were bestowed. Suffice it to say that everything passed off to tha entire satisfaction of the audience. The company will perform again this evening. Rural sections in the Pohui, Maungaharuru, and Waitara survey districts, and 629 acres in the Makaretu Reserve, have been declared open for free selection, in the Hawke’s Bay provincial district. There are about 30,000 acres altogether comprised in the area set

apart. A much needed want is being supplied by the Corporation—namely, a paved crossing in Willis-atreet, from Bouloott-street corner to the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel. A correspondent inquires whether it is in contemplation by our civic rulers to eventually pave our principal streets throughout in this manner, as there can he no question that this would add materially to the comfort of the citizens, both mud and dust being reduced to a minimum, if not done away with entirely. The matter is certainly worth consideration, especially if the expense would be less than the cost of keeping the streets in order by means of road metal. It is notorious that good metal cannot be very easily obtained near Wellington, and this fact should be sufficient to induce the Corporation to cost about for some other means of streetmaking. The first cost of wooden paving would undoubtedly be heavy, but once down it would not require renewing for a number of years. We may add that this system of paving has been tried in Sydney, whore it has been found to answer remarkably well, and in London there are many miles of streets made in this manner. We once more commend the matter to the thoughtful consideration of the Council.

We hear from Mr. Thomas Sexton, of Feilding, that a Chess Club has been started there with great success, the president being Mr. Bryce, M.H.R. ; vice-presidents, Messrs. Sexton and Ameshury; treasurer, Mr. Drummond ; and secretary, Mr. Goslin. The club already numbers 32 members, and is not confined to chess players ; for a class has been formed under the supervision of the Committee to initiate all who may so desire into the mysteries of the game. The season was opened on the 9th of July by a handicap chess match, the entrance fee to which was Is. The winner of the match will he presented by Mr. T. V. Brown with a set of chessmen and board. W e have to thank Mr. Sexton for a problem and game, which will receive early attention in the columns of the Mail.

Mr. Gilderoy Welles Griffin has been appointed United States Consul at Auckland.

Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, an excellent house greeted the performance of the Opera Company last night. Before the rising of the curtain, Mr. Mmmonds ipologiaed to the audience for the necessity which had arisen for asking their indulgence so far as to ailow the management to substitute the “ Bohemian Girl” iu place of “ H.M.S. Pinafore.” He explained that several unlocked for circumstances had compelled the management to adopt this course, and they hoped that a generous public, with all the facts before them, would accept the change proposed. The announcement was received in the most sympathising spirit, and the “ Bohemian Girl was then proceeded with. The part of Arline was sustained at an hour’s notice by Miss Alice Johns, and it would be no more than justice to. say that her performance, under the circumstances, was most creditable. She dressed the part well, and took the hou=e by surprise by the manner in which she acquitted herself throughout. So pleased was the audience that she was compelled to respond to a most pronounced encore for “ I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls.” The performance, as a whole, was necessarily anything but equal to its previous representation by the same company, and further than to do the management the simple justice of saying that they did their best to keep faith with the public, it hardly calls for criticism. Mrs. Florence was encored for her rendering of the introduced song. Mr. Browning received a similar compliment for the “ Heart bow’d down,” and Mr. Florence did a great deal to restore himself to favor by hia singing of “The fair laud of Poland,” for the rendering of which he received a great amount of applause.We can only hope that he will continue to deserve similar favors at the hands of the public.

The tourney now being played by the Weliington Chess Club was continued on Wednesday evening last, and now stands as follows; Whittem .. .. Won 5 games, lost 0 Hullet „ 4 „ „ 0 Barraud ~ 5 ~ ~ 1 Willis „ 3 „ „ 2 Brown ~ 2 „ ~ 1 Kennedy 2 ~ ~ 1 Wright .. .. .. ~ 1 ~ ~ 3 —We hare received the entries for the New Zealand Chess Congress Tourney, to be commenced on the 19th of next month at Christchurch, which are : From Auckland—H. H. Busk. Wellington—Ohas. Beubow and E. C. Hullett. Christchurch —H. Hookham, P. F. Jacobson, D. D. Veel, B. Bray, and Newman. Dunedin—J. K. Hay and Jiio. Mount. Kumara—Chas. Janion. Dillmans Town—W. C. Palmer. Clyde—Eev. S. E. Ash. The following are very doubtful : —Hullett, .Veel, Mouat, and Palmer.

A football match between the Excelsior and United Cricket Clubs will be played on the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon; play to commence at 2.30 p.m. The following players will represent the Excelsior Club : Brown, Dumbell, Duncan, Hoggard, Mansill, Me Beth, 0. De Castro, Kreeft, Williams, J. Renner, Gibbes, Stohr, Kennedy, J. Holmes, Ridings; emergencies : Cook, Bannister, and Galway. The captain of the Excelsiors will be elected on the ground by ballot. Objections to the Land Tax valuations will be heard as follows :—For the Hutt county, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court House, Wellington, on Tuesday, the sth August, at 10 a.m.; for the Borough of Greytowu, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court House, Greytown, on Thursday, the 7th August, at 10 a.m.; for the County of Wairarapa West, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court House, Carterton, on Friday, the Bth August, at 10 a.m.; for the Borough of Masterton and the County of Wairarapa East, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court House, Masterton, on Saturday, the 9th August, at 10 a.m. A sitting of the Supreme Court in bankruptcy is fixed for noon to-day, the following cases being on the list In re Deed of Arrangement F. H. Wood, for order of complete execution and for complete execution of deed by J. Harvey, junior. The Chamber sittings are fixed for 10.30 a.m. to-morrow, in lieu of to-day. The balance-sheet in connection with the electric light football match is published in another column, from which it will be seen that the handsome Sum of £l7 6s. lOd. has

been handed over for the benefit of the

patients in the Mount View Lunatic Asylum. The total receipts amounted to £7i 135., but, as might have been expected, the expenditure incurred was very heavy. It will be observed by a notice in our advertising columns that it is the intention of the Wellington District Highway Board to levy a rate of Is. in the £, which will be due and

payable on the Ist October next, instead of the Ist August, as advertised by tha Board on tlie 13th" Juno last.

The deputation appointed at a meeting of Pressmen on the previous evening, yesterday waited upon’ the Hon. the Speaker, and pointed out the great disadvantages under which they labored in the pursuit of their avocation in the House of Representatives. Mr. Gillon acted as spokesman, and explained the requirements of the Press in the gallery. The deputation was received with extreme courtesy by Mr. O’Rorke, who promised to meet their views by every means in his power. Subsequently the matter was brought up in the House of Representatives, when the Speaker explained that arrangements were being made for the better accommodation of the Press, which he believed would givo the gentlemen of the Fourth Estate every satisfaction. The Choral Society’s concert, advertised for Monday and Tuesday next, should prove to be a great musical treat. ’ Mrs. George Cotterell’s services have been secured for the leading soprano solos. A limited number of tickets are open to the public, and can he obtained at Mr. Bonnington’s and the Athenceum Bazaar. Smart’s cantata, “ The Bride of Dunkerron,” which has never yet been performed in New Zealand, with the oratorio “ Stahat Mater,” will form the programme. The full text of the words of the former will be distributed at the concert, so that the audience will he better able to follow the music.

Those of our readers who have had the pleasure of hearing Madame LeOouteur, the prima donna of the English Opera Company which has occupied the Theatre Royal during' fhe past ten or eleven days, will be ’ pleased to learn that she has been safely delivered of a son, and that both the mother and infant are progressing very satisfactorily. Those who were present at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening will remember how Madame LeOouteur bore up bravely under the trying circumstances in which she was placed, and all theatre goers will be glad to know that the lady has not suffered physically in consequence of the annoyance to which she was subjected on that occasion. The lecture to be given to-night at the St. Paul’s Church-room by Dr. Kemp will be treated under the following heads :—General description of the eye in man ; modifications found in birds, fishes, and insects ; action of lenses upon rays of light passing through them ; formation of images ; theory of color ; long and short sight.

A very interesting concert was given at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, Lower Hutt, on Wednesday evening, under the superintendence of Mrs. Jordan. Several songs, were well rendered by ladies residing at the Hutt, but the principal feature of the evening’s entertainment was a well-performed Ethiopian sketch, which was given by gentlemen amateurs from Wellington. The audience from first to last were convulsed with laughter, and went away quite delighted with the entertainment. We have been requested to call attention to the withdrawal from sale of property at the Lower Hutt advertised for auction tiou to-day by Mr. George Thomas ; but it is anticipated that the sale will come off on or about the middle of August. A notice of motion was given yesterday to ask the Government what it was intended to give the Volunteers of the West Coast of the North Island in return for the loss of time they had sustained through having to take up arms against the natives. A meeting of footballers and others interested will be held in the Star Hotel on Monday evening, for the purpose of taking steps towards sending a team of those ■ who play under the Rugby Union rules to Christchurch next month.

We leam that thie Wealth of Nations Gold Mining Company, Reefton, has recently declared a dividend of Bs. per share, news which will in these depressed times be very welcome to Wellington shareholders. Lieutenant-Colonel Reader, and. Messrs. James Mackay and Jonas Woodward, have been appointed Visiting Justices of the Mount Cook prison, where the Maori prisoners are incarcerated.

Part 5 of section 3, in the township of Carterton, containing 361 perches, has been set apart as a site for a Public Library. A meeting of creditors of Henry Swain, hotelkeeper, Wellington, will be held on Monday, for the election of a fresh trustee. The ship Pleione, which arrived yesterday from London, brought twelve tons of cartridges and ammunition for the Government,

The repudiation tactics are not in universal favor, we are glad to be able to chronicle, even in Hawke's Hay. At a recent sitting of the Native Lands Court at Wairoa, the native owners of the land were asked whether they

had dealt wi*h the land, and ihe unanimous reply was “Yes ; we have sold the land; we have received payment for it ; have had ample reserves allowed us, and do not wish any further trouble with it ; it now 'remains for the Court to complete the work.” This out* snoken acknowledgement of a contract on the

part of native laud owners has been very rare for a very Luig time pa<t in our Native Lands Courts. How far this action was due to Henare TomoaivVs advice to the Wairoa Maoris the other day, we do not know. His words,

however, should be published throughout every native district in the Island. He said ; “ Wherever you have sold your land to the pakeha in the light of day when the sun has been shining (meaning that where all parties to the transactions were aware of the terms of sale) no repudiation should be attempted. Tr: nble would come if they did repudiate, for the Court and the lawyers would swallow up theii money, and they would get nothing unless they c- uld show they had been defrauded.”

Hr. George Thomas will hold a sale to-day, at 12.30 p.m., at the Queen's wharf, of a quantity of oats ami potatoes; ami at 2 p in., at his rooms, dwelling-house and property in Majoribank-street, at present in the occupation of Dr. Muuro. Mr. Francis Sidey will hold a sale of general merchandise at the Arcade to-day, at 12 o’clock. The articles comprise all sorts of fancy goods, sewing machines, basketware, tinware, &c. The sale will be without reserve, and in order to close consignments. This should prove a good opportunity for traders to replenish their slock.