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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5720, 30 July 1879, Page 2

The most noticeable feature in yesterday's debate was the very bitter attack made upon the three or four members who were said to have “ ratted” by the Opposition. Mr. Bees’ speech was simply disgraceful, and we imagine that few members will be inclined to follow the example set them by the member for Auckland City East. He impugned the motives of all those whose confidence had been destroyed by the maladministration of the Government, and pretended that the junior member for Franklin had deserted the Grey party, not because he had lost faith in them, but because he hoped to be included in the new Ministry. Similar slanders were hurled against the member for the Thames, who scornfully resented the attack. Mr. Hobbs refuted the accusation made against him by the Premier’s henchman in far stronger language than that hon. member generally makes use of ; but all who heard the attack made upon him must admit that his reply was well deserved. The only effect of the speech delivered last night by the member for Auckland City East was to utterly disgust the moderate men on both sides of the House, and its tendency will be to alienate the thick-and-thin supporters of the Premier who yet remain in the Heuse.

The select committee appointed to inquire into the alleged tampering with the map of the Thames-Waikato Bailway, brought up their report yesterday afternoon. The report was in effect that no alteration was made in the map after it was laid on the table of the House in September last, at the request of the Hon. E. Bichardson, and that as originally prepared the map showed no portion of the railway line between Grahamston and Te Aroha. The report further stated that the alterations were made by a draughtsman, acting under the orders of the Minister for Public Works. It further appeared that the document was not the one asked for by Mr. Bichardson. The committee conclude their report by expressing the opinion that the heads of departments should in future certify to the accuracy of returns presented to the House. It is understood that only two members who tooTc part in the debate declined to vote, viz., Messrs. Murray and McMinn, It is true that the Hon. G. McLean paired against -Mr. Montgomery, who was absent on account of his late bereavement. Three members were absent from towu, viz., Messrs. Driver, Bastings, and J. E. Brown, the latter having left to attend the funeral of the late Mrs. Montgomery.

Itishigh time the appointment of an assistant Resident Magistrate for Wellington was made, for however willing honorary Justices of the Peace may be to give up their time for the purpose of assisting in transacting the large amount of business that comes before the Court, it cannot be denied that they as a rule lack that knowledge of judicial business which should be characteristic of the Bench. They certainly deserve every credit for the readiness with which they undertake duties which cannot have any peculiar charm for them, but this cannot compensate for the want of knowledge of law which is frequently displayed. These remarks have been called forth by an incident in yesterday's Court proceedings. An assault case was being heard, and notwithstanding the fact that the defendant several times admitted having struck the complainant, the evidence of witness after witness was heard in support of the charge, while the justices took careful notes of what_ was deposed to. a case that should have occupied but a very few minutes being thus dragged along for an hour. We may mention in further illustration of the absurdity of trusting the business to honorary justices, that the magistrates whose duty it was to sit yesterday did not put in an appear* ance, and the business of the Court was delayed while the constables went round, town to hunt up magistrates, it being a quarter to twelve o’clock when a Bench was at last constituted,

Mr. Barton yesterday gave notice that he would on the 6th of August ask the House to appoint a committee to inquire into the conduct of the Judges in the Court of Appeal in the case of the murderer Woodgate ; the committee to have power to call for papers, &c., and to report to the House in ton days.

Influenced by the prevailing excitement, the Legislative Council yesterday seemed strongly disinclined to do more work than was absolutely unavoidable pending the result of the crisis. Accordingly, after a few minutes devoted to formal business, three orders for second readings (including the Habitual Drunkards Bill) were postponed, and the Council adjourned till tomorrow, deciding not to meet at all to-day.

An inquest was held at the Morgue yesterday before Dr. Johnston, coroner, touching the death of John Mudford, who was found dead in bed on Monday morning. The evidence of Dr, Kesteven was to the effect that he had made a post mortem, examination, and found the body to be poorly nourished, thin, and wiry. On opening the chest he found the lungs and heart extensively diseased, and the wonder was that the deceased had lived so long. The valves of the heart were ossified and were almost rigid. Tbs covering of the lungs was adherent to the walls of the chest in several places. The cause of death was failure of the heart’s action. The son of deceased, Robert Mudford, deposed to having resided with his father. He last saw him alive on Sunday night. He appeared to be in his usual health, but on goiug to bed he complained of a slight pain in bis chest, but he thought nothing of it. He went to bed at eleven o’clock, and was quiet all night. Witness found him dead at six o’clock in the morning. Deceased was fif(;y-eight years old last May, and came to the colony in 1842 from Limehouse, London. He leaves a wife and four children, all living in the colony. Other evidence of a formal character having been taken, the jury returned a verdict of death from heart disease.

Another petition, signed by the inhabitants of Otago and Southland, was yesterday laid on the table of the Lower House in favor of Bible readings in tho public schools. Several petitions were also presented to the Council on the same subject. A quantity of correspondence was yesterday laid upon the table of the House between the Government and Sir Julius Vogel on the subject of the Agent-General’s connection with :,he New'Zealand Agricultural Association. The following rather curious announcements, posted on the door of an office in one of the chambers in this city, form a species of conundrum to a good many commercial men, but the latter notice is evidently tho handiwork of some wag;—“ Gone to , back in three days.” “ When you return, please call and see the bailiff, who has seven summonses waiting for you.” A sitting of the Bankruptcy Court was held yesterday, before his Honor the Chief Justice, when au application for complete execution of a deed of arrangement was made by Mr. Edwards, on behalf of Mr. McCredie. After some discussion the application was postponed for a week.

A formal inquest was held at the Mount View Asylum yesterday afternoon, before Dr. Johnston, coroner, upon the body of an inmate named Patrick Boyle, reported in our yesterday’s issue as having died there. The medical testimony was to the effect that death was the result of natural causes, and a verdict was re-' turned accordingly. In the course of four or five weeks a bazaar, in aid of the schools conducted by the Sisters of Mercy in this city, will be held at the new Academy of Music, which used to be known as the Odd Fellows’ Hall. There is an influential committee of ladies and gentlemen, and we are informed that there will be a firstclass selection of goods provided for sale. The bazaar will be under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Robinson. We would direct particular attention to the following statement from the Venerable Archdeacon Stock —persons in business, especially country hotelkeepers and storekeepers, would do well to post the notice in some conspicuous place, in order that they might not be misled by the individual in question : —“ Archdeacon Stock has no funds, nor is he likely to have, for 0. Hutchinson. Sbme persons have been imposed upon by a statement to the contrary.”

The attendance at the Theatre Royal last night was a very good one.“ Pink Dominoes” was again put upon the stage, and the play went very smoothly throughout, a great deal of hearty laughter being evoked by the capital dialogue with which the comedy sparkles. The success which has attended this play has warranted the management placing it on the boards again to-night, which will, we are assured, be the last occasion in Wellington. In consequence of the meeting previously held of the Wellington Guards being informal, the members met again last night, when the following gentlemen were duly elected officers; —Captain, Hon. G. Randall Johnson ; Ist Lieutenant, Mr. G. G. Orbell; 2nd Lieutenant, Mr. Andrew Young; Chaplain, Ven. Archdeacon Thorpe ; Surgeon, Dr. Harding ; Paymaster, Mr. Harry Wrigg. The concert at the Arcade last night by members of the late Opera Company, was a very enjoyable one, albeit only moderately attended. A'first-class programme, comprising many real gems, was submitted, and the singers were in excellent voice, Mr. Charles Florence especially being very happy in his efforts.

Messrs. A. Bish, J. H. Corbett, and D. Donald have been nominated for the vacancy in the Maatert'on Borough Council. The polling will take place on the sth August.

Messrs. McGregor and Holmes are candidates for the vacancy in the Mastertou Riding of the Wairarapa West County Council.

The steamer Taiaroa, with the San Francisco mails on board, left the Manukau at 3.30 p.m. yesterday. She may therefore be expected in Wellington to-morrow evening.

The usual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Society was held at the Provincial Buildings yesterday afternoon. Present—Mr. J. G. Holds worth (in the chair), Ven. Archdeacons Thorpe and Stock, Messrs. J. E. Smith, L. Levy, and Benjamin Smith. A large number of cases were relieved, some of them being very urgent ones. The number of cases requiring benevolent aid appears to be rapidly increasing in Wellington, while the subscriptions are as rapidly decreasing. In fact we are credibly informed that the only subscription that has been sent in for some weeks past has been one for 10s. We feel sure that this state of things only requires to be brought thus prominently before the public to ensure numerous practical expressions of sympathy from the charitable. There was a very large attendance of members at the usual weekly meeting of the Wellington Literary Association held last evening. The secretary read several letters which he had received from secretaries of several debating societies in Dunedin. The subject for discussion was, “ Should the Mayer be elected by the ratepayers ?” and after a very long and interesting debate was decided in the affirmative by a majority of 5. This being all the business, the meeting was closed in the usual manner.

Mr. W. R. Thompson, a builder at Greytown, sustained a nasty accident, through a nail which he was driving flying back and hitting him in the eye, tearing it in such a manner that the ball of the eye was literally hanging out of its 'socket. It is feared that the sight will not be restored to the injured eye, and that the accident will also seriously affect the other one.

A rather important case came before Mr. Justice Richmond in Chambers yesterday, Detective Brown being summoned to show cause why he should not deliver up to defendant Gleich certain property, consisting of diamond rings and money, now in the possession of the police. Mr. Allan appeared on behalf of Gleich, and Mr. Bell, Crown prosecutor, for the detective. After some discussion the case was remanded for a week.

During the quarter ending the 3ist of March last Shaw, Savill, and Co. despatched from Loudon 18 ships with a registered tonnage of 17,623 tons ; and the New Zealand Shipping Company 13 ships, of a registered tonnage of 12,660 tons. There was again a good attendance at St. George’s Hall last night to witness the performance of the Mammoth Minstrels, and the various members of the company exerted themselves to the utmost to please their patrons, their success being of course commensurate with their efforts. The company is undoubtedly a good one, numbering as it does first-class vocalists and negro humorists of a high order. This evening the season will be brought to a close, when an excellent programme will be submitted. For the ploughing match, to be held to-day at Masterton, there are five entries for the swing ploughing match, three for the wheel ploughing, eight for the double-furrow, three for the champion, match, and three for the boys’ ploughing match. Mr. J. H. Wallace will offer for sale this day, at 2 p.m„ by order of the Registrar of the Supremo Court, at bis Land Mart, Hunter-street, part of section 200, Taratahi Plain Block, near Carterton, together with a six-roomed dwelling-house. " “A most important sale of valuable land will bo held to-iaortow, at 2.30p.m., by T. Kennedy Maconald and Co,, in their mast, when they will offer the whole of the valuable landed' properties in the estate of Mr. McCredie, and also the’stock now on the premises lately occupied by Mr. McCredie on Lambtoa-quay, full details of which will be found -In our advertising eoluani,