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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5732, 13 August 1879, Page 2

Mr. Hunter has issued a preliminary address to the Wellington electors, which will be found in another column. Mr. Levin and Mr. Greenfield have each determined to come forward as independent candidates, each man running on his own merits. We have no reason to object to Mr. Greenfield personally, but he certainly cannot hope to take up a position at all worthy of the city. His debating powers are small, and neither his talents nor his ability have ever yet been very conspicuous. However, if the electors desire a working man’s candidate, who has risen from the ranks, and are prepared to sacrifice Parliamentary influence and power for the honor, wo believe that they could not pick a better or an honester man of the class in Wellington. The priee which they will have to pay would be a heavy one, and has probably not yet been fully

recognised. We are glad to hear that the rumor which stated that Mr. Levin and Mr. Greenfield were going to run together is absolutely without foundation. Both candidates have expressed themselves strongly in favor of being in a position to ask each elector for one vote only, and to let everyone please himself how he shall dispose of his second vote. Mr. Hunter’s claims speak for themselves, and his plucky determination to come forward in the interests of the city although he is indisposed, and has been left unsupported by any of the younger candidates, bespeaks an unexpected amount of energy and political zeal which must convince his detractors that he will take a lot of beating. Mr. Levin’s chance of election is generally regarded as a very good one. A very largely attended meeting was held last night at the Arcade, for the purpose of forming a Liberal Association. The chair was occupied by G. V. Shannon, J.P., and, all things considered, the meeting was an orderly and well-conducted one. Certainly this may be affirmed, so far as the chair was concerned. The principal speakers were Messrs. Hutchison, Crook, Fisher, Grace and Pratt, the latter of whom caused a good deal of amusement to the audience. Several resolutions were passed, and a committee was appointed to bring up a report to a future meeting. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere. In answer to inquiries, we might state that the first Superintendent of Canterbury under the Constitution Act, 1852, was Mr. James Edward Fitz Gerald, who held office until 1857. He was succeeded by Mr. William Sefton Moorhouse, who was superintendent from 1857 to 1863 ; Mr. Samuel Bealy was Superintendent from 1863 to 1866 ; and Mr. Moorhouse was again in that position from 1866 to 1868 ; Mr. William Rollestou was Superintendent from 1868 up to the time when the provinces were abolished.

The usual meeting of the Benevolent Society was held at the Provincial Buildings yesterday afternoon. Present—Mr. J. G. Holdsworth (in the chair), Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Levs. J. Paterson, 11. Coffey, W. West, W. J. Williams, and Messrs. D. Lewis, J. E. Smith, L. Levy, B. Smith, and the secretary and treasurer. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A large number of cases were relieved—almost twice the number of those who receivedaid the previous week; and some applications after investigation were refused. It was apparent to the committee that destitution was on the increase.

Mr. George Fisher publishes this morning a more extended address than that which appeared in yesterday’s issue. He declares himself “a Liberal, who has no dubious beliefs to explain away, no past history to hide under cover of specious phrases.” He states that he will give his support to manhood suffrage and triennial Parliaments ; and the measures advocated in the Speech, as delivered by his Excellency the Governor at the opening of Parliament, he heartily approves of.

His Honor the Chief Justice sat in bankruptoy yesterday. Orders of discharge were granted to James Playfair Taylor, and the deeds were declared to be completely executed in the estates of Joseph Ballinger, George Hutton Poynter, N. Marchant, James Joseph Smith, and C. H. Ellaby. An application for discharge, made on behalf of Jesse Bowles, was postponed, as insufficient notice had been given. Mr. Ollivier applied for the discharge of R. H. Elliott, but Mr. Fitzherbert opposed the application on behalf of the creditors. Evidence wss taken at considerable length, and the application was then postponed for a month.

It was yesterday resolved at the meeting of the Hutt County Council that that body should pay no more funds to the Benevolent Society for charitable aid purposes, as that society had refused to give any aid to persons living outside the city. It was also resolved to pay their proportion towards the maintenance of the Hospital under protest, and to decline to pay any further sums unless within one month the Council is allowed to have a fair representation on the General Managing Committee. It will be seen from our report of yesterday’s proceedings that the Hutt and Johnsonville districts have resolved for the future to support their own poor without applying to the chief bodies at all. A little dispute has arisen between the two districts, however, on the subject of a person who is receiving relief from one of them living in a house situated on a public road which is the boundary between the two. The usual monthly meeting of the Hutt County Council was held yesterday. The business transacted was of considerable importance, and most of it was of an exceptionally interesting character. A report of it appears elsewhere. The Hutt County Council yesterday made a grant of £2OO (to be taken out of the first funds received from the Government) to the Karori Hiding, for the purpose of making a main road in that district. Mr. H. Damaht was yesterday appointed inspecter of slaughter-houses in the Hutt County. We have all heard that “ the Devil can quote Scripture for his own purpose,” but it is not often the case that a member of what is sometimes vulgarly termed the “ Devil’s Brigade,” is found exacting a solemn pledge from the uninitiated not to bring any more actions into the law courts. Towards the close of the meeting of creditors in the estate of Carl Peters yesterday, however, Mr. Stafford asked the debtor whether he would solemnly pledge himself not to bring any more actions at law. It is needless to add that the remark created roars of laughter from all those present, in which the legal gentlemen heartily joined. The comedy of “ Engaged ” attracted a good audience at the Theatre Royal last night, upon the occasion of the second performrnce of the Chaplin-Osborne company. Mr. Chaplin again sustained the part of Cheviot Hill, and Miss Osborne that of Belinda. Everything passed off very well, although the company are not so happy in this particular play as in the one that produced it here previously. This evening “ Richelieu ” will be produced. Mr. Williams, late of the Panama Hotel' Wellington, has purchased Mr. Lancaster's interest in the Royal Hotel, Featherston. Mr. T, A. Shirley, the well-known proprietor of the Royal Hotel, Featherston, has resigned his seat in the Local Board, as he is about to leave the district to start in business in Napier. A movement is on foot to divide the borough of Masterton into wards. A Small Farm Association has been formed at Wanganui. Thirty names have been enrolled, and the entrance fee is fixed*at ss.

Creditors in the estate of W. J. Prentice, baker, Masterton, are requested to prove their claims not later than Saturday, the 23rd inat., as a dividend will be payable after that date. Mr. Robert Greenfield's committee will meet at the Exchange Land Mart tomorrow evening at eight o’clock. The old saying that cats have nine lives, has had recently another exemplification. In the news received from China by the Press Agency the fact is recorded of an eagle swooping down and taking possession of “pussy,” and carrying it away into the air. When, however, a considerable distance in its aerial passage had been reached, the oat gave a strong expression of its disapproval by sticking its olawa with great vigor into the breast of the eagle. The result was that the latter came to grief and to earth simultaneously, whilst “ pussy" went on its way rejoicing, as if nothing very serious had occurred. We published in yesterday’s issue some extracts from the Rangitikei Advocate and Manaviatu Times with reference to the coming election for the Manawatu district. The following extract from the Manawatu, Herald will also show the feelings entertained towards Mr. Johnston in the southern portion of the constituency :—“ The people of this part of the country are desirous of having a fair hearing. They prefer Mr. Johnston on the ground that he will deal out even-handed justice ; they have asked no pledges, and they expect none beyond the simple assurance that he will deal fairly with both ends of the county, and not oppose ‘ tooth and nail' such schemes as the line from Carnarvon to Sandon. If Mr. Johnston stands, he may expect to hear of his ‘ sins of omission,’ —in neglecting to meet his constituents and other matters ; his views on colonial policy will also doubtless be subjected to criticism; but we wo.uld rather see an honest and impartial representative returned, who holds what wo think wrong political views than behold the sworn foe of half the district sitting as our representative in Parliament.”

A lengthy report was read at the last meeting of the Wanganui Harbor Board from Messrs. Barr and Olliver, civil engineers, on the works required to deepen the river and improve the bar, which concludes with the following remarks ;—“With the formation of a channel 2600 ft. long, the largest class of vessels trading to the colony from Britain could enter the river at high water, or with one 4609 ft. long, such could enter at any state of the tide.” ,

Sir William and Lady Fox were passengers by the steamer Manawatu, which left for Wanganui last night.

Mr. Bunny's address to the electors of Wairarapa will be found in our advertising columns. He states that he intends holding meetings in all the centres of population, and placing his views on local and general matters before the electors. He approves of the measures indicated in the Governor’s speech at the opening of Parliament.

The Bruce, Herald makes the following comments on the manner in which the Kaitangata Relief Fund is administered:—“Were it not for the very best and unquestionable authority, we might hesitate before making the following brief assertions regarding the management, or rather ‘ mismanagement ’ of the Kaitangata Relief Fund. It will hardly be credited that the largest weekly payment ‘ doled out’ to any of the families of the unfortunate miners who were killed, is 30s. for a family of eight; and that a good many of the children have got so low in the articles of their wardrobe, that they are actually unable to sufficiently protect themselves against the wet and cold. This is, however, the solemn truth, and such is the miserable and deplorable result obtained, after a princely sum of £15,000 has been placed at the disposal of the committee for the relief of the widows and orphans. We are utterly unable to find words sufficiently expressive of the disgust and disappointment we feel, and which we doubt not will be readily shared by hundreds who may learn these facts. We may add that three highly respectable gentlemen, residing in the neighborhood of Kaitangata, are instituting a private inquiry into the various cases, and in due course the public will hear the result of their labors."

The Academy of Music will be opened this evening, and the complimentary benefit tendered to Mr. Cary promises to be very successful, judging from the number of tickets which have been disposed of. The comic operas, “ Rose of Auvergne ” and “ The Chelsea Pensioner,” will be produced, together with other novelties.

The requisition to Mr. Robert Greenfield which contains about 375 names, appears in our advertising columns, and his address will be published in to-morrow’s issue. The concert to be given by Mr. Robert Paker at the Athenaeum Hall on Friday evening promises to be a rich musical treat. A rehearsal took place last night, which proved highly successful.

Dr. Newman will address the electors at the Athenasum this evening at eight o’clock.

A meeting of the committee of the Wellington Liberal Association will be held at the Foresters’ Hall, Tory-street, this evening, at eight o’clock. What might have been a fatal case of “ lost in the bush ” happened at Otaki a few days ago. It appears (says the Manawatu, Herald) that last Saturday week a man named Campbell was lost in the bush, between Otaki and Waikawa. As considerable anxiety was felt for his safety, a search party was organised, and he was on the following Wednesday discovered by Mr. Winterburn. At the time he was found, Campbell had lost his reason, and was very much exhausted. A day later, he would probadly have succumbed. He was taken to Otaki, and carefully attended to, and is now, we are glad to hear, considerably improved. He was working with a party of the natives who are constructing the inland road. J. H. Bethune and Co.’a salo, which was to have taken place yesterday, was postponed, in consequence of the wretched weather, until to-morrow. A sale of land in the townships of Palmerston, Feilding, Fitzherbert, and Weodvilio, will be held to-day at 2 p.m., at the land mart, Hunter-street, by Mr. J. H. Wallace. The lease of a section for fortytwo years, on the Reclaimed Land, will also be offered at the same hour.

H. Moss and Co. will hold a sale of carpets, blankets, furniture, china and glassware, &c., at their rooms, this day, at 11 a.m.