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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5783, 11 October 1879, Page 2

The House met again yesterday, and presented a marked difference, so far as the seating of members was concerned, from its appearance of Wednesday. The Government benches were occupied by the Hon. John Hall, the Hon. Mr. Rolleston, Major Atkinson, the Hon. Mr. Oliver, and the Hon. Mr. Tomoana. |3ir George Grey sat on the bench behind the seat formerly occupied by the leaders of the Opposition. Mr. Macandrew sat on the Government side of the House, near the door next to the Sergeant-at-Arms, and Mr. Sheehan had taken up a position near the vlanri corner. Mr. Gisborne and Mr. Eisher occupied seats on the Opposition side of the House, but widely separated ; indeed, it was a matter of general comment that the late Ministry were scattered over the House like a lot of sheep, Mr. Ballance had changed sides with Mr. Steveus, aud sat next to Mr. Wakefield, who had not moved ; while the late cosy corner of Mr. Ballance, by the “ ayes ” door, was taken possession of Mr. Hurst, no doubt with a view of personal comfort, and as being so much nearer the Government benches than the seat he formerly occupied. Indeed, nearly all the members of the House had changed seats, although there were some few exceptions, Mr. George McLean being amongst the latter. The deputation recently appointed at the meeting at the Star Hotel to wait upon Mr. Randall Johnson, with a view to inducing him to become a candidate for the Mayoralty, had an interview with that gentleman yesterday. Whilst expressing his high sense of the compliment paid him, Mr. Johnson declined to come forward as a candidate during the next election.

Amidst much laughter, Mr. George McLean gave notice, in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, that on the next sitting day he would move that on account of the hardening effect which the exemption from all taxation produces upon the human mind, the Island of Kawau should be included within the boundaries of the county of Rodney. Among the petitions yesterday presented to the House was one by Mr. Seddon, signed by •2000 people, praying for the construction of a railway between Hokitika and Greymouth. The petition was so long that, when unrolled, it stretched from the Speaker’s chair to the door at the other end of the Chamber, and as it was formed partly of blue and partly of white paper it may be inferred that the supply of the latter material was exhausted in the district whence the signatures were obtained. The Supreme Court continued its sittings yesterday, when Abraham Walmsley, who had pleaded guilty the previous day to housebreaking, received a sentence of six months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Cornelius Fisher was then tried for sheep-stealing, but was acquitted, the evidence in support of the charge being insufficient. The Court at 1 p.m. adjourned till 10 a m. on Monday, on which day it has been decided to take the case of the Fast Coast rioters.

During the heating of the charge against Cornelius Fisher, yesterday, for sheepstealing, David Fisher was again called as a witness, but his answers to the questions put by his Honor with the view of ascertaining whether he understood the nature of an oath, were as unsatisfactory as on the previous occasion, and consequently hia evidence was not admitted. At the usual monthly meeting of the Hutt County Council, to be held on Tuesday next, Mr. Dick will move—“ That the sum of £l5O be granted to the Wellington District Highway Board, to be expended on the Wainuiomata line of road, No. 4 ward.” Mr. Taylor, will move—“ That in the opinion of this Council the Inspector of Slaughterhouses shall have given him three months’ notice that his services will not be required after that time.” The steamer Agnes left Sydney for Wellington on Thursday, and is expected to arrive in about a week, when she will immediately proceed to pick up the Cook Strait cable, one wire of which has been gone since April, and another gave way on Sunday last. Mr. Redward, the Immigration Officer, has received tiO nominations for transmission by the outgoing San Francisco mail. We understand that since the new regulations requiring a deposit have been in force, the number of persons nominated has considerably decreased.

The band of the Wellington Guards will perform selections this afternoon at the end of the wharf, to celebrate the opening of the boating season ; but should the weather not prove favorable for boating purposes the band will play as usual in the Botanical Gardens.

We notice an article by Dr. Kesteven in a recent number of the Lancet, on a new treatment of spinal affections, which may be interesting to those who are thus affected. There was a large attendance at Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co.’s sale of furniture, fancy goods, and pictures, yesterday ; the bidding was very spirited, and excellent prices were obtained for some of the goods, but owing to the length of the catalogue Mr. Macdonald was unable to ct nplete the sale, which will be continued next wcck, when the unsold goods, and others not yet opened op, will bo offered for sale.

The boating season will be opened this afternoon at half-past two o'clock by a procefsion of boats.

A company callin'; themselves “Patchwork,” composed of some of the best amateur talent in the town, has been forme 1, and will appear in about three weeks. The first programme will consist of nigger business, part ringing, and burlesque, We understand that the proceeds will be devoted to some local charity.

The twelfth annual meeting of the Central Fire Brigade will be held on Monday evening, at eight o'clock, for the purpose of electing officers and receiving the report and balancesheet.

airs. Fitz Gerald's concert, in aid of St. Mark’s organ fund, will be given at the Athememo Hall on Tuesday evening, under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor aud Lady Robinson. There have been several rehearsals, and from what we have learned, there is a musical tre it in store for those who will attend the entertainment.

The Arcade was crowded with children from the city schools last evening, when the captain and officers of the Kakaia gave an entertamment in aid of the Peal of Bells Fund. The programme comprised a aeries of dissolving views illustrative of London and London lif-, the poem of “ .fane Conquest,” illustrated in the same way, and man? other items, concluding with an admirable likeness of the Queen, to which the children sang the “ National Anthem,” The juvenile audience seemed to enjoy highly the entertainment. The various views, &c,, were explained by the captain of the Kakaia throughout, and the whole affair was an unmistakeable success.

The “ Wellington Monthly Prices Current and Trade Keport” for transmission by the San Francisco mail, has been issued in its usual creditable manner. The Oriental Exhibition still continues to attract a number of visitors. It will be open, as usual, to-day, and also during the evening. Those clever young artists, the Juvenile Troubadours, went through another of their performances last night with marked success, afternoon there will be an entertainment for the benefit of schools aud families, commencing with “ Conrad and Lizette,” in which new songs aud dances will be introduced ; and concluding with “ Hash, Bib, and Tucker, or H.M.S. Pinafore.” In the evening “Milky White” and “ Patchwork” will be produced. The cry, “ Land for the people,” has been so frequently used (and for political purposes often abused) that people are almost led to believe that there is no land left in the country for the industrial classes. Our enterprising citizen, the Hon. John Martin, is bringing the matter to a very practical test, as will be seen by Mr. Wallace's advertisement in our columns, to which we direct the attention of boch large and small capitalists; but more especially of those in search of laud for immediate occupation. Martinborough is fully described in the advertisement, but it may be necessary to mention that the Huaugaroa aud Otaraia estates, after nearly forty years' improvement, are now in a tit state for profitable cultivation. The soil and climate cannot easily be surpassed, aud the judicious way in which Mr. Martin has had these tine estates subdivided will meet the demands of nearly all classes of the community for land. We would, however, advise intending purchasers to go and inspect the land for themselves.

To-morrow evening, Mrs. Hardinge-Britten will deliver her farewell lecture at the Theatre Royal on “The New Bible and the Church of the Future.”

Three interesting papers will be read by Mr T. W. Kirk, Captain Edwin, and Major Heaphy, at the meeting of the Philosophical Society this evening. The bazaar in aid of the schools conducted by the Sisters of Mercy was again well patronised yesterday. As this will be the last day, we hope to see it crowded up to the time of closing. The object is a most deserving one.

The number of Masonic Lodges in the world is about 15,000, divided among the different countries as follows :—ln Germany there are 312 lodges; in Switzerland, 33 ; Hungary, 44 ; Roumania, 11 ; Servia, 1 ; England and Wales, 1187 ; Scotland, 234 ; Ireland, 289 ; Gibraltar, 5 ; Malta, 4; Holland Luxemburgh, 46 ; Belgium, 15 ; Denmark, 7 ; Swe'den and Norway, 12 ; Erance, 278 ; Spain, about 300 ; Portugal, 22; Italy, 110 ; Greece, 11 ; Turkey, 26 ; Egypt, 28 ; Tunis, 2 ; Algeria, 11 ; Morocco, 2 ; the West Coast of Africa, 11 ; African Islands, 25 ; The Cape, 61 ; Arabia (Aden), 11 ; Indian Islands, 17 ; China, 13 ; Japan, 5 ; Australian Islands, 4 ; Australia, 229 ; New Zealand, 84, United States, 9824 ; Canada, 435 ; Cuba, 30 ; Hayti, 82 ; West Indian Islands, 65 : Mexico, 13; Brazil, 256 ; other States in South America, 179. The number of members is estimated at upwards of 6,000,000.

Mr. George Thomas will offer for sale to-day, at two o'clock, on the ground, off Hobson-street, the range of buildings formerly occupied as the Land Office ; and at his rooms. Hunter-street, immediately afterwards, the whole of the atock-iu-trade of the estate of A. B. W. GoMsmid.

Mr. Francis Sidey will offer for sale, at the Arcade, at 1 p.m., a quantity of furniture and sundries. Messrs. Laery and Campbell will offer for sale today, at 11 a.m., at their rooms, fruit, groceries, &c.: and at the Horse Bazaar, Manners-street, at 2 p.m. horses, drays, harness, &c.