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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5811, 13 November 1879, Page 2

We hear that if the accident which resulted in the death of the unfortunate Ameria Patirika were again enquired into and thoroughly sifted, it is quite likely that some further important evidence would be offered as to the prime cause of the accident, entirely opposed to the finding of the jury. In any case the evidence would seem to be incomplete unless the soundness of the harness which broke can be certified to. It is probable that more will be heard of this business, and in the meantime we refrain from offering any opinion on the matter. The laying of the Cook Strait cable was finished last evening, and all the wires were working well. Although very great efforts had been made by the department to prevent the work falling into arrears, yet some of the messages despatched from the South on Tuesday evening only reached here last night. Now, however, that the work of repairing has been satisfactorily accomplished, the work will be more speedily done than hitherto. In reference to the New Zealand Loan, the European Mail, received yesterday, has tho following ;—“With regard to the proposed new loan of £5,000,000 it is not so very long since New Zealand was in the market as a borrower, but, notwithstanding the forebodings of pessimists, if site can show that the money is likely to prove reproductive there can be no doubt of her getting it—at about four and a half per cent.” The Council sat yesterday till 9.15 p.m,. with an adjournment from 5.10 to 7 30. A considerable amount of business was disposed of, nous of it, however, being of great importance. Mr. Whitaker gave as a reason for not legislating this season to prevent obscene theatricals that there were still about IUU Bills yet to be dealt with, while the end of the year was rapidly approaching. The House sat yesterday from half-past two o’clock until half-past twelve, with the usual intermissions, during which time a considerable amount of business was got through, particulars of which will be found iu our Parliamentary report. Tenders are called by the Public Works Department for the erection of railway works at Wanganui.

Mr. Downie Stewart, M.H.R., has receive.! telegram from the DnmMJn Chamber of Commerce, to the effect that the committee of the Chamber are averse to the repeal of the present law in regard to imprisonment for debt. The Elections Validation Bill came up for second reading in the Council last evening, but it was not allowed to pass that stage without discussion, and even an attempt to sh-dv-it. It was generally agreed that the DisqualifierJion Act was no more than a trap to catch unwary candidates, who, if they got returned, found it necessary to invoke the full power <»f the Legislature to rescue them from their predicament by Validation Bills. The Act was also described as a trap for others than candidate.*, for as soon as any person unwed the Lav/ Courts to uphold its provisions the Amenably at once validated the breach of law, and a'iowed its upholder to bear the cost of his action. Mr. Wilson characterised the Disqualification Bill as an ostentatious assumption and declaration by Parliament of a virtue it did not possess.

Captain Fraser moved that the Bill be thrown out, as it intercepted actions now snh Jndicc. Dr. Pollen explained that the actions pending were “friendly” ones —not speaking in the professional sense of the, word. Tho--o bringing them were not able to get the members concerned to vote the proper way—hence their zeal to put matters right. Mr. Wilson took strong exception to Captain Colbock’s election being validated, which caused Mr. Whitaker to remark on the fact that half-a-dozui lawyers in both Houses (including his lion, friend) had held Captain Colbeck’s election to bo perfectly legal until he had changed his ride in politics, when they suddenly discovered that both the captain and themselves had been wrong. They (the fix lawyers) therefore hastened to repair the wrong by instigating an action for penalties against the member for Marsden, but in spite of the immense amount of legal talent engaged, the case was thrown out through informalities. After much discussion, not wholly devoid of pleasantry, and frequent recommendations to repeal the Disqualification Act as being a farce, the BUI got through its second reading, the last heard of it being a notice of motion given by Mr. Wilson to move, when in committee, that Captain Colbeck shall be excepted from its provisions. During the debate Mr. Whitaker accused Captain Fraser of showing virtuous indignation, whereat the gallant captain replied that, having been twenty years in the colony, he did not pretend to have a spark of virtue left. We have received a telegram from a respected correspondent at Gisborne, stating that at a meeting of Mr. Webb’s creditors, held yesterday, it was decided that the publication of the Poverty Bay Standard should be suspended, as it was found that the paper was not paying expenses. Our correspondent adds that the Standard was a strong partizan in the Greyite interest.

The publication of the Walca Maori has been discontinued. It had a large number of subscribers, but very few paid up their subscriptions. The Resident Magistrate presided at the JAM. Court yesterday, and four drunkards were fined ss. each, in default of payment twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. William Robert Christie, who had been previously charged with vagrancy, was again brought up. Mr. Mansford stated from inquiries he had made he believed that it was through no fault of his own that defendant was placed in his present position. His Worship had spoken to Colonel Reader concerning defendant, and that officer had consented to have him tals:en to the Armed Constabulary force, and had also presented him with a new suit of clothes. Defendant was discharged. It appears that Christie is a man of very gooorl position, son of an Indian army major, and he is a very good linguist. The action of Mr. Mansford in dealing with this case as he has is one that must commend itself to all as most praiseworthy.

There was a fair attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, when “The Little Duke” was again produced, the. performance passing off very smoothly. “ The Little Duke” will be repeated this evening for the last time, and for Friday, “ H.M.S. Pinafore ” is advertised to be produced, word for word as the authors wrote it, with all the original dances, &0., as played in London, New York, and Melbourne, by the Lingards. The attractions at the Academy of Music were last night augmented by a conundrum competition, which excited considerable interest. The riddles were not of a very high class, and the following was chosen out of perhaps a, score as the best:—“ Why were the Liberal measures placed before the country like the watch offered for competition ? Because, although genuine themselves, they wore not accepted as such by the people until they were Hall marked,” Three gentlemen from the audience officiated as judges, and the prize was awarded to Mr. Moore, pianoforte maker, of Lambton-quay. In reference to the Home for Friendless Women, we have received the following comrannication “The Wellington Ladies’ Christian Association has made arrangements for establishing a home for friendless women. The necessity for such an institution has been painfully forced upon the notice of the committee by several cases which have lately been commended to their consideration. They do not intend, at least for the present, to attempt the reclamation of women who have addicted themselves to a course of vice ; but rather to afford a temporary refuge to those who have for the first time brought themselves into circumstances which, unless a door of hope be opened to them, will probably lead to their ruin. The committee lias happily been able to secure the services of Miss Ely, a lady in every respect well fitted to discharge the duties of matron. A house in Tarauaki-streat has been taken for a term of two years ; and the committee will be prepared to receive inmates immediately upon Miss Ely’s expected arrival from Clu-istchur-.h. It is hoped that the institution will be made partially self-supporting by laundry-work to be done by the inmates ; but to a great extent it must depend npou voluntary contributions, which are earnestly solicited, and will be thankfully received by Mrs. Habeas, Hilt-street ; Miss Greenwood, Terrace ; or C. I’. Powles, Esq., treasurer to the Home. The ladies above-mentioned will bo glad to receive communications relating to orders for washing, or to the admission of inmates.”

A meeting of those interested in the Wellington .annual regatta was held at the Pier Hotel yesterday evening, Mr. C. O'Neill ia the chair. The chairman explained Mr. Ellaby’s reasons for calling the meeting so early, which he had no doubt was a step in the right direction. Mr. Ellaby, secretary, then presented a balance sheet from the previous regatta, showing that there were outstanding accounts to the amount of £lB 195., and in the previous year there had been about the same amount to the good. Letters of apology were received from Mr. George Hunter, and Mr. A. It. Hislop, the latter gentleman promising a subscription of £5 55., to be given as the committee may think fit. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Hislop for his liberality. It was resolved that his Excellency the Governor be requested to become patron of the regatta, and that his Worship the Mayor be asked to act as President, Captain Pose as Commodore, and Mr. Levin as Vice-Commo-dore. Mr. Downes was elected treasurer. The appointment of secretary was deferred, as Mr. Ellaby intimated that his business engagements would prevent him from acting. He, however, consented to act until next meeting. The appointment of judges and starter was also postponed. It was resolved that subscription lists be got out at once, and the gentlemen present (nineteen in all) were appointed a committee, with power to add to their number. A suggestion was made that trophies should take the place of money prizes. The meeting was then adjourned for a week, when the programme will be considered.

Wednesday next has been set apart as a bank holiday in the counties of Wairarapa East and West, as the Pastoral and Agricultural Society’s Show takes place at Carterton on that day. The first meeting of _the newly-elected Local Board was held at Ivaiwarra last evening, when there were present—Messrs. W. T. Wyatt, 11. Yates, J. Harris, E. M. Taylor, and T. T). Cameron. Mr. 0. Thompson, pin., returning officer, took the chair, and called upon the members to elect a chairman. On the motion of Mr. Cameron, seconded by Mr. Harris, Mr. Wyatt was unanimously elected chairman and treasurer. Mr. J. Thompson was appointed secretary ; and Mr. C. Thompson, jun., was appointed valuator for the district. Some routine business having been transacted, the meeting adjourned.

We have received from the publishers, Messrs. Gordon and Gotch, Melbourne, the “ Australasian A.B.C. Guide” for November, which is, as usual, printed iu a highly creditable manner.

Mr. John Prior, barrister and solicitor, of Saudon, has made a declaration of insolvency The first meeting of creditors will be held at the Court House, at Palmerston, on Monday next.

The drawing in Bridges* Ballarat art union took place on the 29th of last month. Strange to .-HV. the last ticket drawn, No. 7263, was the winner of the two thou-and pounds prize, the lucky owner being a barber at Ararat, iu Victoria—a poor man, with a large family, so a correspondent, who received a letter from Ballarat, informs us. The second prize fell to Mr. 11. I White, a local auctioneer ; and the third fJI to Mr. R. Nfchoils, of Christchurch, who ha l ticket No. 16,129. Mr. Caddy, the local agent, sold nearly -100 tickets in the Wellington district, but not a single prize fell to those which he sol I. Protests in reference to the Friendly Societies sports will be settled at the Foresters’ Hall this evening. All claims must be sent in by Saturday next. The payment of dividends in the estate of Jonas Back ha• been postponed for a week, in consequence of a claim for legal services having been rendered to the trustee.

A gentleman from Carterton informs us that the scores of the rifle match between tiie Masterton, Greytown, and Carterton Volunteers were not telegraphed to us correctly. Carterton was put down at the bottom of the list with a total of 272, but they should have been at the top instead, their score being 372 ; Mastertou, 361 ; and Greytown, 342. Yesterday, in answer to a question by Mr Bain, the Government replied that they did not intend to introduce a Bill this session to control theatrical performances. Subsequently Mr. Dick gave notice that he would move a resolution asking leave to bring in a Bill on the subject. The body of the unfortunate Maori woman who was killed on Tuesday, was conveyed to Wanganui by the Manawatu yesterday afternoon. A lead coffin was provided by the friends of the deceased, which was enclosed in a very strong case, the order having been entrusted to Mr. Quia, undertaker, Thorndon. Speaking of the arrival in England of the troops from the Zulu campaign, the Home correspondent of the Otayo Daily Times says : ** Scarcely less gratifying was the welcome to Colonel Baker at Crediton, where that most daring, dashing, and’gallant of cavalry leaders was received with ovcrwholmning demonstrations. Lord Chelmsford frankly admits that without Colonel Baker the army in Zuiuland would have been almost unable to move ; and never did cavalry fulfil their proper functions of being the eyes and ears of the main force so thoroughly and splendidly as Colonel Baker’s men. Never was a leader so worshipped by his men. In the thickest part of every fight, and ho wa« present at almost all, the Colonel would be seen as calm as on parade, encouraging his men, whom the voice of their leader moved to work wonders. And not only where hard knocks were going, but where judgment and decision were necessary, was Colonel Baker the most to be relied on, as was proved at the Zlobane Mountain, where, had he not remained calm and collected under terrific circumstances not a soul would have survived the surprise.” In a leading article upon the “ Constitutional Struggle in New Zealand,” the Australasian sums up as follows :—“The attitude of resolute firmness taken by Mr. Hall and his colleagues has received the justification of success. But irrespectively of this it appears to ns that it was distinctly his duty, situated as he was, to act iu the manner he did. He was called to office on a vote condemning the maladministration of Sir George Grey, and by a majority of the representatives recently returned by their constituents. In that position he had an undoubted right to insist on developing his policy and submitting it to the House and to the country. The attempt of the Opposition was an attempt to silence him and to smother his policy, and it was based on the claim to represent a majority formed by the erratic movements of one or two members of no fixed party or principles. There was not the slightest probability of the Opposition being able to form a Government had the responsibility been thrown on them to do so. We may regret the violence done to constitutional practice by a Ministry following the precedent of Sir George Grey, and shelving a vote of want of confidence, and the occurrence of the unseemly contest for place which was allowed to obstruct business. But the discredit must devolve upon those who forced the Government to such a course, and who wantonly threw aside all sense of moderation and common decency in theic desperate struggle to regain the posts from which they had just been dismissed by the vote of the country,*’

Mr. J. H. Wallace will sell to-day, at 2 o’clock, on the premises, Tarauaki-placo, the lease for three years of the goodwill, and the whole of the furniture of Minto hoarding house. Mr. Francis Sidcy will hold a large sale of grocery stores, to-day, at 11 ft.m.. at the Arcade. Messrs. Dwan and Kirton will hold a large sale of American waggonettes, spring-carts, &c., at the Nag's Head, at 2 p.m. to-day. Terms will be given for payment. Mr. Reeves will hold a sale to-day, at 11 a.m,, of the bankrupt stock of Mr. H Sexton. Newtown.