Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5813, 15 November 1879, Page 2

The Wanganui Working Men’s Club numbers 350 working members. There are also seve-al honorary and life members as well. The rooms are neatly furnished, and there is every prospect of the club becoming a successful institution.

The meeting called by his Worship the Mayor fop last night, for tbe purpose of considering the present extravagant salaries of tbe Corporation officials, was as complete a fiisco ; it u possible to conceive. At tbe appointed hour a good number of people had assembled in the Athenaeum Hal), the back Beats being largely occupied. The leaders of the movement appeared, however, to be conspicuous by their absence, for there was not a soul upon tho platform, or even in its vicinity. After waiting ten minutes Mr. J. T. Griffiths was proposed as chairman, but that gentleman objected, as he was not a ratepayer. He said, however, that several people had been spoken of as likely to take the chair. (A voice : “ Name them.”) Mr. Quin wanted to know what the meeting had been called for. (Hoar, hear, and applause.) Heobjected to the meeting and said of those who had called it were not ratepayers. A pause then took place for a few minutes, during which a gentleman sitting immediately behind Councillor Young stood up and calmly surveyed the scene for a moment, and in a feeble voice proposed that Mr. Young should take the chair, aud dropped into his seat as if he had been suddenly taken ill. Mr. Young at once jumped up, and said he did not sympathise with the objects of the meeting, and would have nothing to do with it. Another proposition was then made, that as there was an opposition resolution to move, they should wait foi half an hour, and see if by that time a chairman could not be found. The suggested period having expired, it was followed by a great deal of stamping and cries of “ chair,” after which Mr. Quin said that, as those who had called the meeting did not take any proceedings, the meeting should be adjourned for six months. (A Voice : “ Six years.”) Mr. Crook suggested that the. gentlemen of the Press should sing “ God Save the Queen.” (Laughter.) Three groans were then called for those who had convened the meeting, aud these having been given accordiugly, some more waiting ensued, which was at length put an end to by the reporters (who, we may mention, did not sing the National Anthem, as facetiously proposed by that great “Liberal reformer,” Mr. Crook) moving towards the door in a body. This, as was anticipated, served as the signal for breaking up the meeting. The hall was soon deserted. The House met at the usual time yesterday. The afternoon was taken up with the question of the recommittal of the Qualification of Electors Bill, which was subsequently read a third time and passed. In the evening the question of the telegrams yesterday laid upon the table was again brought up, and elicited a long discussion. A long discussion also took place on the committal of the Registration of Electors Bill which was ultimately considered in committee, after which the House adjourned until half-past seven o'clock on Monday evening, when the Financial Statement will be brought down. The Qualification of Electors Bill was last night read a third time, and passed, amid loud applause. The Bill is now in much the same shape as it was when it was first introduced by the Government. The franchise was struck out after the Bill was recommitted for the sake of reconsidering that one clause. The main features of the Bill may be summarised in a few words. The franchise is extended to :—Every man who is the owner of an estate of tbe value of £25 sterling, and has held the same for six months: —to every man who has been a year in the colony and six months in the electoral district for which he claims to vote : every Maori whoso name is on the ratepayers’ roll for the district will be allowed to vote at the election for European members. The rates must be payable on land held severally not jointly. Maoris will still retain their special representation. No alien, criminal, or man under 21 years* of age will be allowed to vote.

The Upper House, yesterday, sat from 2.30 to 5, disposing of a largo amount of business though it was mostly of little importance. The Hon. Mr. "Whitaker took occasion to say, on the third reading of the Validation Bill, that he had not meant to assert, at a previous sitting, that Captain Colbeck’s legal friends held his election to bo legal but that the member for Marsden was not liable for any penalties. The debate on the Triennial Bill was again adjourned—till Tuesday. There are not wanting indications that the measure will receive strong opposition in the Council. The Legislative Council yesterday finally disposed of the Local Bills difficulty by appointing three committees, who are to share the work of their consideration equally. Tho passage of these measures in future through the Upper House will therefore be much more rapid than it has been hitherto. There was some little difficulty as to distinguishing the three committees by separate appellations. One hon. member gravely made the suggestion that they should be termed u Faith, Hope, and Charity,” but the proposal lapsed. The Speaker ultimately denominated them Committees A, B, and C. On this subject a question arose as to whether or not members appointed to committees wore compelled to serve. Mr. Whitaker quoted an English precedent, where a member who had struck against committee work was given into custody by the Speaker. Another hon. member observed that though he might be forced to attend, he could not be compelled to work. Dr. Grace pointed out that anyone contemplating resistance to committee work should take warning by the example quoted by the Attorney-General. In that case the gentleman refusing was put in custody, and subsequently got twenty-one yeors for treason, on the expiry of which term his sou, to whom he had nominally transferred his property, refused to restore it, which caused the parent’s death through chagrin. He was the only person who had ever refused committee work, aud those who wished to imitate him should remember the proverb, facilis descensus Averni. The example was a warning to gods aad men.

There was an excellent rehearsal of the oratorio of “ Elijah ” by the Choral Society on Thursday evening at the new practice-room in Messrs. Stevenson and Smiths store. A large number of members were present, and the room, being very. spacious and lofty, was a great improvement on the old place of meeting. After the rehearsal, the rules of the proposed Operatic Club that has recently been formed in connection with the society were road over, Mr. David Stuart being in the chair, when a committee, consisting of Messrs. Stuart, Plimpton, Palliser, and Holmes, was elected ; the latter to be stage manager. Several ladies well known in musical circles put down their names as members, and altogether the affair promises to be a great success. Concerning the new railway station on the reclaimed land, the Hon. P. Buckley yesterday spoke in the Council as follows:— 11 The importance of the question I am about to ask must be my excuse for bringing it under notice here. A promise was made some time ago by the Government to a number of the principal merchants of Wellington that the construction of the new railway station should be begun in a short time. Many months have elapsed, and I see no sign whatever of a beginning being made, and I therefore take the liberty to ask this question:—When do the Government intend to construct a railway station on the reclaimed land in the City of Wellington ; and has any site been selected for that purpose 1" The Hon. Mr. Whitaker replied:—“The Government intend to construct this station. There certainly has been some delay, owing to a doubt as to where the principal station for the town was to be. A site has now been selected, an appropriation prepared, and the work will be very shortly proceeded with.” The sitting of the Court of Appeal was adjourned at 1 p.m. yesterday to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, to enable the Divorce Court business to be taken on Monday. The following Appeal Court cases yet remain upon the list Strike and another v. Gleich, and Cheymol v. Gleich, special cases removed ; Daniel v. Sinclair, appeal; in re Will of Rhodes, and in the matter of the Stamp Act, 1875, special case removed ; Regina v. Reid, criminal case, reserved ; and in re Arthur Tulloh Nation, rule nisi reserved. The cases of Strike v, Gleich, and Cheymol v. Gleich, will be taken on Tuesday, to be followed if time allows by that of Daniell v. Sinclair.

The first of a series of weekly sports in connection with the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club took place last evening on the Basin Reserve, a considerable number of spectators being on the grounds. For the 100yds. race five competitors started in the first heat, Warbrick being first and Thompson second. Six started in the second heat, Lambert getting the first place and Berry the second. The final heat was won by Warbrick, Lambert being second. The race was finished in seconds, although the competitors had to contend against a strong head wind, For the 880yds. six started, the first quarter of a mile being run in 60 seconds ; bat in the second quarter Lynch and Warbrick gave in when within 200yds. of the tape. Bishop then made a spurt, overtook Berry, and finished in good style, beating Davey by 12yds., the same distance separating Berry from Davey. Time, 2mia. I9sec. The sports will be continued on Friday evenings, so as to keep the msmbsrs in training for the New Year sports.

At a meeting of creditors held yes f erdav the amount of assets stated was very small, and this induced one of the creditors to inquire if there would be any dividend for the creditors. The legal gentleman engaged by the debtor replied to this that the printing and advertising would cost so mnri that h»* was afraid there would be very little for the creditors. To th’s a newspaper man present retorted that by the time the lawyers had done with it there would be very little left for the “ poor printer”—a joke that seemed to tickle the creditors very considerably. Complaints reach us from residents of Pipitea-pomt of tho neglect of the men employed bv the contractor for clearing nightsoil failing to perform their duty. Wc trust that “ a word to the wise” will be sufficient.

The police have in their charge a bunch of keys for which an owner is desired. The directors of the Caledonian Society met at the New Zealander Hotel last evening for the purpose of considering the programme as arranged by the committee. There were present —Messrs. Geo, Crawford (in the chair), T. McKenzie. J. Stuart TCeid, 0. O’Neill, J. Lockie, J. H. Bethune, A. J. McTavish, and A. King. The programme, as passed, will be the best ever put before the athletic community. It consists of some twenty-two events, the prize money amounting to £lO5. The principal item in the programme is the Caledonian Champion Handicap of 100, 440, and 880yds, A first prize of £5, second of £2, and third of £l, will be given at each distance. The aggregate prizes of £lO, £4, and £2 will also be given to the highest scorers at the three distances—the scoring to be by points in the following proportion : —First in either event, 10 points; second, 6; third, 4. The programme also contains many other interesting events, and should the weather be favorable a good meeting may be safely anticipated. “ H.M.S. Pinafore ” was produced last evening, at the Theatre Royal, to a very good audience, although the inclemency of the weather doubtless prevented many persons from attending. The opera, musically speaking, was not such a success as might have been expected, but the stage accessories aud mise-tn-scene were admirable, tho latter being the work of Mr, JohnHemings, of Melbourne. Miss Lingard sang very nicely, but the chorus required a little more drilling—and, parenthetically, we may remark that the make-up “ Jack ” of Bill Bobstay, the boatswain’s mate, was considerably overdone. To-morrow evening the performance will be repeated, and doubtlesss will go more smoothly. "While Mr. John Knowles was being examined by the Hallways Committee, the IT o n. Mr. Waterhouse asked him whether he had been able to procure the written legal opinion which was said to have been given by Mr. Stout, invalidating the Railways Construction Act. Mr. Knowles admitted that the opinion was not a confidential opinion, aud added “I do not know it exactly, only in effect. There was first a verbal opinion from the Attorney General. I was anxious that it should be reduced to writing. Mr. Macandrew obtained a written opinion from the Attorney General, and that opinion was attached to tho documents relating to these things. It satisfied us that we were justified in acting under the Appropriation Act instead of the Railways Construction Act ; but I cannot find that opinion anywhere.” It would be interesting to know whether the opinion would have satisfied the House and the public that the Public Works Department was justified in acting under it. Perhaps Mr. Stout could send a copy of the opinion which he gave. Signor G. Agriti, the advance agent for Chiarini's Royal Circus, was a passenger from Auckland by the last boat from the North, to make arrangements for the arrival of his principal in this city at an early date. The circus arrived by the last raailboat from San Francisco, and is now performing to a splendid business in Auckland. It will open here on the 2Sth inst., on the reclaimed ground, an excellent site upon which has been secured. It will be remembered that Signor Chiarini visited New Zealand about seven years ago, when his circus, which was iu many respects infinitely better than that of Cooper and Bailey, attracted great attention throughout the country. Signor Agriti was his agent upon that occasion, when he did much towards the success of the show. The present circus is said to be fully as good as the last, so that a great treat may be expected by lovers of equestrianism in this city. From the report in another column of the Resident Magistrate’s Court proceedings, it will be seen that a gross fraud has been brought to light. It will bo remembered that some two months ago a German named Meyer filed his schedule, and amongst his liabilities appeared au item £l5O, an alleged loan from another German, Jacob Bloom, for which the latter held a mortgage as security. This statement of liabilities was sworn to in the usual way by Meyer, and Bloom appeared at the meeting of creditors to put in a proof of debt for the amount. Upon being informed by the then Deputy-Registrar that as he had security for the debt there was no necessity to prove, and that if he did prove he could only receive his share of whatever dividends were declared, instead of the full amount, Bloom declined to prove his debt, not, however, before loudly protesting iu exceedingly bad English that he would have the whole of the money, and would have nothing to do with dividends. This meeting was enlivened by the debtor using insulting language to Bloom, aud also to Messrs. Krnll and Moeller, who were present. Notwithstanding Meyer’s sworn affidavit concerning his indebtedness to Bloom, he yesterday coolly deposed that he did not owe Bloom any money, hadhiever given him any I O D’s for various amounts borrower, and that, in fact, the whole affair was, in the words of Mr. Manaford, “ a gigantic swindle.” These facts were elicited in the course of a charge against Bloom for having obtained a quantity of jewellery by means of false pretences, the “ false pretence ” consisting in his having represented the mortgage to be a genuine one. He was committed for trial on the charge. The Wairarapa Standard says:—“We are afraid that the members of the proposed Small Farm Association at Wellington are being led off the true scent. They will not be able to buy any portion of that block at a less price than from £lO to £2O per acre, on a system of deferred payment.” The crops about Fordell, iu the Raugitikei district, are looking magnificent, and promise to be as good as last year, when they excited the admiration of all travellers by rail. From the report of the Earl of Dunmore’s sale, the Rangitikci Advocate finds that Mr. Larkworthy, manager of the Bank of New Zealand in London, purchased a shorthorn cow for this colony called Red Rose, the price being seventy-four guineas. Besides this, Mr. Larkworthy purchased the prize yearling bull at the International Agricultural Show, held under the auspices of the Royal Society of England, at Kilburn. The bull is named Prince Regent, and he was bred by the Rev. R. B. Kennard. He is a son of Grand Duka of Oxford, 28,763, from Queen Anne, therefore own brother to the renowned Queen Mary. Both animals were shipped for New Zealand by the Bebiugton, on August 11. In recording the "death of Judge Young, the Manawatu Herald says : “ The deceased gentleman had been holding a sitting of the Court at Otaki since the 29th ult., and a large amount of business had been put through. On Wednesday last he rode to Horowhenua, accompanied by Mr. R. Booth, aud after returning complained of feeling unwell, having the symptoms of a bad bilious attack. Dr. Hewson was called in, and attended to the sufferer. On Tuesday the Judge was slightly better, and was removed to a private house for the sake of more quiet. On Wednesday morning, when Mr. S. M. Baker (who had been attending Mr. Young) left Otak', he seemed better, and arranged for the Foxton Court to be adjourned till Tuesday next. However, he was suddenly taken ill on Wednesday evening, and, notwithstanding every attention, he expired as stated.” Alluding to the loss of the Maori horse Tawera at the recent Hawke’s Bay steeplechases, a Napier contemporary says :—“ The grief of the Maoris at the death of their horse Tawera was not the least touching feature of this sad accident. Tho natives surrounded the body and held a genuine tangi over it, for they were proud of their horse quite apart from any feeling of the pecuniary loss they had sustained by his death. Tawera was owned by the chief Renata, who had purchased him from Mr. Donnelly for £600.” The boisterous weather prevailing last evening wag not conducive to a Urge bouse at the Academy of Music, on the occasion of the last appearance of “ The Ghost.” The promised explanations were, however, not forthcoming, much to the disappointment of several persons who had gone there under the idea that they would "be several degrees wiser by so doing. We learn with regret that news has been received of the death of Mrs. Horton, wife of Mr. Horton, of the Hew Zealand Herald , which took place at Auckland quite unexpectedly.

The amount of money taken at the Canterbury Show this week was £7IS. as agaui-i something over £SOO in the preceding year.

A correspondent at Palmerston informs us by telegraph that Benjamin Pepper, a saddler in that town, after a hearing occupying several hours, was committed for trial on a charge of perjury, bail being allowed, himself in £25", and two sure’ies in a similar amount. Ine accused will probably be brought up in a few days on a charge of fraudulent insolvency, in connection with which the perjury was committed.

The band of the Wellington Guards will play a number of selections (weather permitting! this afternoon in the Botanical Gardens. The following is the programme : 1. Slow March, “ Havelock’s Lucknow," .Tones ; 2. Selection, “ Lucia di Lammerraoor,” Donizetti ; 3. Quadrilles, “ Belpbegor,” .Tomes ; 4. Quick March, “Every Land My Horae,’’(King *. 5. Mazurka, “Styrienue,” Wittman ; 6. Polka, “La Rose D’Or,” Bnusquet ; 7. Galop. “ Artiberv,” Klose ; “ God save the Queen.” In giving leave for the band to play in the part or the Gardens indicated, the kind consideration of those to whom the care of the Gardens is entrusted cannot but be recognised. In turn it is particularly requested that all persons visiting the Gardena will not only abstain from in any way injuring any of the plants or flowers, but will also do their best to prevent children and others from doing so. The committee of the Local Industries Association held a meeting last evening to c insider various subjects in conuection with the object for which the association was formed, dome considerable discussion was evoked by the report of the recent deputation, and much satisfaction was expressed at the results obtained so far. The committee will meet again next Tuesday to receive a report, which will bo submitted to the general meeting next Friday. The co-operation of kindred associations in the colony is to be invited, and the Government is again to be asked to give as much assistance to the cause as possible during the present session of Parliament. The support of many influential residents in the district has been pledged to the association. We are glad to learn that the late Judge Moling had bis life insured in the Government Insurance Office for £IOOO, and iu the Australian Mutual Provident Society for £3OO. Happily for Mr. Young’s family, the former policy had only quite recently been increased from £SOO to £IOOO. MissFidler's cookery classes will be resumed at the Athenaeum, at 2 this afternoon, and 7 this evening. The return match between the Wanderers and United Cricket Clubs will be played this afternoon on the Basin Reserve. Tho “ knights of tho burnt cork ” will succeed the Ghost entertainment at the Academy of Music this evening. Amongst the “G. aud C. Minstrels” are some well-known names in negro minstrelsy. These entertainments are always favorite ones with Wellington audiences, and the “G. and C.’s” will probably have a more prosperous season at the Academy than the one which closed at that favorite place of amusement last evening. A meeting of creditors in the estate of W. F. Oheeseman will be held on Monday afternoon, to consider the position of the estate. The annual sermons in connection with the Wesleyan Home Missions will be preached tomorrow in the various churches belonging to that denomination iu the city. The Rev. W. L. Salter will preach at the Arcade in the morning, and the Rev. W. O. Oliver in the evening. The pulpit of the Molesworth-street Wesleyan Church will be occupied in the morning by the Rev. W. C. Oliver, and in the evening by the Rev. D. Dutton, The Rev. W. J. Williams will preach iu the Adelaideroad Theatre in the morning, aud the Rev. W. L. Salter in the evening. Special collections will be made at each place in aid of the mission funds. Mission meetings will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the Adelaide - road and Molesworth - street Churches. Messrs. Dwan and Kirton will hold a sale of household ‘furniture to-day, at 2 p.m., at the mart, Willisstreet.

Mr. Francis Sidoy will hold his usual weekly sal® of furniture and sundries at the Arcade to-day, at on e p.m. sharp; ami at 230 p.m. the balance of MrMulligan's stock of watches and jewellery will be offered for sale.