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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5817, 20 November 1879, Page 2

Nominations for the Mayoralty election most he lodged with Mr. Ames, .the returning officer, before noon to-day. A considerable amount of work was got through by the House yesterday ._ The whole of the motions—some thirty-six in number — were got through, with the exception of three or four which were adjourned. In the evening a number of Bills were read a second time, ■several were considered in committee, and the District Courts Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. The Estimates were yesterday laid upon the table, and their consideration will probably be commenced to*day. The Members of General Assembly Bill was last night introduced by the Hon. Major Atkinson, and read a first time. The chief clause is the third, which runs as follows : “ There shall be paid to every member residing at a distance exceeding three miles from the building or place wherein the General Assembly is summoned to meet the sum of £2lO for every session at which he attends ; and to every member residing within three miles of such place of meeting as aforesaid the sum of £157 for every session at which he attends.”

In the House last evening Mr. Tomoana drew the attention of the Government to the epidemic raging in his district (Turanganui, Poverty Bay), and said he hoped some steps would be taken to repress it. The Hon. the Native Minister said he would cause inquiries to be made into the matter.

The Miner’s Right Amendment Bill was last night read a third time and chief provision is that it reduces the price of rights from £1 to 10s,, but this will not apply to°any gold-fields in the North Island where the natives have special claims over the lands. The House yesterday gave the Speaker power to issue his warrant from time to time, as might be required, for the production of the witness Worgan, now an inmate of the Wellington Gaol, before the Native Affairs Committee, in the case of the Maori petition affecting a member of the House. ' Mr. Dick yesterday gave notice that he would move an amendment of the present Education Act, providing that the Bible should be read in the public schools of the colony without comment, and subject to a conscience clause.

Mr. Pyke yesterday gave notice that, on going into Committee of Supply to-day, he would move that the subsidies to local bodies be not discontinued until other provision has been made in lieu thereof.

A meeting of the Wellington fruit importers has been convened to meet at the Commercial Hotel at 8 o’clock p.m. to-day, to consider the alteration of the tariff. We understand that the losses on shipments of certain kinds of fruit are so great that the margin of profit left to the importer is very small indeed. The extra duty proposed to be levied would have the effect of entirely closing the Wellington market to this class of imports. We assume that this would defeat the object of the Government, and presumably if exemptions from duty were not claimed on more than two or three of the more perishable sorts of fruit, the demand of the importers would_ meet with a favorable consideration. The fruiterers contend that if the proposed duty is insisted upon they will be compelled to open all cases of imported fruit, to examine them on the wharf, and to refuse to aoeept any damaged cases. This would entail so much trouble and of time that it has been suggested that fruit importers should ascertain what proportion of the cases of fruit are generally damaged. If they can convince the Government on the average, say, ten per cent, of the fruit is so much damaged as to be unmarketable, or not worth paying duty npon, it is quite likely that some drawback of duty for damaged cases will be made to importers. The Ministry chiefly desire to raise revenue, not to exclude imported fruit from the New Zealand market.

In the course of a few remarks made by Mr Lundon yesterday, he stated that the question of getting money for particular districts was of far more consequence than the question of liberal measures. There was plenty of time to consider these measures, as the Parliament would not dissolve for three years, and he dared say a good many members wished it was twenty years. He knew very well he was sent down by his constituents for the purpose of doing them some good, and he meant to do it.

The sale of furniture, pianos, &o, at the Arcade yesterday was very well attended, and good prices were realised.

The proceedings in the Council yesterday lasted from 2.30 till 5, and in that space a large mass of work was disposed of. It was mostly, however, of little interest, the whole sitting being without au incident, except the hearty laughter at Mr. Chamberlin's notice to abolish all the fencing laws of the colony. A meeting of the committee of the Anniversary Regatta was held last night at the Pier Hotel, Mr. C. Allen being in the chair, and a good attendance of members being present. The minutes of the preliminary meeting were read and confirmed, and it was announced that his Excellency the Governor and Lady Robinson had consented to grant their patronage. A letter was read from the Albert Dramatic Club, offering to give a performance in aid of the regatta funds, and the committee, while desiring the secretary to acknowledge the letter with thanks, decided to deter taking any definite steps until next meeting. Air. Ellaby, the acting-secretary, reported that, with the exception of the Mayor, all the gentlemen who had been asked to fill offices had consented to do so. Captain Rose, however, stated that he would pre’er taking the office of vice-commodore, as he considered the more honorary po-ition of commodore should be conferred upon Mr. Levin, M.H.R. The committee decided to leave the matter in the hands of both gentlemen, to be mutually arranged as they might consider best. The office of secretary was still held in abeyance, Mr. Ellaby consenting to act in the meantime. It was resolved that an honorarium of not less than ten guineas should be given to the gentleman appointed to tho position. Captain Rose was requested to ask Captain Holliday to act as one of the starters for the sailing races, the choice of his colleague to be left to himself. Messrs. King and Hayes consented to act as starters for the sailing races. A programme was arranged, which will duly appear in our advertising columns.

A public meeting in connection with the Wesleyan Home Missions will be held at tho Molesworth-street church this evening. The proceedings will be commenced at half-past seven o’clock.

It will be seen by our advertising columns that the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse will join the Hon. John Martin in giving conveyances for the Martinborough properties, to be offered for sale on Monday and Tuesday next by Mr. J. H. Wallace.

The Government steamer Hinemoa leaves for Pahau, this morning, in search of the buoy recently lost by the steamer Agues in effecting the repairs to the Cook Strait cable. The committee of the Working Men’s Club have, in a very liberal manner, voted £5 towards the funds of the Wellington Hospital. In doing so, the committee have set a good example to all kindred institutions in the colony. We omitted to state in yesterday’s issue that the oil painting of the late Sir John Richardson, which has just been hung in the Legislative Council Chamber, was executed at the studio of Messrs. Clark and Hamilton, photographers, Lambton-quay. It certainly reflects credit upon our local artists that such creditable work can be done without going outside of Wellington. We have been requested to inform the man who (brew a large stone opposite our office yesterday morning at a dog, that his missile went in search of some tobacco recently taken out of bond, and as it broke a window in its passage, we may inform the would-be dogslayer that he is a "marked man” in consequence.

The following score was made in the Handicap Chess Match last evening ; "Winner. Barraud, W, F., v. Knowles .. .. Barraud. Green v. Alcorn ~ .. .. .. Green. “Wright v. Barraud, C. L. .. .. Wright. Willis v. Alcorn .. .. .. .. Willis. Willis v. Didsbury Willis.

There was but a moderate attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, to witness the comedy of “ Old Bachelors.” The piece seemed exactly suited to the Lingard Company. Miss Lingard was as good as usual, while Mr. Lingard, as Professor Spirt, and Mr. G. Leopold, as Judge Growler, were purely in their element, and kept the house in roars of laughter. Miss Melrose sustained the character of Ada Hope very creditably, whilst Miss Woolridge, as Fanny Beech, was quite natural. The plot of the piece is brilly this : The bachelors reside together in lodgings. Judge Growler, a confirmed woman-hater, endeavors to pursuade his companions to remain in “single blessedness”; hut they fail to appreciate his arguments. Dr. Brand (Mr. Warner) succeeds in obtaining the hand of Fanny Beech, whilst Professor Spirt proposes to all three ladies, and, after amusing difficulties, marries Ada Hope. - Judge Growler, after venting his rage on all around, finally ends by marrying his old landlady, Mrs. Mouse, who was ably represented by Mrs. FitzwiffLm. Fred. Burt (Mr. Craig) accidentally meets Millie Glair, not knowing that it is she with whom his father had arranged a marriage for him. Full of his love for the unknown lady, and aided by Judge Growler, his uncle, ha calls on Millie Clair, and pretends drunkenness, till, to his dismay, he discovers that Millie Clair and his unknown love are one. He leaves the house in despair, but meeting her at Spirt’s, he explains, and all is forgiven. Mr. H. Leopold made an amusing Barney, and finally marries his fellow-servant Beckey (Miss Leopold). : To-night “ David Garrick” and the “Lingard sketches” will .be presented.

Mr. Mansford presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, the only business transacted being the fining of three offenders against the laws of sobriety. Mr. T. Turnbull, architect, has removed from Temple Chambers to the neuly-erected buildings occupied by the South British Insurance Company, on Lambton-quay.. Mrs. Iremongor, of Polhiil’s Gully, was very seriously injured yesterday whilst cutting some firewood, by a large log laying on the ground rolling over her. She was discovered lying on the ground insensible, by some men constructing tile new Karori-road, who had seen her at work a few minutes previously. They immediately carried her up to her house, and Dr. Kesteven, . who was sent for, was promptly in attendance, and pronounced fracture of the base of the skull to have taken place, in addition to severe internal injuries. Mrs. Xremonger, we regret to learn, now lies in a precarious condition, and is being attended by Dr. Harding (her club doctor) who was subsequently called in by her husband, who is a member of the Foresters' Court. The log was 10 or 12 feet long, and from 2 to 3 feet in diameter—a serious weight to roll over a woman.

The following is an extract from a letter written by the natives of Kaiapoi to the Hon. J. Tainui, member for the South Island ; “ We are very grieved to hear of the death of Mr. Young. We saw in the newspaper telegrams the death of Thomas Young, formerly interpreter of the House of Representatives, and lately Judge of the Native Lands Court. We are indeed very sad when we think that this really good man has gone from us. Who knows when we will get another person so good to interpret and do the business.—NilTAHU.”

Wc regret to state that a telegram was received yesterday from Sydney stating that Captain Holt was no better, and that his sufferings were greatly increased.

There was a moderate attendance at the Academy of Music last night, when the usual programme was gone through. This evening is announced as the last but one of the G. and C. Minstrels, when an entire change will be given, everything to be produced being announced as new. t We are informed that some weeks ago the Government received an offer of service from 60 people desirous of being enrolled as a corps of H’usilier Guards, but no reply was given. A deputation then waited upon the Government, and a reply was promised, but it has not yet been received, and the expectant Guardsmen are becoming rather impatient upon the subject.

- Crushing a public-house looks a singular statement to make, but it is founded on fact. The Old Commercial Hotel, in Castlemaine. in Victoria, which' was for some years the property of Mr. 'Farrell, afterwards a member of the Legislative Assembly for many years, has actually been put through a crushing battery, and yielded at the rate of 7 dwt. to the ton. Tbe bricks used in the construction of the house were made from the sludge and clay taken from Forest Creek, which necessarily contained Sue gold which escaped from the primitive appliances of those days. For many’ years a roaring business was done in this house; but reverses came ; the hotel was deserted and fell into ruins, until lately a speculative genius hit upon the happy idea of putting it through the mill, and after taking away all the woodwork about the premises, he sent the bricks and mortar to the crushing battery, with the result above stated. We have heard frequently of Victorian streets being paved with gold, but the fact of houses being built with gold is rather difficult to heat.

Miss Fidler’a cookery classes were again well attended yesterday at the Athenseam.

We are pleased to hear (says the Mancnvatu Times) from Mr. Walter Simpson, the Sheep Inspector for the district, who has been making his official tour during tile week, that the flicks in the Manawatu are in a most healty state, and singularly free from any disease. This is pleasing intelligence, the more so that at this time last year there was unfortunately not the same story to tell. An interesting whaleboat race between crews selected from the Wanganui Volunteers and the Fire Brigade was rowed on Saturday afternoon. The day was cold and windy, and the river in a bad state for pulling, the water being very lumpy. The brigade boat, the Elvira, very soon drew ahead of her opponent, and maintained that position until the finish, coming in an easy winner. The crew will change boats and row over the same course next Saturday.

Messrs. Dwan and Co. will offer for sale, to-day, at 2 p.m., piano, furniture, garden implements, and ready-made clothing. Tho furniture sale will be continued to-day at the Arcade, commencing at lot 271. Furniture in the estate of Taylor v, Walters will also be offered for sale.

Messrs. Laery and Campbell will offer a quantity rf chaff at sale to-day at 11 a.m.. on the Queen’s Wharf. Messrs. Bethune and Co. will to-day oifer for sale, at their rooms, land and dwelling house in Hopperstreet, occupied by Mr. G leeseman, solicitor; land and dwelling house in Wellingtou-terrace, formerly belonging to the late Mr. John Henderson, C.E. ; and section 323, in the township of Feilding. The inducement of receiving the dividend lust declared on the Bank of New Zealand shares in the estate of John .Smith should be the means of causing good competition for them at the sale to-day in Messrs. T. Kennedy Maodonald and Co.’s anction rooms, at 2.30 p.m., when shares in the To Aro Theatre and Public Hall Company, in the same estate, will also bo offered.