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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5821, 25 November 1879, Page 2

It seems to be a generally accepted fact that the House will sit every Monday for the rest of the session. In the afternoon of yesterday further progress was made with the Regulation of Flections Bill, and the whole of the evening was taken up with what may be termed a no-confidence motion, moved by Mr. Macandrew. It was evident from the first that the Opposition never expected to carry the motion, and as a consequence the speeches on that side of the House were weak and half-hearted. A summary of the debate appears in our Parliamentary columns. It will be remembered that, a few days ago, the Government were requested to lay upon the table a copy of the correspondence which took place between the late Governor and the Government on the question of the Hinemoa. Yesterday this correspondence was produced and laid on the table.

In the House yesterday the Hon. Edward Richardson stated that he had learned that an application was about to he made to the Government asking them to forward a cablegram to the Admiralty, with a view to one of the British men-of-war at the Cape, or some other station, being sent to the Crozet Islands to look for the survivors of the ship Knowsley Hall, which was supposed to be lost. This vessel, which had a large number of passengers on board when she left England, has now been 175 days out, and it was felt that the Government ought to take some steps in the matter. The Hon. the Premier replied that the application referred to by Mr. Richardson had not been received by the Government, who, however, would take immediate action in the matter.

Mr. 1)0 Lautour yesterday laid upon the table the report sf the Reporting Debates Committee, in which they suggested that the reports in Hansard could be advantageously condensed, and they recommended that the condensation should commence next session. Mr. De Lautour will to-day movo that the report be adopted. Mr. Andrews yesterday gave notice that in Committee of Supply he will move that the salaries of officials above £2OO be reduced by five per cent., and that Ministers’ salaries be reduced by that amount. There is nothing in the columns of the Wellington Punch one-half so funny as the career of that journal itself. Its birth was premature, and like all such productions, it has been but a weakling since its eyes first saw the light. The wit with which the columns of a funny paper sparkle has an air in this one in its earlier numbers of having arrived at years of discretion, seriousness, and despondency in fact, all too early. Mercury, the presiding deity of all frolic, has looked but frowningly on this bantling, and the gathering smiles on the little one’s lips were turned to tearful simpers. And ho wonder the deity has thought so poorly of his protegd, when its glances have been so frequently turned to an opposing power, the mythical goddess Justice—she with the blind eyes, the scales, and the big sword. First poor Punch brought before the seat of justice the canvasser for the journal, and this gentleman now awaits his trial for failing to account for subscriptions collected by him. Then the editor, invoking wit to the aid of the journal with scissors and paste, sued poor Punch for his salary. Since then the weakling’s breath has flickered. One week it rose not from its bed, and rumors filled the air of its coming decease. Beginning its little life as a “ moderate liberal,” it has clasped Sir George and bis party closer and closer as its strength has waned, and now no language is ctroug tu tliow Uo lovo for tho party of “the rising star.” Yesterday again our worthy magistrate saw Mr. Punch once mere, paler and thinner, and as serious as the Church News. Mr. Barrett, the late publisher, sued the proprietor of Punch for the balance of his account, and the history of the poor creature’s sufferings came out once more. The reason why the public waited aud longed for their weekly Punch was made clear—the publisher was waiting for his cash. We heard how the proprietor prayed for his paper, and how the publisher required his payment before delivery, and how the publisher generally had to be appeased. The great Liberal cause could not allow its champion to expire for want of money, aud to the leaders of that cause the paper locked tor its breath of life. We heard how Mr. J. C. Brown (perhaps on the occasion of the “ Rising Star ” cartoon), carried away by liberal patriotism, appeared at Mr. Burrett’s with a cheque, to relieve the number that was to carry destruction to the hearts of its opponents. Then Mr. McDonald, the member for Gisborne, once more paid the ransom for imprisoned wit. And the proprietor told how Mr. Sheehan’s illness had prevented his receiving a cheque, and how Sir George Grey himself would provide the payment, if only the publication came out. And is it thus the 65,000 serfs support the champion of their cause ? If they had bought a copy a piece, the proprietor would he assured of an immediate revenue of £1625. Bat no ! This brilliant wit, these lifelike representations of our representatives, that have charmed our eyes for the last three months, have been subsidised by the very objects of Mr. Punch's eulogies. Judgment was reserved until to-day.

The Public Works Committee have recommended the appointment of Mr. John Laughton to the position of overseer of public works, which was left vacant by the retirement of Mr. Whiting. It would not be an easy matter to find a more worthy successor to the latter gentleman than the person recommended by the Public Works Committee. Mr, Laughton is a thoroughly practical man, and has given good proofs of his capacity for work since he has been in Wellington. He superintended the extension of the tramway line from Ade-laide-road to Newtown, on behalf of the Tramway Company, whilst the laying of the rails through the city was also done under his supervision, as overseer for Mr. S. Brown, the contractor. Mr. Laughton also acted as overseer for Mr. Brown at the extension of the gasworks. We trust that the recommendation of the Public Works Committee will be confirmed by the City Council at its next meeting. There was a large attendance at the sale of Martinborough, which was held in the Athenaeum yesterday, and considerable interest was manifested by those present. A number of sections in the township realised from £5 ss. to £l6 per quarter-acre. The sale will be resumed to-day, at noon, when the small farm sections and pastoral land will be offered for sale, and also the balance of the sections in the township. The annual meeting of the Hutt County Council will take place at noon to-morrow. Amongst other business, the members will be called upon to elect a chairman for the ensuing year.

It is said that the Saudon Kail way Company hare erred in their calculations, in not including ballasting and rolling-stock, with which complete, the line is estimated to cost £36,000 instead of £24,000. The question is raised whether the vote that was taken on the basis of a calculation of £ .4,000 will hold good when tho expenditure is likely to be 59 per cent, more. We are given to understand (says the Rangitikci Advocate) that the question is now under official consideration in Wellington. In regard to the amount of work done at Messrs. Kitchen’s caudle factory we learn that they have had thirty-four men and eleven boys and youths in their employ until lately. That stearine had been manufactured on the premises, but that it was found that with the ordinary New Zealand tallow no profit could be earned on its manufacture. The wages paid weekly amounted to £IOO a week on an average of several weeks. As the above facts have been disputed, and many incorrect rumors of the extent of the establishment have been circulated, we have been requested to furnish the above particulars. A meeting of the genaral committee in the matter of laying the foundation stone of tho Courts of Justice will be held in Panama Chambers to-day at -i p.m.

The cable-repairing steamer Agnes will leave here to-morrow for Sydney ; but the voyage will probably be a rather lengthy one, as it is intended to take soundings, every teu miles, along the course where the cable is laid down between this colony a d Yew South Wat s. It will be nmemberei that H. 51 S. Challenger took soundings on the same line when she was on these shores, but as the work to be performed by the Agnes will comprise much shorter distances, some more interesting facts about the “ hidden depths” will probably be revealed.

According to a return laid on the table of the House it appears that the expenses of the last general election were £2740, and the expenses of tl.o last session of Parliament £25,955. Out of this latter sum there was £22,730 17s. 6d. for the payment of members’ honoraria, £229 for gas, and £767 for the expenses of members’ passages to and fro. What would appear to be almost a miraculous escape from serious injury took place on Wednesday in Main-street, Palmerston. A horse and dray was st vnding near the goodssheds, when a youngster, the son of a settler at the west end"of the town, attempted to get upon the dray by clambering up the wheel. While endeavoring to do so, and standing upon one of the spokes, the horse moved on, and the consequence was that the leg of the little fellow slipped through, and he was carried round with the evolution of the wheel. Fortunately a passer-by noticed the occurrence, and rushing to the horse’s head, brought the vehicle to a standstill. Though one would be led to imagine (says the local journal) that the leg would have beeu snapped across, with the exception that the skin was torn off in two or three places the youngster escaped soathless, and finding that ids trousers had not been injured to tell of his mishap to his parents, he took his departure quite pleased, it apparently having more weight with him than the danger from which he had been rescued. The landslip in the Blue Rock cutting, on the Wellington and Featherstou line, has beeu nearly all cleared away, and through traffic is expected to be resumed to-day. Another slip, though not of so serious a nature, occurred at the Rimutaka tunuel, but the ddbris from that has been cleared away.

Mr. A. Oockburn was the winner of Mr. Hislop’s cup of £2l at the Wairarapa Show, having scored a total of 28 points—2s for horses, and 3 far cattle. The champion cup, value 10 guineas, was won by Messrs. W. and H. Beetham, who also won the gold medal, value 5 guineas, in the champion class for cattle. Messrs. Beetham were credited with 106 points in a 11—44 for cattle, 50 for sheep, and 12 for dogs. Mr. A. Macalister was the winner of the first prize of £B in the leaping match, and Mr. Martin gained the second prize of £2. Mi - . W. Smith won the prize given by Mr. Armstrong. Mr. W, C. Buchanan exhibited the best dog for rabbit purposes.

Mr. R. W. Cary, the lessee of the Academy of Music, intends producing a pantomime during the Christmas holidays, aud he informs us that some of the comic scenes have already arrived. This will ha pleasing news to young folk especially. A telegram received by the Press Agency from New Plymouth states that the steamer Kangativa broke down on the voyage from that port to Wanganui on Saturday last. The Waitaki was sent to her assistance, and the necessary repairs having been effected, she resumed her voyage to Wanganui on Sunday night. The man Willhof], who was remanded to Oamarn on a charge of larceny, was forwarded South per s.s. Riugarooma yesterday afternoon.

As previously intimated in these columns, an effort is being made to establish a fund at the general hospital, from which to give convalescents on their discharge some little assistance to enable them to tide over the period which necessarily elapses between their leaving the institution and obtaining employment. Scarcely a day passes but the necessity for such a fund is felt by the hospital authorities, and we are glad to find that the matter is now being taken up rather warmly. Mrs. Drake some time ago collected £lO for this desirable object, and the lecture delivered last night by Dr. Giilon, a precis of which appears in another column, was also on behalf of the convalescent fund. Wo understand that Miss Sutherland and Mr. Magili have worked hard to sell tickets for this lecture, the result being that over £3O has been realised, many people who purchased tickets having returned them again to be re-sold. The money is to be given into the charge of Mr. J. G. Holdaworth, and as we believe It will be supplemented out ot a fund provided by Government for such purchases, a good little nest-egg has been provided with which to commence the fund. It is, however, imperative that some systematic means may be organised to prevent this fund becoming exhausted, and we would suggest that the various ministers of religion in this city should endeavor to have periodical hospital collections (simultaneously) at their respective churches, as is done in the other colonies. Such collections could be made at least every six months, and a proportion of the money raised could be devoted to the convalescent fund. .No more appropriate period than the approaching Christmas season could be found for initiating such a system, and we trust the matter will be taken up in real earnest. Councillor Allen’s address to the ratepayers, as a candidate for the Mayoralty,jwill be found in our advertising columns. Mr. Mansford presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, and disposed of one drunkard in the usual manner. A young reprobate named Henry Jones, who was concerned in the recent charges against the second mate of the Western Belle, was charged with vagrancy, he having been found sleeping on the premises of Messrs Graves and Fleming. He was committed to gaol for seven days. Peter Newton, charged with stealing tobacco from Mr. Spider’s shop, was also sent to gaol for seven days, and Charles Henry Thompson, charged on remand with stealing a pair of boots from Messrs. Stone’s establishment, and also with assaulting one of Mr. Stone’s shopmen, was remanded for a week for inquiry, as it appeared that Captain Williams had offered the man a passage to Sydney, and Mr. Manstord expressed himself as being loath to send the old man to gaol. John Willholft, for larceny at Oamarn, was remanded to that town. A charge against John Heffernan, of assaulting his wife, was investigated, Mr. Gordon Allan appearing for the defendant. An adjournment was ultimately made for a fortnight, to allow of arrangements being made, as suggested by defendant, for the children of their ill-assorted match to be sent to the husband’s relations in Sydney, and for the wife to obtain a protection order, and have a small allowance from her husband. The case revealed considerable domestic misery. James Gundy was charged with stealing £2O in notes from Owen Murphy, but as the prosecutor had gone away, an adjournment was made to compel his attendance by warrant. The civil case of Curie aud Anderson v. R. W. Cary was then gone into, this being a claim for £ls on account of a guarantee alleged to have been given by defendant on behalf of the Pinafore Company. The plea of defendant was to the effect that his guarantee was to be in full settlement of the claim, whereas plaintiffs had broken faith with him by proceeding against the company. Judgment was given for plaintiffs. Messrs. Bethune and Hunter, Lloyd’s agents in this city, received the following telegram yesterday from the agent of the National Mortgage Company at Timaru ; “Three-masted schooner John Watson sunk ten miles off coast, thirty miles south of Timaru, at 4 a.m. Saturday. All hands saved.”

A telegram received last night from Auckland, which will be found in our shipping column, gives particulars of the terrific force of the gale which the Rotomahana experienced on the voyage from Sydney. An unfortunate seaman named McLellau, who had only recently joined the vessel, was washed overboard by a tremendous sea, and Mr. Parsons, the chief officer, had a very narrow escape. Tho vessel, as will be seen, behaved admirably. The repetition of the “ Patchwork ” entertainment, in aid of the St. Peter’s bell fund, drew a crowded and fashionable audience at the Academy of Music last night, and fully confirms our former statement that it will take a very good company to beat them. The soloa—especially “ Still I Love Thee ” and “ My Darling Dwells o’er the Sea ” —were excellent ; while the comic song, “ Her Front Name is Hannah,” was very funny. The chorus, too, evinced a degree of training and modulation that would have done credit to any professional company. The band also deserves a word of praise, the members being evidently all skilful musicians. Of course the juvenile cornet soloists received a recall We heartily congratulate the company on the success of their efforts, and we throw out a suggestion that the newly-formed operatic company, in connection with the Choral Society, should use every endeavor to secure them as members, as' there is evidently a nucleus of talent quite sufficient for the formation of a capital society.

The programme fur the Anniversary Regatta will be found in our advertising columns. It will Ire se-n that the r gatt r is under the patronage of the Governor and J.ady Ru' inson, and that fourteen events are announced. This year, as last, Mr. C. H. EUaby is the hon. secretary. An enquiry will be held this morning, before Mr. McKellar, the Collector of Customs, relative to the accident to the steamer Tui. It is reported in Invercargill that Mr. J. W. Bain, the newly-elected member for that place, is to be appointed Commissioner of Customs. Ten days ago we were praying for rain (says the Manawatu paper). Now in the Wairarapa we are praying for fine weather. The Juvenile Troubadors, who created so favorable an impression but a little while ago, are announced to appear agaiu, for two nights only, at the Theatre Royal. “ Conrad and Lizette” will be produced to-night, to be followed by “ Patchwork.” Mr. Geo. Thomas will sell to-day at 2 o’clock, at his rooms, by order of the Ilegi tr.ir of the Supreme Court, land and cottages in Taranaki-street. Messrs. H. Moss and Co. will hold a clearing sale at their rooms to-day at 11 o’clo k.