FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1882.

In consequence of the unfortunate clerical error, reoently pointed out in oar columns, which crept into the lastgn zetted return of the four-weekly receipts and expenditure of the New .Zealand Railways — making a difference of .£IOOO in the revenue of the Wellington ¦ section — the return has been republiahed corrected in this week's Gazette. The most important difference made by the correction ia increasing the receipts of the Wellington sections, of the North Island, and of the whele colony by J2IOOO each, the accurate figures for the four weeks and 44 weeks respectively being : — Wellington section, and .£34,684; North Island, £t7.410 and £172,558; whole colony. .£71,937 and £740,450 ; while the ratio of expenses to reoeipts is reduced to the following respective percentages for the 44 weeks : -Wellington section, 725 ; North Island, 66 4 ; colony, 585. Persons with unregistered dogs had better beware. The inspector, we learn, is about to take out a number of summonses against persons who have not paid the fee. A first instalment of 20 summonses against rate-defaulters was taken out yesterday by the Corporation officials. All persons in arrears are to be rigorously proceeded against at once, an extra clerk having been engaged at the Municipal offices to perform the additional clerical work, which it seems is somowhat heavy, entailed by the proceedings. Messrs. E. C. J. Stevens and H. Williams are gazetted as members of the Legislative Council. Mr. Asher, Captain of the Fire Escape Corps, has summonod Mr. Tyson, one of the late members, for the value of the uniform detainod by him. The suit will be heard on Monday next. Mr. Asher has also laid an information against the same person for assault, alleged to have been committed today on the wharf. Mr. Hardcastle, R.M., this morning gave judgment in the case Smith and Overend v. the master and owners of the s.s. Oreti, nonsuiting plaintiffs. Notice of appeal was given. His Honour Judge Hardcastle held a Bitting of the Distriot Court this morning, when he delivered judgment in Parkhonae v. Clayton, holding that, even though the contract on which plaintiff paid the money was invalid, he could not reoover. Judgment would be given for the defendant, with costs of Court and counsels' fee, £5. The local option poll, under the Licensing Aot, will be taken in the four licensing districts of the city on the 17th, 18th r l9th, and 20th prox. Mr. James Ames will be the Beturning Officer.

At the meeting of the City Council last night, Councillor Stafford referred to the recent charge of trespass heard before two justices. A lessee of a town-belt section, it may be remembered, sued a neighbour for turning fowla among his oats. The magistrates dismissed the case on the ground that the 'an J on which the cats were planted was a public reserve, to which, the pnblio had fuU access. Councillor Stafford expressed a decided opinion that the magistrates had taken a wrong view of the law, and as the decision involved great hardship on the lessees of town-belt sections, he thought it waß a matter which should be fully enquired into by the Council. It was decided to refer the question to the Publio Works Committee. At the R.M. Court this morning, before Mr. E. Hardcastle, 8.M., Peter t aweon, who had behaved in a manner calculated to provoke a breach of the peace in Grey-street, aud who wanted to '" hare satisfaction "'out of the arresting constable, was fined 10s, or in default 48 hours' imprisonment. The District Court action, Howotth v. Bank of New Zealand, in which judgment was some time ago given for plaintiff, and in which a subsequent appeal wa3 dismissed with costs, again cropped up this morning, when Mr. Stafford asked his Honour Judge Hardcastle to enter judgment for interest on the amount from the day on which judgment had been given. He said he had applied to the Acting Clerk of the Court to do this, but the clerk refosed, hence the present application. It was decided by hiß Honour to consider the question in Chambers. At "the meeting of the City Council last night, it was stated that 26 clergymen had been written to on the subject of instituting Hospital Sunday. Only tight had sent replies, and of these only two — the Rev. Mr. Jfoncourt, of the Hutt, and the Rev. H. Van Staveren. the Jewish rabbi— were in favour of the scheme. Councillor Danks, who was instrumental in first agitating the question, expressed his disappointment at this result, adding that if the clergy would not give them their oharity, they might at lea3t have sent their blessing. (A laugh.) He moved that no further action be taken in the matter. Councillor M'Kenzie seconded, remarking that he had spoken to several of the ministers on the subject, but found that until there was a different arrangement for the conduct of the Hospital, they would have nothing to do with it. It was pointed out that Councillor Danka's resolution could not be moved without notice, and the discussion then dropped. At 20 minutes past 10 o'clock last night the firebells pealed out an alarm, a fire having broken out in a four-roomed house in Austin-street, owned and occupied by Mr. J. Mongan, carter. The Brigade and Salvage Corps were promptly in attendance, and the -former succeeded in preventing the building from being totally destroyed, while the latter saved some J6lO worth of furniture. Mrs. Mongan states that shortly after 10 o'olock she had occasion to go into the bedroom, taking with her a kerosene lamp, which she lefb on the table. She then brought in a jug of water, and in putting this on the table the latter tilted, and the lamp was upset and set fire to the room. The neighbours were called, and did their best to extinguish the flames till the Brigade came up. The house was insured in the South British Office for ,£l5O, and the furniture in the same office for J6250. Mongan was away from home at the time of the mishap, and the only occupants were his wife and child. i The Inspector of Police to-day received a telegram from Carterton Btating that a cowshed and hay loft in that district was last night destroyed by fire. The 10-s is estimate i at JBSO. There was no insurance. The origin of the fire is unknown. The property was owned by Mr. Parker. A special meeting of the Standing Committee of the Wellington Diocesan Synod was held last evening. Present— The Bishop (President), the Archdeacon, Eeva. B. W. Harvey, T. Fancourt, U, Coffey, Hon. C. J. Pharazyn, Colonel Leokie, Messrs. France, Powles, Quick, and Sous Marten. A long discussion took place as to the position of the general church fund, which was still in arrear to the extent of over .£BOO. It was pointed out that loans to more than this amount had been advanced out of the old diocesan fund, and if these oould be recovered the arrears would bo cleared off, in which case it was the opinion of the President that the fund would be able to pay stipends in future. Ultimately, on? the motion of the Eev. Mr. Harvey, Messrs. Powles, Qnick, and Rous Marten were appointed (with the mover) a sub-committee to communicate ( 1) with the officers of St. Paul's parish, and to ascertain whether the parish would be disposed to take over the Tinakoriroad property, so as to s.t free the diooesan funds advanced thereon, and (2) with the officers of St. Mark's parish to ascertain whether the parish could arrange for the transfer to other lenders of the debt due to the fund ; the sub-committee to report to the next meeting of the Standing Committee, to be held on Thursday week, the 30th instant. The meeting then adjourned. An application came before the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day in which a woman asked the Magistrate to forbid any licensed victualler supplying her husband with liquor for one year on the ground that he by excessive drinking had wasted his estate and dastroyed the peace of his family. Tntf case was, however, withdrawn before being called on. the dramatic season of the Williamson Company waß brought to a close last night, when "Kerry" and the " Snowball" were repeated. Mr. S. O'Brien recited Tennyson's " Charge of the Light Brigade " with excellent effect, and Mr. Williamson created roars of laughter by an amusing parody entitled "The Charge of the Dntch Brigade," and; the recital of his "Dwarf Story." The theatre-going publio will regTet the shortness of the soason, for a more entertaining series of plays has never been given in this city. The City Rifles will commence the final competition for Mr. Monteith's medal on Saturday, at 2 pm. The raueres will be 200 yds and 300 yds, seven shots at each range. At a meeting of yacht owners, held at the Pier Hotel last night, it was arranged that a handicap yacht race should take place tomorrow. The course will be from the wharf, round the two islands, and back to between the two wharves. There will be a sweepBtake of 108, which will go to- the winner. Mr. Batkin will act as starter, and Mr. Kohn as timekeeper. The following handicap was arranged: — Xarifa aud Thetia, scratch ; Contrabandiere, Florence, and Sappho, lOmin. ; Pot and Lily, 15minj Bed Jacket and Spray, 25min. ; Garibaldi, Petrel, and Engineers, 30mm.; Minnehaha, 31tnin. ; Flirt, 32min. : Ida and Diamondj 35tuin.; and Naval Cadets, 40min. A return cricket matoh will be played tomorrow afternoon on the New town B eoreation Ground between the Bohemian and Rising Star cricket clubs. The following will represent the Bohemian Cricket Club:— A still, Blacklock, Crowther, Edsar, Edmunds, Luxford, M'Girr, Northcroft, Russell, Young, and Willis ; emergencies, Barnett and Gale. Bising Star Cricket Club— Kreeft, Mansill, Ridingg, Roberts, Remington, Hawthorne, Turner, Plimmer, Miller, Beck, and Widdop ; emergency, Kiiner. Play will commence at 2.15. An adjourned meeting of the Wellington Salvage Corps was held last night to receive the report of the committee appointed to draw up rules for the better working of the corps, but it was decided to grant an extension of a fortnight to bring up the report. Mr. J. 33. Evans was appointed oaytain in the room of Mr. Palmer, resigned, aid a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr: Palmer for his past services. It was deoided to write to the City Counoil to ask their permission to use the Fire Brigade Station , in Brandonstreet to hold the corps meetings in. The meeting then adjourned. ' The following appointments of cidets in the Survey Department have been made :—: — A. C. Atkinson, H. Lowe, and George Stables. A cricket match will bo played to-morrow in Barber's paddock between the second eleven of the Blue Stara and the Cambridge Cricket Club. The following will represent the Bluo Stars : — J. Alexander/ J. Firth, H. Firth, J. Ferguson, T. Elton, E. Morns, A. Soury, C. M'Carthy, F. Levy, E. Quinliven, W. White; emergency, J. Top. Mrs. Hedges, who will be remembered as having been successful in an action against the Corporation for damages for injuries sustained in falling down an unprotected cutting, died yesterday. The compensation, .£3OO, was invested for her by the Corporation, and the j interest, about 10s a week, was paid over to ! her regularly by the City Treasurer, Mr. Pago. 'J he pricipal will now revert to the Corporation. The weekly se»aion of the Star of Wellington Lodge was held in No. 9 .room, Athen&um, last evening, when Bro. Thompson, W.C. I., cccupied the ohair. A further addition was made to the roll of member ■hip. Several communications were read. It was proposed that Bro. J. Godber should be District Deputy, bat, as it is possible that the other lodges may nominate Borne other candidates, it will not be known for a week or two who will be elected. An excellent programme of readings, song's, and recitations was gone through, the choir Tendering good service. i The return cricket match. Blue Star' Cricket Club v. Red Star Cricket Club, will take place to-morrow in Barber's paddock, at 2 o'clock sharp. The following team will represent the Blue Stare :— W. H. Cook, H. Ccok, J. Chapman, R. De Castro, W. Dryden, J. Edwards, E. Fraser, J. Muir, S. Nicholls, E. Prideaux, S. fctinson ; emergency, J. Mundle. Red Stars — Wiren, Burneston, Kobinson, Kirker, Venell, Knapp, Monntier, Garrett, Doile, Francis, leherwood; emergency, J. Bull.

The appointment of Edwin Davey to ba ab-lieutenant in t^e Wellington Naval Irigsde is gazetted. A meeting of the creditors of Henry Cox lato, of Wellington, fruiterer, waa held at he Supreme Court House to-day. The liailitieß were sworn -at .£342, all small debts, icept three, £36, £A 7, and respectively. I ?he assets wete stated at viz., ihop [ztnraa, .£210; furniture, J550; land at itetherston, £100; book debts, .£6O; uunIries, JE23. Mr. A. Beaver was appointed rustee. At the Beaident Magistrate's Court to-day ilr. Nias sued the Secretary of the Typographical Association for the sum of 9a Cd, >aid tinder protest by the plaintiff, as a nember of the Association. Mr. Gordon Ulan appeared for the defendant and Mr. Sully for plaintiff. After hearing evidence, iis Worship entered a non-suit. The following 1 team represent the Phoenix Dricket Club in the match to be played at Slarori, against the Karori Cricket Club, tomorrow afternoon : — Alpe, Armitage, Ashbolt, Church, Creeks, Farmer, Godden, Greatrex, Russell, Varnbam, Watson. The players to meet at Government Buildings at L o'clock sharp. Undor the heading of "A Wife Hunt," ires-erday's Wairarapa Star says : —The man from Mauriceville, whose wito and family decamped with a contractor while he slumbered, has returned from Wellington with a Borrowfnl tale. He states that on his arrival in the Empire City, having found where his faithless better-half had taken up her abode, ha visited her urging her to retnrn home with him and he would forgive all. Pretending to be melted by her husband's distress she consented, and asked him to procure a conveyance to take her goods to the railway station. The unsuspecting husband went on his errand, and, having found a conveyance reached one end of the street just in time to see the partner of his joys and woes depart in a similar vehicle at the other end, taking with her the children and her lnggatre. The WTonged one gave chase, and succeeded, after an exciting pursuit, in capturing one of his sons. Acting upon the principle that " half a loaf is better than no bread," the unfortunate Frenchman has returned, bringing with him his boy as a trophy, and he intends, we believe, to resume his occupation at Manriceville. Though beaten, he is not discouraged, for he declares he will make another effort to bring the stray lamb back to the fold. Time, however, will po3sibly reconcile him to his loss. The inhabitants of Sandhurst (Victoria) have been visited by a disease which has caused a great deal of mortality. Suspicion pointed to the pork consumed by the good people as a probable cause, and a commission of learned and illustrious gentlemen proceeded on a tour of visitation of the various piggeries of the locality. What they saw and smelt horrified and convinced them. , Piga were discovered feeding on the half putrid carcass of a horse, and iv the majority of oases pigs were found to be fed upon the most disgusting offal, whilst at a dam to- whioh the animals were driven for water, blood and filth and washings were flowing in from the slaughterhouse. In each instance the stench arising waß sickening and overpowering. The visit disclosed a frightful state of affairs. Some time ago the Colonial Secretary of South Wales communicated with the 'Agent-General in London to ascertain from the proper authorities if it it were not advisable to prevent the unrestricted importation of dogs into that and tho neighbouring colonies from countries where hydrophobia exists. In reply to that communication, the Colonial Secretary has received a telegram from the Agent-General, the Hon. Saul Samuel. CM G,. intimating thatDr.BardenAnderson, an authority on the subject, recommended prohibition to tho importation of dogs, except from places where proper regulations were in force, and that Mr. Fleming, from the Royal College of Veterinury Surgeons, had advised recourse to rigid prohibition, unless really effective quarantine could be guaranteed. The first case under the Newspaper Libel Act of last session was tried recently at the Newcastle assizes, before Mr. Justice Mathew and a special jury. The plaintiffs were two nurses at Gateahead workhouse, and the defendants the proprietors of the Tyneside Echo, an evening paper published !at Newcastle. It appeared that in October l last, at a ratepayers' meeting in Gateshead, an allegation was made that nurses at the workhouse drank whisky intended for the paupers in the hospital . Ihe statement was published in that newspaper without the name of the speaker, who was unknown at the time, but has sinoe bean discovered. Subsequently the matter was brought before the Guardians, who passed a motion vindicating the character of the nurses, and asking the paper in- question to publish it. This was done, bnt at the same time a statement was made that the charges in question had been hawked about. The editor, however, expressed his pleasure in publishing the refutation. Soth nurses now brought actions, one in respect of the report of the meeting, and the other in respect of tho subsequent comment. The oase excited considerable interest, and the court was crowded. The defendants' contention was that the report waß privileged under tho now Act, and that the comments were not libellous. The judge Bummed up in favour of this view, , and a verdict was given for the defendants. We remind our readers of the entertainment whioh takes place to-night, at the Theatre Eoyal, for the benefit of the children who formerly composed Mr. Carey' s opera troupe. Every effort has been made to give a pleasant evening's entertainment, and it is hoped thoro will be a good house on the occasion. Dr. Wilkins, the oculist, is to arrive here on Sunday, and will receive patients at Mr. Barraud'a, Lambton Quay, during the ensuing week. The admirable display of autumn novelties in the windows of Te Aro House, whioh last night attracted &- crowd of spectators, will be again on view this evening, between the hours of 6 and 10 o'clock. An unreserved sale of sugar is to be held by Mr. Lang, of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, to-morrow. It iB worthy of notice as an instance of the enterprise of the Americans, who, knowing foil wall the difficulties of introducing a new article into the New Zealand market, have taken this means of bringing their manufactures home to the consumer. Messrs. Sidey & Co. will sell to-morrow, drapery, &o. Messrs. Laery & Campbell will hold their usual market Biles to-morrow ; they will also | sell a church organ. Messrs. Dwan & Co. will sell to-morrow, jewellery, &c. Messrs. Croskery, Hasell & Co. will sell to-morrow, produce, &c.