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New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5218, 7 August 1878, Page 2

The dock contractors appear very unwilling to avail- themselves of the permission granted by the Harbour Board to open the dock and receive the flawea or any other vessel requiring immediate repairs. They urge that it is no portion of their business to farm the dock, or to undertake the responsibilities of its management. That, they say, is tb-> duty of the Harbour Board ; and if they the dock, they must take it over from the contractors. Thus far, therefore, the action of the Harbour Board, and the resolution passed, is of no avail. The dock remains closed, and will no doubt continue bo until some settlement is come to in the dispute between the contractors and the engineer. In our shipping columns it will be seen that the s.s. Hawea sailed for Dunedin last nigh* jnder the guardianship of the s.s. Botorua. The two steamers will keep company as far as Cook's Straits, when another vessel of the company will be on the alert to run down to Dunedin with her. This has been decided upon by the company, as wo understand thoy have taken the steamer at their own risk, the Insurance Surveyors requiring .work to ba done, which was utterly impossible without the nse of the dock. That the agents of the company have left no stone unturned to soe the steering apparatus thoroughly efficient, is evident from the fact that Captain Anderson, surveyor to the Germanic Lloyd's, Captain Levack, of the barque SchiehaUion, aud Mr. Sims, shipbuilder, have reported upon the same, and say that it is all that ingenuity can devisu. The rudder is fixed in almost the same way a:i when the Hawea came into port, only thu gear and tackle is stouter and more firmly secured. The chances are largely in favour of the voyage to Dunedin being accomplished without accident. ' Mr. Thomas Henderson, M. L. C., and Mr. Rowe, M.H.R., proceeded to Wellington last night in the s.s. Rotorua, to attend to their Parliamentary duties. A meeting of the directors of the Corby Gold Mining Company, was held yesterday, at the office- of the secretary, 'Air. White, Shortland-street, for the purpose of appointing a mine manager in the place of Mr. Snowden, who resigns prior to proceeding to England. The choice fell upon Mr. Hugh I McDonald, who has, from the commence-

ment of the company, been acting as underground boss. The.appointment will, no doubt, meet with the full approval of the shareholders, as Mr. McDonald is intimately acquainted with the general routine of the works, and with the characteristics of the various lodes.

The dispute respecting the reserve adjoining the Supremo Court which wan recently granted by the Waste Lands Board for a school reserve, has been set at rest by the Government. It has been resolved to reserve the allotment in question for a recreation ground. Tho following telegram was received yesterday by Mr. T. Peacock from His Worship the Mayor, who is now at

Wellington:—"To T. Peacock, Esq. Re petition against school site. Government resolved site next to Supreme Court shall be kept reserved for recreation ground. Am authorised to inform citizens who signed petition.—U. Brett." A correspondent reminds us, in reply to a letter from "A Ratepayer" in our yesterday's paper, that the City Council are compelled, in terms of the Act, to send three members of the Council to represent the city interests at the Harbour Board, apart from the question if the streets abutting on the harbour are not equally city as much as any other part, providing the owners of .reclaimed land are put in the same position as other owners.

A correspondent asks if the proposed conditions upon which the Harbour Board intend leasing the reclamation frontages to Queen-street will be. made public. He points out that if iron buildings are to be allowed wichout auy condition to prevent subdivisions in iron or timber, that such promises will be re-let, and subdivided to any extent; disßguring the entrance to the city, and reducing the value of the adjacent pro perties, and that when once such tenants get a footing, directly any steps are taken to make them remove or comply with agreements, a grievance will arise, and that it is far better to havs a proper understanding before these places are leased.

The extraordinary entertainment of the Royal Marionettes at the Lorne-street Hall attracted a large audience last night. The interesting character of the entertainment kept the audience thoroughly amused throughout, while the wonderful mechanism of the contrivances absolutely astonished those who tried to solve the question as to how the thing was accomplished. Tho strings, of course, were apparent enough, but the working of tbem ia simply a marvel of unison. The performance throughout was thoroughly enjoyed by all present, and the gorgeous transformation scene at the close was a really arti3tic work, illuminated by lime light.

In Chambers yesterday, upon the reading of a commission issued from Doctors Commons, Mr. E. A. Mackechnie, solicitor, made the usual declaration, and was admitted to practise as a notary public.

In Judge's Chambers yesterday, issues were Bettled in the case of McGee v. Russell. This is the case arising out of the Jockey Club decision in respect to the racehorse Falson.

During the month ending July, 1878, there were 10 deaths registered within the city cf Auckland; the number during the corresponding mouth of 1877 were 18. There were eight deaths in (the hospital during the month of July, IS7B.—Georqe Goldie, Sanitary Inspector.

Mr. F. J. Moss, M.H.R., has promptly answered the telegram sent by Mr. Lowndes on behalf of the oystermen of Auckland, asking that the months of December and March should be taken out of' the close season. Mr. Moss states that the Government intend to bring in an amended Oyster Fisheries Bill, and that the question of the close season will receive every attention. Those interested feel indebted to Mr. Moss for the promptitude with which their communication was answered.

A criticism of the performance of Othello, at the Theatre Royal last night, is omitted for want of space.

The new steam shipping company, which is now in course cf formation, to develop the Northern Wairoa trade, appears to meet with considerable favour. Out of the 6000 shares of which the company is composed, between 2000 and 3000 have already been applied for. The directors hare no doubt that the venture will be a profitable undertaking.

Profitable are the uses of adversity, but strange aTe the vicissitudes of fortune. Eow much more strange is fact than fiction everbody knows. The latest development of the ParneU Council embroglio with its contractor is that Mr. Strange is a candidate for the next vacant seat in the Council, and is obtaining a good measure of support.

We learn that Mr. A. E. Lewis, who ha 3 been connected with the Chief Post-office Department here for some years, proceeded yesterday evening by the steamer Rotorua, to take the position of chief clerk in the Greymouth office. Previous to Mr. Lewis's departure, his fellows clerks presented him with a gold pencil, as a mark of their esteem, and wishing him prosperity in his new sphere of duty and promotion.

The Wailcalo Times states that the Pakuranga hounds, thirteen couples, in charge of the huntsman, Mr. Joseph Roberts, and an assistant, arrived by the midday train at Hamilton station on Monday. The sight of a pack of hounds and their huntsman in pink was a novelty in Hamilton, and attracted some little attention.

An entertainment is to be given in connection with the St. James's Discussion Class, in the Lorne-Etreefc Hall, on the 22nd inst. A concert will be given, and "Borrowed Plumes " will bs performed.

The Bricklayers' Association held their quarterly meeting in the Working Men's Club last evening. There was a considerable attendance. The business was purely of a preliminary character.

The man who was so seriously injured by being kicked in the abdomen, at JJrury, a short time a go, still lies in a very precarious state at the hospital. Very little hopes of his recovery are enter tained, and, in fact, the marvel is how he has survived so loag, considering the nature of the injuries he has received,,

SOLD PROSPECTS IN NEW GUINEA. A teltigram from Brisbane states :—-Private advices .from Port Moresby, received at Cooktown, state that as yet no party has reached more than 30 miles inland,, with horses, from Port Moresby. Parties on foot are following the river 10 mile 3 farther, and all are pushing through the scrub, expecting to reach the inain-land; Good promising colours have been found, -leading to hopes of getting gold "higher up the river. .'The rains have ceased. The beat prospect,ob taiued was at the highest spot reached, and weighed nearly a grain. No doubt exists of good gold being eventually found if the scrub is overcome.

A later telegram states :—The cutter Prospect has arrived at Cooktown, nine days from Port Moresby, and reports" fever as very prevalent there. Several deaths had occurred, including those of a man named Neville, aud the master of the cutter Saucy Jack. The Sydney men had reached the head of the Lalokoi River. There was no news in reference to gold discovery.