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Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 34, 10 February 1876, Page 2

The proposal to place barrels of beer at every street corner during the Vogel reception, bo that every thirsty beachcomber may drink his fill, will, if carried out, be a scandal and disgrace to the community. Whoever originated such a proposal deserves the reprobation of every man and,woman in Wellington who has any regard for the decencies and proprieties of social life. " Free beer" at every street corner in Wellington ! Why, the thing is monstrous at this time of day. It might have done in those times when Hogarth satirised " Gin Lane and Beer Alley" ; but surely the world has grown wiser and better since then, It this thing is attempted, the police should stave in every beer-cask that is placed in the streets. Technically, they are an obstruction to traffic. In other points of view the proposal is most objectionable. To provide an unlimited supply of beer at every street corner means making dunk and roitous the lowest class in the community. It implies drunkenness in its most repulsive aspects, free fights, and a general sajturnalia of the degraded. We call upon the police- foree — even though they strain the law — to put a stop to this disgraceful business.

There is still no sign of the Grenada with the English mail; and we learn that there is no suitable steamer at Sydney to take the outgoing mail. The Mikado is away, and the Colima is awaiting her new shaft. Hence if the City of San Francisco takes our outward mails so far as Kandavu, there is every probability of her having to wait there an indefinite time for the Sydney boat, unless the Zelandia should turn up in time. The following telegram was received this morning by the Chairman and Secretary of the Reception Committee from Sir Julius Vogel: — "Win. Black, Esq. and Geo. South, Esq. Vogel Reception Committee, Wellington. — I am very gratified with the reception which the working men and citizens of Wellington propose to give me. The steamer will arrive at half -past seven as you wish. Thanks very many for sending copy of Address. — Julius Vogel." We are requested by Mr. George South, Secretary to the Vogel Reception Committee, to state that the Committee had nothing to do with the preposterous proposal to supply free beer to the procession to-night. The police moreover, threatened a criminal prosecution if the plan were persisted in, and are making great efforts to put a stop to the intention. We mentioned with regret a day or two ago the serious illness of the Right Rev. the Bishop of Wellington, who was suffering from a severe attack of asthma and bronchitis. We are happy to be able to state as the result of enquiries made to-day that his lordship is. much better, and is making favourable progress towards convalesence. A telegram was sent lately"'from the Thames to the Superintendents of Wellington and the Southern Provinces, enquiring whether they could find employment for several hundred miners now out of work. It appears that unfavorable replies were given by their Honors of Wellington and Otago, but it is evident that they might have been imported into this province for one contractor alone. Mr. C. M'Kirdy is advertising that he requires 200 hands immediately for the Mungaroa contract. We commend this advertisement to the notice of the Thames unemployed. We are informed that the members of the various temperance bodies in this city — Good Templars, Rechabites, and others — regarding the announcement that "free beer" -will be supplied to the Vogel procession to-night as offensive to their principles, have determined not to take any part in the procession. Much indignation is expressed by the leading members of these bodies at a step which must impart a very unnecessary and undesirable element into the demonstration. yjWe have been given to understand that neither the Odd Fellows' nor Foresters' Lodges take any part in the procession tonight, nor in the Sir Julius Vogel demonstration. In consequence of the reception of Sir Julius Vogel this evening, the special meeting of the Wellington Degree Temple 1.0. G.T., is postponed until the 16th. The meeting of the Wellington Cricket Association is postponed till to-morrow evening. We are glad to learn that the s.s. City of San Francisco, in all probability, will be berthed at the Queen's Wharf to-morrow morning. The only claimant for the No. 1 berth likely to turn up is the Taupo, and we feel sure that Captain Macfarlane will throw no impediment in the way of the mail steamer. His Honor the Chief Justice has been engaged to-day in hearing a case in Banco, namely, Percy v. Mackay. It appears that both parties bought the same piece of land from some Maoris, who received money from each, and the poiufr at issue was who was really the owner of the land. His Honor reserved judgment. During the day flags have been flying on all the ships in harbor, and on many of the buildings in town, in honor of Sir Julius Vogel. We may mention that as soon as the steamer Arawata appears in sight, three guns will be fired from the ship Avalanche. It has been arranged that Lady Vogel will accompany Sir Julius in the procession. Yesterday was the regular sitting day for the Resident Magistrate's Court at the Upper Hutt, but as no cashes, either civil or criminal, were entered on" the sheet for hearing, the Court was adjourned until next sitting day, Wednesday, the 23rd instant. It is curious that the ports of Wellington and Dunedin have both run out of that important shipping requisite, Peacock's anti-fouling paint, at the same time. Some was wanted badly here for the p. s. Luna, and an urgent telegram was sent to Dunedin entreating that a supply might be forwarded instantly. Strangely enough, that telegram was crossed by a similar one from Dunedin, imploring almost with tears that" a quantity of the composition might be sent immediately, if not sooner for the s.s. Easby. It is sad to reflect that both steamers are left with unpainted bottoms. A lunatic named Jessie Williams escaped from the Asylum yesterday, but was captured last night in the Gas Company's yard, where she had sought shelter in the shed. She was taken back to the Asylum. The moonlight excursion by the p.s. Manawatu last evening attracted a crowd of pleasure-seekers, the steamer being as full as she comfortably could hold. She left the wharf at 8 p.m., the Artillery Corps' fine band under Mr. Cemino's able leadership playing suitable selections in their usual excellent style. After a very pleasant trip round the bay, the Manawatu returned to the wharf shortly after 10 o'clock. Mr. Solomon Levy, the Collector of Rates for the Education Board, has been compelled to administer a gentle stimulant to the numerous defaulting ratepayers (or rather rate non-payers) by taking out about a dozen summonses in the Resident Magistrate's Court. Probably this announcement will cause a mild rush to his office. The annual treat to the children attending the Sunday School in connection with St. Peter's Church, Te Aro, was given today. The children assembled in strong force at the Ghuznee-street Schoolroom at 10 o'clock this morning, and then proceeded to Polhill Gully, where they amused themselves till the afternoon, when they returned to the Schoolroom, and were regaled with unlimited good things in the way of tea, buns, plum-cake, &c. Smith's Combination Troupe had another well-filled house last night. The performance was a great success, and the various performers suceeded in frequently eliciting the applause of the audience. The Spotted Boy and Little Lady continue to be largely visited. Last night there were more visitors than on any previous occasion. Mr. S. Waters, the Hon. Secretary to the Ratepayers' Protection Association, announces that, in consequence of the Sir Julius Vogel demonstration, the meeting of Te Aro ratepayers, fixed for to-night, has been postponed. The meeting will, however, take place to-morrow evening, at the same hour and place. The Newcastle (New -South Wales) Chronicle states that in one day the output of coal from the Wallsend pit was 2.200 skips, containing 12£ "cwt., or in all 1.375 tons. This is the largest output of coal in a day from any colliery in the district, and is 40 tons more than was ever put out of the same mine in a day previously. There was no hurry whatever about the work, and the engine was only working nine hours.

When enterprising citizens are assisting the development of this great city by enlarging or re-building their business premises in busy thoroughfares, we would venture to suggest that they should caution their contractors or workmen not to leave planks securely fastened so as to project half way across the footpath at night, without light to prevent accidents. It also would be as well that while at work in the daytime, they should not drop from aloft, logs of wood, bricks, slates, chimney pots, and other trifles on the heads of the passers-by. There was too much of this sort of thing yesterday, in a certain street not 100 miles from this office. An occasional visit from the police might be advantageous. A few days ago, an information was laid against two boys for stealing apples, and this morning they were to have appeared at the Resident Magistrate's Court. As they were going to the Court however, they met a friend who told them they would be hanged. This appeared to have scared them thoroughly, for they lost no time in putting a respectable distance between themselves and the Resident Magistrate, and are now in hiding somewhere. They will probably be dealt with to-morrow. Bishop Redwood was a passenger by the Hawea, which left for the North this afternoon. Inspector Atchison has received information from Constable Gwynne that a man named Stephen Featherston was drowned while bathing in the Turakina River on 22nd January. Deceased, who was 29 years of age, had only been in New Zealand for a month. He was a native of the United States, and has no friends in this Colony. On the night of the sth instant; the ferry-house at the lower crossing of the Manawatu River was totally destroyed by fire. The place, which contained £103 in bank notes, was uninsured. The house was occupied by Mr. Stanley, the ferryman, and he first discovered the fire in a room in which there had been no light for some time previously. The adjourned meeting of the Hospital Trustees, called for noon to-day, was further adjourned until Monday next, in consequence of Mr. JV C. ' Crawford's inability to attend to make up the quorum of three. Messrs. H. Bunny and W. Waring Taylor were present. A correspondent complains that a number of young girls, and lads belonging to Maori Row are in the habit of congregating at the top of the lane and annoying the residents in Ghuznee-street by the use of horribly indecent language, addressed to all passers-by. Perhaps one of the local force might just step round that way now and then, so as to catch the offenders in the act, and have them brought to punishment. The Rangitikei Advocate states that the whole of the line between Fielding and Bunnythorpe is now ready for the metals, and should these be delivered with anything like despatch, there is no reason why the line between Fielding and Palmerston should not be completed by the middle of May, the permanent way from Bunnythorpe to the latter township being already finished. Much anxiety, says the Manawatu Times, is expressed by the inhabitants of this district, relative to the requisition so numerously signed by most of its principal merchants and traders, asking for Foxton to be constituted a port of entry. The memorial was presented to' the Commissioner of Customs nearly two months past, by their representative^ Mr, Walter Johnston. No reply has yet been vouchsafed to it. Mr. C. E. Moulton, the "Lightning Calculator," drew a large number of the public around him last night. His wonderful feats of mental arithmetic caused the most intense interest to be taken in his performance. His marvellous calculations in vulgar fractions also were the theme of general admiration. He gave correct answers almost instantaneously to a large number of most difficult arithmetical . problems, and proved to the entire satisfaction of the onlookers, that he could, as he himself said, "figure a bit." He will appear every night this week near the Theatre. Campbell's arrival at Port Chalmers appears to have excited quite a sensation. The Guardian of the 7th instant states that "as the Hawea got alongside the pier shortly after 4 o'clock, there was quite a host of persons from the city, apparently anxious to get a view of Campbell; but Detective Neil boarded ihe vessel promptly, and the prisoner, who had been in the custody of the mate on the passage down, was given into his charge, and the " expectant" curious were therefore somewhat disappointed, his wife alone being allowed an interview with him." He was ultimately taken to gaol, and is to be brought up on the 11th instant before the Resident Magistrate at Dunedin. It is altogether a curious business about Campbell. There is an old warrant out against him for forgery, but nobody seems to want particularly to prosecute him. It is even said that when he suddenly left Dunedin last year, he wasn't exactly "wanted" by the police, and further that a Dunedin detective saw him on board the steamer at the time of his departure. Moreover, it appears that his presence in Auckland a little time ago was quite well known to the public. The case looks very much like one that has been "squared," and, in fact, that no desire existed to have the man apprehended at all. However, now that he has been put in limbo, it will be interesting to watch whether the prosecution will go on. [Since the foregoing was written, we learn that Campbell has been bailed out, and that the prosecution will likely fall through.] The Napier Telegraph of 7th inst. says : — "H.M. s.s. Sappho, which arrived in the Manukau on Thursday afternoon, has received orders to proceed to New Caledonia at once, and was to leave with' the first fair wind. The reason of her sudden despatch from the waters of the Manukau is that intelligence has been received by the authorities that the French Government intend to assume possession I of the islands know n as the New Hebrides, situated between New Caledonia and Fiji. The Sappho does not go down, in all probability, to prevent annexation should it be contemplated, but to learn the intentions of the French Government and to keep a watch over their actions in case necessity should compel England's interference. It will thus be apparent that the original intention of a prolonged visit of the Sappho to the waters of the West Coast has been knocked on the head, much ' to the disappointment of many who were looking forward to what is quite a red letter day in the Manukau, the appearance of one of H.M. s ships of war. In Sydney the Philadelphia Commission has resolved to print 100,000 copies of the mineral map of the Colony of New South Wales. Dissatisfaction is expressed at the small space allotted to that colony as compared with Victoria. Last year's yield of gold in Victoria was 17,000 ounces less than that of the previous year. A Melbourne correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes as follows :—: — "Mr. Stead, of New Zealand, is said to have picked up a bargain in the brood mare Conceit, for 290 guineas. She was bred in her Majesty's stud at Hampton Court in 1856 ; got by Pyrrhus the First (Derby winner, 1841) ; her dam, Vanity, by Camel (sire of Touchstone)." Australian exchanges state that land in Adelaide with 70 feet frontage to Hindleystreet realised at fraction £130 a foot.