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Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 36, 12 February 1876, Page 2

The official statement of the business done by the Government Savings' Banks during the last quarter of 1875 shows that 2,632 acconnta were opened, and 2,069 closed during the quarter; that 12,759 deposits and 9,438 withdrawals were made, their respective total amounts being £158,594 168. Bd. and £156,844 14s. lid., both considerably less than iv the correspoudiug quarter of the previous year. The excess of deposits over withdrawals amounted to only £1,750 Is. 9d. in the December quarter of last year, as compared with £7,993 12s. 2d. in the same quarter of the year 1874. Wellington stands third among the various places in the number of accounts opened and closed (505 and 383), in the amount (if the deposits (£30,615 63. 5d.), and in the number of amounts of the withdrawals (1,714 and £27,086 sa. 3d.), being exceeded only by Dunedin and Christchurch. Wellington stands second in the number of deposits (2,561), and first of all in the excess of deposits over withdrawals (£3,529), Dunedin taking the first place in all other particulars. These details speak well for the saving habits of the community. A supplement is published with the present issue of the Evening Post. It contains "A visit to the Wellington Gaol;" "The Black Death in Melbourne—" a tale of horror, which the members of the City Council should take timely warning from, and provide for the drainage and- cleansing of Wellington, lest it be visited by_ a similar scourge. There is also a quantity of other* interesting reading matter. Sir Julius Vogel was to-day formally sworn iv as a member of the Executive. A meeting of the Executive Council was held at Government House this afternoon. During the quarter ended 31st December, 1875, the number of money orders issued at the various Post Offices in this colony was 18.782, and their aggregate amount £73,316 4s 4d In the corresponding quarter of 1874, the number was 16,331, and the amount £68,136 18s 9d — shewing an increase of about 12£ per cent. The number paid was 13,609 in the December of 1875, and their amouut £54,302 3s 3d, while in the like qua ter <3f the former year, the number was 11,575, and the amount £48,864 19s 9d ; the rate of increase being about the same as in the other case. t The report of the Public Trustee, Mr. Jonas Woodward; for the month of January, 1876, shows that 16 intestate estates came under his management during that month, the total estimated value being under £4,400. Those in this province were as follows : —Edmund Aeale, Wellington, under £20 ; Hubert Spack Low, Wanganui, under £2.100; James Findlater, Wauganui, under £200. The following tenders were received for the Waimaugaroa c-ntract (permanent way, &c.) of the Mount Rochfort Kailway : — Accepted— W. H. Topham. luvercargill, £2,181. Declined -Maher and OConuor, Westport, £2,322; John Soott, Nelson, £2,393 ; Thomas H. Kerr and Co., Hokitika, £2,685; R. W. Humphrey, Westport. £2.709 ; Edward Bntler, Greymout.h, £2,932 ; Owen Griffin, Wellington. £3,362; D. O'Sulhvan, Greymouth, £3,378; Robert Trouland and Co., Westport, £3,625; John Williams, Westport, £4,823. The demands on the passenger accommodation of that fine clip, er ship the Avalanche for her homeward voyage prove so far beyond the carrying capacity of her present cabin space, that it has been decided to build a new deck-house specially for the trip. A large number of wellknown citizens intend taking a trip to the old country by the Avalanche. It is notified in Thursday's Gazette, that Mr. John Grace, J.P., ha 9 been appointed a member of the Licensing Court for the district of the Hutt, in the place of Mr. Ludlam, who has resigned. In the New Zealand Government Gazette of the I Oth inst., it is notified that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint the Vem Ar hdeacon Stock to be a Governor of the New Zealand Institute, vice Alfred Ludlam, Esq., resigned. Letters of naturalisation, under " The Aliens Act, 1866," have. been issued in favor of Jakob Lichtacheindl, licensed victualler, of Wellington. A proclamation in a General Government Gazette of Thursday, declares the Native Title over a section of laud in Carnarvon to be extinguished, and that it is now Crown land. The annual return furnished to the Provincial Government by Mr. P. E. Hickson, Sheep Inspector for the Wanganui District, shows that the total number of sheep in the district amounts to 114,341, being an increase of 14,206 over the previous year. Mr. Hickson reports two cases of scab in the district, but states that the owners are using every precaution to get rid of it, and that in his opinion, with care and attention, it will be easily overcome. It is officially notified that his Honor the Superintendent has granted a license to Captain Philip Jenkins, as a pilot for the port of Rangitikei. A lecture was delivered at the Odd Fellows' Hall last night, on the Second Coming of Christ, and its nearness at hand. The attendance was moderate. AJr. W. Bishop occupied the chair. A second lecture will be given on Monday. The Superintendent has appointed Captains T. JbJ. bimuis and H. E. Hill to be pilots for the port of Wellington. The appointment of Captain Simms is to date from the Ist October, 1875, s and that of Captain Hill a month later. The Carterton Local Board has appointed Mr. S. M. Hart collector, and Mr. A. Campbell treasurer to the Board. The Inspector of sheep for the Rangitikei District has granted a clean certificate to Messrs. Cameron and Simpson, Turakina, for their Waipu Statioa flock. The BuUb Local Board has appointed Mr. Henry Burns collector to the Board. The total area of waste lands sold in the Province of Wellington during the month of January, 1876, was 8880 acres 1 rood. The amount received in payment was £5201 14s 91 iv cash, and £30 iv s -rip. There is still no sign of the San Francisco mail, now mure than a fortnight overdue. " The Luna will leave on Tuesday next, for the Mauukau, Cunveyiug his Excellency the Gov ernur, who goes on a visit to Aucklaud. The Luna returned to harbor -this morning, having carried out satisfactorily the object "of her mission. The telegraph material was safely lauded at Wakapuaka. In the town of Nelson, not a single drop of rain fell during the month of January, recently expired.

From yesterday's experience the harbor j authorities have decided it will not be safe j again to bring up so large a steamer as the City of Sari Francisco to the wharf, unless the No. 1 berth be clear. Although, thanks to the able handling of the ship by Pilot Holmes, she was moved away with no worse mishap than some trifling injury to the Arawata's rail, a very slight mistake Would have resulted in immense damage. Thus until better accommodation shall be provided, it will be only on rare occasions that the ocean steamers will be able to be berthed at the Queen's wharf. - A correspondent is anxious to know' whether a special steamer is to be laid on for the Blenheim races, which are to take place on Wednesday next. He says that himself and a number of friends are desirous of attending the races, and moreover, he says he has no doubt that any j steamer making the trip would be largely patronised. A shocking accident happened at Major Plains, near Benalla, on Friday, 28 rh j January, resulting in the death of a fine ! young man named Peter Newton. The j North-Eastern Ensign relates that the deceased was engaged in. feeding a threshing- \ machine. A slight stoppage occurred in the supply, and on turning round to ascertain the cause his foot slipped, and he fell between the revolving drums or beaters. The driviug belt was detached as quickly as posssble, but not before fatal injuries were received, deceased's left arm and side being frightfully mangled amongst the machinery, and his leg from the knee downwards being crushed into a shapeless mass. He left a wife aud one child. A verdict of accidental death was returned. -During yesterday's storm the beacons at Hokitika were carried away by the heavy sea which broke right over the' spit. There is also a high flood at that place. The papers to be read at this evening's meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society will comprise one "On Moa remains found at Cape Campbell," by Mr. C. H. Robson ; also two botanical papers by Professor Kirk, and several ornithological subjects by Dr. Buller. The handsome silver cup, valued at ten guineas, won by our local pedestrian J. Moran, at the late A'el«on sports, for running a mile withiu the five minutes, is now on exhibition at Mr. Potter's, bootmaker, Manners-street. A heavy gale from the north-west was experienced in this city and harbor last night, with much rain, 0.5 inch being registered in a few hours. The s-torm was general throughout the colony. The baro-, meter reached its lowest point (28.95 at the Bluff) about 7 pm,, and then rose, but only slightly, continuing low to-day. A match is being played between the Wellington and Lex cricket clubs as we go to press. A meeting of the Council of the Wellington Philosophical Society, the President, Dr. Buller, C M.G., in the chair, was held in the Museum library yesterday afternoon. After other formal business had been disposed of, it was resolved, on the motion of the Hon: Mr. Mantell, that the thanks of the Council be tendered to his Honor the Superintendent for his courtesy in placing the Provincial Council Chamber at the disposal of the Society fruits meetings widle the Museum was undergoing repairs. A draft report.of the p oceedmgs of the Society during the past year was approved, the Treasurer "s balancesheet examined, and nomination made of Council aud office-bearers for the ensuiug •year, all of which will be submitted to the annual meeting of members this evening. The meeting will take place in the new lecture-room at the Museum at 8 p.m. A youth named Robert Mulligan was admitted to the hospital to-day. He had only recently arrived from Patea, where he contracted an apparently incurable disease. Mr. George Pirie, the well-known draper and clothier, at the corner of Cuba aud Manners-street, having disposed of hi.s business commenced to-day to clear off his ample stock by a Bale at a " fearful sacrifice," the goods being offered at half the usual price. The sale will continue for three weeks only. The Taranaki Budget says : — "A party of six men, reputed to be old diggers, arrived in Cariyle on Sunday morning last, aud, after ; a resting a day, proceeded on Monday in . the direction of, Hawera. It is supposed by some that they have received information from Casey, relative to the hoped-for gold-neld,,th->ugh whether this idea be correct or nut the resuU will prove. The Rangitikei Advncate says :—": — " Mr. Jackson, the Chief Surveyor of the Wellington province, accompanied by a large party, travelled through from the Wairarapa, visiting Palmerston on Friday last, and returning again on Sunday afternoon. We understand the object of the visit was' to inspect the Seventy-mile Bu3h, through which the party parsed. According to the Standard, Mr. McKirdy has almost completed his contract from Featherston to the foot of the hill. Ol course the incline is the most difficult part of the work, but the expedition with which he has thrown up the earthwork along the flat, indicates that he will complete the whole of the work well within the contract time. The dead body of a man was found on' the tramway near Palmerston, on Sunday last, whose death is attributed to excessive drinking, as the body was recognised as that of a man who was seldom sober when he had money wherewith to procure liquor. The Wairarapa Standard states that Mr. Maunsell, the Maori interpreter, acting for the Government, has succeeded iv purchasing the •fashing and other rights of the natives in the Wairarapa Lake, on j terms that must be considered extremely satisfactory. The result of the negotiation will place a quantity of good land at the disposal of the Government, will prevent a collision which was at one time imminent between the European .«nd native population of the locality, aud will enable settlers to protect their property from periodical floods. We believe the amount of the purchase money is only £800, but to this muse be added a pension of £50 a year to Hiko, an aged Maori, who is a principal claimant. It seems that the story of the desertion of the sick man on the Rangatikei-Mana-watu Block ia untrue. Mr* Flyger, the surveyor, in whose employ the man was, states that when the party left at Christmas, the man was not ill, and refused to accompany them. On their return about the 3rd of January, they found him quite well, and he helped to work in shifting the camp, &c, up to the 22ud. He then complained of head ache and slight cold on his chest, for which he used a mustard-plaster, but refused to go and consult a doctor with the men, who again left oh that day, one of whom promised to retumou the following, but vtes preveuted, owing to the river haying risen tow high to efieet a crossing with_s<tfecy. On the 26th the party »eturn d aud found him dead, but he had evidently been ac w ork in the interval. It appears the' man was subject to epileptic fits, and his hair was cut off and strewed over the camp. The Colonial and Municipal authorities came into conflict this afternoon. The ' telegraph workmen were Usiug Lhe water supply ratiier liberally t.» moisten the spare cable, when the City Surveyor arrived on the scene and put a stop to the p oueedings, promptly cutting off the water, aud. forbidding its future use for such purposes.

The China, with the Suez mail, is not expected at Melbourne, according to the last telegrams, before the 16th, and will have to do the run from Galle in two days under contract time, even to arrive by that date, therefore the Albion, which brings on i our portion, hardly can reach the Bluff earlier than the 20th. A curious accident occurred to-day near Oriental Bay. A cart rashly ventured off the side of the road, and at once was B wallowed up in a green morass, which covered it to the top of the wheels. The assistance of other horses was procured, and. the unhappy cart dragged out by main force, considerably dirtier. The City Surveyor has had to bring his authority to bear "to-day on no fewer than a dozen persons, who persisted in using the water for " other than domestic purposes." Several prosecutions are likely to result. It will be remembered that a few days ago we stated that a man named Shea had struck oue Denis Driacoll in the eye with a stone, and that the injured man had. to betaken to the hospital. We. now learn that Driscoll has completely lo t the sight of the injured eye. It is probable that Shea will be committed for trial. The Wanganui Herald of the 11th instant says : — " Mr. Baird, Provincial Engineer, accompanied by Mr Barton, also in the Eugiueera' Department, arrived in town yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. They are paying a visit to this coast for the purpose of inspecting roads, ~*to./ipd will doubtless find enough to do. We learn from Dunedin that the Guardian and Southern Mercury newspapers are to be sold by auction on the 26th instant. It is stated that fn all probability the Hon. W. Keynolds and; Captain Baldwin will be the purchasers. The Sir Julius Vogel Reception Committee met last night, w"hen it was decided that the bauquet should be held in the Odd Fellows' Hall on Thursday evening next. In order that all might be enabled to attend, the price of the tickets was fixed at 7s 6d each. The meeting of cricketers called for last night was less numerous than had been hoped, owing to the* boisterous weather, but what it lacked in numbers, it made up in enthusiasm. It was decided to give a banquet to the Nelson team. The Ground Committee will meet on the Basin lieserve to-day, to consider what preparations are necessary for the match with Nelson. The Wellington team will be selected after a match which will be played on Saturday next, the sides being formed of players specially selected for triaL It is not in Wellington alone that Town Clerks sometimes lose their heads, get bumptious, and set weakminded Mayors at defiance. In H>kitika, something of this kind has occurred. It seems that the Mayor there instructed the Town Clerk to sue Mr. James Bonar for some wharf fees, and the T>»wn Clerk flattj 7 refllßed to do to, maintaining, in defiance of the Borough j Solicitor's* opinion, >hat such a course would be illegal, that he was the servant ; of the Corporation, as a whole, and bound to protect the interests of the burgesses' in defiance of the Mayor, who had no right to give him orders without a resolution of i the Council. The Borough Solicitor re- j sigued in consequence of the way the Town Clerk spoke to him, aud the Mayor called a special meeting of the Council, when a general wrangle occurred. The "Town Clerk several times gave the lie direct to his Worsh p i aud to various Councillors, and maintained I his position valiantly. A resolution was | moved aud seconded, censuring his conduct, but au amendment was moved, " That he be respectfully requested to apologise to the Mayor for the language he had used." A maj irity of one appeared to back up the Town Cierk, his Worship the Mayor vacated the cKair, aud left the meeting. Some very warm discussion then took place, the public loudly applauding I certaiu of the speakers. Ultimately the "respectful" request of the Council to th- ir clerk for the apology, was carried by a majority of one. It is not stated whether the clerk condescended to comply with the request so nicely made.