SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1876.

Evening Post, Volume XIV, Issue 150, 23 December 1876, Page 2

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1876.

Ere we shall again have an opportunity of addressing our readers, the great festival of Christmas will have come and gone, and the festivities of Boxing Day been enjoyed to the full. . Although Christmas Day is now shorn of much of its ancient glories, still both in England and the Colonies it is regarded as being the holiday in which of all others throughout the year all classes of society most generally participate. In the old country Christmas Day is still chosen for those family gatherings at which those scattered far apart during the rest of the year contrive to meet under the same roof, enjoy the good cheer of the season, and revive those feelings of affection and attachment v hich should ever exist between those of the same blood. In New Zealand, as the country becomes permanently settled, and the means of communication are increased by rail and steamers, these reunions of relatives will also become of more frequent and customary occurrence. Meantime the colonists enjoy | Christmas in a hearty and appropriate fashion. When Monday comes, good folks, bearing in | mind that Christmas partakes of a religious I character, will pass the forenoon in Church, and the evening in social enjoyment. Let us hope that to each and all this will be indeed " a Merry Christmas." There is no reason why it should not be so. In this grand young country, with its magnificent resources, there is abundance of work and liberal p\ y for all. "No man need cringe to his fellow worm for leave to toil," because the field for labour is wide, and comfort and competency are within the reach of all who choose to be temperate and industrious. Therefore there will be but few here who will not be able to enjoy their Christmas dinner and participate in the after festivities of Boxing Day, without requiring to pinch for it afterwards. It is true that in every community, however prosperous, there will be some who, through unforeseen misfortune, are in a temporary condition of distress, but in such cases help is never long in being forthcoming, and Christmas is emphatically a season when deeds of generosity are most eagerly and spontaneously done. It may fairly be anticipated then that most of our readers will enjoy the holiday season thoroughly, and for a time cast aside all thoughts and cares of this work-a-day world. And there will be no lack of the means of enjoyment. When Christmas and its pleasant social pleasures are over, there will still be the junketting and innocent festivities of Boxing Day.

There will be picnics in shady dells and | grassy plains; lads and lasses will foot it merrily on the sward at Soames' Island and Lowry Bay ; while those who love marine ex- , cursions can gratify their taste by taking steamer to Kapiti or Nelson. And while thus wishing our readers a pleasant time, it may i not be unfitting also to say that with us the , present Christmas reason is a peculiarly happy j and prosperous one. Thanks to the generous i and literal measure of support accorded to it fly the public, tills journal never before enjoyed so large a circulation or was so extensively used as an advertising medium. In the past we have used our utmost efforts to deserve that support, and shall continue to do so in the future. It has been our object to be independent, honest, and outspoken ; to be true to the interests of the people as a whole, and to advocate whatever measures we conceived would promote those interests. Howfar we have succeeded indoingthese things we leave the public to judge. Meantime, in a spirit of kindly good will towards all whom we daily address, we take advantage of the season to wish them health and prosperity, and "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

The Imperial Government have requested his Excellency the Governor to furnish a description ot the roads and other lines of communication throughout the colony. The details of the description required are setforth as follows: — "The commercial and strategical value of each line of communication, accompanied, if possible, by military reconnaissances and sketches of each. In the absence of reconnaissances, such information, given in detail, as may be forthcoming on the following heads : — Roads : A complete itinerary of their course, and of that of all bush tracks or other paths as far as known ; kind of country they traverse, with its resources; their width, passes, cuttings, embankments, inclines, bridges, ferries, fords; whether metalled or unmetalled; how far they are fitted for the passage of infantry, cavalry, artillery, and transport ; towns and villages on their course, or skirted by them, with their resources in food, water, and shelter for men and horses ; exact distances, branch roads, and intercommunication with other lines of communication ; military positions,eonveuienthalting-places and camping grounds on the line, extent ot each, and whether it fulfils all the conditions concerning the health aud the wants of troops, also its distance from neighboring camping grounds." The Minister for Public Works has applied to the District Engineers of the several provincial districts throughout the colony to supply the required information in detail. A full description has been prepared of the road from Wellington to Napier, together with the branch roads, traversing the settlements in the Hutt, Wellington Country Districts, and the Wairarapa. We cannot conceive what the Imperial Government wants with this information, unless it contemplates reversing its policy towards the colony, and again locating Imperial troops here. We are not at all likely to have another native war, but if we should have, we have strong faith in "the policy of self-reliance." Possibly, however, in the event of a European war, an invasion of New Zealand by a foreign Power might be attempted, and the Imperial Government wish to know what would be the facilities for operating with troops against an enemy. It is stated by the Wanganui Herald that by laying the rails as the earthwork is finished on the line between Turakina and Marton, the railway may be open to within a few miles of Marton fully eight months sooner than if rail laying were postponed until the earthwork contracts were finished. Our contemporary is positive that its information is accurate on this point, and asserts that if such information is not in possession of the Minister for Public Works, it ought to be. We call special attention to this matter, because there is not the slightest doubt that when the line between Wanganui and Marton is opened it will be found to be from the very first one of the best paying in the North Island. The sooner, therefore, it is constructed, the sooner will the colony reap a profit from it. It would be well, therefore, that the Minister for Public Works should order the plan to be adopted of laying the rails as fast as the earthwork is finished. A supplement is published with the present issue of the Evening Post. It contains some interesting reading matter and advertisements. A statement to which currency has been given, to the effect that Mr. Moeller had yesterday resigned his seat for Te Aro Ward in the City Council, is not correct. Warnings were issued yesterday for gales from N.W. to S.W. The strong N.W. breeze which blew during the day increased during the evening to a hard gale, the dust storm being simply terrific. Towards midnight the gale increased to a violent storm, with furious squalls, which seemed to shake every house to its foundation. The telegrams this morning show that the storm was felt during last night in most parts of the colony. The gale continued to-day, blowing with terrific violence between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and accompanied by very heavy rain. The direction varied from N.W. at Taranaki and Wellington to W.S.W. at the Bluff. Very little damage appears to have been done in this city, and none in the harbor. The barometer continues to fall steadily, and a change to the southward is probable shortly. The handsome silver cup which is to be presented by the New Zealand Shipping Company to the Wellington Regatta Committee is now on view at Mr. Jackson's, stationer's, Lambton Quay. We beg to direct attention to an important sale by auction of town and suburban sections at Feilding, which is to take place at Messrs. Bethune & Hunter's sale rooms on the 23rd January. The town and suburban sections are situated in the township of Halcombe, and the rural sections are adjacent to Feilding and Halcombe. Lithographed plans and every ! other information can be obtained from Messrs. Bethune & Hunter. We may remind our readers of the Foresters' sports, which are to be held on the Basin Reserve on Boxing Day. The programme, which is a very attractive one, appears in another column. The proceeds will be devoted to the A.O.F. Benevolent Fund. We direct the attention of members of the Order to a notification in the advertisement. Mr. Ralph Levoi of the City Cafe having called a meeting of his creditors, it took place yesterday afternoon, when nearly' all the i creditors were present. Mr. G. Roxburgh (of Messrs. Joseph Nathan & Co., the principal un- i secured creditors) was in the chair. The Chair- j nmn stated that Mr. Levoi called on him a few 1 days ago, and informed him that he was unable to meet his liabilities, on which it was decided to call this meeting. The total liabilities were stated as about £850, of which £300 was secured by a bill of sale, held by Messrs. Pollock and Young. The total assets were valued by Mr. A. Beauchamp at £750. Messrs. Roxburgh, Alcorn, and Gardner were appointed a committee to manage and dispose of the business, and it was decided that if pressure should be brought to bear on the creditor, he should assign his property under the Debtors and Creditors Act. Mr. Everett has been re-elected Mayor of Nelson without opposition. At the Nelson regatta Mr. Street, of Dunedin, is to sail his cutter of 17 tons in the yacht race. The American schooner Lovet Peacock, 350 tons register, and well adapted for carrying timber, is advertised in another column to be j sold by auction on sth January at Auckland, by B. Tonks & Co. j The annual general meeting of the Wellington Building Society took place at the Society's office, Panama-street, last evening, when the annual report was presented. It was very favorable, showing that the property mortgaged to the Society in every instance has increased in value since the advances were made, while the borrowers had made their payments very regularly. The statement "of liabilities and assets showed £5213 9s 4d to credit of profit and loss account, which, after deducting £229 11s 10d. outstanding liabilities, is equivalent to £4 2s 6d per share. The issue of debentures had increased during the past year, the total indebtedness under that head being £5070. Four members of committee were elected for the ensuing year in place of those who retired by rotation. The Artillery Band's excursion by the p.s. Manawatu to Somes' Island on Boxing Day appears likely to be very successful. The tickets are going off very fast, and early application is necessary. Particulars appear in the advertisement. Members of the band are to meet at the Central Hotel at 7 a.m. on that day. i Last evening the play of " Elizabeth " was performed at the Theatre Royal, and this j

evening the company conclude the weeks series of familiar but always popular plays by performing "The Stranerer," to be followed by the fine comedy "The Honemoon." These I will terminate a week's bard labor which has I unfortunately not been so well rewarded as it j deserved. The house is to be re-opened on j Boxing night, when young and old will, no j doubt, assemble in numbers to witness the first j production of a fairy extravaganza and panto- , niinio, based upon the good old story of "Cinderella," written by Mr. H. J. Byrou, and arranged and adapted for the stage by Mrs. Bates. Six scenes precede the pantomime, which alone consists of three scenes of low comedy, and the whole is to conclude with a grand scene upon the production of which the scene-painter lias expended a large amount of gold-leaf, color, taste, and skill. Otherwise great preparations have been made to easure the pantomime proving a perfect success. On Boxing Day the steamer Moa is to make an excursion to Worser Bay and the Pilot Station, landing picnic parties wherever it is practicable to do so, and affording facilities to those who may prefer to engage in fishing. The schooner Shepherdess is also announced to proceed on a fishing excursion on the same day. The Union Company have acted upon the suggestion of our corresponpent in last night's Post, and have extended the time allotted to excursionists for Nelson. In consequence of the unfavorable weather to-day, the Taupo will not leave here till 9 a.m. to-morrow. Tickets will be available to return by the Wellington, leaving Nelson on the 29th. * We are requested to state that the departure of the s.s. Wallace, which takes the interprovincial eleven to Nelson, has been postponed from this evening until 9 a.m. to-morrow morning (Sunday). The team are requested to be on board punctually. The following amount was collected by Mr. Spinks from employees of Queen's Wharf for the relief of the widow of the late James Turner— £3 Bs. Received at this office, H. W., os. Great admiration was iexcted last evening by the beautiful and tastefully-arranged display in the windows of Te Aro House. One window, where the exhibits are disposed in a i long perspective vista, the effect is peculiarly | fairylike and strikiug, and excellent judgment has been shown throughout. The new patent sunlights and pier glass, measuring 8/t. 4in. by 6ft., the largest in this colony, we believe, excited great admiration. A petition to the builders of Christchureh is being circulated there, having for its object the following :— " That all wages be paid weekly on Friday night, or Saturday at noon, and that cheques for the payment of waees be abolished." The petition has been numerously signed by the working men. A cricket match will be played on Boxing Day at Karori, between the Cockney and Karori Cricket Clubs. Wickets are to be pitched at 10.30 a.m. shaip. The shops generally were very prettily decorated last nigiit and to-day iv honor of the Christmas season, the butchers and grocers carrying off the palm. Many people in Wellington will sincerely grieve at the death of Mrs. Carty, which took place at her residence, Tory-street, on the 21st instant. The late Mrs. Carty was an old settler, having arrived in Wellington more than 30 yeara ago. She was a hardworking industrious woman, and brought up a large family of children in a most creditable manner. She leaves many children and grand-children in Wellington. Deceased was of a kindly, genial, and hospitable disposition, and possessed many friends. How quickly the old settlers are now passing away. Mr. R. Short announces that he will open the Vogel Town Tea Gardens on New Year's Day. The gardens are prettily situated on the Ohiro Road, within a short distance of town, and should become a favorite resort for picnic and pleasure parties. The result of the first two day's firing by the Kaiwarra Volunteers for choice of representatives is as follows : — Private Turner, Ist day 87, 2nd day 82: total 169. Private Menzies, Ist day 73, 2nd day 63 : total 136. His Honor Chief Justice Prendergast is a passenger by the steamer Rangitara, which sailed from Napier for Wellington this morning. A meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Stevenson and Stuart was held in the Supreme Court buildings this forenoon, when, under the 138 th clause of the Act, the deed of trust was confirmed, and it was arranged that the business should be carried on by the firm under the inspectorship of Mr. Krull. At the sixteenth annual meeting of the Tradesmen's and Mechanics' Loan Society, held at Christchureh on Wednesday last, the report, which was adopted, recommended a dividend at the rate of £10 per cent. The Artillery Band will meet at the Central Hotel a,t 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The boisterous weather militated against the financial success of the entertainment given last night at the United MethQdist Schoolroom, Courtenay Place, by Mrs. and the Misses Palmer, the attendance being but small. The entertainment went off very well. Mrs. Palmer's pianoforte solos, her duets on the same instrument with one of her daughters, the songs given by another, and those sung by two amateurs, all were warmly received, and the concluding comedy "A Happy Pair" was played with much spirit, and was loudly applauded. The Phoenix Hotel, Wanganui, a wellknown hostelry, is advertised in another column as being in the market, to be sold by auction by Mr. Beaven on the 10th of January if not previously disposed of by private contract. The time for lodging appeals against the valuation of the city properties closes to-mor-row, the 24th instant, but up to the present time only one appeal has been lodged with the Town Clerk. The following is the prize-list at the Kaiwarra School, of which we gave a short account yesterday, and of which an equal number were given to boys and girls in order of merit : — Fourth and Third Classes : Boy9— Hugh Phillips, John Overend, Edward Smythe, Alex. Cameron, Robert Harris, George Hogg. In the same class the girls were Mary Cameron, Lizzie Flaws, Jessie Cameron, Jessie Overend, and Alice Greaves. In the Second and First Classes the prize-takers were : — Boys : Alfred Palmer, Charles Aplin, Samuel M'Callum, James Overend, George Flaws, Willie Overend, and Alfred Holmes. Girls : Annie Searle, Mary Casey, Kate Cameron, Lavinia Tucker, Rachel Holmes, and Mary Gillies. Another of the very enjoyable soirees given at the Mount View Asylum by Mr. Ingwerson and Mrs. Seager took place last night. About 40 couples were present, including patients and guests, and a very pleasant evening was spent. The music was furnished by Mr. Hoskins' excellent quadrille band, and a capital supper was provided. The healths of the host and hostess were drunk with much enthusiasm, the toasts being suitably responded to. There was a fair attendance at last evening's rehearsal for the proposed Christmas Concert, but as it was found that many of the leading solo singers and members of the band would be unable to be present on Christmas night, it was decided to postpone the concert to a future date of which due notice will be given., Mr. D. E. Toohill, butcher, Willis-street, exhibited a fine show of Christmas meat last night in his shop, which was well arranged and most tastefully decorated, attracting much attention from the passers-by. There were nine carcasses of splendid beef, bred on Mr. Meredith's station, Masterton, and some remarkably fine veal from Mr. Burke of Evan's Bay. The lamb, which was bred by Mr. Melhem ofPab.autanui, and the mutton by Mr. J. C. Crawford, Miramar, also was exceedingly good. Altogether the quality of the meat was excellent, and we have no doubt that Mr. Toohill will obtain his full share of the public patronage. Mr. J. Tborburn, clothier and outfitter, Sec, has found it necessary, on account of the increase in his business, and al6o for the convenience of the public generally, to make extensive alterations by enlarging his premises, which will more advantageously display his choice selection of clothing, &c, and at the same time afford ample accommodation to his numerous customers. The " Wink ep Life " can only be kep free from adulteration or impoverishment by perpetuating through digestion and a regular action of the kidneys and bowels. A morbid habit of body tends to derange digestion, divert the bile from its proper channels into the circulation, and thus renders it both watery and impure. Deficient action of the kidneys also causes blood poisoning. Regulate, strengthen, and depurate with Udolpho Wolfe's SCHIEDAM AROMATIC SCHNAPPS.— APVTT