THE WEST COAST RAILWAY MEETING.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 15, 19 January 1881, Page 2

THE WEST COAST RAILWAY MEETING.

? It is to be hoped that the Wellington citizens— and not only they, but residents in the neighbouring districts — will bear in mind that the whole future of the West Coast Railway, and, to a large extent, that of Wellington also, must depend on the result of the adjourned nieeting called for to-morrow afternoon, at 4 o'clock. If, at that meeting, there is not found a sufficient number of persons willing to " show forth their faith by their works " in a practical and substantial way, to afford a reasonable guarantee of success, then we very much fear that all hope of securing that muchneeded line for a long period of years must be utterly abandoned. In that case, the people of Wellington would give the lie to their own professions of faith in the practical necessity and paying prospects of the work, and they would afford a handle to the enemies of Wellington, of which, we may be sure, the latter would not be slow to take the fullest advantage. Wellington would have to be content with a secondary position, and the lost ground might never be recovered, Such would be the grave consequences of failure in this important undertaking, in regard to whose inception te-morrow's meeting muEt of necessity be the turning point for success or the reverse. We earnestly hope, however, that we shall not have the painful task of recording a failure, which must be fraught with such disastrous consequences. We once more appeal to our fellow-citizens, to All who have the interests of this city and district at heart, to take advantage of this last opportunity for proving their earnestness and sincerity in the cause by attending the meeting and giving what practical aid they can, however small it may be. We hope to see a crowded, enthusiastic, and at the came time practical meeting at the Chamber of Commerce to-morrow afternoon. It is the hist chance, and if that is allowed to slip, after regrets will come too late.

There was no sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, owing to there being no business to be transacted. The directors of the Eastern and Australian Company announce that arrangements have been made to lay on at the commencement of the new tea season at Foochow one of their fastest Bteamers for New Zealand ports direct. The steamer will call first at Auckland, and thence proceed to Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Lyttelton, and Port Chalmers. It is thus hoped that the new season's teas will be delivered in all New Zealand ports in an exceptionally short period. Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull are the Wellington agents for the Company. While there are many needy and deserving people who are reluctant to become recipients of aid from the Benevolent Institution, there are others who rather rejoice that there is an institution which may, by a little manoeuvring, be induced to maintain them n idleness, or, at least, to assist their weekly income- Several cases of this kind have recently come under the notice ef Mr. JohnBon, the Relieving Officer ; but, in the case of men, the recently-instituted stone-break-ing is the crucial test of real poverty, and by its means worthless persons have been readily discovered. With women, however, the caße is different, as no work is provided for them. Yesterday a woman applied to the Benevolent Institution for support, as she was destitute of means and had two children to maintain. It turned out, however, that she had that morning sued her father and brother for maintenance, and, according to the statement of Mr. Johnson, had scouted the proposition of her relatives to take the children off her hands so that she might earn her own living. It was said, too, that she wore in Court a considerable amount of jewellery. Ihe committee of the Benevolent Institution did not express much sympathy for the woman, but, to prevent her ohildren from starving, instructed Mr. Johnson to deal with the case to the best of his judgment. In reference to a paragraph which appeared in our issue of yesterday, Mr. Siegfried Franck writes to explain that hist year, after having published a legal warning against infringing his patent, he found that the imitation totalisators were badly manufactured, and frauds and mistakes of daily occurrence. He consequently felt Bure the public would abstain from utilising the piracies, and all the leading racing club stewards told him in future they would use only his invention. He considered it advisable, therefore, not to take legal proceedings at that time. He returned a few days ago, and learned that such good imitations of his patent were now made that it is difficult to find ont which is the genuine article, and those piracies have been utilised with impunity publicly in different towns. Of course, he adds, he is now bound to vindicate his right in a Court of Justice against every man who participated in the infringement of his patent. In conclusion, he states that his totalisators were worked last Queen's Birthday on the Dunedin racecourse to the satisfaction of the public and stewards. The Perseverance Tent, 1.0. R., held its regular session last evening ; Bro. Barnett, C.R. occupied the chair. The balance-sheet for the past quarter was read, and also the business sheet to be submitted for consideration at the annual session of the District Council, the former showing that the finances were in a sound position, and the latter that the representatives will have 'B multifarious variety of items to tax their consideration. The first lecture was conferred on several members qualified to receive the same. The following tenders were received at the Public Works Office, Wellington, for the Hawora contract (formation only), FoxtonNew Plymouth railway : — Accepted — W. Pell, Patea, £1862. Declined— R. Campbell and Co., Dunedin, £2127 ; W. G. Bassett, New Plymouth, £2138 ; Dingle Bros., New Plymouth, £2142 ; Mace and Bassett, Patea, £2170; T. Denby, Wanganui, £2224; A. Bishop, New Plymouth, £2224 ; Powel and Tonkin, Patea, £2307; W. P. Kendall, Wanganui, £2375; J. Bowie, Waverley, £2646 ; Berry and Newman, New Plymouth, £2719 ; P. M'Grath, Rangiora, £2884 ; Geo. H. Dickson, Patea, £3156; Roberts and Scalley, Wanganui, £3516; J. Hughes, Wayerley (informal) ; J. O. Sullivan and H. Kenis, Patea (informal). The members of the Southern Cross Lodge of Odd-Fellows are reminded by advertisement in another column that the usual fortnightly meeting will be held this evening at 7.30. Members are requestod to meet at 7 o'clock for choral practice. The Navals are ordered to assemble for captain's parade this evening at 7.15, and they will donbtless muster in strength. We understand that the Champion Belt will be presented to the winner, Petty-officer France, at 8 o'clock. The annual meeting of the Wellington and Hutt Building Society is to be held on Friday evening, 28th January. The report of the committee states that, notwithstanding the depression that has existed in the money market and in commercial circles generally, since the last annual meeting the profits for the year amount to £1870 18s 7d, representing a profit of £2 Is per share, the present value of the shares being about £31 9s each. The number of shares on the register is now 910 as against 1052 hist year. During the past year the committee purchased, on behalf of the society, 43 of the society's shares, the premium paid on them being £190 ss. The vacancy in the committee, caused by the resignation of Mr. W. M. Bannatyne, J.P., has been filled by the appointment of Mr. R. S. Ledger. The following members of committee retire by rotation, and offer them3olves for reelection: — The Hon. Major Atkinson, M.H.R., Messrs. E. W. Mills, Robert Lee, and John Plimmer. A singular application was made to the Benevolent Committee yesterday afternoon by a woman who wished to go to Sydney. The facts of the case are these : — Her husband had written from London asking her to join him in Sydney, and to " claim " him from the ship in which he was articled, on his arrival there. His articles were for a return voyage, and a voyage to India, and he evidently wished to find some means of terminating an unpleasant engagement. He thought his wife, whom he had left tor about eighteen months, would, if she went to Sydney, be able, aB he expressed it, to " claim him " there ; and she not having the wherewith to carry out so laudable an object, desired the committee to help her. She placed before them the letter from her husband — an epistle which was a mixture of affection, patronage, self-conceit, and upbraiding. While calling her his " dear wife," he expressed a hope that his having left her so long, "just to read her a good lesson," would make her more affectionate and agreeable when they were re-united. If not, then he would rather no', go back to her, as his absence, though doubtless long and painful to her, was a mere trifle to him, and he could easily settle down elsewhere. He upbraided her for her unfriendly disposition, sprinkled in an endearing "old girl" and "old woman" here and there," and concluded by explaining once more how she is to meet him, and claim him as her own. Tho committee declined to be a party to any such such transaction, and the woman has been left to shift for herself. An advertisement elsewhere notifies that the valuation lists for the various ridings in the Hutt County for the current year are now open for inspection, and that all objections must be lodged on or before the 15th February. Attention is directed to an advertisement in another column, in which Mr. George Lancaster announces that he is still proprietor of the Melbourne Hotel. It had been reported that ho had retired from business, and. he is desirous of giving a public denial to a report likely to prove in jurions to his business. The privileges in connection with the Wellington race meeting are advertised to be sold on Wednesday, 26th inst., by Messrs. Laery and Campbell. One of the Queensland papers is edited by a lady, and a lady with b, large family too. She is a Liberal in politics, and wields a graceful and facile pen. According to the Optmake correspondent of the Hawera Star, the natives say that if Sir Arthur Gordon interviews Te Whiti at Parihaka, everything will be amicably settled ; but this may be a ruse to get the Governor there, and bo fulfil Te Whiti's prophecy. The Maoriß who were recently released consider that they are not yet free, and not until all the native prisoners are released will they return to Parihaka The Ehrenfried Bros., who were successful prize-takers at the Melbourne Exhibition for beer and porter, was the firm of that name carrying on business at the Thames. Some confusion occurred over the name in the telegrams.