SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1882. THE TE ARO RFCLAMATION DIFFICULTY.

Evening Post, Volume XXIII, Issue 34, 11 February 1882, Page 2

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1882. THE TE ARO RFCLAMATION DIFFICULTY.

It must be confessed that neither the Marine Depa'tment nor the joint deputation from the Corporation and Harbour Board which yesterday waited on the Ministerial head of that department succeeded in making out a very clear case regarding the Te Aro Eeclamation. there see ma to have been ago d deal of mystification on both Bides. Certainly the mode cf conducting the interview waa calculated to produce much confnsion and cross purposes. It waa the Marine Department, and not the Marine Engineer, whose objections the local bodies had to meet. The Marine Engineer ia simply the professional adviser to the department, aid the proper and regular course would have been for him to place hia Ministerial chief in full possession of the grounds on which he disapproved the reclamation plan — which were fully expla ned in onr leading columns on Thursday — so that the Minister might officially state to the deputation the case on behalf of the department, merely referring to Mr Blackett any counter points which the d eputation might raise. But instead of this usual and reasonable course being followed the 'singular plan was adopted of treating the Marine Engineer and the City Surveyor and the City Council and the Harbtur Board as combatants, and turning them all out on the floor before Major Atkinson to fight ont the matter among themselves. We ara told on high authority that ''in the multitude of counsellors there is safety," but there are occasions on which the homely old proverb that " too many cooks spoil the broth " is much more apposite. Such we fear was the case yesterday. Instead of the matter being lucidly and exhaustively discussed, it waa involved in " confusion worae confounded." Mr. BijACKBTr, instead of taking his stand on his engineering obj actions, so that these might be either met and overcome, or else admitted to be fatal, and an alternate course taken, devoted hia main attention to the "economio" point of view, and strove to persuado tho Council and Board that it would pay tbem better to adopt his suggestions. This might or might not be the case, but eurely it was the affair of the local bodies themselves and not of the Marine Departmeut. It was for the former alone to decide on the financial merits of the proposed undertaking. All the Marine Department had to take care of waß the conservation of the harbour with its natural advantages unimpaired. It waa unnecessary, therefore, for the Marine Engineer to lecture the looal bodies on the commercial aspect of the question, which waa their business, and theirs alone. Equally idle was it for the deputation to indulge iv eloquent remonstrances as to pecuniary lobs which would be oaused to them by the Marine Department's objection being enforced. That waa quite irrelevant, so far as the Department was concerned. If the proposed plan would really injure the harbour, the Department would be bound to interfere, even if ita execution would bring wealth untold to the local bodies interested. Therefore all that disruasion about profit and loss was wholly beside the real question at issue. The sole point that had to be determined was — Would the present scheme be really so injurious as Mr. BiiACKKTT feared, and if so, how could it be modified so as to overcome the drawbacks without spoiling the whole undertaking. This all-important aspect of the case, however, was only touched on in a aketchey and desultory manner, but from what did pass, it was quite evident that a good deal might have been urged by the lonncil and Board against Mr. Blackbtt's objections if only they could have been brought to ignore the financial question which, a 8 we have pointed out, was quite irrelevant under the circumstances. For instance, the City Surveyor, Mr. Baird, showed that provision had been made against the probable silting, on whioh Mr. Blackett justly laid so much ttress, and Mr. Blackett admitted that these provisions were ample. We were not told what they were, but it ia satisfactory to learn that one of the most formidable objections was thus easily disposed of. Then again the argument that the east-and-west sea-wall of the reclamation would not be available as a berthing quay, and therefore would require north-and-aouth jetties to be run out, which would obstruct the fairway, was readily met by the answer that such jetties could not be erected without the approval of the Marine Department, so that the latter would still retain all needful control. The other two main objections — that the area of sheltered anchorage for small craft would be injuriously diminished, and that the inner berthage of the Queen's Wharf and the approaches thereto would be prejudicially affected do not appear to have received much attention. Probably, however, these will be got over by the conrse ultimately decided upon, at the suggestion of Major Atkinson, of a conierenoe between the City Council and the Harbour Board on the one hand and toe Marine Department on the other— as represented by their respective engineers — with a view of agreeing on such a modification of the plan as should prove reasonably satisfactory to all parties. We pointed out on Friday that this was the only practicable solution of the difficulty, and we are very glad to find that it haa been adopted. We entertain no doubt that a favourable compromise will be readily arrived at.

A quantity of reading matter will be found on the fourth page of to-day's isaue of the Evening Post. The tenders for the Wellington new Post Office were opened to-day. There were no fewer than ten, and we understand that one or two, at any rate, are within the limit of cost which had been fixed. It is not yet definitely ascertained which is the lowest, as this depends on certain calculations in respect to details which have to be worked out and duly considered before the final result can be determined. It may, however, be accepted as certain, we believe, that one of the tenders will prove satisfactory, and that the work will be gone on with immediately. This cannot fail to be very srratifyirjg intelligence to the people of Wellington, who have waited long and anxiously for a Post OfSae more suitable to the importance of the New Zealand metropolis than the antiquated, tumbledowu, inconvenient, and positively unsife collection of decayed sheds which now does duty for the Wellington Chief Post Omce. The letter-box referred to in our issue of yesterday has already come somewhat to grief. A citizen passing down the street in a hurry butted into the box and demolished the glass tront. He did not wait to effect repairs, but, uttering a naughty expression, went on his way anything but rejoioing, except in so far as he had some satisfaction for the annoyance caused by this awkward postal contrivance. Mr. W. Hickson, J.P., occupied the Bench at the R.M. Court to-day. Two first offenders, charged with drunkenness, were fined 5s each, and Peter Robertson, a previous offender, was fined 10s, with the alternative of 48 hours' imprisonment. In regard to Wildam Windmill, who was charged with being drunk while iv charge of a horse and express, a medical certificate from Dr. France was produced, stating that the defendant was still too unwell to appear in 1 Court. The case was accordingly further adjourned for a week. The only other charge oa the sheet was one against a young man named John alias Thomas Smith, alias John M Oainnesa. who was charged, by one Sarah Igoe, with having, on the 11th in at , assaulted and ravished her with intent, &c. On the application of the police, the prisoner was remanded till Tuesday next without any evidence being offered or required. Yesterday afternoon several children were playing on the breastwork, near the schooner Albatross, when one of them fell into the water. A seaman belonging to the sohooner promptly jumped overboard and suoceeded in rescuing the child. After the business of the annual meeting of the Philosophical Society has been disposed of this evening, the following papers will be read : — (1) On a fundamental error in Dynamics, bj Victor Falkner. (2) on new Cephalopoda ; and (3) on new Sertularians, by T. W. Kirk. Some very interesting minerals and other curiosities will be exhibited and explained by Dr. Hector.

The escaped lunatic, M'lntosh, was oaptnred last night in the vicinity of Polhill Gully. It seems the police had reason to BUBpect that he would visit a certain house in Palmar-street yesterday evening, and Constables Evans and Collarton were accordingly instructed to watch the place. Shortly after arriving there, they discovered M'lntosh lying perdu in a clump of trees. He waa at once onveyed baok to the Asylum. In explanation of the manner in wh'ch he managed to eff«ct hia escape, he raid he watched hia opportunity, and broke through a window, taking to hia heels until at a safe distance from the institution. A pleasing ceremony took place at the Schoolroom, Kaiwarra, laßt evening, when Mr. G. S. EraiJß, the head-maßter of the school, who has recently resigned his position, was presented with a very handBorne writing cabinet and a tastefully illuminated address expressing the esteem in which he was held by hi 3 scholars and their appreciation of his efforts on their behalf. The presentation was made by Mr. J. 1 hompBon on behalf of the pupils, who, in a few words, conveyed to Mr. Evans the expression of the feelings of the children, and also mentioned the r gret which waß felt by many at his departure. The children mustered In strong force, and a number of the parents were present. After giving three cheers for Mr. Evans and singing the National Anthem the proceedings terminated. An apprentice on board the ship Euterpe, which arrived here the other night, died yesterday afternoon from consumption. The deceased, a youth named David Peddie, about 19 years old, had been attended on Thursday evening by Dr. Diver, serious symptoms having set in. Soon after bis death some mean-Bpirited person broke open a clothes' chest in the cab.n occupied by the deceased, and stole therefrom three or four pounds. The police are endeavouring to trace the thief, and it is to be hoped they WjII soon Bucceed. Certain difficulties, however, Btand in tho way of sheeting home such a charge to the offender. In the first place it appears no one jb in a position to identify the stolen money if recovered, secondly, the thief effected his contemptible object unobserved so far as is known, and, thirdly, a question arises as to whom the property now properly belongs to. It may be added that ship's flags were hoisted at half-mast when the death occurred. We have received the following letter from Mr. J. C Cooper, Cambridge Terrace : — " Will you kindly inform myself and other victimß (in pocket) of the wisdom and foresight of our City Fathers, whether it is intended that water from the mains shall be need for domestic purposes only ? If there had been a soarcity I could have understood it, but the reservoir being full, and no notice to the contrary, I thought I might venture to wash my windows, but was immediately stopped by one of the many unknown ones, presumably in the employ of the City Corporation. A water-sart never being seen up our way, I think they need not begrudge a gallon or two of water to wash the dust off during a time of plenty." The examinations for Primary Scholarships, given by the Governors of Wellington College, were held at the College on the 2nd and 3rd of this month, Messrs. J. Maokay, M.A., and W. G. Thistle, 8.A., being the examiners. They report to the Governors that 14 candidates presented themselves, that all the papers sent in were creditable, while some were exceedingly good. The candidates passed in tho following order : — Luckie, Clark, Mowbray, Wallace, Myers, Wils in, Tripe, Merlet, Bannister, Tattle, Redward, Koch, Robertson (these three equal), and Rose. Of these, Myers, Wilson, and Merlet, will obtain the three Scholarships vacant, the first four boys in the examination already holding Education Board Scholarships. The man Alexander de la Roche, who, it ia alleged, obtained money and goods of a Taranaki-street storekeeper by personating a detective under circumstances reported yesterday, and for whose apprehension a warrant has been issued, is still at large. The Te Aro Thespian Club announce an entertainment to be given in the Princess Theatre, Tory-street, on Friday evening, in aid of St. Mark's Schoolroom. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. We understand that Mr W. H. Levin, M.H.R., has been appointed Consular Agent for the United States, vice Capt. M'lntyre, who has left the city. The Hon. John Hal), Premier of the colony, when in Auckland narrowly esoaped being interviewed by an ambassador who would have caused him no small surprise had he not been intercepted. He attempted (says the Herald) to enter the Northern Club, and when questioned as to his objeot, the man stated that he was hhjah the prophet, that he had come down from heaven with an important message for the Hon. J. Hall, which he waa bound to deliver to him personally for the good of the colony. It was at onoe seen that the man was not in his proper senaes, and a policeman was called. He was brought to the station, where^ he was recognised as Elijah Roose, a settler at Pukekohe, where hia wife and family reside. He was committed to the Lunatic Asylum. The body of a man, name unknown, has been found in the Opawa river, Blenheim. On being searched and examined no marks of violence were found. The body appeared to have been in the water for about eight days, and is that of a Man apparently between 35 and 40 years of age, of stout build, about; sft 7in high, full features, reddish beard and moustache, the latter cut straight across the upper lip. Deceased was dreßsed in fine black sac coat, black oloth fancy pattern vest, moleskin trousers, fancy pattern, striped cotton shirt, and laceup boots. Nothing (adds the Marlborough Times) was found in the pockets except a piece of paper and a pocket-knife The paper, which apparently had been written upou. wae, however, bo saturated with water j that nothing could be made out. A correspondent of the PateaMail writes :— " 'lhe wells of Hawera are in too many instances the stagnant receptacles of surfaoe drainage, lhe asaertioa is no inetaphorioal presentment. A respectable pluminer who has repaired pumps on several occasions found that on opening the wells (which were hermetically closed), the air nearly asphyxiated him by the sndden escape of carbonic acid gas with which the closed wells were surcharged. On emptying their waterg the effluvium of some of them is described as overpowering and sickening. The waters were quite green, and the emissions from their letid and putrid volume produce violent vomiting." Yesterday was a gala day at Johnsonville. The local Sunday and day schools held a combined fete at the picturesque bay at Porirua. A capital band, under the leadership of Mr. Asher, was obtained from Wellington, while Mr. Prosser's large coaches, a number of expresses from Wellington, and all the available vehicles in the village, were chartered to convey the party to the bay, while some 30 equestrians in addition mad* up quite an imposing cavalcade. Having arrived at the spot selected, a capital repast, prepared by Mrs. Orbell and other ladies, was partaken of, after which various amusements were indulged in. The return trip was all that oonld be desired, and the day was womnd up by a dance in the Oddfellows' Hall. To-morrow (Sunday) evening, at 8 30, a grand sacred concert will be given, in which Miss Montague will sing " I will extol Thee" ("Hi") and Gounod's "Aye Maria," Mr. Turner "Cujus Animam" ("Stabat Mater") and "If with all your hearts" ("Elijah"), while the other members of the company will contribute soloa and choruses. Tbia will afford an exceptional musical treat. The concert will be given at the Theatre Royal, and tickets will be obtainable at Holliday's up to 10 o'clock this evening, also at the Theatre aft-r 8 p.m. to-morrow. The third Australian Eleven about to visit England will comprise Messrs. Evans, Massie, Murdoch, Spofforth, A. Bannerman, T. Garrett, Bouner, T. Horan, Blackham, Boyle, Palmer, Percy M'Donnell. and Giffen The team leaves for Home in March. The Australasian says that, " taken as a whole, probably a stronger all-round team never went into a cricket field." Mr. W. S. Crawfmrd headed the list of winners in the English racing world last season, with 25 wins, value £17 919. Mr. P. Lorillard, the American, was next with nine wins, value .£17,913. Mr. J. R. Keene, the owner of Foxhall, won six races, value .£4966. This does not include the Grand Prix de Paris. Among the horses the American Iroquois was a long way at the head of the list with seven victories, value .£16,805 ; Thebais being next, with six wins, value £10,307. Dutch Oven headed the two year olds, with nine victories, value £9i29 ; Kermeßse being next, with five wins, value £7117. Peter, the unoertain five year old, started 16 times, and won three, value £4351. Bend Or was at the head of the four year olds, with three victories, value £4262 ; Robert the Devil next, with four wins, value .£3004 ; Petronel, by Musket, being third, with Eeven victories, value £2677. i A good deal has been written both for and against early marriages (says the European Mail), but we think there can be but one opinion about lads marrying upon wages which would hardly provide themselves with the bare necessaries of life. Last week, in a Devonshire village, an apprentice, seventeen years of age, led to the hymeneal altar a country beauty scarcely the same age, and the amount earned by him was only 9a per week. From Sheffield we hear of a still sadder case, where an " office bey " (over 20 years of age, it ia true) waa not only a husband, but a father, and he had to keep house and home together on 63 per week ! Surely in these cas^s, if the men be only willing to work, a muoa better life ia open to them in the colonies.

A juryman named Patrick Lahane amused ! himsi'f during a coroner's court at Glen I Inius, N.^.W., writing obscene lines. The coroner ca led him up after the inqneet, and sent him to gaol for 48 hours. The charge, " resisting a constable in the execution of his duty," has rather a wide application. '1 he other day (cays the Sydney Kveni- g News) a woman astonished seniorconstable M'lntosh by folding him to her breast. She was not pretty, and the nngallant officer charged her with " resitting a constable in the exeoution of bi3 duty." She was fined. The conservator of the peace evidently regarded the lady as irresistible. After this episode it cannot always be Eaid that a policeman's lot is not a happy one. The following is a sample of the election bills common to England The account is stated to be a copy of one actually rendered .- " E. Wayman, Esq., Q.C., dr to James Barbage—lßßl—Sept. 3, to Sept. 7— Professional services as a pugilist to keep the roughs m order, attending at the Lion, Corn Exchange, and generally humbugging about, £3 3s. Messrs. A. M'Gee and H. Power having leased the billiard-room in connection with the Melbourne Hotel, an advertisement will ba found referring to the above in another column. Messrs. M'Dowell Bros, announce a clearing sale of .£4500 worth of drapery during the present month. A selection of the bargains to be offered will be found iv our ; advertising columns. Those interested in landed properties and bank and insuranre Bhares will doubtless note the sale, on Wednesday next, of the ! valuable properties in the estate of the late Mr. Wm. Miller, to be sold by Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co., which include the well-known and old-established Commercial Hotel with a frontage to Willis-street of 11H links, containing some 60 rooms ; the Empire Hotel, Featherston, near the railway station, ia also included, as well as a fourroomed house in Allan-street and sections in the township of Fitzherbert. The stock includes Bank of New Zealand and Colonial Bank shareß, and National and Colonial Insurance. As the sale is unreserved, it should be a good opportunity for investment.