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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5284, 18 January 1879, Page 2

Yesterday afternoon Mr M. R. Miller received from Dr. Hector the following telegram in relation to Hawke's Bay produce at the Sydney Exhibition : — " The Government are about appointing com - missioners for the Sydney Exhibition. It is so late in the season that no time should be lost in securing wool, which should be well represented. The Govern-, ment will feel obliged by your doing your utmost pending official application." Mr Miller requests us to state that he will gladly take charge of wool, grain, or other produce of this province, and forward the same to the commissioners. Wool growers are specially invited, for the interest of this district particularly, to use every exertion to have our staple well represented, and there is no doubt that samples of wheat can be obtained which will do justice to our soil and climate. Indeed, late as it is in the season, it is to be hoped that Hawke's Bay will bo fully represented. Auckland bred cattle have already Avon first honors in New South Wales, we can hope to see the same awards not only to the Lincoln, cotswold, and merino of this district, but also that our neighboring colonists and all assembled at the Exhibition will see that we can produce wheat, oats, barley, and timber of the highest class. A case of considerable interest to school committees occupied the .attention of the R. M. Court yesterday. Mr Neil Thompson, as chairman of the Meanee School Committee, sued Mi' Waterhouse, late secretary and treasurer to the Committee, for the books and moneys in his hands. Mr Lee appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Macdonald for the defendant. It appeared from the facts which were admitted on both sides, that the Meanee school district was duly formed and a committee elected early in last year, and that in December last, from some causes which did not transpire, all the members of the committee except the Chairman and Mr Rymer resigned. The remaining members, professing to act under section 6-i of the Education Act, filled up the vacancies, and appointed a new secretary and treasurer, Mr Waterhouse having been one of the resigning members. The new committee directed the money and books to be obtained from the previous secretary, who declined to deliver them, as it appeared from the defence, on the ground that they did not belong to the committee but to the Board, and that the new committee was improperly elected, owing to the want of a quorum, under section 70, and that the old members held office until their successors were appointed, so that in fact Mr Waterhouse still remained a committeeman and secretaiy. His Worship said, as the matter required some consideration, he should reserve his decision till Tuesday next. The programme of the entertainment to be given next Monday evening at the Theatre Royal will be found in our advertising columns. It includes the piece of "Old Phil's Birthday, "a musical interlude, and the farce of the ' ' Happy Man, or Paddy in India." Among the performers are Messrs Swan, Hodgson, Bear, Jerraines, Ashton, Mogridge, and Burton, and Miss Marie Wilton and Miss Graham. Mrs Hood, and Messrs Scott and Edwards ■will take part in the musical interlude. As we statod yesterday, the entertainment is for the benefit of those members of the Hoskins Dramatic Troupe who have been left in Napier, but the remark we made as to the circumstances which rendered the benefit necessary, was not j intended to include Miss Wilton. We i have no doubt the entertainment will be a thorough success, as besides the purpose for which it will be given, it will afford a capital evening's amusement. From Clive we learn that there was a shock of earthquake there on Thursday night at about 20 minutes to ;it is reported as the severest shock that has been felt there for a number of years. There was also a second shock there, as there was in Napier, at about 20 minutes to 12. We also learn that at Hastings and Kopua there were earthquake shocks at about the same time as they were felt in Napier. In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before R. Stuart, Esq., R.M., several civil cases were disposed of. — Tuxford v. M'Kay, claim for £7 10s. Defendant did not appear, and judgment was given for plaintiff, and costs, less 6s j for mileage. — Noal and Close v. W. A. Baker, claim for £9 10s lOd for goods supplied. Defendant not appearing, • judgment was given by default, with costs. — Haggo v. Farrel, claim £2 0s 3d. Judgment for plaintiff, and costs. — Bennett and Brooking v. Ben Smith, claim for £34. This case was adjourned, on defendant's application, till the 22nd instant. A meeting of the Hospital Committee will be held on Monday next, at 2 p.m. Our Woodville correspondent writes under date January 15 : — " The question of obtaining the services of a medical man for the district, which has been mooted for some time past, has at last taken a definite shape. Last week a committee of seven was formed for the purpose of obtaining promises for a guarantee. The Woodville riding is now being canvassed with that object, and it is expected that a good sum will be guaranteed. From the frequent accidents which do occur, and are likely to occur, and the increase of population in this district, a very fair practice for a doctor may be expected at the end of the term of the guarantee (three years). — Another accident, which might have resulted seriously, or even fatally, occurred to Mr J. Monteith on Thursday last. When about to shoot a bullock in his slaughtor-yard, the rifle which he was using exploded, severely lacerating his loft hand, but luckily breaking no bones. Mr_ J. Edwards, who was standing by his side, escaped uninjured. Mr Monteith at once proceeded to Palmerston, where his hand was attended to. — The settlers have commenced to harvest their wheat, and a good yield is expected. Several are getting hand-mills for threshing and making into fiour.

It is not surprising, says the Jurist, under the circumstances, that difficiilty is experienced in filling up a vacant District Judgeship. The Judgoship created some months ago at Napier is still vacant, and it is not known that anybody is to bo appointed — although there have been several applications for it. It has been stated in the newspapers that the appointment has been offered to one or two professional men of good standing, and declined. A Judgeship with £750 a year and two or throe minor offices attached to it, can hardly be an object of ambition to members of the Bar. As the District Courts are certain to fill a larger space in the administration of justice from year to year, there should be no hesitation in seeking to elevate the position of the Judges. In the article in yesterday's HERALD in reference to the title of " Honorable" for life, the word "firm" was misprinted prim. The' sentence should read, '_' It is either so or else our Premier is subject to hallucinations which take so firm a hold of his mind that they become realities." In another sentence the word "cannot" was omitted; it should have been printed, "As he gives no reason for his opinion in that respect, we cannot argue with him on the point, but tho absurdity of the conclusion is on the face of it palpable." The Rev. D. Sidey will lecture in St. Paul's Church on Sabbath evening, on Mr Colenso and the Inspiration of the Scriptures. The largest single stamp yet printed in New Zealand was shewn to us (N.Z. Herald) on Saturday. Its value is £7305." It was printed specially to affix to tho probate in Captain Read's ostatc, the above amount being the stamp duty assessed upon it. Captain Read's property was estimated at under £100,000, but tho Government, not beingsatisfied with the valuation, Mr T. Cotter, the present Deputy-Commis-sioner of Stamps, went to Gisborne to investigate matters. The result of his visit was an increase in the value to nearly £150,000, at which amount the estate was passed. Captain Read came to New Zealand as cook in one of the sailing vessels, and subsequently settled in Poverty Bay, at which place, in consequence of the influence he had obtained, he received the appellation of "King of Poverty Bay." His success shews to what positions of affluence colonists may attain by energy and perseverauce. A Wellington lawyer was set down a little in the Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday last. According to the Times, he was questioning a witness who mentioned incidentally that a dinner was given by certain railway contractors in Westport " to tho lawyers and principal people." " Oh," remarked counsel, in search of a compliment, "Do you look upon lawyers as the principal people ?" The witness smiled patronisingly, and replied, "Yes, in Westport." I said "principal" because there are more lawyers than other people there. Counsel proceeded with tho examination. An event unparalleled in the history of the colony of .New Zealand (says the Timaru Herald) is about to take place in the North Island. It is no less than a meeting between two crowned heads, namely, his Majesty Tawhiao 1., King of the Maoris, and his Majesty the King of all Raratonga. As regards the latter illustrious personage, we may say his kingdom comprises a group of South Sea Islands known as Cook Islands or the Harvey Archipelago, of which the principal is Raratonga, the seat of Government. They lie about midway between the Society and Navigator groups, and have a total population of about 50,000 souls. The King of Raratonga is a Christian, as also are most of his swarthy subjects. We are not aware whether he has undertaken the sea voyage of several thousand miles purely to visit his royal "cousin" Tawhaio, or whether indeed the latter ever expressed a desire to make his acquaintance. However that may be, the meeting must not be underrated, as it is sure to have tho effect of still further strengthening the friendly relations which at present exist between the Maori and Raratonga nations ; and of securing a lasting peace. We hope the King of Raratonga may prevail on his Majesty the King of the Maoris to return with him to the Harvey Archipelago escorted by all his tribe. It seems that the Native Minister is to be present at the royal meeting, and also Rewi. Could not these two put their heads together and convince Tawhaio that a sea voyage is absoutely necessary for his health ? We shall look forward with great interest to the "special" report of all that takes place, and shall expect a full daily account of the doings of each magnate. By-the-bye ; how is it we heard nothing about the King of Raratonga's arrival in Auckland? What where the people there thinking about not to accord him a right royal reception ? His Excellency the Governor too, as Hor Majesty's representative, ought certainly to have extended some courtesy to so lllusti-ious a personage. Our fellow-colonists on the West Coast of the South Island had very uncomfortable weather for the holidays. The West Coast Times, Holdtika, of December 27 says : — "No more miserable picture could be pourtrayed than tho appearance of the town yesterday. The holiday of the year to which town and country folks were looking forward as a day of rest and recreation, added one more to the 250 wet days of the past year. After the flood of Monday and Tuesday last, which carried away numbers of embankments and approaches to bridges in every direction north and south, and which will cost the County Council over a thousand pounds to repair, the public had naturally concluded that Christmas Day would be the forerunner of a week's summer weather. But, just as it happens each year, aye, each month, when any sports are arranged — whether it be a race meeting, a cricket match, a picnic, or whatever else, all plans are suro to be j marred by an incessant downpour. Christinas or Eastor, it matters not when. All the seasons round, the elements set in, and the very best efforts are thereby frustrated. At least such has been the experienco of the past two years. Referring to our new Governor, the Timaru Herald says : — "We understand that Sir Hercules Robinson is possessed of considerable means, and that, although relinquishing a much more lucrative government than that of New Zealand, he is not likely to give any cause for cavil on the score of too guarded an expenditure. In all other respects, too, he seems to be calculated to make us a capital social Governor, as well as an able administrative one. He is a keen sportsman, and an advocate of out-door amusement ; and his idea of what tho ho?.:! of a colonial society ought to be may be summed up as a powerful official combined with a hearty country gentleman. We have sanguine hopes that he will do a great deal of good during his sojourn in New Zealand." A capital story is told of Marshal M'Mahon, the present French President, whon colonel. During a parade he had an altercation with an officer in the ranks who refused to obey him; M'Mahon finally threatened the offender, and the latter, drawing a pistol, took deliberate aim and ' fired. Fortunately the cap snapped. Without tho slightest sign of fear, cool and impassive, M'Mahon said, "Give that man fifteen days in the guard house for having his arms out of All honor to the inventive genius of the Richmond hotel keeper whoso dinner contained the item, " Swans, one guinea." "But I havn't had any swans !" protested the astonished guest. " It's the view, sir, from the hopon winder," explained the waiter, pointing with a fork to a Thames eyot. 'We don't charge for swans in a back room,", — Truth.

Mr R. G. Bachelder has experienced a heavy loss at Deniliquin, where his valuable panorama was destroyed by tho fire which consumed the town hall. It appears from the evidence taken at the inquest, that when the hall was being lighted up for the evening's exhibition, one of the kerosene lamps exploded, and the fire sproad along the stage. Mr Lord, tho manager of tho company, William Griffiths, tho mechanist, and others tried to boat out the fire, but it extended, and caught tho hangings of the panorama, and the rolls of the canvas upon which the panorama was painted could not be saved. In about ten minutes tho fire brigade arrived, and the fire was confined to the hall. Mr Bachelder and his company woro uuinsured, and their loss is a very heavy one. Tho explanation offered to account for tho explosion was that owing to the high temperature of the day, tho brasses of the lamp had become heated, and this affected the oil. The jury found, "The fire was occasioned through the bursting of a kerosene lamp while tho town hall was being lighted for an evening's performance of Bachelder's Company. That tho occurrence Avas purely accidental, and no blamo sooms to attach to anyone." Russia contains a JoAvish population of 3,000,000 souls, Avhich is a larger number than is to bo found in tho rest of Europe. The laws of the Empire contain a number of narroAv minded restrictions relating to the Jcavs, Avhich in other countries have long since been discontinued.