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New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2816, 6 February 1873, Page 2

We notice that Wellington papers advertise for vessels to proceed to Greymouth, and there load up with coal. Formerly, tho charge for towage of vessols across tho Greymouth bar was 20s per ton, and this impost added on to tho freight, together with the cost of the coal and lighterage, kept the market closed against vessels, excepting those arriving at Greymouth with cargoes of general merchandise, and which filled up with coal instead of returning in ballast. The people of Greymouth have now conio to consider their own interests from a more liberal and commercially enlightened view. Tho tngowners have announced that all vessels trading to the port of Greymouth, for the express purpose of loading up with coal, will obtain towage at 3s per ton, instead of 20s, as heretofore. This will, no doubt, act as a great incentive for coal traders to lay on vessels for the purpose of filling up with coal. Vessels, however, drawing more than ten feet of water should not bo chartered, as tbo Grey channel occasionally silts up, and vessels drawing over this may meet with considerable detention. A speciul meeting of the Auckland Improvement Commissioners was held yesterday afternoon, at tho office of tho Commissioners, Albert Barracks. There were five members present. Mr. P. A. Philips was in tho chair. Tho business considered vras the question of a road from Princes-street to Coburg-street, upon which csneiderable discussion took place. The question of selling the Barrack wall was considered, and was referred to Captain lleale, to call for tenders for tho sale of as much of the wall as he might consider advisable. A report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere. Tho popularity of the Magnet "Variety Troupe in no way decreases, notwithstanding the fact that they have already been playing for nearly three -weeks. Last evening the theatre was again well filled in every part, the dress circle, in particular, being well patronised. Of courso tho centre of attraction was Lottie, who, in conjunction with her brothers Frank and Victor, 011 tho treble trapeze, was a marvel of quickness and ability. On the flying trapeze she went through some most daring feats, which drew forth tho most unbounded applause. The other portions of the programme were as entertaining as usual.

The ILiuraki Sawmill, erected by Messrs. Heron and Co, in Shorthand, was started to work on Tuesday. Tho machinery worked smoothly and easily, and the breaking down and Hitching saws being set in motion, soou showed the power of this line piece of mechanism. The engine, which is culled a compound engine, being fitted with high and low pressure cylinders, is admirably adapted for the work which it has to perform. It is of Auckland manufacture, from the foundry of Messrs. Fraser and Tinne, and is highly oreditable, not only to the founders, but to the province.

A monthly meeting of the Committee of tho Mechanics' Institute was held on Tuesday evening, Mr. G. 3?. Moss presiding. It was announced that tho arrangements had been completed with all the London publshers of periodical literature to forward copies of each monthly, quarterly, and monthly parts of each weekly pei-iodical. There are now fifty periodicals (current numbers in the colony) on the table for circulation. An addition has been made to the Scotch and Irish papers ordered, as well aa to English political week of tho highest class.

A correspondent writes : —" "We had another quarterly visit at Pukekolse West from the Her. T. Norrie, who preached in tho schoolroom oil Sabbath last, at 7 p.m., to a large congregation. At the close of the service Mr. Norrie congratulated tho meeting on the success of these services, and also on the prospect of a fuller supply in future, as the Kev. Mr. McCallum would preach on Sabbath the Oth February, Tuakau, at 11 a.m., and in the school-room here, at 3 p.m."

Tho annualmeeting of the members of the Presbyterian congregation (Pukekohe East), was held in the church on the afternoon of Monday, the 3rd February,—the Rev. T. Norrie in the chair. The report for the past year was read by Mr. G. Easton (treasurer), and adopted. The following parties were appointed as a committee of management for the current year, viz. :—Messrs. J. Comrie, Smith, Young, Sharp (secretary), and Gr. Kaston (treasurer).

About a twelvemonth ago Mr. Clayton, of the Thames, published a book, entitled, " True or False ? an Inquiry into the endlessness of the Future Punishment of those who do not in this life receive the Lord Jesus as their Saviour." Mr. Clayton has now issued a second edition. Our Thames morning contemporary thinks that, now times are dull, some people may try to read, but does not think that any one will understand its scope and purport.

The inquiry into the complaints made by Mr. J. B. .Russell of the conduct of Mr. Beckham, R.M., was resumed yesterday, before the commissioners. Several witnesses were called to verify reports of proceedings in newspapers. The inquiry, as we stated yesterday, is private, and conducted therefore with closed doors. The inquiry will occupy several days, perhaps a week or two.

The Thames gas-works is making rapid progress. Gas will be ready to be laid on in«ide of a month. Intending consumers, it appears, have neglected making provision for the necessary fittings, so that only a few will be prepared to have the gas laid on to their premises from the mains by the time it is ready for them.

In our report yesterday of the proceedings of the Grammar School Board, reference was made to tho case of J. Rigg, the eon of the respected and well-known Minister. Master B-igg -was winner of one of the provincial scholarships, which carry 'with them free tuition and £30 a-year for two years. These scholarships were confined to lads under 15, and Rigg took the first place in tho list of the successful candidates. Unfortunately, he was 15 on the 17th December, just the dav before the examinations took place. They had been deferred to an unusually late period, and, of course,-, so far as tho "spirit of the regulation is concerned, young Bigg is entitled to his prize. But others interested have protested, and as they have with them the letter of the regulations, the Provincial Scholarships Committee, with whom rests the ultimate decision, are in a position of some embarrassment. On the one hand they may be charged with acting unjustly towards other candidates, and on the other hand they mar subject to ponalties a lad who has worked hard and acquitted himself meritoriously, while the ■ delay in bringing on the examination was no fault of his. The Bev. Mr. Bigg (father of the young gentleman) wrote to the Board expressing his desire to resign the scholarship rather than have any unpleasantness or subject the Board to charges of unfairness. JTo doubt, however, the Board, under the peculiar circumstances, will endeavour to find some way of marking its sense of the lad's exertions, even if they take advantage of his father's offer.

It is noticed in yesterday's Provincial Gazette that the Board of Education, under the Education Act, 1572, have constituted the districts to be educational districts under the Act, and have appointed times and places of meetings for the election of District School Committees for tho districts which are as follows :—lhe Auckland West No. 1 Educational District: Meeting for election of committee, this evening, at 7.30, at the Carlton Academy, tTobson-street. The Auckland West Educational District, No. 2: Meeting for election of committee, to-morrow, at 7.30 p.rn, Catholic Institute, TTelling-ton-strect. The Auckland East Educational District: Meeting, Mechanics' Institute, 10th instant. The Parnell Educational District: Meeting, Parnell Public Hall, 11th instant. The Dedwood Educational District: Meeting, Spring Villa School-house, Ponsonby Road, ISth instaut. Devonport Educational District: Moeting, District School-house, 7th instant, at 7 p.m. The Newton Educational District: Meeting, St. David's Schoolroom, 12th instant, 7.30 p.m. Mount ITobaon Educational District: Meeting, Presbytorian School-house, 13th instant, at 7.30 p.m. The Waiotahi Educational District: Meeting, Grahamstown, 10th instant. The Kauwaeranga Educational District: Meeting, Shortland, 10th instant.

An act of incendiarism was attempted in Newton Road on Tuesday night last, and, unfortunately, the guilty party baa as yet escaped detection. The police, however, are using every effort to discover the offender and bring him to justice. It is to be hoped that their efforts will prove successful. The house which the attempt was made to destroy is the property of Mr. E. Wood, Syrnonds-street, and had just been completed, and was unoccupied. From what was afterwards discovered, the would-be incendiary must have opened the window of the house and thrown in a large quantity of matches, and some kerosene. He must then have thrown some ignited matches into the room, and afterwards taken a precipitate departure, as the firo was directly discovered. Mr. May, who was living next door, heard the matches struck, and at once went to Mr. Wood's building, which he found on fire. Two buckets of water were at hand, and with these Mr. May managed to extinguish the fire. A person was seen running away from the place, but there was no time for pursuit—unless the building had been sacrificed, and the capture and punishment of an incendiary would but have been poor comfort for the loss by fire of uninsured property.

The annual meeting of the Polceno Presbyterian congregation war held in the School-room, Polceno, on the afternoon of the Ist instant, —the Kev. T. JS T orrie in the chair. The report for the past year was read by the secretary (Mr. E. Rhodes), from which it appeared that £14 8i had been raised for the stipend fund ; thii sum being about £5 more than that of the previous year. There was also an increase in the special collections. Tho report was adopted, and the following committee appointed for the year 1573 :— Messrs. E. Riiodes (secretary), John Wright (treasurer), C. Bathgate, Peter Macpherson, and W. Douglas, sen. A committee was also appointed to get tho building repaired and cemetery cleared and fenced. It was agreed by a majority of the meeting to adopt the "Presbyterian Hyinnal." On the following Sunday tho Rev. T. Norrie preached to a large and interested congregation, and the communion was dispensed to twenty-seven communicants. Mr. John Leydon, who returned last evening from his second overland trip to Whangamata, reports (says the Thames Advertiser) that there is but little change in the aspect of affairs. The survey of the township at Whangamata has not yet commenced, but a number of persons have moved 011 to the ground in anticipation of its being marked off in streets. The men are moving from their different encampments on the telegraph track down to Whangamata, where there are about thirty tents erected. Mr. Wilson, of McMillan and Wilson, is erecting a new store at Whangamata. We understand that the majority of the miners are not in very exuberant spirits at the prospects they have been able to find, although it is believed that gold has been found on both sides of the range. We presume that the Post-office authorities will soon recognise the existence of Whangamata by calling for tenders for the conveyance of a mail from Shortland to that place.

The want of rain is greatly felt in the Waikato districts. Our Waikato contemporary says:—It commenced to rain on Monday evening, and, judging from appearances, there i 9 every probability of the downpour continuing for some hours. We trust that appearances will not deceive us, as our rivers are nearly unuavigable, and forty-eight hours' rain would huve the desired effect of opening the traffic. —The same paper says : —A deserter from the Dido was captured by a detective from Auckland yesterday morning. He was a passenger by Quick's coach. Unfortunately for him, some slight mishap occurred to the coach. During the consequent delay ho was discovered, and has been sent back to Auckland.

The annual meeting of the members and adherents of the Presbyterian, congregation, Drury, was held in the church on the evening of Monday, the 3rd of February, the Bev. T. Norrie in the chair. The report for the past year was read by D. Brisbane, treasurer, from which it appeared that £18 14s lid had been raised for the stipend fund, and some additional subscriptions were yet expected. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee of management for the present year, viz.:—Messrs. Nisbet, Smith, Sutherland, H. Alexander (secretary), and D. Brisbane (treasurer).

It wag a subject of frequent remark to-day, says our Thames evening contemporary of last night, that the quantity of thietle-down floating in the air reminded the observers of some districts in the Australian colonies. High up, as far as the eye could penetrate, soaring towards the blue clouds, these migratory emissaries of future orops of almost ineradicable weeds were to be seen. From whence they came, or whither t.hey were bound, we cannot say ; but as the wind set in that direction, the Hauraki Gulf and distant shore should receive a fair share of them.

A meeting of the householders of the Tararu Educational District will be held at the Presbyterian Church, Tararu, to-morrow, for the election of a school committee. A meeting of the householders of the ICuuwaeranga district will also be lield on the same day, for a like purpose.

In pursuance of section 15 of the Hauraki District Fire Rate Act, 1872, his Honor the Superintendent proclaims that the Act shall come into operation oil the 15th inst.

We take the following from the Thames Adve.rtiser:—"As it is evident that Te Hira has made some kind of protest against the opening of "Whangamata and Hikutaia as a goldfield, it may bo interesting to state some particulars we have learned as to his connection with the purchase. Te Hira is not an owner in the block; but as an influential chief in one of the tribes found entitled, a sum was to be paid to him as & recognition of his authority. He received, through Karaitiana, the sum of £10, which he took with him to the meeting at Maungatautari. He there presented the money to King Tanhiao, saying, 'My people have been selling land, and here is part of the price. Shall X give it to you, or shall I keep it, or shall I hand it back ?' To which Tawhiao replied, 'By all means hand it back.' "We hear that Te Jlira complied, and handed back the money to Karaitiana. I'ukukiuo refused to accept any money at all. Tukukino was declared by the Court to be one of the owners of a strip at the southern part of the block, and we presume that his refusal to acquiesce will hinder the Provincial Government from acquiring that portion. Te Hera's refusal to receive monev is a matter with which a purchaser has nothing to do; it is entirely a matter of etiquette amongst the natives themselves."

Our Thames correspondent writes : —The usual annual treat to the children of the Grahainstown and Shortland Catholic Schools is now taking place, at the Elysium Gardens, Tararu, where there are upwards of 320 children present, with a large number of their friende. The children belonging to the Shortland school mustered about 10 a.m., and, headed by the Town Baud, marched into Graliamstown, where they were joined by ths Graham stow 11 school, and the whole party was conveyed to Tararu by the Tramway Company, who had four carriages ar.d seven trucks running, and in less t'nan half an hour it was estimated that over 500 were conveyed by I lie two trips, and this number has been steadily swelled every hour. The children were attended by Fathers Nivard and Gouldea, and for their amusement the swings and other paraphernalia in the garden are at their disposal, while in the way of edibles, everything that can conduce to their enjoyment will be furnished.

A meeting of the members and adherents of the Presbyterian congregation at Ramarama was held in the church, on the eTening of the 2Sth ultimo, —the Rev. T. Norrie in chair. A report of the contributions received for the half-year ended December 31, 1872, was read by Mr. Milburne, the treasurer, and was found satisfactory,—and thanks were given to the collectors. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee of management for the current year, viz. : — Messrs. Strong, Sturgeon, A. Buchanan, and Milburne (secretary and treasurer). It was agreed to take the necessary steps towards getting a title-deed for the site of the church and cemetery, and the following were appointed local trustees : —Messrs. Milburne, Strong, Sturgeon, James Rutherford, jun., and "William Luke. It was uuanimously agreed to adopt the " Presbyterian Hymnal" in the services of this congregation.

It is notified in the Provincial Government Gazette, issued yesterday, that re-entry has been made by the lessor upon ground demised by the leases hereunder named, and the lessees' estates therein determined, and that the land therein mentioned trill be open for occupation, under the Gold Mining Districts Act, 1871: —Edward Norris (assigned to the Lowland I/asa Gold Mining Company, Registered) : 15 years' lease of 14 acres 3 roods and 34 perches, 44 men's ground, situated on Tararu Creek, adjoining the Yulcan claim ; lease dated 7th February, 1871. The Commercial Gold Mining and Quartz Crushing Company, Registered (assigned to John Earl and John Binny) : 15 years' lease of 9 acres 2 roods and 17 perches, 28 men's ground, situated on Lucky Hit Creek, and bounded bv unoccupied ground ; lease dated 4th Sept., 1871.

We understand that Messrs. Brogden and Sons haTe purchased the steamer Faterson, and fitted her up, at a cost of £10,000, in a most superior style, expressly for the passenger trade of New Zealand. It is the intention of this eminent firm to spare no expense in securing a portion of the carrying trade of our coasts. Our old friend Captain A. Kennedy is in command, a sufficient guarantee to the public that thi< service will be well conducted. As an evidence of the increase of prosperity, we heartily welcome the Patersou to our port, and wish her worthy commander and enterprising owners every success, Mr. Jone3 is the agent.

To-night the first meeting of residents under the new Education Act will be held for City West, No. 1 district, at the Carleton Academy, Uobsou-afcreet- At this meeting a school committee will be formed and preparations made for bringing a school into immediate operation for the district. Until schools under the Act are started in the City—West and East, —in Parnell, Newton, and Dedwood, it can hardly be expected that the tar will ba paid very cheerfully. The residents of these districts will be called together in a few days, and, doubtless, the different schools will be all in working order in less than a month. Last night the Parnell Public Hall was brilliantly illuminated, largely and fashionably attended, and was the scene of much magnificent dressing and elegant declamation. The occasion was the representation of " private theatricals" by several residents of the district, who, haying been seized with a desire to don the sock and buskin, last evening made their appearance in one or two light pieces, it is to be presumed, to their own satisfaction and the delight of their numerous friends and admirers. On Tuesday last the annual show of the Mahurangi Agricultural Society took place at Wavkworth, Upper Mahurangi. A full report from our correspondent appears in another place. From all accounts, the show seems to have been a most successful one, and for the extent, excellence, and variety of its purely agricultural exhibits, to have equalled, if not surpassed, the late provincial show. Tho performance tendered by the Thames Garrick Club in aid of the St. George's Church Building Fund, came off on Tuesday night at the Academy of Music, but notwithstanding the Taried character of the programme, the audience was only a moderate one. Two minister* in connection with the "Wesloyan body, are passengers by the Warwick, shortly expected in Auckland. Their names are Bond and Carr ; one of them, it is believed, Trill be stationed at the Thames, and the other in another part of the province. By order of his Honor tho Superintendent, the charge of sixpence per head is to be paid by the owners of sheep for any examination held under the provisions of the Sheep Act, 1863, Amendment Act, 1871. The case against the man Carroll, for criminal assault against a child, will be proceeded with to-day. The child is much better than she was, and will be in a fie state to give evidence. Signor Ferrari's troupe of performing monkeys, in conjunction with the American Wizard, will appear at the Catholic Institute this evening. There will also be a programme composed of vocal and instrumental music. The alterations in the boundaries of the Ararimu North Highway District is set forth in the Provincial Government Gazette of the sth inßt. Certified copies of the assessment lists for the Titirangi, Waikomiti, and Hikurangi Highway Districts have been forwarded to the Provincial Secretary. A TSew district, to be called the Rangitopuni Highway District, has been gazetted, and its boundaries defined. No lesi than 23 weddings, according to a local paper, are about to take place in Wanganui. The Dog Nuisance Act hai been proclaimed in force in the Mongonui township. A severe shock of an earthquake vras felt at Marlborough on tho 29th ultimo.