Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3994, 31 August 1874, Page 2

A telegram received in town on Saturday states that the member for Edeu, Mr. R. J. Creighton, has received an appoiniment from the General Government to go home as an immigration agent. Parliament will be prorogued to-day, for which purpose the House was adjourned on Saturday afternoon. A very heavy "pour down" of r;Jn occurred last evening about 5 o'clock, which had the effect ef swamping many parts of the outlying streets. The Queen-street gutters immediately above and below Wyndamstreet were flooded, and for i 4 while the water took possession of the footpaths. At the junction of Frauklyn and Freeman's Bay roads, where a dam is formed by the banking of the footpath, an iiiimense body of water collected in a few minutes, and overflowed the road to a considerable depth, much to the temporary inconvenience of pedestrians. The road leading to the railway station was also swamped and rendered impassable. The delay in forming a proper footpath to the railway station is really shameful. Yesterday evening the road was a perfect swamp, those wishing to reach the station having to walk ankle deep through mud ard water, i We were witness to the feats of one gentleman who had to tuck up his trouser "sleeves" and carry two lady companions a distance of several yards in his arms, through the waste of water which occupied the road. To have the station half-a-mile from the city is bad enough, but to allow that half-mile of road to remain in the disgraceful state it was in yesterday is just a trifle beyond a joke. During the last few weeks a number of offence 3 against the provisions of the multitudinous city by-laws have been adjudicated on in the Police Court. In several instances it appeared that the defendants were quite unaware that they had been committing any municipal impropriation, being ignorant of the existence of the regulations. It seems that sufficient publicity has nevtr been given to these laws. Some of them, at all events, should be placed prominently before the public in some manner—such, at least, as affect the safety of the citizens or their property. We understand that the excellent entertainment which was given in the Choral Hall on Friday evening last, in aid of the ordnance fund of the Mount Hobson Artillery ' Company, is to be repeated next Wednesday fortnight. As a long notice has been given, and the coming event will receive proper publicity, doubtless the attendance will be more satisfactory than on the former occasion. The Grahamstown branch of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society purpose celebrating their fourth anniversary on Monday evening, the seventh of Sep. tember.

Wa deeply regret (says the Thames Adxrtiser) to learn that the authorities we igain vacillating and hesitating about the jpening of the Upper Thames district, and ire patting off any definite decision on frarolous and vexations grounds. The naa .es themselves now declare that there are no great obstacles in the way, and wo rnaj safely conclude that Mr. Puckey, the .Native Agent at the Thames, has kept the Government well informed respecting the change that has taken place in the native mind on this important matter. Then why, it will be askecl, is not the country opened at once ? This is a question cot easily answered, and is one of those rnysterie* >.f the Native Department which no one outside the charmed circle can understand. The only explanation that we have seen given respecting this matter was afforded by a copy of a telegram which we recently published, and which was forwarded by the Native Minister tc- Mr. O'Eorke in December last, stating that the Government did not wish the country to be opened. The letter of our correspondent, '' -vy. c. " a»ain draws attention to the authenticity of the telegram of Mr. McLean, and he declares that the extract published bv us is substantially correct. It Mill be I remembered that the extract ran as follows : ; ii Thn -ks for your telegram about Tham?- > demonstvation. See editors of papers, - | induce them to write against it, and Ur tyj ■ tation taken by miners respecting Onaemuri. The Government do not wish «he country to be opened." The oiJy answer . from 'Wellington to the publication of this j message was one of a semi-official nature, ' declaring that it was a "garbled statement. It now remains for Mr. Wilson, who fur- , nitihed the information, to substantiate his . assertions by furnishing the public with a | coiveet copy of the entire message, so that the charge of obstructiveness may be properly and successfully brought home to Sir Donald McLean. We have refrained from expressing any opinion upon the conduct of the Native Minister in this matter, because we desired to have the fullest possible proof that the information supplied to us was trustworthy. The Ministry now admit a portion of the charge brought against them, but get out of the position by a quibble, because the whole of the telegram vas not published. Referring to the case of Michael Breen, called upon at the Thames Police Court on Saturday, to shew cause why he did not contribute towards the support of his children, inmates of the Industrial School, Auckland, the Thames evening journal sa ys : —"lt might be asked, 'Is there a ri"hteous institution without its concomitant evil' ? A negative to this will be found in our Police Court this morning, wherein it will be seen that a parent has wilfully attempted to thrust the support of his child on the Industrial School of Auckland. It is infamous that a man should take advantage of the benefits held out by so worthy an institution to gratify his laziness or unnatural want of paternal affection. It appeared in evidence that the man had deliberately expressed his intention of evading the payment of money for the partial support of his child, though the weekly contribution of another brought up on the same , account was nominal, such as would be Jar ]

from a burden to tlie poorest among us. His Worship very properly issued an immediate order for the man's apprehension. When he is brought to Court to answer for himself it is likely that non-recognition of the summons issued by the police will naturally go very much in his disfavour. The lower part of the Prince of Wales Theatre v/as well patronised upon Saturday evening, when a miscellaneous programme of songs, dances, &c., was very fairly gone through by a number of well-known professionals, amongst others Arthur Vivian, Ned Mason, Mr. Shapter, Mr. Booth, Miss Melville, Miss Fairleigh, and others. Mr. Vivian, always good in the London Concert Hall song line, v.tj- frequently applauded, while Mr. Booth's new-ehum song was capitally rendered. Of the kind, we suppose this entertainment may be considered to have been satisfactory; that it was considered so by the audience was evidenced by the amount of applause bestowed on the various artistes. The company will appear at the Prince of Wales Theatre again this evening with an entirely new programme. A number of entries have already been sent in for the poultry, fancy bird, and dog show, to take place in the Market-house on Friday and Saturday next. As already announced, the regulations have been slightly modified to admit of poultry being sent in for exhibition in pens of one male and one female, or one male and two females. Babbits, guinea pigs, &c., may also be exhibited. The inaugural show bids fair to be a success, and the committee of management have exerted themselves to make it so. If improvement in the breed of poultry ultimately results from an exhibition of this nature, a good end will have been attained. K:>t>ies of exhibit? wil) be received by Mr. K. C. Greenwood at the Market-house, up till fear o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, at which hour the entry list -will close. TL% list of tlic Art Vi&m <* Sewing Machines is nearly tillo-1 as. Mid persons desirous of procuring or>e of tLsse usi iul house hold appendages would do well to H>ak<

early application to jMr. G. W. Heslop, as it is tile last drawing of the kind that will take place. A large r.ainber of subscribers at the Thames have sifpifod their intention to participate, and the list will be comp'.ted in a few days, when announcement will be made of the drawing. Prizes to the value of £100 will be drawn amongst 220 members. The prizes consist of fourteen first-class new sewing machines, all ill excellent working order, valued at from live to twelve pounds each, according to the makers. These comprise Wheeler and Wilson, Howe, Wilcox, and other v/ell-known makers. i Coal, coal, coal. Nearly three thousand tons of this commodity arrived in our port during the latter part of last week. With the withdrawal of the mail steamers, who were large consumers, the market is likely to be glutted for some time to come. The quantity 011 hand may have the effect of reducing the price a trifle, which may be described as having been rather high of late. The nominations for the Handicap Sweepstake, Hurst Club Steeplechase, and Captaiu Cook Hurdle-race, of the Auckland Racing Club's Steeplechase meeting, to take place on the 7th October, will close on Friday evening next, at eight o'clock. The nominations should be sent in to the secretary of the club, at the club-room, Auckland Hotel. An infant school, under the supervision of St. Matthew's Church, will be opened this morning in the school-room, next door to Mr. Shove, butcher, Hobson-street. Miss Tapper, late assistant mistress in St. Matthew's Girls' School, has been appointed as mistress. The school fee is sixpence per week. It has been reported that the main New-market-road, opposite the Royal George Hotel, is in a ncglected state, so much so, indeed, as to be dangerous to the wheels and springs of vehicle:',. If so, the Highway Board should see to the matter as soon as the state of the funds will enable them to do so with effect. Onehunga is to make heard its voice to® night upon the question of the abolition of the North Island provinces, a public meeting being called for that purpose. It is to be regretted that Mr. O'Rorke will not have arrived in time to be present. Perhaps the conveners of the meeting will see fit to postpone it until Tuesday or Wednesday night. The Auckland and North Shore Steam Ferry Company have leased from the Harbour Board shed D on the North Shore steamer tee for the storage of goods. They are prepared to receive produce, goods, &c., for storage at the lowest current rates. We (Thames Evening Star) learn that Mr. George Bradburn, locker and messenger, Custom-house, will shortly be removed to Auckland. Mr. Bradburn goes on promotion, we believe, which he has earned by a lengthened service. Two men charged with petty larceny, and about a dozen drunkards, were in custody at the police station last night. i

The following from our Thames moram,, contemporary is the most extraordinary case that has come under oar notice for some time: —"From a reference to our report, "says Saturday's Advertiser, " of the proceedings at the- Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday it wiil be seen that a curious contretemps %<,_ curred in consequence of a very grave difference between two copies of the Highways Ac'.. 1874. The circumstances arose in a case in whiedsNikorimaPoutotara was sued for rates due to the Parawai District Board. Mr. Macdonald, for the defendant, was proceeding to argue that this Act repealed all the previous Highways Acts, and that abactions under them must fail. Clause 6of the Act seemed to be a saving clause, but it only referred to part 2 of the Highway Boards Empowering Act, which was not into force in this district. Mr. Tyler drew b'3 attention to clause S, which Mr. M cdonald proceeded to read, and then arose one of the most curious incidents ever witnessed in a Law Court. Mr. Macdonald read the clause up to where it provides for brr -Lug the Highway Boards Empowering A': . ..no force. Each legal gentleman kid a cop, •' she Act before him. Mr. Macdonald I ' i>■ • : J art first'—Mr. Tyler: 'And ; t . Macdonald : 'I don't see it.' > M:. lylei Hut I do.' Mr. Macdonald: ! ' Its not hure.' Mr. Tyler: 'Perhaps that jis nut pubushed by authority.' Mr. MaeI donald (reading): ' Published under the authority of the Provincial Government n£ ' the province of Auckland. by Charles Wil. 1 'iamson, Sc. Perh«.pK year's is not.' Mr. i.v'er : ' Yes, it is (i-tadLugj published, & c ., Uliarles Williamson.' Jfc was quite clear that there was a very serious discrepancy between the two copies, and the question of how it arose was talked o£ at ,; iiie length. The Court's copy was produced. It was printed the ssrne as that read by Mr. Macdonald, but the words 'nod second' written ou thmargin. Under the circumstances the Magistrate could not decide whv;h whs law, and as the issue was of vital importance zo the case before the Court, the case was adjourned to allow the Magistrate to examine the Statute Boil (the original document) in Auckland. We presume such a tiling as this never before occurred, and no doubt t!:c curious in such matters will b.-- desirous ~.q know how it is possible that such could occur. It is certainly the most singular legislation we have ever heard of." The following items are from papers to hand via Suez. They have been telegraphed under date London, July 2(>: —A terrible landslip ha 3 occurred at Alarra, in the province of Jfavarre, Spain. Overhanging rocks fell upon and utterly destroyed the village. The disaster was so sudden that few, if any, of the inhabitants escaped. Two hundred corpses have already been recovered. The Madrid Impartial, in a strongly worded article, denounces the avowed complicity of France with the Carlists, and declares it diplomatic representations prove ineffectual, Spain must adopt a cool attitude towards Franca, and seek more congenial alliances. Fieaeh journals assert that the Spanish frontier i 3 well guarded by the French authorities, and that the contraband of war which reaches the Carlists is imported by sea from England. The Newmarket magistrates have granted a summons against Mr. Chaplin, as steward of the Jockey Club, for permitting betting on the Newmarket Racecourse. It is rumoured that the Duke o£ Richmond will receive a similar summons after the Goodwood race. It is said these proceedings are taken by a prominent racing man and better, to test the law and force ,t Parliamentary definition thereof which will clear up its obscurity. The 12th of July having fallen o* Sunday, the usual dtr.i'/n-----stratiuns by Orangemen in Ireland in honor of the day did not take place till July 13. The celebrations generally consisted of street parades and afterwards meetings, at which speeches were made denouncing Home Rule and Ultramontanism. There were no disturbances except at Lurgan, where a collision occurred between the proeessk.nists and a portion of the populace, during which several persons were badly hurt. lue Maiffand Mercury (New South states that a circumstance of a rather sv&jyiM nature occurred one evening recently to Mr. G. H. V. Beckman, of High-street. Shortly before retiring to bed Mr. Beckmar fill' <1 tumbler with water, with the inten'.io;; oE taking a drink, but ho di.-.cnvere '. thai, there were a number of pins in the tumbler, aaii he j there'ipOiJ ec:ptied the tumbler o£ !.i:e water, ! -iud, ?'S hts thonfii, ■•-==" riis p-ins; i>ut vieife .\ppeu:- ti.- h&ve the j tirU Mr- I'Mckxaan <liJ ~ofc t-> • light in the rows b-Tlag \jvsa removed jost ! at"the time fc.y ms; son. 2vlr- Bsckman filifl the tumbler again with lat hud no sooner taken .i uiink tb.ui he felt a pin stick in his throat. This eau.icu him nnlittle pain, and, feeling alarmed, he sent for medical assistance. Dr. Morscu came and enucato extract the pin, but though he used the best medical appliances and skill, ho was unable to remove it, and it has remained in M>\ Beokmau's throat ever since. William Brown, well known in Auckland,

was charged at the Thames Police Court trt Saturday last with a ■. f the Medical Practitiossrs' Act; by using tha titio of I ! <*• tor of Medicine withuut 'jeiiijj registered. Tljfi defendant, in the course of tlit com> asked Captain Fiaser to leave the bench, that he might give evidence in his favour, ta which his Worship replied, "He could only say that he (defendant) had been surgeon in the force mentioned ; but he bad always understood that he was not, and never had been, qualified to practise, and wonder had been expressed that he had been allowed to occupy the position he did." Mr. Brown was fined £5 as a caution. The amusement of the public up in the neighbourhood of the Market-place on Saturday night was put an end to by some zealous members of the police force whc- had no ear for music. The landlord of the Army ana Xavy Hotel bad engaged a band to perforin on his balcony. Xo sooner, however, had these disciples of Orpheus commenced theic melodious strains than they were mercilessly pounced upon by the conservators of public morals, and forced to descend from their perch. It seems that music is not allowed in a public-house unless the permiss-on of the magistrate is first obtained, which was uot done in the present instance. The anchor was weighed and the weatherbeaten master of the Anchor Hotel got underway at his new hostelry at noon on Saturday last. Commodore "Williams was wrecked some mouths ago with his old house, the destroying element on that occasion being fire. He has succeeded in erecting a far more substantial house on the site of the olu one. On the occasion of weighing the anchor the provedore was most assiduous in his attentions, and a goodly number of friends partoos of the host's hospitality. The usual monthly inspection of the Aucksand Troop Royal Cavalry Volunteers wul take place this evening at the Drill-shed. The troopers will muster in full umiorm, dismounted, at half-past seven o'clock. Two deserters from the Industrial Horje were brought before the Bench at the Police Court on Saturday, and were ordered to JB privately whipped and returned to Home. As the Luna was to leave .Vellington yesterday, with the Suez mails and the northern members, she will be due here to-morrow morning. A public meeting will be held in the Choral Hall, Onehunga, at 7 o'clock this evening, for the purpose of considering the resolutions passed by the House of Representatives for abolishing the provinces ot the North Island. , Tlie annual meeting of shareholders the Caledonian Gold Mining Company will be held at Mr. C. Tothill's office, Shortlanrtstreet, at noon to-day. , The annual meeting of shareholders oi the Thames Gas Company will be held at noon to-day, at Mr. F. A. White's office, Short-land-street. ........ -, r An "at home" in aid of the St. Mary a Organ "Fund will be held at Parnell Hail to-morrow evening. The programme is published elsewhere. A call of Is per share has been made in the Vanguard Gold Mining Company.