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New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4257, 6 July 1875, Page 2

To the New Zealand Insurance Company we are indebted for the following list of insurances effected on Flaxmau's Tannery, destroyed by tire, near Duuedin, on Saturday night Standard, £2500 ; Norwich Union, £1000; Royal, £1000; New Zealand (reported), £500; South British, £1000; Victoria, £1000: totalinsurances, £8000. This list was received by the New Zealand Company yesterday by wire. The Press Agency supplies the following telegram:—"The amount of insurance on Flaxman's fire is £SOOO, as follows Transatlantic, £2500 ; Norwich, £1600; Royal, £1000; Victoria, £1000 ; South British, £200 ; New Zealand, £900. Flaxman's estate loses over £5000. One office refused to take another thousand from him last Friday." It will be seen that there is some discrepancy in the lists. The New Zealand Company's message credits the standard with a loss of £2500, which amount the Press Agency places against the Transatlantic. There is a difference also of £400 in the total of the list supplied to the New Zealand Insurance Company, as above, which stands corrected by the Press Agency's telegram, in reference to the amount of loss sustained by tho Now Zealand Company itself. That company's own telegram makes the sum CSOO, anil the Agency's message makes the amount £900.

The Mauaia was late 111 reaching Auckland last night, owing to Captain Jlargreaves finding upon his arrival at the Thames an absence of wharf accommodation. First he went to the Tararu Wharf, but being unablo to land his passengers there, proceeded to the Grahamstown Wharf. The same difficulty was experienced there, and he was compelled to return to the new goods wharf, where the state of the tide kept hiui until late. The Government will require to see to these wharves at once.

State of Her Majesty's gaol, Auckland, for the week ending July 3, 1S75:—O11 remand, 3 males ; awaiting trial, 9 males ; sentenced to penal servitude, 33 males; sentenced to hard labour, 82 males, 37 females; sentenced to imprisonment. S males; default of bail, 11 males ; debtor, 1 male; received during the week, 1" males, 7 females; discharged during the week, 10 males, o lemales: total in gaol, 1-19 males, 37 females.

The criminal sittings of the Supremo Court will be resumed this morning. Jurymen should be in attendance at 10 o'clock precisely. The man James Dunn, charged with four burglaries and one offence of stealing from a dwelling, was yesterday tried, found guilty, and sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment He bad a long string of previous convictions against him for thefts of all magnitudes.

A great many of our readers (says the Thames Admtiser) will regret to learn that Miss Mary.lane Donovan, sister of Mr. Mark Donovan, of the Kngineer's Department, who was formerly resident in Shortland, where she eomlueted, in conjunction with her sister, a select school, has died in Sydney. Tho information of the melancholy event was conveyed l>y telegram 011 Saturday to Mr. Mark Donovan. Miss Donovan, whose death we now record, was an accomplished musician, and was leader of the choir in the Roinau Catholic Church, Shortland, during her residence at tho Thames. She also rendered valuable assistance at many amateur concerts for charitable purposes, anil was beloved and respected by a largo circle of acquaintances here, who will hear of her death with deep regret, and will keenly sympathise with her relatives in their bereavement. Return of sick treated at tho Provincial Hospital for the week ending Saturday, July 3, 1 S7f>: —Remained last return, 83 ; admitted sincc, 11; discharged, 0; died, 1 ; remaining, 67 ; males, 73, females, 14. Arrangement of cases :—Zymotic, 29 ; constitutional, S; loerd, 27; developmental, 4; violent, 11). One death occurred during the week, viz., C. S., male, aged 4S years, on July 2nd, of phthisis pulmonalis. There is on view, in Messrs. W. Fhillippa and Sou's window, Queen-street, a watercolour drawing, by Major Heaphy. Tho subject of the picture is " The Temple of the Sybil, Tivoli. The work was executed on the spot, some years ago, before tho artist had reached his majority, and is a highly creditable production. The picture is well worthy of the inspection of connoisseurs. The annual meeting of ratepayers of the ICarangahape U ighway District was held last evening. At tho meeting the balance-sheet of the Board was adopted, and trustees, auditors, aud fence-viewers were duly elected. A resolution was also passed, that in future all new works bo let by contract. A row last night ia Chapel-street resulted in a broken leg, and necessitated the removal of the sufferer (master of one of the crafts in port, but whose name we wero unable to obtain) to the hospital. Notice is given that the registered office of the Tairua Gold Mining Company has been removed to the olfiee of Mr. E. T. Wildman, Brown-street, Grahamstown. The Alburnia and Sunnybank parcels of gold were tendered for on Saturday (says the Advertiser J. The Bank of New Zealand was the purchaser of both lots. The following amounts of gold from tho Thames was received, per Hauraki:—l box, 1,0590z5., Xational Bank of New Zealand; 2 ditto, 1,4G00z5., Bank of Australasia. Two lads who had deserted from tho training ship were arrested at Onehunga yesterday. I

A great many improvements are reported by the local prints to have been made in the Parliament Houses at Wellington. Instead of all seats being of the same level as heretofore, they are now placed upon permanent raised platforms, giving four rows of seats on either side. Thus the two front rows are a step above the floor, and the other two rows each a step above the other, so that the fourth row is three steps from the floor of the house. The house is divided in the middle by a passage running north and south, and the seats on the western side form what may be termed the Ministerial and Opposition corners. To the east of the passage is placed the table of the house, the Ministers' table, and the Government and Opposition benches. These latter are raised similarly to the seats on the western side, but run longitudinally, instead of being placed semicircularly as those on the western side are. The whole of the members' seats are new, and are designed to match the Speaker's canopy, having spiral or twisted legs, the upholstry being of the very best description. They are all covered with maroon morocco skins, expressly imported by the Government for the purpose. Small tables of Gothic design, similar to those in use in the Legislative Council chamber, are provided for each seat, fitted with drawers and Chubb's patent locks, so that each member will have his private drawer. The Ministers' table and the table of the house are also new, of Gothic design, having cloth covers glued within margin, and like the members' seats and tables are of heart of kauri pine, French polished. The most striking feature in the whole work is the highly ornamental canopy, of Gothic design, within which the Speaker's chair is to be placed. This has coupled spiral or twisted pillows on either side, supporting a cusped and perforated arch in front, and a plain arch at the back of the chair. Tho caps arc foliated, and a foliated band to match extends round the canopy, with a springing to the plain arch, in which will be placed the Boyal Ar.ns. On either side of the chair proper (an ordinary easy chair, in harmony with the members' seats,) are shelves for works of reference, and in front a desk corresponding with the architecture of the canopy. Tho chamber is heated as before, the warm air being admitted through cast-iron air gratings round the rise of the first platform.

The Lyttelton Times pays a compliment to Sir Julius Vogel:—" Five years ago he came to the head of affairs in New Zealand, aud found the colony in a deplorable condition. Oppressed by her debt of fire millions, without public works, without immigration, the country was threatened with financial collapse, and obscurity and stagnation were its leading characteristics. Mr. Vogel discerned its resources, and set to work to develop them. The great capacity he brought to work, his unwearied industry and administrative skill have told their tale, and bronght the country to-day to a position which can be best described by Mr. Vogel's own words. Writing to the Economist, under date March 24, he says : —' Out of adversity proceeded strength, and the neighbouring colonies look with admiration, nay envy, on New Zealand's progress.Our contemporary also exposes that purse-pride which thinks nothing of a man unless he possessess "a stake" in the country, a» they call it. "It is impossible to see that the mero fact of a man being landless, sha«pless, and turnipless should bo a drawback to his usefulness. On the contrary, it will probably increase it with respect to politics. Whether this bo b(T or not, the fact of Sir Julius Vogel not being a colonist in this sense of the word should not be urged against his holding a colonial title. A man is decorated, not for his possessions but for his services. And Sir Julius's services prove him to be the most useful colonist who has ever been in this country. Whether or not he will ever return to New Zealand is another question. This is his affair, and he has every right to do as he likes with his services. If he should determine not to come back, there can be no objection on the score of his colonial knighthood. This he has obtained for services rendered, not for services promised. Should he not return, the colony cannot but be sorry to lose her greatest statesman."

The Otago Guardian of a recent date says : —An amusing incident occurred in the Supreme Court yesterday. When a certain motion was called by the officer of the Court, a tall, grave gentleman arose slowly, and continued rising for some time. When the gentleman referred to had reached his full height, he began to address the Judge in a low tone. Judge Johnston blandly enquired, "Who is addressing me?'' The gentleman proceeded, without heeding this interruption, with his address. Judge Johnston then leaned forward, and whispered an enquiry to the officer of the Court, "Who is that gentleman Mr. Kegistrar \Vard replied, "It is Mr. Barton." The Judge looked round about. He saw the Mr. Barton he was accustomed to sitting silently at the end of the table, opposite to the figure who was addressing liim. The Judge then said, " Stay a moment, or I shall get my notes in confusion. There seems to be two Mr. Bartons ; how am I to distinguish ?" The Judge here looked at the "sitting" Mr. Barton. "It is very easy to distinguish between us," said the latter ; "I am five feet high; the other gentleman is seven." " Humph," said the Judge, more puzzled than ever, " I cannot put that distinction on my notes. ' We are not able to say how His Honor surmounted his difficulty. We hope he succeeded in making the matter clear. j

Judging from a Taranaki letter which appears in a local print (says the Post), Wellington and Auckland are not alone in havin" cause to complain of the illegal confiscation by the General Government of the money justly due to them. This correspondent says that payment of the interest on Taraliaki's share cf the loan for the purchase of native lands has been stopped. No reason is given. It cannot be on account of railway interest that this stoppage has been made, for Taranaki has no railway in working order. Some other pretext must, therefore, have been found. Either tho General Government must be very hard up, or its recent proceedings must hava been instigated by a reckless desire to cripple and embarrass the North Island provinces (Hawke's Bay always excepted), in defiance of law and right. The iYew Zealand Times may probably be able to help its patrons by inventing a fresh clause in some Act to justify the Taranaki seizure, as it forged one to justify the action of the Government in respect of Wellington and Auckland.

One of Mr. Darrell's plays is highly eulogised by the JVeio Zealand Times : —Of the merits of " Under the Ban" we can speak in terms of unfeigned commendation, without going so far as to endorse the opinion of those critics who pronounce it equal in power and pathos to "East Lynne." This it certainly is not, and it will never become as popular as that famous play ; but nevertheless, it is far and away superior to the trashy rubbish which so frequently is placed on the boards now-a-days. There is an absence of that maudlin sentiment which is so repugnant to good taste, and the air of probability, or at least possibility, which envelops the plot, contrasts favorably with the wild extravagances some authors indulge in. A miner, known as "Yankee Charlie," resident in Charleston (Nelson), has received intimation that he can go home to 'Frisco and receive £2000. Miss Jenny Nye, the well-known and popular actress, has, it seems, returned from India to Otago. The opening of the Charleston Institute on Sundays is reported tj be a great success. Mr. W. L. Rees will address the electors of City East at the Mechanics' Institute, on Thursiftiy evening next, on the past session of the Provincial Council and its relation to the position of the General Government. The annual 'meeting of the ratepayers of the Devonport Highway District will be held at the Devonport Hall, on Thursday evening, the 22nd instant. The half-yearly meeting of the Una Quartz Crushing and Gold Mining Company will be held at Urahamstown on the 2'Jth instant.