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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4827, 7 May 1877, Page 2

We issue this morning as a gratis supplement to the New Zealand Hekald a map of the districts in which war is being waged between the forces of Russia and Turkey.

We understand that surveyors are to proceed to the Thames during the present week for the purpose of commencing the survey for a line of railway between the Thames and Waikato.

The following is the report of the Auckland Provincial Lunatic Asylum, for the week euding May 5, 1577: — Remained last statement, IGS ; admitted since, 1. Ilemaining at present—males, 112; females, 57 : total, 109.

A man named We3ton was found by a constable lying drunk in Queen-street on Saturday afternoon, "and was brought to the station. lb was then noticed that there was blood on his head, which had issued from a cut. Not knowing what the extent of the wound might be, the man was at once sent to the Hospital. The cut was dressed by Dr. Philson, but it was found to be so trivial in its character that he was sent back to the police cells in charge of the constable who had taken him to the Hosuilal.

A case of sudden death occurred on Saturday morning in Edwardes street, the deceased being an old man, who lodged in a house kept by Mrs. Cundy. The deceased, who for some time past has been in indigent circumstances, has heen in tho receipt of rations from Mr. Graham, tho Kclieviug Officer. His name is John Seem feet. He appeared to be in his usual health 011 Saturday morning, but when breakfast was ready he was missing, and a fellow-lodger, Elizabeth Sullivan, went in search of him. She found him in tho watercloset, sitting down and his head rested on his right-shoulder. Another woman then came up, and after looking at Seemfeet, they concluded that he was dead. Deceased was removed to his room, and medical assistance was sent for. Drs. Dawson and Hooper arrived shortly after, and at once pronounced that life was extinct. An inquest on tho remains will be held to-day, at the Fitzroy Hotel.

From Wellington we have rather an important decision (in bankruptcy) by the Chief Justice. A plaintiff brought an action for damages on account of injuries received through the defendant, and obtained a verdict for £270. There was a verdict, but not judgment. Tho defendant obtained a rule n'mi for a new trial, and before the motion to make absolute, upon which the rule nisi was discharged, mado a deed of arrangement with his creditors. Tho plaintiff attached the deed of arrangement, and the question arose whether he had a locus standi which would enable him to move for the writ of attachment. The' Court ruled that a claim in respect of a judgment was not a debt contracted unless there had been a judgment prior to the deed, because verdict without judgment did not create a liability to a demand on a subsidiary question. His Honor was inclined to think it was necessary for creditors to prove before they could vote at an arrangement meeting.

Some apprehension of fire appeared to seize the dwellers in Elliott-street yesterday afternoon. The smell o£ burning was "awful," anil permeated every houso in the neighbourhood. Mr. Superintendent Hughes, of the Fire Brigade, was consulted on the mutter, and he smelt the horrid odour as well as all others in the street. He made examination of all the houses and premises until he caino upon the spot whence the nuisance proceeded. An old fellow named Louis Yore, who was about to "shift," determined to leave the place clean behind him. The expedient adopted was to burn every species of debris which years had collected about his place, viz., old boots, shoes, sacking, blanketing, clothes, and had piled up a heap of old leather and rags. Hence the "dreadful smell." The Superintendent helped to put down the tiro and abate the nuisance, thus securing a good night's rest fur his neighbours as well as himself. The smell at midnight would havo set the firebells ringing.

The police want an owner for a pair of moleskin trousers, which they suspect 'io hive been stoleu off some person's clothes--line on Saturday night. A suspicious-look-ing character was arrested by the police in the streets at about half-past 1 o'clock on Sunday morning, and taken to the station. These trousers were in his possession. They wore wet, and the marks of the clothes pegs, by which they had been fastened on a line, were apparent. When the fellow was questioned as to how he became possessed of them, he said he got them from some person in Newton, whom he named ; but as no such person lived there, that plea f eli through. He then said he got them at the Mack bull Hotel, but when a constable offered to go with him there to allow him to provo tho truth of the statement, lie altered his story, and said he got Lln-rn from Mrs. Burke. He was confronted with Mr*. Burke, who denied ever having given him anything. Tho trousers aro now in the hands of the police, wanting an owner.

The post-office formerly known as Whapu, Northern Wairoa, in this province, is to be known in future as Dargaville.

Captain William Fraser, R.M., is gazetted Returning Officer for tho Tl-.ame3 County, as provided by the Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1576.

Inquiry is made through the Colonial Secretary's Office for the present whereabouts of William Edward Newcombe Cureton, who came to New Zealand in 1573, from London; also, for John Humphries, who is supposed to have come from Victoria to New Zealand in 1862.

At the recent sittiug of the Native Lands Court, held in March last, at Kaihu, Kaipara district, before Captain J. J. Symonds (Judge) and Ilihi (Native Assessor), a memorial of ownership was given to i e Tiraru, Kukupa, for the block known as Kokuroa, containing 0375 acres. »

There was a good attendauce at tho religious service at the Theatre Royal yesterday evening, considering tho inclement weather. Mr. Thomas Buddie, Hon. Secretary of the Association, presided. Rev. Mr. Macnicol and Mr. Ewington gave short addresses. £1 Ss was given towards expenses.

Saturday and yesterdr.y's rain was a welcome boon to many of our country Baw-mill rroprietors and bush contractors, as the would enable them to float a number ■>f rafts down to the different mill booms. Some of the proprietors were beginning to i'eel the inconvenience of having so few logs ready for machinery, but this drawback will now be removed.

Little hopes of the recovery of the m?.n Rogers, who was sent to the Hospital from the Police-station a few days ago, are entertained. Since his admission he has lain in a state of semiconsciousness. The cut on his head did not appear to be an extensive one, but it is feared that concussion of the brain was caused by his fall, while in a state of drunkenness, against the kerb-stone in Vic-toria-street.

The new assessment list for the Ponsonby and or Dedwood Highway District does not seem to give satisfaction. Already a number of ratepayers and owners of property are growling at tho unequal and apparently onesided valuations which have been put on their holdings. The Court for the hearing of objections against tho rate will shortly meet, when in all probability another Ponsonby battle—but not so furious and lasting as previous ones—will be the consequence.

We are glad to learn that Mr. J. D. Kelly, of the Deeds .Registry Office, and who for a number of years has been employed in the department, has been transferred to the office of the Lands Transfer branch with an increased salary, and a deservedly higher position. Judicious and well-earned promotion in the various grades of the Civil Service, if carried out in an impartial manner, must in a great meaaure tend to promote zeal and careful attention to duty in the various branches of the service.

During Saturday the " fish" was exhibited, and with a pecuniary success exceeding that •f previous days. In fact, it is now beginning to " draw" in earnest, a result which the pro prietor has left no stone unturned to achieve. In addition to hiring a man to shout its praises to the passers-by, procuring a piano, engaging a pianist, composing, having printed, set to music, and Binging nightly a song descriptive of the capture of the animal, he has had painted on canvas a viewshowiugit in the act of jumping on board the To Aroha. The painting is open to criticism, inasmuch as the tisli is represented as being about onelifth the size of the vessel.

The Hon. F. Whitakcr, Attorney-General for the colony, will leave for Wellington by the Stella this evening, for the purpose of attending meetings of the Executive Council, but ho expects to be back in about ten days or a fortuight. The Stella will call at Taranaki on her trip down to take on board the Hon. the Premier, Major Atkinson. The purpose of the present gathering; of the Cabinet is to arrange measures for the ensuing session of Parliament, at which amongst other important matters to be brought before the House will be the lion. Mr. Whitnker's xiative LaDds Bill. This bill will, it is said, il adopted, effect considerable changes in the Working of the Native Department. It will, no doubt, be a comprehensive measure adapted to the circumstances of the country, and likely to prove beneficial to the colony at large.

Some little interest was excited amongst pedestrians and others who have occasion to frequent Queen-street by the exhibition during Friday aud Saturday of a number of monstrosities of the vegetable kingdom in the shop lately opened by Mr. 0. T. Wren, the well-known nursery aud seedsman. The exhibits consisted of enormous mangold wurtzels, of more than one variety, aud uncommonly large white Belgian horao carrots. One of the mangolds —and that not the biggest—weighed 491b5., and in fully 4 feet long. The carrots are about 2 feet in length, and 16 or 17 inches in circumference at the crown. These were all grown iu Mr. Wren's garden, of which the shop is an adjunct. The shop was only opened last week, aud, judging by the popularity and high professional reputation of the proprietor, is sure to be well patronised. The window is rilled with flowering plants, rare exotics, &c. Hero also may be seen Mr. Wren's credentials, in tho shape of 50 or 60 certificates of merit, obtained in Auckland at horticultural, agricultural, and other shows held during tho last 15 years. He is now prepared to supply, at moderate prices, every kind of vegetable, flower, and tree seeds, roots, &c, aud garden requisites.

Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather on Saturday evening, the Theatre Royal was well filled, iu consequence doubtless of the fact that that was the last appearance of the Georgia Minstrels previous to their departure for the Thames. The niggers were at their best, therefore the fun did not flag, and the applause of the audience was demonstrative and frequent. Jimmy Mills, Crusoe, and Keenan aud Morton, by their absurdities, provoked much laughter, and received their fair share of approbation. Billy Wilson, the most popular of the darkies, fairly excelled himself, was honoured with tumultuous applause, and was obliged to comply with two encore*. As a tambo ho could hardly bo excelled. Hosea Eastou, the skilful banjoist of the troupe, ropeated the banjo solo given by him on the previous eveuing, and as on that occasion was compelled to accede to an imperative recall. His "make up'' iu the farce, in which he took tho principal part, was good, and his acting was greatly conducive to the success which the piece achieved. In fact, Kaston is the best actor in this brotherhood of niggers. On the return of the minstrels from the Thames it is probable they will re-opeu in Auckland for a short season.

A couple of days ago Mr. J. A. Tole, M.IT.R:, believing that the Hon. Mr. Whitakor was going South, had another interview with him relative to the completion of the contemplated foot-bridge from Short-street to the Wynyard Pier. The necessary plans and specifications connected with the proposed undertaking aro now almost finished. Mr. Tole having fully explained the object for which he waited on tho Resident Minister, that gentleman promised that before leaving for Wellington he would leave instructions for Mr. Carruthers, the Engineer-in-Chief, and Mr. Stewart, the District Engineer, to see and confer with the honourable member for Eden on the matter. The construction of this work has been pending so long, that it is but reasonable to suppose that further delay should be avoided, especially as the Public Petitions Committee of last session deprecated any interference with any public right of passage, and recommended a direct access to the locus in quo. As the estimate of the work is reasonable, we trust that the Engineer-in-Chief will see his way to offer no obstruction to such a necessary public convenience. Advantage might also be taken by tho railway authorities, at tho time of the work bjiugdoue, of f.reotiugasigaal-kouseiu connection with the bridge, which will, sooner or later, be indispensable at our railway station.

Mr. Joseph Bell has been gazetted Chairman of Petty Sessions for the district of Mangapai. Mr. Richmond Ilectcr Riddell ha 3 beon gazetted a clerk in the Land Transfer Office, Auckland. Mr. John Sheehan, M.H.E. for Rodney, who is at present at Napier, telegraphed to a friend of his hereon Saturday, informing biui that he expected to be in Auckland about the end of the present week. Wo learn that the Rev. Mr. Bree, incumbent of All Saints Church, Ponsonby, contemplates a six weeks' leave of absence from ministerial duty. It is the inteution of the rev. gcutlemau to go to Napier for his holiday, and in all probability his duties will be undertaken in his absence by a minister from t!ie Hawke's Bay district. The Governor, in a notice in the New Zealand Ga-.ftle dated April 20, acknowledges having received a petition from the borough of the Thames, asking that the highway districts of Parawai and Kauwaeranga, praying that these districts be incorporated with the borough of Thames, and notilies that unless a counter petition signed by at least one third of the resident householders of those districts be received within two months, these districts will be incorporated with the Thames. In explanation cf a paragraph in Saturday's issue, relative to the prosecution against Mr. Dempsey, contractor, we learn from Mr. Philips, Town Clerk, that the Council do not propose holdiog Mr. Dempsey responsible for any after consequences which may occur through the cutting in Hobson-street, only for damago. which may be caused by blasting while blasting is actually going on, and to relieve the Council of responsibility they desire him to enter into a bond before they grant the permit for blasting. Notice of application to register the 'Washington Gold Mining Company is given. v Several hind transfer notices will be found in another column. The bill of faro at the Auckland Hotel Cafe to-day will be found in our advertising columns. A grand vocal and instrumental eoncert mil be held at the Choral Mall on Thursday evoning in aid of the funds of the Engineer and City Band. All claims against the estate of Mr. Frsd. Aley, late of Wttngarei Heads, must be sent in to Messrs. Lusk and Beale on or before the 14th. A dividend of Is per share has been declared in the Waitekauri G.M. Co. The share register will be closed from Wednesday to Saturday.