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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 5018, 15 December 1877, Page 2

Wo regret to learn that the leech pest has again made its appearance in our orchards. As is now well-known by growers of fruit, they are especially destructive to the plum, quince, cherry, and pear trees, ami to the white thorn. The scarcity of fruit on the pear tree 3 this year is attributed by many to the ravages made last season oy these leeches, in prematurely stripping the trees of their foliage. White helibore and lime .ire the principal remedies adopted, and thc.se who value their trees should give them a dressing about every ten days for the next month or two.

The first phase of the litigation between the Union Beach and the C.>ideu Pah Companies will be heard a f ; the Warden's Court, CoromaudcJ, on Monday next. Jiaeh companv are couiideub or success, aud havu engaged the best l«-gal talent to protect their respective interests. -Mr. Tyler appears for the plaintiffs, the I'nion Company: Mr. Macdonald, of Messrs. Maedonuld and Miller, of Grahamstowu, for the defendants.

We are glad to hear that Mr. F. Hull, jan., who met with such a severe accidentia fortnight ago is rapidly mending, and it is expected that he may leave the Hospital in the conrse of next week.

Mr. Kitchen, contractor, has laid the necessary service pipes, &c., through the District Hospital, bnt the supply now laid on is only a temporary one. The street mains do not at present extend in the direction of the Hospital, and for the present, therefore, more especially as there existed a very pressing naed for a supply of some sort, it was thought best to make a temporary arrangement with Mr. Sejcombe, who now pumps up the water to the Hospital from his spring. The water is of good quality, and the supply is so far efficient and sufficient for the requirements of the establishment.

"Caritas" sends a somewhat lengthy letter on the doings of Christian Churche3, the first case mentioned being that of a man who was expelled from the Christian Brethren for using such expressions as the following :— " Working in a gum store would play Old Harry with my chest," and " 1 cannot find my blessed boots." The second instance mentioned refers to a Church the managing members of which discharged their organist. As to the last instance, we do not see that any fault can be found. The discipline and management of Churches are hardly matters for discussion, except on some extraordinary occasion.

At the meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly in Wellington, during a discussion upon temperance, Mr. Lamb, of Auckland, said that the highest medical authority in the world was against the use of alcohol. Two ounces and a half of alcohol taken in a day diminished the term of life in the case of those who used it one year in ten. This evil was found in the halls of the wealthy as well as in the hovels of the poor, and if something were not done by the country to oppose it, the iniquity of thosa who used alcohol when nursing their children would be visited on after generations. The Home churches were beginning to do their duty by opposing the encroachments of this evil, and it was of the utmost importance that the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand should come to the front in the same warfare in our young colony.

The North Shore Ferry Company announce in another column that the p.s. Te Aroha will leave the company's T at two o'clock this afternoon for a cruise down the harbour, landing excursionists at Glen Orchard. On the last two occasions the weather has been against the. trip, but we trust that this afternoon will prove fine, and we have no doubt the steamer will be well patronised, as the scenery is certainly very line, and it surely can be enjoyed for so small a sum as Is. Those who laud at Glen Orchard will have the liberty to roam over the picturesque estate and gardens of Messrs. T. and S. Morrin, and should there be any strawberries left, the passengers will be welcome to them ; that is, in the old Quaker's style, " Fill your stomachs, but do not pocket."

Yesterday the first order of any extent from the Southern provinces of New Zealand was completed at the Auckland Lead and Iron Works, Victoria-street. It was an order for 1000 feet of lead piping, and J inch sizes. The whole of this pipe was manufactured yesterday, and it may justly be deemed the most satisfactory day's operations at the works since they were started. During the time the operations were proceeding the works were visited by numbers of prominent citizens, and all expressed satisfaction aud surprise at the expedition with which the plain lead was turned into moulded pipe. As the pipe at this establishment can be supplied at as cheap a rate as that imported, and there is the further advantage of having it made to any special size to order, we have no doubt the firm will receive a large patronage from all parts of the colony. Mr. T. B. Hicks, manager of the Queen of Beauty mine, and oue of those who has long waited for an opportunity for procuring land in the Thames Valley, finding that his desire in this respect was not likely to be readily fulfilled, had the prudenee to look elsewhere. He yesterday completed the purchase of Mr. Belt's farm, at Queen's Redout, consisting of 225 acres at £4 10s per acre. The greater portion of the land is laid down in grass. He also purchased the stock —23 head of cattle aud 40 sheep, and the farming impleiceuts—at a valuation. Several successful Thames miners have already established homes for themselves and families in the Waikato and other districts, and many more would doubtless follow their example if land in the Thames Valley was made available. The completion of the purchase of the Thames land has long been desired and anxiously waited for.

The completion of the Waikato Railway to Hamilton is an event of the greatest importance to the Waikato settlers, and it is not, therefore, surprising that they should greet its opening, on Tuesday next with a public demonstration. The extension of the line between Ngaruawahia and Hamilton has been effected by the contractor, Air. Topham, iu .about six weeks, and the expedition exercised has been the subject of congratulation on all hands. The station at Hamilton will be about one and a half miles from the town. This may cause a little iuconvenienee, but a divergence so as to bring it to the town would be too great, especially as the line is now being extended by the same contractor to Ohaupo. The whole contract \\ as let to Mr. Topham, whose tender was the lowest, at £10,000. The satisfactory manner in which the work has progressed, as well as the excellence of the work itself, reflects credit on his ability aud energy. A most laughable incident occurred on the Wharf yesterday, which caused great amusement to those who witnessed the affair. It appears that among the cargo intended for shipment to Gishonie by the s.s. Go-Ahead was a couple of kegs of yeast whioh had lain in the A.S. P.Co.'s store overnight. During this period the " yeast " must have " risen," and created a great pressure on the end of one of the kegs, for, 011 attempting to remove it, .a loud explo-ion was heard, and four men were instantly afterwards seen oil the stampede from the company's store to the main Wharf, splashed with a semiliquid, indescribable for the time beiug Several bystanders rushed to the scene of explosion, labouring under the delusion that it was a case of " dynamite," but were sorely yexed to discover that the explosive material was of a much 1 ' softer" nature. The second keg not seeming as if it would stand handling, was ordered to be tapped, and a large auger being procured, a hole was bored ; but before tlie operator could get out of the way, avolumeof yea-t issued and struck him 011 the stomach, much to the disfigurement of his general appearance, but to the great delight of the oulookers. The effects of the first explosion are now- visible oa the roof of the A.S. 1\ - Co.'s shed, and was the means of drawing a number of persous to see them.

The citizens of Auckland are a people peculiarly blessed. Rejoicing in a generous and equable climate, happy in the possession of a copious supply of pure water, a clear atmosphere, aud admirable facilities for a thorough system of drainage, there should be no apprehension felt in regard to the public health. So many will say ; but it is far preferable to be wise and prudent in time and avoid possible danger, than by languid aud incredulous inaction allow it to become a dreaded reality. Few persons with their powers of observation on the alert can walk through the streets of the city and fail co perceive many noisome exhalations and noxious vapours, the presence of which is certain to have a prejudicial effect upon the health of the persons who dwell in their immediate vicinity or have occasion to pass them. These accumulations of tilth, of decaying vegetable matter, and sometimes of animal matter also, are of course not to be met with in the business parts of the city, but in the rear of busiuess premises, of dwelling-houses, of greengrocery and fruit establis hrneuts, they are only too common. So, too. in the less pretentious streets, where defective drainage exints with its natural result, pools of stagnant and slimy liquid, sending up their pestilential and sickening fumes. The summer sulstice is now upon us, and it behoves all citizens having a regard for the health of th*ir families or the ei!>y at large, to aid iu abating as far as lies in their power these fruitful sources of disease and death. Wq understand that Mr. Howe, M. FT.Tt., intends to address h ; s constituents at th-.» Theatre Royal to-morrow evening week. Sir George Grey is also invited to visit the

A serious accident occurred oil Wednesday at the Pollock Settlement to Mr. Johii Given, youngest son of Mr. James Given, Bettler. The young man and his brother James were engaged in cross-cutting a log which had fallen on a gentle slope, and long before the saw had got through one-half, the log broke away, and before John, who was on the lower side, could get clear, it was upon him, passed over hio left leg, and severely crushed it. The injured man swooned at once, and his brother, under the impression that tho accident must havo proved fatal, hastened for assistance. Mrs. Brown, the wife of one of the nearest settlers, was apprised of the misfortune, and she immediately proceeded to the scene of the mishap, while James ran on to his father's house, about a mile away. His parents and elder brothers at once returned to where John lay, and on observing the serious nature of the injury his parents decided upon having their son conveyed to the steamer Oregon, six miles away, for conveyance to Auckland. As the steamer left for Onehunga within a couple of hours, it was no easy task to get to the river side in time, but one of the brothers rode in advance, and informed the captain of the Oregon of the circumstance, and that gentleman lay off in the stream until 5 p.m., when the escort appeared in sight. Fully a dozen of the settlers kindly came forward to assist in conveying the sufferer to the landing, a task of great difficulty, as the road is very uneven ani rough. The Hospital wa3 reached at 9 p.m., and Dr. Philson having seen the patient, gave every hope that the unfortunate man would soon be convalescent.

Reference was made in our last issue to the fact that a Swiss carver was about to commence business in Queen-street. Yesterday we visited the gentleman's premises, and from a cursory inspection of his stock-in-trade, feel assured that he will prove successful in securing the patronage of the public. Match-boxes, pincushions, thimblecases, paper-knives, and a hundred other little trifles, but each subserving a useful purpose, are constructed from wood, and richly adorned with carving of exquisite workmanship, and appropriate designs. Sleeve-buttons of box and olive, with raised carvings of beautiful finish, brooches of various sizes of pretty patterns, jewel boxes, forks, spoons, watch-cases, cruifixes, hatracks, basket?, mirrors, vases, book-marks, penholders, and inkstands, ornamented after every imaginable pattern, and covered with representations of flowers, fruit, animals, and human figures, strike the eye on every side, and engage the attention of the beholder. The degree of excellence to which the -Swiss have attained in the art of carving is generally regarded as something wonderful, but can only be realised by a personal examination of their handicraft. The ingenuity displayed in the ornamentation of the different articles is perfectly marvellous, and the thoroughly artistic manner in which each is executed charms and evokes praise v/hile it excites surprise. For instance, one notices on the board what he naturally takes to be a dilapidated and worn-out pair of child's boots. The heel is worn to one side, there are one or two holes perceptible between the sole and the upper, and the shape is that assumed by a boot the worse for wear. On closer examination, however, the boot is found to be an inkstand, and in making the discovery the spectator cannot help admiring the cunning of the workman. The penholders are neatly carved, and surmounted with figures of owls, squirrels, chamois, goats, and peasants, cut out with a fidelity to nature perfectly surprising. The majority of the articles have been imported direct from Switzerland, and the prices charged for them are very reasonable. The shop opens this morning, and the public will thus have an opportunity of inspecting and judging for themselves of the quality of the workmanship.

There wjft on trial in the Supreme Court, Melbourne, at last advices, a case in which Mr. Kichard Cogan, a miner, sued Mr. J. 8. Hosie, the proprietor of the Turkish baths, for damages for injuries he had received through the alleged negligence of the defendant's servants. It appeared that on the 6th June last, the plaiutiff, who had shortly before come from Tasmania en route to Queensland, went to the defendant's establishment to have a bath. In the course of the operation the attendant was about to " hose" him with cold water. Instead, however, of Cogan receiving cold water, a quantity of hot water was poured upon his head, which severely scalded his head aud neck ; and in consequence he was under Dr. Moloney's treat* rnent till the middle of July. The defendant paid £100 into Court as suiiicient compensation, but Cogan alleged that this was not sutßcient, as owing to the accident he had been unable to prosecute his intended trip to Queensland, aud his expenses while oil the sick list, including his loss of time, were over £90 The defence is that Cogan had not sustained any material injury, and that the sum paid into Court is sufficient.

The "Wellington Post gives the following sketch of the discussion on the vote for the Wellington Botanical Gardens : — Early this morning the House was occupied for about au hour in discussing a vote of £300 in aid of the Wellington Botanical Gardens, Mr. Stout, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Joyce, and a good many others, objected to the Wellington gardens being "bonussed," while Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch had to raise money by voluutary subscriptions to keep their parks in order. Taken as a whole, the speakers were not complimentary to our gardens ; even many of those who advocated the payment of the grant, being careful to say that they did so merely because the gardens formed the only respectable breathingground for M. ii.R.'f, condemned for their sins to spend six mouths of the year in this 4 ' confouuded climate" of our 3. ai Sir Robert Mouglas politely called it. Sir George Grey, Mr. Macaudrew, Mr. Trayers, and Mr. Moorhouse took up the cudgels right gallantly on behalf of our much-abused gardens. The Premier represented that, in a country like New Zealand, it was necessary to have some central botanical depot, which could hold communication with similar national institutions, exchauge shrubs, trees, and seeds, distribute them, &c., to the mutual benefit of both countries. Mr. Macandrew said the Wellington. Gardens were already performing valuable services in the directions indicated by Sir George Grey, and when Mr. Stout pooh-poohed this idea. Mr. Travers overwhelmed him with a lot of statistics and scientific terms. Mr. Joyce did. not dispute Mr. Travers* formidable array of figures, but he thought the larger proportion of the plants were distributed to tiiose who could well afford to buy them. Mr. Swanson eloquently dwelt upon the superior advantages of Auckland, as a <c central" depflt, and iu glowing language of a true Aucklander told how everything in nature would grow there, from the gorgeous vegetation of the tropics to Icelandic lichens. After a heated discussion, the vote passed on a division by 2S to 19. The Fhmiere recounts that when recently the rector of the parish of Quimper organized a pilgrimage to Lourdes, only three or four faithful ones responded to the call, so f to gloss over the numerical deficiency of his detachment, the good cure placed in their hands a magnificent crucifix in massive silver, which was at once the pride and the property of hi 3 parish. Not dreaming that anj sacrilegious hand would filch the cross, he omitted to recommend prudence to the departing Quimper men, who, upon their arrival at Lourdes, as in duty bound, first repaired t*> the Chapel of Our Lady, where, finding the crucifix somewhat cumbersome, they deposited it until their return, which took place a few hours later. But, alas ! during the interim some pilfering rogues had made away with the sacred emblem, and so cleverly, that the active steps forthwith taken to discover them and their booty utterly failed. The Quimper men were obliged to return to their commune minus the cross by which such store was set, and which, being worth several thousand francs, could not easily be replaced by the parishioners. Great was the grief of the worthy cure when the pilgrims told him of the misadventure that had befallen them; but the wrath of the churchwardens, whose permission should have been asked, but was not, by their rector, prior to disposing of the Cioss, was tenfold greater. Their spiritual adviser, to calm their anger, hinted that the •' pride and property of the commune" had been perchauce whisked away "miraculously." But the council of churchwardens failed to see the matter in this light, and have unanimously decided that, miracle or