Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5399, 7 March 1879, Page 2

Communication has been restored on the Port Darwin line. By our Australian cablegrams this morning, it will be seen that the Australian Cup has been won by Savanaka, Bos worth second, and Swiveller third. Bosworth was the favourite. Mr. Justice Gillies returned to town yesterday, after a vacation tour to the North. The law vacation terminates on Monday next, and the first sitting iQ banco is fixed for Wednesday, the 12th instant. The Hod. the Native Minister, who was expected in Auckland in a few days, has, we are now informed, returned from Napier to Wellington. Possibly, after a short stay there, he will come up by the West Coast, The heavy rain with which the district has been favoured during the last few days will prove, no doubt, of essential benefit to the saw-mills in bringing down a supply of logs, and also to the farmers in moistening the over-parched pastures, and thereby creating food, which is so urgently required. In the city it has also been of advantage in cleansing the drains, replenishing water-tanks, &c., while on the other hand it has made the streets now in course of formation utterly impassible to pedestrians, while those erecting buildings on the reclaimed land have suffered materially. The store in course of erection by Mr. Gardiner in Little Queenstreet has had the southern side of the foundation sapped by the immonse body of water which poured in from the streets and from the eaves of the adjacent buildings. Fortunately the lower, or northern walls were unaffected, and these were shored up yesterday, while the affected part of the foundation is undergoing certain alterations which will, it is expected, make it secure for the future. Mr. Leahy's brick store, adjoining Mr. Gardiner's, on the north Bide, shews a fissure in the brick-work, nearly the whole length of the front, and how much further ffhe foundation of this building will settle down time alone will shew. The mitter is a serious one, but the immense body of water absorbed during the last few days will go a long way in permauently settling the reclaimed land, and will be an advantage for those who have not yet commenced to build, which, however, is poor consolation to Messrs. Gardiner and Leahy. The rain gauge in the Domain, yesterdaj at 10 o'clock, registered 1 - 3. The rainfall was very heavy during the day. There is every project of fine weather, to judge bj the appearance of sunset last evening and the change of wind to the west. From a private letter from Northern Wairoa we gather that some steps are being taken by the residents there to get the Minister of Justice to appoint the brother ol Mr. J. M. DargaTill9, oae of the local residents, to the Commission of the Peace. Captain Johnstone, b07.(1 of tha Marine Department, is now in Auckland, on hie way to visit the lighthouses in this part of the colony. Captain Johnstone was a member of the Court of Inquiry which sat at Taurangi to inquire into the cause of the stranding of the Taupo, and it will be seen that the local paper questions the propriety of bis occupying that position. The evidence of Captain Sellars, who probably knows the harbour of Tauranga better than any other man, went to shew that the buoys had been improperly shifted, and it is said that Captain Johnstone ought not to have been a judge, because if it had been found that his department was to blaine, the Government would have been liable to an action. However that may be, Captain Johnston states that extra buoy 3 are to be laid down in Tauranga harbour, and that harrows are to be used to clear a bar from a new channel, which will give vessels a straight run up to Tauranga wharf. The Stella, it is expected, will come up to work the harrows. In regard to the Taupo, the difficulty is, that the pumps get choked. The vessel is, however, safe where she lies, and in time all obstacles will be overcome. The Auckland Committee of the Sydney Industrial Exhibition have issued a circular containing an extract from the programme of tho Exhibition, and the proposed general regulations for New Zealand. We quote the following from tlia circular:—"A copy of the general by-laws and regulations, and Bohodule of prizes, may be seen at the rooms of the chamber, next to the Auckland Club, Shortland-street. Intending exhibitors are requested to advise the committee, as aoon as possible, what articles they intend to send for exhibition. As soon as arrangements are made for the reception of exhibits, notise will be given of the place and time up to which they can be received at Auckland, and, if practicable, arrangements will bo made for their exhibition at Auckland, prior to shipment.—J. M. Clark, Convener." The Syduev Committee have issued a handsome pamphlet containing, details respecting the system of classifications. Attention has been called on several occasions to the danger that arises from dogs making a rush at horses when going at a hand-gallop, or more than a walking speed. Yesterday afternoon a gentleman on horseback was trotting down Queen-street, and when abreast of Darby-street two mongrels rushed from the pathway, aud made an attack upon the flanks of the animal. The horse, of course, was startled, aud siverved into Darby-street at a furious pace, and when opposite Mr. Tucker's butchering establishment some person throw a atone at the dogs, and the horse \ras thus freed from his enemies. Tho gentleman, fortunately, [ had his steed well in haud, and succeeded in bringing the animal to a siaud at the western end of Darby street, not without some alarm to the on-lookers, who were afraid that the horse had bolted. Should tho weather prove favourable today, there will be a pleasant, enjoyablo country race-tneetiug at ilclensville, and no doubt, besides the settlers in Kaipara district, there will be a large number of visitors from town. The railway authorities have laid on a special traiu between Riverhead and the racecourse, and a steamer will leavo the wharf this morning to meet it, thus affording townspeople an opportunity of witnessing tho races and returning to town the same night. A few days ago a Maori, who had been arrested on a charge of horse-stealing, and who was committed for trial to tlie Supreme Court yesterday, circulated a rumour that Wiuiata, tho murderer of Packer, at Epsom, had left the King country, and was at present working amongst Europeans in a bush at Kaipara. There was an air of probability about the tale as he related it, and the police instituted searching inquiries, and Detective Jeffrey was several days employed investigating it, but it turns out that the whole story was a fabrication, which originated in tho fertile brain of the native Tohi. The latter, it will be recollected, was arrested at Kaipara by Detective Jeffrey, and was yesterday committed for trial on a charge of horso-stealing at Orakei. At a meeting of the representatives of the various mines affected by the "Bis; Pump," which took place ou Monday last in this city, it was decided that Mr. Ehrenfried bo appointed to propose to the Thames County Council, the mortgagees of the pump, a resolution, asking them if they will take all tho mone3 r they have spent on mining and pumping out of the money they have borrowed on the securities. From this it will bo seen that the County Council hold tho pump, mine, &c , as security, and upon this they have borrowed money, a portion of which has been spent in keeping the pumps going, <fec., while the remainder has, no doubt, gone to othor purposes. The proposition was submitted to the Thao.es County Council yestordny by Mr. Ehrenfried, and, according to onr telegram, was rejected. Messrs. Masefield and Co., of this city, have purchased the wholo of the machinery, buildings, and plant of the Great Barrier Company. We believe it is their intention to remove it to Anckland at an early date. The Mayor desires specially to acknowledge the receipt of £11 Gs lid from the girls of the high sohool under Mr. Neil Heath for the Kaitangata Belief Fund. These subscriptions have been made from the girls' own savings. Constable Brennan arrived from Waikato by the late train yesterday evening, in charge of two prisoners whose cases had been heard at the Hamilton It.M. Court. One of them, Thomas Hayes, was convicted nnder the Vagrant Act with being a habitual drunkard, aud was sentenced to 42 days' imprisonment with hard labour. The other, who gave the name of John Alman, but who has a large string aliases appended, was committed for trial on a eharge of forging and uttering a cheque for £4 ss, purporting to be signed by Eeubea Park, of Cambridge.

_ The improvement ia the weather last night had a very perceptible effect upon the lively and pleasant entertainment, "If," at the Theatre .Royal* The dancing, siuging, and verbal pleasantries had full effect, and sustained the hilarity of the audience from the commencement to the close of the performance. Mr. Stewart, aa the Marquis de MiHtflears and Paddy Worts j Miss Docy Stewart, as Octavia Minim, QaeenExplosetta, and Mrs. Oakapple; Miss Maggie Stewart as Mrs. Ferret and Prince Florizel; Miss Nellie Stewart, as Lord Hector Fitzblazington, Cinderella, and the Irish Flower Girl, afforded examples of the best style of finished burlesque. The literary form in which the entertainment is cast preserves the jokes from any excess or coarseness, at the same time that their humour and raciness find adequate expression in a style an d manner that is very graceful and fascinating. The season is now drawing to a close. To-night will be the last but one of the appearance of this clever family in Auckland. The admirable taste, the pleasant colloquy, and the racy humonr which characterise those charming burlesques, 1 should secure for the last two performances the fullest measure of public patronage. A very agreeable evening was passed by the members of the Prince of Wales Lodge of Freemasons, J2.C., last evening, at the Lodge-room, Masonic Hotel.— Brother Dr. Dawson, W.M. of the Lodge, presided. Amongst the visitors were Brother Dr. Goldsbro', D.G. Treasurer; Brother W. P. Moat, D.G.S.D. ; Brothei Rev. C. M. Nelson, P.M. and D.G. Chaplain. The Master Wardens and officers ol the Waitemata attended as a lodge, and the sister lodges were fairly represented. Foui very handsome past-masters 1 gold jewelf were to be presented. One was presentee to Brother .Rev. C. M. Nelson, and a seconc to Brother Leers. The two others were nol presented, as Brothers Skinner and Brassey, who were to be presented with similar deco rations, were absent. Dinner was providec by Brother Hood in his usual excellent taste, About twenty-five brethren sat down, anc enjoyed the good things provided. Theusua toasts were proposed and responded tOj several songs were sung, and a verv enjoyable evening was spent. The snagging of the Waihoa is being energetically proceeded with by Mr. J. C. Firtl on his own account, so much so that it is almost considered unnecessary to expend the sum of £250 allowed by the Hon. Mr Sheehau for that purpose, and it is not im probable it will be diverted to road work: Mr. Firth, as chairman of one o the Waikato Highway Boards, has writtei to the Thames County Council asking tha steps be taken to prevent the injury to the banks of the Waihou river caused by paddle steamers, by restricting the navigation t< screw steamers. The matter will, no doubt, be dealt with by a Board of River Con senators, if such is formed, for the contro of the rivers in this district.—Thames Ad vertiser. The Thames Advertiser says that the eit< for the railway bridge at Ohinemuri wil most probably be near the junction of th< two rirers, above Mr. Thorpe's land. Matters connected with the New Zealand Chess Congress, so eagerly looked forward tc by all lovers of chess, are progressing satisfactorily. B2twaen£7o and £80 have alreadj been subscribed. In Dantdin it is mucfc talked about, and, indeed, seems there tc create greater interest than it does in the place of its birth.—Christchurch Press. The first new wheat from the South h now being landed from the brigantiue Ads C. Owen, and those desirous of comparing il with that of Auckland will have an oppor tunity of so doing to-day at the stare of Mr, John Lamb, Queen-street. The moonlight excursion dowu the harbour, which was improvised by the Artillerv Band in aid of the Kaitangata Relief Fund, was postponed from last night until Mondav at the same hour. The inclemency of the weather was such as to offer very little prospect of success to the trip, and as the pro moters are anxious to materially swell the fund, the postponement of the excursion will no doubt prove profitable. The Branch o; the Hibernian Society have made arrangements for a g?and demonstration on the anniversary of the Patron Saint of Ireland, the 17th The society will be formec in procession in regalia ia the morning, ant march to the Domain, where sports will be held, aud a grand ball iu the Choral Hall will form a suitable wind-ap to the day'* proceedings. Mr. Maclean (says our Waikatc contemporary) was charged on Wednesday, at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Cam bridge, with having committed a breach oi the Slaughterhouse Act, 1877—t0 wit, permitting cattle to be slaughtered at Fer Court, and having sold the same without t licence. Mr. Maclean was fined £5 and costs. At the last meeting of .the Cambridge Farmers' Club, it was resolved, on the motior 6f Mr. Fantham, seconded by Mr. Jarne; Runciman, that subscriptions be collected \ from the Waikato settlers for the purpose ol i sinking an artesian well in the district, as thej» believed the river water wa3 uo wholesome for both children and stock. According to the report of a discussiou on grasses by the Cambridge Farmers' Club which appeared in the Waikato Times, Mr! James iiuueiman has an unfavourable opinion of cocksfoot pasture. He is reported to have said: —" With regard to cocksfoot, he had seen a paddock ploughed up in which was a small patch of this grass, and planted in potatoes. Where the cocksfoot was, there was not scwfc. of potatoes j but close to where there was no cocksfoot there was ten tous to the acre ; this was, no doubt, from the tough roots not rotting." Maten * a > of Ngatiton, a brother of the Hon. Wi Parata, has addressed a letter to the )Vaka Maori, in which he asks, among other things, why no Maori is made a Bishop? He says" First, we were instructed ia Christianity, and haviog acquired knowledge therein, some of us were made ministers, and have now officiated as minis ters for more than twenty years. We were next instructed in the law, and before we were fully able to master its intricacies some of us were dragged forward to be made members of Parliament, Ministers of the Government, and magistrates. Now, I ask, why are some of us raised to prominent positions m tue Government and not in the Church » In other words, why do the Church apooiutments with respect to us Maoris abruptly cease when we attain to the position of ordinary miuister ? Why is there no Maori Bishop, aiuce tha natives of these islands have for a considerable time past embraced Christianity ? Let it not be said because a mau is a Maori he is unfit to be a Bishop." The Victoria Lodge of Good Templars, at Newmarket, gave a very agreeable entertainment at the Newmarket Hall, last night, consisting of songs, recitations, readings, &o.' f and the whole wound up with an amusing farce, 6 The clerer illusion "Fatima," exhibited this week in the interest of the Kaitangata Relief Fund, continues to draw large numbers, and Messrs. Norris and Allen's art and science exhibition also attracts considerable crowds, notwithstanding the unfavourable weather. A correspondent of the Thames Advertiser gires the following aoeonnt of a meeting of Maoris at Oliinemuri :—Tinipoaka, as "the blowpipe of Tukukino, stated that should the people at present ia the district remain quiet and contented under his Majesty Tukukino's rule, they could do so unmolested, not being even asked ta contribute anything towards the expenses of keeping up regal court; but should they attempt anything in the shape of pakeha innovation they would all be sent to the right-about He was given to understand that a fine bridgo was proposed to be built over the Ohinemuri, at Paeroa. Now, he must tell them plainly that bis Majesty could not allow the work to be proceeded with. Another subject which touched the dignity of the Crown, and which would materially affect the government of this people, if not put a stop to at once, was the Volunteers. The pakehas has organised a company of Volunteers, and they were actively engaged drilling, and would have arms and ammunition. What this company of armed men was for he would not say, but they could all guess. This mußt be put a stop to. Not that his Majesty was the least afraid, for his own body-guard (six old women) could make all the Volunteers in the country take to their heels in double-quick time, but, as I said before, his Majesty must be obeyed. At Christchnrcb, telegraph wires have been erected between the Fire Brigade Btation and Mr. Superintendent Harris's residence. With regard to the Btation ends of the telephone, it is intended to have them in a small sound-proof room, so that any person within can communicate with Mr. Harris, and hear messages from him with-' out being disturbed by the clanging of the fire-belia abore.