Town News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 240, 24 June 1876, Page 14

Town News.

The number of letters received at the postoffice, Wellington, by the San Francisco mail on Monday was 2937 ; newspapers, 16,850 ; and book parcels, 890.

In answer to a letter from a resident at Tuapeka, it is is stated by the Secretary to the Post-office that the department has under consideration the question of establishing penny banks.

A sitting of the Supreme Court in banco was held on Friday, when judgment was delivered in the demurrer to plaintiff's declaration in the suit Worgan v. Curl and Hodge. The demurrers of defendants were allowed, the question of costs being reserved for future discussion.

There is still a correspondence going on between the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, his Honor the Superintendent, and the Mayor, about the city tramway. The Tramways Act of 1872 is not so clear as it might be, and as this is the first undertaking of the kind in the colony, great care is requisite in seeing that all the regulations are framed so as to insure public safety and convenience. A Provincial Government Gazette was published on Monday, containing by-laws of the North Palmerston local district; appointment of Mr. John P. Lethbridge as collector and secretary to the Board, vice D. Harris, resigned; abstracts of receipts and expenditure of province of Wellington for the September quarter of 1875; list of Crown grants awaiting claimants, &c.

A meeting of the Athenaeum committee was held on Monday, when certain financial arrangements in connection with the proposed building were under consideration, but it was found that they had not taken such definite shape as to warrant the committee in proceeding to take any steps towards calling for tenders, although it is highly probable they may be able to do so at an early date.

Vincent Pyke, Esq., kindly informs us that he has received a telegram from the hon. secretary " Dunstan District Political League," intimating that at a meeting at Clyde a resolution against provincialism was duly carried. It would apnear from this, therefore, that the Press Agency telegram, published by us last week, purporting to give an account of the result of the meeting, was incorrect. A New Zealand Gazette was published on Friday. It contains : —Order in Council establishing a school of anatomy in Otago University ; order reserving land under the New Zealand Settlements Act ; approval of rules under the Real Estate Descent Act, 1874, and Supreme Court Amendment Act, 1862 ; general rules of Supreme Court, altering forms for obtaining probate ; Civil Service regulations, &c, &c. A special meeting of the Wellington Education Board was held on Friday, there being present Messrs. C. J. Pharaayn, W. Gisborne, and E. Toomath. A rate of one half-penny in the pound was struck for the Mauriceville and Eketahuna portions of the Masterton district. On the recommendation of Mr. Toomath, the tender of Charles Taylor for making alterations to the Masonic Hall, Lower Hutt, was accepted. The above was the only busi-

A meeting of the Combined Friendly Societies' Committee was held on Tuesday at the Odd Fellows' Hall. Mr. Marshall was elected chairman, and Mr. M. Quin secretary. A committee was also appointed to wait upon the Minister of Justice with any suggestions or amendments that may be deemed necessary. It was also resolved that the committee should meet every Tuesday and Friday. All preliminary arrangements having been settled, the committee proceeded to examine the details of the new Friendly Societies Bill last night. Unexpected quietude reigned in the House on Wednesday night. . The stranger's gallery was thoroughly packed, the ladies' gallery was well filled, and even some of the comfortable gentlemen from the Legislative Council put in an appearance, doubtless in anticipation of some warm debating, in which they were disappointed. Sir Julius Vogel merely gave a notice of motion in respect of the Piako Swamp, giving Sir George Grey the option of choosing an evening for the discussion. But the leader of the Opposition was all urbanity, and would not think of opposing the desire of the Premier. So the discussion was fixed for this evening. Again, Mr. Macandfew wanted Thursday's sitting to commence at 2.30 instead of 7.30, but the Premier suggested the objection should not be pressed, and Mr. Macandrew at once accepted the hint. The politeness of the leader of the Opposition must "Have been overpowering to the Government. His lieutenants —Rees and Stout —we beg pardon, "eminent legal authorities," were a trifle fractious, but became quiet after the Premier told them the House had more to teach them than they had to teach the House.

We linderstand that the long talked of amalgamation between the New Zealand and Union Steamship Companies has been effected. "We hear privately from Christchurch that the Lydia Howarde Troupe are there doing good business. A fire broke out at noon on Monday, in the house of Mr. Wilkins, Tinakori-road. The fire brigades turned out, but the fire was extinguished before they arrived. The house was insured.

Great preparations are being made for the installation of Sir Donald McLean as Grand Master for the North Island, and there is every probability of the affair being one of the grandest of the kind which has occurred this side of the Line.

It appears that the question of the Corporation assuming control of the gasworks of the city is not altogether disposed of. Councillor Pharazyn, who is chairman of the gas company, on Thursday in speaking on the subject of the late conference, expressed the opinion that if the Council made an offer the company would be very willing to place it before the shareholders, and urge liberality in dealing with the Council. The following is the retvirn of traffic on the "Wellington and Masterton railway for the four weeks ending 3rd Junej 1876 : & s. d. Passengers .. .. 9058 587 61l Parcels, etc .. 9 0 11 Season tickets .. 4 14 4 0 Freight .. .. 559 tons 208 5 5 Total £BIB 17 3 Railway returns are published in the Gazette as follows :—Auckland and Mercer line, four weeks ended 3rd June—Passengers, £955 9s. 9d.; freight, £571 15s. lid. ; total, £1527 ss. Bd. Kaipara railway—Passengers, &c, £94 6s. Bd.; freight, £177 10s.; total, £271 16s. Bd. New Plymouth and Waitara railway— Passengers, £l3O 17s. 9d.; freight, £76 193. 3d.; total, £207 17s. Napier and Waipukurau railway—Passengers, £573 18s. 2d.; freight, £553 4s. lid.; total, £1127. Picton and Blenheim—Passengers, £136 7s. 3d.; freight, £305 ss. 2d.; total, £441 12s. sd.

On Thursday a large number of the friends of Mr. Charles Brown, who has recently gone into occupation of the Post-office Hotel, met there by invitation, and sat down to dinner with him. Amongst those present were — Messrs. J. S. M. Thompson, McDowell, P. J. Duncan, Andrew Young, Lowes, J. Plimmer, "Valentine (Hutt), Seymour {Licensed Victuallers' Gazette), J. Maginity, and others. A capital dinner was prepared, covers being laid for about forty. Dinner over, Mr. P. J. Duncan, in a neat little speech, proposed " Health and Success to Host Brown," who duly acknowledged the compliment. Other toasts followed, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. In a paragraph last week we stated that two men, named respectively David Darcy and William Gibbs, were missing since Wednesday, and that it was feared that both of them were drowned whilst trying to get round from Evans Bay in a boat. On Friday morning some men went round to Evans Bay in a boat to see if amy traces of the missing men could be found. Unfortunately they succeeded in discovering what only too clearly proves that the worst has befallen the poor men. Alfred Boonstra, one of the searchers, states that he found close to Shelly Beach the dingy belonging to the missing men, and some planks which he (Boonstra had lent to them for the purpose of getting the shells on board. The water jar which the two men took with them, and a couple of oars, were also found.

A Government Gazette, issued on Thursday, contains: —Limits, description, line and limits of deviation of a portion of the Dunedin-Moeraki railway, Waikouaiti portion ; also of of Kawakawa coalmine railway to deep water point ; notification of Government's assent to construction of railway from Anderson's Junction to Portobello, by the Dunedin and Ocean Beach Railway Company (Limited) ; rules and regulations under which Waitaki bridge will be opened ; Order in Council, setting forth that the tariff rates at present in force, limiting the receipt of telegrams by evening papers, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on week-days, to 200 words at evening rates, shall, during the present session of Parliament, be extended to 500 words between the same hours ; Order in Council amending the schedule of fees under the Imprisonment for Debt Act, 1874 ; notice under section 12 of Public Revenues Act ; appointment of William Stuart to be deputy-commis-sioner of stamps at Invercargill ; reports of cattle inspectors ; appointment of Joseph Giles and Charles Broad to be visiting justices at Wanganui; resignation of Thomas Hislop as Crown Prosecutor at Oamaru ; &c. A number of gentlemen met in the office of Messrs. Porbes, Dalrymple, and Co., Masterton, on Wednesday, to consider the aspect of railway affairs, and what chance there was of the works from Featherston to Masterton being commenced. The Neios Letter• reports that the proceedings were merely of a conversational form, a good deal of interest being, however 1 , evinced. It was ultimately agreed that Mr. Dalrymple draw out a letter to Mi-. Bunny, as being the senior representative of the district, asking him to obtain from the Minister of Public Works, either privately or by means of a motion in the House, the | reports on the two railway lines now surveyed in the Wairarapa ; and that he also ascertain what prospects there are of the works being proceeded with. As soon as a reply on which to proceed has been received, a public meeting of all persons interested will be called, to consider what steps should be taken. The meeting was held in consequence of the report that the Government intended to still further delay the construction of the permanent way. The matter is beginning to excite both interest and indignation ; and if the rest of the "Wairarapa will only act in concert with Masterton, the construction of the works will not hang fire for the want of pressure on the Government.

The Premier on Wednesday gave notice of the nomination by the Government of Mr. O'Rorke as Chairman of Committees. Sir George Grey is to second the nomination, and no doubt Mr. O'Rorke will be elected unanimously, as he well deserves, from the able and impartial manner in which he discharged his duties last session.

It is with regret that every one will hear of Mr. Bunny, M.H.R., having been compelled to leave suddenly for Nelson, in consequence of the serious illness of his daughter, Mrs. Lowther Broad. Mr. Bunny, before his departure, placed his " pair" in the hands of the Government Whip to support the Ministry unreservedly on all questions which might arise during his absence. We understand that Mr. Wright has determined to cut up part of his property known as Goathurst Farm into allotments, and form a township of it. Mr. Wright wrote to the Hon. the Premier, informing him of his intention, and asked permission to be allowed to show his personal recognition of the services the Premier had rendered the colony, by naming the new town Vogelville. The Premier in his reply politely acknowledged the compliment, and accorded the permission asked. We have been requested to state that the managing committee of the Odd Fellows' Hall, Upper Hutt, feeling disgusted with the individual who demanded the sum of ten shillings for the use of the piano from the Christy Minstrels, who kindly gave their services for the benefit of Paul, Reidal, and Young, have handed over to Mr. Waters, the secretary, the sum of ten shillings, being the amount so unfeelingly demanded and retained by the abovenamed person. The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, who has of late evinced a kind of sneaking regard for the Ministry, took, as might he expected, the first opportunity to desert their cause. He telegraphed on Friday night last: " It is fully expected that Ministers will resign. They owe their defeat entirely to their own want of tact and bad management." We regret that this correspondent's real name is not known. Such talents as his_ are above anonymity, and are hid under it like a light beneath a bushel. The reason he ought to be known is, because then he could be employed to write for an Opposition paper in Wellington, for of course he could not write for a Ministerial one.

A new system of regulating the charge for gas consumed by ctreet lamps is being introduced. The Gas Company have imported twelve lamp-posts. At the base of each is a meter, and these lamps are to be placed at a proportionate distance with respect to the other lamps throughout the town, so that they will act as indicators of the amount of gas consumed by all the lamps, and the Gas Company will charge the Corporation accordingly. This is a very good idea, and, in practice, should ensure much greater accuracy with regard to the amount of gas consumed by the street lamps. The lamp-posts are neatly made, being a great improvement on those now in use. In time we hope to see a greater uniformity and more shapeliness in the lampposts of the city. The following gentlemen have been placed on the Commission of the Peace for New Zealand -.—Frank Bird, Esq., of Okarito; Henry Hamilton Bridge, Esq., of Waipawa; Archer Charles Croft, Esq., of Carlyle; Bror Eric Friberg, Esq., of Seventy-Mile Bush; George Douglas Hamilton, Esq.,. of Seventy-Mile Bush; Rechab Harding, Esq., of Waipawa; Hugh Jones, Esq., of Westport; William Hort Levin, Esq., of Wellington; Edward Lyndon, Esq., of Napier; John Martin, Esq., of Wellington; Duncan MacKellar, Esq., of Cromwell; Mackay John Scobie Mackenzie, Esq., of Kyburn station ; Thomas Kennedy Newton, Esq., of Napier ; Henry Horsford Prins, Esq., of Christchurch ; William Rathbone, Esq., of Waipawa ; Charles Stephen Reeves, Esq., of Dunedin ; George Talbot, Esq., of Nelson. The proceedings in the House of Representatives on Friday were unusually lively for what may be called the first day of the session. Sir George Grey returned to the old Piako Swamp trouble, and made a motion the divisions on which were rather embarrassing to the House. The talking power of the new House seems fully equal, if not superior, to that of the last Parliament, for the new members were fully represented in the debate. Mr. Rees, of " chawing-up" celebrity, made his debut, and did what a great many other M.H.R.s have done before him, and will do in the future —talked a very great deal of rubbish in a very bombastic style. Mr. DeLatour tried to be funny and satirical, but was scarcely up to Dean Swift. However, as he is of that nature which Mrs. Gamp would term " bragian bold," there is no knowing to what heights he may rise in time to come. Most of the other new members spoke argumentatively and fluently. The chess dinner on Friday night at the Panama Hotel was a great success, and a most enjoyable affair throughout. Over thirty gentlemen sat down to table, which was provided in the best style by Mr. Light, the proprietor of the hotel. The various toasts on the programme were well proposed and responded to, especially that of " Chess players all over the world," which was proposed by Mr. Benbow in a most exhaustive speech. Mi - . Hullett in responding for "The Losers" was most humorous. The health of Mr. Hunter, who had kindly given the use of rooms for playing the recent matches in, was drunk with enthusiasm, and suitably replied to, Mr. Hunter expressing his desire to do anything that could further the interests of chess players. Mr. Ellaby responded for "The Winners" (proposed by Mr. Orbell). At the dinner it was agreed to form a chess club for Wellington ; and prompt ste23S being taken, nearly thirty members enrolled themselves, when officers were elected as- follows: —President, Mr. George Hunter, M.H.R.; Vice-President, Mr. Benbow ; Treasurer, Mr. Whittem ; and Mr. W. T. Thane, Secretary ; committee, Messrs. Ellaby, Kennedy, Diclsbury, Reeves, and White. During the evening some capital songs and recitations were given.

A license has been granted to Mr. Frank Broughton for the Albion Hotel, Te Aro.

The man Charles W. Nicholson, who was, in error, sentenced to six months' imprisonment on a charge of larceny, was released from gaol on Saturday. A nephew of Sir George Bowen recently died in Tasmania. He came out with his Excellency, but in consequence of ill-health went to Tasmania, where he died.

A meeting of the creditors in the estate of Thomas Jones, deceased, was held at the offices of Mr. T. Kennedy Macdonald, Temple Chambers, on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Boxburgh attended as attorney for Mrs. Jones, administratrix, and made an offer of a composition of 15s. in the £, payable at three and six months. This was accepted. The building of the new hotel will be at once proceeded with. The works on the Mungaroa tunnel are, we learn, progressing most satisfactorily. Nine chains have been got through, and there only remain two chains to be pierced. The shots on either side respectively can be heard. Over fifty men are at work, and through communication should be effected in a little over two months. The lining of brick and concrete necessary in part of the Upper Hutt tunnel is making good way, nearly a chain of it being finished.

Traffic returns for four weeks ended May 6th, 1876, on Auckland and Mercer lilies Brunner line, and Nelson and Foxhill line are published in the Gazette : The total receipts of the first-mentioned line,, were £1566 19s. 9d., of which £987 10s. 7d. was for passengers, and the balance for freight. The total receipts on the Brunner line were £149 19s. 4d., £ll3 18s. sd. representing passenger traffic, and £36 0s lid. tonnage. On the Nelson line the passenger traffic amounted to £392 2s. 6d.» and freight £ll6 19s. Bd., total, £509 2s. 2d;

A few days since a most impudent attempt was made to swindle a publican to the extent of some £lB. It occurred in this way. A man who was working at a brewery, on receipt of a cheque from his employer for £2 25., presented it at a publichouse, the landlord of which cashed it, but he mistook the figures, and imagining the cheque to be for £2O, gave him four £5 notes. The money was accepted without a word, and the recipient made off as soon as possible. The landlord of the hotel of course discovered his error soon after, and sought out the man for whom he had cashed the cheque, but tha latter would not give the money up. He was eventually compelled to however, for his own friends, on finding out the rights of the case, denounced him ; and his solicitor, to whom he had gone for advice, on hearing the true facts of the story from the landlord, instructed him to give up the money. The sale of the allotment of land upon which the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company's offices are situate, attracted a large number of capitalists at Mr. Yennell's rooms on Wednesday. The property was started at £2OOO, Mr. Jacob Joseph's offer, and Mr. George Hunter ran it up to double that sum. Mr. Charles Brown advanced £IOO, and to his nod the property fell. It is understood he bought it for Messrs. Joseph Nathan and Co. It may be interesting to note that the property was sold at the rate of £lO2 10s. a foot, or nearly £70,000 per acre. This may be fairly taken as an indication of the increasing value of business sites in this city. It speaks well for the trade and prospects of the port to find our merchants enlarging their borders ; and when the present handsome pile of buildings owned by the proprietors is extended over the land just purchased, it will present a most imposing appearance, and materially improve the block on which it is situated. The property on which Mr. Maxton's baker's shop is situated was also put up for sale. The bidding was tame. It was started at £9OO, and run up to £1150; an additional £25 was then bid by Mr. Jacob Joseph, to whom the property was knocked down at £1175. A country lot of 60 acres near Masterton was offered, but there were no bids, and it was therefore withdrawn, Mr. Vennell intimating that he would be prepared o treat with anyone privately. All who have visited Simonsen's opera must have recognised that much of the success the company has achieved has been owing to the high talents of Mr. C. B. Foster, who has had charge of the pianoforte. His execution is so brilliant, touch so delicate, and emphasis so marked as to stamp him a thorough master of the instrument. Therefore we are pleased to hear that all lovers of music will have an opportunity of hearing him, in some of the master compositions for the pianoforte, this afternoon at Messrs. Bethune and Hunter's room. Thalberg's " Les Huguenots" is one of the pieces chosen, and in this he will have an excellent opportunity of displaying his ability. In addition to this the " Dying Poet," by Gottschalk, will be given, of which performance the Melbourne Argus said lately : «l n playing this composition, Mr. Foster showed that he possessed the true artist faculty, the power to make the instrument he plays on seem different and superior to its ordinary self when touched by hands less skilful. If we mention Goddard at the pianoforte, Henry Lazarus with the clarionet, Seide or Giammona with the flute, the reader will recognise the fine touch which we endeavor to describe as belonging to Mr. Foster. He has learned how to make the strings murmer under his hands, and he has that fine sense, that in a whole series of modulations, the leading tone which smooths the way and prepares the ear for new and always pleasing combinations shall be insinuated in the gentlest manner—hinted at rather than asserted at first, but still bringing about these high developments which we may notice in the varying angle of the ray of light which at sunsets suffuses the evening sky with all the changeful glories of prismatic harmony." Beethoven's Moonlight sonata, and the "Carnival de Venice," by Schuloff, will also be given. In his recital, Mr. Foster will be assisted by Mr. Albert Richardson, Mr. W. Thompson, jun., leader of the orchestra, and Mr. W. Thompson, sen.

The City of San Francisco', with the English mail, arrived at Auckland on Saturday, or a day before contract time, after a passage which is the fastest on record, averaging twelve knots throughout.

The chairman and directors of the Gas Company met a committee of the City Council on Tuesday afternoon, to see if some mutual arrangement could be arrived at for the sale of the gas works to the Corporation. The particulars of the interview have not transpired, but we are given to understand that the sum sought by the Gas directors is considered so exorbitant by the Council committee as to forbid any hope of a bargain being struck between the negotiating parties. The Harbor Board committee met on Monday afternoon (his Worship the Mayor in the chair), when the Bill which has been prepared for the formation of a Harbor Board was submitted to the committee for final revision, previous to its introduction to the House of Representatives. The Bill, which consists of eighty-seven clauses, was gone over seriatim ; several changes not of any great importance were made ; and the Bill, as then amended, was ordered to be printed and circulated. Mr. Hunter will take charge of the Bill, and the chairman was requested generally lo watch its progress through the Assembly. The measure, so far as we have been able to judge from a perusal of it, is very complete. Its main features, under the constitution of the Board (which, we observe, is now the Mayor ex officio, two members appointed by the Governor, two members elected by the City Council, and four members by the ratepayers), are the sale of the Queen's Wharf and Te Aro foreshore by the City Council for £60,000, the endowment of the Board by the cession to it of the Thorndon reclamation now going on, as well as the railway wharf which the General Government propose to erect. For the payment of these various properties, to be handed over at prime cost, and for the reclamation of the Te Aro foreshore, the Board asks authority to borrow a sum of £350,000 at 6 per cent., by debentures payable in thirty years. A further endowment is templated in the 78th section. Thus—'" The Governor may, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, grant to or otherwise vest in the Board, any reserves made or hereafter to be made, and any lands reclaimed from the sea within the harbor of Wellington, which are or may be vested in the Crown, and any lands within the said harbor lying below high-water mark." The Bill seems well considered, and one to which the Legislature will not be likely to take much exception. On Saturday evening last the Wellington Amateur Minstrels gave their promised entertainment in the Odd Fellows' Hall, Upper Hutt, in aid of the fund for the relief of Paul, Reidal, and Young. Owing to the wretched state of the weather the entertainment was not the financial success it would have been under more favorable circumstances. The first portion of the programme comprised the usual number of songs and choruses, and was well received by the audience. The comicalities of the " corner men" literally brought down the house. The second part comprised dances, glees, and solos, and were well received, especially the clog dance by Mr. Cameron and the songs and dances by the same gentleman and Mr. Broughton. At the conclusion of the performance the room was cleared, and those who stayed behind indulged in a hour two's dancing. The only drawback to the enjoyment of the concert was the gratuitous insult offered to the Minstrels by Mr. Park, who. demanded the hire of the piano—some ten shillings—immediately the troupe arrived at the Hutt. He was informed by the secretary that the amount would be paid at the close of the performance. Not content with this promise, at the close of the first part of the programme, he again demanded the paltry ten shillings, as if he was afraid the company was not to be trusted even to that small amount. Mr. Park's standard of human nature must indeed be very small when he would not even take the pledge of a wellknown gentleman for the amount. As showing the interest taken by one gentleman who accompanied the troupe to get the people to roll up, he secured the loan of a bullock bell, and acted the part of an amateur bellman, announcing lustily the object and nature of the performance, to some account. We are requested to convey, through our columns, the thanks of the Minstrels to the railway authorities for granting them free passes, to the committee of the Odd Fellows' Hall for granting the use of that building free, and to' Mr. McKirdy for kindly placing a conveyance and driver at their disposal to return to Wellington at the close of the entertainment. It is expected that about £lO will be handed over to the fund.

The Bristol Times and Mirror tells the following curious story : —A somewhat eccentric old lady recently died, leaving a considerable amount of property, amongst it being a very valuable collection of studies from the nude by well-known artists. A married niece, in the house at the time of the death, thought these were highly improper, and as soon as the breath was out of her aunt's body, consigned them to the flames. Imagine her chagrin when, on the will being read, it was found that these very sketches were all that her relative had left to her and her children. They "were worth about £BOOO.

The Ballarat correspondent of the Melbourne Argus writes : —Rope-walking must either be an accomplishment easily acquired, or our Australian youths must be wonderfully precocious and daring. Till Blondin came to Victoria he had no imitators; at least no successful ones. Since he has been here imitators have sprung up like mushrooms after an autumn rain, and some of these have even out-Blondined the rope king himself. The Blondin followers have hitherto been of the male pei-suasion only; but unless I am misinformed there is a girl expected to make a public exhibition of her powers on the rope, or on a wire—• it is all one to her—which is likely to throw

previous rope-walkers into the shade. Her parents strongly object to her exhibiting in public, and it is doubtful if she will be able to overcome their scruples in that direction, She is said to have a wonderful faculty of balancing herself on even a single wire, without using a pole, or anything but her outstretched arms, and rarely has she to resort to them for aid. She can walk, run, hop, or dance on the wire, and carry a weight equal to 401bs. on it, with as much apparent confidence as if she was on the floor of a room. The following civil cases were heard in the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday :—- Gear v. Green, claim, £5 2s. 7d. ; judgment for £4 2s. 7d. and costs. Stevenson and Stuart v. Williamson, claim, £5 10s. ; judgment for amount and costs. Education Board v. Dunlop, claim, 12s. 6d.; judgment for amount and costs. The enquiry into the wreck of the barque Heversham, to have been held at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, was postponed till to-day, owing to the indisposition of Captain Croll. NEW MODE OF CONSTRUCTING BREAKWATERS. A meeting of gentlemen took place at Messrs. Bethune and Hunter's, at noon on Thursday, to hear a description of a new method of constructing breakwaters, invented by Mr. Joseph Dyer, and recommended by Mr. T. M. Hardy Johnston, M. Inst. C.E. Amongst those present were the Hon. W. E. Stafford, Messrs. J. Kelly, Button, Kennedy, Wason, Larnach, Moorhouse, Carrmgton, and other members of the House of Representatives, as well as very many influential gentlemen of Wellington. A sectional drawing of the invention was exhibited, and to all present Mr. Hardy Johnston explained details ; but the following statement, read by Mr. Dyer, gives so clear a description of the invention, that the proposals of the inventor may be easily comprehended: — I, Joseph Dyer, of Wellington, claim _ to have invented and discovered a new and improved method of constructing seawalls or breakwaters, whereby the force of the waves is so broken and subdued that harbors of refuge may be more cheaply and rapidly constructed than has hitherto been the case. I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, founded upon enquiries made, this invention is entirely original, and that no letters patent have ever been issued or applied for wherein the same or similar methods of construction have either been specified or indicated. I further specify and set forth the mode in which I propose to construct such seawalls and breakwaters, to the intent that I may establish my claim to have so invented and discovered it, and I declare my intention to apply for letters patent securing to me the sole privilege of using such invention; and I hereby claim the protection of the statute for.the plan so published, for the space of six months from the date hereof, in order to enable me to perfect the plans, drawings, and specifications, as allowed by the statute aforesaid. I therefore declare . the following to be the plan and mode of construction. I oppose to the advancing wave a wall, not composed a flat surface, which would offer resistance to its approach, but a wall composed of longitudinal iron cells or tubes, the open ends of which, closely fitted together, front the wave. These are secured to each other and kept in position by being attached to very strong screw piles, whichhave a vertical section of an acute triangle, so that they oppose no resistance to the attack of the wave. This wall of hollow iron cells, so attached, extends in height from two or three feet below low water mark to such height above high water mark as may be found necessary ; the sectional area of these cells to be of such dimensions as may be hereafter described. These cells, so attached together, and of such length as may be found sufficient, extend backwards towards the shore at a given angle of elevation to the horizon. The sides of these cells, which may be of rectangular or hexagonal shape, converge to each other at the shore or rear side of the said seawall, gradually diminishing in dimensions until the aperture at the rear is not more than one-eighth of the area of the aperture at the sea front. The interstices between the converging sides of the said iron cells are to be filled up with cement, concrete ; and the superficies of the wall so constructed will, it is claimed, form a pier or jetty that the sea cannot sweep away or pass over, but which may be used as a road or means of access to shipping, sheltered from the sea by such wall or jetty. It is claimed that the front of this wall of hollow iron cells, the sides of which are of the thinnest structure compatible with the requisite strength, will offer the least possible obstruction to the force of the advancing wave, as the open mouths of the cells will face the prevailing direction of the current of wave and wind to be opposed in each specific case. It is claimed further, that the wave in rushing with extreme violence into these partially closed and gradually rising cells will have its coherence so destroyed and cut up that it will encounter the graduated and elastic obstruction of the atmosphere contained in each of them. But the rear of the cells being partially open, the air will be expelled with more or less force, and thus the vast dynamical force of the water will be employed in compressing and expelling the air contained in some thousands of self-acting pneumatic breaks, and will not avail to disturb the surface of a harbor so protected, ylt is claimed that this process will be far cheaper and more rapidly constructed than solid walls of concrete or a wall of masses of stone deposited in the usual form of a breakwater. It will also be apparent that immediately on the retreat of the wave the superincumbent air will rush into the orifices from which it has so forcibly been expelled, and thus the structure will again constitute an elastic atmospheric wall, against which waves may dash in vain. In answer to Mr. S'TAI'EORD,

Mr, Johnston said he pledged his professional reputation on the opinion that the scheme was practicable on any coast, except where there was a rocky bottom and the piles could not be driven. The general opinion seemed to be that the design appeared capable of being carried into effect, and that if it could be carried into effect, the invention would be of incalculable benefit, seeing that it is estimated such a breakwater as that proposed could be constructed at half the cost of, and in about one-twentieth the time occupied in, the construction of ordinary breakwaters. Mr. Dyer was urged to have a trial made in some of the bays in the Wellington harbor. THE GOVERNMENT BANKING ACCOUNT. Some important correspondence in connection with this matter was laid upon the tables of both Houses of Parliament on Friday. Of course, it is known that the Bank of New Zealand was the only tenderer for the public account, and that their tender was accepted. Prior to the date on which the time for receiving tenders closed the following letter was sent to the Colonial Treasurer : The Inspector, Bank of Australasia, to the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Bank of Australasia, Inspector's Office, Wellington, April 4, 1876. Sir, In response to your printed invitation for tenders for the banking business of the Government of New Zealand, such tenders to be sent in on or before the 20th instant, I have the honor to inform you, thus early, that it is not the intention of this bank to make any offer for the account, for the following reasons (among others), viz. : 1. That it is, at least, a debatable point whether the weight of evidence given before the Public Accounts Committee is not strongly in favor of distributing the Government business between the several banks in association, instead of giving it to a single institution. 2. That the report of such committee was only presented to Parliament at the last moment before adjournment, and has not yet received the deliberate consideration of members. . 3. That the conditions are such, especially the 22nd, as virtually to preclude this bank and others from competing on equal terms with the present custodian of the account. 4. That public policy, no less than a spirit of fair dealing towards the recognised financial institutions of the country, which have all a large amount of capital invested in New Zealand, demands a distribution of the Government business. I would respectfully point out that, as half a year will have shortly elapsed since the committee recommended that a six months' notice should be given forthwith to determine the agreement with the Bank of New Zealand,_ and such notice has not yet been given, there is no known valid reason for hurrying the matter now, when Parliament is about to meet, and might desire to have an opportunity of reviewing a report so fraught with importance to the best interests of New Zealand. When, therefore, it becomes known to the Government that one of the most powerful banks in the country declines to tender under existing conditions, and that others may adopt the same course for similar reasons, so reducing competition to a minimum, if not enabling the institution with the largest number of branches to obtain the Government account on its own terms, I would fain hope that the time for receiving tenders will be extended until an opportunity has been afforded to the new Parliament of considering the whole matter. I am not entitled to request this as the mouthpiece of others ; but such a concession would, I feel assured, be regarded by all the " uncovenanted " banks as a slight measure of reparation for the injustice done them —no doubt, unwittingly—in placing the proceeds of the four million loan in the Bank of New Zealand without subjecting that institution to competition, as provided for in their agreement with the Government, which, as you are doubtless now aware, differs materially from the memorandum of such agreement furnished by the Secretary of the Treasury. —I have, &c, E. W. Morrah, Inspector, N.Z. The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington. The Secretary to the Colonial Treasurer replied to Mr. Morrah that the tone and nature of the above letter were such that it had been referred to the Cabinet, where it had been decided to call the attention of the bank authorities to the document. This was accordingly done in the following words :—" The Government, to whom the Colonial Treasurer referred Mr. Morrah's letter, determined that the attention of the bank authorities should be called to it, and that it should be pointed out to them that it would be impossible for this Government to deal with any bank which allowed its representative to feel himself at liberty to write in such terms." On which Mr. Morrah wrote as follows : The Inspector, Bank of Australasia, to the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Bank of Australasia, Inspector's Office, Wellington, April 17, 1876. Sir, —I received on Saturday, Mr. Fox's communication of 13th inst., stating that you had thought it necessary to refer my letter of 4th idem to the Cabinet, and that it was there decided to call the attention of the bank authorities to the document. This certainly surprised me, and, as Mr. Fox did not reveal the specific cause of offence, I at once applied myself to discover wherein I had exceeded my intention of making solely a forcible appeal, in the interests of the bank, for consideration, at what I conceived to be a critical time. That there was misconception somewhere I felt assured, and investigation leads me to conclude that it is on my part, in supposing that the final decision of Parliament, as to the Government banking arrangements, had yet to be given. I had imbibed this impression from the local i newspaper accounts of what took place on the

occasion of the presentation of the Public Accounts Committee's report, as well as from the speeches of members of the Housenotably that of the then Colonial Treasurer. These accounts, if I remember aright, one and all were to the effect that only a portion of the report had been adopted. By chance lam enabled to refer at once to the Evening Post of 20th October last, which begins an article thus •—" Although the House did not founally adopt that portion of the PubHc Accounts Committee's repoifc which recommended that the existing arrangements between the Bank of New Zealand and the Government should be terminated, and tenders invited for the Public Account," &c, &c. And in officially advising the result of the presentation, I myself stated to our directors that "in consequence of the Government desiring to remain unfettered during the recess, the report was not formally adopted." That impression remained while I was writing my previous letter, and is only now shaken by a reference to Hansard, which states that the whole report was adopted. It will thus, I trust, be understood how I, holding this mistaken view of the situation, could °not but regard the final solution of the whole question of Government banking arrangements, before the House should meet, as premature. I infer now that the matter is finally settled, so far as Parliament is concerned. If so, my letter has been grounded on a misapprehension, and I would therefore ask to withdraw it, at the same time apologising for any annoyance inadvertently caused through its terms. I may state that a copy of such letter has been already despatched, some days since, by myself to the directors of this bank in London, and to the superintendent in Melbourne. —I have, &c, E. W. Moreah, Inspector, Ts.A. The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington.

The following correspondence then ensued : , Secretary to the Colonial Treasurer to the Inspector, Bank of Australasia. General Government Offices, Wellington, 19th April, 1876. Sir,— Replying to your letter of the 17th inst.,'l have been directed by the Colonial Treasurer to state that he does not consider you would have beem justified in writing such a, letter as yours of the 4th inst., whether or not the House of Representatives had adopted as a whole the report of the Select Committee on Public Accounts. On this point you were correct in your first surmise : the House did not adopt the report. Your request to withdraw the letter means, therefore, nothing. The Colonial Treasurer feels that it will be necessary for you to express unqualified regret for having written the letter, in order to induce him to recommend that you be allowed to withdraw it.—l have, &c, E. Fox. E. W. Morrah, Esq., Bank of Australasia, Wellington. The Inspector, Bank of Australasia, to the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Bank of Australasia, Inspector's office, Wellington, April 20, 1876. gi r I received yesterday afternoon Mr. Fox's'letter of 19th instant, informing me by your direction that (as I originally supposed) the report of the Public Accounts Committee was not adopted by the House ; and requiring as a condition precedent to the withdrawal of my letter of 4th idem, that I should express unqualiaed regret for having written it. The circumstances under which it was written have been already explained to you, and I venture to think should obtain for it generous consideration. Let me recapitulate them :—I, knowing nothing of Government or Parliamentary procedure, witnessed the adoption of a course which appeared to me calculated to bring about the premature solution of a question in which this bank is warmly interested. I could not understand how it was necessary to accept tenders before Parliament had decided on the whole question of Government banking arrangements, and I therefore endeavored, by a vigorous appeal for an extension of time, to avert a solution which promised to extinguish my last remaining hope of seeing the Government business distributed. The pleading was perhaps over-urgent, and I admit that the " reasons " advanced for not tendering might, with be toned down in one case and amplified in another. For instance, the fourth " reason," by inadvertence, states as a matter of fact what should have been stated as a matter of opinion ; and in using the term "weight of evidence" m the first " reason," I might have explained that it bore reference to the major advantages of public benefit, as distinguished from the minor advantages of simple book-keeping and departmental convenience. , . , , I have discovered with unfeigned regret that, on some ground not made clear to me, my letter has unintentionally given umbrage to yourself and the Government. The traditions of this bank, the well-understood wishes of my directors, and my own sense of what is right and proper, would effectually prevent me from knowingly giving offence ; and I beg to disavow any intention of doing so, while expressing my readiness to offer an explanation of any portion of my letter which you may think requires explanation. For the reasons, then, that the letter has been productive of unpleasantness, that it does not in parts exactly approve itself to my own mind, and that I may, under a misapprehension of the effect of calling for tenders, have put the case more strongly than the occasion warranted, I would still prefer to withdraw it; and I frankly repeat my apology for any annoyance it may have inadvertently caused. _ But to express unqualified regret for having written it, appears to me tantamount to an admission on my part that I had offended of set purpose ; and this admission I must respect- » fully, but firmly, decline to make.

Hoping that a reconsideration of the whole matter will induce you to accept these assurances.—l have, &c, E. W. Moreah, Inspector N. Z. The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington. Secretary to the Colonial Treasurer to the Inspector, Bank of Australasia. General Government Offices, Wellington, 21st April, 1876._ Sir, —I have been instructed by the Colonial Treasurer to acknowledge his receipt of your letter of yesterday's date ; and to say in reply, that it is impossible he can enter into any discussion upon your letter of the 4th instant. The Colonial Treasurer will cause to be forwarded to the head office of your bank, in Melbourne, copy of the correspondence with you since his receipt of your letter of the 4th, and he feels compelled to decline further communication with you upon the subject.—l have, &c, E. Fox. E. W. Morrah, Esq., &c, &c, Bank of Australasia, Wellington. WASTE LANDS BOARD. A meeting of the Waste Lands Board was held in the Provincial Government Buildings on Wednesday at eleven o'clock. There were present —Mr. J. G. Holdsworth (chairman), Mr. Pearce, and Mr. Jackson (chief surveyor). Mr. Kelleher (district surveyor) was also in attendance to afford any information required of him. The first matter brought before the consideration of the Board was an application from Mr. Toxward. It appeared that Mr. Toxward had in the month of November, 1874, applied for and obtained 400 acres of land in the Taratahi Plain block. He was unable to inspect the land for some time, but when he did so, he discovered that it was totally unfit for agricultural purposes, and totally unlike what had been represented to to him by the surveyor. He wrote a letter to the Board, Avhich was received at its last meeting, stating his case, and asking for another piece of land, not to cost more than the £2OO which he had given for the 490 acres. The matter was postponed till next (this) meeting. Mr. Kelleher said Mr. Toxward applied to him for information, which he gave him in general form, stating that the land was good land, which he still believed it to be. Mr. Toxward said he was informed that the land was flat, whereas he found that it was peculiar for gullies and swamp. The land was certainly not fit for agricultural purposes, and scarcely fit for grazing. If they compelled him to hold to the purchase, he should be at a considerable loss. The Chairman : Before we proceed further, it would be well to ask Mr. Toxward if he has been offered an increase on the price he paid

for it. Mr. Toxwaed : I was on one occasion offered £25 advance, and subsequently was offered £75 by the same party. I declined to sell because I had not seen the land at the time. The Chairman : The gentleman who made you the offer was Mr. Charles Edwards, whose property adjoins your land. Mr. Mitchell corroborated Mr. Toxward's testimony as to the unsuitability of the land. Mr. Jackson : If the land is so worthless as Mr. Toxward represents, what could have induced Mr. Edwards to offer him £25 advance on the purchase money ? Mr. Toxward : The offer was afterwards withdrawn. The Chairman : He only withdrew the offer of £75, not the £25. Mr. Pearce : Is there no precedent for permitting re-selection ? The Chairman : No. It is contrary to the regulations ; at least, there is nothing in them to that effect. Mr. Pearce : Then surely we have been wasting time in considering the matter at all. The Chairman : So I stated at last meeting, but Mr. Bunny overruled the objection. If the Board were to establish such a precedent, I do not know where it would stop. It would be open to any one of the public to make application for land, and after purchasing it to effect an exchange with a view to make a profit. . ... Mr. Pearce : It must be borne in mmd in this case that the selector was misinformed by an officer of the Government. The Chairman said Mr. Toxward had gone to Mr. Kelleher as a friend, and that gentleman had supplied the information in a friendly way. Mr. Toxward : It was in his official capacity. Mr. Jackson : I am not aware that a surveyor is allowed to afford information unless he has strict orders to do so. Information is freely given I know, but not in an official capacity. The members of the Press and others here left the board-room while the commissioners considered their decision. After a brief intorval the doors were reopened, and The Chairman said : The decision of the Board touching the request of Mr. Toxward is that the request cannot be granted. Applications for pastoral land in the Whareama block, East Coast district, were passed as follows: —Colthurst and Maunsell, 6210 acres; J.C.York, two blocks total, 1280 acres ; J. Smith and others, 800 acres ; R. and J. F- Maunsell, 4240 acres ; J. "V. Smith, five blocks, containing 8350 acres ; J. V. Smith and W. W. Taylor, 1000 acres ; George Crawford, 1300 acres. An application was received from Mr. Hickson, claiming compensation for loss sustained by him owing to unprecedented delay in netting the Crown grant for the land applied for by him. The matter was postponed, in order that it might be discussed at a fuller meeting of the Board. This concluded the business.

ABOLITION" OF PROVINCES. THE CONDITION OF WELLINGTON. The following able statement on the position of the province of Wellington, now that its entity is about to cease, has been prepared by his .Honor the Superintendent for publication in the Provincial Government Gazette. For the last twenty-three years it has been the custom for the Superintendent of Wellington annually to address the Provincial Council, and render up an account, placing before it a statement explanatory of the administration of the affairs of the province for the past, and containing proposals for the ensuing year. As the Provincial Council is prohibited, by authority of Parliament, from again meeting, it can serve no practical purpose to address to it a statement which it cannot discuss.

Although, therefore, the Superintendent considers himself precluded from having recourse to the usual mode of addressing the people of the province through their repretentatives, yet, in view of the proposed changes in the Constitution, he regards it as a duty he owes to all those who, during the last twentythree years, have successfully been engaged in the conduct of provincial institutions, whether as members of the Provincial Executive or Provincial Council, to place on record, for the information of the public generally, a statement showing not only the present condition of the several departments of the provincial service, but also some of the results of the past administration, together with a comparative statement of the assets and liabilities of the province as at the present date.

If the Colonial Parliament shall think fit to persevere with the proposal to abolish provincial institutions, such a statement ought, apart from any question of policy, such as the loss of political privileges, to assist in the formation of a practical estimate, so far as the province of Wellington is concerned, as to what it really is which will be there abolished and taken over.

Three commissioners, viz., Messrs. Gisborne, Seed, and Knowles, waited lately on the Superintendent, in accordance with a circular notice issued to Superintendents by the Colonial Government, with the object of obtaining information and making personal inquiries into the organisation and condition of the several provincial departments. The Superintendent informed the commissioners that, although he disapproved of the policy of abolition, he considered it to be his duty to bow to the decision of Parliament, so far as then ascertained ; and accordingly gave instructions to the different officers in charge to afford every assistance to the commissioners in their investigation. The information thus obtained will no doubt be made public in due course, and will afford the means of judging of the present condition of the departments, as examined from an outside critical point of view. The Superintendent has called for the usual annual reports from the following officers, namely :—Commissioner of Crown Lands, Chief Surveyor, Provincial Engineer, Provincial Surgeon, Medical Officer Mount View, Inspector of Police, and the Warden of the Wellington Gaol. These reports he has directed to be published, together with a report furnished by the Principal of the Wellington College of the work of that institution during the year. They will be found to contain detailed information as to the work in the several departments ; and, when compared with the report of the commissioners referred to, will enable a corrected opinion to be formed as to the present condition of those branches of the public service. With regard to the results of past administration, it may be stated that, during the period extending from Ist July, 1853, when this province was first established, to 31st March, 1876, the latest date up to which the accounts of the province have been made up for audit, the total actual expenditure of public moneys, accruing from revenue and loans, defrayed by the successive Provincial Governments, amounted to £1,595,204 12s. lid. This expenditure classified yields the following results, viz. :

This classification shows that over the whole period of provincial administration in the province four-fifths of the receipts from revenue and" loans were expended on public undertakings, and that the cost of the officers of Government absorbed only one-twenty-eighth of the receipts; or, in mercantile language, the cost of management has only averaged about 3£ per cent. With regard to the quality of the provincial accounts, it may be mentioned that Mr. Woodward, no mean authority as an accountant, states, after having made an exhaustive examination of them, that " every penny .that has come into the provincial chest from any source whatever, has been duly accounted for by the successive treasurers." The figures above quoted are further significant, as showing a steady adoption from the first of a policy of colonisation, that is, of settlement and public works. Town and country have been alike developed. Eleven new towns have been established during the provincial regime, some of which contain a considerable population; and out of the sixteen towns in the province, all but two have had a municipal form of government conferred upon them. Outside these municipal areas, the province has been divided into l'oad districts, and large powers have been conferred on their several boards. Bef®re the establishment of provincial institutions, this province possessed only a few bridges ; now, all the rivers in the province where the land has been under the control of the provincial authorities have been bridged, or contracts have been entered into for the construction of bridges over them, and the

money provided for the completion of the works so contracted for. In the catalogue of provincial relics several other useful items will be foiind, e.g., 203 miles of main lines of road have been formed and metalled ; 82 miles of main lines are in course of construction ; 246 miles of district roads have been formed and metalled ; 304 miles of district roads are in course of formation ; along these 835 miles of road completed, or in course of completion, 371 bridges, over 12ft. span, have been erected. A major triangulation has been extended over 3,500,000 acres ; a minor triangulation, within the above, over 2,509,800 acres. These triangulations, it may be safely asserted, equal in accuracy those possessed by any country ; 1,750,000 acres have been sectionally surveyed ; 1,600,000 acres have been sold ; so that the sectional surveys are about brought to a level with the sales of land ; and the balance of the provincial estate is 940,000 acres. For it must bo remembered that this province, so far as the extent of its public estate has reached, has hitherto only been a fraction of a province. Its nominal area has been about seven million acres, but up to 'the present time there have only been acquired for it 2,540,000 acres. It is a fair gx'ound for satisfactory retrospect that so much has been accomplished with such limited means. This progress, under difficulties, may be attributed to the self-reliance of the settlers, who for many years have taxed themselves, and s© made up in some measure for a deficient patrimony. The proceeds of the land sales for this province for the month of May last were £9383 145.; for the same month, they ai-e reported to me to have amounted to £92,431 in the neighboring province of Canterbury. Reference may be made to the inauguration of a Board of Education and to the establishment of 74 common schools, managed by 116 teachers, and attended by 4140 pupils. Under provincial auspices the Wellington College has been revived, a suitable college building erected, and a remarkably successful administration for higher education therein established. An asylum, with extensive grounds and buildings, has been erected, which will contrast favorably with similar establishments elsewhere. Nor has the chief town of the province been neglected. That important works have beeneitherguaranteed, constructed, or undertaken by the provincial authorities in connection with the harbor of Wellington is sufficiently apparent by referring to the Patent Slip, the deep water wharf, and the extensive harbor reclamations, by which latter works a new town will, in fact, be created. Should the province be abolished on the 30th September next, its actual indebtedness may be ascertained by reference to the following return, viz. : Loans of the Province oe Wellington.

The actual indebtedness of the Province of "Wellington for loans repayable at long dates may therefore be stated at .. .. £218,633 14 0 For floating debt (bank overdraft authorised by law) 14,041 11 11 Total £232,675 6 5 To meet this indebtedness its assets may be estimated to realise as follows, viz., 940,000 acres, less 80,000 given as security to the Colonial Government for the advance of £66,000, referred to in preceding return ; estimated by the Grown Lands Commissioner at 10s. per acre.. £430,000 0 0 Beneficial interest in land in course of reclamation .. .. .. 30,000 0 0 Provincial buildings, for which an offer has been made of .. ... 25,000 0 0 Total £485,000 0 0 That is to say, to use a crade expression, the estate of the province of Wellington will, if wound up, be able to pay upwards of forty shillings in the £, which cannot be regarded as an unsatisfactory result for the assignees of an estate brought under compulsory sequestration. This statement is exclusive of the value of those large and important blocks of land in the province on which considerable sums have been already expended towards the extinguishment of the Native title, and the negotiations for several of which must now be all but completed. These would in the ordinary course of events have been handed over in due course to the province ; and such a consideration

may fairly be taken into account in estimating assets in case of liquidation of a suspended estate. The Superintendent cannot close this statement without expressing his opinion th»t none of those who from time to time have taken part in the affairs of the province need be ashamed of their work ; and he takes this opportunity of bearing testimony to the public spirit and ability which have distinguished alike the officers of the provincial service and the members of Provincial Councils in the discharge ef their public duties through a long series of years. William Fitzherbert, Superintendent.

13 eT 53 S3, Si a *03 . 'I'S .5 a O eg i—i * «.2 is! .2 Offic< Goven Prov Cou Judici Pol Educ ai Chari •I i ° rt H 66,926 7/3 28,565 8/1 132,240 6/3 114,835 11/1,262,581 0/1

A KM?"«** Fund Total debt after deducting circulation. iiXbl ucu. Sinking Fund. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. ('New Zealand Loan Act, 1856 27,000 0 0 ■o Consolidated Loan Act, 1867 180,403 0 0 2 1 Defence and Other Purposes Loan Act, 1870 17,000 0 0 >■{ Wellington Loan Act, 1862 2,000 0 0 8 Wellington Loan Act, 1866 10,327 10 03 Immigration and Public Works Loan Act, p V 1870 Totals 9,941 0 0 246,671 10 0 28,037 15 • 6 218,633 14 6 /Wellington Debts Act, 1871 75,000 0 0 Covered by sale of land to Emigrants and Colonists' Aid Corporation. ■e Loan on Mortgage of Harbor Reserves 100,000 0 0 For reclamation of land, Wellington, covered <o by value of land reclaimed, for which the > Corporation of the City of Wellington O Q offered last year £130,000. Under Provincial Public Works Advance Secured on Crown lands (170,000 acres), of V Act, 1874 66,000 0 0 which 80,000 are to be selected by the General Government.