Town News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 245, 29 July 1876, Page 14

Town News.

His Excellency the Governor and party, who have for the past few days been at Nelson on a shooting excursion, returned in the Luna on Wednesday.

It is understood that the Government will propose a grant of 50,000 acres of the Avaste lands of the Crown as an endowment to the Wellington Harbor Board.

At a meeting of the shareholders in. the N.Z S.S. Company on Monday afternoon it was decided to sell the steamers Rangatira and Manawatu, and wind up the company.

Thomas Sale, who was arrested here on a warrant from Dunedin, charged with larceny of a watch as a bailee, has been discharged with* out a stain on his character.

The sale of city properties held by Mr. G. H. Vennell, at his auction mart, Hunter-street, yesterday, was well attended. The Wellington Club building and site fetched £6500, Mr. Charles Hausman being the purchaser. The other properties were withdrawn. Mr. Levy's property was withdrawn at £3700. We learned on Wednesday night that Master Bell, the pupil at the College who has been for some time ill with typhoid fever, succumbed to the malady. Master Bell was sixteen years of age, and his parents live near Castle Point. Owing to a correspondence in our columns, the case, which has we are informed just terminated fatally, has excited a painful interest.

Captain Lloyd, of the s.s. Taranaki, in consequence of the laying-up of the Phoebe, has had to resign his command in favor of Captain Andrew of the latter vessel, the senior officer in the late N-Z.S.S. Company's service. Captain Lloyd, besides his popularity as a commander, is known as one excellently acquainted with the New Zealand coast. He is likely to take a trip to Melbourne instead of accepting a mate's position, with the first chance of promotion, under the Union Company.

We notice by an advertisement in another column that the celebrated thoroughbred entire horse Southern Chief, the property of Mr. J. O. Hayward, is in the market for sale. As the animal has won several important races, and is related to some of the best racing stock in the colony, Mr. Hayward should not be long without a purchaser.

Because the Press Agency reports of Parliamentary proceedings do not bear out the orossly one-sided accounts sent by their special correspondents, a number of Opposition journals are making most unfair attacks on the Ao-ency. Not a few of these attacks take the form of gross libels, and it is the intention of the proprietors of the Agency to sue one or two of the offending papers for damages, in order to bring the matter to a point, and vindicate their own bona fides.

The proposal of the Government to make candidates for the office of Mayor deposit £lO on nomination day, to be forfeited if a certain proportion of votes are not polled, created a lively discussion on Tuesday in the House of Representatives. Mr. Swanson dissented from the proposition unless it was made to apply to elections for councillors and elections for members of Parliament. The Premier pointed out that the House was not discussing a parliamentary electoral measure, and the distinction between the office of councillor and the office of mayor was, that the latter was a salaried office and the former was not. The clause waa passed.

We have heard it stated authoritatively that there exists in Wellington, to a limited extent of course, the overcrowding of houses in certain localities —an evil which has frequently been the cause of great distress in some of the large cities of older countries. As an instance of the fact it may be stated that in one direction there is at present a family, consisting of four adults and five well grown children living, or dragging out, an oppressed existence in two rooms In Alpha-street, each room being under 10ft. Sin. by 9ft. Gin., which gives about 170 cubic feet to each person. The lowest amount allowed by the London Poor Law Board is 300 cubic feet. Such a state of things is not particularly uncommon. Not lono-°a«-o we were shown two small garrets in whFch°a party of eleven Swedes were living. To persons who have seldom been placed in a condition of life to experience the baleful effects of a want of fresh air, too often the curse of poverty, this will not appear satisfoctory or even safe, in respect to the health of the public generally. For some time past a very pretty little quarrel has been going on among Foresters in Wellington as to the ownership of the Foresters' Hall and the land upon which it stands It seems the site was granted by the Superintendent of the province a number of years ago, when there was but one Court —the Sir George Grey Court —in existence, but since then two other Courts —Court Robin Hood and Court Sir George Bowen —have been inaugurated, and the question as to whom the property belongs has been the bone of contention ever since. The old Court contends that the property was granted to it as a Court, and not as a society, and that therefore the other Courts have no share in the property. Some few years since au amicable arrangement was come to, but quarrels again arose, and the parties refused to al»ide by it. Last session Court Sir George Bowen and Court Robin Hood tried to get a public Bill passed to validate the arrangement, but the matter was dropped, and this year it was brought before the House as a private Bill. The Bill was referred to a committee, which took a large quantity of evidence, and on Tuesday the Chairman, Mr. O'Rorke, brought up a report recommending the disallowance of the Bill. Court Sir George Grey therefore remains in possession ot the property.

It is proposed to start a monthly journal devoted to the interests ot the Church of lingland body in Wellington. In the House of Representatives on Tuesday Mr. J. E. Brown took occasion to dub Mr. Stout a walking encyclopedia of " isms." The annual football match between Nelson and Wellington is expected to come off shortly —probably in a fortnight hence. There was a pretty fair attendance of football players at the Basin Reserve on Saturday, and some excellent play was shown. No goals were kicked.

The passengers who arrived at the port of Wellington by sea during the past week numbered 3 10. Of these eight came from Australia, 126 from the South Island, and 176 from ports in the North Islaud.

It is stated that a large majority of the teachers in Government schools have a strongobjection to the existence of local committees, and would prefer being governed by the central boards for which the Bill now before Parliament provides. We have to acknowledge the receipt from Mr. Hayter, "Victorian Statist, of a quantity of valuable statistics in respect of population, finance, agriculture, &c ; also, parliamentary papers from Mr. Beresford, clerk of the South Australian Parliament.

Three valuable pure Clydesdale horses arrived in Wellington by the Hawea on Friday last. These animals belong to Mr. P. P. Tancred, who intends taking them to the Wairarapa district. All jwbo have inspected these horses pronounce them admirable specimens of their clas-s.

There arrived in the port of Wellington during the past week sixteen steamers, with a registered tonnage of 6629. Piftcen small sailing craft arrived, whose tonnage combined amounted to 538. The number of steamers that cleared out during the same period was 16, whose tonnage amounted to 6602. There were seven sailing vessels cleared out, with a carrying capacity of 251 tons. The Rev. Dr. Roseby, a Church of England Minister, of Dunedin, who has recently been handled severely for having expressed some broad and advanced views in his lecture on "Evolution not irreconcilable with Christianity," has been presented with an address expressive of high appreciation of his ability and perfect confidence in his teaching. At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday a man named William Powell was charged with stealing a coat from the shop of Messrs. Munro and Co. Robert Shearer, a lad in the employment of the firm, saw the man take the coat from a pile of goods exposed at the door of the shop. Prisoner had but recently come out of gaol after serving three months, and on the present charge he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard labor. The clause in the Municipal Corporations Bill which gives plurality of votes for elections for Councillors, was passed on Tuesday in the House of Representatives, after considerable discussion ; and so also inadvertently was a clause which affirmed, a similar principle in the mayoral elections. The Premier intended to move an amendment on the clause as printed, so as to give burgesses only one vote, but he did not hear the side note being read, and the clause was passed. The Bill will be recommitted, in order that the clause may be amended.

We observe that Mr. E. Brandon, who has attained quite a reputation by his cleverness with his pencil, is exhibiting another lot of pictures of New Zealand scenery. It will be remembered that some few months ago a few of his pictures were brought out and were eagerly sought after, and this we presume has induced him to prosecute further the art for which he has talents of a high order. Several of the views now in Mr. Burrett's window represent some of the grand romantic spots in Sounds on ths west coast of the Middle Island, and others are views of scenery nearer home. They are all most cleverly and faithfully taken.

Mr. Ames, of the Upper Hutt, lost a valuable horse on Saturday last. The horse had been in the paddock during the day, and was there until within half an hour of the arrival of the last train ; but some careless person having left the slip rails down the horse got out and on to the railway, and the last train coming along while the animal was there, a collision took place which of course proved fatal to the horse. It it rather surprising that accidents have not been more frequent in that direction, as the line is not divided from the road. The necessity for fencing off the road from the line must be apparent, and the sooner such a work is undertaken the better for general safety, for the accident above chronicled is trifling to what might happen simply through the want of a protecting fence. A very excellent entertainment was given on last evening by the choir of St. John's Presbyterian Church in aid of the Sunday-school funds. Notwithstanding the bad weather there was a very large attendance, the schoolroom being quite crowded. The Rev. James Paterson presided, and also during the evening assisted by reading. The programme was made up principally of vocal music, a pianoforte solo and readings and recitations being interspersed. The glees by the choir, " Here in Cold Grot,' "Sweet and Bow," and "Spring's Bright Flowers," were highly appreciated, and the duets "The Echo," and "Plow on thou Shining River" were applauded. " Castles in the Air," au old favorite, was sung most pleasingly by a young lady, and an encore eagerly called for was gracefully responded to. " The Wishing .date," given by another lady, was also encored, " Sweet Spirit Hear my Prayer" being sung in response. The comic element was supplied .by the gentleman who generally pleases his audience, and "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep" was well sung by another gentleman. Several other songs, including " I Never can Forget," "The Stirrup Cup," &c, were given in good style.

The Hon. S. D. Hasting, of the Order of Good Templars, who some time ago was in New Zealand, has arrived home in the United States, and is going about to grand receptions. The children attending the Boulcotfc-street Sunday-school were given a treat on Wednesday. "There Avas a large attendance of youngsters, together with their parents and teachers. Refreshments were provided on a substantial scale. Several speeches were delivered subsequent to the tea, and there were some excellent vocal and musical performances.

An inquest was held at the Morgue on Friday on the body of William Crowther, who died suddenly on Thursday. The only additional evidence produced was that of Dr. Diver, who made a post mortem examination of the body. He stated that deceased died from concussion of the brain, accelerated by an overdose of chloroform. The verdict of the jury was, " Died from natural causes." The immigrant ship Fitz Reuter, with 460 immigrants, is now overdue, and may be expected to arrive at any moment. Fortunately the Immigration Barracks will be in readiness to receive the new arrivals, there being only eight men in the barracks on rations, and there are still a few Italians left, but the custodian expects to get pretty clear of them all during next week.

The little girl Elizabeth Jane Williams was again brought up at the Supreme Court on Friday. His Honor sentenced her to twelve clays imprisonment, which terminated on Friday, as the period of the sentence commenced from the date of the trial ; and he further ordered, in terms of the Neglected and Criminal Childrens' Act, 1567, that she be sent to the Dunedin Reformatory, to remain there for a term of five years.

One of Friday night's papers alarmed some of its readers and"amused others by stating that the rate of discount had been raised "no less than one per cent," the Government having caused this inconvenience to accrue to the commercial community. The fact is the rate of discount has not been changed in the least degree, but the rate of exchange, which previously stood at f per cent., has been raised to 1 per cent. With this the Government had as much to do as they had with promoting the earthquake the other morning. The annual meeting of the members, Wellington District, 1.0.0. F., was held on Thursday in the Odd Fellows' Hall, for the election of district officers and other business. The following elections were made : —P.P.G.M., John Smith was chosen Grand Master ; P.G. Samuel Waters was elected D.P.G.M., and P.C.S. Edwin Bannister was re-elected. A letter from the Colonial Secretary's office relative to the registration of friendly societies was read, and the secretary was instructed to reply to it. Some other routine business was transacted, and the new officers were installed, after which the meeting stood adjourned until January next. Votes of thanks had been previously given to the retiring officers for their efficient services during the past year.

The select committee of the House of Representatives appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the East Coast election had a sitting on Thursday. Mr. J. H. Shaw appeared .on behalf of the petitioner, Captain Morris; and Mr. Barton on behalf of the sitting member. The evidence of Mr. Henshaw was taken, and he swore positively that Captain Read had told him that Major Pitt had been engaged to act as agent for him, Captain Read. It will be remembered that Major Pitt was convicted of bribery in Auckland on account of this very election, it having been proved that he gave a man named Johnson £2O for his vote and influence. The object of the petitioner is to show that Pitt was acting under authority of Captain Read. Evidence on behalf of the sitting member is yet to be called. The main provisions of the Land Transfer Act Amendment Bill, read a second time in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, are as follows: When any land shall have been brought under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act, 1870, upon the application of any person claiming to be the proprietor thereof, no person claiming any estate or interest in such land by virtue of any deed or instrument which prior to the bringing of such land under the said Act might have been registered against the same under the provisions of the Deeds Registration Act, 1868,_ shall have any claim or action against the RegistrarGeneral of Land, or upon the assurance fund, by reason of deprivation of such estate or interest occasioned by bringing such laud under the said Act upon such application, unless such deed or instrument shall have been duly registered as aforesaid. The District Land Registrar may, if required by any lessee, mortgagee, or purchaser from the grantees, or from either of them, of land within his district granted to persons of the native race, assess the amount payable for contribution to the assurance fund in respect of the land so leased, mortgaged, or purchased, which assessment the District Land Registrar shall have power to make upon such evidence as to the value of the land as he shall deem sufficient ; and upon payment of the amount so assessed, and of all fees due for the issue and registration of the Crown grant, the land the subject of such assessment shall be released from further liability -to the assurance fund in respect of the grant, and the District Land Registrar may register any dealings therewith. Acknowledgments by married women to be valid if made in accordance with the provisions of the Conveyancing Ordinance-Amend-ment Act, 1574. Sections 6,7, 8, and 10, of Conveyancing Ordinance Amendment Act, IS6O, and Sales by Mortgagees Act, 18/0, to extend to sales by mortgagees.under Land Transfer Act. Any person who, not being duly authorised, shall in any manner represent himself to be, or shall transact business as, or use the stvle and title of, a land broker under the said Act, shall for every such offence forfeit and pay a penalty of £SO.

Mr. Thomas Hutchison, the Mayor's second son, has been called to the New Zealand bar. John Blair, the man against whom a charge of fraudulent insolvency has been preferred, was yesterday remanded to Dunedin. A purple lecture in connection with the Wellington District, 1.0.0. F., will take place at the Odd Fellows' Hall on Thursday evening next.

A Christchurch lawyer received a rather severe rebuff the other day, as witness the following short but very pithy dialogue : Mr. Garrick : Would anything surprise you, Mr. Wilson ? Witness : Well, yes, it would surprise me to find you courteous, for instance. By our telegrams it will be seen that owing to a gale an engine on one of the railway lines in Queensland was capsized. They must have very light engines in that colony, for about eighteen months ago the same thing occurred, and Judge Barry of Victoria narrowly escaped death on that occasion.

Tenders for the construction of the Wellington tramway were opened on Thursday, but nothing definite was decided as to the acceptance of any. There are three in all, and upon the whole they are reasonable. The matter will be decided during the week.

A little boy about nine years of age, son of Mr. Orr, Lambton-quay, met with a serious accident in Boulcott-street on Saturday. He was playing "leap-frog" with a number of others, and suddenly fell to the ground, breakin"- his arm. He was at once taken home, where he received surgical attention. On the hearing of a case in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Hutt, on the 26th instant, a person named Joseph Martin became so impertinent that the Resident Magistrate felt it his duty to give him into custody, and at the rising of the Court the Resident Magistrate gave°him the option of apologising or going to gaol. He apologised.

At the Odd Fellows' Hall on Friday night a private entertainment of a very pleasant and attractive character took place. A number of ladies and gentlemen invited about a hundred and fifty friends of both sexes to witness the performance of "Beauty and the Beast which, as it turned out, was a very creditable production. Subsequently the hall was cleared, and the remainder of the night was devoted to dancing. Refreshments were provided on a liberal^scale, and a most enjoyable evening was spent by all. . The usually placid atmosphere of the .Legislative Chamber was for a while enlivened_ on Friday afternoon by the question of lobbying. During the discussion which arose on one ot the postponed clauses of the Local Elections Bill (clause 3), the Hon. Colonel Whitmore stated, inter alia, that he had been waylaid quite half a dozen times during the preceding twenty-four hours by persons interested in "the abominable subject," that being, apparently, the continuance or not of the system of voting by proxy in local elections lhe remarks of Colonel Whitmore brought the Hon. Colonel Kenny to his feet, to assure the Council that he did not speak about matters discussed in that Chamber outside of it ; nor did others dare to speak to him. He considered it contrary to the duty of Councillors to permit themselves to be spoken to on such matters, more particularly was it wrong to confer with members of the other branch of the Legislature. It would appear, said Colonel Kenny? that Colonel Whitmore knew more about lobbying than any other Councillor, seems? the number of times he had been interviewed. The Hon. Mr. Hall took exception to the remark that he should not confer with members of the other Chamber. He for one had been in the habit of so doing, and would continue the practice. The Hons. Messrs Ackland, Eraser, and Robinson took part in the discussion, which at one period had rather a lively character. Twohon. and gallant members (Colonels Kenny and Whitmore) spoke with considerable warmth, and the matter seemed likely to go on for some time, when, with a bland smile, the Hon. Dr. Pollen ventured to recall the attention of the Council to the question before it, or which ought to be before it, viz., the consideration of the amendments proposed on clause 3. The agitation subsided, dullness descended upon the scene, and the customary quietude characterised the remainder of the Pr in ee thr g civil division of the Resident Magistrate's Court on Monday a case of interest to shippers and merchants Avas heard— Ihomas v. Webster-a claim of £26 Is. Id for damage to a number of bags of sugar brougnt out in the Delmira, of which defendant is master. Mr Quick appeared for plaintiff, Mr. Ihomas, auctioneer; Mr. Ollivier for defendant A good deal of evidence was taken. I hat tor Plaintiff was to the effect that water had found its way through the stern of the vessel into the hold, and that the damage was caused by that and guano, in which the vessel had been trading previously. It was also stated that the damage to the stern of the vessel occurred while the vessel was lying in port in Australia, and that the captain neglected to have repairs effected whilst there. The defence was that the ship after leaving the guano trade had been thoroughly cleaned; that the damage to the stern was occasioned as she was leaving port for sea; that the water could not have reached the hold from the stern, and that tremendously rough weather was experienced on the passage across. The magistrate held that it was a case of damage from sea water, and that the injury done to the vessel was not sufficient to account for that Avater. He held that the gales encountered were sufficient to account for the water getting in, although it was not shown where it didsof As to the guano, there was strong circumstantial evidence that there had been a fair, cleansing of the. vessel. Possibly a little of the sand remaining came from the sand ol the stone ballast, but he was not Justified m concluding that the damage was done by guano and by neglect in removing it. He must therefore.hold that the ship was not responsible. Judgment for the defendant.

A meeting of the committee of the Wellington Football Club was held on Thursday, m order to choose a team to represent Wellington in the forthcoming match between Wellington and Nelson. A number of gentlemen were absolutely chosen, but not the whole team; the vacancies to be filled up iu a day or two. The match Avill come off either on the 7th or 10th August. In speaking to the subject, in committee on the Local Elections Bill on Tuesday afternoon, the Hon. Dr. Menziea paid a compliment to those of the laboring class with whom he had been brought into contact professionally and otherwise in his district. Taking the fiftyacre section holders as specimens of their class, he thought, considering their education and experience, as much good feeling would be found amongst them as in any other section of the community. The business at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday was limited in extent and of no particular importance. There were two cases of drunkenness, which were dealt with in the usual manner. E. Tonics and H. Coley, charged with a breach of the Wellington Harbor and Quarantine Regulations, were fined ss. and costs. Neil McGnrk was fined 20s. and costs for illtreating a horse. The above comprised the police business ; and the civil cases were few and unimportant.

The Theatre Royal was again well attended on Thursday. The comedy ""Bamboozling" preceded the burlesque of the " Invisible Prince," and was a marked success. Mr. and Mrs. Bates in the principal parts created an immense amount of amusement, and the other characters were well sustained. To-night the bill of last evening will be repeated, and as it evidant that the burlesque is now an established success, the management may congratulate themselves upon having hit the public taste.

The adjourned meeting of the Education Board was held on Thursday. Mr. Andrew gave notice that he would move at the next day of meeting, Saturday,—That the Board having understood from his Honor the DeputySuperintendent that it is contemplated to propose or sanction a grant of £SOO, or some such sum, for school buildings, to a religious body whose schools are not under the control of the Board, the Board cannot approve of such a disposal of the funds available for education. We have inspected the plans of the new buildings to be erected on the site of the old Crown and Anchor on Lambton-quay, to which it has a frontage of 95ft., with an elevation of 42ft. The ground-floor will consist of a gateway entrance to the rear 12ft. in height ; a bar 20ft. by 19ft. 6in., with bar parlor at back thereof ; entrance hall, 6ft. wide ; commercial room, 17ft. by 14ft.; dining-room, 21ft. by 14ft. This part of the building will be divided from the law chambers, which form an important feature in it, by a brick wall 14in. thick, running up through the roof, on the plan adopted in London. The first floor of the hotel comprises billiard-room (39ft. by 21ft.), bar, two parlors, and three bedrooms. The upper floor is reached by a staircase close to the brick wall before mentioned, and will contain twenty-two bedrooms, each 12ft. by Bft. An iron door in the brick wall will divide the corridor into two. In the event of a fire occurring in either end of the building it can be effectually shut off from the other by closing this door, while an exit is provided at either end. The chambers, or lawyers' offices, are placed on the ground and first floors of that part of thd building nearest to the Supreme Court, leaving an entrance hall or passage 6ft. in width, with two offices each 19ft. by 12ft., and two ©f 16ft. by lift. 6in., and a strongroom 10ft. by Bft, 12ft. high at the rear. The offices on the first floor are reached by a staircase in the centre of the passage. They comprise two offices each 19ft. by 12ft., and a strong-room of the same dimensions as the other; two offices, 16ft. by lift. 6in., and two smaller do, forming altogether ten commodious rooms in which litigants may consult as many different lawyers. We understand that the whole of the offices have been bespoke, and tenants could easily be found for as many more. The building is to be called " Lincoln s Inn Hotel and Chambers," and will cost about £4250. Mr. Moody expects to_ have it complete by the Ist of January, 1877. The Taranalci Herald has a scathing article on Mr. Rees, describing him as a " cheeky member—a member more fluent in words than discretion in using them. The article concludes as follows :—We have dwelt at a greater length than is perhaps necessary on a member who is not of much importance, but Mr. Rees has been trying to make out that he is a political martyr, and we have gone out of our way to uncloak him and show that he is a thorough political quack. With a fluent unscrupulous tongue, it is not a difficult task to pleas e a mob nor a very arduous duty to astonish them but when a man like Mr. Rees mixes with the concentrated talent of the colony, he will soon find that something more than stump orator y is required to take a position as a statesman. A writer in the Mastcrton Neius gives the following information about the Scandinavian settlement:—Mauriceville branches off from the main line of road some four or five miles from the camp. It is mapped off into 88 sections, varying in extent from 38 to 118 acres each. The majority of holdings are 40 to 45 acres. Including families, the number of souls located on the land is estimated in round numbers at 250. Although the ground was taken up four years ago, the labor clause in their agreements with the Government prevented them devoting, more than a moiety of their time to the improvement of their holdings. 610 acres, out of a total of 711;, have been improved. : Some considerable quantity of this is under grass and crop. Eketahuna is at least ten miles further on. Over 1000 acres have been taken up amongst twenty-four settlers. The land has not been more than two years allotted; the total improvement wrought in that time being oOU acres. Although not an enterprising class,

the Scandinavians are both hard-working and painstaking. They have done a great deal of what would be termed "slogging" work, and taken as a whole we should say that they have laid a good sound foundation for future operations.

The Episcopalian Church property at Reefton was recently seized under a writ of fi.fa., owing, as it was generally supposed at the time, to the liabilities of the vestry. We learn now, however, from the West-port Times, that, in the absence of any legally-appointed trustees, the Crown grant was issued in the name of one of the committee, and that no transfer had since been made. Some keen-scented creditor of the individual alluded to ferreted out this fact and turned it to account, to the consternation of the vestry. LADY YOGEL'S FANCY DRESS BALL. The Hon. Sir Julius and Lady Vogel gave a fancy dress ball at the Ministerial residence on Thursday night, which was a most brilliant and successful affair. Invitations to the number of over 250 had been issued, and there were nearly that number present. The conditions of the ball confined the materials of the ladies' dresses to calico or other inexpensive stuff, but the gentlemen were allowed to be limitless in this respect. As fancy dresses depend largely on " cut and color," the ladies were able to quite hold their own with the sterner sex. The costumes, as a rule, were tasteful in the extreme, and in many cases in which a particular character was assumed the lady or gentleman impersonating it continued throughout the evening to keep up its characteristics by appropriate action. The following is a list of the guests and characters assumed: —

Andrew Kev. J. C, as Master of Arts, Oxon; Andrew, Miss, as an Auvergne Peasant; Armitage, T. B , as a Norwegian Peasant; Acland, Mr and Mrs, as Sir Robert and Lady Walpole. Batkin, Mr, Mrs, Miss, and Miss May, as Oroveso, Sairey Gamp, Maritana, and a Cracker ; Bannatyne, Mr and Mrs, as a Lady and Gentleman of the 19th Century; Baker, Mr, Mr H. E. and Miss, as Dr Kenealy King of Spades, and a Roman Peasant; Buchanan, Mr, Miss, and Miss 8., as a Militia Officer, Lady Teazle, and La Marseillaise ; Barton, Mr G. E., as Sir Fretful Plagiary ; Barton, Mr Elliott, as a Bluetailed Ely ; Barron, Mr and Mrs C. N., as Sheikh Abdullah and a Peasant of the Morea; Bonar, Mr J. A., as Captain Commanding Westland Volunteers; Birch, Mr A S., as a Cavalier; Bethune, Mr J. H., as Captain N Z Militia; Beetham, Mr G. and Miss, as Manrico and Sabrina • Buckley, Mrs, as a Greek Peasant Girl; Bell Messrs H. D.and E.D., as Chevalier T>' Artagnan and a Courtier; Black, Mrs H. L. and Miss as a Spanish Lady and a Norman Peasant; Bull, Mr F., as Abdul Aziz; Borrer, Captain and Mrs, as Captain of the Eleven and a Roman Peasant; Bunny, Mr H. and Mrs as a Militia Officer and Old Mother Hubbard; Brett, Colonel, as a Major-General in the Ottoman Cox Mr A., as a Clerk; Carrington, Miss, as Ninette; Cooper. Mr and Mrs, as Sergeant Buzfuz and Donna Maria da Garcia; Churton, Mr and Mrs W. H. and Mr J., as a Matador, the Vicar of Wakefield's daughter Maria, and Colonel Bowie ; Coleridge, Mr and Mrs, as a Spanish Muleteer and the Tricolor; Campbell, Major, Mr C, and Mrs F E. as Masamello, an Albanian, and an lonian Lady; Clayton, Mr W. H., iunr Master, Mrs, Miss, and Misses Katie and Emily, as Prince de Conti, a Jester, a Spanish Lady, a Soubrette, Titania, and Princess Marie Stuart. Diver Dr, as Captain Wellington Scottish \ olunteers- Dransfield, Mr Edward and Mrs J., as a Wasp and Winter; Douglas, Sir Robert, as a Master of Arts, EVans, Mr and Mrs, as a Sea Nymph and a Pirate; Edwin, Captain and Mrs, as a Naval Officer and Fitzh'erbert, Mr H. S. and Mrs, as a Lieutenant Indian Army and a Lady of the 18th Century; FitzGerald, Mr R., as Robin Hood; Fitzroy, Mr, as the Rajah of Kirwee; Fox, Mr E., as Ganbaldian Officer; Fraser Captain, as a Bonnet Laird; Gair, Mr, as Member of the Star Boating Club; Gray, Mr as Dandie Dinmont; Gibbes, Sir E., as Cambridge Undereraduate; Gorton, Colonel, as the Trump Card; Grace Dr and Mrs, as Staff Medical Officer and Madame De Perigord; George, Mr and Mrs, as Portuguese Consul and Cynisca; Govett, Mr C. W. and Miss, as a Verger and a Rainbow. Howorth Mr, Mrs, and Miss, as a University Professor, Night, and Croquet; Heaphy, Major and Mrs, as Volunteer Officer and German Vivandiere; Harper, Mr and Mrs, as a Modern Egyptian and a Roman Matron- Haughton, Mr C. E., as Peter the Hermit; Holt Captain and Mrs, as Satan by Night; Harding, Dr and Mrs, as a Briefless Barrister and a Lady of the Court of Louis the Fifteenth; Higginson, Mr and Mrs as a Hadji and a Comet; Hunter, Captain and Miss as Militia Officer and a French Peasant; Harcourt, Mr and Mrs J., as a Spanish Brigand and a Saxon Lady. , ._... Irvine, Mr D'Arcy, as a Court Jester ; Imlay, Miss, as a Tyrolese Peasant. • Jackson, Mr Alfred and Mrs H, as Courtier of James 111. and a Shepherdess ; Johnston, Mr and Mrs Percival Mrs, Miss, and Miss Jessie, as Highland Officer, Night, Mrs Varden, Dolly Varden, and Juanita ; Johnson, Mr and Miss Maria, as a Zmgara and Princess Poniatowski. Knight, Mr. Mrs, and Miss, as Sergeant Buzfuz, a Spanish Lady, and Winter. ~...., Leckie, Mr and Mrs, as a Gentleman and Lady of the 18th Century; Larnach, Mr, Mr D., and Master, as an Australian Stockman, The Perfect Cure, and a Perfect Cure- Levin, Mr and Mrs, asMassa Johnson and Cordelia'; Lowe, Mr. as a Spanish Peasant; Langridge, Mr g! E., as a Negative. Murray-Aynsley, Mr and Mrs, as a Volunteer Captain and a Lady of Queen Anne's time; Moorhouse, Mr, Mrs and Miss, as a Templar, a Spanish Lady, and a Sea Nymph ; Mills, Mr E. W., Mrs, Miss, and Miss Alice, as Militia Officer, Italian Peasant, Russian Peasant, and Roman Maiden; McLean, Mr George, Miss, and Mr Douglas, as Hussar Captain, Archery, and a Highlander- Meredith, Mr, as his Satanic Majesty ; Maling, Captain and Mrs, as Mephistopheles and Marguerite ; Montgomery, Mrs. as Elizabeth Fox ; Macmtyre, Miss, as Marie Antoinette ; Moore, Mr and Mrs, as Captain Conrad and Dame Durden ; Muir, Mr, as Artillery Officer. , ~ _ ~ „ . . Nation Mr Charles and Mr George M, as a Spanish Matador and a Neapolitan Fisherman ; Nahe, Mr as Sergeant Thames Native Volunteer Company ; Norman, Mr, a Cricketer. . Ormond, Mr, a Barrister; Ogilvie, Mr Leslie, Chicot; O'Connor, Mr and Mrs R., as Sir Isaac Newton and Harvest:. ; Otterson, Mr and Mrs, as a Bushranger and a Normandy Fishwife ; O'Neill, Mr and Miss, as Officier Ecossais and Azucena ; Orbell, Mr, as a Spanish Prince. Tearce, Captain and Mrs, as Artillery Officer and a Poissoniere ; Phipps, Lord Henry, as Captain of the Maintop; Pharazyn, Mr R. and Miss A., as a Turkish Minister of State and Russian Peasant; Parrmgton, Mr, as Beau Brummel; Pollen, Mr Hugh, as Ace of Hearts; Pyke, Mr V., as Count Robert of Paris; Park, Mr, Miss, and Miss M., a Ploughman, Peasant, and Cirie. Quick, Mr and Mrs W. H., as Mr Quick and Winifred Rhodes, Mr, Mrs, and Miss, as Artillery Officer, Starlight, and Red Riding Hood ; Richmond, Mr, Mrs and' Miss, as Dr. Birch, a Spanish Lady, and a Charity Girl ; Rawson, Mr, Mrs, and Mr. H., as Don Alonzo De Cardenas, Chess, and a Page ; Riddiford, Mr Miss, and Miss R., as Quashee Jumbo, Miss Hardcastle, and Esmeralda; Reynolds, Mr W. H., as a

Spanish Moor; Robinson, Mr W. and the Misses, Windsor Uniform and Ladies of the Court of George 111 ; Reid, Miss, as a French Peasant Girl; Killings, Miss, as a Shepherdess; Russell, Captain, as a Gentleman of the reign of James I. <-.«•»»- - Seed, Mr, Mrs, and Miss, as a Volunteer Officer, a Lady of the time of Francis 11, and an Italian Peasant ; Stowe, Mr, as Mustapha ; Sclmltz Miss and Miss Louisa, as Lady Teazle and a Summer Butterfly ; Smith, Mr A. D., as Le Diable ; Smith. Mr A. M as Member of Dorset Hunt; Sayers, Mr F. C., as Don Juan ; Sharp. Mrs, as Madame Spomenberg. Tolhurst, Mr and Mrs. as Mr George Primrose and Mrs Primrose ; Tuckey, Mrs H. E., as Elizabeth Fry ; Turton, Miss, as a Submarine Cable; Teschemaker, Mr, as a Beef Eater. Vogel, Sir Julius, Lady, and Miss, Court Dress, Folly, and Citoyenne. Watt, Mr and Mrs, Windsor "Uniform and the Bonnie Fishwife; Wardle, Mr and Mrs, as a Jack lar and an Andalusian Peasant; Whitmore, Colonel, as Military Secretary; Waterhouse, Mr, as King of Hearts; Wigley, Mr, as Hamlet. THE NEW FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. The delegates from the Wellington branches of various friendly societies, who also represented the views of branches in other portions of the colony, met a number of members of the House of Representatives on July 24, in the chamber of the House. There were present— Mr. Reynolds (chairman), Messrs. Rolleston, Stout, Swanson, Tole, Bastings, and Hursthouse, M.H.R.'s, and the following from the societies—Mr. F. H. Fraser (1.0. R.), Mr. J. Smith, jun. (T.0.0.F.), Mr. S. P. Andrews (G.T.), and Mr. Quin (A.0.F.) Some discussion on the new Friendly Societies Bill took place, in which the views put forward by the delegates were received with the greatest attention by the jinembersj of the House present, who expressed a desire that legislation on the subject in hand should not be hurried, but that full time for ascertaining the requirements of the societies should be allowed. Mr. Rolleston and Mr. Reynolds undertook to ask the Government to lay on the table of the House the tables of payments they desire to render legal before the registration of friendly societies. The Wellington delegates agreed to furnish members with a statement of the amendments desired in the Bill, and it was agreed that another meeting should be held on Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock. During the discussion which took place the attention of members was drawn to the fact that in the opinion of some the new Friendly Societies Act at Home was not working as well as was imagined, as was shown by the following from the Cheshire County Neios of May 19th :—"A deputation, representing the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of Foresters, waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Tuesday, to represent to him certain inconveniences arising out of the working of the Friendly Societies Act of last session.—Mr. Curtis (one of the representatives of the Manchester Unity) introducing the deputation, said they had given the promoters of the Bill all the assistance in their power, and should be sorry now to find that the excellent intention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer becomes a dead letter. With regard to the Treasury regulations as to cancelling and registering, they were found to be so complex and inconvenient and the expense so enormous that all the Bill intended to do would be lost. Their lodges would not take the trouble nor incur the expense of advertising, which alone would cost their society not less than £3OOO, and the whole expense of cancelling and registration would not be far short of four times that sum.—Mr. Shawcross (of the Foresters) said their branches numbered about the same as the Manchester Unity, so that the cost would be as much as in the case of the other society. He urged that the Treasury regulations should be made public before they became binding, so that the societies should have an opportunity of objecting to them ; and that a change should be made in the regulation requiring a captain's certificate regarding a death at sea before money was paid to a widow, as the regulation caused unnecessary delay in the payment of money much required.—Mr. Davnes and Mr. Pinchbeck also spoke to a similar effect. —Sir Stafford Northcote said he was most annious to meet their wishes. He knew that the question of branches was one of the difficulties which had to be met and which they proposed to meet in the Bill of last quarter. It was intended to get over the inconvenience of Mr, Tidd Pratt's decision that every branch must be registered as a society. They knew the difficulty of carrying an important measure of the kind through the House of Commons. Suggestions were sprung upon them at difficult stages of the proceedings, and things Avere done in haste by persons who did not see all the bearings of the question. Some of the regulations made last year with regard to advertising, intended entirely in the interest of the societies, had had the effect of laying an undue burden upon the societies, especially in the matter of the registration of branches. Nothing could have been further from their intention, and it was intended to bring in a Bill to meet the difficulty. They must, of course, take care that in what was done the full consent of the branch was proved, for he was told there was not an inconsiderable number of branches who desired to keep in their present position. If they got the evidence there was no wish to encumber the registration with any needless trouble, assuredly not with any needless expense. Sir Stafford also thought there was no difficulty in complying with their wishes respecting deaths at sea and the publication of the Treasury regulations before they became operative. He read extracts from a draft Bill which had been prepared with a view of meeting the wishes of the societies, and promised to consult Mr. Forster and others, and send copies of the Bill in order to elicit their opinions, as he said that with the amount of business they had to do it was desirable the amending Bill should pass unopposed.— Having thanked Sir Stafford, the deputation withdrew."

The delegates undertook to prepare questions to be sent by Government to the various branch societies throughout the colony, in order to learn their exact views on the new

Bill, and to see whether a postponement of the measure until next session might not be deemed desirable. The delegates of the various friendly societies in Wellington again met Messrs. Reynolds (chairman), Bastings, Rolleston, Tole, Hurst.house, Stout, and Burns, M.H.R.'s, at the Parliamentary buildings on Wednesday zo confer with them on the Friendly Societies Bill at present passing through the Assembly. There were present as delegates, Messrs. F. H. Fraser, 1.0. R., M. Quin, A.0.F., S. P. Andrews, Sons of Temperance, J. Smith, jun., 1.0.0. F., J. Coogan, H.A.C.B. A number of amendments which had been considered by a meeting of delegates (who, it may be stated, had spent six hours the previous night in going through the Bill) were submitted to the members of the House of Representatives, who at once approved of most, and promised to consider others. One of the amendments had reference to extension of the limit of benefits to be obtained from one or a number of societies by one member. The Bill provides that one member shall not be entitled to receive more than a total sum of £SO, no matter how many societies he may belong to. The delegates pointed out that this would be unfair in its operation, and recommended that the limit should be fixed at £IOO at least. It was also suggested that the limit to annuities should be raised from £2OO to £4OO. In reference to the appointment of a valuer, it was represented that the appointment should rest not with the Government, but with the society. Other similar amendments were suggested, but withal the delegates seemed to much wish that the Bill should be allowed to lapse for this session, on the ground that more efficient legislation would be ensured were a twelvemonth given for testing the working of various ideas before carrying them actually into effect. THE GAS QUESTION. A meeting of gas consumers and others was held in the sideroom of the Odd Fellows' Hall last evening, for the purpose of considering the question of obtaining a supply of gas at a cheaper rate than it could be obtained at present in Wellington. There was a very large attendance, a great number being unable to obtain admission. Mr. Moorhouse, M.H.R., occupied the chair. The Chairman, in introducing the proceedings, stated that he had been taken by surprise in being asked to take the chair, but was fully alive to the importance of the subject which the meeting had been called together to discuss. There could be no question of the desirability of obtaining light at a cheap rate, and he trusted that the present movement would result in something of real practical benefit to the citizens of Wellington. Mr. Robt. Miller then moved, —That this meeting is of opinion that the present price of gas in the city of Wellington is excessive.

Mi*. Danks seconded the resolution, and enlarged upon the excessive rate which the people in this city were paying for their light, which was to be accounted for by the fact that the present company had a monopoly. He then proceeded to show that a company could supply the city with gas at a rate considerably less than at present charged, and with good profit to a company who were prepared to work on a proper and economical system. He entered into figures to show the advantages of the company, the prospectus of which had been published—as thus.: The expenditure for twelve months would be as follows :—IB2O tons coal at 355. per ton, £3185 ; lime, £377 ; stokers, £lOl4 ; laborers, £312 ; foreman, £364 ; service layer, £lB7 45.; office expenses, £468. Total, £5907 4s. The receipts would be 15,288,000 cubic feet gas at 10s. per thousand feet, £7644 6s.'; 624 tons coke at 30s. per ton, £936, giving a total of £BSBO. From this it would be seen that a profit of £2672 16s. per annum would be obtained. The outlay in the way of construction would be—Cost of pipes and laying them, £3695; metres, £6OO ; 15,000 feet of service pipe, £225 ; 200 stop cocks, £55 ; laying 200 services, £BO ; syphon and valves, £72; toolsfor works, £IOO ; total, £4927. Plant —Cast-iron tank for gasholder, £2OOO ; setting retort, £350 ; bricks for retort bench, £450 ; erecting plant, £IBOO ; buildings and land, £1474 ; preliminary expenses, £SOO ; total, £16,500. He had heard a good deal said about the plant, and he had been at considerable pains to obtain information on this subject for the special benefit of those who might attend that meeting. He might inform the gentlemen present that the greater portion of the plant of the new company could be produced in Wellington city without going any farther, and within the sum estimated by the promoters of the company. When such was the case, he thought they would all agree with him that it would be unjustifiable to take the money out of the city. (Applause.) Having said as much as this, he thought, as they proposed to appoint a provisional committee to take preliminary steps in the matter, that it would not be wise to occupy the time of the meeting by further discussing the cost of the plant. Unless some determined effort were made by the people, the present monopoly would last from year's end to year's end. But the remedy lay in their own hands, and it was for them to act at once and with decision. If the gas consumers of Wellington thought it well to do so, he should be only too glad to do his very best to assist them. (Applause.) The motion was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously.

Mr. Knigge proposed the next resolution, which was as follows :—That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a company should be established for the more economical production and supply of gas in the city of Wellington. Seconded by Mr. R. P. Collins, and carried unanimously. Mr. R. J. Brown moved,—That this meeting hereby resolves itself into a limited company, to be called the "Empire Gas Consumers' Company," and to be registered under the Joint Stock Companies Act, with a capital of £30,000, in 30,000 shares of £1

each, payable Is. on deposit, 2s. on allotment, 2s. two months after allotment, and the balance by six calls of 2s. 6d. each, at 4,6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 months after allotment. He was himself prepared to take 100 shares, and hoped that everyone in the room would to various extents take up shares at once. Seconded by Mr. Cattell, and carried unanimously. . The Chairman remarked that the resolution was a peculiar one, inasmuch as it certainly pledged everyone of them who voted for it to take some steps to assist this company. There were, he believed, on the table now lists of the names of a number of gentlemen who had already subscribed, and it was to be hoped that a number of others would before leaving the meeting see fit to put down their names also.

Mr. Collins asked that the list of names might be read to the meeting. At the request of the Chairman, _ Mr. Macdonald read the lists, upon which it appeared that there had been already taken up over 5000 shares. Mr. Smith moved the next resolution, which, he said, Avas to give practical effect to the previous ones. It was as follows : That the following gentlemen act as provisional directors, with full power to take all necessary steps to prepare articles of association and other details for the registration of the company, as soon as 10,000 shares have been applied for : Messrs. S. W. Alcorn, J. R. Brown, J. R. Blair, P. A. Buckley, F. Atcheson, J. E. Cattell, R. P. Collins, B. Cohen, Saml. Danks, J. Duff, W. Fife, J. E. Hayes, Henry Hall, W. Jameson, F. G. Johns, C. A. Knigge, James Laurie, R. Miller, Henry Mace, T. K. Macdonald, W. Nicholson, Jno. Petford, G. Roxburgh, E. Stafford, Jas. Stewart, Jno. Staples, Jas. Smith, W. Tustin, Josh. Saunders, Lewis Moss, T. J. Mountain, and Richardson, with power to add to their number. In speaking to the resolution, Mr. Smith said it would be seen from the list of gentlemen who had taken up shares that the proposed company was based on a different principle to that of the company at present in existence. Some time since he heard of a gentleman putting down his name for 10 shares in the present company, and he was told by some one in authority that not less than 20 shares could be taken up. The new company was different in this respect, that it was to be started essentially in the interests of the people of all classes; and he trusted that it would prove a complete success, as he had no fear of its being, if they only went about the matter thoroughly and earnestly. _ Mr. Waters seconded the resolution. He thoiight there was plenty of room for another gas company, the present supply being not only insufficient, but unobtainable by a large section of the inhabitants, in consequence of the rate being so excessive. Mr. Grey spoke strongly on the subject of the present gas supply. In his establishment he consumed gas through the day, and had to pay for it something like £5 per month._ The light was poor, the charge was too high, and he ardently hoped that the proposed company would meet with the success it deserved, as it would invade a monopoly which had existed too long already. The motion was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. Mr. T. K. Macdonald moved, Mr. Hayes seconded, and it was carried, that Mr. J. Stewart be appointed treasurer and secretary to the company till it is registered. The Chairman said it was perfectly apparent that the members of this highly respectable and numerously attended meeting were very much of one mind with regard to the subject which had been under discussion. But they should display their earnestness in a practical form by taking shares in the company. An opportunity was now afforded them of doing so. There were lists on the table, and all they had to do was to come and put their names down for whatever number of shares they desired to become possessed of. He never in the whole course of his experience saw a more completely unanimous meeting, and he regarded it as a fair augury of the ultimate, or he Avould rather say immediate, success of the enterprising gentlemen who had started the project. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman, who then left. Subsequently a number of those present put down their names as shareholders.