Town News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 305, 8 December 1877, Page 14

Town News.

The Bill for the colonialisation of the Land Fund was canned in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night by 45 to 12. Mr. C. P. Sisson has been appointed Registrar of births, marriages, and deaths for the Wellington District. We understand that Mr. Alexander Campbell, who has been officiating as a clerk in the Wellington Police Office lately, has been appoiixted Resident Magistrate at Geraldine. The amount of Customs revenue collected at the port of Wellington during the month of Novembei’, as will be seen by our commercial report, shows an improvement oix the corresponding month of 1876 of £2343. The return of patients in the Provincial Hospital during the month of November, 1877, is as follows: —Admitted : Males, 12; females, 2. Discharged: Males, 15; females, 3. Died: Males, 1. Left in Hospital : Males, 36; females, 8; total, 44. We have to aclcnopledge the receipt of a copy of “ Bradshaw’s Guide” for December. This number is quite up to the usual excellent standard this publication has attained, and the travelling public must find it a very useful work. John Gwynneth, jun., civil engineer, &c., lately connected with the firm of Messrs. Brogden and Sons, has, we are glad to heai', been appointed engineer for Messrs. Barry and Co., on the Port Augusta and Government Gums Railway in South Australia. The line will be 200 miles in length, and will take about six years to complete. Mr. Gwynneth has many friends in Wellington, who will be glad to hear of his good fortune. His Honor the Chief Justice left for Napier yesterday to preside over the sittings of the Circuit Court there. The calendar of prisoners for trial (which we have already published) is a heavy one for that place, comprising some fourteen cases ; but the civil list is light, there being only two or three actions to be tried.—His Honor Mr. Justice Richmond left for Blenheim yesterday, where there are four criminal and two civil cases to be tried.

An inquest was held on Thursday at the Hutt before Dr. Wilford and a jury, of whom Mr. Brown was foreman, to inquire into the circumstances and origin of the late fire on Mr. Mackenzie!.? premises, the particulars of which occurrence appeared in our columns a short time ago. The evidence elicited nothing to thi’ow light on the cause of the disaster, and the jury retui’ned an open verdict, that there was no evidence to show how thd fire arose.

The body of a man in an advanced stage of decomposition and covered with barnacles was found in the surf on Monday at Terawiti by John Lowry, a resident in the locality, who removed the body (on which the only clothing is a pair of moleskin trousers and heavy boots) to a hut on the beach, and brought information into town. The head of the deceased is detached from the trunk. The body has apparently been some six or eight weeks in the water. The remains being in a too far advanced stage of decomposition to render it at all likely that they could be identified, it has been deemed unnecessary to hold an inquest, and they have been buried near the place where they were fpund. I On the door of the office of Mr. R. J. Duncan, the auctioneer, a very unassuming plate appears, informing the public that the office of the Phoenix Goldmining Company is upstairs. On inquiry we found that a private company under the above title was formed some three months ago, by eight or ten Wellington gentlemen, to work a quartz claim in Cole’s Creek, Collingwood. An engine of 14-horse power and a 10-stamper battery are in course of erection on the claim, and a crushing is expected early in January. The whole affair is kept very quiet, but we believe more will be heard of it in a month or two.

The Government came oxxt of Monday’s debate very badly. The Premier’s attempt to supplement the Treasurer’s Financial Statement was a miserable failure. Even his thick-and-thin supportei's could say nothing for it. The Financial Arrangements Bill was carried, because a great many members on both sides of the House were determined to secure the generalisation of the land revenue ; but the policy or want of policy of the Government was condemned all round. The Premier could not tell the House how he proposed to balance his accounts —how much the Government intended to borrow, or indeed anything about the financial position. There was an overwhelming majority for the measure, chiefly made up of opponts of the Government. The Ministry have played their game, and got their rewai'd in votes and loss of credit. A dramatic and musical entertainment was given on Tuesday night at the Catholic School, Boulcott-street, by the Young Men’s Dramatic Club, assisted by other amateurs, in aid of the funds of the Convent and Brothers’ schools. There was a very large attendance, the spacious schoolroom being densely filled with a most appreciative audience. The programxne comprised an excellent selection of songs and duets, followed by the laughable comedy entitled “ A Race for Dinner,” in which Mr. Whittaker ably sustained the leading character of Sponge. The parts of Doric (Mr. Leahy), Robert Fredwell (Mr. McNamara), and Gammon (Mr. Gibbs) were also very creditable performances, as indeed were those of all the actors, whose efforts were greeted with much hearty laughter. More duets and songs followed, and after a dance by a gentleman amateur the entertainment was brought to a conclusion by the ever popular farce of “ Box and Cox,” which sent the audience home in great good humor. The result in a pecuniary sense will be the addition of a handsome amount to the funds of those excellent scholastic institutions for whose benefit the entertainment was especially got up.

The Napier Daily Telegraph, which is likely to be well-informed on the subject, says that the new Attorney-General will be the Hon. John Nathaniel Wilson, who has been lately, as our readers are aware, nominated a member of the Upper House. Mrs. Griffin (Miss Cassy Matthews), a few ago a leading and very popular actress, who has been in ill-health for some tune past, died on Sunday in the Hospital. The members ef the profession and many of the theatregoing public who remember her in her palmy days will regret her loss. The lady members of the theatrical profession have been very kind to the deceased in her last illness, and one of them has been almost constantly with her. An accident occurred on Friday at Newtown by which a Mr. Scott was knocked down by a bull and gored in the leg and shoulder; but we understand not very seriously. Shortly afterwards Mrs. Scott, who was feeding a calf, was thrown down by getting entangled with a rope attached to the animal, and had her arm fractured. The sufferers, we learned on making enquiries last evening, were progressing favorably under the medical attendance of Doctors Grace and Watts. The Te Aro Reclamation Bill passed through the House of Representatives on Friday. Mr. Stout said he did not wish to oppose the Bill, but it was one, in his opinion, which should be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. Several gentlemen said it was “ water, not land.” However, that would not have availed, as the Crown claims all land between high and low water mark ; but Mr. Travers had a

stronger argument why it should not go before committee, and that was that the land had already been granted to the Corporation of Wellington. We hear that the Rev. Charles Clark is likely to revisit Wellington during Christmas week, and that his series of entertainments will include one or two new lectures not previously given here. The popular orator is at present on the West Coast, lecturing nightly to overflowing houses, the halls there, as here,

being too small to contain the crowds that flock to hear him. In Hokitika alone he gave seven lectures. After spending the Christmas and New Year holidays in Wellington, Mr. Clark will visit Wanganui and neighboring towns, Taranaki, &c.

Mr. R. J. Duncan sold at auction on Monday 80 acres of land in the Horokiwi Yalley at 14s. per acre ; 178 acres, Featherston, at 11s. per acre ; 284 acres, Featherston, at 12s. per acre ; 202 acres, Featherston, at 10s. 6d. per acre ; 282 acres, Featherston, at 10s. per acre; 3 town acres at Masterton, £275 ; 2 sections at Palmerston, £145. There were no offers for the Bunnythorpe and Foxton sections. A house and section in Wallace-street, Tinakoriroad, were sold for £370. Sections in Vogeltovvn not offered. Land at Sandon, Rangi-

tikei, fetched from 19s. to 21s. per acre. Two sections in Carnarvon, 60 acres, realised £lO5. Mr. Roberts, the contractor, is building three villas of a very superior class near the Colonial Museum in Bowen-street. They are of brick and will be two storeys high, an ornamental iron balcony running along the front. The bricks which are being used are being made by Mr. Hill, of Taranaki-street, and are of a very solid character, the clay of which they are composed having been passed through machine rollers, after which process the bricks are said to resist dampness, a very important ingredient in their manufacture. The erection of brick buildings in the place of wooden structures is evidently on the increase here, and ultimately the greater part of the city, no doubt, will be built of brick or stone. It is said that the cost of a brick building is very little more than that of a wooden one, and the

fear of earthquakes throwing down brick buildings seems to be dying out. The success which has attended Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co.’s sale of the township of Kiwitea, the valuable nature of which we described at length a week or two back, has been something altogether out of the usual course, the equitable but novel principle of fixing a reasonable and low upset price, and allowing selection to the first comer, has evidently been throughly appreciated by the public at large, for they have taken up some 300 sections, varying in area from half an acre to nine acres each, the sale so far having realised about £3OOO. It will be noted from our advertising columns that the balance of certain valuable town sections, previously reserved for Wanganui and Christchurch, are now thrown open for selection for three days at the old rates, when they will be finally withdrawn from sale. Those parties, therefore, who desire to have an interest in so valuable a township as Kiwitea, should make early application for these sections. At the R.M. Court on Monday, before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M., Launcelot Holmes, pilot at this port, was charged, together with Charles Beckstrom and Charles Howard, with assaulting Federande Holm. Mr. Gordon Allan appeared for the complainant, and Dr. Buller for the defendants. From the evidence it appeared that an altercation took place in consequence of an inquiry which had taken place in reference to the management and details of the work done in connection with the Pilot Station, the result of which was that the complainant Holm received three months’ notice to leave, another was reduced, and the services of a third were dispensed with. This created some ill-feeling, which culminated in an assault, which took place on the beach near the Heads on the evening of the 24th ult., when, as was alleged by complainant, Beckstrom struck him in the face, and the other two defendants also handled him roughly. Dr. Buller, for the defence, called Beckstrom, who admitted that a stand-up fight took place between him and Holm, but the others did not participate in the fray. Further evidence was adduced, and the Bench considered the ease proved as against Beckstrom, who was fined £2 10s. and costs, with the alternative of seven days’ hard labor in bue of non-payfhent.

Mr. Tafner, of Cuba-street, has erected in the spacious front window of his establishment a fernery, which has a very pretty effect, and is quite an ornament to the street. A small fountain, from which the water falls into a basin filled with gold and silver fish, forms also a' very attractive feature in the scene, which for the past few days has drawn quite a crowd of visitors to the spot. The artillery corps succeeded in getting the “ time-gun ” to its place of destination on Mount Victoria on Saturday eveniug, and shortly after 6 o’clock a salvo was fired, which was heard distinctly in all parts of the city. The volunteers deserve much credit for the plucky manner in which they have accomplished the task, which was no child’s play, when the nature of the ground and the weight of the gun are taken into consideration.

An accident occurred in Willis-street on Saturday near to our office, whereby a valuable draught horse, belonging to Mr. J. Saunders, and well known by the name of “ Punch,” was killed. The poor animal was harnessed to a dust cart, and standing quietly in the street, when a waggon drawn by five horses, belonging to Messrs. Gorrie, of the Mungaroa sawmills, and heavily laden with timber, came along the street, and as it passed the dust cart the front axle gave way, and the whole weight of timber fell upon Mr. Saunders’ horse and broke its neck. There does not appear, so far as we are aware, any blame to be attached to the drivers of either vehicle ; but the timber waggon was probably too heavily laden, and hence the accident occurred.

The new Land Bill brought in by the present Government was circulated on Saturday. It is a very short measure, consisting of only nine clauses. The whole gist of the measure is contained in clause 4, which states that from and after the coming into operation of this Act, and until further provision is made for the classification of waste lands by the General Assembly, all waste lands shall be sold in accordance with the law in force in the land district where such lauds are situated, but not in any case at a less price than two pounds per aci’e, if by free selection ; and where in any land district waste lands are sold or disposed of by public auction, at an upset price of not less than one pound per acre. Clause 5 provides that the Waste Lands Board in any land district, or the Governor in Council, may increase the upset price of waste lands that may be deemed lands of special value from situation or quality, and such power may be so exercised from time to time as occasion shall require. No town, village, or suburban lands are to be sold at a less price than £3 per acre.

Among the many improvements lately carried out by our City Council not the least important has been the widening of Oriental Bay-road. This was formerly a narrow and difficult roadway now it is full forty to fifty feet wide, changing the whole appearance of the locality, and encouraging the rapid building of dwelling-houses along this favorite walk, which is now known as “ O’Neill’s Esplanade.” Some of our Northern friends inform us that Mr. O'Neill, when Engineer-in-Chief of Auckland, formed a similar esplanade between Grahamstown and Tararu, a distance of two miles, and before it was opened six months nearly the whole way was studded with houses. The road to Oriental Bay has always been a pleasant promenade, and we hope our civic authorities will still further improve its approach by covering over a portion of the Kent-terrace drain which debouches near the kerosene store, causing passers-by to proclaim the atmosphere not so pure as it ought to be on the beach. Mr. Berg, the enterprising landlord of the hotel near the baths, is about to build a wharf for the accommodation of boating parties during the summer season. The baths are being put in good summer order, and the fences made perfectly safe for those who love to swim in the blue sea. Hay-street, formerly the bed of a creek, is now a fine roadway, well drained, and has, in course of erection, some pretty cottages. We trust the day is not far distant when the “ esplanade” will be continued to Evans Bay, forming a modern “Rotten Row” or Brighton “Marine Parade.”

letter from Mr. D. Anderson, chairman of the New Zealand Titanic Steel and Iron Compauy, appears in another column, and refutes certain statements which have been made in the Assembly in reference to the subject. The Titanic Steel and Iron Company in 1574 obtained from the General Assembly the right to purchase 5000 acres of land in the province of Taranaki on condition that they paid ss. per acre for the land, had a nominal capital of £50,000, an actual capital of £30,000, and spent £IO,OOO on plant and labor charges in smelting the iron sands of the province. The company procured from Great Britain a set of the finest machinery, and erected a first-class modern blast furnace. They then went to considerable exin accordance with a patent process purchased by them. This altogether involved an expenditure of £20,000. When the final trial took pense in preparing the iron sand for smelting place the company succeeded in smelting several tons of first-class iron, which was forwarded to Great Britain and proved superior to the best quality of Swedish iron. When the company applied to the Government for the grant of 5000 acres of land, the Government refused to recognise the actual capital as being £30,000, stating in their opinion that it was only £27,410, making the company deficient £2590 ; and although this was a mere technical objection —the company showing their actual capital to be over £30,000, and that they had spent fully £IO,OOO more than they were required to spend under the Act —the Government refused to issue the gt ant. Although no conditions as to smelting were iirjposed upon the company by the Act of 1874 granting the land, the Parliament now wish to compel the company to smelt 100 tons more iron before they will allow a grant to issue. Such are the facts that have been placed before us, and they show that an injustice has been done, and that the company is certainly entitled to the land..

W. S. Moorhouse, Esq., has been gazetted as Captain of the Wellington Artillery Corps, and the resignations of Lieutenant Yates and Sub-Lieutenant Harris, of the Kaiwarra Rifles, have been accepted. A meeting of the governors of the Wellington College was held on Thursday. Present— The Rev. J. Paterson (in the chair), and Messrs. Brandon, Travers, Buckley, Jackson, and the secretary. From a statement of the finances, it appeared that on the 30th ultimo there was a deficiency of £852, and in order to pay salaries to the eDd of the year and other liabilities, further sums would be required, which would make this up to £ll6O. The bank overdraft at present was £747. Mr. Travers said he understood that a grant in aid of the college would be placed on the Estimates, and that it would have been now available but for the abolition of the provinces. Mr. Brandon intimated that a grant in aid of £IOOO might be expected. After some further discussion on the point, Mr. Travers said he understood that the Government would probably make a reserve of 10,000 acres of land, including 5000 acres in the Rangatumau Block, in aid of the college. Mr. Jackson said such reserve would realise £1 an acre. The Chairman said he thought the college expenditure might be reduced. There wei’e only some ninety pupils at the college, and £2400 a year seemed a large amount to pay for teaching them. Mr. Buckley suggested that a reduction in the number of the staff rather than in the amount of salaries would be better. After some further remarks, during which exception was taken to the expenditure of £450 a year for a teacher of botany, it was agreed that the secretary should communicate with other institutions in the colony, in order to obtain information as to their expenses and other details. The Board authorised a further overdraft, which the manager of the Bank of New Zealand was willing to allow on the usual terms. The Secretary drew the attention of the Board to the fact that several of the leaseholders of college property near Fitzherbertterrace had not carried out the terms of their agreement. Some had not commenced to fence, and others were in arrear of rent. Those who had fulfilled their part of the agreement naturally complained of the extra expense which was thrown upon them. On the motion of Mr. Travers, seconded by Mr. Bunny, it was resolved to place the matter in the hands of the solicitor to the Board.—A letter was read from the Principal of the College, stating that the present water supply had failed owing to the rottenness of the pipes, and requesting that other pipes might be laid down. Mr. Travers said this had arisen from the pipes being of plain iron unprotected, instead of being galvanised. The secretary was instructed to obtain estimates as to the cost of repairing the piping, &c., and to make a report thereupon at the next meeting.—Sir F. D. Bell made an application to erect on the land leased by him (5 sections) one house to cost £IOOO instead of five separate houses to cost £4OO each. The Board agreed that he should be allowed to put up two houses of the value of £IOOO each.

MR. FINNIMORE’S SALE OF BULLS AND BEACONSFIELD PROPERTIES. On Friday Mr. Finnimore sold at his rooms, Lambton-quav, the Bulls and Beaconsfield properties, to which we called attention in previous issues. There was a large attendance, and the bidding was spirited. At one o’clock there was an excellent luncheon, provided in Mr. Laing’s usual excellent style, to which ample justice was done. The following is the result of the sale : bulls, hangitikei. Lot 2,41 ft 3in, at 51s per foot. T. S. Dixon; 41, 55ft, 13s Gd, C. Taylor ; 5,55 ft, 17s 6d, E. J. Campion ; 6, 55ft, 20s, P. Coffey; 14, 49ft, 12s, Downes; c 3,50 ft, 9s Gd, Collins; 5,50 ft, Ss, Gulliver ; 6,50 ft, 8s Gd, Evans; 9,50 ft, 10s Gd, Wilson ; 10, 50ft, 9s, Duignan; 15, 50ft, 9s, Antonio; 16, 50ft, 9s, Fitzroy. BEACONSFIELD. Lot 1, lr, per lot 105 s, Eavp; 2, lr, 105 s, Gulliver; 3, lr, 106 s, Croker; 4, lr, 955, Earp; 5, lr, 90s, Earp; G, lr, 90s, Earp ; 6, lr, 90s, Earp ; 7, lr, 90s. Earp ; 8, 2a Or 16p, £2l, Earp; 9,3 a, £2l, Earp; 10. lr, 200 s, Lanvdon; 11, lr, 105 s. Doves; 12, lr, 100 s, Croker; 13, lr, 100 s, Earp ; 14, lr, 100 s, T. Smith ; 15, lr, 100 s, Shine; 16, lr, 105 s, Earp; 17, lr, £l2, Earp; 18, la Or 4p, 200 s, D. Smart; 19, 3r 34p, £l2, Lord ; 20, la Or 20p, £ll 11s. Gulliver; 21, lr, 100 s, Apperley; 22, lr, 115 s, BucUridge; 23, lr, 100 s, Langdon; 24, lr, 105 s, Smith: 26. 30p, 140 s, Earp; 27, lr, £ls, Fitzroy; 28, lr. 130 s, Stihbing ; 29, lr, 110 s, Stebbing; 30, lr. 115 s, Boyes; 31, lr, £l3, Lord ; 32. lr. 105 s, Earp; 33, lr, 100 s, Croker: 35. lr, 1265, Thompson ; 36, lr, 100 s, Lord; 37, lr, 105 s, Buckridge; 38, lr, ISOs, Apperley; 39, lr, 105 s, Light; 40, lr, 100 s, Croker ; 41, lr, 105 s, Light: 42, lr, 190 s, Lord; 44, la Or 18p, 200 s. Smart; 45, 2r 29p, 160 s, T. Smith; 46, 3r 24p, 160 s, Budden; 47, lr, 1.32 s 6d, C. Taylor; 4S. 30p, £l3 13s, Light; 50. lr, 180 s, C. Taylor; 51, lr, 1355, Badden; 52, lr, 105 s, Croker; 54, 30p, 100 s, T. Smith: 55, 30p, ISOs, Petherick; 56; lr, 200 s, Light: 57, lr. 105 s, Bath: 58, lr, 100 s, J. Sam; 59, lr, 140 s. Duignan; 60, lr, £ls, Trice: 61, lr, 100 s, Ninnis; 62, lr, 100 s, Swabe; 64, lr, 130 s, Duignan; 65, lr, 16Cs, Swabe; 67, lr, 200 s, Leslie; 68, lr, 100 s, Croker, 69, lr, 100 s, Smart; 70. lr, 115 s, Bndden; 71, lr, £ll, Swabe; 72, la lr 12p, 160 s, Izard; 73, 2r. 160 s, Bath; 74. 2r Bp, 160'-, Bath; 75, 2r, 200 s, Skate; 77, 2r, 120 s, Leslie; 7S, lr sp, 110 s, Chilton; 79,2 r, £ls, Langdon; 80, 2r, 120 s, Boyes; 81, 2r, 1265, Leslie; 82, 2r, 200 s, Appleby; 83, lr 14.1-p, £l6, Downes; 84. 1r124p, 140 s, Chilton; 85 lr lOlp, 140 s, Cary; 86, lr Sip, 140 s, Bath; 87, lr 7p, £l2, Cary; 88, lr, 100 s, Richards;S9, lr, 105 s, T. Smith; 90, lr, 120 s, Cary; 91, lr, 120 s, Budden: 92, lr, £lO 10s, Stebbing; 93, lr, 110 s, J. Smith; 94. lr, 100 s. Croker; 95, lr, 100 s, Smart; 96, lr, £ll, Bndden; 97, 1r,£14. Trice; 93, lr, 105 s, Lawrence; 99, lr, 110 s, Sheldon; 100, lr, 105 s, Croker; 101, lr, £lB, Trice; 102, lr, 120 s, Stebbing; 103, lr, 110 s, Richards; 104, lr, 105 s, Slialden; 105, lr, 100 s, Cary; 106, lr, 100 s, Richards; 107, lr, 115 s, Richards; 108, lr, £l2, Langdon; 109, lr, 100 s, Mason; 110, lr, 105 s, Coleman; 111, lr, 105 s, Slialden; 112, lr, £ll 10s, Coleman; 113, lr 3p, £l4, Appleby; 114, lr 21p, 1355, Cary; 115. lr, 1355, Carv; 116, lr, 150 s, Cary; 117, lr, £l3 10s, Swabe; 118, lr, 100 s, Slielden; 119, lr, 100 s, Budden; 120, lr, 100 s, Cary; 121, lr, 115, Cary; 122, lr. 200 s, Bndden; 123, lr, 100 s, Slialden; 125, lr, 100 s, Carev; 126, lr, 190 s, Smith; 127, lr, £l3, Trice; 128, lr, 97s Gd, Sheldon; 129, lr, 85s, Bath; 130, lr, 90s. Croker: 131, lr, 200 s, T. Smith; 132, lr, 100 s, Cook; 133, lr, 100 s, Roxburgh; 135, lr, 120 s, Downes; 137, lr, 105 s, shelden; 138, lr, ISOs, Richards; 139, lr, 105 s. St. George; 140, lr, 105 s, St. George; 141, lr, 110 s, Roxburgh; 142, 1r,1475, Shelden; 143, 2r, £l2 12, Stebbing; 145, 2r, 140 s. From: 140, 2r, £ll, From; 147, 2r, 190 s, Stebbing; 143, 3r, 105 s, Thomson ; 149, 3r 25p, 120 s, Applebv ; 151, lr 6p, 115 s, Bath ; 152, 2r, ISOs, Skate ; 153, 2r, 105 s, Duncan : 155. 3r sp, 132 6d, Feist; 150, 3r. 120 s Eichards; 157, 3r, 105 s, Evans; 158. 3r, 100 s, Feist; 159, 2r, 189 s, From; 160, 2r, 115 s, Vine; 161, 2r, 1355, Stebbing; 102, la Or sp, 170 s, Feist; 163, la lr Bp, 120 s, Wine; 164, 39}p, £l9 10s, Downes; 105, S7Jp, 140 s, Buckridge; 166, 36p, 1355, Roxburgh; 167,

35p, 1355, Roxburgh: 168, 38p, 1265, Shelden; 169, lr 7p, 200 s, Stibbing; 170, lr, 1265, Downes; 172, lr, 120 s, Roxburgh; 172, lr 24p, 100 s, Roxburgh; 173, lr 24p, ICOs, Roxburgh; 175, 30p, 150 s, Roxburgh; a 179, 30xj, 130 s, Roxburgh; AISO, 30p, 105 s, Leslie; 202, la lr Bp, 105 s, M. Read; 203, la Or 6p, 105 s, F. Read; 204, la Or Op, 100 s, Vile; 205, lr 6p, 110 s, Vile ; 206, la 3r lOp, 190 s, Smart; 207, 2a 2r 23p, £l2, Vile; 208, la 2r 20p, 1255, Hausman; 209, lair 27p, 112 s 6d, Hausman; 210, 3alr27p, 1265, Hausman; 211, la Or 9p, 110 s, Hausman; 212, la Or 9p, 100 s, Smart; 213, 3a Or 7p, £ls 10s, Hausman; 214, 3r 39p, 120 s, Macauley; 215, la lr 15p, 955, Hausman; 216, la Or 6p, 100 s, Leslie; 217, 5a Or 12p, £26, Hausman; 218, 4a 2r 34p, £2O, Roxburgh; 219, 7a 3r 17p, £32, Roxburgh; 220, 5a lr 17p, £lB, Caldwell; 230, la 2r, 110 s, Madden; 231, la 2r, 110 s, Fanshaw; 236, la 2c 16p, £l3, Appleby; 237. la 2r, 150 s, Hausman; 238, la 2r, 1355, Hausman; 239, la 2r, 115 s, Hausman; 240, la 2r, 1265, Hausman; 241. la 2r, 1265, Hausman; 242, la 2r, 1355, Duignan; A23S, la 2r, 115 s, Hausman; 243, la 2r, £ll, Earp; 259, la Or 7p, 200 s, Richard; 260, la Or 9p, 120 s, Langden; 261, la lr 23p, 110 s, St. George; 262, la lr 13p, 120 s, Port; 263, 2a 3r Bp, £lO 10s, Buckridge; 264, 2a3rSp, £l3. Vile; 265, la, 110 s, Ferguson; 266, la, 110 s, Buckridge; 267, 0a 3r 14p, 105 s, Skate; 268, 0a 3r 14p, 120 s, Buckridge; 269, la 2r, 1355, Ferguson; 270, la 2r. 1265, Roxburgh; 271, la 2r, 115 s, Roxburgh; 272, la 2r, 120 s, Roxburgh; 273, la 2r, 115 s, Cary; 274, la 2r, 110 s, Swabe; 275, la 2r, 140 s, Cary; 276, la 2r, £l4, Cary: 277, 5a 3r 14p, £25, W. W. Cook; 278, 5a 3r 14p, £26, W. W. Cook.

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. The Society met on Saturday evening. Mr. Cai-ruthers, the Vice-President, occupied the chair. Mr. Riemenschneider’s election as a member was announced by the Secretary. Dr. Buller read a further paper “ On the Ornithology of New Zealand.” Among the species treated of were the Kaka parrot, with an interesting account of the Maori mode of trapping it by means of decoy birds ; the two species of migratory cuckoo, with observations on their parasitic habits; the black fantail, the occurrence of which as far north as Auckland has been communicated by Mr. Cheesman ; the knot ( Tringa Canutus) which has lately been met with in this island ; the sandpiper (Limnocinchis acuviinatus), and many others. Among the latter was the New Zealand godnit, of which the author gave an interesting sketch. This bird spends a portion of the year in Siberia, and visits in the course of its annual migration the islands of the Indian Archipelago, Polynesia, Australia, and New Zealand. In summer it frequents the south coast of the Sea of Ochotsk, and it has likewise been observed in China, Japan, Java, Celebes, Timor, Norfolk Island, and the New Hebrides. They leave this country towards the end of March or beginning of April, and return to us towards the end of November. The manner in which they take their departure at the North Cape is very remarkable. Rising from the beach in a long line, and with much clamor, they form into a broad semicircle, deployed forwards, and mounting into the air generally take a course due north. Sometimes they rise in a confused manner, and after circling about at a considerable height in the air, return to the beach to reform as it were their ranks, and then make a fresh start on their distant pilgrimage. The departure from any fixed locality usually begins on almost the exact date year after year ; and for a week or ten days after the emigration has commenced, fresh parties are constantly on the wing, the flight generally taking place just after sunset. Tens of thousands take their departure at this time, in flocks numbering from 700 to 1200 in each. Specimens of all the species mentioned in the paper were exhibited to the meeting ; and among these was a young example of the plundering gull ( Stercnrarius parasiticus ), obtain ed in Wellington harbor in the early part of the present year. Dr. Hector said he had listened to the paper with very much interest, and particularly the portion relating to the habits and migrations of the godnit. He was glad that the author, not content with the laurels he had so well earned by the publication of his great work on “ The Birds of New Zealand,” continued to prosecute his researches and to lay the results before the society in so interesting a manner. Dr. Newman, Mr. Kirk, and Mr. Young took part in the discussion that followed. Dr. Buller replied generally, and in answer to Dr. Hector’s question said that absolutely nothing is known of the breeding habits of the godnit. It appears, however, to cross the L qua tor, and to breed in- high latitudes. The few that remain with us do not pair; and there is a significant Maori saying, “ Who has seen the nest of the kuaka ? ”

“On Nephrodium decompositum and N. glabellum,” by T. Kirk, F.L.B. This paper showed that the characters of these two species of ferns had been hitherto confused, and gave fresh descriptions. “On Hymenophyllum montanum a new species, discovered by Mrs. Mason in the mountains between Bake WAkatipu and the West Coast; by T. K. Kirk, F.L.S. In reply to Dr. Buller, the author stated that this was the nineteenth species of Hymenophyllum now discovered in New Zealand.

“ On the Relative Ages of the Australian, Tasmanian, and New Zealand Coalfields,” by Dr. Hector, F.R.S. The speaker’s remarks were illustrated by diagrams and maps, and by a large collection of fossils which he had obtained during a recent tour in the Australian colonies. After describing the extent and position of the various coalfields at present worked, he stated that from a comparison of the fossils he had arrived at the following results:—Cretaceous epoch : Chief New Zealand coal ; wanting in Tasmanian and Australia, except perhaps in Queensland. Jurassic epoch : Mataura series of New Zealand ; Cape Paterson coalfields of Victoria ; Clarence River coal of New South Wales ; and the coalbeds at Hobarton. Liassic epoch: Olent Hill beds of New Zealand ; wanting in Tasmania and Australia, except Queensland. Triassic epoch : Wairoa beds of New Zealand; upper coal formation of New South Wales ; and wanting in Tasmania. Permio-carboni-ferous : Maitai series of New Zealand ; lower coal formation of New South Wales ; Mersey coalfields of Tasmania. This view of the relative aces of those formations had just received remarkable confirmation by a late discovery, Mr. McKay, of the Geological Survey, who has recently been at work in the Canterbury Alps, having found plant beds

beneath the spirifer beds of Mount Potts that are full of the leaves of glossopteris, a fern very characteristic of the upper and middle coal formation of New South Wales, and with them beds of graphite of considerable commercial value, which represents in an altered form the Newcastle coal seams. Along with these occur remains of saurian reptiles of immense size, of which large collections have been made. In conclusion, it was stated that only a very small portion of the area colored on the map of New South Wales as coal formation, contained valuable coal seams, and that they were not without drawbacks. At Newcastle, where the principal collieries are situated, the seams have to be worked to an increasing depth by shafts, and require pumping. In the southern coalfield, the coal is worked by adits into the face of the mountain, and lowered by steep inclines in the same manner as our own Puller coal will be worked ; but it has to be shipped from an exposed coast. The western district coal has all to be carried over the Blue Mountains by a railway that ascends and descends by zigzags, that answers well enough for passengers and light traffic, but must be rather costly for transporting coal. Dr. Hector stated that all he had seen increased his confidence in the value of our West Coast coalfields, both as regards the quality and extent of the coal and the facilities for working it.

Dr. Hector next described various recent additions to the Museum, which were exhibited: —(1.) Ventral spines of a species of Banks’ oar fish Regalicus gladius, recently cast up in the Farewell Spit, and presented by Mr. H. B. Wilson. Unfortunately, the whole of this rare species had not been procured, but a full-sized drawing was shown. It is like the frost fish, but 13 feet long, and one foot deep, with a high crest over the head, and the ventral fins reduced to two long rays or spines, which are elongated above the body, and furnished with an oval expansion of membrane at the tip. The colors of the fish are very bright and metallic. (2.) A specimen of the sea trout (Salmo trutta), caught with rod and artificial fly in the Tasmanian fish ponds, was shown, and compared with specimens at all stages of growth of the same fish reared in New Zealand. The distinct manner in which the specific characters were preserved in them, and also in a number of brown trout also exhibited, is opposed to the theory advanced by some that the Tasmanian fish are being hybridized.

Some other interesting fish were also exhibited, forming a small part of a large collection presented by Mr. William Macleay, F.L.S., of Sydney. An interesting series of gem sands from Mudgee and the diamond drift of Bingera from Professor Biversidge, and also specimens illustrating his discovery of the formation of moss gold by the action of gentle heat on arsenical iron pyrites, specimens of the recently found native Bismuth and tin ore of Tasmania were also exhibited.

r THE ARCADE. The new Arcade erected by Mr. F. Sidey in Manners-street is now rapidly approaching completion, indeed the lower portion is already finished, and the upper portion will be completed about the 20th instant. The building itself is a massive structure covering an area of 150 ft. by 75ft.,’anditsheight from the ground to the top of the parapet is 45ft., and to the top of the weather vane 52 ft. The main front faces Manners-street and has a very striking appearance. It has ten large windows with carved trusses, and also two heavy cornices, the top cornice being supported by massive carved canti-levers, and the lower cornice, which is of smaller dimensions, by eight large fluted pilasters. The main entrance is from Manners-street, and is 12ft. wide by 10ft. in height. There are also side entrances from Farish-street and St. Hill-street. These entrances can be closed, at night, by patent revolving shutters. There are 1200 gaspipes ail of iron, and all exposed to view, so that any escape of gas can be stopped immediately without any difficulty. The large hall on the ground floor is 120 ft. long by 40ft. wide, and the clear space is only broken by 12 substantial square pillars, which support the promenade gallery running round the hall of the upper floor. There are 250 ft. of fretwork, which will give ample ventilation to the hall when the stalls are closed. These stalls or shops are very lofty and commodious, and will be well ventilated and brilliantly lighted. They have each a separate window looking into the street, and the partitions dividing them can be taken down, so that two or more can be thrown into one. The shops which are intended for the butchers and fishmongers are at the north end of the hall, quite apart from the rest, and are close to the entrances from Farish and’St. Hill streets. There is a very comfortable room upstairs, which is being fitted up for the accommodation of ladies. Attached to the premises is a yard, with an area of half an acre, which will be a great convenience to country people bringing produce into town, as they can leave their carts there. Water will be laid on throughout the yard and building, and there will be every convenience in the way of lavatories, &c. It was thrown open for the inspection of the public on Saturday evening last, and several thousand availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting this new place of business, which henceforth will form a marked feature in the shopping facilities of Te Aro. The gasfitters were unable to complete the arrangements for lighting by Saturday, and hence the Arcade, as far as lighting was concerned, did not show to its full advantage, the large central light of the building not being finished. Still the place was sufficiently lighted for all purposes of trade ; indeed in every part of the building the smallest print could easily have been read. We repeat, after an inspection of , the Arcade on Saturday night, that it is in every respect well adapted for the purposes for which it is intended. The success of an establishment of this kind depends in a great measure upon a central position, and the extent of the population whose wants it is

intended to supply. Wellington is now a city of close upon twenty thousand inhabitants, and it is a matter of some surprise thata similar establishment has not been started ere this. With regard to the site of the Arcade, none better could have been chosen, as Man-ners-street is the great arterial thoroughfare connecting Te Aro with the other parts of the city, and with the shipping, chief places of business, and public institutions of every kind. The advantage of position may be easily understood when it is stated that fully half the population of the city reside to the south of Man-ners-street. And here we may incidentally remark that that street has not hitherto taken suchja place in the city in a commercial point of view as might naturally be expected, and the same thing may be said of its buildings as far as size and appearance are concerned. However, affairs are now changing, and several handsome and substantial structures have lately been erected in that thoroughfare, and when the Arcade and Theatre are opened Manners-street will present a more lively and attractive appearance of an evening than heretofore, and no doubt improvement will take place in every other direction. Mr. Sidey’s sale of shops in the Arcade on Wednesday by auction was largely attended. This being a new thing in Wellington, the audience were diffident in bidding, each one apparently holding back to see who were going to take stalls. A few were disposed of at the sale, when the auctioneer announced he would withdraw the rest, but would dispose of them privately. After the auction a number were disposed of at a rental of 20s. each per week. About half the shops are let, and the remainder can be had on application at the auctioneer’s office.

PROPOSED VISIT OF SIR W. ® JERVOIS. The following correspondence has been printed relative to the proposed visit of Sir W. Jervois to report on the harbor defences of the colony : Message. The Governor transmits to the House of Representatives the copy of a correspondence between the Governor and his Ministers on the subject of the visit of his Excellency Sir William Jervois to New Zealand, for the purpose of reporting upon the best means of defending the principal ports in the colony from foreign attack. Government House, Wellington, December 3, 1877. Memorandum for the Hon. Sir George Grey, K.C.B. The Governor presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and requests to be informed by Ministers what answer they would wish him to send to the enclosed letter from his Excellency Sir William Jervois on the subject of his visit to New Zealand, for the purpose of reporting upon the defences of the colony. Normakby. Government House, Wellington, Nov. 24, 1877. Enclosure. Copy of a Better from his Excellency Sir W. F. D. Jervois to his Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. Government House, Adelaide, Oct. 15, 1877. Dear Bord Normanby, with my note of 16 th July, I propose visiting New Zealand, to report upon defence of harbors, about the middle or the third week of December next, beginning at the south, and working northwards by Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, &c. It would greatly facilitate my movements if the Hinemoa —I believe that is the name of the steamer belonging to your Government — can be sent to Hobarton for me, and I would feel exceedingly obliged if you will do anything in your power to afford me this facility. I will let you know, further, as to the precise day on which I propose leaving Hobarton. Meanwhile please telegraph to me if the Hinemoa can be sent for me. Wm. F. Drummond Jervois. His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G., &c. Memorandum for his Excellency. Ministers present their respectful compliments to the Marquis of Normanby, and thank him for forwarding a copy of the letter from Sir William Jervois on the subject of his visit to New Zealand, for the purpose of reporting on the defences of the colony. Ministers regret that the services of the Hinemoa being required here, it is not in their power to send that vessel to Hobarton, with a view to her being placed at the disposal of Sir William Jervois. G. Grey. Wellington, 2Sth November, 1877. Copy of Telegram from his Excellency the Governor of New Zealand to his Excellency Sir W. E. D. J ervois. “New Zealand, 29th Nov., 1877. “ Government will be unable to send Hinemoa to Hobarton. Regret delay in answering. Please telegraph when you start. “ Normanby.” Memoranda on covering sheet to Telegram. The Governor requests Ministers will inform him as to the answer they would wish him to return to the enclosed telegram. The Governor thinks it would be right to grant the request. N. Ministers regret that the Hinemoa, as they have already said, is required for other purposes. G. Grey.

Enclosure. Copy of Telegram received by his Excellency Ithe Governor of New Zealand from his Excellency Sir W. F. D. Jervois. “Adelaide, November 29. i “ Can your Government place Hinemoa at

my disposal during January, to visit your ports, commencing at Bluff ? “ H.E. Wir W. F. D. Jervois, “ Governor.” Memorandum for the Hon. Sir George Grey, 1C.C.8. The Governor presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and in reply to the memorandum of Ministers, in which they state that the services of the Hinemoa cannot be given to his Excellency Sir William Jervois during the time that he is employed in examining and reporting on the defences of Dunedin, Byttelton, Wellington, and Auckland harbors during the mouth of January, the Governor would point out that the services of Sir William J ervois and Colonel Scratchlev were obtained through the Secretary of State at the request of the late Government [memorandum 17th May, 1877], on the understanding that the remuneration to Sir William Jervois and Colonel Scratchley should be at the same rate as that paid by the Australian colonies. The Governor would observe that the harbors to be examined are large, and that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the work to be properly completed without the officers employed having a special steamer at their disposal. The Governor would also wish to point out that some consideration is due to the position of Sir William Jervois as the Governor of a neighboring colony, visiting New Zealand, not for his own pleasure, but at the request and for the service of the colony. The Governor would imply, from the curt answer of Ministers to the request made by Sir William Jervois for the use of the Hinemoa, that they do not approve of the object for which he is about to visit the colony. Should such be the case, if Ministers will state their wishes in writing, the Governor will at once communicate with Sir William Jervois, and request,him to put off his visit ; but if the work is to proceed the Governor can conceive no service on which the Hinemoa could be more properly employed, and Ministers have not informed him of any special services which would prevent her being so employed. The Governor would request a reply as soon as possible, as he must communicate with Sir William Jervois at once. Normanby. Government House, Wellington, Ist December, 1877.

Memorandum for his Excellency. Ministers understand that two officers of the Royal Engineers are now in Australia, to report upon the best means of defending the principal seaport towns, those officers having been specially selected for the duty, in compliance with an application from some of the Australian Governments, the arrangement being that, while so engaged, the officers shall receive salaries at the rate of £ISOO and £IOOO a year respectively, and have all their expenses paid. It is very desirable that the principal ports of New Zealand should be similarly reported upon. Ministers respectfully ask, therefore, that his Excellency will communicate with the Governors of Victoria and New South Wales, with a view of securing that the two officers shall, as soon as convenient, visit this colony for that purpose ; this Government joining in arrangement as to salaries and expenses. H. A. Atkinson. Wellington, 17th May, 1877. Memorandum to his Excellency.

Ministers present their respectful compliments to the Marquis of Normanby. They regret that the Governor should have regarded their reply to his memorandum resj>ecting Sir William Jervois as being curt. They wrote amidst the hurry of a great pressure of business ; and they intended that their answer should be in every respect courteous. Ministers were not aware, until they received the Governor’s memorandum, that it might be in their power to dispense with the visit of Sir William Jervois to New Zealand ; but the state of the finances of the colony at present is such that it is their duty to avoid expenditure wherever it is possible to do so. They feel satisfied that New Zealand could not at this moment incur any large expenditure on public works for the defence of the many harbors of the colony. They might possibly, with but little warning, have to make provision for resisting an internal enemy, who might prove much more dangerous than an external foe. The best means of providing against such an internal enemy is the expenditure of funds in civilising the natives, opening up the country by means of roads, encouraging settlement in native districts, and otherwise promoting friendly relations between the two races. They would, therefore, prefer to apply any funds available for defensive purposes to those objects, rather than to devote such funds to costly works meant for resisting a foreign enemy. For the latter purpose, they trust confidently to the fleets of Great Britain, which they feel satisfied will never allow a foreign enemy to dominate in these seas. Under all the circumstance, therefore, whilst regretting that they cannot avail themselves of the valuable services of so distinguished an officer as Sir William J ervois, if it is possible, without any uncourteousness on their part, to delay his visit until a time when the colony may be in a better financial position, Ministers would feel greatly obliged to the Governor if he would make such a communication to Sir William Jervois as may be the means of postponing his visit to New Zealand.

G. Grey. Wellington, December 3, 1877. Memorandum for the Hon. Sir George Grey, K.C.B. The Governor presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and begs to acknowledge the receipt of his memorandum of this day’s date, in which Ministers inform him that, in consequence of the financial condition of the colony, they advise the Governer to communicate with

liis Excellency Sir William Jervois, and to request him to postpone indefinitely his visit to New Zealand. The Governor will at once comply with the advice given to him by Ministers, but he must at the same time express his deep regret that they should have felt it their duty to come to such a decision, as he fears it is one which’is little calculated to raise the credit of the colony abroad.

The fleets of Great Britain will, no doubt, in the event of war perform their duty as they have always done, but it is manifestly impossible that England, even if she were disclosed so to do, should keep sufficient ships ,in these seas to secure at all times her various possessions from the attack of small expeditions, or of a single ship or privateer ; and it is in the Governor’s opinion clearly the duty of each colony to make such provisions as they may consider necessary for that purpose. The question is one of public importance, and the Governor will feel it his duty to lay this correspondence before Parliament without delay. Normanby. Government House, 3rd December, 1877. Memorandum for the Hon. Sir George Grey, K.C.B. The Governor presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and requests that he will be good enough to lay the accompanying message, containing the correspondence on the subject of Sir William Jervois’ visit to New Zealand, on the table of the House with as little delay as possible. Normanby. Government House, Wellington, 3rd December, 1877. Memorandum for His Excellency. Sir George Grey presents his respectful compliments to the Marquis of Normanby. ~ The Governor has stated as his opinion that the question relating to Sir William Jervois’ proposed visit to New Zealand is one of public importance, and that his Excellency will feel it his duty to lay the correspondence relating thereto before Parliament without delay. The Governor has further, in pursuance of that intention, transmitted to Sir George Grey a message to the House of Representatives on the subject referred to, and requested him to lay that message on the table of the House of Representatives. Sir George Grey feels it, under these circumstances, to be his duty to obey his Excellency’s commands ; and he will lay the Governor’s message before the House of Representatives on their meeting this evening. G. Grey. Wellington, 3rd December, 1877.