Town and Country.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 422, 13 March 1880, Page 18

Town and Country.

The three members of the Commission on the Civil Service now in Wellington, viz., Messrs. T. Kelly, M.H.R., A. Saunders, M.H.R., and Mr. C. Pharazyn, met at the Government Buildings on Mar. 10, but decided to do nothing until the arrival of the fourth Commissioner, Sir Robect Douglas, now on his way from Auckland. The business transacted was purely formal, consisting of the preparation of certain lists of returns, reports, &c, which it is intended to ask the Government to supply the Commission with. The appointment of chairman, secretary, and shorthand writer, will not be proceeded with until the arrival of Sir Robert Douglas, who may be expected from the North to-day. It is probable that the Government may appoint a fifth Commissioner, but nothing definite is known The following three tenders for outbuildings, &c, in connection with the new Thorndon Schools, have been received by the Board of Education : Accepted William Layton : outbuildings, £297 ; fencing, £ls per chain ; drain pipes—6in., Is. 3d. per foot ; 4m., Is. per foot. Declined—E. B. Haughton : building?, £365 ; fencing, £23 13s. 6d. per chain ; pipes—6in., 6s. 3d. per yard ; 4in., ss. per yard. Compton Bros. : outbuildings, &c, £4OB 15s (incomplete). I!?The grounds surrounding the new Hospital are beginning to assume a very different appearance to that which they presented when the erection of the building was first put in hand. The total area of the ground that has been levelled is about five acres, nearly the whole of which lies in front of the main entrance. The road which leads to it has been formed with broken rook from a cutting on the higher part of it. This cutting is now being widened by prison labor. Another wide cutting has been formed to connect the Hospital with the Mount View Lunatic Asylum. In forming the level ground care was taken to save the good soil, which was piled up in heaps, and is now about to be distributed. Plans have been prepared for laying out the grounds for walks, lawns, and plantations, and Mr. Toxward, architect, accompanied by Mr. Dorset, the secretary to the Hospital Trustees, and Mr. Mountier, a practical gardener, visited the ground on Wednesday, for the purpose of settling a number of the preliminaries. Prison labor will be employed to carry out the work. The proposed improvements will, if carried out, make a wonderful difference in the appearance of the surroundings, which are very bare and barren at present. An interesting meeting took place at the Primitive Methodist Church, Webb-street, on Tuesday evening, when a number of friends assembled together to bid farewell to Mr. James H. Luke, who is leaving for the Manawatu district to enter upon probation for the Primitive Methodist Ministry. The chair was occupied by the Rev. D. Dutton, F.R.A.S., and a number of addresses were delivered expressive of regard for Mr. Luke. The feature of the evening was the presentation by the Rev. W. S. Potter of a large album and a portmanteau to Mr. Luke on behalf of the Sabbath school teachers and scholars. During the evening some excellent selections were rendered by the choir. The £IOOO sweep on the Wanganui Cup was drawn, at Wanganui, on Tuesday evening. We take from the local papers the following result of the drawing, as of interest to Wellington investors :—ll, Resolution ; 33, Commission ; 35, Natator ; 48, Hippocampus ; 54, Talent ,- 133, Chancellor ; 164, Soukar ; 171, Hailstorm ; 196, Numa ; 197, Omega ; 209, Catch'em ; 241, Curiosity ; 274, Betrayer; 279, Lone Hand ; 336, Rangokako ; 344, Confident ; 355, Wilberforce ; 390, Little Wonder; 392, Mata ; 405, Lapland ; 410, Foam ; 426, Lara ; 438, Otupai ; 461, Romeo ; 488, Flora McDonald ; 530, Balmoral ; 532, Sinking Fund ; 552, "Vampire ; 569, Petruchio ; 575, Luna ; 622, Templeton ; 665, Libeller ; 669, Otawa ; 695, Maid of Honor ; 733, Titania ; 739, Comus ; 742, Ariel; 743, Endymion ; 810, Magnolia ; 849, Hornby ; 882, Foul Play ; 941, Maritana ; 945, Laertes ; 957, Loch Lomond ; 982, Pinfire; 988, King Quail ; 996, Mufti. Messrs. Gattscha and Parsons' new brewery at Masterton is nearly completed. The buildin g stands nearly opposite the Railway Hotel.

It is stated by the Manawatu Times that Mr. McMinn, recently editor of the Rangitikei Advocate, has been offered and accepted the post of editor of the Fettding Guardian.

The Post Office Department has issued a combined New Zealand and Australian postal time-table for 1880. It folds up in a diminutive but most convenient form for reference. We thank the secretary, Mr. Gray, for copies. The Wellington Cemetery accounts as published in last week's Gazette, for the year ending 31st December last, show receipts £266 Is. 7d. (including £B6 7s. Bd. brought forward from the previous balance), aud expenditure £145 Is. Sd., leaving a credit balance of £l2O 19s. lid. on the Ist January, 1880. There is also, as the accounts show, £52 16s. Bd. owing to trustees for right of interment. Shareholders of the Wellington Coal Company will be glad to hear that the new manager, Mr. Fergusson, has entered upon his duties with every prospect of ultimate success. We understand that he is making arrangements for proving the coal field in a thoroughly practical manner, which has not been hitherto accomplished. We hope to soon hear a good report of the new manager's labors, and that the company will, ere long, be upon the list of dividend payers. The annual sitting of the Assessment Court for the borough of Wellington and the Wellington Highway Board Districts, was held on March 4, before Judge Mansford, Mr. Ames, city valuer, appearing on behalf of the Corporation, and Mr. Diamant for the district. A large number of appeals were brought before the Court, but as in the bulk of the cases the appellants did not appear, objections were not entertained. A report of the proceedings will be published in detail.

Every effort is being made to carry the Druids' sports, which will be held at McNab's Gardens on Easter Monday, toa successful issue. The committee has already obtained the prizes that are to be offered. They consist of several valuable silver cups, one of them being worth £lO 10s., a silver tea and coffee service, and other equally desirable trophies, twelve in all. They were exhibited in Mr. Summerfield's window, Lambton-quay, on Saturday evening, when they drew such a crowd of admirers that the footpath was at times completely blocked. They should ensure a large number of entries for the-various events.

The reduction in cab fares turns out to be a happy idea, judged by the results to the cabmen themselves and the convenience to the public. The wonder to the cabmen is that they did not hit upon the brilliant idea before. The receipts under the reduced tariff, it is said, are very gratifying to many of the cabmen who, since the advent of the tramway, have been living on starvation wages. The public seem to be as well satisfied with the new arrangement as the cabmen themselves.

A painful case came before his Worship last week at the Resident Magistrate's Court. A married woman, who has obtained a protection order over her property, was sued for a debt contracted by her since she became possessed of the order. She admitted the debt, but pleaded her inability to pay. She had been keeping a boarding-house, but her boarders had left without paying her, and she had three children to support. She was a respectable looking woman, and evidently felt her position keenly. As she had admitted the debt, Mr. Mansford had no option but to give judgment against her, but, under the circumstances, he ordered execution to be stayed.

The Maori mind appears to be deeply stirred by the advance of the surveyors and the Constabulary across Stoney river—the Rubicon of the West Coast. Confidence in Te Whiti is being rapidly sapped, and his ability to perform all that he has promised openly questioned. Intelligence to this effect reached us the other day, and also that one chieftain of note was heard to remark that he had doubts as to whether Te Whiti was not deceiving his followers, and also whether he was really capable of causing the return ot the confiscated land to the tribes, and that if he did not soon disclose his power to act the natives would leave him and go to the Government. This statement we know to be authentic, and it may therefore be accepted as earnest of the desirable turn native affairs are taking under the quiet sensible regime of the new Native Minister.

At the last meeting of the City Council an opinion was expressed by one or two of the councillors that the salary of the Mayor was being paid illegally, but his Worship explained that this was not so. It appears that, subsequently, Councillors Diver and Young requested the Town Clerk to write to the City Solicitor to obtain legal advice on the subject, and the opinion was then read. It was to the effect that the payments were perfectly legal. A very strong opinion was expressed that the two councillors in question (neither of whom was present- that evening) had greatly exceeded their powers in acting as they had done, and, further, that such action was of a most improper character, Councillors Fisher and Stafford remarking that if such a course were allowed any of the councillors might obtain cheap law when it suited them. The matter then dropped. On March 4 a meeting of the general committee, in connection with the Irish Relief Fund, was held at the City Council Chambers. There was a very good attendance, some dozen members being present. The meeting was a very long one, lasting exactly two hours, nearly half of which time was taken up in discussing the question whether or not it was advisable to advertise the subscription lists. Ultimately the matter was left in abeyance, and the meeting adjourned for a month. The meeting then took a somewhat singular turn, several of the members wishing the committee to resolve itself into a committee for the relief of the people of Wellington. Mr. Hunter pointed out that this would be hardly proper, seeing that they had just adjourned for a month as an Irish Relief Committee. A good deal of discussion took place, but no decision was arrived at. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere.

Mr. Allen, of the Colonial Insurance Com pany, has informed us that £250 is the amount held by that company in the Golden Fleece Hotel, Pakuratahi, destroyed by fire on Wednesday last, the remaining £750 being reinsured.

A special meeting of the Board of Education was held on Tuesday for the purpose of opening the voting papers sent in by the various school committees for the election of three gentlemen to fill the existing vacancies on the Board. The result was that Mr. G. Beetham, Dr. Newman, and Mr. J. R. Blair were declared to be duly elected.

It appears that the announcement that Dr. Gillon had made up his mind to leave this city for Nelson was somewhat premature. He has not as yet completed his arrangements, nor: has he sent in the resignation of his appointment as resident surgeon to the Hospital. He has, however, obtained leave of absence for a fortnight, and will, on his return decide as to what steps, if any, he will take.

A conference of insurance head managers is being held in Wellington at the present time. The following companies are represented : New Zealand, Mr. G. P. Pierce ; South British, Mr. A. Boardman, sen.; National, Mr. A. Hill Jack; Union, Mr. W. Deverish Meares ; Colonial, Mr. F. Allen ; Victoria, Mr. J. W. Brindley. The matters considered by the conference are, of course, in connection with insurance companies. The members of the conference waited on the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, as a deputation, to urge on the Government the great hardship which they considered it was to tax insurance premiums. They pointed out that this was a tax on industry, and one which would in reality fall upon the insurers and not the insurance companies, seeing that the latter would have to charge proportionately increased rates to make up for the loss. Major Atkinson promised that the matter should receive the careful consideration of the Government, and the deputation having thanked him for his courtesy, withdrew.

42 The Hutt County Council has a good deal of work in hand just now. About a month ago they let a contract for the construction of a line from Hayward's, on the banks of the Hutt river, to the Pahautanui Small Farm Settlement, at a lump price of £894. The lowest tenderer has not taken up the contract, but the work will of course be proceeded with at an early date. The first contract of the Wakatiki road, running in the same direction, and starting some distance higher up the Hutt river, involves the expenditure of £423, in addition to which about £240 will be spent for the construction of an extra mile, and about £159 in cutting a bridle track on the remaining section of the line. The new bridge over the Hutt river, on the Mungaroa-Waikanae line, is contracted for at £2236, and another sum of say £I2QO will be expended in the erection of the Akatarawa bridge, on the same line. In addition to this a balance of about £BOO is to be expended in cutting a bridle track from the end of the formed, road towards Waikanae. The total expenditure on works that may be expected to be under progress during the next three months will therefore be £5943, the bulk of which will be paid away in wages. There is to be seen at our office a remarkably fine sample of flax, which was taken from the leaf of a plant grown on the grounds of Mr. Field, Aramoho, near Wanganui. It is the finest and strongest thread we have yet seen, and is infinitely superior to anything grown in this province, or indeed in this island. It is perfectly white in color, remarkably strong, and in the Home market we are creditably informed would be worth from £6O to £BO a ton, being superior to the finest manilla. The small specimen in question has undergone no preparation further than being scraped with a shell, after the Maori fashion. We are informed that the particular species to which the plant belongs can only be grown from the root, seed sowing being useless. In the neighborhood of Aramoho the species is highly prized, and people come to Mr. Field's from far and near. It seems a pity that the plant cannot be extensively cultivated, seeing the great value which the dressed flax would have in the English market.

We have received from Mr. William Bishop of Custom House-quay, a narrative printed in pamphlet form of a voyage from England to Australia in the s.s. Somersetshire, compiled from a diary kept by one of the passengers. It tells in interesting fashion the usual incidents of ship life ; among others, a hoax played upon a Pressman at Plymouth. It will be remembered that, coming down the English Channel, the Somersetshire got into collision with the American schooner Hattie G. McFarlane, and sustained damages which necessitated putting in at Plymouth for repairs. While there, as the author relates :—" Our chief officer and second engineer succeeded in perpetrating a hoax on the representative of the Western Daily Mercury, making him believe that the hole stove into bow was immediately made watertight by the aid of blankets and shawls, and that, whilst this ' novel plug' was being improvised, a man wedged himself into the aperture to prevent the influx of water. Also ' stuffing' him with the notion that we carried the electric light, for use in cases of emergency during dark nights, made gas in the engine room, and other equally ridiculous ideas, all of which were duly published, with sundry elaborations, in the next day's issue of the journal of which the victim of the hoax was the representative." The portion of the pamphlet which will most interest readers on this side of the line is the description of accommodation for passengers and the bill of fare provided. In saloon, second, third-class, and steerage, both accommodation and rations evidently appears to excel that provided in the ordinary run of passenger vessels, and in this Messrs. Money, Wigram and Sons maintain, their old reputation. We note also_ that they advertise material reductions in saloon passenger rates.

The ceremony of inducting another Minister to office took place on March 5, %vhen the oath of otfice was an 1 ministered to Mr. Thos. Dick, in the presence of the Governor and Executive. Mr. Dick was sworn in as Colonial Secretary. The total amount received up to the present time by the secretary to the Irish famine relief fund is £658 16s. lid. The total amount collected in Te Aro Ward was £l7 4 . Mr. Page does not anticipate many, if any, further subscriptions.

jw The walla of |the new Supreme Court are now up, and the rafters for the roof are being placed in position. The walls seem to be very low, and j udging from the present look of the building it will not present a very handsome appearance.

** The painting of the various Government buildings is going on apace. The Government Buildings themselv< s have just received their first coat. It is said that Mr. Tustin, the contractor, is using the longest ladder in the colony for this work. The following correction of a telegram furnished us last week hart been handed on by Iteuter's agent :—St. Petersburg, March 3. General Melikoff, who was recently appointed head of the Supreme Commission for the repression of disorder in this city, has been fired at by Nihilists, but none of the shots took effect. One of the Nihilists has been arrested.

The attendance of shareholders in the Koranui Coal Company was again too small on March 4 to constitute a meeting, onlysix out of the requisite ten required by the articles of association being present. The meeting therefore lapsed. A meeting of the directors will probably be called for an early date.

An inquest was held at Greytown on March 4fch, touchmg the death of John Woodfield, the man who was killed by the fall of earth near Featherston on the previous day. It appears that deceased was working in a ballast pit. when a quantity of earth fell, deceased being killed at once, and another man severely injured. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. The age of deceased was 37 years.

The weather took a sudden turn at about 11 o'clock last Saturday night, when the heavy t leaden clouds which were hanging about sent forth a shower, which appeared to be quite unexpected by the crowds in the'streets. A sharp N.W. breeze spiung up a few miniites later, and continued with but little intermission till late last night, haviug increased to a gale during the day. The rain fell in heavy showers till Sunday mornim>', when it set in .steadily. The barometer fell three-fourths of an inch, amply justifying the warnings sent out by Captain Edwin. The rain should do an immense amount of good, as it will cause a good growth of grass, which, if not fed off, will harden before winter sets in.

A rather amusing 'incident occurred the other evening in Masterton. It appears that an unfortunate debtor there had " the man in possession" as an unwelcome guest at his house for a night or two, and getting tired of him suggested, during a quiet game of cards, that a beer would do them no harm, and induced the bailiff to go and fetch the liquor. Meanwhile the debtor fastened doors and windows, and prepared for a siege, but was heartily disgusted to find the limb of the law in a very short time make entrance again by descending the chimney. Previously to doing this, Mr. Bailiff, with careful regard for his habiliments and the majesty of the law, had impressed a small boy to get down the chimney and open the door, but the adventurous youth went down the wrong one, much to the astonishment of the occupants of an adjoining tenement. We give this story as told us by a traveller, who vouches for its accuracy. A fatal accident happened near Featherston on 3rd March, but the particulars as yet to hand are of a most meagre character. The Wairarapa Dailg, of yesterday, has the follewing account of the affair : —"A serious accident happened on the railway line a few miles below Featherston, on Wednesday, resulting fatally to one man and severely injuring another. From what we can gather, it appears that the men were excavating, when, without any warning, from four to five tons of earth gave way, completely burying one and severely bruising the other man. They were quickly extricated, but it was found that life was nearly extinct in the one case, the poor fellow's legs being badly broken. A special 'train was immediately seut on to Greytown with the sufferers to the Wairarapa hospital. Dr. Smith met the train at the station, and found that one man had been dead some time, and that the other was suffering from severe contusions. Ihe name of the man killed has not been ascertained, the other is Robert Drysdale. An inquest will be held." We are informed that the accident happened near the Waiohine river, in a bard cutting on the Masterton extension of the line in which the men were

working,

!jj The alterations now being made to the tower of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, are intended to do away with the present incogruities of its construction »and appearance. It was in a most leaky and shaky condition, and was actually decaying away. Mr. Jones, architect, was called in, and his design for the present alterations were accepted, and subsequently a tender of Mr. Charlton, builder, also accepted for the work. The present spire will be done away with, and Gothic battlements and pinnacles substituted in such a manner as to relieve the massive appearance of the tower, as well as to give it a more appropriate relation to the adjoining buildings. There will be two lead ana water-tight decks, and the present beil will be re-hung, and new louvres, &c, and other works of a general kind will be executed to render the whole complete. The cost of these works will be defrayed by tbe munificence of a private Roman Catholic gentleman, and the improvements are to be completed in time for the ensuing Easter solemnities.

The Government received information by the last mail of the sailing of two immigrant ships for Wellington, one on December 12, the other on January 1. i

Mr. E. W. Mills has brought under our notice the following extract from a letter received from the Oarnaru Stone Company, of which he is the agent for this city :—" I have pleasure in informing you that our ' T stone has been awarded first priz-j for building stone at the Sydney Exhibition. This further testimony to its value will doubtless cause an increased sale."

f& We have received a copy of a useful little ! brochure, issued by the Advertising B reau, j Auckland, entitled " A Descriptive Handbook jto the Waikato : its condition and resources," and " Short Guide to the Hot Bakes." | It quite equals the ordinary run of guidebooks, and in many points excels, especially as J affording information useful to intending set- ] tiers. But although the country, its resources, and its people, are well described, we fail to ; find any particular reference to the beauties I and wonders of the Hot Bakes. Possibly this will be added to future issues of the "Handbook."

Two well-known Wellington citizens went to the Bower Hutt on Sunday, endeavoring, despite the unfavorable weather, to make the best of the day. When they thought it was time to return to town they made their way to the railway station, where they were delighted to find that a train was on the point of starting. They lost no time in securing tickets and seats, and did not discover that they were in the wrong train until they were flying along at a good rate towards the Upper Hutt. To stop the train was of course out of the question, nor could they obtain relief by giving vent to their feelings in the privileged manner of Englishmen. They, therefore, proceeded to the Upper Hutt, and returned by the first train the next morniug, having disbursed for the extra fares and their night's lodgings, in addition to the expenditure they had calculated upon when they left town. They vow that the next and all following wet Sundays they will smoke the pipe of peace at home.

5|S There was a very large attendance at St. Mary's Cathedral on Sunday, March 7, on the occasion of the opening of the new organ. There was suitable music for the occasion, the principal item being Glover's third mass, in which Mra. F. Swift, Mrs. Allan, and Miss O'Neill took the leading parts. The first two named ladies sang the solo from the "Benedictus" very nicely, and the remainingselections were also efficiently rendered. Mr. Manning presided at the new organ, which proves to be a very efficient instrument, full of light and shade, and eminently suited for the edifice in which it has been erected. The organist played an offertory for the occasion, but the full power of the organ was brought out in the grand march from " Eli." Several members of St. Mary's (Boulcottstreet) choir assisted the choir of the cathedral, and the whole were under the conductorship of Mr. Putrnan. The Rev. Father Macnamara officiated, assisted by the Rev. Father Coffey, and the sermon was preached by the Right Rev. the Bishop, who took for his text Psalm 150, part of the first and the fourth verse : "Praise ye the Bord in his holy places. Praise him with timbrel . and choir ; praise him with strings and organs." From this text the Bishop preached a most eloquent and learned discourse, showing the great advantages whieh resulted from Church music, if it were sung from the heart, and under Divine influence. He then proceeded at great length to speak of each and all of nature's laws, and compared the world at large to a grand piece of Divine harmony. In concluding, he thanked all who had been instrumental in obtaining the organ, and solemnly consecrated it to the work of the Church. In the evening there was another large attendance, and it was expected that Mr. Angelo Forrest was to have presided, but that gentleman was not present, and in his absence the organist, Mr. Manning, of course officiated. The Rev. the Bishop again preached the sermon, but it was very short, as he stated he was suffering severely from a cold. Both morning and evening there were collections in aid of the organ fund, and both were liberally responded to. j-

A tea and public meeting in connection with the anniversary of the Sydney-street Primitive Methodist Sunday-school, was held on Mar. 8 at the schoolroom in rear of the church. All the tables were well filled for the space of more than an hour. The tables were presided over by a number of lady members of the congregation, and contained an unusual quantity of the articles which are best calculated to please on these occasions. At about half-past seven o'clock an adjournment was made to the church, where the public meeting was held. The Rev. Mr. Dutton presided. The proceedings were opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Potter, after which the reverend chairman gave an address of some length on the advantages of Sunday schools. The secretary then read a statement of the position of the school, from which it appeared that the attendance consisted of 57 girls and 74 boys. There were 12 teachers, their number having fallen off considerably during the past year. Fifty valuable books had been added to the library. The receipts amounted to £44 lis. 4Jd., and the expenditure to £42 Is. 4d., leaving a balance in hand of £2 10s. o|d. Mr. Carson, superintendent of the school, spoke at some length, and reminded them that if they had a balance in hand they would require more than that very soon, as they would have to provide for the prizes which had to be given in April. The children and their, teachers sang a number of hymns, several of the former giving recitations, which certainly reflected the greatest credit on them. Several other addresses having been delivered, and a collection made, the meeting came to a conclusion with a hearty vote of thanks to the superintendent of the school, and another to the chairman.

We have received Mr. J. B. Bradshaw's "Share Report and Investors' Guide" for the current month. It is, as usual, elaborately compiled, and full of information of a kind useful to investors and speculators.

By notice appearing in the supplementary Gazette of Monday A. F. Sisely, of Welling ton, secretary to the Wellington City Tramway Company (Bimifced), is announced as having been appointed liquidator to the said company. M It would 'be almost thought that the block of Government Buildings would be large enough to answer all the purposes required by it for a very long time to come, but this does not seem to be the case, as in consequence of want of space the Stamp Printing Department is being shifted to an office adjoining the Parliamentary Buildings. The Native Department is also about to be removed t > the old native hostelry at the top of Molesworth-street, which is being prepared for the purpose. The number of empty houses in the smaller streets, and the reduced rates asked for them by their owners, might be taken as another indication of hard tunes. The population of the city has undoubtedly increased, while but few new dwelling houses have been put up, and the conclusion to be drawn is that want or means has forced many, who formerly occupied comfortable and separate cottages, to give them up and content themselves with one or two rooms, in which families of five and six, ; nd even more, have to shift as best they can. An inspection of the poorer quarters of the city will speak for itself. Rather a curious mistake was made by one of the spectators at the Police Court a day or two ago. At the head of the Court, over Mr. Mansford's head, there hangs a full length picture of the late Dr. Featherston, and in the background behind are seen two natives. One of these is very much tatooerl, and wears a white beard, and. in the shadovv is not at a short distance unlike a well-known New Zea land statesman. The spectator in question was looking •at this picture, and apparently speaking about it to a friend behind him. " Aud who is the gentleman with the white beard at the back?" asked the latter. "Oh, that—everybody knows that ! its quite clear you are not a Good Templar—that's Sir William Fox, and an uncommonly good likeness it is of him, too." And the friend felt pleased that he had seen tbe portrait of this leading Templar before he died.

Some excitement was caused on the wharf on Saturday morning by a respectably dressed man jumping off one of the T's, his only remark being " Good bye, all," as he leaped into the water. There Wt re several people about, and efforts were at once made to save the would-be suicide, a man named Botham throwing him a life-buoy, which he was nothing loth to take hold of, while others got a rope, and by these means he was brought safely to the wharf again. Escaped from one danger, he, however, fell into another of a different nature, for as soon as he was landed Constable Turner, who had helped to get him out of the water, arrested him, and marched him off to the Magistrate's Court, where he stood in his dripping clothes for some time, awaiting an introduction to the Bench. This came at last, and he was charged, in the usual formal style, with jumping into the water, with intent to kill and murder himself " against the peace of our Sovereign Eady the Queen, her CrowA and Dignity." Evidence having been taken the man was remanded for a few days. The name of the man is Henry Ashton, and he is well known as a Hutt resident. He was formerly Collector of Road Rates for the District Highway Board, but he has been in reduced circumstances recently, and this has preyed considerably on his mind, in addition to which he has been suffering very much from toothache, the pain of which augmented his mental malady. Possibly the few days incarceration to which he will now have to submit will have the effect of restoring his mind to its normal cofldition. lower part of the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, when Bachelder's miscellaneous entertainment of panorama and ventriloquism was given. The first series of views shown were descriptive of a tour across America from New York to San Francisco. This panorama has been previously shown in this city, and has recently been so fully described in this journal, that it need only be said that the various views appeared to be as fully appreciated as ever. The descriptive lecture is given by M. Chalet, who has a quiet unassuming manner, is evidently a man of education, and possesses a good deal of quiet dry humor. The same gentleman afterwards gave an exceedingly clever exhibition of his powers as a ventriloquist, and succeeded in a very short time in fully enlisting the enthusiasm of the audience. The figures he had upon the stage were two full-sized ones, representing Billy Wilson (the Georgian minstrel), a Dutchman, and two small boys—a black and a whiie one. With these figures he caused a considerable amount of diversion, and proved himself to be without exception the best ventriloquist who has ever visited this city. No matter how carefully his mouth was watched, not a single movement of the lips was to be seen. To show to what a state cf perfection the human voice may be trained, M. .Chalet gave an imitation of sawing wood, and did it so naturally that one expected to see the saw-dust fall. The ventriloquial portion of the performance was of a highly interesting character. A large number of presents were afterwards given away to the audience, and the entertainment concluded with the exhibition of a mechanical diorama illustrative of the attempt to discover the North-West Passage by H.M.S. Alert and Discovery. In this the funeral procession of the interpreters to the voyagers, the moving bears, reindeer, sleds, &c, were depicted with much fidelity, but the portion particularly worthy of mention is that where the ice breaks up, giving free passage to the ship 3 on their return voyage. The whole performance was of a very enjoyable [character.

In the course of his sermon at the Oathedrd on Sunday, the Right Rev. the Bishop stated that in church music solos were to be deprecated, especially female solos, which too often led to self-glo ification on their part, which was not des rable in the service of the Church. lie also reminded ids borers that .-..boat two years ago the'Dioc sm meeting had set its face against th ■■ systi-m of solo ringing, and he hoped io see that their wishes in this matter wo aid be respected.

c'Durinsz the last few "days there have been some strikingly f.-dbhfnl paintings of the interior of St Alary's Cathedral on view in the window of .Mr. Adieu, picture frame maker, of Lambton-qiay, but they have only remained there for a short time, so great lias been the demand for them. Some of these p untings show the cathedral from one end, some from the other. The latest presents a view of the gallery and organ, and is one of the prettiest pieces of ecclesiastic \\ pair-ting we remember to have seen in the colony. The painter is a new arrival from England, viz., Mr. Charles J. Moxom, architect aud architectural artist, the demands which have already been made upon him, Mr. Moxom is likely to find himself commissioned with more orders than he is able to execute.

We hear from Opunake that the native mind is said to be disturbed at the Taranaki end of the Waimate Plains, Stoney River, having been crossed by tbe surveyors, and the land of the Taranaki tribe entered upon for the first time. Work had hitherto been confined to the land owned by the Ngatiruauui tribe. Some of the more discontented and suspicious of the natives aver that the Government is bent upon forcing a war, but that Te Whiti will not permit it, and wid baffl s all his opponents. We sincerely hope he will, for of this both his foil >wers and himself may rest assured that the Government will not oppose him in the matter, and if others attempt tostir up strife nothing will gratify the country more than their effectual trouncing by the doughty and wily old prophet. It is highly probable that Te Whiti's divinations will induce him to take the Government side. The various Commissions will soon be in full work. That on Public Works formally commenced its duties on Saturday, and, as wehave stated elsewhere, is bent upon vigorously prosecutir g them. The members of the Civil Service Commission have been appointed, and their commission to act will be presented to them to-aay, and we presume they will break ground to-morrow. The members are Sir R. Douglas, Messrs. A. Saunders and T. Kelly, M.H.R.'s, and Mr. C. Pharazyn. The duties devolving upon them are of the most onerous and delicate nature, and will tax to the uttermost all their ability as men of business. The reform of the Civil Service has been long demanded. The Commission decided upon to report upon the best means of promo ing local industries will also soon be in operation. The members, whose names by the way have not transpired, are expected to arrive in Wellington next week, and will commence sitting immediately after ards. The following return of schools open, number of teachers, and average attendance of children, in the various education districts, for the quarter ended December 31st, 1879, has been prepared by the Education department:—' No. of Atten-

It is somewhat remarkable, all the warnings that have been given, that a class of people will persist in coming out to New Zealand who are utterly useless here, and who, never having done a stroke of woik in their lives, seem to be under the impression, that no sooner shall they have landed in the colony than they will obtain immediate and highly remunerative employment. As to the nature of that employment, they appear to have the most hazy ideas. An instance of the kind occurs to us. Some three or four months ago a gentleman of this sort arrived in Wellington from Bondon, and having very little money — indeed only a pound or two put up at one of the hotels in the city. Here he remained for several weeks amusing himself, for the most part, drinking brandy and soda, and, like Mr. Micawber, " waiting for something to turn up." He gave out that he was a gentleman come to make the tour of the New Zealand colony ; but in the meantime all his money was gone, he was several weeks board and lodging in debt, and of prospects Hehad positively none. Getting a hint from his} landlord that a little ready cash would be desirable, he fell into a state of melancholy, and made some mysterious whisperings about poisoning himself. This was too much for the host, and the new chum had to shift. He was evidently a man of some aducation, and appeared to be well connected, but being absolutely fit for nothing,, of course he could obtain no employment. Heattempted to get into the Armed Constabulary as a last resource, but he had not sufficient stamina, and here be failed again. The last we heard of the unfortunate wight he was on the tramp into the country districts with a vague idea of getting something to do there. Possibly he may by-and-bye fall into a suitable groove, and years hence become a thriving settler ; but at present the chances are all against it. He is only a sample of the class of men who come to New Zealand, and who, getting Home again, rail against the colony and do it all the harm they can.

Youths, whose imitative faculties are good, have an opportunity now of developing their powers. Mons. Chalet offers to give lessons in ventriloquism, and guarantees satisfaction.

The Hon. Mr. Oliver, the Minister for Public Works, left in the Stella on Monday on an official tour to Picton, Nelson, and the West Coast. In company with Mr. Conyers, Commissioner of Railways for the South Islam! he will make a careful inspection of the West Coast, with a view to a thorough investigation of the system of working the railways in that part of the colony.

A considerable number of horses of a nondescript character were shipped by the steamer Botorua, for Eytteltor, on Monday. With the exception of two fine dark grey ponies, which we should have thought would find ready purchasers here, they came from the station of Mr. Mi'chell, of Morrison's Bush, Wairarapa. There has been very little demand of late for this class of stock, and should Mr. Mitchell's experiment prove successful, some hundreds of horses would find their way to the Christchurch market in less than a month. So far as prices in Wellington are concerned, we are not exaggerating when we say that £lO vvill now purchase an animal which would have brought £3O not more than a \ear or two ago. We learn that the ruling prices in the West Coast districts, where formerly a good animal always •ommanded a good figure, are even worse than here.

laThe Royal Commission on Railways held fheir first sitting on March 2, but it was purely of a preliminary character. It also sat a short time last "Saturday, and then adjourned until Monday, when all five Commissioners were present—viz., Colonel Pearce (Wellington), Mr. O. Curtis (Nelson), Mr. J. M. Clarke (Auckland), Mr. E. G-. Wright, M.H.R. (Canterbury), and Mr. J. Reid (Otago). The meeting was held at the Government Buildings, in a room allotted to the Commissioners for the purpose. The first business cons'sted in the appointment of a chairman, and Mr. Curtis was unanimously elected to that office, It was also decided that the proceedings should not be open to the public. Several matters of routine were settled, and Mr. E. Downey was appointed secretary, and Mr. Win. Mitchell shorthand writer to the Commission. Both these gentlemen are members of the Hansard staff. The secretary was instructed to apply to the Government for various returns, esti-* mates, &c. The Commissioners visit Masteiton, Pa'merston, and Foxton, at ench place taking •evidence and obtaining ii formation, and will then return to Wellington via the proposed West Coast line of railway, in order to obtain by personal inspection and inquiry reliable and full information as to the capabilities of the country sought to be •opened up.

District Schools. j. ea r ru rs. dance. Auckland . 203 . ... 395 ... 10,904 Napier ... 33 . 64 ... 2,020 Taranaki . 27 . 40 ... 276 Wanganui . 51 . ... 87 ... 2,850 Wellington . 42 . .. 125 ... 4,402 Marlborough .. 18 . 25 ... 834 Nelson ... . 59 . ... 89 ... 2,935 Westland 30 , ... 76 ... 2,242 North Canterbury 120 . .. ... 11,381 South Canterbury 29 77 .. 2,324 Otago ... . 146 . ... 354 ... 14,537 Southland 55 i 89 ... 3,450 Totals . 813 . .. 1779 ... 58,155 Corresponding quarter, 1879. .. 748 . .. 1587 .. 53,848