Town and Country.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 426, 10 April 1880, Page 17

Town and Country.

■ We have received a copy of a map prepared for publication by Mr. Herbert Deverill, showing the sections and boundaries of the Wellington Country Districts on a scale of one inch to a mile. The map gives the mode of access to each locality and the precise acreage of the sections on a scale of eighty chains to the inch, and will form an invaluable reference to all interested in land property. The map, which must have taken a long time and untiring patience in preparation, has been lithographed by Mr. Burrett in his usual excellent style of workmanship. The Supreme Court was occupied during th« whole of Wednesday with the trial of George LoDghurst, charged with rape. A large number of witness were called, and at 10 o'clock last night the case was adjourned until 10 o'clock this morning. Being a criminal case the jury could not, of course, be allowed to go to their homes, and were accordingly lodged for safety for the night at the Commercial Hotel.

Certain charges have been made against Mr. Whitelaw, Superintendent of the Mount View Asylum, by Mr. John Houlshin, who has lately been dismissed from employment at the asylum. An enquiry has consequently been instituted into the matter, Dr. Skae and Mr. G. B. Davy being the gentlemen commissioned to take evidence. The enquiry was begun on Wednesday, but was held with closed doors. Several witnesses were examined, and during the enquiry counter-charges were made against the complainant.-

j When the jury list was called over at the Supreme Court on Monday, it was found that a large number of persons who were summoned to serve as jurors had left the district and gone to the Waimate Plains. His Honor observed that everybody appeared to be going to these plains ju3t now, and it was a remarkable fact that a great many of them seemed to be old settlers. There were a considerable number of applications from jurors to be excused, one of which disclosed what appeared to be a very hard case. One of the applicants said he had been twelve months out of work, and had just got a job which he would lose if he did not go to it at once. His Honor said the case was undoubtedly a hard one, but he had no power to grant the application. One summoned juror was excused on the ground that he was deaf, and another on the ground that he had pains in the back, which would be sure to be more acute if he had to sit long in the jury-box. Mr. Duncan, the auctioneer, applied to be excused on the ground that he had only been served with the summons on the last day of March, and that before that time a very important sale had been advertised, which was to take place tha afternoon. His Honor, while agreeing that the summons should have been served earlier, declined to entertain the application. At a later stage of the business Mr. Duncan's name was called, when he was immediately challenged by the Crown Prosecutor; but his Honor, however, saw through this, and stated that a juryman could not be challenged in his absence, and at once proceeded to fine Mr. Duncan 405., saying it was quite certain he could not sanction any such practice. Later oh Mr. Duncan again appeared, and stated that he : had no idea he would be wanted so soon, nor had he any idea that he would have been chellenged by the Crown Prosecutor. The fine was then remitted, and Mr. Duncan remained in Court to take his place when called upon, the Crown Prosecutor withdrawing his challenge. Another juror, who rather appeared to want to serve, presented hi 3 summons, but he was informed by the Judge that the name contained thereon was evidently not his, and that consequently he need not remain, and the old gentleman retired evidently disappointed. A juror named A. Barron was fined 40s. for non-attendance. On the whole, theie was a rich fund of amusement afforded for the onlookers in the matter of jurymen's excuses.

A mining case of some interest to Wellington residents was heard at Collingwood, on Thursday last, before A. Le Grand Campbell, Esq., warden, and four assessors. The case of Norby and party v. Bryne and party arose out of a disputed right to the lease of McArthur Gold Mining Reef, stated to be a valuable property, and the defendants were called upon to show cause why their certificate of registration of prospecting area at Gridiron Creek should not be cancelled, in consequence of allege i misrepresentation of facts, the allegations being—l. That the defendants stated in their application for a propecting area that they had pegged out the claim on the 4th July, 1879, well knowing that they had not done so. 2. That Byrne had sworn that Parry had pegged out the claim on the date mentioned, which was not the case. 3. That assuming that Byrne and party did peg out, that the ground was not occupied. Mr. Guinnes3, who appeared for the defendants, pleaded that there was no case to go to the assessors on the following grounds : 1. That the complainants must prove that on the 29th August, 1879, when the application for prospecting area was made, certain false representations were made by Byrne, which, if the Warden had known to be untrue, he would not have granted the certificate. 2. Because the complainants had no authority to take possession of the ground in dispute, and the defendants' certificate for their prospecting area had been cancelled. 3. That the action was improperly brought in the Warden's Court, altogether, inasmuch as the power to cancel a certificate was a Ministerial act to be performed by " the Warden," and was not a judicial act, and that therefore the Warden's Court had no jurisdiction in the matter. 4. That the force and effect of the certificate in question was gone, and that the certificate for a prospecting "«laim" having been granted

since, it was now too late for the complainants to come in and ask for the cancellation of the certificate for the prospecting area. The assessors gave a verdict—" That defendants did not obtain the certificate by misrepresentation," and judgment was accordingly given for the defendants, with costs, £43 15s;

One of the jurors on Wednesday asked to be excused from attending at the Supreme Court on the ground that he was a witness in a case that was being heard at the Resi lent Magistrate's Court. His Honor said he had no power to grant the application, but of courss the juror could not be at two places at once, and if when he was called it was found he was absent, and, as he said, a witness at the R.M. Court, he would not be fined. In the same way if he were not present at the lower Court his absence would no doubt be excused. So, that he could elect to do as he chose. The juror elected to go to the R.M. Court, where no doubt he got more fun for his money.

Mr. Charles Stewart Burns, who was acquitted at the Supreme Court on Monday on a charge of robbery from the person—the principal witness being too intoxicated to give evidence—has again been in trouble, though this time of a different nature. After his acquittal he Was drinking about the city, andj while in a state of intoxication he wandered down to the breastwork on Tuesday and fell into the water. He was, however, at once assisted out by a man who heard the splash, and was landed on terrafirma none the worse, in fact very much improved by his .lucking. After his rescue he made his way to the police, station, and there reported that notn'e one had pushed him into the water. Sergeant Anderson ordered inquiries to be ma le into thisstatement, the result being as stated above. The name of Burns's rescuer was not known.

Mr. Mansford presided over the ► Resident Magistrate's Court at the Lower Hutt, on Wednesday. Only oae case was brought before him, this being a charge preferred by Constable Stewart against a man named i*. H. Reitter, for assaulting him while iu the, execution of his duty, on the 27th ult. The complainant applied for a remand on the grounds that several of bis witnesses were not present, and he desired to be represented by counsel. Mr. Stafford, who appeared for defendant, asked whether the prosecution was a private one, aud Mr! Mansford replied that the information showed on the face of it that it 'was a public prosecution. Mr. Stafford said he would regard it as a private case, and intimated that he might l*y a counter charge against complainant. The case was.then adjourned till the 21st inst., to be heard at Wellington,, it being understood that both charges should be investigated on the same day.

A correspondent sends us a copy of the following resolutions, adopted at a public meeting held at the Institute, Motueka Valley,' on the 29 h March, 1880, Mr. F. Need ham in the chair :—lst. That since Mr. Blackett and Atkinson have failed to make a proper examination of the country between Foxhiiland Motueka Valley, the Government be requested to have it properly tested, for in the opinion of this meeting much has been done to make it appear a failure, and nothing done that would be likely to prove it a success. 2nd. That Mr. Joseph Shephard be requested to resign his seat as a member of the House of Representatives his constituents in this district having lost all faith in him. 3rd. That in the opinion of this meeting, if the route to Roundell be adopted, it will be next to ira» possible to descend the Buller from that point, consequently Nelson will get no line to the West which is her just possession, and then the Nelson people will see that in exchange for a line to this wealthy possession they will have one to a sheep station, for the sake of a load of wool once a year, then the term Sleepy Hollow will certainly be most appropriately applied to Nelson. 4th That in the opinion of this meeting the " Waiete," Top-house route, if adopted, will benefit none materially except Messrs. Shephard, Adams, aud Kerr, thus showing a perfect disregard to a large community, and the true line to the Coa>t.

A remarkable instance of the value of the Rotorua Spring, medicinally considered, has jnst come to our knowledge, which proves most incontestably the curative properties of the hot springs near that locality. Some six weeks ago Mr. W. Boyd, of the Wellington Trust and Loan Investment Company, was lying at what he considered to be death's door. He was then, and had been for some time, suffering most severely from paralysis. Asa last resource he acceded to the wishes of some of his friends to visit the hot springs near Lake Rotorua, and accompanied by his wife he took passage by steamer for Tauranga. So covinced was he that he would uever return alive that he refused to take a return ticker., although Mrs. Boyd had one, and in melancholy tones bade good bye to the various friends who went to see him off. On arrival at Tauranga be bad to be carried ashore, so helpless was he ; but, before leaving the steamer he made some small presents to the steward, among them being a pair of boots,, which he said he should never want again, as he felt he was approaching his end. The journey to Ohiu.rn.utu wasmadeby coach by Mr, and Mrs. Boyd, the lady having to act as nurse to her husband, who was thoroughlydespondent, and apparently resigned to hisfate. Tikitire sj.rings,areninemiles fromOhmemutu and the invalid was carried this distance , and he and his wife took up their lodgment in a deserted Maori whare, where the lady made herself and her husband as comfortable as she could under the circumstances. And then the invalid commenced to take vipor baths daily and regularly. The result was that in three weeks'he was thoroughly cured, and felt as strong and hearty as he had ever done in his life. He returned to Wellington a few days ago, and his friends were hardly able to recog. nise in the hale and hearty man before them, the paralysed invalid who had left Wellington, six weeks before.

. It is stated that Wellington will be visited in the course of the next week or so by the German man-of-war Bismarck, said to be one of the finest vessels in the German navy.

Thirty thousand sovereigns arrived by the Rotomahsna, from Melbourne, on Friday, April 2, the Bank of New Zealand being the oonsignees. What a difference they would make to the place if they could only be immediately thrown into circulation !

In connection with the prize cantatas sent in to the Melbourne Exhibition Committee it might be stated that the number was no less than one hundred and ninety-six. New Zealand stands very favorably on the list, the four ■elected as the four best containing one by Mr. Thomas Bracken, the well-known writer, and editor of the Saturday Advertiser. One of the witnesses examined Tuesday at the Supreme Court startled the large audience gathered together there by the extraordinary description he gave of himself. He appeared to be somew hat obtuse, and was asked by the Court "what he was?" to which he replied "A man, I suppose." The audience laughed, and his Honor said " Of course you beloi g to ithe human species—that we assume—but whit ia your occnpat : ou ? " " Oh," said the witness, apparently much relieved, " I am a laborer," and then he proceeded with his evidence. James Boyd, who started t» walk 112 miles, <in St. George's Hall, at 8.30 o'clock on Friday April 2, drew a fair number of spectators on "Saturday, especially towards evening, when a band was playing in front of the building. Had the affair and its charitable object, that of the relief of a mechanic, a friend of Boyd's, who had been disabled through an accident, 'been properly advertised, the result would no -doubt have proved most satisfactory. Boyd •completed 49 miles in the first ten hours, be ng -one short of what he set out to do in that time. He stuck to his task very pluckily, and had -completed just 100 miles by 8 p.m. There was still half-an-hour to spare, but as it was impossible to finish the remaining 12 miles in the half-hour which was still available, Boyd •aw no object in persevering, though he would -no doubt have kept on at a pretty smart pace for that time. There was to have been a ten •mile handicap walking match for a neat ilver cup at the conclusion of the feat, but for some reason it did not come off. There was an attempt at horsewhipping last week, the result of which did not turn out to the satisfaction of him who handled the horse persuader, an elderly gentleman who • occupies a good position in the city. It seems -that he was rather partial to the company of ;a young man, whom he often saw with apparent pleasure at his place of abode. The young man took the liberty to fall in love with his elderly friend's daughter, and the still .-.greater one of proposing to her. The young lady had the impertinence to decide for herself, and to lend a favorable ear to the suit. Her father got wind of this, and immediately -made his way to the lodgings of the young man, declaring that he would take it out of •his hide. He was shown into a parlor, which •was soon after entered by the unsuspecting young man. The affair was •»■ very short one, for a few minutes later the old gentleman was •politely bowed out at the front door, the young man holding in his hand a whip which neither the landlady nor any of the other inmates of the house remember seeing before. The youDg lady declares that it served the old «w right. The ninth competition by members of the City Rifles for their challenge medals, which took place on Saturday, had to be postponed after the 500 yards was finished, on account of •darkness coming on. As will be seen, some •splendid scores were made, the ten highest making the magnificent average of a fraction over 50 points per man out of a possible 60. This is the best average made on Polhill •Gully range by any ten men. The following are the ten highest scores up to the 500 yards, •there being five more shots to fire at the 600 yards before the medals can be won :—-

At a quarter past 1 o'clock on Sunday morning an alarm of fire was given, the various firebells in the city ringing most persistently for some time, and causing a wholesale turn out of the masculine branch of the community. The fire proved to be at the straw shed of Terence ■Gormlay, cabman, in Sydney-street, where, it will be remembered, two alarms of fire were :.given in the one night a few weeks ago. The shed was only a small one, and the fire was speedily got under, not, however, before the building was almost entirely destroyed, and a •carriage damaged to the extent of about £25. The horses in the adjacent stalls were got out in safety. It is a fortunate circumstance that the fire was confined to the building iu which it originated, as the neighborhood is a crowded one. . The property destroyed was owned by Mr. S. Brown, of the Criterion Hotel, and was uninsured. The origin of the fire is as complete a mystery as upon the former occasion. The brigades turned out very speedily, notwithstanding their financial difficulty with the insurance companies. Many people feared that in consequeuce of the disagreement referred to the brigades would let the fire take its course, and such a contingency in the event of the companies failing to come to terms, formed the subject of serious discussion yesterday. Not only the brigades but the fire police were quickly on the alert, and the fire #scape was run out in quick time, and placed in an easily accessible position on Lambton<quay, had its use proved necessary.

'"'For a l»ng time past it has been felt that the Wellington accommodation of the Union Shipping Company has been quite inadequate, and new premises have been now obtained that are likely to meet all the requirements of the company for some time to come. They have secured a lease of large and commodious premises at the corner of Grey and Featherston streets, and the new offices will be fitted up in a manner that will be convenient both for the officers of the company and the public at large. Mr. T. S. Mannering's lecture, "What I saw in Rome," attracted a very good audience Tuesday night to the Congregational Chapel, Courtenay-place, notwithstanding the boisterous nature of the weather. Mr. J. G. Holdsworth occupied the chair. The lecturer dealt with his subject in a most efficient manner, minutely describing the various places _of interest in the Papal See, amongst these being the Vatican, the Sacristan, Museum, and the various churches in the city. The manners and customs of the people were also touched upon. The lecture was copiously illustrated by diagrams, and great interest was manifested in the subject by the audience. The members of the Pearl of Peace Lodge 1.0. GT. held theirusual weekly session Tuesday evening in the United Methodist Free Church School-room, Courtsnay-place. Several persons w • reproposed for membership. A committe ewa s appointed for the purpose of a district committee to urge on the various ministers in Wellington the advisability of preaching temperance sermons now and again, and thus educate the people on the benefits accruing from being total abstainers, as the amount of intemperance which had shown itself of late is very deplorable. The lodge went into harmony at 8.30 p.m., and a very enjoyable evening was passed by those present. His Honor the Chief Justice presided at a short sitting of the Supreme Court in banco on Saturday, when the case of Williams and another v. City Corporation was continued. The case came before the Court in the nature of an application made by Mr. Travers, Corporation Solicitor, for a rule to set aside the award recently made by the Compensation Court in respect of the damage done to plaintiff's property by the cutting down of Willisstreet, or to stay proceeding*, the application being made on the ground that the Compensation Court had no jurisdiction. Mr. Ollivier, who represented the plaintiff, showed cause against the rule, and quoted numerous authorities. The Court took time to consider what decision should be arrived at.

:??The Board of Education held a. meeting in committee Tuesday for the purpose of framing rules for the management of the Normal School recently erected at the Thorndon end of the city. The members present were the Hon. C. J. Pharazyn (in the chair), Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Rev. J. Patersen, and Messrs. Bunny and Blair. A resolution was also carried to apply to the Government for the sum of £IOOO promised in aid of the Normal School, which the Government had in hand to be paid over as soon as the school was fit for use. It was also resolved that the chairman and Mr. Bunny wait upon the Government with reference to procuring a site for a school at Petone. An adjournment then took place till Friday. The parade of carts and expresses was continued Tuesday, and in all 80 were approved of by the inspector, and will obtain licenses. The hackney carriages have also been inspected, and, we are . informed by the inspector, that increased care on the part of the owners is manifested, no effort being spared by them to render vehicles clean and comfortable. A number of new vehicles are being built to replace those that have become old and worn out in the service. It is also satisfactory to know that in the case of some vehicles that were either dirty or out of repair, licenses have been withheld until they are rendered fit for public use. In addition to the uniforms which the Wellington Guards have lately received the drummajor's staff has also arrived, and was on view in Kohn and Co.'s window this week. This emblem of authority weighs about ten pounds, the head being of solid white metal frosted with silver, and the wood of malacca cane. On the head are worked in raised figures the initials W.G., N.Z. The officer whose duty it will be to wield the staff will not find the work a particularly light one, but no doubt the admiration he will excite when arrayed in all the glory of a grenadier's uniform will amply compensate him for his trouble. The usual weekly meeting of the Wellington Benevolent Institution was held Tuesday at the Provincial Buildings. Present —Mr. J. G. Holdsworih (chairman), "Veil. A. Stock, Revs. W. Kirk, J. T. Hinton, P. Kerrigan, Messrs. J. E. Smith and C. P. Powles. A large number of cases were most carefully enquired into, the result being that in some cases relief was given, while in others it was refused. Subscriptions were received from the Kev. Father Kerrigan of £l, and 10s. from same source for Mrs. George's fund, £1 from M.F.L., and £2 17s. from Mr. Baird for Mrs. Brown, widow of the man killed some weeks ago at the South-road works. The appointments of the present members of the Licensing Court 3 will expire by effluxion of time on the 15th of next month, and a circular has been forwarded by the UnderSecretary of the Department of Justice to the various chairmen requesting them to ascertain from the members whether they are to be re-appointed. The Government also desire, if any of the present members object to serve again, i'that the chairmen would recommend such gentlemen as they may ascertain to be willing to accept the appointments. JFrom this it would appear that the question of fitness for such a position is not entertained by the Government, willingness to accept the appointment being the only principle acted upon. However, if the present Wellington Court is re-appointed, there can be but little objection raised to them on tha score of ability, to discharge their duties.

An unusual number of passengers were dow 11 by the last Featberston train on Saturday, several extra carriages having to be pat on to accommodate them. Some ten or twelve of these who came down were witnesses in one of the larceny cases tried iu the Supreme Court. The ship Eastminster and barque Scottish Prince sailed for London at noon on Moday. They take very few passengers, but full cargos, composed principally oE wool and tallow. The total value of the cargo of the former vessel is £75,071, and of the latter £56,423.

Our telegraphic intelligence this week notifies the death of the second son of our late Governor, the Marquis of Normanby. The deceased gentleman was born in 1847, and served in the navy from 1861 till 1874, when he retired, being then a lieutenaut, and had since lived a retired life at Luptons, Brentwood. He bore by courtesy the title of Lord William Brooke, and had been some years married. Until the returns that make up the quarter's accounts are complete it is impossible to do more than surmise as to the deficiency of revenue. We do not propose to surmise even, but have been given to understand that the Customs returns for the quarter will be £50,000 under the estimates, the stamp duty will be £14,000, and land sales from £BO,OOO to £90,000 less than estimated. We fear that the Treasurer's estimate of deficiency will be under instead of above the mark.

The Malay, barque, arriving from Newcastle on Sunday, brought a cargo of coal from the Newcastle Company's Mine, which is a continuation of the same seam as in the celebrated Australian Agricultural Company's Mine, well known for its superior quality. The coal brought by the Malay looks well, and is, we understand, the second cargo of the kind brought to this port. The last cargo sold readily, and was favorably spoken of by consumers, and doubtless the present lot will gain a similarly good reputation in the local market.

The Tenders Committee of the City Council recommend the acceptance of the following tenders :—Stationery, Lyon and Blair ; coals, W. R. Williams ; castings, Luke and Son and Williams ; kerosene, E. W. Mills ; street lamps, Beaumont ; glass (assorted and to pattern), Stewart and Co ; kerosene lamps, J. T. Love ; sundries for lighting, Martin ; timber, J. Chew and Stewart and Co ; bricks and lime, F. Hill ; drain pipes, H. Hill ; sundry goods (as per schedule), E. W. Mills, W. Dawson and Co., and Jacob Joseph and Co. ; cart tires, Fitchett; jag tongs, R. W. Watson.

Strangers to a court of justice often make curious errors, it being for instance no uncommon thing for witnesses to enter the prisoner's box by mistake, but one of the most curious blunders that has come under our notice occurred in the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. A respectable looking man had just been fined in a small sum for breach of a city by-law, and he gravely approached the reporters' table and proceeded to hand out the cash, prefacing the operation by the remark "Do you take money ?" The involuntary ejaculation " Does a duck swim ?" which escaped a luckless reporter was immediately followed by the reflection that the man had mistaken him for a Court clerk, and recovering himself from the shock to his feelings caused by the unwelcome discovery, he waved his interrogator towards the clerk of the Court with as much dignity as he was capable of throwing into the gesture. A case in which one man charged another with the use of threatening language, caused no little amusement at the Resid a"; Magistrate's Court Tuesday. The language cmplained of appears to have been used while defendant was running away with a chair claimed by both parties, the complainant at the time following at his heels shouting, " Stop thief." The evidence was mainly directed towards establishing the ownership of the chair, and did not deal much with the language which formed the subject of the charge. Why the complainant chose to adopt this singular mode of proving his case is a mystery, seeing that the illfated chair had ben broken to pieces by defendant during the chase referred to, which, by the way, occurred on Easter Sundav. "Various altercations took place between the parties in Court, some of the expressions usedforming a rich fund of enjoyment amongst the Court's habitues. The case resulted in a dismissal.

In addition to the new wing being erected at the Lunatic Asylum by Messrs. Scoular and Archibald, Mr. Andrew Compton has obtained the contract for the erection of new baths. The present baths are to be done away with entirely, and the new erection will contain a concrete bath 16ft. by 25ft. for males, with eight single bedrooms, and a padded-room, together with lavatories, &c. For the females there will be a precisely similar arrangement. The contract price is £2143, but this sum will also cover the cost of iron-roofing the main building, which work has been included in this contract.

At last the Wellington Guards have re ceived their long-expected uniforms, they having been brought out from England per R.M.S.S. Siam, and landed here from the Rotomahana recently. A distribution of the clothing took place at St. George's Hall last night, and the proceedings evoked considerable interest amongst the Guardsmen, who have been so patiently waiting for it for months past, and have had to put up with several disappointments in consequence of its nonarrival. The uniform is precisely the same as that worn by the Grenadier Guards at Home, and the corps will no doubt excite considerable admiration when they make their first public appearance in uniform. Some of the regimentals are not made up, and consequently a short delay will take place while the tailor is completing this work. In all, 120 suits were distributed last night, seventy of these being made up, and with reference to the latter we may mention that Messrs. Hobson and Son, the tailors, have given every satisfaction to the corps.

We hope a repetition of the fire epidemic which about twelvemonths ago pervaded the entire colony, is not again afoot, but there has been an ominous increase in the fire telegrams to hand recently, and some of the cases are too evidently the work of incendiarism.

<£ Mr. John Crowder, who formerly occupied the position of Sergeant-Major in the Wellington Police, under Inspector Acheson, and succeeding Sergt.-Major Stafford Styles, died at his residence in Tory-street Tuesday morning, at the age of 67. He was one of the old 65t.h Kegiment, aad in receipt of a small pension.

A new representative of the bar, Mr. George Bishop, of this city, made his advent in the Resident Magistrate's Court on \fonday, he appearing as counsel for the plaintiff in the civil case of Simmons v. O'Neill. Mr. Bishop gives promise of much usefulness in the profession he has espoused.

At the Supreme Court Tuesday the fines of two jurors absent on the previous day were remitted, on their coming forward and making their excuses. Their names were W. H. Dewster and F. Barron. The latter pleaded that he was a Government officer, and the Court stated that this being so he was exempt from serving. It seems somewhat strange, however, that the excuse could not have been made on the previous day.

We have been shown a letter which Mr. A G. Johnson has received from the Under-Secretary for Public Works, conveying the thanks of the Minister for, the trouble taken by Mr. Johnson in securing the services of twenth-seven men recently for employment in the liangitikei district, it is exceedingly gratifying to find members of Government thus stepping out of the beaten track. They have evidently been studying " H.M.S. Pinafore," and have begun to recognise that " the words 'if you please' (or thank you) a particularly gentlemanly tone imports." The officials at the Supreme Court appear to have a most extraordinary idea in reference to the accommodation of the members of the Fourth Estate. It is generally supposed that these gentlemen, as representing the public, should be placed in such a position as to know what is going forward, but from the fact that the reporters' table was on Monday placed in the rear of both the prisoners' dock and the witness-box, it would seem as though the officials in question entertained a very different opinion. It is needless to say that the reporters did not avail themselves of the " accommodation," preferring to sit at the solicitors' ' table, where they could hear and see what was going forward.

There were confirmation services in two of the Episcopalian churches in the city on Sunday. The first was .'at St. Mark's Church, and took the place of the usual morning service. As is usual on such occasions his Lordship the Bishop of Wellington conducted the service, being in this instance assisted by the Rev. R. Coffey. There were eleven candidates, to whom his Lordship delivered an interesting, impressive, and instructive address. The second was a special service, and was held in St. Peter's Church at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, his Lordship the Bishop being assisted by the Venerable Archdeacon Stock and the Rev. C. D. De Castro. The number of candidates was unusually large, there being no less than 27. of whom only six were males. There was a large congregation, and the large new church was well filled, the juvenile section being unusually well represented. The services being special there was no regular sermon, the address by the Bishop taking its place. A communion service followed in each instance, v j.

The usual quarterly criminal sittings of the Supreme Court commenced yesterday, when considerable progress was made with the calendar, which contained a list of twelve cases, nine of which were disposed of, leaving only three to be dealt with. Frank Hook was found guilty of obtaining money under false pretences, and the following prison fc rs pleaded guilty :—George Vickerstaff, of stealing letters from the post office at Taratahi ; James Harris, for larceny of a quantity of jewellery ; and Thomas Young, alias Alexander McGregor, for forgery. In all these cases sentence was deferred nntil this morning. Samuel Jackson, charged with attempted suicide; A. Wicher, with obtaining money under false pretences ; and Charles Stewart Burns, charged with larceny from the person, were acquitted. No bills were found by the Grand Jury in the cases of Caroline Gooden, charged with arson, and Henry Beattie, charged with indecent assault. In all the other cases true bills were bi-ought in. From a telegram received on Monday by I Jacob Joseph and Co., we learn that a serious ' fire, accompanied with loss of life, occurred at Awahuri early on Monday morning, the Awahuri Hotel being completely destroyed. The inmates of the hotel only managed to effect their escape in their nightclothes, the fire spreading with t>uch rapidity that no time was given for saving anything. One boarder, whose name has not yet transpired, perished in the flames, and two others received serious injuries in their efforts to escape from the burning building. Every hospitality was bestowed by the neighbors upon the unfortunate sufferers, the settlers vieing with each other in the laudable work of mitigating the distress so suddenly caused. The Awahuri Hotel was owned by Mr. M. K. Samuels, formerly an auctioneer in Wellington, and he had not long entered into possession of the property. The origin of the fire is not known, but an inquest will be held to-day, particulars of which will reach us in due course. The hotel and contents were insured for £2500, the risWs being distributed as fellows :—Colonial, £ISOO, of which £SOO is re-insured with the Transatlantic, £250 with the Victoria, and £SOO out of the colony ; Union, £SOO, and South British £SOO. Of the latter sum £260 is re-insured with the North British Company.

The parade of -licensed hackney carriages commenced on April 2, in Brandon-street, Mr. A. G. Johnson making a careful of the vehicles before issuing fresh licenses for the year. In all, eighteen licenses were issued on that day, and several were refused on account of the dirty condition and bad state of repair of the vehicles.

Sir F. Dillon Bell (one of the Native Commissioners), Mr. E. D. Bell (secretary to the Commission), and Messrs. Drake and Macarthy, (shorthand writers), returned to Wellington on April 2by the s.s. Wakatu. Sir W. Fox proceeded to Wanganui to his own home at the close of the Commission's sitting at Taranaki.

Applications are invited by C. M. Crombie, Esq., Deputy Property Tax Commissioner, from persons willing to accept the office of assessors of property in the County of Hutt. We understand that the duties will not be particularly onerous to anyone having a knowledge of the value of property, and the remuneration, it is presumed, will be fairly good. There should be no lack of applications. It will be seen from perusal of our Dunedin telegrams that the Colonial Secretary and Minister for Public Works have given a direct and definite reply to the Dunedin memorialists who have asked for employment on public works at better wages than the Government pay elsewhere. The hon. Ministers decline to promise anything of the sort, and disclaim any responsibility on the part of the Government to regulate the general rate of wages. There was on April 2 a sale of work in connection with the St. Paul's Church Ladies' Working Society in the church-room, Tinakoriroad, when a large number of simple, elaborate, and fancy articles were disposed of to considerable advantage. During the afternoon and evening several selections of both vocal and instrumental music were given, and greatly contributed to enhance the pleasure of the proceeding?.

Yesterday weekwas the day appointed for revision of the jury list, but out of all the magistrates who had been notified of the fact, only one, Mr. Toomatb, presented himself. However, a Bench was constituted by Mr. Mansford and Mr. Toomatb, and the work was enabled to proceed. Only one alteration was made in the list, the name of Mr. J. Monteith being struck out on the ground that he was a public vaccinator. Mr. Monteith was represented by Mr. Gordon Allan. Despite the almost total absence of English shipping, the wharf presented an unusually busy appearance on April 2, and it was at times almost impossible for pedestrians to thread their way through the number of carts and expresses which appeared to be going and turning in almost all directions. No less than twelve steamers were loading and unloading, the majority appearing to have very full cargoes, both inwards and outwards. As usual, there was a general clearance during the evening.

The St. John's Dodge, 1.0.G.T., held their usual weekly session on April 2, when one candidate was duly initiated. An official visit was paid by the Pioneer Lodge. They were cordially received, and thanked for their very welcome visit. A. deputation from the Degree Temple waited on the lodge, and urged on members the good results which would ensue from their joining the temple. The business was suspended at 8.30 p.m., and the lodge then went into harmony, several of the sisters and brothers rendering their songs in a very efficient manner. The lodge was closed in the usual manner at 9.30 p.m. At the R.M. Court last weekfMr. W. T. L. Travers brought under the notice of his Worship the case of Pemberton v. Coleridge, which had already been three times before the Court. The action was one for the recovery of a considerable sum from defendant on account of surveying work done, but the claim was disputed, as some of the work was done in such a manner that it had to be done over again. Upon the first occasion of the case coming on, Mr. Fitz Gerald appeared for plaintiff and Mr. H. H. Travers for defendant, and judgment was given for plaintiff. Subsequently Mr. W. T. L. Travers applied for a re-hearing, on the ground that his partner should have only applied for an adjournment on the first occasion, and was not instructed to go on with the case, important evidence for the defence not being then forthcoming. Mr. Travers (pere) clearly showed that it was necessary to obtain that evideroe, but it could not be got except after some delay, as the witnesses were at Murimotu, and it would be a long time before the summonses could be served. The application for re-hearihg was granted, and the ease was set down for March 25. On that day it, will be remembered the accident happened by which a prisoner was killed at the College, and Mr. Mansford intimated that there would be only a short sitting of the Court, as he had to hold the inquest in the afternoon. In consequence of this intimation an impression appears to have been left upon the minds of some of the legal gentlemen and Press representatives, that the Court would not sit after one o'clock, and accordingly at that hour Mr. Travels, never dreaming that his case would come on, left the Court. He subsequently learnt to his surprise that the Court had continued sitting until 1.45, that the case of Pemberton v. Coleridge was called on, and that judgment was again given against him. He determined to give notice of appeal against this decision, but as the necessary time within which such notice must be given had lapsed in consequence of the holidays, he yesterday applied for leave to appeal, and made a lengthy statement in support of the application. In doing so he remarked that it would have been only courteous if his friend Mr. PitzGerald had sent word to him when the case came on on the 25th. Mr. Fitz Gerald defended himself against the imputation of discourtesy, and made a counter charge, which was?, however, disclaimed by Mr. Travers. His Worship took time to consider Mr. Travers' application.

Messrs. Kohn and Co.'s handy little monthly diary for the current month has been circulated. In striking contrast to the usual run of similar trade productions, the space devoted to special mention of Messrs. Kohn and Co.'s business is quite subordinate to the general utility of the diary as a book of record.

From Tasmanian files to hand lately we learn that Governor Weld was to leave Hobarton for Sydney on the sth inst., en route for Singapore, by the Torres Straits mail. From this it will be seen that Mr. Weld has decided to accept the Governorship of the Straits Settlement.

We have received "Bradshaw's Guide to New Zealand" for April, 1880. It notes, among other new matter, that considerable alterations will take place on the Invercargill and Dunedin and Dunedin and Christchurcb lines on the 15th instant.

To Mr. Marriott, of Manners-street, is due the credit of introducing for the special benefit of the working classes, ninepenny legs of mutton. Struggling heads of a household will not be slow to appreciate the boon. The meat is sound and wholesome farin'.

The escaped lunatic, Charles Tresider, was captured by some of the warders last week six miles west of Ohau Bay, and was brought in on horseback. He was in a very exhausted condition when found.

The Nelson Volunteers -were so pleased with their treatment on board the Government steamer Hinemoa, which conveyed them to and from Lyttelton, that on their arrival at Nelson, Major Pitt presented Captain Fairchild with an address, tendering the best thanks of the men for the kindness and courtesy they had received during their double trip.

The estimates of receipts and expenditure for the ensuing year were last Thursday week laid on the table of the Council Chamber, The following is a summary of them: —Estimated expenditure on general account, £32,500, which will be met by the imposition of a rate at one shilling in the £, and by the ordinary revenue of the city, consisting of rents, licenses of various kinds, and the £ for £ subsidy from Government. The estimated expenditure on water works account is £15,805 95., consisting of interest on loans, wages, and other working expenses. The revenue from rates, interest on deposit account, &c, is estimated at £15,655, leaving a small deficiency of £l5O. The interest and sinking fund on city improvements loan account will amount to £7490, and will be met by the interest on deposit account and proceeds of a threepenny special rate.

A meeting of the creditors of Messrs. W. Donald and Henri Pascoe, brewers, was held on Wednesday, March 31, for the purpose of assenting to a deed of arrangement. There was no opposition, and the deed was assented to. It was decided that the business should be carried on for nine months under the supervision of Mr. William Waters, during which period the creditors are to receive 20s. in the pound, together with bank interest. The following is a statement of assets and liabilities :—Assets—£l3,l3o: Brewery,Tory-street, one and a-half acres, £SOOO ; buildings, plant, machinery, &c, £2250 (mortgaged £2500) ; stock, £750 ; in bond, £l5O ; Waterloo Hotel, £ISOO (mortgaged £1500) ; Imperial Hotel, £2OOO (less mortgage £1000) ; house in Col-lege-street, £SOO (less mortgage £350); Clarendon Hotel (less mortgage and Carroll's halfshare) £ISOO ; book debts, £4OO ; Albion Hotel, £I7BO (less mortgage £700) ; Foxton Hotel, £7OO ; Post Office Hotel, £SOO ; bills receivable, £l5O. Liabilities—£l676 ss. Id. :

Findlay, £222 17s. 2d. ; Arkell, £248 15s. 5d.; Krull and Co., £359 19s. 9d. ; T. and W. Young, £lO6 6s. 3d. ; Colonial Bank, £22 3s. 6d. ; Edwards and Co., £l7l 3s. 6d. ; Dransfield, £6O 13s. sd. ; Fell Bros., £179 Is. 2d. ; Stewart and Co., £11" 7s. sd. ; Dawson and Co, £ll 19s. Bd. ; Jas. Bentley, £3l 17s. 7d. ; open accounts, £250. ™* - '

The information published in our telegraphic columns last week, to the effect that Colonel Hill had been dismissed from the command of the Victorian Volunteers was, as we surmised, incorrect, it being Lieut.-Colonel St. Hill, of the Tasmanian Volunteer force, who has been so treated. As Colonel St. Hill is well-known in New Zealand, his father, Major St. Hill, having, we believe, been Resident Magistrate in Wellington many years ago, we have searched the Tasmanian files for some explanation of this summary mode of procedure on the part of the Tasmanian Government. From what we can gather Colonel St. Hill's dismissal is the result of some charges made against him by the Governor, but their nature does not appear to have been made public. In connection therewith his Excellency has intimated to the Tasmanian Club that he cannot be a visitor there if Colonel St. Hill is allowed to remain a member. According to the Mercury, " Colonel St. Hill has been suspended by the Governor as Commander-in-Chief (an exercise of power that does not belong to the Governor), and has been asked to, in person or in writing, answer, on" a certain day, to the Governor in Council, certain charges which have been made against him by the Governor, who, it would thus seem, is to occupy the anomalous position of prosecutor, jury, and judge, of charges as well known to his Excellency and Ministers when Colonel St. Hill's salary was voted for six months, in January last, as they are now, and the resuscitation of which now is one of the mysteries of high life." Colonel St. Hill applied for an extension of time to state his defence, and also asked to be allowed the benefit of counsel to watch his interests, but both requests were refused by the Premier. The Mercury goes on to say that the mode of procedure and any question of time is hardly worth Colonel St. Hill's troubling himself about. His ruin is determined on. The Governor demands his dismissal from the service, and Ministers are his Excellency's most obedient humble servants.

The Wellington Temperance Debating Society met on Saturday evening, at the Athenaeum, to discuss the question, "Are open air meetings advantageous to the temperance cause ?" An animated debate ensued, opinions pro and con being equally divided. It was resolved that in future the Society shall meet on the Saturday following the first Friday in the month, and succeeding Friday evenings. This has been done to enable those to join whose business prevents them attending on Saturday evenings.

The annual general meeting of the Wellington Football Club was held at the Star Hotel on April 2. There was a large attendance of members, and Mr. H. Pollen occupied the chair. The hon. secretary read the annual report and balance-sheet, which were unanimously adopted. The financial part of this document showed that there was a small balance to the good, which would be materially increased by subscriptions in arrears, which were considered good. The following officers were elected for the year :—President, Sir W. Fitzherbert, K.C.M.G. ; Vice-Presidents, Colonel Pearce and Mr. T. Buchanan ; Hon. Secretary (re-elected), Mr. E. T. Bate ; Committee, Messrs. Lynch, Davy, J. Thompson ; J. G. Thomson, Cowie, Blood, and Warbrick. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring office-bearers. The following new members were elected :—Messrs. England, Mills, Jaffar. Hodgson, W. Davy, M. McCardell, Grant, Harty, H. P. Fitzherbert, Budge, Douglas, Godden, J. G. Thomson, Mita Hamiora, Inoka Ngatai, and Rewiti Ngatai. It was resolved that the old colors be retained, and that the club join the Wellington Rugby Union Association ; also, that a general meeting be called for Friday evening next, for the purpose of discussing the Pugby Union rules, and electing delegates to represent the club. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.

Another fatal accident occurred on April 2, the victim being a little girl only twelve months old, named Emily Mallows, daughter of a John-street resident. The child was playing in that street about half-past nine o'clock, when a spring cart driven by a man named George Cooley, of the Hutt, passed along the street. The driver does not appear to have seen the child, and the little one was run over, the wheel of the cart passing over her neck. Death must have been instantaneous. Dr. Grace was sent for, but his services were, of course, of no avail. At the inquest, which was held at the Hospital on Saturday morn,ing, April 3, before Dr. Johnston and a jury of whom Mr. Thomas Bould was foreman, on the body of Emily Mallows, who was run over on the previous day, The mother of the child (who was 15 months old) said that about ten o'clock in the morning she had put the child near the back door, and it had wandered out on to the road. A minute or two afterwards one of the' other children ran in and said the baby had been run over. When she went out she found the child lying dead in the road. On Dr. Grace being called, he said that death, must have been instantaneous. George Cooley, a larm laborer, living at the Lower Hutt, deposed that he was driving along John-street at a walking pace, and did not see the child nor know anything about it until it was run over. The coroner, in summing up, spoke of the carelessness of parents in allowing their children to wander about the streets. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, with the following rider : " This jury begs to impress upon the City Council the necessity of passing a by-law compelling all hawkers to walk by the side of their horses' heads while passing through narrow lanes." Mr. Cooley, who appeared to deeply regret the unfortunate accident, contributed the sum of £5 towards the funeral expenses.

«3f Undoubtedly the greatest attraction in the city on April 2 was the drapery establishment of Messrs. Graves and Fleming, at the corner of Manners and Cuba streets, when the splendid show windows were lit up for the first time since the erection of the new building. The doors were, however, closed, and the many who, despite the hard times, saw articles which tempted them to make purchases had to be content with noting the articles with a view to securing them to-day, when the doors will be thrown open for business. Of course they were not closed to the Press, and we are therefore enabled to give our readers an idea of the general appearance and arrangement of the interior. Entering from Cuba-street, the visitor finds himself in the drapery department, which, with the adjoining space set aside for millinery, is, we suppose, the most attractive. The space occupied by the former is 52ft. by 40ft., being 4080 square feet. It is full of counters and tables neatly worked in kauri, cedar, and mahogany, all of them being fairly loaded with quantities of articles, the appearance of which is quite sufficient to guarantee their newness and fashion. The two windows on either side of the entrance are tastefully filled with goods of a simuar description, that on the south side containing a very large variety of seasonable dress stuff. The millinery department shows marks of equal care in the arrangement of the fittings, and as the goods which it contains allow of a more attractive display, the window whichjjbelongs to it was eagerly scanned last night by a large number of ladies, whose faces plainly expressed their admiration. The northern section, where there is another large entrance, is fully equal to the others, but the two last mentioned only occupy about half as much space each as the first. In height they are, however, the same all through, ample light being also admitted to all parts by lantern lights. It is not no w necessary to give another description of the building itself, or even of the other arrangements, as both have already received full notice at our hands. We trust Messrs. Graves and Fleming will find that the great fire which destroyed their former premises will prove a positive gain to them in the long run. Present appearances indicate that there is every probability of this wish being realised.

There was a church parade of the Naval Volunteers on Sunday. They mustered at 10 o'clock at the Mount Cook barracks, and afterwards marched to St. Peter's Church, headed by their very fine band. A number of them proceeded to the Catholic Church. After church the company marched to the reclaimed ground, where they were dismissed. The work of commencing the erection of the new clock, towards which the City Council voted £SO at its last meeting, has commenced. It is to be hoped that when the new clock has commenced its duties it will be taken as the standard of time, and that the other clocks of the town will be regulated by it. At the present time there are hardly two timepieces alike, either public or private, and the result is often a great inconvenience to those who are not fortunate enough to possess a watch. Wellington appears to be earning a reputation for extreme sobriety, or else the police are less vigilant than usual, for up to a late hour on Sunday only one " drunk " (who had been run in on Saturday) had been lodged in the watch-house, to await an introduction to the Bench this morning. If we go on at this rate the licensed victuallers will soon have to seek "fresh fields and pastures new," and the Good Templars will be triumphant.. Saturday was quite a field-day in the deputation line. At 11 o'clock one waited upon the Mayor in regard to the Fire Brigades and the withdrawal of their subsidies by the City Council ; at 12 o'clock the Government was interviewed on the subject of the Small Farm Association ; and at 1 o'clock the deputation recently appointed at the meeting ?e the West Coast Railway waited on the Govc-rument, and fully discussed that subject. .Reports of the proceedings appear elsewhere. In order to extricate the Choral Society out of its present difficulties, a number of the performing members have kindly offered their services to take part in a series of Monday Popular Concerts, at the Athenaeum. The generous offer has been accepted by the committee, and the first concert will take place on IvJonday night. Such concerts have been very successful in other ptrts of the colony, and under the circumstances, they ought to be particularly successful in Wellington. Footballers are beginning to show signs of their energy, which has been lying dormant during the summer months. Several of the city clubs have already held their business meetings preparatory to opening the campaign, and will show further signs of life before long. A meeting will probably be held in about a. month's time for the purpose of consolidating the Wellington Rugby Union Association—astep the importance of which must not be lost sight of, as, with proper management, it will be the means of consolidating the various clubs into one whenever a challenge from another provincial district requires the selection of a good team.

Those of our readers who have liad business at the R.M. Court will no doubt have noticed a remarkably intelligent and <> bilging young man, who has for the last 12 mouths ably filled the office of junior clerk there. We' refer to Master Charles Skerrett, son of the crier of the Supreme Court, who, though only 16 years old, has conducted himself in such a manner as not only to earn the approval of Mr. Mansford,. but his business qualifications have attracted the attention of a firm of solicitors in this city. Master Skerrett has been offered the position of clerk, with promise of his articles, by Messrs. Buller, Lewis, and Gully. He entered on his new duties on Monday. We heartily wish him success in his new sphere.

Asa mark of respect for the late Mr. Fill, who has been for twenty years the ringer at St. Peter's Church, the bells were muffled and a funeral peal chimed on Sunday, consisting of seventy-six rounds and seventy-six strokes off the tenor, first time successively and the second time alternately ; the number (76) denoting his age at death. If the ringers can arrange to meet at the church at 2.30 to-day, the peal will again be rung while the corpse is being conveyed to its last resting place.

Writing last week our Hawera correspondent says:—Two principal chief, Moania and Thokiri, called on me to-day on their way to a tangi over a chief recently demised, and expressed much satisfaction at the action of the Commissioners. They were of opinion that matters would end peaceably, but that some difficulty might be encountered in restraining the younger and more impetuous of the Maoris. The work of pacification and ultimate settlement of all differences would be greatly promoted by the Government surveying and alloting reserves without delay.

The police last Sunday were very diligently engaged in the endeavor to repress Sunday trading on the part of the licensed victuallers, and made numerous visits to suspected houses, the result being, we understand, that in several instances sufficient evidence was obtained upon which to found charges of breach of the licensing laws. Many of the hotel keepers were very vigilant, watching their doors with the greatest anxiety, in order that the police might not enter unawares, but others who least expected such unwelcome visitors were surprised by the entrance of the men in blue, who of course caught the proverbial lodger or traveller refreshing at the bar. In reference to the report that Mr. F. D. Fenton contemplated leaving the office, which he has so long held, of Chief Judge of the Native Lands Court, the Auckland Herald states this is " not the case, and that the business of the Court will remain at Auckland.. The next session of Parliament will, of necessity, witness a complete change in the method of dealing with native lands, as the operations of the Government in land purchasing must come to an end, and a new system must be established. In these circumstances, the loss of Mr. Fenton's services would be irreparable, as there is no other in the colony possessing, his knowledge of native history and native customs, with the requisite legal training and skilL"

Messrs. Murray, Roberts, and Co., forward UB the following extract from a letter received from their London firm, Messrs. Sanderson, Murray, and Co., having reference to the Strathleven experiment, and which may be of interest to our readers :—" You will be interested to learn that the Strathleven has safely landed her cargo of fresh meat from Sydney, and we can testify from personal experience that it is in splendid condition." There was a wedding at the new Wesleyan Church in Taranaki-street, on March 31, at high noon, which attracted many attendants. In fact the church was well filled with matron*, maids, and, mayhap, widows of every degree, a swarm of juveniles, and not a few of the sterner sex. The wedding cortege consisted of four carriages and pairs. The happy twain made one were Miss J. Kirk, daughter of the Rev. Kirk, pastor of the church, and the Rev. Garlick. This was the first wedding celebrated in the newly-erected edifice, and in honor of the occasion and out of respect to the bride and their esteemed pastor the church choir assembled and rendered various vocal selections appropriate to the occasion.

200 400 500 yds. yds. yds. TI. Vol. W. F. Ross ... 16 19 19 5i Vol. C.Hale 18 16 18 52 Vol. R. Randall ... 16 19 17 52 Capt. Crowe 17 19 15 51 Sergfc. Bowie 15 16 19 50 Vol. J. Croucber ... 14 ly 17 50 Sub-Lieut. Ballinger. 15 19 16 50 Vol. J. Mair 18 13 18 49 Sergt. J. Ballinger ... 16 16 16 48 Vol. Henn ... 16 16 14 46