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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4143, 1 July 1874, Page 2

The steamship Tararua, as anticipated, arrived off Hokitika early yesterday, but the recent wreck of the steam-tender Waipara, and the jealousies existing between the owners of the tug-steamers prevented her from being tendered at that port. With the Waipara on the strand, and the tug-steamer Lioness laid up, there was no alternative but to engage the tug Titan, and this seems not to have been done, possibly through some difficulty as to the arrangement of terms upon which her services would be given. In consequence of this, the Tararua proceeded to Greymouth, and there seems to have been tendered by the steamer Dispatch, but the latter was unable to re-enter the river on the morning tide, and did not reacli the port until evening. The fact of the Tararua having to pass Hokitika must have been a disappointment to a number of passengers who intended to sail by her, including the member for the district, Mr. White, and their probable alternative 'will be to proceed overland to Lyttelton, for the purpose of shipping there for Wellington. The Central Volunteer Eire Brigade, under the command of Captain Lewis Moss, at last carried out tha long postponed intention to test the efficiency and power of the new water supply from Polhill’s gully yesterday evening. A good muster of the Brigade appeared in answer to the advertisements notifying the proposed trial, and although the weather had just at the last moment veered round again, it was determined to have no more delays. The place selected was near the Odd Eellows’ Hall, and the hose were here fixed on in a very smart manner, which showed the complete training the men have submitted to in their self-imposed work. The power of the water was tested in a variety of ways, all giving most satisfactory results. The water can be thrown with ease and readiness over the highest buildings, and with a force and volume which seem almost incredible considering the size of the hose aiid nozzle by which it is projected. Of the latter there are several sizes, which can be taken on and off with ease. The result of the trial went to show that the dangers existing from fire in a wooden town like Wellington, formerly so very great, will be reduced almost to a minimum by the water power which is now available. The brigades are now fully drilled in the position and nature of the workings, and can get the hose on to any particular spot in very short time, and when the hose is once directed against a building, the fire, unless a very firm hold has been obtained, must bo almost immediately extinguished. Captain Moss superintended the operations, which were conducted throughout with precision and minuteness. .Representatives of the insurance agents were present.

The s.s. City of Adelaide is expected to arrive in the harbor this morning about five o’clock. The weather has been favorable since she left Napier, and she is likely, therefore, to have a smart rim down. She will coal here, but no time null be lost in that operation, and she will sail southwards soon after noon. The committee of the promoters of the new Colonial Bank, we notice, have decided upon closing the list of applications for shares on the 21st of July. It is significant of the interest taken in the establishment of this new institution that, on Monday, twelve thousand shares were applied for in Dunedin alone. Xn Wellington Mr. T. J. Ladd acts as secretary for the provisional committee, and receives applications for shares at his offices in Willis Street, opposite the Umpire Hotel. We regret to learn by private telegram from that a “ professional ” has attempted a new part there with unpleasant results to himself. A Circus. Company, of more than average ability, passed through Wellington for that Province a few days ago. Amongst them was a popular clown. The company played for a night at Wakefield, and there the clown performed one trick too many. He abstracted some twenty pounds in money, the property of the landlord of the hotel where he was staying, but forgot that, not being in the ring, his exploit might not be taken in joke. He was followed by the police, apprehended on Saturday, tried in Nelson on Monday, and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment. He will have an opportunity of “ cracking ” a few practical jokes in Nelson Gaol.

An item of news winch was not quite correctly reported in a late English telegram, is corrected as follows by the Neio Zealand Herald: —“The AgentGeneral for New Zealand has made a contract with Messrs. Shaw and Thompson, of Leadenhall Street, and the Moor Ironworks, Stockton-on-Tees, for 9000 tons of rails for shipment during this year.” The steamer Luna is now on her way from Mauukau with several of the Auckland members of the House of Representatives on board. She mil call at Nelson for the members from that province. Mr. Carrington, of New Plymouth, has already arrived, and the other members from the Province will probably arrive by the next steamer from that port. A particularly fine specimen of omamenta window staining and sign wilting is now to bo seen, at the office of Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull and Co. The window next the entrance announces the shipping agency business in connection with the Australasian and American overland route to Europe, via ban Francisco and New York, by a capital picture of a large steamship in the centre, remarkably well executed. In the word “ American,” the lettering is very prettily worked in stars and stripes. The adjoining pane denotes, in brilliant coloring, the South British Eire and Marine Insurance Company’s business. Altogether, the workmanship displayed reflects the highest credit on the artist, Mr. Martin, of Wellington.

No person having business on the Queen’s Wharf can help being struck with the manner in which the places of thoroughfare are unnecessarily lumbered up, aud tire traffic thereby frequently stopped. Yesterday _an express driver was summoned to tiro Police Court for stopping up the thoroughfare with his vehicle. No doubt the proceedings against him were perfectly correct, as he remained for an unreasonable time; but it repeatedly happens that the wharf is in such a state that a cart is delayed for some time, and then has barely room to effect a passage. At present a number of largo iron tanks stand next the wharfinger’s office considerably narrowing the passage—for what purpose it is hard to say. . In tho obituary notices of tins mornings issue will be found that of an old aud much respected resident of Wellington, Mrs. Collins, widow of the late Mr. J, P. Collins aud mother of Mr. 11. P. Collins of the Albion Hotel. The funeral of the deceased lady, who lived to the ripe age of 75, will take place on Friday.

'l'll o steamship Star of the South will leave this port on Monday next, for the Fiji Islands, via Napier and Auckland, in accordance with the arrangement entered into by her owners with the General Government.

An examination of candidates for teachers’ certificates will take place in Thermion School, Sydney Street, on Thursday and Friday, commencing each day at ten o’clock in the forenoon. An investigation, held in Auckland, as to the conduct of the surgeon on board the ship Loch Awe, has been concluded. Some evidence in defence of his character was called, and the depositions wore to be forwarded to Wellington. Napier, according to a telegram, is following the example of Nelson and other towns which have recently awakened to the propriety of having local self-government, by resolving to constitute the town a municipality. The general meeting of members of the Wellington Athonamm, announced to take place last evening, was adjourned until Tuesday the Htb iust., when the annual statements and other business will bo submitted.

'Some few weeks since tenders were advertised for by the Government for supplying the immigrants at "Wanganui with rations and sundry articles for twelve months. Four tenders, says the Chronicle, were sent in by Wanganui storekeepers and several by those of AV ellington. None, however, was accepted, the Government considering them all too high. The Wellington tenders were considerably less than those of Wanganui.

Mr. A. Young has not yet heard what is to be done in respect to the stoppage of his line of coaches between Palmerston and Bull’s. The Maoris have put a gate up at the bridge, through which the coaches are not allowed to go. This necessitates a detour of about eleven miles, and a delay in the delivery of the mails of about six hours.

The fancy dress soiree, of the Star and Union Boating Clubs, to come off to-morrow evening in the Theatre Koyal, promises to be a great success. Influential patronage has been secured, and with such a building as the Theatre to dance in nothing can go wrong. The object in view is such a thoroughly good one, and the soiree tends to so laudable an end, that a lack of spirit shown towards it by those whose duty it is to encourage manly sports of every kind, and particularly aquatics, cannot be contemplated. The tickets are going off very fast, and there is no doubt the large space at the command of the committee will be well filled by dancers, who should remember that it is intended and desired to be a fancy dress affair, and not mar the originality and effect of the scene by appearing in the orthodox evening costume. A good fancy dress hall has not yet been seen in AVellington, and if only those intending to be present will exercise their ingenuity in the devising of appropriate dresses, the success of the present one is more than ever insured.

The rapid voyage of the Glasgow clippership Loch Awe, from London to Auckland — seventy-six days from port to port, and sixtynine days from laud to land—seems to have occasioned some slight difficulties to the officers of the Immigration Department, and the drapers of the city. The former were able to accommodate the immigrants; but as the Loch Awe has outsailed the ship James Wishart, which left port nineteen days before her, as well as the Queen of Nations, both of which are due, the early arrival of either of them would put the authorities to their wits’ end to provide accommodation for them. The drapers are in a sad dilemma. The Loch Awe has brought their importations of spring goods, but, as tlie winter is only beginning, these will have to be stored for a couple of months to come. The master of the Loch Awe, it appears, was so elated with the success of his voyage, that when the newspaper reporters went on board, after a long pull in unpleasant weather, he declined, in rather coarse language, to furnish them with any report of his passage, or a copy of his manifest, or any information as to the classification of his passengers. The journals naturally complain of this treatment of their representatives, and insist on an explanation and apology from the master. Apropos of oath-taking, the Melbourne correspondent of the Balia,rat Star, in a recent issue, says ;An amusing circumstance occurred to-day during the process of swearing in the new members. Gentlemen of the Hebrew persuasion take the oath, it is well known, not precisely after the fashion of Christians, but Mr. Cohen gave it to-day a new rendering. He placed the book on the top of his head and kissed the crown of his hat The lion, gentleman seemed to be quite oblivious of the matter, and is no doubt quite as conscience bound as though his lips had come in contact with Mosaic paper instead of gossamer. The New Zealand Herald is authorised by Captain Law, of the barque P.0.E., to state that the “ yarns ” concerning Rochefort, by a man calling himself the steward of the vessel, are pure concoctions. The man in question was shipped at Newcastle on the vessel leaving for Auckland as assistant-steward, Captain Law taking him simply for the pm-pose of giving him a passage. He was not, Captain Law states, on board the barque at the time of her voyage from New Caledonia and back, when Rochefort and others escaped by her, and the only facts the man was in possession of were such as he gleaned while waiting captain’s table during the voyage from Newcastle to Auckland.

The New Zealand Herald, speaking of the arrival in Auckland of Mr. Thomas Russell by the mail steamer from San Francisco, makes the following remarks ; —“ Than Mr. Russell we have no more spirited or enterprising resident in our Province. He has been identified with its rise and progress in every particular for many years, and has helped more than any other man to raise it to its present position. Indeed, there are many amongst us who believe, and frequently assert, that the present depression in commercial and mining matters which exists, is due in some great measure to his absence, and who look forward with pleasure to his once more assuming his old position in the business of the city. We need hardly remind our readers that to Hr. Russell’s business tact, New Zealand is indebted for the satisfactory position in which she stands in the present mail arrangements which connect New South AValea and New Zealand with America. Numbers of our townsmen, we feel sure, will greet Mr. Russell with hearty wishes to-day, and will be glad to learn that he has returned perfectly restored to health, and highly gratified with his recent tour.” AUCKLAND. Several of the houses destroyed by the late fire in Queen Street are in course of rebuilding. Five shops have been commenced for Mr. AVestwood. One of these will bo occupied on completion by Mr McAtaster, the draper. Hr. Giles will shortly have his new premises in hand by the builder. No arrangements have yet been made for altering the course of Rutland Street as proposed, but negotiations are being made with the owner of the land required. Seven seamen of the ship Loch Awe have been given into custody by the master of the ship for broaching cargo on the run from London.

A sea-cow has been captured alive in the harbor of Auckland, and is on exhibition there. It eats fish, bread, oatmeal, &c. It bears traces of having lately been attacked by a shark.

Some years ago, in a sudden fit of generosity, says the Herald, and while suffering the deprivation of the services of a much-esteemed clergyman, the Auckland people of all denominations subscribed and erected a monument to his memory. Eut the feeling' seems to have been as evanescent as tho paint on the railings, and the obelisk now stands up as a sad memorial, not only of the loss of their jiastor, but of the miserable parsimouiousness of tho people. Its state is simply disgraceful, but not more so than that of many other monuments in the cemetery, which were set up _ in honor of soldiers who had done good public service, and are now allowed to remain in a woful state of dilapidation. Among tho Thames telegrams there lately appeared a letter taken from the Advertiser , relative to an alleged attempt to depress Whan stock. The Star has received the following letter on a similar subject :—“ Sir, —Humors were afloat on ’Change two days ago that an attempt would be made to bring down City of Loudon stock in order that one or two who bad sold out foolishly might buy in again at a low price. It was thou stated that the crushing of the 100 tons stuff, taken from the winze which was sunk to open up the mine, would necessarily bo a poor one, and this would supply the desired lever for effecting the disgraceful purpose alluded to, by causing a panic among small holders. I was not at all astonished, therefore, at finding shares in the mine, for which two days ago there were buyers at 325. Gd., quoted in the Thames telegram to the morning papers at 255. Lot sales or sellers, but buyers, the object evidently being to lead holders unacquainted with facts to believe there bad been a sudden fall of Os. in tho stock. I know the mine to be one of the best and cheapest properties on the field, and whether the price is ss. or 505., tho pecuniary advantages to those who hold as an

investment, as I do, will be the same ; but I object to rascality which may result in loss to honest straightforward people.” Some very rich specimens of quartz from the Mannkau mine, Thames, are being exhibited in Auckland. The quartz has not yet been crushed, hut it is equal in richness to any found in the once famous Caledonian mine. The Mannkau mine is the property of three shareholders.

An extraordinary case of suffering and of sustaining life in the hush has occurred in the Opotiki district. The discovery of the sufferer was made by a party of Captain Simpson s men, who were traversing the bank of the Motu River, under circumstances which are thus described by the correspondent of the Bay of Plenty Times One of them, Mr. Vercoe, fancied he heard a faint cooey on the other side of the river. He proceeded to cross on some logs, and on reaching the other side found the lost man almost at the point of death, and so shrunk and shrivelled as to create a feeling of horror in the beholder. Mr. Vercoe took him up in his arms and carried him across the river again, over the logs, with the greatest ease. The unfortunate sufferer was taken into the camp, where he was treated with great kindness by Captain Simpson, who instantly despatched messages to the nearest township to procure delicacies and restoratives, while others of the party went to work shooting pigeons, to make him broth, &c. For some time the poor fellow was totally insane ; but has since, under the care of Dr, Knyland, who reached the camp shortly after his discovery, recovered his senses. He gives his name as William Gill, formerly of the 18th Regiment, Royal Irish. He left Mr. Simpson’s camp at the end of the Ormond part of the road on the Bth of May ; had with him about 21bs. of biscuits ; was first discovered by Nicholls and the native on the 4th of June, who left him their food ; he was finally taken into camp on the 7th instant. He describes himself as having existed upon flax and toi toi roots, leaves, and water during that period. He is now about the weight of a child four or five years of age. TARANAKI. Mr. H. Weston, J.P., it is stated, went by the coach on Saturday last, on behalf of the Provincial Government, to meet the immigrants for this Province, who are expected by the Waikato at AVellington. Mr. C. AVilson received a severe injury to hia hand after getting into the cargo-boat to go on board the Phoebe, He had his hand on the gunwale of the boat, when a sea lifted the boat against the wheel of the cart alongside, crushing three of his fingers between them. He will, probably, lose part of the little finger, and be unable to use his hand for some time. NELSON. It is stated that His Excellency the Governor has pardoned the prisoner Lock, who was in Nelson gaol for fatally stabbing a man some years since. An inquest into the circumstances of the death of Colonel Thomas was held at Marchwood, Motueka. From the evidence of Charles Thomas, son of deceased, it appears that the accident took place while deceased was returning from Nelson. They were riding in a spring cart belonging to Thomas Goodman, who was driving. AA r hen on the Swan Road the backhand of the harness gave way, and the witness and deceased were violently upset, and tin-own out upon the road. The deceased gave two or three gasps, and stretched out an arm, hut never spoke. Deceased was in his seventyseventh year, and not more than fifteen minutes previously had told Dr. Lee that he had not been in better health for a long time past, he was now perfectly well, and had hail Marchwood newly fitted up as his residence. His son Charles had met him when he left the steamer. The accident took place about five o’clock, near Rakly’s cottage, on the Swan Road. The broken back-band was produced, and found to be perished and unfit for use. The accident caused injury to the base of the skull, and immediate death resulted. The jury returned a verdict according to the evidence, adding as a rider, that traps and horses should he inspected, and vehicles licensed to carry passengers, as in Nelson. Mr. Holloway, the representative of the Agricultural Association of England, has arrived in Nelson by the overland route from the AVest Coast. The Colonist says—Considering that Mr. Holloway has travelled through the island, from Otago upwards, at the very worst season, and amidst generally had weather, the country must have certainly appeared at its worst, and could not have been subjected to a much severer test.

Some of Mr. Luclde’s constituents have lately been exhibiting some anxiety to have a visit from' that gentleman, previous to the commencement of the Parliamentary session, and have written to that effect to the Colonist, which supported the opinions expressed, not in the very best spirit. It appears that, previous to the publication of the letters, Mr. J. H. Levien had communicated with Mr. Luckie, and from that gentleman received the following telegram in reply : —“ Auckland, June 21. I am subpoenaed as a witness in the arson case, and cannot leave for some days after the session begins. lam unwell too. If I cannot meet my constituents on the way to AA rellingtou, I will come over to Nelson during the session.” Subsequently Mr. Luclde telegraphed : —“ I quite concur with the reasonable letter in the Colonist, and shall visit Nelson before AVellingtou. I will advise date.”