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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4154, 14 July 1874, Page 2

The Hon. Major Richmond, C. 8., is to move in the Legislative Council this afternoon that a call of the Council be made on the 31st instant.

The following Bills are on the Order Paper to be read a second time in the Legislative Council this afternoon :—Regulation of Machinery, Offences against the Persons Act Amendment, and the Justices of the Peace Act Amendment Bills.

To-day, in the House of Representatives, the Hon. the Commissioner of Customs will submit the following motion :—" That the House go into Committee of Ways and Means, to consider the following propositions :—l. That on and after the Ist day of July, 1875, seven shillings be charged on Colonial distilled spirits. 2. That on and after the Ist day of July, 1877, eight shillings be charged on Colonial distilled spirits. 3. That on and after the Ist day of July, 1879, nine shillings be charged on Colonial distilled spirits." The immigrants by the Waikato, with their luggage and all their belongings of all sorts and sizes, were landed yesterday, in two or three instalments, by the small steamer Fairy, whose decks presented a very strange appearance as she brought tip at the wharf. People, however, are becoming accustomed to the miscellaneous landing of a few hundred immigrants on the wharf ; and when there is no excitement through their having been in quarantine or having a bad name, as in the case of the Asia at Port Chalmers, no very great interest is taken in them. All were safely landed. Provision will be made for their distribution as soon as possible. It should be mentioned that the Captain, Surgeon-superintendent, and Officers of the Waikato seem to have fairly won the good-feeling of her passengers. An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company (Limited), will be held at the company's offices on Wednesday (to-morrow) July 15, at three o'clock in the afternoon. It is generally understood that the action of the directors in not summoning such a general meeting before announcing the intended sale of the company's fleet by public auction, has not met with the cordial approval of all the shareholders. The meeting will probably be a most interesting one for Wellington in many ways, as the fact of these steamers changing hands would have a very sensible effect upon the steam trade of the coast. On account of recent proceedings, the result of this meeting will be anxiously looked for, and it is likely that all the shareholders who can possibly manage to do so will be present. The Theatre Royal was filled last night on the occasion of the benefit of the De Castro family, the very clever acrobats of the Smith Combination Troupe. They produced a number of new feats, the blindfold somersault throwing of Young England being especially daring. The juvenile gymnast, only two years and a-half old, who made his appearance in a brown paper parcel, was a cause of great amusement, his infantile eccentricities keeping the house in a roar. It is only necessary to say that that the other members of the troupe performed with the greatest spirit and success. Mr. "Val Vose's ventriloquial wonders, which his mechanical figures so cleverly assist, never tire. This evening is the last of the company's stay in Wellington. There will be a long: and varied programme, the performances will be under the patronage of Mr. Fitzherbert, and the prices—that the public may see of what this able troupe are capable of doing—will be reduced to million prices. The closing night should see a bumper house. A large number of Bills are set down for the second reading in the House of Representatives to-day. They include the following : Regulation of Mines, Conveyancing Ordinance Amendment, Supreme Court Judges, State Forests Conservation, Civil Service Acts Amendment, Westland Loan Act Amendment, Post Office Savings Bank Act, New Zealand University, Qualification of Electors, and Municipal Reserves Bills. The adjourned debate on the Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill is also on the Order Paper. The Hon. Mr. Katene is to move for the appointment of a Select Committee, to consist of fourteen members, "to consider all petitions, reports, returns, and other documents relating to affairs specially affecting the Native race that may be brought before the House this session ; and from time to time to report thereon to the House ; with power to call for persons and papers ; three to be a quorum." Albert Blake and G-eorge Bromley, who were given in charge on Saturday for broaching the cargo of the Waikato on her paßsage to this port, were brought up yesterday at the Resident Magistrate's Court, and were remanded, on the application of Mr. Ollivier, for the prosecution, until Thursday. The cargo said to be broached and stolen consisted of five cases of ginger wine. At a later hour five other passengers by the same ship were brought up, cliarged with receiving the property in question. The charges against them were also remanded until Thursday. The gentleman who was lately known in Auckland as Dr. or Professor Rosenthal appears to have somewhat disappointed his friends in Tasmania. We lately noticed the publication there of a certificate as to his successful treatment of a case, the authenticity of which was denied by the person whose signature it bore, and now we notice that the Doctor has left that island, for Melbourne, leaving " lamenting" a number of patients who had contracted to be cured, paying the money down, but have not yet been cured. The Doctor was called suddenly to Melbourne, to be in attendance at the bedside of a dying brother ! Such an appeal no one could resist, but the Hobarton Tribune appears to regard the dying brother as a very doubtful quantity in the case, and seems to think that, cure or no cure, the afflicted in Hobarton were not likely soon again to see their friend and physician. Speaking of the present Californiau mail service, a San Francisco journal, which has come to hand via Suez, says :—"When the Australian and American Mail Company commenced the service, there was • every reason to believe that it would by-and-bye divert some of the British Australian trade this way, in preference to the Suez Caual route. The advantages to passengers were manifestly superior. A break in the sea voyage, and a railroad ride across the Continent, through a territory remarkably picturesque and diversified in its scenery, were attractions not to be overlooked, and, aside from the consideration of timesaving, ensured a monopoly of the passenger traffic provided the contract were faithfully executed. The character of the steamers employed inspired British shippers with confidence that schedule time would be made, which, from London to Sydney, is about five days shorter than via Suez, and they have been disposed to favor the line with their patronage. By way of experiment, the Tartar had considerable through English freight, forwarded with the view of antici|3ating similar shipments via Suez, which would have been the case had there been no delay or interruption. There are also through bills of lading now awaiting the Cyphrenes, which ought to sail hence on Saturday. This feature of through freight is altogether new—the offspring of the Australasian Company. The Webb Company never succeeded in attracting anything of the kind, simply because British shippers had no confidence in their steamers." The Hawaiian Commercial Gazette has the following instructive paragraph on the subject of strikes :—" For reasons of retrenchment, some sixteen of the Native police were discharged last week. Thereupon, eight others, feeling indignant on behalf of those discharged, resigned their commissions. Next day, repenting of their hasty action, they desired to come back, but found that their places had been filled by eight of those previously discharged, on whose account they resigned." It is reported that Mr. Thomas Fraser, who has for some time been master of the coasting schooner Ruby, is to succeed Mr, John Anderson as inner pilot.

. Mr. W. Mathews, of the Post-office at Invercargill, has been selected to act for a time as mail-agent on the San Francisco line. The adjourned general meeting of members of the Wellington Athenaeum will be held in the Institute this evening, when a statement will be presented, and office-bearers elected, in addition to other business of a routine nature.

We see that "Snyder's" new work, com--menced in the iVeici Zealand Herald, entitled " Thirty Years in the Life of a Colonial Journalist," is to be republished by the Brisbane Courier and Queenslander. "Snyder" is ambitions—he reserves all copyright. A Home journal reports that the Court of ■ Common Pleas has decided that libellous statements which, if sent by letter would be privileged, would not be priviledged as telegrams, because they would then be published to the clerks.

The Pope, remarks the New Yorh Herald, is unable to find a properly constituted female sovereign belonging to the Church to whom he might present the golden rose. Empress Eugenie and Isabella of Spain were the latest recipients of the rose, and to neither of them did the present bring good fortune. The Gourlay Family, we observe, have arrived at Nelson from the South, and are playing for a few nights. Miss Clara Stephenson and her dramatic troupe are expected at Blenheim. The well-known " darkie" dancer and singer, Harry Kelly, and the clever troupe with which he is now associated, are playing with great success at Auckland.

An " old colonist" of Tasmania—one who "left her country for her country's good"— seems to have been remembered tenderly by a relative she left behind. A Tasmanian journal has the following :—" Mr. Sub-Inspector Dorsett has received a letter, from Messrs. Wright and Co., of the Missing Friends Enquiry Office, Melbourne, asking for information concerning the whereabouts of a woman named Ami Elizabeth King alias Jones or Grant, who was sent to this Colony about thirty years ago. The woman is a native of London, and, if alive, is sixty-four years of age and slightly lame. In consequence of the recent demise of her maiden aunt, Miss Bronnsett, she is entitled to considerable money and property under her will. Any information respecting this woman will be very thankfully received."

We find the following in the British Trade Journal of the Ist of Slay last, :—" The immense trade in Australian canned meats now carried on has had the effect of causing a great accumulation of bones in Melbourne, Australia where the putting-up is done. The sale of the bones is now growing into a remunerative branch of export trade as bone-dust manure ;. and an Australian paper, speaking of the subject, gives an account of the manner of its exportation. It says that a recent vessel,, bound for London, has on board a shipment of 100 tons of bone-dust, prepared for exportation in an altogether novel manner, and one which promises to come into extensive use. To facilitate this trade, an apparatus has been contrived for compressing bone-dust into half its original compass, reducing it at the same time into a form very convenient for shipment. By means of strong pressure, the crushed bones are moulded into cakes of 6 inches square and 3 inches thick, something like flooring tiles, each cake weighing a little over i lbs. These bone-dust tiles are just adhesive enough to admit their being handled freely—thrown about like bricks, if necessary—and are yet firm, and when requh'ed for use they can readily be crushed or melted by the applicationof a little hot water. A ton weight of the manure measures 26 cubic feet, and contains 252 of the cakes." The Steele-Keogh Company, we observe,' continue to play at the Princess Theatre,. Dunedin, with great success. " Broken Ties" was played a few nights ago, for the first time in that city—the occasion being the benefit of Mrs. Walter Hill—and drew a large attendance. The Otago Daily Times remarks as to the performance : —" The drama was well put on the stage, and the part of La Sylvia being one well suited to Mrs. Hill, that lady played it as only an accomplished actress could, with grace, force, and pathos. Mr. Steele played in his usual natural and manly manner as Lionel. Warner. The part of the son was played by Mr. Hooper. He gave a fair rendering of the part, but in some of the scenes was far too stagey. Miss Lilly May, Miss Willis, Mr Keogh, Mr. Musgrave, and Mr. Lawrence, sustained the other characters, and acquitted themselves well. On the whole, the piece was remarkably well played, and at the fall of the curtain Mrs. Hill received a hearty round of applause, in response to which she came forward and bowed her acknowledgments." AUCKLAND. Amongst other industrial establishments which have lately been organised in Auckland! there is one which receives special notice from the Herald : —Two machinists, named Fleming and Revill, having leased one of the reclaimed sections in Freeman's Bay, have erected a substantial two-storied building, which they are now using for the purposes of their art. All the requisite machinery has been erected to enable them to carry on the general business of a saw-mill, as well as that of wood-turners and machinists. The apparatus appears perfect in its way; and besides the usual paraphernalia of a saw-mill, a "chuck-lathe" of unusual dimensions has been set up. By this' they are enabled to turn a log of wood of eighteen inches diameter, and containing 250 solid feet. All this machinery is set in motion, by a very neat little horizontal eight horsepower engine. This firm are also makers of fire-escapes, and before commencing business at Freeman's Bay, made all the ladders required by the Insurance Companies. HAWKE'S BAY. A boat accident which recently happened,, fortunately without serious results, is thus described by the Times: —The Schiehallion's boat was coming ashore for the captain, the tide being at half-ebb, when the boat was struck by a sea and at the same time caught by the tide, and capsized. Four men were in the boat at the time, two of whom happily were swimmers. They seized their companions, and assisted them to the boat, which by this time had righted. The accident was observed from the shore, and the pilot boat was promptly manned by Captain Hair, of the brigantine Helen, Captain Campbell, of the Fairy, and others, who promptly pulled for the spot. The sea being too rough on the bar for them to cross, they took a course round the Kangatira Bank. Meantime the Halcione's boat, which was coming ashore, made for the spot, and picked up the men before the pilot boat arrived. The men on being brought ashore changed their clothes, and were found to be none the worse for their immersion. OTAGO.

Two merino rams, from the flocks of Mr. Learmonth, of Ercildoun, Victoria, have been imported by Messrs. Roberts and Handyside, of South Taieri. They cost £350 each. Extremes may be said to have met yesterday, says the Otago Daily Times of the Sth July. The Suez and San Francisco mails arrived almost together. We believe this is the first instance on record of the two mails coming to hand on the same day. We have no doubt but that the Post Office people appreciated the occurrence. It must have been a heavy sorting day with them, for the Albion brought 20 bags of Suez mails and 13 bags of Colonial, whilst the San Francisco mail contained 49 bags for Otago." For other New Zealand Provinces, it numbered 141 bags, and the Suez mail included 55 bags for other Provinces. Thus, the total number of bags by the two mails was, for Otago 69 European and 13 Colonial, and for other Provinces 19G bags. We have news from Oamaru, says the Otago Daily Times, to the effect that the construction of the breakwater is progressing as quickly as practicable. About 300 feet of it have been completed, and it is suggested by many who have the interests of Oamaru at hearth that although the contract is still running, immediate measures ought to be adopted to utilise the breakwater as it stands. It is proposed to form stalls for vessels to lie in, by driving piles in the lee side of the breakwator, constructing in fact lateral wharves, with just room between them for one small vessel to lie in. There is room for three such stalls, and if three safe

bertha were only available, the trade of the port would l>e very greatly stimulated thereby. There is a very considerable trade in building stone carried on with Melbourne, and it would vastly increase if better facilities for stopping stone only existed. Three or four cargoes of stone are now lying on the beach awaiting shipment, many of the blocks being from four tons to seven tons weight—too heavy by far to be shipped by surf boats. Now, if the section of the breakwater were only brought into use aa above suggested, all this stone might very easily be transferred to vessels in the roadstead, or pcradventure shipped direct to Melbourne in vessels handy enough to lie at the jetty. A correspondent of the Western Stur, who writes upon the claims of Rivertou, refers thus graphically to the early history of the district :—Riverton, better known in the early days as Jacob's River, and as a whaling station, was a busy place ere the site for Dunedin was selected. The pakeha, fraternising with the Natives, had firmly established bis footing on the banks of the Aparima. " Jacob's Garden" was under cultivation, and "Howell's Point" was more noted than "Tairoa Heads." But the dreary night of separation came on, and this fertile but unfortunate district became a prey to peculation and misrule. We are now, thanks to the generous and honorable treatment received since the period of re-union, in some measure emerging from the cloud under which we had been so , long and studiously hidden. I