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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4192, 27 August 1874, Page 2

It ia now understood that the General Assembly will be prorogued, either to-morrow afternoon or Friday morning. On the afternoon of that day His Excellency will he entertained by both Houses at a dinner, to be given in the Chamber of the Lower House.

The following arrangements were announced by Sir Donald McEean last night as having been made in connection with the departure of the steamers :—The Phoebe would be detained until after the arrival of the Tararua this (Thursday) morning ; and will sail at an hour in the afternoon to suit the convenience of members ; the Tararua will sail for the South on Saturday forenoon ; the Taranaki will sail on Saturday for Poverty Bay, and the Euna will sail on the same day for Onehunga. The Albion will sail for Melbourne, with a supplementary mail, by way of Nelson and the West Coast ports on Monday, and will enable the public of Nelson and the West Coast to reply by way of Suez to letters received by the San Francisco mail.

By the arrival of the s.s. Albion at the Bluff, yesterday, from Melbourne, the English Mail of the 10th of July has been delivered in New Zealand six days before it was due. As the Tararua will bo detained in harbor till Saturday, and, the Albion will bo due here about that time, the two vessels may meet in Port Nicholson. The Albion will again, probably, carry a supplementary mail—if not the regular mail from this port—and is again likely to reach Melbourne in advance of the Tararua, as she will meet with less detention than her famous rival.

■ The Real Estate Descent Bill, which provides that in cases where male persons die intestate, leaving real property, that estate shall be dealt with as personal property, and divided among, the persons entitled to share it, in place of passing into the possession of the eldest eon, passed through the House of Representatives yesterday. It abolishes the law of primogeniture in these cases, and to that extent assimilates the law to that of the Colony of Victoria.

“ Cremation ” is likely to bo legalised in New Zealand within a few hours. Clause 14 of the Burial Ground Closing Bill, which now awaits the sanction of the Governor,, provides that “ It tthall bo lawful for any person, by vti\\ or deed duly executed, to direct that his or her body shall after deatli be disposed of by burning the same to ashes, instead of by burial in the earth ; and it shall bo lawful for the executor or executors,of such person to carry into effect such direction : provided ; that such burning shall bo conducted in a manner which shall not create any public or private nuisance."

It is notified that the Friday midnight trains on the,, Hutt railway arc to bo discontinued after Friday next.

The Premier was not in his place in Parliament yesterday, having been indisposed.

To-morrow there is to be a soiree at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, in aid of St. Mary Orphanage and Te Aro School; the soiree commencing with a concert, including refreshments, and concluding with a dance. The Taranaki, which arrived at the wharf last night, brings a hundred valuable merino sheep for Mr. Cameron. The animals are chosen from th e flock of Messrs. Bortou and McMaster, of Oamaru, and are remarkably fine specimens. It was stated on Tuesday, in a telegram from Dunedin, that the amount of the loss of the New Zealand Insurance Company in connection with tiie late fire there was £14,000. We are glad to learn, from Messrs. Bethune and Hunter, who represent the company here, that the loss to the office was no more than £4IOO. “An Anxious Member” of the Choral Society writes ;—“lf the meetings of this society are to be set aside to make way for balls, the sooner it is shut up the better. Surely the practice might have been arranged in some way so as not to let a whole fortnight pass without singing together. Were all the committee summoned to a meeting to discuss the matter, or were they consulted on the point?” The City Council meet this afternoon at four o’clock. The business is stated to be “ consideration of resolutions re water services.” An advertisement signed “O. Moody” asks the ratepayers to attend the meeting, to “ state grievances,” “demand redress,” and to believe that their “servants” are “plausible” and “ galling.” The Governors of the Wellington College have intimated early the commencement of the last quarter for the current year. The quarter commences on Monday, the sth October. In yesterday’s issue will be-found the names of'the Visitor,: Governors, Principal, Second Master, Assistant Master, Lecturer in Physical Science, Drawing Master, and Drill Sergeant, with information as to fees, boarding fees, and regulations. Mr. J. P. Hydes, “the oldest actor and ablest manager in New Zealand,” takes a benefit to-night at the Odd Fellows’ Hall. Mr. Hydes deserves a benefit, and it is to be hoped that, on the occasion, he will restrict himself to the duties of actor and manager, in which capacities he is more likely to be appreciated than in furnishing the public with “ the autobiography of the Grif Company,” which means that he (Mr. Hydes) was the company—a very creditable assumption, if it is correct. It is to be regretted that the inclemency of the weather last night militated against the attendance at the Theatre Royal, for there were three distinct causes of attraction, which would have each contributed towards a good house, had the evening been at all favorable. The benefit of Mr. Frank Towers was the first claim on the patronage of the public ; then came the last night of the Loyal Troupe ; and another very strong inducement was the farewell appearance of the talented and popular Miss Rosa Towers. The benefit, unfortunately, could not have been a very substantial one, still the compliment was paid by the profession, and by those of the public who were able to be present. The . Loyal Company leave this afternoon for Wanganui, where they will perform for a short season.

M. Edmond Bourgeois writes to us :—“ I read in one of your evening contemporaries of the 25th inst. an article respecting two paintings on view at the central chambers of Messrs. Sidey and Co. I think, Sir, that the writer has been wrongly informed when he states that the gallery of the Louvre was sacked by the Communists. I was present and saw the whole affair, and I can assure you most positively that the gallery of the Louvre was respected, and that the doors remained under seal during the whole of the Commune. I may further assure you that this gallery is considered sacred by all Frenchmen, and they would believe they were committing the greatest crime should they perpetrate so sacrilegious an act as the one attributed to them. I have seen these pictures, and, as your contemporary observes, “it is impossible to do justice in words to the beauty of these paintings, as they are evidently the chefs d'amvres of one of the old masters, and in the gallery of the Louvre they would certainly be classed in the highest rank.” Two men, named Henry Love and James Wheeler, were charged at the Police Court yesterday with being illegally on the premises of a person named Hutchinson. The latter gave evidence to the effect that ho had been preparing the house in question, which is situated in Maori How, for the use of a tenant, and left the place locked up on Monday evening last ; on going to it the following morning he found the prisoners and a woman occupying the house, and turned them out. He returned in the evening and found that they had again broken into the place and taken up their quarters there, .lying about the rooms, smoking, and making themselves quite at home. On being ordered out they objected, and the complainant went for police assistance and had them arrested. The prisoner Wheeler indignantly asserted -that he was “ lodging at the house,” and seemed quite hurt at having been ejected. The presiding magistrates took into consideration the hardship of the poor fellow having been so summarily deprived of “ his lodgings,” and, thinking a change of residence desirable, ordered that he should, receive accommodation at on institution from which he is not, on any account, to be expelled until the exp'iration of two calendar mouths ; he is, moreover, to be kept supplied with the usual amount of labor during that period. His friend Mr. Love shares his privileges. The punishment of a few drunkards completed the business of the Court.

From Wairarapa a correspondent writes : “ Sir, —The latest news from Wellington announces the meeting of twenty-eight honorable gentlemen, who have constituted themselves into a New Zealand Constitutional Association, and that a large sum of money has been subscribed for the purpose of carrying out the objects of the association. ; As the money which those Provincialists have so liberally subscribed is probably the sprat that is to catch the mackerel, settlers in the outlying districts who want a better form of local self-government than they have under the present Provincial system ought to bo made early acquainted with the objects of those who are prepared to shell Out so liberally in defence of the Constitution. If you would bo good enough to publish their names below this letter, it might assist us outsiders to learn what interest the twentyeight gentlemen have in the question besides working— Pro Bono Publico." The Westland Register received and published telegrams from Messrs. Bonar and White, discouraging any ' expression of opinion on the Provincial question from Westland—the former gentleman stating that it was unnecessary, while the latter went a step further and opiued that it might be mischievous. The recommendations of the hon. members do not seem to have been highly appreciated by the Press and people of tho Province. The copper mines of Now Caledonia are attracting much attention, and it is confidently believed that the deposits of this bre are very extensive, and will prove a source of great wealth to tho French Colony. A shipment has been made of copper ore to Adelaide from Dishoi River, to be sorted there, and those engaged in tho enterprise. anticipate realising a handsome profit. Tho rumored gold discoveries in tho centre of tho Island still require confirmation.

Another discovery of coal near Recfton was recently reported. Tho seam is described by the local Herald as a very superior sample of coal. It is barely a mile distant from Reefton, and as the seam has been proved to be of considerable extent, the proprietors of the mine will doubtless bo able to furnish this fuel at a moderate price to the householders of 'Recfton. It is their intention to forward a sample immediately to the laboratory at Wellington, and to have the coal analytically tested. A quantity of tho coal'was tested in a stove in a confined room, and it was found perfectly.free from disagreeable smell under so specially trying a.test. It burns freely, and is hard and free from dirt. It was further tested in a retort and found to possess all tho qualities of a superior gas coal. .

Another slight shook, of earthquake was noticed at Wanganui on Sunday afternoon at half-past two. A number of traders at Levuka purpose purchasing a steam launch for trading amongst the islands.

Considerable local interest seems to be taken as to the prospects of the completion of the two lines of coal railway now in course of construction on the West Coast of the South Island. The Greymouth Star says :We hear the most encouraging accounts as to the rapid prosecution of the works at Westport in connection with the Mount Eoohfort Railway. The contractor for the job, previous to leaving Greymouth, offered to bet anything from a ten-pound note to a new hat that he would land a truck of coal in Westport by rail before one could be brought into Greymouth by the Brunner line. Our sporting men knowingly shook their heads and declined Mr. McLean’s bets, and judging by the way the different lines are being constructed, we think the Westport contractor might have offered odds. But, putting sport aside, is it not time that some action was taken by the people of Greymouth in connection with the dilatory spirit displayed in the construction of our railway. Why not call a public meeting, and endeavor to find whose fault it is that the line to the coal pits is not in a more advanced state of completion. This work has already been mentioned in the Public Works Statement as in ’ a most unsatisfactory state, and as yet we see no steps being taken to effect any alteration. Judging from present appearances, it will be 1876 before this line to Brunherton is open for coal-carrying purposes, and by that time Westport will have established a rival trade in the material to be exported that must prove seriously injurious to this port. The public works policy of the Colony appears to find favor -with the Sydney Morning Herald. Compared with New South Wales our contemporary considers ours the more symmetrical, the more just, and the more statesmanlike. In a new country immigration is but the complement of railway extension. If the settlement of a new country is to be hastened, there must be speedy, efficient, and cheap means of transit between the interior of a country and its seaboard. We .quote the words of the Sydney Herald dealing with the subject:—“lf we would open up the country by what are in the long run the cheapest and most efficient means of communication obtainable, namely, by railways, they should, to be successful, be pushed through .the length and breadth of the land by the pressure of a constantly inflowing wave of population. The history of settlement in the United States has taught us this lesson, that in a new country railways and immigration should go together. It - may be said that the case of the United States is not parallel to ours. There railways are constructed by private enterprise, and immigration pours in in a constant stream, Vithout any such direct assistance from the State as is given by New Zealand, or has been given in a fitful way by this Colony. But this want of perfect parallelism does not affect the principle of the argument. The fact remains that in the United States rapid railway extension and immigration on such a scale as the world has never witnessed before, have gone together; and, in presence of the fact, it matters not to the argument whether it has or has not been brought about by State expenditure. The immigration has given vitality to the railway system, and the railway system has enabled the ever-increasing population to spread itself, and extend its enterprise and industry over the face of the country.” The steps taken in Taranaki towards the acclimatisation of trout, are thus described by the Herald: —The trout ova expected from Otago, duly arrived by the s.s. Phcebe on the afternoon of Tuesday last, was landed under the care of Mr. Whitcombe, and conveyed to the residence of Mr. Crompton. On Thursday afternoon, the newly-constructed breedingpond intended for their reception being completed, the case was unpacked, and fully 90 per cent, of the ova found to be alive. With great care they were distributed over the bottom of the compartment prepared for their reception; and we can see no reason why they should not be successfully hatched. The pond is situated on the margin of the Waimea rivulet, and is fed by a small stream which falls from Mr. Standish's land in a series of tiny cascades. It is lined and bottomed with kauri timber, and is divided into four compartments, three of which are 8 feet by 9 feet, and the fourth 8 feet by 10 feet; the bottom is well bedded with beach shingle and road metal. Perforated traps admit the water from one compartment to the other; and the whole is covered over with wire netting, to prevent the depredations of oats, shags, and kingfishers. Taking into consideration the very short notice given, the works have been conducted in a way which calls for praise to all concerned in them. Should the experiment prove successful, the pond will remain serviceable for many years.

By the arrival of the Hawaaian schooner Dauntless, at Auckland, the Southern Cross learns that missionary work in Norfolk Island is steadily progressing, and that several of the missionaries, attached to the Norfolk Island mission staff had proceeded by the new mission schooner Southern Cross, which left the island shortly before the arrival there of the Dauntless. At the time of the visit of the Dauntless the Colony seemed to be in a fairly prosperous condition, several new industries had been started, and it was noticeable that there was a marked improvement in the social and moral character of the inhabitants. No event of importance bad occurred since the last visit of the Dauntless, hut there were abundant indications of a growing prosperity in relation to this settlement. Missionary work is being prosecuted diligently. Tho Kevs. Messrs. Brookes, Selwyn, and Codrington, left New Norfolk in the mission schooner Southern Cross, on a missionary tour among the neighboring islands.

It will be remembered that some time ago, an Englishman, named Bateman, shot one of tho French Commandants in New Caledonia, through jealousy, tho officer having, in his opinion, paid improper attentions to his quondam wife. Bateman was tried before a French Court, and banished to an adjacent Island, there to await the sentence which might bo passed upon him. The sentence, with all the due formality of the French ■ Court, was pronounced to the effect that the delinquent should undergo imprisonment for the term of ten years. Bateman, at the time of the receipt of this intelligence, was located on He Non. The Southern Cross , on information received from New Caledonia, says :—lt was understood that Bateman, for whom great sympathy existed amongst tho English residents, would bo despatched to France by the French transport L’Horrre. If he is to serve his ten years in tho galleys in France, it is expected that some monster demonstration will be made by the British subjects residing in New Caledonia, calling upon the mother country to put the Extradition Treaty in force. No other subject has agitated the public rnrud at New Caledonia for a long time to such an extent as the foregoing; and there is little doubt, if news is received that Bateman is dealt harshly with, it may be the cause of disturbance.

Mr. J. E. Denniston, who lately passed in Dunedin as a law practitioner, has become a partner with Mr. Hutchison, of Wanganui. Mr. Denniston, who was well known on the West Coast of the South Island, in tho service of the Bank of New South Wales, passed his legal examinations ’ very creditably, after the usual period of probation in Dunedin, and Wanganui clients, will, no doubt, find themselves efficiently represented by the new firm of Hutchison and Denniston.

Auckland papers report that many stores in course of erection at Kandavau, have boon abandoned in consequence of tho intelligence having come to hand of the withdrawal of the mail service. Much dissatisfaction was expressed when this intelligence was received, and it is stated that serious inconvenience and loss will be sustained thereby by residents at Kandavau, not only by storekeepers and others in business, but also by those indirectly interested in tho continuance of the moil lino. Tho disappointment will, no doubt, be intensified when it is learned that for a time Eiji will not bo visited by the mail steamers.

The Greenstone rush is still the subject of favorable reports. A correspondent of the Grey Fiver Argus writes on the 15th instant:— “ Things at the Greenstone still wear a healthy look; bustle, throng, and activity, appear to be the order of the day at the old township, giving it quite a new life in every respect. Business is good—everyone doing a fair trade. The scene of operations at the new rush is lively and most promising—on the whole, miners generally hold a good opinion of it, and predict with a feeling of confidence an extension of the golden ground. The many claims at present on gold are considered to pay fair wages, with the excellent and encouraging prospect of having large claims to work out. The gold already obtained from some of the claims is a splendid sample and quality, a notable fact which is looked upon by the miners in a most favorable light, as having one of the characteristics of a genuine rush. There are several tunnels going in on each side of the claims on gold, with every hope on the part of the plucky prospectors that there will still be a continuation of the lead.”