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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4209, 16 September 1874, Page 2

The rumor that the clemency of the Crown is about to be extended .to Alexander McDonald has not been confirmed. We understand that the Government has no knowledge of such an intention. In the Supreme Court, in Banco, yesterday, there were only two cases :—Grace v. Diver, in which His Honor delivered judgment on a demurrer, and Vincent v. James, in which the defendant obtained leave to appeal against a judgment delivered at the last sittings in Banco on giving security for coats. The following notice has been sent by the captain of the Strathnaver to each consignee of cargo by that ship:—“ Wellington, 14th September, 1874. Sir, —I hereby give you notice that the ship Strathnaver, her freight and cargo, were this day arrested in a cause of salvage, civil and maritime, at the suit of Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull and Co., and that the cargo consigned to you cannot be delivered until you have released the same, by giving bail or otherwise. And take further notice, that unless you obtain such release with all convenient speed you will be charged with demurrage for any delay in clearing the ship.” We understand that Messrs. Buckley and Jackson had an interview yesterday with the Hon. Minister for Public Works, with a view of bringing under his notice the desirability of offering greater railway facilities to the residents at the Hutt. It was represented that the present charge for annual tickets (£2O 7a. 4d.) was excessive, and that if it were reduced, and monthly family tickets issued at reasonable rates, probably 9. large number of townspeople would reside at the Hutt. The necessity for running early and late trains was also strongly dwelt upon. Mr. Richardson promised to favorably consider the various suggestions made by the deputation. A remarkable and ferocious-looking sea animal ,is now on view at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, where it will remain until Thursday evening. The curiosity is a fine specimen of the leopard seal, measuring nine feet five inches in length, and three feet in girth, and has a beautifully soft silky hair coating, marked like the leopard, and in other points resembling that animal. The fore fins arc used both forswimming and walking, and the hinder limbs, which are particularly strong and muosular, and let into the body on remarkably power-fully-jointed hips, are used to walk on and spring from. It was lulled on the West Coast of this island, near Otaki, by two men who were travelling with a mob of cattle. When first seen it was busily engaged in devouring a sheep, and when one of the bullocks approached it, it immediatly sprang up and attacked it, chasing the animal for some distance. The men then rode up, and the seal stood on its hind limbs and showed fight in'a determined manner, showing his hm mense tusks ferociously. - The men tried to capture it by throwing a rope over the head ; but as fast as it was put round the neck it was bitten through. Finally, the death of the seal was effected by one of the horsemen riding behind it, whilst it pursued the other, and by striking it over the head with a stirrup-iron. In the absence of the men for a short time, some Natives commenced skinning the monster, consequently the skin is a little hacked, tut the cuts have been sewn-up, and those who wish to see it will find it in its entirety, and well worth a visit. The owners propose showing it at the Hutt on Friday, and offering it for sale in Wellington on Saturday. A tea and public meeting was held at the Manners Street Wesleyan Church last evening, and was very numerously attended. The tables were cleared at about half-past six, and interesting addresses were then delivered by the Revs. Messrs. Morley, Richardson, Lewis, Paterson, Moir, West, Ward, Hogg, and Ridley. During the evening the choir rendered several excellent sacred selections very tastefully and effectively, and the meeting passed off with great success. An ordinary fortnightly meeting of the City Council will be held on Thursday first at four o’clock, p.m. The proceedings at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday were unimportant. A moderately well attended meeting of the Colts’ Cricket Club was held at the Pier Hotel last evening, when office-bearers for the ensuing season were appointed, and some preliminary business was transacted. The conveyance of a hundred tons of railway material to Greymouth is the subject of tender, to be addressed to the Minister for Public Works till noon on Friday, the 18th inst. The Colonial Architect calls for tenders fertile timber required in the erection of the new General Government Departmental Offices in .Wellington. Specifications are to be seen in various towns throughout the . Colony, and tenders must be sent in to the Minister for Public Works before noon on Monday, the 28th iust.