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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4211, 18 September 1874, Page 2

The p.a. Luna, with the San Francisco mails, which she received at the Manukau, arrived in harbor about four o’clock yesterday afternoon, in time to place the Southern mails on board the Phoebe. They have thus met with the utmost despatch. The Luna had not been telegraphed from Taranaki, and the weather during the forenoon was so thick that no signal made from Mount Victoria could be read in town. Captain Fairchild has to bo complimented, therefore, on the skill which enabled him to bring the Luna safely into port, under such unfavorable circumstances, and in “ the nick of time.” The mail was sorted and delivered in the course of the afternoon with the utmost despatch. Tire; forthcoming sale is ' announced in another column of a hundred thousand acres of Crown lands in the Province of Wellington. The date fixed is the 20th proximo, and the place the Provincial Council Chambers. The lands are described as being arable and pastoral, and they lie chiefly in the northern division of the Province! In the Parakaretu Flock, adjoining the Eangitikei district, there are 4*1,000 acres, and in the Akiteo and Pahaira Flocks, on the Hast Coast, 13,000 acres. In noticing the imports of the Colony for the past year a week or two ago, we mentioned various articles that were now imported annually to considerable amount, and which we thought the Colony should bo able to manufacture for itself. Amongst them was wool-bags, which it is thought might bo made hero of native hemp. We are glad to observe that the same idea had occurred, to some settlors in the Province of Auckland, and that the manufacture of hags from New Zealand hemp has now been commenced at the works of Messrs. Fraser and Tinue, at the Northern Wairoa. The material is found to he admirably adapted for the purpose, and those who are now working it up into the humble form of bags are disposed to think that it will be well-suited for other textile fabrics of a rough kind. ' * Many will hear with regret the news of the death of Mrs. Sam Howard, the hostess of the Bank Hotel, Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. Howard came to the Colony some years ago, and for a time were leading members of a dramatic company .at the Theatre Royal, Dunedin. At intervals, subsequently, they both appeared on the stage in several of the cities of the Colony, and Mrs, Howard was always a favorite with an audience, being a clever actress in comedy. But she had other and homely qualities which made her afavorite with all who met her, and especially with those who had occasion to become acquainted with her as a hostess. On holidays, the Anderson’s Bay Hotel, Dunedin, was a familiar resort because of the urbanity and industry of the landlady, and the Bank Hotel was, for the same reasons,\ frequented by professional and personal friends. In some of the other Colonies, Mrs. Howard will be remembered as a pleasing actress, and her death will bo regretted by hundreds to whose entertainment and amusement she has contributed by .her appearances on the stage.

The s.s. Stormbird took the Wanganui portion of the Sau Francisco mail last night. A meeting of the Board of Education takes place on Monday'next, the ‘2lst instant, at 11 o’clock, a.m. His Excellency’s yacht returned to her moorings at 9 o’clock this morning, after a short cruise. Soon afterwards the Governor’s flag was flying once more from, the tower of Government House. We observe that the Loyal Troupe have Just concluded a successful season at. Wanganui. They go on to Christchurch, and will return to Wellington. The s.s. Phoebe, which sailed for the South last night, carried with her from Picton, for Canterbury, three representatives of Mr. Redwood's stud, to take part in the forthcoming races there. An entertainment is advertised to take place at the Odd Fellows’ Hall on Saturday evening, when Mr. C. H. Newton will appeal', “ supported by a host of talent.” Sixteen large water-color paintings of New Zealand scenery, from original sketches by the Hon. Mr. Fox, are to be disposed of to subscribers to Art-union, the proceeds of which arc to be devoted to the Temperance Hall Bazaar Fund. * Most of the consignees of cargo cx Stratlinaver are now entering into the necessary bond to allow the discharge and delivery of the cargo, which had been suspended pending the decision of the Vice-Admiralty Court on the proceedings against the ship, at the instance of Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull and Co., for salvage. A novel importation was noticed at Poverty Bay a few days ago. It was a consignment of sixteen frogs, from Auckland. 'They arrived safely in a large glass jar, and originally came from Australia. They are excellent purifiers of waiter, and their “ croak, croak,” if rather monotonous, is not uninteresting in “ the stilly Might.” The arrangements for the Star Club’s soiree are now completed ; and judging by the number of tickets which have been disposed of, a large attendance may be counted on. The Choral Society has kindly consented to assist, by giving some choice selections, so that a very pleasant evening may be anticipated. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, several drunkards were fined, and an order was made for payment of certain arrears due on a protection order by a man named Dowling, who was brought up on warrant to s]iow cause why he should not contribute a certain sum per week towards the maintenance of his wife, according to an order made some time ago. In the civil business, the only case decided was Clelaud v. Brown, £2O 12s. 7d., in which judgment was given for the amount with costs. " It will be observed from the mail notices in another column, that the Suez mail to be despatched hence by the s.s. Tararua will close at 7 o’clock p.m. on Saturday, the 26th instant. We may add that the Otago was detained at the Bluff till yesterday morning, although telegraphed on Wednesday as having sailed at 4 p.m. on that day. The Otago will probably sail from Port Chalmers this evening, and reach Wellington on Sunday or Monday. Our innocent contemporary, the Tribune, is fond of occasionally catching up, or Intending to do so, waters in other journals ; but, like some others, if watched with an eye for petty mistakes, might be caught tripping, and that not Yesterday, for example, he says:—“There is no truth in the statement that Mr. Kennaway, of Christchurch, has been appointed Secretary to the AgentGeneral [a statement, by-the-way, which did not'appear in the Time s]. The successor to Dr. Walter Duller in this office is Mr. Cashel Hoey, who is known in Colonial circles, and went Home from Melbourne with the AgentGeneral of Victoria. He is perhaps better known, however (if we may use an Irishism in connection with an Irishman), as the husband of Ms wife, the celebrated novelist, Mrs. Cashel Hocy.” It will, no doubt, astonish our contemporary to learn that Mr. Cashel Hoey never was in Victoria. He was ajipointed by Sir Charles Gavan Duffy on grounds of personal friendship’ .He was unknown in Victoria, and was superseded as soon as Mr. Francis succeeded to office. A Native chief of, some importance in the Thames district paid a visit to Shortland lately incognito, and was well received. He was made acquainted for the first time with some of the wonders of pakeha life, and appears to have been pleasantly but overwhelmingly surprised by some of them. The Advertiser reports of Te Hira’s visit thus It was suggested to him by Mr. A. J. Allom that he might 'take a drive through Shortland and Grahamstown in a close carriage, and visit the Telegraph Office, where he might, if he pleased, communicate with the Native Minister. Te Hira readily agreed, it being understood that he would probably not be recognised by European or Maori. A carriage was procured, and Te Hira started off, accompanied by Mr. Allom, Mr. A. Hogg, and Mr, J. Gibbous. The Telegraph Office was visited, where the working of the system was explained to Te Hira by Mr, Bull. Messages were sent by Te Hira to Napier, Maketu, Rotorua, Taurauga, Katikati, Taupo, Wellington, ami other places. At some of these places Te Hira had friends, who replied. A message of a friendly natiive was sent by Te Hira to the Native Minister. In reply, Sir Donald McLean stated his satisfaction at receiving the communication, and also his intention, 'at Te Hira’s request, of visiting Te Hira and his people as soon as possible. The party then went to the Manukau battery, and afterwards at the Governor Bowen Hotel. Before leaving Grahamstown, the railway train from Tararu excited the attention of Te -Hira, who appeared to be much pleased at having seen it. It was explained to him that he had now seen the pakeha system of carrying words by wire, and passengers and cargo by the railway, Te Hira might then . have been taken to see the big pump and down the Bright Smile shaft, but he appeared, shortly after lunch, to be satiated with sight-seeing, and remarked that he had seen enough of the workings of the pakeha for one day. He was then brought back to his location in Shortlanx].” Mr. Holloway is now making a “progress” through the Province of Auckland, in company with the Superintendent. It was originally supposed that a month would suffice for the purposes of the trip, but by arrangement with Mr. Vogel before his departure, the; Colony became responsible for Mr. Holloway’s expenses for six weeks. The Thames Advertiser says :—“ It is proposed that Mr. Holloway should spend a day or perhaps two in visiting the mines in this place, and then that he should go up the Thames River. We would suggest that he might go to the head waters of the ' Thames and Piako, to the borders of the Waikato country. After returning to Auckland, Mr. Holloway is to visit the country north of Auckland, going by sea to Maugonui, and then returning by the settlements to Kaipara. He will then go to Waikato, then by Tauranga to Taupo and Napier, and then back to Wellington.” But the Advertiser is more than a day behind the fair when it supposes that on his return to this City he would have an opportunity of “seeing Mr. Vogel.” AUCKLAND. The summit of Mount Eden has now been fenced in and planted with about three hundred trees. r An additional Native school is Mahout to bo established in the Bay of Plenty district, between Cape Runaway and Opotiki, where there is a large Native population. A largo greenstone mere has just been completed by one of the jewellers of Auckland, for Major Wilson, of Cambridge. The mere is intended for a present for one of the Maori chiefs. It has taken three months to cut and polish, A reform league has been formed at Auckland, and has held its first meeting. The following resolutions were adopted;—“hirst, < That the time has now arrived when the Provincial institutions in New Zealand should be abolished.' Second, ‘That members of the Reform League be enrolled on a yearly subscription of five shillings.’ '\

“A Bay of Plenty chief, named Mavton,” says a correspondent of the Ncv) Zealand Herald “ has lately passed away from amongst us at a ripe age, to the deep regret of all who knew him. He possessed excellent qualities, and delighted in promoting the welfare of both Natives and Europeans. Being—as he was—fully persuaded that peace and industry are essential to the prosperity, happiness, and comfort of the Natives, he invariably inculcated implicit obedience to the laws of the country, as 'well as diligence in the pursuit of every, honest calling—deprecating in no measured terms, tribal feuds and party strifes amongst them ; and was the first to take the ‘most effective steps for quelling such whenever occasion presented itself for his Such was his influence that he seldom failed to bring about an amicable reconciliation, and was often complimented by the disaffected parties for his timely mediation and salutary counsel.” Over two hundred young trout have been sent by the Acclimatisation Society to Riverhead, and placed in the .streams of that district. 144 of them were placed in a stream at the Whau, where nearly 400 had been previously placed and had been found to do well. Three hundred have also been sent recently to the Bay of Islands district. These trout were over a thousand in all, that were hatched out from about two thousand ova. sent up from Dunedin, by the Acclimatisation Society there. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Horticultural Society, held a few days ago, a balance-sheet produced was not of a very satisfactory character. The subscriptions and donations received during the year only amounted to three guineas. The receipts at the November exhibition were £43 13s. 6d., There was an overdraft of £22 at the bank ; the Society had not paid all the prizes awarded; a number- of debts were due ; and the only asset was a marquee. The report was adopted, but the mover .and seconder both spoke of extravagance of management, and thought “ a little more care should be exercised in the management of the Society.” NELSON. The Agricultural Society has resolved to hold a ram show on the 4th of November. ‘ Captain Marshall, who arrived from Wellington a few days ago, has been appointed to_ the charge of the Nelson Militia and Volunteer district. A road is about to be constructed, at the cost of the Province, between the Devil’s Grip and the Owen. This is the place which Mr. Vogel playfully suggested might be more euphoniously but equally suggestively named “ the Superintendent’s Grip.” A curious case was before tire Magistrate a day or two ago. A lady passenger by the s.s. Wellington was side and in so nervous a condition that even “ the rude music” of a concertina was distressing to her. , There was on board a musically-inclined seaman named Greenleaf, who liked to play on the instrument just named, and who had none' in his nature of , the gallantry which the poets have always \ ascribed to the British sailor. Greenleaf would persist in playing while the ship was in Nelson, and the lady importuned in vain that the irritating musical noise might cease. At last Captain Carey was asked to interfere to stop the annoyance. He did so, but the obstinate musician still refused to cease his noise, and the end was that he forfeited two days’ wages and went to gaol for seven days. Greenleaf must have been “music mad.” A late patient of Recfton Hospital seems to have been rather a rowdy character. After he was discharged cured, having conceived some ill-will to Constable Meredith, he used’ his recovered strength to assault that officer in a most desperate manner. For that assault he has been tried at Ahaura, and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Her Majesty’s ship Blanche, drawing 17£t. of water, has entered the harbour, and now lies snugly at anchor, off Cross Wharf. She is an object of great attraction to f the public. Some of the sailors, who belong to a lodge of Good Templars, attended a meeting of- that body, and spoke very strongly as to the good effects they had felt from belonging to the body, and of the kindness they had received from the lodges wherever they had been. Fifteen of the officers and crew had a game of football with a Nelson team, which is thus described by the Colonist: —“‘Kick-off’ was followed by a terrific charge from the sailors, who came pluckily down on the landsmen, only to be sent back (liter the ball, which kept unpleasantly near their goal. Many hard-fought scrimmages took place during the first twenty minutes near the touch-line, for the possession of the ball, which at last was sent by a neat kick from Speed over the bar, thus scoring one for Nelson. Nothing daunted,, the sailors .continued the game, but want of practice now' told on them, and in a short time Blundell hadscored a second goal for the town. Play continued till five o’clock without any further result, and when time was called, the victory rested with Nelson by two goals. The sailors throughout played pluckily and well, and in ‘ following' up ’ gave our players a lesson well worthy of imitation. A great number of scrimmages took place, partly in consequence of the neat way the sailors had of stopping a player attempting to run. They had themselves peculiar ideas of the relative effects of concussion and rebound, for generally when a sailor charged a landsman he would, if resisted, cannon off on his nearest neighbor, and with him come to the ground.- With the exception of an unpleasant blow on the head, received by an officer belonging to the Blanche, " no accident occurred, and throughout the game was played with the utmost good temper. On leaving the ground, cheers were given for the visitors and heartily returned.” A complimentary dinner to Messrs. G. L. Maclean, M.P.C., E. Baigent, M.P.C., and J. Kerr, M.P.C., was given on the night of Sept. 11, in the long room of. the Empire Hotel, at .Westport. A sumptuous dinner (says the Bidlcr News) was provided by host Hughes in his best style, and nearly fifty gentlemen, representing the wealth and influence of Westport and the neighboring districts, assembled at the festive board. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. Humphrey) presided, and Mr. Shapter acted as vice-chairman. After the usual toasts the . company gave themselves up to genuine enjoyment, and the festivities were prolonged until the small hours.