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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4252, 5 November 1874, Page 2

His Excelhucy the Governor left Wellington on Mouthy last on a visit to the West Coast of this province. He arrived the same evening at Otaki, where a large number of natives of thst and surrounding districts had assembled. His Excellency was warmly welcomed by Wi Parata, Martin Te Wiwi, and other influential natives, some of whom had come a long distance. His Excellency will visit the townships in the Eangitikei and Manawatu districts, and return to Wellington overland. It is stated on good authority that a redistribution of the Judges of the Supreme Court will take pkee at the conclusion of the sittings of the Court of Appeal. Sir George Arney is to remain ir. Wellington, Judge Johnston will remove eitlur to Dunedin or Auckland, Judge Richmond vill probably remaiu in his present location, and so probably will Judge Gresson. Judge Chapman is expected to retire from the Bench, and Sir George Amey goes home to England in February next, when, it is said, he will be succeeded by Mr. Prendergast as Chief J ustice. The Judges of the Supreme Court will shortly assemble for the sittings of the Court of Appeal, Sir George Arney is expected to arrive in Wellington on Saturday or Sunday, Judge Chapman and Judge Gresson on Friday, and Judge Richmond on Saturday. Judge Jolmstou may not arrive until the middle of next week, or account of the Supreme Court Sittings at Wanganui being unusually protracted. The out-going San Francisco mail will be taken by the s.s. Mikado, Captain Moore, which is ad vortised to sail from Auckland on the 25th inst., for Sail Francisco. The ship is a very comfortable one, and fast; and Captain Moore, her commander, bears a very high character, both as a seaman and a gentleman. The mail steamer City of Melbourne, with the incoming English mail via San Francisco, should be heard of in a very short time. Sire sailed from that port on the 12th of October, and if the round about course via Fiji were followed the ship would be due in Auckland on the Bth instant. It is supposed, however, that by coming direct from Honolulu to Auckland, three days would be saved. The City of Melbourne, therefore, may be reported to-morrow, if she has had ordinary good weather across the Pacific. Tire ship Star of India, for this port with immigrants, was signalled on Tuesday forenoon, five miles from Lyttelton, by the s.s. Alhambra. The strong northerly wind that has since blown will probably detain the ship at the entrance to the Strait till a shift takes place. The Star of India brings Mr. and Mrs. MoKelvie and family, and Miss Stewart, as cabin passengers, and 375 immigrants, equal to 2904 statute adults. She sailed from London on the 29th of July, and consequently has now been out ninety-eight days. Our maritime readers will, no doubt, hail with considerable satisfaction the notice inserted in our shipping column, which was lately published by the Telegraph Department, to the effect that masters of vessels can now obtain information as to the state of the weather by telegraph, at greatly reduced rates. These messages must be sent to the HarborMasters, and are to be forwarded as “ replypaid” telegrams; the cost to the sender being only sixpence, practically reduces the amount charged to threepence each way. Our seafaring friends have thus the advantage of being able to receive information upon subjects specially connected with their calling at a very low rate—• a privilege not enjoyed by any other class of the community, and for which they are indebted to the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Commissioner of Customs, whoso well-known interest in matters connected with shipping has induced him to exert himself thus favorably in behalf of our mercantile marine. During Tuesday afternoon a fall of the barometer took place over the whole colony. At the Bluif it was a very rapid movement, and a hard westerly gale blew there during the night. A strong gale from the same quarter set in at Westport, whilst it was aLo blowing vary har’d here from the north-west at the same time. Yesterday's weather report showed that the downward movement was still in progress, and that there was a low barometer still to tiro westward. During tho day tiro sky wore a very unsettled look ; tho barometer fell slowly, and the wind, which had been blowing strongly from the north-west, became unsteady towards evening, with hard and sudden gusts. The sweepstakes at tho Pier Hotel on the Wellington Cup has met with the success anticipated. Last night there were only fifty chances left open. The list will probably be filled before tiro end of tiro present week, but the drawing for horses is not to take place before tire 24th instant. A good deal of money will change hands in Wellington on the result of the Melbourne Cup race being known, and tho arrival of the first boat—tho Otago—from Melbourne is being eagerly waited for by gentlemen interested in the result. Tho race will bo run to-day, and the Otago (though advertised for Tuesday) will probably bo delayed till Thursday evening. Tiro registrar of births and deaths took out twenty summonses yesterday against persons who have neglected to comply with tho provisions of the Public' Health Act, which requires that every child shall he vaccinated within six months after birth. It should bo understood that tho registrar has no option in tho matter, as the terms of tho Act are imperative, not only that tho vaccination shall bo performed, but that tire certificate of tire vaccinating officer shall be returned to the registrar within the time specified. Another batch of defaulters will shortly ho summoned, so tlrat prompt action on the part of tirose who have neglected to vaccinate their children may save expense and trouble.

Four charges of insubordination -'on the high seas against four of the crew of the ship Helen Denny will be heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning. His Excellency’s yacht, the Blanche, we observe, is to be sold by auction at Auckland, on the 22nd instant. The Blanche was built in 1868, and classed A 1 for thirteen years. She is C 3 tons register. Mr. Bainford, the late basso of the English Opera Company.—who seceded from the troupe at Wanganui—is said to be likely to settle in that thriving township, probably as a teacher of music and singing. The privileges of collecting at the gate and grand stand, and of dispensing refreshments from booths at the Basin Reserve, on Monday next, ■will be offered at auction by Mr. B. Levy, at 2 o’clock to-day. The attendance at the Theatre Royal last evening did not accord with the merits of the performance. “Aline,” and “The Loan of a Lover” constituted the evening’s entertainment. As the members of the Choral Society will have very few more opportunities of perfecting themselves for the forthcoming concert, there should be a large attendance at this evening’s rehearsal. The concert is definitely fixed for Tuesday week, the 27th. No civil cases were heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, in consequence of the absence of the Resident Magistrate at the Hutt Court. Two drunkards were brought up before a Justice of the Peace, and dismissed noth a caution. That the town of Gisborne has become of considerable importance is made evident by the fact that a ship will load wool for Home from Poverty Bay this season. It is understood that the Queen Bee, now lying at Napier,' will be the “maiden” ship from that promising port. It may interest some of the farmers of New Zealand to know that at a late meeting of persons engaged in the grain trade in Victoria it was resolved that up to the "end of the year the price of bags containing grain be 9d. each; but that after that date, bags be weighed in and no tare allowed for them. Tenders have been called for by the Government of Western Australia, for the construction of a line of overland telegraph between Perth and Adelaide. That Government is also about to form a quarantine station in the inner harbor of Albany, better known as Queen Charlotte Sound. The scene is not unattractive and should be healthy. The man Fitzgerald, who was sentenced to three months and a whipping for assaulting a child of tender years at Wanganui, is to have the latter part of his sentence inflicted in a day or two. The instrument of torture, a carefully-prepared “ cat,” has been forwarded from head-quarters here. A thoroughly efficient fiagellator has been secured for the occasion. The police of Hokitika seem to be particularly active in their efforts to enforce some of the more obnoxious provisions of some late enactments. Their last effort has been in connection with the Employment of Females Act, under which three drapers and one dressmaker have been summoned for neglecting to register the names of their female employees, and the hours of their labor. A Maori’s notion of a bargain was lately exemplified in the produce market on the foreshore at AVanganui. A settler bought a ton of potatoes from a Maori for £8 10s. As soon as the bargain was concluded, he went in search of a dray to take them away. AVhen he came back, he found to his astonishment that the Maori had sold them to someone else for £lO. Arguing the point was useless, and the original purchaser had to look for another seller-. The Maoris in AVauganui, says the Herald, considering the prices charged for admission to the Opera too high, made what appeared to be an attempt at opposition on Saturday morning. Six or seven women were standing in one of the streets yelling out some of their songs, some of their own color standing around admiringly. A cloud of dust sweeping past put a stop to their efforts. In all probability the boys of the city will to-day remind their elders that this is Guy Fawkes Day. They will most likely try the wretched Guy over again, and perform summary justice upon him, hoy fashion, as their fathers did before thtm. Numerous masks of all kinds have been in the shop windows for days past, and from the number with which the juveniles were able to disguise themselves in their frolics yesterday afternoon, there would seem to have been a considerable chaw upon the money-boxes. As we anticipated in yesterday’s issue, Madame Arabella Goddard has woke up the good people of Nelson. According to our telegraphic intelligence the tocsin of the great pianiste has not been sounded in vain. For the queen of pianistes even the Provincial Hall was not sufficiently capacious to accommodate the crowd of visitors. And so will it be in AVelliugton. Scores of professional companies may traverse the colonies, and achieve more or less success; but no sooner docs a great artiste appear —a world-celebrity who has run the gauntlet of criticism all over Europe—than a sensible and appreciating public flock to hear her. Mrs. Smythe and the other assisting artists also appear to have been highly successful in winning the good c pinion of the Nelson community. Among other amusements advertised for the Prince of AVales' Birthday, ai-e trips to Somes Island by the steamers Napier and Stormbird. Tlie privilege of lauding excursionists on the island has, however, been made conditional, and in the event of the passengers by the Star of India, which may be expected at any moment, requiring the quarantine barracks, Lowry Bay or some favorite place will bo substituted. A Border journal of New South Wales reports that a mounted-trooper named Egan,, while riding near Albany, in attendance on His Honor Mr. Justice Cheek, was attacked in the most ferocious manner by two magpies. They flew at his head, and struck at him simultaneously, wounding him on the back of the ears with beaks and talons, and doing him so much injury before he could free himself from them that he was confined to bed for several days. In another column will' be found an announcement of considerable interest to farmers and breeders of stock—we refer to the intended sale by private bargain, of three magnificent bulls, just imported by the ship Lennox Castle. They were bought at the great sale of the stock bred by Messrs. Leney and Son, Orpines, AVatoringbury, Kent. They were purchased by Mr. Larkworthy, one “ First Lord," fetching 210 guineas; the second, “The Royal Prince,” bringing 140 guineas; and the third, “ Charming Prince,” 81 guineas. They are likely to be shown, we understand, at the Exhibition at Christchurch, on the 12th inst., where they will, no doubt, attract great attention. Other first-class stock—in sheep—are mentioned as for sale. The importation is a most important one, and the disposal of the stock will no doubt occasion great interest and considerable competition. A distressing accident happened yesterday morning on board the Halcione, by which Mr. Johnson, of the firm of Hindge & Johnson, stevedores, sustained very severe injuries. In course of loading the ship, it was the duty of one of tho hands employed by Mr. Johnson to tumble the dumped bales of wool over the combing of the hatch, and let them fall into the hold. Some “ double dumps,” two bales pressed together, wore being stowed at the time of the accident, and through want of proper precaution, either on tho part of Mr. Johnson or tho man who lowered the bales, one of them fell upon Mr. Johnson, who was standing under tho hatchway. The bale knocked him down, and fell on his side with such force as to break several of his ribs, and fracture his thigh. Drs. Diver and Harding were immediately sent for, and Dr. Diver being first on the spot, means were at once adopted to counteract the effects of tho shock to the system. Mr. Johnson, who is a man approaching fifty years of ago, suffered great pain, and was conveyed to his residence, where he was attended by Dr. Diver.

At Wanganui potatoes are now selling at 14s. per cwt. The fruit season is expected to be indifferent, owing to the long prevalence of high winds, and the early crops of vegetables have been all but destroyed in that neighborhood.

Portions of the Wanganui waterworks plant, consisting of pipes, cement, &c., were discharged into the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company’s hulk European yesterday. Prom the exceptional care taken whilst it was being stowed, very few portions of it should turn out in a damaged condition. We learn from the London correspondent of the Otago Daily Times that Mr. J. A. Froude, the historian, has retired from the editorship of Frazer's Magazine , his successor being Mr. W. Allingham, a poet of some note, and a Civil List pensioner. Mr. Froude sailed on the 22nd August for the Cape of Good Hope, which is to be his first stage in a journey to be made by him round the world, occupying about two years. The statement is also made that Mr. Carlyle has appointed Mr. Froude his literary executor, and has furnished him with all the materials reipiiaite for writing his (Mr. Carlyle’s) biography at his decease. The settlers of Lower Bangitikei, says the ‘ Wanganui Herald, are not at all satisfied with the new mail and coach arrangements. If a settler wishes to go to Wanganui or Wellington, he has no choice, if he wants to travel by coach, but to ride first to either Bull’s or Foxton. The change is not an advantageous one to that part of the district. One of the reasons for changing is, that the line will now pass through a larger tx-aot of settled country. But when it is considered that the one part is already opened by a tramway, and that the Napier coach passes along the remainder of it, we can attach very little importance to this one. A better reason given is, that the road, and especially the Tutaeuui stream, are too often impassable in Lower Bangitikei. A correspondent of a Wanganui contemporary writes as follows as to the state of Greytown :— “Greytown is in a fearful mess —much worse than you would think judging by newspaper accounts. No part of it is safe. It is very certain the river cannot remain as it is, but whether it will cut out a channel near Dr. Smith’s, at the north-east end of the town, or at the Eising Sun Hotel at the other end, ■no one can tell; at present it is every where, and a number of formerly nice places are completely ruined. I don’t think it at all improbable that the result of these floods will be not only that the railway will be taken under the hills, as originally intended, but the main road also, as it will be absolutely impossible to keep the road open and fit for traffic through Greytown. Already it has cost a great deal of money, and the cost of it is annually increasing.” The late Captain McLerie, Inspector-General of the Police Force of New South Wales—whose death was telegraphed a few days ago —was a veteran of the New Zealand .war. The Sydney Town and Country Journal, in noticing that portion of his career, says : “In a general order dated the 9th of May, 1845, issued after the attack on Mawai (New Zealand), the officer-commanding expressed his admiration of the daring intrepidity of the detachment of Boyal Marines and 96th Begimeut under the command of Lieutenant and Adjutant McLerie of the 58th Begiment, in advancing under a heavy and galling fire from the pa to their position preparatory to storming it, and during the day repelling at the point of the bayonet, three desperate attacks made upon them by the chief Eawiti. In a regimental order in reference to the same event, the commanding-officer commended the individual bravery of Lieutenant McLerie. With reference to the attack on Ohaowai, on the Ist of July, 1845, Major Bridge, the officer in temporary command of the sSth Begiment, in writing to Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, Lieutenant McLerie was specially mentioned as having displayed individual bravery. After the capture of Buapikapika in January, 1846, Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, in a regimental order, expressed to Lieutenant McLerie his warmest thanks for the ready support received from him on that important event, as well as every other occasion in which his services had been required.” Captain McLerie failed to obtain a Victoria Cross; that he was entitled to some distinction, is abundantly shown by reference to him in the several general and regimental orders in 1845 and 1846. In 1870 he received the medal granted by the Queen for distinguished services in New Zealand. The New York payers, says the Tasmanian Tribune, are full of pictures of married misery. Amongst the more recent of these is the report of a divorce suit in New York, in which James B. White and Annie E. White, husband and wife, appear. The interest in this case, the details of which are by no means exceptional, is, that White was for two or three years United States Consul at the Bay of Islands for New Zealand. His wife remained behind him at a school of the Sisters of Mercy. On his return, events transpired which led to the divorce proceedings. Some excitement was occasioned in Hokitika yesterday, says the West Coast Times of the 29th ultimo, on it being stated that a welcome little stranger in the shape of a nugget, weighing 350z5., had been unearthed within a few miles of Hokitika. The rumor proved to be perfectly correct, for Mr. Balph Levy sold it to the Union Bank. It is shoulder of mutton shape, perfectly pure and free from quartz or other foreign matter, and has a hole through what we may term the shank portion of it. One side of it is discolored, as though it had been exposed to the air, or been covered by moss, or other vegetable substance, that would stain it. It was got near Greek’s Gully, and only between two and three feet from the surface. The fortunate finders were Pennington and party.