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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4256, 10 November 1874, Page 2

The sittings of the Court of Appeal began yesterday morning, at 11 o’clock. Only three Judges were present—Sir George Amoy, Mr. Justice Richmond, and' Mr. Justice Gresaon—but there was an unusually strong muster of members of the bar. Yesterday being a general holiday, the sitting would probably have been a formal one, but for the intimation thrown out by the Chief Justice that he wished to begin the business of the Court, as he would have return to Auckland rather earlier than he had anticipated. His Honor leavoa-WoUingfcou- ftlrouli -Ulc 20lli Inatr.' Tully v. Ngatuere, being a short case, was at once proceeded with, and at the conclusion of Mr. Brandon's argument for the plaintiff, the Court adjourned. The absence of the Attorney-General and Mr. Travers from the Court of Appeal at its opening yesterday was rather remarkable, and not without its difficulties, for several cases, which were selected by their Honors as likely to lead to a short day’s business, had to be set aside on account of the absence of the two eminent barristers. It was explained that the Attorney-General would probably arrive today, and Mr. Travers to-morrow. As it was, there was an unusual array of gowns and horsehair, for the assemblage of local barristers was augmented by the presence of three members of the profession who are interested in tire Hokitika Tramway case. A longer list of cases has never been presented to the Court of Appeal than that of the present quarter. ■ Four more cases were set down yesterday, the following being the complete list :—Vennell v. Brandon, Dodson v. Macandrew, Barton and others v. Howe, Receiver of Land Revenue Southland v. the Queen, Caahmoro v. Maney, Passmore v. the Bank of New South Wales, Vincent v. James, Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company v. County Council of Westland, Burns v. Otago and Southland Investment Company, Harding v. Galbraith, Strachau v. Lyon, Russell v. Sealy, Allen v. Anderson, Otago and Southland Investment Company v. Bums, and Tally v. Ngatuere. The latter case was partly heard yesterday. After all there was foundation for the signals of distress from the outer signal station when fhc brigantine Enterprise was last leaving this port. It appears the Enterprise had cargo on board for Orongorongo, a sheep station a few miles from the lighthouse. Upon arrival there tho brigantine was anchored, and tho cargo for the place put into the ship’s boat. The boat successfully landed her freight, but in. the meantime the wind, which was blowing off shore, had increased considerably. In their efforts to reach the vessel, the boat’s crew were blown beyond her, and after battling for a long time, found their attempts' to get back unavailing. The wind at times was so violent as to blow the oars out of tho rowlocks. Captain Campbell and the cook were the only persons left on board, and the former deemed it best to endeavor to reach tho boat by paying out cable. This expedient would not answer. Lines were attached to the cable’s end, the topsail was hoisted so as to cause tho ship to drag, hut still the boat made leeway. As a last resource the cable was slipped, and tho vessel allowed to drift down on tho boat. Tho crew were picked up, exhausted by their exertions, hut with no other misfoituno. The lighthousekeepers saw tho predicament, and made signals to Mr. Sawyer, who faithfully repeated them to the Mount Victoria station. It is scarcely necessary to remind our readers that Madame Arabella Goddard’s concert comes off this evening in the Odd Fellows’ Hall, under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Forgusson. The first appearance in Wellington of the great pianisto has been the principal topic of conversation during the last few days; and it is known that there will be a fashionable and crowded audience to welcome Madame Goddard and the talented artistes she has brought with her. To save visitors from the annoyance that arises from tho crowding round tho pay-boxes that usually takes place on special nights, tickets for all parts of the hall will ho sold during the day; and to enable visitors to get to their engaged seats more easily, passages have been left down tho sides of the reserved seats as well as in the centre. The long-deferred Stratlmaver case will probably bo brought to trial next week In addition to legal expenses, the vessel is being detained at a cost of j£4o a day demurrage, which will of course have to be homo by tho losing side. The satisfaction of fighting the case out to tho lost will, therefore, ho dearly bought by one side or the other; and, having recognised this fact, an endeavor is to ho made to get one of the Judges to try the case at as early a date as possible.

Xu the absence of a quorum, there was no meeting of the Education Board yesterday. The Chief Justice leaves Wellington for Auckland about the 20th instant, for the purpose of swearing in the new Governor —the Marquis of Normanby—who will arrive at Auckland from Sydney about that date. .At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, Joseph Watkins, for being drunk and incapable, was fined ss. and costs ; Martha T'ord, a vagrant, was remanded till to-day, as was also John Harford, for being drunk and incapable in the streets on Sunday. Johu Sims, on a charge of drunkenness, did not appear when called on, and forfeited his bail. Henry Hart, a lunatic, was remanded till to-day. The occupants of a carriage in attendance at the Wellington railway station narrowly escaped serious injury yesterday, through the horses taking fright at an escape of steam from the locomotive, which was starting from tile station. The horses kicked out vigorously, and to such purpose that portions of the carriage were splintered, and the lady passengers very much frightened, but no worse results ensued. The following Victorian news was published in Sydney on the 26th ultimo, iu a telegram from Melbourme under that date :—There has been a heavy thunderstorm with a tremendous downpour of rain all day. The water swept the streets like a torrent. The rain appears to lie general throughout the colony.—The Public Service Challenge Cup Rowing Match was won by the Treasury ; Education, second; and Mines, third.—Mrs. Colclough, an American, is advertised to deliver a lecture on “Women as Wives and Mothers.” Little Miss Rosa Towers appears to have made a decided hit in Sydney. The Evening Neivs of the 26th of October, has the following notice respecting her: —“ At the Victoria Theatre there is little to report. The ' Waif of the Streets ’ is occupying the boards, and drawing such crowded houses that there seems no probability of the management withdrawing it at present. The success of the piece is due in the main to the wonderful rendition of the character of the heroine by little Rosa Towers; but of itself it is a highly entertaining drama, full of improbabilities, and nonsense, but still a perfect mosaic work of incident and situation.” > ' A telegram from Adelaide to Sydney, dated the 26th ultimo, says ;—“ Mr. Boncaut’s national Works policy is regarded as a . programme for the next general elections.—The University Bill lias passed the Assembly ; the institution is endowed with five acres on the North Terrace, besides 50,000 acres of average Crown lands.—Breadstuff's firm, and unchanged.”