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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4271, 27 November 1874, Page 2

A telegram in anothor column conveys tlio news that Sir James Fergusson has suddenly changed his plans. Instead of remaining in Auckland to meet the Marquis of Normanby, and then proceed homeward by way of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Suez, Sir James has resolved to "proceed by the mail Btcamer Mikado to San Francisco, and thence through America. The Mikado would Bail to-day, with his Excellency _ on board—her proper day of sailing, according to some authorities, and two days late according; to othors. Sir James ITergussdn's change of plan appeara to have been occasioned by the receipt of despatches by the Mikado.

"Fettered" was well played to a thin house at the Theatre Koyal last evening. ,

Sixteen immigrants, who arrived at Auckland by the ship "Waitangi, were brought on to this port by the steamer Wellington, which arrived yesterday. All the Volunteer corps of the city paraded for inspection last evening. They afterwards marched out, the Artillery band enlivening the tramp by playing some excellent marches in capital tune. The s.s. Alhambra arrived off Hokitika early yesterday afternoon. She was tendered in due course, but a message received late in the evening reported that the tendering steamer would not be able to return to harbor before midnight. Some of the news she brings had reached us when we went to press this morning. Mr. Carruthers, the Engineer-in-Chief, was expected at the Grey about the 18th inst., for the purpose of making arrangements for the construction of the protective extension works for the river, for which a sum of £IO,OOO was voted by last Assembly. The Star of the South, which arrived last evening from the South, has on board five horses and twenty sheep, imported to Lyttelton by the ship Waitara, from Loudon. They are consigned to Messrs. Bethune and Hunter. Dr. Hector arrived yesterday by the Wellington from Auckland. He has been engaged in a geological survey of the Coromandel and Miranda districts in the Frith of Thames. His stay in Wellington, however, was short, as he left again yesterday afternoon in the same steamer for the South. The Resident Magistrate was principally occupied with civil business yesterday. There were twenty cases down for hearing, in the most important of which—Pascoe and Co. v. Crowe, claim £SO, for refusing to complete contracts —which had been adjourned from last week, judgment was given for plaintiff, with costs. The Suez and the San Francisco mails were both delivered yesterday morning, as anticipated. The Wellington came in from the North about daybreak, and the Albion made another fast run of only fourteen hours from Lyttelton. The San Francisco mail was extremely light, being contained in eight bags, while that via Suez was very large, the number being over 280. The news, as well as late telegrams received via Sydney, by the Mikado, which reached Auckland yesterday morning, will be found in another column. The s.s. Tararua, with the New Zealand mails for transmission via Suez, left the Bluff at six o' clock last night on her voyage to Melbourne. The Albion sailed shortly after eight o'clock last night with a supplementary mail. She will make no delay at Nelson, and if fortunate on the West Coast, will reach Hobson's Bay in tima to transfer her mails to the Nubia, the outgoing steamer. The Strathnaver case has been brought to a conclusion after a four days' trial. Yesterday about fifteen witnesses were examined ori behalf of the ship, all of whom told the same story as that embodied in the evidence of the captain and the pilot. . At the conclusion of the evidence, His Honor intimated that judgment would be reserved for two or three days. The Northern barometers commenced to rise fast on Wednesday afternoon, and for some hours afterwards. Strong winds from southwest were felt at Auckland and Grahainstown. In the South the glass continued to rise steadily all day, and yesterday morning it stood above 30in. Over the whole of both islands the winds were mostly light from the westward with clear weather, except at Westport, Greymouth, and Port Chalmers, where the sky was overcast. The City Council, it appears, has passed another resolution to maintain the strictest secrecy in regard to all public documents belonging to the Council, because his Worship the Mayor yesterday properly gave permission to the newspaper reporters to copy the City Solicitor's opinion with regard to the sale of the Thorndon foreshore. Why such an important document should be withheld from the public is a matter rather difficult of explanation. If it is proper that the members of the Council should monopolise information which the public should possess at the earliest possible moment, the citizens themselves must see to the matter. The annual soiree held in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church, Sydney-street, passed off very pleasantly on Tuesday evening. Old friends talked over the tea tables as to changes which they had witnessed in the last thirty years ; and others, who have just commenced their colonial life, felt it difficult to realise the fact that half the earth separated them from the fatherland. A public meeting was held in the Church, Mr. J. Woodward presiding. The report, read by the Rev. R. Ward, stated that the amount raised by the congregation during the year was £3OO 6s. 5d., with which the expenditure tallied,' except that a small sum is due to the treasurer. This, however, is only a part of the circuit account, as Webb-stoeet, Tawa Flat, &c., are under the same ministerial charge. It also observed that several deaths had occurred, both among old and young, and several losses had been sustained through removals. The roll of Church members,'however, presented an increase. Appropriate addresses were delivered by the Revs. Messrs. Paterson, West, Ogg, and Standrin. The choir rendered several anthems with great taste. The usual votes of thanks were given, and the benediction was pronounced a few minutes before ten o'clock. The first practice of the Choral Society for the Messiah concert was held last night in Mr. Hunter's room. There was a very good muster of members, with an excellent show of voices, but of instruments there were only a few. In all about ninety members took part. With the baton in the hands of Mr. Mowbray, and the piauo in those of Mr. Raymond, a most pleasant evening was past, and all parted looking forward to next meeting. A very powerful iron grand piano was placed for the use of the Society by one who has in many ways shown his desire to help the cause of music forward in our city. A new wookly publication of a somo<vhat peculiar character is announced as about to be commenced in Melbourne. It is to bo named The Oossip. A spice of satire is to pervade the journal, but it is to possess a gossipping character, and a peculiar feature is to be the attention that will bo given to matters more particularly interesting to the ladies, and it will contain fuller accounts of fashionable marriages, balls, and other public gatherings than are given by the daily journals.