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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4522, 17 September 1875, Page 2

We have to thank the Commissioner of Customs for the following information relative to the results of weather forecast ; and by the Hon. Mr. Reynolds’ instructions Captain Edwin has furnished us with copies of the telegrams sent. By these we find that on the 13th a considerable change had taken place since the previous day, and there were strong indications of a westerly gale. About 3 p.m. a message was received f om Westport, stating that the glass had fallen a little, and that appearances were of a threatening nature. As tills agreed with the forecast, warnings to expectwesterlygaleswereseut to all Middle Island stations ; hut the one sent to Westport reads “Yours received ; bad weather approaching, probably between N.W. and S. ; may have barometer fall another 3-10ths.” On the 14th additional warning was sent as follows ; “ Expect change southward shortly ; may blow pretty hard.” In reply, Captain Leech states on the same day—■“ Both forecasts are excellent.” The barometer at Westport fell from 29'95 on the 13th to 29'62 on the 14th. The message sent to Port Chalmers on the 13th was—“ Expect falling glass, and strong wind to gale, between N.W. and S. ; will probably get this too late.” The latter part of this message seemed very probable, in consequence of .change which had set in, but of which no notice could be given, as no weather reports are received on Sundays. At noon on the 14th, Captain Thompson, of Dunedin, replied —“Your forecast of yesterday correct, giving ten hours’ warning. Strong south-west wind, with rain, commenced at 3 a.m. to-day.” On the 15th, warning for bad weather was sent to Poverty Bay, and during the same afternoon Captain Chrisp telegraphed that the barometer bad fallen 3-10ths ; but no more than a fresh southerly wind seems to have followed. A New Zealand Ornette was published last night. It contains definition of a portion of road in the parish of Oruawharo, province of Auckland; notice decrying copper coinage; reservation of a site for a lighthouse at Puysegur Point, Otago ; correction of University report ; appointment of Greatrex Naden, Esq., as cattle inspector for the district of Kaikouras; notices of payments under the Otago Public Buildings Loan Ordinance; appointment of Volunteer officers; acceptance of resignations of the same ; notice of opening of a money order and savings bank office at Opbir, in tbe Province of Otago; Laud Transfer Act notices, &c., &c. The first concert of the thirteenth season of the Wellington Choral Society was given at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last night with a marked degree of success. Tbe room was well filled by an audience that seemed thoroughly satisfied with the entertainment provided for them. His Excellency the Governor and his suite arrived a few minutes after eight o’clock, and he was received by those present standing, the band playing the National Anthem. The concert then commenced with the most laudable punctuality. The first part consisted of Mozart’s Twelfth Mass. This well-known work was in some respects performed with a care and faithfulness that betokened attentive rehearsal and assidiious drilling. It is not mere hyperbole to say of tbe band that its execution of the more difficult passages was finished in the extreme ; indeed, throughout the evening the band bore deservedly the lion’s share of the honors. The three leading violinists in especial, in rendering Mozart’s music betrayed an uncommon degree of appreciation and skill. In the vocal department such solos as were given were necessarily weak, from the want of leading voices to perform them, but the concerted music was all well rendered. A little strengthening of the contraltos, however, could be tolerated. The second part opened with the overture “La Couronne D’Or ” by the band, and it may be said here, as might be said wherever the band has to be mentioned, that it is a credit to the City of Wellington. More than one competent to judge pronounced last night that it is unequalled in the colony, and experience sustains such an assertion. The glee, “ The Coral Grove,” followed, and was received with deserved applause. An instrumental trio announced on the programme was not performed. “I’m a Merry, Merry Zingari” was then sung by a lady, and was succeeded by the gem of the evening—selections from “ HTrovatore” by the band. This was loudly encored, and justly so, and in answer to the encore the portions embracing “Home to our Mountains” and “Yes I have Sighed to Best me” were given again. In the first of these the flautist distinguished himself, and in the second the cornet player—both interpreting Verdi’s wildly plaintive music with tenderness and expression. The sung “Scenes that are brightest," was then given by a lady possessed of a very sweet and pleasant voice, and did not suffer by the repetition which an encore produced, as it gained through the confidence of the performer, who had been a little nervous in its first rendering. The part song, “ Good Night thou Glorious Sun,” and a galop, “ Express Train,” brought the programme to an end in good time, the audience being dismissed, as is customary, to “God save the Queen." Mr. Mowbray conducted with his accustomed skill during the first part, and the glees and part song, and Mr. Curry led the band in those portions of the programme which were wholly instrumental. This last named gentleman deserves the thanks of every one who was present last night for furnishing them, by the skill and care with which he has perfected the instrumentalists, with a concert that can scarcely be too highly praised.

The following tenders were received at the Public Work’s Office, Wellington, for the completion of the unfinished work on the Clutha Bridge contract: —Accepted, James McKay, Dunedin, £17,008. Declined, J. Wain and Co., Dunedin, £20,000 ; D. Proudfoot, Dunedin, £20,078; J. Blair, Dunedin, £20,613. The following tenders were received at the Public Works Office, Wellington, for the Paid l.’aki-Waipawa contract of the Napier and Waipukurau railway ;—Accepted, Tracey and Allen, Napier, £7989. Declined, Firth and Borne, Napier, £9288 ; Joseph Jay, Picton, £10,931 ; C. McKirdy, Wellington, £11,752 ; Allen and Kingstreet, Waipukurau, £13,913 ; S. D. Powdrell, Napier, £14,618 ; H. Willis, Napier, £15,642; McSweeny, Anderson, McSweeny, and Buddie, Napier, £22,400. The Wanganui Herald has the following : “ It is always pleasant to see the right hand of fellowship held out to new arrivals, and as it were the open door of welcome as well. This was plainly demonstrated last Friday evening, after the arrival of the immigrants by the Rodney, when Mr. K. W, Littlewood, of the Ship Hotel, invited them to supper, and likewise entertained them for several hours. They wore provided with bread, cheese, and beer, in galore, and in their entertainment both the host and hostess endeavored to do their utmost. During the evening it appeared from the statements of many of the new arrivals that the captain of the Rodney, together with his wife, had been very attentive to them ; the lady especially even attending to various cases,of sickness which had occurred on beard. The doctor (Mr. Harris) was also highly spoken of, and it seemed from the many eulogiums passed, that his efforts to smooth over the troubles of sea-sickness and other contingent difficulties attached to shipboard will not soon bo forgotten. After the company had spent a very pleasant hour or so, the entertainment was

brought to a close, the spirited proprietor and the hostess being acknowledged and complimented by all, and the immigrants then being able to return to the depot, where within the prescribed hour, they»were duly lodged as previously provided. A committee was appointed some eight months since to carry out the construction of the swimming baths at the Thorndon side of the harbor, near the railway station. Piles have been driven and a rectangular space has been fenced off. As the bathing season is fast approaching it would be well for the committee to issue instructions for the erection of the necessary boxes or sheds, and to cause a supply o£ fresh water to be laid on for the shower baths. There is no doubt that if these details are worked out in an effectual manner the baths will be largely patronised by the public.