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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4770, 6 July 1876, Page 2

The Financial Statement, which we published in extenso yesterday, has been received with most favorable remarks. It is thoroughly exhaustive in its treatment of the various subjects with which it deals. Wo are compelled for want of apace to reserve comment upon it till a subsequent issue. The Imprest Supply Bill was received in the Upper House yesterday afternoon, and, the standing orders being suspended, on the'motion of the Hon. Dr. Pollen, it was passed through all its stages.

A paper, by the Hon. W. Fox, on New Zealand, was to be read before the Royal Colonial Institute on May 23. A meeting of persons in, the Featherston Local Board district is called for Monday, July 17, for the purpose of electing a Board of Commissioners. The tender of Mr. J. McKenzie for the erection of stores for the New Zealand Shipping Company on the reclaimed land was yesterday accepted. The price was £1316. A Provincial Government Gazette, published last evening, contains the official announcement of the appointment of Henry Bunny, Deputy-Superintendent; and Robt. Pharazyn, Provincial Secretary and Treasurer. The Opera Company left Wellington yesterday in the Ladybird for Napier, where Mr. Simonsen purposes playing for a season of three weeks. The company will then return to Wellington era route for Auckland. A lunatic by name Carl Friedrich Behrmann, was taken to the asylum yesfgrday, having arrived here (in Constable McMahon’s charge) by the Stormbird from Wang&fihii, where he was committed. The first meeting of the Chess Club at Mr. Hunter’s rooms on Monday eveninglast was well attended, and some interesting matches were played. Messrs. Lusk and Benbow joined issue, and each won a game. The business at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning was very limited, there being only four cases of drunkenness on the sheet. No civil cases were heard, Mr. Crawford, as usual on Wednesdays, being absent. The usual lecture at the Terrace school did not take place on Saturday afternoon, in con- I sequence of the inclement weather. The lecture will be delivered next Saturday afternoon, weather permitting. Subject—Matter and Motion, No, 3. Mechanical. Powers. The number of letters, newspapers, and book packets received by the English mail per Ringarooma at Wellington is as follows : Via Brindisi—s4o letters, 418 newspapers, and 120 book packets. Via Southampton—237 letters, 224 newspapers, and 84 books. Mr. C. L. Hart has been added to the list of our auctioneers in Wellington. We believe he intends going into the stock trade principally, having arranged to hold weekly sales in Wellington on Saturdays ; Lower Hutt, fortnightly ; and Masterton, monthly, in connection with land, goods, &c. Handsome testimonials have been presented to Robert Cunningham, W. Spargo, and James Gull, by the Royal Humane Society, for saving Mr. McKay, who fell overboard into the River Waikato, Rangiriri, Auckland, New Zealand, on January 4 ; and Miss Coley, who also fell into the River Waikato on January 7. At about four o’clock yesterday afternoon Constable Smart arrested two men, named respectively Coyne and Buchanan, on a charge of stealing certain wearing apparel from the premises of Smith and Co., Te Aro. C. C. Graham, Esq., was the presiding justice. On the application of Sergeant Monaghan, a remand was granted till Friday. A sample of excellent coal, alleged to have been discovered in a locality near town, was yesterday brought to this office, and the discoverer alleges that there are large deposits of coal where the specimen came from. The piece exhibited is highly bituminous and glossy. We shall be glad to hear of the discovery being verified and turned to good account.

The Hibernicon last evening was well attended. We have previously given an account of this performance, and it would be unnecessary to say more than that the racy dialogue and amusing songs last night took immensely. The audience was exceedingly enthusiastic, and fully appreciated the performance. Tonight the programme will be varied by new songs. In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon Sir Donald McLean, in answer to a question by Mr. Stout, gave an explanation concerning the steps taken for the arrest of Winiata, the Epsom murderer, which ought to put an end to the . disgraceful calumnies concerning the Native Minister’s conduct in reference to this matter, that, for the most despicable political motives, have been freely circulated. Constable Coots, of Otaki, yesterday arrived in town, in charge of a man named Frederick Freeman, convicted of assault upon a woman named Andrews. He was also convicted of having used threatening language towards, and resisting the constable. On the first charge, he was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, and on the last to three months. Upon arrival here Freeman was conducted to the gaol. The regular fortnightly meeting of the City Council will be held at the usual hour this afternoon. In all probability there will be something new to chronicle in connection with the proposal on behalf of the Corporation to take over the Wellington Gas Company’s works, because, although nothing arose out of the negotiations of the committee appointed to confer with the directors, Mr. Pharazyn, as chairman of the Gas Company, stated at last meeting that, if the City Council would decide upon making a definite offer, the directors would be prepared to consider it favorably and in a liberal spirit, and would also lay it before the shareholders. Another matter which will claim the attention of the Council, is that of contributing money towards the support of the fire brigades of Wellington. At the Theatre Royal last night Mrs. F. M. Bates and the new dramatic company appeared to a crowded house. If possible Mrs. Bates has improved on her previous delineation of the Queen in the excellent play of “Elizabeth,” making every point toll with the audience. The part of the Earl of Essex was admirably sustained by Mr, Bates, who has a fine conception of the character. The frequent and enthusiastic applause which greeted the performance was well deserved, for rarely have such talented artists appeared in Wellington. The inferior parts were excellently well rendered by Messrs. Stoneham, Deeriag, Holloway, Metcalf, and Howard, and it is quite unnecessary to say that Miss Jessie Raymond and Mrs. Stoiieham did full justice to the comparatively small parts of Lady Sarah Howard and Lady Burleigh in the play. The company as a whole is one of the best and strongest we have ever seen in Wellington. The piece was capitally mounted, the musical selections were very appropriate, and everybody was letter perfect. We hope to see a numerous audience at the Theatre this evening, when the play of “ Our American Cousin” and a capital farce will be presented. Prominent amongst the high-class hotels of Wellington is the Metropolitan. The hotel, as it has been known for years past, has achieved the reputation of being one of the most comfortable and select houses in the colony, but recently many additions and improvements hare been made to it, which will enable the proprietor, Mr. Osgood, to carry on a more extensive business than formerly. A large piece of ground in Molesworth-street adjoining the old hotel has been built upon, giving, with other enlargements, some seventeen additional bedrooms, and a very spacious dining-room capable of seating comfortably at table 100 persons. The hotel as a whole is now one of the largest in the colony, occupying with outbuildings a space of one hundred and ten feet, and the internal arrangements for the accommodation of visitors aro very complete. Being out of the middle of the city, and adjacent to the public buildings, it is much resorted to by members of the General Assembly, aud it is pleasing to note that Mr. Osgood’s enterprise in enlarging his premises is meeting with the anticipated reward. A sitting in banco (before the Chief Justice) was held yesterday in the Supreme Courthouse. The business was as follows : Holder v. White—Mr. Chapman appeared to show cause on behalf of plaintiff against the rule obtained by defendant on May 31, for a new trial, or leave to enter a nonsuit. Mr. Travers appeared in support of the rule. After counsel had laid their respective arguments before the Court, the Chief Justice stated that he would take time to consider bis judgment.—

Harrison v. the Solicitor-General and Others —This case, which has been before the Court for some time, was brought up again, the direction of the Court being asked on certain matters. Mr. Hart appeared on behalf of Mr. Harrison, trustee of the will of George Eees, deceased ; Mr. Allan appeared for the Soli-citor-General ; Mr. Bell for the heir-at-law ; and Mr. Brandon for the Education Board of the province of Wellington. The result of the hearing was that the several defendants have leave to plead or amend their pleadings within three weeks; and leave was also given to state the cause, by consent of the parties, for the Court of Appeal.—Guinan v. Pell—ln this case Mr. Bell applied for a rule nisi to set aside an order made on May 18, 1876, on various grounds. The rule was granted, and made returnable on Tuesday, July 18. The Court then adjourned. The residents of Pahautanui had an unusually pleasing gathering on last Tuesday evening. Mr. J. H. Marriott, having been requested to give an evening’s entertainment in aid of the band fund now so successfully established, duly attended, and was kindly received by a much larger audience than could have been expected owing to the severity of the weather. Our correspondent says the attention of those present was most marked, and the several songs introduced were given with excellent effect notwithstanding the advanced age of the singer. The chief piece of the evening was the ever celebrated “ Henri of Navarre,” which had been requested, and which was given with as much energy after some twenty or thirty songs as if it had been the first on the list. A cordial vote of thanks was moved by the chairman, Mr. Brady, who expressed a hope of hearing Mr. Marriott, again before the long evenings had passed away. In reply, Mr. Marriott thanked them for the cordial reception awarded him, and begged to assure them that he thought it the duty of every well-regulated citizen to aid and assist in any praiseworthy local object. In the course of the evening the band performed several pieces of music, ending with “ God save the Queen,” which was executed in firstrate style under the careful supervision of their able conductor, Mr. Curtis.