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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5178, 26 October 1877, Page 2

Owing to representations made to the Council of the inconvenience caused by the water being turned off from 0 a.m. to C p.m. each day, the - Council last night gave instructions that the hours should be altered to from eight iu the morning to eight in the evening. The wires are being pulled iu the interests of tho Grey Government, and groat efforts are being made to show that they are the favorites of both races. An occasional correspondent telegraphed to us yesterday Baying that the natives in his district are in favor of the now Alinistry, and hope that their long pending questions will be speedily arranged. In the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon Dr. Alenzies moved for a select committee to inquire into the arrangements for the supply of water at the Government Buildings. He said it was only when some such sad occurrence as that of tho recent fire took place, that they were aroused from their sense of false security. He would suggest that, as there was much water wasting iu the Karori valley, the surplus of this should be stored in a cistern in an elevated position, say some spot in the Botanical Gardens, to which it could be forced up by a steam force pump. Perhaps some notice may be taken of these suggestions. One thing is certain that any steps which may be taken in the direction of diminishing tho chances of a recurrence of such a terrible misfortune as occurred at the late fire will be hailed with satisfaction by the whole community. The Wellington- College annual sports will take place to-day on the Basin Reserve. The programme is an attractive and well-arranged one. Among the many events we. notice a sack race and a blindfold race, the latter being quite a novelty iu its lino. If the weather be fine we expect there will be a good attendance of the public. Tho Caledonian Society has very generously placed tho grandstand at the disposal of the committee. The committee arc to bo complimented for their energetic efforts towards making the sports a success.

Dr, Lemon informs us that the Tasmanian cable has been repaired, and telegraphic communication resumed. A meeting was held at Carterton on Monday last in aid of the Indian Famine Relief Fund when £3O was subscribed in the room. The spring meeting of the Wellington Horticultural Society will be held on the 7th November. The adjourned meeting of the Wellington Caledonian Society will be held on Monday next at 8 o’clock, at the New Zealander Hotel. We beg to remind the Catholics of Te Aro that a charity sermon will be preached in the Catholic Church, Boulcott-street, oh Sunday evening, in aid of the Indian Famine Relief Fund. The Wellington Artillery and City Rifles will parade at the Central Fire Brigade station at half-past two o’clock this afternoon, and, accompanied by their band, will attend the funeral of Seaman Parker, of H.M.S. Sappho, and the Constabulary will fall in and form a firing party. A meeting of the Wellington Trust, Loan, and Investment Company will be held at the Chamber of Commerce at eight o’clock this evening, for the purpose of confirming the resolutions passed at the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on the 25th September last. It is proposed to increase the capital of the company by £IOO,OOO, The funeral of Mrs. Johnson and her five children who perished in the recent calamitous fire took place yesterday, and was largely attended by persons of all classes. Amongst those present we observed 70 boys, the elder scholars attending Mr. Young's school, to which three of Sirs. Johnson’s children went regularly, who were well spoken of by their teacher. A New Zealand Gazette, published yesterday’ notifies that North East Valley (Otago), and Milton (Otago), are proclaimed municipalities. The proclamation declaring the district of Kaikoura to be an infected district under the Cattle Act is annulled. It is notified that the Indian Government is prepared to purchase 600 horses suitable for army purposes in the year 1877-78, and a like number the following year. There was a large audience at St. George’s Hall last night; indeed, this popular place of amusement seems always well attended. “La Sylphide ” was given, for the last time, to a most enthusiastic audience. To-night the first act from the opera bouffe “ Chilperic,” and the burlesque of “Black-Eyed Susan,” form an attractive bill of fare, and together with the gifts will doubtless draw a crowded house. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, H. S. Wardell, Esq., R.M., on the Bench, Patrick Newell and John Hood, on a charge of drunkenness, were discharged with a caution.—Francis Russell, a sailor, was fined 10s., or in default, 48 hours imprisonment, for disorderly conduct added to drunkenness.—Patrick Hilyard stood charged with robbing Russell, but there appeared to be no foundation for the accusation, and the case was dismissed.—Richard Burns was brought up under the Vagrant Act, he having been found sleeping in an empty house. Prisoner said he bad no means of support, and was sent to prison for seven days. In military language we often hear of a gun speak ng. Could the time-gun find voice, the burden of its song would be, “So near, and yet so far." It was a small matter bringing this comparatively ancient weapon of warfare from Fort Britomart, Auckland, to Wellington, but how it is to reach its destined place on Mount Victoria is a problem with our City Council. Less than a mile has now to be traversed to place the gun in position on Mount Victoria, but, though short is the distance, rough and steep is the way. The Corporation, notwithstanding its numerous staff of employes, was unable to undertake the task, and tenders were called for. They were opened at a meeting of the City Council last night, and on the first being made known, a groan escaped the lips of Councillors. The tender was the modest sum of £IOO. The second offer was £120; and there was another groan. The third tender was £6O ; but even this comparatively modest amount seemed enormous in their eyes, and, in the words of the advertisment, they declined to “accept the lowest or any tender.” One Councillor innocently asked the reason of the non-acceptance of the lowest tender: did they think it too much ? None present ventured to express an opinion on the subject, and the very plain reason was given that the Council were not prepared to sanction so large an outlay for such a purpose. One gentleman suggested that the Artillery Volunteers might make a move with the gun in the direction of Mount Victoria. If their ’prentice hands are able to accomplish the task of mounting the gun the City Council will be deeply thankful. Mr. Duncan’s land sale yesterday may again be pronounced as a most decided success. There was a large attendance, and for more than three hours the proceedings wore most animated, and the bidding was spirited throughout, really never flagging for a single moment. Lowry Bay was bought in by the auctioneer at £3500. The reserve price fixed by the Government was declared afterwards tto have been £4OOO. Vogeltown was then offered, and for some of the lots there was very active and eager competition. About 150 sections were actually sold, at prices ranging from £lO to £2O, and we understand that these figures will average over £ls a section of a quarter-acre each. A section of laud and house in Tinakori-road brought £360. Owing to the late hour at which the sale concluded, viz., 5.30, Mr. Duncan was compelled to withdraw several other town and country properties. By this sale Mr. Wright has disposed of every perch of land in Vogeltown. The following gentlemen were the principal buyers amongst a large number of purchasers : —Messrs. J. Joseph, T. K Macdonald, J. Burno, M. McCredie, W. Jamieson, John Compton, and E. Reeves. The house and land in Tinakori-road was purchased by Mr. Edward Toomath, The total amount of the sale we believe reached over £4OOO. « Hazard,” a new colonial drama, written by Mr. Walter H. Cooper, was produced last night for the first time at the Theatre Royal. Considering the counter attractions in other parts of the city, the management have every reason to be well satisfied with the attendance, the lower part of the house especially being well filled. All the characters in the piece were very creditably sustained. Mr. Howard, who represented the illiterate politician playing havoc with his h’s, created much amusement. This evening will bo presented Eileen Ogc, an Irish piece that has been played lately with much applause in Melbourne. A meeting of the Kaiwarra Local Board was held at the toll-gate house last evening at 7 o'clock. Commissioners present : Messrs. Guilford, Hirst, Phillips, Cameron, and Wyatt (chairman). The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman read a letter received from Messrs. J. Kitchen and Sous, inquiring if there would be any objection by the Board to the erection of a soap and candle manufactory in Kaiwarra, and saying that they would take every precaution to prevent annoyance to the inhabitants. Resolved that the secretary write to Messrs. J. Kitchen and Sons, stating that the Board had no objection to the erection of the above works provided that the by-laws are complied with. Resolved, that slaughter-house licenses be granted to Mr. J. Gear and Messrs. Woods, Orosbie, and Co. for the ensuing year. Resolved that Mr. J. L. Layfield bo appointed inspector of nuisances, and to, act. generally under the by-laws. Resolved, that tenders be called for keeping in repair the Board's portion of the old Porirua-road for the term of two years. After some routine business, the Board adjourned, till Tuesday, the 13th November. The Wairarapa Standard of the 23rd iust. says that on the previous Friday the Waingawa stream rose so suddenly that the men at work on the bridge had to beat a most hasty retreat, and had not oven time to save their tools before the latter were swept away by the current.

The Waihenga races, which are looked forward to with much interest in the Wairarapa District, .are arranged to come off on the 26th December next. The programme conaista of Hurdle, Hack, Maiden Stakes, Ladies’ Purse, &6. Entries close on December 19th. The (Standard observes that these races have always been popular and well managed. They may be expected to maintain their high reputation this year. There was an unusually large muster of the members of the band and chorus of the Choral Society in Mr. Hunter's rooms last night, when Spohr’s great work was taken in its entirety. The choruses went with immense spirit and effect, and the solos were well rendered. The duet between soprano and tenor is a very beautiful composition, and was greatly admired ; but the chief features perhaps were the bass solo “ Thus saith the Lord ” and the instrumental piece illustrative of the judgment which follows. The quartette and chorus, “ Blessed are the departed,” is certainly one of the most beautifully constructed compositions of its kind ever written. A great treat may be anticipated in the society’s first concert of the season. His Excellency the Governor has signified his intention of being present. A patent has been recently granted to a well-known firearm manufacturer in Gotha for an improved air-pistol, which, it is said, is likely to be adopted by the German army; not, indeed, for use on actual service, but as a means of instructing men in shooting. The advantages claimed for the new weapon over any pattern of air-gun previously designed are simplicity of construction and ease in manipulation. The number of separate parts in the pistol are very small; the parts are connected so firmly together that the weapon is not likely to get out of order; and, even should it be injured, there would be difficulty in repairing it. The principle can easily be adapted to any of the firearms in use in the service, and this at very little cost; so that men may be exercised in shooting with weapons of the size, pattern, and weight which they would have to use in the field. Mr. Duncan holds an important sale of Adelaide flour this clay at 2 o’clock, -which is stated to be without reserve ; also a parcel of Oamaru flour, immediately after which he sells brandy in quarter-casks and cases, claret, bottled ale and porter, sherries, and port wine, all without the slightest reserve as to price, Mr. G. Thomas will sell by auction at noon to-day, on the Queen’s Wharf, 20.000 pine shingles ex Tui, from I'oxton, landed in splendid order.