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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5549, 10 January 1879, Page 2

We are officially informed that communication has been restored between Batavia and Singapore. The Suez mail, which arrived yesterday, consisted of ;—660 letters, 74 books, and 708 papers, via Brindisi ; 331 letters, 126 books, and 1644 papers via Southampton. The mail was brought from Lyttelton by the Ladybird, except the Continental letters. At the committee meeting of the Chamber of Commerce held on Tuesday afternoon, the deficiency of the present wharf accommodation at Wellington came on for discussion. No notice had been given of the question being debated, but it was considered sufficiently urgent to justify some steps being at once taken by the committee. Mr. Levin pointed out that the steamer Wakatipu had recently been delayed a whole day from the cause referred to, and that he had suffered heavy loss in consequence. It was generally agreed that the proposed railway wharf at the Thorndon reclamation will not meet the, wishes of the Chamber or the requirements of the city, and many members expressed their opinion strongly to the effect that the treatment the Chamber and the City Council had received from the Government was far from liberal, and was likely to repress rather than advance the interests of the city. Ths shifting of the proposed site for the railway station to the back of the Government buildings was also severely censured. Mr. Levin pointed out that if the present delay which took place in the transhipment of cargo here was not obviated, the Union Company might soon be compelled to seek some other port for that purpose. A deputation of the whole committee was then arranged to meet the Mayor. The deputation attended upon the Mayor at 3 p.m., and he expressed his readiness to further the wishes of the Chamber to the utmost of his ability. The efforts made by the officers in charge ef the wharf to expedite the business were fully recognised by all parties. Suggestions were made that a public meeting should be called, so as to lay these matters before the citizens, and to show them how completely their wishes had been ignored; and by this means to bring the pressure of public opinion to bear upon the authorities. With the onerous duties now attached to the office of town councillor, the advisability of a harbor board being appointed to devote their undivided attention to the advancement of the interests of the port becomes daily more apparent.

We congratulate Mr. Hansford on having at last been accommodated with fit and proper quarters in which to carry out the administration of justice as Resident Magistrate. Yesterday he sat for the first time in that capacity in the Provincial Hall, and the contrast it presented to the unhealthy den in which he formerly presided was quite refreshing to behold. The atmosphere was purer, and there was a smaller attendance of the genus loafer than was the case when the Court was held on Lambton-quay. We have unpleasant and unsavoury recollections of the. old courtroom, filled to suffocation day after day by the same set of skulking loafers, upon whose natures laziness had so thoroughly engrafted itself that the most ordinary observances of cleanliness, in the form of use of soap and water, were left unattended to. It is a matter of surprise that while work is so plentiful and laborers so scarce as they are at the present time, so many able-bodied men have been known to frequent the Police Court out of idle curiosity. The erection of a new and more pretentious hotel over the ruins of an old one has been known to drive away numbers of undesirable patrons, and if the cleanly appearance of the new Resident Magistrate's Court has no other effect than to rid its precincts of a number of unclean, idle, and worthless mortals, who are a disgrace to any civilised community, Mr. Mansford and every other person having business to transact there, will have equal reason to congratulate themselves.

Mr. Thomas Wilson, o£ the Wellington Tire Brigade, waited upon us yesterday morning with a memorial he is taking round for signature by the ratepayers of the city. The document will be brought before the City Council as soon as a sufficient number of signatures have been obtained. The objects set forth by the brigade in the memorial are as follow ; “ That, taking into consideration the rapid increase of large blocks of buildings in this city of Wellington, it is desirable, in the event of fire, that the means of communicating the alarm should be of the utmost despatch. That it is expedient that the Municipal Corporation should establish direct communication by telegraph between the Wellington and Central Tire Brigade stations and the police stations in the city, with a bell and battery at each station, so that when struck at any one station, the alarm will ring at the other stations immediately. That the sum of £IOO per annum be granted to defray the expenses of the night watchman stationed by the Wellington Tire Brigade in their tower in Manners-street. That the sum of £l5O, paid by the above brigade for the said watchman’s services for the past eighteen months, be reimbursed them, the same to be applied to the purchase of new uniforms.” It will be remembered that not long ago a fire escape was ordered by one of the brigades. The esprit cU corps lately shown, and the efforts now being made to make the service thoroughly efficient, deserve every recognition. As to the condition of the old uniforms, a glance at them upon gala days will convince the most sceptical that a new rig-out is much wanted. Our morning contemporary accuses us of having designedly misrepresented and misquoted what the Attorney-General in his reeent speech at Tapauui said. Our authority, the Otago Daily Times, was given, and the quotation made by us is literally correct, according to the report given by that journal. As misrepresentation is said to have become chronic on the part of the Times, we are prepared to produce the extract if required. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Waste Lauds Board was held' at 11 a.m. yesterday. Present—Messrs. Holdsworth (chairman), H. Bunny, T. Mason, E. Pearce, and W, W. Johnston. The chairman reported that there had been no land sales since the previous meeting of the Board. A letter was read from the Under-Secretary, suggesting an alteration re the sale of land at Wairoa. It was resolved that the sale should take place at Wairoa, and that it should be conducted by Mr. Wray. A memorial was received from the Mauriceville settlers, praying that they might be allowed to have another section allotted to them under the same regulations as before. The Board referred the memorial to the General Government, with a recommendation that it should be carried out. An application was received from Mr. Liverton for 1500 or 1600 acres of land in the Akiteo block, East Coast district, under a depasturing license. After consideration, the Board declined to entertain the application at present. In .the Supreme Court yesterday Arthur L. Swete was arraigned before a new jury on a charge of- , forgery. After hearing, the same evidence as that given before the jury first empannelled a verdict of guilty was returned, and prisoner was sentenced to six months’, imprisonment, with hard labor.

Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Hart’s company arrived yesterday by the Kennedy, after a highly successful tour on the West Coast.

“ Henry jV.” will be reproduced at the Imperial Opera House to-night for positively the last time, at reduced prices of admission. Councillor Maginnity’s motion relative to letting the Queen’s Wharf by tender stands adjourned until Thursday next. The City of Sydney, with the London mails of sth December, sailed from San Francisco for Auckland on the 23rd ult., contract date. A meeting of the creditors of W. J. Pallant, a debtor, was held yesterday, when Mr. Berry was elected trustee. The estate will at once be wound up in bankruptcy. A woman named Mary Berresford fell off Compton’s wharf into the water last night. She was brought to the station by the police, and will be brought up this morning, charged with drunkenness.

The complimentary concert to Mdlle. Charbonnet on Monday evening promises to be a great success. His Excellency the Governor and the Marchioness of Normanby have signified their intention to be present. Mr. and Mrs. J. 0. Williamson (Miss Maggie Moore), of “ Struck Oil ” notoriety, will arrive in Wellington from America by the May mail, with new attractions. It is not yet known at which of the theatres they will appear. The question of Mr. Climie’s appointment as Drainage Engineer stands adjourned until Thursday next, when a special meeting of the Council will be held. It is anticipated that Councillor Fisher’s motion will be carried by a majority of ene. Wednesday night’s programme was repeated at the Theatre Royal last night to a moderate house. We would again remind our readers that the two Miss Johns take a joint benefit to-night, when “ Struck Oil” will be produced, the performance terminating with the pantomime “ Snow White.” The Tramway Company was proceeded against by two persona yesterday, whose vehicles had been damaged owing to collisions alleged to have been caused by the negligence of the company’s servants. The Court heard evidence and the addresses of counsel, but reserved its decision. At the Imperial Opera House last night there was another capital attendance, and “Amos Clarke ” was performed with the same amount of success which marked its first representation. The applause was most hearty, and Mr. Rignold and Miss Watt were called before the curtain. The drama will be again produced on Saturday night. On Wednesday afternoon or night plans and specifications of the work to be done, in connection with one of the city streets, were stolen from the Corporation offices. It is supposed the culprit was a tenderer and wanted to get some advantage over his fellow tenderers, or keep out tenderers; if so, he would be disappointed, for the Council last evening decided to call for fresh tenders. In the Supreme Court yesterday James Allen Mackie, convicted of forgery and of embezzlement, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run cuncurrently. James Falloon was then tried on a charge of having assaulted with intent one Philip Murtagh. Murtagh himself stood committed for trial on a similar charge with respect to Falloon. The evidence showed that a quarrel had occurred between the parties, arising out of some business transactions of an involved character, and the Crown Prosecutor decided in the middle of Falloon’s case to go no further, and to offer no evidence in Murtagh’s case. The prisoners were therefore both acquitted, Swete, in whose case a jury had failed to agree, was again placed at the bar. He pleaded not guilty, but the jury after deliberating for an hour on the evidence convicted prisoner, and he was sentenced to six mouths’ imprisonment. This concluded the criminal business of the Court. To-day the civil cause list will be commenced.

A convocation of the Wellington Union Chapter of Royal Arch Masons wes held at the Masonic Hall, Boulcott-street, last evening, for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing twelve months, and for the transaction of other business. There was a full attendance of members, and the following companions were elected :—Principals : Z., 0. J. Igglesden ; H., T. J. Mountain ; J., Thomas McKenzie. Treasurer, Thomas J. Ladd, Scribe E., Edward D. Butts ; Scribe N., E. Binns. P. S., Nicholas Marchant. Sojourners, H. Lyon and J. Griffiths. Janitor, E. Buck. The City Council had a long meeting last evening. A deputation from Newtown waited upon the Council, asking that Riddiford-street might be levelled, and the Council referred the matter to the public works committee. The proposed level of Pirie-street, about which there has been a good deal of disputing, was not confirmed. A memorandum was received from the City Solicitor expressing the opinion that such works as making and repairing roads did not come under the denomination “ special works,” so far as to allow of the Corporation borrowing money for the purpose. It was resolved to submit a case for the opinion of the Attorney-General. The question of Mr. Waring Taylor’s rights, which involves the whole question as to foreshore rights, was deferred. Reports by the City Engineer on sewage outfall and water-supply were read and ordered to stand over.

On Monday evening last an interesting ceremony took place at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, when the following past officers were presented with testimonials for long and faithful services, viz. :—P.P.G.M. Marriott, P.P.G.M. McKenzie, P.P.G.M. Duck, and P.P.G.M. S. Levy. The testimonial took the shape of large photographs of the several officers in full regalia, enclosed in very handsome frames, two copies of each being taken, one for hanging in the hall, and the other for presentation. P.P.G.M. Marshall was appointed to present the testimonials. In doing so he alluded to the valuable services the several officers had rendered to the order in general, and the Britannia Lodge in particular, during the period _of thirty-six, years the society had been in existence in New Zealand ; and wishing they might long be spared to go out and in amongst them. The several officers returned thanks, reviewing the past history of the order since its introduction into Wellington, pointing out the great advantages that Odd Tellowship conferred upon its members, and trusting that even a larger number of persons would avail themselves of the benefits it conferred. The money, £265, lost in the Anchor Shipping Company’s office, has been nearly all recovered, and the culprit On Wednesday evening some lads were playing in Tory-street, and discovered beneath the house of Mr.Baoon, a respectable resident, a MartiniHenry rifle, 200 cartridges, a small sachel, and a rug strapped up into a neat bundle. In the sachel were found £206 in notes. Mr.Milward, father of one of the boys playing, having been informed of the discovery, communicated with the police early yesterday morning, and in consequence of what was stated, Inspector Atchison directed Acting-detective Smart to arrest a son of Mr. Bacon, a lad of 16, in the employ of the Anchor Shipping Company. The boy was immediately arrested, and brought to the police station, where he volunteered a statement to the effect that he had taken the money, and also informed the police that £45 more would be found in a particular spot about a mile from Wadestown. The boy took the detective to the spot indicated, and sure enough the money was there found. It seems that the lad had read and re-read sensational articles about the exploits of the Kelly gang, till he worked himself up to such a state of excitableness that he longed to imitate their deeds. The rifle had been bought at Messrs. Dawson and 00.’5., but the shopman who served him had been put off his guard by reason of the boy having lately made repeated applications as to the price of various arms, and then gone away as if to report to his parents or some one in authority over him, so that the suspicion ordinarily attaching to a youth buying firearms was removed. When eventually he purchased, he did so in the name of Godfrey. It seems clear that the young scamp intended to get hold of a gun if he could, and the money being placed in his way, offered a temptation too alluring to be resisted. It certainly is a most remarkable case, and the precocity of the boy is shown by the fact that on. the day the robbery was discovered he several times recounted to inquiring strangers the whole of the circumstances attending the loss of the money without the slightest hesitation, giving no sign of inward discomfort. Indeed, it may be mentioned that yesterday morning, a few minutes before he was arrested, a gentleman who visited the office had occasion to lay down some money, when the boy, with the most perfect nonchalance observed, You had better be careful and mark your money if you leave it here, because we have just had a robbery.” As may be easily imagined. Bacon is a smart intelligent lad. He was -brought up at the Police Court yesterday morning, and then remanded till Tuesday, but was suhsequently bailed, his father and the Rev, Mr, Coffey entering into the necessary recognizances.

In order to deaden the sound of footsteps as much as possible in the new Resident Magistrate’s Court, it would be advisable to lay cocoanut matting or linoleum cloth on the floor. A witness box is also needed, as the one formerly used in the District Court has been made to do duty as a dock.

The Reefton Herald, of December 23, reports : A dividend of 3s. per share has been declared in the Welcome Company. The gold was brought into Reefton on Tuesday, weighing 1118 ozs. 15 dwts., from 348 tons, or an average of 3 ozs. 4 dwts. per ton. Some blanketings which remain to be treated will bring the yield up to close upon 34 ozs. The mine looks well. There is everywhere a strong body of reef, showing stone of excellent quality. The Nil Desperandum cleaned up early in the week, and the gold when melted weighed 126 ozs. 13 dwts., the product of 190 tons of stone, showing an average of 13 dwts. 8 grs. per ton. The result is better than was anticipated. The Victoria Company have concluded crushing at the Westland battery, with a result of something over six pennyweights per ton, which, under the circumstances, is of course not payable. The Waka Maori says Sir George Grey, speaking at the Thames on the 21st ult., said that he was in favor of the colony nominating its own Governors, that it should not be left to the Imperial Colonial Office. This is just what we expected. We said in our first issue that he was aiming at the Governorship of the colony, and that every one of his political actions pointed to that consummation. He should be satisfied with the title of ‘ Kawana ’ Grey, as he is called by a section of the Maoris.” The following telegram was sent to the Mayor of Nelson re the Nelson railway on the 3rd instant by the Under-Secretary of Public Works :—“ In reply to your telegram, lam to inform you that the Minister wrote you yesterday. The substance was, that four or five miles would be advertised in February, and a section under the Amberley and Cook Strait vote had also been directed to be got ready." The Colonist says —“ It wi'l be observed that the extent of line for which tenders are to be invited in February, exceeds by a mile what is required to reach Bell Grove, and that steps have been already taken to prepare a further portion for contract, "so as to carry out the pledge given by the Government. So far as can be gathered from this telegram, it would appear that the department is in possession of all necessary information without the surveyors being again sent out, and, judging from the time taken for the first part, the second ought to be advertised some time in March.”

The Napier Weekly Mercury of the 4th instant says:—“The natives of Wairoa, tired out with waiting for replies to the numerous communications they have addressed by letter and telegraph to the Government praying for a sitting of the Land Court, have at length appealed to Sir George Grey himself, in a lengthy telegram, of which the following is a synopsis: —‘ To Governor Grey.—Salutions.—We have been beseeching the Government for the last twelve months for a sitting of the Land Court at Wairoa, it being so long since one was held hers. There are now waiting upwards of 200 succession claims on account of deceased grantees. We (the natives) feel very strongly on what we regard as neglect, and we ask whether we are looked upon as dogs or as pigs, in having our repeated applications ignored,’ The above was despatched last Tuesday, and very shortly after we understand that a reply was sent from the Native Department, stating that a Land Court would be held at Wairoa in the course of a month or so.” At the summer exhibition of the 'Wellington Horticultural Society an extra prize for greenhouse or stove plants is to be presented by Messrs. Kohn and Co.