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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5555, 17 January 1879, Page 2

The deputation appointed by the City Council to interview the Government on the subject of a railway wharf will wait upou the Minister for Public Works to-day at 11 a.m. The annual valuation of the property within the City of Wellington—excluding Government property—for the years 1879-80 was completed by Mr. Ames yesterday. The total annual value of the city property for rating purposes is £241,808, *as compared with £207,605 for last year, being an increase of £34,203. The total number of rateable properties this year is 5126, as against 4490 last year, an increase of 636, duo to a great extent to the numerous subdivisions of town acres during the past twelve months. It is interesting to notice that Wellington is gaining steadily on Dunedin, this year’s valuation in the southern city being £275,000, as against £249,693 last year, the increase being £30,777, as compared with £34,203 in Wellington. The water valuation amounts to £208,650 in round numbers. The valuation last year was £183,469, so that the increase is £25,181.

The drainage question occupied the attention of the City Council last night, and a long debate took place. The party supporting Councillor Fisher’s motion for the appointment of Mr. Cltmie as sewage engineer were in a minority of two, and having been beaten on every point, at last fell back upon talking against time, in order to secure an adjournment, to allow of their whipping up Councillor Miller, whose vote they counted in their favor. The Mayor in vain appealed to them not to introduce into the Council soma of the bad pi’actices of Parliament. The dreary talking continued, and all the artful dodges of politicians, such as attemps at counts out, were resorted to. lu order that persons residing in the country may have greater facilities offered them to witness the races, the railway authorities have arranged to issue tickets at single fares from Featherston to Wellington. Tickets will be issued on the sth, 6th, and 7th of February, and will be available until the 10th of February.

The committee of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club met last night at the Star Hotel, for the purpose of deciding on a programme for the club’s meeting, on Easter Monday. The programme, which will be published on Saturday, contains nineteen events, the moat attractive of which ate 440yds. Hurdle Race, 1000yds. Elat Race, Two-Mile Walking Race, and a steeplechase of about 3000yds. There are also two events, one of 200yds., and one of 600yds., flat races, open to all-comers, besides three boys’ races. In accordance with the rules of the club, prizes in token of considerable value will be offered for competition. The prizes will be on view at Messrs. Kohn and Co.’s on and after Saturday. Ten new members having been elected, and other routine business transacted, a vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close. The club have thus early decided on the programme, in order to give ample time for intending competitors to put themselves in form.

A meeting of the Drapers’ and Clothiers’ Association was held at No. 11 Athenasum Buildings last evening. There was a good attendance of members. The principal business was the discussion of the opposition offered by one of the firms in the city. It was proposed and carried that the householders be waited on, asking their signatures to an agreement pledging themselves not to shop on Wednesday after 1 o’clock. The members present resolved to use all legitimate means to obtain the objects of the association. The entries were received last night in connection with the forthcoming regatta. It is a great pity that such a misunderstanding should have occurred regarding the coasters’ race. It appears that Mr. Berg wished to enter his boat Lena, and the secretary could not refuse his entry as she is at the present time “ coasting.” This boat (which is more of a yacht) is only 15 tons burden, consequently the masters of the larger coasting fleet would not enter. The only one that entered was the Sarah Pile, under protest. It is to be hoped that this race, which always causes considerable interest, will not fall through. The committee have resolved to meet on Saturday night, in order that some arrangement may be entered into whereby the usual number of entries for the race may be secured.

A number of printer’s errors occurred in our notice of Mr. Eignold's benefit performance at the Imperial Opera House. It was made to appear that the curtain rose to a farce entitled “ Alone” instead of piece ; careful was printed for baneful; letter written for letter-writer; and the excellently performed part of Stratton Strawles was credited to Mr. A. Ellis instead of Mr. A. Elliot. The hearing of the case McLean v. Nicholson will be resumed at ten o’clock this morning.

Charles Mills, who was committed to take his trial at the Masterton Court, for forgery, arrived in town last night. An apprentice, named Henry W. Smith, was arrested by the police yesterday for deserting from the ship Hermione. A young lad, whose name we were unable to ascertain, fell off the wharf yesterday and narrowly escaped drowning'. Fortunately for him he was noticed by one of the wharf storemen named Tyson, who rescued him. Several shareholders in the Te Aro Theatre Company were summoned at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer a demand for unpaid calls. In every instance judgment was given for the plaintiff, with costs.

The Stewart Family will commence their season at the Imperial Opera House to-morrow night. The Southern Press speaks of their performances in the most eulogistic terms. There was a capital house at the Theatre Royal last night. To-night “ Struck Oil” will be performed. A proposal to purchase the Dunedin Peninsula and Ocean Beach railway has been made by the promoters of the Portobello Tramway Company. The construction of the line cost £14,600, and it is now valued at £17,000. A resolution was carried by the company expressing its willingness to sell. In the event of an agreement not being arrived at the company intend to turn their line into a tramway, as the charges made by the Government for working the tos are unduly high.