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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5564, 28 January 1879, Page 2

We regret to have to state that Lady Normauby was attacked by serious illness yesterday morning, but during the day she became better, and on inquiry last evening we learned that her ladyship was progressing favorably. The Colonial Secretary has sent a letter to the Mayor intimating that lie will be prepared to receive the deputation of citizens at 11 a.m. to-day, with reference to the central railway station question. The adjourned meeting of the committee relative to his Excellency’s departure was held at the Mayor’s room, City Council Chambers, at 4 p.m. yesterday ; his Worship presiding. A desultory discussion ensued with reference to tho form which the valedictory demonstration ought to assume. It was eventually resolved that the committee should adjourn until the same hour next day, and that in the meantime Captains Hose and Mclntyre should ascertain whether the woolshed on the wharf could be cleared, to enable a luncheon to be held in it on the day of his Excellency’s departure. It was tho opinion of most of those present that the farewell demonstration should be made on tho wharf, and it was also hinted that if a half-holiday were proclaimed the various friendly societies and the fire brigades might take part in the affair. More definite arrangements, however, will be made at the adjourned meeting this afternoon.

Charges of insubordination and neglect against Mr. Henry Jackson, chief surveyor of tho Wellington Provincial District, having been made by tho head of the Survey Department, Mr. J. T. Thomson, a board of inquiry has been appointed to look into the matter. The gentlemen who form the board are Mr. R. G. Fountain, Secretary for the Department of Justice ; Mr. W. Gray, Secretary to the Postal Department ; and Mr, R. C. Hamertou, Secretary for Stamps.

Tho many friend* of the Rev. B. W. Harvey, especially St. Paul's parishioners, will regret to hear that hia medical advisers have urged him to a change of air and scene for the benefit of hia health. The cares and responsibilities of one of tho largest and most important parishes in New Zealand have had a serious effect upon the rev. gentleman’s health, and it is absolutely necessary ho should at once retire from active duties. The vestry met and considered the matter last evening, and as a result it is probable Mr. Harvey will leave for England, via Australia and Suez, on Monday next. Mr. Charles Janion, of Kumava, is at present playing a match of three games of chess by correspondence with Dr. Giles, R.M., of Hokitika, and the latter gentleman is also playing a match of three games with H. H. Lusk, Esq., recently one of the representatives of Auckland in the General Assembly. Dr. Giles and Mr. Lusk were old chess opponents nine years ago at Nelson, so this match will help to revive old associations and knit together old friends in the brotherhood of chess.

A private letter states that Mr. Rignold is playing to good business at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, having opened to over £IOO. There was at first some outcry about tho prices, but the management does not intend to give way. After playing for twelve nights at Christchurch, the company will proceed to Dunedin, where Mr. Rignold will open in “ Henry V.” on the 30th instant. Mr. John Morrison, the proprietor of the Kopuaranga Estate, decided some time ago to cut up the property into small farm allotments and offer them for sale. The survey has been completed, and on Wednesday the sections will be put up to auction by Mr. Bethune. Tho property consists of about 1000 acres, which have been cut up into 41 sections, abutting on or near the main road between Masterton and Woodville. The estate is about seven miles from the former township. A road has been laid off through the sections. The land is of really good quality and suitable for agriculture, the map showing clearly what proportion is in grass, in oats, under plough, or still partly covered with fern and flax. The terms are one-fourth cash, the balance on mortgage for four years. We can recommend the property to the notice of any persons seeking for freehold investments, or to would-be farmers in the Wairarapa. Mr. James McDonald, the Canadian quartermile runner, who is a native of Ontario, and has recently arrived in New Zealand, has the reputation of being a crack man, and many athletes will look forward with much interest to see him perform at the forthcoming sports, advertised in another column, in connection with Mr. Goodfellow. The Stewart Family had another excellent attendance at the Imperial Opera House last night, and the entertainment gave the most complete satisfaction, judging by the frequency and heartiness of the applause and the demands for a repetition of several of the items in the excellent bill of fare. The same programme will be repeated to-night. The usual monthly parade of the Wellington Artillery and Artillery Cadets will take place this day at the Central Fire Brigade Station, under Major Stack. The inspection begins at 7 p.m. A meeting of the Regatta Committee was held at the Pier Hotel last night. The winners of the various races were in attendance, and received th» prizes allotted to them, .

At a meeting of the Education Commission yesterday it was resolved not to admit the Press. The annual cricket match between the officers of the Audit and Treasury departments takes place on the Basin Reserve today. The Union Steamship Company have consented to issue excursion tickets to Wellington from all porta in the colony, for the forthcoming races. Mr. George Thom is holds an important sale of teas, flour, produce, Australian wines, and general merchandise, at his rooms to-day, at 2 o’clock. AVe direct the attention of enterprising settlors to the sale of the wreck of the City of Auckland, which will be sold by auction to-’'’orrow by Mr J. H- Wallace, as advertised. Would it not suit a local company to purchase this line vessel and get her off ? An Important announcement appears in our advertising columns to tho effect the 17 unsold sections in the large block offered for sale yesterday by Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co. will be open for pri vato selection till the end of this week. The prices realised yesterday, although yielding no doubt a small profit to the vendors, are so low compared with the value of the land that all who desire to secure one of what are admittedly the finest villa sites in the city of Wellington should not lose the opportunity. Of lute many of our townspeople have been looking for a suitable piece of ground In tho country, yet near the city, where they could enjoy the blessings of a country residence, Mr. Sidey advertises for sale on Friday next some valuable blocks of ground, varying in extent from one acre to five acres, which are to be sold on very reasonable terms. Every allotment is fit for market gardening, and it is calculated from the depth of soil that an acre of this ground will prove as prolific as ten acres of what is sometimes sold as agricultural land. The freehold is about five minutes walk from the Petone railway station. The auctioneer will bo on ilia ground on Wednesday afternoon Jto point out the sections, and plans c in now be bad at his office. Mr. Sidey has info mod us that the land will positively be sold at prices that will command buyers and to suit the depressed times.