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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6281, 30 May 1881, Page 2

The total number of patients remaining in the Blount View Lunatic Asylum, on Saturday, was 138, viz., males 81, females 57.

The Juvenile Pompadour Minstrels are announced to appear for a short season at the Theatre Royal, commencing on Saturday next.

The Prenrer, Mr. Hall, will not return to Wellingfon until Wednesday. He is to address another section of his constituents this evening.

We notice from our Cape exchanges that Madame Rose Hersee, who made such a favorable impression on her last visit here, as a member of the Lyater Opeia Troupe, was most flatteringly receive! at the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, where she appeared last month in English opera, before proceeding homewards. Mr. T. Kennedy Macdonald, who has been on a trip to the Australian Colonies, returned on Friday morning by the steamer Te Anan, and will therefore conduct the sales advertised by the firm of Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co. for Wednesday next, when several valuable properties will be submitted, together with the steam yacht Waiwera, and other property.

The Friendly societies in one of the townships of the Valley (says the Daily) have lately had to institute enquiries respecting one of their members, which resulted in his expulsion from the order. The charges were that, being a married man, he had eloped with another man’s wife, and left his own wife and children destitute and unprovided for. The committee appointed held the charges laid supported on the oral evidence adduced. Great improvements are being effected on th) Basin Reserve. The hill on the eastern sde of the ground is now nearly all tak-n away, the whole place being levelled off. The band stand has also been removed, and large excavations are being effected on that side. The earth is being carted to the centre of the reserve, and judging from present appearances there is every probability of a good cricket ground being made by next season. Alfred Lindley and Walter Jaquary, two lads, while looking for mushrooms on the hilis near Fitchett’s farm, Polhilla Gully, yesterday morning, found a human skull partly embedded in the soil, which they took to the Police Station. From its decayed and weather-worn appearance, it must have been exposed a considerable number of years. The spot where the skull was found was carefully marked by the finders, and a careful search is likely to be made.

At a meeting of the provisional committee of the Mastertou Woollen Factory, which was held last week, the secretary stated that the subscriptions represented £1685, and that the owner of the proposed site was prepared to take its value in shares, the total being thus raised to about a quarter of the £IO,OOO, which it is estimated are required. A committee was appointed to ascertain the cost of plant, site and buildings, and the number of hands which it would be necessary to employ. The proposal seems to be in a fair way of being carried to a successful issue. A Wanganui nursery man, writing to the Chronicle, expresses surprise that the Government should have decided to send for five hundred white mulberry trees, and adds that for years past large numbers of these trees have been grown in the nurseries of the colony, but there being but little demand the supply has fallen off. He is, however, in a position to supply a considerable number, and believes that as many thousands could be got as the hundreds now asked for. To persons who contemplate making a trial of silkworm culture, such a statement should be highly gratifying. Levels are now being taken for a new bridge which is to span the Waiohina river, on the main road between Greytown and Carterton, in place of the present structure, which has been condemned. The “Black bridge,” as it is generally called, was put up over twenty years ago. It was the first structure of its kind in the Wairarapa valley, and with the old Hutt bridge and those which still span the Turakina and Wahgaehu rivers, on the West Coast, formed a worthy beginning of the extensive public works which have since then been carried out in the provincial district of Wellington.

We are pleased to notice that the Wellington Amateur Dramatic Club will reappear at the Theatre Royal on Friday evening next, this time in aid of the boat fund of the Wellington Naval Cadets. Since their last performance hero the club hae added to its laurels by presenting some of its choicest performances in Nelson, which were received with great enthusiasm. The piece de resistance lor the forthcoming performance is Bpron’s comedy “Married in Haste,’’ and from what we know of the abilities of the members we are sure it will be represented in good style. The object for which it is to be produced is, moreover, worthy of some attention, as our Naval Cadets deserve every encouragement. Some little time since we referred to the officers of the Naval Brigade having on foot a fund for the purpose of purchasing a brig and some suitable boats, but owing to a request made by some gentlemen who were at the time collecting subscriptions for the Regatta meeting, the matter was adjourned. We are now informed that both the officers and men are again at work and with most excellent success, owing principally, we presume, to the wish of our citizens to see the Naval Brigade on a better footing, a; regards equipment, and we have, no doubt, from what ws can ascertain, that the assistance afforded will enable the officers to constitute their brigade second to the Sydney Naval Brigade in equipment and efficiency and a credit to this city. Success in the direction indicated would undoubtedly add considerably to the strength of the corps.

A correspondent sends the Colonies the following remarks on the recent depression in New Zealand and the state of the labor market, which puts the question in a very fair light:—The climate here, he says, is magnificent, and food is cheap and easily got. Wages were immensely high for years, but for some time past they have been getting lower, and the people call it “ bad times but if I wished to get men at 2s. fid. a day just now, not a man could I get. They grumble at “ bad times,” but they ask fis. a day wages when a sheep can be got for ss. As to positive poverty, only drunkards, spendthrifts, and their families are in want. Many a workman has saved £SOO, and for £SOO a man will get a nood piece of cleared land, all ready for the plough, enough to keep cows and some sheep, and return him about £IOO a year in food of various kinds (not cash, of course). No winter food for cows and horses is required ; they live on the grass quite well, and work well all winter. But careless men get more careless here, and waste enough to keep a poor family at home. One country girl told me that she and her mother were feeding their pigs with food which, before they left Devonshire, they would themselves gladly have eaten.

The comet was plainly visible to the nr.assisted eye last night, and up to the time it disappeared bel iw the horizon, it was closely watched by a large number of persons. It appears to be increasing in brightness, and the length of the tail now extends over fully four diameters of the moon.

Mr. A. F. Merlet, modern language master at Wellington College, and formerly of the London University, announces having opened classes for the instruction of young ladies in English subjects, and in mathematics, Latin and modern languages. Further particulars can be seen in our advertising columns. A large number of persons visited the reservoir on Saturday afternoon, and the majority of them were perfectly astonished at the small amount of water in it. The reservoir now has the appearance of a duck pond more than anything else. The water is a little over four feet deep, and its area is certainly under twenty feet square.

A Home paper says that, starved from their usual haunts by the severity, of the weather, rats in enormous numbers, and-of unusual size, are now infesting Kincardineshire. A few days ago. about 200 entered a cottager’s house and attacked a child, biting it so severely that medical aid had to be called. Live stock and produce have also suffered severely. So quietly and unostentatiously, says an Australian paper, has progress been made in South Australia that it is with a feeling almost like surprise we read that the increase in her population during the last decade has been fifty per cent., or rather more than in New South Wales, and nearly three times as much as that in Victoria. In 1871 she had 185,626 and she is now known to have 278,000 in round numbers.

During the temporary absence of workmen at Sydney some boys stole a quantity of dynamite, and digging a hole on a vacant piece of land off Phillip-street, Surrey Hills, they buried it, and, after placing a quantity of large stones on the top of the powder, fired the charge. A tremendous explosion occurred, which broke several windows and greatly alarmed the neighbors. The culprits were fined 10s. each.

A capital story is told, says the Gundagai Times, of a recently-created magistrate, or rather of his wife. It was in an up-country town on the western road, and the J.P. had gone for the first time to sit on the “Binch.” His better-half, who understood little about his elevation, except that it was something too awful to contemplate, called out to the cook, “ Bridget, put on the pratees at wonst; his majesty will be at home to dinner at 1 to the rainyute !”

The Industrial Exhibition Committee announces that it has hem decided to keep the Athenaeum open for another week without removing any of the goods. The step is one in the right direction, for numbers of persons have not as yet been afforded an opportunity for inspecting the display, and a large proportion of those who have already been there will very gladly pay another visit. The decision of the committee appears to meet with the general approval of the exhibitors. An old offender, named Mary Ann McGregor, was locked up on Saturday night for drunkenness. This unfortunate creature has, during the past nine years, been in gaol twenty-seven times once for wilfully 'damaging property, once for being illegally on premises. She served eight sentences for vagrancy and seventeen for drunkenness. The greater part of her terms of imprisonment have been of short duration, as the whole period of incarceration only amounts to thirtytwo months. The Melbourne Exhibition Commissioners appear to hold the opinion that they are in a position to override the verdicts of the judges. They recently raised the exhibits of the Geelong Woollen Company to a level with those shown by the Mosgiel Company, completely ignoring the decision of persons who had made a declaration that they would do justice, and according to the Age it appears they have agreed to give the president of the Swiss Assoiialion of Watchmakers a gold service medal for their collective exhibits, although the jury refused to award a medal of any sort. Such a proceeding can only make the Exhibition a subject for ridicule. A man named Henry has written a letter to the Wairarapa Star, in which he makes a number of charges against Justices of the Peace in the district. He complains that having treated as waste paper a summons for assault which was informal, inasmuch as it bore no signature, be was arrested under a warrant for contempt issued by three justices ; that prior to his appearance in the Court House the complainant had given her evidence ; that in spite of his protestations respecting the illegality and irregularity of the proceedings, the Bench deoi led to go on with the case ; and that a remand was only granted on condition that he should pay the costs, and promise not to go near the house of the prosecutrix, of which he had charge-as bailiff. The preservation and production of the summons would, no doubt, have saved all the trouble.

The New Zealand Herald publishes the following Fiji news : —The Gunga, from Sydney, towed into Levuka the schooner Jessie Kelly, which was picked up totally dismasted oft the Island of Kadavu, having encountered the severe gale on the 6th ult. off Norfolk Island, which was reported by Captain Martin, of the John Hunt. The Jessie Kelly drifted 600 miles while her crew were getting proper steering gear rigged and the vessel again under canvas. The Fiji Argus referring to the late Supreme Court trials, says : —“ At every recurring session of the Supreme Court in its criminal jurisdiction, the large proportion of native offenders brought to trial for serious crimes must strike everyone who are of necessity, or through curiosity, present during the hearing of these cases, and still more so that the majority of these cases are of aggravated assaults of a capital nature upon females, and children.”

On the arrival of the Arabella, on Saturday, she hoisted signals for the police, and it was thought something serious had taken place aboard. On enquiry, we ascertained that a man named William 'Jones had been creating a disturbance on board, and had threatened the lives of the second mate and cook, and had also attempted to assault the master. Jones, it appeared, stowed away on board the vessel, and was not discovered until they had been some three or four days at sea. After making himself known, he was set to work, but was continually quarrelling with the second mato,.and on one occasion threatened to “do for him.’’ Several disturbances took place. During one of them the cook interfered, when Jones is reported to have drawn a knife and threatened the cook. On the police boarding the vessel Captain Piersen gave Jones in charge as a stowaway, for which offence he will be brought before Mr. Shaw this morning. On Saturday last, Captsin Mclntyre very generously placed his steamer Moa at the disposal of the Committee of the Terrace School, for the purpose of giving the pupils a trip to Lowry Bay. The steamer left the wharf at 10 o’clock. Considerably over 200 of the children availed themselves of the opportunity offered for an outing. The day turned out unusually fine, and the youngsters, with their teachers and friends, enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The committee were represented by Captain Mclntyre and Mr. Powles, who exerted themselves through the day to amuse the children. Mr. Laing, by order of the School Committee, supplied an abundance »f eatables, adding a valuable contribution of his own, all of which was done ample justice to. The Moa returned to the wharf about 4 p.m. The Moa was found to be an excellent vessel for parties of this kind, being safe, roomy, and comfortable. The fact that the day was got through without the slightest mishap speaks well for the care taken for the comfort and safety of the juvenile company. The Wagga Express reports that a young man, named Richard McCarthy, aged 23, was brought to the hospital on Saturday night, between the hours of IX and 12, suffering from the effects of an accident, which occurred about 5 o’clock on Friday afternoon at the railway quarries, twelve miles beyond Narreudera. It appears he was engaged in trimming the tracks in c mnectioa with the stone-break-ing machine, when one of the belts which connects the driving gear with the stampers slipped and fell on him, dragging him on to the machinery, and before he conld be released he was carried round the shaft three or four times, passing through a space so small that eventually the machine was stopped by his body. Both legs were broken below the knees, and the right one was so terribly lacerated that it appeared nearly tom off. He was attended by Doctor Flatau, whu despatched him to the Wagga Wagga hospital, where he arrived about midnight on Saturday, Early on Sunday morning, Doctor Taylor, the honoiary surgeon to the hospital, removed the mure injured limb. His chances of recovery are of the slenderest character. An additionally sad feature in the case is that the sufferer was to have been married in a few days.

From Lima there comes a very bunible ac- 1 count of the condition of the city after the | battle of Mirafiores, ami before the Chilian troops had entered it and restored order. In the evening of the day after the Peruvian defeat, sinister groups began to parade the streets threatening the passers-by, and boast* mg of the sacrifices they had made for the country. Later on, stimulated by the liquor their leadess had givt-u them, and, moreover, fearing no consequence—for the authorities had abandoned the city—they gave themselves up to the greatest disorders during the whole of the night. Under the pretext of hunger they began to sack and burn all the Chinese shops, even to the larger and more elegant stores filled with silks aud other precious stuffs cf Chinese manufacture. Of these nothing remains but smouldering and blood-stained ruins, for there was murder added to the robbery and fire. No fewer than three hundred Chinamen are believed to have perished in the streets of the city aud the neighboring farms. One of the wealthiest Chinese merchants proves his losses to ascend to £140,000.

The Age of the 14th iuet. contains the following, which should be of interest to New Zealanders :—An arrest was made by the detective police which, from the unusual circumstances siurouni'ing it, is worthy of more than passing notice, showing as it does how, after very many days, the author of a sin may be caught when least expected. One night, a dozen years ago, a Verdant Green named Collie was M picked up” at the then Casino and Music-hall, but now the Waxworks in Bourke-street, by several knowing ones, and eased of some money and a cheque, which was afterwards found to have been cashed by a man named Sanquilley, an American, and a survivor from the ship General Grant, which was wrecked at the Auckland Islands. He was arrested, and stated that he got the cheque from a man named Drake, known as a cabman, and then a “ ped” in this colony. A warrant was issued for the pedestrian, but he had goi off to New Zealand. SanquiUey was tried and acquitted, bis American friends standing by him firmly during his trouble. Yesterday the ex-“ped” and cabman was arrested, in the guise of a very elaborately-attired and fashionable gentleman, as ke was promenading with a friend, and bad to submit to the indignity of having a heavy gold chain, valuable gold watch, and a number of sovereigns, being taken from his pockets at the city watch-house, and of then being taken before the bench, and remanded until Monday. He was bailed out. It is said that an order was given to cancel the warrant out for this alleged offender, who is said now to be an opulent bookmaker. It may be mentioned that Drake has been in Melbourne many times during the last two or three years, and only as recently as last November.