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New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8166, 18 August 1887, Page 4

The first monthly meeting of the Harbor Board will be held this afternoon at 2*30. It is understood that the date of the general elections will probably be the 21st of September; and that Parliament will be called together as soon as possible after the Ist October. As that date falls on Saturday, neither that nor the following day is conveniently available, and it is therefore expected that the opening will take place between the 4th and the 7th October.

A concert, under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor, will be given this evening in St John’s Schoolroom, Dixonstreet, in aid of the apparatus fund of the School of Design. A capital programme of vocal and instrumental items has been arranged, and the concert should prove a moat successful one.

Cable advice has been received by Messrs Johnston and Co., agents for the China Steamship Navigation Company, of the departure of the Company’s steamer Whampoa for Auckland direct from Foochow, on the 16th inst. She has on board 900 tons tea for Wellington, 750 tons for Dunedin, 550 tons for Lyttelton, and 225 tons for Auckland. The Whampoa is due at Auckland on or about the Bth of next month.

Mr C. IV Worth writes to the Napier News as follows“ Sir,—Be the Ticbborne ease and Mr Edward Ancher, as mentioned in the New Zealand Times of the 12th instant, I can vouch for the facta alluded to, for in June, 1879, while spending an evening with Mr Ancher at Kumars, he gave me the whole of bis history in connection with his voyage on board the Osprey, and ho then told mo he had volunteered his evidence for Tioh borne, and was very much surprised that it had not been accepted.,. The reason is now explained by the answer to his offer having miscarried. I was under the impression that Mr Ancher was recently residing at Wanganui, and not Sydney, as mentioned; I think Mr Ancher told me it was as saiimakerho served on board the Osprey.

As mentioned elsewhere the charge of embezzlement against W. K. Waters will be token before Justices of the Peace, probably in the petty-jury room. The Justices whose turn it is to occupy the Bench are Messrs T. W. Young, Andrew Young, and F. Allen. The Hospital Steward acknowledges with thanks the receipt of old linen and papers from Mrs Symonds, the Terrace ; old linen from Mrs Gore Gillon, Wiliis-street; old linen from Mr* Bigg, Sydney ; and papers from Dr Kemp and Mrs W. W. Hyde.

The divorce case Erieson v Ericaon will be heard by his Honor the Chief Justice to-day. The case Garrett r Garrett having been withdrawn, Mr Skerrett, counsel for the respondent, Amelia Garrett, applied for costs yesterday. His Honor said he would take time to consider the application. Mr C. W, Wycherley, maker of prize saddles in the London International Exhibition, and also at the Weymouth Industrial Exhibition, has a choice and full stock of all classes of saddlery goods at his shop in Wiliis-street. A lot of new articles, comprising snaffle bits and spurs of various kinds, has just been opened out and are being sold at lowest cash prices. The monthly inspection parade of the Wellington Naval Artillery was held at the Drillshed last night. There were present Captain Duncan, Lieutenant Hislop, and 56 men. The company was inspected by Major Butts and Staff Sergeant-Major Bell. After inspection the men were put through sword and bayonet drill. Staff Sergeant-Major Bell and men were afterward complimented by the officers present upon tbe efficiency of their drill.

To-day, 'at 2 o’clock, Messrs J. H. Bethune and Co. will sell by public auction, at their rooms, ex Mararoa from Auckland, a splendid shipment of plants, ornamental shrubs, and fruit trees, from Messrs D. Hay and Son’s old-established Montpellier Nursery, Parnell. The catalogue contains a choice collection of roses, ’camellias, azaleas, pot plants, ferns, pines, and forest trees; also a fine lot of fruit trees, including apples, peaches, plums, Lisbon lemons, &c. The plants being all hardy and well grown, should attract a large attendance of buyers at the sale.

A pleasing little ceremony took place yesterday afternoon in the office of Messrs P. Hay man and Co. Mr Walter L. Meek, who has been with the firm for about four years in the capacity of traveller, is about to sever his connection with the house, and the employes met for the purpose of making him a presentation. The gift took the shape of a handsome gold scarf ring, suitably engraved, and was handed to the recipient by Mr N. Levy, the firm’s bookkeeper, who in a short speech dwelt on the regret felt by both the firm and the employes at the necessity of the separation. Mr Meek replied suitably, and the proceedings terminated. The first of a aeries of lectures, which was postponed from yesterday week on account of insufficient attendance, was given to the Wellington Ambulance Association by Dr Mackenzie at the Girls’ Friendly (Society's Lodge, Vivian-street, yesterday afternoon. There was a fair attendance, and the lecture, which was on the “ Preparation of the sickroom, warming, ventilation,'* &0., was listened to with great interest. The usual time for practical work after the lecture was devoted to explanations on the several kinds of bandaging, and several new methods of applying bandages were explained by Dr Mackenzie. The next lecture takes place on next Wednesday at 3.30 p.m., at the Lodge. The number of members for this course of lectures is limited, but there are still a few vacancies.

Lord Granville, in a recent Jubilee speech, illustrated very strikingly what a 50 years’ reign really means. After alluding to an institution which was 800 years old, he said :—“Eight hundred years seems a very long period even in the life of a nation, and yet it is worthy of remark that no less than one-sixteenth of that whole time has been occupied by the first 50 years of the glorious and beneficent reign of Queen Victoria. Her Majesty’s reign has taken up quite onefourth of the whole time since the solid settlement under William and Mary of the principles of our Constitution, the settlement upon which so much of our happiness as a nation depends, and in like manner it occupies just one-half of the period which has elapsed since the death of the Pretender gave to this country the inestimable advantage of an uncontested dynasty,”

The civil case Glad nan Smith v. J, Shaua. ban, claim £37, as the amount of a dishonored promissory note for £25 drawn by the plaintiff in favor of one Gordon Phillips, and the interest thereon, again came up at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday. His Worship had intimated that ho intended delivering judgment. Mr Skerrett, who appeared for the plaintiff, asked before his Worship gave bis decision that he might be allowed to call rebutting testimony as to the bill being torn up., Mr Devine objected to the evidence, but his Worship allowed it. Edward Shaw, solicitor, was again placed in the box, and swore that when he received the bill for collection there was a small tear in the back of it, but it did not in any way destroy the legibility of the bill. His Worship informed the witness that it had been stated by certain witnesses that he had presented the bill, and represented himself as the holder, and had asked them to discount it. One witness had said that he had given Mr Shaw £1 in respect of it, and that he (Mr Shaw) had offered to bring an action on it. Mr Shaw denied that he had ever represented himself as the holder of the bill. In answer to Mr Devine, the witness said he had never told Mr Hodgins or anyone else that he had received the bill from Phillips, and put it in a oashbox, and overlooked it, because he did not want it to get in the •hands of his creditors. After the witness had been further examined, his Worship said he would defer his judgment till next day. When the charge of embezzlement against W. R. Waters, brought by the City Advance and Deposit Company, was called on in the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morn, ing, before Mr H. S. Wardell, R.M,, Mr Skerrett for the defence, asked that the case should be further adjourned. He explained to his Worship that he had not bad an opportunity of going through the books with the accused, and a large series of transactions connected with the case. Mr Edwards, who represented the Company, said he,could not consent to the adjournment, but he would leave the matter for his Worship to decide. His Worship did not see any reason why the case should be further adjourned. Mr Skerrett again pointed oat that be bad had but little time to acquaint himself with the facts of tho case. His Worship said that if the prosecution were prepared to go on, he was ready to let them do so. He could not grant the remand on the ground mentioned, unless counsel on the other side consented. Mr Skerrett said that he understood the former adjournment was only a provisional one. They surely would not like to see facts brought against the accused that he would be unable to defend himself against, because he had not had sufficient time. It appeared to him that the least suggestion of inconvenience to the accused; was sufficient ground for granting the adjournment. His Worship said if it was shown that the accused was likely to suffer prejudicially, or be placed at a disadvantage, he would probably remand the case, but ha did not think the mere suggestion of inconvenience sufficient. Mr Edwards Said the prosecution approached the matter without any malicions feelings. For certain reasons it had become necessary to institute proceedings. They were forced to prosecute whether they liked it or not, because the Company’s claim against the bankruptcy estate had been rejected. He would submit to any order made by the Court, but he could not consent to the adjournment asked for. His Worship said he saw no reason for granting the adjournment. Mr Skerrett: Not until to-morrow morning. His Worship pointed oat that that was a day on which civil business was taken. After some further argument his Worship agreed to adjourn the case until'next morning, and directed that justices should be summoned to deal with it, as he had the civil business to attend to. Bail was allowed as before.

Mr {Edward Daniels has been appointed custodian of the Opera House, and he will commence his duties on Monday next. The cap and trophies presented by Messrs Moore and Ashton, of the Mammoth Min strels, to the winning team and the players who scored first in the recent interprovincial football match between Wellington and Canterbury, were privately presented last night. Mr Skey, the Government Analyist, has examined what was thrown np by the girl Margaret Hamilton when she was supposed to have attempted suicide last week. He found that it contained atropia. the active principle of belladonna, in sufficient quantities to have destroyed life. The difficult question when to interfere between husband and wife (one, as readers of Captain Marryatt may remember, which Mr Peter Simple found much difficulty in meeting) was very satisfactorily answered by a witness in the;divorce case heard yesterday. He was asked whether be did not consider it his duty to interfere on the part of a wife who was being beaten by her husband. “Yes, I do,” he said earnestly, “if I consider I’m a better man than he is.”

The final meeting of the Friendly Societies’ Jubilee Celebration Committee took place at the Foresters’ Hall, Lambton-quay, last night, the chairman, Mr Furnis, presiding. The Secretary presented the balance-sheet, which showed that, after paying all expenses, there was a balance of £2lB 2s 3d. Messrs J. Furnis, J. T. Bovis, D. Auld, J. Rasly, J. Pettie, W. K. Bishop, and J. J. Webber were appointed trustees of the fund; and it was also resolved that the societies be recommended to hold an annual demonstration in support of the Orphanage, and that the Committee meet in the second Wednesday in November. A witness who gave evidence in a case of obstructing the police, heard in the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, completely puzzled Mr Wardell, who occupied the Bench, by describing himself as a “turf commission agent.” His Worship said the term was entirely new to him, and he could not understand it. He had noticed two shops in the city bearing the sign. Ho remarked that the business must be a new one. Mr Gray, the accused's counsel, observed that it was not a new profession by any means. No explanation of the mysterious profession was forthcoming, and the case was concluded with his Worship still in doubt.

The Mammoth Minstrels had another large audience last night, and the performance went off very successfully. In the first part the songs of the comer men, as well as those of Mr Turner and Misses Kingsley and Blackie were encored; and it should be mentioned that the success of this part is considerably enhanced by the way Mr Turner carries out his duties of interlocutor. In the second part encores were frequent also, and the farces played were irresistibly funny. The management, we understand, have extended their season till Tuesday, and it is probable that they will give a matinee performance on Saturday afternoon. No doubt the show will be well patronised if they do so. Mr C. J. W. Griffiths, auctioneer, of Blenheim, will offer for sale at his auctionrooms, Blenheim, on Tuesday, August 30, at 11 o’clock, freehold]and leasehold properties, also a quantity of stock. The properties to be sold comprise the Braes of Sutherland run, now in the occupation of Mr P. K. Mcßae ; also Welds run, containing 11,290 acres; the Gambden ran, containing 6511 acres; Blairioh run, containing 8188 acres ; the Ring Creek run, containing 9530 acres ; also the stock, working plant, and machinery on the Blairich and Welds Hill station. Further particulars can be obtained from Messrs Buckley, Stafford, and Treadwell, solicitors, Wellington. An advertisement giving a description of this important sale appears in another column. A very interesting ceremony was performed at Dover on the 24th June, in honor of the Jubilee of the Queen, when a “Court of Brotherhood and Guestling of the Cinque Porta ” wan held in the ■ Town-hall at that place. The last “ court” held in Dover was in 1575. No less than 312 years ago ! This assembly was the ancient Parliament of the Cinque Ports. The recent meeting was attended by the mayors and representatives of the following municipal bodies, comprised in and attached to the Cinque Ports, namely : Rye, Hastings, Sandwich, Dover, Romney, Hythe, Winohelsea, Deal, Ramsgate, Favers ham, Folkestone, Margate, and Lydd. There was a very large assembly, which was presided over by the Speaker of the Ports, the Mayor of Rye, who was supported, among others, by Lord Granville, the Mayor of Dover, and the Town Clerk of Dover. All the Mayors sat together, with their maces and regalia in front of them, and their sergeants-at-mace in livery behind. Lord Granville was present as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and in his speech remarked that the office was the moat ancient it was possible for a British subject to hold. The office of Lord Warden of the Cinque Porta and of Constable of Dover Castle has been continuously filled for more than 800 years, some of those who held it in less degenerate days than these being kings and princes, great ecclesiastics, great soldiers, great sailors, and moat eminent statesmen. Referring to the Jubilee pageant in London, one distinguished spectator is reported by The Times as having said :—“I have seen many great sights I was present at a coronation in the Kremlin at Moscow, one of the most brilliant functions it is possible to imagine; I have attended the ceremonies belonging to a coronation in Germany; I saw the opening of the Great Exhibition of 1851, and many other pageants, but I have never seen one that struck ms more than that of Westminster Abbey on Tuesday, so infinitely grander and more touching than I had expected. The incident of the Queen embracing the different princely descendants, with that dignity and grace which are among Her Majesty’s especialchsracteristics, had an effect which could only be vulgarised by any description. And I will tell you that what struck me most was not merely the grandenr of the procession, and the appearance, remarkable as it was, of Her Majesty snrrounded by her princely descendants and friends, but the thunders of applanse which conveyed to me at the bottom of Constitution Hill the exact spots in Piccadilly passed at each moment by Her' Majesty in her progress. In the evening the scene was different, bat most remarkable. The Times had quoted some magnificent lines of Dante describing how the crowd had met and passed each other in doable columns at the Jubilee ordered byßoniface VIIL, and to look down upon the same operation in London performed by a large proportion of the five millions who were congregated there made one almost giddy, and to me this mass of men of all classes in per. feet order, peace, and contentment, with no wish but to join in- one common expression of loyalty to their Sovereign, was a great and an encouraging sight.”