Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 704, 25 August 1870, Page 2

Local and General.

«. Bankruptcy. — His Honor Mr Justice Gresson sat in the new Supreme Court at 11 a.m. this morning. Final orders were made in re Thomas Richard Westlake, Wm. Henry Turner, Martin Richard Ashwin, Thomas Henry Taylor. William John Walter, Thomas Roberts, Thomas Mackay, and James Henry Watts. The following cases were adjourned until Sept. 22 :— Charles French Pemberton, Henry Simpson, William Collins, Arthur Robert Cooper, Charles Flo'ckton, John Henry Jackson, John Thomson, Edward Pilbrow, Alexander Mcßratney, and Charles Wilson. In re James Rosser, the order was suspended, and protection withdrawn for two months. Whitebait. — These mysterious but welcome visitors have again made their appearance in our rivers. A number were caught in Kaiapoi during the early part of last week, and some have also been seen in the Avon. The Rangitata Bridge. — From our Timaru files we learn tbat the Beautiful Star, which was to sail from London last month for Southland and Timaru, is to bring the first shipment of materials for the Rangitata bridge. River Eyre. — In consequence of the late heavy rains, this river wns higher yesterday than it has been since the memorable flood of February, 1868. In several places it had encroached beyond its usual bounds, and flooded some of the low -lying land on the plains. Communication between either side of the river has been entirely stopped, and the Eyreton mail carrier returned to Kaiapoi yesterday with the mails, having been unable to deliver them. Bankruptcy. — Mr Rivhard Davis, deputyregistrar, cat in Chambers yesterday. Re William McClure, of Akaroa district, schoolmaster, no creditors attending, the meeting was adjourned for a week— liabilities, £.187 ls 3d ; assets, £24 13s 4d ; deficiency, £162 7s lid. Re Nicholas Smith, presser, Christchurch, no creditors attending, the meeting was adjourned for a week — liabilities, £25 7s 7d ; assets, £5 10s ; deficiency, jCI9 17fl 7d. In re Thomas Trevitt, farmer, the estate was declared vested in the Provisional Trustee. The Weather. — The incessant downpour of the past two days could not otherwise than be expected to cause extensive freshets in all our rivers. Some of the streams on the West Coast Road are but barely passable, and the same may be said of the Northern Rivers. The River Ashley had overflowed its banks, submerging all the land on the north side up to the terrace, and the other rivers are almost equally in flood. The Rangiora main drain had also, as usual, risen above the ground level, and the consequence is that a large tract of land, including a great portion of the Kaiapoi and Rangiora Roads is from one to two feet under water. Christchurch Musical Society.— The society held a full rehearsal last night; for their fifth concert, announced to be given tomorrow evening. There was not so large an attendance of members as could have been desired, but the very wet weather and muddy streets were almost sufficient excuse. The rehearsal generally went very well, and certainly promised a successful concert. A rehearsal for the band is fixed for this evening. »> Local Industry. — Messrs Petersen and Co., High street, have recently manufactured a very unique jewel case from an emu's egg. The shell is supported longitudinally oa a cabbage-tree, artistically worked in frosted silver, and is surmounted by a miniature full length image of a Maori. At the base of the cabbage-tree there are also small figures of an OBtrich and an emu, the whole being executed with the skill characteristic of the establishment. The Waitaki Bridge.— lt appears that Mr Jollie presented a petition in the House of Representatives from some few inhabitants of the Waimate district, declaring that the Timaru harbour works were a failure, and asking for their examination by some competent authority, and that if it was found undesirable to proceed with them the money appropriated for them under the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works Act, might be appropriated to bridging the Waitaki. Not Very Complimentary.— If you want to hear the political news of the colony, said Mr Yogel in a recent debate in the House of Representatives, Wellington is the best place to come to. If you go to Otago, you hear, at every dinner table, sheep and gold discussed; in Canterbury, you hear of sheep and flax ; in Nelson, you hear of sheop, and gold, and flax ; in Auckland, you hear of flax and gold ; in Hawke's Bay, you come to sheep again ; but if you want to hear politics discussed you must come to Wellington.

— " ■ ■ ' , 'yEducation. — We undefstiin'd hfisthe intention of the Provincial GovCifcment to bring down a Bill to consolidate the Education Ordinances now in force, during next session of the Provincial Council. This would have been done before had there not been some doubts as to the powers of the Provincial Council. Christchurch Municipal Elections. — We would remind burgesses that the period in which nominations for the vacant seats in the City Council can he made will terminate at 4 p.m. to-morrow. The retiring members are his Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Jameson and Goss. The former has declined to be again put in nomination, but both the latter are to be brought forward. The necessary notice of this has been given at the Council Chamber, and we are also in- , formed that Mr F. Hobbs, of the firm of Hobbs and Sons, Cathedral Square, has been nominated for one of the seats. Mr T. D. Jones announces his intention to offer himself as a candidate. Railway Gauge. — The desirability of establishing a uniform railway gauge for the colony was urged on the attention of the House of Representatives by Mr Richmond i and Mr Macandrew.' A large select committee was appointed to consider the matter, and they have brought up a very able report which embodies the principles of a Bill that Mr Richmond, acting on behalf of the committee, is going to ask leave to bring in. The conclusion the committee have arrived at is in favour of a 3ft. 6in. gauge, I and this they recommend should be enforced by law in all future railways except those which form part of the proposed system of railways on the Canterbury plains. Champion Ploughing Match.— The subcommittee appointed by the Agricultural and Pastoral Association have met with very favourable support in their endeavour to arrange a Champion Ploughing Match, and the erent is now fixed to take place on the 6th of next month. A much more central competing ground than hitherto has been obtained, and it is expected that the entries will be considerably in advance of last year. The advertised ground is a paddock in the occupation of Mr Henderson, closely adjoining the Christchurch railway gates, and entrance to which is obtamed near the Gas Works. Messrs Keetly, Kaiapoi ; Blyth, Prebbleton ; and Duncan, Christchurch — the most noted plough makers of the province — have repeated their gifts of ploughs for prizes, and altogether the list of prizes will be equal if not superior to those of previous years. The Late Fires. —The respective sites of the recent fires in Cashel and Colombo streets are being rapidly prepared for a resumption of business. The mo9t notable works in this respect are the brick buildings now being erected in Cashel street. These are on a most substantial and, at the same time, ornamental scale. They will in fact be a decided acquisition to the number of attractive buildings we already possess, and will greatly improve the appearance of the central part of the city. The block comprises three lofty shops, with upper storeys, all of the most substantial character; and, inaddifcionto having stuccoed fronts, they will each possess a handsome glass verandah. The freehold of the land has passed into the possession of Mr W. Pratt, Dunstable House, who is erectiDg one of the shops, the former tenants, Mr Brass and Mr {sandstein, under unexpired leases erecting the other two. Mr Farr was the architect of the whole. Lyttelton Permanent Land, Building, and Investment Society. — A public meeting was held in the Colonists' Hall on Tuesday evening. A large number of persons were present. Dr J. T. Rouse was voted to the chair, and explained that the meeting had been called to receive the report of the provisional committee appointed to prepare the draft rules of the society. Mr Willcox having given a general outline of the rules, and having answered several questions, the following resolution was carried: "That a society be formed under the rules and prin • ciples as read, to be called the Lyttelton Permanent Building Society." The draft rules were then read and discussed at some length, and finally adopted. The following gentlemen were then appointed officers: — trustees, Messrs H. R. Wtbb, A. C. Wilson, and J. T, Rouse; treasurer, Mr A. CufE; secretary, Mr J. S. Willcox ; committee, Messrs J. Carder, E. S. Ellisdon, F. Graham, R. Bunker, D. Dimond, G. Heslop, J. Percy; bankers, Bank of New Zealand; solicitor, Mr H. N. Nalder. It was resolved that the first Tuesday in September, and in every succeeding month, the committee should meet to receive subscriptions. A large num ber of shares were taken up. Submarine Cables. — The following is the report of the Select Committee of the House of Representatives on submarine cables. The Postmaster-General has brought in a Bill embodying the recommendations of the committee:—The Select Committee appointed "to enquire into the subject of connecting New Zealand, by submarine electric cable, with other countries," beg to report — That they have taken into consideration the several means by which a cable connection with Australia might be established; and that they have also considered a special ofter made by Mr Blackett, on behalf of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, and an offer wbich was sent out, through the Commissioners, by Messrs Henley and Co. The committee were not able to recommend that the offer submitted by Mr Blackett should be accepted. Whilst recognising that it is most desirable to connect New Zealand with Australia by electric cable— especially seeing that Australia is likely soon to be connected with Great Britain — the committee agree that it is hot desirable that an absolute money cost should be imposed upon the colony, as a consequence of securing that connection, unless the line was entirely in the hands of the Governments of the different countries through which it must pass, between England and New Zealand. It appears to the committee that the principle that lines of telegraph

should be in theyhtadii Of -'ihe Government having been retdgnrzedih Great' Britain and most of theycblonies, the same principle might most advantageously be j carried out in respect to submarine lines. The committee agree, therefore, that the best course which could be adopted would be for the Governments of Great Britain, India, and the colonies, to combine for the purpose of constructing a through communication ; the funds to be raised by Great Britain, and the respective countries to be charged annually for interest and redemption fund in proportion to the extent to which the line should prove to be used by each. Failing such an arrangement, the Committee believe that the next best plan would be that a cable should be laid and worked by a contractor, without guarantee, but upon a concession for a stipulated number of years. It would be necessary, however, that in the event of any such concession stringent conditions to the following effect should be incorporated with it : — 1. A time to be specified, within which the line must be completed. 2. Penalties to be stated, sufficient in amount to insure that the line shall be kept in working order. 3. If the cable should prove insufficient for the work to be done, a second cable to be laid, or the monopoly to terminate. 4. Power, within specified limits, to regulate the rates of charge. 5. Provision insuring a regular order in the transmission of messages, including right of priority for Government messages. 6 Defined terms on which the Government might at any time purchase the cable, and wholly extinguish the concession: •■ 7. On non-fulfilment of any of the preceding conditions, the colony to have the right to terminate the monopoly. Should an arrangement under this concession principle be effected, there would be nothing to prevent suck a wording of the purchasing condition as to enable Great Britain to become the purchaser, in the event of its proving possible to carry out the arrangement already stated as that which the committee believe would be best for the colony. The committee have also had under consideration whether, instead of a monopoly being granted, the colony should, for a given number of years, undertake to employ a cable to an amount yearly not less than a sum to be specified ; that sum to he paid for each year, but the money paid in excess for any year or years to be chargeable with future business. Whilst the committee do not recommend the adoption of such a plan, they think it one that might be worthy of further consideration should there be a failure to secure a cable on either of the plans previously stated. The committee draw attention to the appended letter from Messrs Henley and Co. The committee recommend :— 1. That authority be given to the Government to conclude an arrangement with Great Britain, upon the basis of the Imperial Government finding the necessary funds, &c.; or (2), at its discretion, td agree with responsible contractors, upon the basis of a concession, subject to such restrictions as those already Bet forth.