WELLINGTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3487, 14 June 1879, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[BPBOIAI.] .' '. * Junhlß. The following valedictory address from Sir W. Fifczherberfc appears in to-night's papers _ Gentlemen,— The Presidency of the Legislalative Council having been offered me by the Government, I have decided, after a very careful consideration, to accept the offer. Thiß stop requires me to resign my seat in Parliament as member for fche Hutfc. In thus severing the political ties which have united us for so many years, I feel a regret deeper than . I can well express. In many fierce political struggles I have fearlessly advocated in your midst liberal advanced views of policy, arid I shall .cherish as long %s I live a grateful memory of fche generous support you always gave me.~~^.;-, ... jit is understood that Sir William, following the precedent established by Speakers of :the Engliah House of Commons, will bid,farewell fco the House of Representatives by letter through the Olerk of the House. Mr Henry Jackson is announced as a candidate fpr the Hutt, and Dr. Buller and Mr A.' Fitzherberfc are mentioned as possible can* didafces.

A petition has been adopted by the Cifcy Council for presentation to His Excellency fche Governor; asking that a grant of 2000 acres of land may be given to the Corporation as an endowment, under the 250 th section of " The Municipal Corporations 'Act, 1876." The land sought *o be obtained ia in the Forty Mile bush. The same petition also prefers a request for a slico of fche reclaimed land, the claim being based upon the past; arrangements between fche Cifcy Council, the Provincial Government and fche General Government.

I The Post asserts thafc the graduated land tat vill commence at properties worth £2500 or jpossibly £3000. In the Police Courfc to-day Alphonao Bush was committed for trial on a cnarge of perjury, in fche case recently heard againßfc his sister Mrs Phillips, charged wifch arson. Prisdner'tberi swore that on the night of the firo ho drove his sistefr to their father's house afc Taita, and did not leave the house again that night, and that she slept with another Bister in a room, fche approach to which was through the room in wliich he Blepfc. His evidence on theso points was confirmed by his mother and sister fco-day. The police proved that there were no rooms in the house situated aB he had described, and fche landlady of the Albion Hotel proved that prisoner waa there on the night he swore he was at home. Tbe servant girl at the hotel with whom he was keeping company swore to Beeing him thafc nighfc afc 8, and again afc 12, and fchafc after fche charge against Mrs Phillips was dismissed prisoner had admitted having sworn falsely to get his Bister off, aaying she had aefc fche place on fire as she waa in debt. The case against Mrs Phillip} is' furthor adjourned. [SPHOIAI TO THB STAB.] JUNB 14. Mrs Phillips waa committed for trial to-day for wilfully Betting fire to her houae at Kaiwarra on May 10. A lad named John Wilson,' whose parents rosido in Ohristohurch, was committed for stealing £10 10s and a pair of boots belonging to John England of the Lower Hufcfc.' The Naval Brigade petition the Government; to place on the estimates £1000 forthe purchase of a schooner. NELSON.: [SPBOIAL.] ' Jttnbl3. A. lad named Albert Horton, whilst rabbit shodting last evening afc Dovedale wifch his brother, was accidentally Bhofc. An inquest will Ibo held. TIMARU. [BPBOIAIj Jttsb 13. Afc fche Chamber of Commerce to-day a notice of mofcion,,was given for fche exclusion of all bankrupts from becoming members of the Chamber. OAMARU. r* 3pßoiAi '-] j Jttkh 13. » At the Harbour Board to-day the Secretary Reported on tho result; of fcho boring operations with -the view of ascertaining whether it is practicable to deepen fche Harbour. He re-' ported fchafc^ three borings have been made within a radius of 60ft from a point aboufc two feat from the present end of fche breakwater. Thoi surface consisted of a layer of Band from one to two feet in thickness, which being; removed exposed the hard'- surfaco'ofr'a shingly congioimehrte. formling. jthtf 7 bottom. It had hitherto been found impossible to penetrate this crust or layer with the steel-pointed toolß used;, to try the depth of the sand or mud ddposited L Qn the bottom, and ifc was therefore deemed to be a continuation of fche trap reef forming tho bed of tho shore, from the low water upwards. In fche trials already made this hard bottom consisted of Bhingle firmly impacted in indurated mud, so well united thafc the diver had great difficulty in removing pieces.of itho shingle from its bed, and from its nature ifc waß difficult to penetrate with boring tools, but once penetrated and a face obtained there would^ be no difficulty in loosening and removing it in piooes. It appeared to be about two feet in thickness, and overlies a thick stratum of hard tenacious mud presenting the appearanoe of soft shale. Thiß stratum has been penetrated to the depth of 14 feet without change (this being fche utmost •depth obtainable with the present tools), and was uniform in all tho trial -holes.

The first sod of the Waireka railway extension will be turned to-morrow at Windsor.

Atthe School Committeo meeting to-night ifc was resolved to request fche head masters of the different sAook fco osk the" pupils *to<oontribute «_penoe each *to provide, fuel for <fche schools, the Committee having 00 funds (for the purpose.