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Wanganui Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2531, 22 July 1875, Page 2

A vessel recently arrived at Levuka, Fiji' with measles on board, and was ordered to cruise for toventy-one days. Rather a large quarantine station. Engineers are getting bold, and money does not appear to be wanting to carry out the most hazardous , schemes if there is but a prospect of a good return on the cost of the work. A railway to the tcp of Vesuvius is probably the most startlingproposal ever made by an engineer ; yet there is no capital -.-anting, and in a comparatively short space of time it will be an accomplished fact. There is, of course.a good deal of risk about it, but the chances are that it will stand for a long time ; In fact, the railway itself is not likely to be destroyed by any eruption. The line chosen runs close past f he Hermitage to the foot of the cone, from where a different kiud of locomotion will be employed. The first portion will be constructed on the centre-wheel principle, which was first employed on the Eigi railway in Switzerland, where a rise of 25 per cent, is easily and safely accomplished. The principle is the same as that which will be applied, for the first time in the Colonies, to reach the mouth o the Remutaka tunnel. The ascent of the cone will be accomplished by means of stout wire ropes, on which the engine will draw. This is another new feature, and it may appear hazardous at first. But science has reduced all difficulties, and this nortion will be as safe as any railway in existence. In order to cause no inconvenience to passengers by the steepness of the ascent.the carriages will" be constructed on an adjusting principle, by which they can be kept in a perfectly horizontal position, provided the ascent does not exceed 50 per cent. This is doubtless the most novel undertaking of the century, and it will probably pay better than any other railway in existence.

It is stated in the Standard that Mr Burton Boys will be a candidate for the representation of the Wairarapa at the coming general election

The Tribune says : " We notice that thfc Wanganui Hebald has changed its mind about the best mode of settling the Industrial School Grant, and now iavors legislation in preference to litigation. If that is a general opinion in Wanganui, which we hope not, of course things will simply go on as they are. Legislation is simply out of the question. You might as well try to settle the interminable Tribe and Watt case by legislation," We can assure our contemporary that such is the opinion in Wanganui, as the unanimous decision of the Borough Council shows. The Tribune expresses itself too confidently.

The Tribune has the following : It will be remembered that some time ago a largely signed memorial from Wanganui, was forwarded to the Minister of Justice, requesting that a trained lawyer, who could hold District Court sittings, should be substituted for the Resident Magistrate there. No answer, so far as we are aware, has yet been received by the memorialists. We feel quite convinced that such a change is urgently demanded in the interests of justice, and it is to be hoped that a decision will not be much longer delayed. We understand that just now something in the nature of a counter-memorial is being got up in Wanganui, asking for the retention of Major Edward's services ; thus separating the people into two factions regarding a subject on which one might expect general agreement. The Court business is perfectly disorganized. If the Government were cognizant of all the facts of the case, they would cause an immediate change to be made. The Patea courb is also requiring attention. (The above is correct,with one exception—there is no counter-memorial being got up. There is, we believe, a unanimous feeling that a change should be made, and that a qualified barrister should be appointed to the Besident Magistracy with District Court jurisdiction.

The revival meeting last (Wednesday) night, was not nearly so well attended as the previous ones, the rain having probably acted the part of damper. But there are other causes from which it would appear that the " wave,"as it is called by those who favor the movement, is passing on, and that the ebb is already beginning to be felt. While some attended because they felt moved to take part in it, others went to hear the singing, and others still for the sake of goin rf . Now, that the novelty is wearing off, the latter are dropping away, and before lon we shall probably hear no more of it.

The ratepayers of the Ponsonby (Auckland) Highway District cannot be charged with lukewarmuess in regard to their affairs. They met at the ordinary hour in the evening for their annual meeting, and kept it up till six o'clock the next morning, at which time a ratepayer objected to the poll being declared" that evening." There were five members to be elected, and 2127 votes were recorded. Allowing for the system of plural votes, which is ia vogue in Auckland, the number would still reach a thousand. While some of the ratepayers were serious, others took the humorous side of the question. The meeting will be a memorable one, and Ponsonbyites will long remember the fun they succeeded in drawing out of the usually very stale Highway meetings.

The Manawatu to-day (Thursday) took away about 25 tons potatoes, mostly grown by Maoris, we understand. .

To-night the Hibernicon Troupe will open in the Odd Fellows' Hall with a most liberal programme. Several novelties will be introduced, and it may be expected the entertainment will attract a considerable share of public patronage.

An elderly man named Peter McMillan, was fined 40s for drunkenness—it being his second appearance within the last few°days —or in default 48 hours imprisonment.

The immigrants per the Lammershagen were larded this morning from the Manawatu and accommodated at the Immigration barracks. They comprise in all 90 souls, making 67| adults, made up of 18 families' 18 single meu, and one single girl, and include Germans, Swedes, Norwegians, Italians, and Swiss. The whole of them are totally unacquainted with the English language, so that this may operate as a difficulty in getting them into situations, but, with the view of distributing them as widely as possible about the district, Mr Brewer intends forwarding 25 or more to Marton to-

morrow by coach, and the balance he expects being able to forward per steamer to Patea. With this view he telegraphed this afternoon to the Government for instructions as to chartering the steamer Egmont, and it is therefore more than probable that they will be forwarded to that district. With such mixed nationalities it is impossible to form any opinion as to whether the immigrants will be found useful iv this part of'the globe. JSFo doubt they comprise various trades and callings, but the abseuce of an interpreter readers it difficult to ascertain anything really very tangible on that point, and this fact to some extent shows, that it is very questionable indeed whether in the abseuce of any regular foreign settlement such immigrants are of that class really required by this Colouy. The families in the depot appeared all clean and healthy enough, and may when fairly acclimatized get on very well, but it will take a very considerable time before much can be expected from them.

The old proverb of "least said soonest mended," had ample exemplification in the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, in the hearing of a case, against a man named James McKay for having been drunk and incapable at an early hour on the previous morning. It appeared he had been found at the rear of Hapley's Hotel, and as the evidence showed—being quite incapable, even of walking—he was taken to the lockup. Having £19 however in his possesion, he defended the case by counsel, and had it adjourned until this morning, but there was nothing whatever to shake the evidence of the arresting constable, and the night watchman by whom he was marched off. The defend. ant who had been working on the railway line ceemed a respectable man, but there could be no doubt from the evidence that he had been incapable as alleged, and Mr Woon who officiated on the Bench, let him off with the light penalty—it being his first offence.of 5s and costs. The case occupied the court for nearly an hour, and it seemed that the defendant would have been better in the first instauce to have submitted to the fine, and looked pleasant.

Mr Ballance M.H.R. left for Wellington per ps Manawatu to-day (Thursday) at 12 o'clock.

A runaway horse, with saddle and bridle, the latter hanging by one of the stirrups, caused a little stir in Victoria Avenue this (Thursday) afternoon. After nearly running over a man ifc made for the bridge, but was stopped by a horseman and secured.