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Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3897, 26 July 1873, Page 2

The following tenders were received for the construction of the timber wharf and reclamation of land at Port Chalmers : — Declined — Connor and M'Kay, Christchurch, £22,600 ; A. J. Smyth, Dunedin, £21,438 ; R Banchop, Dunedin, £67,648; Mills, Guthrie, and Sutherland, Dunedin, £29,792. Accepted —D. Proudfoot, Dunedin, £16,408. Declined —J. R. Campbell and Co, ditto, £19,801. There was a very full attendance at the Carandini Concert last evening, and all who heard the sacred gems from the best oratorios came away well pleased, only regretting that such an enjoyable entertainment was concluded. All the artistes were in good voice, and rendered each item in their best style. W»hope the company will againfavor us with anothersacred concert at an early date, and repeat some of those beautiful pieces which seemed to please the audience most. To-night there is a choice programme prepared ; but we understand there will be no concert on Monday, as the Hall is let for that evening. On Tuesday, however, Miss Fannie Carandini takes her benefit, when the performance will be under the patronage of Captain Challis and the officers of H.M.S. Rosario. The business at the Police Court yesterday morning consisted principally of a aquabble between a Charles Knigge and Selina Moyle. The evidence was distressing to a degree, and must have bored his Worship not a little. The result was that the female litigant wa3 fined ss, aa she appeared to have been more demonstrative than discreet. A man named Notl M'Neil who had been committed to the gaol as a vagrant, died on Thursday. Like the House of Representatives, the walls and galleries of the Legislative Council hay» been ornamented with an ample display of scarlet hangings ; and it is ao far satisfactory that the hearing has been somewhat benefitted thereby, though, as in the " other place," there is still great room for improvement. If the experience of the other Chamber goes for anything, we should say don't put your trust in wireß at any rate. Try something else. ' The last General Government Gazette announces that James Townsend-Edwards, Esq., J.P., has been appointed Resident Magistrate and Sheriff for the district of Wanganui, vice W. L. Buller, Esq., resigned. A Provincial Government Gazette issued yesterday contains the bye laws of the Corporation of Wanganui, There is very little else of general interest in the Gazette with the exception of a proclamation declaring that tolls shall be levied after the 24th instant at Kaiwarra, Kaitoke, Hutt Bridge, Featherston, Waiohine, and St John's Hill. The second device to improve the hearing in the House of Representatives has been tried, but no perceptible improvement has resulted. The plan is the stretching of a number of fine brass wires longitudinally above the galleries at about a foot apart. To a believer in the Darwinian theory, the effects of a protracted session upon the auricular anpenAagea __...i;i 1^ <wf.ii +« »o~tomplate. A preternatural development of ear is scarcely the thing hon members would be prepared to accept as one of the rewards for their services to a grateful country. The Wanganui Council met on the evening of Tuesday last, and got through a considerable amount of business. The only point which led to any discussion was the appointment of a committee to take steps for the introduction of water into the town, the Mayor complaining very much that his name was not placed on the committee. The majority, however, would not have it. Mr. Hutcheson read a letter from the Provincial Secretary regarding the reserves within the borough, which the Superintendent had pledged himself should be handed over to the Corporation — a pledge which Mr Bunny evidently wished to set aside, although it is hard to see what the Provincial Government can possibly gain by playing fast and loose with the Municipal Council in a matter of this sort. The reserves are of no earthly benefit to the Government, and the dog in the manger has never been considered an amiable representative of the letting-I-dare-not-wait-upon-I-w«uld policy. A sad accident occurred at the Pakuratahi saw mill on Thursday, by which William Hutchison, one of the workmen, was drawn into the machinery by becoming entangled in one of the belts. The poor fellow was so dreadfully crushed that he died at nine o'clock the same evening.

A private letter from Harimer Plains,! Amuri, dated 21st July, conveys the sad ; news that two men have been found dead. : They are supposed to have perished from the cold. One had been buried a week i prior to date of letter, and on the other an inquest was to be held next day. The directors of the N.Z.S.S. Company intend giving a trip round the harbor to a number of invited guests to-day. The steamer leaves the wharf at one o'clock. A Gazette issued yesterday shows, among other things, a statement of the Customs revenue for the past quarter, which is £28,358 in excess of the corresponding period ending June 30, 1872. Gold exports also show an increase of £1426 on the half-year ending 30th June last, as compared with the similar period in 1872. The weather at Wanganui for some days has been more than usually wet and boisterous. An immense flood in the river carried down tons of timber and debris, giving rather a rude shake to the newly-erected extension of the borough wharf ; and, among other incidents, we regret to say that a boat containing three men engaged in picking up stray logs as they floated past was capsised in the river. The men clung to the boat, and ultimately two of them were rescued, the third man lost his hold and was drowned. The accident occurred near the heads, and consequently far from help. The three men generally occupied themselves fishing. The unfortunate one who has lost his life was named Cromarty, and bore the character of being quiet and inoffensive. It was high time the public were offered something "unique and novel" at the Theatre ; and we make no doubt that if Mr Keogh carries out in a satisfactory manner the attractive programme he announces, he will meet no stinted patronage. Mr Keogh, besides being an actor of considerable merit, possesses managerial capabilities in catering for the public of a high order. For further particulars, we refer readers to the advertisement.