NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 105, 1 May 1875, Page 13

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

It is quite certain that none of the City Fathers reside in the higher portions of the town, or something would have been done ere this to remedy the withdrawal of the water during the past week. In Cannongate, Brown, and other streets in that locality, the taps have been dry since last Saturday. As hut few houses into which water-pipes are laid are provided with tanks, the inconvenience resulting from the stoppage of water supply can scarcely be imagined. During the past week a stranger to that portion of the city would be somewhat puzzled to account for the number of jugs, kel ;les, and other vessels to be seen carried about., and it would appear as if the residents made it a point of never venturing out unle&s loaded with an utensil of some sort. The worst of it is, too, that those who fortunately possess tanks, not knowing how long thp famine may last, are particularly chary in parting with so scarce a commodity. [Since writing the above we find that the effects of the scarcity of water have made themselves felt in the lower portions of ihe city, and, as a consequence, measures have been taken to ineeb the necessity. The Corporation has arranged that water-men visit the ilifferent portions of the city to supply the absolute necessities of the people ; and although even that itself is a boon, some idea of the straits to which people hare been put, may be formed when a bucket full per day is the allotted portion to each family, be it large or small. We hear of many of the industries about town, being compelled to stop operations for want of water power.] We would draw the attention of our readers to an advertisement in another column with regard to the New Zealand Pottery Company. The works have been in operation for over a year, during which time they have done a most remunerative business. Capitalists seeking an investment will find what would appear from the prospectus to be a safe means of acquiring an interest upon their money, besides helping to develope one of the industries of the colony. The Grey Valley Boad Board is virtually defunct. When the Returning Officer proceeded lately to fill three vacancies, he had the room and honor all to himself ; no one was proposed, and, as was remarked, "he couldn't even rise a bystander." The ' Argus ' says : — " The only de facto member now is Mr. Alcom, foa' the electors of No Town refused to return members to succeed Messrs. Corbett and Maguire, and the seats they filled are also vacant. A good many are inquiring- what next. The Most Rev. Dr. Redwood, Bishop of Wellington, being expected on a visit to Christchurch, a committee of the Catholic congregation has been appointed to give his Lordship a fitting reception. I>r. Redwood also purposes paying Dunedin a visit, on which occasion he has kindly promised to deliver a lecture in aid of the Port Chalmers Church. , The treasury of the Province of Westland is in an impecunious state, and one of its representatives in the Council has hit upon a novel expedient for replenishing its exchequer. The financier is a, Mr. Seddon, who has given notice that he will move — " That the Government be requested to bring in a Bill, having for its object the imposition of a tax on all horses and vehicles in the province." As the horses and vehicles are generally the property of a class who earn their living with those items as auxiliaries, perhaps the sapient legislator would simplify his motion, by substituting a bill for the taxing of those lucky individuals who are allowed to work for a living, If the measure, as proposed by Mr. Seddon, be carried, it will be an injustice to the section of the community -who, placed by fortune beyond the necessity of toiling, will be debarred from contributing to the revenue of the province a sum proportionate to their stake in the country. We have received the following letter, which we have been asked to publish, only wishing that there were more amongst us possessed of largc-headedness, as the writer : — " Timaru, April 17th, 1875. — Sir, — In answer to yotir stirring appeal in the piece of poetry in yotu 1 last, I enclose a ,£1 note as my subscription to the fund. I have very few acquaintances here, or I would try to collect something for it as well, as I have "been reading the Irish papers. Lately, I know there never was a time when fluids were so much in need o?, as at present. Of late, several applications of those suffering on 3s hnvc had to be referred by the committee on account of want of funds. The committee have, therefore, issued an address to their countrymen at homo and abroad, to assist them in the good work, and I hope our countrymen will not be backward at the call, as there are far better wages here, and less calls, than at home. I think if a subscription were raised, it wotild be well supported. There is no doubt we are very backward in this part of the colonies. I noticed in the Irish papers these last few months, handsome subscriptions from Victoria, Sydney, and even Auckland, towards national purposes, but nothing from here. I would thank you, sir, to give this a corner in your valuable paper, to bring it to the notice of those who are better able than lam to carry it out. You will excuse me, sir, I am sure, for troubling you with this, and for asking you to say a few s words on the subject in its favour. — Yours, &c, Labourer." — We shall be most happy to receive any further sums forwarded for so generous and patriotic an object. We have to acknowledge the receipt, from the publisher, Mr. Chapman, of Aukland, of the various addresses of Sir G-eorge Grey during his late contests. The pamphlet contains his address in the Choral Hall, Auckland ; the speech on his nomination for the office of Superintendent j and his appeal to the electors of Auckland City West, on the'nomination to the vacant seat in the G-eneral Assembly, all of which have been revised and corrected by Sir George. We notice from our Christchurch exchange that Mr. Henry Eastwood has purchased the diorama of " Paradise Lost " — formerly the property of Mr. Bachelder — which is at present being exhibited in that city, with great success. Indeed, the exhibition of panoramas would appear to be on the increase, for in addition to tha Hlbernieon, and. "Paradise Lost/ 1 Mr. Skinner, lately connecte

with Madame Goddard's company, is travelling with a series of illustrations, from the works of Dickens, which he has styled " The Panopticon." It is generally supposed that Nelson being designated the " Sleepy Hollow," its residents are consequently afflicted with a tolerable quota of somnolence, but from the following fact it would appear that the Marlbroughtonians are formidable rivals for the honor. In a country town in that province, on the occasion of a recent fire, the amateur fire brigade did not discover until they had reached the scene of conflagration that they had dragged a hearse all the way, instead of the engine. For longevity the East Coast can compare favorably with other parts of the Colony. We (writes an East Coast correspondent of the ' New Zealand Herald ') have not only several octogeuarians and nonogenarians, but we have also more than one centenai'ian. One remarkable rangatira, named Hanara, who is now in his 117 th year, and whose descendants, to the seventh generation, number many scores, and perhaps hundreds, was present, with other natives., at the landing of Captain Cook, in Tologa Bay, and has often described the personal appearance of the celebrated circumnavigator, as well as that of the officers who accompanied him on the occasion. Hanara seems to have narrowly watched the movements of Captain Cook whilst on shore, and to remember well what he saw. He took particular notice of how Cook engraved his initials on a rock at Tologa, and wrote in his note book with a pencil. This ancient has long been regarded as a repository of Maori legends, and a chronicler of wars and other events of importance that have taken place since he was a little boy. He is now bed-ridden and relapsing into second childhood — he being scarcely able to speak, and living upon suction. During the visit of Lowther Broad, Esq.,to Ahaura last week, ook occasion to visit the Convent schools, and in conjunotion with he the Rev. Fathers Binsfield, Chareyre, and Ecuyer, who accompanied him, an impromptu examination of the pupils was held. Mr. Broad, ■who is a member of the Central Board of Education of Nelson, said he was most agreeably surprised at the proficient manner in which the children acquitted themselves in the face of certain statements made elsewhere, where he promised to forward special prizes to be competed for at the general examination, which is to take place in about three months. The clergymen also acknowledged themselves much pleased, the Rev. Father Binsfield especially, who had charge of the district when there were neither schools or teachers in it, and he expressed his astonishment at the great progress made in the direction of providing educational facilities in a place which was little better than a wilderness a few years ago.