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Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 77, 7 April 1870, Page 2

In the Police Court to-day, whether from the influence of Mr. Fox, the production last night at the Prince of Wales of the teetotal drama " The Pledge," or from that chronic " tightness of the chest" with which the public is afflicted, or from all three causes combined, the drunkard's levee was but poorly attended, two solitary and dismal-looking specimens representing the whole jovial brotherhood. There were no cases of interest, save one miserable larceny of a bottle of grog, combining at once kleptomania and dipsomania. The Parnell Highway Board appear to have got into a state of unusual excitement, and had summoned almost all the residents ie that suburb for rates. Nearly all the cases were settled out of Court, the people being no doubt frightened at the unwonted movements of their trustees. One plucky Parnellian showed fight, but to no purpose, while afew more, treating the trustees with contempt, and not appearing, were ordered, to pay forthwith the rates and costs besides.

The large dining-room of the Pacific Hotel, Grahamstown, was crowded on Tuesday evening, principally by inhabitants from i^hsrtland, to discuss the question of wharf extension at Grahamstowu. J. Styak occupied the chair. A report from the committee was read, which stated that 2J feet more depth of water could be obtained by extending the r. harf another 1000 feet, and that a contractor had undertaken to do the work and find the material for £1250. The inhabitants were willing to subscribe half that amount, and a resolution was moved, calling upon the Government to contribute the other half. In a speech of some length, Captain Butt moved the following amendment, which was carried : —" That this meeting feels surprised that, after the repeated promises of the Superintendent to devote the public funds to the opening up the country, they should be called upon to offer an opinion on wharf accommodation not now required." The Chairman said he plainly saw there were a number of opponents. The Shortland people might wisli to do something for themselves at some time, and perhaps the Grahamstown people might then retaliate.

Six gentlemen yrlio had been " hodnobing" with old Silenus, were, yesterday, introduced to the notice of the Resident Magistrate, and made to pay for their whistle. The cook of the Crest of the Wave, who, on the strength of a bottle of giu, had declined to make pie-crust when ordered to do so, was ordered to do penance for 14 days. A case of stealing a bag of gold was adjourned until this afternoon, James Campbell, who had been remanded from Waikato, on a charge of horse stealing, was sent on to Tauranga. A great; hulking fellow, who was brought up for abusiDg his wife, received a wellmerited reprimand from the Bench, but was released at the request of his wife, and promised to go to Dunedin—a good riddance for Auckland. An alleged case of defrauding the Customs was adjourned until to-morrow.

•One of our local inebriates, named Maurice Walsh, who from the depth of his potations is pretty well known to the police, walked into the Greyhound Hotel last evening, while in his cups, called for a drink, which he swallowed, and then, putting a bottle of old torn, which happened to be near him on the bar counter, under his arm, very quietly walked off with it. But the eye of the landlord was upon him, and he was very soon released of his slight burden, and handed" over to the police, who at once conveyed him to the lock up, to await an interview with our worthy magistrate this morning.

The anniversary sermons in connection with the Pitt-street Wesleyan Sunday School will be preached on Sunday next ; at 11 a.m. by the Rev. J. Berry ; at 6.30 by the \iev. P. if. Cornford ; and in the afternoon the Rev. E. F. MacNiccol will deliver an address to the thildren. A collection will be made after each service, On Friday following a public tea meeting will be held in the school-room.

Notice is given that Messrs. Cochraue and Son will sell, by public auction, on Tuesday next, the soldiers' huts nowstanding in the Albert Barracks, containing from one to four rooms each.