The Evening Star. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 119, 27 May 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDA Y, MAY 27, 1870.

In an article in this journal some time ago relating to the San Francisco mail route, and the question of the port of call, we are aware that we gave offence by putting prominently forward the strong points of the Webb-cum-Wel-lington scheme, and the dangers to be apprehended from tha agitation down South. It has been the fashion to simply sneer at the movement among the people of Wellington-, and that ever dangerous habit has been indulged of " despising an enemy ;" and now the current of feeling has set in bo strongly, that we fear the tardy action of our Chamber of Commerce,

will scarcely stem it. Not Wellington alone, but tbe far more powerful. provinces of Otago and Canterbury have taken up the question ; and old rancour against the Northern province has cemented a Southern alliance. A deputation has gone from Wellington to move the most powerful and commercial city of the Australias, whose feelings and interests already tend towards a more Southern port of call; Otago, with. Scotch " canniness, " sounded feeling to see if Port Chalmers could not advance a claim ; failing that, Lyttelton was suggested, with a union of the provinces ; and, eventually, shoulder to shoulder, the Southern provinces take up the cause of Wellington—" not farther north than Wellington." If the credentials of Mr. Collie are authentic, and we have no grounds for doubting them; if he really represents Mr. Webb, of NewYork, and if he truly shows the state of preparedness and the intentions of that shipbuilder, there is a very dark cloud rising in the South. The patriotic services rendered by Mr. Webb during the American War have not been forgotten at Washington; and it seems to us that the " silver lining" to the cloud is only to be found in the hope that Mr. Hall's visit to America may result in an understanding with Mr. Webb. The proposal to send a deputf.tion to Australia, which, we believe, will be submitted to our Chamber of Commerce at a special meeting on Monday next, is one that should have been made and acted upon simultaneously with the deputation from Wellington. Such action should even now be promptly taken. An influential committee of the ablest of the members of the Chamber, or a single deputy, should be sent, not to Sydney —that city is about as lively as Auckland itself in public spirit — but to Melbourne ; there to confront the Southern deputation. The commercial interests of Sydney already fight for Auckland; the enemy should be met in his strongest hold. Nature and geography pronounce in our favour, and supply arguments which in the mouth of one of our ablest commercial men, would be listened to in Victoria.

In yesterday's report of the Police Court, in the case of Lyell v. Booker, Mr. Maddens name appears as articled clerk to Mr. Joy, it should have been assistant to Mr. Joy.

In the City Hall last night, there was as usual a regular crush out, a veritable bumper benefit to Mr. Kastwood. The gold watch fell to the lot of a lady.

An emergency meeting of Lodge Waitemata, 689, E.C., will be held' at the lodge-room, at half-past seven o'clock this evening.

It is notified that Harry Arkcoll anel Frederick Watkinshave become insolvent. Meetings of creditors are called in the following estates:—Simeon Lewis Lazarus, and Henry Bush. Hyman Joseph will make application for his order of discharge on the 9th of June.

We are requested to correct an error which appeared in the Evening News of the 19th, by which Mr. Richard Nazer, was made to appear in the Supreme Court as a baukrupt; it should have been Richard McGee.

Mr. S. H. Smith desires to acknowledge the following sums towards the testimonial to Grant: " The Humane Society," — ; Mr. D. Lundon, ss; Rev, P. H. Corn ford, ss.

Mr. and Mrs. George Daerell took their departure from the Thames yesterday in the p.s. Royal Alfred. We understand that Mr. aud Mrs. Darrell are to leave Auckland for Dunedin by the next

steamer for the South, and will probably proceed from thence to Melbourne.— Thames Advertiser, May 26.

A meeting of the committee in connection with the entertainment to be given at the Mechanics' Institute, was held last evening, when the programme was decided upon, and the entertainment fixed to come off on Monday evening, the 6th of June. The programme is an exceedingly good and varied one, and will, we are sure, please the most fastidious. In order to attract a good attendance, the price of admission will be within the reach of all— members sixpence, and non-members one shilling.

Chancery-street has recently witnessed a transformation of a highly pleasiDg nature. The inn known as the "Lion and Lamb" is not now a resort for tipsy sailors or others of a kindred class, but through the efforts of a few energetic young men has been turned into a school-room for tlie benefit of the neglected children of that locality. The largest room in the building is found to be almost too small for the purpose. Religious services are also conducted in the same place on Sunday evenings, at which large numbers of the residents in Chancery-street regularly attend.

A meeting of the members of the Newton Literary and Scientific Association was held last night in St. David's Schoolroom, Symonds-street, Mr. A. H. tSpicer, Vice-President, in the chair. The Secretary read a letter from the Rev. B. Thornton-Dudley, expressing his cordial sympathy with the Association, and desiring to assist them to the utmost of his ability, but regretting that at present it would not be in his power to accept the office of President. It was then unanimously resolved that the Rev. Dr. Wa'lis should be elected President, and invited to deliver an inaugural address on tl c

evening of Tuesday, the 31st instant, or such other evening as would be convenient for him. It was also agreed to alter the name from "The Newton Literary and Scientific Association,''to "The Newton Athenseuin:" and the evening of meeting from Thursday to Tuesday, at seven o'clock.—Herald,

Chamber of Commerce. —A special meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon at the office of the Secretary, Mr. J. T. Garlick, Queen-street, Thomas Maefarlane, Ksq., President, in the chair, when it was resolved that a special general meeting of the members should be called for Monday afternoon next, at the Mechanics' Institute at two o'clock, at whichiresolutions are to be submitted, affirming the desirability of the new route being from New _outh Wales to San Francisco, via Auckland and Honolulu, A resolution will also be submitted, recommending that a deputation shall be sent to New South Wales to endeavour to get the Chamber of Commerce there to co-operate with the views of the Chamber here. This is a matter of such vital importance to the people of Auckland that we have no doubt there will be a very large attendance of members.

A meeting of the ratepayers of the Dedwood, Newton, and Karangahape Districts, was held in the Newton Academy, Karangahape Road, last night, to protest against the enlargement of the Corporation. Mr. George Holdship occupied the chair. Mr. J. C. Wilkes moved a resolution to the effect that it was not expedient to include the Karangahape District in the contemplated Corporation. This motion was seconded by Mr. S. Brooking, and unanimously carried. Mr. Creighton, M.Gr.A.., being present, was then invited to address the meeting, which lie did at some length, and, touching in general politics, declared himself in favour of " manhood suffrage and vote by ballot," and said that in his place in the General Assembly he would feel it to be his duty, not only to represent the local interests of Newton, and carefully watch the " Corporation Bill," but also to assist in keeping Auckland as the port of call for the San Francisco Mail Service. Mr. Boardman, having entered the room, fully explained the intentions and resolutions of the Dedwood Highway Board in the matter of the projected municipality. Votes of thanks were then passed to Mr. Creighton for his attendance on such an inclement night, and to Mr. Holdship, for his conduct in the chair, after which the meeting broke up.—Herald.