Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1041, 22 May 1873, Page 2

Some days since our contemporary the Cross made a boast tantamount to the statement that it suppressed Waikato ne ws of an exciting character. Whether such action is calculated to produce a feeling of confidence in the public respecting the present state of affairs in the Waikato it is not for us to say. But we do most vehemently protest against another system pursued by the understrappera of the ministry in relation to the present embroilment, which will be more mischievous as tending to alienate the people of the South. It is very well known that the "Telegraphic Press Association" was started for political purposes, and itis curious, though not pleasant, to observe that all the telegrams sent South are framed so as to make little of the trouble in the Waikato. The Thames Advertiser is represented by telegram as declaring its opinion that if war takes place nobody would be able to live in the country; and a bias is everywhere unmistakably shown to represent the murder of Sullivan as of no political importance, and as being in fact a very vulgar murder. Judging from these indications, and from the drivel in the Wellington Independent, which breathes the very breath of ministerial nostrils, it is evident that warlike demonstration was not originally on the. card of the Government; and that even yet they would purchase forgiveness from Purukutu with any amount of sugar and flour if they only dared to.

Monday has been proclaimed a public holiday in honor of Her Majesty's birthday. A notice to that effect under the hand of His Honor the Superintendent appears in our advertising columns. Several merchants also intimate their intention to close their business premises on that day.

The Carandini concert was well attended last night, and several excellent ballads were sung and musical selections performed. The "Good old days of the Country Squire," and "The Brave Old Oak," were admirably rendered by Mr Gordon. " I cannot mind my wheel " was touchingly given by Miss Rosina "Did I not love thee?" was most effectively sung by Miss Fannie. The duett "Sainted Mother,"by Madame Carandinumd Miss Rosina, was a great success, and given in the true spirit of the piece. Madame Carandini gave with beautiful effect " Come, Music," but much disappointment was experienced in not hearing from that lady the sweet little song "Beautiful Star," which is a household ballad or child-hymn in thousands of home-circles. The clappings and whistlings and kickings from a cluster of shilling boys with shoes on prevented this enjoyment. We hope, however, the song of the star is only delayed. We would-Yefer especially to the musical accompaniments by Madame Winter, and the vocal assistance of Mr Sherwin. A change of song will take place to-night.

In the case of John Greig, a seaman, charged with disobedience of orders on board the 'Edinburgh Castle, the sailor pleaded guilty, when it was suggested by Mr o . &. Russell that Mr Beveridge, being the senior solicitor present, should take up his counter charge. Mr Beveridge consented to do so, and asked for a remand in order to get the necessary information. The remand was granted and the result was success. Mr Beveridge took up the seaman's case, elicited some truths from the captain favourable to his client's cause, and won freedom and full wages free of all costs for Greig, who may reasonably thank his eloquent counsel for the liberty he enjoys.

To the Editor : Sir,—The Herald of yesterday, in criticising the action of the City Council in the matter of the water supply, alludes to the city now being divided into wards. It is only fair to that body to state that they have on two occasions, at some expense, endeavoured to have the city divided into wards, but failed after a strenous canvass to obtain the requisite number of signatures. The other insinuations will of course always be fostered whenever the Council ventures to differ in opinion with the views of the writer, but not necessarily the more truthful.— Youra, &c, R.

A gentleman residing in the Great North Road made a complaint in Com t yesterday morning that he was followed by a strange dog from his villa into the city, and he could not get rid of the animal. The dog was without a collar, and as lie had been threatened with a summons he considered it would he a hard case for him to pay for a dog belonging to somebody else. He also suggested that some" benevolent perscta might establish a " dog refuge," similar to the Home for Stray Dogs, at Islington, as in case of a war and scarcity of meat dogs might be, turned to good account.

A public meeting will be held this evening at the Mechanics' Institute for the (purpose of establishing a Refuge for the Destitute, an institution much needed for the unfoitunate and homeless, and those amongst us who are not the favorites of Fate.

The prizes won by pupils of the Auckland College and Grammar School -w 111 be presented by His Honor the Superintendent to-morrow afternoon, at half-past two o'clock, at the Choral, Hall. The presentation wiU be made in public, and all are invited to attend.

At the half-yearly meeting of the South British Insurance Company's office, held yesterday afternoon, Messrs Tohu Batger and T. L. White were elected auditors for the ensuing year. An honorarium of £ SCO per annum was voted to the directors, dating from the formation of the company. The subject of the Sir George Bowen Prize Essay, for which the sum of live pounds, or a medal or books, according to the special taste of the successful competitor, is a most interesting one, viz.:—" Tho Wars of the Roses, comparing the titles of the respective claimants to the Crown, and pointing out the effect of those wars upon the subsequent course of English History." In point of pecuniary reward the amount of research and study necesssary for the evolvement of the effect of this passage of history would be of no consideration. The labour would be undertaken for the honour of a literary victory, and not for a piece of paper of five pounds value, which would, lower the character of the acceptor. The offer, however, by the University of New Zealand, is restricted to matriculated students of the University, and Sir George Bowen's prize of five pounds may prove a god-send _in the form of pocket money to some needy student, and may stimulate him to the pursuits of other subjects in the open field of history.

We understand that Lottie ■will be back in Auckland id the , course of the next fortnight, and will perform for a few nights if time will permit.

The fifth annual meeting of the Auckland Institute was held last evening in the laree room of the Museum. The president, T. Heale, Esq., took the chair. Mr Kirk, the secretary, read an excellently prepared, report, which shewed that the society had been the means of spreading much botanical and scientific knowledge by its papers, and incetings, and that anothervvolume of such information would be issued before the close of the present year. The 'balance-sheet shewed a balance in favour of the Institute of £51 19s. lid. The following new members have been added to the roll since the last monthly meeting : Messrs J. Slatter, W. Scott, M. Hannaford, H. M. Williams, E. Thomas, W. J. Cawkwell, A. Cox, and C. B. Knorp. Mr Gillies was elected president of the Institute, and the following to the council: Messrs Campbell, Heale, Haultain, Kinder, R. B. Lusk, H. H. Lusk, T. Russell, Stewart, and Tinne. Votes of thanks to the Chairman and Mr Kirk brought the meeting to a close. Mr Kirk, on acknowledging the vote, suggested the necessity of a waterproof building to preserve the valuable specimens of the Institute from the influences of the weather. He believed in other respects the Institute would compare favourably with any of the other affiliated societies of the colony.

,To the Editor : Sir, —I would wish to draw your attention to a great nuisance that prevails to a considerable extent in this city, especially on Saturday evenings. It is almost an impossibility to wend one's way along the Queen-street footpath in consequence of the little knots of elegantlydressed young swells who stand about and attitudinize on the pathway, quite callous and indifferent to those who are desirous of moving on. Amongst these I have noticed a considerable amount of local talent, viz., gentlemen who have, or do now belong to amateur troupes that go in for "nigger" business ; and as you pass you may catch some of the following items of conversation— "bones," "sand jig," "gags" "best corner man," "big shoes," &o. I wonder some of the policemen who seem to be so hard up for a job do not make it the the business to put an end to this system of loafing.— Yours, &c, KusTiom > '<} t

Our correspondent in the Waikato refers to the overworking of the telegraph operators at the various stations in the Waikato district. That additional operators were not at once despatched when the present disturbance arose can only be ascribed to the redtapeism which seems to prevail supreme in the Telegraph department. At Newcastle the telegraphist is post-master, agent for the Government Savings' Bank, and holds numerous other offices. When transmitting a message he is frequently interrupted by people for letters, or on other business. We know that these clerks have been working day and night of late, yet no assistance has been forwarded, and the work of the various departments is necessarily administered m a way unsatisfactory to the public. It is to be hoped the matter will be at once attended

to. *■'•'.., The annual tea-meeting in connection With the Eclwardes-street Band of Hope Society will take place this erening. After tea, public meeting will be held, when the Hon. Colonel Haultain, M.L.C., will take the chair. The Tonic Sol-fa Union will give their valuable assistance on the occasion.