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Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1306, 15 April 1874, Page 2

OtJK London correspondent, in his interesting letter published yesterday, drew attention to a movement among; the middle classes in the direction of emigration to New Zealand. He very wisely discouraged the idea of persons anticipating that there is any lack here of educated labour to fill Government appointments, clerkships, and other kinds .of employment which the middle class regard ■as their peculiar sphere. Active energetic men with a little moiiey are desirnble acquisitions to Oiir population from whatever class of society in Britain they are drawn, and every effort should be made to induce them to cast in their lot with the colonists ; but we llijnk it is equally a duty of emigration agents employed iv Britain to dissuade persons altogether dependent upon the higher classes of labour from making sacrifices to come to the colony. To these we really can hold out no inducement. Already they form more than a fair per ccntage of the population, and are in many cases paid a lower rate of remuneration than the same class of labour in Britain. Farmers and tradesmen prepared to open up new branches of industry, and to supply thegrowing requirements of those already in existence, are what we require from the middle classes, but those entirely without cash, and destitute of technical knowledge, can scarcely expect to succeed here. Persons with small private incomes would however, no doub*-, find in tho colony many advantages —the cheapness of living and freedom from the frightful necessity for " keeping up appearances " not being the least. The middle class emigration movement elicited the following remarks in the Pall Mall Gazette: —

"Besides the exodus of the working classes, of which wo have heard so much, there is now on foot a scheme for the exodus of the middle classes ; and at the meeting held a few days ago at the Labour Agency Assembly Rooms, Long-acre, it was pointed out that a well-devised plan of emigration is the only means of alleviating the growing and extensive want of employment among tho middle classes. It is impossible that the upper classes can witness this departure of the lower and middle classes without a twinge of emotion, and even the most callous " man of tho world " will feel a passing regret when his valet, his grocer, and his tailor wave their adieux to him from the deck of the emigrant vessel that bears th?m to lands overflowing with unadulterated milk ?nd honey ; but the tears will soon be brushed from the eye, and tho necessity of self-help will leave no timo for useless lamentations. The population of this kingdom will be reduced to what are vulgarly called the " upper ten thousand," and these will have to lead a very different life from that they have been accustomed to. There are many lessons in cooking, washing, tailoring, &c, which they will have to learn, and the sooner they begin the better, for there is no time to be lost, and, above all, let them endeavour to live together as a " happy family." There must be no more Chesterfield Letters or anything of that sort. Honesty, frugality, and industry must occupy all their thoughts and attention to the exclusion of many little things we could mention."

The following extract from a leader in tbe Thames Advertiser shows how little sympathy should be extended to Manning, recently convicted at the Thames, and how unjustifiable was the censure officially passed on the police for their successful efforts in trapping such a systematic wrongdoer:—"Condemnation of the action of the police involves practically sympathy with Manning, and if effective would really -impede the detection of specimen-stealing. We have already pointed out several features in the,case which make it quite certain that Manning was in the habit of dealing with specimen-stealers, and was eager to extend his trade iv that direction, and to these v c may add one or two others' When Cass went to him he asked him ' if he did anything in the specimen line ?' and the answer was ' Yes, when I get the chance.' No one can mistake what that means. Manning then told Cass to come at seven in the evening—after dark it will be observed. After crushing the specimens he named his charge, and then adds that when people are satisfied they always allowed him a few shillings more. Cass then remarks that these specimen affairs are dangerous, to which Maiming assents, and adds that 'when Cass came next time he was to come to the Willoughby Hotel and send for him,' so that he should not be seen coming to the yard These things and many others show that Manning was in the habit of making a trade of crushing specimens, and ought to make every right-thinking man rejoice that he was entrapped. He could not be stopped in his career unless by a trap laid for him, and to condemn the police for entrapping him can only be caused by mental confusion and utterly mistaken sentiment."

The Episcopalian clergy in Sydney have (says an exchange) arrived at a conclusion which cannot be otherwise than satisfactory to their congregations. There may be bazaars, but these are to lose one of their greatest feminine attractions. There are to be nO more raffles and no more lotteries. It has been decided in solemn conclave that raffling a pincushion worth half-a-crown, while asking for twenty members at a shilling a member, is not altogether orthodox, and not in accordance with commercial morality. So .in Sydney, a resolution has been passed stigmatizing those practices in very hard and unpleasant language. And what, is more, all the clergymen have promised compliance with the unexpected admonition.

About ten o'clock this morning the compositors in the office of Mr: Atkm, printer, of High-street, were suddenly alarmed by successive shocks in the windows and the immediate crashing of glass. On rushing into the street two young sweeps, with their faces covered with soot, without either shoes or stockings on their feet, were seen taking deliberate aim at the windows. They were at once taken to the Police Court, and in a very gleeful manner told Constable Connor that they were only having a "lark," and that they had only succeeded in smashing two panes of the printer's window. They were locked up, and will be introduced to the Police magistrate in the morning. ,

As some doubt appears to be felt by the public as to the desirability of the Governor \ holding a meeting in the Waikato district j at the present time the public will learn with satisfaction that it is his Excellency's intention to confine the proposed meeting to Europeans and friendly natives only. The meeting is to be held in fulfilment of expectations long standing, and in accordance with the expressed wish of his Excellency's advisers.

Captain Marks has, we learn, been appointed to the command of the Governor's yacht. The Captain is one of the Auckland nautical notables/ahd has had several Government commands dur'iflg his' connection with the New Zealand trade. We wish him eVery success.

A fearful coach accident near Lawrence is reported by the Tuapeka Times on the sth instant. It appears that Cobb's coach was descending the big hill near Beaumont's ferry when the brake gave way and the coach (which had eleven passengers aboard) Was precipitated down the hill and upset, seriously injuring se\eral of the passengers, amongst whom were Mrs. Anderson, of Bellamy Station, and her little boy eleven years old. "Duff, the driver, and two or three of the passengers received bad bruises. Drs. Halley and Stewart were at the scene of the accident all last night, and found it necessary to amputate the boy's leg. Mrs Henderson had several ribs broken. As soon as the news reached Lawrence Chaplin's agent sent a coach and four to briflg in the passengers. It returned at mid-day with Duff and all the passengers, excejjting Mrs Anderson and her boy, who were brought into hospital by Tommy Pope.

P The leasee of the Prince of Wales Theatre has engaged the theatrical company lately playing in Dunedin, andnowin Christchurch, to give a short season at the Prince of Wales Theatre prior to their departure for America. Their stay will necessarily be limited to six nights, commencing from Monday next. The Company includes Miss Clara Stephenson, leading lady and burlesque actress; Tilly Andrews, a \ ocalist of considerable merit ; Mrs Charles Searle, character actress ; Miss E. A. Mortimer, soubrette ; Messrs James South, Charles Searle, H.. Taylor, Launcelot Booth, V. Simmonds, and Mr Denham, assisted by Miss Lizzie Busche, Mr .W. GCollier, and others. A good change to the general order of entertainments in Auckland lately will bo afforded by the visit of the Company. The season opens on Monday with "Medea." In noticing Miss Clara Stephenson in this character the Otago Guardian in a recent issue says :—" Miss Clara Stephenson appeared as Medea at the Queen's Theatre last night to a good house. Miss Stephenson's rendering of perhaps the most difficult part in the range of tragedy is not unknown to us in Dunedin, but it is only justice to mention that she does justice to the sustained passion involved in the portrayal of Euripides' character as very few actresses could do. To-morrow evening Miss Stephenson takes her benefit, and as she is about to quit Dunedin for some time our theatre-goers would do W-11 to testifyby by substantial patronage that they properly estimate the many times she has ministered to their entertainment."

The meeting of the Improvement Commissioners was not held to-day as proposed, as it was deemed advisable to adjourn the meeting to Wednesday next for the reception of tenders in respect of certain works which will then be discussed and for other important business.

The paper on tho Darwinian theory read by Mr Carlyle, at tho Newmarket Literarj- Association's meeting last night, was listened to with the deepest attention, a large audience being presont. The credit of Darwin was well sustained by the eliminator of his views, but the presumed idea of man's relationship to monkeys was generally repudiated. Mr Baber was tho first to criticise the paper, and the discussion waxed exceedingly warm as the evening waned ; and as other members of the Institute had eloquent speeches to deliver on the subject it was unanimously agreed to adjourn tho further discussion of the question to a future evening (to bo advertised), when Mr- Brown will take the negative side, and speak on the folly of Darwin's theory. Archdeacon Pritt, president of tho Institute, announced that the second installment of books for the Newmarket library had been received by the secretary, and could be obtained every Saturday evening from six o'clock to nine.

The Olago Guardian, in speaking of the yacht Winona, says:—"She presents good lines for smart running, and -will prove a good worker on a wind, but we should imagine rather wet. She spreads a large amount of canvas, and may be expected to do well in a contest with some of our local vessels."

A public meeting is called in Ngaruawahia for Thursday next with the object of adopting some means of suitably receiving His Excellency the Governor. We trust that meetings will be held in all the other townships, and representatives appointed to draw up a suitable address. An address coming from the whole of the settlers in the Waikato would be worthy of, would no doubt receive consideration at the hands of the Governor. We understand that pressing enagagements will prevent His Excellency proceeding further than Ngaruawahia during his immediate visit. We believe that there is not a settler in the Waikato who does not appreciate at its true value the dignified position that Sir J. Fergusson has assumed towards the natives. The native question is of vital importance to us, and that " difficulty" should have due consideration at our hands. — Waikato Times.

The Harbour Board are advertising for tenders for the repair of the Devonport Wharf, North Shore. The tenders will be received until Tuesday, the 21st inst., at the office of the Board.

As the work of removing the hill on Parnell Rise continues the earth removed is employed very profitably in filling up the gully on the right of a person passing into Parnell under the railway viaduct. A stream, which partakes very closely .of the nature of a drain, runs into the sea at this point, and a scoria culvert has been built for its passage under the roadway. When the filliug-in is finished the road will be carried down from the Rise in a perfectly straight line instead of making a curve to the left towards the bay1, just at the spot where the gradient was steepest. The work is being superintended by Mr Strange of the Parnell Highway Board, but as the stream referred to is the boundary of the city the Corporation have consented to pay half ,the expense of the improvement.

The Troy Whig infringes on the patent of the Philadelphia Ledger, and says :—

Bring out tho crape and toll the knell; i She's dead—a lovely Lockport belle; Her stomach failed away to get With ninety oysters on a bet. Dean's sweet receipt for courtship : — Two or three dears," and two or three sweets, Two or three balls, or-two or three treats, Two or three serenades, given bs a lure, Two or three oaths, how much they endure, Two or three messages sent in one day, Two or throe times led out from the play, Two or three tickets for two or three times, Two or three love-letters writ all in rhymes, Two or three months keeping strict to these rules, Can never fail making a couple of fools.

On Saturday last, writes our Dedwood correspondent, while the Ponsonby cricketers were practising for the last time this season in the open space behind All Saints Church, the ball from one of the lads bats struck a spectator on the head, and the lawl immediately came out of his mouth. This incident brought the sport to a speedy close.

We have much pleasure in drawing attention to Mr Henry Gordon's benefit, which takes place at the City Hall to-morrow night. This gentleman has been the mainstay of the Carandini Company, and has earned great and well deserved popularity during his visit to this and other parts of New Zealand, To-morrow will be the last optjor'fctihity on which the tbe public Will have an opportunity of hearing Mr Gordon, as it is his mtentiO-. t. leave the company in Sydney, at the termination of his engagement with the Carandinis. He proposes to proceed to Europe with the view of studying under the best masters. A specially choice programme, including the best of Mr Gordon's songs has been prepared, and we anticipate, that a crowded audience will give eclat to the occasioH.

The Prince of Wales Theatre will be reopened this evening by the Vivian Company, assisted by Mr. Frank Verten and the celebrated Calefornian Minstrels, when a number of new attractions will be introduced.

At the District Court yesterday almost the whole of the day was occupied in hearing the case of Cundall versus Blewden. A number of witnesses were examined, and counsel on both sides having addressed the Court, his Honor Judge Beckham reserved judgment until next Court day.

The Wellesley-street Mutual Improvement class held a musical and literary entertainment in Mr Cornford's Chapel last evening, which was very fairly attended.

A very interesting: tea meeting was given last evening in the Franklin Road Sundayschool by the teachers to the scholars who are in the habit of attending on Sunday afternoons. The tea and accompaniments were provided by the lady teachers, of which about sixty children heartily partook. After tea an entertainment was held, Mr Kane in the chair. Several of the little ones recited pieces with great credit. The Misses Tremain and Greenwood sang "Rest for the weary" in a very pleasing manner. Tbe meeting was addressed by the Chairman; and Messrs Remus, Blackman, Parker, and Carlaw, and a very pleasant evening was passed.

To the Editor: Sir,—On perusal of your issue of last evening I perceived a malicious complaint made against Dr. Rosenthal. Is he a God that he can cure all? I, a patient of his, was made aware of his intended departure some ten days previous by himself, and was witness on several occasions to many successful cures he has made. I myself have to be very thankful to him, having been totally deaf for over ten years, and was many times greatly inconvenienced in my business by same, and now I am happy to say that my hearing has been quite restored. Thanks to him. It is hardly fair that such vile and bitter slander is made now. Trusting that I am not trespassing on your valuable paper—l am, &c, A. H. B-R_sn>_.

Long white trousers for ladies are very much worn worn on the Continent. These trousers should be quite plain for wearing in the day-time and in the street; but those for evening wear should be made of fine cambric, or muslin ornamented with embroidery, lace insertion, or heavy, rich lace frills or flounces, according to the taste and means of the lady herself. What could look prettier, or more modest, than to see a pretty, small, trousered foot in silk stockings and *a neat sandaled shoe, appearing under the skirt of a muslin dress, the ankles buried, as it were, in several.rows of lace frill or flounces or fine cambrio or muslin trousers ? Surely, also, when a young lady of 18 or 19 is dancing, it is more modest, and it is certainly very becoming, to see the limbs hidden in lace-frilled trouses of cambric then in the present fashion. As I said this mode is very much seen on the Continent, among French, Spaniards and especially Russians. When at Barcelona a few years ago I remarked that every lady wore trousers, some plain, some richly trimmed with lace frill or flounces. Two or four inches of the trousers were visible, setting off the small Spanish foot to perfection. I knew a very pretty French lady who used to wearmost becoming trousers in the evening, which were made of very fine cambric, or muslin, with rich lace frills up the calf of her leg, an insertion between each frill. The lace frills of her trousers just touched the instep, but the rest of the trousers was visible under and through the transparent skirt of white muslin.— English Magazine.

We have been requested to remind all auctioneers that their licences expired yesterday, and that they cannot now sell until their licences are renewed.

Should the weather be favourable the Auckland Cricket Club will play the return match Married v. Single next Saturday.

We are glad to learn from the Provincial Hospital that the young man, George Read, who met with a severe accident at the Sash and Door Company's Mills by having his fingers cut off with a circular saw, is doing as well as can reasonably be expected.

It appears that persons have been in the habit of depositing rubbish in Alten Road, much to the annoyance of the residents therein. This fact having been noticed by the Inspector of Nuisances, he (Mr Goldie) is prepared to give a reward of twenty shillings to any person who will furnish him with information as shall lead, to the conviction of persons so offending.

We learn that Mrs. Mitchell's benefit concert will take place in the Choral Hall on Monday evening next, and will be under the distinguished patronage of his Excellency Sir James Fergusson, Lady Fergusson, Sir George.Arney (Chief Justice), his Worship the Mayor, and the leading members of the society. A splendid programme is in preparation, to which we shall return on its appearance. The members of the Choral Society will assist, and will meet for practice to-morrow (Thursday) evening.

A grand concert will be given on Monday evening next in the Parnell Hall by the members of E. Clair's celebrated Magnet Troupe, whose magnetic attractions have so frequently drawn individuals together in hundred-fold clusters in the various halls of the city and outlying districts. This troupe possesses as a body very considerable comic and dramatic talent, and the troupe is the most unselfish that ever performed before an audience, and their motto is " Benevolence." On Monday the projected concert will be exclusively for the benefit of the widow and orphans of the late J. Granger, who was drowned at Napier. The concert will be of the usual character, including songs, dances farces and musical pieces by the principal amateurs in the darkie line. We may state that this will be the last entertainment in Auckland by this famous troupe, and consequently the last opportunity the public will have of enjoying a rare evening's amusement.

A combination troupe under the title of the " Californian Minstrels" make their bow at the Prince of Wales this evening. Although the troupe does not possess extra novelty in the form of new faces, it undoubtedly comprises talent. The entertainment will consist of quartettes, _ songs, choruses dances, sketches of-plantation life, &c, together with the- exhibition of the hazardous feat of walking from the stage to the dress circle on a single wire, which will be undertaken by Australian George, who has acquired some reputation as a colonial Blondin. Mr Verten, who is a host in himself, will appear in conjunction with Mr Vivian and Mr Mason, assisted by Miss Melville. The programme is most varied, and should decidedly draw a good attendance.

_M, Gimbert, who has been long engaged in collecting evidence concerning the Australian tree "Eucalyptus globulus," the growth of which is surprisingly rapid, attaining besides gigantic dimensions, has addressed an interesting communication to the Academy of Sciences. This plant,, it now appears, possesses an extraordinary power of destroying miasmatic influences in fever-stricken districts. It has the singular property of absorbing ten'times its weight of water from the soil, and of emitting antiseptic camphorous effluvia. When sown in marshy ground it will dry it up in a very short time. The English were the first to try it at the Cape, and within two or three years they completely changed the climatic condition of the unhealthy parts of the colony. A few years later its plantation was undertaken on a large scale in various parts of Algeria. At Pardock, 20 miles from Algiers, a farm situated on the banks of the Hamyze was noted for its extremely pestilential air. In the Spring of 1567 about 1,300 of the eucalyptus were planted there. In July of the same year—the time when the fever season used to set in—not a single case occurred, yet the trees were not more than nine feet high. Since then complete immunity from fever has been maintained. In the neighbourhood of Constantine the farm of Ben Machydlin was equally in bad repute. It was covered with marshes both in winter and summer. In five years the whole ground was dried up by 14,000 of these trees, and farmers and children enjoy excellent health. At the factory of the Gue de Constantine, in three years a plantation of eucalyptus has transformed twelve acres of marshy soil into a magnificent park, whence fever has completely disappeared. In the island of Cuba this and all other paludal diseases are fast disappearing from all the unhealthy districts where this tree has been introduced. A station-house, at one of the ends of a railway viaduct in the department of the Var was so pestilential that the officials could not be kept there longer than a year. Forty of these trees were planted, and it is now as healthy as any other place on the line. We have no information as to whether this beneficent tree will grow in other but hot climates. We hope that experiments will be made to determine this point. It would be a good thing to introduce it on the West Coast of Africa. — Homeward Mail.