The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1874.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1376, 8 July 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1874.

?or the o&uae that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs rasistanco, For the future in tlio distance,

And tba good that we can do

At last the "writ for Waitemata is to hand, and the real running will begin to-morrow week. It is difficult as yet to say who the various candidates will be. Those declared are Mr. Yon der Heyclc, Mr. J. S. Macfarlane, and Major Sfconcy. Those expected are Mr. Dignan. and Mr. Rees. These gentlemen have not yet made formal declaration on the subject, so that they are not yot fairly under criticism whether favourable or otherwise. Major Stoney assures us that he means to light the battle to the end. His backing will be in the country, and he is sanguine of its being sufficient to put him into Parliament. Mr. J. S. Macfarlane is accustomed to begi^i his political campaign with a bravura, tind tlien to go off in a whisper. He -will probably, throw up the sponge if. his,opposers cannot be put aside by a coup d'^'cat. His backing appears to be in his imagination, which apparently pictures to }jim all the constituencies of the province awaiting him with :6p;en arms. If the prospect of one last effort for the unhappy "logs," or sniffing this great Polynesian monopoly afar off does not nerve him to preternatural effort, ho will probably listen to ad vice and retire. Mr. Yon der Heyde ia of the class £)f man that the publio would like more frequently to eeo in "public life, aud whether ho; enters now, or ia defeated, we hope he will yet appear as one of our representatives in Parliament; Until we see the whole field we do not like to enter on a review "of tHe candidates. At present the election appfears to promise a lively struggle-

A PEXSloir to Dr. Featherston! Such is the on dil in Wellington. If anything were wanting to reveal the utter rottenness of politics, there wehave it. No one has ever deserved less of New Zftaland than has Dr. Featherston in the exercise of the functions of Agent-General;- To say that he has been merely useless would be to give him praise which is undeserved. He has been a curse to the colony, and owjng .to his action or rather inaction the great colonising policy runs the chance of being a millstone round the neck of the colony for an age to come. And now he will be pensioned, and brought back toi'enjoy the otium^. cum dignitate of a public benefactor. And why ? Because the Government are afraid to dismiss him. Be.

cause if he came back hungry and savage ministers' seats would be unpleasant; therefore he will be provided for at the country's cost. And yet even for this let us thank heaven, if it only remove so much incapacity from the control of immigration.

As seen from our "special's" telegram, it is expected that Mr Thomas Russell will be called to the Legislative Counoil and a place in the Ministry. We most cordially hope the report is true. We say so in the interests of Auckland, although it will be admitted that it would be about [the wisest step the Government, for its own interest, has taken f ormany a day. The services]which Mr Russell has rendered to Auckland and the colony in the past are but a part of the considerations that will suggest themselves in congratulation over this piece of news. Those services deserve publio recognition ; and " elevation to the peerage " is the constitutional usage in such case provided. At the same time in so publicly recognising Mr Russel, Mr Vogel doubtless has a keen eye to "■■ the other side of the question. If Mr Russell accepts the honor he will unquestionably be a tower of strength to the Ministry in the Tipper House, and will supply qualities in which the Ministry as at present constituted is defective. . The report has vraiseniblance. We. sincerely hope to learn" of its being verified. f

gin consequence of her late arrival the mall steamer City of Adelaide will not leave till; 6 o clock to-morrow morning. The English mail closes at eight o'clock this evening. .

The case of the two sailors PaScoe and Dobbins, charged with the murder of William Wright, will be, called on in the Supreme Court to-morrow mornieg, and that of Alexander Brown, for.alleged ineendidiarism, on Monday. ;

. Mrs Kenworthy is requested to leave her address at this office as numerous persons have called desirous of aotiag in various ways for her advantage.

! '"■" Seldom has our port been invaded by so many vessels in one day as it has been today. From .Newcastle, from New Caledonia, from the Islands of the Pacific they have poured in unceasingly since the early morning, and while we write the signalman is still employed heralding fresh arrivals. A schooner is signalled as we go to press. We hear that there is another barque outside", and according to Captain Scott's report a large full-rigged ship was in company with the Hylton Castle on the 6th instant off the North Cape. Te the Editor : Sir,—l saw in the Thames Evening Star on Saturday an article taken from the Auckland Stab* concerning presentations to mine managers. I was gratified at the manner you described it in shewing up how things are carried on at the Thames, and trust you will continue the same whenever opportunity will permit, for it is my opinion the public press will do more good than any thing in exposing the rascality that is now carried on in the mine. The Protection Society have put % great check to sp2cimen-3tealing no one can doubt, but withal it is still carried on, though not to such an extent," as before ; but I merely ask a question, How is it that as soon as a claim strikes gold the manager becomes independent and resigns the management? Some go to the other colonies on account of illhealth, but not till their pile is made. lam a resident at the Thames for several years, and have taken great observation in this respect. Why should managers and miners become independent if things were worked honestly more than any other classes do with the same wages. We know as a rule it is not from economy generally amongst them. In regard to presentations I must agree with you, and I think it more a disgrace to the manager to be presented with a testimonial than a credit, for it is enough for shareholders to have suspicion that the work has not been carried on honestly, but I am sorry most of the shareholders are in such a helpless state. In conclusion, I beg you will watch the state of affairs as you have done tip to the present, and many thanks to you for the plain and upright manner in writing. —I am, &c , A Shareholder.—Shortland, July 6, 1874. Last evening Mr F. Battley read an interesting and instructive essay on "Modern Archaeological Discovery" before the Wel-lealey-street Debating Class. On the present occasion the meeting was held in the large school-room for the better accommodation of visitors, a good sprinkling of whom were present. The class mustered in full force, and all the members expressed their indebtedness to Mr Batfcley for the labourand care ho had expended in the preparation of his paper. The essayist gave an account of the explorations in Pompeii, glanced at the remarkable ruins of vast buildings in Java, and referred to Sir Hy. Rawlinßon's discoveries in Persia, 4c. The history of the decipherment of cuneiform writing was also given, and the Moablte and Sinaitic inscriptions were noticed. The writings of Lazard, Rawlinson, Mivart, and Smith were all laid under contribution, the recent discoveries Of the Daily Telegraph commisioner claiming especial notice, and a good idea was given of the work of the several explorers. The paper was illustrated by diagrams prepared by the essayist, and though the reading occupied close on an hour-and-a-half it was listened to with marked attention throughout. Such a paper, which would be more properly termed a lecture, might be given again before aay audience, for it could not fail to interest, and is especially valuable as drawing attention to the long-buried tablets, hidden for 2,000 to 3,000 years, and now testifying to "God's word written" as we have it in our English Bible. The first of a Beriea of six lecture 8 in connection with the early-closing movement was delivered 'last evening in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association. The lecture was by the Venerable Archdeacon Maunacll, and was entitled " Toil Triumphant." P. A. Philips, Esq., Mayor, occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks expressed regret that the attendance was so small. Dr Maunsell, however, would not disappoint those who were present in withholding his lecture. Dr. Maunsell then proceeded to deliver his lecture and referred to labour in the present age as a great institution as the source of our personal comforts and conveniences, and the names of those sons of toil who earn their bread by the sweat of their brow were most cherished amongst us. The lecturer then drew several pictures of men in different circumstances of life, and shewed that success depended greater. on personal qualities ; and without energy, forethought, and thrift men could not rise. No political change could alter the condition of a labourer so lone as the labourer was inferior to hiß employer. Good lawß were essential to the well-being of the community, but men had more to do in making a government than a government had to do in making men. Happiness was not so much the result of outward changes as from purity of life and the culture of good habits. He gave brief glimpses of English history from its earliest periods down to the signing of the Magna Charta by King John in Eunnimede, between Windsor and Stainea, and pictured the advance of toil and freedom step-by-step in connection with the toils of our sturdy^ fore-fathers, who were nourished by beef and beer (cheers). The lecturer then referred to the early-closing movement, and to the triumph which the noble army of drapers had won, and he hoped they would stand firm to their principles, and they would yet be triumphant. Men often asked for more leisure and more pay, but it unfortunately happened that when these privileges were obtained men in many instances abused these privileges and wasted their means, and were in possession of fewer comforts. Many a man who is always in employment, owing to pernicious habits was never more than a day ahead of his week's pay. Something more was necessary than money and leisure to make men happy. It is within the reach of most men to win a comfortable home by the culture of homely virtues. As the poet Milton say 3 with much truth— The mind is its own place, Can make a hell of heaven, a heaven of hell. The lecture was of a thoroughly practical nature, and. listened to by the thoughtful few with deep attention. Mr Stanwix, on behalf of the association, expressed thanks to the lecturer for his very able and interesting discourse, and said that every working man should have been present, as the lecture was eminently calculated to edify and instruct them. He regretted with the Chairman that ao few persona were in attendance, but the doctor's words had not been spoken •in vain as members of the press were present. Votes of thanks to the lecturer and chairman closed.the meeting. The grand jury before separating on Tuesday maderthe following presentment to his Honor the Chief. Justice* v"; That in the. opinion of the gentlemen forming the .grand jury an increase in the police force ia'required in the province of Auckland." His Honor informed them that their presentment should be forwarded to the proper quarter. The return football match between the Mt. Hobson and : Grafton-road Clubs will be played in the Domain next Saturday. The following are the names of the Mt. Hob3on Club:—HaroldJE. W. Sutton (captain), H Philipson, J. Wilson, W. Kelly, ft. Barnriey' W. Cheesemanj T. Clarke, J. Browne, J Browne, J; Cutler, T. Riohards, J. Barnaley F. Newell, Marks, C. E. 0, Smith, H. Bull

The Hibernian Juvenile Drumand Fife Band, under command of Mr Marhn had a march out last evening, the young musi oians ranging from six to fourteen years ol : g o T Kand played St. Patrick's Day. in the morning and several other lively airs, and considering the brief time of the existence of the band the members are to be complimented on their proficiency. The professional betting men or bookmakers are having it made very hot for them in England. The numerous cases of swindling employers, embezzlement, and other roguery, directly traceable to the facilities for reckless speculation afforded by the advertised willingness of these gentry to give the odds upon any event in the sporting world, have attracted the attention of Parliament. At the beginning of the month of April Mr Anderson had succeeded in passing the second reading of a new Betting Bill. The state of things at which this Act is specially aimed is somewhat singular. In 1853 betting was made illegal by Act of Parliament/ the law which was then passed making it punishable by fine" and imprisonment to keep any establishment where money waS received and paid on 'the issue" of horse races, or where any other species of gambling was carried on. For many years the provisions of this Act were only partially enforced, and although betting houses were plentiful in London right under the noses of the police it was only when any great scandal occurred or as unkindjpeopie Said when the hushjmoney was not regularly raid, that a raid was made upon an offender, and he was sentenced to pay £100, which he generally did with the remark ascribed to a prominent commercial man in this province when convicted of smuggling some years ago, that it was the cheapest £loo's worth he had ever taken out. A few years since however there was a great outcry against betting, and in spite of the very widely expressed opinion that the middle class, who as a rule made use of the betting houses, had just as much right to ruin themselves as the swells who betted their thousands at Tattersall's, which institution was allowed to rest in undisturbed security, more vigorous measures began to be taken to root the evil out. Police raids were made upon the establishments of Messrs Valentine and Wright, Mr Chas. Bush and others, who had been netting their thousands a year by their illegal transactions. It became evident that the game wa3 up in England. But now a singular discovery was made. Scotland was not mentioned in the Act making betting illegal, and it occurred to some of the more sharp-witted of this very sharp section of the commnnity that in these days of telegraphing and the penny t post it would be as easy to carry on the business in Glasgow and Edinburgh as in London. The idea was acted upon and answered splendidly. We have it on good authority that no less than thirteen English betting agencies have been established in Edinburgh since 1872, while in Glasgow the betting houses have more than doubled. And it must be understood although the business was not allowed to go on in England, there was no bar to the advertisements appearing in English papers, Mr Anderson says in his speech : " He had had the curiosity to look into the 1 Sportsman,' where he saw fifty-six sporting advertisements, chiefly of tipsters, and into the 'Sporting Life,' where there were seventy such advertisements. He .was informed that one firm in Edinburgh paid one newspaper £8 a week for what were called discretionary advertisements, which, being rather risky, were charged as high as 5s per line. The hon member quoted specimen advertisements of £100 to be realised for los, £22,000 for £8, and of valuable information that would be sent for a few postage stamps. The most respectable sporting papers, such as the 'Field' and 'Land and Water,' did not admit those advertisements, nor did the 'Times, 'Daily Telegraph,' 'Daily News,' 'Standard,' 'Hour,' 'Echo,' and ' Globe.' So far as he had seen, only the ' Advertiser' and ' Morning Post' admitted them, and then only in small print, as if ashamed of them. The provincial press, he was afraid, were great sinners, but he must make an exception in favour of the ' Glasgow Herald,' which refused to admit these advertisements. Having quoted further specimens of these advertisements, which, he said, were aptly called 'muff-traps, 1 he said that business of that kind was based on the theory, as one of the practitioners said, that ' there is a fool born every minute, and thank God some on 'em lives. " (Laughter.) The effect of Mr. Anderson's Bill will be to render these advertisements illegal, and also to make it impossible to evade the law by doing the business " over the border." The extent to which the betting evil, as it must undoubtedly be called, had. culminated may be gathered from the assertion made in Parliament that two of the Edinburgh firms made £20,000 a year clear profit out of their "connection." Of course there has been the usual cry of class legislation, but it is probable, notwithstanding, fiat the Bill is by this time law, and although it may seem hard that the luxury of -squandering their money should be denied to any class in particular, it does not seem likely that the middle classes of England will suffer much by the enactment. A New Zealand evening hymn, saya the Melbourne Telegraph, has been written by Mrs L. V. Ball, and set to music by a lady who is an inmate of St. Mary's Convent, Wellington, and who only reveals herself to the world as daughter of the authoress and as "Sister M.C.8." The opening verse gives the key-note of the composition— Aye Maria, 'tis sunset on the sea ; Aye Maria, night falleth silently, The nestling seeks its home beneath some woodland bower, And we to the are come in peril's lonely hour. The daylight hath its cares that round onr pathway meet, Bat night, how many snares for weary faltering feet. Hail! Hail! Hail 1 " Throughout the lines breathe a tone of strong feeling, and Sister M.C.B. has set them to music marked by pathos, and in passages with, a subdued brilliancy. No more pleasing worK has been placed before the public for a long time, and we may hope that the seclusion of Sister M.C.B. will not interfere with her again addressing the world in musical numbers. Yesterday afternoon the young ladies employed in the establishment of Messrs Cosgrave and Co., drapers, of Queen-street, presented to William Graham, Esq., of that firm a beautiful edition of the poetical works of Thomas Moore, the Irish poet,, as a token of respect for his character previous to his departure for England.