AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1391, 27 July 1874, Page 2

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Business done— Bank of New Zealand—Sellers, £17 15s. National Bank —72s 6d ; sellers, 735. South British Insurance—Sellers, 51s 6d. National Insurance —Buyers, 295. Fiji Bank—Buyers, 565. Thames G.M.O.—Sellers, 603. Alburnia (con)— Sellers, 325. Caledonian—Buyers, £9 17s 6d ; sellers, £10 2s 6d. Crown Prince—Sellers, 30a. Moanatairi—Sellers, 425. Union Bsach—Buyers, 14s 6d ; buyers, 16a. City of York—Buyers, 10s 6d. Cure—Sellers, 15s 6d. Exchange—22s 6d : buyers, 225. Golden Calf (new)— Sellers, 4s 3d. Do. (double)— Sellers, 12s. Bismarck—Buyers, 5s ; sellers, 6s 6d. Old Wbau-Sellers, 41a.

The members o* the. Pitt-street United Methodist Free Church will hold their anniversary tea-meeting to morrow evening in aid of the Sunday-schools. The Rev G. Turner will take the chair, and addresses will be delivered by Messrs Cornford, Battley. Wood, Coupland, Ellyett, Hemus, and Parker. The choir will also attend and give musical selections. The anniversary sermons were preached yesterday to full congregations by Eevs A. Reid and G. H Turner ; and m the afternoon a very interesting address was delivered by Mr G. Hemus. The collection at the close of the several services amounted to £20. A number of selected and printed hymns for the occasion were sung by the children under the direction of Mr Tudehope. Mr Trigg presided at the harmonium.

The Messager dv Midi relates the following dreadful story :—A young married woman residing at Saloon {B ouches dv Rhone) died shortly after her confinement in August last. The medical man who was hastily summoned when her illness assumed a dangerous form certified her death, and recommended immediate burial in consequence of the intense heat thr-n prevailing, and six hours aftewards the body was interred. A few days since the husband having resolved to remarry, the mother of his late wife defired to have her daughter's remains moved to her native town, Marseilles. When the vault was opened a horrib'e sight presented itself, the corpse lay in the middle of the vault, with dishevelled hair and the linen torn to pieces Tt evidently bad been gnawed in her agony by the unfortunate victim. The shock which the dreadful spectacle caused to the mother has been so great that fears are entertained for her reason if not for her life.

The butchers of Auckland generally advanced the piice of meat on Saturday last from 5d to Gd per lb. in consequence, it was alleged, of a non-sufficiency of supply. _ Customers received the unwelcome intelligence that possibly in the course of a few weeks meat would be Brl per lb. The reasons assigned for the anticipated rise is that several steamers have ceased to brine? cattle and sheep into the port of Auckland.

On Saturday evening the Lovals' entertainment was well attended at the Lorne-stree* Kail. Miss Lizzio Shapter will take he* benefit, which will close the brief visit of thr tnlented troupe of gymnasts and minstrels The character of the entertainment did no nmtcriallv differ from those of previous evenings. The Fongs of Mr Tnrner, both sentimental and humourous, were received in a most gratifying manner, while the aerial performances of Mddle. Zuila and Messrs Oeorge Loyal and Verlettf were followed by enthusiastic cheers. As the troupe depart for the South immediately no other opportunity will bo afforded for witnessing the feats of this clever company.

The managers of the Siamese Troupe and HircuH will re-open the mnnimoth pavilion this evening vrith their marvellous feats of activity ann1 strength and their remarkab'e horse exercises. The inimitable juggler will also Ye present, and in order to meet the menns of all classes the priceß of admission are reduced.

The ratepayers of the Karangahape district will hold their annual meeting thin evening in the Newton Academy for the transaction of general business.

Thewell-known Oxford Troupe of vocalists, ftc, pave a very successful entertainment on Saturday evening at Onehunga, and will repeat it this evening in the same place.

Tho upper end of Qneen-street is beginning to assume a stately and snbstan+in 1 appearance, and the new shops in the line from Victoria-street are opened in complete T ondon style, and at great expense. The People's Dispensary is a model of neatness, with large plate-glass window, where the proprietor, Mr A. M. Wiliams. is fully prepared to supply the public with draughts and pills, and the children with teething powder and soothing syrup. Mr Saunders also has opened his fashionable and military and naval emporium, whichisalikecreditableto thehead that designed and the hands that wrought his tailoring establishment; while in Mr Francis's china warehouse may bo seen an extensive display of glass, china, and earthenware of every description. Other of the shops in this promising side of Queen-street are rapidly approaching completion, and when completed will vie with any part of this leading street in comfort and elegance.

The annual meeting of trie Maketu Highway district was held on Wednesday last at the Maket.u school-house at one o'clock p.m. Mr G. B. Hair presided. There was a pood attendance. The auditors, Mr T. Pratt and Mr J. S. Wilson, found the accounts correct —income, £213 16s 2d ; expenditure. £210 lls 9d. The rate agreed upon was one penny in the pound on the value to sell. The following persons had the highest number of votes as trustee? for the ensuing year: - Richard Phelan, James Parr, William Kerr, Lauranee Callighan, and John Markham. Mr W. Kerr declined to act, and Thomas Keley, the next on the list, was declared elected.

The fourth monthly meeting of the Auckland Institute will be held this evening in the Museum buildings, Princes-street, when essays will be read on " Ptero.stylis Squamata," and on "The claims of science on National Education" by Mr Martin of Grafton road.

There was a very large congregation in attendance at Sfc. Matthew's Church yesterday to hear the first sermon in the church by the new minister, Rev. S. Hassarrl. The rev. gontleman is a young man with a clear distinct delivery, and possessing apparently ■a conscientious desire to perform his duties faithfully in the responsible position to which he has be^n called. The rev. gentleman took his text from the Ist Epistle to the Corinthians, c. xii., v. 25, and expounded the subject with much ability. He referred in order to the particular duties of a minister in relation to thje people under his charge, and to the other work devolving upon the Christian minisfcisr. Mr Hassard promised to treat upon the duties of the people in relation to their ministpr in his next discourse. A feeling of general satisfaction was expressed by tho members of the congregation, and we believe that Mr Hassard will prove a worthy successor of the late Rev David Jones.

A correspondent writes as follows on "Sabbath-breaking" :—Sir, —While driving to Epsom yesterday to attend the funeral of the late Mr. W. Rattray I was a good deal astonished to see a number of navvies at. work on the Barnabas Point breakwater, and ballast waggons in full swing. It is notorious that this piece of work has been longer in course of construction than it would probably have been hvl twenty moderately robust old womrrx been kept constantlyemployed on it for six days in the week. For weeks it was left untouched and neglected. Tell me then, gentle shepherd, why this sudden outburst of zeal that the six working days are not deemed sufficient for the active prosecution of the work ? Moreover, if such despatch is imperative why are not some of our new arrivals placed on the work, and the number of hands employed on it increased, in place of pursuing a course which cannot but be painful to a large section of the community ?—I .am, &0.. IxQUIRER, * '

The members of the Fraterna Home a.-'-Pioneer Lodges of Good Templars wiil hoi."' an open lodge meeting this evening in th«= Albert-street Temperance Hall at half-past seven o'clock.

A meeting of No. 2 Company Rifle Vo'untears was held at the Drill-shed on Friday evening last for the purpose of re-organising the company and electing officers. Mr Somerville, who had been for (some time past acting as captain, was unanimously i elected captain, and Mr W. H. Skinner first I lieutenant. The former gentleman has siDce been compelled to decline the office for th? present through the advice of his doctor, which is to be regretted. It was decided to send a challenge to fire a match with the Hobson Company for the purpose of creating, a little emulation, and the Hobsons are n'>t likely to let the challenge pass unheeded. It was also decided to fire for a very handsome medal generously presented to the company by the late Lieutenant M. Bobinson, but before doing so it was suggested that a month or two should elapse in order to give new members an opportunity to compete New spirit has now been infused into this company, and the members hope that there will be large additions to their numbers. Young men desirous of joining the company are requested to commnnicate with Lieut. Skinner.

One of the most curious, useful and beautiful pieces of machinery that we have seen for some time is a patent wax thread sewing machine, manufactured by Thomas, of London, and imported by Mr. Heslop, of the fitting shop Vulcan Lano, where it is on view. It is a most complete piece of machinery, the action being that the leather is first pierced by an awl, which imediately retires when the needle carrying the wax thread enters the hole previously made by the needle. The shuttle, which is most peculiar, not having my points to it, enters the loop which is formed by a revolving shaft and which travels round the shuttle carrier. The various movements are so novel that it would be almost impossible to discribe them We Biniply advise persons curious or intrested in such matters to call at Mr Heslop's, Vulcrn Lane machine repository, and inspect this and other machines. The wax thread machine, which is a recent invention, was first shown at the Northampton Exhibition, and has been strongly tested.

The active members of the Auckland and North Shore football clubs met for a friendly contest on Saturday afternoon at the North Shore. The weather was favourable, and all nature seemed to smile upon the lively scene. The clouds withheld the rain-showers, and sped away with their burthen far over the hills as the players prepared for their leg exercise. The result is thus stated : North Shore won by three goals; one poster, and six touch-downs. Caverhill kicked one goal splendidly, Kees, kicked two magnificently, and C. Burgess succeeded with a poster. The Auckland men were also good at their work, and when in full force wdl no doubt re-estab-lish their good name, and wreathe their brows with laurels.

The slope fi om the fine street across Barrack Hill formed by the Improvement Commissioners has been planted with ornamental trees, which seem hardy and likely to flourish. When full grown they will add greatly to the attractive appearance of that part of the city, and as the street is very conspicuous in the view of Auckland from our harbour an additional attraction will be added to that very pretty scene. Already some vandals have commenced an onslaught on the trees, and out of a spirit of destruction pure and simple hare torn some of tho shrubs up by the roots. The police have been communicated with on the subject, and are now keeping a look-out for the offenders, and we sincerely trust that the wretches will be brought to justice. We can find no language strong enough to denounce the conduct of tho3e persons whose spirit of destruction renders it almost impossible to carry out any ornamental work in the city.