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Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1423, 3 September 1874, Page 2

A kemXkkablt: feature about the Waitemata contest is the given to barmaids. The question shall barmaids have long or sborthours has infactbeen made by Mr Lamb the test question of the day. Because Mr. Yonder Heydo did not vote for the shortening of barmaid;;' hours, therefore, saithMr Lamb, (in effect if not in words), he is net worthy of being entrusted with the confidence of Waitemata. All this is very ridiculous. Even knowing as we do Mr Lamb's strong feelings on the teetotal question this kind of reasoning which has been seriously put forward is carrying a principle to an absurdity. How is it that the candidate who hopes to gain the Good Templar votes by his willingness to take the barmaids under his wing does not boldly declare his preparedness to support Mr Fox's noble principle — "No barmaids under thirty ?•'■' Will it be believed that the only qualification which this new champion of temperance possesses as an elector of Waitemata is his proprietorship of the Riverhead Hotel, a gumdiggers' rum-drinking establishment which Mr Lamb has himself inveighed against and canvassed the district against times without number. Yet a reference to the electoral roll will prove that it is that house and that alone which you Mr Macfarlane rests his claim to a place on the electoral roll of the district. Even if it were not so we know that Mr Macfarlane carries on a large liquor business himself, and is very considerably interested iv that trade. Not that we think anything the less of him for that, or consider that the fact of obtaining his qualification from an hotel should militate against him one pin's point, but it is fitting that the mask of humbug, which has been assumed in the hope of picking up a few stray Good Templar votes, should be wrenched off. If Mr Lamb stood true to the principles of Good Templary, ho must vote for one whose freedom from any direct interest in the "infernal stuff," as Mr Lamb so forcibly characterises it, places him at any rate in a much better position to deal impartially with the subject than , one who is constrained to uphold the traffic by the strongest motives of self interest.

Mr Yon der Heyde announces his intention to address the electors residing in the Lake District to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock, in the Lake school-room, and the electors of Devonport at the Devonport Hall, North Shore, the same evening at eight o'clock.. The telegram from the Herald's correspondent yesterday relative to Mr Vogel's proposed retirement in favour of Mr Stafford is confirmed by a message received through the medium of the Press-Agency. The intelligence was of such a startling and significant character that people found it difficult to credit it, but with the circum- ' stantial corroboration which comes from an entirely new and impartial source there is now no longer room for doubt regarding the ' authenticity of the information, Comment is needless,,

If the number-of bankruptcies is any indi-| cation of " hard times " Christchurch cannot, at present be in a very prosperous condition. In a recent issue of the Press there appear no less than seven announcements of insolvency —a restaurant keeper, a watchmaker, a com- , positor, a carrier, a merchant, a carpenter, and. a builder. The list thus comprises variety enough ; and seems to indicate a lack of remunerative business in several trades.

A meeting of the members of the Volun • teer Fire Brigade was held last evening at the Queen's Ferry Hotel, Vulcan-Lane, according to Mr Asher's advertisement in the daily journals. Mr Asher in his address, gave his reason for calling them together. He had been, for more than twenty years in charge of such matters, and had also endeavoured to do his best in seasons of calamity in trying to subdue and extinguish fires. But by one of those strange anomalies which sometimes startle men by their apparent singularity a gentleman had been called from Dunedin to take his place. Such being the case he had only to retire with good grace and part from his faithful coadjutors. He would however be ready to assist in any new scheme pro lono puhlleo which might be brought forward at any future period Mr Asher then declared the disbandment of the company, and handed to the men the several sums of money due to them on account of fires at which they had laboured. The speaker remarked that although he had received no pay for his services he would, out of his own pocket, make recompense to his assistants. He therefore distributed £5 amongst them. On the motion of Mr Batterworth, seconded by Mr Storey, a vote of thanks was unanimously given to Mr Asher, who made a feeling reply. It was finally resolved on, the suggestion of Mr Stanton to hold a meeting on Saturday evening for the purpose of presenting to their late superintendent some memorial of their e3teem. A committee consisting of Messrs Storey, Smart, Fulljames, Guilding, Stanton and Butterworth was appointed for carrying the proposition into effect.

The opening soiree of the Albert-street Temperance Hall was held last evening in the presence of a large and respectable assemblage of ladies and gentlemen. The hall was not decorated with emblems and representative Hags as is frequently the case on Bimilar occasions, but every part of the programme was nicoly and satisfactorily arranged, and each Speaker was pleasant because not wearisome. Col. Haultain was called to the chair, and in a ueat, sensible speech, referred to the efforts which had been made by the friends of the cause to raise a temperance hall, a want that had long been felt in Auckland for the propagation of total abstinence principles They had now succeeded, and he considered it the duty of every person who took an interest in the welfare of his kind to do what he could to extinguish the curae of intemperance. His speech was temperate and characterised by moderation. The other speakers of the evening were Mr Coleman, and the JI-jv. (Jr. 11. Turner, which were excellent in tone and much to the purpose. Suveral interesting readings were given, which were accepted with applause. Mr Ewington read a humourous sketch by Spurgeon, entitled " A good word for wives." Mr Thomas Leigh White read Elihu Burrett's " Natural bridge of Virginia," descriptivo of youthful ambition, which, to the credit of the audience, was listened to with breathless attention. Mr Battloy read an extract from a speech by John B. Cough, delivered twenty years ago at Exeter Hall; and Mr Clark gave a ludicrous speech of a son of Erin. Tho choir gave several English gleea very successfully, assisted by members of the Harmonic Society. Songs were sung by Misa Probert (the Hundred Pipers), and by Messrs Ashenden and Spragg, son. Mr Spragg's Bongeontained asontiment suggested to the writer by Longfellow's Psalm of Life ; the lirat song that Mr Spragg had ever sung in public, and which was cheered aud encored. Mr Bond gave a capital Scotch pieco in true Doric with much success. Miss Edger presided at the- pianoforte, and Mr Clough touched tho violin. Tho best musical performance of the evening was unquestionably the selection on tko concertina by Mr Cousins, accompanied by a gentleman whoae name we could not catch, on the violin. This piece was correctly aud charmingly rendered and elicited great applause. The entertainment was pleasing, but the progammo was rather too long. On the noxt occasion we trust tho projectors trill remember tho clock.

Tho Vivian Comique Company arc doing their beat to interest and amuso the good people of Auckland, and last night their unique performances were greeted with a good deal of applause by the select audience. The various songs and negro sketches by tho players were highly amusing, also Mr Booth's farce. This evening a change of scene will take place, and to-morrow evening tha proceeds will be devoted to tho Gribble fund for the relief of tho widow and children.

The committee of tho Auckland Scottish Volunteers "will hold a meeting this evening, in the office of Captain Mowbray for business connected with the corps.

The clasß for the s^udy of arithmetic at the Mechanics' Institute commenced last evening undor a qualified teacher. Arithmetic may be dry study, but it is eminently useful to a man of the world, and is a shield of defence to any man of business. All important mental studies are hard at first, but by close application they become comparatively easy, and what is of great importance they bring in the bread.

As the pretty budding indications of spring grace the peach-tree 3 and hedgegroves ; and as primroses here and there in the solitary gardens peep between tha leaves, so the cricketer begins to feel his sportive blood course through his body, and he dances in the prospect of another jolly game at Ellerslie, or on somo other emerald field. In happy anticipation of such healthful sport Mr Henry E. Cotton the honorary secretary of. the Auckland Cricket Club, intends threading the members together this evening at the Thames Hotel. The preliminary business of the meeting will be the passing of accounts, discussing general matters, and initiating new members. We have been struck repeatedly by the magnificent cauliflowers exhibited in the window of Mr McHale. To-day we were curious enough to weigh a splendid speoiinen shown to us. It was found to turn the scale at the merest trifle under 10 lbs. The flower was hard and compact, and measured 114 inches in diameter and 36 inches in circumference. Mrs McHale informs us that she has had larger specimens, but wo do not recollect seeing* more beautiful cauliflower. It was grown in the garden of Mr Enoch Althorpe at Onehunga. To tho Editor: Sir,—ln the face of high dividends and additions to reserve funds it appears that "all the insurance companies doing business here have agreed to" raise fire premiums to the tune of 50 per cent.! Of course such an imposition will not long be permitted by the public. Meanwhile it might not be amiss to suggest that in lieu of charging prohibitive rates the companies should pay more attention to the character f cf their risks, both as regards the insurers themselves and the property they seek to I c.QY«r.~lam, etc., Tradek. £

Another westerly ggfLe has been blowing duriDg the day which hascaused a very heavy sea to run in the harbour. The vessels moored on the western side of the wharf, namely the barque Thames, the barque Ansdell, the brig Chanticleer, and the schooner Dauntless received very severe buffeting against the wharf while the blow was at its hardest. Of these the Thames came in for by far the largest share of straining, as she is just now completely empty, and consequently very bouyant. Nearly twenty men have had sill their work keeping her fenders in position to prevent her from staving in her sides against her piles. Irrespective of the damage done to the vessels the injury to the wharf from this constant bumping of the vessels alongside ought to command attention. Loud complaints are constantly heard from shipmasters that no T's are run out on the western side of the wharf where vessels could lie in safety. It is certainly time that these complaints received attention, if only for the reason above mentioned. Sudh an addition would, besides affording safe and comfortable mooring for shipping, considerably add to the accommodation of the wharf.

Mr George W. Brown lias been appointed organist of St. Mary's Church, Parnell. There were four candidates for the post, and we must congratulate the congregation on having secured such an efficient gentleman for the po3t. Besides being a good organist Mr Brown is well versed in the duties of choir-master, which he will be called upon to fulfil.

A special meeting of the Ancient Order of Foresters of Court City of Auckland, and Court St. Zelandia will be held this evenirg in Cook-street hall on business of importance,

The following letter shows Uie way the Waitemata roll has been manipulated in the interests of one of the candidates :—Sir, — I was very much astonished last evening on being informed that John Lamb had objected to me at the last revision of the electoral roll, and had succeeded in getting my name struck off on the gTound that I had sold my land and left the district. I am a settler in Waitakere East, and seldom see a paper, a fact which was taken advantage of to perpetuate thisrascallypieceof business. During the the last seven years I have been a settler in the district, and am still living on my own land, having horses, cattle and sheep there, which Mr Lamb must wellknow. Yet he has deliberately made a grossly false declaration before the Revising Officer, and I stand disfranchised. If this is the kind of lamb they breed at Eiverhead it will take a "very powerful sauce to make it palatable, and if the electors of Waitemata can stand it they have strong stomaohs.—lnm, etc., Henry Smith, otherwise Digger Smith.

To the Editor: Sir, —I was much astonished at the meeting in our little settlement last night to find Mr G-. Staines, who was so enthusiastic in the cause of Mr Yon der Heyde a month ago, now seconding Mr J. S. Macfarlane. Have you heard .whether any large purchases of decayed furniture have been made lately at the Champion's store to furnish Mr Macfarlanes's private residence if he becomes the elect of Waitemata. Mr Staines' chief grievance against Mr Yon der Heyde appears to be that he went to Wellington as a supporter of the Government and then turned against them. Will Mr Staines explain, then, how it comes that he who signed Mr Vogel's requisition for the City East on that beautiful regatta day when the pretty little boats were "a-rowing and a-sailing," as he told us so graphically last night, came to be so thoroughly convinced that the colony was going to pot as to move at the Choral Hall meeting that "Our Sovereign lady the Qaeen" be requested to take it under her protecting wing, a suggestion which even the anti-Vogelists received with derisive cheers ? —I am, etc., Bow What/.

Mr P. Doran intends getting up an entortainment for the benefit of the wife of the late William Gribblc.