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Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1486, 14 November 1874, Page 2

There are several athletic meetings in prospective. Besides Mr Graham's promised gathering at Christmas, it is probable that athletic meetings will soon be held both by the Auckland Cricket Club and the Auckland Bowing Club, while it is possible that the sturdy sons of the North Shore may also hold out some inducements for the citizens to take a run across to see the champions of the district try conclusions against tho picked men of other parts. In view of these laudable contests it is desirable that the proper management of athletic meetings should receive attention from the projectors. We recommend to the notice of these Chanticleer's dissertation on the subject contained in this day's supplement. The suggestions therein contained are the results of the teaching of experience, and are worthy of careful perusal.

The subject of introducing a Corporation Gas Bill will be discussed at the next meeting of the City Council, when the lodginghouse regulations will also be considered. The Gas Company have, since the first' named matter came up, conceded to the requests of the Council. It is difficult, therefore, to say what turn the discussion will now take upon the point of difference, which at one time threatened a serious rupture of the relations previously existing between the city and the company.

An extraordinary and melancholy death is recorded at Bendigo. The deceased, a young man named Vincent Courtney, arrived from England some two years ago. As soon as he had become settled he wrote to a lady, a Miss Hyde, to whom he was engaged before he left England, to join him here. The lady arrived by the steamship Durham, and the pair were married by the Rev. Father O'Cornell. On the Thursday morning deceased rose about six o'clock, and, whilst dressing, he was attacked with a violent fit of shivering, and became speechless. He pointed his wife to a neighbour's house, and, by his gestures, evidently wished her to send for him. This she accordingly did, but upon the arrival of the neighbour he had expired. The grief of the lady on finding herself a widow in a strange land was indescribable, so much so that she has become almost insane. The deceased, who was twenty-four years of age, was well-connected, his father being a merchant in Drogheda, Ireland, and he has a brother a surgeon in the Indian army. Deceased died in syncope, from enlargement and dilation of the heart.

The cattle by the St. Kilda yesterday were of really splendid description. One bullock imported by Mr Brewer was intended for exhibition at the Show, but came too late. It is pronounced by competent judges to be of a remarkably fine quality, and weighs about 14 cwt. The cattle were much admired while being driven through Onehunga from the steamer, and were landed in excellent condition after the passage.

We have been requested to remind Companies No. 2 and 3, A.R.V., that their turn for representative firing is Tuesday next.

About five o'clock last evening as an £<,win a fk Several persoM rilsbed at SS? £ ?he" k—^T^ carried her on to the verandah ot a neign bouring cottage, where she was accommodated with a pillow. The woman lay for a Arable time in a state of -consciousness easpingfor breath. One or the oy 2fi Immediately ran for a medic*^an and another for some brandy whe others anDlied water to her forehead and lips, -me Tman at length recovered suffic^tlyJJ pursue her homeward journey, and was sur Sed and grateful for the kindness she had experienced from the hands of strangers It aSeared that she and the child had walked Kg way m the sun, and her mishap was the result of physical exhaustion.'

A very excellent and practical exposition of the principles of Good Templarism is the followiug. Many a glass of beer would thii3 be kept from the lips if " wator pure water " were placed within the reach of thirsty souls. We clip the following from a Southern Exchange : —" A tribute to the Good Templar cause may be witnessed at the entrance to the newlyformed road across tho Lagoon, at the East Hawkesbury, in the shape of a vessel and cup, fixed where a beautiful spring of water, clear as crystal, flows into it. On the vessel is inscribed the words—' Good Templars Well,' and ' Come, ye who thirst; approach tho spring." Opposite this spring has also been erected a seat for the accommodation of the public."

A correspondent writes :-" Apropos of the case of hardship of the man Avery a witness at the late fire, may also be conSdered the services, of juries who a*take away from their business to insider whether or no Insurance Companies shall pay the claims made against them ;at leasti ml nine cases out of ten, juries are not called tor unless at the instance ° I"8™06,0^ panics. Doubtless it is well inquiries should be made into these matters, but not at the expense of poor men only." In reply to our correspondent " Engineer," we may state that Messrs. Close Brothers opened the subscription on behalf ot tbe widow and orphans of the late Mr. John McLean, of the Mauku, accidentally killed a short time ago. We are sure they will be most happy to receive and forward the subscription, which our correspondent has received from his friend in the South.

In alluding yesterday to the melancholy loss of reason, in the case of a little girl, caused by a fright on seeing the enormous ugly head of "Grandfather," exhibited by Smith's Combination Variety Iroupe, we ommitted to mention that this clever company broke up in Dunedin. Val Vose, the ventriloquist, with " Johnny Trotter," went on a tour through the up-country districts of Otago. Another company for Manilla was formed out of the material composing Mr Smith's original troupe, and sailed for that port. We believe " Grandfather" went with this section, and it is possible that bis features of personal beauty may, perhaps, be better appreciated by the Chinese and Indians of that eastern trading city.

John Keats, one of the sweetest of English poets, who died in the full flush of early manhood beneath the roseate sky of song, opened his tine poem of Endymion with a proverbial line which lives in perennial loveliness. "A thing of oeauty is a joy for ever." On looking in Mr Upton's window today, at the latest series of pictures by our eminent local artist, Mr John Hoyte, we were reminded of the everlasting truth of the young miustrel whose name as his monumeut at Rome tells, " was writ in water." These beautiful pictures, thirty in number, intended by the artist for his Christmas Art. TTnion, but which probably will be drawn for before that sunny break of the year, illustrated many of the choicest scenes in these islands, and whoever shall be fortunate enough to possess either of these truthful art treasures will assuredly po3sessa genuine prize. The pictures represent tho most attractive S3enes in the Hot Lake District, Wairoa; the basins of the Tarata; and mountains of Rotomahana, of which the poet, Dotnet, has sweetly sung in his " South Sea Dream ;" and fully bear out the truth of Keats' immortal line. Some persons, unacquainted with the actual scenes which Mr Hoyte impressed upon his glowing canvas, imagine that his representations are too highly coloured, but persons who have witnessed the living scenes pronounce them to be faithful delineations from nature. We barn from Reed and Brett's almanac that " the lower terraces, or perhaps more properly speaking the walls of the lower basins of Tarata are of a blue color, resembling in appearance so much masonry composed of polished blue granite. The water contained in these basins is of a light skyblue tinge, and has the effect of imparting a light mouldy colouring to the wails wherever it overflows them." We noticed, also, among these gems of art, a fine view of the " Otira Gorge," the '* Mahurangi Heads," and the ''Shag Bock," near Christchurcb, in the South Island, and numerous other illustrations of New Zealand scenery. The list includes thirty pictures, varying in price from £5 to £30. 120 members are required to complete the Hat. New Zealand is unquestionably the home of the artist and the poet. The former ha 3 arisen, and the latter will appear in his appointed time.

Major Gordon's now famous report on the Btate of the Volunteer Force of New Zealand, has evoked very varied criticism. There can, however, be no question, that his remarks were fearlessly and honestly made, and were in the main right, cutting direct home, and laying bare the rottenness of th« system. While some sections of the Press, no doubt stimulated by the offended local dignitaries, have retaliated on the Major with undeserved censure, there are not wanting those who recognise, as we do, the truth of the strictures, and the necessity for reform. Among these is the Dunedin Guardian, which in a leading article reviewing the main features of the report, says :- - "In these degenerate days, when it has become the fashion to call a spade not by it 3 good old Anglo - Saxon name, but to describe it in some circumlocutory phrase less offensive to refined ears, it is refreshing to read such a plain unvarnished account of the state of Volunteer affairs i^the colony. The gallant Major does not mince matters ; nor is he sparing of praise or blame, according as he thinks the one or the other deserved. He had a daty to perform, and he has performed it without fear or favor. When he has occasion to find fault, he does so in a direct and straightforward manner, whether the object of hia censure be a drunken quarter-master-sergeant, a Volunteer corps, or the higher officers of the force, even though these should be members of Assembly, or the Government itself. He is a hard hitter, too, and, when he gets a chance of dealing a smart blow, does not hesitate to step out of his way to send it home. The drill-in-structor of the Wellington Artillery he charges with being * very defective in his knowledge of certain portions of the rudiments of his duty, owing perhaps to his having for too long a period of his Imperial service served in the tailors' shop of his battery.'"

The sunny season of strawberries and cream is dawning upon, and Messrs Mason Bros, of Parnell nursery, announcethe pleasing fact that their strawberries are waiting tbe pleasure of the public. Apart from these summer luxuries, the gardens of Mason Bros, form a fragrant Eden of roses, fruits, and shrubs of almost every kind.

Judge Harvey's proffered gift of hares for distribution up the Grey Valley may not prove an unmixed blessing. The Bruce Herald of a recent date states that last winter the young orchard of Mr. Joseph Clegg, of Fort Hill Farm, was visited by nares, when no less than 94 young trees were cut down to the ground, the hares nipping off the branches and stem, and splitting them in two or three parts. A hedge of Cape broom divided this portion of the young fruit nursery from another lower down. The hares, singularly enough, did not touch the young trees there, although they destroyed a fine row of silver wattles.

Auii in Vain.—Four doctors tackled Johnny Smith— They blistered and they bled him ; With squills and anti-billious pills And ipecac they fed him. They stirred him up with calomel, And tried to move his liver, But all in vain ; his little soul Was wafted o'er the river.

In making cuttings for the railway works atthe Ancklatid enl of the line several fine brings of water wef« 6ht mafiy of which have^een allowed to rufl to waste, While tbe shipping stands so much in need fif a Toll sully of water, this source should Sbe neglected, We are glad to learn,, therefore, that it is the intention of the GWman of the Harbour Board to Move at the next meeting, " That it be an instruction to the Works Committee to incur the necessary expense for the purpose of storing the surplus Water from the railway station for the use of shipping and other purposes. The market to-day presents a very animated appearance, vegetables, fruits, and ™ultrv bbin<* there in abundance. We Keel at the stall of Mr Houlton, o Epsom, who will attend daily, a splendid supply of new potatoes (various sorts) at 2d 3b • fine cabbage, weighing 31bsand 41bs Lch, at Is 6d to 3s per dozen ; new peas, 2s ncr peck ; strawberries, 9d per quart ; and Sulfflowers 4d each ; aU of Mr Hon ton's own growing. At Head's poultry stall we Sfine supply of poultry-fowls and ducks at 3, each, and turkeys and geese at 6s Mr Motion has a fine show of rhubarb a t'Bd a bundle, and gooseberries Is 3d per cuart 'I here were also some fine rabbits at Is Cd'eacb. Mutton and beef were selling at 4d to Gd ; a good show, and cheaper At Fenton's store we notice a larae quantity of L>d country fresh butter at lOd, and bacon 2d bam at iOd and Is. The market seems reviving, and stall-keepers are in better spirits. A most desirable opportunity is presented to those who wish for a permanent homestead on the volcanic soil, and under the bracing sea breezes of the North Shore. Some of the most delightful and convenient lots are for sale on IVlonday, under the hammer of Mr Sibbin. See his advertisement to-day, also himself on Monday. . ~ ~ Tho K lory of volunteering in Dunedin, where it attained its pride, has passed away fso say our telegrams. Parades fall through for want of attendance, and it appears donbtful whether many will qualify for the next colonial firing, to be held at the' Thames, Many of our readers will remember the heroes of the South, swept eyeryhing before them on their first visit to this city as colonial representatives, Since tuen ihe firing of the Auckland volunteers has been steadily improving, until our representatives have won for the province both champion belt*, while their rivals of the South have gradually waned. How ate the times and seasons changed ! A deputation consisting of Messrs John Campbell, vSullivan, Darrach, H. PalmerCaptain Casey, and Captain Caspar waited i upon his Honor the Supurmtendenb this morning for the purpose of urging upon the Government the need which existed for providing wharf accommodation at Lower Mahurangi. It was represented by Captain Casey that the " fast and powerful' s.s. Lady Bowen made several trips to Mahurangi weekly, and was obliged to land alt the passengers to the lower township in boats, while any settlers wishing to take passage by the steamer were obliged to adopt tbe same means of getting on board, often at great inconvenience and risk. Several members of the deputation spoke in favour of the object sought. His Honor promised to take the prayer of the petitioners into consideration. We may say from personal experience that a wharf here is greatly in request, and rhe Government would be conferring a great benefit upon a rising district, in having one built. We regret to observe in our obituary today the announcement of the demise of Mr. Francis Heighway. 'J he deceased was an artist (for one so young), of considerable talent, and many of his drawings have been much admired in Auckland, more particularly that of " Marguereta," which was exhibited at the City Hall, and which was most favourably neticed in the Star. The death of the deceased, who was only twentytwo years old, is a source of great regret to his many friends, by whom he was universally beloved. He was the fourth son of Mr. Francis Heighway, New North Road. Mr Cass has a companion in his investigations. Mr Gladstone has been occupying his mind in the solitudes of Hawarden, or wherever ho has been with the nature of everlasting punishment, its meaning, intent, and scope ; and on this cheerful subject has been addressing letters of inquiry to some of his friends, eminent iv politics and otherwise — rather hard-headed men, some of them, and quite unable to see why the chief of a great party should bti splitting theological hairs in the country, instead of attending to the business of the nation in general, and of his constituents in particular, in the House of Commons. A tall Western girl, named Short, long loved a certain big Mr Little, while Little, little thinking of Short, loved a little lass, named Long. To make a long story short, Little proposed to Long; and Short longed to be even with Little's shortcomings. So Short meeting Long, threatened to marry Little before Long, which caused Little, in a short time, to marry Long. Query ? Did tall Short love big Little less because Little loved Long ? The master bakers of Auckland will meet this evening in the large room of the British Hotel, for the purpose of considering business of an important nature in connection with the trade. Captain Marks, the lately-appointed pilot for Tauranga harbour, is at present in Auckland. He has come up for the purpose of taking down his family to their new place of residence, namely, the recently erected pilot-station on Mount Mongonui, at the entrance to Tauranga harbour. Captain Marks reports that the house provided for him is of a substantial and comfortable kind. The improvements in the navigation of the harbour are proceeding rapidly. Nearly all the buoys are laid down. The beacons will be set up as soon as the buoys are finished. Captain Marks' son is performing the pilot's duties while his father is away. The native meeting held at Tauranga by his Honor the Superintendent, during Mr Holloway's visit to that settlement, is briefly reported in another part of our columns to day. It is well worthy of perusal as indicating the feelings of those natives who, a few years ago resisted the Queen's authority with extraordinary bravery, as the Gate Pa disaster attests. There is also a good deal of humour deducible from the report, particularly that relating to Harini's request for a cart, and his Honor's sly reference to Sir Donald McLean's liberality in that direction. Divine service will be held to-morrow (Sunday) at Choral Hall (in consequence of the Industrial Exhibition being held in Lornestreet Hall), by the Rev. Samuel Edger, B. A. Morning : " Materialism in conflict with Spiritualism j" Evening : " On Marriage, " addressed to young persons.—Beresford- ; street Congregational Church, anniversary Sunday-school sermons, morning : Rev. Dr. Wallia; afternoon, Rev. Alexander Reid; evening, Rev. Warlow Davies, M. A.—Baptist Church, Wellesley-street, morning, by Mr bwington; evening, a discourse on "Unhappy Christians. "-Graftonroad, Wesleyan Church, morning, Rev. W. Gittos ; evening, Rev. T. G. Carr.—Pitt-street, morning, Rev. H. Dewsbury; evening, Rev. A. Reid.—Remuera Independent i hapel, morning, a sermon by Mr Man in.—United Methodist Free Church, services as usual by Rev. G. H. Turner.-Edwardes-street, by Rev. William Tinsley. —Albert-street Temperance Hall, farewell services by Mr R. Olby. An Italian jury recently acquitted a prisoner on a most ingenious plea. A taxcollector of Naples absconded with a large sum of the public money. He was caught, brought back, and tried, but the fury acquitted him because the money he had stolen was the people's money ; and, as he was one of the people, he was part owner of the money, and of course it would be monstrous to convict a man of stealing what was ms own. **