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Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1487, 16 November 1874, Page 2

The progress and success of the Australian Mutual Provident Society is one of the marvels of insurance investment. We have before us the fifth quinquennial report which, as will be seen by advertisement, may be obtained by any policy holder on application to Mr Dyer, the resident secretary. The report is a very elaborate work, explaining the whole position of the Society, and showing the division of the bonus now payable. We may give as an illustration of the mode of distribution, which will at the satna time shew the remarkable advantages enjoyed by policy-holders in this society, the case of a man at the age of 45, when he entered. On such a policy which has been in existence for five years, the holder will receive in cash value £53 for each £100, representing £130 added on to the policy; or if applied in reduction of the premium £3 on the annual payment for Hfe. In the case of a man aged 55 when insured, the bonus on a policy of five years standing would be £69 cash, representing £129 added to the policy. A list of 32 leading life assurance offices is given, by which it is shewn that the Australian Mutual Provident has the highest number of polices, namely 3,200, while the sum assured £1,157,030, is nearly equal to the most influential companies in the world, standing third upon the list, the highest total being the Gresham, with £1,353,160, but only 2,658 policies. In cost of management, the Mutual Provident occupies a very favourable position in comparison with other companies. All items of cost, and that, too, in the colonies where everything is dear, amounting to only £15, 30 per cent, on the premiums. To such companies as these, built up by colonial enterprise, the Southern colonies may well point "with pride.

The first consignment of wool from Poverty Bay this season arrived by the Pretty Jane yesterday, consisting of 203 dumps. They will be mostly shipped to England by the Ferndale, 47 dumps come to Brown Campbell and Co., and the balance to Owen and Graham They were shipped by Capt G. E. Read. We have heard of sheep coming by their death in many ways, but in the most singular of any happened a few days ago on Sutherland and Poison's run, Tuapeka. One of the shepherds was driving a large flock on the ranges, and when they came to a sudden descent they fell on the top of each other, and got piled up in a mass at the foot. When thej were separated upwards of 200 were found to be dead, having been completly smothered. i

The strawberry season has dawned, and these luscious fruits will soon be blushing in fnll flavour. "Willow Grove, Beach Koad, North Shore, besides its poetical appelation, , possesses a beautiful garden, lovers' walks, ! and delightful shades. Mr. Alison, the pro- ' prietor, has, since last season, made considerable improvements in Willow Grove, and it is now worthy of Apollo. It is moreover j plentifully supplied with its own choice strawberries and unequalled Pevonport cream. Mr. Alison has also provided swings for the youDg, and croquet for the ladies. Yesterday many hundreds visited these be^utif^ll gardens, and were thoroughly satisfied.

John Bright, the eminent English political orator, was born near ilochdale, .November IG, 1811, consequently he is sixty-three years old today. John Bright has been a hard worker in various ways, and in his work has exhibited any thing but that silence for which the " friends " are remarkable. The name of John Bright will always be associated with that of Richard Cobden in his advocacy of the repeal of the corn law?, which resulted in a signal victory both for Manchester men and freetraders generally.

We learn that the very excellent model of All Saints' Church, whioh has been so much admired in the Sunday-school Union Exhibition, is the work of a son of Mr W. F. Hammond, surveyor of Shortland-street.

The master-bakers met on Saturday evening last, but for want of an audience the meeting was adjourned until Wcduesday evening. The members of the Atickland Eeform League announce a meeting for to-morrow evening in the hall of the Mechanics' Institute, for the purpose of taking measures for preventing the Superintendent leaving the province.

A large number of persons visited the Industrial Exhibition on Saturday, larger than that of cither of the preceding days. In addition to the thousand attracoions of the hall, there was a very good concert, Mr Lambert presiding at the harmonium, in which the Misses Edger, Hammond, Cane, Woods, and other ladies took part; also Messrs Ryan, Cousins, and Ashenden. 'i he songs of Mr Ryan were much applauded. The scene was one of intense pleasure and protit, while the galvanic battery caused much merriment among the young ladies who thronged the hall by hundreds. The committee, at the request of many friends, have determined to keep the exhibition open two nights longer, in order that all may have a sight of tins very creditable repository of art and industry. The Tonic Sol-Fa Union will perform this evening.

Mr Theophilus Cooper announces his intention of starting a popular singing class on the 25th in.staut on the system estabJiHlied by iTohn Mullah, at the Young Men's llooms.

The harmonious Vivian Troupe, after a protracted stay in Auckland, started fo r Wanganui on Saturday last by the s.s. St Kilda. This troupe of minstrels have done their best to amu.stj tbe people when other companies were absent, and tea meetings were only available. 'J hey propose to interest the people of Wangauui witb their comic ditties and lively dances, interspersed with mirth and merriment, and for which the Wanganui people will no doubt be thankful.

Loud complaints were made on the wharf to-day abouc the deficiency of the water supply from the A S. P. Company's resources. Mr. YV. Loader informs u.s that he has made repeated representations to the authorities on the subject and can obtain no redress. The company pay £50 per month for the monopoly of ttie supply, and so long as such an arrangement continues, naturally claim that tbe supply should be adequate. At present the prssure is not sufficient to keep the valves closed, and what water there is bimply dribbles away. Four Bteamera wore applying for water this morning and were not able to to procure any.

The Templar Benefit Society, which was founded upon an article in the Star, explaining the new provisions of the Government Insurance Company, is worthy of the attention of working men. We have so repeatedly urged attention to the wisdom of insurance, and the absolute crime of neglecting duo provision ag.-tinst the many accidents of life, and it is needless for us now to recapitulate what ba3 already been said on this subject. But we feel a warm intere-t in the success of this society, and wo would, there fore, draw special attention to the adjourned gen'-ral meeting to be held in the Newton Hall, to-morrow night, at half-past seven o'clock.

A dreadful business like meeting of the " leading ladies " of the city of Dunedin was hold the other day to initiate a "Servants Home" movement on somewhat model principles ; next day the " respectable servants " of Otago intimated their debire, per advertisement, to start a model school for the training of mistresses, so you will observe how reciprocal are the sentiments of employers and employed.

Mr. Cass, late of this city, but who somewhat disturbed the theological atmosphere of Auckland before his departure, has, to a certain earthly extent, realised his millenial dream in Christchurch. We learn indirectly from Mr. Cass that he is pleased with his new shop, which is situated in the best part of the town, and that he is well satisfied with the corn-growing produce.

A Yankee sporting writer gives the following original description of the finish of a horse race :—"At the half-mile Mary Davis broke and bounded high off the ground. Charley Shear was her reinaman, and with a well-know twitch he brought her down to her work with a purpose ; and when he reached the home stretch he sighted and steered for the judge's stand like a pilot in a fog for the light-house in the distance, and most beautifully did he make the landing, while the others were yet at sea. Ella Lewis was next to cast her line ashore with Blackbird in tow, Vaughan distanced.

We learn that Mr Sterndale is to take charge of the next pearl shell expedition taken in hand by the proprietors of the ketch Pearl. Mr Sterndale is well known as an influential authority on island matters, and under his leadership the expedition should prove successful. The Pearl is being prepared for her voyage, and will start shortly.

The Wanganui Borough Council has passed a bye-law bringing the earth-closet system into force compulsory in that town after the end of the present month. The Herald states that the closets can be made in Wanganui by a workman who was employed for many years in the manufactory of Moule and Co , London. Mr Palmer of Mdgway-street, makes every part, even to the castings, the blacksmith's and tinsmith's work, and even the wood frame.

"The Zealandia Polka Mazurka" is the most recent addition to the repertoire of ballroom music, the piece being a composition by Mr Luscombe Searrell, whose talents were spoken of so flatteringly in a recent issue of the Sydney Morning Herald. The Mazurka is written in vei-y taking style, so much so that there is a certainty of its becoming popular. The outward embellishment is well executed, aad the piece is dedicated by permission to Lady Fergusson.

The recent presentations to Mr G. M. O'Rorke by his Onehunga constituents, and to Mr J. Gillies by his Waikouaiti constituents are viewed by the Wellington Times as pleasing evidence of the good-will and esteem existing between public men and the constituents whom they serve. The Times adds with reference to Mr O'Rorke that, "as a public man, few have a more sucessful or consistent record to show."

It is now just twelve months since the steam-crane has been employed in laying blocks for the Oamaru harbour works, and io is interesting to note that the number of feet added to the breakwater in that time has been 160.

The population of Jerusalem is estimated at 19,000, of whom about 5000 are Mahommedans, from 8000 to 9000 Jews and the rest Christians of various denomination* It is a matter of remark m the Southern press that the Judges of Nelson Wellington and Christchurch have but little work at present, while those of Auckland and L>unedin are overtasked.

We notice that the clever and popular scenic artist, Mr. Massey, who may be regarded the father of ariistic scene-pumting in Auckland, is now in Wellington actively engaged on the new scenery of the new play, .'Uifarette; or, Under Two Flags," which is shortly to be produced by the StephensoaBurford Company. Those who have seen the manuscript of this play, which is dramatised from a popular novel, speak in tlie highest terms of it. The monarch of the forest which has been laid low at Orewa, to seive as a mam-mast for the slup Conderon, does not intend changing his element without giving his captors some trouble. The giant kauri in question, which is nearly 5 feet m diameter, and weighs over 10 tons, was cut some weeks back, and has not been dragged to the water s edge vet, though the efforts of the workmen employed by Mr Gouk have been herculean. Six miles of rough road had to be got over. The heavy rains of the last few month* have made the ground so heavy that the labour entailed is something tremendous. _ Mr Gouk when in town a few days back, said he had 40 oxen tugging at the huge log with only partial success, it having stuckj fast within a mile of the beach. He was then about to engage live more. The work has already, we hear, proved fatal to several of the oxen employed. The mast has not yet arrived in town.

One? of the severest penalties to which criminals in Scotland were in ancient days condemned was to be deprived of the use of salt.

Six horses have accepted for the Wellington Cup, the other eight paying forfeit. Surprise has been expressed that Templeton does not go for this'handsome stake, many good judges thinking he was more favoured by the handicappers than Mr O'Brien's Tambourini. The absence of this good horse, however, will make "Tain" a hot favourite at starting.— Times.

An American paper tells a story of a man who having just bought a horse consulted various authorities as to the manner in which it should be lodged. He read that a side window in a stable makes a horse's eye weak on that side ; a window in front hurts his eyes by the glare ; a window behind make 3 him squint; a, window on a diagonal line make? him shy when he travels ; a stable with a skylight is too hot in summer and too cold in winter ; and the absence of a window makes the horse blind. The animal was taken to the auction mart.