Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1501, 2 December 1874, Page 2

The delay in the arrival of the s.s. Hero with his Excellency Ihe O-overnor is the more unaccountable from the fact that the steamer is known to have left Melbourne on the appointed date. Mr Walter Sully, who was a passenger by tbe Mikado, and is now in Auckland awaiting the arrival of the Hero, informs us that on the day bo left Sydney the Hero was telegraphed as off Wilson's Promontory. She left Melbourne at 2 p.m. on Thursday, and should consequently have been in Sydney last Sunday week.

A gentleman residenb in Nelson, signing himself a " Friend and Admirer of Independent Journalism," has forwarded to us a leading article and a contributed article, both clipped from the Colonist, one of which he alleges was written in Auckland, and the authorship cf the other he also indicates. As such there is something so inexpressibly grotesque in the communications that we feel half inclined to publish them. At all events we shall " return to the subject." Wo can believe our correspondent that " all Nelson is in one broad grin of amused, amazement," We confess we are at a loss to understand the 'quotations of New Zealand flait telegraphed to us from the South a fewdavs ago. In the papers via Sues, to band by the s.s. Taranaki yesterday, "We find "no evidence of improvement. Under date October 1, Messrs JDevitt and Hett, report fair competition and a prospect of an advance by the reduction of stocks, but there was no improvement in prices, nor do we see how there can be so long as Manilla hemp is quoted as low as £34 to £39, the rates quoted m the same circular. Tho prices of gum, as telegraphed to us, were perfectly correct, and, as we before stated, fully justify the large advance in the buying prices hero. Messrs Devitfc and Hett, on October 1, report.—" Gum, Kauri, is firm, and at auction 718 cases and bags chiefly sold at 9s to 3s per cwt. advance ordinary dark and ; sofb 37s 6d to -12s Gd, chips 4-O.s' to 41s middling to good middling scraped sorts at 45s to 535, fine middling to good bold 58s to 77s Od, fine clean scraped 05s to 100s." We have to acknowledge receipt from Mr W. K. E. Brown, Registrar-General, of ths volume of statistics for 1873, which are admirably compiled, and contain many valuable additional tables anil returns. We hope however, that arrangements will be made for publishing these returns in future at an earlier date, as much of their value to the public is destroyed by their late issue. We have also received from the Government printer several Parliamentary papers and returns.

Major Gordon bec^s ns to stite for the information of the Volunteers that they are to continue to bold themselves in readiness to turn out to-morrow or on any following day. when the signal guns indicating his

Excellency's approach are fired

The annual soiree in connection with the Wellesley-street Young Men's Improvement Class, was held last evening in the schoolroom. The meeting was well attended, Mr F. Battley in the chair, who in a well constructed speech detailed the history and literary doings of the class during the year. The entertainment consisted of readings, recitations, music and ballad's, and was of a very acceptable character. The members of the class presented to Mr Battley a number of volumes in testimony of their esteem which were gratefully acknowledged. The proceedings closed with the loyal anthem in which the whole audience joined.

Mr W. L. bees delivered a highly eloquent and instructive lecture last evening, in the JBeresfard-street chapel, on " The Evident Destiny of the Anglo-Saxon race." There was a full attendance on tho occasion. The chairman, .Rev Warlow Davies, M.A., introduced the lecturer in a short but well-formed speech, and upon the rising of Mr Roes, he was greeted with applause. The lecture was of a most instructive character. Tho rapid, but; picturesque sketch of tbe growth, battles, and triumphs of the An^'lo-Saxon race, and the general progress of tbe people through the ages wero graphic and picturesque, and reminded the intelligent listener of Macaulay'a splendid introduction to his history of England. The historical portions and deductions which formed the body of the lecture were full of hints, which could only result from study and observation. After reviewing the various signs of tbe advancement of the race and the widening of tbe language which Shakespeare wrote and Milton sung, Mr. Rees considered that the Anglo-Saxon people had a glorious destiny before them, and which was due to their industrial habits, stability of character, Christian institutions, love of order, and religious faith. At the conclusion of tbe lecture, a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr Barton, seconded by Mr Lyon, was unanimously accorded to the lecturer. In thanking the audience, Mr Rees announced his intention of giving a lecture at no distant period, on the " Materialistic School of Thought," as illustrated by Darwin, Tyndall, and other modern thinkers. The chairman stated that this was but the first of a series of lectures on subjects of general interest at the present time. The proceedings closed with the benediction.

Tbe members of tbe New Zealand Agricultural Society will hold their quarterly meeting on Friday afternoon, at the British Hotel. After the preliminary business, Mr Calvert will read a paper on the " Foot and Mouth Disease."

The " stricken poet " in the Cross must be some relation to Cameo ; at any rate both are very shaky in their classics. The latter thinks that Hero swam tbe Hellespont to Leander; and now the former calls the angry god of the winds yEolus, with the o long. We should recommend both in future to cut it short.

Mr Avery who was burnt out in the late Wakefield-street fire, desires to express his thanks to Mr Joy, for 10s kindly sent to him through the Evening Star. We have also much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of 10s from Dr Kenderdine, towards tbe same object.

The quarterly meeting of Auckland branch No. 81. of tbe Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society will be held to-night at eight o'clock at St. Patrick's Hall, for the election of officers.

A remarkable instance of somnambulism occurred last evening in tbe neighbourhood of Freeman's Bay. A youth, we believe, a member of tbe Sir George Grey cadets, or who was recently one, arose from his bed at tbe time of the firing of the battery, after tbe performance of the " Anvil Chorus " at the Choral Hall, and put on his regimentals, took down bis sword, etc., and marched into the garden, and fired into a peach-tree. He then went through his positions, and returned into the house, undressed himself, and got into bed. His mother was astonished at what she saw, but made no attempt to wake him. He knew nothing of the circumstance this morning on coming down to breakfast, but that something of the sort was on his mind seemed evident, as his first question was, " The Governor's come, is"he not ? I've been dreaming that he was come." "Yes, John," said his mother, " I believe you have been dreaming." ' Mr Hoyte's Art Union drawing took place last evening at the shop of Mr Upton. The ten leading prizes were won by Messrs W. A. Ryan, John Taylor, E. D. Willcox, R. Carr, John Cosgrave, John Vaile, Michael Corcoran, I A. Boardman, Holland, and Buttler, and J T. S. Evans. r

We ai\s aorry to ie-rn that the young , man, Thomas White, sustained a fracture of the skull and concussion of the brain, by bis accideut at the Solid Rock Bath, yetserday. He now Hes in a precarious state at the Provincial Hospital. Referring to •tV subject, a correspondent write" ; "„ s - "^_ I cannot allow the bj£ accident '^ g b ' nd Rock, joatftjj to tbe young man Thomas White, which appeared in your issue ol yesterday, to pass without bearing my testimony to tile dangerous arrangements of the baths, as a similar accident happened to myself last samme'ri but did not terminate so seriously^ owing, fortunately, to my not having taken a dive off the spring-board with greater force. To my surprise T was iufornVed by a gentleman present that I w&'S hot the only one who bad met with .such a fate, one unfortunate individual having previously come against the rock with such force that it caused the blood to flow profusely from his forehead. I deemed it my doty on public grounds to represent the matter to one of the directors, who happened to be present, and suggested that a notice should be posted up cautioning bathers of the risk they incurred in diving too deep as the depth of the bath would not admit of it,, but judging from what occurred yesterday, it has not been adopted.—l am, &c, William O'Beirne.

Accomodation for visitors is so scarce at present in Picton that a respectable female, with an infant in her arms, who arrived there from Nelson the other day. could not obtain accomodation, and would have had to pass tile night wiohout shelter, had nob a resident kindly taken her under his roof.

It was not in the race for the Melbourne Cup alone that Lurline failed to distinguish herself on the Flemington course. She ran also in the Royal Park Stakes, which were won by Dagworth, who beat Goldsbrough by a neck, with Protos third. Lurline started at six to one against her. For a time she shewed with a chance in the race, running third. When half a mile from home (the race two miles) she dropped back beaten. The time was 3 mm. 43 sec. In the Flying Stakes (three-quarters of a mile, which was run on one of the days following the Cup, Haricot was fifth, though at starting the betting about him was even.

The fifth yearly meeting of the Auckland Permanent (Jo-operative Building and Investment Society was held yesterday, Dr. Nicholson in tbe chair. The report shewed a large increase in transactions, although the deposit receipts have been unfavourably affected by the many facilities for investments in other ways. The receipts, including an overdraft of £7,035 lis 2d, were £23.739 10s 3d. Messrs J. Roberton, and G. B. Owen, had accepted tbe office of trustee in conjunction with Mr W. C. Wilson ; Mr.). Potter bad filled a vacant seat in the committee. Tho repayments of borrowing members have been kept up with remarkable regularity ; and notwithstanding the greatly increased amount at risk, the committee think that their loan 3 are all amply secured. The reports were adopted ; and after some remarks by Mr Smallfield on an irregularity in the election of officers, tbe meeting terminated.

A narrow escape from fire occurred on Monday night last at the railway station. The night watchman in going around fortunately looked into the engine-shed in which were at tho time three valuable locomotives, and found a joiner's bench on fire, a large bole in it still showing how nearly a conflagration had occurred. It is difficult to know bow it may have arisen, possibly from a piece of waste used in cleaning tbe engines having been thrown away. Such a thing could hardly be wondered at when we know that under the cheeseparing system now introduced the engine-eleanors have been taken away, and those engaged in working the locomotives during the day are obliged to clean their own engines. As tbi3 necessitates their being at work between three and four o'clock in tho morning, it would not be strange if these men should feel tired and drowsy between six and seven o'clock in tho evening, or even if they began to nod on tho engine when dying along the rails. It is a fortunate circumstance that this fire was arrested before we had to record the injury, if not destruction, of three valuable engines, but it ought to be taken as a warning, for unquestionably unless there is some sense brought to bear on the arranging of the conduct of this railway business, we shall ere long have a serious catastrophe to

record

The first meeting of creditors in tbe estate of Harry Hay ward, of Remuera, farmer, was held to-day at the office of Mr Thomas Macffarlane, at tbe Supreme Court Buildings. Tbe latter gentleman was appointed Provisional Trustee, and two supervisors were fixed upon.

Some sad disclosures were made to His Worship in the Police Court this morning, in reference to the parents of three neglected and destitute children of Chancery Lane. Une little boy, with a fine rosy face, who had been fed chiefly by constables and friends, was the illegitimate child of a notorious character, now suffering a lengthened term of imprisonment for her misdeeds in Mount Eden. Tbe father of the poor boy, whose name is George Ray, a fish-hawker and notorious drunkard, was said to be cohabiting with another person of low character, aud who has been in tbe constant habit of beating and ill-using the boy. His Worship called the reputed father forward, and he replied to bis Worship's questions in a somewhat impertinent manner, "who knows that I am the boy's father? Let it be proved." He said be had always attended to the boy ; he washed him and dressed him regularly, and the boy had the full benefit of the fresh air at least sixteen hours a day. If the boy was his, be would keep him. Detective Jeffrey shewed clearly that Ray was not a fit and proper person to nave charge of the boy ; he not only left him without proper food and clothing, but allowed him to run wild, day and night. He had been seen a few days since, when in a state of drunkenness, to drag the poor boy along tbe pavement by the hair of his head. It was also shewn that his model parent could earn at least two pounds a week, but that the greater portion of his earnings went in the common way. H? was ordered by tbe Court to pay five shillings a week towards the maintenance of his child, and was made to understand that he would be compelled to pay it. He went out of Court grumbling, and vowed he could not and would not pay it. The father and mother of the Dougherty's were also described as persons of vicious and depraved habits, and who were now sufering long terms of imprisonment, and that the children had been left to the care of an elder sister, who was living a life of immorality. These children were all sent to the Industrial Home, where they will be better cared for, and be brought up in the Catholic faith, the professed faith of their vicious parents. About thirty children have been thus rescued from a life of degradation and misery in Chancery Lane : chiefly through the instrumentality of Detective George Jeffrey.

Gold, it appears, is known to the aboriginals of Central Australia by the name of Lamarra. Some of the natives near Tennant Creek station on the telegraph line were lately shown a sovereign, and on seeing it, named the mineral, and pointing to the westward made signs that there was plenty of it to be had there. The locality, Jhowever, is reported as being arid, water being very scarce.

A Wesleyan Minister—the Rev. Mr Ingham, of Ballarat, Victoria — was lately accused of preaching as his own, a sermon by Mr Talmage, an American clergyman. Tbe charge was investigated by the Wesleyan ministers at their late district meeting at Ballarat, and was found proved. They recommended to Conference that Mr Inghae. should lose a year's standing in consoquencm

We put in the following. We believe the I insinuation that the lady was ngly is all "in my eye." His wife found on* flo 6 utile fiaine> and^gaje him » ~ lgghlft t _j»f o t he Editor : | ir". -j-riat p„_&gr&ph in YOUr issue of yoater, | day inferring to the novel effect oi the solar i"ays iipttn the hiiritaft eye has produced much iihcbariliable comment. I was much pained at overbearing a remark to the effect that "tbe party 'ad bin takin' hobservations through the bottom of a tiiriibler, and no doubt 'ad let hisself stay tod long in the sun." Now, as I happened to be present wheb the solar observations were taken, and also during the street adventure, I may claim the right to explain the matter, Which was thus wise : Being anxious to inspect, the sun, my friend, in order to Obviate any injury to his optic iiervri, attached ft coloured eyepiece to tile instrument. Notwithstanding thi3 precaution, however, tbe result was, as you have stated, a spasmodic twiching of the right eyelid. While placidly meandering down Queen-street, quite a pdroXySm of twitching set in just at tlie ptecise biometit when he encountered the gaze of a female passing by. Being a perfect stranger, [she was very naturally indignant at what seemed to her a succession of winks of the boldest ane most aggravated type. The stony glare of indignation and surprise with which she resented the apparent familiarity, caused my friend to collapse miserably, and forcibly recalled what I had read of tbe late lamented Mrs Hominy's power of eye. What causes my friend some anxiety is whether, in the event of an information being laid against him tbe Bench would smile sardonically and say tbe defence was "all in my eye." I might state, as proving the absence of motive, that the female in question has a physiognomy which it would be tbe grossest flattery to call merely plain. Not to put too fine a point upon it, the passing her in the street could hardly be called a " transit of Venus." If tbe possession of beauty were a crime and she were charged with it, any jury would acquit her without leaving the box. Really, sir, it would seem that any humble prowler after science is liable to cruel misconstruction, although he may be a°, circumspect a Benedict as ever priced a cradle, or trudged through storm and mire in search of the periodical Sairey Gamp.—l am, &c, W.

The committee of tbe Citizens' Ball are making great preparations in order that the ball may be eminently successful in its every featuie. The arrangements for decorations, music, supper, and wines, are complete, and a large number of tickets have been issued. Tbe ball promises to be one of the grandest that has yet been given in Auckland. The members of the committee will meet in tbe Stranger's room, Northern Club this evening, and report progress, number of tickets sold, &c.

At tbe invitation of tbe members of the 1.0. G.T. Hope of the Manukau Lodge. Onehunga, the brass band of the order put in an appearance at our usually quiet little village, on Monday evening. After being paraded through the streets upon Mr Crowther's large coach, drawn by four horses, and piloted by that gentleman, arousing the neighbourhood with their martial music, the band proceeded to the Choral Hall, where, with the assistance of some young ladies and gentlemen who kindly gave their services, together with the vocal talents possessed by some of the members of the band, a very pleasing, and judging from the applause, highly satisfactory impromptu concert was performed. Among the most effective were two songs by Miss Wood, a lady amateur of great promise ; a recitation, by Miss Froude, was also well delivered. Messrs Keesing and Millar with their dialogues and recitations, Mr Gatland with his humorous song, and tbe band under Mr McComish, with their pleasing melodies, altogether contributed to render the evening's amusement highly satisfactory to a numerous and respectable audience assembled to hear them. At a quarter-past ten, the party returned to Auckland, delighted with their trip, and the kind reception given them by brethren of Onehunga.