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Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1734, 4 September 1875, Page 2

Once moie—and probably the last—opportunity will be given electors to sign the memorial asking Sir George Grey and his brave helpers, in the name of Auckland to stand firm. When he came from Kawau at our call, he said he could do nothing of himself but much if we backed him. We have backed him and backed him well despite the efforts of the miserable traitors who are among us, but not of us. He and his faithful helpers have appreciated our prompt and timely sympathy; and our cheers of encouragement have been echoed back from Wellington in thanks and assurances of unflinching faithfulness. Any electors still desirous of adding their names to the ro 1!, which will yet be looked on with pride as historical in this great struggle, will have an opportunity to-night in Queen-street and at the Market-house. Persons will be there prepared to receive signatures preparatory to closing the list and sending them to Wellington, and we have to request that all who have lists still out will bo kind enough to return them on Monday morning.

Some excitement was caused this morning in the neighbourhood of the Exchange by a report that one of the brokers had received a private telegram stating that the Union Beach claim had been jumped and instructing him to sell out. We ascertained on enquiry that such a telegram had been received, but the recipient and other mining speculators doubted the possibility of jumping under existing legislation, and the whole affair was looked upon as an unscrupulous ruse to bear the market We understand that the Union Beach has a lease of their ground, and in that case it is quite impossible to jump it under any circumstances.

Divine service to-morrow (Sunday) at Newton Kirk, by Rev. Dr. Wallis, subjects of discourse, morning, "The Physical value of Prayer ;" evening, "The mark, name, and number of the Apocalyptic beast.' 1 Wellesleystreet Baptist Church, by P. H. Cornford, pastor, morning, " Gratifcnde and Anticipation ;" evening, "Christ, the Hopeless." Lome-street Hall anniversary services, by Rev. S. Edger, 8.A., morning, "New revival of the old Christian Faith;" evening, "A long struggle for the Truth." Beresfordstreet Congregational Church, morning, and evening discourses by Eev. Warlow Davies, M.A. United Methodist Free Church, by Rev. G. H. Turner. (See advertisement) also for services at Edwardea-streot, Sher-idan-street, and Newmarket Primitive Methodists, and at Newton Hall and at Cook-street.

Some quieb satire i 3 indulged in by the Olago Daily Times regarding Mr. Joseph May's notorious " blind or mad " telegram. That journal pourtrays graphically the sad straits in which the hon. members have been placed in dealing with abolition. It says :— "Two happy sessions ago the facers both ways would have been able to Bay that ' th^ir constituents having bo lately Bhown their confidence in them, they did not feel it their duty to put the country again to the expense and trouble of a general election, and that they were competent to decide so important a-matter without an appeal to the ballot-box.' As it has happened, this plea is barred them. The general election must take place next year, whether the\' will or no, and horribl* visions of indignant electors, angry at having been sold, rise up before their eyes. What are thoy to do ? How are they to act ? A few like Mr May take a bold and straightforward course, and say to their supporters, ' I know what is good for you, and you don' 6. I shall act according to my judgment, as is best for you, men enfan.l, and if you don't like it, you may go hang.' Undoubtedly a representative hero like Mr May deserves a Victoria Cross for an unprecedented display of moral heroism. His brethren ought to subscribe and preeent him with some token of their esteem. * * * * No Otagan constituency will return a member who has betrayed their interests and insulted their judgment."

The Tonic Sol-Fa Choral Union gave a very successful entertainment last evening consisting of music, readings, ballads, and a cantata, which was well attended. Mr. P. G. Ewington occupied the chair, Mr. Bloomfield conducted, and Mr Lambert presided at the harmonium. About sixty members of the various classes were present and took part in the singinp. Many of the ballads selected such as the " Herd Boy's song" "I am dreaming," the "Swiss patriotic song," "Music on the waters," "Bessie Blign," "England," and other similar effusions went remarkably well and received answering cheers. The several readings were successful, and being entirely different in character gave the more satisfaction; the first was an original poem by Mr Blackman, the next was a prose sketch, "The Schoolmaster Abroad," by Mr Wells, and the last by Mr Ewington was a tonic sol-fa delivered to a village audience by Vincent Vivacious, Esq. This paper caused a good deal of merriment and roars of laughter. The cantata, by Mr Thomas, entitled the " Picnic," consisting of twelve ballads, was ably rendered ; some of the pieces were exceedingly poetical in character, especially "Merrily over the Water," "Lily-bells and Roses," and " Sunshine after the Rain." We noticed that the tonic sol-fa system has made great progress since the former entertainment, and is continually winning favour under the persevering efforts of Mr Charles Blomfield. We may state that the timeing was correct, which the training and notation of Mr Blomfield's style tend to conduce. . ...

A handsome monument is being erected in the Southern Cemetery, Du.nedin, to Mr John Branigan, the lamented Commissioner of the Armed Constabulary. The foundation consists of six feet of concrete, and, when completed, the moument will be twenty-four feet high. The basement is of the best Port Chalmers stone. The other parts will consist of Kakanui freestone, handsomely ..ornamented. Besides scrolls mentioning the status of .the deceased and the subscribers, there is an elegant coat-of-arms, displaying large cap, sword and scabbard, torn banner, folded banner, four spears, belt and pouch, and spurs. The probable cosb will be rather over £200.

The shareholders and directors of the Ponsonby Hall company met last evening to consider the " winding up " of tlie company. Mr. D. A. Tole in the chair. The meeting; was not large. The chairman stated that the directors had acted upon the resolutions passed at the March meeting. Mr. Morton, the secretary, then read the financial statement which shewed that the liabilities of the company were £182, 19s. 10d., assets £78 12s. 2i , leaving the company£ro4 7s. Bd. in debt. Mr. Stoddard then moved "that the Ponsonby Hall Company be voluntarily wound up, and that the directors take immediate steps to" effect thai; ob j ec'ti" .This being seconded and carried unanimously, Mi\ Dacre moved, and Mr. Jakins seconded " That Mr. Stoddard be appointed liquidator to the company." Carried. ,! ~'"

A Chinese Market-Garden is to be started shortly in Kyber Pass road and at Remiiera, under the direction of Mr. James Ah Ke w.

The members of Lodge Ara meet on Monday evening, at the usual time and place.

We have received the following:—" Siry — Please forward the enclosed amount (£1) to the widow of the late Mr Davis, from -Sympathy."

An enquiring man thrust his fingers into a horse's mouth to see how many teeth he had. The horse closed his mouth to see how many fingers the man had. The curiosity o£ eack wWfuiiy : Ba ti«ned. j;;;;;^';,;; ii]T^

We have been requested to publish the following address presented to Captain Scbofield upon the disbandment of the force : —"l?o Captain Samuel Charles Schofield New Ziealaud Militia : Sir, —As the ties which have bound us together for some time past are about to be sundered, owing to the disbandment of the Engineer Volunteer Militia Corps which you have for some time commanded, we cannot allow you to depart without tendering to you our sincere thanks for your kindness and urbanity towards all of us, your manly and straightforward conduct whenever you have been called on to shew it, and also for the justice and impartiality you have always shewn to all ranks, and we sincerely trust that whereever you may cast in your lot you may be as successful, and gain as great esteem, as you have aone from the Engineer Volunteer Militia Corps. Wishing you, Mrs. Schofield, and family every happiness, we are your sincere well-wishers, G. T. McKkllow (on behalf of the Engineer Volunteer Militia)."

Among the passengers by the lona this morning was Mr C. B. Stone who was put on shore at Russell from the Emu as appeared in our telegrams from the Bay last night. We are sorry to state that Mr. Stone is seriously ill, having been suddenly attacked with inflammation of the lungs.

The Scottish Volunteers held their annual meeting at the office of Messrs J. and J. M. Mowbray, Queen-street, last night, Captain Mowbray presiding. The balance sheet shewed receipts, 101Z Os 9d ; expenditure, 39Z S* 3d, leaving the handsome balance of Gil 12s 6d. The assets of the Company were also .S08? 4s fld against 141 13s liabilities. Mr John Home was elected secretary, and Captain Muwbray (to whom the present fliurishing condition of the Company is due) tendered his resignation, but was re-installed to the command by the unanimous vote of the members. The September number of the St. Matthew's Parish Magazine has just appeared under new circumstances ; it being entirely printed in Auckland, for which an explanation is given by Mr Hassard on the third pago. The contents of this monthly serial include •' John Flint's Dream ' by a Berkshire Vicar; a religious poem by "Carey," possibly the shoe-maker missionary, the origin of " Hobson's Choice")" the Cambridge carrier, whose epitaph was written by John Milton in his youth—

Here lies old Hobson, death has broke bis girt, And liere alas hath laid him in the dirt. A pretty sketch appears from the geni?l pen of the Danish poet, Hans Christian Andersen, whose fine head has been cropped by a hairdresser now in Auckland. The sketch is the " Teapot." The monthly record of parish matters, edited by the minister, make up a readable number of tbe Parish Magazine.

The case of Smith v. Elliott, heard in the Pieeident Magistrate's Court yesterday, in which the claimant—a machinist—claimed for balance of wages of the defendant, who engaged him in the Public Works department at the Auckland railway, occupied five hours, as a number of witnesses on both sides were examined. In the course of the examination of witnesses a Jew secrets were disclosed not altogether creditable to those in authority, which were noticed in our report last evening. Mr Hesketh on the side of defendant, and Mr Joy for plaintiff, battled long and well. Mr Hesketh contended that Elliott wag not the proper man to sue, while Mr Joy expressed an opinion that if it ceuld be proved that the Minister of Public Works was the responsible man, he would at once withdraw the present action against Elliott. It was shewn moreover that the breaking of the machinery was unavoidable under the circumstances ; he (plaintiff) objected to iiR being tried, as it was not constructed /or a self-acting feed, and required an au^le-plate. His wages were 8--a d-iy, and be w&s always in a state of uncertainly about the time of receiving bis wages. His Worship desired to take time to give the matter his calm confederation, and reserved judgment until Friday next.