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Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1973, 6 June 1876, Page 2

By tho San Francisco mail yesterday Sir George Grey forwarded a letter to the Secretary of State concerning the rumours which, have been industriously circulated, that, if necessary, the Imperial authorities would compel by force obedience to the mandates of the General Government. No one supposes for a moment that threats of this character, which were industriously promulgated by the abolition party last session, were other than of the most idle character. Bat still, there is reason for believing that the violent agitation into which the colony has been thrown by the arbitrary conduct of the government was misrepresented to the home government, with the view of over-awing public opinion here. There may yet be stirring times before New Zealand, and it is wise that the Imperial authorities should know that, however intense the feeling manifested within the colony during the struggles of the people for complete selfgovernment, the settlers continue unsullied by any taint of disloyalty to the, Crown. •■

One of those renowned entertainments which are half yearly given by the Pitt-street Mutual Improvement Association is to be held on Friday evening next aJ half past seven. This soiree of the Society, bids fair to surpass if possible those of the past. The admission is so trifling, and the programme so varied and attractive that it is a matter of surprise how it can pay. There ißto be special solo and part Binging, first class reading and recitations. Mr McMaster appears in the character of the "Irish member's first debut in Parliament." There will be a host of refreshments, and all at a cost of one shilling.

oaTheilaat dividend of the Bank of England was 4£ per cent for the six months, absorbing £658,234.

The distribution of prizes to the children of tho Orphan Home, Parnell, takes place this afternoon at 3 o'clock, and not to-mor-row as announced in the morning papers.

An extensive sale of fruit ex "Jane" is announced by Messrs H. S. Meyers ft Co., for to-morrow. Tho cases have been landed in excellent order, and good prices should be realised.

The establishment of the Eddy Brothers. Spiritists, at Ohittenderj, Vermont, wh;ch for more than a year past has been running seven days in a week, and turning out ghosts of every variety, in lots to suit customers, has suspended. The proprietors bave already left Vermont, and are now on their way to Salt Lake City, where they promise to resume business at an early day. Their promise, however, is not generally believed, although they are understood to have packed a largo number of sample ghosts in waterproof boxes, and forwarded them to Utah by a fast freight line. The general explanation of their conduct is that their business has of late proved unprofitable, and that they intend to abandon it altogether Certainly, Salt Lake City presents no advantages for a manufacturing business which the Eddys could not command at Chittenden, while, on the other hand, Brigham Young claims a monopoly of communication with the spirit world, arid would hardly welcome the arrival of an opposition firm.—New York Times.

Investigations by experimentation are now in progress in Britain, some under the auspices of Government, having relation to cholera, consumption, pyremia, typhoid foyer sheen-poir, Rnnke-hitc, and the use of disinfectants. Experiments such as these hove resulted, and are likely to result, in the mitigation, or possibly even the removal, of some of the severest scourges which afflicf; the human race. The remains of the slaving brie; Oarl. on board of which T)r .Tames Murray achieved a reputation second only to thst of Sullivan, is an obstruction and an eyeaoro at the Bluff wharf. Mr KtHofcr. who was Inspector for New Zealand of the National Bank for a few weeks, has been re-appointed to the managership of tho Bank of Australasia, in Melbourne. Tho company M\A band of the Auckland Volunteer Engineers met in full dross this morning, in the drill-shed, and played merrily through the city to tho railway station, and proceeded to Onehunga to act as a gikat-d of honour to His Excellency the Governor on his embarkation on board the Luna. A special general meeting of the members of the Templar Benefit Society will bo held this evening in the Congregational Schoolroom, Edinburgh-street, for the purposo of confirming new laws, electing new officers, and other business. At a meeting of the Star of Freedom lodge of the United Order of Free Templars, the following officers were installed last night by Bro. Edmond Lightfoot D.P.1.0. for the ensuing six months, assisted by Bro F. McConnell as N.M., and Bro Clayton as N. Secretary, Bro Q-. Warburton W.P., Sister E. Lightfoot W.V.P., James Cox W. Secretary, Bro W. J. F. Donald W.F.S., Sister C. Cox W. Treasurer, Bro W. Hughes W. Ch*p., Bro F. Danks W.J.G., Bro P. Nelson W.O G, Sister Neleon K.H.S., Sister H. Pritchhard LH.S., Sister J. Lightfnot W.A.S. Brothers E. Lightfoofc and W. Chatuin, were elected trustees of the Lodge. A committee have been appointed to select and purchase a harmonium. Five candidates were initiated and nine proposed

An old woman of most eccentrlo habits, known in (Jity East;, as (i G-ranhy Madford," and who asserts that she has reached the patriarchal age of ninety-three, waa waiting to-day at the Police Court vith the most exemplary patience with the view of gaining admittance into the old woman's refuge. The old lady has been in Auckland about thirty years, and her memory for such an old woman is wonderfully retentive.!® Bho can tell you all about the death of Nelson, aud the battle of Waterloo, and of almost every other evont of public importance in connection with tho present century. It is quite amusing to hear the old lady's biographical sketches of the old identities of Auckland, and to hear her cackle over tho mean beginnings of what she calls " stuckup people." According to her own statement, she hails from Norfolk, but an regards her native place, Bhe is rather hazy. At all events her many adventures, running over eighty years, would form a moat interesting narrative. Her chief occupation for the last twenty years has beeen that of a nurse, but lately her iron constitution soems to have succumbed to tho march of time, aud she is no longer able to pursue her necessary calling, or tell her Munchausen stories with her old vivacity, Age and want, an ill-matched pair, have left the old woman destitute of almost everything, save her walking stick and spectacles, and as the several members of ?•..;) r family are not able to afford to her the ordtziary necessaries of life, she seeks an asylum from the poverty of life in the Old Woman's Refuge.

The Herald states on information obtained from "one of the parties present," that Winiata, the Epsom murderer, was within a few miles of the place whore the Defence ?y?inister was slayiDg during fcho whole course of the negotiations between Sir Donald McLean and tho Maori King.

The delegates of the various Friendly Societies met again last; evening at tho Thistle Hotel for the purpoae of continuing the discussion on the various clauses of tho Friendly Societies Bill. Mr Cole occupied the chair. On concluding clause 36, the meeting was adjourned until this evening at the same place and hour.

Dr Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, will distribute the prices to the children of the gfc. Stephen's Orphan Home, Parnell, to-morrow afternoon at three o'clock ; also, a tree of gifts from friends in England. Ladies and gentlemen who take an interest in this benevolent institution are respectfully invited to witness the proceedings.

Captain Burns has gone to Taranaki for the purpose of asaisting in opening a local Masonic lodge. The Presbyterians of Waiuku, Mauku, Pollock Settlement, Awitu, and Pukekohe, have resolved to build a manse for their minister, the Rev. J. Galloway, on a site at Pukekohe. £221 have already been promised towards thab object.

Typhoid fever still prevails among the Maoris and Europeans at Kohiinarama. Mrs Biddock, whose husband is employed by Messrs Fisher and Co. to supervise the landing of cattle there, is seriously ill of this complaint.

A number of officers and members of the Pioneer, Gleam of Sunshine, and No Surrender Juvenile Temples of Good Templary, proceeded to Pakuranga last evening for the purpose of opening a district Juvenile Temple. They reached Pakuranga about six o'clock, and shortly after proceeded to business. Five honorary members, and twenty juveniles were initiated. The officers were then installed by Brother Stickley, assisted by Sister Ellis. Subsequently Sisters Spurgeon, C. P., Macdonald, and- Kbox, interested- the company with several songs. The lodge was duly christened the " Pride of Paknranga," and the following are its appointed officers : Mr Bell, Superintendent; Ellen Sanders, Chief Templar ; J. Andrews, Vice Templar ; M. Roberta, Chaplain; Peter Fortune, Past Chief Templar; Georgina Bell, Recording Secretary; John Massey, Financial Secretary ; Edwin Roberts, Treasurer ; Henry Andrews, Marshall; Charles Pye, Guard ; Joseph Glanville, Sentinel; George Bell, Assistant Secretary ; Kate Glanville, Right Hand Supporter; Hetty Pye, Left Hand Supporter ; J. Andrews, Deputy Marshal. The evening waß pleasantly passed, and concluded at a reasonable hour.

How very seldom ifc is that a sudden death is followed by an .announcement that the widow will receive the benefit of an insurance policy. Men daily brought face to face with startling examples of the uncertainty of Hfo, and knowing that the advent of the dread destroyer will leave those dearest to them helplessly dependant iipon the,charity of the world, systematically, neglect the safeguards which are now within the reach of the most humble. Another instance of this deplorable improvidence is furnished in connection with tho drowning from tho s.s. Tarannki, of Mr Basa, late male of the Pairlie. The unfortunate man's widow, soon to become a mother, has been left completely destitute. Those acquainted with her circumstances have commenced a subscription to aid her through the time of severe trial, and the list was yesterday taken round in Freeman's Bay. where Mrs Bass^ resides. Subscriptions towards the same object may be left with Mr Stewart, commission agent of Shortland-street, or at this office.

It is related that one of our city clergymen was subjected to rather a severe penalty for absent-mindedness last week, which may prove a warning to others. He had been present rt % meeting of the committee of a certain institution that shall be nameless, with half-a-dozen gentlemen whose names shall likewise be left for the exercise of amateur detective skill. Suffice it to say, that the reverend pentleman found it necessary to leave before the meeting wag over, and, retiring hurriedly, he walked off with a fellow-committee-man's hat. The mistake was not discovered until the mis-appropriated chapeau was deposited on & peg in the clergyman's house, oiit upon the breezy slopes of Ponsonby. Next day, from unavoidable causes, no opportunity presented itself for returning the vagrant tile. The following afternoon the postman's rap, that sound so welcome to tho lover's heart, heralded a missive at the parsonage. Within an unsuspicious envelope was discovered a document short and sweet, to this effect:—" The Rev. Mr . Dear Sir, as you have tuken my hat, I suppose you mean to pay for it. Knclosed is the bill. —Yours, S " In the inner folds was ensconced ft, bill from Meßsrs Hill and Fen ton for one guinea. Pocketing the document,that clergyman went straightway—not for the hat nor the bead of its owner, —but to its manufacturers, where he duly satisfied the account. and gave instructions that the receipt should be sent to the gentleman who had contracted the liability. What became of the hat rumor sayeth not, but two courses suggest themselves aa appropriate. Either the execution of a wild fandango upon its crown, or itn return to the original owner with a polite intimation that the mortgage having been liquidated, he may shelter his darned old head under its cover with a good conscience, while he whistles for another victim.

Tho Pitt-street discussion on Monarchism v. Republicanism was fought out in a vigorous and creditable rhanner last evening. Rev W. Kirk occupied the chair. Mr T. Coopsr, jun., opened the question in favor of l*epublicanism, and the members on each side spoke alternately. The speakers in favor of Republicanism were Messrs Ewington, Maiu, Martin, Beaumont, and McMasters. Those who argued in favor of Monarchiem were Messrs Fry, Lyon, Lawry, Ewen, and Moginio. There was a good attendance of visitors, and at tho conclusion both Republicans and Monarchists sang the loyal anthem in token of respect for her Majesty the Queen.

fourth annual meeting of the Building and Investment Society will be hold this evening in tbe large room of the Young Men's Christian Association.

A Bervice of song, entitled ""EJijah,,' bearing on the events in the life of tho prophet-bard will be given this evening in the Welleslcy-strcet Sunday-school room. We undetstand this servico is nearly new, having recently come from the parent society in London.