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Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1974, 7 June 1876, Page 2

The intelligence communicated by our Wellington correspondent relative to the reported result of a Cabinet meeting on Saturday, will surprise most of our readers. Not, indeed, that any new breach of a solemn compact entered into by the present Government need startle anyone, but still there is a kind of freshness about every new development of their little tricks that takes one aback at first. If anything was understood by the compromise^ between the Government and Opposition last session it was that the first session of the new Parliament should be allowed for the legislature to modify or repeal the Abolition flAct. But the prorogation of the House immediately after assembling, thus terminating the session and rendering the Abolition Act as sound law as it is possible for the Assembly to make it, would thwart the only object which the compact could have contemplated. Not that wo should be sorry to see the Constitutional question cleared out of the way as a first step towards reform in tho administration, but we do most solemnly protest against the ratification of Constitutional changes, upon tho basis of the bills of last session, and especially the accomplishment of this result by a trick.

Amid the many subjects now engrossing public attention, it would be very uugratefu] if wo were to lose sight of the public spirit that has reared in our city a building devoted to scientific purposes of so noble a character as the Museum opened by the Marquis of Normanby on Monday. His Honor the Superintendent in his address upon that occasion made public for the first time the act of liberality which laid tho foundation of this institution. The donation of £500 given by Mr Justice Gillies is valuable in the results it has accomplished, but it is doubly valuable as an example of that public spirit which has been conspicuous by its absence among those who have accumulated wealth in the colonies. That such an example is infectious, the equal sum subscribed by the Hon. James Williamson, and the other liberal donations which have secured the complete success of this effort, testify. But if we look around at any public institutions —unfortunately they are very few—that have obtained a footing in the city, we find their support mainly derived from the middle classes. It is very rarely indeed that gentlemen who possess the means and leisure, come forward and take the lead in any movement calculated to benefit the whole city, as distinguished from the select few who have constituted themsolves the inner circle of Auckland society. An honorary membership, or a guinea subscription is, no doubt, always readily: forthcoming as a necessary penalty of greatness, but most assuredly wealth does not contribute in proportion to its ability. Mr Justice Gillies in undertaking one public institution as his special charge, and fostering it, by personal exertion and pecuniary outlay, from a sickly infancy to a worthy development, has done an act deserving of the sincere thanks of the whole people. With a Mechanics' Institute struggling perpetually against the pressure of hopeless embarassments, and a "Young Men's Christian Association loaded with debt, we say to others as highly blessed as Mr Justice Gillies, "Go thou and do likewise." .

The mysteries of our railway tariff are past finding out, and, as Mr Passmore consigns all impertinent inquirers to quarters where the angels do not dwell, we would appeal to Mr Macdonald for an explanation of one little circumstance. We believe that gentleman does try to do the very best that he can with the regulations which the lordly Superintendent of Constructed Railways has fastened on him, but many inequalities might, we think, be smoothed over quietly at the option of the general manager. We are sure we should not toll Passmore if Mr Macdonald tried this, and we scarcely think anyone els© would. Documents have been placed before us which shew that one merchant, who forwarded to Pokeno two small packages, measuring under three feet, was charged 3s 9d, or at the rate of £2 6s 8d per ton measurement and £4 13s 4d per ton weight, while another merchant sent to the same destination five bags of flour weighing a quarter of a ton, for which only 2s lOd was charged. Now why are these thing's thus ? Even Mr Passmore's ingenuity surely could not have devised so rascally a tariff. The fault, we imagine, lies at the door of others, in fact of tho administration. Bad aa Mr Passmore's system may bo- and goodness, knows it is bad enough—judioious management might smooth down some of tho worat evils ; and wo would pray Mr Macdonald to think of this.

In our report of tho Uoousinc Court yofltor<ky it v/aa stated that lit Broliurn Hpoko of Mr Moyle't. Hotol an ditty, Tliin ininoorroot. What Mr BroVtaai did Bfty wan that, at tho tirno oi hla vifiit early in the morning, tho beds'wera iv dioorder.

I'he ordinary meeting of. the "Domain Board lapsed to clay for want of a quorum. Tho Mayor, (B. Tonks, Esq.,} Mr. Hughes, and tho Secretary being tho only perrons present,

An opportunity for a pleasant evening's entertainment will be offered this evening by the friends of total abstinence, at the Excelsior open lodge meeting in Sheridanstreet. Addresses will be delivered by Rev W. Tinsley, Messrs Atkin, Hemus, and other friends of the order. Sougs, music, and recitations of a choice character will fill up the intervening intervals between the speeches.

ollh^? °°8me ° - «oP«lo_by XJterary ..ui meet to-morrow evening at the usual hour in tho school-room of All Saints. The question for debate will bo, " Which is the best way of settling national disputes, arbitration or war?" Mr King will open in favour of arbitration,and Major White will advocate the aword as the surest method of putting an end to such quarrels.

The service of song last evening at Wel-lesley-etreet Baptist school, was largely attended. The subjectwas " Elijah," consisting of passages in the prophet's eventful life, interspersed with hymns and suitable musical pieces. The service was conducted by Rev P. H. Cornford. The next service will be held on tho 4fch proximo.

A curious story is told in "Pearls of the Pacific," Oue of the difficulties attending Christianity by the natives has been the putting away their wives. An old chief years ago asked to be baptized, but was told it could not be done so long as he had more than one wife. This was the sequel. Shortly afterwards he returned to the missionary with a joyful countenance, and informed him that ho was now lit to become a Christian, as the wife difficulty no longer existed. Pleased beyond measure at such a positive proof of the man's earnestness, he gladly consented to baptise him,and was about to proceed with the ceremony, when he casually asked him what he had done with his wives. Tho minister's enthusiasm was aomewhat crushed when the aspirantto Christianity unhesitatingly replied, "eaten them !"

An interesting meeting was held yesterday afternoon at the Parnell Orphan Home, presided over by Dr Cowie, the Bishop of Auckland, at which a large number of ladies and gentlemen were present. A number of presents were given to the children, consisting of books, workboxes, etc. Many of the gifts were from friends in England, sent to Miss Lusk for the orphans, which huug upon the branches of a Christmas tree, and were distributed by Miss Lusk. Ur Goldsbro' gave several select volumes. A plentiful repast was provided, and the cleanly, well-looking children partook heartily of the tea, buns, and cakes which had been liberally provided. The meeting altogether was pleasurable and innocent.

Mr Carey Brown, the popular temperance orator, gave his magic lantern entertainment last evening in the Beresford-street Hall, in aid of the Sunday-school library. The scones represented some of the finest buildings in London, Edinburgh, Paris, and Borne, which were described in a pleasing and graphic manner by the talented lecturer. Bible illustrations wore also given, and several of Moody and Sankey's hymns sung in a spirited manner by the children. At the conclusion, a vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr Matthews, was given to Mr Brown.

Drake-street, Freeman's Bay, is very much out of repair, and tho various holes and indentations in the paths render them dangerous to home-bound pedestrians on nights when the moon withdraws her smiling faeo, as though abashed at the wickedness of the people below.

The Rev. Father Walter McDonald desires to acknowledge, with many thanks, receipt of £4 10s from "A. 8.C." towards the St. Mary's Orphanage, Ponsonby.

Mr Robert Graham has submitted a proposal to tho Government for the acquisition of a portion of tho Ellorslio estate as a cemotory for the city and suburbs. He offered to soil tho ground required for that purpose at £140 to £150 per acre, or to open a cemetery there either by means of a company or privately if the existing cemeteries were closed. The Colonial Beeretary in reply, while admitting the necessity for partially closing the present cemetery, stated that there was no money available for the object contemplated, but the establishment of a cemetery by private enterprise would receive every encouragement. Tho Ellerslie site, well laid out, and planted with trees, would be very suitable, and has been favourably reported upon by Mr W. B. Boston, late Superintendent of St. Pancras Cemetery, noar London, and by Mr Alexander Black, undertaker. Tho trustees of tho Newmarket Hall met on Monday night to balance financial matters. This was done withja very satisfactory result, for after setting aside sufficient funds to meet every known liability up to the end of their term of office ; sufficient funds are left to warrant a very necessary outlay to tho reading room, viz., shingling the roof which is far from waterproof. The total amount expended up to date is over £320 sterling. The revenuo derived by letting the hall is very satisfactory, and the demand for its use is on the increase. Tho reading room is keeping well patronised. The chess table is a centre of interest, and a number of champion games have been played. The gentlemen of tho neighbourhood take an active interest-in tho Institute. Last week S. Browning Esq. presentod a parcel of periodicals to the reading room, and several other of tho patrons are looking over their bookshelves with the intention of presenting as many volumes as can be spared to the library. Tho secretary will bo happy to reeeieve from the general public contributions of books as donations to this Institute.

A Good Templar wishes to know why the term of " Boniface" is so often applied by members of the Order to hotel keepers ? We reply that the term was first used by George Farquhar, in a comedy which he wrote in the last year of his life, 1707, and entitled the " Beaux Stratagem." In this play, which occupied a place on the stage for a century, may be found a clever description of a scene at a wayside inn : —

Aimwell— You're my landlord, I suppose ? Boniface-Yes, sir; I'm old Will Boniface, pretty well known upon this road, as the sayinp: Is. Aimwell—O, Mr Boniface, your servant Boniface—o, air, what will your honor please to drink ? Aimivcll—l have heard that your town of Liohfield is mucU famed for ale, I think I'll tasts that. Boniface— Bir, I have now in my cellar ten tuns of the be3t ale in Stafford ; 'tis smooth as oil, sweet as milk, clear as amber, and strong as brandy.

The author was the son of a Protestant clergyman in the North of Ireland, and wrote about a dozen plays. He1 was first a lieutenant in the English "army, and subsequently strutted his hour on the stage. After a somewhat reckless life, ho died miserably at the age of twenty-nine.

The Bank of New Zealand at Opotiki was broken into recently, the'thieves entering the Bank by boring a number of holes through the shutter, until they could take out a square piece-; they then broke a pane, and unscrewed the Hhutter-fasten inside, and so effected an entrance ; they then endeavoured to break open the safe, as the marks upon it plainly evince, but in this they were unsuccessful ; they then broke in through another window, at the far end of the building, and thus gained entrance into a spirit store at the back; from which they abstracted only a few botttos of brandy and a case of champagne; The latter proving too heavy, was loft on tho ground outside.

A. caso of some interest is likely to be heard in tho Police Court, to-morrow, in which a woman of considerable physical proportions, known aft " Quoon Elizabeth," will be charged Willi .wearing at, and threatening to kill, her •• Undo," tho pawnbroker, who was unwilling to a.lvunoo to her a sufficient sum on aorao articles of underclothing, We await tho issue.

The Government steamer Luna with his Excellency the Governor did not leave the Manukau yesterday on account of the unfavourable weather. She proceeded oa hor voyage this morning.

The police are desirous of finding an owner for a macintosh found in the possession of an old gaol-bi-d, named William McElwee, who is remanded until Saturday.

The poor box, fixed against the wall of the Police Court some two years ago, seems to have had its day, and hangs silently as a memory of the past. Still there is as much necessity now for such a receptacle of charity as when it was first placed in its present position. The Home for Destitute and Criminal Children still exists, and its hundred children still require the necessaries of life. Occasionally in days past some foolish person, with more money than wit, but who was not wise enough to keep out of a broil, was frequently induced, at the suggestion of the magistrate, to purchase his temporary freedom by dropping a sovereign into the box; but not now ! Nobody thinks of the Police Court box now, and nobody drops in a trifle in aid of the object for which it was honored with an official position in front of the drunkard's dock. It was confidently expected yesterday that out of ninety-five, good-looking welldressed hotel keepers, whose licenses togjsell beer and spirits.were generally granted almost without a murmur, that a few spare pounds would have found their way from well-lined purses into the yawning, starving, melancholy poor box, which had been duly dusted and brightened, for the express purpose of sounding the pleasant ring of a few sovereigns. It was contemplated by a few of the fraternity that something should be given, but as the owner of ten public houses had " no change and did not "shell out," although he sniffed 'at the box, nothing was given, and the box remained mute a3 before ; hence the plaint of tho children of drunken parents :—

" Poor Box," suspended there in vain, In thee no more we truit ; Whilst thou, all empty, thus remain To gather naught but dust. " Poor Box," when thou wert in thy prime, And lawyers ma<3e a fusi, Thon gold in thee, like pleasant rhyme, Inspired a song for us. But now thou hang'st a useless thing, Whilst wo thy dirge in sadness ting. Several hotel-keepers dropped in a few halfsovereigns before the closing of the Court, and on the box being opened by Messrs A. Stewart and G. W. Owen, this afternoon, £4 4s 21 was found therein.

A Melbourne paper states that it is not improbable that Hewitt and Davis will be matched to run a race for £1000 a-side.

Jem Mace and Joo Goss, the bruisers, have arrived from England, and are being lionized somewhat by the roughs of Boston. It is probable that Goss will soon be matched to fight Tom Allen. Mace has issued a challenge to any man in America.

For some days past the water has not flowed into tho tank of the Evening _ Star office with its usual freedom, and it was thought that some impediment was in the pipe. Tho turncock was quite unable to explain tho mystery, and the runner boys talked and wondered. This morning, however, the secret of the hindrance rushed out, and proved to be two beautiful fish, several inches in length, full of life and sportivenesa, bounoing in tho light of sunny freedom. The fish much resemble the perch and smaller fry of tho old country, and are in the care of Mr John S. Lepine, who will be glad to shew them to any interested person.

Mr Joseph Newman's name was erroneously mentioned as one of the Commissioners in our report of the Licensing meeting yesterday.

In justice to the relatives of Mrs Mudford, the eccentric old lady, whose case was noticed in last evening's Stae, we have been credibly informed that her son, a respectable man, and her daughters have provide d her with a comfortable room, and with the neoessaries of life. If the old lady could succeed in getting into the " Refugo," the family would bo glad to support her there.