Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2406, 6 December 1877, Page 2

OUR Parliamentary telegrams announce an important amendment, to which the Government have consented in the Counties Act Amendment Bill, empowering the Governor, under the 117 th section of the Public Works Act, 1566, to abolish or reduce tolls, in counties where the Act has not been adopted. This action of the Government is believed to be due to the exertions of Mr J. A. Tole, M.H.R., in his correspondence relative to the County of Eden. The addition of this clause to the Bill will therefore settle the vexed question of authority to levy tolls in that county. Another important clause casting the duty of maintaining main roads on the Government, was also carried.

THE Government have carried the second reading of the Four Million Loan Bill in spite of the strenuous Opposition of Major Atkinson, who desired to limit the proposed loan to one-half that amount. No very great degree of penetrationis needed to enable even the merest |tyro in politican strategy to perceive the motives which influenced the so-called leader of the Opposition in adopting that course. By over-weening confidence in his own heaven-born finance he had succeeded in reducing the colony to the verge of bankruptcy, from which it was opportunely extricated by the accession to office of Mr Larnach. Seeing that the proposals of the Grey Ministry would enable them to establish the financial condition of the colony on a sound basis, Major Atkinson, with that selfishness which has distinguished his political career, desired to emasculate the Bill, and to partially cripple the Government until next session. His cool proposal to refer financial questions to the' Public Accounts Committee almost in the last hours of the session was a move only worthy of a politician who has throughout endeavoured to bolster up his position, and to embarrass his opponents by tricks' and artifices. He had probably calculated that reference of the matter to the committee would have resulted in shelving the Bill this session. In this, as in other similar steps he has been again foiled," and unless the Bill meets with resistance in the Upper House it will doubtless become law.

We learn that a general desire prevails at Cambridge that Mr Whitaker, M.H.R., should visit the district and_ address his constituents. The new public hall will be completed about the 24th inst. and it is hoped that Mr Whitaker will be present at the subsequent inauguration. Should he consent to visit the district, the hall would be appropriated for a political meeting during the day, and for a concert in the evening. A correspondent, who signs himself "Colonial Industry," writes: "Sir, —I notice an advertisement by the City Council inviting tenders until the 10th inst. for 100 chains of four-rail Hobart Town fencing for the city abattoirs. Why should we continue to send money out of the colony when we have such excellent timber of our own for fencing purposes ? It seems to me perfectly astounding that the City Council should cast this unmerited slur on our New Zealand timber, and should encourage foreign importations at the expense of our local industry. Not lone: ago there was an agitation throughout the principal centres of population in the colony urging the Government to discontinue importing railway and other public material which can be equally well produced in the colony, and I believe the Government has countermanded some large orders which were sent home by the late Minister of Public Works. I hope, sir, the new Mayor will turn his attention to the matter of this timber contract and will endeavour to retain the money in circulation here instead of sending it away to maintain Tasmanian bushmen." [We cordially agree with our correspondent, and trust that the City Council will see good reason to adopt his uggestion.—Ed. E.S.]

Brother William Fox has presented the Working Men's Society of Napier with a picture of " Napoleon in Exile." This, of course, is a touching illustration of Mr Fox's own position as a political exile. The Waitaki County Council is a lucky body. After paying all outstanding liabilities it will have a credit balance of £13,770, and in addition to this the Council claims, between £70,000 and £SO,OOO revenue from the Government, and threatens to issue a mandamus against the Colonial Treasurer if f.he money be not paid immediately. Wi ital i County is in clover. § We understand that a numerously signed requisition is being g<fcup at Cambridge, calling the Rev. livai:< to undertake tht pastoral charge of the Presbyterian congregation there. A new journal called Ithe " Ttmuka Leader" was published yesterday.

Resideuts in tlie neighbourhood _of Freeman's Bay complain of the destruction caused in their kitchen gardens by the inroads of a flock of goats.

The members of Hengard's Star Variety Troupe will give a grand conceit and dance this evening, in aid of the widow and orphans of the late^ Constable Tapsell. The programme comprises the ■ names of some of our best and most popular amateur singers, &c., and the dance at the close will be very select. We therefore trust that the people of Auckland will patronise an entertainment given for such a charitable and deserving object.

The members of the Havelock Histrionic Class intend to perform Coleman's comedy of the " Heir-at-Law," at the Newmarket Hall this evening. They will be assisted by the members of the Victoria Lodge, 1.0. G.T., who will sing several sentimental and comic songs during the evening. Considering the excellent manner in which this play was represented by the class in Auckland some time ago, we have not the slightest hesitation in expressing our belief that the entertainment this evening will be successfully carried out.

The annual sermon to Sunday-school teachers in connection with the Auckland branch of the Sunday-school Union was preached last evening in the lecture hall of the Young Men's Christian Association by the Rev G. B. Monro, of Remuera. The text selected by the preacher was from Ecclesiastes, c. 2., v. 6. "In the morning sow the seed, and in the evening -withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. The sermon was full of excellent and wellconsidered advice to teachers, but unfortunately few teachers were present to hear it. Mr George Goldie, Sanitary-Inspector, reports:—" During the month ending November, 18M, there were 17 deaths registered within, the city of Auckland. The number during the corresponding month of 1876 were 18 deaths. There were 5 deaths in the Hospital during the month of 1377." Owing to some misunderstanding as to the date'of the meeting of creditors in the estate of W. H. Sykes, which was to have been held yesterday, the meeting has been postponed.

At the meeting of the Onehunga Licensing Court yesterday,' the license of the Junction Hotel was transferred to Mr E. Y. N. Jenkins.

Meredith Rountree, described as a master mariner, has filed a statement of his inability to meet his engagements with his creditors, and the first meeting in connection with his insolvency will be held on the 20th of December.

The recent soiree at the school-room of the upper district of Waipu was very successful. Mr H. Rowlands was the chairman of the evening, and Miss Kate McMillan, formerly of City East' School (Auckland), presided at the pianoforte, and performed several selection? with much ability. A number of songs and recitations were given, and the evening closed with dancing, The receipts for tickets reached £9, which will go towards the purchasing of books for the children's Christmas prizes. We learn that Miss McMillan has given great satisfaction in her conducting of the Waipu school, and the scholars have made much progress in the several branches of education under her careful tuition.

At the Ouehunga Resident Magistrates' Court yesterday, a boy named William Molloy was fined ss, and costs 9s, for trespassing on the railway, and causing water to escape from the tanks. James Loomb, hotel-keeper, of Paninure, was charged with supplying beer to James Burke, the latter being already intoxicated. Mr Sub-Inspector Pardy prosecuted, and Mr Alexander appeared for the defendant. James Burke, Joseph Fahey, R. Bromage, Caroline Burke, and G. Kingsley, having given evidence, the Bench dismissed the case on the ground that it had not been proved that the beer bad been supplied to Burke, as stated in the information. The Remuera Highway Board propose to plant Mount Hobson with ornamental trees, should the Waste Lands Board consent .to vest the property in them. The funeral of Mrs Daldy Itook place yesterday afternoon in the Symonds-street Cemetery. The merchant's offices were partly closed in token of respect to deceased, and the flags in city and harbour hung at half-mast. The members of the City Council and Harbour Board attended the funeral. Capt. Daldy, Mr W. Daldy, jun., Mr H. Pulham, and Mr F. Coombes, were the chief mourners, and the Rev. J. Robertson, of the Beresford-street Church, the officiating clergyman. At the grave this gentleman delivered a brief funeral address.

Mr Kirk-wood, of the National hotel, Cambridge, has parted with his interest to Mr Walker, late of Hamilton. The exact terms of the transaction have not transpired, but we are informed that they are highly favourable to Mr Kirkwood.

The long prevailing drought causes considerable loss and suffering in Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, and other places. The crops are endangered and the cattle suffer from scarcity of water.

Mr Treewheeler, the enterprising baker, pastrycook, and confectioner, of Hamilton, advertises a certificate with which he has been favoured by one of the many belles of that rising inland town. We may add that the ladies of Hamilton have earned a high reputation as connoisseurs in confectionery, and it speaks volumes for Mr Trccwheeler's skill that he has hitherto, succeeded in securing their unqualified approval. Mr Treewheeler knows how to furnish sweets to the sweet, and no wonder the young men and women of Hamilton are " sweet," on his establishment.

There are 3651 Crown Grants ready for delivery at the Crown Lands Ofiice here, on which a total of about £10,000 is due in the shape of fees. We understand thai the Government intend taking prompt action to secure the payment of; these fees. " Pigeon Fancier" writes : " Sir, —Can you inform me what sort of pigeon is a " fantail carrier." I see that your contemporary the " Herald" wants bird-fanciers to exhibit this rara avis in terra. I may say that in all my life-time I have never beheld this wonderful bird, but if your contemporary has one on the premises, I trust the editor will exhibit him to tho public at a small charge. Of course I have seen fantail pigeons, but I never heard of their being used as carriers, their posterial development being unfavourable for straight flight." A resident at the| top of Grey-street writes that the dog about which complaints have been made is perfectly harmless, and he has never observed on the part of the animal any of those ferocious tendencies which " Observer" mentioned. The writer further affirms his disinterestedness by the statement that he has never spoken to the owner of the dog, and does not maintain a canine quadruped himself.

Captain•Roundtree, of the cutter Maud, reports a rather aggravating circumstance which occurred on his last trip to Russell. When off Cape Brett the carcase of a dead whale was seen floating not far out of the vessel's track The huge hlaclc body was partly exposed above "the surface of the water, and very nearly resembled the bottom of a capsized boat. The captain aud crew became aware what it was from the enormous number of birds and sharks which surrounded the carcase. Knowing the rich prize a whale would prove—sven if a little high—an effort was made to tow it into Russell, but the wind coming oft" the land made the job a very awkward one, and at last it had to be abandoned, and the cutter continued her course. Some hours afterwards a change of wind again took place, and the cutter stood back to try again. This time the captain found thathe had been forestalled, for the monster was being towed by four boats manned by natives. There was nothing for it but to leave them their prize, which was worth at least £200. The boats succeeded in getting the whale into the harbour.

A mail named John Webb was yesterday killed by a fall of earth at Anderson's Bay, Otago.

We have received a letter signed by thirty-eight steerage passengers bythes.s. Australia on her last trip from San Francisco, complaining in strong terms of the treatment they received on the passage. They assert that the bedding was insufficient and that several passengers were obliged to sleep on tables or on deck ; that the water was impure, unhealthy, and sparingly provided ; the tin dishes and knives and forks rusty, the provisions of inferior quality, the bread badly baked, and the cooking generally unsatisfactory. The writers further state that a reduction at Honolulu in the number of passengers did not improve matters, and that their complaints were ignored. Some of the passengers paid an extra ten dollars to be permitted to take their meals in the officers' mess-room, and they declare that though they considered the fare of 100 dollars very high they would gladly have paid a fourth more in exchange for better treatment. The great length of the letter precludes its publication in full. We trust, however, that the Company's agents will institute careful inquiry into these complaints, and if they are proved to be well-founded will call the responsible parties to account.

A respected settler of Waitakerei informs us that on Saturday last he saw to seaward, about ten miles north of Manukau Heads, and an equal distance from shore, a large floating object, apparently a vessel, bottom upwards. It was much too large for a log. He watched it for two hours, during which it shifted its position a little, so that there could be no mistake. Vessels from Kaipara should keep a look-out. '•'P.P." (Howick) writes that a new school-room is being unnecessarily erected at that village, seeing that there is already a comfortable building with ample laccommodation for the existing attendance, and that the inhabitants did not ask for a new building. "P.P." considers it somewhat singular that, while other districts are crying out for school-accommodation a second building should be unnecessarily erected at Howick. and that on an unsuitable site.

At the next meeting of the City Council, Councillor Masefield will move : "Thatthe time of the members of this Council may be saved, and the work equally divided, is it desirable that two large committees be formed comprising the whole of the present committees; and that the Town Clerk be instructed to submit details for consideration of this Council,each committee to meet once a fortnight at 3 o'clock in the afternoon."

We have ascertained on making further inquiries that our correspondent " Fact," in his so-called correction of our leading article of the 27th ult, fell into some inaccuracies. From the first of July last the pay of the police throughout the colony was placed on a uniform standard. A concert will be given in the Masonic Hall, Onehunga, to-morrow evening, by the members of the Onehunga Glee Club, assisted by the members of the Orpheus Glee Club, and other talent from Auckland. The programme comprises glees, quartettes, songs, and instrumental selections by Messrs Howden, Henderson, Bartley, Burnham, Edmiston, Rodgers, and Patterson. The various lodges of Onehunga have promised to patronise the entertainment, which should therefore prove to be a great success. Mr W. Walters received news ffrom Sydney by the Rotorua that his brood mare Fanny Fisher, has dropped a beautiful filly to Traducer, and was stinted to Yattendou early in the season. His other brood mare Peerless visited the same horse early in November.