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Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2420, 22 December 1877, Page 2

"We have been shewn a very, pretty coloured sketch of St. Matthew's Church and parsonage, executed by Mr Atcherley to the order of the Rev Mr Hassard, who is leaving shortly for England. Mr Atcherley has also supplied the rev gentleman with a series of very pretty and tasteful sketches of the Lake country and East Coast scenery.

The services to-morrow at the Epiphany Church will be conducted by Rev. John Still, M. A.who will preach both morning and evening. From the first of the year the shako and busby hitherto worn by British troops are to be replaced by a neat helmet ve-y similar to those used in the German army. The shako has a bronze spike ou top, aud a bronze chin strap. It will be seen by reference to our telegrams that the brig Craig Ellachie is ashore at Timaru, and is likely, to become a total wreck. She is insured for £750 in the New Zealand, £300 in the Union, and £250 in the Standard.

From the commencement of the neAV year, the city police in the South Island Avill be placed' under the charge of Mr Inspector Weldon, and those in thejsNorth Island under Mr Sherman. The police Avill be distinct from the Armed Constabulary. It is rumoured that Colonel Reader is to be appointed Under-Secretary for the Defence. Probably a good many inquisitive people in Wellington and elseAvhere avill be curious to learn Avhat services Colonel Reader has rendered to the colony to deserve, or Avhai; qualifications he possesses to fit him for this promotion. He has for some time past drawn a handsome salary for doing practically nothing at all, except lounge at the Club; and on more than one occasion has kept the Volunteeis of Wellington waiting half-an-hour after the time he had himself fixed to inspect them. The Rev. Mr Dm .on, F.R.A.S., will give an address at the Sunday evening service in the Theatre Royal.

A Melbourne telegram states that the Victorian Government has not yet indicated the course it Avill pursue in reference to the Appropriation Bill.

B|A telegram received in Sydney from the Secretary of the Indian Famine Fund in Madras states that in consequence of the favourable prospects the collection may cease. The total subscription from all sources is £800,000.

At a special meeting of the Onehunga Board Conned on Thursday evening, Councillor Codlin in the chair, the Town Clerk apologised for his neglect in failing to summon a me.ting on Wednesday for the installation of the Mayoi^ Mr J. W. Waller Ava i introduced to the meeting, and took hi; seat as Mayor of Onehunga. It Avas agreed that four by-laws passed at a previous meeting should be advert) 3d in the Evening Star. A memon Avas presented with reference to the exce ,uve Railway Wharf tariff, and it was agr ed that the Mayor and Councillor catin should confer Avith Mr O Rorke, Avith the object of inducing him to make representations »o the Government in reference to the matte.

A lively cricket mate:, is proceeding at Newma ket between th • Newmarket and Epsom . lubs, as Aye go to press.

The Chairman of the Board of Education at the meeting yesterday afternoon, stated that a run of £50,000 had been granted for school buildings throughout the colony. It was agreed that the Chairman should confer with Mr Sheehan as to the amount which Auckland was to receive.

The Swiss curiosity shop opened this morn? lg by Mr Grossman, in Queen-street, near lewin's corner, is well worthy a visit. Mr C rossmaii, besides being a wood-carver of acknowledged merit, has brought with him direct from the land of Tell a large number of representative curiosities for use and ornament. On entering the shop our reporter was immediately struck with the variety, beauty, and exquisite finish of the goods, ranged in what might be termed logical order. There were picture frames, birds, animals, simft and match boxes, fruits of almost every kind, acorns, leaves, grapes, apricots, Swiss cottages, che?s and draughtboards, watch stands, photo and other frames, ink-stands, pen-holders, mountaineer pipes, looking-glasses, book-shelves, candlesticks, shoes, and articles of every conceivable character; all manufactured from the native woods of Switzerland. The sacred shrines, "The Virgin and her Child," and "Aged Simeon delivering his blessing," will be greatly admired for their taste and artisti'. finish. We would 'recrmimend an early visit to Mr Grossman's emporium of Swiss art —in which are displayed, in a hundred different forms, the beauty aud poetry of wood-carving. Particulars of Sunday services will be found in the present issue. The people's service at the Theatre Royal at the usual hour. To meet the demand for riding requisites at this season of the year, Mr Wiseman, >r .Idler, Queen-street, advertises in another column an excellent assortment of every- ; I ing needed, to which Aye call attention. Visitors to the Children's Industrial Exhibition, recently held in the Lornestreet Hall s must have noticed several piles of serge and duck trousers and jackets for sea-wear, manufactured by the boys of the Kohimarama Naval Training School. These garments were neatly and strongly made, under the direction of Mrs Speight, who has taken great interest in teaching the boys to make aud repair their own clothing, and which knowledge Avill be found very useful to them when voyaging over the deep waters. A few of .the boys in the school are wild and intractable, which is not surprising when it is considered that they have not had the privileges and advantages of more favoured children. Mrs Speight is most attentive to the poor boys in their work, and many of them possess hearts sufficiently softened bykindness to be able to appreciate her efforts for their future comfort.

Considerable interest was felt last evening by the subscribers in Mr Chas. Burton's Christmas prize drawing. A large number of persons attended in Dornwell's new hall to witness the savoury proceedings. The list comprised 400 contributors of 2s Gd each. In order to the general satisfaction of subscribers, a committee of management was appointed in accordance with Ivlr Burton's wish, composed of the following reliable gentlemen : Messrs D. B. Nolan, F. A. White, C. A. Martin, W. Baker, and E. Carte. The following were the fortunate speculators in Christmas cake, and who bore their rich and spicy burdens away in triumph : Ist prize, Mr J. Heather, value £5, being an ornamented wedding cake; but being a single man, the ladies present wondered what he would do with it. The 2nd prize was also a wedding cake, iced and piped, value £2, won by Mr John Menzies ; the 3rd prize was a wedding cake, value 255, won by a lady, Mrs Waller; 4th prize, a currant pound-cake, 15s, Mr J. Ridings ; sth, similar, 10s, Mr S. McConnell. The remaining prizes consisted of cakes, varying in value from 5s to Is. The two gold rings have not yet been discovered by the possessors, but will be made known after a thorough investigation has taken place.

Clifford's Mirror of the World, comprising 2,000 views of French, German, English, American, Russian, Turkish, Egyptian, Swiss, Italian, and New Zealand scenery, will be exhibited for the first time in Auckland on Boxing Night, and succeeding evenings. The exhibition, it is stated, has been visited by 100,000 persons, who pronounced it to be the best ever placed before the public.

Professor Hcnnicke and Madame Stella are announced to appear at the Albert Hall, Darby-street, for live nights, commencing on Wednesday evening (Boxing Day.) In addition to an excellent evening's amusement, a number of useful and ornamental gifts will be distributed amongst the audience, including tea service, cruets, butterdishes, vases, clocks*, albums, Japanese ornaments, toilet sets, bread-baskets, &c. No doubt these entertainments will be well patronised by the Auckland public.

The Devonport Races, on Boxing Day, if they do not come up to those at Ellerslie, will at least give plenty of good solid fun. The programme is to be published in full on Monday, but we are able to mention the following as the probable list of races :— Maiden' Plate, Ladies' Purse, Devonport Handicap, Handicap Hurdle Race, Pony Race, Victoria Handicap, Tilt-iu-the-ring, Trotting Match. We notice that Mr Murdoch's title m connection with the bank of New Zealand is General Manager, and that Mr Murray has received the appointment of Inspector. At Port Chalmers yesterday, Francis Gough, boatswain of the ship Dunedin, fell into the graving dock, sustaining fracture of the skull, from which he died. Mr Moorhouse, M.H.R., has been nominated by the District Grand Lodge E.C. of Freemasons at Wellington, as successor to the late Sir Donald McLean as District Grand Master.

A Wellington telegram recently stated tbat the City Council had made a clean sweep of its employes. New applications having been invited, the following have been received :—for Town Clerk, 9 applications ; Inspector of Nuisances, 11; Collector, 14. Colonel Brett's motion, affirming the necessity for a re-organisation of the Volunteer forces of the colony has had some effect. The new regulations provide that all corps falling below the minimum strength Avill be disbanded, and no claim for capitation Avill be alloAved where there are feAver than 40 efficients on 31st March in each year. The Engineer and City Band will enliven the inhabitants of the city on Christmas Eve, by playing a few select marches through the streets, and some choice selec - tions of music on the Avharf.

To-morrow evening, at the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, there Avill be a special and solemnly impressive service conducted jby the Rev Thomas Buddie, the occasion being a funeral sermon on the death of the late Mrs LaAvry. We may just say that the deceased lady Avas the relict of the late Rev. Walter LaAvry, for so many years Wesleyan Minister and general Missionary Chairman, and director for the Wesleyan Foreign Mission in Nevv Zealand and other islands. Perhaps there are none so qualified to depict the history of the la+e widoAV than Mr Buddie, being so long intimately acquainted Avith her and er husband, and being a coadjutor m le early days of Methodism,and a Watchman with them in the work of Evangelization of the native race of our adopted country. The early records and reminiscences to be delivered by Mr Buddie to-morrow evening Avill be specially interesting, and we are sure that the old friends of the family and others avill be present on the occasion. The school year at " The Pines, Epsom, 'dosed last evening Avith a soiree dansante ; the 40 pretty dancers were Mrs Rackstrawa pupils, all under 17 years of age. Music, and drawing were beautifully repiesented in the performances of the young ladies. The prize-takers Avere the Misses Barston, Westwood (2 prizes), McFadyen, Lodder (2), Prit (2). Hall (2), Shipherd, Buckland, Hesketh (2). Seventy neAV volumes have been added to the library of the Young Men's Christian Association, and Mr J. C. Firth has given £10 for a further instalment. ■_■

The meeting of journeymen bakers will be held this evening in the British Hotel at the usual hour.

The parliamentary caucus nuisance has, it seems, spread to the constituencies. According to a telegram in the " Herald " of this morning, the " Gazette" contains a proclamation that a caucus of the colony shall be taken on the 4th March next. We wonder where it is to be held, who will pay the travelling expenses, and whether women will be permitted to attend. A caucus on such a tremendous scale, and with the ladies present too, would make a grand sensation. There are some members of Parliament Avho are good at talking, but they Avould perhaps find their match among the ladies. Perhaps our contemporary means *f C6GSUS In a brief notice of Mr HatsAvell's Christmas curiosities in our last issue, "Is per advertisement" was erroneously printed for " as per advertisement" ; Aye hasten to make the amende honorable iv anticipation of a tAvig from the Gloucester holly tree. In our notice of the "Auckland Almanac and Provincial Handbook," last night, Monday Avas misprinted Tuesday. The work Avill be published on Monday next. It is the largest book of the series—containino- a greater number of pages. The reading matter is all neAV, and the portraits superior to any yet attempted in the city. The officers of Lodge St Andrew, S.C., were installed last evening. The following officers of the Grand Lodge were present: Bros the Hon. F. Whitaker, R.W.P.G.M., Anderson, R.W.P.S.M., and Bro. Tyler, R.W.P.G., Secretary. The Provincial Grand Master was escorted to the chair, aud nominated Bro. P. M. Niccol as Installing Officer, and the following officers were duly obligated, invested, and installed as officers of the St Andiew Lodge for the ensuing year : Bro. W. C. Walker, R.W.M. (elected for the third time), Bro. T. Whitson, R.W.D.M. ; Bro. F. M. Hewson, S.W. ; Bro. G. R. Hendry, J.W.; Bro. J. Lewis, treasurer ; Bro. G. Payne, secretary ; Bros. J. McEAven and S. McCosky, S.D., and J.D. ; Bros. M. Gallagher and W. H. Niccol, Senior and Junior SteAvards; Bio. J. Hughes, I.G. ; Bro. C. Porter, Tyler. After the ceremony, the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet prepared by Host Hood, at which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts Avere proposed and duly honored. The tenure of office of the members of the Board of Education terminates on the 31st December, but they Avill retain their positions until the neAV Board has been elected.

A telegram was received to-day by Mr John King, Secretary to the Execute Reception Committee, from the Hon. J. Sheehan, intimating that he Avill arrive in the Manukau at about eleven o'clock tomorrow forenoon. A special train Avill be laid on, and will reach the Onehunga wharf at half-past eleven to-morroAV, ano many members of the late Reception Committee and prominent citizens will receive and Avelconie the Native Minister on arrival. Our attention Avas attracted this morning to a chastly-Avrought Avinter scene in the shop of Mi- Yandle, representing a snow scene, in Avhich icicles are hanging from a SherAvood oak, wreathed in snow. Underneath are the figures of a lady and gentlemen, representing Lord Byron, and Mary ChaAVorth, of Annesley. The poet is in'the act of reciting "My Mary," to the lady, Avhilc she listens attentively. The scene is Avorked out, and interesting on account of its poetic association.