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Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2465, 15 February 1878, Page 2

The New South Wales assembly has negatived a motion to reduce the immigration vote to £50,000. " Artillery " inquires whether there is a way for respectable young men, strong and healthy, desiring to jointheS.y dney Artillery, to be able to proceed there from Auckland at the expense of the New South Wales Government or otherwise. [We are not in a position to furnish the desired information. Our correspondent should write to Sydney. —Ed. E.S.] The adjourned meeting of the market gardeners of Newmarket and neighbourhood will be held on Wednesday evening next.

The Band of Hope meeting last evening was not so largely attended as expected, owing to the rain which prevented some persons from venturing out. Mr McKenzie gave a practical address in favour of total abstinence, and several pleasing ballads and recitations were given by the children and friends of temperance progress. To-morrow will be the lost opportunity of witnessing the "Blacksmith's Dream, one of the most ingenious and remarkable exhibitions that has been witnessed in this city. The tent will open at three in the afternoon, with a new performance by Mr Punch, especially for young people, mothers, and children, and in the evening to the public generally. The Hobsou Band will make another of their pleasant moonlight excursions on the Waitemata on Monday evening next, starting from, the wharf at half-past seven o'clock. Should the evening be fine, the trip will be refreshing and agreeable. It will be observed that the committee of management in connection with the orran recital, under the direction of Harcourt Lee Esq., at the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, have selected a very attractive programme for Monday at 8 p.n% We feel sure that with Mrs Miichell and other local celebrities, the festival will give the greatest pleasure to every one. In some of the comic papers published in St. Petersburg, there is a series of pictures entitled " Doctoring the Sick Man," and representing a Turkish Aga, who, having killed and eaten a Bulgarian slave, acquires such rotundity that he cannot leave his bed. A British sailor is the first doctor called in, and after him an Austrian mendicant, but their prescriptions do not seem to help the patient. Then in stalks a big Muscovite, who recommends a change of air—a trip to Asia—and iv the last picture the Turk is reduced to his normal proportions. In the caricatures which are sold in the streets of Moscow, Great Britain is generally pourtrayed as a dandified yachtsman, with red mutton-chop whiskers, and long foppishlooking nose.

Since Mr Smith, of railway newspaper and bookstall celebrity, of London, has risen by successive steps to be First Lord of the Admiralty, everybody in his employment seems) on their own particular account, to have gone up a step or two likewise in dignity. Even the smart, and occasionally saucy, newsboys appear to have grown at least an inch taller, and to have piit on more frills. Of which fact the following anecdote may serve as an illustration: —The scene is at the Portsmouth ■ railway station. Says a W. H. Smith newsboy to an officer of the Royal Marines waiting for train: "Paper, sir? 'Standard,' 'Times' 'Daily News,' ' Telegraph,' sir?" Officer —" Go to ," a place unmentionable to ears polite, but supposed to be tropical of climate. W. H. Smith's newsboy—" I say, if you ain't civil, I'll get my master to stop your Autumn leave !"

" Band of Hope " writes stating that the Free Methodist Sunday-school, Pitt-street, has a Band of Hope connected with it, which meets every alternate Monday evenThe Roman Catholics of Dunedin had masses for the repose of the Pope's soul on Sunday last. We draw attention to an advertisement of a lime-light exhibition in St. Matthew's schoolroom this evening. Mr Dennes will exhibit some interesting and comic views, with explanations. This amusement, it will be remembered, was promised the children who attended tne school treat on Regatta Day, to make up for the wet weather. These children will be admitted fece; parents and friends are charged 6d each, to defray the expensc3. Should there be any balance left it will be put to tho library fund. We trust to see many of the parents there, as their presence will shew the interest they take in the amusement of tho young folks.

A special meeting of the Dovonport Lodge of Good Templars will be held in tho lodge-room this evening, at eight o'clock, to consider the advisability of surrendering the Charter to tho Grand Lodge.

In reference to a remark made by SubInspector Pardy at the Police Court yester day, we hare been requested by that gentleman to state that the observation was not meant as an imputation against Mrs E. Dunning, of the Market. In her large dealings as a poulterer she cannot always guard against having stolen poultry imposed upon her. A team from the Rcmuera Cricket Club proceed to Papakura by the 7 a.m. train tomorrow morning, to play a match agaiust the highly-reputed Bombay Club. As usual with teams travelling from home, several of the best men are unable to go. The team is as follows :—Messrs W. F. Buckland, S. Jackson, T. Whewell, D. Touks, Scarborough, Chceseman, Coleman, 11. Jones, A. Baber, A. Tonks, F. Yonge, and H. Jackson.

By the mail yesterday were received at the City Council oflices copies of the Municipal Reports of San Francisco for 1876-7. The work is a bulky volumn, furnishing information upon every matter connected with the Government and trade of the City. Messrs. William Ashby & Co., the proprietors of the New Zealand General Commission Agency, Bishopsgatc-street, London, offer special advantages to colonial visitors to Londod, and a call at their offices will be amply repaid. The latest colonial newspapers are always kept on hand, and every kind of business with the colonies is transacted with despatch. The celebrated " Inspirational Lecturer," Emma Hardinge and her husband, Dr. Britton, were among the passengers by the City of New York, and a few hours after they left for Sydney. A numberof Auckland Spiritualists greeted the lady on the vessel last evening, and were charmed with her manner and conversation. They presented to her a telegram from Mr Charles Bright, the popular Free Thought lecturer, requesting her to visit Duiiedhi. She was unable, however, to accede immediately to the request, as she is guided, according to her statement, in her engagements and travels by the influential suggestions of the spirit circle. Dr. Britten intimated that their movements are also affected materially by a guarantee of their expenses. The lady objects to being termed a " medium," and speaks of herself professionally as an " Inspirational Lecturer." Miss Emma Hardinge Britton is very engaging in conversation, and expressed a wish to see our city as well as tue light of the evening would pern.it. A carriage was consequently procured, and the lady took a pleasant drive around Auckland, accompanied by Mr Samuel Coombes, who pointedout the various public buildings and spots" of inteiest to the visitor, with such passing comments upon them as their importance seemed to need. Mrs Hardinge Britton .states that she receives a considerable income from her published works, and her last work, " Art Magic,' has met with a very favourable reception. It is not unlikely that Mrs Britton may visit New Zealand at the close of her Australian tour, and gratify the Auckland Spiritualists with one or two of her splendid orations. '

A meeting of the teachers of the Educational District of Auckland will bo held in City East schoolroom, Wellosleystreet, to-morrow afternoon, at 3 o'clock, to receive the report of the Chairman, and discuss further arrangements, in accordance with resolutions passed at a previous meeting. We believe that the rumour that Mr li. J. O'gtilUvari, the present Inspector of schools under the Auckland Board of Education, has been offered the position of inspector General of the Public Schools of the colony under the Ecucation Act, is not without foundation.

A tea-meeting Jand 'soiree in connection with the induction of Rev. Dnvid W. Runciman to the Ponsonby Presbyterian Church will be held this evening in the Ponsonby Hall. The programme of the concert and general proceedings promises an excellent entertainment, which will, no doubt, ba largely patronised. )

We learn that the colporteur of the Auckland Branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society is making a tour for the purpose of supplying copies of the Holy benptures in districts where such many be needed. He purposes visitingthe Manurangi and Waiuku Agricultural Exhibitions, proceeding onward through the Waikato districts. . , On Wednesday last Mr Firth received a communication from tho Colonial Secretary's office to the effect that 500,000 white fish ova were expected by the Government per City of Sydney, and requested km to see to the i rans-shipment of the consignment per Hawea, which, despite the short notice, was effected with complete success by Mr' Frith, with the aid of his workmen. .^ , . Mr W J. Douglas writes with reference to the case of Douglas v. Norrie heard before Capt. Jackson, KM., at Mercer. He says : " The charge was withdrawn after Mr Norrie reading his apology to the open Court, which, if he had done before, no proceedings would have been taken. Mr Douglas then makes a statement of the case ; but as it was not brought in Court, nnd mif'ht be subject to contradiction from the other side, it would hardly be fair to The Australian Cricket Team left for Sydney last night by the City of Sydney. A large number of their friends Avere down on board to see them away. - - Two boys, named Benjamin Agrew and Thomas Quin, were arrested this afternoon by Constable Bulleu, on a charge _of absconding from the Naval Training School. _____