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Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2494, 22 March 1878, Page 2

The monthly inspection of several companies of Volunteers took place last evening in the Drill-shed, viz., the Artillery, numbering 50, under command of Captain Burns and Lieut. Payne ; No 3 Company, 40 men under Captain Morrow, Lieuts. Kelly and Robinson, and Color-Sergeant Hitchens; and the Naval Brigade, under Captain Le Roy, assisted by Lieuts. Chapman and Parker. The companies were under the superintendence of Major Lusk. The interesting ceremony of presenting Mrs Chapman's Cham pion Belt to the successful brigade man, was nextperformed in the presence of the Navals, who were dressed in white frocks and straw hats, after the manner of the " Jolly tars of England," immortalised by Dibdin in his ocean melodies. The successful man was Thomas Allen, who received the prize in a modest manner, amidst the cheeis of his comrades. The scene was gratifying, and the band gave eclat to the occasion.

Mr William Hill, of Maungatoroto, a well-known Kaipara settler, wlio has been absent on a trip home for some time past, was amongst the passengers by the Fontenaye.

The banquet given to His Excellency the Governor at Grahamstown yesterday was attended by fifty gentlemen. The chair was occupied by the Mayor, Dr Kilgour, and the vice-chair by Mr Brodie, Chairman of the County Conncil. The following toasts were drunk :md duly responded to : " His Excellency the Governor," "Army, Navy, and Volunteers," aud " The Ministry." In replying to the last, Mr tiheehan said he hoped the Ministry /would receive a fair trial, and that the trial would last seven years. Mr Rowe, M.H.R., warned the Governmeut that they would be ejected from office if they did not act rightly. In response to the toast of " The Mining Interest," Mr Sheehan delivered a humorous speech, and remarked that the Thames would soon possess a back country, and would be able to hold its own agamst any other part of the colony.'

The members of the Victoria Lodge of Good Templars held a very successful entertainment last evening in" the Newmarket Hall, -which was crowded with interested witnesses. The programme comprised music, sentimental and comic songs, and humorous recitations. The most successful performers were : Mr. Young, who gave a comic selection from the " Honejmoon" ; Mr Howden, who gave a humorous Scotch song in the mountain dialect ; Miss Peace, who' was loudly applauded, and sang very prettily "Mother's Farewell" (encored) ; Mrs Cottingham, who was also successful; and Mr William Doran, who gave " Jolly Good Health," and his new comic ditty, " Down Queen-street to the wharf, on a pleasant summer night, Avith my lassie on my arm, and my spirits free and light." The distribution of the gifts, including fryingpans, bellows, gridirons, pastry-rollers, and mouse-traps, was associated with a number of jokes from tlue __ Worthy Templar, aud bursts of laughter from the audience.

In our advertising columns wo observe that Mr A. Smart, galvanised iron worker, intimates that he has commenced business in Elliott-street, and desires to inform his friends that he will thortly be prepared to execute any favours entrusted to him at a very considerable reduction in the prices previously charged. Slowly but surely the sea-serpent 13 wriggling his way onward against a strong tide of prejudice and modern incredulity. The gigantic whale captured in February last in the Gulf of Taranto, Italy, has been subjected to a critical examination by Professor Oapellini, who, in a report lately published, states it as fiis opinion that the whale is of a species hitherto unknown to science, and he has named it_ Balana tarentina, in allusion to the locality of its capture. This unlooked-for discovery of a new species of huge marine animal, taken in connection with the alleged appearance of another " monster" a short time later, and in the neighbourhood, as vouched for by the officers of the Koyal yacht Osborne, is regarded as a strong argument in favour of the existence of unknown huge marine living objects, such as are popularly indicated by the name of "sea-serpents." The opinion is gaining ground in Italy that the sea-serpent of the Royal yacht was some creature usually living at the bottom of the sea, but disturbed by sub-marine volcanic phenomena. His Excellency tie Governor, accompanied by Lady Normanby and Colonel Whitmore, will leave Auckland for the Waikato at half-past eleven on Monday, and stay at Hamilton that night. On Tuesday the party will proceed to Cambridge, and review the Waikato Cavalry in Fantham's paddock. Whilst in the district, it is just possible His Excellency may visit Te Awamutu and Alexandra. At Hamilton he will be met by the Mayor and Councillors, and will probably be entertained in the evening at a public banquet. The committee formed for the purpose of welcoming the Governor consists of the Mayor and Councillors, Cox, Hume, and Potter. Thesum of £20 lias been plsced at their disposal, and there is every reason to suppose that the reception will'be both loyal and hearty. The Waikato "Times" pointed out that His Excellency visits the Waikato as the representative of the Crown in New Zealand, and not as the representative of an/ party. The settlers are therefore bound to receive him iii a suitable manner, their doing so cannot possibly be construed into an ii^sult, either o Sir George Grey or any other man.

An exciting boat race toot place at Tauranga yesterday between Bailey's Sis and Stewart's Camelia. The former triumphed.

Mr G. E Barton, the legal martyr, has addressed his constituents at Wellington. In the course of his remarks he announced himself as a supporter of Sir George Grey, and took pains to inform the meeting that he (Mr Barton) was " the son of an Orangeman, cousin of a Lk-an, and brother of an Archdeacon," a degree of sanctifical relationship which must enable Mr Barton to look down upon iiis persecutors with the compassion of a martyr of the early Christian period. Ho would not go so far as Sir George Grey as to manhood suliVage, and he would support secular education pure and simple, lie remarked also that Orangemeu, Catholics, Temperance societies, and publicans, had voted for aim alike. Mr Barton's imprisonment was not without some compensating circumstances. He thanks the judges for the enforced abstinence from intoxicating liquors which was imposed on him, and it appears that the severe prison regimen agreed with him so well that he has become a convert to teetotalism. Mr Barton strongly denounced the police of Wellington, the civil officers of the Courts, and the administration of the Supreme Court.

The Huwke's Bay racing meeting commenced yesterday. Five started for the Maiden Plate, which was won by Merlin, Day and Martin, 2 ; Darkie, 3. The Kailway Stakes fell to Mufti, Lara being second ; seven started. For the Napier Handicap, six went to the post. Luna won by a length from the Worm, aud Ngaro was third. Robinson Crusoe carried oil'the Selling Race, beating Skysail, Merlin, and six others. A Hack Race brought the day's sport to a conclusion. The bookmakers were in great force.

The complimentary concert to Mr Charles Harding, in the Choral Hall last evening, was fairly attended, especially in the front seats, although the hall was not so well filled as anticipated, many persons who took tickets not being in attendance. The programme was realised in a gratifying manner, the string band adding greatly to the interest of the eveuing by the performance of several select overtures of much merit. The ballads of Mrs Mitchell, "My Love, we'll meet again," and " Oh, say once more I love thee," were rendered in this lady's peculiarly touching manner, and were received with applause, Miss Edgar gave "LaClemerize," (DiTito) and "Guinevere,' (Sullivan) in a pleasing style. Mr T. Burnham, in rich mellow tones, sang very beautifully " Carissima," and "Thy Face;" in fact, we have never heard Mr Burnhain to greater advantage. Mr Harker's singing eviaced power and pathos. Mr Hardiug's Bongs shewed no falling ofF in point of conception. On being recalled after his first song, " Let me love thee," he gave the comic ditty, once so popular, the "Mcny little grey fat man." This was given with laughing hilarity, still we think that Mr Harding succeeds mostly in the sentimental line. The two part songs of, " I would that my love," and the "Singing Lesson," by Messrs Engel and Harding, were clever executions and most acceptable. The concert throughout was ufa satisfactory character. Mr Joseph Brown accom panied. the vocalists on the pianoforte with marked ability. Mr Harding has always manifested the greatest readiness to give his services for any public purpose, and merited a crowded house.

Mr James Mackay held a meeting of his creditors at the ofiice of Mr Tothill, Short-land-street, yesterday, and about fifty gentlemen were present. Captain Daldy, one of the trustees said the estate had yielded about 7s 6d in tho £ to the creditors, who were included in the first deed of arrangement. Mr Kissliug, solicitor for Mr Mackay, made a statement of his affairs. Mr Mackay also explained that the action of the Legislature iv preventing land purchases had suspended operations in which ho was engaged, and deprived him of the commission to which he would otherAvise have been entitled. He received£2,los in February, all of which, with the exception of £405, which he retained for personal.expenses, was paid to the trustees. The Government retained £4,308, pending the production of vouchers. Messrs Morrin, McMillan, and Stevenson were appointed trustees, and Mr Mackay made an assignment of the money due from the Government, which will be divided thus :—7s 6d in the £ to those creditors who did not participate in the former dividend ; the balance to be divided equally amongst all the creditors.

The third of the course of Friday evening Lenten discourses on the last sayings of Christ, will bo delivered this evening in St. Matthew's Church, by the Rev. 0. M. Nelson, of St. Paul's ; service to commence at half-past seven o'clock.

At the recent meeting of the Eden Comity Council, Mr A. K. Taylor Avaa re-elected Chairman of the Conucil for the remaining period of its tenure of office.

The handsome shed which has just been erected at the station end of the railway wharf is the property of Mr F. Hull jun., who is commencing business as an import, export, and commission merchant, under the title of F. Hull Jun. & Co. Mr Hull is well known in town, and will doubtless receive the support of his large circle of friends.

The man Evans, who, it will be remembered, at the last Circuit Court was convicted of a diabolical outrage on an old lady of advanced years, has received the second and last of the whippings to which he was con demned.

A. man named Smith was charged with rape on his own daughter at Coromandel yesterday. The case was remanded.

The ball given by the natives of the Thames yesterday to His Excellency " the Governor was attended by 150 couples. His Excellency led off the first set of quadrilles with Mrs Nikorima Poutoutara ; and a contemporary adds that " The elite of ihe place was represented." We should rather think it was.