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Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2608, 16 August 1878, Page 2

The Rev. George. Gilfillau, a Presbyterian minister, critic, and author, died on tbe 13th instant, at Dundee, where he had lived nearly nil: his life. Mr Gilffllan was boni in 1813 at Connie, and was educated for the ministry; and when a very young man, was appointed to the Schoolwynd Church at Dundee. He was of a poetical turn of mind, as all his books evidence. His several volumes of "Literary Portraits" and " Bards ef the Bible," have had a wide circulation. He contributed to various publications, and frequently lectured on literary characters. His lecture ou " Byron"" delivered in several towns of England and Scotland was much criticised. His character of Crabbe is one of the best, and that of Cobbett, one of the worst of his critical sketches. Mr Gilfillan was the kindly adviser of struggling Scotch poets. He introduced to public notice the late Alexander Smith, author of " Dreamthorpe;" was the "friend of Robert Leighton, author of the " Bapteesement of the Bairn ;" and the generous adviser of Peter Liviugstoue, the " Dundee Poet," who was picked up in a London street two years ago, and who died'in tho Charing Cross Hospital of physical exhaustion, the result chiefly of habitual intemperance. Mr Gilfillan's writings have assisted considerably in creatiug a taste for the true and beautiful among the people, and iv making religion a life rather than a mere profession.

Constable MeGilp left for Wellington yesterday with two deserters, to be placed on board H. M. Nymphe, Mr Superintendent Thomson having received a telegram requesting him to forward them. The monthly inspection parades of the Engineer and Artillery Corps were held in the Drill-shed last night, Major Withers in command. There was a good muster of the Artillery, under Captain Burns, and the Engineers, under Captain Anderson. Both Companies were large in number. Tho Engineers were put through manual and platoon exercise, which they performed in a creditable manner. The Artillery went through a course of gunnery drill, including mounting and dismounting battery. Major Withers watched the movements of both Companies with much interest, and appeared greatly pleased with the manner in which they executed the drill. After the drill was over, both Companies formed in column order, aud Major Withers addressed them. He was proud to see such a muster — the finest he had seen in New Zealand, though he had tratcllcd through a greater part of it. Ho trusted they would keep up their strength and efficiency, aud merit their well-acquired reputation. The Engineers presented the medals given by their officer to Sergeant Steward, as the best-drilled noncommissioned officer, aud Sappers G. Partington and Stirling, for good shooting and attendance.

Relative to the cutting of native trees in the Domain, Mr John Chalmers writes :— " Sir,— There is much said in the public prints about cutting native trees in the Domain, and I purpose to have a word also. About this time sixteen years ago, I brought one thousand native trees to the Domain, carrying them fourteen miles ; aud from the year 1862, I have brought thousands of native trees, carrying them over hill and dale, through mud and water. Also, MiEditor, I have speut, many nights up to midnight, watching if anyone should destroy them. Now, sir, : this is the thanks I receive from the Chairman of the Board. Just look at this, . sitting as judge and jury about this old man, this hanger-on to the Domain, this old servant, tin's destroyer, receiving such an amount of wages for destroying these old decayed trees.- : Away with such a fellow! This destroyer 1 receiving such au amount of wages for destroying these fine decayed trees, which he had no hand in. Behold I Oh, what a sum ! 3s 7d per day expended on this old destroyer. Now, -ir, uot. one of the jury stood by me, but one gentleman. I thank him for his kindness, through your widely circulated paper.- At the same time, I appeal to the public ot Aucklaud to see what the old man has done by destroying the rotten trees."

The City Council have fixed two gauges to ; show at all times the water pressure, within the mains. One is fixed at the Eire Brigade Station, Albert-street, and the other in the entrance to the N. Z. Insurance Building, Lower Queen-street. A general meeting of the Auckland Oil Expressing Company was held yesterday afternoon, at the office of Messrs Owen and Graham, Queen-street, Mr: G. B. Owen iv the chair. The report "showed that 185 tons copra, valued at £2,600, had been crushed, yielding cocoa'nut oil and oil cake to the value of over £3,500,' thus - showing a balance of £200, or about 8 per cent, on the capital. Mr T, Morrin was "re-elected as a director, and the meeting terminated; A ready market is found here for the sale of the cocoauut oil, it being used largely in the manufacture of soap, and by saw-mill proprietors for machinery. At present the demand is greater than the supply. The Congress Gold Mining Company have niade a call of 3d per share, payable on or before the 14th September. " Observer " writes with respect to the Grammar School. He thinks "the Government of the _ucklaud Grammar School is far too comprehensive aud cumbersome— hence the unsatisfactory complications that arise in the management thereof. The whole affair could have well supervised by the Boardof Education .aided by the Headmaster. What a penchant we have in New Zealand for a multiplicity of local Government's, with awkward, and often unwieldly machinery."';;. .-.-.. ' At the adjourned meeting of the Licensed Vituallers, held at. the Metropolitail 'Hotel yesterday,a-<a number, of' -speakers■■ con-: demnedthe action of the x_.L.V.A. with reference/to; the--e'er tax. ' Tho following Resolution"was carried,. Y t That-the .action of the Licensed Vituallers Association be hot endorsed.", a;'- ~. ;

The 'King of Denmark sent' Emperor William an autograph letter of .cqngra,tu; lationa-'myhjV-Cscapeiro.'nvaHrie.dol'a'buliet-; the first 'communicatioirhe had sent to Berlin since the war of 1864- v

Mr-Ewington acknowledges with thanks thefoll^in^snms mid to him to-day for Mrs Thompsoh-and family, and lie aesi tothank Mr Atkin for pnntmg 200 lecture tickets, .for this family gratui on■J^gJ 17s more i-* required, and he earnest^ appeals for the balance:-«£• 4' J* I^t^-iZU; \ .| 2s 6d ; T. S. Evans, 2s 6d J M« E. Bio«n ing,- £1-; -J. Batgerr 5» £/~f °, d 'pfen nine, ss; W. S. Wilson 5s ; : P. J- Sim mono 2s 6d • J. B. Banbury,, ,2s, 6^;. M • Cuoau 5s Friend, 2s 6d ; Friend, 2s 6d; Gd-j'-BrChamptaloup, 2s 6d j; Di. Kendu dine, £1 ; Friend, ss; E. -Can, |s- fad, Friend, 5s ;■ Jacksomaud. R«ffell 5s W. L. Mitchell, ss; F., Schertt, ■ HY.f- -JaclcS on,.jun., 25.6d 3 J. Mclntyre, 2 d 6d; Mrs ..W,'Coomees, £1,. 6.H.L, ,2a.;6d E. Maboney, 10s; T. L. Gummer 25,6 d , Dj. Goklsbro', 10s; Kummer and,^ &s , Freemason, £1 Is; S. J. Bdmonds 5s C.H.W., 5s;T. Mackay, 5s ; J\ C. Sand ford, 2s 6d ; A. G. Horton 10s.; AY. H. Fleming, 2s 6d ; R. Bodle, 2s 6d ; G. Frascr, 2s 6d; Friend, ss; Friend 2s 6d; K. Keesing, 2s 6d; Friend, 2s 6d ; G. Aicken, ss; S. Coombes, ss. At the next meeting of the City council, Councillor Buchanan will move lhat should the reclamations made by tiie Harbour Board, seaward, be added to the Municipal Boundaries, this Council resolve .that they will uot nudertade the formation of the streets, otherwise tlian that provided by the Corporation Act, viz :—" That they must be first kerbed, channelled, drained, aud formed.'" This notice of motion was to have been brought before the last ordinary meeting, but owing to the small attendance, Councillor Buchanan asked leave to postpone it for consideration at the next orainary meeting. . .... A glaring charge was brought against Mr Henry Neal at the Police Court to-day, for permitting a number, of closets to over-flow on hiss property in the neighbourhood of Upper Queen and Grey-streets. The case is reported'in. our police report. At the close Mr J. B. Russell said, as the summer was approaching, the city authorities were determined to enforce sanitary measures, and if any citizen knew of any existing nuisance, aud would inform tho Inspector, Mr Goldie, steps would be immediately taken to remove such nuisances^ and the names of persons giving information kept secret. .

Those of our readers who desire either to learn or to perfect themselves iv the terpsechorean art will, no doubt, be glad to hear that iv future Mr Charles B. Andrew's dancing-class, an advertisement of which appears in another column, will meet on Saturday afternoon at half-past two instead of two as hitherto. This change will, no doubt, do much to enlarge the number of Mr Audrew'a pupils. The pupils attending have greatly improved under tne able management of Mr Andrew.

The following telegram was received from Coromandel this day :—The miue manager of the Triugham G.M. Co. reports that good gold has been struck in the mine, and prospects are hopeful. " Watchman, discussing the cemetery question, urges the importance of dealing with it so as not to increase the cost of funerals. Ho says: "It is well known there is a working class iv this place who struggle aid to pay funeral expenses, not by extraneous help, but by debarring themselves from, not only pleasuro, but even comforts. The desire not to have a pauper's funeral is unmistakeably shown by the many who are in clubs, societies, Sec. Sir, such a creditable feeling should not be tampered with." He doubts the propriety of making such a matter one of private speculation.

A lively discussion was held last evening by the members of the S. Thomas's Young Men's Improvement Class, on tbe question, "Did the French Revolution of 17S9advance the cause of liberty, and result in good generally?" fhe affirmative by Mr C. E. Matthews, negative by Mr A. R. T. Haultaiu. Both handled their sides well, and made very good speeches. On the affirmative side' good speeches were made by Messrs W. Matthews, Wright, Mackuue, Slyiield, and others. The negative was well supported by Mr Cornish and others. Nearly every member expressed his opinions, and on a vote being taken, the affirmative gained by 12 to 7. Professor Swallor's song has been favourably noticed by all the. Wellington journals as a very meritorious composition.

We understand that the Sons of Old Colonists' Petition to the House of Representatives is being rapidly filled up. Those interested should at once call upon W. 11. Kissling, Esq., solicitor. Mr Feltus will pay a visit into the outlying districts shortly. A copy of the petition will lay at our office after Monday.

The Lingards arc iv their third week at the Park Theatre, New York, and produced Byron's comedy, " Our Boys," to a good house. William : Horace confidently expects that it will keep the Park open until Sothern conies back, about Christmas time.

We noticed to-day, iv the shop window of Mr T. Loiicrgan, of Lower Queen-street, a shield of portraits, of the members and shareholdors of the Hibernian Band, executed in good style by Messrs Clark Bros., who are entitled to. much credit for their work. Tho ornamental wreath was designed and finished by Mr Hammond, architect, of Ponsonby. The shield was presented to Mr Lonei-gan, juu., at a social gathering recently held in the Albert Hall as a memo rial of his long services as bandmaster of the li iberniau Band, and as a token of esteem for his character. The shield will bo forwarded by the next steamer to Coromandel, where he has Co mmenced business on his own account.

Rev. D. Duttou, F.R. A.S., delivered his instructive lectuie on "The Bible and Science" last evening in, the Primitive Methodist Church, Franklin Road, to a very fair and appreciative audience. Mr G. W. Owen occupied the chair, aud introduced the lecturer in a few appropriate remarks. The lecture had evidently been closely considered, aiuL the facts brought forward by Mr Dutton were incontrovertible and. convincing. The choir sang several hymns during the evening with much ability.. The proceeds will be given to the Trust Fund. - .--.-•

The agent of the Scripture Gift Association visited the public school at .Ellerslie yesterday and distributed a number of prizes to the successful scholars The children's papers were -written with much care and elicited praise from the friends present. The agent also visited the Devonport school aud awarded forty-two prizes for the best papers, mostly on Scripture history. An entertainment of a very" pleasing nature was given to the children of the Newton Kirk Sunday-school last evening in the Kirk. These was a good attendance, the building being almost filled with children and adults. Mr P. Jones, with the aid of his limelight apparatus, exhibited a series of beautiful views of abbeys, cathedrals, and also a great many comic scenes. During the exhibition, Miss Smith performed a number of suitable selections of music ou the harmonium. The entertainment, -which was very successful, concluded with a-Christmas tree,; and distribution of presents to the children.

.The Rev: Thos. Buddie will give-. his lecture this ; evening oil ' '.{ redulity. and Scepticism," and ■it .will he. ol.a.highly instructive and'interesting character. The following is a synopsis, o.t the lecture :— HifciKJiy of "Credulity—sonic of its manifestations—History of Scepticisms-; and = its various" forins-f-Sceptioism abfeurditi.es". Involved in the rejection.of revealed religion. The folio wing music will, be given by Mr Blomfield's i.choii-T-.-4:_'Can. Ii Forget'the Valley," by Gung'i; "Beautiful Rain," by P. P. Bliss; "Hark that;Swellinir Solemn Music," S. F. Rout; conductor, IMr&Blonifield. s