Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2746, 11 February 1879, Page 2

We learn that the plans aud specifications for the new railway bridge at Kemuera are in a forward state, and that the contract will shortly be ready for issue. The excavation of the site of the new workshops at Newmarket will be commenced simultaneously with the railway bridge. The contract for the new railsvay station reclamation was not signed yesterday, as stated' by our morning contemporary, but to-day, the amount being £32,710 ss. The outer boundary of the reclamation will extend from the watermen's steps to the breakwater, and having a width from Custom Hou*e-street of seven aud a halfchains. The whole contract is to be completea in twenty-two months from the commencement. An area of three chains from Custom House-street is to be completed in the first instance o as to afford a 3ite for the railway station, and when this first portion shall have been reclaimed the Government will take possession. No plans have yet been prepared for the rai'way station buildings, but we understand that these are in a forward state.

We learn that Mr D. Goldie has definitely consented to allow his friends to nominate him for City West. We understand that several other gentlemen whose names have been mentioned have withdrawn in Mr Goldie's favour, in order that there may be no split on the question of the public school system. We are glad to learn that Mr John T. Phillips, son of P. A. Phillips, has successfully possed the senior.Civil Service examination.

A word in season is good says the wellseasoned proverb, and at this dry season of the year smokers should be careful with the lighted remains of their matches, and not cast them in places where a conflagration may ensue. A lire was prevented at Mr iioldship's mill on Sunday evening, by the timely interference of Constable Madden, supposed to have been caused by a lighted match. It was fortunately discovered in time, and extinguished. We learn that a telegram has been received intimating that Sir George Grey and the Hon. J. Sheehan will arrive in Aucklaud about the end of the month, and will proceed to Whangarei to turn the first sod of the Kamo railway. Members of No. 3 Company are informed that the monthly parade will be held on Thursday evening next, when all arms must be produced for inspection, A meeting of the Parnell Borough Council was held last evening. '1 here was a full attendance of the Council. Mr Clarke, who occupied the chair reported that he and Mr Cousins had seen Mr Whitaker, solicitor to the gas company, with the view of settling the claim against the Council ; they had also seen Mr Parsons who stated that the gas company had accepted the ottered terms. With regard to the several claims for compensation respecting Paruell Kise, the Mayor said that two questions ro.se immediately out of these claims. (1) Was the Council really liable? and (2) Had the claimants a right to compensation for drainage. After some discussion upon these questions, in which Messrs McKenzie. Winks, Cousins, Wood, Strange, Forgie, and Odium took part, it was resolved that the Mayor (MrColernan)should arrange with the other parties concerned, as to the terms of a test case, and that he should instruct Mr J. B. Russell, if necessary, to go to trial.

The Eden Tent anniversary entertainment will be held this evening (Tuesday) when a very pleasaut evening may be anticipated. The programme promises recitation, music and song. Several speeches will also be delivered by brethren of tbe Order. The award of 25s for the finest grown and best dressed baby, at the leceut baby show in the Domain held on Regatta Day, has been presented to Mr Dalleu, by the Tradesmen's Athletic Club.

A very useful work is now being carried out in the Supreme Court buildings, where a painter is placing on the walls at various points directions to the different offices. The annual meeting of the Auckland Regatta Club will meet for general business this evening, at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, at 7 o'clock.

The members of No. 1 Lodge, of Loyal United Friends, will hold their monthly meeting, according to advertisement, tomorrow evening (Wednesday) in the Oddfellows Hall, Cook-street.

The London " Examiner" says the that Vatican has resolved to start a weekly paper inspired directly by the Pope, and it is to be published simultaneously in five different languages. An infallible journal will be unique. The quarterly meeting of the Good Samaritan Lodge was held last evening at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, when the following officers were installed by Bro Moulden, L.D., assisted by Bro Worms, G.I.M.J and Bro Thomas, D.G.I.M. :—W.C.T., Sis Bettany; W.V.T., Bro Biggs; W.T., Bro Davson, re-elected; W.F.T., Bro Woods; W.T., Sis Keeler, re-elected ; W.C., Bro Bushell; W.M., JLSio Moulden; W.D.M., Sis Moulden; W.1.G., Bro Miller; W.0.G., Bro Meldrum; W.A.S., Bro Mitchell; W.R.H.S., Bro Bettany; W.L.H.S., Sis Goldie.

The members of the Shipwrights Protective Association was held last evening in the Working Men's Club Room, which was well attended. After the disposal of the routine business, it was resolved to hold a social entertainment on the 4th proximo.

Mr H. Reynolds, the manager of the renowned Piako Swamp Company's estate has just returned from a tour through the South, having been purchasing stock forthevarious stations comprised in the Company's property. Of the stock selected by Mr Reynolds, 30 pure bred shorthorns arrived per s. s. Wallabi yesterday in the Manukau, aud will be forwarded as far as Taupiri by rail. A further herd of 150 cattle and 1,500 sheep are to follow. Mr Reynolds is considered an excellent judge, and his selection will, no doubt, prove a valuable addition. At any rate it is now in accordance with progress and civilisation to hear the bellowing of cattle rather than the hoarse cry of the solitary bittern, and better to have the bleating of mauy sheep than the plaintive wail of the Pukaki. An abundance of good pasterage awaits the cattle and sheep when they are landed in the old swamp. The newly christened "Te Papapa" station ia better known by the name of " Pumpkin Flat." In order as much as possible to retain some remembrance of the cognomen the general manager hit upon the native term for a "long pumpkin" or Te Papapa., This station is between Penrose and Onehunga.

Ten volumes Were presented by the Anckland Scripture] Gift Association to-day to the juvenile department ul the Mount Eden GaoL

Since the new railway time table came into force, the Railway Department have refused to convey dairy produce into town by the early morning train, 0:1 Hie ground that it would entail too many stoppages, and prevent the proposed quick time being made. *Mr Hobbs, M.H.R., however, waited upon Mr Macdonald, General Manager, to-day, and pointed out that, where butter is carried in the day time during the hot weather, its quality is seriously impaired, and after some conversation Mr Macdonald agreed that in future, dairy produce shall be bronghtin a special van on the early Wednesday and .Saturday trains. This will be a great convenience to country settlers.

The entertainment last evening at the Masonic Hall by Mr P. Doran and his company of vocalists and comedians was a great success. The hall was completely filled. The programme was followed strictly, and the proceedings opened with the chair performance, including an overture by the orchestra, and songs " Call me your djxrJing again," by Mr Nairn; " Sweet chiming bells," Mr John Edwards; " Thinking of thee," Mr Allen ; " Speak to my heart," MrO'Hare, and others. Messrs Doran and Kaston acted as corner men. Messrs Mettam and O'Hare gave comic songs and dances, Mr Alexander Smith gave a Shakespearian recitation, and an amateur from the Thames danced a sailor's hornpipe. The whole concluded with an original farce, entitled "Andy Handy," but in no way related to Lover's popular novel. The auditory were evidently satisfied with the entertainment.

The Engineer and City Band, under the conductership of Bandmaster Impey, -will play on Wednesday evening, at|7.3o, on the Albert Reserve Ground, the following pieces:—March "Visions of the Past," Millars; overture "La Dame Blance," Boildeail; quadrilles " Rossini," Godfrey ; selection " East to West," Browne; waltz " Soldaten Lieder," Gung'l; selection " William Tell," Rossini; waltz "Bertha," Turrell ; galop " American Stars," Kopff ; God Save the Queen.

Last evening the officers and members of the Devonport Lodge held a special lodge meeting for the purpose of installing the officers for the ensuing quarter. The following are the members elected : W.C.T., Bro. Bower; W.V.T., Sis. Coulson ; W.S., Bro Gerrard ; Treasurer, Bro. Little ; W. C, Sis Hammond , M., Bro Hammond ; I. G., Bro Miller; 0.G., Bro McDougall; D.M., Bro Dunn, sen. ; R.H.S., Sis Bower ; L.H.S., Sis Pitts. Seven persons were admitted to membership. There wa3 an unusually large attendance.

The last return of the Mount Eden gaol shows that 143 prisoners are in "durance vile" 117 males and 28 females.

The old houses which have so long disgraced Shortland-street, are about to be demolished, at least a great portion of them. The occupants have received a months' notice to quit, and seven or eight of these small tradesmen have already passed to other and more durable quarters.