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Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2923, 27 August 1879, Page 2

Except in Dunedin, no candidate during the present political campaign has had the temerity to brave tho unmistakeablo current of public opinion by declaring himself in any way opposed to the existing^ system of secular education. In Dunedin, however, the powerful Presbyterian organisation, which has been formed to secure Biblereading in the schools, hits been able to bring out candidates in its interest, whose election is doubtful. That the feeling has not made much headway in the country districts of Otago is shown by the fact that Mr J. C. Brown, whose support in the last election was largely derived from the denominational party, has been compelled to declare himself a secularist pure and simple, as other candidates in similar circumstances have done. Iv Westport, however, Mr Fisher has come forward as a dcnominationalist, declaring bh intention to strive for an amendment ill the Education Act. Mr Fisher is a lawyer, who has hitherto taken no part in public affairs.

We are comdelled to hold over our report of the City Council until to-morrow for want of space.

The only business before the Police Court to-day was the disposal of three drunkards, who were subjected to lines. A. Beetham, Esq., was the presiding Justice.

The Government will grant one year's salary to the widow of the late Captain Marks.

The Works and Endowment Committee at the Harbour Board meeting yesterday recommended that a lifteen-ton crane and a three-ton travelling crane be erected on the Queen -street wharf.

la the report of tho Works and Endowment Committee, at the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday, there was a communication from the Thames Harbour Board iv reference to allowing nil goods manufactured from articles which have previously paid wharfage to be admitted free into Auckland from the Thames. A resolution was passed to the effect that, as in all probability several alterations will have to be made in the tariff at the beginning of new year, the Committee recommend that the matter be then taken into consideration. The recommendation of the Committee was adopted.

The question of extending the Wynyard Pier came under the consideration of the Harbour Board yesterday, when reports were received from the Engineer and Harbour -master on the subject. It was stated that the present depth of water at the cud of the j/ier is only nine inches, and that a further extension of 200 feet would only increase the depth to 14 inches at a cost of £GOO, The Works and Endow, meni Committee could not recommend the prayer of the petition, and recommend that a copy of the Engineer's report be forwarded to the petitioners.

At the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday.a letter was received from Mr G. Aickeji C. E., stating that many shipowners desired to see a smaller dock constructed iv the harbour, ia order to avoid the expense of pumping the large* dock, and that such adopfc would not all'ect the revenue of the '•"■uiffdofifc any Joss being made up, by «^tp,,mi ' i™™l frPW the smalief one. the lental . «„,. dmt(J f-; (he event The letter also pin. - ."„ 'f' , / „.„!,_ of its being deemed uAnSP* *° «'«'« alterations in the existing dock the snivel one would be of use. The site of the proposed dock would be at the eastern face of the railway wharf at the junction of the breakwater road, ne*ir the baths Mr Aicken concluded by applying on behalf of responsible persons for a lease oi the site for a long term at a moderate rental, fhe letter was referred to the Works Goromittoe, .

The local journal says that Mr Moorhonso w iU have no chance for Ashley against a local candidate.

The Hon Mr Shcchan informed a deputation at Tanranga that he intends to ask next session for a vote of £35,000 for roads in Native districts, aud £JO,OOO for roads in districts where the Government are acquiring land. We are requested to state that the Board of Education lias made arrangements with Miss Fidlor to give a series of special lessons on the art of cooking to the teachers and scholars of the Girls' High School. The lady only intends remaining a month in Auckland, so that those who desire to bouolit by her instructions should not procrastinate iv the matter.

A bill-sticker at the Thames, who is an enthusiastic admirer of Mr Ehrenfried, utilised the remnant of a batch of posters used in a former Borough contest by putting them on the walls. The posters bore the words " Vote for Ehrenfried," aud were put up from pure love aud affection without the candidate's knowledge.

The annual winter social gathering of the pupils of St. James' Sunday-school, their parents and friends, takes place this evening in the hall, Wellington-street. An interesting programme of musical selections aud recitations has been prepared, and with an exhibition of dissolving views, promised by Mr Crook, should all'ord pleasant entertainment to the young people. During the usual interval refreshments will be dispensed.

We notice the Victoria Band's annual concert and ball is announced for the evening of September 2nd, under the patronage of the Orange lodges of Auckland. In former years these gatherings have been of a very popular character, and as the prices fixed' for admission to the forthcoming reunion are as moderate as could well be desired, we have no doubt that it will be largely patronised.

This (Wednesday) evening in the Pousouby Wosleyan chapel a choice novelty will be given to the friends who may avail themselves in the form of a service of song, " The Pilgrim's Progress." The reader for the evening is the Rev. F. J. Parkes, who will at intervals stop to allow some bits of choice singing from the select choir chosen for the occasion. The cost of admission is to help the fund for the new organ. The cause is a good one and demands tho help of the people.

One or two typographical errors in our report of Mr Tolo's speech at Eden Terrace bad a tendency to obscure the meaning, but (lie only ono that is tenons enough to demand correction occurs in tho concluding sentence of the gentleman's remarks. He is made to say : "It simply resolved itself into a question of whether tho people would govern themselves or be governed by a privileged leader." The italicised words should have read "privileged class."

A curious case is reported from Hokianga, where two young gallants quarrelled about kissingagirl,aud,instead of adopting the old fashiou of settling their differences with pistols aud caffee for two, decidod to submit their rival claims to the arbitrament of fisticuffs. For this breach of tho peace they had to appear before the Resident Magistrate, who inflicted a fine of 15s in one case and 5s in the othor, with costs.

The shareholders of the Triumph Gold Mining Company held their annual meeting at the Company's oflice yesterday, Mr E. Wayte in the chair. The Directors' report recommended that iv the existing depressed condition of mining industry the mine should be temporarily closed. Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted, and the following were elected Directors ot the Company : Messrs. Wayte, Stewart, Ncale, Alexander aud Quaidlo. A resolution was passed authorising a further call of 3d per share and tenders being invited for driving 15G feet, the contractor to be paid half in cash aud half in shares of the Company.

The case, Pickmere v. Wren, claim £100 fcr damages by trespass, commenced yesterday in the District Court, was not coucluded when the Court rose. Mr E. Hesketh appeared for plaintiff, a nurseryman, of Rcmuera, and Mr Tyler and Mr J. B. Kussell for the defendant. It appeared that plaintiff purchased nursery land of defendant in pursuance of an agreement. The defendant, after the execution of the conveyance, removed a number of fruit anvi other trees, also a wall and certaiti water-tanks, to which plaintiff iconsidered he was entitled by virtue of the agreement— defendant considering that the said agreement gave him the right to makfi the removals. The whole of the day was taken up in arguing the nice poiuts ot the case.

A tea-meeting and social gathering was held last evening hi the Excelsior Hall by the friends of Primitive Methodism. The tables were plenteously spread, and visitors were waited on by several ladies, Mcsdamcs Wilcox, Doole, and Gladding, and Miss Donald. The bachelors' table received the attention of Messrs Dick aud Nesbit. The room was very tastefully decorated with Scripture texts, in circles, and devices o£ evergreen and flowers. Mr D. Goldic presided at the meeting, v»hjch was opened with hymn IG9, by tiie united choir, " Arise aud shine." The sccrctary,*Mr'MciN aughton, gave a picasingjyerbal^report dfrthe progress of the Sunday-school hcliflu: the place, aud of Christian progress inaiiatby the friends of the cuuic. The Sunday-scnoojjhpened with three teachers aud nine scholar!/aud at the close of the year their number bad increased to 9 teachers, 46|scholars. Ho regretted to say, however, that iv consequence of the bad weather there had been ,a falling off ;iu numbers ; still he trusted that with tho expected bright weather their numbers would increase. With respect to their financial position, theyj had a balance of about £4 16s 9d in hand. One gentlemen handed in a sovereign, which altered the balance to a higher figure, The several speakers of the evening were the chairman, who gave au interesting account of religious life at Wellington and Christchurch, interspersed with pleasantly-told anecdotes ; Rev Joseph Long made a telling speech on the progress of Primitive Methodism at Home, in Tasmania, and New Zealntid ; and Mr Hayter followed iv a few appropriate remarks. Several hymns aud anthems were sung by the choir, Mr Barker presiding at the harmonium.

Professor Eraser's next lecture will be given to-morrow evening in the Temperance Hall. Subject, "Objections to Phrenology."

The St. James's Sunday-school entertainment will be given this evening in tho new hall, to consist of music, a reading, and a series of limelight dissolving views of European and American scenery and cities.

An engine which works without a boiler or steam—average weekly delivery over twenty engines. The durability of the Otto Silent Gas Engine is now established by experience, one of them having ruu night and day at the Hincklcy Gas Works, for over twelve mouths without any expenditure for repairs, this being equal to about 2i years average work. Over 1900 already "delivered. No trouble with coal, ashes, smoke, insurance, water, or constant attendance. No glands to pack, or water gauges aud steam gauges to watch. Starts at a moments notice. Sizes offered, nominal horse-power : i, 1, 2 34, G, 8, 12, 1G ; maximum horse power : |, U, 2^, 4, 9, 12 18, 24. For further particulars, apply to Mr Parsons, Secretary Gas Company,