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Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2928, 2 September 1879, Page 2

The statement in to-day's leading article that Mr Whitaker secured the money placed on the estimates for school buildings just before the dissolution is simply bosh. The chief credit of the vote is of" course due to the Government who brought it down. But if any special credit is duo to a private member for urging the appropriation it is undoubtedly to Mr Swansou, Mr Whitaker's relations toward the Government were not such as would give his advice very much weight, but no doubt he joined with other members of the Auckland party in gcttiug the vote through. An accident of a serious nature occurred to a son of Mr O'Rorke at the hunt on Saturday. His horse fell and rolled over him, breaking his ribs. He is progressing favourably towards recovery. A Franklyn correspondent writes: "It is a positive fact that large sums of money have been given out. of the Native vote to the Waikato, Waipa, and Franklyn districts, yet their late representatives, while claiming full credit for obtaining the money, denounce Mr Sheehau's extravnsance. Ungrateful mortals! They take the gift but curse the beucfactor."

To the Editor : Sir, —As your columns are always open to expose falsehood, I ask you, in the name of justice, to expose tho false statement made by Mr Whitaker at the nomination for Eden yesterday. Ho there stated he had not solicited a Catholic vote during the present contest. I now enclose what I, a Catholic, have received front him, and let the facts speak for themselves. —Yours, &c, Wm. McEvoy, Pitt Terrace. —"Mr Whitaker requests the favour of your vote and interest at the clectiou for Eden. Day of nomination : Monday, Ist September, Day of polling : Friday, sth September." a gentleman of considerable influence writing from Mangawai says :—"The district has languished in consequence of the want of steam communication, which is now a fact this day. The Tongariro is to run regularly. The sum of £000 has been voted for a wharf by the present Government. The feelings (political) of the settlers aro intensely " Grey." Colbcck will be at the head ot the poll; he is the nearest to a " local man" that can be got. We expect more activity in the district in consequence of steam communication." The ready assistance of the Government for projects such as this to open up the North, wliich no Southern Ministry would have entertained, has not been fairly recognised by the people of this province. As usual, many continue to howl against their own best interests, and will only find out their mistake when they have sold themselves.

To the Editor :—Sir,—ln answer to Mr Macfarlane's llettcr, which appears in the " Herald's " issue of this morning, I desire to state that I did not inform the electors of Eden that he had voted for Curtis's Education Bill. What I did say, and said truthfully, was this : " That Mr Macffarlane had voted for the Curtis clause, which in point of fact is identical with the Curtis Bill, and that he had afterwards denounced the measure." Mr Macfarlane may assure himself of the accuracy of this statement by referring to " Hausard," vol. 25, page 539, where any interested enquirer will see his (Mr Macfi'arlanc's) name recorded in tho division list in company with the author of the clause. I quite concur in the sentiment expressed by Mr Macfarlane that in an election contest the truth should be told,and regret that Mr Macfarlane should have grossly insulted any one for upholding it,—lam, &c, Jos. A. ToLe.

Tho monthly meeting of the members of the Auckland Institute was fairly attended, a number of ladies being present. Dr. Purchas occupied the chair. A number of donations wero announced by the secretary. The papers of the evening were "Concerning Alcohol," by Mr Maekechnie, aud " Hisu and Progress of Architecture and the Fine Arts," by Mr Albin Martin, the artist. In the liret paper, the writer reviewed the use of alcohol, and showed that it was continually used by society generally in some form or another, and held that alcohol in due proportions stimulated appetite and increased enjoyment. The opinions of tho writer elicited some remarks from members, especially from Mr Barstow, who contended that one of the problems of the day was, "What shall we do with our drunkards, and how shall we cure them ?'.' Mr Martin's paper was historical, and very interesting to architects, artists, aud persons of cultivated and refined tastes. Altogether the essay was profitable and pleasing as a sketch of the rise and progress of painting, architecture, sculpture, and poetry, from the earlier periods to the present time. Mr E. 11. Haslott'a Art Union drawing was held last evening at his shop in Short-land-street. Much interest was manifested ou the occasion by a large number of subscribers. His Worship the Mayor (T. Peacock, Esq.) kindly took the chair, and, assisted by Dr Purchas, superintended the drawing for the prizes, of which there wero 20. Mr Abbott, of the United Service, lent his ballot-box. The following subscribers secured the prizes :—lst prize, " Highland Scenery" (Rosevelt), Mr J. Close; 2nd prize, '"The Holy Family" (Raphael), Mr J. Smith ; 3rd prize, "Mary Stewart on her Way to Execution," Major Burns: 4th prize, " Iv tho Channel Islands," Mr J. Alexander; sth prize, "Duchess of the Netherlands" (Ruberii), Mr Bennett; 6th prize, "Young Cattle," Mr Buckworth; 7th prize, "Does He Love Me?" B. I<\, B. L.; Bth prize, " The Finding of Moses," Mr Maleny ; 9th prize, "The Wife of Rubens," Mr J. Alexander ; 10th prize, "Going to the Hunt," Mr Devoro ; 11th prize, "Returning from the Hunt," Mr Devore ; 12th prize, " The Young Shepherd," Mr Mowbray; 13th prize, "The Fisher's Return," Mr Brett; 14th prize, " Italian Minstrel," Mr De Thierry ; loth prize, "Shakespeare," Miss Badhani; 16th prize, " Veiled Lady," Mrs Raynes; 17th prize, "Madonna and Infant," Mr Crothers ; 18th prize, " Innocence," Miss Robertson; 19th prize, " In and Out of the World " Mr Eaglesim ; 20th prize, "Adoration of Infant Jesus," Mrs Kenny. The drawing was conducted in the most satisfactory manner, and closed at five o'clock,

We arc glad to hear that Mr W. Earl is likely to stand for the Bay of Islands seat in the Grey interest, and hope Mr Lundon will retire in his favour and give him all his support. Mr Earl is a good colonist, and would be an acjuisition tojthe House.

An announcement was made from the pulpit of St. Mary's, Parnell, on Sunday by tho Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell, that.taking advantage of the presence in Auckland of a musical gentleman from the) South who has consented to give his services on the occasion, an organ recital will be held in the cliurch on Friday evening next, at 8 o'clock. Admission Will be by ticket only. The proceeds will be placed to the Church Enlargement Fund.

An interesting discussion was held last eveningby tho members of the S. Sepulchrer's Debating Society, on tl»c question, ''Is the Legislative Diniitation of any calling to persons of one sex desirable ? MiUssher opened in the afl'ermation, and Mr Ewington replied in tho negative. The discussion touched chiefly on ''barmaids," which was thought by tho majority not to be a desirable acceptation for young women. The discussion was lively, anecdotal, and witty, and one of the best in the class.

One of the curses under which the colonies have suffered hits been the machinations of "certain political rings formed of so-called "governing families," people who are intermarried and bred in and into an extent little understood by ordinary people. In some cases the founders of these families commenced their career as ticket-of-leave men, and the early history of others is involved in a kind of providential mist. We have some of tho stock in New Zealand. A Southern contemporary says: —"An effort will be made to erect the self-styled "Ruling family," represented in the House by Messrs Atkinson, Hecthatn, Hursthotise, Richmond, and Fitzroy, all connected by marriage, and evidently regarding themselves as hereditary legislators of the Colony."