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Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 3082, 6 March 1880, Page 2

A Short shrift and v long rope is the fate of capital offenders in Russia. The assassin who attempted to shoot General MelikofY has already been tried and sentenced to death, but death appears to have no terrors for the Nihilists. As one by one the instruments of the General Committee are condemned to death their places are filled by other aspirants for political martyrdom, and the threats and activity of that dread secret tribunal increase "with the measures adopted for their repression. Latest Reuters telegrams shew that the Nihilist Committee have issued another proclamation regretting the failure of the last plot and declaring their determination to make; further attempts on the Czar's life, unless he either abdicate the throne or grant the constitutional reforms demanded. Experience shows that the Committee ar*e not wont to indulge in empty threats, and that repressive measures are of little avail against an insidious, powerful, and widely organised conspiracy.

Our weekly story, entitled " Womane' Influence," will be found on the fourth page of this issue. Judge Wilson has obtained three months leave of absence on account of ill health. The " Telegraph" regrets to hear that a very great deal of distress prevails in Napier, especially among new-comers. The " Advocate" gives curency to a rumour that the Public Works Department favours the construction of a railway, from Kamo to Kawakawa, a distance of 25 miles. The two D-Es, Messrs Maxwell £and Stewart, have visited the Waikato on business connected with the Thames Valley railway.

To the Editor : Sir, —Iv last night's issue iv the price of building material you have brick at the Whan 40*. which is wrong, and at. Auckland yards 45s and 50s. That is right so far, but that mean? delivery anywhere in Auckland. 1 collect you as it might give place to timber, and we have enough of volcanic eruptions of lat<" years in Auckland.—Yours, &c ,-T. J. MUUUAY, Arch Hill Brick and Potter Works.

Mr Firth will celebrate the opening of the navigation of the Thames to bis station at Stariley, Wailemiita, by festivities on Thursduy next. The lion, the "Premier, and the lion. \V. l'ollehton, the Mayors of Auckland, Thames, and Hamilton, members of Parliament, Chairmen of County Councils, and a large number of leading citizens, and county settlers havo been invited to be present. A holiday, and an extra day's pay will be given to the employe's on the estate. A large number of Maori chiefs and their followers will also attend, and ample provision has been made for their comfort.

Among the list of .subscriptions collected at^St. Frances' Church, Newton, the name of Mr Qtiaid was misprinted " Sncid." The subscription of Mr E. Mahoney was £5, not 5s as printed.

Dean's Minstrels havo been eminently successful in their local cntcrtainmcntß, original and select, have never failed in giving satisfaction to numerous audicucCß, and of winning, 7iot only applause, but considerable sums for relief ill extreme of distress. Thc.«c popular minstrels arc prounring for a grand Ethiopian carnival and ball, to be performed in the Lome-street Hall on the evening of Faster Monday, 20th March, under distinguished patronage.

Sunday services at the several Auckland places of worship are announced in the usual column. The evening service for the people will be held in the theatre at the hour of S o'clock. Addiesses and Sankey's hymns.

The member* of the Domain Board failed iv their adjourned meeting yesterday afternoon, not being able to form a quorum The business was then-fore postponed until the first Monday in April.

Last cveuinpj, in the I'onsonby Hall, a concert was given for the benefit of Mis Mooncy. It will be rocollected that the unfortuuate Mr Mooncy lost his life by drowning a short time ago. Much gamine sympathy was felt for the widow, which, taking a practical form, put her in possession of upwards of £100. The room was well filled, nnd the concert both musically and financially a success. An excellent programme was carried out in a most satisfactory manner. The principal pieces were : Song, "When thou art near," by Sullivan ; " .Si tv Savais " (Halfe;, duct; "Hear me, Norma," (Bellini); "Once Again," (Sullivan). At the conclusion of tlie entertainment, Mr Masc(i«ld and his Worship the Mayor, T. Peacock, Esq., addressed the assemblage, and congratulated them upon this success in the cause.

The following cases were hetml yesterday at the Resident Magistrate's Court, in addition to those reported in last night's Star :—North Shore Highway Board v. Thomas Haincs, late hotel keeper, claim rates, £3 10s (Mr Alexander foi plaintiff, and Mr Brock for defendant.) Judgment deferred. Same v George Staincs, claim £1. Mr Stainei defended himself in a vigorous address, but did not obtain judgment, which went for the claimants with costs. Mullally ,v. Grace, claim £6 Bs, nonsuited.

The position of a barmaid is not a bed of roses, and barmaids generally arc modest and fciifitive creatnres-extremely so, as was experienced yesterday ljy an old fogey wiin visited a corner hotel in Queen-street. A drink was called for, and was brought in by the preity barmaid, who had just been romping with her nvstrcss. A remark was made by the peison served on the harmony existing between mistress and barmaid, when the little barmaid, with a mixture of nacivesweetness and susceptibility of wrong, exclaimed, blushing un to to her eyes " How dare you, sir, dubb mo barmaid ; I beg lo dispel the delusion, although you are much my senior, by informing you that I am a respectable lady waitress," ami beforo an apology could be offered, the little fairy, with her car, open quick nye, and nimble baud, turned away from the gaze of the rebuked.

The Pioneer Good Templars held au open lodge meeting last evening iv the Temperance Hall, which proved to be the most successful entertainment of tho year. The hall wns comfortably filled by a respectable class of people. Mrs Sheath who had promised to make her appearance at the pianoforte, caused some little disappointment, but fortunately a lady from the body of the hal) volunteered her services, and succeeded by her skilful and correct iDsfrumentalisation, in alibi ding exquisite pleasure to all present. Mr C. Hill occupied the chair, aud made a brief but practical speech in illustration of the sound and healthy principles of sobriety, expressing his belief in such meetings, where instruction and amusement were musically associated. Rev K. Taylor also delivered a capita address, in which he told a lively story of the Rochdale builder, who got "foil" and tried to put the church straight, but did not succeed to his satisfaction. Mr McKenzie gave a [review of the Newton Hotel meeting, with criticisms on the speeches of the opposition party. Mr Mackenzie's remarks on "respectable hotels" were rather witty. The speech was listened to with great attention, and the "Wilkes Arms" of the future followed with bursts of laughter. A number of recitations and songs followed in the following order: —

" I'm still a friend to you," Mr Uyan ; "Death of Fitzpatriok, of tho Light Brigade," by Mr Partingtou, a good parody on Tennyson's ode; song, " Why art thou wandering?" Mrs Heighway; reci tation "The Lust Scene of a Life," followed by " Contradiction." " A Cumberland Sketch iv a Farm House," Mr Bottrell very well recited from memory. Beading "A Cellar Incident,' (sensational and weird) by a gentleman from London, whose name we could not catch. Song.", "For Ever," and the "Last Kosc of Summer," Miss Gribble The programme was well represented, and on the montion of Mr Doirington, seconded by Mr Rhodes, a united vote of thanks was given to the chairman and entertainers. The entertainment closed with the National Anthem. '

The Hon. the Premier.lett for Auckland via the East Coa*t yesterday.

Several cricket matches-are being played in the Domain as wegotcf press.

. A meetiug of farmers and cattle owners will bo hold at Otabuliu at 3 'o'clock:,on "Mondiy !o ccii ider.'vliit, step) should be itaken in respect to the alleged outbreak of pleuro-pneuinonia. (

■At the election lof non-commissioned officers for the A Battery 'Artillery, Lieut. Norrie iv the chair; the following members were elected to office :—Sergeant, Giinner Lipscon.be ; Corporals, Gunners Marbrook andTichener; Bombardiers, Gunners Lee, Eady, and Moslem.

The Choral Society will give their second concert of ,the season on Tuesday evening next, the Subject, "iMfendelssohn's- St. Paul."

Mr Hawkins will deliver a farewell address" at the Christian Meeting House to-morrow evening prior to his departure for Sydney. The subject of discourse will ( be Acts 2-38. •• i ■:; n?, |

Napier boast of the possesion of a J. P. who makes it a practice to attend the watchhouse every;. Saturday evening, and clear " the .sheet "• of, all minor cases. Unfortunates who .are '.'run in on Saturday mornintf have, not to spend the whole of that day and Sunday in the lock-up.

The Aucklandcorrespondentof the "Otago Caily Times-' is not coiriplimentqry to our volunteer corps. * He says : -Half the corps have been raised by vainglorious swashbucklers who have desired to have a commission, and having obtained their ambition,, paid no further heed to the welfare of their respective corps. Men who caunot control themselves can scarcely be expectedl to command others. :

At the aiiuual .meeting of subscribers of the Auckland Scripture Gift ajid Prize Association^ held last evening, at the Young Men's Christian Associatiou Rooms, the following elections took place :'—Honorary members (3 years) Dr Maunsell, Rev Pellason, 8.A., J. C. Firth, Esq., Frederick Larkins, Esq,, ,Dr Kenderdinc, Colonel Haultaio, T. Macffarlane, Esq. General Committee 1880 :— Messrs P. G. Ewington, W. Kattray, G. HemuS, C. Major, S, Brown W. F. Hammond, J. Longmore, J. Castle, J. G. Brown,-P. Rout, R. Walter, \Y. Sprang J. French, A. , Thome, W. . r'ushbwok. Secretary: W. Spragg. Treasurer rS. Rout. • Executive : Messrs C. Major, S. Brown, J. Loiigmore.

A deserving case for the philanthropic has been brought- under :oiirihoticc by a gentleman who vouches for iU worthiness. A bout a week a,oarespoci able hard-Working miller named' Foreman,• .died"suddenly"suddenly at Coromandel, leaving a widow and tlirrc children uuprovided for, the precariousnesa of "employment, and low rate pf-wag«B having prevented his laying un any savings, The widow nnd family have "been temporarily provided for by Home kind friends in Edward street, but as she is about to bo confined of a fourth child the dillioulties of her'situation are increasing. She boars an excellent character. It has been suggested that a subscription shall bo raised to purchase a mangle, which would enable her to keep the wolf from the door.,and we shall be happy to receivo and acknowledge any contributions towards this object.

Tho Collector of the Pousonhy Highway District attends daily between 9.30 a.m. and 5 p. m. at the Ponsonby Hull, to receive payment of overdue rates.

To the Editor: Sir, —Though not altogether agreeing with your sublcadcr in last uight'a i»sae, Upon the freedom of tho press in publishing the prurient details of some cases in the Law Courts, I am entirely of your opinion that, the leading article in the '" New Zealand Herald " of yesterday's d ite rc.'leetiug upou the conduct of the Sydney " Evening News" in publishingßo fully the evidence in the case, Shepherd y. Dibos,. was altogether out of place. What could possibly be coautr or more filthy tliau the re]>ort-i in the " Herald " of scvoral cases recently tried here, notably the Papakura seduction case?' Without doubt the mass of literary garbage dialled up in that paper every Saturday is unequalled by any newspaper in the colonies, and is only surpassed by such publications as the " I'oiice Gazette/.' A-r. r and I. can assure tho cond ictof-s that thopriuting now ai.d then ola sensational sermon by a popular divine does not atone for tho great harm done by the many columns of extracts from other papers, low and nasty in their nature, that weekly appear,—l am, &c., AUCKLAND.

The whole towu of Wanganui was thrown iuto a ntato of intense excitement by the display of a £100 bank note, iv the hands of a local trustee in bankruptcy. He went into the Captain of the Fire Brigade's grocery store, and planked the bin note in payment of a dividend on an estate, amounting in nil to half-a-crown. Captain Cummins was equal to the occasion, as lie put the note in his pocket and told the trustee to call rouud next week or noxt year for the change. A photograph of the trustee's face nt this juncture has been secured fur next year's Comic Annual. The matter was settled at last by the trustee taking a cheque for the change, aiul g')iu^ away minus his huii'lred-poumler, which had gone oil when least expected. The la«t Been of this strange monetary phenomena wna in the hands of ono of the leading jewellers, who had possibly borrowed it for un hour or two, much iv the name way as 'Arry borrows hio friend's diamond ring when going out to give the ladies a treat 1

To the Editor : Sir, - A short time back I read in your paper some remarks having reference to the propriety of the public being allowed to bathe in the dock ; since then I have thought over the matter, and I think you might do worse than advocate such a measure. With your permission I will suggest to the authorities in power over this subject, that whenever the dock is not required that it be kept full of water, nml that the public bo admitted on my monthly tickets not transferable, at four shillings each, dated from the Ist to the end of the month, mid the same Bum for any broken part of a month, the ticket holders taking their chance of the availability of the dock. To be used only before 8 o'clock in the morning, and 7toß in the evening. Many would avail themselves of it, to whom it would afford a great luxury, and at the same time a revenue to the Harbour Board. The loser ledge of the dock-is perfectly out of sight, there cau be no excuse therefore on that score. AVill you kindly ventilate this if you approvo of it.—Yours, &c, Natob.

We arc not alone in advocating ihc stop page of free immigration, Many Southern journals urging a cimilar course of action. The Canterbury "Standard" says :—"What the Minister of Immigration was pleased to call "spontaneous" emigration will more than suffice for the want of labour oi the Colony for some considerable time to come. Great Britain has been inundated for some years past with New Zealand emigration agents, pamphlets, &c., from which exaggeration? of the most deplorable kind emanated. As things practically now are, the " Captain" Barry's, Key. Berry's, Judge Bath^atc's, et hoc genus omne, are doing injinitely more harm thau good. All immigration but the "spontaneous" one quoted above should be stopped, and perhaps the laws of supply and demand will become equalized in a manner such as will prove beneficial to our interest. The AgentO'licial's department at Home has done its work and a preat deal more. The pruning knife should bo applied to it, and it should be abolished, root and branches. A saving of thousands of pounds per year would follow, and a healthier state of things obtained in the labour market hero."

The first business-meeting of the new session of St. James' .Discussion Class takes place on Monday eveuiug next, as per ndvertisemeut in another column. From tao following syllabus of the subjects which are to engage the attention of the youthful senators, it will be seen that the session premises to be equally as interesting ar.d successful as .those of previous years. Phiosophy, politics, history, science, and lav will all receive their modicum of attcntioi, while the lighter studies are also allotted their legitimate space in the programme :— March S, debate, "Was the Zulu War Justifiable?"—Aihnnativo, Mr J. Home; negative, Mr E. W. Burton. March loth, lecture, " The philosophy of Dugald Stewart," Mr P. Oliphant. March 22nd, essays, "Amateur Conceit"—Mr W. J. Gcddis; " Mental Culture," Mr H, Dorrington. April sth, debate, J' Ought the employment of females iv public-hoise.bars to be prohibited by law?"—Allimative, Mr J. Gow;- negative, Mr G. A. King. April 12th, essays, " Proverbs,' Mr C. Williamson; "Social view of Auckland," Mr 11. Ilaslctt. April 19th, realings and recitations. April 2(ith, debate) "Is the world in danger of being ovor-jopulatcd ?' — Allirinative, Mr J. M. Gccuis ; negative, Mr W. Gorric. May ifd, essays, '"Prejudice," Mr J. D. Scumdt; "New Zealand as a Field for Immigrants," Mr G. K. McNab. May 10, essays: "Chemical Science," Mr W. Culpan ; one, of which the subject is not yet auuomced, Mr J. Gow. May 17, debate: " YV)re the Auckland Four •uistiried in Jeserting the Phalanx "—All. Mr VV. Coopsr, neg, Mr W. J. Napier. May 31, essa;s: "Music," Mr Il'. Hammond.; ". Fricndi'hip," Mr J. C. Maeky. Juue7, lecture: 'The Aztecs," Mr W. Briyham. Juno H.casays : "Lord liyron," Mr W. Baker; subject to be itnnouueed, Mr A. C. Steele. Juue'2, spelling boo. June 28, lecture: ''The law of Inheritance in England and 6\v Zealand," Mr E. Cooler.'

Mr Arthur will hold a sale of unredeemed pledges by order of Mr Jas. "Raejon Monday at 11 o'clock at his mart. ■ "?

A billiard match for £5 a.side took place at the Greyhound Hotel last evening, between Messrs Lett and ■~Gorddhi There were a considerable nuiSib&r of spectators present,' the room being crowded. Th.6 game which was 200 up,, was won by Lett, when his opponent's scpre'stood at 163. The play was not brilliant, the ..largest breaks being Gordon 16,, and.L<ftt 13. One hour and.'forty iminutey were occupied by the contest.

The whole of the immigrants by the Earl Granville have been landed on the QuarantinaStation at Motuihi; The names of the children who died on the passage out were Getrude Holmes, Henery Mastell, and Allen Meynell. The births were as follows :— ■■Mrs Surman, of a daughter; Mrs Speed, of. a son; Mrs Holmes, of a son ;; and Mrs Latrobe, of a son. Mr Buchanan's yaclit'Lala \xen ; been supplied with,a new lead keel by Mr C. Bailey, of the Nrhh Shore. I', is expected that the Laia and Jes&ie; Lognn wilt both be entered for .the forthcoming Ponsonby Regatta. i ' : The "Thames Advertiser," say? that Mr C J. Stone has made an offer for .the Caledonian Mine and plait, to the County authorities which, however, thej Council does not entertain. The'following s; h^ular statement in conuectim with the late Mormon 'escapade appears in a telegram in the Thames "Star" :—" Some singular facts j came to light in connection with the recent Mormon scandals iv Auckland. Mrs Lueey, who tried to bolt by the mail steamer,; says she was very unhappy at home. She appealed to Pearce for advice, aud several prayer meetings were held. The Mormons recommended her to pray for euidance. She alleges she saw a viison in the nigh 1, and iatUnngel told^her to go to Utah." :

The Auckland Amatuer Athletic Club Meeting takes place next Saturday. The Committee have been busy lately making arrangements for th c comfort of their patrons. The ground will be roped off to keep back the crowd, and allow iadies a proper view of the races. A band will be in attendance to enliven the visitors between the events. The Club intend giving silver,medals for first prizes which will be on view on Wednesday, the second and third prizes are already exhibited in the window of W. W. .Robinson tobacconist Queen-street. This Club since its imagination three years a&o, has spent about £300 in prizes, amongst the various trades-people iv Auckland. The entries are Jarge this time, and the competition should be keen.

Naturalists will be deeply interested in a very novel occurrence which was witnessed in the shop of Mr Calnan, shoemaker Queeu-sticct, yesterday. The premises in which ho carries on business are old and infested with rats, and be therefore keeps a cat on the premises. T'lis animal, which is of the ordinary >:rey colour, is of medium size, but .has frequently killed small rats, though it appiars disinclined to encounter the larger species of rodents. The cat has lately brought forth kittens, of which only two arc alive. Yesterday afternoon she lay iv a corner behind the counter with her kitteni, while Mr Calnan wan at work, as usual, only a few feet away. Un looking at the cut what was his astonishment at seeing a full-grown rat lying down beside the kittens aud sucking at one of her teatu. He called in a geutleman who was passing, and for some minutes the two watched the singular occurrence. Even when Mr Calnau approached tho Interesting group'the rat was not frightened away, while the cat appeared to submit to the suckling with quiet unconcern, even lazily turning her head to look at her strange progeny. The group was broken up when Mr Calnau seized t 0 rat by the back of the neck and killed it.The rodeut was old, and guttered himself to be Kei/.fd without moving. The cat was afterwaids taken near the rat but would not touch it.

The censorship of the Press is not conlined to the colonies. Our London correspondent describes what is going on at home as fol'ows : - " At the Savage Club the other day I heard a leading journalist say he knew for a fact that it was in contemplation to introduce into England the system of press cousorship, now iv vo^uc at St. Petersburg. Those present scouted the idea, as ludicrous, but this week a society journal boldly states that Lord Salisbury has applied to Count fcchouvalofl' for a detailed description of the scheme. The same authority adds, that the editor of the "Times" has agreed to uphold the idea on tho understanding that his journal is to be regarded for the future as the permanent organ of the British administration. No doubt there is some exaggeration in this, but it must be patent even to colonists that the liberties of the Press have been considerably curtailrd of late. Libel actions, rnoro especially agaiiift independent journals, arc far more frequent than they used to be, and the soutences passed on proprietors convicted are unnecessarily severe. Mr Mortimer, of the London " Figaro," who is one of the most fearless exponent of abuses was recently sent to prison (as a first-class misdemeanant) for a month, and fined £100 as well, for saying that a public singer—whom everyone knows to be as mad as a hatter though not sullieieutly to be placed under control —had misbehaved herself. The defence broke down through a technicality, aud this extrome penalty was indicted."