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Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3353, 26 April 1881, Page 2

Constable Walker brought in a prisoner from Mercer, named Arthur McSbeehan, sentenced to throe months' imprisonment for vagrancy.

Cole's Circus has returnod by tho mail steamer en route to San Francisco after a highly successful season in tho colonies. The members of the troupe were about town to-day, and tho appearance of the Italian dwarfs in tho stroets created no small amount of interest. The little men saluted the curious observers with the utmost self-possession, and appeared to enjoy the attentions which were bestowed upon them.

Mr It. C. Gault, the travelling agent of Australian Lithofracteur Company, conducted a series of experiments with dynamite at Mount Eden. A mass of rock weighing about twenty tons was torn out of the ground by tho first test, eitjht cartridges of lib. each being used. Three oilier experiment were made on boulders of rock, and in two cases the blast were successful, In the third instance, tho cartridge was too small, and only partially satisfactory results were obtained.

Mr Frederick Jouno has returned to Auckland after his homo holiday in Jersey. Mr Jouno wag a passenger from London by tho Loch Dec. Many of this gentleman's friends aro glad to welcome him back to this city, in which ho is remembered for many genorous services.

For tho benefit of sportsmen it may be mentioned that licenses for shooting pheasauts, Californiau quail, aud other imported gamo, which have hitherto been procurable at the Customs ollicc3 must this year bo obtained from the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society. Mr Cbcesenian may be seen at his ollico, Museum Buildings, l'liuces-strcct, auy day after twelve o'clock.

The caso of the National Bank V. Beedel and Field had not concluded yesterday when tho Court rose, aud the further hearing was therefore adjourned uutil tomorrow. Messrs Kumnier, Kiikwood, and Mowbray, were the only witnesses examined iv addition to Mr Ilean.

Tho report presented by the Committee aud adopted nt tho recent conference of School Committees has been printed and is vow in circulation. Copies have been posted to every school committee within tho borders of the Auckland educational district.

Our roadors will loam with regret of tho death of Mr F. llowin, partucr in the grocery firm of Hewiu Bros., and a useful member of tho City School Committee. He wa.s a quiot and unassuming mau, nud was generally liked by his fneuds aud customers. Tho illness which cariied him oil' was only of v mouth's duratiou. The iiuniudiato cause of it was overwork. Paralysis set iv within the lust few days, and gradually extended from the extremities towards the trunk, death, of course, being tho Inevitable result.

The " Waikato Mail" is rosponsihlo for tho following stiiteuient into which it demands flu enquiry :—" A Waikato resident who recently went to Auckland, visited a near relalivn, who has been an inmate of the Asylum for only a few months. The patient sullct's intermittent attuoka of insanity, hut has lucid intervals, lie is partly paralysed and unable to use his hand". Our informant states that when visited his beard was foiled to he horribly infested with vermin, and he was attired m thii', dilapidated, and dirty garments, though a plentiful supply of warm clothing had been supplied only a few months ago."

To tho Editor: Sir,—Will you pleaiocnll the attention of the police authorities to the fact that tho presence of a policeman is very much required in Nowmarkot, as the larrikin nuisance is becoming intolerable ? and oblige—A itATKPAYKK.

Two stowaways named Owen 11. Dull' aud Frederick Bourbobt were given into custody for being found on hoard the h.h. City of Syduoy ou her voyage fiom Sydney to Auckland. Tho men were taken to the Police Court aud charged with the offence, beforo Messrs MacU'arlnno aud I'iiiiie, Justices. Jeremiah Symondnou, purser, stated that the two meu were found saeictcd behind the packages, and had not paid their passage. The fare was .£5. As prisoners wore likely to liud the money, the ca.se was adjourned uutil the morning.

An interesting1 farewell mootm^ to tlio Rev, 0. M. Pyiu was held lust evening in tlie young Men's Christian Association rooms. The lull was crowded, Mr J, L. Wilson in the chair, nuppurtod by the Veil, Archdeacon Maunsell, Kev3. It. T. Dudley, E. N. JJroe, and Mr Thos. Buddie. A good choir was in attendance, and hymns and selections sung. The above-mentioned clergymen severally spoke upon the; occasion, making special referouco to the services of the rcr. gentleman about to lcilYO theiu. Mr Pyiu replied at Rome leagth, and thanked the friends for the generous wolcoino aud help which ho had received. Tlio proceedings closed with prayer, Tho collection.'! amounted to £5 8s 4d.

The inhabitants of Wollington-atreet aro BOinewhat chagrined at seeing hundreds of pounds spent in Upper and Lower Unionstreets, aud| other side thoroughfares, while the luniu outlet west of llobjon-street is left in a. dangerous and disgraceful state of disrepair. Wellington-street carries more trallic than any street west of Queen-street (Hobson and Drake-streets ueim< oxcoptcd), and yet it is in a condition which renders wheeled trallic riaky, and the side walks are almost impassible. Franklin Koad, another main artery, is very little better. People aro beginning to afk what the main, bers for South Ward are doing, and why some hundreds of pounds were token to liil in a gully which leads nowhere, while the broad thoroughfares which open up City West are in such a comlitioh. A petition to the Council in spokeu of, that hoing upparently the only way to secure attention

Professor Cuilliau will opuri an elementary singing cliws in the ante-room nt tho back of St. James's Hall, on Tuesday evening next. J To the Editor, Sir,—l perceive that tbo name of Hairy Vernon U not taken notice of in your Columne. Respectfully I n«k you to pars some comment upon the deceased. The old bauds are funt passing away, aud as time advances it must naturally occur. He has been a friend to hundreds, nnd whilatcarrying out his duty, did his best to help his neighbour. His name will live among the poor of Auckland whilst those are forgotten who now ride in their carriages to whom ho was a true friend. In the days of yoio, imprisonment for debt wai fully carried out. lie carried out his duties, and afterwards paid the money himself. lie went to tho Thames and speculated, and lost all. Do justice, please, to the dead. I can only say in conclusion, that I trust that those that have recefved his many Jkindnespcs will on Wednesday next pay one tribute to his memory. —K. J. Feltus.

The ceremony of christening tho nowlycompleted ten-stamp mill at Te Aroha took place on Saturday, in presence of a large gathering of settlers from the surrounding districts, miners, and visitors from the Thames. The battery has b:cn erected by Messrs Price Brothers, under contract for the sum of about £1100, nnd is one ot the most compact and neatest plants turned out of their hands. Besides the ten stampers, driven by engine and boiler, heated with wood, thero are fire berdans, two retorts, two pestle and mortar, and every convenience for quartz-crushing and testing. Mr H. H. >dams is tho manager, and Mr Jamieson the ongineer. When the engine was set in motion, Mrs Gould, wife of the Chairman of directors, performed tho christening ceremony by breaking a bottle of champngno. The dinner took place subsequently iv the Hot Springs Hotel, Mr Gould occupying the chair, and Major Murray the vice-chair, when tho customary toasts were proposed and responded to.

The monthly juvenile Templar entertainment laat evening in the Alexandra-ntreDt school was one of the moat successful of the series. Mr D. Goldie occupied the chair and delivered an instructive address to tho children, encouraging thoni to coutinue in tho good way ot tolal abstinence and save themselves from the snares and pitfalls of the world. The programme was varied with song, dialogue, instrumental music, nud glees by the taleuted Frith family. Miss Kate Goodacrc recited Thorn's "Mitherless Bairn," iv a distinct and pleasing manner. Mi>s and Master James aang "I'm Still a Fiiend to You." A new version of " Dick Whittington and his cat" gratified the childron. The comic element of the evening was chiefly sustained by Mr G. Carter in a laughable Scotch song, also accompanied by Mrs Cottingham in a duet. Miss Goodacre gave pianoforte selections with her usual ability, giving the audience a good idea of her musical powers. Mrs Anderson's " Palace of the King,'' a fine poem by the Ber. William Mitchell, was an able performance, and frequently cheered, Mr Scholicld was successful with his solo on the concertina. Mr Nightingale made tho audienco merry with his " Philomela, or tho Spirit of tho Wood," a masterly performance hill of energy and pathos. Tho farce (thrco characters) of the " Little Brown Jug," was full of fuu ; the worst part being the breaking of tho jug upon the toe of a vocalist (quite accidental). Songs were sung by Mr Tudehope, and several young ladies, closing with the National Anthem. The settlers of Wairoa (south) enjoyed a capital entertainment in their commodious hall on the evening of the 22nd instant in connection with the local school, nnder the management of Mr Lo Gallias, tho head teacher, the girls being under the special carp, of Miss Spenco, the lady assistant. The first part of the business was the presentation of prizes to tho successful scholars. Fifty-two of the children were examined by the Inspector of Schools, Mr O'Sullivan, and out of that number forty-four passed. This was greatly to the credit of the teachers and iratisfaetory to the residents. Tho prizes were delivered by Mr James Bel], who takes much practical interest in the progress of tho settlement, the church, and the school. Mrs B. Couldrey gave ." f-ullicient supply of oranges and lollies to the scholars who sparkled with delight over the sweet allurements. The .Rev. Thomas Norrie delivered an excellent address oi; the advantages of a sound education in littifig young persons for the solemn battle of life. Several of the children sang and recited poetic and other pieces from the best works of British writers, and the whole closed with tho National authein, and a collection of £4 5s towards the prize fund for the next year's gathering.

Iv the caso in tho Resident Magistrate's Court, Coombes v. Muirland, iv which plaintiff claimod tho Bum of £2 03 Gd, account of clothinsr, plaintiff was nonsuited. The particulars of the case appeared in our last issue. 'Watson v. Waymouth, Junr. In this caso which wnsi a claim for £6 (is wages as a boat-builder, judgment was given for plaintiff with costs,

His Honor Judge Symonds gave judgment on Saturday in the Native Land Court in tlie Whakamaru enfee. When it is borne in mind that the block of land iv question comprises nearly 90,000 acres in the heart of what was formerly the king country, and abutting closely on even the present conlines of Maori royalty, the judgment hecomes more significant. Two or three years ago the survey and investigation of titlo to this block vvonld have been impossible. To-day all tho parties come before tho Court, including oven persons from the very precincts of Tawhiao's court at Hikurangi, a patient hearing is accorded by tho oourt to evory man who claims a right to p.peak, and at laot the decision is given. The Court certainly deserves the highest possible praise for its patient and impartial hearing of tho whole caso from beginning to end. At the opening of the case uo fewer than eight different pcrties appeared. Tho decision was Riven in favour entirely of the original Wliaretangi Wliaiata, which with the snb-lmpus admitted by them, are now the ownors under Crowo. Grant of tho Whakamaru Block. Tho openiugof this block marks anew era in tho history of this country. When judgement was given in the Whakamiuu caso, it meant that half a million acres of country hitherto untrodden by Europeans am! occupied by Maoris, had passed under the authority of tho (Juecu aud the law.—" Waikalo Mail."

Tho Hikurangi meeting is a failure. At no time have thoro boon more than from 800 to 700 natives assembled, and so far an wo can ascertain, nothiug beyond tho cuutomnry feasting aud nose-rubbing has been accomplished. An attampt has been mado to conceal tho failure by adjourning tho real business, wlmtover that may be, until tho middle of July, which is about tantamount to tho significant phraso " the middle of next week"—or the Greek Calends. Evidently the king movement is undorgolng a process of rapid disiuetogialinn, and if left alone, it wilt evaporate. There is disunion in the camp of the Maori king, Some of the tribes who have sold Inud have tasted Mood, or rather European kai, and recognised the folly of keeping large arena of lands lying in a waste and unprolltablo state. Tho Mokau natives left the meeting in disgust, diutiuctly iuformiug Tnwhiao tiiut iv future they would leave or sell their hinds as they pleased, The artificial barrier* are breaking down, aud pressure In boinu brought to boar upon Tawhiao, against which tho men of tho old school and the criminal Alsatians aro powerless to protect him, iv favour of a conciliatory policy towards the Government, and a modification ol the existing land tenure in tho direction of iniiividualisatiou, or definitoucsn of titlo. We hare roasou to bclievo that if llio colony had tho mouoy, v main Hue of uiilway could bo made to Welliiigtou without any sorious opposition from tho nativoa, and we h:iv this as having cognisance of Home fuels of which tho general public cannot possibly be aware.—" Waikato Mail."

Madame Lotti Wilrnot, at homo for consultation ovory afternoon andoveulng. AlosmorIhiti and Huirituallstlo Investigation.-Wharf 1 lotol. Uuoon-atroot.—(advt).