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Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3526, 24 November 1881, Page 2

We owe a number of our subscribers in the neighbourhood of Newton an explanation respecting the non-delivery of the STAR last evening. It is usual for the second supply to be sent up to the runners, and ihe papers left the office shortly after six in due course ; but unfortunately they were given in charge of a 'busman not accustomed to take them, and the result of his inexperience was that the rnnners waited in vain for the papers, which were returned to the office this morning. We need hardly assure the subscribers who were disappointed that every endeavoni will be made to avoid miscarriage in future.

The only case before the Police Court this morning was that of Mary Ann Biddick, charged with neglecting to contribute towards the support of her child in tho Industrial Home but ns 'defendant was doubtful about the arrears, the case was adjourned until to-morrow.

Numbor of votes polled at the Rodney County Council election : Munro, 112; Greenwood, 80; Hudson, 76; Boon, 60 ; Richards, 58; Uarrie, 44.

Mrs Brown, whose husband was killed by falling through a skylight in Queen-street, has been left in straitened circumstances, and subscription lists have been opened on her behalf. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency has presented her with a gratuity of £150.

A meeting of tho shareholders of the Crown claim, Waitekauri, was held yesterday afternoon in the office of Mr F, A. White, Shortland-street, when it was resolved that a limited company be formed, to be designated the Waitekauri Crown Goldmining Company, Limited, capital £18,000, in 18,000 shares of £1 each. Messrs C. Alexander. Thomas Henderson, jun., A. Devore, J. B. Morpeth, and John Brown were chosen directors ; manager, Mr F. A. White; auditor, Mr J. Waymouth.

To the Editor : Sir,—l am told that you have me booked as President of tho Takapuna Jockey Club. I have written to the secretary of that Club to decline the honour, on the score of my defective vision ; but, even if my sight wero good, I should still decline the said honour, because I consider that the penalties inflicted (both hero and ia the old country) for foul riding, are too light—suspension (per col.) being the fitting award.—l am, &c„ J. W. FILDBR.

Ono of the prettiest natural pictures between Newton and tho district of the Whau is the garden of much-abused "John Chinaman." The miin road passes through it, and passengers invariably remark upon tho neatness, taste, and vegetable productions in "John's" well-kept, well-arranged garden in the woody hollow, some halfmile distant from the Asylum. Many of "John's" traducers might well try to emulate his skill and persevering industry in the quiet reserve of nature, making the " wilderness to blossom as the rose."

A meeting of tho Tnkapuna Jockey Club was held at the Flagstaff Hotol, North Shoro, last cvoning, Mr O. Mays presiding. Tho Auckland Racing Club rules wero adopted, and it was agreed that the appointment of a handioapper should bo loft to the stowards. Tho first meeting was fixed for December 27th on Messrs Allison's course, Forty names were added to tlio roll. Mr James Black was elected president in the place of Captain Filder resigned, and Mr H, Pitts was elected clork of scales.

A fow days ago a bank test was made of a small parcel of quartz from the winze below the 400 foot level in tlio Southorn Cross mine, Thames. The parcel was divided into two samples, and submitted to a careful analysis, with the following result: —First Bomple, 2040z5. 13dwts. Sgrs.; second sample, 2620z5. 19dwts. 12grs., giving an average of 2330z5. 16dwt». lOgra. to the ton. Of course this is no criterion of the crushing valuo of the reef, but it certainly is very encouraging.

Mr J, C. Firth and his servant had a narrow escape from accident on Monday evening, while on their way to Matakana, by the upsetting of a bnggy and pair, at tho bottom of the hill near Karapiro bridge. Dr. Waddingtou was immediately sent for, says the " Waikato Mail," and found, strange to say, that Mr Firth was unhurt, save a severe shaking, The man, and Mr Carter's stepson, who was driving, did not get off so well. The former was much bruised, and his right thigh and ankle crushed, whilst tho latter was a good deal shaken and bruised about the body. The carriage and horses wore but little injured, and considering tho steepness of the hill, and the pace the horses were going, the escape of the nccuoants was truly miraculous. 1 A meeting of the trustees of the Auckland Savings Bank was held yesterday afternoon, when the following tendors for

tho erection of the new Bank buildings

were opened and found to be as follows : — J. Heron (accepted), £5993; J. H. Cbalwin, £6290; W. Fhilcox, £6400; C. Rhodes, £6582; H. T. Jones, £6979; J. Currie, £6998; J. W. James, £7100; A. Maguire, £7150 ;J. Malcolm, £7227; J. J. Holland, £7390 ; Jones and Pollard, £7577. There is thus a difference of £1504 between tbe

accepted and highest tender, Mr W. G. Connolly's tender £5530 was withdrawn, in consequence of his not taking in to account the painting nnd plumbing,, which should have been included in the contract. Tho proposed new building, according to the plan, will be handsome and three storeys high.

At the Freethinkers' International Conference, held in London on September 23rd, Mr Bradlaugh, M.P., who presided, raised the question whether it was desirable, in conformity with the view expressed by several of the delegates, that a message of condolence should be sent to Mrs Garfield. His own opinion was that to send such a message might be regarded as an impertinence on their part, inasmuch as tbo late President was, in every essential point, a most religious mm. Therefore it was unadvisable

that a body of avowed freethinkers should take any such course. At the same time in their inmost souls they could not but feel the utmost sympathy with the bereaved. This statement of the chairman was received with profound silence, and no motion being made, the subject dropped. Two brigands, brothers, named Calamia, were recently captured in Sicily. They waylaid an advocate named Jestone, of Sciacca, and demanded a heavy ransom, taking bim to a cottage near Mat-la. The authorities heard of this, and organized an expedition to surround the place at night and storm it at dawn. The brigands, after deep potations slept soundly, and when the alarm was given found themselves hemmed in. The two brothers Calamia issued out for a moment and fired two or three shots, but speedily re-entered. The brigands kept their prisoner fettered and blindfolded, but gave him a gun and ordered him to fire on his rescuers. In the end the band of five surrendered at discretion. They will have to answer for a long series of crimes. No band of any importance now remains in Sicily, and the era of brigandage is pro; bably at an end.

An inquest Was held yesterday afternoon at the Auckland District Lunatic Asylum, before F. M. P. Brookfield, Esq., R.M., coroner, and jury, on the body of David Elder, who died on the morning of the 22nd inst. Constable McClellan represented the police.. Dr Alexander Young, Medical Superintendent, deposed that Elder was admitted into the Asylum on the 12th inst., suffering from acute mania, and inflammation of the lungs. He was very excited and restless, After being two days in the Asylum he appeared to revive, but on the third day he relapsed, and refused to take either foed or medicine and gradually sank until he expired. His case was hopeless from tbe first. Dr Young had made a postmortem examination, and found that death resulted from inflammation ot the lungs and congestion of the brain, Patrick James Owen deposed that he had regularly attended upon deceased. He took milk and light fluids through a tube. The jnry found, in accordance with the medical testimony, "Death from natural causes." Elder was a farmer at the Bombay settlement ; was in his 52nd year, and wasa Presbyterian. He was a single man. Had been suffering for Jour or five years, Had lived much alone j was very excitable, and made several attempts to strangle himself. He has a neice (Mrs Ferguson) living at Springfield.

[ On Wednesday afternoon a large number of the settlers of Hamilton met on the lawn of the Hamilton Hotel for the purpose of presenting a parting address to the Rev. Wra. Calder, who is about to succeed the Rev. V. Lusb, who has for so many years laboured at the Thames. The Hamilton Band performed several lively airs during the proceedings. Mr S. T, Seddon was the spokesman on the occasion, and presented an addiess beautifully illuminated, and a purse.of 100 sovereigns to tho rev, gentleman in token of their thorough appreciation of his services as a clergyman in the Waikato, Mr Seddon said they had met to do honour to a kind,true-hcarted,sympathising Christian man, whose untiring energy during the past six or seven years among them had borne ample fruit, not only in Hamilton, but in the surrounding districts. Some people had blamed Mr Calder for going further and further into the out-dis-tricts, where Sunday observances were extremely lax, but the fact that these new districts have demanded and are now about to have resident clergymen appointed to , them, is proof at least of the efficiency of his labours. Twelve years ago, the church was only a small one, and the receipts only £30 per annum; now they had a large church, parsonage, Sunday-school, and an annual income of £400. Mr Calder acknowledged tbe presentation with much feeling, and at the close of his remarks the band performed, "For he's a Jolly Good Fellow." A present of less value, to Mr and Mrs Calder, was made by the Sundayschool children, and received with equal pleasure, .*'*..

Our Dargaville correspondent writes : "Un Saturday last tho new billiard-room at the Kaihu Hotel was opened to tho public, and during the eveuing the room was well-filled, Mr R, Hume, who has taken tho tablo from Host Eaynes, must have been well pleased with the patronage bestowed on him. Tbe table is a really good one, by W. Shapland, of Bristol. The light thrown on it from six large lamps wa9 all that could be desired. The room is large and commodious, and is replete with everything that can conduce to the comfort of the public. Great credit is due to the contractor, Mr Wm. Spiers, for tho manner in which the extensive alterations in the hotel have been carried out, the public having been put to no inconvenience throughout."

A new steel-clad ship has been added to the navy of Great Britain—the Conqueror —which was launched at Chatham last month. She is a ram of 6,200 tons displacement and 4,500 indicated horse-power. Four vessels—two armoured and two not armoured—have been added to the British navy within the past three mouths. The Conquerer is not a remarkable ship, but is essentially a common-place one. She has been on the stocks for two years only. She will be followed speedily by the completion of her sisters, the Majestic and Colossus. For coast defence she will, however, be powerful, aud it is suggested that sho well be still more so " as a protest against tho not inexcusable spirit of emulation which has animated constructors in their efforts to outstrip ono another in the production of the mo3t powerful vessel in the world," " England must have a powerful fleet," siys Mr Trevelyan, "and no nation can afford a numerous fleet of Duillios and Lopontos."

Reference is frequently made to the advisability of starting sericulture on a large scale in Auckland, but singularly enough no steps have been taken in the matter. It has been proved by experience that the whito mulborry grows remarkably woll here, while the worms aro easily roared, and attain a large size. Experiments have repeatedly been mado in the breeding of worms, nnd the only ebstacle to tho profi., tablo pursuit of the industry is the difficulty of disposing of either the silk which the worms produce or the eggs. Many people in Auckland continue to rear tho worms at present for their own amusement, or with the object of profiting financially by them in the future, but if a market wero found for the cocoons, or machinery for winding off tho silk properly introduced by one of our local manufacturers, tho industry would soon become an important and profitable one for all concerned. Several days ago, we wero shown about a thousand worms which had been bred by Richard James, a lad who rosides in Wukciield-strect. They were all healthy looking and of good size, and might be cxpocted to give an excellent yield of silk, 'iho owner informed us that Messrs Shakespeare and Co., Queen-street, would purchaso the raw silk at 5s per ounce, but upon inquiry we learn that such is not the case. It is a pity that there is no market hero for the silk, as if there were, the breeding of worms could bo carried on with profit. There are at present sufficient worms in the possession of people in Auckland to produce mauy millions of eggs in two or three years.

Mr McKeown, whose namo was mentioned in last evening's issue in connection with Plummer, has called upon us and mado tho following statement : That the stranger arrived in his street about 6 months ago, and rented a house opposite him. He seemed, toall appearance.a very respectable, well-tO'do man, living on his private income. In tho courso of time, Mr McKcown and Mr Bayloy became on speaking terms, just as any neighbour would. By and by ho came over to the house, and had an occasional chat, Bayley seemed most agreeable. Mr McKeown was about to get a man to do up his garden, but his neighbour asked to bo allowed to do it up, and refused payment. He seemed very obliging on every occasion. He even offered to and did lend his portmanteau, as Mrs McKeown was going to Tuaknu on a visit, As time went on ho gave Mr McKeown to understand that ho had plenty of means, and to all appearance he had. Ho at last had the courage to ask McKeown if ho would allow his daughter to marry him. To this Mr McKcown had a great objection, and thought he might be the girl's father aa far as nge was concerned. Mr McKeown refused to allow his daughter to be married to a man doublo her ago. Bailey then offered to build a house, aud make' bis daughter comfortable, and a great many other offers, but still doubts were in the father's mind. The story about settling a sum of money on Mr McKeown is a fabrication, As to the report of offering to bo a Roman Catholic, there is no foundation for it. He thought nothing at all about the neighbour calling at his house. His habits wore quiet and reserved, and ho was a most exemplary neighbour in every possible way. Mr McKeown says that any other house might have done the same thing to a stranger living in tbe street. The father, and girl, and family have been greatly shocked at the sudden disclosure, and are thankful beyond degree that matters only came so far as they did. The girl is naturally greatly distressed at the exaggerated reports which are so freely flying about.

The peculiar and varied tints exhibited by mother-of-pearl is due to tho structure of its surface, which, owing to the great multitude of minute grooves upon it—often many thousands to the inch—decomposes the light which falls upon it and reflects different hues.

Mr Thomas Carter, engineer ot tho diamond drill recently working at Kamo Colliery, sends us a letter in reply to some strictures by the "Weekly News" upon the working of the drill. The letter is too long for publication in cxtenso. It shews, however, that the drill iv the first bore passed through " visiculated basalt rock, of the worst possible description for boring, being broken, jagged, and honey-combed," that it continued down successfully, standing this crucial test until slate was struck at 150 feet, and the bore was finally discontinued, by order ot the manager of the mine, at 162 feet. His certificate is appended to the letter, The drill was capable, bad it been required, to have continued boring to a depth of 150 feet through tho hardest known rock. The second bore passed through a four feet seam of coal until it struck slate at 162 feet, and boring was then discontinued by order of the mine manager, who gave a certificate expressing satisfaction with the way the work had been done. The bore was put down in fifteen working days. The third bore was attempted to be put down in an old bore, where cavities were met which knocked out two of the diamonds. The fourth bore passed through hard stone and quartz, until at a depth of 130 feet a large cavity was entered which twisted off the diamond bit for the first and only time since boring was commenced at the Kamo Colliery. Mr Carter says the paragraph in the "Weekly News" is utterlyfal»e, and has, in his opinion, been published for the purpose of damaging the character and principle of the drill, which, he believes, the Government are about to dispose of to another company. He maintains that the recent boring completely established the principle of the drill.

Portrait op Fred. Plummer (arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the recent burglaries) in to-morrow's " Observer."

A Shorn Samson, the story of a bank clerk and a fair shopkeeper, in to-merrow's ,' Observer."

R. C. Greenwood will sell to-morrow at Britomart, a lot of building materials, cooking utensils, poUlng beams, oorrigated Iron, &o„ suitable for builders and contractors.

G. Hulme, Butcher, Queen-street, list of prioes:—Wholesale: Price of mutton, 2}d; qr. or side of beef, 2Jd; pork, _._ and _d. Retail: Mutton, 2d, 3d and Id; roast beef, Sid, _d and Sd; pork, from 3d to 6d; veal; lamb, per qr, from 2s; oorned legs of pork and rounds of beef, oxtongues, corned beef, best quality, 3d; in lOOlbs. 2001bs. or 3001bs barrels, 2_d, delivered on board or railway; atmospberlo sausages, Id; German sausages. 6d; discount to the trade.—l Advt. J