The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News and The Echo. FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1882,

Auckland Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3560, 6 January 1882, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News and The Echo.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1882,

For tho cams that lacks a_lit_nco, For the wronc that needs resistauc For the future in the distance, Aud the good that we can do.

Immediately followingupon the proclamation of districts under tbe new Licensing Act, the ratepayers will be required to elect a Licensing Committee. The Good Templars are taking time by the forelock, and have convened n 'meeting for tomorrow night to organise, in order that their influence may be fully felt in the contests; and no doubt the licensed victuallers will quickly follow suit, It appears a favourable time, therefore, to offer a few words 'of counsel relative to the attitude which both sides should, as far as possible, take up—or appealing beyond them to the public—tho action which ought to receive endorsement by the votes of those who have been entrusted by the Legislature with the decision on the question, The thing mostly to be apprehended is that these elections, unless approached in a right spirit, will degencrato into a fierce struggle between rabid prohibitionism on the one side and sclf-mtcrost on tbe other, leaving that large middle section, who wish to work the Act fairly, no alternative but to make a choice of evils, neither of which baa their sympathy. In view of the m.eting of the temperance advocates to-morrow, and the appointment of their committee, we do not hesitate to warn them plainly that any attempt on their part to carry out an extreme policy of coercion will fail most ignomini°u«\y, The Licensing Act has bcenframed to make the granting and holding of licenses entirely -übservient to the interests of the public on whoso behalf they are granted. The Act is not and was never intended to be a prohibitive one. It recognises the existence of licensed hotels as a great public convenience, stipulates the conditions under which they shall continue to exist, and makes provision for putting an end to them, when, instead of a public advantage, they become, despite all warnings, a public nuisance. Extreme teetotallers will reply that under no conceivablo circumstances can they be au advantage. That, however, is merely their opi-ion, and ono which is not generally coincided with. Wearchercconcerncdnot with opinions, but with tacts, and the fact remains that so far as the Licensing Act of 1881 is concerned, the wishes of tbe prohibitionists have not been reflected by a I majority of the Parliament of the colony, j

The gist of tbe whole thing, then, rests in a nutshell. Herb it is i ; Shall the object [ol each party be to select, aa Commissioners men who will strain isolated clauses of the Act to serve the aims of one or other of the two extremes to which we have made allusion, or shall an endoavoHr be made to select fair men of independence of chara.ler, who can be relied upon to administer the Act honeßtly as it stands, equally in the interests of the public and the publican. To our own mind tho latter commends itself as unqucs- , tionably tho light course, and we are so convinced that it will receive tho approval of a majority of the voters, that we make no reserve in predicting that whichever side—whether the publican's or the teetotaller.—adopts it in the Humiliation of candidates for the committee, that sido will win. Men known for intelligence, good judgment, and integrity ot character, are the men we Want for the Licensing Bench quite irrespective of whether they arc teetotallers or not, aud we hope the approaching elections will result in a Bench being returned, composed of such men. The Act is trying something more than the issuo between abstainers and non-abstainers; it is an experiment in Local Government. The people are entrusted under it with the choice of men to fill what is to all intcnta and purposes a judicial office, in which great pecuniary interests and private rights are at stake, and the precedent they give in discharging their privileges will doubtless weigh i-i determining the future public policy with reference to the election of Justices of the Peace and other offices which have heretofore been iillcd, and often very badly filled, by nomination, under pressure of secret influences.

The s.s. City of Sydney, which sailed hence on the Gth December, anlved at San Francisco on the 27th of the same month, two days in advance of contract time,

The steamer Coromandel makes an extra trip to Coromandel to-morrow (Saturday), at 4 p.m.; leaving Coromandel on Sunday morning, at 8 o'clock.

The St. Paul's teachers' meeting was well attended last evening. '1 he chair was occupied by Rev. C. M. Nelson. It was resolved to have the Sunday school children's festival in the Domain, on Ihe 20th instant, and a committee was appointed to at range for the Bame. The following Sunday school officers were appointed : Mr V. l'ulman, secretaiy ;Mr Stuart, Treasurer ; and Mr Fieldor, librarian,

■We omitted mention of the Churchman's sheet almanac in our notice of the "Church Gazette." This almanac contaius diocesan information to tho fullest extent, mid will be found serviceable to churchmen unil the public generally.

The following tenders were received today by Mr E. Bartley for reinstating Mr Sloan's house :—Wriglcy aud Hruulcock, £1,008; Scott and Coombc, £995; J. Currie, £9-10; J. Mackrell, £883; A. G. Reed, £805 ; H. Smith, £803 ; W. Hutchieson, £802.

Mr C. A. Harris, junr., has liberally offered the Auckland Regatta Committee a prize of £30 for whale-boats not exceeding 31 feet long ;beara, not less than 5 feet 8 inches ; planking, not less than g of au inch; to be steered with au oar, nnd rowed by five men. A race in accordance with these conditions hits been placed on the programme, and will doubtless provoke keen conception.

Superintendent Thomson received a telegram from Urury this afternoon, from Constable McKnight, infoirning him of the suicide of a settler named) George Cook, between 50 and CO years of age. Cook shot himself through tbe head, aud his death, it is believed, must have been instantaneous. lie was iv receipt of Government rations, and had bcon in a desponding condition of mind for some weeks. An inquest will bo held on the body to-morrow, if possible.

A new railway tarill' has been gazetted, which makes a number of reductions in the rates o£ freight. A reduction is made in the charge lor carriage of wheat, barley, and oats. The 4s p«r ton rate lor ships' goods.formerly only allowed from Onehunga to Auckland, now applies both ways. Reductions are also applied to tho height on caithenware, demijohns, fungus, llux matting, and a specially low rate for butter tins empty. The extent of the reduction on grain may be illustrated by the carriage of a ton from Auckland to Ngaruwahia, 74 miles, the formoi rate was 13s Bd, the now one lis lOd,

Instead of the usual Hand of Hope meeting, the scholars of tbe Union-street Wcsleyan Sunday-school, all of whom had attended for 2G Sundays during tho part year, were presented with a book. Mr Caradus opened the meeting with singing and prayer, after which he called upon Mr W. Parker to give out the prizes. During tbe evening, Mr Caradus (on behalf of the married ladies oi the church) presented Air G. Clarke with two handsome books, for services rendered. Mr G, Clarke rettirued thanks for the present, after which the meeting closed with the benediction. The Band of Hope meets every alternate Thursday, instead of Friday, at 7.30 p.m,, in tbo schoolroom, .

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Mount Eden Domain Board war. held this forenoon in the City Couucil Chambers. There wero present—Messrs T. Thompson (in the- chair), Bridgman, and Potter. The Chairman reported that the gross revenue received from the gravel pits during November was £19 Os 3i, and iv December, £35 19s Gd. It was resolved that Mr Markbam make out and collect accounts, and that a commission of 2^ per cent, be allowed. The chairman was authorised to see Mr Allwright in reference to the working of tbo pit on somo defined plan, aud tbe chairman, secretary, and ti cssurer were empowered to take all necessary steps to carry out any suggestions made by that gentleman. Accounts for the past month wero passed for payment, and tbo meeting then terminated.

Mr Grant, one of tho Lincolnshire delegates who visited New Zealand some time ago, has " swopped " his two-thousand aero farm in England for the ten-thousand acre sheep run of Mr Tooth in Canterbury, Mr Tooth returns to the mother country, and Mr Grant comes out to New Zealand as a permanent settler. Let us hope that his example will be followed by many English farmers possessed of skill aud capital equal to Mr Grant's.

The Weslcynns of the Manukau Circuit keld their quarterly meeting in tho Otahuhu Church on Wednesday, 4th inst. The balancs-shect showed the incomo to be £12 iv excess of current expenditttve. There were reported 49 members, 54 additional comraunicaiits, 16 catechumens, with 11 on trial lor membership. A voto if thanks was presented to the circuit stewards, Messrs Bycroft and Johnstone for their efficient services in tbo past, and these gentlemen were elected to tho samo office for the present year. Messrs Chas. Goodwill, J. Bycroft, W. AVestney, Xi Martin aud C. Crago, juur,, wero appointed society stewards ; and Messrs N, Robinson, Jas. Leglar, Jno. Wallace, and Goodwin Smith, poor stewards.

A grand entertainment will be given this evening in the Rcmuera social hall, consisting of ballads, duets, solos, trios, vcu. triloquism, nnd the sparkling operetta, "Tho Rose of Auvergne.' Among the musicians anil vocalists announced, we notice the names of Mdlle. Muricllc, Madame Andrec, and Messrs Gordon Gooch, S. Slater, J. W, Marshall, and J. A. Campbell, Mr Brabazon, the local " Love," will appear with his dumb companions in a " vox " mimic entertainment.

The New Year servico of song will be 1 held on Sunday afternoon oh the Hospital lawn, weather permitting, in connection with Lincoln's Eruit Mission. Mr Ryan will conduct an able choir selected from tho choirs of the Auckland churches. The anthems and hymns will bo suitable to the new year, and will include Jackson's "Tc Deum." A gentlcmau is expected to deliver an address, and Mr Lincoln will speak a few words of encouragement. We have frequently referred to these services and the interest which they excite among the inmates of the Hospital and Old People's Refuge.

An enterprising proprietor of a stud of donkeys has been doing a good business at the North Shore during the holidays, and has afforded much amusement to young people, by permitting cheap donkey rides. This practice was much iv vogue in years gone by at English country fairs, especially at such places as Blackhcath and Gravesend. The colonial driver was quite au expert at his calling, with an eye to the power and a hand to the staff, while his familiar "' cc up Neddy," and "If I had a donkey that would not go, I'd touch the animal up just so," revived memories of the donkeymen of thirty years ago in the old country. A number of falls happened to inexperienced riders, every tumble evoking a fresh burst of merriment, but no serious accident occurred. Donkey rides are v favourite pleasure at tho English bathing places, and we question not that they will be equally popular with tho patrons of our suburban marine retreat. By children especially and family parties in general, the lacllities for amusement afforded by the i donkeys will be greatly appreciated. Ihe proprietor has taken up his quarters on the beach opposite the Willow Grovo Gardens,

The children attending St. Sepulchre's, J St. Barnaba", and Epiphany Sunday. schools resumed their annual festival, which Was broken up by the downpour of tain on Tuesday, In Fairburn's paddock, Symonda-strcet, yesterday afternoon, Between live and six hundred ye mgsters were present, and after the prizes nad been distributed, they were sea'ed on the green sward, and liberally fegaled with tea, buus> and cake. The afternoon was pleasantly passed ill the pursuit of pleasure, and iv the evening a burnt-cork entertainment was given for the amusement of the ncholarsi Messrs Uaseiden and Kwiiigton related anecdotes, and a charming song was nicely rendered by Mi.s Blaydes, Tho proceedings during the afternoon and evening were mosf enjoyable, ami compensated very largely for the disappointment caused to tbe children by the rain on Tuesday.

Some short time since, says the Melbourne "World," grave rumours were circulated widely respecting a Wcsleyan. clergyman resident at a mining township about 30 miles from Ballarat. It was stated that on several occasions he did not pay over the full amount of collection money to the stewards of the church in his district, and further revelations were promised. The matter has now, however, been finally settled. The minister has admitted tho deficiency, stating _ that he had made a mistake which, now it was pointed out to him, he should be happy to rectify. The explanation was considered satisfactory by the stewards, aud there the matter end- The affair, however, has cuused a great sensation amongst the members of the rev. gentleman's circuit, and it is probable, in the interests of both minister and members, the rev, gentleman will leave the district after the next Wcsleyan Conference is held, although his term (it tin co years will not have expired.

A romantic tale (says the " Gnndagai Time?) is related by Mr Ferdinand Gray, who has a claim at Upper Adolang, Prior to coming there ho kept a wine shop at Tcniora. He was in want of a housekeeper, and all his efforts to obtain one failed, until one day he saw a good-looking, respectablo person, to whom he stated his want, and offered her the situation. This she accepted, and accompanied Mr Gray to his establishment, where she was duly installed a« housekeeper. Now, Mi Gray had a boarder, who was a handsome young man, and between the youthyful pair there sprang up an intimacy, which quickly ripened into the grand passion. The young lady turned out to he the daughter of a squatter not far from Albury, and entitled to £2,000 in her own right. Her mother died some yean ago, and some time before she met with Mr Cray her father had married a girl 17 years of age. Our heroine, not relisiiing having a stepmother of about her own age, i ut her hair short, and donning a suit of her brother's clothes took her departure for the Temora diggings, where she arrived safely, having travelled 120 miles. Her gay Lothario ii a well educated young gentleman hailing from Germany, and, like his lady-love, has a somewhat romantic history. He fought n duel, killed his antagonist, and as a consequence hadt o ilee Irom his fatherland.

Sir Henry Parkcs, at tho farewell banquet, made the following remarks with reference to the improvement works contemplated by his Government in tho capital of IN ew South Wnlcs :—"I intend, if God spares mo, to make this city of Sydney so altered in nil its conditions of lifo that the people in the next ten years will not know it as th<! city of to-day. 1 intend, if I am spared aud permitted, to make its parks stul gardens equal in all that contributes to foster a taste for tho beautiful iv other parts of the world. (Applause.) The (Jovernmcut of which I am a member havo already takon serious steps in the direction of entirely reconstructing portions of this city. hare not been remiss in this respect for some considerable time pa»t, but we have instituted an examination, and have reports in our possession which will enable us to take early legislative action, so that we may wipe out, us with a sponge, many of the lowest parts of the cty. (Loud applause.) Thoso parts which are now the hotbeds of fever and pestilence we intend-to sweep away, and use the sites for new structures under ccrt-in conditions that will tend to permanently beautify the city, and render them a source of pcrmaucnt health, wiiilo at tho same time, as we fervently hopo, it will not cost a single guinea to the public exchequer. This is not a diram, but it is a projected work, which wo have earnestly set about, and, although you may not havo heard it until to._i_ht, it is well in hand, and we trust, if wc coutinuo to occupy our pieseut positions, that we shall have carried the project out to tlto advantage of the public treasury, and to the gratification of every section ot the people, and to the injury of no human soul. (Applause.) We intend, if we arc sustained in power but a very short time longer, to marry the south to the north of this beautiful city by a bridge across tho harbour, and make Sydney and North Shore ono great and magniQccnt city."

Until wc have sold out our present stock of Bacon and Hams wc shall contlnuo tho prlcos "oin C 110 8d per lb, and wo don't Intend o»er to raiso them If we oan help. Only lot tho working classes study tholr own tntorcsts, bo truo to themsolvcs, and Rive ns tholr hoarty support, and wo venture to pay that during the present year no ono will nood to complain about tho prioo of provlßiong; our best Fresh Butter for To-morrow will bo sold at 7d per lb, and everything olsoat a correspondingly low rato, The Auckland Provision Company, Riuht .Cornor Stall, Cl.y Market.—A. Bkttany, Manager,

Iho service which was to have taken place at at. Sepulchre. th's evening has been transferred to Kpiphany Church, Wcat Newton, thia day boinff, tho olahth annlvorsary of Its opming, Thotorvlco boKins at 7.30.

MrS. Gilbert, chemist anil druggist, has removed to his new promises. 92 Ousen-stroot, nexe to Mr Alexander s, jawollor. The shop has boen ontlrely roflttod and providod with every convonienoo \ij Mr Jonos,of Shortlandstroot.in a vory satisfactory manner.