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Auckland Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3606, 1 March 1882, Page 2

A carter came in to-day to call attention to some dangerous places in Uobson-strcet. He was driving a cait laden with (lour, and when opposite what used to be called the Lyceum Hall, waa violently thrown from the top of the load where he hvd been seated by the horse stepping into a mudhole. It would seem that when the connecting drains were recently laid into the main sewer the necessary excavations were not firmly and solidly tilled in again, and hence the existence of twoor more dangerous pit-falls, which, if neglected, cannot fail to cntrnp some nnwary traveller up and down the frequented thoroughfare in question. The recent rain has added new risks by making the clay soft and tenacious, and by hiding the danger with a pool of water.

Bishop Sclwyn, of Melanesia, was at Gaeta (south lat. 9° 20', east long. 160° 15l) in the Floridas when last ho wrote to Auckland fiiends, on December 21. He was in good hciltb, and, but for a short attack of influenza, had been so during ) is sojourn there. The poople bad been, so far, quiet and civil and pleased to have him among them. Hi speaks of the weather as pleasant; though it was hot, there was a "nice little breeze." He bad made an expedition to Guadalcanar and was intending to visit the neighbouring island of Boli, and afterwards to go on his travels. It was tbe intention of the Bishop to return to Norfolk Island, the headquarters ot tbe Mission, by the Southern Cross at the end of hsr first voyage of this year, and to remain nt S. Barnabas' whilst the vessel was making her second voyage.—" Church Gazette."

A public meeting of the ratepayers of Newmarket was held in the Hall last evening, Mr Charles Sutton presiding, to consider the question of electing a Licensing Commissioner. There was a very poor attendance. Mr Clayton solicited the vote 3 of those present for his own candidature stating that his motto would bo "to act with justico to both publicans and ratepayers." Mr Jenkins said no advantage could bo gained by nominating candidates at that meeting. Ho thought the new Act would prevent new houses opening in the district. Mr Katjen suggested that fine commissioners should be nominated. Mr Jenkins and others objected and it was eventually agreed by the meeting that no nomination should take place- at that meeting. After passing a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting concluded,

Mr Gordon Gooch notifies his pupils that the "Maritana" class practice is altered permanently to Thursdays, instead of Wednesdays. The North Shore class has been altered to Wednesdays, a new quarter commencing March 15th,

I Dr Frankkh is urging the Christchurch Acclimatisation Society to start a Zoological Garden at Christchurch, and to assist in so doing to obtain a grant from Government and power to charge for admission to the Society's ground. Mr Acland said they would want £2,000 to start it. Dr Frankish thinks £200 or £300 would do, and this conld be raised by subscription.

The Auckland Band of Hope Union competition has been arranged in detail, and will be held on Monday evening next, in St, James's Hall. The names of the judges will be published as soon as possible, three to each of the sections. The com. potion will be four-fold, viz,, instrumental music, vocal music, reading, and recitation, all bearing on the subject of Temperance. The coming event is causing much pleasurable anticipation in Good Templar and Band of Hops societies, and will be largely attended,

The deputation from St. Thomas's School, Union-street, appointed at the meeting, bad an interview last evening with the Rev. "William Tebb», incumbent of St. Matthew's Parish, at the parsonage, Welles, ley-street, respecting the closing of St. Thomas's Church. The deputation—Messrs Fisher, Olive, and Mackune—represented the case to Mr Tebbs, and would suggest a way out of the difficulty and a method of keeping the church open, Mr Tebbs said he would like to have their suggestions in writing, and he would convene a meeting of St. Matthew's vestry to take the matterinto consideration, as the vestry was responsible. The deputation was satisfied with the reply. Mr Tebbs further explained, as a reason for his not visiting the people of St. Thomas's district and the Sunday-school, that a3 a curate had been appointed (up to Chri&iiUas lasi) to do the work there, it was not desirable he should interfere in the local work of the district. There were certain boundaries assigned Mr Eitchcock, and these boundaries he had respected, but now that that gentleman had left, he was again visiting St. Thomas's district and people. ,jWe have been informed by two of the ■trustees ot St. Thomas's Mission Church, that the statement that the south-west corner of St. Mattthew'a parish Bhould be thrown into Ihe St. Epiphany district and made a separate parish, and as the St. Epiphany people contemplate erecting a new church in Karaneabape Road, that they should take over St. Thomas's Mission Church, with its principal obligations, and remove is to the above site, is utterly false, was not mentioned by the deputation, and [ h entirely repudiated by the people of St. I Thomas's,

Tho next performance of tho Choral Society is fixed for the 14th instant. Tbo works to be given arb Haydn's " Imperial Mass," and Mendelssohn's "Athalio," Performing members will receive their tickets at the two final practices, which aro Tuesday tho 7th. and Monday 13th instant. The next work to be undertaken is Coster's " Bli," tho music of which has now arrived, and may be obtained from tho librarian, Mr Edgcr.

To the Editor : Sir, In readiDg this evening's iesue the public will be given to uuderstand,tbat the fever in my place is gui to extinct and has been so for some time.—l am, &c, KiciiAßD George.

A solictor in a country township (wiites "/Eglos," in the "Australasian") having completed some legal business for the laudlord of the principal tavern in the place, presented his bill of coats iv person. The landlord scanned tho items, said bo wassatislied with the charges mude, nnd added, "If you pay for a bottle of wine I will give you a cheque." The lawyer, delighted with the unexpected promptitude, at ouce assented, and the wine was brought, paid for, and imbibed. Wheu the sitting was finished (with the bottle), the landlord said, " I will go aud fetch the cheque." In a few minntcs he returned, and hauaed the expectant a cheque, signed by the attorney himself for a pound or more than the bill) dated 1 months previously, aud maiked with the magic initials " N.S.F."

The character of the evidence against Mr Baker, an ex-Minister of tho Crown iv New South Waicj, for conspiracy to defraud in connection with the Milburu Creek mining scandal, may be gathered from the followiug extract:—The persons accused are Ezekiel Alexander Baker, Ueorge Walker Waddell, and Charles Mathiosoii. Chas, Benuett, sworn, deposed : Ho didn't know that £4,710 was coiug iuto the pockets of the trustees. lie was led to believe that they were going to take a good round sum, but he did not know at the meeting at Blayney what amount thoy were going to take. BuKer told him that they were going to take a certain sum, but ho did not hear of tho £1,000 that Mr Baker had appropriated until after the vouchers had bten produced, nor did he know ci the payment uf tlio 5 per cent, commission to Mr Waddell. lie did not know that £1,200 had gouo into Mnthicson's pocket until he got the vouchers.

A meeting of the Victoria Voluntcor Company was held last evening ia the Drill Shed, tor the purpose of considering tho requisition to secede from the battalion. Tho meeting was convened by Captain O. Mahon. Of 47 members present, 4G signed the requisition. Captain Mahou complimented tho company, alao Sergeant MeLeod and Volunteer Koso, upon the success that had attended them at the Auckland Association firing. In doing so, ho announced his intention to present a handsome scarf-pin, with diamond centre, to tho scorer in tlio Victoria Company of tho highest aggregate at the Association tiring It was resolved to scud a congratulatory telegram to Volunteer Edward Cooper, representing the company at JVolsou, at having won the first prize in the Otago match. A vote of thanks to tho chairman terminated the proceedings.

It is the intention of tbc leading amateurs of Auckland to give a complimentary bcuciit to Mrs Cottingham on hur retirement from taking any active part in public concerts, though she will as usual do her utmost to assist any deserving case of distress. Mrs Cottingham's friends cannot allow her to retire without showiug in some way the opinion they hold of her, and think the bsst way of expressing it is in the form of a complimentary beneiit. They have secured the Lome-street Hall for the evening of the 17th iust. (St. Patrick's Day). A suitable programme is in preparation, which will comprise music, song and dance, particulars of which will duly appear.

The anniversary soiree oi the Otahuhu linptist Church was celebrated last evening in tne Public Hall, Tho weather was not favourable to the affair, still tho hall was comfortably tilled. The tea party sat down at 6. 30, and the following ladies attended upon the guests :—Mcsdiimes Andrews, ]iox, Cox, Donald, Garner, Jones, and Vulgar, and Misses Dutton and Keybuni, The chair was occupied Ly Mr Thomas. Spurpcon, who delivered a capital address on " The Birthday of the Young Church." Addresses were also given by the IJev. J. Maeky on " Infedility as opposed to Christianity, and tho Means to Resist its Force;" by the Hey. G. ISond on " Christian Workers and the Power of Unity o! Action," and by Mr Smith on " Christian Work and tho true Motive for its Exercise." Messrs Gilbert Carson (of Wangaui) and J. Urn mo also spoke. It was announced that the anniversary Sunday collections of the church amounted to £12 15», including £5 from l)r Kondcrclinc to the building fund. Votes of thanks and the benediction closed the proceedings.

The prospects of To Aroha ns a goldficld are rapidly improving. On Friday evening « rich leader was cut on the boundary of the "Arizona" aud "New Find" claim?, about a cwt. of specimens fiom which will, it is said by competent minor?, ruu at least half-an-ouncc to the pound. The leader where cut is very small, but it appears to widen towards the "Arizona." Good gold lias also been got in various claims. In the "Eureka" claim a reef about fonr feet through uud having a north-west to south-easterly direction, intersecting the Great Buck reef, has been cut. Here too the prospect is very fine. About 40 tons of general stuff, which will average about 2 oz. to the ton, as well as some two tons of picked stone, which is expected to give a much larger returUjlic above ground. A "arge number of visitors have been on the mountain, and are all, more or lc«, impressed with the prospect. It is hoped that the proposed battery will .-oon be erected, so that a practical test of tho value of the new discoveries may be made.—" Waikavo Times."

A concert and dramatic performance to inaugurate the ensuing session of St. James's Mutual Improvement Association takes place in tho Lome-street Hall tomorrow evening. Tho coiuniittco have been working most energetically with the object of making this entertainment the successful yet given by tho members, and judging by the programme which appears elsewhere, their efforts have not been in vain. A large number of tickets are already sold, and there seems every prospect of a crowded house. Amoay the talent which will mako an appcaradco on this occasion is Professor liullifraggio, who will give an exhibition of ventriloquism, and his presence alone will prove a great source of amusement. The first part of tho programrao includes opening remarks, by Mr A. Short (chairman); a recitation by Mr Alex. Smith, Solos will bo aung by Misses Thompson, Iteunton, and Mercer, aud Messrs G. Sraythe, J. McCobir, while Messrs Jennings and Leadham fnrnish a duet entitled " Tho Army and Navy." The latter part of the programme will include an amusing comedietta, by members of the Association, entitled " Inquisitive Peter." Great preparation, we understand, has been made for the production of this event, and it will undoubtedly provo a feature of the I evening's amusement. Mrs Woolley's services have been secured as accompanist, and taken altogether, the programme looks more than ordinarily atrractive. Tee price of admission has been fixed at one shilling, the object of the committee being more to secure patronage and publicity for the proceedings of the Association than money. The doors will be open at 7.30 p.m., and the curtain will rise at 8 o'clock sharp. The ladies and gentlemen who take part in the performance on to-morrow evening aro notified that there will bo a full rehearsal at tho Lome-street Hall to-night, commencing at 7.30 p.m. A full attendance is requested.

The examination for the Bishop's Prizes (given annually by the Bishop to Sundayschool scholars and others) was held in February. The names of Jifty-two candidates were received. The examination was conducted by the Key. J. Kinder, D.D.,the Venerable Archdeacon Lush,M. A., and the Key. J. K. Davis, M.A. Prizes have been awarded to the Sunday-schools as follows: —Boys: Henry Poulsen, St. Mary's, Parnell, 740 ; Robert Butler Lusk, Holy Trinity, DcYonport, 627; Percy Gould, Holy Trinity, dtahuhn, 540; Charles Macdonakj, Holy Trinity, Otahuhu, 524; William Matthews, St. John's, Northcoto, 457; William Clayton, St. Mary's, Parnell, 455; Girls: Maude E. Norris, Boly Trinity, Devonport, 695; Eva Matthews, St. John.--, Northcote, 689; Kato Burgess, Holy Trinity, Devonport, G7B; Ada Matthew's, St. John'?, Northcote, 650; Emma Calvcrt, All Saints', Auckland. SSB; Elizabeth Hall, St. Mark's, Remuera, 57G ; Alice Burgess, Holy Trinity, Devonport, 545; Eleanor Pickmerc, St. Mark's, Kemuom, 541; Ella CameroD, Holy Trinity, Devonport, 499; Mary W. Wcstwootl, St. Mark's, Itcmucra, 440 ; Frieda Fairburn, Holy Trinity, Otahuhu, 435; Clara M. Burgess, Holy Trinity, Devonport, 399; Efiie Bull, St. Mark's, Remuera, 388 ; Margaret Dunn, Holy Trinity, DevonporJ:, 383. The following are the names of those who, though they have not obtained prizes, acquitted themselves in a manner deserving of honourable mention :—E. Trevor Gould, Holy Trinity, Otahuhu; Eva Hamliii Stevens, Mrs Clayton's School; Grace Elizabeth Morton, St. Mary's, New Plymouth ; Herbert Kissliag, St Mary's, Parnell; Carrie Stevens, Holy Sepulchre, Auckland; Annie Hamilton, All .Saints', Auckland; F. Mauusoll, St. Mary'f, Parnell ; Sarah Rogers, Holy Sepulchre, Auckland. Prizes were also awarded to— Alfred W. C. Knee, of the Church Grammar School, 510; Charles Breton, of the Church Grammar 5ch001,395. '