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Auckland Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3673, 19 May 1882, Page 2

On onr fourth page to-day appear two articles on the " Chriatcharch Exhibition Award 3," and " Colonial Insurance Companies," Mr T. T. Gamble, Auckland agent of the P.M.a.s. Company, is in receipt of a cablegram notifying the arrival of the Australia, with the Colonial maili,at San Francisco.on May 15th,three days before time-table date. The P.M.s.B. City of Sydney left 'Frisco for this port, via Honolulu, on May Bth, and may therefore be expected to arrive here abont Monday, the 29th instant. , The friends of the Key. S, Edger will notice that the Pareora hauls oil from the Queen-street Wharf at 9 a.m. to-morrow (Saturday.) There will therefore be a good opportunity of wishing him bon voyage. Arrivals in gum during the past week have amounted to upwards of 75 tons, but the market price for all classes remains very firm. The receipts for May to date are about 220 tons, being over the ordinary supply. The ship Pareora, which leaves for London next week, takes upwards of 3,000 cases, while another large consignment will probably be secured for the Halcione, the next vessel homeward bound, Auckland shewed a death rato last month of 1-53 per 1600. The rate in Wellington was 132; Chrtstchnrch, 103; JJunedin, 0 64; Thames, 0-80; Napier, 219; Wanganni, 081; Nelson, 1-89; Invercargill, o'63> ,

The box plan for Williamson's opera season will bo open to the public at Wayte's to-morrow. The season ticket* are being taken up rapidly, andperaaus who wall to secure places should lose no time.

With respect to a paragraph that has heeu published, statin" that Mr Laishley purposes visiting the old country shortly on a holiday trip, we are requested by that gentleman to state that he has no such immediate intention. He presumes the writer mu3t have intended to refer to his father, who probably will be going to England for a holiday in a few months.

At the meeting of the City Council laafc night, Councillor Montague stated tfaat he had seen a statement in the Press to the effect that only a portion of the residents in Grey-street had connected with the drain recently constructed by the Council. Mr Anderson, City Surveyor, said only those who could drain into it were compelled to do so, and be believed all thoae persons had effected connection. The others had drained into theßuHj*-.

Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co are in receipt of advices from Yokohama (Japan) of the departure of the schooner Sybil with a full cargo of dressed rice for Auckland direct. The firm on the arrival of this consignment will be in a position to supply rice at Melbourne wholesale prices and the^e ia little doubt that purchasers will readily be found among our merchants.

Mr Williamson's " Patience Opera Company concluded a splendid three-weeks' business at Wellington last eight, and lsare to-day by the Rotorua for Auckland. To ensure the due rendering of the Poet Laureate's new national song, toe Government have supplied Mr Williamson -wit:* copies, in order that his Opera Company may perform it at the Dew Opera House at Auckland on Her Majesty's Birthnight,

We are requested to invite the attention of our readers to the city properties to be offered for leaae by auction on Thursday next by Mr G. W. Binney and to state that the allotments ire flagged. Few opportunities of obtaining such desirable sites for residences are likely to occur again. The Improvement Trnat properties in the vicinity of the Albert Park are the lust tor disposal.

Plans for the new armoury to be erected at the corner of Park atid Wellesley-streets are now being prepared in the Public Works Office, Auckland. The City Council h to have the work done, using "so much of the material of the old armoury as is possible. Residents on the borders of the Park regard the approaching demolition of the latter building with great satisfaction, a.i it was by their instrumentality that the Council waa moved to action in the matter.

The question of cesspihi was casually introduced at the meeting ot the Council last evening. Councillor Goidie said that the Inspector of Nuisaness had some time ago been instructed to report.from time to time, how many cesspits or holes ia the ground within the city boundary had been failed up. Only one report had been submitted ?o far, and he wished to know if anything was being done in the matter. The Mayor said the inspector's atteution would be called to the requint.

'lac Ponaonby Mutual Improvement Society held their mual weekly meeting last evening, wb«n Mr J. Burrow read a well-written piper oa " The Literature of the Day," ami the criticisms which followed were oa the whole favourable to the essayist. Through the room btiuy occupied on lhursday for a concert,the next meeting will be held on Friday, wben a debate on the " Gambling Qaesuon" will take placi\

On Monday laat sinking waa commenced in the Deep Level Tribute Company's mine when all was dry, but on Tuesday there wa* a little water in the No 1 winze, probably owing to the stoppage of the pumps. A strong body of quartz U showing in the No 1 winze, while in the No -• winze the reef is + feet thick, compact and well'defined, with a fair amonnt of mineral in the stone. In No 3 winze the reef i? rather broken, except on the hanging wall, where it is 1 foot thick, with very good looking quartz.

The monthly inspection and parade of the A Battery of Artillery, hold last evening, was only moderately attended. Captain Payne waa in command, Lioutenant Nome being also present. Following the usual inspection, the company was put through vanotM exercises preparatory to the review on Queen's Birthday, the 24th instant, by Major Withers and the otßcers, while Captain Pnyne put the men through in big gun drill. After inspection, the Artillery Company and Band marched from the shed along Queen-street, dispersing opposite the Bank of New Zealand.

No elFort ia beinp spared by the City Council to make the i'ree Public Library a valuable and useful local institution. An additional sum of £200 haa been voted for a further supply of books, which will be selected and placed upon the shelves as soon n.s possible. The Library Committee has also been authorised to accept tenders for the supply of periodicals, and this will be done at once in order that they may be sent for by the outgoing mail steamer. With commendable forethought, the Council ha-t decided to further insure the books in the Library for £700.

The firm of Milne and White, public accountants, etc., has been dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr John Millie announces that he will carry on the business as heretofore at the premises, Colonial Bank Buildings. Mr Milne has had upwards of twenty years' experience of banking and mercantile affairs in Enyland, and during lih residence here has gathered au influential buaincs connection, which we have no doubt' will be steadily extended. He will still carry on the Auckland agency for the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia.

Mr R. J. Feltus seems determined not to be outdone in his claim against the Government of New Zealand, in the estate of J, G. Pettingal* decoased, for £253, and three years' services rendered to the Government, for which he has not received a penny. He has forwarded a petition to Sir George Grey, X.C.8., for presentation to Parliament, requesting a searching enquiry into the lato deceased gentleman's affairs and their management.

On Wednesday next tho ratepayers of the Ponaonby Licensing District will be called upon to declare "ay "or "no" whether the number of public house 3in their midst shall be increased. So far the probabilities are that the result wjll be in the negative, i.e., that an increase is not desirable. We understand that application ia to be made by Mr G. 11. White for a license for a hotel at the comer of England and bpring streets and that a knowledge of his intention having got abroad concerted action i.s being taken to defeat it A meeting was held laat night at which it was resolved to canvass the district for Bignatures to a petition praying the Commissioners to refuse the license. It is being numerously signed. If the poll of the ratepayers should prove to be against the granting of licenses no increase can take place during the ensuing three years.

The amalgamation of the several adjacent highway districts was referred to at the meeting of the City Council last night. Councillor Goldie referred to the fact that they had agreed to take up the discussion on the subject aa soon as the March accounts were issued. Two snburban boards had forwarded petitions to the Governor asking to be united to the city, and if they did not take action within the psnal two months, the districts in question would be amalgamated with the city before the citizens.would have an opportunity of giving thoFr"opinions. The Mayor said the diiicussion should have taken place at the last meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, but had been deferred. He had promised to have the March accounts dissected, and compared with the accounts of the previous year, and taking the proposed revenue for the ensuing twelve months, ascertain what amount of money they would have to deal witb, He would have some copies of thise statistics printed off, and forwarded to'the members before next meeting; they would thus be able to consider the figures before the discussion took place,

The desirability of forwarding a letter ol sympathy to the Bufferera by the recent shipping disaster at Ximarn, was «uggested by the Mayor at the meeting of the City Conncil last night, and was immediately acted upoD. Councillor Crowther, referrinn to the subject said it was a question in his mind whether such acts of courageous bearing did not deserve some substantial recognition. In some places subscription lists for the relief of the sufferers bad been started and generally responded to, and if such steps were taken here, he believed the citizens would cheerfully extend their help. .All parts of New Zealand should, he thought, exhibit sjmpatby in some substantial form, many of the people having been left penniless. Councillor Montague, who agreed with Councillor Crowther. thought the initiative should be set by the Council, and a list having been headed by the Mayor, the sum of sixteen guineas was subscribed in the room, His Worship has been authorised to issue subscription lists for the relief of the sufferers. , „ ./.;.

We have been requested to mention that the proposed trial ot the acoustic properties of the new Opera House will not take place this evening.

A general rate of 9d. in the £ on all rateable property in the city has been struck by the City Council, and is payable on June Ist

The Ponaonby contingent of the Orphan Home concert choir are reminded of the practice meeting, at Ponsonby Hall, this evening. On Saturday afternoon, at three o'clock, there will be a full rehearsal of all the choirs, at the Choral Hall, which all choristers are requested to attend.

The next meet of the Pakuraaga hounds takes place, on the farm of Mr Grey, at Mingare, ou Saturday; time, 11 a.m. An endeavour is also being made to secure a meet for the 24th inst., in the vicinity of the Northern Hotel, Great North Road.

The united Bands of Hope meet again for practice thia evening in the Temperance Hall at seven o'clock, and the conductor requests every member to attend in order to secure orchestra tickets. The arrangements are progressing favourably, and full particulars will appear in our next issue.

The circumstances connected with the bankruptcy of Arthur C. Bettany, provision dealer, of Ponsouby, are of a peculiar nature, and Mr Macffarlane, the public trustee, haa therefore convened a meeting of creditors, to be held at hu office tomorrow forenoon, to receive his report, and advise him on ths best course to adopt in the matter.

Yesterday the water police brought to town, from tbe Island or Waiheke, an old man named Joseph Hill, who had been found living by himself in a state of great destitution. He ia quite blind, and for fonr or fire weeka subsisted on shelliiah. He waa taken to the Old Men's Hefujje. flill has a son employed at the Tairua Saw. mill, beudea other relations in and about Auckland.

An inquest was being held at the Arch Hill Hotel, before Dr Goldabro' and a jury, thin afternoon, on the body of Silas -illboaes, who died In consequence of injuries sustained through falling from his horse. Owing to the late hoar at which the inquest commenced, and the distance of the hotel from town, we are compelled to hold over our report until to-merrow.

The teachers of St James's Sundayschool have decided to hold the children's half-yearly festival in. the Hall on the evening of Thursday, June 29. It has also been reaolved to present each of the successful cuinpetitora from this school in the recent Presbytery examination with a handsome book, and a vote of money for that purpose has been passed.

The directors ot tbe Thamea Valley and Kotorua Railway Company met yesterday in order to consider and judge the com. petitire drawings that they had iavited of the be*t and shortest route tor a railway from Oxford to Rotorua. Mr W. D. Campbell wa^ found to be the only competiter, and the route that he has marked is shorter by ten miles than the original one, Mr Jaa. Stewart, C.E., is to in«pect it shortly.

The secretary of the New Union Beach Company informs us that the old Unicm Beach, shareholders will have an opportunity of acquiring an interest in the old mine by applying for shares in terms of the prospectus, before noon of Tuesday next. Vi c understand tbat more than half of the unallotted aharea have already been applied for. As rich gold was obtained on the low level, and the patent steam pump purchased by the company being capable of pumping to a consider* ble depth below that level, there is a very strong probability that within a short time the company will be working a payable gold.

The pupils attending the Wellesley. street public school were this afternoon treated to the periodical "outing" in the Domain grounds. The teachers were in attendance, and did much towards amusing ihe scholars by means of foot-raclug, cricket, and other amusements, a very pleasant holiday was sp«nt.

It will be seen by an advertisement in another column that tue Government Insurance Department are adverti«ing for an agent to work the industrial branch, at Onehuuga and surrounding districts. It would appear that this branch has been eminently successful sicce its re-establiih-ment, as Mr Douse, the superintendent, informs us that nearly 1,500 policies have been issued during the last two months, and large numbers of proposal* are still comin? id. Besides the office at the Poitoffice there are no leas than fire agents at work in Auckland and suburbs, while throughout tbe province agencies have been established in most of the centres of population It is expected that dnring the ensuing month the estaolithnient of agencies throughout the Northern townships will be fully completed.

Mr Hales has gone to the Thames to lay out the Morrinsville and Te Aroha railway line for contract.

Considerable annoyance his been cau*ed to pedeitriana in Queen-«treet daring the la>t few days oy the obstructions caused by the hoardings. When the Council gave permw«iou for the hoardings to be erected, they stipulated that the footpaths should be kept clear for the convenience of passenger*. 1 his has cot been done, and both ladies and gentlemen are compelled to stumble over heaps of Btones, and amidst fljing tplintcrs from the chisels of the masons. The matter was brought up at the m^etinir of the City Council last night by Cr. Phillipps, who referred in strong terms to the danger to which feot-passen-gew were subjected by hoardings, and suted that he had narrowly escaptd injury from a large stone while passing inside one of the hoardings.—The Mayor said the building regulations were beiDg amended, and tbe ■natter would be brought up when the builders and architects would appear there to give their opinions on Mansard roots and other questions.—Cr. Thompson then took the mittcr np, and enquired what steps had b?en taken prevent tho workmen from chipping stones on the footpath inside hoarding!. The resolution of the Council was opposed to inch a nuisance being tolerated.—Mr Anderson, City Surveyor, ana he had gone to the police, and they could not put a stop to the objectionable practice complained of. They could sue the contractor if the stones were not removed when instructions to take them away were given, but the men removed them whenever told to do so, and immediately the policeman tamed his back, replaced them. There was no by-law that would apply.—The question then dropped.

It has been decided by the City Council to make all citizens pay towards the cost of the water supply, whether they use it or not. The matter was discussed at some length at the Council meeting last evening. Mr Thompson contended tbat those who had property al n$ the streets which are supplied with water should contribute something towards the cost of so great n benefit as the water supply. It was a notorious fact that the owners of numbers of small shanties had neglected to tako in the water, although it was an urgent necessity, and compelled their tenants to use very impute water, or obtain it from tho standpipes. Those owners Bhould be compelled to contribute moro towards the cost of the supply. Their " shanties," too, were usually occupied by poor people who had to pay five or six shillings a week rent, and whose impecunious position pre. vented them from bein<? independent. They could not say they would leave, and eren it they did, they would not be able to go to any better place. He thought the benefit of water supply should be more particularly extended to such places, ana it the owners refused to take it in, they should at least be made to pay some of the cest. R« mored, "That a new clause be introduced into the amended waterworks by-laws, revising the existing tariff to the following effect—That all persons not at present aupplied with water be charged in terms of sub-section B, clause 5, section 250, of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1856, one-half the proposed reduced assessment rate 3on all property within the city."—Cr. Hemus seconded the motion, and it was Bupportedby Cr. Montague.—Crs, Qoldie and Fleming were opposed to those who did notuse thewater paying.—TheMayoraaidhe would suppoit the motion, because it was reasonable. There were persons who would not only drink dirty water themselves, but wonld compel their families to drink dirty water, regardless of tho consequences, either to themselves or the general health. On tho grounds, therefore, of the general health and welfare the resolution was reasonable, He would like to be able to make dirty people keep themselves clean, for the sake of the general public. In the same way he would like to be able to encourage to the utmost extent the consumption of water in the interests not only of those who may be immediately beucfitted, but in the interest ot the public at' large.—After gome further discussion, the resolution wa3 carried on division by five to four. For the resolution : Councillors Thompson, HemuH, Waddel, Montague, and the Mayor. Against: Councillors Crowther, Goldie, Phillipps, and Fleming.

Thirty-seven cases setting machines un« paokluK.-D, S. Chamberß.-(Advt)