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Auckland Star, Volume XV, Issue 3734, 31 July 1882, Page 2

We learn that the loans for the purpose of supplying Parnell with a drainage system and water supply are being subscribed freely.

3ho following tenders were received today by Mr E. Hartley, for factory for the Northcn Boot Company :—H. Shailer, £3,677; Coleorook, £3,483; Jones and Pollard, £3,470; C. Kbodes, £3,425; J. Currie, £3,420 ; Ellingham, £3,389 ; Malcolm, £3,387 ; Maguire, £3,205 ; lilewden, £3,220; J. bollaod, £3,159; J. Heron, £3,055, and Baildon and Stevenson, £3,049.

In the Waitekauri No. 3 Company's mine last week, the workmen cut a stream of water, which drove them out of the drive, and it was found impossible to work in it. Two scti of timber were put in to secure the drive, which has been standing since. As soon as the cross-cut drains, work will bo resumed.

It is announced elsewhcro in our columns that Mr J. L. Kinsella will deliver a lecture to-night at 8 o'clock before the St. Sepulchre's Mutual Improvement A«socia. tion. on " Church and Crown." Visitors ale invited, and as this question (s one of absorbing interest there will no doubt bo a large attendance. The position of Church and State in England U gradually forcing itself to the front amongst questions of tho day, and when we are told that Mr Kin. sella has made this subject a special study, his auditory will be amply repaid for their attendance.

A man named Wylie, who has been committed for trial at the Thames ;m a charge of horse-stealing, was brought to town on Saturday by Constable Law. Tne theft, it would appear, was committed two years ago, and Wylie, when arrested three weeks ago, had only beea released after serving bis term for a similar offence at the rsapier gaol.

A lady correspondent sends the following note on a matter with respect to which we have received other well grounded complaints: I wish, Mr Editor,you would draw attention of the proper authorities to the most dangerous state of the road, Arch Hill, It is a thorough disgrace to the Board to which itbelongs.and it does not seem that anything will be done to it, as it has been months out of repair. Some accident will happen, resulting in an action for damages against the Board. On Saturday 1 had occasion to drive into town, and near the top one wheel of my vehicle got into one of the deep holes, of which there are a number, and I was nearly pitched out. In trying to gel out of the hole 1 broke the harness, and being alone, I was ia a very awkward position. I managed, however, to get it fixed. It is impossible for two vehicles to pass. One has to stop till the other has gone by. 1 see by the Wellington news that through the influence of Sir G, M. O'Rorke something has been done for the South trunk road near Onehunga and oar member ought to see that something is done now tor the North trunk road.—l am, &c, A Suffeker.

The Moanataiari mine manager writes uuder date of July 29 :-Tunnel Level: In driving S.W. on JS'o. 3 N.VV, of No. 1 cross-cut, occasional gold-bearing stone is found. The reef is C inches wide and of ft promising naiure. At No. 2 N.W. crosscut on the same level,work was resumed on Thursday last. All Nations stopes, 80ft. level: We are working a series of leaders at the point, the best of which is saved for the mill. Colours of gold are sometimes met with here. A rise on tbc foot-wall portion of No. 3 is in progress from slopes between the 80ft. and tunnel levels. The leader ia the Kedan section, also No. 9 hanging-wall leader, above and below 80ft. level, are being stripped at present. No change in Nonpaiiel cross-cut. The same will apply to Morning Star and other work, inga not mentioned.—(Signed) J. G. Vivian.

A correspondent writes that he thinks it is very probable ere long we shall have to recount some serious accident to foot passengers it greater care is not exercised in compelling contractors to securely fence off from the line of traffic buildings in progress. On the principle that a small excendttnre in good time may save a larger amount for compensation, he urges that both the officials and police should insist on every possible precaution being taken. Several, at present, seem to set all or any regulations at defiance.

The " Pall Mall Gazette " of May 31 thus snm3 up the situation in Egypt on that date :—" The time has at last tally come for immediate action in Egypt. The lihedive is a prisoner in bis palace. The ' 12,000 Bedouins' who were reported to be enrampcd around their Sovereign appear to have vanished into thin air, and theregular army, now in full and violent revolt, is the only authority in Egypt. Ourabi, who has secured his restoration to power by the notable device of threatening to murder all the influential citizens of Cairo unless they persuaded the Khedive to reappoint him to tbe Ministry of War, is now absolute master of the situation. There is no lorjger any pretence of constitutional government. It is a military dictatorship of that worst kind which rests upon a threat of maasacre. There is do security for order, for public tranquility, for the lives and property of Europeans, for the safety of the Suez Canal, to say nothing of the regular administration of the finances which the Control was primarily established to secure, Everything is at the mercy of an ignorant and fanatical adventurer, who in turn is threatened from below by the mutineers whom he has promoted, and whose swords have raised him to his present position. There is no other anthority in Egypt, save the word of Ourabi, between the firelocks of the false Prophet in the Sondan and the cannon of the ironclads in the harbour of Alexandria," ■ • ■ ,>

The Government specification for tho postal contract between Thames and Tauranga has been sent to the printers.

The evening service at the Theatre was fully attended, and intcrerting religious addresses were delivered by Uev. J. Downey and Mr Mather.

In some sheltered portions of the Remuera district, peach blossoms are to be seen already. This is an evidence of the mildness of the season and a harbinger of spring.

Tho members of the Loyal Parnell Lodge of Oddfel'ows, Manchester I'nity, will celebrate their twenty-fourth anniversary with a ball, to be held in the PaTDell Hall on the 9th proximo. Dancing at 9 o'clock.

A service of song—" Jessica's First Prayer"—will shortly be given by member! of the Auckland Band of Hope. A full practice will take place to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, in the Congregational schoolroom, Edinburgh-street. Members intending to take part are requested to be in attendance.

The Taranaki Harbour Board have agreed to lease to Mr John Chambers,of Auckland, a portion of thi ir foreshore, and we understand that Mr Chambers intends starting an industry in connection with the iron sand deposits. There was a good deal of opposition on the part of the local company to the granting of the lease.

Another cons-ignnient of 5,000 cans of mullet came down this morning from the Kaipara Canning Company at Helensville, consigned to the agents, a great many of the lish caught by the Maoris in the West Coast surf are so largo that Mr Wilton is compelled to pack them in two pound tins. This important industry is likely, with attention, to prove a success, as the lish is pronounced very palatable.

The combined Kaiikati and Tauianga football team has arranged to play the annual match against Auckland the Domain on the third Saturday in September. It has also been suggested that a challenge should be scut to the Waikato, ask ing 11 representative tatjg from that district to meet the visitors in Auckland on the following Monday or Tuesday. The roturn match, Katikati v. Tauranga will be played on Saturday, August 19.

Mr Thompson's iine Diorama of the Zulu War was exhibited on Saturday evening to a well-filled house and appreciative audience. Mr Jennings, of NVakelield-street, was the happy recipient of the handsome drawing-room suite. About one huudicd presents were distributed. Mr Thompson announces that bis season at the Opera llou3'i will close on yatuniay evening, in consequence of other engagements. The Diorama and its associations will be repeated at tho same hour this evening.

To the Editor : Sir,—ln reply to " Enquirer," under the heading of " Answers to Correspondents" in a lato issue of your valuable paper, I have the pleasure to state that the Phonetic Society recently formed in Auckland intend, ns speedily as possible, to arrange classes for the study of phonography. A. public meeting is to be held in a few days (due notice of which will be uiren), when Mr Jacob Pitman will fully explain the object of tho societyi Tho manifold advantages of such a society to students of the stenographic art should induce your enquirer and all interested in the progress of shorthand to attend that meeting.—l am, &c., A.C.W.

It has been arranged that tho following subjects shall be brought up for discussion at the next meeting of tho Auckland Teachers' Association, on August 12:—1. To take steps to co-operate with tho Nelson and other kindred associations to obtain the

refund of tbe 10 per cent, lednction of salaries (Mr Bailey). 2. To consider tho textbooks at present authorised and in use for the study of elementary science and English grammar (Mr Adams). 3. To consider tho teaching of history in schools, with especial reference to standard 3.

Waihi mining prospects are still improving. Satisfactory news was received last week of the Young Colonial crushing, and to-day the following tt-legrum was received from Mr James Gribble, manager of tbe Martha mine. " Five-and-a-half days' crushing, 62 tons; amalgam from plntetj and berdans, 13S ounces ; still looking well." It ia anticipated that tbe yield of retorted gold will oxceed three-quarters of an ounce, and taking the price paid for the proceeds of the last crushing, this will give a net profit of about £120 for the week's work at the battery,

To tho Editor: Sir,—l an a recent arrival from Gcrmiißy by tbe Kingarooma, aud I wish to nay that though I am struck with the beauty of your town and sur--1 rounding scenery, I cannot express admiration of your Custom House arrangements. Without seeing anything to guide me as to the rules of your port, or even that a Custom House exists, I had my luggage safely placed on a cart soon after landing at the wharf, and was on my way to my hotel, when I was stopped and compelled to open my boxes half-way down the open wharf tor examination by an officer. A fellowcountryman and passenger, in the same blissful ignorance, had also despatched bis trunk across the water in a ferry Bteamer, nnd was ordered to bring it back for the same puipsse. Tbis is a very barbarianlike way of doing things. Why do yon not have a proper house erected on the wharf, situated conveniently, as in all cur continental cities, where passengers can have tbeir luggage searched io a becoming manner? And why do you compel people and strangers to travel all the way to the great Custom-house, in the middle of the town, for permits to land unlicensed articles ? Cannot the officers, stationed on tbe wharf, perform that duty ? Your manners and customs need much improvement.—l am, &C, AI.LKMAKIA. July 26th, 1882.

The August issue of the " New Zealand Presbyterian Church News" (Chapman) is to hand, and its contents are more than usually instructive, opening with an essay by Rev. T. Mackenzie Fraser, M. A., on "The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart," a subject which has engaged the thoughts of many minds and produced varied views of this theological enigma. The sermon will well repay perusal, as it is an able exposition of a difficulty in the region of scepticism. The biography of the late John Nelson Darby, the founder of Plymouthism, will be read with interest. The sketch, necessarily brief, shows the influences which resulted in the establishment of the sect, now known as the " Plymouth Brethren," which culminated at Plymouth, in Devonshire, as a distinct creed. The founder was originally a clergyman of the Established Church in Ireland, and laboured some time at Wicklow ; subsequently his investigations caused him to secede from the religion of Cranmer, and he became the leader of a new movement ontside the churches, and which was termed successively " Darbyism" and " Brethrenisni." The writer, I'icfessor Croskery, seems to have s.ated their claims very fairly, and his reasons for dissenting from Darby's views. A number of lengthy extracts, viz.: " God's Message and Messenger," part of an address delivered to tho students of New College, Edinburgh, by Dr Huaciman, " The Genecis of Man, " Temperance Progress," notes of church progress, etc,are all of more or less interest to Presbyterian, and even general readers. Several sufficient local reports, extract readings, and a very creditable poem, "Eveiy Day," by Susan Coolidge, n»ake up a number of much merit.

Among the striking results produced by the recent heavy rainfall, none, we think, will be found more curious than those experienced in the Mount Koskill district. The s«il there is all volcanic, and in general absorbs the rain like a sponge, as fast almost as it falls ; but last week the residents beheld the' unwonted spectacle of heavy surface floods, which have not yet cleared away. Along the roadside there are a number of ponds of water, while in various paddocks whole acres of low-lying ground are under several feet of water. Ob Mr Wm. Haterson's property, several lakelets have been formed where there used to be dry land. One of the largest cf these covers his garden and orchard, which occupy a sheltered site near Ma house. On a lower portion of the grounds a curious phenomenon is observable. In two different places considerable streams of watsr have burst np from the bowels of the eartb, and flowing downwards have produced another lakelet of tome depth and extent. The latter, though having no, visible outlet, does not increase in volume, despiie this large and continual influx of water, so it is evident that it must have some concealed outle*. This suggests an explanation of the floods. Tbe volcanic Btrean superimposed upon the clay has doubtbss led to the formation of underground channels which usually carry off the rainfall by a system of natural drainage ; but the recent heavy downfall having proved too much for their capacity, the flood on the surface, and the bursting upwards of the two subterranean streams described, have been the result. The rising of water over certain lands in the district is a common winter phenomenon, but the extent of the submergence this season is almost unprecedented. The Eingsland road is submerged in one part to a depth of several feet.

We are requested by the National Bank of New Zealand (Limited) to state that the dividend just declared in London is 4 per cent, for the past half-year, making a total, adding the 3 per cent, interim dividend, of 7 per cent, for the year,

The Auckland Oil Company received a large boiler weighing 10 tons from the barque Easterhill on Saturday afternoon. Ine boiler waa lifted out of the vessel by means of the large crane on the end of Queen-street Wharf and placed on a tiuck for conveyance to the Company's premise?.

We are sorry to hear thai Lord Abbot Alcock'a illness is more serious than was at first supposed, indeed tears are entertained as to his_ recovery, Drs, Pbilsou and Lee arc in attendance. At St. Patrick's Church yesterday, Father O'Gara besought the prayers of the congregation on behalf ot the Abbot.

A select and pleasing entertainment was held on the evening ot the 26th mat. at St. Mary's Cottage, Takapunu, consisting of a soiree and ball, in aid of the fund for repairing the Koinnu Catholic Chapel connected with the College. The soiree was well patronised, and left a satisfactory balance to the credit of the promoters.

The local Spiritualists appear to be pleased with Mr G. A, Brown's lecture of last night on " Spiritualism," and by advertisement in another column " Mr Denton's late Committee " desire to know his terms for further lecturing on the subject, as they think that he might be " run " with advantage to both parties.

Mr Kohler's Waxworks Exhibition attracted a large inflow of vbitors on Saturday. The children who attended the matinee received presents of more or leas value. The pretty mjniature piano was presented to Mrs Palmer, and in the evening four ocarinas were given away, the recipients receiving a lesson from the proprietor. The waxwork? will open today at the usual hour.

We would call attention to Mr George Sibbin's sale at 11 o'clock to-morrow of barbed fencing-wire, ex Annie Burr, at Mr Elliott's store, Little Quean-street, to bo sold for Ilie benefit of whom it may canceru.

With the exception of the merles, the infectious disease epidemic seems to have died out entirely. Not n single case of fever has been repotted to the City Sanitary Inspector for some days.

Mr (j oldie is on the warpath against collurlcf.s doge. Four canines are now iv his charge, one of them being an Muglith torrier, apparently well bred.

The Band of Hope Union Choir will have a full practice to-morrow (Tuesday) evening in the Newton Congregational Schoolroom, Karangahape Road, at 7.30. It is proposed to pertorm "Jessica's First Prayer" on Thursday, 10th August, aud as Mr Spurgeon has kindly undertaken to read the story, and Mr lJcnnes has the task to exhibit the views with his lime light, a highly successful performance ia anticipated.

The seventh anniversary of the Amalgamated Society of Carpentorg and Joiners will be celebrated by a ball on Wednesday evening the 2nd August, in tho Lome-street Hall, Dancing beginn at 9 p.m. Single tickets, ss; double, 7s 6d, and can be had from any of the committee,

News has been received, from the Old Caledonian mine that the winze on the hanging wall is itill in good country, tne reef being fully 3ft in thickness, and snowing good minerals. There ii no change in specimen leader coat of No. 2 chamber. Tho winzo on iootwall of No. 1 drivo is in 12ft for the last week, all the small leaders having made into one iolid body ot quartz charged with every indication as regards good minerals. Scarcely anything has been done yet, so that its valne is not ascertained. Jones and Willis crushed 6 tons for 2oz lldwts.

At the meeting of St James's Mutual Improvement Association this evening a series oi Shakepearian recitals and readings will be given by Messrs Wilson Skeen, J. M. Geddis, E. W. Button, J. Kelly, W. Jennings, A, Shcrt, J. A. Philp, and E. West, the spirit ot the pieces ranging from "gravoto gay, from lively to severe," so Unit the diverse tastes of a mixed audience may bo suited. The recitations are eight in number, while the readings consist of the sccno from Henry IV., wherein Faletaff recounts his fight with " the two gentlemen ia buckram," the alarm scene from "Macbeth," and the quarrel scene from "Julius Ciosar." The meeting takes place in the ante-roora ot St. James's Hall, Wellingtonstreet, and is open to the public.

A correspondent writing from Waitara sends a long defence of tbo action taken by two halt-castes at the. Mokau Land Court. He says that they had largely aided in getting the district open, and were entitled by ancestral claims to bave their names inserted in the deed, a right which win upheld by Itewi, though strenuously opposed by Mr Joshua Jones. The subject is not of sufficient public interest to warrant the publication of the letter.

The managor of the Hauraki mine re. ports : The main tunnel U in 108 feet,

The country is much better to work, and tbe men have made good progress during the last week. The No. 3 reof, from which we are getting a large body of s'one, is over 4 feet wide, and another roef U coming into it trom the hanging wall. Gold is frequently seen all along tho drive. No. 2 his cut a reef to the eastward of our small one.showing gold in a fine purple randstone country.

There was a large attendance at St. Matthew's Church last evening to hear tbe supplemental discourse to the scries of lectures on " Truth " by theßev.W.Tobbs, incumbent. It was entitled, "The Resultant of Truth as a Force," and was founded on the Scriptural passage, "God ia a spirit, and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." The lecture was of a most interesting nature.

Fvery fresh arrival ia shipping brings news of the terrible weather rfcently experienced along the coast and at sea, and as each, vessel Is observed coming up the harbour intelligence of some further casualties are anticipated. The schooner Coronet, which arrived from the Islands yesterday, proved no exception. She has encountered several severe (jales, duriog one of which a native of the Fiji Islands lostjhls life. The wind was blowing with hurricane force from the northward on July 27th, and when the ve»«el was in 34deg. Omim. ;isecc S, and 174degs. Omins. 9secj. B, one of the Fiji Islanders fell overboard. Captain Hayward and hii crew made every possible effort to rescue the man, but owing to tbe boisterous weather which prevailed he was drowned before they conld reach him.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Auckland Institute will be held in the lecture room, when papers on scientific subjects will be read as follows:—" New Genera, nnd Species of Heteromera," by Captain T. Broun, M.E S. ; "Description of a New Species of Cardamine," by T.F. Cheetieman, F.L.S. ; "Experiments in Sugar-making from Sorghum," by Mr Justice Gillies; "On tho Effects of School life on tho Sight," by B. Schwarzbach, M.D. Tbe following literary subjects are announced for the next meeting:—" The University of Ne-v Zealand," Bishop Cowie ; " Shakespeare and Euphuism," Dr. J, Murray Moore ; " Imaginary Quantities," Mr H.G. Seth Smith; "Our Earliest Settlers," Mr K.C. Barstow; "The Visionary Faculty of Mind," Mr X, A. Mack c clinic.

At the weekly meeting of the French Literary Society on Saturday evening, Mr H, 6. Beth Smith delivered an interesting aud highly instructive lecture on "The Origin of the Alphabet." The matter was well arranged, and the lecturer's pronunciation was good and unhesitating, while the subject was cleverly illustrated by drawings of hieroglyphics. The criticisms were complimentary, and at the close a|vote of thanks was passed to Mr Smith for the pains he had taken to illustrate his remarks. Mr J.N, Philips was elected a member of the Association, and Madame Libri was nominated for membership. On Saturday evening next tbe Key. Peter Mason will le;ture on "The Epic Poefr," while Mr J.B. Francis will contribute a reading entitled "The School of Old People."

To the Editor: Sir,—l see " Pro Bono Publlco " is still trying to agitate the prices of meat. It is quite evident that he ia quite ignorant as regards the butchery business. There has been no beef bought in our markets at 12a Gd per cwt ; nor do we get the price that he thinks. If he is a reader of the STAR he will see the price that beef fetched—2s» per lOOlbs. (more than doable the price he quotes), and mutton over 3d per lb. The retail prices are, beef from 2|d per lb., and mutton from 2d per lb. For benes, for which we pay 25s per lOOlbs., we get only 4s per cwt., and for fat we get only 16s Sd per lOOlbs. So I think your correspondent ought to try the business if he thinks it is so good. As regards the Waikato Butchering Company, I for one see tint they will make a mistake if they send meat down, especially in warm weather, as it would be unfit for human food by the time it reached the shops here from Waikito.—Yoars, &c, R. Salmon, butcher, Wakefield-street.—P.a, —Will " Pro Bono JPublico " eat old eowa?