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Auckland Star, Volume XV, Issue 3760, 29 August 1882, Page 2

Ilii Worship the Mayor, at the Council meetinjr last night, formally announced hia intention to devote his honoririum thii year to the purpose of founding a picture jallery or school of art, and will supplemenis it with another £230, making the handsome stun of £500. Thi.j donation »as mentioned a short time ago at the meeting of thi Auckland loatitate. It is a tjift worthy of the doaor and the honourable office he holds. Tha last disposal oi the Mayor's honorarium in the pureha-o of valuible back a for our Public Library has been a .■»ourM of pleasure and profit to thimati'ls ol oar citizens, and we are vjra that this tnunttkant gift will u*t hi leas fruitful of jood. Mr CUrk lus a«t in esatapU; of liberality and pub it: spirit which meriu tha heat than la of tha cuiiena of Auckland, aod is well -worthy of imitation by other public men whose meini would enable them to aid practically in founding great public institutions in our city

A roll ot bank notes was dropped yesterday ia the neighbourhood of Darny-street by a person, who can ill atFord to tose rhom. A reward of £o is offered by advertisement ia another column.

Intelligence haa been received thit Mr Therms Ku?3i.>lt it now 03 hu wav to Auckland. Mr G. M. Keed and the Hon. Kobert Campbell are also expected next mail in connection with the settlement of lands acquired by the East Coast Lands Setilemant Company.

Tbe alleged window-sma»htng caie, which wa3reported several days ago, has assumed a very serious appearance. At the Police Court today, the three lads, O'Kecfe, Watheaon, and Storey, were committed for trial on the charge, bail being sllowed.

A young women's meet ng was held Last evening in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association. There wu a fair aUendonce,and those present were addressed at some length by Mrs Hampson.

Ac interesting musical and literary entertainment will be given thu evening in the Wellesley-street Baptist school-room, in aid of the school An excellent programme ho 3 been prc-pared for the occasion, comprising music, songs, recitations, etc Pastor Thomas Spurgeon will occupy the chair.

A young nan earned JaniM O'Sullivan, residing in G^orgr:-stree=, Ponsonby, died somewhat suddenly last niaht. He had been ailing for some time back.

Mr J. B. MeU, lace Foreman of Works ia Mr J. J. Holland's building works ha? been presented with a handsome gold albert, in token of the es:«em and respect in which ha was held by his fallow workmen. Mr Mell thanked the donors and expressed his pleasure on receipt of the gift.

The chimney or a house occupied by Mr Bruce, of Graham-atrpel;, caught fire about 7 o'clock last evening, Ha: the prompt application of wet bankets and water prevented any damage to the property. The Fire Brigade was promptly in attendance in response to a fire alarm, bat its services were not required.

By adveitisemeni la another column Messn Wilks and Brooking caution the ratepayers of Karangabape from signfnj a certain petition adver*« to the propped nnioa ■with r,he city, their reasons tein» that some of the ."tatenienj* made in the document ara libeileaa, and that the signatories of it render themselves liable toptosecation on that account.

A meeting of the Ponsonby Mutual Improvement Association will take place thia evening, in the school-room adjoining the church, eimraencinz at 7.30 p.m. The president {Rev, H. R. Dewsbary) will int.'odncean" Kvening with Cha>. Kingsley," which will be supplemented by reading from the ahove antaor's works by various members of the association.

The London Photograpbic Company (Upper Qaeen-sUeet, near the A'roy and > aty Hotel) have on hand a very" large variety of views taken in the Kiog ciinntry. Tawhiao and his wife, Wabaaui, and all the principal cbiefi are shown in picturesque attitudes. Portraits of litokowara, Te Whiti, and other celebrities, and choice bi:3 of New Zealand scenery for colonial albums and English friends, may be (elected with advantage from the Urge stock kept at this studio.

This evening a grand Masonic entertain* ment will be given in the Iheatre Koyal, in aid of the Masonic Hall baiWing {and, under the patronage of the officer*, Worshipful Masters, and members of the Auckland Masonic Lodsea generally. The celebrated and pleading mnsical drama from Sir Walter Scott's romance, ''Gay Manneriog,': will farm the interesting feature of the hour, and will be associated with the original mu-ic so much admi'ed by musicians and lovers of sweet sounds. The music will be under the direction of Bros. Gordon Goocb, X.A.M., and Pooley. Tae brethren will appear in full regalia. Tne entertainment will be commenced at eight o'clock. It would be advisable, however, to procure seat tickets beforehand, as the theatre will be crowded.

Last night, two essays were read to the members of St. James's ilutaal Improvement Association, one by Mr K. L. Skeea on " i arly Typography," and the other by Mr E. Miller on "The r*ew»paper Press." Mr Skeen's paper was brief, historical, and had the odour of antiqnity about ittracing track the art of printing ti 50 8.C., though one of the critic! chimed for it an age of two centuri23 more. The essay of Mr Miller displayed much thought, research, and careful preparation, and, though chiefly conaisting of a warm ea'ogintn on the influence of the newspaper press, ft also contained interesting statistics of the "Times," " Telegraph," "Daily Sew?," and other London journals. In the criticisms and replies which followed, come of the sucking orators displaced a boundless confidence in their own jjowera (though, a lamen-able deficiency la their idea of the fitness of things) by their remarks on the local press, sweeping condemnation being, as usual, ia inverse "ratio to the capabilities of the critic for his task. It b fervently hoped that the preai may survive the onslaught made npon it! Next Monday evening, it -was announced, would be devoted to readings from Longfellow.

Considerable interest attaches to the cul tivation of the cork tree in New Zealand, and the following information on the subject, presented by Mr Justice Gil!ie3 at the meeting of the Anckland Institute last evening, merits attention. He says :—ln the year 1855 the late Dr. Sinclair planted cloae to his house, near Symonda-street, a young cork oak, received from K«;w. It is now about 40 feet in height, 14 feet from the ground to the first branch, with a spread of top of about 40 feet in diameter. Ih-i trunk at 3 feet from the ground is 5 8 in circumference after strippinz. For several years past it baa prodneed acorn«, from which the preseaS occupant of the gronnds, Mr Joha day, has raised a large number of young oaks, and di'tribnted them liberalljthronshoat New Zetland. In the summer of 1577 I stripped it for the first lime, and got aiargequantitv of virgin cork, which j I did not weigh, the firat stripping being of litt'e or no commercial value. In Feb>uary last I again stripped it, and after drying the bark found the product to be TOlbs I weight of good marketable cork, fit forpiat corks, as I am informed by Mr Dntton, the cork cutter, who wjs present at the stripping, and states it to be at lean worth 60s per cwt. It will thus be seen that the trees must be 25 to 27 yeara old before producing any return, and then every five years may produce 70Jbs to lOOlbs weight of marketable cork. The produce improves ■ in quality by each stripping. On comparing the l ew Zealand product with the , imported bark.it is evident that the annual ! growth of the bark in Auckland is quite • eq'ial to that of ihe import. I present here- ' with to the Museum a sheet of the cork of the laat stripping. 3 feet 4 inches by 1 foot 4 inches, which showa the character and quality of the cork, and is, 1 believe, the first produced in New Zealand. I also present a section of one of the branches, showing the mode of growth of the virgin cork."

We learn that Mr Harper has been re> seated to stand for the City Council to. represent City Eaat ia the" approaching elections, and has consented.

It will b»; almost unnecessary to remind our readers that the concert ia aid of the funds of the Ponsonby Rowing Club takes place this evening. The programme, which was published in our advertising columns, is an excellent one, and should" attract a large attendance.

The childreD of the Industrial School ad Kohimarann were treated to an entertainment last evening, several frieada from town rendering as-siatanee in the shape of recitations, aan^s, etc. Among those present were : Mrs Neil {late of the Ladies' Comaittee), -Vlrs Fiith, and Messrs Hertuon and Percival, from St. John's College. Mii 3 Mullen' presided at ihe harmonium, which haj recently been forwarded to the 3chool S3 a present from the late committee A very pleasant evening was passed.

To the Editor: Sir,— Having noticed in your last night's issue a paragvaph re concert id aid of Widow Ball and family, that the receipts amounted to £23, and the expenses to £13 sa, leaving a balance of £i 5s to the faruily, we would like to 3ee a statement of s.ime appear in the Stae, feeling that it would be more satisfactory to all parties interested. We also understand teat moat of the performers gave their services gtataitously.—We are, &c, TWO WELL-wisiIEES OF THE FAMILY.

4. great sale of Colonial and English gold jewellery, diamoui rings, clock?, aad electroplated goac1?, is aocouaceil to be hold by Mr M, Mont.vjue, '.he proprietor of the well-kaovn fancy goods repository, during the next fourteen d»ys, It will be Nmsmbered that Mr Montague purchased the balance of Mr Flegeltaob's 9toek before toe departure of that geatleman for Australia. He now offers jewellery to the value of £3000 at considerably "reduced prices—indeed moeh lower than hive previously been charged in Anckland. Purchasers have, therefore, the opportaaity of selecting their gcodi from an extea»iTe and choice sock, aad of obtaining them a', an aitoniihinijlv low figure. The aale will only corrinue for a fortnight, after which the balance of nasold goods will be disposed of by auction.

An enjoyable frwt soiroe was given in the Ale-t-indn-atrfiet .■>chool-ro«"m list evenfngby the Sir Henry Havelock Band of Hope. The programnie^vaich was a lengthy one, eomprueti soajs br Mrssei Harri?, Lily Gnbble, Mrs Willis, and Mesxra CarU./, Ed.vardi.King.andGqodacre,recitationi by Misa E. Anderson, Mua Kate Goodacre, Muter David An-ierson, Miss Lawfjrd, Mk* Hallam, Mr Newton, Miss Clark, Mr Maekie, Misi Frosde and Mua VioUt

Andrew, readings by Messrs Goldia and Uavidion, dialogue by Misters Jforrij and Lewis, glee by the Frith Family, and duetj by Muses Holland (2). Miai Heath and Muter James, Mewa Martin and Garter, Mrs Willij and Mr Deroyshlre. A baz tilled with choice assorted frnita was given to each of tee audience during an interval.

The Parnell dance, which wu to have t lien 11 in) on Wedsesdajr, haa b.s»n postaaced unstl Thnrsdsy eveatssf.—lad'.t].