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Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 4078, 9 August 1883, Page 2

Mr McDonald, engineer of the Harbour Board, it turned from Sydney to-day. Wo learn that the plans of tho big dock were approved by Mr Waidell, the consulting engineer, and also by Mr Morlarty, C.E., whose opinion Mr McDonald had an opportunity of taking, baring his stay Mr McDonald examined the docks of bydney and Melbourne, and also epent some time in very carefully examining the Y»rra dredging works and the improved Priestley dredges in use there. He has obtained a store of valuable Information, which will be of great service in carrying on harbour ■works in Auckland,

Mr T. T, Gamble, iho local agent of tho Pacific Mail Company, bm just recoived a cablegram intimating thus the steamer Australia arrived at Sau Francisco on Tuesday last, 7th instant. & a she wa- not. due till today, the steamer has arrived two clays in advance of time-table date,

Kerr, steward of the steamer Explorer, fell overboard at an early hour this morning, but was speedily recovered by Mr Parker (H.M.C.), Constable Lamb, and others who had their attention drav.n to the accident by the man's cries for help.

The local Volunteer authorities hava received no intimation of tho intention to hold the next annual prize-firing at Auckland, beyond what is contained in a Press association telegram elsewhere. The competition would cave the effect of bringing to Auckland about two hundred representatives from all parts of the colony. The firing could not take place at Mount I'den, but tho necessary targets, &c, would probably be erected at One Tree Hill in the event of the present idea being ca: ried into effect.

Our representative football team will play their final match before their departure on Saturday next against a selected twentyone. An excellent match is expected, and it is to be hoped that there will be a large muster. The following are the names of tho players : -Representatives : J. Warbrick, Webster, Rynu, Whiteside, King, O'Connor, tecky, Hendcreon, Mearns, Carter, Sims, Am oil, Biggs, Spencer, Croxton. Selected: Kerry, A. Stewart, W. Warbrick, White, Davy, Joughin, Macky, Moginie, Clayton (2), Aualcy (2), Pierce, T Stewart, Yon Stunner, Orchard, Newell, Mountford, Burgess, Culpao, and McCoacell,

During the past few days wo notice a large gang of prisoners from Mount Eden, under Warder Seabrook, hava been making strenuous exertions to extricate from tho mud at Newmarket the patent stone-breaking machines that were imported by tho Govorninent Bomo three or four years since. It is intended, as soon as the machines can be got ruady, to turn out sufficient road metal to supply all orders. The majority of the prisoners being employed at the now prison building, there would bo but a small quantity of hand-broken metal to be disposed of for tho next eight or ten years.

Tho fact that oranges can bo profitably grown in Auckland for tho supply ot the local market has been practically demonstrated by Mr James Sinclair, a successful Matakana fruit grower, Messrs Taylor and Entrican, of Wtllcsley-etreet, have received from his orchard a consignment of twelve or sixteen dozen, of well-grown oranges, whicn aro now on salo at current rates, They ao iarxer and better in appearance, than Sydney iruit of tho same kiud, ai>d should command a ready market.

In ordor to meet tho increasing demands of their trado, tho Now Zealand Timber Company have concluded a contract with Mr Lanigan to pnrchaso the wholo produce of tho fNgunguru Saw-mills for the next six or eight months, The mill cuts about GO.OOO a week, aud qbout half-a-milliou feet are now stocked ready for delivery.

We learn that tho Key. H. 8. Dew.bury's mlnistrationa at CambridVo are acceptable to the people ot that growing township, and that his urbano disposition has won the goodwill of tho general CO mmuuity. The Wesley ans of Cambridge are so satisfied with their new minister that they have determined upon erecting a new church, at an estimated cost ot £900.

To the Kditor : Sir,— Surely our authorities aro not goiug to let slip the chance ot cutting down Kmily Place owing to the supposed opposition of tho Church Trust. It seems to me that the Church Trust are prepared to accept any reasonable offer, and 1 think they aro justly entitled to something in addition to the uew site. I am glad to notice that the Harbour lioard are inclined not to sanction the FreeziDg Uo.'s proposition re St, Barnabas Point. Surely after getting I,oooft. for a paltry 20s per annutu they might willinxly oiler £1,000 to the Church Tiust as a contribution, tho Harbour Board and City Council might vote another £1,000 between them, and I believe the whole afl'.dr would be tcttled at once. The increased value of property would compensate tho City Council, and further, when it is considered how littlo has been done in City Eist, and how much has been done ia City \Ve->t, surely it is timo that this important work was settled without delay. And as a citizen I know of no improvement ever mack in the city thai will equal this, that is, if the cutting commences at Albert Park, making the slope to Custom-house-street about 1 in 13. —I am, Sec, Prugkkss,

The trial of "John Barleycorn" will be represented to-morrow evening ia the Ponsonby Hall, alter which a concert will be held, This dramatic composition was written by a member of one of the old London Teetotal Societies nearly fifty years ago, and is supposed to have been founded on the well-known poem of Burns, although tbe drama lacks tho logical run of the natural poem which had previously lived in doggrol verso. Buras's poem is a genuino strain, showing the growth of the grain and the abuse to which Barleycorn is subjected, and to what '• base uses he must come at last." Many temperance friends seem to miss the truo teaching of the poem, which ia really a rebuke to intemperate habits. Owing to some misunderstanding, the Scottish poet has been sadly misrepresented at temperanco meetings. We learn that the practices have been promising, so that a lair representation may be expected.

The Hope of Parnell Lodge, No. 3, celebrated their tenth annlversaif. by a social tea and entertainment m the Presbyterian School-room, Parnoll, last evening, and on tho whole *> pleasant evening was spent by those present. About 200 persons sat down to a bountiful tea in" the room at hajf-past six, and after each one's wants were duly »atMied, a varied entertainment, consisting of a selection of songs, rocitations, dialogues, &c, interspersed with glees by the choir, was begun. The principal contiibutions to tho programme wore rendered by Sisters Mclntyro (2), Killip, and Lowe, and by Brothers Thomas. Potors, Walker, Tattorsall, and Adlington, A dialogue entitlod "The Troubles of a Bachelor," in which Mr Thomas took the part of trie bachelor, was considered the treat of tho evening. The Key. G. ;W. Parsonson acted as chairman, and made a few remarks in respect to the Lodge's prosperity, it having now on its roll 140 attending members, of which 70 are new.sinco last year. *ho whole wound up with a vote of thanks to the chairman and by siuging tho National Anthem.

To the Editor : Sir, —Will yon permit one word in reply to "Londoner ?" the Rev. Charles Lowder, of St. Peter's, London Docks, was one of the most remarkable and useful Anglican clergymen of modorn times. It is said he bas done moro than the police and the Parliament to reform tho roughs of KatelifF highway. Owing to h's great self-sacrifice and faithfulness, he endeared himself to his poor parishioners, who called him Father JLowder. During the outbreak of cholera in London a few years ago, he did much in the cholera wards, and was, with the St. Agatha's Sisterhood, instrumental in preventing a panic. The story of hin nob'e life is fufi of thrilling interest, as will be proved to-morrow evening! Yours, &c, F. G. KWINGrON.

During tho voyage of the barque Langstone between London and this port, a very iuteresting publication, entitled the " Weekly News," was issued. It is a very creditable production, got up after the ordinary newspaper style, and contains some well-written and amusing sketches in addition to reports of proceedings on board the vessel. A glance at the advertisements shews that " hair-cutting and shaving was done in the lateat London stylo at .No. 5, forecastle," while at jNo. 6 bunk, in the same locality, " pictures of every description were drawn by order." One passenger in the first issue announces that he is "clearing out garments at greatly leduced piiees." He prob»bly Leard that he wa3 i coming to a rather warm country. The " hello " of the ship advertised " Mala and slippers neatly executed at Midship House, Hatchway-street." She was very well patronised, so we aro informed. Other advertisements shews that thore was a "laundry' onboard; also a "fish shop" and Eimciry other tninga too numerous to mention. Lectures, concerts, uud kindred amusoments appear to have been held very frequently. In one issue the folio-,uug appears under the heading of the " Editor* Box " : —" Speaking about theZwe, we livo ia an age of boundless enterprise aud invention. It Britannia rules tho waves, why may she not some day rule a straight line across them?" A "police notice" in No, 5, is as follows :—" « hereas, on Saturday, June 23, about 6 p.m., ayouog man naiutd Joseph Magnire, left bis home in Hatch-way-street, disguised as a female, and was seen toon afterwards walking arm-in-arm with a )oubgmau in Kotten Row : a reward of £50 Is offered for capture of the offender." These are bui a few of the amusing items, but will glvo un idea of that portion of the journal, which is a credit to all concernod iv its production,

We bu^ to remind our readers that this evening a grand concert takes place in the Temperanca Hall, Aibert-atreet, to which we have before mane reference in our columns as being given to help in a worthy case of real distress. We shall be glad if wo can report in to-morrow evsning's issue that the hall was crowded with Auckland's practical syvupathi.-ers.

A t'lpgrani r-cctved to-day announced the arrival of tho New Zealand Shipping Company's steamship British King at Port Chalmers from London at an eatly hour this morning. The British King left Plymouth on June 25, and has consequently accomplished the voyage in forty-five days.

To the Editor : Sir,— It is a pity that persons who take upon them to inform the press don't stick to facts and the truth. It is stated that the amount of stimulants consumed in the Hospital last mouth is very little different from the return supplied under what is elegantly callod Dr. Philson's regime", I beg you to inform your readers that 1 have examined the Hospital records in order to ascertain what amount of alcoholics 1 ordered in July, 1882, tho last entire month of my attondancc, and iind it tj be as follows : Wine, 82£ bottles ; gin, ICJ; quarts; and porter, 51 bottles ; brandy, about one bottle per month. You may see from this statement that there is more than a slight difference between the above account and 70 bottles wine, 46 quarts gin, 11 bottles braudy, and 219 bottles portir (! ! !) of tho existing regime.—l am, &c, T. M. Pij.ii.iSON, M.D.. Ex-Surgeon Auckland Hospital.

A man of colour, named John Scarborough, of Parnoll, was arrested to-day by L'etectivo Walker, on warrant, on a charge of committing an unprovoked and savage assault upon his wife.

The New Zealand Marine Underwriters' Association have compiled and issued a handy little book of suggestions to masters of vessels, for their guidance in cases of difficulty connected with the preservation of the vessels aud cargo enti ust; d to their charge. Tho hints aro likely to bo of great value, and the remarks under the heading of "Temperance," if not considered an impertinance by ship-masters, aro calculated to do much good if acted upon,

A meeting in connection with the Gospel Temperance organisation will be held tomorrow evening iv the Theatre Royal, when Mr S, Hcmus will give an account of his pilgrimage through tho settlements of the North Island, the number of pledges he administered, with incideutsand adventures by tho way.

" Argus " writes suggesting that,whereas tho proposed asphalting of the Queenstreet Wharf by the Harbour Board may be the tueana of decreasing its annual cost for repairs, that on the other hand it will be a serious matter for carters, in consequoucof tho slippery nature of its surface, which will keap .them in constant dread of accidonts to their horses and drays when starting them with a heavy load.

The lecture by Mr Ewlngton to-morrow evening, on "Father Lowder," at the St. Sepulchre's School-room, promises to prove of more than ordinary interest, MrDennes will illustrate tho lecture with a series of lime-light views, and Hannoken'a popular band will perform several overtures. The Yea. Arohdeacon Dudley will occupy tho chair. The lecturer will doal with the Oxford Tractarian moveniunt; tho disgraceful rows at St. Barnabas Churcb, in the neighbourhood of Chehea, Bennett, afterwards of Fromo; the distribution of Easter eggs j Westerton, tho gallant proprietor ot tho Knights Bridge Library, and determined opponent of Pusoyism and hot potatoes. Mr Kwington has ample materials for an amusing discourse, not without a useful moral. A collection will be made in aid of tho repairing fund of the schoolroom, on which a debit balance of £150 remains to be liquidated.

To tho Editor: Sir, —In your issue of last night is a report of tho proceedings of the HorticulturalSocicity, from which it appears that some ot the members arc afraid that unless they mak? an effort, there will be no show this year. 1 his is quito a mistake, for I boj; to remind you that thero is another kociety in existence, viz,, tho Auckland Gardeners' Horticultural Society, wliich iutenci holding a Spring and iutumu Show. This Society is in a very prosperous condition, and if subscriptions coutinuo to come in, as they have done hitherto, the Society will bo able to otter a very fair amount for prizes ; and as tho promoters are all practical horticulturists, there is no doubt but ttiat tha shows will bo an attraction, not only to horticulturists, but to the public generally. Although tno aim of the two societies is tho same, we claim for oars the first place, aa it not only dciircs to encourago iho love of horticulture, but fixes the subscription at a price within the reach of all to mako it popular. —Yours, &c, O. Smallfibld, Hon. Sec. Auckland Gardeners' Horticultural Society.

MrW. Woodyear writes as follows as to the safety of the steamer Hankow, supposed to bo lost:—" On my passage from ban Francisco to Auckland by tbo Zealandiaonher last trip after staying a few hours at Honolulu, we left at about 2 p.m. As wo were leaving tbo whail, a large steamer was sighted stonming for that port. Within h»lf an hour afterwards wo met the stranger, passing so close that we coulil read distinctly the name of Hankow on hor dows. Htr decks woro crowded with Portuguese emigrants, who cheered lustily as wo passed. They looked well and happy at the sight of their place of destination. The Uankow was under charter to Mr Hofl'ning, brother to Mr Iloffuing, merchant, of Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, who, with his family, were passengers on board (ho Zoalandia. The emigrants were intend ?li for working the sugar plantations of tho Sandwich Islands, where the native labour is quite insufficient, fiy tiiis you will see that the supposed missing steamer, with her living freight, has been sate in port for over four weeks, but as there is no telegraphic communication with Honolulu, a knowledge of her .«afe arrival could only roach Lisbon by cablegram from Australia on the arrival of the Zealandia at Sydney,"

It bas been decided that instead of opening the season with "Old Soldiers," the Gaiety Company will place the popular drama of "The Colleen Bawn" on the stago of the Opera tiouso on Monday first. The part of Mylos-na-Coppaleen will bo taken by Mr Kussell, whilo Miss Nolly (ireenlees will appear in tho title rdle. Tho "tiige effects aro to to on a gorgeous scale, ant a first-class representation may bo expected,