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Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4130, 27 September 1883, Page 2

A correspondent, " Progress," writes, apropos of tho Surrey Hills Estate controvor.iy, that it would bo well if a lniv was in force hero similar to that existing in most of the large towns in Great Britain, viz. :— All buildings to bo erected must have land unbuilt upon of an area of at least one-third of the buildings crccted|j As this is ono bf building laws of tho borough, whether leasehold, copyhold, or freehold, owners havo to comply. Rootn for rights-of-wny or entrance is secured, and owners restrained from building on every inch of ground regardless of tho public health requirements.

Michael Costcllo, who was found in on insensible and exhausted condition and taken to tho Hospital, died this morning. Deceased was formerly a messenger in the Provincial Government olliccs, but of late had given way to habits of intemperance. It is expected than an inquest, will be hold on the body either to-dtty or to-morroWi

Larrikinisin is suii to ha ou tho increase in Onchungn. At a recent grand bull In the (lood Templars' Hall boHio of the young gentleiiiun (?) uinused themselves from the rent' of the hall at midnight in pelting the dwelling-house of thu Rev. Mr Bruce, much to the annoyance of that gentleman, who is not at present in very robust health, us well :i.s (o the iinnoyancti and alarm of tho other Inmates of thu house. But (his was not all. The young bloods, after breaking up in the small hours of the morning, attacked more than a dozen other houses, discharging a volley of stones at each as they passed along, damaging some of tho buildings and causing alarm to all tho occupants. Those who have to do with tho getting-up of balls in tho future would do well lo see that tho larrikin element is excluded, as it is not right that ono class of the inhabitants should sutler through the convivialities and amusements of another class. Otherwise, retributive justice may be dispensed out to tho aggressors koiiio timo or other in a summary way, indopehdent of tho legal pains and penalties which follow such conduct.

An accident, fortunately unattended by any serious result, occurred this morning in College lioad to a little boy some seven or oight years old, bolonging to Mr Martin McDermott, One of Mr J. J. Holland's drays, driven by a young man named Bridgeford, was proceeding up tho hill, when the tho child, which was playing on tho footpath, rtiit over tind cruight hold of tho tailboard, and began to amuso itself. In swinging its legs about, it managed to get one of thorn fixed between tho near \V'hetil and the side of tlio cart, and was dragged oil' the ground as tho wheel slowly revolved. Tho youngster yelled out so lustily that tho driver at once stopped the vehicle, and rushing frantically round, caught the shrieking child in his arms, and disengaged it. It was taken into its parents' house, and as Dr. Konderdine just happened to bo driving past; he Stopped Olid attended upon it. A brief examination sufficed to allay all apprehensions; no bones had been broken, and a littlo bruising was the only result. Tho driver is not chargeable with any blame, but this accident, coupled with others that bavo taken place during the present week, shews tho necessity for cquosiriitns and drivers exercising unusual vigilance at these holiday times, when children, relieved of attendanco at school, aro found playing about thestreets.

At the District Court today a verdict was returned in the action brought by Wm. Elias, a settler of Kaukapakapa, against A. and J. McLood, bush contractors, for the recovery of £100 damages in respect of injuries alleged to havo been sustained by his property in consequence of tho defendants floating logs down a creek—the Wnitoki—which runs through his land. Tho cast) has occupied tlio attontention of Hts Honor and a special jury of four since Monday, and tlio verdict returned was for £4"i, mado up as follows : —Value of bridge destroyed, £10 ; loss unstained through deprivation of who of bridge, £10 ; destruction to bankw, £10 ; aggravated damages consequent upon insulting demeanour of defendants' workmen while ctl plaintiff's1 land, recovering loss £15! The costs amounted to £AS 12-?, His Honor said Mint tie did not consider tho question of tho navigability or otherwise of tlio stream material to tho issue, but ho was prepared to hear it argued. It was provisionally arranged, therefore, that the argument should take placo on Monday. The foreman of tho jury drew attention to tho absurdly low rate of rcimuioration allotted them, viz., 10s each for wirco and a half days' services. His Honor sympathised with them, but pointed out that this was the regulation scalo. Ho -had no doubt that the intention of the Legislature was to fix the payment at 10s per diem, but through an oversight in tho new Act it was mado to read that the payment was per case. Tho jurors accepted the pittance in silence, but everyone felt that it was rather a hard case,

A largo and almost level allotment at tho corner of O'Connell-streot, Ponsonby, within tho last few days has been denuded of gorso, and is now being transformed into a recreation ground for some private club. It will bo divided into thrco parts; ono being intended for lawn tennis, another for croquet, and a third for bowling purposes. The mention of Ihcso improvements at onco suggests the reflection that Ponsonby, though the most populous suburb of tho city, is about tho only-part of it that boasts no public recreation reserve. Tho city proper is well provided for in this respect, having the Albert Park, tho Government House grounds, and numerous little triangular broathing places. Parnell and Grafton share oqually in tho 'advantages of tho Domain, Karangahapo has tho Western Park, and also makes a promonade ground of tho Cemetery, but Ponsonby is quite out in the cold. Unless tho shortsightcdnofis or want of public spirit with which its pioncors may bo charged is remedied now, tlio chanco may puss away for over. Then, tho ■ rosidonts of the West End will bemoan their hard fato in being shut out from the relaxations and enjoyment to be had. in the city, whero the people may do a pleasant afternoon's promenado whilo their cars are regaled with tho concord of sweet sounds emanating from an effective brass band. Ponsonby, howover, seems quite contented to dispense with all these pleasing amenities of urban life, but they will awake to a sense of their folly sooner or later. The burgesses should move the City Council to take some action in the matter before it is too late.

The annual meeting of the West End Cricket Club was held in the V.M.C.A. Rooms last evening, Mr A Dovore presiding. Tho Secretary's report shewed that during the season the First Eleven had played 11 matches, won 7, lost 2, and drawn 2 ; while the Second Eleven had played 19 matches, wonS, lost 7, and drawn 4. The Chairman presented to Mr J. Arneil a bat and ball for the highest batting and bowling averages in tho First Elevon ; to Mr D. Bony a bat, and to Mr Yorney a ball for the highest batting and bowling averages in the Second Eleven. Tho following officers wore elected :— President, Mr P. Battloy ; Vice- Presidents, Messrs T. Macky, sen., and A. Dovore; Secretary, Mr F. Mitchell; Treasurer, Mr W. Baker; Secretary Second Eleven, Mr S. Baker; Committee: Messrs Theo. Cooper, Dr. Dawson, T. Macky, .1. Arneil, and C. B. King. A vote of thanks to tho Chairman was passed on account of bis oflieial duties and for his presents to tho Club.

Nominations for the two principal events of the Auckland Racing Club Spring Meeting, Handicap and Hurdles, close to-morrow night, at eight o'clock.

The Orchestral Socioty's regular monthly concert takes place in the Choral Hull on Thursday evening, and a programme o, very great attractiveness nas been prepared for the occasion. It includes several novelties, and both individua ly and oollectiveiy the items may be pronounced choice and agreeable There has been a dearth of highclass musical performances during tin; past few weeks, so that fie approaehj ing one should be lsoked forward to with exceptional interest.

To the Editor : Sir,—Can you inform juie if there is any necessity for the hoarding to remain up that was erected in Queen street opposite the Thames Hotel? There is no building going on now, and this beautiful ornament is allowed to block up tho thoroughfare. Is there no ofiicer of the City Council whose duty is to look into these matters and ordor tho removal of hoardings immediately after tho external work of a building is completed?—Yburs, &c.« Inquuusk.

The following satisfactory item of news received by Mr D. G. MacDonnel to-day, from tho New Prince Imperial mine manager :—" Melted weight, l,G4oozs; 16dwts., valued at £4,653 8b (id;—(Signed) G. S. Clj.UlK."

The teachers of St. Matthew's Sunday School spent a pleasant day on Tuesday at St. Hclier's Bay; on the invitation of Mr Soppet, who engaged two of Mr Quick's breaks for the purpose. Oil returning to town, the party were generously regaled at the parsonage by Mrs Tebbs, who did her best to interest her visitors. Tho reunion was pleasant, and not without good effects.

We learn that Mr. 1). R. Gamier, who met with asevoro accident on the 22nd inst., is slowly recovering, but will not bo able to leave his house for two or three weeks. Mr Gnrnier and a friend were out on business at Papatoitoi ill a trap, alid cm approaching that settlement in trap, tho horse gave a jerk and one of the winkers fell, which caused the horso to shy and become restive. Being apprehensive of danger, Mr Gamier jumped over the side, when the trap turned over upon him. Ho was extricated with some difficulty, but no bones were broken, although he received several contusions about the body.

In the Onehunga Court on Wednesday! before Captain Jackson, RiM.j an order was made under the Licensing Act prohibiting publicans and others supplying one Mary Brown, of Onehunga, with liquor. The order was made on the application of tho womun's husband, Eli Brown.

To the Editor : Sir,—Would you kindly inform uio through the columns of your paper whether Dean Meri'ivale's "History of RoniOj" published by Messrs Longman and Co., London, Is a staiidal'd history ?— Yours, Ac., R.S., Student.—[Yes. One of the best histories over written,—En. E.S.]

The manager of the London mine telegraphed to-day :—" Broko down small portion of reef bottom of winze ; got lOlbs. of picked stone.—(Signed) Cha.s. Waitk."

Some eminent scientific men, who have investigated with much thoroughness the proposed plan, some time since prdposed, for a third railway tunnel benoath the Alps, Under Mdnt Blanc, have presented somo strong points against the practicability of such an undertaking, viewed from a geological and meteorological standpoint. Thus, it is urged by Heim, a noted Swiss savant, of the Polytechnicum of Zurcih, that such a piercing of Mont Blanc woUld be of immense difficulty, bocause in one portion the tUlUlel would have to be cut through a formation of anhydrous gypsum, which swells on exposure to the air, and is almost impossiblo to stay. Again, the tomperaturo of tho galleries, judging from the St. Gothard tunnel, would be from a minimum of 80 degrees F. to a maximum of 1.&

Members of church choirs nre reminded that a rehearsol for tho Choral Festival will be held at St. Mary's Church, Parnell, at 7.30 this evening.

"Careful" writes inquiring "By whose authority a quantity of stone ballast is being stowed at tho corner of the Beach Road opposite Jacob's Laddor, which renders it dangerous for vehicles and passengers turning round from Fort-street, especially now that the cliff is being romoved, "and necessitates drays standing across the road whilo being loaded with earth. This leaves no room for vehicles or passengers to jkiss, and it is the duty of tho authorities to see that it Is removed at once, before someone is either killed or maimed.''

To tho Editor': Sir,—This morning's puper records the death of Lieutenant Wardell, one of the bravest and most genial of all tho officers who' volunteered for servico in the Imperial Transport Corns during the war In Now Zealand, The Transport service is always fraught with considerable danger, and many a hair-breadth escape he hftd while supplying the Commissariat, ffom '64 to '68. He after] wards, as related in Mf'Gttdgepn's " Rcminis concis of tho War," turned his sword, not into a ploughshare, but into mining shares, and had an excellent business, in partnership with Mr Sully, attho Thames. But tho goldofilds failing, ho came up to Auckland about a year ago, where over since ho has been struggling to make his way, but from some as yet unexplained cause he was singularly unfortunate, and nil his household goods disappeared piece-meal to supply his family wants. So much so that when visited by a gentleman on tho day of his death there was literally nothing left, and there is littlo doubt but that his death was nccolerated in consequence. Poor Wardcll—the kindest of tho kind, and one of tho most upright follows living-has died from shoor poverty, if not in absolute want, leaving a widow and several children to tho mercy of the world. --Yours, &0., A Brother Officer.

Despite the influence of schools, exhibitions, .tc, the people of Belgium would sOom to bo in a curious mental condition, if judged by some of tho replies just given at an examination for the military of that littlo country, so usefully placed as a buffer between tho two rivals it separates for the timo being. Asked to narrate any fact relating to tho Spanish domination in Belgium, one wrote, "The Counts of Egmont and Horn were guillotined, and a statue erected to their memory." Another stated that Moses, having advanced to conquer Southern Gaol, and seeing tho people of Ghent approaching, withdrew to tho fortress of Ararat. Illustrious Belgians were named as follows :—" By their beauty : Godefroid do Bouillard, and the Minister Lobeaii during the war." "Rubens distinguished himself by his valour on tho battlefield. "" Rubens is famed for tho fino books ho left us after his death."

The annual meeting of tho Auckland United Cricket Club was held at tho United Servico Hotel last evening, Mr Mumford presiding. Tho Secretary's report referred to tho past season as a very Fair one, considering that during tho first half a number of tho best men woro absent on tho Southern trip. Twelvo matches were played, of which five woro won, two lost, and two drawn, four out of tho five draws being greatly in favour of the Club. In batting, Testro had the best average, both ho and Yates having gono up with a rush at tho end of the season. In bowling, A. MacCormick had takon most wickots, and L. Moldrum came next. A bat was presented by Mr A. E. Whitaker for tho highest aggregate during tho season, and a ball for the greatest number of wickets taken. C. MacCormick won the bat with an aggregato of 222, and A. MacCormick tho ball with 19 wickots. Iho following officers were elected: —President, Judge Fonton; Vice-Presi-ents, Captain Lambert, Messrs A. E. Whitaker, and C. A. Harris ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr C. E. MacCormick ; Committee, Messrs Mumford, Testro, Yates, F. Dufaur, Buckle, and McKinney. Votes of thanks wero passed to tho retiring officers and to Mr A. E. Whitaker for his presentations. A vote of thanks to the presiding Chairman having been passed, the proceedings terminated.

The athletic sports of the Auckland ColIcirc and Grammar School will be held tomorrow in tho Domain Cricket Ground should tho weather prove favourable.

The ratepayers of Point Chevalier District Highway Board will hold a mooting to-morrow evening in the Great Northorn Hotel, to discuss mattprs of importance to the Bottlers of the district.

We notice that Mr D. Hyauiason, of Durham-street, has opened a branch establishment at Ponsonby, next to the district hall, in tlio general ironmongery business, as per advertisement.

The last of the winter course of lectures at tho Young Men's Christian Association will he given to-morrow evening in the large hall. The subioctof the lecture will ho " Volcanoes." by Professor Thomas, M.A., F.Ij.S. The subject is attractive and instructive, and should 'command a largo audience.

Mr John E. White will deliver a lecture 10-niorrow ovening in tho upper school-room, Pitt -street Wcsloyan Church, at half-past 7 o'clock. Tlio topic is " Reminiscences of a Trip to the Old Country." Mr White's ability as a speaker will no doubt draw a numerous audience,