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Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4524, 28 November 1884, Page 2

Through the intervention of tho Cape Government, tho threatened war in South Africa may y&t be ftyprtjid, Our cable advices to-day report that an oflfer mads to the Boers of farms in Stellaland has been accepted by them, and they have jinder. taken to evacuate tho territory of the friendly chief Montsioa. The Cape colonists are more interested than anyone else in getting a permanent and satisfactory settlement of the question j we may fairly presume, therefore, that the proposal they have made gives good assurancC that their rights will be conserved. The inte-igo-f-e tbftt England was preparing an army capable of eruCrcing. her demands, has doubtless had a salutary* effect in bringing the Dutchmen to reason.

Sharemarkee to-day.—Sales: Gambrla. 17s, lis 9d; Darwin, 10s 9d, 10s ; Queen of Beauty, Is Bd, 2s; Moanatnria Extended, 2s 2d; Prince Imperial, 18s M ,n- °-',

To.Moßßo\v'sjj3TAi.\yillbea largo double number containing further instalment of tho exciting tale, " A Stranded Ship," Random Shots, by "Zamiel," "The Dear Neighbours," by Max O'Rell, a complete tale entitled "A Study from the Life," Sporting Notes, Gossip from Stage nnd Studio, &c, &c. ; also, a long and interest ing description of tho new Stab Offices in Shortland and Fort-streets.

A man named Daniel Finnigan, while an pi >yed on read work to-day, cut one of his ne3)s severely with a pick. He is now et the Hospital, where he will remain for a few days.

Mr H. C. Brewer (Registrar of the Supreme Court) sat in bankruptcy yesterday, and disposed of a number of applications. On the application of Mr Cave (for the Official Assignee), the bankruptcy of Hopkins Clarke was revived, the debtor not having performed his promised composition through failure to obtain an appointment in tho Native Office. In re Enoch Richards, an order was made empowering the Assignee to sell book debts amounting to £1,075 In re John Hill, Mr Cave moved on behalf of the Assignee ior an order to examine Charles Edward Madden, solicitor, as to his deal ings with tho bankrupt, and particularly in reference to tho sum of £11 had and received by him in the month! of June last, for tho use of the bankrupt, John Hill. Mr Madden was present, and consonted to an order to pay tho £11, thus rendering the examination undor Section 198 unnecessary. The order was made accordingly, to be paid within 14 days.

The proposal to send an Auckland cricket team South during the holidays lias been abandoned. A meeting of tho Cricket Association was hold last evening to consider tho matter, and there wore present thirteen senior club delegates and four junior. A motion by Mr Ryburn, seconded by Mr A. W. Benle, affirming the desirability of sending a cricket team South this season was negatived, and it was agreed by 9 to 7, on tho motion of Mr R. Mason, Becondod by Mr Porch, that a representative team be not sent South this seiutpn. It was further agreed, on tlio motion of Mr VV. Porch, seconded by Mr Burns, that the Secretory bo instructed to write to the Nelson team informing them that as Christmas is unfavourable, a match might be arranged about tho middle of January.

To the Editor : Sir,—ln your issuo of the 26th, Inm accused of making rash assertions by Mr Byles. I will do-lLm the justice to iinagino he misunderstood my statement, " That thirty - two millions aro spent annually upon religion in London." Now if Mr Byles had listened attentively he would have heard that I said tho world contributed this amount, not London alono. My authority for the abovo is when tho Bishop of Peterbtrough was speaking in Evoter Hall in 1875, ho made the following remark, "That religion cost the world thirty-two millionsannually, andhe was proud to say the greater portion of tho sum was contributed by London." In conclusion, I would advise Mr Byles to be more correct in future before ho descends to call hard names.

"Billiard Tablo Trimmer" writes again with reference to the renovating of tables. Tho subject, however, is not of sufficient goneral interest to warrant us in continuing tho correspondence, and any furthers letters must pass through our advertising columns.

There was a vory good attendanoe at the Opera House last evening to witness the first production of Briinton's three-net drama, " Tho Corsican Brothers." The performance was a most satisfactory one. Miss Louise Crawford impersonated tho brothers Louis and Fabien de Franchl with considerable success, and was well supported by tho other members of tho Company, Mr Harry Teoco's Chateau Ronand especially deserving praise. Tho song "Only a Pansy Blossom" was interpolated by Miss Eraser, and rendered with such acceptation that an encore wnsdomanded and responded to. Tha caste was a strong ono, and the performance appeared to meet with tho thorough appreciation of tho audience, " The Corsican Brothers " will be repeated to-night, and tomorrow evening the sensational nautical drama, "The Ship on Fire," will be represented.

The statement of Dr. Lemon, the Commissioner for Telegraphs, to the effect that the proposed duplicate main lino of telegraph connecting Wellington with Auckland would most likely run from Taupo across tho country to Cambridge is one which will bo hailed with considerable satisfaction in tho Wnikato (says the local " Timos"). Tho district whioh tho lino will traverse between here and Taupo will bo brought within telegraphic communication, which will be a groat convenience to travellers in tho interior, nnd will tend in a groat measure to promote settlement. Doubtless it will be brought by Lichfield and Oxford, thus bringing thoso rising places into direct communication with the outside world.

The concert at St. Patrick's School last evening, which was given by tho pupils, was largely attended and passed oft satisfactorily. Several of the instrumental performances wore remarkably good, notably " Tho Silver Trumpets," by three piano., harmonium, and violin; pianoforte solo, " The Storm at Sea," by Miss Lynch. The chorusos, which wore woll rendered, included " I Lovo tho Sunny Meadows," " Come O'er tho Moonlit Sea, " Britannia, the Pride of tho Ocean," "The Sister Elves,* 5 and "The Keel Row." Tho other items were as follow :—"lvanhoe" (march), by the Misses Lynch, Johnston, Williams, L. Williams, Reid, Bond, Fltzsimon, and It. MoIlhono ; "Cathedral Chimes" (pianoforte solo), Miss Fitzsimon; "Westward Ho" (galop), Misses Eyre, Bond, Fitesimon, Lynch, Kelly, R. Mcllhone, Dorrom; "Ould Ireland, You're My Darlin'" (chorus and solo), Miss Reid and othor pupils; "The Lady of Provence" (recitation), Miss Froude; "I Cannot Mind My Wheel, Mother" (vocal solo), Miss Fernandez) "The Royal Hunt" (galop*, Misses Lynch, Johnston, Bond, Kelly, Williams, Fite simon, R. Mcllhone j "The Gleaners" (vocal duet), the Misses Fernandez; "My Lodging_ is on the Cold Ground' (viols solo). Miss Johnston; "Gathering Shells." pupils of St. Joseph's School j "Ireland' (quadrille), Misses Hackett, N. Fornande.^ R. Mcllhone, Bond, Fitzsimon, Lynch, Johnston ; " A Seaside Inn " (farce),. Misses Williatrs, L, Williams, Nolan, Kelly, CarJ rigan. The entertainment concluded with the National Anthem.

To the Editor: Sir,—One word in correction of a statement in an admirable letter in Wednesday night's Star re the Free Library. The writer disapproves of the system which requires all visitors to enter their names in a register, and says: "This is not the rule nor tho practice of Free Public Libraries in England and America." The statement is too sweeping. At the Guildhall Public Library, London (a fine collection of books, lodged in a noble building), every visitor is required to write his name and address in a book before entering. Having found in the catalogue the volume he wants, ho next writes the necessary particulars on a printed slip, which lie hands to a messenger, who gets him what is asked for. Having finished his roading, the visitor returns the book or books no has been using to tho librarian's counter, where the volumes are looked through to boo that no blots have been made or other damage effected. This done, tho visitor is at liborty to take his leave. Having had tho pleasure of roading in the Qiiildh3.ll Library somo score of times, I havo learnt tho' forms which are there observed.—l am, &c., J).

At tho meeting of tho City Counoil last night the tedium of the proceedings ■. a i slightly relieved by an altercation between Crs. Aickin and Cooper, in which the former gentleman managed to score a point at the expense of his youthful antagonist. The dispute had immediate reference to a question of order, and it arose in this wise. A letter from Mr G. Strong (keeper of the City Baths) was received, stating that the enforced removal of his gridiron for boats would eptail heavy Joss, and' begging the Council to remove the aflair at its own expense. The Mayor moved the reference of the letter to the Legal Committee. Cr, Aickin objected. Mr Strong had no claim, either legal .or equitable, upon the Council, seeing that he had erected the gridiron at his own expense, and had paid nothing for tho privilege. Cr. Cooper considered that there was nothing in Cr. Aickin _ bald statement to warrant the Council in refusing further consideration tp tho fflattpr. IJe was in faygur of' the mattei' bel(.g referred tfl committee. An amendment havjng been moved to this effect, Cy. Ajckjn rose to speak to it, Cr. .Cooper rose to a point ot order, Cr,. Aickin, however, persisted, He said that, howevpr bald his statement might be, it was not quite so bald as Or. Cooper himself. This sally brought down the house, and amid the up* roar Cr. Cooper rcse' again to his point of order, viz.,.hat Cr. Aicken had spoken once, and should not be allowed to speak again. The Mayor, however, overruled the objection, a new question having been raised since Cr. Aickin had previously spoken. The latter gentleman then resumed h;_ remarks after delivering another shot or two on the associated sublets of baldness and points of ordei.

Tho meetings of the City Council are lie- j coming so extended by rens-n of increasing business and a developing weakness for speech-making that if the civic fathers wish to avoid encroaching upon " tho wee sma' boors ayont the twal'" they will have to meet nt an earlior hour than six o'clock. X_u.b night's meeting extended up till 11.20, and even then several of the municipal orators were burning to deliver themselves of reflections upon various matters which had engaged attention. The principal business was the determination not to alter the permanent levels of CuslomsBtreet West; the acceptance of Mr J. Welsh's tender (£2,444) for drainage works in Pattewn-street; the decision to accept Mr Heath's tender for the Stanley-street sewer contract, and to sue Mr Blewdon for the loss sustained in consequence thereof; and tho resolution to invite tenders for works in College Road.

We learn that a new piece of ground, supposed to contain the celebrated Cambria reef, was last night pegged off by W. A. Hunt, of goldfield celebrity. Some of the promoter's shares were placed on the market this morning, at £15 each.

Three allotments were given away at Mr J. R. Randerson's sale of Victoria Glen Estate yesterday. One was awarded to Mr Winter, who purchased lot 1, having a frontage of 09 feet to Victoria Avenue, for £11 10s per foot. The others were given to Messrs Bennett and Davis, the purchasers of lots 8 aid 9. Four allotments wore to have been given away, but the necessary area to ensure that number was not sold. The othor Victoria Avenue frontages brought from 50s to 41s 6d. Tho Selwyn and New Road frontages fetched from 17s 6d to 2Cb Cd per foot, except lots 8 and 9 of section 31, which reached 28s and 29s respectively.

A meeting of those favourable to the formation of a Crimean Veterans' Association is called to take place on Wednesday evening next, at Robson's Dining Rooms, Queen-street. All old soldiers and men-o'-wars-men, whothor connected with the Crimea or not, are invited.

The business portion of^tho community, and all those who enjoy a change, however brief, from the choking atmosphere of the city, will appreciate tho enterprise of the Northern S.S. Company in placing their fast steamer on a special weekly trip to Waiwera during tho summer season. Tomorrow evening the Wellington is to sail for tho Hot Springs, making the trip in two hours, and will bring back her livine freight in time for business on Monday morning.

A meeting of the Auckland Regatta Committee was held last evening. Districts for tho collection of subscriptions were allotted to members. It was reported informally that some boatbuilders were trying to evade the rulos by making racing whaleboats of a peculiar shape. The matter was discussed for somo time, and it was eventually agreed that tho opinion of professional men should be takon, and a decision given on Monday evening next.

A fow friends met last night and formed a committeo to erect a mission hall for the Sugar Works, At the beginning of tho year a Sabbath-school was started, it has been making steady progress, and services are carried on amongst the resident families. A site has been secured by the Anglican church, and it is now considered desirable this summor to ereot a building suitable for week-day use, as a readingroom and for social gatherings. A plan wm submitted of a church of tho following dimensions :—Nave, 40 x 20, with two porcn entrances; cross transept, 40 x 21; and chancel, 10 x 20, leaving an organ chamber on one aide and a vestry on tho opposite, the interior to havo an open roof. Tho dosign is of early English gothic, and was generally approved of. A subscription list was started by the movors, who agreed to erect the nave at onoe and collect funds for that purpose with tho view of developing it as a mission hali for tho present, until such time as the growing wants of this district will onable them to orect a hall. The amount subscribed amongst those present is £20, and one promised to give tho carting of the materials.

An excursion to Tittrangi by the members ot the Auckland Naturalists' Field Club will take place to-morrow (Saturday). See advertisement in anothor column.