The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and Echo. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1886.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 286, 4 December 1886, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and Echo.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1886.

For the came that lacks assistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that -we can do.

We learn that a gentleman largely interested in Samoan matters, who is now in Auckland, intends '■ isiting Dunedin shortly for the purpose of laying proposals befure the directors of the Union Company for a regular steamer which will call at Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. It is claimed that by a littlo management the company could effect a saving, and at the same time more efficiently serve trading interests in Samoa and Tonga. The latter Kingdom is at present connected with Fiji by the running of the steamer Suva, and it is stated this is done at a heavy loss to the Union Company; but by including Samoa and connecting theseltwogroups with New Zealand direct, it is supposed that a lucrative trade would at once be established. In Samoa in particular there is room for our Auckland merchants to develop a large business if facilities of rapid communication were provided; and in view of the strenuous efforts being made by the Germans, of impending changes in the government of the islands, and of large schemes on foot for developing Samoan resources, it is to be hoped that jSfew Zealand interests will not be neglected. The steamer Janet Nicoll has already done much, by establishing swift and regular communication, to bring colonial merchants and Island traders within reach of each other and show how a reciprocally ad vantangeous trade might be carried on.

Shortly after iJ o'clock to-day a drag left the Imperial Hotel for the iSUarslie Kacecourse, conveying the contestants iv tho one-mi lo foot races for tho ■ championship and £50. The firat race is between Cosson and Shaw for £50 aside and tho mile championship. Shaw is a Wairoa bushman, and yeeterday a. number of his mates arrived in town having come down for the express purpose of seeing the race and backing their man. A second race will then be run between Cossqn and Howie for £20 a-eide and tbe championship. Mr M. Gallagher accompanied the patty to act as starter ond judge.

Mr Alan Scott has arranged for the starting of the construction of the Midland Railway. Tbe contract for tho first section has been div'ded into eleven cub contract?, for which tenders will be called forthwith. By February work will bo in full swing all along the section.

J. H. Buchanan, monumental stonemason, was examined in bankruptcy to-day. He gave an account of hia business experiences 6ince 1872, showing how he had sustained various heavy losses. In 1681 he lost £200 through an unfortunate transaction with Raglan stone, and in the same year he lost ±'500 on his contract for the stono work of Auckland Savings Bank. His debts now amount to £672 3s lid, and hia na-ets are :—Stock in trade, £70 ; book debts, £14 10s CJ ; furniture, £15; tools, &0., £0.

An effort is now being made by theladios of the Weßleyan Church, Parnell, to liquidate a portion of the liability ou the Church premises by a Christmas tree and sale of work on Wednesday and Thursday evenings noxt. The Pitt-street String Band will give selections on Wodnesday ovening, and Christmas tree prizqs are to bo distributod on Thursday eveniug.

Tho annual meeting of the Diocesan Sun-day-echool Association took place at All Saints', Ponsonby, last evening. There was a, good attendance. Tho Rev. W. Ciilder gave an object loeeon on the blackboard to a class of boys and girls, tho subject boing " Tho Lord's Prayer," and a discussion on this species of instruction took place subsequently,the Rov.|MrSraallfield expressing hii belief m ite great utility as a mode of instruction. Mr H. G. Seth Smith, R.M , read a papor on " Sunday school Examinations," iv the course of which ho said that though tho true rosult; of Sunday-school instruction could not be ascortainod in tho examination room, Sun-day-school examinations were valuable in ascertaining the intellectual attainments of those who presented themselves. Ose of tlio eviln of tho education ol tho present day was diirusoiiess. Too many subjects', and too little attention to uny ono. He would Bay to touchers ■ never forget that your present goal, when reached, will immediately become n starting point for others boyond, perhaps of a vory different kind from that which had just beon reached. Bearing that in mind would bo the be?t and surest provontative of "cram." The questions should aim not only attesting the memory, but also the intelligence. As an oxaininor, ho should generally prefer an answer a triflo loss accurate, which showed thought to ono which though faultlessly accurate, betrayed its origin by tho very fact that it was so faultless. The proccodingu terminated with tho pronunciation of the Benediction by tho Biahop.

The recent severe frost in the Waikato is proving disastrous to orchardists. From different parts of tho district it is reported that tho whole crop in eomo orchards, consisting of pluma, gooeoberries, and apples, has beon destroyed. At tho Colonial wool auctions in London on Thursday 10,700 bales wero ott'orod. Australian groasy cross brods wero {d lower than at tho close of last sales. About fifty-nine applications havo boon heard in Dun< din, by Majors Gndgoon and Crowe, the Commissioners appointed to hoar claims of old soldiors. Twenty of the applications aro from volunteers. Tho Artillery Band, under Bandmaster Hunter, will perform tho following programmo at the cricket match on Monday afternoon, Docombor Oth : — Grand March, " Little Brunswick" (J. .lubb); vnlse, " Shippories " (H. Bound); grand aelcetion, "Melita" (H. Pontet); quadrille, "Morry Folk" (T. Dawson); Fantasia, "Oleums of Sunshine" (J. S. ,lones) ; solo polka, "Frolic"(A Pooloy) ; selection, "Bmani," (Verdi); gallop, "Never Stop" (Oawson), &c; "God Save tho Queen." Proceedings have again been taken against tho young man Tiornoy for tho support of tho illegitimate child of Anabolla Stanclifl'e. Tho case was callod on at tho Police' Court to-day and adjourned. Two persona wore blbo punished for drunkonueeß.

Thoro was another vory largo audienco at tho Ciiy Hall last eveniug. This afternoon children were admitttd for Is each to all parts of the building. Among those present were a number of children belonging to various charitablo institution?, who wore admitted free,|but theVe.-t iction]of theinvition to 150 (a very unusual proviso) had a chitlng tflbct. A largo numbor of children had to bo loft behind in two of tho orphancwo*. Tlioio will be not be any concert tonight, but three performances will bo given in tho ensuing week.

The Dovonport Navals had a good muster at tho regular weekly pnrade lust night, under Lieutenants Oucre (in command) and (Jerrard. After inspection the company marched round tho district, hoaded by tho band. This afternoon the Devonpnrt N avals and tho O Battery of Artillery were firinpr a match on tho Dovouport Riiugo.

A moetine of tlio Auckland Lawn Tenng Association was held yesterday, when thore was under consideration a piopoeal to htivo a 50-gumea cup and tho championship of Now Zealand played for at Napier this m-ason, tho cup to ba won throe times before becoming the property of any holder. On tho motion of Mr It. A. Carr it was decided to propose an amendment to tho ell'cct that tho value of tliu cup should bo reduced to £25, and that a yearly trophy of tho valuo of £U) bo givon to the winner. Tho reason for this, it was explained, was that the winner should havo some record of his suecues in tho event of tho challengo cup poseing out of his hands. With roepect to the Fiji match it was ag7eed to ask Messrs R. G. Thomuß and Duncan D. Clark, to piny on behalf of Auokland.it boing understood that those gentlomon were propared to pay their own expenses.

Tho companies comprising tho Naval Battalion had nn inspection parado last night, Thero was a good muster.

During tho threo days of tho cricket match, Auckland v. Australians, a public luncheon will be provided in a largo marquoe on tho Crickot Ground by Mr T. McEwin, who will also supply light refreshments and temperance drinks.

Tho Board of Education, at its mooting yesterday, received an application from residents of Point Chevalier district, praying the Board to contribute towards tho ealary of tho teachor at present engaged. It was resolved that the application be declined, as tho Board had no power to authorise such expenditure. A number of grants wore made to country schools for repairs, &c.

" Meg's Divoraion," which is to bs played at Abbott's Opora House by some of our leading amateurs on Monday oveniny, is likely to prove very successful, judging by tho rehearsal?, which are going most smoothly. It is tendored aa a complimentary benefit to Miss Gertrude Duke (Mrs Oscar Ralfo), and sho fully doetrves to have a bumper house, as ahe has always boon most willing aDd ready to accord her services to othors when required. The performance is under the patronage of the Australian Eleven, who intend boing present. The comedy id to bo preceded by tho araußing and sparkling comedietta "Tho Happy Pair." A box plan is now open at Messrs Kidd nnd Wildman'a,where seats can bo reserved and tickets obtained.

A moat successful juvenile concert was givon in St. Mary's Convent School, lon Eonby, last evening. Thero was a good attendance. Tho following, young ladios assisted in the programme, which was a Rocd diversified o»e : — Miaeoj O'Sullivan, Brodie, Whitsted, Mahoney Wttllnut, Davis, White, Dor wan, Allanacb, Fitzgibbon, Lanhigan, Hopkins, and Driscoll, Hattie May Brigham, Bowemau, Willis, Molioy, Granam and Heskett. The cantata was capitally performed, Misses White and lleta Tola acting as accompanists.

A most successful concert and dance took place at Otahuhu last evening in aid of n ycung man named Slinn. Thore was :i lar^e attendance, including about thirty visitors from Auckland. Mr George Oswald, whose elocutionary entertainments appear to be much appreciated in Auckland, gives a miscellaneous recital in the Poneonby Hall on Monday evening. A t;ood programme haa been prepared for the occasion. Families who want to economise should reiuembev that J. H. Hannati, Vicloriastroot. i 3 selling Drepery. Millinery, Dress Goods, Clothing, etc., at enormously low prices to meet the tiinee. Wo would call ppocial attention to tho large and varied assortment of unredeemed pledges to be Bold by Gabriel Lowis at his auotion rooms, opposite Thornton, Smith. & Firth's inille, Lower (juetjn a'-rett. on Morday next, at 11 o'clock, by order of Mr L. H |N'6wmogen. To buyers this is a lirat class opportunity to buy bargains, and the gooflß are for poaitive sale.