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Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 176, 27 July 1888, Page 2

Some rich gold-bearing stone was shown in town to-day by a gentleman who returned from Coromandel by the last steamer. The ground from which the stone was obtained has been secured by the holder of the specimens.

The schooner yacbfc Casco, belonging to Dr. Merritt, of Oakland, cleared from San San Francisco on Saturday June 23, for Marquesas, and sailed on the 28th. She was commanded by Captain Otis, and carries as passengers Robert L. Stevenson and a large party of ladies and gentlemen, who will take an extended cruise among the South Sea Islands, where Mr Stevenson will collect materials for a new work.

At the lasfc meeting of the Tabernacle Mutual Improvement Society a debate took place on thequestion "IsthePresentEduca tionalSystemDesirable?'' Mr*1. A. Cleveland opened in the affirmative, and Mr M. Aldis in the negative. Other members having spoken, some for and some against, the result of a show of hands declared against the system.

DetectiveMcG rath, who hasbeenstationed in Auckland for the last five months, has received notice that he must proceed to Dunedin to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Detective Bain. During the short time he has been stationed here Mr MoGrath has made many friends, who will regret his departure to a colder climate. His short sojourn here did not afford much opportunity for a display of his abilities in the thief-catching line, but was ample in discovering him to be a " jolly good fellow." Now that a vacancy Has occurred in the detective force of the colony, • surely Detective Herbert's undoubted merits will secure him the position to which he is entitled after serving as acting-detective for such a lengthened period.

A verdict of " Died from natural causes " was returned at the inquiry into the death of John Brown, at the Lunatic Asylum, yesterday afternoon. Brown was transferred to the institution from the Gaol in 1887. He had no relatives in the colony, but was formerly a member of the old 65bh Regiment. He was a native of Belfast.

The flax industry (writes our Mercer correspondent) is assuming large proportions. The natives are making money at it, cutting the flax up the river round Lake Wangape and other places, and floating it down the river in large rafts containing from two to four hundred bundles which they guide in canoes. I saw four such rafts on Thursday coming down qqptaining about 1200 bundles. They get 12s per ton for the raw material at the mill on the river, or 14s at Tuakau whore it is sent by rail from Mercer.

The"Otago Daily Times" of Saturday lost says:—The case against Dr. W. H. Gaze, of Christchnrch, who was recently arrested at the Bluff charged with deserting his wife, has been withdrawn, a« it is understood that an arrangement has been arrived at between the patties concerned. The wife is to bo allowed 20s a week maintenance money by bar husband, who has also to provide 10s a week for each of the two children.

The man Jones who died in the hospital at Hamilton, from gangrene of the lungs' leaves four children in the Industrial School.

Traffic on the lineseems to be increasing. Yesterday there were 36 waggons and carriages on the up train to Auckland, and 39 on the down train to Huntly. Passengers, however, are mighty scarce..

Mr 6. Someriield, the captain of the Ellerslio football team, experienced a nasty accident last Saturday when playing against the Otahnhu. Hi* right arm was broken up near the shoulder, and he haa been lrid up with ib since. Dr. Mackellar is attending him, and the patient is making good progress. Three cows belonging to Mr McGlynn were killed a few nights einee by the late train from Waikato on the Whangamarino Swamp embankment. The loss is a serious one to the owner as two of tho cows were close to calving.

" The destruction of Mr W. A. Graham's orchard at Tamahere a few nights since" (writes our Hamilton correspondent) " has created a great sensation, and it is probablo that a substantial reward will bo ollered for the conviction of the cowardly scoundrel who, for some supposed grievance againsb Mr Graham, has taken this low-handed means to satisfy his private spleen. Of course, there will be immense difficulty in bringing the charge home, as it seems from an examination of the orchard thab the trees were all cut down by one person, the footprints being plainly traceable along the rows of trees. Mr Graham planted the orchard last year at some considerable expense, and now nob one tree lias been left standing, all being hacked off cloao bo the ground. Shooting seems almost justifiable For an offenoe of this sort, and I do not think anyone would blame a man for using extreme measures under the circumstances. Settlers generally are very much annoyed, and wilt willingly contribute towards a substantial reward."

The midwinter tree in Beresford-street Hall was an unqualified success last evening. This was mainly due to the committee of management, who spared no trouble to make everything go smoothly. The avenue leading to the church.and also thedoorway, were decorated wich coloured lanterns, whilst the interior of the building presented an animated scene. The room was packed with ticket-holders, and many were then unable to effeetan entrance. Inconsequence of this the church was thrown open, and in order to whileaway thetimeMr J. P. HooLon, the organist, played a number of selections. Four gentlemen were engaged calling out the numbers from tho tree, and at 10 o'clock the affair was adjourned until this evening, when the remainder of tho prizes will be given out, and the rest of the evening devoted to the concert) which, but for the crowd, would have been delivered last night.

Tho Rev. H. J. Lewis, pastor of the Newton Congregational Church, delivered an interesting sketch of the life of the great American poet Longfellow, last evening in the school - room, Edinburgh - street. There was a large attendance. After the interval, during which a collection was taken up, the following items were rendered illustrative of the works of Longfellow : Miss Elsie Wood recited "The Wreck of the Hesperus." Miss E. Da vies gang "Excelsior" and Miss Warren sang "The Bridge." Mr Robherbam recited "The Psalm of Life," and Mr H. S. Smeeton " The Village Blacksmith." "Tho Slave's Dream " was rendered in excellenb style by Miss< Seymour. Mr W. Barry recited "Excelsior" in a creditable manner, and his father favoured the audience with "Paul Reveres Ride." The linesb production of the evening was undoubtedly "The Legend Beaufitul," which was recited by Mr George Oswald, professor of elocution. Clearness of enunciation and natural gestures were the chief features of the recitation. At the conclusion of the programme, votes of thanks were accorded to all who had assisted. .

The weekly meeting of tbe Mount Eden Young Men's Association was held last evening in the church, the Rev. Thomas presiding. After the usual preliminary business, the manuscript magazine was read by tho editor, Mr J. S. Kelly, and elicited much criticism. Next Thursday evening will be devoted to an essay on " Land Nationalisation," by Mr J. W. Henton. As this is a question of great importance to New Zealand, there should be a good attendance of members and frisnds.

Last evening the Rev. C. E. Ward delivered a leoturo on ''Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth," in the Franklin Road Church, before a tolerably largo congregation. The lecture embraced his parentage, his birth, youth, statesmanship, chivalry, and his indomitable courage on the side of right against might. His first speech in Parliament and the allusion made to it by Hampden was dwelt "upon. Reference was made to the pillory, and the case of a Puritan divine, who had his nose slit open, his ears cut off, and lodged in prieon for eleven years for writing a book called " Zion's Plea Against Prelacy," as some of the atrocities committed under the House of Stuart. The massacre of 1641 in Ireland was alluded to, and the execution of Charles 1., and the lecturer wound up by advising his audience to bear no malice against; any man for his religion, but endeavour to bring before the mind of any erring brother the one and only Mediator, and that thus they would live noble and honourable lives ; and respecting themselves, they v/ould be respected by their fellow colonists, even as Cromwell. The Newton brass band rendered the meeting enjoyable by several pieces, and the usual votes of thanks brought the meeting to a close.

There was a crowded audience ab St. James's Hall lasb evening, when Mr \V. H. Webbe's forty - second musical evening passed off most successfully. Mr Webbe and pupils, assisted by Herr Tutchska, Miss Knight, Messrs Worrall and Ferriday, provided an excellent programme, in which all the items were of a high order of merit. The instrumental selections by Mr Webbe's pupils were admirably executed, and afforded evidence of both skill and careful training. The items were as follows:—Overture, "Zampa" on three pianos, by Misses Streeter, Campbell, Gribbin, Gilmer and W. H. Webbe;*song " Forgetand Forgive,"Miss Knight; piano duet, '" Symphony No. IX." (Haydn), Misses Gilmer and Campbell; song, "Queen of the Earth," Mr Ferriday; violin solo, " Gavotte" (Bach), Herr Tutchska; brief address, " Music Teaching," Mr W. H. Webbs; operatic selection (piano and organ) (J. Low), Miss F. Gilmer and Mr Webbe ; duet (two pianos) " Grand Polonaise," Misses Gribbin and Campbell; song, "Tomorrow will be Friday," Mr Worrall; piano solo, "Nightingale and Zephyr," Miss F. Gilmer; song, "Cupid Disguised," Miss Knight; songs without words (organ and two pianos) (Mendelssohn), Misses Gribbin, Campbell, and Lambourne ; song, "Death of Nelson," Mr Ferriday ; finale on organ and three pianos, "Don Juan," Misses Lambourne, Gilmer, Gribbin, Streetor, Campbell and Mr Webbe.

The Eureka Polo Team played a match last night at the Victoria Rink in Ponsonby Hall. The Eurckas defeated the Victorias by 9 to 4. Mv Carter, the captain of the visitors, scored eight of the nine points secured. The return iratch takes place at the Eureka Rink on Monday night, when a ladies' mile race will also eventuate, the prize being a silver bracelet.

The Otahuhu Lodge, 1.0. G.T., gaid their official visit last evening to the Newmarket Lodge, After routine business had been transacted, a capital programme, consisting of vocal and instrumental selections, dialogue, readings, and recitatior. s, was gone through in an excellent manner. Refreshments were provided about 10 o'clock. The lodge was then closed, after which gnmes, etc., were indulged in with much zest, a most enjoyable evening's amusement-, bei:ig brought to a conclusion about half-past two this morning.

Last September our cablegrams announced that a serious aooiden ) had occurred on the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Kail way, in which «Ir Thomas Trimnell a son of Dr. Tnmnell, organist of St Mary'a Church, Parnell, had sustained serious injuries. From papers received by the San Francisco ami we-nojr learn that Mr Trimnell brought action Icfainst the company, and was awarded £4 000 The evidence showed that his left foot was literally torn off, and the limb had to be amputated below the knee. His rio-ht leg was also severely lacerated, but fortunately this was saved. Mr Trimnell is a solicitor, 28 years of ape, and he had established a very good business at Ludgate Hill, London. This, of course, he had to give np in consequence of the accident, his medical adviser having recommended him to take a trip to New Zealand to restore his shattered health. Only an iron constitution could have survived the shock which Mr Trimnell suffered, but it was shown that prior to the accident, he was of exceptionally strong athletic frame. Besides the £4,000 payable to Mr Tnmnell, the company were mulcted in other substantial sums for damages sustained in this accident, the penalties being such as would, one may very well suppose, make them adopt better precautions to secm-e the safety of the passengers who entrust their lives to the care of the company's servants. There was a good muster of skatera at at the Columbia Rink last evening on the occasion of the benefit for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, but the attendance of spectators was not large. A Siamese race on skates, blindman's buff on wheels, and a polo match constituted the attractions of the evening and proved very succesful.

A very successful meeting of the Auckland Athenifium was held last evening, when Mr G. B. Liliv read a paper on " Ancient and Modern Sports, or Muscle and Intellect." The paper, a very able one, dealt with the connection between physical and mental faculties and their bearing on each other, and illustrations wore given taken from the national sporba °of all ages. After MiLilly had finished, several of the members present added their remarks ci iticising the paper just read and making suggestions on the subject. The Revs. J. S.lttill and W. Tebbs, and Mr Non-combe and Dr. Girdler took part in the discussion. All spoke in highly complimentary terms of Mr Lilly's paper. The next meeting of the Society is on Thursday, when the Rev. C. M. Nelson will lecture on "Superstitions." An announcement was made last evening to the effect that <% The Queen " newspaper had been obtained for the lady members of the Society.

Mr W. R. Bridgman, draper, has just purchased thousands of yards of Hoyle's prints (damaged by fresh water), and he offers them at the ridiculous price of 2|d per yard.

An excellent opportunity is offered to professional men and others of securing that tirst-class central residence, at present occupied by Mr D. J. McLeod. He leaves early next month, and will Jet his house in Symonds-street for a very low rent to an approved tenant.