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Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 204, 30 August 1888, Page 4

Very little additional information haß transpired to-day re fche miners' strike at Newcastle. We are informed by wire that the Newcastle miners have appealed to the trade societies throughout Australasia for assistance to enable them tocatt'y on their strike, and.so far there sejßms to be little prospect'of a speedy settlement of the dispute. The Auckland boar supply has not yet been very much affected by the strike, and no increase in quotations for local coal is yet reported.

Detective Doolan left by the Mararoa today to take up his fresh location atDunedin. Detective McGrath fills-the vacancy caused by his removal from Auckland.,

. An interesting presentation was made at ■the< Auckland Telegraph Office yesterday— the occasion being the and promotion of Mr R. G. Fowler,, who has for the past five years been chief ebunter clerk. Mr W. S. Furby, the officer in charge, presented Mr Fowler with a valuable testimonial subscribed for by his fellow officers, and expressed their, congratulations on his entering the married state and his transfer to the head office at Wellington. Mr Foivler suitably acknowledged the gift. . . • The Mutual Life Assooj^on of Australasia is shown by the nineteenth annual report, just issued , to be in.a prosperous condition, Dnrine the past year, 3,557 proposals were received for sums amounting to £919,904. Of these 1,054 were declined, not taken up, or are ;in course of completion, embracing sums equalling £293,120, being a net increase on the year's accepted proposals of 2503, for sums aggregating £626,784. On tho 30th of June. last, when the accounts were closed, the Association had 14,658 policies open, for sums aggregating £3,832,542 10a 2dv all 'of which are for life assurances, except 874, endowment policies, and 25 annuity policies. The total yearly revenue is £171,500, consisting of £38;770 derived from interest upon investments, anda premium income of £132,694 13s Bd. The mortality experience continues even more favourable than heretofore, and bears testimony to the care taken in the selection* of lives. The; deaths during the past year number 88, involving claims amounting to £28,500, or less than 60 per cent, of the expectation. The annual meeting of the Company was held at the principal office in ; Sydney,: yesterday afternoon, when no1 doubt this very gratifying report would be^ received with satisfaction and adopted. ,

The September number of the " New Zealand Farmer, Bee,; arid Poultry Journal" is now ready, and may be obtained from all booksellers, and at the publishing office, Star Buildings, Short-land-street. Price,-ls. A phrenological lecture will be given at the Temperance Hall this evening at 7.30, in connection with the 6.T.M. socials.' Examinations at close. Admission free.

The annual soiree and social gathering, of tliß Epnsonby Baptist Church was held last evening. Tea was served in the^'schoolroom, and about 15Qbpersotis sat down : ,>fc> heavilyrladen taljleSi Thetablea were provided and presided; over by the ; following ladies :—-Mesdames Qilmbre, Turleyj Bigel low, Brown, Merriclr, Newton, Smith," Graham, Cameron, Misses Matthews, 'Wilr Hams, and Gilmore. The after-meeting was held in the .church, the Rev. J.; D. Gilmore, pastor, presiding. The annual report, which was read by Mr E. Turley f was of .an , encouraging . nature, and it was shown that the -financial position of i the church had improved considerably "during the last twelve months...';.. The year was entered upon with a deficit, but the income amounted to £312f and there remained after paying current expenses a credit balance of £14. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Addresses were delivered by the Rev 3. W. Gittps, T. Sturgeon; T. Bray, J. S. Hill arid J. D. Gilmore, and at intervals appropriate selections of music were rendered by the church choir, led by Mr Newton. Votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies who provided the teaj to the speakers and to the choir, and proceedings were broughtto a close with the Benediction,

Round about Ponsonby and Newton some persqns are making a good thing by robbing safes. In one instance, the Sunday dinner was taken on Saturday night and the would-be diners were left lamenting on the sacred day. . At such times the usual comforting wordß, "Never mind, your loss is tbeir gain," fail to have full effect. The thief or thieves are very careful not to remove any crockery, probably for fear of identification. Joints of meat are invariably taken off the dishes. In one instance a sugar jar was found denuded of i its saccharine contents, so that tbej robber evidently comes prepared for all-j emergencies. Robberies from no less than I three safes are reported within a small, radious, and all inside of about a fortnight; The hajbit of placing safes outside in order to get air naturally favours those individuals who prefer others to purchase and cook their food ready for them; to fetch away.

One of our local detectives a little while ago was considering how it was that so many fires originated in the vicinity of the chimney. At length he decided to investigate matters; Upon arriving at his own residence, he astonished his better-half by proceeding to investigate her cooking operations. While doing so, a notion struck him to examine the chimney. This brought to light a probable explanation of a number of mysterious fires. He noticed that the woodwork ab the back of the mantelpiece had shrunk considerably, owing to the heat of the fire. Upon closer investigation, he found that the interstices had been filled with rags. These h§ pulled out, and found that they were quite hot, and in some instances absolutely charred. As he had only recently moved into the house, he concluded that the wife of some previous occupant had taken this dangerous method of stopping the draught. ■■■■*

Mr Ralph Robinson,; chemist, Hobsoristreet, writes:." Your paragraph in to-day's Stab might lead my friends and the public generally to conclude that the 'Hobson Pharmacy' was totally destroyed by the late fire. The fact is, my shop, consultingroom and fittings remain almost uninjured, and the workmen are now engaged in repairing the upper storey and putting a plate glass window inthe shop. As stated in advertisement last week, the business is being carried on as usual, without the least inconvenience to my numerous customers.";--." ' -■' V ;:■;' ■.'■: - ; v';; '■.:■,■.' . •'-'

The question of the management of the city .abattoirs will come before the City Council to-night, but owing to the large amount of other business to be disposed of the. matter will probably be deferred for consideration by a special meeting. The Finance Committee, to which the aßattoirs question was referred, will not make any recommendation, and will refer the whole matter back £0 the Council: with the view of having it discussed arid dealt with by a committee of the whole

A crowded House greeted the third performance of; "Hans the Boatman" at Abbott's 'Opera House last evening, the whole of the available space in the stalls and"i pit being" occupied, while the dress circle ■ was also well filled. The performance went off exceedingly well, and the various songs of Hans were encored in an enthusiastic manner. At the close j the principals were called before the curtain. The public are reminded; that: the season absolutely terminates on jMbriday night; the Company leaving'*-for Australia; by Tuesday, to fulfil an engagement there.

In further illustration of the saying tßat" Sweet are the uses of adversity," a few particulars may be given of how a igentleman -in Auckland ■ has found - the prevailing "depression" a means of doing much good in the way of preventing waste and rendering valuable assistance to: people in distress.; This gentleman, having lost his employment and also- dropped all- his means in property and other speculations, had to ai>pSaj to friends; bufe lie was not of the-kind who beg for money wherewith to purchase luxuries! He simply asked; friends in good'"positions tp" hand over tb him what they did tiot require, ip *lie>' shape of provisions and clothing—things which' would otherwise be thrown away. .He found that he was soon placed in possessionof what was more than ample for himself,-and he then formed the project of extending bis operations, and distributing relief,to people more necessitous; than himself. Working privately and unostentatiously, he has found out various distressing cases; and has kept on increasing his benefactions until he has seven families dependent upon him atid supported by whatwouldotherwisehavegone! to swell the volume of waste. These, facts show how "unemployed" persons may, if so inclined, find means of employing themselves well and doiing much good. The | gentleman in question, who for obvious1 reasons wishes his": identity concealed, finds; no difficulty in getting supplies of,food s clothes, boots, etc., and he is prepare^ to undertake the responsibility of providing for more people so long as their distress is real and they are powerless to help themSelveS. ;,i;r ',/■: :■■;. Mr H. E. Fell, the highly-respected missionary of the Sailors' Rest, has. been induced by failing health to relinquish "his duties in; Auckland, and he hasj made arrangements to settle down witH his family at Hpkianga. Mr Fell has .been cbrineoted with thei Sailors'"Rest for the past six years, and in recognition of his valuable services] a meeting of those lin^ terested.in the Rest was held last evening! for the purpose of bidding the missionary and his family farewell. The meeting was J held in the mission hall, which was neatly decorated, and there was a large attendance, Mr. Hemery presiding. The Chair- i man, in his opening address, spoke in eulogistic terms; of the services rendered by Mr Felli and the Rev. Mr Evans (Thames), and Dr. Murray Moore arid Mr McArthur also gave short) addresses; Mr ,Watt spoke on behalf of the seamen, and expressed sincere gratitude to Mr Fell, Mrs^ Fell and Miss Fell, for the mariner in which they had laboured in the interests of the sailors. He said that their quiet good work was recognised outside of those who were now assembled, and that they were spoken of in terms of grateful recognition in all directions. Mr Watt presented to Mrs Fell,a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and Mr Keen tendered a similar bouquet to. Miss Fell. Mr McArthur, the Chairnkn, : then presented to jMr Fell a purse of sovereigns subscribed by numerous friends! He was glad the purse was a somewhat heavy one, the amount of its contents being £42 lls 6d, arid he prayed that God's richest blessing might follow Mr Fell and his family- Mr Fell acknowledged the gift in suitable terms, arid expressed; regret that he was "compelled by. ill-health to relinquish Mb missionary labours in connection with the Rest. 'During'an interval, refreshments were handed round, and : the proceedings were interspersed with musical selections, the Benediction bringing a pleasant gathering to a cloise. We uriderstandvthat a'successor to Mr Fell as Seamen's Missionary | will be appointed at an early date. ? . j

; The weekly drill of the Sk James's Company of tho Boys? Brigadeiwill; be held tomorrow at 7.30 p.m.

Mr Oswald's Shakspere: class held thefr usual meeting last night, and it passed off very successfully.' ■■ >■ Several scenes from "King John"^ere read, and there was a marked improvement in the way the diflerent passages were delivered by the members. It was; decided to alter the night of meeting, arid the classes will henceforth be held on f alternate Thursdays, at 7,30, the next meibirig being bii 13th September.'

IMr 0. p. Whitcombe's elementary French class has Been commenced in tße VYellesleyrstreetSchool,where jbmeeta*at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. "Mf Whitcombe pays special attention to pronunciation, and is very painstaking and clear in his teaching,

the Lako schoolroom itUU9i^S^B S following proßrSg \* \* largo audience in^^SiJßl l-^Threo'siS&^W liamson.; pianoforte* V & U.'>*tt" te»e,»' Miss A.%e^ !o' tli>^|l|i Happy Peasants.S'i^SPli liamson, M essrß ' c *** *hil it) ■} 4« son ; pianoforte b^ .?" d ?• H*8»(:' Mrs Baker; wng, !, T f^SrSß , Mind,"' Miss :phiW he filler $Wm: 3 Sea," Mr II H™ n ? lUun *i rifflß^ "•Fanieka," M^S 90- V^W& ? That QUtUri is fefe; St. Andrew'g Cj. ■ ' , Hi cert thin evenbg S f ? & H II * from a perusaL^f'^-^Wfi tl yesterday's issue we foil P 08r*^?^Koi big house. eU mx * theij smM a add further fen +1, AmH Ss )B o^the^oldmemSer/tet^Bi'' with some excelled- SL^HW-. the new ones will be jft ■jSHEII charming contralto JJ^V Four corner men mil T&IWASMLib P'f^, Miss SmiCgj^lM^ interlocutress. «■ j nmb J"S!*• -^li^Mtli " A. stitch in time saves^ i; l*b£ Palace when S" re *° -l"!- r Premise3.-172,Queen- e trSij|Mtjll