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Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 271, 16 November 1888, Page 2

Although the exodus from New Zealand to Australia has now been checked, the returns for last month show that we lost over a thousand people by the excess of emigrants over immigrants. The return for October gives tho number of arrivals as 1,260, Victoria contributing 475, New South Wales 592, and the United Kingdom 300. The departures booked were 2,296, of which number 1,363 booked for Victoria, and 770 for New South Wales. _ There were no arrivals or departures of Chinese.

In reply to the petition representing that the sentence imposed upon Sir Charles Burdett for taking a couple of roses from Albert Park was excessive, the Minister of Justice has telegraphed that he declines to recommend any interference with the sentence, bub as soon as tho petition is received ib will bo duly submitted fco His Excellency the Governor. \No can quite understand that the Minister hesitates to interfere in a case regarding the facts of which he is probably imperfectly informed. We havo no hesitation in saying, however, that the sentence was wholly out of proportion to the offence. While our courts admit to the benefits of the First Offenders Probation Act men who have been convicted of serious crimes, it is scandalous that any man, no matter what his position, if ho has never been previously convicted, should have the brand of the Ka°l placed upon him for an offence of this comparatively trivial character. The evidence in the case was also of the most inconclusive character, and, to our mind, wholly inadequate to support a conviction at all. Every day's experience at the Police Court shovs how desirable it is that the criminal business of a large city like this shall be transacted by a legally-trained magistrate.

On the 27th of September last there died at Portland, Oregon, Mr J. F. Clark, formerly a resident of this city, and well known on the Stock Exchange in the early days of the Thames goldfields. He came here about 1856, and was manager for Messrs David Graham and Co. for some years. Mr Clark took a prominent part in the founding of the South British Insurance Company. He left Auckland for the United States about fourteen yean-; ago, and after being in business in Han Francisco as a real estate agent and stockbroker, ho settled at Portland, where, niter residing; fourteen years, ho died. Hg loaves a wife, two nons, and a daughter, all grown up, to mourn hia loss.

Tho many friends in Auckland of Miss Staunton will be glad to hear that that young lady lia« already received a highly laudatory notice for her singing as a member of the Italian Opera Company, at present performing in Melbourne. Speaking of tho principal performers in the opera of Carmen, which was sung in Italian, the "Argus " of the sth iiuit. says:—"Tho finely artistic performance:- of Mdllc. Sablachc, Miss Uraupner, Miss Staunton, Sjgnorina Pitrniggiani, Signor Dimitresoo, and Signor Pimazzoni wore such us excited the interest and admiration of the whole house. Thh-: was Miss Stauntori's third appearance only in opera." The Mdlle. Sablacheabove mentioned is, the " Argua '.' says, a descendant of tho celebrated singer of that name.

Tho steam roller ha.s recently been ongaped rolling tho newly-laid metal on the carriago drive recently formed through the Auckland Domain. This drive should be in first-class condition by tho Christmas holidays, and will prove an additional attraction to the Domain.

While the Rev. H. J. Lewis was attending the Congregational Conference in Victoria, he was offered tho pastorate of a church. Mr Lev/is is i;t present pastor of the Newton Congregational Church in this city, and attended the Conference in his capacity as Chairman of the New Zealand Congregational Union. Although an increased salary was offered, it is anticipated that Mr Lowis will still continuo his pastorate in Auckland.

Tho trees which wero planted somo years ago by tho city authorities in Vincentstreet havo grown rapidly. Unfortunately, the children are in tho habit of trying their knives on the bark, and the consequence is that some oi the trees are almost denuded of bark on one side. It would be well if the Council would take some steps to protecb the trees a little longer, until they have became of such size that a little racldnj? of tho trunks will uot seriously injure them. Of course it is impossible to continually watch the trees, and perhaps the cheapest system would bo to bind matting round the trunks for a year or two now that the protecting fences have fallen to pieces through decay.

In his opening remarks afc the meeting at the Masonic Hall last night Mr D. B. McDonald, president of the Burns Club, referred at somo length to a paragraph which had been published regarding the formation of the Auckland -Caledonian Society. He cordially approved of that Society's objects, and. had no doubt it would be accorded all support. At the same time he thought the gentlemen who proposed to form tho Auckland Caledonian Society, must be ignorant of tho fact that it had been the custom of the Burns Club to hold two of their principal festivals on St. Andrew's day and the anniversary of Burns's birthday, and no doubt when they were informed of this they would select some other daya on which to hold their gathering.. It was most desirable that kindred sociotios, havinga common aim, should work in harmony, and he ventured to say, on behalf of the Burns Club, that the most hearty and kindly co-operation would be extended to the Caledonian Society.

It has come to our knowledge that there are evidently in Auckland porsons who make it a practice to call on the general public and solicit subscriptions (at the aame time showing a paper with subscribers' names on) towards some laudable object, or for the relief of some person or persons in distress, while at the same time they have never been authorised to do so, but are simply collecting the money for purposes of their own. A case in point haa just come" under our notice, where a woman waited on a lady in this city and solicited a subscription towards a family who were suffering from a severe misfortune, and if the amounts on her lists were genuine, the woman must have collected a considerable sum. We, are assured that the person in question had never been authorised to solicit donations ; in fact, she is a perfect stranger to the family for whoso aid slip is canvassing the city. It is quite true that in the case in.question a subscription was started by the residents of the locality where the family resided, but the collecting was placed in the hands of a well-known citizen. We would advise the public in future not to subscribe to anything unless the person collecting is personally known to them or can produce an authority signed by some clergyman or well-known citizen. , There is another matter we might mention while on this subject, and which, at the present moment, prevails to a large extent in Auckland. It is the ever increasing number of " beggars " in the shape o-f boys and girls of tender years constantly soliciting subscriptions towards some church, Sunday-school, home or foreign mission, etc. The practice not only has a tendenoy to make the ''juveniles'' bod and cheeky, but they aro very apt to piok up a few " wrinkles " not at:all con.; ducive to ttieu* future well-being'

Even the clergy feel the hard times, judging by the statements made at the meeting of the Synod last evening, during the discussion of the report of the special committee appointed to consider the question of the Tension Fund. This report suggested that the pensions should be on the insurance system. It pointed out that ministers might pay £5 per annum, and their parishes £10 per annum, and thus insure a pension of £100 at a certain age. One after another, the clergymen present expressed the conviction that their parishes could not raise the requisite £10. At length the Eev._ Mr Hill caused a laugh by declaring that his parish, however willing it might be, could not do so, he being the gaol chaplain. One gentleman from a country district stated that their clergyman was already behindhand in his salary, and, therefore, it was impossible to raise the extra £10. He also mentioned that the clergyman had a wife and eight children to support, and actually grew vegetables for sale in order to eke out an existence.

A meeting of the Bootmakers' Operative Union was held at the Cook-streefc Hall last eveningl. Mr J. Scott (President) occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. Cullen's casa was farther considered, and it was resolved, " That Cullen be asked to pay his line and given a week in which to do so ; that at the end of that period a deputation be appointed to wait upon the Masters' Association with a view to settlement of the matter ; and that in the event of the effort to obtain a settlement being unsuccessful, the Union men be again called out of McArthur and Co.'s factory, where Cullen is still, employed."

At the Masonic Hall, Karangahape Road, last nio'ht, Mr Blackman read a paper on "The Life and Lyrics^ of W. R. Wills," under the auspices of the Burns Club. Mr D. B, McDonald presided. The paper was illustrated by Mr G. Carter singing the popular song written by Mr Wills, "The Old Land and the New." Songs were also rendered by Mesdames Leera and Highway, Miss M. A. Mioncur, and Messrs Armstrong, Smith, and Lyle; while Mr J. "Robertson gave a humorous reading, "Raising His Mother-in-Law." There were about forty persons present, and the Chairman remarked that the excellence of the entertainment proved fchafc the "ashes" of the Burns Club had still some fire in them.

The ordinary meeting of the Crown Lands Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being present:—The Chief Commissioner (Mr Percy Smith), in the chair ; Dr. Campbell, Messrs Pearce, Moat and Gill. A large amount of business was transacted, tho following being the principal items. It was resolved to offer timber at per 100 ft at auction from tho Museum endowment. Block 11, Hokianga. Certain other timber in this district was settled on the same plan, and it was agreed on the proposal of the Government to withdraw lands now open at the Croat .Barrier, as minerals had been found on them. It was decided to sell Dy auction sections 2 to 6, Block IV., Maketu. The following applications were granted: —Application of VV. S. Hawkiup, for homestead selection, Otonga Easfc. From 11. Sills, for permission to remove timber through section Is o. 10. From \). Keeno, for the Board's authority to put up to auction lot 15, section 3, Pukekohe. From \Y. Ross and others, for a gravel reservo of 5 acres at Tvlararaarua settlement. From VV. F. Porter, applying that certain lands at Pukorokoro, Frith of Thames, be offered for sale. From Chairman of Totara School Committee, applying that certain land be dedicated to school purposes. Board resolved to make section 153, parish of Totara, a recreation reserve. From E. J. Magee, that his purchase of the deferred payment section at Waoku be cancelled, and the land be again offered at auction. From Melville and Morrison, applying for an area in the Huteo Riding, after survey had been made. From William Edwards, Kumeu, asking that section 74, near. Taupaki station, might be offered for sale or selection, also after survey. A number of applications to purchase or lease lands were passed.

The following programme will be performed by the Artillery Band, under Bandmaster Hunter, at the Athletic Sports tomorrow afternoon in the Domain :—Grand polka quick march, "General Boulanger !> (Peeornea) ; valse, " Lucky Stars " (H. Round); selection, " Sounds of Sweetness," from "La Traviata ;" " Puritana " and " Lucia di Lamißcrmoor" (Mfitcalfe) ; quadrille, " Echoes From the West" (E. Newton) ; selection, "Martha" (Flotow); valse, "The Gipsy Bride" (Motcalfe); solo polka, "Ex press" (Dawsou); selection, " Les Chevaliers " (E. Mullot); romanza " Friihlingserwachen" (Bach); fantasia and galop, " Relief of Ekowe " (Lecoata); " God Save the Queen."

A local municipality, in advertising for a valuer, add the important clause:—"The lowest or any person not necessarily accepted." Had it been for a. property tax valuer, we suppose the stipulation would have been that the very '^lowest" individual would be preferred, for it is generally considered that it requires a very low cuss tcnais to get down to the Government requirements in the way of oppressing property owner.?. '

On the 34th December, 1859, Mr Anton Tange, a well-known and succee.sful Sydney merchant, and for many years .Danish Consul in that city, effected a policy for £1,000 in the Australian Mutual Provident Society, at an annual premium of £33 6s Bd. Mr Tange died on the 18th August, 1888, after having paid premiums for 29 years, and by the kind permission of his executors, the facts relating to the claim under his policy are now made public as an inducement to others to follow his example. The amount of the policy has been increased by bonuses to the extent of £934 2s, and the sum payable thereunder is therefore £1,934 2s, being nearly double the sum originally assured for, and rather moro than double the entire amount paid to the Society by way of premiums. It may be further stated that the boimses alono averaged over £3 4s per cent, per annum on the amount assured, and that the sum to be received by Mr Tango's representatives is equivalent to a return of all the premiums paid with compound interest at something over 4| per cent, per annum for the 29 years of the policy's duration, in addition to which the, assurance has been carried during the whole of that time without cost to the assured.

The monthly meeting of the Drury Band of Hope was held on Wednesday, November 14th. After being opened in the usual manner, the following programme was very $bly got through : — Duet, Miss Blakeley and Mrs Fielding ;' retyJingi Mr Fielding; an interesting description of the Zuluß of gouth "Africa by Mr Maberley ; a selection by the Drury Brass Band ; reading, Miss Cossey ; and a very amusing dialogue was rendered by Mrs Fielding, Miss Blakeley and Messrs Bush and Fielding. A few 'ol Hoyles's hymns were sung. The attendance was very good and all seemed to pass a very enjoyable evening. The next meeting will be held on December 25th, at 7.30 p.m. Mr Pooley advertises in another column a class which he is forming for gentlemen who sing a good song, but who have little or no knowledge of musip, and who desire a thorough course of elementary instruction in the vocal art, and reading music at sight. Names will be received by Mr Pooley at Hoffmann and Sons Music Warehouse.

The Choral Society's rehearsal oalled for this evening has bean postponed in con sequence of the hall being engaged by the Synod for the Annual Church Meeting. Vide Advt,

Wo are sorry to hear that Mr «X. G, Henderson, of the Ponsonby Medical Hall, has been suffering from acute rheumatism in both feeb for the last three weeks, arid has consequently been incapacitated from business. He has, however, sufficiently recovered now to be able to attend to his business again.

What is the world coming to ? Only one "drunk" at the Police Court yesterday, and only one this morning. Mr J. Gordon, J.P., presided to-day, and sent up the solitary inebriate for 48 hours.

At the Columbia Rink last evening there were some polo competitions. The first contest was between the Columbia and Caledonia teams, and the latter was defeated by two goals to nil. The Columbias then played a match against aflcomers and secured another victory. The Caledonians have challenged the winners to play a return match, which will take place at an early date.

At the Baptisb Union Conference nowsitting atChristchurch, the Secretary yesterday read.the completed statistics of past year's work as follows:— Increases by baptism, 137 ; transfer, 70 ; renewal, 7 ; visitation, 27 : total. 241. Decrease by transfer, 51; withdrawn, 16 ; revision of roll, 68 ; discipline, 12; deaths 21 : total, 147, showing an increase of 84 for the year. The total number of members in communion with churches is now 2,778. There are throughout the polony 68 local preachers, with 23 preaching stations. The Sunday-school returns showed the number of teachers to be : Females, 245; males, 244: total, 459. Scholars: Female, 2,543; male, 2,137: total, 4,680, as against 4,637 last year, an increase of 43.

An Asylum patient named Mrs Harriet G eraud, recently admitted to the institution, died at 9 o'clock this morning. She was a ffO man about 50 years of age. The usual inquest will be held. The attendance last evening at the Victoria Lodge, 1.0. G.T., Newmarket, was very fair. After some routine business had been transacted, harmony was indulged in, when some excellent selections were rendered. A pleasant evening concluded at half-past nine.

Mr McDowell, 8.A., will deliver a lecture on "Jubilee Week in London," illustrated by limelight views, in St. Andrew's Hall, Symonds-street, this evening at S o'clock.

At Dunedin the vexed question of the connection between —not " Progress and Poverty" — bub pubs and poverty has just been raised. At the Charitable Aid Board meeting yesterday Mr A. C. Begg said that in looking through the returns of the amounts received by the various local bodies he found that there was a wonderful coincidence between the number of licensed houses and the number of persons requiring relief in a district. In the Flat, for example, where there were a large number of licensed houses, it absorbed £1,800, and contributed ouly £400. Several members demurred to the conclusion drawn by Mr Begg, and alleged that poor people went to the Flat because rents were cheap. It may be that Mr Begg's conclusions are not logically sound, that he is, as it were, begging the question ; but it is well-known that public-houses do not incline to congregate where rents are cheap unless there are other good reasons, and their presence on the Flat is presumptive proof that they find ib a profitable field.

The All Star Combination was well patronised again last evening, when a large number of new items were presented. The chair business was entirely new, and included vocal selections by Mis 3 Clements, Miss Herberte, aad Messrs Lindsay and Glenville, while the corner men, Dave Gardner and Alf Lawton, were very amusing. The performances by Sylvo and the Donaldson Bros, caused astonishment and admiration, while Miss Spencer,/ in her "masher" impersonations, and Miss Herberte, in her ballads, were very successful. The performance, as usual, concluded with an amueing farce. Another good programme will be presented this evening.

The matron of the Kindergarten West, Howe-street, acknowledges with thanks :— Milk, daily, from Ambury and English ; supplies of bread from Mr Waddell (Newton), Mr Grubb (Newton), Mr. Mclntyre (Arch Hill), Mr Payne (Ponsonby) ; aleo supplies of meat from Mr Middlebrook (Ponsonby), Mr Briggs (Ponsonby). Mr Garrett (Newton), Mr A. Wood (Welling ton-street), Mr Grey (Newton) ; butter, weekly, from Mr Wallace (Remuera); bag of potatoes, JVJr Rowe (Newton); bag of potatoes, Mr White (Great North Road); vegetables from Mr Squire (Newton), Mr Gunson (Newton), Mr Haman (Newton).

The popular excursion to Riverhead by p.s. City of Cork will be run as usual on Saturday and Sunday next. This is one of bhe pleasantest trips, and at the same time the cheapest that can be taken by those desirous of enjoying a sail amid fresh breezes and fine scenery. The tide will be very favourable for Saturday's trip.

The advertisement which appears in our columns to-day announcing an auction sale on Wednesday, sth. December, by Messrs Tonks and Co., of a valuable block of 640 acres at Henderson, should attract the attention of all those who need a small farm specially adapted for fruit-grow-ing, or for a nursery, or a beautiful site for a villa. Trains run on Saturdays at 7 a. in., 10.55 a.m., and 4.40 p.m. at greatly reduced rates, so that there are special facilities to-day, or any Saturday, for anyone to go and view the property. The terms are specially easy, and the sections are cut up into sizes to suit all purchasers. Members of the Ponsonby "At Home" are reminded that tho next and final dance takes place next Tuesday, in plain or fancy dress. New tickets are now being issued, and, as the number is limitedj early application is necessary to any member of the Committee or the Hon. Se.c, Mr I). F. Evans, Queen-street, Auckland, or Came-ron-street, Ponsonby. A fancy bazaar and sale, of work will be held this evening in the Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road. It will be under the auspices of the members of the congregation of St. Peter's Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hills, the proceeds to be devoted towards the building fund. Mr C. W. Goodson is one of our most enterprising business men, and of course caters specially to the tastes of the public, who so largely patronise him. The New Year's reminiscences and Christmas festivities are his special .study. The provision he has made in New Year and Christmas cards is worthy of ■ mention. • We have seen the cards which he calls 3d, 6d, and Is packages, and such presents to friends distant arid at honie are really astonishing. In fact, the cards are beautiful, and chaste as works of art, and it'is^astpnishing'the'y can be sold for such a price.

A meeting of the Ponsonby Choral Society is called for Monday evening-, when very important business will be transacted. It is intended that the question of establishing the Society on a new and sounder basis shall be thoroughly thrashed out. ''

An interesting lecture on "The Resurrection" was delivered in the Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road, last evening by a member of the' sect known as the Restored Apostles. Mr Salmon r presided. There was a fair attendance,' and the discourse was listened to with very great interest. The evangelist is to lecture in the same hall next Thursday on {'The True Object of the Church's Existence, and the Present Movement Towards its Attainment."

For good value, for cash only, in boys', youths', and men's and Colonial clothing, ready made and made to measure, try Smith and Caughey's, Queen-street'and Earangah^pe Bbadi—(Advt.v