Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 34, 10 February 1891, Page 4

We have to acknowledge for the Huntly Disaster Fund—W. Jennings. 2s 6d : A.R., 2i 6d t

Auckland can take a leaf out of Wellington's book in the matter of promoting regattas. The southern city has sprung into sudden prominence through the energy of its citizens in establishing its annual aquatic fetes on a more pretentious scale the first of which has proved as successful financially as it was in other respects. The Wellington Anniversary Regatta Committee have now a balance in hand of £72 to carry forward as a surplus for nexb Regatta. At the lasb meetiug of tbe Committee the Secretary stated that this happy result had besn obtained mainly through tho efforts of the canvassers, and ha thought the Committee was to be congratulated upon having such energetic men for these duties. What we need here is a new method of conducting and financing regattas instead of the present haphazard fashion, and a really energetic lot of men who are interested in aquatic sports and the business of the port to carry out the necessary arrangements. The City Council has erected more com* modious kennels for vagrant curs in the Market place, and Mr W. G. Garrard ia making praiseworthy efforts to procure tenants. Although the year is but youDg, he has already incarcerated about forty dogs. Some of these are really good animals, whilst others are genuine samples of thorough mongrels. Shortly, a sale of uncollared dogs will take place. Theßelraont Cricket Club held a very sue* cessful concert and dance in the Newmarket) Hall last evening. Songs were given by M iss Wilgon, Miss G rindrod, Mr Morrison and, Mr Tague, while an appropriate recitation by Miss Grindrod is especially deserving of mention. Dancing was kept up till an early hour this morning, Mr T. McGuirg acting as M.C. At the usual fortnightly meeting of tho Ponsonby Lodge of Druids, held lasb evening, subscriptions were invited towards the support of the widows and orphans of two late Brothers, viz., A. Spackman, of Stonehenge Lodge, Masterton, and P.A.D. J. I. Pennell, Wanganui (the last-named being accidentally killed by a fall of earth). It is suggested that a day's sports should be held by the combined Lodges Auckland and Ponsonby for the above-named object. A special meeting of the subscribers and members of the Mount Eden Public Library was held lasb night to consider the advisability of removing or winding up tha library. The halt-dozen present passed a resolution that in consequence of the little interest taken in the library by the inhabitants of the district thab failing arrangements being made with the Road Board to remove the library to their office, the b00k.3 be sold by public auction to defray the liabilities.

Last evening the members of No. 149 Black Preceptory (1.C.) held their annual meeting, J. Carnahan, W.M., in the chair. Correspondence was read from some Sir Knights at Aratapu, asking for information as to the best means to be taken foe qp|ning a preceptory there. This was referred to the W.M. and Registrar to give the required information. One candidate was then initia.fci. The report and balance-sheet were read, and showed thab for benevolent purposes a large sum : of money had been expended, and that still a good balance was in the bank. The following officers were elected :—Sir KnighbS| W. Sherson, W.M., T. Taylor, D.M. } C. Bush, Registrar; J. W. Boone, Treasurer; J. Carnahan and J. Collis, Lecturers ; and C. Joynt, foreman of Committee.

On Thursday, January 29th, the sixth annual soiree of the Church of Christ at) Drury was held, Mr L. Ballard occupying the chair. The weather jbeinff fine, the halt was well filled, several friends froth Auckland being present. The following' pro* gramme was rendered a pleasing manner .-.-Opening hymn, " To the Work f address by the chairman ; hymn, " Lot the Saviour In," choir ; song, *« Too Late," Mrs: Collings ; duet, " Whispering Hope," Miss L. Collings and Miss Bessie Ballard (encored); recitation, " A Night With a Wolf," Master A. Cossey ; song, "Watching the Embers," Miss Ballard; recitation, " Tired," Miss F. Picard (encored); song, " Waiting," Mrs Anderson ; violin solo, Miss Sanders; duet, " God Calling Yet," Mrs Cqltings and Mrs Anderson; _Ong ? "Strangers Yet," Mrs Collings ; sbngi " Ask Me Again, and I Will Not Say No," Mrs Anderson (encored); closing hymn, " God be With you Till we Meet Again.". Miss Ballard presided ab the organ, and played the accompaniments. Tjhe Waitara Rowing Club's whaleboato crew returned from Auckland in the Gairloch (says the " Taranaki Herald "). They state that the race between the Haurakia and themselves for the Champion Whaleboat race was a regular ding-dong one. At the finish the Waitara crew were interfered with greatly by the wash of a ferry boat, which came too close, and the stroke got the end of his oar in his singlet, thus lessening the driving power of the boat. Bub for this mishap, they consider they would have won by about half a length instead of being beaten by two feet. At the same time they freely admit thab the Haurakis are a tough and good crew. Although the Auckland Regatta Comi mittee published a programme distinctly setting forth first, second, and third prizes for the Champion Whaleboat Race, it appears thab they do not intend to give the Waitara crew the second prize, on the ground that an old rulo states that so many crews should start in the race, otherwise second and third prizes would nob be awarded. The Waitara crew knew nothing of this, but nominated under the published programme, and the Secretary of the Club when he wrote for information received no intimation of such an alternative. The only satisfaction the crew could get from the Committee was that they would consider their case, and see whab they could do in the way of helping them with their expenses.. This is very hard on the crew, and ib is to be hoped the Committee will see the justice of their case. A largely-attended public meeting waa held at Dunedin last night to consider the steps to be taken for the alleviation of the distress caused by the Kakanui disaster. The Mayor presided, and read a number of apologies from gentlemen, who in nearly every instance forwarded subscriptions. He also mentioned thab the musical people of Dunedin had offered their services. The establishment of a relief fund was resolved upon. On the motion of Dr. Stuart a Committee, of which the Mayor of Invercargilwas a member, was appointed for the administration of the fund.. Mr Fish, M.H.R., in addressing the meeting ex* pressed a strong opinion that the late Ex' ecutive were to blame in this matter, and suggested that the Kaitangata relief fund of £14,000, and the Clutha River fund of £1,000, might made available to meet this case by a number of gentlemen guaranteeing the integrity of these funds, and in the very improbable event of Parliamenb declining to sanction their diversion to thia purpose. This would save a direct appeal to the community, which in the existing condition of trade should be avoided if possible. Messrs J. L. Gillies, K. Ramsay, and others asserted these funds could nob be made available, and Messrs Lee, Smith, and G. Fenwick took Mr Smith severely ta task for attempting, as they said, to dry up well-springs of charity.

The localities of volunteer for next Easter are now decided upon. That for the North Island will be ab Palmerston North, aud for the South Island at Oamaru. No restriction will be placed on the participation of corps, Jbut the cosd will be limited to the amount of lasb year,: Lieutenant-Colonel Stapp will have charge of the camj? at Palmerston Northi

It was Mrs, and not Mr Simpson who acted as conductor of the Epiphany Band of Hope ab the Sailors' Rest on Saturday night. The offence of drunkenness had two representatives in the Police Court this morning and being first offenders they were each sentenced to pay 5s and costs by Dr. Giles, R.M., who presided. Another large cargo of dressed New Zealand flax is being shipped to New York direct from this port by the Norwegian barque Prospect, which was cleared outwards at the Customs to-day. Her freighting consists of 3,462 bales of flax, besides 344 cases of kauri gum and some manganese. She has been more fortunate than the now well known Leading Wind in her loading. Swimming is a very pleasant pastime, a s well as a graceful exercise, but, singularly enough, the use of the natatory art is almost exclusively confined to the sterner sex. This reproach upon the young ladies df Auckland is, however, being removed. Much greater attention is now being given to this pursuit, and futher facilities for instruction are announced in another part of to-day's issue. Professor Carrollo, who ia already well known as a popular teacher of calisthenics, has received authority from the City Council to use the Albert-street Baths for the purposes of tuition in the art of swimming during the hours intervening between 9.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. daily. Professor Carrollo is a very competent instructor. An Intercolonial Labour Conference has opened its sittings at Sydney. Victoria, New Zealand, and Tasmania are nob represented. A scheme is being for an Australasianfederation of labour, which will be submitted io another conference ab Ballarat in April. The scheme provides thab each union shall retain self-government of its own particular affairs, and federate in order to facilitate mutual co-operation Where necessary for common welfare. A number of the visiting athletes from the Soubh left for home yesterday.and three of the Sydney men left to-day. The other Southern men are spending their leisure in i the city and leave on Thursday, while several of the Sydney men intend to do the Lakea before leaving nexb Tuesday. All express themselves in the highest terms in regard to the hospitality extended to them while in Auckland. Two swimming matches, arranged chiefly for the sake of our athletic visitors, wore held in the Albert-street Baths last afternoon, before a large number of spectators. Bailey won a 36-yards dash, with Scott second, and Nicholson third ; while Brigham, with thirty seconds start, won a handicap of 150 yards, with W. Denison second, and Upton third. These weekly contests are very attractive, and will be continued. The sight of four handsome trading schooners now lying alongside the Queenstreet Wharf—the Olive, Louie, Waiapu, and Gisborne —revives remembrances of the time when Auckland boasted of a splendid little fleet of Island and coasting schooners, before the encroachments of steam drove "sails" almost entirely, out'of the South Sea ahd New Zealand trade. Lieutenant Eales, who was one of the prominent competitors at the recent New Zealand. Rifle Association meeting at Napier, leaves for his home in Victoria by to-day's steamer. He is very popular amongst our marksmen, and his pluck in coming so far to endeavour to secure the Union Company's Cup, which he held last year, has been very favourably commented Upon. Lieutenant Eales was very much pleased with the recent rifle meeting, and gave expression to the opinion that for the number of men competing, the average of th_ -hooting, at Omaranui was better thSH Wimbledon. Apropos of the batch of J.P.s wibh which Sbf Harry Atkinson blessed New Zealand just before he gracefully retired to tbe cooler shades of the " Upper Regions," a certain commercial traveller having taken his seat last week at the table of an upcountry hotel, in company with two of the newly-appointed Solons, discontentedly asked if there wero no green peas to be had. To which a bluff, wealthy North ot Ireland man promptly replied, "No, but be. jabers, we have plenty of Jay-P.'s now, an', God knows, they're, green enough for anything, "r-" Exchange," To the Editor: Sir,—The public ought to watch our City Fathers very closely lest they commit an. illegal acb through prejudice and ignorance. 1. There is a bylaw! regulating tbe question of fences, yet they give power to a Committee to override this by-law if the said Committee thinks fib. I refer to the dispute re fence in Symonds-street as dealt with at the last City Council meeting, and would like to point out that more than one Councillor showed a most'unfair prejudice. For instance, Cr. .Hewson, "He knew that Mr Wendel was in tho wrong." How can he know this when he has made no inquiry into the other side of the story ? Yet it is men of this sort that the Council give power to set aside a by-law framed for bhe public good. I am satisfied that if the Streets Committee will inquire fully and impartially, they will never sanction the erection of an illegal fence. As I have been unjustly traduced in this matter, I hope you will publish this to correct the prejudices of Cr. Hewson and others. —I am, etc., J. Wen del. A considerable amount of routine business was transacted last evening ab the usual meeting of the Auckland Federated Butchers' Union, in the Trades Assembly rooms, Upper Queen-street. Mr Charles Collins was elected Treasurer in place of Mr Cunningham, resigned. Arrangements in detail were made for the annual picnic of the butchering trade at Motutapu on the 25th inst. A strong Com.mittee was appointed to look after the interests of the Messrs Reid Bros.' proprietors of the island, in the event of their conSent to the picnic being obtained. Two steamers, the Eagle and Britannia, have been chartered for the occasion. From the correspondence read at' last night's meeting, it appears that the Wellington Executive of the New Zealand Federated Butchers' Union desire Auckland to become simD.y a branch with the headquarters at Wellington, to pay all entrance fees and three-fourths of the total contributions to the headquarters, and leaving to the Wellington Executive the sole power to declare a strike at any time. The Auckland organisation desires local self-government, with full control of its own funds, and its members are adverse to any strike being ordered without their own consent, as they are anxious to avoid any such contingency. v_ At a meeting, of the Committee of the West; End Rowing Club, held in the Club Room, Suffolk Hotel, lasb evening, bhe following crews were selected to go into training at once to represent the Club at the next regatta of the Rowing Association : — Champion Gig: Messrs M. McLean, Payne, N. McLean, and F. W. Edwards; Senior Bona Fide: Messrs Edwards, Atkinson, Baxter and Gentles ; Junior Gig: Messrs Dowden, Snedden, Stewart and Stevenson ; Junior Gig (under ten stone) : Messrs Dowden, Hanna, Stevenson, : Maiden Gig : Messrs Snedden, Stewart, McGregor and Masters ; Maiden Gig (under 10 stone, No. 1) J Messrs Driver, Lowry, Murray, and J. Darby ; Maiden Gig (under 10 stone, No. 2): Mynott, Hatton, Elliott, and Gill ; Senior Whaleboat: Payne, M. McLean, N. McLean, Wells, and Edwards; Junior Gig (under 10 stone, No.(2): Messrs Driver, Lowry* Murray, and J. Darby. i Mrs M. H. Payne, of tbe Thames, had a )*>arrow escape by being thrown from a * u KRy yesterday afternoon. Her head was j .lightly bruieed, bub otherwise ehe escaped fMrart, I