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Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 308, 30 December 1891, Page 4

A crickeb match will be played at Hamilton on New Year's Day between an Auckland eleven and a representative team of the Waikato. The following will represent Auckland :—W. Gardiner, W. Hawkins, I. Mills, W. Steinson, S. McPherson, F. J. Ohlson, T. H. Wilson, 0. Cooke, Lundon, Maitland, Allan, Harvie, Mumford and Whitaker. The Auckland players leave for the Waikato to-morrow (Thursday) morning', and are requested to be at the Railway (Station at 9 a.m.

Rather more than the usual number of sailing-vessels engaged in the intercolonial and other trades are lying in the port of Auckland at present. In all there are about twenty Railing craft of various rig<% aggregating , about 6,800 tons register. The Us is includes the English ships Hermione and Columba, the Nova Scotian vessels Flora and Lizzie Curry, and other vessels. The berbhago space at the Railway Wharf and at the Hobson-street Wharf is at present fully occupied, there being eight sailing crafb berthed at the former pier. Owing to the dull state of the kauri timber market, a number of vessels are still laid up in port awaiting outward charters.

Children will soon regard the name of Pastor Birch as synonymous with something nice. The Lorne-arreefc Hall was packed to the doors last night with little ones, enjoying a most excellent magic lantern entertainment. There were longdrawn expressions of admiration at every picture. The pictures were scriptural for the moat-pavb, and some of the remarks or the children as the views were flashed on the screen showed a considerable knowledge of Bible history. Some were also amusing. Nob the least enjoyable part of the evening's entertainment appeared to be the refreshments, which were done ample justice to by the little ones. Mr. Cooper showed the views, and Mr Patterson explained them.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands announces that, all those whose claims for land under the Naval, Military, Settlers and Volunteers Land Acts have been substantiated, and whose names have appeared in Schedule A of the Acb of 1891, should make personal application on and after Monday, the 11th of January, for scrip. Those resident in the country may, on written application, obtain forms of authority for an agent to receive it on their behalf.

The Clark Minstrel and Variety Troupe has engaged the City Hall for Friday and Saturday next. The Company has just returned from the Thames, where they did excellent business.

A very useful little booklet for those fortunatee able to take a holiday exploring the beautie3 of our wonderland is the " Tourist's Vado Mecum," a copy of which has been forvvarded us by the Union Steamship Company. Ib gives particulars of the various agreeable trips which mr.y bo made by and in conjunction with the comfortable vessels of this popular line. The programme for the trip round the Sounds is attractive enough to justify larceny "to be there." Hints are aleo given whab to take and as to the best means of seeing places. There if also an abbreviated guide to all the principal cities of the colony, which gives all the particulars really necessary for "doing" the places thoroughly.

In view of the fact that both Friday and gaturday next aie public holidays, and that the San Francisco mail closee on the latter day, wo publish our Summary issue to-dny. This pives our subscribers both in town and country an opportunity of posting the copies they may wish to send to their friends before the break in business caused by the New Year holidays. The Summary, as usual, comprises four page.3 of the abridged news of the month in "addition to the ordinary eight of the Stak, or a total of twelve pages of matter, at the ordinary price of one penny. This edition is specially compiled to give people at a distance a history of the propross of the colony for the month, and a fair idea of the Ptate of commerce and industry, and it wi'l bo found both reliable and interesting. I" addition to the ordinary features"of the present number, we would refer our readers to page 10, where they will find a notice of the death and obsequies of the late Sir Frederick W hi taker, and also an exhaustive obituary notice of the deceased gentleman. Commercial men can procure copies of Brett's Auckland Almanac and Diary for 1892 for If, in wrapper, for transmission by the San Francisco mail on Saturday. lb contains the fullest and latest statistical informal ion relating to the whole colony, and has -in encirely new descriptive account of the provincial district of Auckland. For a considerable time past Mr Thomas Barrou, whohas had considerable experience us a jrold prospector on the Thames and West Coasb has been agitatine to eefc oub with a oarbv on a prospecting , expedition over Gape Colville and vicinity. Ivfr Bfirron proposes to raise the money for the prospecting by g-ettintr a yranb of £250 from the Government, and an additional £150 bysubecription from the Auckland mining public and Coromandel County Council. Mr Barron has received a communication from the Hon. R. J. Seddon, tho Minister of Lands, in reply to hi? application for a jTMint of £250, in which Mr Seddon states bhn.t assistance can only be {riven in terms of the reuuiations under tho Mining Act through the County-Council or Road Board in the district. Under the .circumstances, Mr B.'irroii leaves for Coromandel in a few day; l , with the object of putting the whole in litter before the Gonnnandel County Council, from whom he expects some sup-

The Russian corvette cruiser Djighifc, which arrived here recently from the Siberian port of Vladivosrock by way of Japan and Fiji, , homeward-bound, will most probably continue her voyage to the Baltic on Saturday next. Captain FonFoelkersahrn is awaiting fcbe arrival of the San Francisco mail on Friday next, and the ship Z3 doing some necessary overhauling in the harbour. The cruiser has jueb completed over two years' service on the Russian Pacific etation, and is under orders to report at Cronstadt, the naval headquarters of Russia, by May next, consequently sho has not too much time in which to complete her homeward voyage, more especially as she is to perform nearly the whole of it under sail. The officers of the ship are very courteous to visitors, and the men are smart and well-behaved.

On tho 24th December, the first anniversary of the opening of the Papakura Public Hall was celebrated by a concert and dance. The Rev. T. Norrie presided at the concert, and made a few remarks of congratulation with reference to the success of the directors, and the boon they had conferred upon the district. The following programme was ably rendered to an appreciative audience : — Piano solo, Miss Lynch; song, "Farewell, Margarita," Miss Callaglian ; song, "Twenty Years Ago," .Dr. Cnrolan ; recitation, " Shamus O'Brien," Mr Quinn ; song, "Good-bye, And Come Again," Miss Quinn ; song, " Dear Hearfc," Dr. Carolan ; song, "Come Back to Erin," Miss Caliaghan : reading, by the Chairman ; drama, "'Who is co Inherit?" by nine performers. Dancing was kept up till the " wee etna , hours," the music being ably supplied by Messrs Reid and Adams, from Auckland.

Ac tho Zealandia Athlotic Club, Stanleystreet, this evening, Harry Jennings and Jack Bollivor meet in a boxing match to a finish for £10 a-siclo and a purse. Both men are well-known in fistic circles, Jennings won the lighb-weighb tournament some few months ago. and as the contestants are in good condition, a tough struggle for supremacy is expected. Two sailors from H.M.s. Tauranga, who have been fcauehfc the rudiments of the noble art by Charley Mitchell, the English boxer, will give an exhibition, and several other bouts between local pugs, will also be fought.

The Christmas holidays were agreeably spent by the inmate's of the Cos>tley Homo. A concert was given them on Xmas Eve by a party of ladies and gentlemen. Pipes and tobacco were supplied for tho old men on the morning of the 25th. La&t evening another tea was given and a most enjoyable concert.

A correspondent writes Baying, " I have been attending the Kovvalski concert.?, and v/hi'jo 1 am sitting drinking ab the fount of music, piim and nndefiled, and getting real Christmas enjoyment, I keep wandering whore all thoee persons are who ]eve to quote Auckland as being the greatest patron of the divine art in New Zealand. Here is a line body of artistes, headed and disciplined by a past-master in the art, making their start in the colony, and yet Aucklanders will allow thorn to pass away to tho enjoyment of full houses in tho Southern cities —to little Napier and little Nelpon — and carry with them the news that Auckland is the homo of roast beef and plumpudding, of raco meetings, and waterpicnics, of ' lion ' gazing and penny-gaffs, but of music—nover. I really blush for our reputation for culture, though perhaps the present discreditable showing is merely the result of an unfortunate combination of circumstances,"

A very successful enfcerfainmenb was given in the Elleralie Hall by the .scholars attending Miss Kearin's private school. There was an excellent attendance of children, parents, and fiitnds. Monsicnor McDonald pre.sii.leci, and afc tho close handed a number of well-seleetod prizes to. the pupils, accompanying each with a few encouraging wot'iJs. An interesting feature of the afternoon's proceedings consisted in a gratefully-worried address and the presentation of :i purse (well - filled) 'by Miss A. Cawiey, on behalf of the pupils, to Miss Kearin, who suitably replied." The work of she scholars, consisting of maps, drawings, cushions, etc., were closely infpocted, and much commended by the visitor?. The concert programme was contributed by Misses Koarin, llevd, Tborpo, 0 McMahon, Pei'i, 11. Mc.Dcmai'i, Wooley, M. Austin, Lewis and lliJtts {2;, and Masters H. 11. Hayr, Keavin, A. Williams umJ'T. fcheqn..

Messrs E. Porter and Co., the local agents for the Planet J.R. and Agricultural Implements, have arranged a field trial to bo held at Osborne's Gardens, Nqw« market, near the Junction, to-morrow, Thursday, at 3.30 p.m., when Mr E. A. Sanford, an expert from Philadelphia, will show tho useful and efficient nature of these ingenious appliances.

The Caledonian Society will hold "a Hogmanay social in tho Foresters' Hall t®« morrow, New Year's Eve. There will be « haggis competition, and a good band will also be in attendance.