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Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 222, 19 September 1893, Page 4

On the 14th inst. the Birkenbead Borough Council held their monthly meeting, all beiny present, tho Mayor presiding. BeTore taking their seat.-<, tho threo newlyelected Councillors, Messrs White, Kay find Riddell, made tho required (statutory declaration. A communication was received from Mr VV. F. Hammond offering various suggestions re tho work necessary to repair tho damage caused by the recent slip of land by tiio Birkenhoad Wharf. Cr. White reported the acceptance of a tendor from Mr W. McCarthy for supplying oCO ti-tre9 fascines, 12ft by Sin, for the Sugar Works Road, at 50s per 100. Action approved, tho Council also agreeing to accept; tho delivery of 120 fuscinoa ab two pence each to assist in forming tho temporary road to the wharf, which work had been partially performed in two days by a working boo of upwards of 40 volunteers. A sub-Com-miUeo was appointod, comprising the Mayor and Cra. White, Withoford and Kay, to have the present temporary road to tho wharf made passable for wheeled traffic, pending the re-construction of the permanent road. Cr. Witheford was appointed to sign cheques in lieu of Cr. Porter, who had retired. Cr. Witheford reported having visited Wellington to supply tho Government with information as to the extent of the recent Birkenhead sl'p, that his representations wero favourably received by the Premier, theUnder-Sefirotary and tho Marino Enginoer, and offers of assistance promised. It wa3 resolved that the attention of the Government bo called to the estimates of both Mr Stewart (engineer), and Mr Taylor (tbo foreman of the Harbour Board Works), and substantial aid solicited, a Committee, comprising the Mayor and Crs. Whito and Witheford, being appointed to carry out tho same. Financially, tho Treasurer reported as follows :—August: Cr. balance, £44 13s Sd; rates received, £20 39 4d ; accounts paid, £15 13s 6d ; leaving present cr. balance, £49 3s 6d. Accounts amounting to £32 8s Id were approved for payment.

At Waitakerei yesterday, an inquest was hold by Mr Bollard, District/ Coroner, on the body of tho old woman, Ann McCarthy, particulars of whose death have appearod in thoso columns. Mounted ■ Constable Kelly represented tho police. The jury returned a verdieb of " Death from natural causes."

The dead body of a Maori whose name has not yet been ascertained was found in tho bush ab YVhirinaki. The matter was reported to Constablo Hogg, of Raweno, who has out to inquire into tlio cirouinsbanocs.

Particulars of tho accident, by which a youth named John Koan was drowned in tho Mangapiko stream, as recorded in our issue of yesterday, nra now to hand. Tho doceased with his uncle was crossing the stream in a boat,, when ho suddenly overbalanced him?clf and fell into Lho water. His relative who ju?t noticed him disappearing into the water, mado an unsuccessful attempt to grasp tho youth and the latter sunk into a deep-water holo. The body was recovered tho following day and an inquest was held at Rangiriri on Saturday, when a verdict of accidental drowning was returned by tho jury.

Before thoOtahuhu Mutual Improvement Association lnst night., tho Rev. F. Could read a paper upon " The Origin of tho Aboriginals of America," which was full of interest and very favourably weewe''.

The regular monthly meeting of tho Newton Schools Committee was held in the Newton East School lnsb evening. Present: Mr H. Thompson (Chairman), Mr J. M. White (Treasurer), Messrs T. H. Martyn, T. MeMastor, W. j. Macdermott, T. \V. Frooman, A. Williams and J. Peak, Tho roll number for the month of August was—Newton East, 676.2, and the average attendance for the same period was 571,2. At the Newton West school the attendance is 530 out of a roll number of 600. Thii school was examined in standards at the close of last month, and the Cotnmittw considered Mr W. H. Airey's inspection report to be highly creditable to the managon.ent of the school. Mr Airey reported s "Instruction in P class very satisfactory, The results of tho examinations are very satisfactory. The papers were remarkabla for neatness and accuracy, and the answering generally indicated thoroughness of teaching. Discipline and behaviour very good."

Tho annual meeting of the South End Cricket Club was held in tho school on Thursday evoning, 14th instanb. Mr Macdonald presided. The annual report was of a satisfactory nature, and the balancesheet showed a credit of 10s 3d, receipts for fcho year being £12 3s 6d, and expenditure £11 13a 3d. The following officers worn elected :—President, Mr M. Friar ; Vicepresidents, Mr T. Ollivier, Mr J. H, Graham, Mr D. Barclay, Mr J. H. Garrett, Mr J. Harrison, Mr A. Taylor, and Mr W, Wallace ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr T. N. Pock (re-elected); Captain, Mr J. Macdonald (re-olected); Committee: Mobbm W. and C. Bailey, W. Bond, T. Roper, and A. Dorricobt; Vice-captain, Mr J. Cobine. Ib was resolved to join the Waikato Cricket Association, bub the appointment of delegates to tho Association waa deferred.—(H'untly correspondent.)

There were crowded attendances to-day at Mr C. Frusher Howard's frea lectures at 205, Queen-street, on the art of reckoning and commercial arithmetic, and tho explanations given regarding the simplifying of arithmetical calculations were very interesting as well as valuable. Mr Howard worked out large numbers of intricate problems in a surprisingly short space of time, bub assured his hearers at the same time thab by tho studying of his system young children would in a very short time be able to work them with equal rapidity and accuracy. He states that he is anxious to geb his system of oasy and rapid reckoning introduced into tho public schools of New Zealand, where it will lay a sound foundation for commercial life, as well as for many other occupations in which figures are frequently used. In England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Australia, he says there aro thousands of school children ab present sbudying his system of arithmetic, and he contemds that ib produces excellent) results. His system of commercial arithmetic is certainly very simple, as well as extremely speedy, judging from tho examples which Mr Howard works out himself. His lecture will be continued during this week.

The Auckland Amatenr Opera Club had their first rehearsal of Offenbach's charming opera " Madam Favart" at the City Hall last evening, under the conductorship of Horr Schmitb. There was a large attendance and good progress was made with the work, which is of a light and captivating description throughout, "MadamoFavart" promises to bo one of the Club's best performances,

The concerb programme prepared by Mr John Fuller for the popular concert, to be given at the City Hall to-morrow evening, is well arranged und comprises some very fine items. In addition to Mr Fuller, who is a host) in himself, bhe artistes will include Miss Alice Rimmer, Miba Featon, Miss Clarice Brabazon, Mr Roy Cushing, Miss L. 13. Webloy and the septetto orchestra.

MrR. G. Todd, Honorary Sacrotary of the Poultry Fanciers' Club, has received a communication from the private Secretary of the Governor intimating that His Excellency tho Earl of Glasgow would bo pleased to become a patron of the above Club, and also letters from the Premier, 11. J. Seddon, the Hon. Colonel Pat Boyle, the Hon. J. G. Ward, PostmasterGeneral, the Hons. McCnllongh and Jennings, M.L.C.'s, and E. Mitchelson, M.H.R., desiring also to bo placed on the uatrons' list of tho Club.

A starb has been made to remove the buildings from tho Naval Reserve, Devonport, to the new site near Calliope Dock. The smithy lias been taken up bodily and placed on a scow, to be floated to its new position,

To an uinitiated observer a passing glimpse of tho diminutive stage of Sli. Sepulchre's Echoolroom last evening would havo been a rather startling spectacle, crowded as it was with a gathering of personages, stately and otherwise, and arrayed in costumes of most fantastical designs and colours. It was only, however, the enaction of a courb scene of 100 yeara ago aa depicted in the charming operetta "Chilperic," which had been uolectod by Miss llarding ss the play in which her pupils were to give their yearly display of histrionic and vocal abilities. The building was filled to overflowing, while every outside door and window was surrounded by a throng eagor to witness tho excallent performance. Unfortunately, the stage was too small to allow the audience to appreciate to tho full the admirable mounting and recherche dresses representing the numerous characters, the excellence of which testified to assiduous preparation and careful forethought. As Chilporic, Misa Harding carried off the honours of the evening both in singing and acting. Sho gave an admirable delineation of a prince with a propen uty to fall in lovo and contract a morganatic marriage with a peasant) girl while out hunting, and then ronouncß the unfortunate rustic damsel to wed the proper princess. Miss R. Frnser was an ideal peasant girl with a tendency to asperity on discovering ths fickleness of her lord and master. As Golswinda, her successful rival. Miss Gee was a success. Both sang with appropriate emphasis. Mips Winnie Goodwin as Bruicliarfc, the rival of tho king for the hand of tho rustic maiden, was charming, and her acting was desorvedly applauded. Physicians, courtiors,ladies aud pages wore present in great numbers, and mado the spectaclo picturesque and brilliant. The performance passed off very smoothly, and the young pcoplo showed no tendency to rely on the prompter's voice. The production was extremely creditable, and Miss Harding ia to be congratulated on tho oxcollenb resulta of her tuition.

The quarterly social jrathering of tho congregation of St. Matthew's Anglican Church last ni^ht took the form of a eonversaziono and promonado concert. The schoolroom was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The muaical programme consisted of a few choice items Jjwon by Misses Kasdovvn and Messrs 11. Stebbing, Morath, Tapper, Towsey, Kosers ami W»U rond. Light refreshments were handec round during tho evening.

"The Beautiful in Nature," was th« subjocfc of an excellont lecture fiven by the Rev. B. L. Thomas at the Mount Eden Congregational Church Young People's Association last eveniu?.

" Loft Alone," a sacred cantata by Joh« Burnhum, was performed last night in St. (soor"e'a Hall, by tho members of th 6 Newton Musical Society. The proceeds wore devoted towards tho funds of tn« Church of the Epiphany. Over 100 children took part in the performance having been carefully trained by Mrs Simpson. An orchestra was in attendance and -Mr J. U. Simpson officiated as conductor, .'-he. connectional roadings were given by Mtf

A large number of people, comprising tho sixty or more pupils and the many friends of the Wishes Colegrove, Symonds-. street, as3ombled in the Choral Hall lasb nis-ht, when a "musical evening" was held by those , ladies, partly aa a means of entertaining their large circle of acquaintances, partly in honour of and for the purpose of bringifg out their principal musical pupil, Miss Dora Judson. who, wo believe, ia shortly to take her departure for Germany, the home of music. The Choral Hall was tastefully decorated with flags, ferna, and flowers. Miss Judson's contributions were undoubtedly the gems of the evening. They consisted of two pianoforte color, " Andante and Hondo Capricciosi" (Mendelssohn), and "Valso in D. Flali" (Chopin). Her interpretation of these oxquieite fragments was thoughtful and true. Indeed, all Miss Cologrove'a pupils are characterised rather for absolute correctness than for any brilliant Bhowinoss of performance. Miss Judson, we believe, has barely reached her fourteenth year, and she already exhibits the touch _ot a master ■ hand and gives promiae of a brilliant musical career. The other items wore as follows :-Dneb, " Bungamhe Tanze," Misses Colegrove; song, e'acfc and White," Mrs Baume ; eolo, Gavotte in E minor," Miss VV. Lambourne; quurtnttn •' Overture Comedietta, Misnes Isd«waE g" Davis, Stella Alexander, Stone; 80^'. "Saved by a Child," Mrs Stewart. This item was hardly a success, aa Mrs Stewart was suffering from a severe cold, and should nob havo attempted to eiiifr. Solo, " Mazurka No. II," Miss Batger; duet, "The Cascade," Misses Sturgos ; song, " Whisper and I Shall Hear"" Mr Il'. C. Stubbs, with fluto obligato by Mr J. F. Golegrove ; solo, " Selections from Faust," Mies Nashelski; solo (1) "Rigaudon," (2) "Petit Morcoau," Miss Anuie Colegrovo: dueb, " H Tancredi," Misses Cotter ; solo, Minuet in B minor, Miss May Wrigley ; song, "The Valiant Knight," Mr Archdale Tayler ; colo, "La Truite," Miss Batger; quartette, " Overture dcs Marionettea," Miasos M. Wrijjley, E. Enbrican, A. Wrigley, W. Lambourne ; solo (1), " Allegro Con Moto," (2) " Voglein," Miss Grace Wrigley ; trio for flute, piano and bassoon, Mr Innes, Mrs Innes and Mr Cook.

The annual meeting of the Onehunga tradesmen's cricket club was hold on Monday evening last, Mr R. Fullan presiding. The reports of the Secretary and Treasurer were read and adopted. During the season tho club had played 8 matches, 7 of which had been won, and one drawn, which was considered very satisfactory. The trophy presented by tho vice captain (Mr S- Lyoli) for beab all round play, was awarded siaidst applause to Mr \V. Boaver. The name of the club after some discussion wns altered to tho Onchunga Half-holiday CO. The following officers were elected for the ensuing season : President, Mr F. \V. Court ; vice-prosidents, Messrs John Stewart, C. A. Bruford, J. E. Sbych, G. Browne, T. Smith, S. Lyell. C. H. Gould, G. R. Fellows and J. Leahy; captain, Mr ."VY. Boaver; vice-captain, Mr B. Hunt; secretary, Mr J. Beaver; treasurer, Mr A. Jloslen ; member of committee, Mr T. Neill.

At the usual monthly mooting of Sb. David's Band of Hope a very able address was given by Mr Clarke - Johnson, and the following items were also rendered in a ,creditable manner : — Pianoforte duet, Aliases Young and Hutchinson ; piano solo, ■.Miss Maclaurin ; songs by Misses Kemp, 'Fraser, Coatea and McNab, and Messrs Johnston, McGibbon and Maclaurin ; recitations by Misses Aggie Smith and P.osanna Given, and a dialogue by Misses 1 Mary and Martha Dunn and Maggie MeSporran,