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Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 270, 14 November 1893, Page 4

Brett's Auckland Almanac for 1894 i s now in bhe press. Secrebaries of societies are requested to send to tho Star Office at once a lisb of their officers for insertion in the local directory published in the almanac.

Tho Auckland City Council authorities have received from Mr Alfred B. Burb, of Pembroke, England, two interesting old documents which thab gentlemen has donated to the museum attached to the Auckland Free Library. They are : (1)_ A protection order granted by the British Admiralty, of 1771, A.D., to three seamen of Emsworth, near Portsmouth, againsb bhe naval press-gaDgs of the day; (2) a code of signals and instructions for vessels sailing in convoy in the English Channel, date 1781. Mr Burb, in his lebter accompanying bhe document, addressed to bho Mayor of Auckland, says :—■*■* Readers of Marryatfc's works—and who has nob read bhem ? —will be familiar wibh tho actions of the pressgangs and the troubles of convoys daring the long war with Prance. Perhaps a sight of these documents may bring the scenes moro vividly before them. As a former resident in Auckland, and one who still takes an interesb in bhe city, it will be a pleasure to me to hear that you consider them worthy of your acceptance."

From Ngaruawahia our corresponded writes:—"The wholo community received a sbock on Thursday morning when the news wenb round that Mr G. T. M. Kellow had died suddenly ab his residence, Ngaruawahia West, at 6.30 a.m. The deceased was well-known throughout the districb as a kindly good-hearted man, and an affectionate father to a large family, and ab all times his services were ab the command of any deserving case of hardship. Mr Kellow was at one time orderly-room clerk in the engineer volunteers, and piloted a corps of armed navvies raised by tbe then Defence Minister, Dr. Pollen, to build the Waikato Railway between Rangiriri and Ohaupo. In those days he was stationed ab Taupiri and Ngaruawahia. The Ngaruawahia public have with their characteristic " go " determined to do their best for the widow and eighb children of their old friend, and a subscripbion lisb has been sbarbed, which is being cordially filled up by all.

A case of interest to those who are in tho habit of wagering on horse races was called ab tho Police Courb this morning. Roberb Cleveland was charged with having on the 7th of November been betting in Queenstreet with a card numbered, 599 for 2'2s 6d, on the horse Carnage ; thero waa also a second charge with reference to a card for the horse Loyalty. Mr Theo. Cooper appeared for tbe defendanb, aud obtained a remand for a week.

Tbe Auckland Yacht Club have been the recipients of many congratulations on the great success of thoir opening function last Thursday. Most certainly the sight was ono which will be long remembered by all who saw ib. The picture of the yachts as tbey streamed down the lovely Waitemata waa without doubb as pretty a one as the heart of artist could desire. Those interested in such matters will be pleased to hear that a fine picture of the affair was painted in monocrome by that well-known yachtsman and artisb, Tom Ryan. Ib was secured by the "Graphic" propriety, and is reproduced in a full-page photo engraving in the " Graphic" to-morrow. Amongsb tho yachts prominently shown aro: Matangi, Volunbeer, Aorere, Yum Yum, and others. The picture is faithful, and every yacht's characteristics are preserved.

According to a cable moseago from London to-day the new mission steamer John Williams, builb to the order of the London Missionary Society for the Soubh Sea Island work, has been launched ab Glasgow. She will altogether cosb aboub £17,000. The steamer is to replace the present mission barque John Williams, which makes annual cruises through the Pacific from New Guinea to Rarotonga and immediate islands, having her headquarters ab Sydney. Captain Turpie, master of the old mission barque, is to tako charge of tho Missionary Society's new vessel. The steamer was builb at the yards of R. Napier and Sons, Glasgow. Sho is of the besb Scotch steel, double bottom, ISO feeb at the load line, 31 feeb 8 inches moulded beam, and 16 feeb depth, to carry 600 tons of coal and 100 tons of cubic cargo. Her firsb saloon accommodation is on deck amidships, and occupies 76 feeb in length of the whole breadth of tho ship, and in that space are captain and officers' berths, engineers, stewards' gafley, pantry, bath-rooms, lavatories, scullery, etc. The scond-class is below in the forepart of bbc ship, fitted to carry seventeen married couples. The electric light is fitted throughout, including binnacle, mast and side lights, also steam windlass and capstan. Sho is sbated to bo a beautiful and shapely vessel of 700 tons, or thereabouts (gross), is to steam 10 knots on eight bons per day, and has Bevis' feathering screw. Her rig is to be that of a three-masted schooner, with iron pole-masts, the foremast carrying forotopaail and top-gallanb yards, with a fairly large piess ot convas on bhem, bhree good head sails—two on boom and one inboard. The mizzenmasb carries full-sized mizzen and gaff topsails. Altogether she has good sail power, and ib is expected thab she will mako good speed under canvas alone. A graceful curved stern terminates in a well-executed figure-head. Her full complement of all grades will be aboub 22 fn number, her boats 4 in number, and her entire equipment will combine economy and efficiency.

Caryl Florio's floral cantata " Tho Crown of the Year" was repeated lasb nighb at St. James's Hall under tho conductorship of Mr R. Walton. The performance passed off successfully, tho various choruses being especially well rendered. Prior to tho commencement of the cantata, several items were contributed by various woll known amabours. Recitations were delivered by Mias Jennie Pollock, and Mr A. Smith. Airs from "Madame Angob" were played as a solo on the flute by Mr Ellyetb, and selections wero performed on the piano by Miss Galbraith. Songs were given by Miss Birdie Butler, Mr A. C. McLean, and Mr Worrali. A pleasing tableax entitled "Caught " was represented in four scenes all of which were loudly applauded. Parb of tlio neb proceeds aro to bo devoted to the Baillie Family Relief Fund. The cantata will be repeated to nighb, and will be preceded by a concerb, particulars of which are announced elsewhere.

Tho public have placed before them in an advorbiseraenb bhe respectivo programmes to bo submitted at the rival Wednesday ■'pops" to-morrow evening. Mr John Fuller announces a big programme for those who patronise Sb. James' Hall, and Mr Tytherl6igh provides an attractive billof fare ab tho Ciby Hall. Both are running under tbe same title "People's Popular Concerts."

This morning Detective Chrystal arresbed a man named William Smith, on a charge of larceny as a baillee of a wheelbarrow, the property of Joseph Deburg, Market* entrance.

The annual meetings of the London Mig. sionary Society are being held this week. To-morrow evening the Rev. T. Lord is to lecture in Boresford-streeb Church on " Madagascar," illustrated by limelight views, and on Thursday a ladies' missionary meeting will be held in the Beres-ford-streeb schoolroom ab 3 o'clock. The annual meeting of the auxiliary will b« held in the evening. Addresses will be de--livered by Revs. T. Lord and J. King. The Society is doing good work in th< mission field 8, and is deserving of ver| hearty support.