The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 1894.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 95, 21 April 1894, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 1894.

Fir toe otm.it that laeki assistancs, Pcir the irroni that mods mistanco, for th* fntuM In the dittance, And the good that we can ae.

No class of investment has a greater fascination for colonists in dull times than gold-mining. About the very name of gold-digger there cling associations of fortunes easily won. It is an occupation which appeals to the gambling spirit latent in a large proportion of humanity. The toiler who sees nothing but a bare livelihood in return for long hours of labour, with the prospect of an impoverished old age, is lured on into the wilderness by the ignus fatuus of buried treasures, It was this which led numbers of our population to sacrifice modest comfort in New Zealand a few years ago, and brave the hardships of a march to the wilds of Kimberley, in Western Australia, where a large percentage of them, alas ! laid their bones in nameless graves ; and thousands are now tramping along a similar track to the torrid and waterless Coolgardie Many warnings have appeared, of late in the Australian papers regarding the danger, the risk of loss, and almost certain disappointment to ninety per cent of those who embark upon such an expedition. Reports of famine prices for food and water, and authoritative stptements that the district being a quartz-reefing field requires capital to work, are treated as so many idle tales, and another army of workers moves on, to pass through the same experiences of toil and sorrow and suffering that have fallen to the lot ,of miners in inaccessible regions all the world over.

Even permanent goldfields like the Thames depend «^or their continued existence mainly upon the spirit of speculation. Investors as a class look more to the sharemarket than the mine for their return, and this has been a very serious evil. It has led directors to inflate the price of shares by dividing every pound's worth of gold as it is won, making no provision for the dead work which they know to be inevitable as the runs of gold are worked out in successive levels. Mr Murray, the Government Geologist of Victoria, whose valuable report on the prospects of deep sinking at the Thames we summarise in another column, comments with merited severity upon this practice. He says: —"All the inquiries made by me failed to elicit inlormation as to a single instance where, during a prosperous period, there was a reserve fund established for future dead werk, or where such dead work was steadily kept in progress during the working of rich blocks of stone." If a different policy had prevailed, the auriferous character of the cjeep levels would not now be clouded in obscurity.

Nevertheless, though we may condemn and deplore the errors of the past, we have, in connection with this very important industry, been brought iace to face with a problem that involves its future existence. Although in many promising localities, mining has only been carried on upon the surface, and there is every prospect of as rich or richer yields being obtained below, our goldfields are languishing. There is too much risk and uncertainty for local capitalists to embark in the large operations necessary to test the deep levels, and we are within measurable distance of a time when some of our most important mining centres will become almost deserted unless the Government step in, and, by boring and other assistance to prospecting at great depths, furnish capitalists with reliable data upon which they can proceed. The Government have acted wisely in obtaining the best expert evidence that is obtainable to guide them in this matter. In Victoria, exploration of the deep levels by Government aid has led ,to a material increase in the output of gold, and no man is better qualified than Mr Murray to pronounce on the probable success of similar works here. His report, we are glad to say, is very hopeful, and we trust it may be the precursor of some practical measure to determine whether goldmining in New Zealand is to become an expanding or an expiring

industry.

Householders should bear in mind that the annual election of School Committees for the year takes place on Monday evening next. The meeting for Auckland City will be held in St. James's Hall at half past seven. A keen- contest is expected in this district, as a large number of new candidates for office have been nominated. It may be mentioned thab nominations for the Committee can also be made ac the meetings in any district.

To-day is an important date to members of the Hebrew faith, the Passover celebrations, or the feast of Unleavened Bread being commenced to-day. Special services wero held to-day in the Jewish Synagogue in Auckland. The Passover is •ne of the three great historical feasts, the other two being the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of the Passover lasts for seven days.

The Auckland Brokers' Association decided at this morning's meeting to close on Monday, in honour of St. George's Day.

Mr E. W. Scott, Vice President of the Equitable Life Assurance Company of the United States, is in Auckland on business in connection with the Society, and is staying at the Northern Club.

Five drunkards were dealb with afc the Police Court this morning by Mr R.S. Bush, Stipendiary Magistrate. All five of them, including a young woman, were first offenders, and four were dismissed with a caution, the other being fined 5s and costs.

In the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, in the case of F. G. Thompson v. McCarron, Bird, and Co., of Melbourne, publishers and proprietors of the "Australasian Insurance and Banking Record," claim £1,000 for alleged libel, the jury returned a verdicb for the plaintiff tor £250 and costs.

Mr Malcolm JNiccol, Grand Master of the New Zealand Constitution of Freemasons, accompanied by Mr Alfred Kidd and other members of the Grand Lodge, leave for Wellington in the s.p. Takapuna on Monday next to assist ab the annual meeting, Bro. Niccol retires from office and Bro. H. D. Bell, M.H.R., is to be installed G. M. on Wednesday nexb.

Yesterday afternoon and this morning Mr H. W. Northcroft, S.M., was engaged at the Magistrate's Court, hearing a claim brought by Morrin and Co. against Captain Firth and the owners of the s.s. Indramayo. The claim is for £17 16s, damage alleged to have been done to certain barbed and fencing wire (consigned to Morrin and Co.) by chemicals or oil. The defendants seek to protect themselves in the findings in the bills of lading, which protect the chip from rust, leakage, breakage, sweating, etc. For the plaintiff company, Mr J. A. Pond, as an expert, gave evidence as to the deposib on the wire, and Mr Robert Fen wick (manager for Morrin and Co.) and the carter deposed as to the state of the wire on receipt from tbe steamer. This morning Captain Best (surveyor'of the cargo), and Mr E. Sinel (tally clerk)gaveevidence for the defence, after which tho case was adjourned until Wednesday next at 2 p.m., to enable Mr Pond to give certain evidence. The wire was inspected by Mr Northcroit and counsel at Morrin and Co.'a store before hearing of the case. Mr C. F. Buddie appeared tor plaintiff, and Mr S. Hesketh for defendant.

A presentation took place at the Newmarket railway workshops to-day at noon. Mr R. Gibson, foreman of the car department, who has been transferred to Petone, was presented by the employees of the locomotive department wiih a gold watch, suitably inscribed. Mr Jas, McCarthy, foreman fitter, made the presentation in a fow choico words. The recipient suitably responded, thanking his fellow employees for their splendid gift. Mr Gibson leaves on Monday in the a.s. Takapuna for Wellington, and to-night at the Newmarket Hotel he will be further farowelled.

Our Te Awamutu (Waikato) correspondent writes us : " At the S.M. Court here on Wednesday a Maori named Maniapoto was fined 5s and costa for drunkenness. In connection with this case a somewhat amusing episode occurred. The police, with tho consent of Maniapoto, made application for a prohibition order against the publicans in the district. Maniapoto expressed a wish that the order should not take effect till after the 21sb instanb, on which day (in connection with the unveiling of Rcwi's monument at Kihikihi) he hoped tn enjoy himself with waipiro." Ib seems that Monday next is goins to be a red-letter day at Kihikihi, where a large assemblage of natives of Ngatimaniapoto and other tribes is expected on the occasion of the unveiling of old Rewi Manga's monument presented by Sir George Grey.

In reference to the cable that tho ship Mercator, from Geelong for the Channel, had been posted as missing, a Dunedin insurance company, which had a lien on the cargo, received a message on the sth that the vessel had arrived at London. Her arrival is also chronicled in the " Shippine Register " and the Melbourne "Argus " of the 7th.

When in Europe His Lordship Bishop Luck purchased a beautiful'marble altar, which he presented to the new Catholic church, Onehunga. The altar has just been erected, and the ceremony of consecration will be performed at 11 o'clock tomorrow, Sunday. The interior decoration, plastering, etc., of the church has just been completed at a coot of £130, a donation from Mr Henry Clarke, an old resident of Onehunga. The offerings received ab the ceremony will be devoted to the building fund.

We would remind our readers that the annual meeting of househoulders in tbe various educational districts for the purpose of receiving reports and electing Committees for the ensuing twelve months will be held on Monday evening next. We have ulready published the reports and nominations of moat of the principal School Committees. The following have been nominated for the Papatoitoi School Committee :—Messrs H. G. Wade, J. Bell, J. Watson, T. Wyllie, H. Gill, C. Bailey and R. Carruth.

Mr R. S. Bush, S.M., was occupied ab the Police Court until nearly 4 o'clock yesrerday. hearing evidence in the case of Thomas Bowden v. Michael Keenan, the latter being charged with having used insulting language. Mr F. Baum and Mr C. Purchas appeared for the complainant, and Air Theo. Cooper for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Alter hearing the statements of about 20 witnesses, Mr Bush said the evidence was very conflicting. It seemed to bo a question arising out of the business ot cab proprietors. Competition appeared to have been very keen, and remarks were made that called for other replies. He considered the proper course was to dismiss both informations withoub costs.

The many friends of Mr H, Brabazon, formerly on the staff of the New Zealand Insurance Company here, bub now manager of tbo Company's branch ab Maryborough (Q.), will be pleased to learn thab he is making capital progress in his new sphere. This is testified by one of the clients of the Company ab Maryborough, who in acknowledging the settlement of his claims, aleo warmly thanks Mr Brabazon in one of the daily papers for bis personal assistance and efforts ab the fire.

The entries for the carnival inaugurated by the Amateur Athletic and Cycle Association in aid of the Garret fund close this evening at the British Hotel. The programme comprises quito a variety of items, and those for football and cricketing conteats are open to all followers of those gportß. Tho carnival promises to be one of the moat successful yet held under the auspices of our popular institution.

The sixth anniversary of the Eden Terrace Volunteer Fire Brigade was celebrated by a vary successful concert, which took place last evening in the Victoria Hall. Mr Adam Porter presided over one of the I argesfc gatherings ever held in the hall, many having been unable to gain admission. An excellently varied programme was rendered to the complete satisfaction of those present, and those who contributed to the en* joyment of the evening were the Misses Mcßinney, Clark, M. Slade, Fitzpatrick, Hill, Mesdameß Burns, Bartlett, Ellis, and Messrs Christmas, Chatwin, Johason, Barclitt. Elder, Bell, Boulter, Jones, Withy, Bartletb, Ireland, Donovan, Teague and McKinney. During the evening the chairman explained the position of the brigade, and while expressing pleasure on the fact that their services had nob been required throughoub .the year, said they had ever been ready to answer any summons. They had been thoroughly examined by the insurance companies, and the inspection had been satisfactory. A long service medal, the first presented to this brigade, was pinned on to Foreman Butler by Miss M. Porter, a young lady of tender years. The proceedings terminated with the usual votes of thanks.

The Town Clerk informs ua thab there are 300 new volumes added to the lending library.

Ib may nob be generally known tbat amongst the recent additions to the branch of outdoor sports was a Golf Club, which is now in a fair way of becoming a popular came. A few Auckland enthusiasts now form the nucleus of what will probably be a large and influential body equal in importance to the institutions devoted to other branches of sports. The Club is under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor, and the other officers are :—President, Mr D. L. Murdoch ; Vice-president, Mr S. T. George; Committee, Messrs Carr, Burton, and Me Arthur; and Hon. Secretary, Mr C. E. S. Gillies. The links are ab presenb in the Auckland Domain, but the Club is endeavouring to secure a ground and obtain a good course. The game of golf is now established on a firm basis in the South, where it has been extremely popular. There is no reason why ib should not make similarly satisfactory progress here.

The customary batch of cases under tbe Destitute P>rßons Acfa was dealt with ab the Police Courb to-day by Mr R. S. Bueb, Stipendary Magistrate. Several cases of alleged "failing to support" were called od. A middle-aged man named Henry McGinn, a gumdigger, working at Cab Hill, beyond Birkenbead, was charged with having neglected to pay arrears of contributions amounting to £49 13s 6d, due to the Charitable Aid Board for the maintenance of his wife and family. Mr Madden appeared for the defendant and Mr John Strathern for the Charitable Aid Board. Tba Bench ordered the defendant to pay £5 in a month, or in default a month's imprisonment. John James Braslin was charged with having failed to support his sister Rose Braslin, and an order was made for the payment] of 5s per week, which defendant had offered to pay. William Clune was charged with being £7 5s in arrears towards the support of his father, George Clune. As order for payment or in default a month's imprisonment was 'made by the Bench. David Healey, who was represented by Mr Madden, made an application that an order for contributions to support his wife and children; 15s a week, should be varied. The applicanb stated that be wished the Courb to annul the order made for supporb of his wife, because his wife was living with another man. He had been separated aboub 18 months or two years. He had sent her money since ehe left witness. He_ produced a letter from his wife asking him to leave her alone as she was living with another. Be wished to have control of the: children. To this the wife objected, saying sho did not want him to support her, but only to supporb the children, whom however, she would not allow him to take. After evidence had been taken, Mr Bush said he would require satisfactory proof that the husband could gat a suitable pereon to take charge of his children if he was given custody of them. The case was adjourned for a week.

Last evening a well-attended meeting of the footballers of the North Shore interested in the Association game was held in the Masonic Hotel, Devonport, for the purpose of forming an Association Football Club at the North Shore. Mr C. C. Dacre presided. It was decided to form the club, and to call it the "North Shore Association Football Club." The following officers were elected :—President, Mr B. Mitchelson, M.H.R. ; Vice-Presidents, Col. Goring, Dr.' Roberts, Col. Burton, Messrs McCorqnodale,E. Ford, and W: Buchanan; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr W. G. Allan ; delegates to New Zealand Association, Messrs J. Burgess and A. Dacre. The election of captain was deferred until after the first practice on the local Domain. It was decided to adopt a blue shirt as the colours of the Club.

Mr C. C. Dacre, who is the leading spirit in the Association football game in Auckland, informs us that the Governor, Lord Glasgow, has accepted the patronage of the Auckland Football Association. Mr J. B. Gibbons, of the Wellington " Po.eS," has been appointed delegate to represent tbe Auckland Club at the meeting of the New Zealand Football Association at Wellington.

Once more the youth of the city are to be delighted by that most popular of all aho,ws, a circus. This evening Bernard's Circus, of which particulars appear in another column, opens on the Harbour Board Reserve adjoining the Railway Station.

The pupils of Mr W. H. Webbe's Piano Duet and Quartet Classes, assisted by Messrs Zimmermann, Fuller, Davis, and Thomson, and Mrs Maxwell, gave their 66th open musical evening for visitors ab Berlin House, Kyber Pass Road, last evening. The rooms were filled with a highly appreciative audience, including many prominent teachers of music. The_ following programme was faithfully carried out* and in a manner which reflected gnial credib on both Mr Webbe and his pupils ;— Piano Quartet, "Polish Dance No. V Misses Thompson, Maclaurin, Spooner, trod O'Neil; trio (violin, 'cello, piano), Mesßrs Zimmermann, Davis, and Webbe; eong, "The Requital," Mr John Fuller; piano solo (a) " Idilio," in January No. of Etude, (b) " Andante and flondo Capriccio," Miss M. Spooner; violin bolo, "Elegie," Herr Zimmermann ; duo for two pianos, " Belnario," Miss Spooner and Mr Webbe; cello, solo, "Home," Mr W. Davis; bass sola,. •• 0 Salutaris," Mr Thomson ; duo for organ and piano, " Fierrebraß," Miss GibbonsRead and Mr Webbe; piano quartet, " Magic Flute," Misses Maxwell, Da"dßf?' Carr, and Lambourne; vocal duet "To toe Woods," Mr3 and Mils Maxwell; P»n 0 solo, "Andante No. 12 Sonata," "Preß» No. 6," Miss Gibbon-Read; vioUo solo, "Polonaise." Herr Zimmennann} duo for two pianos, "Tarantella, Musei Maclaurin and Thomson; song, univ Once More," Mr John Fuller; piano bo o, (a) "Spring Song," (ft) "*"»*-'*& Maclaurin; duo for piano and organ, [V "Lucrezia Borgia," (6) "B TrovatoM, j Misses O'Neil and Spooner. At the con , elusion some clever examples of «&•»*""? ing and improvising were rendered by *« Webbe and pupils.

At the City Hall to-night Mfcs A*7 Vaugban's Amazoua will make tneir second appearance in one of their P°P"£ weekly entertainment*. An exception""'/ good programme ba3 been provided, sides the old favourites, including _*»» Vaughan, Harry Cowan will »PPeari D nrl l sketch "Rumpus." Mr and him horJJ will give selections on the gultßr. ft"? *qi mandolin, Popular prices of Is and oa ww be cbargod.

Among the passengers by the R.M.s. Alameda this afternoon for San Francisco were Lady Glasgow and maid. It is understood that) her ladyship only contemplates a flying visib to the old country, returning to the colony aboub September next.

Mr Jonn Fuller, tha popular tenor, has entered into an agreement to manage the J'eopla's Popular Concerts ab the Tuamstreeb Theatre, Christenurcb, and will leave Auckland aboub the 10th of May. The popular concerts in this colony were first established at Tuam-street Theatre. Mr Fuller is to be tendered a farewell coneerb prnvious his departure.

As has been elsewhere intimated Mies Be^io Doyle will give a farewell concert in the City Hall on Monday eveniDg. The gilt«(i young violinist returned from the \Vaikato to-day after an exceptionally successful season there. From all accounts bar tour was somewhat of the nature of a royal progress. At every town whore she appeared the people turned nut in full force to hear her, and accorded her a moat enthuaiastic reception. So charmed were the Harailtoniana with the young lady's first appearance in their town, that when she wax returning to Auckland after having visited the centres south of Hamilton they insisted on her giving a lasb coucert, at which the local amateur orchestra and the Light Infantry Band assisted. Among the tributes to her talent in the shape of gifts which Miss Doyle will carry away with her from New Zealand none will be of more interest than the Maori curios which were presented to her sometimes in the place of bouquets, at some of bar VVaikato concerts. These will, no doubt, cerve to very pleasantly remind her of the triumphs she had in thesmallcoumry places when much greater success in larger places shall have faded from her memory. And the Waikuto people on their part will not readily forget the young lady who was undoubtedly the greatest violinist who ever visited them. Miss Doyle'a concert on Monday will be in every respect of a popular nature. A special programme has been arranged, and the price of admission has been pub at one shilling. Seats may ba reserved on the hall plan now open at Wildman's on payment of an additional shilling.

The sixth annual concerb and dance in hid of the funds of the Eden Terrace Volunteer Fire Brigade eventuated nt the Victoria Hall, Eden Terrace, on Friday 1?.3t, Mr Adam Porter being in the chair. The hall was taxed to its utmost capacity, the visitors being hardly able to find sitting-room. The following programme was gone through in a highly satisfactory manner, the audience showing their appreciation of its excellence by encoring almoeb every itom : — Piano duo!\ Misses McKinnoy and Clark; fong, Mr Christmas; recitation, Misa Mabel Slsde; song, Mr Johnson ; song 'oornic), Mr Tom Mackinini; song, Mr Ellis; song (comic), Mr Barchifc; sailor's liornpipo, Mr Elder ; song, Mr Bell; song (comic), Mr Boulter; duet, Mr and Mrs Bartlett; song, Mr Withy; song (comic), Mr Tom Mackinini: song, Mr Ireland; pong (comic), Mr Donovan; duet, Mrs Burns and Miss Clark. After the concerb, Mr Geo. Butler, Senior Foreman of the Brigade, was presented by JJiaa Porter (the Chairman's daughter), with the long service medal. Tho Hall was then cleared, and the numerous lovers of tho terpsiehorean art tripped on the light fantastic too, to excellent music discoursed by Henry's string band, tho whole breaking np about two o'clock, tho«e present voting the evening'a amusement provided a credit to tbe Brigade, who havo netted a very tidy lictlo sum towards their funds.

Tka Pith-street Wesleyan Literary Society held its Hsunl weekly meeting id the schoolroom last Thursday, Mr Rossor presiding. Extemporaneous epeeche? were'givon by members, and musical itema were contributed by the Misaes Reynolds nnd Worth and Mr Bodley. -The Druids of Auckland, who have made Cjnifca a name for their unique entertainments, are promoting a concert for Friday evening. May 4th, in the City Hall, and they will bo assisted by some of the- besb inimical talent of Auckland. Prior to the eonrsrb the Druid 9 will hold what they torsn a Druid.'s pageant, starting in procession from tho reservoir, Ponsonby, at 7 p.m. Three tableaux will bo shewn, represonting Benevolence, Justice and Stone)>bncre on three trolliec, and supported on each side by the brethren of bhe Order, aad also by tke firemen of Auckland (who are to assist in the pageant) bearing coloured lights; the whole to be headed by West's Newtoa Band. This should prove a very plea?anc spectacle, and help to ensure the success of the concert. The proceeds of tbe concert are to be devoted to the Benevolent Fuad of the Auckland Lodges. St. John's Boys' Club hold their anniversary concert and social gathering on Tuesday evening next in Sb. John's schoolroom. A programme of a varied and interesting character will be submitted. The last public assembly of the Club was a great success, and this one will be equally so.

The householders of Newmarket who are interested in the cause of education aro reminded by advertisement that the annual election takea place on Monday, April i?,rd. Candidates may bo nominated at tho meeting.

To-morrow mornine at 9 o'clock a steamer will leave the Forry Tee for Motutapu, and aftar landing passengers will proceed to t:> one of the fishing grounds, returning to Molutapu at 4.30. In the afternoon the E?)£]q will run to St. Helior's Bay and rnnnd the islands of the golf, leaving the Ferry Tee ab 2.30 and returning at 5.15 o'clock. On Monday there will be a steamer to Motutapn, and fishing-ex-cursion, calling at Devonport and St. Keller's Bay, leaving the Ferry Tee at 10 o'clock.

The first concert of the season in connection with the Auckland Orchestral Union will ba given in the City Hall on Thursday evening next, the 26th sn»t. It gives promise of being an unqualified success. One of tbo features of the evening will undoubtedly be a selection from " Utopia, Limited," Gilbert, and Sullivan's latest triumph, and it will also be something entirely new in a concert, programme. The programme is, therefore, of a more than usually interesting character. The orchestral items include eoiue very fine selections, and the Liedoitafcl will render several pipular part oongs by Mendelssohn, Hatton, and other composers of eminence. Notice is given in our advertising columns of a meeting to be hold in the Occidental Hotel on .Monday evening at 8 o'clock, of all interested in the formation of a. football Association club to represent the city and suburbs,,