MISCELLANEOUS. [From April 2 to April 10.]

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3349, 10 April 1868, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS. [From April 2 to April 10.]

T&K grand complimentary concert to his Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen, by the members of the:. Choral Society, took, place on April 7, in the new hall at the rear of Government House, and was 'in every respect a highly successful and brilliant performance. The pieces selected were those performed a few evenings since— Sopor's Oratorio " The ( Last judgment," and Weber's Mass in G. Considerable improvement is now t)eing made in the Mount Eden Toad by gangs of prisoners. They have lowered the hill opposite the gravel pit and filled the hollows, so as to make it a good road. They are ndw catting down the hill opposite Mr. Kellys house, and the road is being metalled from the toll'gate to the gravel pit with broken metal. All the "mdtalii prepared by hand labour, the stone-breaking machine not having been in use for a long time past. Messrs. C.-E.Hanghton, M.G.Ar;and J. O'Neill, M.G. A., - members of the Commission on Prisons, appointed' tfo'. visit the different gaels of the colony, „*?™P™at«d tKeir wor^ on A P ril 7, so far as thispfp-i Yjrice im concerned. In the course of the investigatioflneld a largtf amount of evidence has been taken j and as these notes' of evidence embrace the expe585?^ °i* h g? n tieoaen a» Judge Beckham, Dr. 'ffltffiJSt'jF&d&i*' tiie S* oler and matron, as * vilJ 8 , < 7 0 5O r »»«p fho act as honorary chaplains to the gaol, and a naniber bf other gentlemen, information of a reliable character is secured which will W juteJdinu. to the Comtnisrion Mr. •"•l^ton; proceeded on April 4by the 'Taranaki %&T * " *2P'M tbe Wellington' to-day (Friday) to vint the gaol at Napier, The inre'stiga-

fcion will be obntidued at Dunedin and Inveroargill, sft4r whibh {probably about the middle of May) the' tr*Velling Commi««ioners vrill meet the 1 Judges (Johnston and Richm .nd), to consider the whole subject remitted to them, and prepare their rejpdrfc for, Government. A special meeting of the members 6f Court City of.Audklknd, A. OF., mud Tisiting brethren, was held on April 2, at the lodge-room, when it was re■olved, "That we view with the greatest indignation and abhorrence the recent Attempt on the life of bis Royal Highneu the Duke of Edinburgh, and hope that it will not prevent us paying our respeots to his Royal Highness on his oontemplated visit to New Zealand." His Excellency the Governor, Lady Bowen, Lady Martin, Dr. Hector, and Mr. A. Lempriere paid a visit on the 2nd April to the Orakei settlement, where they were received by Paul Tuhaere and bis people. Paul delivered a short address of welcome to his Excellency, who briefly replied, Theoutter 'Glance,' which left the harbour early | on the 2nd April, was chartered by Mr. T. B. Gillies, secretary of the Auckland Institute, for an excursion to the North Gape. The object of the excursion is to acquire information on subjects of a scientific nature. There were ou board — Mr. Gillies, who will take charge of the entomological branch ; Mr. Trail, whp is oonnected with the Geological Survey Department as Conchologist ; and Mr. Kirk, England-street, Freeman's Bay, who is a botanist of European reputation. Dr, Hector and Captain Hutton were unable to accompany the party, and it in, to be regretted that there is no gentleman on board who will devote attention to geological investigations. The party will be absent for about three weeks, and in the course of the excursion most of the bays and harbours between Auckland and the North Cape will ' be visited. The Government will bear half the expense, and Mr. Gillies the remainder. An inquiry was held on April 2 at the Mount Eden Gaol with reference to the circumstances attending the escape of the two prisoners Campbell and Kelly. The evidence of the Acting Gaoler (Mr. Young), a warder, and several prisoners was taken, after whioh the further investigation was adjourned until a future day, The inquiry was resumed on April 7. when further evidence was taken, and a report is to be laid before bis Honor the Superintendent. The Earl of Pembroke bas visited Taurabea, in hia yacht, the ' Albatross,' where he appears to have been well received. The natives have been especially friendly, and have invited the Earl to visit one of their native settlements. On Saturday, April 4, a farewell dinner was given by the literary staff of this journal and other gentlemen to Mr. R..J, Creighton, on the occasion of his resigning his connection with the Daily Sot/ i'Hern Cross. The dinner was served at the well-known hostelry of host James, Victoria-street, and reflected great credit upon the cuisine. A most enjoyable evening was spent by all present, and the proceedings did not terminate until a late hour. A meeting of the sons of old colonists was held on Saturday evening, April 4, at Messrs. Jackson and Uussell's office, Fort-street — Mr. James Russell in the chair. The Chairman stated that the prinoipal business of the meeting was to make up the books of the different collectors in order to see what amount had beep collected, but as so few collectors bad attended the meeting they could not go on with that portion of the business. The Secretary stated that it was expected about £40 had been collected already, but he could not definitely say until the books were made up. He might mention that, as several parties appeared to oppose the movement because he was the secretary, he would therefore be very glad to resign, if any other gentleman would take his appointment. After some discussion, Mr, Guilding,, at the unanimous request of the meeting, consented still to act as secretary. Some time since his Honor the Superintendent procured a quantity of seed of European flax for trial in this province. At the Papakura Agricultural Show, held a few weeks ago, a sample of the flax grown from a portion of this seed, and prepared, was exhibited. One of the judges, Mr. Robert Robertson, who is well skilled in this article, having been engaged in the flax trade at home, then gave it as his opinion that he never saw better flax anywhere than that exhibited. The flax was grown by Mr, William Adams, of Opaheke, about three miles from Papakura, on light soil. Mr. Adams, who grew flax at home, says that the plant thrives remarkably well in this climate, and that two crops could be grown in one season. A sample of the flax has been left at our office. A numerously attended meeting of the settlers of Pitoitoi, Helensville, and adjacent districts, took place at Deacon's Hotel on April 6, for the purpose of electing stewards and other offioers iv connection with the proposed Riverhead races, A. Porter, Esq., in the chair. It was resolved, " That the races take place on the 13th instant, and be called the Riverhead Races." The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Agrioultural Society was held on April 7at Otahuhu. The principal business was the distribution of the prizes gained at the late show at Remuera. Several important notices of motion wero given by Mr. Andrews, of Mangere, in reference to the general mode of conducting the Society. There was some difference of opinion expressed at list annual meeting as to the affairs of the Society, but we hope that it will start with renewed vigour, and thereby be enabled to do the great work that lies before it, that of encouraging agriculture in all its branches. A letter was read from his Honor the Superintendent accepting the office of President of the Society. The ground on which the new Supreme Courthouse ha« been erected has been enclosed by a handsome and substantial fence of poses and chains. There are two entrance gates, with a turnstile at each. The enclosure imparts to the building and ground a look of completeness. A meeting of the Maori and European Reform Association will be held in the hall at Orakei this (Friday) afternoon. The advertisement is signed by Beihana Reweti, as secretary, and at first we were quite puzzled to guess what might be the objects of the Association. It might be an Association to reform the morals of both races, and, as there is abundant room for that, everybody would of course wish it all sscoeas. However, from a gentl man who, we presume, speaks with authority, we are enabled to satisfy the public curiosity. The objects of the Association are certainly sweeping enough. They are : — The equal good government of the Maori and European population, by making the common law apply to both ; the furtherance of all efforts at financial reform ; the better representation of the Maoris and Europeans of the North Island in the Legislature of the country ; the dissemination among the Maoris of a popular knowledge of the laws, and of the principles upon which they are framed ; and the dissemination among Europeans of a popular knowledge of the usages, customs, and existing laws among th» Maoris, so that the perplexity which exists on both sides regarding many matters may be done away with. Considerable damage has bien done to the works at the Kawakawa coal mines by the recent heavy rains. Great preparations appear to be making by the natives in the Bay of Islands district for the reception of the Duke of Edinburgh, and it will doubtless be a great disappointment to them if anything should prevent htm going there. An amateur concert was given on April 2 in the Onehunga Institute, which, though not so numerously attended as the previous one, was, on the whole, very successful. The only blemish on the evening's entertainment was the selection of the chorus, "Down among the Dead Men," for a loyal impromptu called ''Hurrah for the Prince." We can show our loyalty by hurrahing, and in any other sensible* manner, but to wish the wretched miscreant O'Farrell "down among the dead men" is but the preliminary to a capital sentence, which, if carried into execution, would elevate him, in the estimation of some misguided individuals, to the rank of a political martyr- -a result that all true lovers of their Queen and country would earnestly deprecate. The concert was concluded with the National Anthem, after which three cheer's were given for the Queen, three for Prinoe Alfred, and three groans for the assassin O'Farrell. As it is questionable now whether the Duke of Edinburgh will come to New Zealand, the Regatta Committee are in considerable doubt as to what should be done in reference to the annual celebration, which has now been so long delayed. The next news from Sydney will probably bring definite word whether the Prince will visit us or not ; and we would suggest that, if he does not purpose coming here, the regatta should be celebrated in presence of his Excellency the Governor just before his departure for the South. At a meeting of the committee held in the Star, Hotel; Albert-street, on April 6 it was decided, on the motion of Mr. Waymouth seconded by Mr. Yon der Heyde, that no further steps should be taken in regard to the holding of the Regatta until reliable information had been received with reference to the intentions of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edim urgh, when the secretary should again call the committee together. The treasurer stated that the funds at present in hand amounted to £155 3s. 6d., £100 of which bad been receif' .i from the Royal Reception Committtee. Our Coromandel correspondent mentions that Mr, Lawlor has received notice from the General Government that -the office of Resident Magistrate ajj

Coromandel in to be shortly abolished, a piece of newt which haa oreated a feeling of regret in the miads of both European and aboriginal inhabitant ■ of the dintrict, Mr. Lawlor has ably fulfilled the onerous duties of his ofgoe (or the past fiye yean. The regulations for the working of the Thames ! goldfield, as made by the Wardens and a oommittM of the miners working on the ground, have been completed, and have been amehded in accordance with suggestions made from different quarters, They have been submitted to his Honor the Superintendent for his approval, and will be legalUed undw the powers delegated to him from the Governor under th« Goldfields Act The North Shore settlers are advocating the erection of a fldur mill in that district, and we hope that they will succeed in effecting their object. We learn that a very large and influential meeting of settlers was held at Mr. Copland's barn (the Lake, North Shore), on Wednesday, the Ist instant, for the purpose of taking steps towards the erection of a flour mill in some central place in the Lake district, On the motion of Mr. Allan O'Neill, seconded by Mr. Melavin, Mr, Mcllhone was appointed ohaiiman, Several gentlemen (amongst others our respectpd fellow settler Allan O'Neill, Esq.) addressed the meeting on the advantages that would ultimately aoorue to the dis* trict if the settlers had a flour mill of their own erected in a central spot. A number of gentlemen were appointed as a committee to fix on a site and to consider other matters in connection with the .übject,