PUBLIC HOLIDAY—REGATTA DAY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3365, 29 April 1868, Page 2

PUBLIC HOLIDAY— REGATTA DAY.

To-day will be held as a public holiday, and certainly there is no lack of subjects, grave and gay, to occupy the attention of the citizens of Auckland. Firstly, it is a day of public rejoicing on account of the safe recovery of H.R. H. the Duke of Edinburgh; and although we in New Zealand have not had the gratification, which we had long promised ourselves, of leeing and welooming him, we shall not be behind any in testifying our joy that he escaped with life frum the bullec of the assassiu. Then we have the regatta, post l oned so long that the Prince might see it, but in which, no doubt, the best will be done that the weather permits, ia presence of the Governor, who has gamed the respect and good wishes of the people of Auckland during his stay amongst us. Ihe steamer ' Midge' will cruise up aud down the harbour during the day, giving parties on board a continuous view of the several competitions. The Rifle Volunteeis, and the Naval and Artillery Volunteers, will parade at eight o'clock in the evening, to form a guard of honour to hia Excellency in going to the citizens' subscription ball given to his Excellency and Lady Bowen. A detachment of the Artillery Volunteers will fire the signal guns necessary for the t regatta. The citizens' ball will be held in the drill-room, Princes-street, aud, from the number of tickets issued, will doubtless be a great success. The preparations made up to last evening by the committee of management are worthy of the highest commendation. The regatta will of course be the principal event of the day, and, if we may judge from the entries effected, some really exciting contests may be expected. The race for trading vessels over 20 tons must certainly prove, a3 last year, a good one, and that for watermen not a jot less so. The four-oared gigs are considered to be very evenly matched, and the dingies to be pulled by boys are numerous. Perhaps the prettiest tournament will be the Champion Scullers' Race, and will produce the moit excitement, as the competitors are not unknown to fame, nor are they by any means to be put under the category of inexperienced oarsmen, as to-day's events will show. For the second raoe there are four entries, and the fourth and seventh will probably receive additions. From the general repute of the vessels likely to be engaged in the various contests, and of those by whom they will be manned, it is anticipated that the regatta will quite come up to that of last year, and, what is better, after all prizes are paid, a satisfactory balance will be left ia hand for the next. O o c The second grand tournamant.at the Auckland Salt-water Baths will aho take place to-day, commencing at two o'clock, when the following prizes will be offered for swimming and diving matches :— Ist Raee — Swimming. Boys under 12, 50 yards ; entry, Is. ; prize, 10s. 2ad Raee — Boys under 18, 100 yards ; entry, Is. ; prize, 15?. 3rd Raee — All ages, 150 yards; entry, 2s. 6d.j prize, 20s. 4th Raee — Diving longest distance. Boys under 12; entry, ls.j prize, 10s. sth Raee — Diving longest distance. Boys under 18;' entry, Is.; prize, 15s. 6th Raee — Diving longest distance. All ages ; entry, 2s. 6d.; prize, 2Ck 7th. Raee — Undress in the water, shirt, trousers, socks ; entry, 2s. 6d.; prize, 20s. Bth Race— Bring up a plate from bottom — heats : entry, 2s. 6d.; prize, 20s. 9th Race— Duck hunt. Open to all comers. Four to start for each race ; second man to save his stakes.

The half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of the Bank of New Zealand will be held to-day at moon in the new banking-house, when the report of the directors for'the half-year ending the 31st March will be submitted, and the election of a director in the room of Mr. T. Henderson proceeded with. Mr. James Williamson appears to be the only candidate for the vacant §eat at the Board of Directors. Revision Courts are to be held before Mr. L. OBrien, Revising Officer, on the morning of the 18th May next, at 11 o'clock, at the Supreme Court, for revising the roll of the electoral district of the City oE Auckland East, when the following business will be transacted : — Admission of new claims to be placed on the roll ; hearing of objections ; striking oat the names of persons proved to be dead, and of persons whose qualifications as stated in the list shall be insufficient in law to entitle them to vote. On the 19th proximo the roll of the electoral district of City of Auckland West will be revised ; on the 20tb, Newton andParnell; on the 21st, Northern Division; and on the 25th, the electoral roll of Marsden, at the Whangerei Hotel, Whangerei. His Honor Mr. Justice Moore held a sitting in Chambers at the Supreme Court yesterday, and disposed of several applications, which will be found in the report of proceedings. In reference to a paragraph which appeared in Monday's issue, relative to Mr. R. Moore having sustained a few bruises by the ehafti of the vehicle in which he was riding having given way, he has requested us to state that no braises were sustained. Yesterday the documents aud 'furniture of the Resident Magistrate's Conrt were removed to the old Supreme Court-house building, where in future the business of that Court and the District Court will be carried on. Monsieur Gilhoni's waxwork exhibition, now open at Stichbury's Buildings,has received a valuable addition to its stock of remarkable personages, in the shape of two admirably moulded figures of the would-be assassin O'Farrell and his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. The figures were received by M. Gilhoni from Sydney, the busts having been cast to order in that place by one of the best artists ; and the skilful manner in which both figures have been dressed by M. Gilhoni reflaots upon him the greatest credit. O'Farrell is represented as having just fired the revolver ; and the surprise which is depicted on the countenance of the Prince is very truthfully executed. The waxworks will be opened to the public this evening, when these additional figures will be exhibited for the first time. Mr. H. S. Ear], M.A., from America, preached last evening in the Brunswick Hall, which was quite crowded. Mr.. Earl is, we believe, a regular graduate of Bethany College, W. Va., United States ; and a preacher of reputation in America, Great Britain, aud Australia. ' For fifteen successive months he preached in St. George's Hall, Melbourne, to crowded audiences with unabated interest. Ihe press estimated his audiences at 1,600 or 1,800 persons; and it frequently occurred that hundreds were unable to gain admission. Since that time he has been preaching in White's Assembly-rooms, Adelaide, with equal success. Re is now on a visit to New Zealand and Sydney; thence he returns to Adelaide. His meetings have been very large in Dunedin, Invercargill, and Nelson, and the press in each pltce have given him the highest eulogium. Ha it connected with a body in America simply denominated «' Christians." It now numbers about 600,000 membera, and 2,500 preachers. It has also two Universities, twelve colleges, and a large number of academies and seminaries under its control, besides an extensive literature of weeklies, monthlies, quarterlies, &o. The subject treated upon last night was "The Messiah," and Mr. Earl read as bis text parts of chapters zxix. andxxv. of St. John's Gospel. A preacher cqming as Mr. Earl has, of course, in vitas critioism which it would not be right to apply to other minister*. His style is that of which Mr. Spurgeon is the prophet; and in whioh that gentleman has had numerous followers. We have not the slightest doubt that the novelty of the thing here will attract large audiences to listen to Mr. Earl. On Thursday evening the subject .for' discourse is announced to be " The Supreme Object of Life." c

The soiree and public meeting to celebrate tte le-opening of the Primitive Methodiat Church, Elwardes-strejt, were held last evening, and numerously attended. His Honor the Superintendent, John Williamson, Esq., presided. Mr. D. Goldit, secretary, submitted a carefully-prepared report, which was adopted. Several addresses were afterwards delivered, interspersed by the singing of a number of anthems by the choir, accompanied by Master Culpan on the organ. A meeting of the member* of the Auckland Club !■ adverbiied to be held at noon on Thursday next, in the Club-house, Shortland-street, for the purpose of considering the rules drawn up by the committee appointed for that purpose, and the transaction of any other business which may be brought forward. The members of St. Andrew's Society, and all other perions favourable to the objects of the Association, are convened to attend a meeting which is to ba held on Friday evening next, at half-past seven o'clock, in the Star Hotel, Albert-street. At the Police Court yesterday four persons were sentenced to the usual punishment for drunkenness. Patrick D«an wa3 fined 60*. and costs for using obscene language in Queen-street. Joseph Martin was sentenced to fiud two sureties of £25 each, to keep the peace for six months towards his wife. William Sutton was also bound over to keep the peace, on the complaint of his wife. The Regatta Committee met again last night in the Star Hotel, for the purpose of receiving post entries. 'I he 6tb, 7th, and 10th races, for trading vessels over 20 ton*, yachts over 8 tons, and licensed but unregistered vessels, were each swelled by an additional entry. Mr. Foley opened his menagerie last evening, and had a lar^e attendance of spectators. Thii is, we believe, the first exhibition of wild beasts in Auckland, and we have no doubt that Mr. Foley'a pavilion will be crowded during his stay. The collection includes a majestic lion, worthily named " Wallace," with his mate "Victoria^ a leopardess "Alexandria," two bears, racoon, monkeys, &o. At eight o'clock, Mr. Fernandez went into the cage with the lioni, and, obedient to command, the huge beats lay down, or leaped over each other. Lastly, Mr. Fernandez opened the lion's mouth and thrust his head in, which liberty was taken very good-humouredly by the King of Beasts. The leopardess then performed several gymnastic feats, with more agility and freedom than any human gymnast could have done. The feats are done so easily, and Mr. Fernandez appears to have such perfect control over the animals, that the spectators did not feel in any way alarmed by his temerity. Crown grants (Militia) in favour ,of the following persons are now ready for delivery at the office of the Registrar of Deeds, High-street, Auckland ;— Robert Atkins, Thomas Anderaon, John Allan, James Allan, Joseph Andrews, Win. Curtis Birmingham, Charles Went worth Burdett, George Cooper, Richard Cox, Michael Cogan, John Dunn, John Egan, Thomas Finch, Charles Linneus Frith, Patrick Gibbons, William Archibald Grey, Joseph Gilbert, John Wilfred Holt, James Babmgton Hamilton, John Higginson, William Higginson, Henry Hallett, Henry Hare, William Jamieson, Wm. George Jackson, Alexander James Kemble, William Montgomery, Thomas Miller, John McCarthy, Robert MoGruther, George Moßride, Matilda Amelia Ogbourne, Robert Otter, Coleman Phillips, Isaac George Price, William Piloher, William Purcell, Vincent Edward Rice, Lewis Rye, Henry James Smith, John Thomas Squire, Henry Edward Stehr, Joseph Tumbull, Charles Thomas, John Thompson, Alexander Thompson, Thomas Tanner, Matthew Vesty, John Watson, Joseph Warby, Christian Anderson, James Anderson, David Armstrong, Henry Beherens, James Bridle, James Barnard, William Brownlie, Alexander Baxter, Michael Byrnes, John Cadenhead, Patrick Chloran, Stephen Dobbyn, Thomas Donoghue, Robert Farrell, Thomas Fitzgerald, James Findlay, John Frazer, William Fmdlay, James Gordon, Edward Gravatt, Thomas Harris, Albert Hamilton, nTohn Hadder, Benjamin Johnson, John Jervois, Thomas William Jones, John James Killeen, William Lewis, George Lewis, William Lee, Frank Lin?, William Munroe, Charles McCarthy, Thomas McDermott, Peter MoKenna, Thomas McKenna, William Oaborne, Braithwaite Patterson, Robert Pooklington, Hartis Percy, Henry Quick, John Strain, Alexander C. H. Tooey, George Waterson, Henry Cope Wright, John Young. Crown grants in favour of the following persons are now rea^y for delivery at the office of the Registrar of Deed?, High-street, Auckland : —Albert Beetham, James Bell, Thomas Brown, A. 8. Carlisle and Charles Mason, David Comrie, Patrick Joseph Dwyer, Richard Deans, Alexander Fisher, Patrick Finley, John Gibbs, Thomas Harris, Edward Hubbard, William Huband, Owen Ormsby Trwin, Edward Kennedy, Charles Mason and A. S. Carlyle i Thomas Meikle, Robert Morgan, Kenneth Matheson, James Murphy, Roderick Mclnnis, Samuel McConechie, George MoKay, Donald Mclnnis, Colin McGill, Robert Morris Perston, Mark Scott, George Staines, Matthias] Sharp, George Chambers Taylor. Mr. Groves, gold prospector, has addressed the following letter to Mr. H. Bunny :—" Greytown, llth April, 1868. Dear Sir, — Having returned to Greytown on the 4th inst.,in accordance with an intimation sent to Mr. E. Grigg, I regret to find that the promised assistance which I expected has not been collected. I have incurred debts on the faith of such promise, to the extent of £8, for boots and clothing to ncy men, preparatory to a continuation of gold-prospecting. Ab lam suffering from a severe attack of rheumatics, the above neglect does not matter much, as I must obtain at least two weeks' rest before proceeding to the locality I left. I enclose a sketch of the oountry I have explored for gold, showing the route aad camping places of my journey ; also the creeks and rivers I have prospected. The weather has been extremely wet and detrimental to my progress. Although I have not obtained payable gold, still the locality I left ii well worth further trial. There are several large welldefined quartz reefs bearing north and south, whioh can easily be followed. I have spent a great deal of I time in searching for such information as I have now discovered ; I am, therefore, loth to leave off without further endeavours on my part. Should my health prevent me from returning at the time specified, I would strongly recommend you to select a few men of good experience in prospecting quartz. By going straight to the locality shown in my sketch, much time and lab >rious travelling would be saved. I beg to subscribe myself, your obedient servant, Danibl Gkov*." Considerable uncertainty exists in the minds of sportsmen a3 to whether they may or may not shoot pigeons and other birds without a license, and those who wish to be on the safe side are depriving themselves of the fport which at this season they have been accustomed to indulge in. The uncertainty arises apparently from the confusion of terms, the Act making a distinction between " game" and " native game. Game includes only imported birds and animals, viz., pheasants, partridges, grouse, black game, quail, snipe, plover, swans, hares, antelope, deer, wild duck of any species, and such other imported animals or birds as the Governor may proclaim. Native game includes the following indigenous birds, viz., wild duck of any species, bittero, pied stilt plover, wild geese, wood pigeon, teal, black stilt plover, curlew, quail, and such, other native birds as the Governor may proclaim. Licenses are only required to shoot or sell game ; any one may shoot or sell native game without a license, but, nevertheless, under one or two conditions, which may be thus briefly stated :— April, May, June, and July are the only months in which native game may either be killed or sold, and in these months all Sunday shooting is strictly prohibited., The penalty for infringing theie provisions, or treipaisiog on private property, is a sum not exceeding £20, one-half of which goei to the informer. In default of payment boys under fifteen may be whipped, instead of sent to prison. Those who wish for more precise information are referred to the Protection of Animals Act, 1867, procurable at the printing • office of the General Government. — Evening Post, April 20. By a return of the enumerator for Taranaki, published in a Provincial Gazette, we find that on the 19th December last there were two breweries, employing three hands, one dray and horse ; there were used 4,3001b*., of sugar, 1,200 bushels malt, and 21,5641b. of hop 3 during the year, which brewed 19,980 gallons of beer in that period. The approximate value of the machinery and plant was £500, and the land and building £1,150. Two gingerbeer ftnd lemonade works employed three hands, the machinery and plant being valued at £400, and land Hid buildings £550. Two flour mills, one worked jy steam and the other water (the amount of power being equal to 30 horses), having four paui of

■tones and employing five hands ; 19,500 bushels of wheat were operated on during the year, producing 400 tons of flour ; the machinery and platt were worth £5,500, and the land and buildwgs £1,400. Three steam saw mills of 33-horse power, employing 23 hands, and valued at £3,500 ; the buildings and ground being put down at £1,220. One steam stoneonuhing machine of six horae-power, employing four hand*, and, valued at £600 ; land and building, £50. Two printing-offices employing elevenhands,theplauts being valued at £1,700 ; the land and buildings at £620. One iron and braes foundry, employing two hands, valued at £250 ,* land and buildings, £100. Th» petroleum works, worked by a steam engine of nine-hone power, employ three hands, the plant and machinery being worth £1,233; and the land anc building £203. One tannery employing four hands, the pla»t being worth £800 ; and the land land buildings £600. One briok work, employing three hands, the plant valued at £300 ; and the land and building at £100.— Tat-anaki Herald, April 25. The Pawkino prospecting party returned a few days aince, and reported that the Maoris bad driven them in, and refused to let them prospect any longer. This statement turns out to be untrue, and, in simple charity to the members of the party, we will only state that they were not up to their work. No doubt if Major Nixon and Mr. Robinson had remained with them they would have continued to prospect ; but they had nob been left two days to themselves before they came away in a state of despondency. The Maoris are most anxious that a projecting party should go up the river and examine the whole country to Taupo. If a prospecting party be equipped, let three good experienced men be selected, and not every greenhorn that likeg to volunteer for that purpose, and let us make some arrangements with the Maoris to keep them in provisions. We shall not advocate a public subscription for a troop of donothings, who would understand the art of squandering tfrn* and provisions, and who would scarcely kuow gold from mica. The Maittand Mercury, of the 2nd April, reports that an Australian gorilla has been seen by a man named Higan, near Lake Macquarie. It was five feet eight inohes high, had long tangled hair, and brace* , lets round each knee. It also had a stick in each hand, which it brandished as it walked along. The creature was beautifully formed, and resembled one of the human species. In testimony of the efficacy of kerosine iv cases of burns and scalds, we subjoin the following from the Arnaud Journal : — " On Tuesday three children the family of Mr* and Mrs .Paulin, of East Carl ton, wore playing about the fireplace, when the kettle of boiling water fell over, severely scalding all of them about the abdomen and legs. Kerosine was immediately applied, and after half-an hour's pain had been endured there Was not a trace of a scald left, with tke exception of two small blisters on one of their feet which had been unobserved."