NEWTON ATHENÆUM.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3999, 16 June 1870, Page 4

NEWTON ATHENÆUM.

A conversazione was held on Tuesday evening, in the Reading-room, corner of Queen- and East-streets. There was >, attendance of members, Mr. A. H. Spicer in the chair. The first subject introduced wag a curious anachronism in the first part of "Schiller's Wallenstein, " where Captain Butler introduces the lightning-rod as a simile. Now, Wallenstein was murdered on the 25th February, 1634, and Dr. Franklin proposed metallic conductors for electric matter at Philadelphia about the year 1752; and the question was, " Whether lightningrods were used anterior to the date of Franklin's proposal ?" The members present were of opinion it was an anachronism, and the more surprising as it occurs in one of Schiller's most highly-finished productions. It was urged, however, that Shakspeare's classical plays were not altogether free from the same description of error. One of the members present gave an illustration to show that sometimes what were commonly called modern discoveries were really only a revival of ancient ideas. .The next subject introduced was a series of " glyptographic portraits of eminent authors,' engraved or printed by the Oollas patent, and published by Charles Tilt, in 1838. Of these portraits the members were almost ignorant, and a reporter present .described the process by which they had been printed as the "a'laglyptowraphic," the same effect being produced by lines and. curves that in ordinary engravings is produced by cross-hatching. The specimens exhibited were much admired. "An Outline of the Geography of New Zealand" (the first Auckland Geography of New Zealand), by the Rev. Peter Mason, 8.A., Western Academy, was laid on the table, and gave rise to an interesting discussion on the origin of the natives. The next subject was " Local Improvements," among which was mentioned the construction of a dock at Freeman's Bay. It was said that the pressure on Queenstreet Wharf would ixltimately become so* great as to render the construction of docks or basins at Freeman's Bay and Mechanics' Bay absolutely necessary for vessels with cargoes of wood and small coasting cutters. Another local improvement was a suspensionbridge at the foot of the Newton-road, to connect the Newton-road with Pon-sonby-road and Karangahape-road. Mr. Allright was of opinion a wire-rope suspension bridge, e£ about 50 feet in length, would be most cheaply constructed, and it would forma valuable connecting link to one side of the Newton district. The question' of a Public Hall for Newton was next mooted, all the members being in favour of " Caley's Corner," at the junction of the Karanghape road and Pitt-street, as the best site for the purpose ; but the cost of a site being an important consideration, the remnant of an allotment "belonging to Government, in EaststredV'Wfts decided upon as being the most* available spot" that the members could at present think. of.- Before the members separated, ifc was resolved to add Notes and Queries and the Alta California to the papers, in the Reading-room. — Arrangements were also made for the next few meetings.

-The Grahamatown Mail of, last evening states that a letter has been sent to the Chiet jJudge of the Native LahdsrCourt, signed by T<a,< Moananui, Ton behalf of -the Kingite and jQueenite. Maoris of Ohinemuri,'. requesting %h4t the t Native Lands should not be ■tieldat Ohinemuri till the! nionth'' of Decemb'er^as there isno food for theassembly, and |lh» natives are all engaged in planting.