THE Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIX, Issue 4847, 10 March 1873, Page 2

THE Daily Southern Cross.

LLCKO, NON I'KO. If 1 lia\o Iipcm pjitin(jiiin]iul, jel >lioro risn A tl.ouyniU liLutuns fro.n tho sjwrk 1 bora

MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1S73.

Tun North Island has achieved a triumph at the Volunteer competition at Nelson. A greater success has attended the Volunteers of Auckland provinco than ever before has been attained by thobo of any other province during previous competitions. Not only has an Auckland Volunteer secured the Champion Belt for rifle shooting in the- colony, but several others belonging to the provinco havo gained both honour and emolument. On the first day of tho firing, Hoardraan, a member of one of tho Auckland City Volunteer companies, gained tho first prizo of £10 for judging distance.not execoding OC ) yards; McLean, of tho Thames, carrying oil 1 the second prizo of CS, and Thompson, of tho Thames, securing tho fifth pmo of £.5. Auckland Volunteers thus succoeded in taking thrco prizes, out of siv available in this match, Uoardraaii making a bull's -oyo nnd winning on firing ofT tho tie, for which thero wero five competitors. Auckland men woro again in tho van in tho second match for infnntry, which hid ranges of 400, 500, and (500 yards, with soven shots at each range, offering ten prizes rauging from C2O to £5. In this match Hoskins, of tho Thames, wna first, securing a £20 prizo, with an aggregate scoro of HI points ; Stono, also of tho Thames, taking second pluee and CLO, also with SI ; Thompson, of tho Thames, third, Clt, with SI also; and Murray (Thames), £12, with 75 points — Auckland thus gaining tho four leading \ rues out of ton. In tho third match for infantry, distance 200 yards, fivo ■hots, standing, Hay, of Auckland, took the first pri/o of CIO for 17 points, and lloskins and Ordell, of tho Thamos, wero t.vo of cloven Volunteers who tied at 15 for third pmo ; but, on tiring oil", neithor of tho two was successful. Tn tho fifth match, at ranges of 200, 500, and (iO0 yards— eight prizes ranging from £12 to £2 — llonkina (Thames) took first prize, LV?, with n score of 111 ; Stone (Thames), second, CD, with ]()'.) points; and Thompson ( rhiimcj), third, US, with n scoro of !()(! points. Tho Champion J3elt,with C50 and a gold modal added, was won by ILoskins, of tho Thames, by 181 points of an aggregate score; and Stone, ngain, of the Thames, took tho second prizo, a silver modal and C!J5, by 170 points ; tho third prizo in this, tho greatest coitcst, being secured by an Otrigo Volunteer with ]<!<> points. Wo believe no provineo in all tho competitions of provious years lias gained such high honours in tho uho of tho rillo as this year havo been gained by Auckland, and no district in any provinco has heretofore ho distinguished itself as tho Thnmcs district has dono. Considering iho strong local feeling which exists, and tho praiseworthy prido which emulation gives, wo aro not surprised that tUo

people of tin* Thnmcq nvo propaiinp; to rcco'vo Llic \ ictorioiH ehamp'oii m rid ln^ slice -s^ful comrades vit'i all the honours wlncli jihij I'c niiM'ilcl l'_y rxpcrls in tlio nit. thai mnlus \'oluiit( > oiiiiK p^puliir ns a cixnlnimlion lor " (I-I'imipc nol dolhuioc" - -pin nna i-l loris* — for ouv huirth^ and ll MIHS.

Iv it he liuo that boastful ness of the natural prestige is a characteristic of John Bull abroad, ' it, is equally certain (hul nt homo Knglishnu"i sometimes fall mlo the IhdIhIi h.ilnl of depreciating everything around them belonging to thrmVivos, an altogether inferior to the plum, possessions, or iirqcoethn^a of their neighbours. At ono time wo are told tluit J5t itisK manufactures uro fast being left behind in tho rneo of competition by (he choaper and lighter wares of Continental art izaiiB. Again, wo hear that tho palm of superiority in art, science, and literature, so long enjoyed by England ns tho foremost civilised nation of the world, will shortly have to bo transferred to other hinds, and become tho possession and boast of another people. Yot neither commercial statistical icturns, nor tho records of mechanical and scientific transactions, give any indication of the near approach of these changes. It was in this strain that tho condition and prospects of fho JJritisIi Navy, not long since, wero made tho .subject of ono of thoso periodical joramiads winch occasionally go tho round of tho English and colonial presR. With tho UHuul wiock solemnity, tho public wen- gravely informed that this costly urm of tho national defencc\which, from tune to time immemorial, Englishmen are taught to regard as the bulwark of Britain's freedom, is no better than a broken reed, and, in fact, is in such a condition of utter decrepitude an to bo unworthy of a moment's comparison with tho lleots of any other naval i'ower whatever ! This subject was Roraewhat humorously touched upon by Mr. Goschon, the Secretary to tho Navy, at a public entertainment m London, not long since, when tluit lion gentleman took occasion to give a short account of the present actual strength andrcsourcos of tho " iron walls of old England." Mr. Goschen's statements wero en thusiasfcically applauded. Jlo observed — If political, scientific, and professional con tro\orsiea are fierce, it is no woudir that controveraioj respecting tho N.vvy, which involved political, scientific, .and professional interosta, should bo as furious as tho storm which frightened us tho other night. I do not know if that hurricane kept any ono else awake, but it might well have disturbod thono who well knew that if any ,ic( idont happened to any of her Majesty's ships tho fault would ho laid, not to the hurricane, but to tho authorities of Whitehall, f am awaro that Ministers and members of Parliament aro supposed to cii|oy tho recess, and to look fmward with something hko dismay to the re-asscmbling of Parliament ; but I confoss that I think there is a little humbug in all that. I bohovo that memboia of L'tirliamout hko tho llouso of Commons; and my own part I am looking forward with pleasure to tho time when 1 can moot tho critics of tho Navy faco to faeo. It is usual to speak in terms of dis paragomont of her M.i|osty'fl Navy ; but though it is said to be mdclicato to hint at tho weakness of other countries, 1 fool bound to loduco tho niattei to a very plain issue. I will tako ten of our own ships of tho first class — tho ' Devastation,' tho 'Monaicb,' tho 'lltrculcs,' tho '.Sultan, 1 and the si^ ships of tlio 'Audacious' class ; and I defy France, Prussia, Russia, and tho United States to equal thorn. I will take also tho now class ot ships intonded for coast defenco — tho ' Ifotspur,' tho 'Clatton,' tho ' Cyclops,' and throo sister ships — and I defy Franco, North Ooruiany, Russia, and tho United States to produce hik such vessels — they bavo not two such ships amongst them; and as we possess tlua superiority at present, it will be our duty to maintain it in all future time. Mr. Goachen then went into some details respecting tho number and powor of the effective British ships of war afloat, especially of tho fnsL and second classes, and demonstrated very conclusively to his audience, which included some of tho ablest critics of naval architecture in tho world, that Great Britain possesses at tho present time a naval armament of all grades absolutely unapproachable by that of any other nation in the (vorld. Abovo all the other departments of tho public Bemoe, it is well known that tho disparaging remarks upon the Navy to which tho public aro sometimes treated aro largely the result of professional jealousy. Ship - builders, navnl engineers, azul armour-manufacturers of all kinds, who from one cause or other consider themselves aggrieved, adopt thin method of bringing their views and opinions before tho public, and too often tho statements put forth aro distinguished not less by their unscrupulousness than by their strength of expression. No doubt serious errors have from time to time boon committed by (he Admiralty, and money has been poured out hko wator in tho numberless costly experiments which have been undertaken with tho view of improving and remodelling tho Navy. But, notwithstanding that it is so, the fact of tho superiority of tho British Navy still remains. This has never been questioned by competent judges, especially within tho last ~l~> years, during which poriod tho lesser naval Powers havo begun to give increased attention to tho naval clement of national defence. At tho present moment Great Britain possesses by far the heaviest and most powerful naval armament afloat, while her resources in tho samo direction, in tho shape of first-class vessels and naval ordnance, available at short notice in caso of need, aro infinitely beyond those of any othor country claiming to rank as a naval powor.

Captain Simpson and tho officers of IT M. s.8. ' lilancho' entertained a laigo party at tho Naval Storo on tlio North Shoro on Saturday afternoon ,ind cvonitifl. Alwiit two hundred quests wcio piesent ; and, after tho enjoyment of uoipict and other outdoor games within tho enclosure, an adjournment took placo to tho Lirgo room in tho upper stoioy of tho building, winch hail been proparod for d.moiin,', and wan beautifully decorated with Mays, tho bunting department of both tho ' Blaiieho' and ' Uoaario' having licen dmwn upon to supply tho variom coloured decorations. Something near £1,000 w<nth of /lugs, icpreaonting tlioao of all nation 1 ), and containing thousands of sijuaro yards of hunting, were draped in graceful pendent folds along tho roof and round the walls, iiitorsporHcd hero tun 1 thoro with wro'itha of llowcra and ovorgroens, ail which liad a lino clFoot from tho light proceed ing from tlio wall Hconeos, and tlio parlicolourod candolabia hanging from tho loi.f At tho upper end of the room were various devices iu ovcrgieuns and (loweis, 0110 of thorn boing a enclo of foniH and auieia slips, on a pink giound, within which wore the woids worked in feins " II.M.H. 'Ulanebo, 1 "' under a beautiful whito lily — tho symbol of tho ' Mlanohe.' Tho biipper-room was himilai ly adomod, tho truo-loveis' knot beincr a conspicuous ol)ject of sailor-liko ingenuity. The appeal anco of the room was especially Inight and attractive) during tho d.incing, which was maintained until about eleven o'clock. Lady I'.owon — accornpaniod by lna Honor Chief .Jusbioo Sir (». A. Arney, and Captain Maclicll, A. D.C. —honoured tho occaaiou by her pioscnoe duiiug tho aftornoon.

A report was circulated about town on Saturday to the effect that there had boon nn attempt tnado to set luo to tho old Dow Hotel, in Wellington-street, by placing old bajrs close to it and sotting them on lire, \\ hii h fnrtun.atoly being observed by a neighbour, ho promptly extinguished tho smouldering mass which was about to burst into (1 uno. On making further inquiry tho matter does not wear such » serious aspect as might at lit st sight appear. Somo hoy, it appears, were amusing themselves with lighting JV lire near tho building — a dangerous thing, but in thin ctsc piobably with no evil intent — when, tho bags catching Cue, tho boys became alarmed at what they had dono, and made ofT. But for tho timely assistance of Mr. Biuke, thu neighbour above refeirod to, consequences might havo been actions, tho neighbourhood being thickly covered with old wooden buildings. An open-air meeting was held on Saturday nig'it in connection with tho Total Abstinence) .Society. A laigo number wero present. Tho speakers did not appear to havo prepared their subjects, and Micro was littlo to commend but their com ago and earnest perseverance Theic was considerable amusement caused by ono speaker, who, having got nj) to oppose, so far forgot himself that he spoke in favour of the abstinenco cause. Knots of earnest men kept up tho discussion long after tho meeting closed. Tho committee have provided a better platform, tho watet cart and rickety tablo having given place to a lino new stand, on each side of which a catriago lamp ia mounted, so that spcakcis and hearers can sco and bo scon. A well-attended meeting of tho Journeyman li.ikeis* Association was hell at Scoats's Hotel on Situi day evening, Mr. Ri»ll in tho oh.air Tho hilf-yeaily lcpoit, was icad .ind adopted, from which it appealed that tho Society is in a flourishing condition, and that after paying all expenses there is a balance in tho bank of £15 lfs. 7d. Thoio havo been no complaints, and httlo or no illness amongst tho members. It i" deemed at present prcmatuio to c.iny out the intention of niasteis becoming members; but this, it is hoped, will eventually be accomplished. Tho Society 13 making (steady progress, ami li.vs been Lho means of doing inuch good t-» tlio men, Onlytluco masLn r. fusu to |<>m tho movement for shortening tho houis of Lihour, and tho Association Jiopo tho pubiic will not patronise those bakeis who hold out for I.ito houn Tliu upoit was upon the whole most encoui aging. A vote of thanks to tho chairman tormuiiitcd tho pioceedings. There aio now 47 children at tho Oiphin Home at Paruoll, and they appear to be well taken care of. A lepotter fiom this oHico who visited tho Homo yesterday evening about 7 o'clock, a timo when \isitois aro not usually expected, found tho placo scrupulously clean in every part; tho donnitoiy, kitchen, school-iooin, &c, all boro the ovideucc of caio and good order. The childton, who were about to rotnc to rcbt for tho night, looked as if they were all well taken caio of. Tho lady who dis( hargea the onerous duty of ination lias been |ust live years at her post, and to her excellent management thopiesoni clliuent state of tho asylum is chiefly due Most of tho children appeared chceiful and in good health, but thoro «voro ono or two exceptions as regards the latter. Ono, a delicate littlo girl of about four yeais of age, is said to bo sullei ing fiom abscess brought on by tho poor food sho had whilst in puson with her mother. This, if tiue, is vciy sad. If mothers of young childron have to undeigo impiisonment and low diet for crime- as, unhappily, must always bo tho caso in cveiy community — tho innocent childien should not suffer. Good and .sufficient food ought certainly to bo piovilod for them. Heic is a caso of a poor little child sullering fioni painful illness, said by tho Medical Officer to bo brought on by poor diet at Mount Eden. Sho is now well cared for, but it is to bo hoped that tho help has not come too lato to prevent the child's constitution liom boing pormanontly injured. Already fcolcia arc being thrown out at Coromandcl as to who tho coming representative in tho Provincial Council for that district may be. Many names aro mentioned, tho molt prominmir homtf that of Mr. (yhailcs King, who has a consiilei iblo interest in tho district, and would, it is believed, ho well supported. It has not yet been stated whether it is the intention ol the present member, Mr. J. Cadinan, to again contest the coustituonoy. Tho Wa'ikato Tbno<ioi Saturday last says : — " A meeting of tho Independent Older of Oddfellows, M. LJ., was held at tho school, room on 'Ihursday evening last, its object being to establish a branch aocioty at N^.aiuawahia. Captain Derrom and Mr. 1'owley, of Auckland, wero prosont. After tho initiation of members and other business had been disposed of, a dinnor, which was providod iu tho very host stylo by Host Thomas, took placo at tho Contral Hotel, at which upwards of 30 persons from all parts of the district woro prosont. Captain Goorgo Raynor was placed in the chair ; tho vicechairman woro Messrs. T. V. Fitzpatriok and George Jones. During tho ovoniug a largo number of toasts wero proposed and responded to, and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent." This evening tho Artillery and City Band, undor tho leadership of Bandmaster Impoy, will perform ou the lawn in front of Government IIouso. Tho following ia tho progiammo : —1. Grand Slow March, " Festal," Sir G. Klvcy ; 2. Overture, "Tanorcdi," Rossini ; li. Quadrilles, "Christmas Echoes, " D Godfrey; 4. Walt/, " Floddon Field," Sma Green ; 5. Cavatina, "II Barbioio di SoviRlia," Rossini ; G. Mazurka ."Queen of tho Ball," Hill; "God bavo tho Quoon." Tho public farowoll ball to his Excellency tho Governor and Lady Bowon is announced to take placo, in tho Music Hall, on tho I7th instant. No tickets will bo iisued after Saturday, tho 15th instant. Captain lUvonoy is the lion, secretary, and anumbci of tho leading citizons will act as stewards — from whom tickets can bo obtained (gentlemen Cl, ladies 7s. Gd.). Their uamoB appear in another column. Messrs Brogdeu and Sons' steamer 1 Patorson ' arrived in harbour on Saturday morning last, under tho command of our old fncud Captain Kennedy. Tho 'Patcison' is to bo employed in tho coistal trade, and tho name- of Captain Kennedy as being in command is a suro Ruarantoo that the steamer will leceivo a fair share of public suppoit, ho being a veiy popular and favouuto oomuiandor with oiu uca-travolling public. Tho Art Exhibition was patronisod by a latgo number of pooplo on Saturday last. It was openod iu tho evening fioni 7 till 9 o'clock for tho convenience ol thoso who in business would not admit of their paying it a visit (luring tho day, and on this occasion tho working classed wcio well represented. Tukon as a wholo, tho Exhibition is a decided 8UC00HS. Tho attendanco at tho " Political Union," undor Mr. Mason's auspices, has been gradually gotting smaller by degrocs, and beautifully Toss. Ou Saturday thero was no ono prosout but Mr. Mason himself and tho ropoitors, and tho "mooting," if such it could bo tormed, was adjourned to a itiluro day. A grand dramatic porforraanco is announced to tako placo at tho Prince of Wales Theatre to morrow evening, by tho Garriolc Club, on behalf of tho funds of tho new Itcfoimalory, undor tho patronage of his Honor the Superintendent and his Woi ship tho Mayor. Douglas Jorrold's two-act dtatua ol " Tho Kent Day," and tho coinody of "Taming a Tigor," will bo piescntod to tho audience. The Thames Adoprtiser sayB:--"Out of r.M'l, tho amount of prize money for tho livo infantry matches, tho Thames takes £'208, beflidcB tho belt, tho N.K.A. medal, and the silver medal. Auckland only takes C'20 in all. Lieutenant Hoskins, bosidcs tho belt, winaX!85." Yesterday tho Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, proached in tho moming at St. Paul's Chinch, and in tho evening at St. Matthew's, from tho toxt, " I5o it unto theo ovou an thou wilt:'' Matthow xv., 28.

Tho anniversary soir^o in connection with the Wesli yan ('hurdi at Hamilton was held on Tliiusd.iy evening, tho (5th instant, in tho cliurdi, winch w.is tastefully ai ranged for tlio occasion by Most 1 " 'J'.inflcld and V Lonybottom, Tlio tabloH lud boon beaut i folly mipphod with good 11iihl;m by Mrsdanus (Jaioy, liOngbottom, T.Mi'ield, Luid, Rolloy, Murray, Caldcrwood, and lluntci, and wcie also decorated with soino buautiful boiKiiiclM, whicli cxhalcil their awcot per fiuno on about 100 who a.it down to toi. Afti r the t »bl(M were cleared and scats arranged, tin* cli.-m was ocupiert by thu Uov. J, law, who introduced tho Jlov. J. J Lowia tu tln'in, btitiu^ that he intouded delivering his popular lflcturo entitled " Rambles with a Knappack " The lectuio was divided into threa holiday tours of tho lecturer: through, hit, Walos and Midland Counties of England ; 2nd, France and Switzerland ; and tho llnl, tho Jthino, Franco, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. At the conclusion of tho lecture a voto of thanks, proposed to the rev. lecturer by Mr. McDonald, seconded by Mr. Tan field, was carried by acclamation. The singing of tho I)oxolo»y by the choir, by the choir, and the Bonodiction, pronounced by tho Rev. J. Law, brought tho annirorsary to a closo.- — Wuilnto Time*.

Tho Sfc Matthew's sale of plain and ornamental k'oods will tako placoon tho 12th anil Kith instant, in tho proraiso8j|la.tely occupiod l)y Mr. Dyson, at the junction of (juuenantl Wcllcilcy-sttcets. On St. Patrick's Day races will bo hold on the beach at Orcwa. Refreshment booths and «oo<l qpoit will, according to tho advertisiMnunt, ho piovidod. It is expected th.it «i Btcainor will inn _fiom Auckland ,to Ori-w.i on t liu ahnvti il.ij. TomloiH .vioiuvitod by tho Suporintcmlcnt for clearing a bush road between tho Linrting])Iacc, J'ulioi, and Hnaton's ]?nd^o. Plans, fcc, can bo scun at the L'ublic \Vorka Oflice, Shortlaiid-3troct.