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New Zealander, Volume XVII, Issue 1568, 27 April 1861, Page 3

St. Gkobgk's Society.—lt is a well established fact—a fact beyond the region of doubt, that nothing unitesEnglishmenlsomuch asagood dinner. On these occasions it there be any hidden sores in the heart, the viands tend to heal them. If friendship be found languishing for want of a more healthy action, it here finds the means for expansion, and if the mind bo pondering; over any morbid grievance, it is here removed by the grace of genuine friendship. The Society of St. George is established we believe for the accomplishment of those noble ends, and if we may judge of the events of Tuesday last, they were most successfully secured. On that evening this Society celebrated its anniversary at Mr. Thome's restaurant when the Knights of the Red Cross Banner, with their friends enjoyed a very recherche repast. On this occasion "St. Oeorge" presided having as his guests " St. Patrick" and "St. Andrew," who cordially shared in his hospitality- The Chair was ably occupied by Mr. Merriman who by his " (lashes of wit," kept'the" table in a roar" —which enhanced the pleasures of all present. The loyalty of the company was exhibited towards Her most Gracious Majesty the Queen, the Royal Consort, and the Prince "of Wales, upon their healths being drunk The next in rotation was that of the " Governor of New Zealand" and also the " Superintendent of the Province," both being received and responded to warmly. Mr. Lockwood in a most English speech gave the honored toast, of " Suecess to the St. George's Society"—which was effectively responded to by Mr. Pierce. We cannot omit recording the manly' sentiments of the Chairman in proposing our "Motherland" theremarks with which he prefaced it did honour to his heart, and called forth the sympathetic feelings of all his hearers, for what Englishman is there who will not respond heartily to such a theme, whether it be in the nature of consanguinity or that of Country. The ties which bind us to a mother are 9acred in their character and are synonimous with those which connect us with our motherland. It is a pleasing fact that wherever Englishmen, Irishmen or Scotchmen are located, the recollection of their native land is paramount in their thoughts. Mr. Harrison, Mr. Brown and Mr. Dry, contributed to the harmony of the evening by some very excellent sinking, and the bill of fare was ample and gave great satisfaction. It is we believe the first opportunity Mr. Thome has had to cater for his patrons in a public manner, and from the success which has attended his present efforts will doubtless not be the last. We trust the next anniversary ot St. George will find the triajuncta in una as perfect as it was on this occasion. Anmvkrsaky Skrmons and Tea. Meeting of the Primitive Methodist Chatex.—Anniversary sermons were preached in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Edwardes-street, on Sabbath last, in the morning by Rev. T. Buddie. The earnest and powerful discourse he delivered on the influences of the Holy Spirit., was well received and much enjoyed by those present. The Rev. J. Macky preached in the afternoon an interesting and instructive sermon in his usual eloquent and effective manner, on " Justification by Faith," —we are sorry to say that, through the rou«'h weather, the attendance was very thin. In the evening the liev." D. Bruce preached on the " Blessedness of poverty of Spirit,"—the discourse, was of a high order of excellence and was much enjoyed by those who were able to hear the minister, as the storm beat on the roof of the building so violently as drowned, to a large exttnt, the voice of the speaker. Collections during the day amounted to the sum of £5 IBs. —The Tea Meeting vvas held in connexion with the anniversary on Tuesday last in the Odd Fellows' Hall. As the weather still continued stormy, the attendance was much thiner than expected, and the proceeds consequently much less. The rain ceasing toward seven o'clock a good many availed themselves of the opportunity of attending the meeting held after the tea in the hull. This meeting vvas one of a series now being held lor the purpose of exhortation and special prayer to God for the outpouring of the holy spirit. A topic of discourse is chosen for each evening. This is spoken by two ministers, and much prayer is offered for God's blessing The topic for the evenin" in tiie hall was : * Peace in New Zealand and in all lands—the Lord will bless his people with peace." T. Cheeseman, Esq., presided. The spiritual aspect of this subject only, was noticed by the Revs. T. Buddie and I. Harding, in the most judicious ami impressive manner, set forth the desirableness of universal peace, and specially urged upon those present to seek individual peace, —peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. To our thinking the solid and profitable manner in which the evening was spent, befitted with the anniversary gathering of a section of the church of Christ, and with the object aimed at by the Catholic people of God.— Communicated.

New Buildings in Fort-street.—lt gives us much pleasure to notice the fine pile of buildings, erected by Mr. S. 11. Webb, in Port-street, now rapidly approaching their completion by the contractors, Messrs. Coombes & Sons. These extensive buildings are a considerable improvement upon our style of domestic architecture, inasmuch as in addition to four Spacious stores and entrance hall upon the ground floor, all connected with each other, they have upon the first floor a magnificent hall of one hundred feet by fifty feet. This fine room is unobstructed by pillar or obstacle of any kind, and will, when finished,, rank with any hall in antipodean colonies. This is one of the first fruits of the dreaded intake, and, we trust, is a fkir sample of the ctatiug; crop.

Real Savings Bank.—The excellent institution of our Auckland Savings Bank has been productive of much good to the industrous portion of the community, both civil and military ; but we consider that a much greater amount of profit has been gained by other means, equally safe and secure. Hundreds of soldiers ! of the regiment stationed here in early days have ! amassed considerable sums, and many have risen to opulence, bv adescrcet investment of their hard earned savings in "property around the City. Were we to reckon over the thousands made by investments in landed property, we would enumerate almost the wealth of tiic colony. The possession of receipts for deposits, with even the old lady in Thread-needle-street, cannot impart to the holder that feeling of manly nobility that is inseparably connected with the freehold ownership of 11 portion of God's earth. Land investments here have likewise been certain gain, for, despite the wretched croakers of evil, all property in the City and for miles around has steadilv advanced in value, during the last decade, and still our City is but in its infancy. May we live to see its adolescence.— CommunicatedGovernment Lawn.—By kind permission of Colonel Sir J. E. Alexander, K.L.S., and the Officers, the Band of the 14th Regiment will perform a selection of music, on Tuesday next, at 4 p.m. PROGRAMME. 1. Quick March German Straus. •1. Quadrille Charlestown D'Albcrt. .'{. Selection Lucia de Lamermoor Verdi. 4. Waltz Violante D'Albcrt. 5. Polka Nachtwandlcr Kuhncr. f>. Selection Nabucco Verdi. 7. Gallop Die Enoa Flosser Kuhner. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Friday, April 12, 1801. Cochrane v. Ciikksejian. This was an action of trover brought by the plaintiff as trustee of the estate of Richard Hudson, to recover from the defendant two cows, one horse, a bridle and saddle, or their proved value, presumed to belong to the creditors of the said estate. Mr. Wynn appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Brookfield for the defendant. Mr. David Ewitt proved that when the estate was taken possession of by Mr. Vernon on behalf of the trustee, the cattle and the other property named were not on the premises; but he subsequently saw the cows and the horse in Mr. G. 11. Cheeseman's paddock. He valued the whole of the property at about £6O. Mr. G. H. Checscmau said he was the brother of defendant, and was in partnership with him. Mr. Hudson was indebted to the firm. Mr. Brookfield opposed the last question, as the present action was against a member only of the firm. Mr. Wynn : You cannot bring a joint action of trover against two partners when only one is proved to have acted. Mr. G. 11. Cheeseman: The cattle as well as the saddle and bridle; are now in my possession. Cross-examined by Mr. Brookfield : My brother has never had any authority over the property nor does he possess any now. He could not without his sanction take tliem'cut of his possession. He valued the Cows at £8 each—the Horse at £lO and the bridle and saddle about £3. Mr, Henry Vernon : Was employed by the plaintiff to take possession of the whole of Hudson's property on the Kith ultimo. He saw the Defendant at Newmarket on the 19th and informed him that he was going to take possession of the Estate. He then demanded the cattle mentioned in a receipt which he received from Mrs. Thos. Cheeseman. Defendant told him he had got possession of them and would not give them up. He alleged also as a reason for not giving them up that Hudson had agreed to assign everything over to a Trustee for the benefit of his creditors. Mr. T. H. Cheeseman, the defendant, said he never authorized his wife to sign the receipt produced. He never had in his possession controul or power the cattle mentioned in the receipt nor the. other property now in dispute. He never authorized any person to take possession of that property either its a Trustee or in any other capacity. lie told Mr. Vernon that he could not give up what he did not possess. Mr. Wynn maintained that, the defendant and his brother were partners and that the property was given to Mr. Thos. Cheeseman for trust purposes. The Court was however of opinion that the evidence was insufficient to establish the case and give a verdict for the defendant. CIIKESEMAN AND AXOTIIKR V. ABSALOM. This was also an action of trover brought against tile defendant to recover possession of certain cattle, or C4'2, their value, said to have been converted by him to his own use, and presumed to be the property of the plaintiffs under a Bill of Sale from Patrick Birrell of Otahnhu. The opening of this case was heard by the Court last week, when it was adjourned by agreement until to-day. Mr. Mcrriman applied to be allowed to give some additional evidence, but as the case had been closed, the Court decided it could not now be received. The Court said the point to consider was simply whether the plaintiffs had put themselves in a position to sue—and whether there had been any default under the Deed on the part of Birrell. It did not appear that that had been the case, and therefore the plaintiffs must be non-suited. Mr. Mcrriman said lie submitted to a non-suit before judgment had been given on the point raised by him. Charles Monk ton, a photographer, residing in Short-land-crescent, was charged by Mr. Naughton, the Inspector of Police, with having been guilty of a breach of the " Licensing Act, 1858," by permitting to be sold in or upon his house or premises, on Tuesday evening last, the 16th current, a quantity of spirituous liquor. Mr, Lawrence Robinson proved that, on the evening of the day named, there was a dance at defendant's house, and"he and a companion went in and ordered three noblers of brandy. They were brought, and he handed the man, whom they called Vandyke, half-a-crown, and he received Is. 9d. change. He could not say whether it was rum or brandy. Defendant was standing close by at the time, and he asked him if he had a license to sell spirits. He replied no. Defendant told him he was the landlord of the house.

In answer to questions by the defendant, witness said he did not sec him when he went into the r<x>m, and that he did not ask him if any liquors could bo had. He was certain that he said the bottle of liquor was for his customers. He had frequently heard that liquors had been sold in defendant's house. George Codd was with the last witness when they entered defendant's house and were served with three noblers of spirits. He saw Robinson give the man some money for the liquor and receive the change. There was dancing going on in the room at the time. Defendant called no witnesses, but stated that he had a large room in his house which he lets twice a week for dancing, anil the visitors send out for liquors. He did not know what passed between the witnesses anil Vandyke. He did not know whether they had spirits or ginger beer. It was not sold intentionally. The Court was decidedly of opinion that a breach of the law had taken place. It was of no consequence whether the liquor was sold by defendant himself, or by any other person with his knowledge, the penalty would lie the same. In this case it was clear that liquor was sold in defendant's house, and that he was present at the time. He would therefore stand convicted in the penalty of £SO. The Court remarked that in addition to the law having been broken, these kind of assemblies add greatly to the immorality of the town, by encouraging the youth of both sexes to frequent them, and it became the duty of the police to try and put them down. Mary Burrell, a dissipated looking woman with a black eye, was charged by the Inspector of Police for being the maintainor of a house of an immoral character, in a lane near Chancery-street. The evidence of Serjt. Major Syms was sufficiently strong to cause the Court to convict her when she was ordered to find three responsible sureties for .£3O each to be ot good behaviour for .'5 months. She had been convicted twice previously for similar offences, and once lor being a common drunkard.