Untitled

New Zealander, Volume XXII, Issue 2431, 17 May 1865, Page 2

Mechanics' Institute—A good opportunity is now offered to any member of the Mechanics" Institute who wishes any particular book or books to be sent for from London, for the Institute's library. The secretary, Mr. Sergeant, is desirous of receiving suggestions of this nature before the departure of the next mad for England. Provincial Government " Gazette."— From the Gazette published yesterday, we extract the following: —Notification of the appointment of trustees for the district of Wangarei ; voters for trusiees for Waitakerei South, to send in their claims to J. Morrow, Esq., before the Ist August; notification of allotments of land for sale in Maioro and Waipipi Blocks, West Waiuku ; appointment of Messrs. Searaucke, Clarke, Palmer, Sheppard, Collett, Campbell, M'Douall, Lnsk, Barnard, Richardson, and Wilson, licensed surveyors; tenders accepted for bedding ■ and clothing for the Hospital, Lunatic Asylum, and Mount Eden Stockade ; cart'ng scoria, and metalling, and for forming and making culverts, &c, on the Great South, Great North, and Mou. t Smart Roads. Newspaper at Hokitika.—We have received the first number of The West Coast Times and Hokitika Reporter. No better proof of the rapid growth and safe establishment of this gold-field could be given than the appearance of a paper of such apparent promise as the one now before us. Its advertisements «.re enough to convince the most incredulous that there is a genuine town at Hokitika, and plenty of business going on. . The paper is to appear twice a week, and we wish it all success. ■. .' ■

Thb ' Fibbt STAHi'—The names of the crew and passengers saved from the * Fiery Star'by Captain Moore, of the. -,', Dauntless,' are as follows:—Mr. John Orinond, passenger: Mr. Sargent, chief officer'; William Marshall,

quarter-master; George Maber, engineer ;•

George Strickland, chief steward ; John Sutton Palmer, second steward ; Charles White, boat- , swain's mate ; David Hariot, sailmaker ; James North, carpenter; Knight Stevens, Charles Applequist, John Hargett, Chnrles Smith, David Payne, John Bullin, Richard Brejon, seamen-; Richard Herdraan, batcher. We have also some few of the names of the passengers, whose fate is still uncertain ; but we hope to hear, on the return of H.M.S. ' Brisk,' which was'despatched this morning, that some, if not all, have reached the Chatham Islands in safety. The following is an incomplete list of the passengers from a Brisbane journal:—Saloon— Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. H. B;!I, !!;*. A, Mackay, Miss Tine, Dr. Plowman, Miss Dadwell. Second cabin—Miss Russell, Miss Ida Johns, Miss W. Johns, Miss C. Johns, Messrs. D. McKay, W. Latour, M. J. Robinson, Peter Hartley, jun. Steerage—Mrs. H. Murphy, Messrs. Steit, F. Omand, G. A.DDa- k gan, Boaghton, Immerchundt, E. Edwards, J. Plumb, A. H. Watson, C. Messenger, P. England; A. Hopper, A. Landoff, W. Beal, Rev. W. Rikey, anl Master Christian. The manifest was as follows :—Wool, 2,041 bales 3 bags ; tallow, 134 casks; cotton, 15 bales 2 bags; hides, 1.519 ; horns, 9,013 ; 6 cases arrowroot; and sundry packages. Prince o»' Wales Theatre —The " Carpenter of Rouen," and tt>e farce " A Storm in a Teapot," were repeated at this theatre last evening. - .

SlEßP.—Women require more sleep than men. and farmers lees than those engaged in any other occupation. Editors, reporters, printers, and telegraph operators n?edno sleep at all. lawyers can sleep as much as they choose—it will keep them oat of mischief.— American Paper. An Irishman lost his hit in a well, anil was let down in a bucket to recover it; the well being deep, an I extremely dark withal, his courage failed him before he reached the water. In vain did he call to those above him to pull him np; they lent a deaf' ear to all he said -till at last, quite in despair, he bellowed out, " Be *»t. Patrick, if yon don't draw me up sure I'll cat the rope 1"

INDEPENDENT ORDEii OF REUHABITES. Turn second Annual Soiree of this society was held, hut evening, at St. Matthew's Schoolroom. The room was tastefully decorated with flags, which gave a most pleasing effect to its appearance, which was considerably increased by the banners, with devices on them, that covered the walls. A plentiful repast was pro vided by the Society, which was done ample justice to by the numerous party, amounting to over two hundred, that was collected together.

After tea the tables were cleared away, and the business of the evening commenced. Mr. J. M. Frbnch, D.R., P.C.B, took the chair, a d opened the proceedings by calling for a glee—" See the Chariot at hand"—which was very creditably executed, and was most rapturously received. Mr. French addressed the meeting, preluding his speech by an amusing anecdote, and going on to set before his audience the great advantages of teetctalism. He said they were met together to enjoy themselves, not to call for a collection, as their report wonld show that they were not at all in want of funds. He • then read some verses which he himself had composed some twenty-five years ago, and which he wonld not have inflicted them with, were it not that they were at all events applicable to the principles of the society.. He also explained how the Rechabites, from the uncornmonness of their name, were not generally understood, but he might tell those who were ignorant of it that the Rechabites were a band of brothers, and that there were principles in the order which he believed would put down the Maori war. (Hear and laughter.) Their principle was not to defraud a brother, or allow him to be defrauded. Without detaining them further, he would call for % s >ng from a member of the choir «• Proudly and wide my standard is flying," was then sung with much taste. Mr. Osmond Lewis, the Secretary, then read the report, whi"h is as follows : REPORT. The office-bearers of the "Hope of Auckland Tent" have now a most pleasing duty to perform -that of placing on record the large amount of success which has attended the operation of this society during the past year. Prior to ih« publication of the first annual report, the Independent Order of Rechabites was but imperfectly understood by a large majority of the inhabitants of this city. Many were the enquiries that were then made relative to the objects that were sonjbt to bo attaimd by the members of a " Rechabite Tent." Some of these questions were asked for a veryteudable end—that of sincerely desiring to acquire a knowledge of the merits of this institution ; others, on the contrary, were advanced for the purpose of creating a feeling of distrust towards the efforts that were then being made to establish a branch of that noble order of brotherhood, which is now to be found 'flourishing in alrnost every large town and city throughout Great Britain, as well as of those of her vast colonial dependencies. It is a source of sincere gratification to the members of the " Hope of Auckland Tent" that they have, by their united and strenuous efforts, now placed the Rechabite Order in this province far beyond the rea:h of either prejudice or doubt, and have thus laid toe foundation of ao institution which is destined 10 be the means of securing a large amount of comfort and happiness to many a home of those who are,now, or who,may be hereafter, settled amongst us. Should there,* however, e<ist the slightest donbt in the mind of any person relative to the objects and intentions of the Independent Order of Rechabites, it will doubtless be removed by the perusal of the following admonitory instructions, which are given lo all the members after they have been admitted int - the order.

"•* it is yonr duty, as time Recbabites, to study, to promote the interests of each other, by every laudable means in your power, to comfort and relieve each other in sickness, or distress; and when a brother is called from, hence to that bourne from whence no traveller returns, it is your bounden duty; as it is your highest privilege, granted each to the other, to comfort and console the forlorn widowed one, and to watch with tender care over'the wellbeing of your departed brother's family. This is a high and a solemn duty imposed upon you, brethren ; but it is one which will be amply rewarded by the silent approval of a good co - science. As co-workers in the God-like principles of total abstinence, your efforts should be unceasing, and ever by your actions proclaiming to the world that it is your earnest desire to make mankind happy. Like 'the good Samaritan of old, though ihe priest and the Levite should pass by the poor wretched victim of intemperance, be it yours to bind up his wounds, and apply the healing balm to his terror-stricken conscience, so thai he may be brought to the footstool of God, clothed in his right mind." It is to be hoped that principles such as are enunciated in the instructions just quoted, will secure for the Rechabite Order amongst us, that degree of respect which its members believe it is tuily entitled to, and that they will be the means of placing it upon that elevated position, which will secure for it the confidence and support of every good and truly moral man. One of the primary principles of the Rechabite Order is to inculcate and enforce by every moral means a systematic abstinence from all intoxicating liquors—in fact, no man can be a true Rechabite who acts otherwise, for sliould he be found pursuing the baneful vice of intemperance, and resist the efforts which will be made to reclaim him therefrom, he will eventually be 'severed from ,tbi» b'rlW. ' Every branch that 'withers will thus be cut off, so that the tree may be kept healthy and bear good fruit, for without thai careful supervision of its moral character, the Rechabite Order would very soon become a reproach and a bye-word amongst the people. ; The office-bearers and members generally of the Hope ot Auckland Tent regret extremely the increased facilities for obtaining intoxicating liquors, that have lately been sanctioned in this city. They Relieve from all past experience, thata larger amount of drunkenness will be created thereby, and that many a htirrie will eventually be made wretched,,and many a'family be brought to ruin, through the late indiscriminate issue of the Auckland new spirit licenses. Statements have been published to the effect, that by increasing the number of public houses, drunkenness would thus be decreased. The latest answer to such an assertion is to be found in the free-trade working of the Victorian Act of last year entitled " The Wine, Beer, and Spirits' Sale Act, 1864,'* the results of which enactment have been so extremely demoralising that the Government ot that colony have announced their intention to have that law at once repealed* It was found that crime in Melbourne during the past year had-increased 25 per, cent., and drunkenness 20 per cent, and immorality of a baser character nearly 100 per cent, over the total" number of similar cases of the preceding twelve months. It is to be hoped that Auckland may be an exception as regards drunkenness, but from that which is daily to' be witnessed at our Resident Magistrate's Court, that hope is but a slight one, and thus it makes the responsibility the heavier upon those who have sanctioned the recent increase of publicans'licenses in this district. At the (jicoruv Mid* the number of members of the Hope of Auckland Tent is. 87, arid it is hoped that when the merits of this Institution, are more generally known and appreciated, those young men of' the city who consider it their duty to provide the me -us for their relief during sicknoss, will, without delay, avail themselves of the Order affords to them. In the bye-laws of the Tent the who'e of the information necessary to guide them to an opinion thereon is to be found, 'ijq ; '■ : -■■'■ ■■' -.'■' ■* ;>;''..!

.' 'l he lottice-bearers have much pleasure in ', announcing that the funds of the Bt>-ieiy are in a prosperous condition, and snttkimtly ample for all probable contingencies; but in order to create the utmost confidence in its future stability, they have attached to thi- report a »»4t«imont of it« fin«ne«(. ° The office-bearers beg furrtier to anuontiee ;hat the greatest economy is practised in the conduct of the affair* of this society, tot independent of 'the Tent doctor, no one but the secretary is a 'paid officer, and that offiuml reedies only £l& per annum. The average age of the member* of this Tent is 27 years 6 months j and k according to the nsual tables ot premiums ot life assurance, the annual income derivable from the present number ot members,at the average age above AtatedV will be more than sufficient to cover all risks ; but as this Tent is bat a' branch of the parent institution in Great

Britain, it possesses the arivii«M ... power of obtaining, if needed, pecuniary tauee from the general fund, i« the «Ti of a larger amount of mortality takiaa aZ? ' than usual. It has been found, derio* taTT? perience of a number of years, that the noliriL of assurance upon the lives of those mrum who totally abstain from all intoxkatiu»Uomml receive a larger dividend than upon than wlu! pursue an omiosite system. For in one oAW recently in London, the differenceoTprai ik favor of the former class of policies m ipwarS of 40 per cent. The amountof sickness anwagstthemem**. of the Tent during the past year; has beeTSS i nately but slight, and only one brother is at present on the sick fund, who, by the Messia* of God, it is to be hoped, will soon be ntkJj to health. . T"^ The Independent Order of Rechabites ho. vancing rapidly in and throughout New jS I land. At Wangerei a tent will be opened as ' soon at the necessary dispensation has aeZ> received from the authorities •» Tannrjasjus Tasmania. Upon the arrival of that docuaaaV steps will be immedi.iely taken to fortataa Province of Auckland into a separate and ioos; • pendent district, with fall powers and anlhmhi to govern its own affairs. • , *""T In conclusion, the office bearers trust that sufficient information has been given iaifa report to create the fullest confidence in tea stability of the Hope of Auckland Tern, «a| that it will be 'viewed"as an institution wmSi aims to promote the moral and social *|*aa. tages of its members, and that it wiirelsJr» |ai receive the countenance and support of the public generally. lISANCIAL STATEMENT. Dr. : %«* ■■'■•:' March 95, 1865. .g %. * To Cash, Sick Fund ... ... ... 118 it U Do. Funeral Fand 88 '8 7 Do. Contingent Fund... ... sl4l/^ Do. Certificates, &a ... ... IS 14 1 X 144 T"l To Balance ... «. ... jqo 8 8 Tent Property ..* ... ... ... 15 0 0 lift''-■•"■ ■'?■'-. " Or. X"- J 4 By Cash, Sick Fund] ... .;. „. f8 ,y, a Do. ContTneent'Fund V.". ... lit 4 | Do. Certificate! Bye Laws, Stc 18 I 8 „, ".'M'. i~* : Balance ... 100 3 8 Cash deposited at the Auckland '„'',,. Savings Bank ... ... U. ... 4,100 0 8 The report was adopted unanimously.' \ . Several gentlemen addressed the netting, and the following- glees arid songs wen ex*. , cuted, "Blow, genie gales," merry fcellv*'(a' very pretty dnet, charsainriv rendered by two lady amateurs), '"*« The village Blacksmith," and "The Laughing Che. rus," after which the meeting separated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman,, ~,IV, .','•', %