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New Zealander, Volume XXIV, Issue 2613, 21 March 1866, Page 2

After the dismissal of the children belonging to St. Paul’s Sunday-school last Sabbath afternoon, an interesting presentation, in the presence of the Von. Archdeacon Lloyd, the Superintendent, and teachers of the school, took place, when the Yen. Archdeacon presented three handsome Bibles and an accompanying address to the Misses Mould, prior to their departure for England, as tokens of esteem and goodwill from their fellow-teachers. The Misses Mould have been for tea years regular teachers in the above school. Miss Mould, on behalf of her sisters, briefly thanked the teachers for the very handsome and unexpected gift. The Rev. Mr. J. Taylor, the first minister that has been appointed in connection with the Presbyterian Church to labour in the Waikato country, preached an admirable discourse to the congregation of the Wel-lington-st. Church on Sunday evening. lie it a minister of much ability, anil tbe selection of such a man to labour in that important district is a very judicious one on tbe part of tbe Auckland Presbytery. The first anniversary services in connection with the Wellington-steet Presbyterian Church (St. James’s) will be held next Sunday. The Rev. P. IF. Cornford will preach in the forenoon and, tbe Rev. Mr. Edger in tbe evening. A collection will be made at the close of each service in aid of the building fund. A large debt still remains due on tbe building, notwithstanding the praiseworthy liberality of the members of the congregation during the past year. It is highly desirable that an effort should be made to remove that debt; and we hope the result of the anniversary services will go far towards liquidating the same. On the following Tuesday evening the annual soiree will be held in tbe church, which promises to be of an interesting and profitable character. A number of ministers and others will deliver suitable addresses, and the efficient choir connected with the church will contribute to the success of tbe proceedings by by rendering a selection of anthems and appropriate pieces of sacred music.

The next meet of the Garrison Hunt will take place at three o’clock on the afternoon of Wednesday next, at Wilcox s Bridge, distant about 3 miles from Otaliubu.

A few days ago we published a telegram headed “ Difficulty with America,” which caused some anxiety in commercial circles. Hut, inasmuch as the telegram stated that the Cabinet Council, at which it was resolved to present an ultimatum to the British (iovernment, had been held at New A ork, it was supposed by some to be a canard. From the following, however, which we take from our Southern exchanges, it would appear that the news came by telegram from Washington to New York ; and hence the confusion in the first announcement:

“ New York news to the 12th December says that at a Cabinet meeting that day, relations with England, which are now assuming a serious, if notan alarming, aspect, was a subject discussed ; and it was understood the President had directed Mr. Seward to prepare an ultimatum for presentation to the English Government, in the event ; of which not being complied with, the I Min’stcr was to ask for his passport and j go home.” The following is an additional j item :—“ Southern advices are satisfactory, ! three-fourths of the States having ratified the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery ; it is now the supreme law, and the great end of the war is accomplished. Carolina (North and South), Georgian.!, and Alabama have ratified the amendment.” Amongst the fruits of the late war is this; that the country between Napier and Auckland is closed to Europeans. Recently, Air. William Rockland, who has secured a large run in the interior, proposed to purchase sheep to stock it, and deputed two influential chiefs, with letters from William Thompson, to go over and arrange with the natives the terms on which they would allow them to pass through their country. The Maoris north of Tuupo expressed themselves well disposed, and ciid they would assist iu every way; but Thompson's authority does not go beyond Taupe, a"d the Uriweras declared they would kill both sheep, cattle, and white men crossing their district. Therefore the project must be abandoned. The loss is a serious one both to this province and our neighbour Hawke’s Bay. A report from Air. Harding, C. E., and a copy of all correspondence bearing on the proposed tramway between the Waitemata and Kaipara, together with tracings of Air. Harding’s survey, were laid before the Council on Monday. The corresponpence is too voluminous to publish. East evening the Christy’s Minstrels repeated their popular performnance—or rather performances, at the Odd Fellows’ Hall,and they were as rapturously applauded as ever. The plantation festival of “Billy Patterson” caused roars of laughter, as did also the “[Smart Boy” and favourite pieces. An entire change is announced for to -night.

The deputation appointed at the extraordinary meeting of tiie City Board on Saturday last, comprising members of the City Board and the representatives of the city in the Provincial Council, had a lengthened interview on Monday with his Honor the Superintendent and a full Executive Council, when the question of the advances to the city was fairly and fully discussed.

Last evening the drama of the “Hidden Hand ” was again performed at the Prince of Wales Theatre ; but, on account, most probably, of tbe state of the weather, there was but a dull bouse. The different parts wore well sustained, and we hope tbe “Hidden Hand” will have along and prosperous career upon tbe boards of our favourite place of amusement. The usual fortnightly mooting of the members of tbe City Board took place at three o’clock on Monday afternoon, at tbe offices, Canada Buildings; there being in attendance tbe Chairman and eight members. A number of letters were received and read, relative to the Market-house site; cart-stand; erection of a fence by Messrs. Thornton, Smith, and Firth ; formation of drain from Bank-street to Chancery-street; lighting rates ; state of Cook-street; law coats; and state of William-street. The rates collected since last meeting werc^sfateiT'fiTbe £4'/l 2s. 247" The total sum specified for extras by the Engineer to the Board to the contractors, fur the formation of Grey-street was ordered to be paid. Reports were read relative to deputation to tbe Superintendent, stale of Franklyn-road, Barrackstreet, disrepair of fire-bell, state of Wyn-ysrd-street, Wellesley and Queen-streets. Tenders were opened for the repair of city pumps, and Mr. A. Macpherson’s accepted —«at £3 15s. each. The meeting dispersed shortly after 5 o’clock.

A private belonging to tbe C.T.C. lias been killed by tbe rebels at Manntalii. Private Philpotts, C.T.C., went, in company with two comrades, to look after a cow, and while prosecuting their search they were fired upon by a body of natives, and Philpotts was shot in two places. When he fell the rebels rushed up and tomahawked him. The other two reached the camp in safety.— Wanganui Chronicle , March 16. We take the following from the Tlohitika Chronicle : —“ News from the Auckland diggings is still of an encouraging nature. Instances of individual success are extremely frequent, and as an example of the good fortune sooner or later occurring to the patient miner, and of which on this goldfield there have been many notable examples, we may instance the following:—• A miner named Hayes, who for five years previous had met with but scant success, three weeks ago brought into Coffey’s claim for £6OO, the previous owners having just cleared from the claim £I,OOO per man. At the expiration of three weeks, Hayes had worked out the claim, and quietly netted upwards of £1,500, with which he intends clearing out for England. The yield from this particular claim was of course far above tbe average richness of the field, and much of the best ground in other adjoining claims has been worked out; but there still remains ample room for the profitable einyloyineiit of a small population for months to come, and every probability of the diggings been extended.” The Baby Show held at Kaiapoi on the 13th Fedruary was not so successful as last year, the entries not being so numerous. The competition, however, was very keen, the specimens of the rising generation being well matched. In the twelve months' class, the rival claims of two babies were so nearly equal that an extra prize was given to the second best. The prizes were awarded as follows : Six months and under, prize, £l ; Mrs. Joseph Clark’s infant. From s : x to twelve months, Mrs. Thompson’s infant, first prize, £1 ; Mrs. Win. Burgess’s infant, second, 10s, — Southern paper. Speaking of the fertility of the Wakato our Cambridge correspondent writes to say that the produce of one potato, cut into ten parts, and planted by Mr. David Carnachan, of that sett'eaient, produced 112 good marketable-sized potatoes, weighing sixteen pounds, besides about a score of small ones. No manure of any kind was used. The same correspondent states that Sergeant Wallis, of Cambridge, grew a pumpkin weighing 951b. on his town acre. These facts are encouraging. —Southern Cross. March, 20.