LOCAL SUMMARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 721, 7 March 1866, Page 5

LOCAL SUMMARY.

Sixce the departure of the mail no event of unusual interest has taken place. The March Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court commenced on the first of the mouth. There were eighteen prisoners for trial. The calendar is therefore numerically light, but some of the offences are of a very serious character, and depend for proof upou evidence almost entirely circumstantial. i here are two charges of murder, one of rape, one of shooting with intent, one of horse-stealing, one of highway robbery, oue of embezzlement, oue of forgery and uttering, six of larceny, and one of escaping from lawful custody. A second public meeting took place ou Mondav. in connection with the project of a bridge from Manaarei to Oneliunga, and to consider the Town Board Bill now in progress through the Council, also existing postal arrangements. The Indies of Auckland have been busily engaged in devising means for the comfortable maintenance of the orphan. A bazaar was held last week —on Tuesday and Wednesday—in the lawn in front of Government House, and on Thursday. Friday, aad Saturday, in Hobson's large store-room. Shortlaud-street, being continued on iiomhy. We believe that the fair patroneses of this charity have provided for their helpless proi'nes a very substantial benefit. A Bazaar was aeld on Monday and Tuesday, in liquidation of the debt upon the now l'arnell Dramatic Hall.

The annual snree iii connection with St. Andrew's Presb;terian Church took place the other eveniiC- A lengthy and commodious marquee, enable of holding some 200 persons, had been irected on the grounds adjoining the Cliuwi, under which refreshment tables sumptuously supplied with tea and the concomitant edibles were arranged. There was a rerv large assemblage, but not one whit too large t* tlo justice to the refreshments, "which were snarly sufficient to hare supplied as many more The ladies, as usual, were the presiding deites, right well did they fuljl their duties. Aiyut S o'clock an adjournment was made to t!y Church, in order that the business of the ceiling might be proceeded with. A platform £>r the us 1 of the speakers had been erected in /rout of the reading desk, and a very eilicient choir, composed of members of the congregation, was present, and added greatly to ensure the complete success of the reunion. The Pev. Mr. Bruce, the minister attached to the church, occupied the chair; there were likewise present on the platform, the Pevs. J. Hill, Air. Beaton, Dr. Waliis. Mr. A. Clark, M.JI.E.

A meeting of the parishioners of St. Matthew's was held in the feliool-room of St. Matt-how's Church, on Wednesday evening last, to receive the report of the committee appointed to carry out the preliminary arrangements connected with building a church on the Ponsonby .Road Mr. Oldham was called to the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The ecretary then read the following report: —" The Committee appointed by the general public meeting of the inhabitants of Freeman's Bay district, to obtain subscriptions for the purchase of a piece of land, and the building of a Chueh, have to report: ' That they have accepted with thankfulness the olTer made by Mr. Stannus .Jones, on behalf of himself and ?.lr. Morrin, that is to say, a free gift of 40 feet to the Ponsonby Iloud, 10G i'eet deep, provided the contract for the church be taken within six months from the date of the meeting held on the sth instant, the site to be in the paddock owned by Mr. Morrin and Mr, Stannus Jones. Should this committee require any more land, they are to pay at the rate of 00s. per foot in the Ponsonby Uoad, and 30s. per foot in Pro-spect-terrace, the principal to be paid hereafter, bearing interest at 10 per cent, per annum, at these rates to take as much or little as they choose ; if they do not want to purchase, they need not.' "

On Sunday weak in connection with the Wesleyan Church, Otahuhu, sermons were preached by the Revs. T. Buddie and J. Macky, when collections were made amounting to £0 12s. On Tuesday the annual soiree was held, and though the weather through the day had looked threatening, the friends had evidently made preparations for a large gathering. The building was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers, iinu long rows of tables extending the whole length of the building were abundantly provided with creature comforts. Punctually at six the grace was sung and tea commenced, of which, during the next hour, it was estimated 200 persons partook. The tables having been cleared away, the audience assembled again for the more intellectual part of the proceedings. The public meeting was commenced by the liev. J. Wallis giving out the hvmn beginning " Come, let us join," ie., after which the Rev. G. Buttle engaged in prayer. The irregularity with which we have of late received our letters, in consequence, it was said, of contemplated changes, has caused great inconvenience. Besides the expenditure in connexion with this department has called for the attention of our business . At a meeting of the Chamber of oinmerce, held on Monday Air. Firth proposed the following motion : fhat this Chamber considers the amount of subsidies paid to the various steam companies are disproportion to the financial condition of the Colony, more especially considering the facilities for "making repairs and procuring fuel which now or Trill shortly, exist in this part of the Colony. I lie Chamber desires to see the steam postal system re-modelled, with a view to effecting a great reduction in its cost; that a committee of three b e appointed to bring up a report on the whole question, with a view to the Chamber taking action thereon at the next session of the Assembly- the committee to consist of Mr. Clark, S" W. Hill, and the mover." Mr. S. IT. Smith seconded tlic motion, wliicli Mas carricd unanimously.