MONTHLY SUMMARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1054, 1 April 1867, Page 5

MONTHLY SUMMARY.

Tiif, principal local event we have to record this month is tlie resignation of his Honor the Superintendent, which was notified to the public on the 2nd of March. Tlie resignation has been accepted. Next in importance was the opening of the Circuit Court, for Civil and Criminal trials. Crime has, as might have been expected, diminished not only in number but as to eormity. Two circumstances have mainly contributed to this hopeful fact, first that population is becoming more settled, and next that the country is being fast opened up. Steady industry usually suggests new sources of profitable employment. We regret to say that we have had three or four cases of fraudulent bankruptcies, one case of very heartless dishonesty, to give the matter its mildest term. It is relief to our sense of justice that there is a chance of the worst of these cases being brought before the Courts of law. The great case tried on the civil side has been that of Eosie v. the City Board of Commissioners. The real issue between the parties was one which could have been settled at niti priun, but it has moved the equity jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and is likely to move a great deal of indignation beside.

We have had here one of those deplorable accidents which wake the sympathies of men, perhaps, more than any other event could do. A poor young man named Thomas Bath Ashman was practicing at a target and somehow the muzzle of the gun becamo pointed towards his head, the gun went off—the rest may be imagined rather than told 1 We have had two agricultural shows which give hopeful promise. —one at Papakura, the other at Otahulm. The necessities of the climate hare given existence to a new society, " The Acclimatization Society," which proposes to wage waragainst the caterpillar plague that has over-run our fields during the past year and to this end to introduce and preserve as important allies all insectivorous birds. This society deserves not only what it is obtaining hero on the spot, substantial encouragement, but the encouragement which societies of a kindred character can give in the old country and contributions from practical experience or scientific inquiry. There was an event occurred on the eighth of the month which deserves cspecial notice. The Alice Cameron (one of Henderson and Macfarlane's Circular Saw Line Clippers,) Neariug, commander, camc here from Sau Francisco, bringing news of 36 days old from England. The Native' Lands Courts have been sitting during the month, and John Maori with his ivahinen is found sitting under the shadow of the Provincial Council Chambers in every variety and colour of costume—the mihines doing all the calumet of peace. The news from the inland districts though not alarming exhibits an unsettledness of the native mind. At the present writing a warrant has been sent after the absconding solicitor E. J. Cox. We have sent horses from Auckland to Napier to compete for the prizes of the turf and have nearly won them all. Mrs. Henderson (the wife of Mr. Thomas Henderson, head of the well known firm Henderson aud Macfarlane) died during the present month. She was a lady of whose many virtues report was loud-tongued. " Those about her ■\Vero tliauglit to read the perfect -ways of honor, Aud by those cluim tlieir greatness—not by Wood." The only further subject noteworthy is that notwithstanding considerable depression in trade the interior of the country is rapidly advancing.

. r - Edward Vegesaeli, the cliief-odlccr of theKose of Australia, which arrived in port oil the loth ult., is, we learn, the individual who so Heroically swam off through the surf to the brig wq'x*.! branded oil tlie bar at Newcastle, ,N.S.W\, and carrying "\\"itli him a line, was thus the means of spring those on board. The vessel had been stranded over five hours, and was fast breaking up, and so fearfully rough was it that the lifeboats even did not dare to venture out to , Rid'ant action was performed on the 1/ tli March, 1866,- his day twelvemonth that we are iioir writing, and was duly acknowledged bv tlie lioyal Humane Society, who have forwarded a medal and address to Mr. Vegesach. Tlie people of Sydney and Newcastle were not slow t.- acknowledge his bravery, and he has received various acknowledgments from them, in the form of a handsome gold chronometer, silver opera glass, &c. Mr. Vegesach is a Swede by birth, and, curiously enough, 011 arriving in Auckland, meets with an old friend in Captain Williams, of H.M.C., with whom he formerly sailed as chief mate. It appears to have fallen to this gentleman's lot to have had many opportuuities of saving the lives of his fellow creatures from drowning, for since the rescue of the crew of the Victor. Mr. Vegesach has saved the lives of three men upset in a boat near Sydney, and lately, while on the open sea, with a capful of wind blowing, succeeded in saving the life of a little boy who had fallen overboard.

We regret to notice in our obituary column the name of Mrs. Thomas Henderson, the wife of Thomas Henderson, Esq., M.G-.A. Mrs. Henderson herself was one of the oldest settlers in this province, and a lady whose amiability won for her the respect and esteem of all in this community who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.

A. special general meeting of the shareholders in the Auckland Land iaocicty No. 7 was held on the 21st ult, for the purpose of electing trustees and a solicitor. There was a very large attendance of shareholders, and considerable discussion took place upon matters which are now of some interest to the public. The attendance was so numerous that the meeting had to be adjourned from the o/lices of the company to the large room of the Auckland Hotel. Dr. Fischer occupied the chair and explained certain operations of Mr. Cox, of which the society was the victim to the amount of £554 15s. <ld. It appears that Cox mortgaged his property to the society, but he had effected a mortgage of the same property for £2000, which was the full value. The society lose on this transaction £1-83 Ss2d. The next transaetionis worse still. Cox represented that he had signed a mortgage for the society on some property (live shares in the society, and an allotment in Newton Ifond). It was alleged that £"25 had been paid oil these shares. He wrote for the necessary cheque, £100, which he obtained. It turns out that th? gentleman mentioned, a Mr. Lambourne, had no connection with the society whatever. On this transaction the society is a loser of £01 7s. 2d. lhe whole thing was described as a most impudent fabrication.

We recently inspected two very Landsome circular brass door plates, at the shop of Messrs. Featou and Robinson, nautical instrument makers, itc., lower Queenstreet. Tlicy are engraved in the most creditable manner, being quite equal to auy we have before seen anywhere, and are intended for the new store of Messrs. Williams and Co., sailmakers. a lid shipchandlers, corner of Queen and Fortstreets. Messrs. Featon and Robinson are now in a position to execute any orders in tlie best style, and at a most reasonable (igure.

The ordinary half yearly general meeting of the Auckland Insurance Company was held on the 20th. ult., to receive report and balanee-shect of the directors. Mr. David Nathan presided. From tjo report, which will be found in another column, it will be observed that it is proposed to wind up or dispose of the business of the company as soon as may be, a formal resolution to tliat effect having been passed by the meeting of yesterday. A discussion ensued upon the reasons for the company taking this course; as also upon the expediency of negotiating with the several oilices doing business in Auckland

The su.b-coniinittce of the Aucklaud Aquatic Club met on the IStli ult., at Star Hotel, Albertstreet, wlieu there was a good muster. The Secretary stated that owing to the framing of the rules and regulations taking more time than they anticipated, the sub-committee were not prepared to lay tliem before the meeting, and would ask for an adjournment. A great many persons anxious to join were present, and great enquiries were made as to the time the club would be permanently organized. We sincerely trust this undertaking will go a-head and prosper.

We have to chronicle another unfortunate victim to the fashion, happily now gradually dying out, of females ■wearing crinoline while employed indoors, and by which they ai'e exposed to sucli imminent danger from coming in contact with fire, either while employed in culinary operations or in brushing past a stove or qrate when the distended folds of their dresses are liable to come in contact with the flames, which, from the combustible nature of the materials, soon envelope the whole person. ".Reason, remonstrance, ridicule, and dreadful examples have as yet failed to entirely convince the fair sex of the risks they run in persisting in wearing crinoline while engaged in household duties, and consequently ever and anon some unfortunate creature swells the list of those who have already suffered. On the 18tli inst., a girl of about sixteen years of age named Eliza Thomas, residing in Freeman's Bay, and whose father we are informed is a brickmaker in tlie employment of Mr. Brady, of the Whau, was working in their residence, near Soppet's Mill, when a spark from the fire ignited her dress, which in a few seconds was enveloped in flames. Unfortunately her brother was out at work and no person was on the premises to render timely assistance. The poor girl in her terror ran to an adjacent smithy, on arriving near which she was observed by the workmen who promptly endeavoured to extinguish the flames, and one of them wliose name we have not ascertained sustained serious injury to his hands and arms in saving the girl. The injuries are somewhat serious, the flames having frightfully scorched the lower part of the child's body from the hips, but no immediate apprehensions for her safety are entertained. Mr. Hill, chemist, was promptly on the spot and applied the necessary remedies, and Dr. Kcnderdinc rode out subsequently. The sufferer was removed to the Provincial Hopital in an express, under the superintendence of police constable Bradburn.

Mr. Webb of Auckland reported to police, oil the 20tlx ultimo, liis finding a dead body off Brown'a Island. The water police were at once despatched to the place indicated, and the body was brought to town aud placed in the dead house. The body is that of a fisherman named Jeffez or JeiFz, a native of Greece, wlio was known to hare been in a boat that Teas upset, a few days since, off Brown's Island. Mr. Webb reports an incident of his finding this body which is worth recording for sundry reason;!, no less than for the singularity of the circumstance. Just as the gentleman, wlio was in his own boat, approached the body a huge shark was seen to come to the surface and lake off one of the arms from the body. The body, when found by the police, was without any arms, and was otherwise in a very bad state. An inquest was subsequently held, when the jury returned an open verdict. Thomas Miller, who was engaged at Whatawhata as a sawyer for Mr. D. Simpson, was, we regret to say, drowned recently between Wliatawliata and Te Wore, in the Gymnotus. The deceased, it is believed, was partly under the influence of liquor, and while larking a comrade accidently fell into the river. He could not

sw>.'". and at once sank, and. was not again seen«> The uingy was lowered into the stream after him, but no trace whatever was to be seen of the unfortunate man. We believe the deceased liasr no relatives in the province. At a meeting of the Auckland liifle Volunteers Co., Wo. 3 held on the ISfcli ulfr.» the following propositions were entertained, and carricd, viz. :—" That tlie uniform consist of blue serge coat, serge, trousers, and peak cap," also, " That the com pany parade on Tuesday evenings and Thursday xnorniugs for skirmishing drill, See., also, for moonlight marches as opportunity offers." A lecture was delivered on 22nd ult., in the room of the Young Men's Christian Association. by Mr. Sampson Kempthorne, on. " The lioyal Supremacy," tlie object of which was to show that the Eoyal Supremacywas the real bond of civil union for all Protestants. The question was treated with, breadth of view and great intelligence, and. with reference to the state of the Church in all Her Majesty's dominions. The profits will be* handed to the authorities of the Church of St. Peter in the Forest, Great South Road. The members belonging to the Wellingtonstreet Keeitation Class gave a dress rehearsal on the 18th ult,, in the room of the Catholic Institute, Wellington-street. There was a fairattendance, but owing probably to a counter attraction at the Prince of W ales Theatre, the hall was not so crowded as on previous occasions. The pieces selected for last evening's performance were.—" The Miller of Derwentwater," a drama in three acts, and a laughable farce entitled —" The Man with a Carpet Bag." The drama was plaecd upon the stage in a vciy creditable manner, and was well received. The various charrcters were impersonated as follows :—" Sir Mareus Lister," W. Shaunaghan; "Henry Lister," W. Clifton ; " Dr. Prussic," 11. Carroll; " Michael Ambrose," J. Callnan; " Robert Grist," D. Mahoney : " Ollicer," W. McGinley j " Mercy," J. Miller ; " Patty Pagle," W. V. Cadman. The same gentlemen took part in the farce, which provoked considerable mirth. There was a good band in attendance, under the leadership of Mr. Kogei's.

At the morning service held ill St. Matthew's Church on the 17th ultimo, the sermon, was preached hy the Bishop of New Zealand. At the conclusion of the sermon his Lordship took occasion to announce that he had personallytaken upon himself the charge of the parish, in. consequence of the postponement of the arrival of the Per. Mr. Jones. His Lordship added that he had recently examined the parochial accounts, and he found that the parish was now in debt to the churchwardens to the amount of some hundreds of poutids, while at the same time a half-year's stipend was due to the late minister of the church; and it was also requisite that a payment should he made at once on account of the sinking fund. These three items amounted to above seven hundred pounds, of which it was requisite that the stipend and. the sinking fund payment should be defrayed, immediately. The deficiency, his Lordship remarked, was to be attributed to the following causes: The enlargement of the church, the procuring of the new organ, and the present depressed condition of commercial affairs. There was nothing, he added, in the state of the parochial finances to occasion alarm or uneasiness ; but it was lilting that a portion of the deficiency should be met by a special contribution, and it was desirable that the Key. Mr. Jones, on his return, should find the financial position of the church restored. For this purpose, he (the Primate) would be happy to co-operate, whether by application from house to house, in conjunction with the churchwardens, or otherwise. He preferred making these observations to the congregation on the occasion of their being assembled for Divine worship, rather than a pnljlie meeting, both because of there being a fuller attendance of the congregation, and beeause by this means they would be more likely to give the matter an adequate consideration. If, said his Lordship, the view to be taken of the offertory was that people were merely to give out qz their superfluity what could be given without any inconvenience, in that case the offertory must be expected to fluctuate ; but a better view to be taken was that at a certain expense the efficiency of the ehurch was to be maintained, and that all arc to be prepared to make some weekly sacrifice for the purpose of attaining' that object. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Wellington-street Literary Association was held on the 21st ultimo. The Ifeverend. James Hill, President, in the chair. The essayist for the evening was Mr. J- W. Preece, his subject being " Maori-Manners, Customs, and Traditions." The paper, which was of considerable length, bore evidence of most careful preparation, and a thorough, acquaintance with the subject. The pressure upon our spacs forbids our noticing in detail the various divisions of the theme : each was, however, treated with considerable ability, the style of the writer being such as to well maintain the interest throughout. At- the conclusion of the meetingthe members in turn expressed their opinions, and the meeting separated.

A man named John Augustus Hjortli,. a. Swede, belonging to the cutter Sailor, trading from Coromandel, brought uqtfs to town of the death by drowning of Cajit. Nieman, master of the Petrel. He says that- a. man named Johnson belonging to the fisherman's boat Sarah, requested him to report the death of Daniel IS ieman. who vyas drowned: off Brown's Island on the 12th ultimo, m the afternoon. Captain Df ieman was knocked overboard in consequence of having been ; straefc by the tiller. About 3 o'clock on the 32th ultimo, as three children, named respectively Mary Allison, Janet Allison, anil Mary. Aon. Denzey, were returning from school, they discovered on the beaeh in Official Buy, tho body of a new born infant tied up in a Maori kit, which lay near low water mark. They immediately informed a man who was passing ,o£ the fact, by whom information was. convoyed to the police, and the body was brought into town, and placed in the dead house. A large brick was found in the kit, which had, no doubt, been used to sink it below the surface of the wa'ierThe body itself was that of a European icifant, and was wrapped up in flannel and calico. A coroner's inquest was held at the Bailway Terminus Hotel, OfSoial Bay, on. the nest day, before Dr. T. M. Philson, district coronor, and a jury of twelve, on view of the body. After hearing the evidence the jray returned an open verdict, adding a rider recommending the matter to the police for solution. •

The annual meeting of tlie Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society was licld on the 12 tli ul t., in the Lecture-room of the Young Men's Christian Association. Mr.JosephNewman occupied tliechair. There. was a large number of clergy and ladies and. gentlemen friends of the society present The report of the society for the past year rvas read by Mr. Thomas Bussell. The. speakers were the Chairman, Dr. Maunsell, the EKev. Hr. Brec, Rev. Mr. Cornford, Bev. I). Bruce, Dr. Wallis, Mi'. T. Macfarlane. The men and officers of H.M. 57th Begt., which have lecently been stationed in the Waikato district, having arrived in Auckland lor the purpose of embarking for England, were on the 25th ult. inspected in the Albert JBai'racks by Col. Bcatson. At ten o'clock the whole regiment were marched on the ground, and. after going through the ordinary evolutions, under the direction of Colouel Butler, were formed into line. The band then struck up a lively air, and; Colonel Beetson, attended by Brigmle-Major Brett and Colonel Butler, having mmv'neil by, the men marched past in quick time nml dispersed. The 57th since ombarked for England.

On tlio 2Gth ultimo, a small twoxoomed cottage in Church-street, Oneliunga, was destroyed by fire. It was the property of Mr. Thomas Giviner, of Onchunga, and was unoccupied, and was insured for i-40 in the Auckland Insurance Company. We have since learned that the company intend rebuilding the premises. _ . On Sunday, the 2-ith ultimo, his Lordship the Bishop of New Zealand conducted divine service at the new Lunatic Asylum, Wliau. A number of the residents iu that locality were also present; a larger audience would have been drawn togcther had suflicienfc publicity been given, llie lev- prelate delivered an earnest, forcible, and appropriate discourse ; and a young lady kindly conducted the musical portion of the service, by presiding at the harmonium. "We understand that it is'contemplated to hold divine service at that institution every Sunday, at half-past three p.m. An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Auckland Insurance Company was held on the '28th ultimo, in the company's oflice, Queen-street, for the purpose of . considering a resolution come to at the reccnt ordinary half-yearly meeting for the winding-up of the business, or disposing of it to some other office doing business in Auckland. 2Vfr. David Nathan, chairman of the directors, was present, but being indisposed, Mr. J. O'Neill was moved to the chair in his stead. After some unimpoitaut conversation, the following resolution was agreed to, hcvi. oh. '• —That this meeting doth agree with the proposition of the directors, and hereby authorize the directors to take the accessary steps for winding-up the company in such manner as they think right, or to dispose of (lie business of the Auckland Insurance Uompany to some other oflice doing business in Auckland." The chairman said that the directors had taken care to re-insure aU risks, and that the shareholders might regard as indemnified from Wednesday at noon. This concluded the business of the meeting, and terminated the commercial existence of this local company. A meeting of the members of the Auckland h'ifle Volunteers, No. 2 Company, was held on the 2Glh ultimo, iu the ollice of Mr. Hughes, solicitor, t-hortland-strcct, for the election of oUlcers —Lieutenant Matthews in the : chair. The minutes of the previous meeting jhaving been read and confirmed, it was proposed by Mr. Nathan, seconded by Mr. Leahy, "That Mr. Hughes be secretary."—Carried. A sum of £1 os. was voted to the sergeant-major, for night parades, S:c. A uniform was selected, in ■which it was understood the company would appear on the Queen's birthday:—serge tunic with scarlet and black facings and binding; serge trousers and cap. Some accounts were passed ; two corporals were clected, and a deputation was appointed to wait on Mr. Brighton, to oflerhim the captaincy of the company. An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the YV-iihau Gold Mining Company (Limited), was held iu the Company's Oflice, Port-street, on the 23rd ultimo, at aoon, Mr. S. Cochrane in the chair. The directors' report and balance sheet were read, and a resolution moved by Mr. J. T. Garliclc and seconded by Mr. Sherrard, " That the Waihau Gold Mining Company be wound up with as little expense and delay as possible, and that all shareholders who have not paid their calls be sued forthwith," was carried unanimously. On the 24th ult., the man named Baker, who Jias obtained so much notoriety as the Crusoe of iheLittleßarrierlsland, escaped from the military prison, A lbertßarracks. The exploits of this criminal .irein theirway as curious and excitingas those of Plummer or Isaac Robinson. He became

:Erst known to the public and tlie police as one of four burglars who broke into the house of Mr. (."otter, Queen-street. He was imprisoned in the Stockade for this offence, and when the Tcgimeni was going home the usual memorial to liis Excellency procured his being transferred to military custody. He was not long before he made his escape by cutting the flooring. His next step was to steal a boat belonging to Sir. Harkiss, Mangawai, with "which he traded for some time. He was next found on the Little Barrier Island, by Captain Doughty, to "whom he represented that he was cast away on the island. The shrewd skipper thought, that very clean linen, a silver mounted spy-glass and other valuables were not such as a castaway would save, and handed the representative ofjßobinson Crusoe over to the police. Baker was at once recognised and again handed ■over to military custody, from which he has again escaped. He succeeded on Sunday by knocking down the sentry and then jumping the Tvall. The runaway was in hospital clothing, but as he is a desperado of no common stamp he may obtain outfit at somebody's cost before many hours. The meeting of the Auckland Acqnatic Club at the Star Hotel, was again adjourned for another week, the sub-com-mittee not having had time to draw up the xules and regulations to submit to the general meeting. The enterprise, however, is not lacking in the least, and we hope that next meeting will show some .100 or 150 subscribers on the list. A farewell tea meeting to the Hev. Mr. Morley was held in the Wcsleyan Schoolroom, High-street, on the 26th ult. The attendance was good, and the whole affair passed off in a highly satisfactory manner. Several interesting addresses were delivered by ministers and members of the Church, and the Eev. Mr. Morley briefly addressed the meeting. A condensed report appears elsewhere. • Among the passengers by the fiangatira, we notice the name of the Bcv. IMr. Mciweeney, who has come up in order to proceed with the 57th Kegiment to Jingland, in the ship Maori. He has been long and favorably known in New Zealand since his arrival here, and goes home in spiritual charge of the 57th Begiment, with the good wishes of all who knew him. _ -Mr. Thomas Connell of Queen-street, barrister and solicitor, has been appointed by his Excellency the Governor to be Revising Oflicer for the Province of Auckland of Building and iand Societies under the Act of 18G6, and also Officer of Friendly Societies under the Act of 1856 for same province. Mr. E. J. Cox formerly held these appointments. The Tauranga chief Tomiha, whose death was lately reported in Auckland, is we understand on good authority, alive and well. Tomiha is a Trell-lnjown and loyal chief, and "we are glad to hear that the report of his loss was incorrect. _ The writ for the election of a Superintendent xn. Lite place of Mr. Wsiitulcer, wlio lias resigned, las been received from Wellington by the returning officer on the 28th ult. Tliowrithas to be returned within sixty days ; but it is more than probable, we believe, that the election will come off within a month of the present time.