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New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1310, 28 January 1868, Page 3

The Banks.—The banks will be closed tomorrow, being a general holiday. What: Coxcebt. —We observe that this concert has been unavoidably postponed until a future date. The Thames.—The Midge arrived from the Thames yesterday afternoon, bringing 52ozs. gold from the Star of ihe South, claim. Our correspondent's letter will be found elsewhere.

Masonic. — (Uuited Service Lodge).—The regular monthly meeting of this Lodge will be held this evening, at 7 o'clock, at the Masonic Hotel, in consequence of to-morrow being a holiday. St. "Matthew's Sunday School.—On Sunday last, after the usual teaching, the annual rewards were distributed to the children by the Eev. David Jones, incumbent of the parish, who delivered an interesting and appropriate address to them. 221 children were present. The rev. gentleman reminded them of three conditions by which prizes can be obtained, viz.. bv regular and punctual attendance, good behaviour, and un-remitting attention to the truths oi" God's word. The churchwardens of the parish also presented two extra prizes for distribution on a future occasion.

Distkict Coubt.—A sitting of this Court was held yesterday, when seven cases set down for hearing were disposed of. These, though of a trivial "character, occupied the Court some five hours, during which there was no adjournment, Mr. Beckham being anxious to attend to other duties elsewhere.

Tbade Sale of Drapebt.—We beg to call the special attention of clothiers, drapers, haberdashers, and the trade generally, to the large trade sale of seasonable .drapery, clothing, hosierv, &c, to be held by Messrs. Lewis Brothers, at 11 o'clock this morning, at their stores, Queen-street. The goods are a superior assortment, and offer a first class opportunity for laying in a stock. Caledonian Games.—The committee met last nightat their rooms, Perth and Dundee Hotel —Mr. Bell in the chair. The reports of several sub-committees were Teceived, showing that matters connected with, the games were progressing favourably. A letter was received from his Excellency Sir George Grey, E.C.8., giviDg his consent to be patron of the games. Everything at present indicates a complete success.

Auckland Gymnasium.—The amateurs of the Auckland Gymnastic Club gave a capital entertainment last night in the iron store, Princes-street. We regret to say that, notwithstanding the merit of t>.e performance, the audience was comparatively small, and we should like to see an institution of so beneficial a character more cordially supported by the public. In spite of every drawback the members entered into the performance with, a spirit and ability that eminently deserved if it could not command success, and many of the feats performed would have done credit to professionals. The feats on the swing cord were much better than we could have anticipated, and the entertainment on the whole was most creditable to the amateurs. We should advise them to give an .entertainment at some future date m some more centrally situated building, and at a time when they need not have to compete with, superior attractions presented elsewhere as on this occasion. With proper preparation and good out-door management, a very successful entertainment might be given, which, would contribute something handsome to the funds of the club.

A " Cbushikg " Machine. —A proof of the incapacity of some of the crushing machines at present working at Shortland, professedly claiming to extract the gold from its quartz covering, may be conceived from the following humorous j anecdote that is now on dit at the diggings:—A canny IVorth Briton had, after a four weeks' toil and sedative acquaintance with a promising ! claim not 3000 yards from the sea, came to the conclusion that although the " prospects " were fine, and to his mates satisfactory withal, still it would be as well for him. to sell his eighth, and try elsewhere for something more substantial than blossoms, accordingly he entered into negotiations with a " particular friend," fresh from Auckland, with whom it was finally agreed that a ton of stone from the claim should be crushed, and if therefrom should be taken four ounces of gold, then his " particular friend" enould pay to him the sum of sixty pounds sterling, and become possessed of his eighth of the claim. These terms*were simple and thought to be ridiculously easy for every one of the eight owners of the claim had, night after nighi, assured each other that by no possibility could there be less than 20 to 50 ozs. of gold in each ton of stuff they had been taking out for the past ten days, "it was so rich," they said. However, to make assurance doubly sure, and the payment of the £60 the more pleasant, our canny friend generously put in of his own the required four ounces of the precious metal along with the stone, very naturally anticipating the pleasure his mates and his successor would receive from his unostentatious liberality when the result of the crushing would be known. But alas for the schemes of men, from the 2000 lbs. of golden stone, fortified with four ouncts of the real metal itself, but an ounce and twelve dwts. came forth, the remainder, no doubt, having gone away in " tailings," where so much of the money of fools finds its way. Fine fob rv oit-appeabance.—ln the case of Watt v. Eggleton, heard at the District Court, yesterday, Messrs. C. A. Harris senr. and junr. were called as witnesses on behalf of the defendant, when neither of them appeared. Mr. ~\V ilson, who appeared for defendant, thereupon proved the service of the subpoenas, and the tender of expenses to the required witnesses, and pointed out to the Court that under the 43rd section of the District Court Act, the absentees were each liable to a penalty of £20. ilis Honor inflicted the full penalty, ordering tlie> ivii,uesse> to be served witli notice to appear ami sh,nv cause why this course should not be adopted.

The offices of the Provincial Government will be closed to-morrow (Wednesday), being the 28th Anniversnry of the Colony. We understand that a grand gathering of the Cricketers'of Auckland (irrespective of all clubs), will be held on the ground at back of All Saints Church, PonsonbyKoad, on Wednesday, the 29th instant, at 10-30 sharp, at which we are requested to invite all the lovers of cricket to attend earlv, in order that they may be chosen to play in the Scratch Teams. Land Association, No. 2.—A Committee meeting of this society is conveueel to be held at 7 o'clock this evening, in the Odd Fellows' Hall, for the purpose of drawing for funds in hand. Tkndeks. —The Chairman to the Eo.nrd of Highway Trustees of TVaitakerei South, invites tenders "for the construction of a bridge across Big Muddy Creek in that district. Specifications to be seen at Mr. R. Tnsjlis's, Waitakerei.

Me. Fox has been received at .Rangitikei with triumphal avches, &e. He said lie desired to use his utmost abilities for the colon}' at large, and especially for that district. A public dinner in Mr. Fox's honour is to beheld in Wanganui, when it is expected that Mr. Watt will announce the resignation of his seat for the district in the General Assembly, in Mr. Fox's favour. jVTajoii Vost Tempsky.—The sny S : —" This well-tried officer arrived at Wnuganui by the Storm Bird, and will proceed to Patca to take up his appointment of Inspector of Armed Constabulary." Latest Telegrams.—Dunedin, January 17.— Mr Simmons, Kector of the High School, has resigned. Walter Bell and Company, timber merchants, have failed. Their liabilities amount to the sum of £45,000. Pkotisciali Council Election- (City li'ast Wakp).—The nomination of candidates to fill the vacant seat in this Ward took place yesterday at the Mechanics' Institute. The two candidates were Mr. W. J. Hurst and Mr. Charles Davis. Upon a show of hands there appeared for Mr. Hurst 27. for Mr. Daris 30. A poll was demanded for Mr. Hurst, which will take place to-day between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Provincial Hospital.—"Return of sick for the week ending Saturday, January 25,1508: — Remained. IOSV admitted, S; dischaiged, 25; died, 4 ; remaining, S7 ; of whom 13 are females and 74 males. Classification (after Dr. W. Farr) Zymotic diseases, 11; constitutional diseases, 10 : local diseases. 44; accidents and injuries, S; old and infirm, 14. There were 4 deaths, 2 of phthisis puhnonalis, lof scirrhus of the stomach, and 1 of general dropsy, dependent on diseases of the liver.

Mr. Haughtox.—The following paragraph is extracted from the Otago Daily Times : —" The General Government are not backward in rewarding the supporters of last session. _ We have already mentioned Mr. Haughton's appointment to the Penal Commission —upon what ground of fitness it is hard to determine. He is now, we understand, deputed on a special mission to Melbourne, to make himself acquainted, for the benefit of the Commission, with the system pursued at the Pentridge Penal Establishment."

Police.—Four drunkards were punished in the usual manner at the Police Court, yesterday, and Mary .Anne Guird, convicted of using threatening language tcwards Elizabeth MeGinty, was ordered to find two sureties of £25 each, to keep the peace for six months.

Peoposed TTniveksitt at Dunedin. —On the lSth inst.. at a meeting of the Synod, Otago, an overture from Southland for a University was considered, and a committee was appointed to confer with the Provincial Government for taking steps for the establishment of a University in Dunedin. Fiee.—A fire occurred yesterday morning in the Grammar School Road, Parnell, in a raupo shed, the property of a person named Anderson, who is at present at the Thames diggings. There was a considerable quantity of oats, hay, and other imflamniable material in the shed; two pigs were burnt to death. Fortunately the cows which occupied the structure had been turned out to graze. Mrs. Macandu, a neighbour, intemporary chargeoftheproperty.statesthatthefire occurred about half-past ten o'clock, and the destruction of the building was the work of a few minutes only. The wife of Anderson, the owner, bad left a few days before to stay with her friends during the absence of her husband at the Thames. Mrs. Anderson believes also that the place was burnt down by some person, and in support of this she states that just at the outbreak of the fire she saw a boy running across the gully from the direction of the shed, and from his conduct she suspects he must have been playing about the shed and intentionally or otherwise set the place on fire. Except on some such hypothesis the origin of the fire is a mystery, as there was no fire kept in the shed, or lighted in it for some time past. The property was, we believe, not insured. Accommodation House at Tattpo.—We perceive from the Waka Maori, says the Wellington Independent, that " The natives of Taupo have opened a house of accommodation for travellers at Tapuaeharuru, the point where the Waikato river flows out of the lake and just in the track of travellers. The fares are for first-class travellers (rangatiras), breakfast,ls. 6d.; dinner, 25.; supper, Is. 6d.; and bed Is. ; and for the second class, servants and attendants, breakfast Is. ; dinner Is. 6d, supper Is. and bed 6d, or at so much per week, according to agreement, for persons remaining any length of time. The house has been erected especially for the purpose, and wo believe remarkably good provision has been made to supply the wants of weary and hungry wayfarers. The charge for ferriage is Is. for a man and horse, and 6d for a foot passenger. No distinction is made between pakeha and Maori. Excursionists can be provided with a canoe and native crew at reasonable rate.

Road-Making by Maoms.—The Wanganui Evening News states thai the Maoris have resolved to make a road from London, on the Wanganui river, to Taupo. They intend working on it themselves, if they receive a subsidy from the Government. They are also prepared to subscribe liberally themselves; one chief at London has offered'to subscribe £100 towards it.

Pbiiiitive Methodist Chapel.— 4. tea and social meeting on the occasion of the reception of the Kev. W. J. Dean will be held this evening, in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Edwardes-street.

Newton Congeegational Chubch. — The annual soiree in connection with this Church will take place to-morrow evening, tea being provided at 5.30 o'clock. After tea a public meeting will be held, at which his Honor the Superintendent is expected to preside, and addresses will be delivered by the Eevs. P. H. Cornford, W. J. Dean, T. W. Eavics, and other ministers and friends. The services of an efficient party of amateur vocalists have been secured for the occasion.