Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume VI, Issue 1805, 27 October 1869, Page 4

I I The sixteenth, half-year!}' meeting of | the Bank of Neve Zealand will be lield I this day, atnoon, in the bank offices, when two directors and the auditors will be j elected, and the half-yearly balancesheet and report will be submitted. W ". have been requested to call attention to the Bazaar in aid of the trust funds of the Young Men's Christian Association, which is to be held in Mr. S. Hague Smith's new building in Queenstreet on the 9th, 10th. and lltli of nest month. At the same time we are desired to state that the committee are anxious that Indies and others intending to contribute to the stalls should send in their productions and general stock of assistance at as early a period as possible. Everything as yet promises to make the Bazaar a grand success. District Court.—The bi-monthly sitting of this Court was resumed yesterday. The whole of the day was occupied in hearing two causes—lthodc-s v. Fischer and Fischer v. Rhodes—a cross action, of which the following are the main facts : —Ehodes"contracted with Dr. Fischer to remove a building known as " Franklin Buildings," from Freeman's Bay to Grahamstown, and there .-rect il—the contract price .€2OO and £'G a week penalty if the contract were not completed at the specified time, viz., 14th September. Rhodes liecamo unable to pay the cartage and freight, and asked Fischer to pay it. Dr. Fischer promised to pay the cartage and freight, but refused to pay the whole amount, wishing to reserve a portion of the amount as a guarantee for the completion of the contract, offered Rhodes a loan, of which half was to go towards the freight and cartage, aud the other half towards purchase of timber towards completing the contract, Rhodes resigned the contract, aud now sued for £'35 due for freight and cartage under the promise to pay, and Dr. Fischer answered by bringing an action against Rhodes for £100 damage by reason of non-fulfilment of the contract. -Judgment deferred till next Court day. Cricket. — A match between two elevens, the lawyers aud their articled clerks and the military, will take place on Friday, on the Albert Barrack ground. Wk find the L'angatira is -lppointed to arrive in Sydney in time to send on passengers and mails by the V.3.N. Company's steamer Wonga Wonga. The Rnnpatira will follow about two days afterwards, and afford time for shipment from Melbourne, her return hither thus affording the speediest opportunity for shippers so availing themselves. The departure of the ilangatira from this on Friday morning will enable a supplementary English mail also to be made up on Thursday up to five p.m. We are glad to see that die ruins in Elliot-street are not to become the dwelling place of the bat and the owi, or the recreation ground of the Arab—that, in fact, Messrs. Quick and Co., finding they could not get a contract taken for rebuilding the premises, at anything like what the}* considered a reasonable price, have themselves taken the matter in hand, and have put on a gang of operatives, who have commenced taking down the upper-storey wall, preparatory to reerection of the premises on tlie original plan. The bricks, on examination, have been found to be none the worse for their extra burning, and can all be used again ; and we may expect that in a very short time the factory, like a " I'licenix risen from its ashes," will once more float from its summit the Stars and Stripes, and present to us a monument to the energy of a firm that has been of great service to our province. Only three Justices out of a large number sat in Petty Sessions yesterday, Messrs. Morrow (Chairman), and Mitford and Dr. Home. iVone of the cases except the last were of serious import; there were a few drunkards, a larcenist, a case of threatening language at a tolerably long distance from the Court, and over which there was a tremendous display of forensic eloquence ; and a charge of embezzlement, on which the prisoner, a very respectable looking and well spoken man, was committed to take his trial at the ensuing criminal sittings of the Supreme Court. The day is worthy of comment iu one respect, and that is, that on previous occasions it has generally taken eight or ten justices to punish one drunkard; on this one it inquired only three to commit a prisoner for trial by the Supreme Court. So much for C'curts of Petty Sessions. A rumour that for some time past had found currency culminated yesterday in fact. At the request of his committee, Pr. l'ollen has retired from the contest of the Superintendence; and, at the same tisne, the gentlemen who pull the strings of opposition, forgetting the Qttcm Deus, are bringing forward a Southerner, of whom politically we know next to nothing, T. B. Gillies, Esq., barrister. This is really going from bad to worse; for whilst the i-'octor had a ghost of a j chance, Mr. Gillies will not, cannot j have even the shadow of the ghost. I I'aunell Litkrart Uniox.—A lecture I ' in connection with the above Union will be delivered iu theWesleyan Schoolroom, 1 Parnoll, this evening, by H. H. Lusk, 1 Esq. Subject, " Phoenician Colonization." ' The Melbourne Loader says '■ —The j annexation of Fiji to the Australian colonics is a:i event that cannot be long delayed. The British residents in the j inlands, acting in perfect accord with the ■ f native chief's, have petitioned the British . f Government for such annexation, or lor > c some equivalent recognition of their j i position as a Hritish community. If the ! 1 authorities of Downing-street continue to s ofl'er a stolid resistance to the progress of , t civilisation aud settlement in this part of j t the world, it may be set down as certain ; 1 ihat the Australian colonies will have to I v determine on their own policy m this and j f similar matters. 1 f the British Govern- j r ment repudiates its imperial responsibility, t the provinces will have no other choice i than to set up tor themselves. There is t no wisli on this side of the world for , r separation, but the policy of Downing- I o street will render separation inevitable, j t What we want to have is a clear iutima- t tion of what England wauts. If she s wishes us to set up for ourselves, we b are too dutiful to refuse compliance, d We must have a clear and early un- o ierstanding on the subject, for a group of a roung communities cannot afford to stand u tvhen there is work to be done. The a lpplieation from Fiji should be supported ti 7 rom the Australian colonies by some- a ;hing more than good wishes. e

nf H,! P RAT ,' the e °tertainißg clown L IrCUS'l rCUS '- takeS J lis benefi t ta-nfel? on the occasion of the performance of the troupe iZ we could Possibly say would add to. the number of the speetatorTwho may be expected to attend. Mr Murray aDd a PP recia ted by the aoituts of this entertainment to reauiro O^n.'r 0 ; 1^^ 011 from ourselves? n ' Thursday (to-morrow'* evening J) r Carr, who has been giving a series 5 . seances at the Thames, which hlvo Len attended with considerable success and have gnen universal satisfaction 'will open at the Prince of Wales Theatre when those mterested in the mesmeric art will have au opportunity of studyingit under its various aspects. A ]', a !\ extraordinary meeting of the jNorth Devon Gold Ming Company, held yesterday, S. Browning, Esq., i n the chair, it was decided to amalgate that ela.m w.th the Okarita : to increase the 3 OOf) ,1, f company, by the i ssue 0 f 3,000 shares of £o each. Another amalgamatiou also took place yesterday, of the two claims known as the Nonpareil and the Queen of Spain. We must not permit the occasion to pass without congratulating these companies on the steD which they have taken, for it is only bv the general adoption of such a svstem that we can ever expect to see the" small claims dottad about on our goldfield made remunerative to the shareholders. We are glad to learn that a subscription has been set on foot to reward the Maori who, though himself maimed and ill, plunged into the water to rescue the body of the poor young man Brown, who was drowned in the ICauaeranga Creek on v aturday a.ternoon last. As some of tUe Maoris displayed a cruel apathv, the conduct of the one alluded to above deserves all the more praise. Times'. The successful local manufacture of patent fuse, applicable to a variety of purposes, but principally blasting in mines and quarries, seems at last to have been accomplished. Three vears a<;o a Melbourne Company started a fese"factory, and their enterprise failed from several causes, but tlie experience so gained has led to the invention of a new fuse alleged to posess qualities superior to any imported, less in price, and manufactured by new machinery, also wholly of colonial origin. The new firm Edward Gill and Co , have established themselves on the i arra bank, and it must be owned that one rarely sees a manufactory so compact and servicable. A variety of experiments with the new fuse have been tried before scientific gentlemen, who each and all have been constrained to admit the surpassing merit of the article produced. Teetotallers will be interested in learning that a kind of Maine Liquor Law has come into force in the State of M assachussets. To sell driuk in any quantity—even a nobbier—is 10 dollars fine, and from 20 to 30 days' imprisonment ; for a second offence, 20 dollars flue, and from 30 to 60 days' imprisonment; and for any subsequent offence 50 dollars fine, with from three to six months', and an extra month in each case in which the fine is n:r paid. To keep liquor with intent to sell, even when not actually sold, is pnnished by 10 dollars fine, and 20 days' imprisonment. 'he dealer is liable for all damages done durinc drunkenness and persons apprehended for drunkenness can avoid the consequences by giving evidence against the parties who supplied them with the drink. Such is the law, as we gather it from American papers. A species of black caterpillar is reported to be doin<r an immense amount of misehiefl in the neighbourhood of the Totar 1 Station. On that station alone, accpi, I ins; to the Oamaru Times, these insecL\ are said to have entirely destroyed up- ' wards of 50 acres of grass. They are wonderfully ravenous, and destroy every green thing before them. They are found, under as well as above the surface of the, ground, aud are believed to be the larva of a species of moth. Neither salt nor, lime will kill them, but coal tar and kerosene are said to be effectual remedies. Anothke narrow escape from drowning, occurred on Monday, at the Kauaeranga creek, in the neighbourhood of the slaughterhouse. Two gentlemen, Mr. Christian and Mr. Shadford, were walking along the bank of the creek in the direction of Mr. De Kirsca's residence, when. Mr. Christian suddenly threw up his arms and ejaculating " Oh my God !" fell into the river, over a bank about fifteen feet deep. There was a considerable depth of water in the creek at the time, owing to the tide being in. Mr. Shad? ford, and a Maori who was near the sjjot, did all they could to rescue the drowning man, an 1 their efforts were seconded by a waterman named Burt, who, with some of his companions, saw the occurrence, and promptly hastened to render assistance, Their efforts were fortunately crowned with success, and Mr. Christian was taken out of the water, and placed in safety on the bank. \V hen taken out, the unfortunate gentleman struggled violently, and was with difficulty prevented from again falling into the creek. He was placed iii a boat, and conveyed to Shortland, where Dr. Carr was quickiy in attendance, and under his superintendence, Mr. Christian at length recovered. The unfortunate gentleman suffered from disease oi the heart, and Dr. Carr expressed his opinion. | that had he not been insensible during the lengthened time he was in the water, he would, in all probability have been drowned ; and further, that the sudden shock produced by his falling into the cold water was probably the means of preventing the attack of heart disease from resulting fatally. Great credit "is due to all who were present for the prompt manner in which they rescued Air. Christian from what would have been inevitable death. —Times. The Northern Ar'/itx, a Bockhamptoa journal contains the following :—" As a gentleman was travelling to ilockhampton from the north side on Tuesday evening, on horseback, and just as he arrived at Mount Wheeler, he heard something behind him resembling a long and ioud shriek, he turned round, and it appeared to him as if the hemisphere were in a blaze ; the whole of the country was lit up as bright as daylight ; his horse was so frightened that he nearly leaped from under him. When he first looked round he saw an enormous ball of fire travelling from the north-east, and when it approached the mountains it burst iuto thousands of sparks resembling skyrockets ; they shot iuto lengthened streaks of flame, as if about to enter the hill, but they passed over the top aud in a direction towards the eavth. i here was a strong sulphurous smell, and the noise made by the ball of fire, which our informjmt described as appearing to him of the size of many tons, was peculiarly startling and awful ; he said, ' I thought all was up with me, and I took off my hat awaiting the result.' We are not aware whether this phenomenon was seen by any one else, but we give the information exactly as it was furnished to us."

A Pbovincial Government Gazette was published on Tuesday, and contains notice that the registered office of ilclsaac's Gold Mining Company has been transferred from Shortlnnd to Auckland, and example which if generally followed, would greatly advance the interests of the Thames, 'i he gazette contains also applications to register the Day Spring, Golden Isle, Hand in Hand. Nolan's Candlelight JSo. 1, Great European, Sierra Nevada, Golden Harp, United Miners, Monte Christo, Sacramento and Alabama, Tokatea, Lord Collingwood, Collarbone, Great Exhibition, City of Manchester, General Jackson, Jupiter, ATanukau, and Great Cicroria, and Black xingel gold mining companies. The Ballarat correspondent of the Argus, speaking of the Thames Goldfields says : —The last news received from the Thames goldficld is not calculated to increase any uneasy feeling here about our capital being drained oway to that locality. The month's yield for August of the now world-famous Golden Crown claim is set down at 2,3150z., and for the 3~ear at 2G,3430z. There are, of course, notices of the extraordinary character of small leaders, averaging three or lour ounces to the " poi.nd" of stone, but if we want tu ge* at the real value of the greatest oi' the Zealand gold mines, we must look to its monthly or yearly yields. Now. if we take the yield of the New North Clunes Company for the four weeks ending ou last Saturday, we find their yield was 2,2530z. sdwt- llgr., and during that time rhey had two indifferent weeks ; multiply that by 12, and we get 27,3990z. IGdwt. 4gr. as the annual yield, or over I.OOOoz. more than the Golden Crown. I do not say that this was their yield, as I believe they did not commence their late splendid averages so far back as 12 months ago ; but, judging from the last six or eight months' yields and their prospects, I do not think this estimate of their annual yield, judged by late results, would be much too high. Beyond this, however we have the tact recorded that the value, of the twelve mon:hs' gold for the Golden Crown was only £6S,3CS, whereas the value of the New North Clunes gold would be £'112,336 (without going into fractions), arising from its superior purity. In other words, any quartz claim in Victoria, that produces only say 3-10oz. a week, realises as much sterling currcncy for that gold at the end of the year as the Golden Crown, the pride of the great Thames goldfields ; and the .New North Clunes, with an averageof SOOoz. a week, would beat the Golden Crown in value by n;arly £-10,000 per annum. A few of our outside speculators who have lately visited Tasmania appear to have raised a blaze there : and if we can credit the accounts sent over, the Fingnl and Waterlionsa reef* bid fair to vie with the Thames.

At a meeting of tlie St. Patrick's Society, held at Grahamstown. on Monday, Lowther Broad, Esq., was offered the presidency of the society, but declined in favor of Charles O'JSeill, Ksq. It was decided that all members two months in arrear shall after noticejbe struck off the rolls. It was also determined that a regalia for the society should be adopted. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Curtain said they had obtained the best silrer watch that could be got in Auckland to be presented to Mr. J. G. Quin, with the following inscription : —" Presented to Mr. J. G. Quin a> a token of esteem, and recognition of his valuable services in aid of the Irish Patriot Tribute.—Thames Goldfield. October 25th, 1869."

Sabbath School Axnivebsaby.—The anniversary soiree and public meeting- iu connection with tlie Primitive Methodist Sabbath-school, h'dwardes-street, took place last evening in the school-room. There was a very large attendance of members of the congregation, superintendents of Sabbath-schools connected with jither Churches, and friends of the Sundavachoo! movement generally. The J.'ev. Mr. Dean, Pastor of the Church, presided, and in opening the proceedings delivered an address upon the advantages to children, teachers and parents of children proceeding from the Sabbath-school institution. Ad r. Goldie, the superintendent of the school, read the report of the past year. The results obtained, he said, afforded room for the greatest encouragement. One female teacher had been removed by death. There was an average .of ten to fifteen to the Bible class. There had been a night school established for the benefit of Sunday scholars, and others who might wish to attend. There had also been established a teachers' preparation class. This class had lapsed for a time for -want of any person to take charge of it, but Mr. John Graham had accepted the appointment of superintendent. The average attendance of teachers was nine in the forenoon, and twelve in the afternoon. Mr. Battley addressed the meeting, urging upon sabbath gchool teachers the necessity of being earnest and constant in the work if they wished that their labour would be attended with benefit to tlw/ir school. Mr. Benjamin McKerras addressed tlie meeting, and gave an account of the difficulties which had to be encountered in the progress of the church. Other friends of the cause also addressed the meeuiig. The proceedings commenced and ended with devotional exercises. Me. Julius Matthews, a Melbourne citizen of some substance, lias, according to the English papers, f'ailen into a curious difficulty. Mr. Matthews, who is- a Jew, was many years ago divorced from his Erst wife by a rabbi, in accordance with obrew customs. He was subsequently married again in this city, where his second ivife and family are living. Paying a flying visit to the old land, Mr. 7t!:.ttiiews was claiaied in a somewhat rough fashion by his " first venture," and as ;; ready means of disposing of her pretensions he i anded her over to the police. The lady, however, will not be .satisfied, but pleads her rights as the veritable Mrs. Matthews. The result is that the Hnglish courts will have to decide whether a Judaic divorce is of any validity according tolvnglish law. We believe that there are many Knglish Jews in the same position as Mr. Matthews, and the upshot of his adventure will be watched with some interest. The case will probably turn on the nature of the original marriage. If that is found to have been a legallybinding one, there is little chance of the divorce being regarded as afl'eoting it. As the marriage law now stands, here and in !<higland, no form of divorce would be held good save such as wag promulgated in the recognised courts. Should this fact not have been recognised by the Jewish portion of the community. they will do well to bear it in mind in future if they would avoid unpleasant complications of a bigamous character. A meeting of the North Island Gold Mining Company had been advertised for three p.nt yesterday at the _Kxchange Hotel, but owing to the paucity of attendance it was postponed until nest Tuesday evening, at 7 p.m , at the same place.

We would call the attention of the j public to a prospectus, which appears in | our advertising colums, of a Patent j Boring Prospecting Company (to he ! registered). The provisional directory ; shows a string of' gcod and well known j names, and the company proposes to have j a complete set of boring apparatus, with all necessary appliances, manufactured at i once, so tli.'.t incorporation may be . effected as speedily as possible. The j object the directors liavi- in view is to save the heavy exije::-." of prospecting by shaft, and drive, and '.•> substitute in : lieu thereof a system of ehiini-testing by boring rods. Jt is n.>r. pretended , that tlie actual value of a claim ; shall be at once placed beyond , doubt by tin* tes 1 , but by it the presence of bodies of quartz, and j their thicknesses, may be ascertained at . a decidedly trifling expense, and share- j holders on eumparing the stud* brought : out by the boring tool, with other aurile- I rous stone, will be able to form a pretty ! accurate judgment as to the bearing and . dip of their leaders, and of the advisa- j hility of working the ground, or leaving it ] alone. Should the result prove in accor- I dance with the promoters' anticipations, • the future saving effected must have considerable influence on tiie val:;e ol mining, ! and on the investment of capital in its j prosecution. j An extrnordiimrj- general meeting of . the shareholders of the Carpenters' Gold , Mining Company, will be held at tiie j company's olllee, 30, Queen-street, on | Wednesday. November 3, at two p.m. j Samuel Cociibane and Son have been favoured with instructions from Assistant Commissary-General Ibbetson, to seil at the Commissariat Stores, on Thursday, 28th instant, at 11 o'clock, a quantity of surplus and damaged stores, &c. We would draw particular attention to this sale, as most likely to present an opportunity to the public of getting some realh" first-class articles dirt cheap.