Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2907, 23 May 1873, Page 2

At a meeting held yesterday afternoon,in tbe Mechanics' Institute, to consider the best steps to be taken for the purpose of establishing a refuge for the relief of destitute persons, Mr. Graham, tbe Provincial Relieving Officer, was called upon to give his opinion on the subject. He said that the remarks which had been made respecting any extreme destitution in Auckland were all bosh. There were no such eases in Auckland. If there were, then let thein be Bent to him, and they should have relief. The increase of institutions of the character proposed would be a means of increasing pauperism. Wo are very pleased to bear Mr. Graham stating that there are no cases of extreme destitution in Auckland, because tho propriety of releasing him from the superfluous office he now holds and the salary ho draws from tho Government will become at once apparent to the provincial authorities. Mr. Graham appears to object to such an institution, as a baker object to u competing shopkeeper starting next door, or on tho opposite side of the road to him. Ono charitable institution intended to afford relief to destitute persons is, according to Mr. Graham, more than is necessary ; but perhaps not quite superfluous, as it affords this most amiable gentleman a respectable annual income. The word " bosh 1 ' as applied to an institution which our most respected Bishop, assisted by a number of benevolent ladic3 and gentlemen in this city have been endeavouriug to establish, may be tho correct thing for a relieving officer to use at a public meeting, bill: it appears to us as ulTording some indication of the language Mr. Graham is likely to employ to the poor, the indigent, and the hard-up, when they apply to him for relief.

On the 15th of next month the ship Polar Star is to be sold—that is to say she is to be put up for sale by auction. From the diillculty of repairing a ship of her class in Auckland, it is not thought that Bhe will realize a very high figure, and an opportunity will therefore be presented to the Government to purchase her at a moderate figure for the purpose of having her converted into a training ship and a reformatory for boys. In previous issues of this journal we have advocated the purchase of a vessel for this purpose, and have pointed out what an immense benefit it would ultimately be to the province, and what a great difference it would mako in the future to the number of our criminals. Boys that are now 6ent to prison, and who are roaming about the streets serving an apprenticeship to crime, might be stayed in their downward cureer, and turn out honest and useful members of society. Our coasting trade is rapidly increasing, and in consequence of the scarcity of seamen, wages are high, and the vessels often badly manned. If, however, we had a reformatory of the kind we speak of, there would always be an abundant supply of youths who, having served for a time on board the training - ship, would prove a valuable acquisition to our coasting fleet. The saving to the province in the end would bo very great, although the expenditure in th-3 first instance would, doubtless, be rather heavy. We would suggest the idea to the serious consideration of the Government, and also to those philanthropic gentlemen who nre ever foremost; in a good cause.

Mr. Jolm Williamson, H.R.U., returned to Auckland last ovening, after a very successful canvassing tour in the Kaipara and Port Albert country. Mr. Williamson,after leaving Helensville, where a meeting was held, at which the candidate made a similar explanation of his views and tho reasons which induced him to come forward to that which ho had previously given at Wangarei, proceeded on the steamer Lily to Otamatea, where he met a number of electors. From thence he went to Port Albert, where lie again reiterated his views at Mr. Pluuimer's place, near tho Town XXn.Il, where he wf>s well roceived, and then returned to Otamatea, where a meeting was held, at Mr. Masefield's, which pa?sed off satisfactorily. On the Tuesday following the meeting at Port Albert, which uas held ou Friday week last, Mr. Williamsou reached Pahi, where a largo meeting was held, at which Mr. Hill presided. At all these places, and especially at Pahi, Mr. Williamson has good reason to be pleased with the reception he met with, a very general expression of opinion appearing to prevail among the settlers that their old l'riend should again resume his former post of Superintendent. Mr. Williamson's many friends and supportors will be glad to hear that ho has so far met with so much encouragement to pursue his canvass. In the course of a few days, it is his iutention to proceed lo the Waikato, and afterwards to tiie Thames and Coromandel.

A few days ago, wo referred to the fact that the clerks employed in the Customs department were puid a certain amount per hour for overtime, while clerks in the Telegraph and Post Offices received nothing extra whntever, no matter how hard they might be worked. Some of the Cuntom-house officers appear to have thought thut wo objected to their receiving extra pay for extra work, but this was by no means the case. We wrote rather with the view of pointing out the hardships of tho Post Office and Telegraph servants. It quit© true that the extra allowance made to Custom-houso clerks is not paid by the Government, but has to come out of the pockets of those upon -whose shipping business these clerks are employed. The fact however remains the same—that one class of public servants receive extra pay for extra work, while another claBS who work just as hard, and have to put in "a great deal moro overtime," as a rule, receive nothing whatever. The labourer is worthy of hishire, and one public employee is as much deserving of consideration as another. There was a very fair muster of the members of the Rifle Brigade and Cadets in tho Princes street Drill-shed last evening. Major Gordon put them through the different movements in the battalion drill, which were fairly gone through. We understand that the champion belt will be presented to Volunteer May at the parade on Monday next. The NaTal Brigade are to proceed to the Thames to-morrow night or Sunday morning. It is expected that the Thames Naval Brigade will meet them on landing, and escort them into town. They will also take part in the review to be held there on Monday, in honor of Her Majesty's Birthday. The Sir George Grey Cadets met in the Princes-street Drill-shed last evening, and were put through the skirmishing and other drills, which were creditably performed. This corps have u new head-dress, which makes them look very smart.

The second annual soiree of the Edwardesstreet Band of Hope was held last evening. About 200 persons sat down to tea, in the schoolroom, and after tea adjourned to the chapel. Tho meeting having been opened in the usual manner, and the chairman having made Bome appropriate remarks, he called upon the secretary (Mr. Blakey) to read the report, which was a highly satisfactory one. It showed that there were 344 members on the books. During the year there had been an addition of 132 names, being an increase of 78 on last year. There was a library of 450 volumes in connection with the Band of Hope and Sun-day-school, open free to all who attended the meetings. Fifty copies of the Band of Hope Treasury and a number of copies of tho Temperance Magazine were circulated monthly. As the treasurer of the Sunday-school and this society are one and the Bame, there was no financial statement to be brought forward. The meeting was addrassed upon different phases of the total abstinence question by the following gentlemen :—Revs. G. H. Turner and Waters, aud Messrs. F. Battley and Heinus. The Tonic Sol-fa Choral Union, under the leadership of Mr. French, sang several pieces of music at intervals during the speeches.

Our Waikato contemporary, iu its yesterday's issue says:—Since our last issue little calling for particular coinuieut has transpired. As we anticipated, Purukutu is said to have consented to go to loUangamutu. By Maori custom, his having been iuvited to the King's place is a guarantee on the part of Tawhiao that he shall not be harmed so long as he is able to defend him. This means that we are to allow Purukutu to go unscathed, or we are to forcibly take him from his protectors. We have every reason to believe that Rewi will not fight; rather than do so, he will retire to tho hills. He is probably the most sensible of the natives we have to deal with; he knows perfectly well that to Sght means, at no distant date, loss of position aud loss of land. Ho is perfectly well aware that wo could enter Kawhia harbour, esfnblish a fort there, seize the land in the neighbourhood, and hold it in spite of him. It i= more than probable that if it becomes necessary to move a force into the Kind's territory, that we shall find little else thaa the wind to fight.

A deputation, consisting of Colonel Nation and Messrs. W. H. Kissling and Ireland, representing the Parnell Highway Board, wuited upon his Honor tho Superintendent and the members of the Executive, yesterday morning, to represent to them the facu that the main roads in Parnell were being greatly cut up by the drays used by Messrs. O'Neill and Thomus, the contractors for the construction of tho breakwater from St. Barnabas Point to the Wynyardpier. Thedeputation pointed cut that the cost of keeping Symonds-street in repair was borne by the Provincial Government, although that street was in a Highway District. They considered it somewhat hard upon the Parnell ratepayers that they should have to pay the expense of keeping in repiv.r roads which were cut up by vehicles u.-;ed in public works. His Honor said he and the Executive would give the matter their attention, and see what could be done. The deputation having thanked the Superintendent for his courte-v, withdrew.

We take the following from the Waikato Times:—" We call the attention of the authorities to the absolute necessity of adopting some means of searching every canoe that passes up the river towards the rebel country. Every native travelling with a snag should also bo subject to have his swag searched. In the present unprotected state of our coast line, we are aware that nothing is easier than to smuggle munitions of war, yet every pound of powder and every gnu taken from the rebels will be so much gained." The same journal says :—" It is reported that Purukutu has at last consented to go to Tokangamutu. lie was expected to start from Aratetehe yesterday. If this be the case, the necessity to assert the authority of the Government by force of arms is more imminent than ever, as the ' King' has indirectly expressed his intention of defending him if he acquiesc.-s." The Wellington Independent of the 14th instant says :—As a fact throwing some light upon tho discussion going on regarding ultramural eemetries, and their probable effect upon human life, we may mention the following personal observation. A few days ago two men were employed in digging a drain from the rear of the Colonial Museum to the Corporation sewer. The stratum was stiff inarley clay, a capital deodoriser, and yet the laborers digging up the ground were obliged to keep a disinfectant beside them in the form of a bucket of chloride of lime. The only necessity for this was because a few scraps o( flesh from anatomical specimens had been buried there. A notice was yesterday posted up at the Custom-house, calling the attention of the masters of small coasting vessels to the fact that they must give twenty-four hours' notice to the Post-office authorities before sailing, in in order that mails may be advertised and made up. Of course the notice only applies to those places to which mails are sent, as there are many places visited by coasters which have neither post-offices nor population. It would be well, therefore, for masters to get from the Custom-house a list of places to which mails are forwarded, in order that they may not commit a breach of the Customs and Postal Regulations. A Wellington journal thinks there must be plenty of pheasants in the province of Auckland. Every steamer that arrives in Wellington from the North brings a quantity of dead birds of beautiful plumage, which it seems absolutely a pity to kill. On the previous trip of the Taranaki near;? every passenger was loaded with either du.-ffs or pheasants, and yesterday there were plenty of dead pheasants to be seen about the vessel. It seems rather anomalous that, while at one end of the colony the acclimatisation societies are doing all they can to introduce patridges and pheasants, the latter are slaughtered in such an indiscriminate manner at the other.

xVs a specimen of telegraphy of the agent of the New Zealand Press Association, and what he asks us to pay for, we give the following, received at our office last night :— " Auckland : Waikato affairs darkening. Well informed Maoris and others express general opinion that building fortifications on each side means war, and that ere long the first hostile shot will be fired on Maori side. Press unanimously demand seizure of Kawhia, as material guarantee for surrender of murderers, and to form base operations in event war.' The Otago Education Board has instructed schoolmasters to discontinue Collins' progressive lesson 3 for advanced readers in the History of the British Empire, and White's History of the British Empire, and White's History of Great Britain and Ireland ; they being offensive to Roman Catholics. Schoolmasters are also to inform parents that the attendance of children during the reading of the Bible is optional. A Wellington exchange Bays:—Soma few days ago we received a telegraphic notice of the departure of H.M.S. Rosario from Auckland to Wellington. It is probable that bb the Rosario has been so long in putting in an appearance, that she has gone on a cruise for the purpose of employing the time between this and the opening of Parliament in some more active or beneficial manner than lying idle for so long a period as Bix weeks. Two heifers, one and two years old, of the Bates blood, bred out of Mr. R. Morton's Mount t'errimut (Victoria) herd, were sold lutely in Sydney for the enormous sum of £1250, the highest price ever realised for colonial-bred cattle. Mr. Morton refused £600 for a fifteen months'-old bull. The above cattle are by the imported bull Duke of Brunswick. His Honor the Superintendent will present the prizes to the successful pupils of the Auckland College and Grammar School, to-day at 2.30 p.m., at the Choral Hall, Symondsstreet. The Thames is not the only district in the colony that can boast of the residence within it of a Waterloo veteran. The Timaru Herald suys that Captain Macdonold, of Christcliureh, fought at Waterloo in the ItiQe Brigade.

The plan. 3 for laying out the City Park lately sent it' to the City Council, present a curious study. They are arranged around the Council Chaml/'sr, and on first entering the room the beholder is struck with the idea that the paintings befi'-e him are intended to represent so many a,"hnapper3 with the heads struck off, while to others of a more imaginative turn of mind the}" bear the appearance of a number of green coffins. Taking them altogether, they are of a most extraordinary character, many of x'hem appearing to belaid out altogether witL 1 a view to eifc;! and without the most remot - reference to the nature of the ground. In so. me the walks are laid out in angles, acute and <. 'btuse, while in others nothing but curves meet the eye. One in particular appears to havo been wholly laid out by the aid of compm. " 5e3 . for it consists of nothing but ovals av '<1 circles. How such walks could be construett d on such uneven ground, it is difficult to .see; but no doubt the gentlemen who penned this pretty work of art will be enabled to enlighten the committee upon thi3 In some of the plans all the water on the ground seems confined to a thin streak of blue, while in others extensive lakes s."e shown. Having carefully inspected tho whole of the plans, we have a decided, opinion of our own as to which is the best ? but as the matter has been referred to a committee, it would not be fair to express that opinion. Probably the matter will be settled at the nest meeting of the Council.

His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston was engaged the whole of yesterday with bankruptcy business. There were two eases of considerable importance brought before the Court. One was that of Alexander Mucdonnell of Kumea, and for some time connected with the Eaipara railway works. Mr. Whitaker opposed the discharge of the bankrupt; and Mr. Reee, on behalf of the bankrupt, applied for leave to amend his schedule. Leave was given, by consent. The second was an application, by 'Xhomaß Craig, for an order to compel J. S. Macfarlane to render an account of his dealings (as assignee) -with Craij's estate His Honor considered the application should be made in banco. This motion is likely to be the commencement of a new development of litigation in the matters between Harris Macfarlane and Craig. The introductory lecture of the winter course delivered before the Young Men's Christian Association, will be given this evening in the Booms, Wellesley-street, at 7.C0 o'clock, by the President of the Association (the Yen. Arch. Mauneell, LL.D.), on " The Gentleman." Hen's notions of what constitutes " the <*entleman," and true gentlemanliness, have somewhat altered since the Prince Regent— one of those Georges whose social virtues Thackeray loved to limn —was regarded as " the first gentleman iu Europe." To-day, as of old, the question awaits solution, — " When Adam delved and Eve span, "Who was tlien the gentleman ?" And we presume it is the intention of the worthy Dr. to throw some light upon it. Our Onehungn correspondent writes :—The Railway Terminus Hotel at this place—which, though the licence fee has been paid for twn years, has never yet been opened for business —has lately been leased from the proprietor, Mr. John Lundon, by Mr. Sullivan of Auckland, who is now finishing the internal fittings in first-rate Btyle, and intends opening the house iu a few days. The near approach of the opening of the railway, afLer so many delays, as well as the commencement of the Mangere bridge, gives a good prospect of success for this hotel, which, from its close proximity lo the railway-station, will be very necessary for public convenience. If the Government (writes the Waugan'ti Chronicle) has to declare war against the King, there must be no moro fatal mistakes as to friendly natives, who should be warned the.' if they want to keep snfe they must not tre? pass within the boundaries of the disnffectei districts on pain of being trented rebels. It is a firce to warn quasi frieudlies, who will quietly either allow themselves aud their gu: - and ammunition to full an easy prey to the rebels, or give the latter timely intimation of our movements, so that they may be rendered ineffective. We are informed by the Thames Adverlisir that Mr. Puekey left for Ohinemuri, pn suinedly for the purpose of endeavouring so to arrange that Mr. Alley's cattle shall be permitted to pass through Ohinemuri from Waiharakeke to Hikutaia. The Thames tribes were so angry at cattle having been pub upon what they consider their land, without their consent, that they were inclined, at first, t > insist upon them being driven over to YVnikato; but probably Mr. Puekey will be abl-.; to induce the natives to allow them to bo brought down the Thames. There was a numerous attendance last evening at the Carandiui concerts. As uiual, the programme was very attractive, comprising selections from " William Tell," Mendelssohn, Arditi, Otl'eubach, Bellini, Auber, Blumenthu . Wallace, and Yerdi. The usual number ot ballads were sung by Madame Carandini, Mi*.Rosina an:l Miss Fanme Carandini, and Mr. Gordon. Miss Fannie takes her benefit this evening, for which accasion there is a 3pecb! programme. Tho adjourned meeting of the Board of Education was held yesterJ.ay afternoon, at the office of the Board, Wyndham-street, for the purpose of bringing up arrears of business A very long paper was got through in s comparatively short time, which amply testifies that the Board is iu thorough earnest, ana means business. A summarised report of the proceedings will be found, elsewhere. The new Masonic Hall in Queen-street, Grahamstown, has been handed over by ti.e contractor, and aotire measures are now iu progress for the internal fittings. A nei-.t iron railing is also to be immediately erected iu front, with a view of preventing the ffii;chierous boys who have recently b ei n practising on the front from further defacing the building.

We hear that tiie owners of tho steams Lalla Rookh have received an offer from tie Waikato Transit Company lor the purelia;t! of that vessel. The .Rookh has bei:n long, well, and favourably known on tfct" Thames and Coromandel trude, and is respects admirably adapted for the purposes of the Waikato Transit Company. A resident at Ross, Westlnnd, upon being sued by the Ross Cricket Club for the detention of a ball which had teen hit over hi' fencc, and which he (or rather bis wife) refused to restore, was ordered to pay 15s ani costs in default of restoration. . Mr. T. Kirk's name waa emitted from the newly-elected Council of the Auckland Institute in our report of the annual meeiing. We are authorised also to state, that the fifth Yolume of tfio transactions will be published before the end of the present week. The revising officer was engaged yesterday upon the roll for Auckland City (West). Ihe objections were tho samo in character s= those taken the previous day in the revision of the roll for the City East, and were, Kit' 1 one or two exceptions, allowed. One drunkard, two men for assault, two women for vagrancy, and a poor htt <. neglected child, were inmates of the lock-up last night. Pheasants are bo scarce in the Wanganui district this year that a very few brace have been shot. The great scarcity of bhese bird* in the district is said to be a mystery. Messrs. Grant and Morton will sell the household furniture, ire., of Mr. J- Sceats, at the residence, Symonis-stroot,, to-day, at .u a.m.—[Ai>VX.J The whole of tho windows of a cottage m Timaru were destroyed bj larrikins one dar last week ; and the ropes used for marking o-L the racecourse were also, stolen. The Lyttelton Times, speaking of the large receipts from land sales, pathetically " the question is—what are vre to do with »" this money ?" A Rob Roy canoe built at Timaru is eo structed that- it can live ia tbs oneu sea in weathers.

several ladies of Dunedin have recently f »d themselves into an association for the 1 nurpo'e of founding a home for those „,»n who have fallen from the path 3 of Those who are in the habit of visiting r hospitals, or know anything of the work °f the city missionaries or the lady bibleder wili be impressed with the necessity of -'ch a'n institution. The good impression left the mind by the exhortation or advice of °, n missionary "or others, loses its effect from . , ut f cr hopelessness of their position, unless me refuge be otfered them. Money is being 6 ;i?eU'd for the purpose of founding such a where these women will be helped to -aire such habits as will fit them for a better S 'ode 01 life- The ladies have decided for the K e=ent t0 rcnt a ' 10u;e > nnc * secure the services *1' a matron., but they hope soon to be in a Motion to build. One gentleman has liberally Vered to present the society with an acre of ?• ud f° r purpose, but it is feared the districe fr° m town will compel them to forego oiler; it may be suggestive, however, to some who have land ro spare in the Et>r e immediate suburbs.

p. appears from the Bathurst (N.S.W.) eavers that the remarkable child now exliititin? in that city is named James Thomas {Trench, that he is a native of the Wallaby Turon River, is four years of age, and Tiai born without arms and but one leg. It is added that lie is a remarkably intelligent chili'»and has risen superior to his, apparently, unfortunate position, and performs wonders w it'' the only limb bestowed upon him by a fruDil nature". He feeds himself with his toes, writes, draws, cracks a whip, and seems in no to feel lus deprivKtion.

The instructive scries of pictures iliustrathe celebrated places o! early Christian I'-Tory (Palestine), were exhibited last evenrs in the school-room of the Presbyterian Su'.dav-sehool, P.trnell. There was a large sUendance of children and their friends, and the exhibition appeared to afford great delight to the little folks. Four sawmill; are about to be started in the Logwood ranges—three by Invereargil'i firms, a-cUlie fourth" by Messrs. Guthrie and Asher, of Dunedin. lhe TMUI'-a Times considers Mr. Partes' 6C 5 01-e for a San Francisco mail service, taking i; all in all, to be both practicable and in the | Mia advantageous. It will be satisfactory for consumers to lc"'n that at last a considerable reduction has taii-u place i:i ihe price of coal. In our adTenisini: columns it will be seen that Mr. J. Craig is'delivering coal at AOs per ton. It wili be seen from our advertising columns that the Review of the Volunteers will take place on Monday instead of to-morrow, as wis at first arranged. A meeting of the Onehunga market gardeners will be Leld at the Victoria Hotel tomorrow. A call of o:.e penny per share has been cade in the Number One Gold Mining Compa'jy" '