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New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4270, 21 July 1875, Page 2

A special meeting of the City Council will be held this afternoon, for the purpose of considering tenders for street tramways. Another matter will also be brought forward, namely, the proposed alterations to the Corporation Bill, to be embodied in the Corporation Amendment Act. For the information of those who take an interest in the same, we may state that the meetings of the City Council are always open to the admission of ratepayers.

By the last English mail we have been put in possession of a recently published work styled " An Epitome of Therapeutics," by W. Domett Stone, M.D.F.R.S., physician to the Westminster General Dispensary, London. This work gives a comprehensive summary of the treatment of diseases as recommended by the British, American, and continental physicians. The object of the writer, it appears to us, is to set forth in as concise a form as possible, the opinions of the leading physicians in Great Britain, America, and the Continent of Europe on the treatment of the various diseases incidental to the human frame. The utility of such a work must be evident to every practitioner, more especially to those who may from unforeseen circumstances be prevented from consulting -with others. The opinions and practice of the best medical authorities will be found in a small compass arranged alphabetically, which may be the means of giving practitioners confidence, if in unison with their own mode of treatment, or direct their efforts should they deem it necessary to alter the plan they have originally adopted. We were much pleased to notice among the names of the medical authorities frequently cited in many important diseases, a gentlemen well-known in Auckland, —Dr. Edward Ellis, of Parnell, the author of a popular and widely circulated work, entitled, "A Practical Treatise on the Diseases of Children." In justice to Dr. W. D. Stone, we are free to confess that his book on therapeutics will be found among the most useful works on this subject that has yet appeared in the Southern HemisX^here.

By the barque Union we are in receipt of additional Australian news. Melbourne : The Rev. Cuthbert Featherstonhaugh has abandoned his intention of starting a Bushman's Club in Melbourne on account of the insufficiency of shares subscribed. It is stated that the Government will refuse aid to all sectarian orphanages after 30th September next. The Supreme Court quashed the appeal in the Bourke-street bettinghouse cases. Pleuro is stated to have broken out amongst the cows, rendering the milk impure. A man and a boy were drowned in a quarry water-hole to day at Brunswick, under peculiar circumstances. The boy ran into the water up to his armpits to escape a beating, and a man followed to bring the boy out, when both disappeared under the water and were not seen again. One body has been recovered. The field officers of the Volunteers have adopted the report of the sub-committee, that that force, as at present constituted, is totally inefficient against foreign aggression, there are no sufficient means of checking insubordination, and the present system of promotion is based on wrong principles, and concurs in the recommendation of the Commandant, that land forces should be composed of a body of men raised on the principles of a militia. The Victorian Humane Society have recommended a reward to Mr. William Campbell Thompson, third officer of the City of Adelaide, for rescuing Thomas Morris at sea. The revenue of the Victorian Railways for the past fifty-two weeks amounts to £350,000. The Navigation Board found that the schooner Don was lost through an error of judgment on the part of the master in not anchoring, and suspended his certificate for three months. An illicit still, in full working order, was discovered by the police at Richmond.

The water of the springs at Waiwera, which has been proved to possess remarkable curative properties, has been subjected to analysis at the Provincial laboratory, with the following result :—'« Provincial Laboratory Auckland, July 19, 1875. Sir,—The following is my report on the water forwarded by you from the Waiwerawera Hot Springs - The water is perfectly clear and colourless' is without odour, but has a decidedly saline taste. Analysis : Chloride of sodium (grains per gallon), 123.82; ditto calcium, 7.10 • ditto magnesium, 1.36; carbonate of calcium, 1.60 ; ditto magnesium, .22 ; ditto iron phosphates 43; silica, 1.61. Total saline matter, 135.94."

«, J 'r. T ; en ', Inspector of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, announces in another column that the Auckland Branch of this Bank is now opened for general business. The premises are very conveniently situated being those lately occupied by the Rational Bank, and next to the New Zealand Insurance Buildings, Queen-street. The directors of "The Colonial" have selected an e X? elient officer to manage their branch m this city in the person of Mr. Warren wht 4° r i* "J*?!** °i y ears connected with i e u?^ k of New Zealand. We haveTno doubt that that gentleman will soon make &£S£ lB " ,U AUC H- d * '-curt

We understand that a netition to the General Assembly is in courae of circulation praying, that hotels may be opened byfe on bundays, from one to three o'clock the afternoon, and from seven to ten ft

We cannot refrain from quoting a paragraph from Canon Barry's admirable and learned dissertation on " Rest; What is it ?> And Canon Barry offers us valuable information and thoughtful speculation; and we are sure that the following passage will prove welcome to many readers : —There can be few greater mistakes than the comparatively common delusion of supposing that hard physical exertion is necessarily a relief from mental strain. The sheer idleness of u watering place is not altogether a mistake for those who require rest, and many hard workers would do well to take example from the rustic, whose idea of a holiday was "to lay up his legs, and think of nothing at all." This may involve a humiliating confession oi weakness, but undoubtedly it is true. Inaction is a needful part of rest, though of course it is not the whole of rest. As soon as it becomes dulness it ceases to refresh, and this is a sign that the other elements of rest, ■which we have to consider hereafter, ought to come into play. But still it has its place, and that place must be pleaded for in days like our own, which are eager for amusement, but singularly impatient of repose. Many a man has broken down, not because he sought no rest, but because he did not recognise this, which is its simplest, its lowest, its most obvious element. Children feel the want of it hardly at all, simply because they have it in larger measure in sounder and longer sleep. Even in youth and early manhood, when the spring of activity seems inexhaustible, and when it is still largely replenished by sleep, the want may not be keenly felt. But men who are brain-workers seldom take or can take the sleep of childhood or boyhood. Therefore they need more of the inaction of waking hours, which in its measure is at least a3 needful and as sweet. The '' delicious idleness" of the first days of a holiday is the reward of obedience to an imperative command of nature. Men accuse our English holidnys of dulness, following the old chronicler who Baid that "to take pleasure sadly is the custom of our nation ;" and delight to contrast it with the brightness and gaiety of. a Continental fete-day. But up to a certain limit, it may be doubted whether some mere inaction is not good for a nation of very hard workers, such as ours undoubtedly is. Some greater brightness and variety of amusement we may well have, but we must not fly to the other extreme, and drive quietness out. It seems only rational, on reflection, that a different manner and degree of work should necessitate a variation in the manner of rest. Canon Barry's theory is worth remembering and acting upon.

A very capital paper in the February number of "Blackwood" informs us (say 3 the Otago Daily Times) how the financial difficulties of paying the French indemnity to the authorities of Berlin have been successfully met. When we remember the gloomy forebodings of the disaster sure to accompany such a work, the financial disturbances likely to arise in consequence all over the world, it is satisfactory to find that the "work has been accomplished without having seriously incommoded the European money market in any way. The resources of commerce have been found amply sufficient, though the curious thing is that none realised how gigantic they really were. The entire loss to France from that war which resulted in her conquest amounted to just over four hundred millions sterling. One-half of this enormous sum has been paid to Berlin directly since the establishment of peace. The other half was caused indirectly by requisitions, loss of profits consequent on diminution of trade, and extra expense in fitting her own troops. As over all great monetary transactions there hangs a certain cloud of doubtfulness, a mist not easily dispelled by the unlearned lay mind, so in thi ■; there are points still left in a judicious hazu. Tbe general result, however, may be set down pretty much as above. The many curious facts elucidated during the negotiation of this huge transfer are well worthy of exact study. For example, we learn frcn reliable sources that the stock of gold has increased in the Christian world in the last quarter of a century by three hundred and seventy millions, while that of silver has diminished by fifty-seven millions. Again, very interesting data are given by which to calculate the annual savings of some of the great European nations. France, for instance, is understood to haveb:eu saving some eighty millions per annum before the war, and about the same stilL Agair. it gives us a new notion of the way in which bills have taken the place of bullion, .when we find that out of two hundred millions paid over to Germany since the war, no less than one hundred and seventy millions wjre paid in biL's, and only one-sixth of the sum in bullion. It is impossible not be struck with astonishment at the ease with which this huge sum has been transferred from one country to another. A very few ago it would have been simply impossible, without disarranging all the money markets in Europe, to effect so gigantic an operation. Xow it has been done without the commercial world realising what was going on at all, or suffering in the smallest particular.

Among the lovers of the legitimate drama in this city (says the Tasmanian Tribune) is a young man who desires to see the works of the great bard represented to the very letter, and as he is the "property man" of an association established for the very laudable purpose of improving the intellect by giving select readings from the works of the great dramatists, he is sometimes greatly puzzled as to how he shall be able to provide the " property," in order that the representation shall, as far as possible, partake of a living reality. A few evening 3 ago, it was resolved to rehearse the fifth scene from " Hamlet." The characters were accordingly cast, and the "property man," at the last moment, was sorely exercised as to where he should obtain a skull. The museum was closed, and even if Mr. Robin were knocked up, he would be too careful a custodian to lend such a rarity. The "property man"' had almost given up in despair when—happy thought—in the absence of a real skull, would not a sheep's head do ? He appealed to the "first grave-digger," and that functionary agreed with his coadjutor that the suggestion was one that did credit to the inventive genius of the "property man." Away bounded the latter, and before manv minutes had elapsed, returned with the sheep s head neatly tied up from the gaze oi vulgar eyes. This was handed over to the "grave-digger," and the representation proceeded, and the dialogue between the youthful Hamlet and the grave-digger had passed off successfully, but at that part where the Prince takes up the skull (sheep's head) there was a slight sensation among the small audience. The players, however, were firm, and Hamlet, addressing the skull, proceeded: " Ala 3, poor Yorick! I knew him Horatio : a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy : he hath borne me on it j a thousa nd times; and now how abhorred in my imagination it is ! Here hung those lips that 1 have kissed I know not how oft." At the recital of this last sentence the first grave-digger could no longer contain himself, and roared in laughter in the Prince's face. The latter, indignant, j,™ * ne very whirlwind of his passion, the skull down at the former's feet A ?.*r s mon ient, a large Newfoundland dog, which may often be seen in the vicinity of the Commercial Bank, and who had been a silent spectator of the execution of the tragedy, rushed in and seized the skull, then exit poor dog, poor Yorick's skull, and the property man" in close pursuit.

\\ e pray that it be not heard in Gatb, nor published m the streets of Ascalon, that on the 29th day of June, in the year of grace one thousand eight hundred and seventy-tive, His Kxcellency the Governor, on behalf of tier Majesty, in an address to " our trusty and loving subjects," appointed no less than Joi Justices of the Peace in. our colour of iNew Zealand and its dependencies, " for'the punishment of offenders, the preservation of the peace, and for the general rule, welfare, and good government of our people," numbering about 300,000— say, one Justice to about 314 men. Now, says the Ota-fi ■Oady Times, either the Justices must be very weak, or the papulation very wild, to require such an appalling proportion.

ITlie Oil.l fellows arc a formidable body, says an Entrlisb exchange,—more than half a I million of compactly organised men, with an 1 income exceeding £000,000, and a funded capital of nearly four millions ! They are an orderly, prudent, loyal, and sensible set of Kn<*lish working men, whose prosperous Un?tv, based on sound calculations, is an irrefutable argument on the side of those who contend that England will not degenerate under a suffrage that gives a vote to every settled member"of the wage-class. He who wishes to understand how the people can manage their own concerns now-a-days should read the reports of the A.M.C. at Newport. He will find in them evidences of forethought, of attention to the teachings of the doctrine of averages (which the early benefit societies "to their cost), of kindly feeling towards the unfortunate—of an all-pervading brotherly sentiment honourable to the body, and to the community of which they are a part. Sir Stafford Xorthcote, in his speech, said of the Manchester Unity that it occupied somewhat the same position in the country as the English navy did amongst the navies of the world. He held that it was " a source of just pride to the country," and, which is more important, the right honorable gentleman, adverting to the Friendly Societies [till now before Parliament, hinted that the Unity :md the other important Friendly Societies of the United Kingdom would find their suggestions for the perfection of the measure carefully attended to. Sir Stafford concluded by saying that he believed the selfgoverned friondly societies were cultivating

a spirit of independence and providence of the greatest value to Englishmen, and whilst he was prepared on behalf of his colleagues, andirirteed of Parliament, to say that they .SKfuld do all they could to forward without impeding the action of friendly societies, yet they put their main trust in the good sense and good heart of the people of England. The following passage from " West End Kotes." in I.ondun Socittii, will be appreciated by many of our readers :—" The present age may be thereafter recollected as the age of amateurs —that is, of the competition of those who do a thing occasionally with those who do the same thing regularly. Not a very logical definition, it will be said ; but amateurship is a difficult thing to define with nice precision. The real inferiority—the gap that always lies open between the amateur and the t regu!ar—is the fact of the lirst not being enrolled in the ranks, of his not serving with" the main body T ; and thus he is not inspired with the esprit il; corpt, or the traditions and spirit of discipline. This herd of unlicensed auxiliaries darkens the horizon : actors, painters, musicians, and even shopkeepers. The amateur affects to do everything. They, of all the human race, are the most ready to rush in where angels fear to tread. Mr. Ruskin, or, better still, Mr. Carlyle, could write a scathing essay on this class", which could certainly be brought under the great category of sham*. Its utter weakness was never so favourably exhibited as at ihe last and final International Exhibition, when some officers who had a taste for the : arts, bethought them of exhibiting their talents. The result was the most extra- ; ordinary collection of weak performances— I more pretentious than, but scarcely superior : to, the show of young ladies' works on a ' parents' day' at a fashionable boardingschool.'' A serious conflagration, involving the destruction of property to the value (nominally) of £110,000, recently occurred in Dunedin. but was unrecorded by the Press ■■ Telegram Agency. The Otago Times of the ; lGth supplies the following particulars : — Yesterday forenoon, a group of persons mayhave been observed on the reclaimed ground at the back of the distillery, gathered round I a bonfire. A nearer inspection disclosed the ; fact that certain Corporation officials were replenishin" the fire with bundles of papers. Superintending this .operation were his Worship the Mayor and a representative of the Bank of New Zealand. The papers thus ; being destroyed proved to be Corporation : Waterworks bonds, representing a total ! amount of CI 10,000. The bonds had the j interest coupons attached, and were duly ■ signed and stamped. Some informality in i their preparation had led to an arrangement between the Bank of New Zealand and the ! Corporation that the bonds should be cancelled and fresh ones issued. Hence the , conflagration. One official, who was putting I about £i! 0,000 on the fire at a time, looked ; as it he thought it rather hard lines that : noue of these good Dunedin Corporation bonds should be coming his way. The'" baby killer," a graphic account of whose case we republished last week from ' the Iloint X'fs has had her sentence comf muted to penal servitude for life. The • prisoner is only a little over CO years old, [ and her education in every respect appears t to have been entirely neglected, and she can e neither write nor read, and so far as religion t is concerned, she appears to be utterly igI norant of the subject. In fact, the Rev. Mr. | Jones, the ordinary of Newgate, who has been | most kind and attentive to ihe unhappy j' prisoner, states that he had to deal with her r in reference to this subject just the same as ;. he would with a ehild, as the wretched woman appears to be utterly ignorant of the '■ simplest truths of religion. She appears to ■ be utterly witless and simple, and she has ; stated that she was in such a state of misery 1 and desperation at the time that she cannot i recollect the actual circumstances under which the child got into the canal. Since her conviction the prisoner has been visited by her two brothers and her father and her sister. Amongst the cargo of the Star of the South from Levuka, is three bales of Fijian tobacco. Concerning this produce, the Fiji Timt-t has the following : —" A very fine lot of tobacco leaf was brought in from Nadroga last week, for shipment to New Zealand. It is in splendid condition, and could be manufactured into first-class cigars or tobacco. It is probable it will lind a quick market in Auckland where, if not bought for making up, it will fetch a good figure for sheepwash. About ten tons will leave per Star of the South." A later issue of the same journal states that some tobacco leaf was sold in Levuka at Sd per lb., equal to £75 per ton. The purchaser intended to manufacture the leaf into cigars, and spoke in very high terms of its quality. He said that the cigars he made for his own consumption alone were to him preferable to Havannah. The first efforts in the cultivation of the plant in the Fijian group have been universally successful, and it promises to become one of the colony's most remunerative products. The performance at the Prince of Wales Xheatre last evening was a great improvement on that of the night before. It was in every sense legitimate. The first piece was "Black-eyed Susan," Miss Rosalie as William and Miss Heloise as Susan ; Mr. J. \V. Collier as Doggra«s. There was a "double hornpipe," well executed by the two sisters. But a very creditable performance was the rendering of the two last acts of " The Corsican Brothers," Mr. C. Hall in the double role of Fabien and Louis Franci, Mr. Collier as Chateau-Renaud. The duel scene was particularly effective, and the curtain fell amidst loud applause. To-night the Scotch drama of " Rob Roy" will be produced. A private telegram informs us that Mr. and Mrs. Darrell opened at Dunedin with " Romeo and Juliet" to a crowded house and a brilliant circle, and were so successful as to receive a call for each act. The meetings of the ratepayers of the Lake and. East Tamaki Highway Districts will be held to-day,—the former in the school-room, at 1 p.m., and the latter in the Otara schoolhouse, at 3.30 p.m. A meeting of the Auckland shareholders of the Albion Coal Company will be held at the ofhee of Messrs. Beetham and Lowe, Queenstreet, to-day, at 3 p.m. The quarterly meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce will be held to-mor-row afternoon. ? riuce of Wales Lodge of Instruction, X«o. 1338, E.C., will meet this evening and every other Wednesday evening. .Thf lease of the Golden Crown Brewerj ■will be sold by Messrs. S. Cochrane and Son on the 29th instant.