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New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4395, 14 December 1875, Page 2

At the City Council meeting held yesterday, a letter received by last mail from an old Councillor (Mr. Henry Isaacs) was read. The letter contained some information regarding the manner in which streets and footpaths were now generally paved in London. With regard to the former, Mr. Isaacs stated that stone paving was giving way to wood. In describing the manner iu which such was laid, he writes :—" First is laid an even bed of shingle, united with cement, about four to eix inches thick ; this forms a solid aud apparently lasting foundation. On this comes a layer of battens, laid close to each other, well tarred, with another layer trausversed, also well tarred, whioh forms then au even aud solid facing for the wood blocks. These latter are about the usual size of the stones previously laid. The blocks likewise aro well tarred, and placed about an inch apart, or perhaps an inch and a-half. The divisions so left are well filled with tine gravel, and rammed in very tight with a long iron, after the fashion of ship's caulking. Until the road has ouc even and smooth surface, the fine gravel is also mixed with tar before it is rammed. It is stated that this forms one of tlio most comfortable and best wearing roads in London." lload asphalting is described by Mr. Isaacs as being very hard and good, but being the secret of a French linn, he could say nothing of its preparation. The process of laying is, however, of tho ordinary kind.

A numerously-attended meeting of sons of old colonists was held last evening at the Masonic Hotel, tho object being to endeavour to obtain a grant of land upon similar terms to those under which the Katikati settlers obtained theirs. A great deal of discussion took place with reference to the terms of residence constituting an old colonist. It was tiually determined that 25 years should be thu limit to be submitted to the Superintendent. A number of old colonists' sons residing at the Thames intimated by letter that they had also taken up the movement, and wished to co-operate. This was agreed upon, and a delegate appointed to attend the meeting to bo held this evening at the Thames to report the resolutions carried at this meeting. A committee was elected to consider tho terms upon which the sons of old colonists based their claims, and to bring up their report at a future meeting to be convened by advertisement, when a deputation will be elected to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent for the purpose of laying before him their claim.

The well-known drama entitled "Blow for Blow" was produced last evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre, with great success. Miss Carry George, as Mildred Craddock and Alice Pctherick; Mr. Lawrence, as Mordaunt ; Miss Jennie Nye, as Lady Liudon ; Mr. C. Searlc, as Dr. Grace; Mr. Collier gave an excellent representation of John Drummond. Tho whole of the performance was very good. Mr. Sam Poole's benelit is announced for Friday. This actor has undeniable claims upon the playgoing public. He is one of tho ablest low comedians that has visited Auckland, and has helped to sustain the theatre during three managements.

An inquest was held yesterday, at the Orphan Uome, Parnell, on the body of a l»d named Charles Lyell, found drowned. The jury returned an open verdict, in accordance with the evidence. The deceased met his death in Judge's Bay, as detailed in the published accounts, and in the evidence before the Coroner. The jury added a rider to their verdict, to the effect that this part of the beach is most dangerous for young persons bathing, and expressed an opinion that parents and guardians should not allow children in their care to visit that part of the beach alone. The evidenco will be found in another column.

The ordinary bi-monthly sitting of the District Court was held yesterday. There were several cases of interest set down for hearing, but most of them were adjourned to next Court-day. The only defended case was that of Murphy v. O'Neill, the details of which were somewhat intricate. The particulars are reported in another column. In the case of Brooking v. Ellis, the arbitrator gave the full amount sued for by the plaintiff, £45 15s, with costs of the reference, j£6 8s Gd. The Court gave judgment for plaintiff for £52 3s 6d, with costs £5 93 6d. The Court, at its rising, adjourned to Thursday next.

The matter of street tram ivays was again brought up at the City Council, at their meeting yesterday afternoon. The Council objected to the clause setting down the fares at ono penny per mile, and substituted threepence per journey instead. With this exception the Tramway Committee's report wae adopted.

Boots for the firemen ! Such was the decision of the City Council at their meeting yesterday; and the firemen are now to bo provided with " understandings" in which to attend fires. There is a limit, however, te everything, and the coet of "shoeing" the wholo brigade is not to exceed £30.

Mr. , Christopher Greenway appeared at the Police Court yesterday morning to answer six charges of breaches of the City By-laws, by allowing premises owned by him in different parts of the city to remain in a filthy and disgraceful condition. These oases, it will be remembered, were postponedtronr last week in order to allow Mr. Greenway time to have the nuisances complained of removed, no desire being felt to press that gentleman unduly. In the interval, how-" ever, the only action taken by the defendant was to order Mr. Faulder, the contractor for the removal of night-soil, to take away a small portion of the contents of one or two of the worst of the closets from which the filth referred to had its source. On the Inspector of Nuisances making a visit to ascertain if the places had been cleansed, he found them in as bad a condition as ever. Mr. Greenway was fined £5 and costs in each case. The whole sum footing up to the nice little amount o£ £40 ss. This punishment we earnestly trust will have the long-desired effect of inducing him to keep his properties in as clean a state as possible ; and we hope that his name, which we have had so frequently to chronicle in connection with this class of offence, wilt no more appear in our Police reports. We yesterday perused a document written by Dr. Stockwcll in 1572, giving a report of a visit which he paid hi that year to Mr. Greenway's premises, and which he then described as reeking with filth and effluvia—a constant source of danger to the health of the residents in the immediate neighbourhood. Mr. Greenway left the Court with the statement that he should raise the rents of all his tenants to Is more per week than he was at present receiving, to make up for the amount which he was out of pocket, by his own niggardliness in not at once putting a stop to the constantlyrecurring filthiness in which his premises a'ro allowed to remain. Mr. J. B. Russell stated in Court that all persons giving information of premises being kept in a foul state would confer a great obligation upon the city authorities, who would at once take action in the matter. The most inviolable secrecy, if desired, would be observed as to the names of the informants, and they would not be asked to give evidence against their will in the cases which they might bring under the notice of the Corporation. We are truly glad to see such energetic action being taken by the Corporate authorities in this matter, and consider that Mr. Goldie, the Inspector of Nuisances, deserves the thanks of all who desire to preserve the health of the inhabitants of the city ; and we earnestly trust that this question of the sanitary state of the city, which we have again brought under the notice of our readers, will receive due attention at their hands, and that, on the next occasion we refer to this subject it may be to compliment, and not to read a lesson to the citizens of Auckland.

We understand that the basis of an arrangement has been come to between the gentlemen acting for the parties interested in reference to the Bright Smile plant and claim. Mr. l'owe, who has been in to\\a since Friday, in connection with this matter, has been untiring in his efforts to effect an arrangement. The agreement is that the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company ■« 11 . sell, to an association, the pumping plant, shaft, and winding gear, for £7000, reserving right to access to mine by the shaft, and to winding, at a fixed price ; and the creditors guarantee that they will take over the balance of the property for the balance of the debt, being £7000 or thereabouts, besides taking an equitable share in the Pumping Associ-ation—one-third, if necessary—the use of the puuried water to be reserved for the Bright Kmile mine. The Bright Smile, the City of London, and the Queen of Beauty will form a pumping association, which will levy contributions for drainage from the surrounding mines. Experience has shewn that this is a somewhat difficult thing to do, but if the present Act is inadequate, we hope that an amendment will be obtained in. the next session. We presume that at soon as the above agreement is ratilied, the pumps wi'l be started ; and that when the water which has accumulated has been cleared away, which cannot be till after the holidays, work will then bo resumed on the lower levels of all the mines. This will materially increase the yield of gold from the Thames, and we hope will be the commencement of permanent prosperity for the district.

A meeting of the Council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held 011 the 7th inst. A report from the manager was read, shewing the streams into which trout had beeii liberated during the present season. 7 The total amounted to 9700. The manager reported that there were still about 10,000 young iisli in the hatching boxes. He also reported that he had sent away trout eggs in the following lots : —Popotunoa, 1000 ; Benmoi'e, 1500; Queenstown, 1000; Wanaka, 000; Greymouth, li-'OO ; Timaru, 10C0; and Auckland, 1000 : total, 7SOO. There was laid before the meeting a well-executed photograph, by Messrs. Burton Brothers'' of the large salmon-trout which was recently caught in Otago Harbour. The •freight cf the fish "was 10 J lbs., its length was 2G inches, and its girth 19J. A very interesting report upon the contents of the fish's stomach, by Dr. Milieu Coughtrey, Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in the University, was read. It was resolved that an effort be made by the society to procure, within the next few months, from America, the eggs of the East Coast salmon, as well as some some of the most valuable lake h'sh, and with that object that a sum of £100 be forwarded to the United States Commissioner of Fisheries, with a request that he should endeavour to send a consignment of these eggs to the society. The chairman was requested to communicate with the Salmon Commissioners of Tasmania, with the view of ascertaining what facilities would be granted to the society for obtaining salmon trout, and for examining the branches of the Derwent during the ensuing winter for salmon. It was resolved that hie Honor the Superintendent be requested to reserve from sale fcho the road lines along the banks of streams which are suited for angling.

A meeting of the Interproviueial Chess Match Committee took place yesterday afternoon, at the office of Mr. .Takius, to consider the reply received from Dunedin (the purport of which appeared in our columns yesterday). It was agreed, after some discussion, to concede to JJunedin the proposal to reduce the number of competitors from fifteen to nine. A ballot was then taken for the selection of the players, which resulted in the following names being chosen: — Messrs. Brodie, Heather, Jakins, Lusk, Morton, Nixon, Rice, Stewart, and Williams. The match will probably take place early in January.

The following paragraph appears in the New Zealand Times: —"At the Thames recently, Sir George Grey paid a wellmerited compliment to Mr.Chailes O'Neill, member for the district. Mr. O'Neill intends, we believe, to offer himself for reelection, and Sir George.'.* testimony in his favour, coming as it did from an opponent of the policy which Mr. O'Neill has consistently supported, should secure the latter gentleman the renewed confidence of his constituents."

Mr. E. W. Davies and company will appear at the City Hall on Monday eveniug next. The entertainment will consist of ventriloquism, music (vocal and instrumental), and gymnastics. Mr. T. Empson is also announced to appear, and to throw into the entertainment the spice of comedy. A very varied and excellent programme is promised, and this should draw a full house, as good variety entertainments are always popular in Auckland.

At the meeting in Christchurch, with the view of forming a total abstinence society in connection with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, it was stated by the Rev. Mr. Gillies that three-fourths of the ministers of Otago were abstainers.

The Fiji correspondent of the Melbourne Argus, dating November 3, writes .— " Several strangers, in the way of lawyers, who could not get a living in Auckland and Sydney, have been here making observations, and have left disgusted."

Father Garin, of Nelson.v has been presented with his portrait,' in oil colours, by a number of the residents in Nelson.' As Father Garin has milch'more than a local reputation, we give some extracts from Jhe. report of the proceedings:—"Judge Broad -said : It was - just thirty-five years that day since the Rev. Father sailed from home to join the New Zealand Mission, and it was rather more than twenty-five years since he became Priest of Nelson. During his ministrations here he had displayed a breadth of character which did him much honour, for, whilst strong in his own faith, no person had ever heard him utter, either from the pulpit or in private, one single ungenerous word towards those of other denominations. He seemed to constantly recognise the fact that in all forms of faith there was some good, and that every man's conscientious convictions should be treated, not with railing and abuse, but with tender respect. The •T" £ atller Garin, who was much affected, said the gift was offered to him, not personally altogether, but to his character and the clignity and office of the priesthood rested in his person; it was offered to him as the pastor of his flock ; as the minister of their Gnurch, whose hands had regenerated many of their children by the waters of baptism, and distributed the bread of life to many of them in the Holy Sacrament; whose lips had uttered many prayers to God for them, and delivered to them both in public and private teaching tho Word of God. He had only consented to accept this offering in the hope that when his limbs were stiff, and his lips cold in death, they might by looking upon the picture, call to miud the salutary instructions they had heard fall from his mouth."

A gentleman who has recently returned from the crater of Kilauea informs the Hawaiian Gazette that it presents now a fine view, having three active lakes, the new one lying between the north and south lakes, and being nearly as large as either of them. There is this peculiarity about the third lake, that the lava in it has constantly a circular motion like a whirlpool. There was also a stream flowing out from the crater into the basin, and on the 17th of June it formed a beautiful cascade, with 12 feet or 15 feet fall, and then flowed under cover into the depressed portion. Although not unusually active, it has during June presented some of those variations which make the sight attractive even to those who have witnessed it before. Shortly after sundown on the 11th August, the summit crater of Mauna Loa was discovered to be in a state of great activity ; all that night the reflection on the sky of the immense body of fire that alternately reddened and paled as the lava jets rose and fell, is said to have been magnificent beyond description. In crossing the channel to Mauna on the next night the light of the volcano was very plainly to be seen from the deck of the steamer. The summit crater of Mauna Loa can hardly be expected to overflow, but it is quite probable that the great body of lava which is pent up in the mountain -will make a vent for itself on the side, as it has done on several previous occasions, and that we shall hear of a new flow. The way in which children are allowed to straggle about in Auckland is something dreadful. Every week or two the police or some other kindly disposed persons run across stray youngs iers; and by good luck have hitherto managed to restore them to their homes,- —and such homes. "Please tell me, my dear, how it was you came away from your home." "Yes, sirr father's drunk again, and mother's gone out a-washing." So it is, and those poor little wretches are to be found at all hours of the night and day roam about the wharve3 looking for pieces of wood to cook their miserable breakfasts with. It is hardly too much to say that in the small City of Auckland there are not less than 150 children whose occupation is from morning to night nothing more elevating than trying to keep the family pot boiling. Schools are never thought of. Clergymen are never seen in the "back slums." Sunday-schoolteachers seem to confine themselves to operations on Sunday, and district visitors stay at home. Talk about reformation of the 3'oung arabs ! Seek first for a little energy among those who profess to teach them and lead them into the right way. One small occurrence happened yesterday morning, which will show how things go in regard to these matters. /_ A requisition, numerously and influentially signed by the electors and residents of Coromandel, is about to be presented to Charles Ring, lisq., asking him to stand his candidature for the Thames district in the new Parliament. We are not sure what reply Mr. King may return to those who have signed his requisition, but it is certain that should he consent to stand his candidature, he will secure the bulk of votes in Coromaudel, and in case he runs with a popular candidate at the Thames, he may calculate , upon being representative of the Thames and MJoromandel district.— Coromandel Mail.

An interesting but melancholy discovery was made the other day at the foot of Mount Blanc. A block of ice, separated from the mass of the mountain by the thaw, rolled down into the valley. Upon closer inspection it was found to contain enclosed the remains of the American, John Blackford, who about three years since attempted an ascent, and has never since been heard of. He evidently met with his death on that occasion, and has since lain in his cold, crystallised coffin, which has preserved his body and clothing admirably. When found his features were unchanged, and he might have breathed his last only half-an-hour before. State of Her Majesty's gaol, Auckland, for the week ending Dec. 11, IS75: — On remand, 2 males; awaiting trial, 6 males, 3 females; sentenced to penal servitude, 35 males; sentenced to hard labour, 90 males, 27 females; sentenced to imprisonment, 1 male; default of bail, 1 male; received during the week, 15 males, 4 females; discharged during the week, 19 males, 4 females. Total in gaol, 135 males, 30 females. The Hobson Band will perform, to-morrow evening, in Mr. P. Diguan's paddock, at 7 o'clock, the following programme : — March, " Silver Threads" (McComish); overture, " Grand Duchess" (Offenbach); quadrilles, " Royal Irish" (Jullien) ; selections, "II Trovatore" (Verdi); waltzes, "Flower Girl" (De Godfrey); polka mazurka, "De Vienna" (Laver); galop, "Canary" (Quinn) ; " God Save the Queen." A cabbage, weighing twenty-two and a-half pounds, grown in the garden of Mr. Glover, sen., was exhibited in town yesterday. A desire was expressed that such a magnificent specimen of the brassica tribe should be 6ent to Auckland, but if a boiler large enough to hold it can be obtained, it will be eaten by Coromandelites today.— Coromandel Mail.

We understand that Messrs. W. and G. Winstone are thesuccessful tenderers for carting the machinery and materials in connection with the Auckland waterworks.

Mr. A. Fernandez, of the Railway Terminus Hotel, begs to thank Messrs. G. T. Chapman and A. E. Isaacs for the kind services rendered by those gentlemen on the occasion of the fire on his premises yesterday morning,—the former in giving the alarm, and the latter in exerting himself in extinguishing the lire.

A schoolmistress is advertised for for the Mount Hobson Girls' School, and a Schoolmaster for the central school, Waipu. A teacher is also wanted for a school at Queen's Redoubt.

J. and P. Busby, of Waitangi, Bay of Islands, give notice that they intend to offer for sale the greater part of their herd of Shorthorn dairy cattle. Several important notices by Charles Mitchell,. Esq., Commissioner of Lands, Levuka, Fiji, will be found in our advertising columns. A apand concert and farce will be given, for parochial purposes, in the Otahuhu Hall, on Monday evening next. Notice is given respecting unpaid calls in the Red Queen Gold Mining Company. Tenders are required for railing three wooden houses in Hobson-atreet.