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New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4409, 31 December 1875, Page 2

The Mayor has evidently not yet discovered that punctual attendance and attention to duties are only to be found amongst a few of the members of the City Council. Yesterday, on the question of deciding whether certain works should be commenced in forming a beach road in Freeman's Bay, with other improvements in the district, at a cost of about five or eight thousand pounds, His Worship proposed that as there were only six members present, it would be advisable to defer the discussion on such an important matter until a full meeting of the Council. He was, however, assured that six members constituted a capital attendance roll, which rarely exceeded five or six at the utmost, and it was useless postponing business on that score. The consideration of the subject was then proceeded with, and it was decided, after much discussion, not to proceeded with the contemplated work at present, as other streets requiring improvement demanded the priority of the attention of the Council. The Councillors present at yesterday's meeting -were—Messrs. Isaacs, Prime, Daldy, Holdship, Brett, and Von der Hcyde. Mr. Benjamin Tonks, the recently elected Mayor of Auckland, took his seat yesterday in the Council, after making the usual declaration to do his duty. In addressing the Council, he referred to subjects connected with the city that certainly require some consideration at no very distant date. For instance, he has avowed his intention of submitting to the Council a plan for the consolidation of city rates, in order that these taxes may all be levied at one and the same time. The next subject that engages his attention was the interest on the water supply,loan, hitherto paid out of the principal. While opposed to any fresh taxation, he stated that it would be necessary to provide funds from some source towards the payment of the interest, and if there was no other course open but by levying a rate, the Council must do their duty. He should make the financial position ol the city his study, and endeavour to devise means for conducting tho business more economically. The drainage of the city he considered to be deficient, and the system now adopted likely in the space of a fewyears to turn our harbour into a cesspool. With regard to sanitary matters, he was determined to see the regulations and bylaws strictly enforced, whether against friend or foe, as in our tropical climate it was highly necessary to protect the pubiic health. His Worship has commenced his duties in a business-like way, and good is likely to result from the ratepayers' choice. The Evangelical Alliance has issued a circular with the annual invitation for a week of united and universal prayer at the commencement of the year—January 2-9, 1576. The circular commences with the following text: —"Unto the Church of God, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." We quote a portion of the circular, which is written with ability and good taste:—"For many years you have been invited, in all lands, to usher in the new year with the assembling of yourselves together for thanksgiving and prayer ; agreed, notwithstanding diversities of name and nationality, touching tho things you ask of God. We gratefully acknowledge your response to our request, anil our hearts have been gladdened by the tidings which have come to us from many and various parts of the world, indicating that the January week of united prayer lias, with each successive year, been increasingly and more widely observed. We, therefore, cordially and in all earnestness invite you, if spared to see the opening of the New Year, to join in observing the week commencing January 2nd, IS7G, as a week of special and united supplication, and to promote its observance among your fellow Christians around you, asking them with one accord to unite with you, and to make common supplication before the mercy seat of God." Tho circular is signed by a number of gentlemen in England, and also by gentlemen in the following countries :—Scotland, Ireland, United States, Canada, Paris, Geneva, Lausanne, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Norway, Turkey, Greece, Syria, Italy. Topics arc suggested as suitable for exhortation and intercession on the successive days of meeting. A woman named Stewart was brought before tho Bench at the Police Court yesterday morning charged with stealing a number of articles of wearing apparel of tho value of £11 7s Gd. The clothes were the property of a young woman named McCloy, and were contained in a trunk which she liad sent to be repaired by the prisoner's husband. Both, prisoner and prosecutor were immigrants bv the ship Carisbrooke Castle, and after their arrival in Auckland hail lived together. The prieoner said that she had allowed the prosecutor to live in her house free of expense, and when she pawned the things she did not do so with the intention of defrauding, for slio especially stipulated when pledging them that they were not to be sold, as she intended redeeming them as soon as possible. The prosecutor had come to her house during her absence, and finding the articles missing had informed the police without speaking to her at all. If she had done so she would have redeemed them at once. The prisoner was a seemingly respectable woman, and wept bitterly during the time she was in Court, apparently ashamed of her position in the dock. At the conclusion of the evidence she said she had nothing further ts say beyond what she had already stated, and was accordingly committed to take her trial at the next sittings of the Supremo Court.

A correspondent, signing himself " Turncoat," writes :—Never was there so silly an expression used towards any man who has upon conviction changed his opinion, than "Oh he's a turncoat." You argue with a man, use your best endeavours to prove that his opinions are wrong, and if you succeed in convincing him, " Oh, he's a turncoat." You try your hardest to make a man agree with you, and directly you have succeeded, " Oh, he's a turncoat." Upon precisely the same grounds, Sir Robert Peel, the Duke o£ Wellington, and most of oui leading men are turncoats. Any man who strikes out a new policy is a turncoat. How many of us were in favour of doing away with Provincial Governments a few years back ? How many of us wore in favour of Separation a few years back ? but "Oh, we are turncoats." It is an empty expression of empty heads, and used for party purposes. Tho Waikato Times of the 30th instant gives a full report of an indignation meeting held at Hamilton on the 28th instant. There was a large and influential meeting to protest against the name of the district being altered, but on the authority of the Chief Postmaster, who was supposed to be the offending individual, it was stated that there was no intention to alter the name of the district, and that the report to the contrary was erroneous. In one of the speeches it was stated that the name " Hamilton" was connected with the history of the place, it having been sxed upon in compliment to Captain Hamil;on, who fell at the Gate Pa.

The busineas at the Police Court yesterday was confined to the punishment of four drunkards and two persons for being drunk and disorderly. A man charged with assaulting the chief officer of the barque Lizzie Fox was let off with a nominal penalty of Is and £2 16s costs, as lie had amply apologised for his misdeeds ; and a woman, charged with larceny, was committed to take her trial at the Supreme Court. Measrs. Barstow and Mitford presided on the Bench until the larceny case was called on, when the former gentleman was relieved by Mr. G. P. Pierce. The Bay of Plenty Times says :—" A general impression has been abroad the last few days_ that Mr. P. Johnson was the main obstacle in retarding the progress of Kaimai prospectors, Mr. Johnson came into town yesterday, and was astounded on hearing the news. He immediately requested the secretary to call a mooting of the committee in order to exonerate hinmelf, which he did to the entire satisfaction of the committes and prospectors,'' 1

In consequence of the very uninviting aspect o£ the weather last night, the number of persons who viaited the Y.M.C.A. Rooms for the purpose of -witnessing Mr. Dennes's lime-light views, and the musical contest which was to follow, was very small indeed, and it was, therefore, deemed advisable to postpone the _ entertainment to Monday week, when it is to be hoped the public will be largely represented. As the materials which Mr. Dennes had prepared for the exhibition of his views would be quite useless on another occasion, he determined to give those present an opportunity of seeing them free of expense, which he accordingly did to the delight o{ his audience. At the conclusion of the display of pictures, Mr. T. Buddie moved votes of thanks to Mr. Dennes for so kindly entertaining them, and to Mr. Carl Butschkow, for rendering several selections of instrumental music for their benefit. The votes were carried with acclamation. iVe may mention that the proceeds of the performance to be held on Monday week, are to be devoted to the purchase of now books for the Y.M.C.A. library, and the programme will consist of the exhibition of a series of dissolving views of Irish scenery and other subjects, and the musical contest for a sewing machine by young ladies under the age of 15 years. Several songs will be given by local amateurs during the evening, and Mr. Butschkow will do his " level best" on the piano. The attractions are strong, and taken in combination with the object in view, we think should be sufficient to ensure a good attendance.

The Thames Naval Brigade came up yesterday on a visit to Auckland, to spend New Year's Day with their brother Navals of this city. The Auckland brigade mustered on the Breakwater last evening with their baud to escort the Thames men on arrival. The principal portiou of them left Grahamstown in their gunboat, under charge of Lieut. Bennett, at 10 o'clock on Wednesday night, and arrived at Brown's Island at 11 a.m. yesterday, where they waited until 4 p.m. for the Thames gig with the remainder of the men, under charge of Captain Brassey, the gig being appointed to start from the Thames at G a.m. At four o'clock no signs of the second party appearing, the gunboat proceeded on to Auckland, where the officers and crew were met by Captain Le Hoy, Lieut. Chapman, and men of the Auckland Naval Brigade. The latter then started down harbour in search of the gig, firing rockets and burning blue-lights. It was met midway between the Bean Rock lighthouse and Brown's Island and escorted to town, where a landing was effected. The Thames Brigade are invited by their Auckland brethren to join them in a picnic on New Year's Day. There will be a Church parade on Sunday morning, according to announcement elsewhere, and the brigade is expected to return to the Thames on Tuesday next. Wednesday being fine, great numbers were attracted to the races at ParawaiFor the first event of the day two horses started—Ehrenfried's Bismarck, and Bobbett's Titiko. In going the first round Titiko came to grief ; the north end of the course proving soft after the rains, rendered the exertion severe, and so strained Titiko's back that he had to be led off the course, and Belle wiilked off with the prize. The Hurdle .Race (£25) was. competed for by The Arrow, Native, and Bismarck, the latter winning. The Parawai Plate (£4O) lay between Medea and The Belle. The interest in this match was increased by the jockey of Medea; after passing the winning-post, seeing The Belle forge ahead some 200 yards, pursued, and both horses went round the course again, Medea overtaking The Belle, and beating cleverly this additional distance. Titiko was entered for this race, but owing to the injury sustained w£.3 scratched. The trotting-match between Mr. Stewart's Queen of Beauty and Mr. Williamsons Fool was cleverly won by the former, going the entire distance without a break. The Maori iiace proved a well-contested event, between The Devil, Tamaki, and Diamond, the former coming in first. The Consolation Stake wa a gift to The Arrow, and brought the day's amusement to a very satisfactory conclusion.—[Correspondent.]

The Fire Brigade presented a petition yesterday to the City Council, asking that body to insure their lives against risks in attending fires, for the benefit of their wives and families. The document, on being unrolled, was apparently six feet in length. This fact being observed, as the Town Clerk j. commenced to read, a general rising of members took place with a view to make a stam- ~ pede. The meeting was, however, assured j that there need be no cause of alarm, the r greater part of the space being devoted to signatures to the petition. Thus calmed, ' the Council considered the matter, the result , being that the prayer of the petition was ' not granted ; one Councillor urging that the city had already supplied the Brigade with boots, and if this request acceded to, a ' demand would be made to supply the Brigade with gold watches. 3 The smart-looking craft built by Mr. - Robert Stone, at Shortland, was successfully i launched yesterday morning, at 8 p.m. As i the vessel moved, the daughter of the cap--3 tain (Edward Moore), formerly of the s.s. i" Alert, broke the customary bottle over her ■ bows, and named her the Ada. The Ada is ■ a good specimen of her class, ketch-rigged ; I frame built, of about 54 tons builders' t measurement ; 54 feet keel ; 16 feet beam ; - length overall, 55 feet; mainmast, 54 feet. ; Built of the best pohutukawa and kauri. ' copper-fastened and coppered, fitted up with ; patent windlass, and supplied with every j i requisite of the best material, and will be ready for sea in a few days. This vessel j 1 has been built for Captain Moore and others on the joint-stock principle, and is intended chiefly for the timber trade. Mr. Stone has now on hand the building of a side-wheel ■ steamer, about 70 feet keel, for Captain j i Burningham.—[Correspondent.] Mc. Davies' entertainment at the City ' Hall last evening was exceedingly weU patronised, notwithstanding the inclement state of the weather. The ventriloquial part of the proceedings was as successful as ever, and received a large amount of applause from an attentive auditory. Owing to some breakage in the trapeze upon which the Brothers Duville perform, Mr. Davies had to extend his stay on the stage to the space of a little over ail hour to make up for their non-appearance. The remaining part of the performance was well executed, and well merited the hearty applause which ever and anon waß given vent to by the spectators. An afternoon matinee will be held on the afternoon of New Year's Day, for the benefit of children and visitors. The youngsters will be admitted at the low fee of sixpence. The sports at East Hamilton, on Boxing Day, were successfully carried out, although the weather was of an inclement character. From the report published in the Waikato Times, we gather the following particulars of the sjjorts :—For the Trotting Match there were iifteen entries, and the race was won by Mr. C. C. Wood's Duncan. In the pedestrian races the following were the successful competitors : —Maiden Jiaco, Raynor; Boys' Race, Gerrans ; One Hundred Yards Race, Davie ; Half-mile Handicap, J. Campbell. The fifth foot race, consisting of walking 50 yards, running 50 yards, hopping 50 yards, and travelling 50 yards on all fours, Maori Charley; Mile Race, Wright; and Hurdle Race, j?. Pillings. A Derby Sweepstake on the Auckland Cup was drawn yesterday evening a j thp Exchange Hotel, by 200 members, at a subscription of 10s each. The division will he as follows: —lst horse, £50; 2nd horse, £30; 3rd horse, £20; less commission. The following numbers were drawn : Tui, No. 5 ; Kingfisher, No. 13; Ariel, No. 15; Parawhenua, No. 27; Titiko, No. 31; Rangi, No. 64; Discord, No. 77 ; Ngaro, No. 162 ; Voltaire, No. 171; Guy FdwKes, No. 186; Cocksure, No. 196. The race horses Titiko and the Arrow were yesterday scratched from all their engagements at the Auckland Summer Meeting. The former received injuries at the Thames races which will prevent her from running. Mr. John Sheehan vras a passenger from Napier last night, by the steamer Southern Cross. I '

Mr. 0. F. Mitchell, who is a candidate for the Thame», publishes an. _ address of several solumns. in length, written ia a thoroughly characteristic style. We quote a portion of his declaration on the subject of separation, to hhew the style:—"lf we hare allowed the South to get hold of the greater part of the loan money, and to retain the valuable asset of its land fund uncharged, the greater fools we. I think I.see upon the face of Mr. South what Artemus Ward calls a ' sarcastical' smile as he hears us propounding to him just the game that would suit his book. I have an unchanging affection for a certain crush in Auckland, but not all my fond idolatry will induce me to support this most patent piece I of political humbug. I will not, if I know it, bite off my nose to be revenged on my face, and I will not, K I know it, support the Insular Separation Dodge." The Pantomime and Harlequinade at the Prince of Wales Theatre was again well patronised last evening. The first. piece on the programme was " The Handsome Husband," and in this play Miss Carry George appeared to advantage. All of the actors in the Pantomime plaj'ed with care, and as a whole the piece was very well placed on the stage, and especially the scenery met with approbation. This evening the Pantomime and Harlequinade only will be repeated. The object is to afford children an opportunity of attending it without being kept out to a very late hour. It is intended to conclude the performance in time to allow the children to be home by 10 o'clock. Children will be admitted to all parts of the house at half price. Mr. Charles Wheatleigh is announced as having been engaged and shortly to appear at the theatre in Boucicault's new drama of "The Shaughran." The Christmas number of the Australasian Slccicher for 1875 is really an excellent production, and will compare with the English and .American illustrated papers. A coloured supplement, "The Old Race and the New," ia issued with the Shetcher. It is really a work of fine art, and well worth obtaining and preserving. The numerous sketches in the paper are as good or better than the picture in the supplement. They consist chiefly of views of Chiistmas scenes in Australia, and which cannot fail to be of general interest. A view of the German settlement at the Hill Plains, together with the portrait of Maria Heller, the reputed prophetess, and others of the settlers, occupy one page of the Christmas number of this paper. The letter-press is, as usual, also very good. The Cambridge correspondent of the Waikaio Times writes as follows: Haymaking, which has been delayed (much to the detriment of the hay) for this last fortnight, has commenced in earnest. Though there is very little hay utterly spoiled, much is damaged, and rendered fit only for cattle feed. Other crops, however, have been benefited. The wheat and oats are looking exceedingly well, as also are the potatoes on the light lands ; many low lying fields have been inundated.—[December 29.] On Saturday evening, a commercial traveller from Auckland, attracted a considerable crowd, by holding forth on religious subjects. Street-preaching is a novelty in Napier, and we should imagine from the remarks made by a number of the audience, that oratory on such subjects at the corner of the streets is apt to do more harm than good to the cause advocated.—Hawkc's Bay Mercury. The result of the contest for the open scholarship was yesterday decided to be in favour of Master Alexander Stephenson, one of the pupils of the Rev. Mr. Mason's, Western Academy, in Hobson-street. The Rev. R. S. Hassard and Mr. Sloman, one of the masters of the Grammar-school, were the examiners. The following telegram has been received in tovra:—" Two more fires have occurred in Dunedin, one on Christmas morning, by which the National Insurance Company and New Zealand each lose £300; the other on the night of the 2Sth, in which the South British are also interested to the extent of £300."

I Owing to the detention of the Hawea in , Wellington Harbour by the fog, the Taranaki team of cricketers cannot possibly arrive until 2 p.m. to-morrow (New Year's Day), so the first match arranged to be played with them will not be played until Monday, the 3rd prox.,. when the Auckland United | will meet them to do battle in the Domain. The annual festival of the Devonport Wesleyan Sunday-school is to be held to-morrow, the skies being propitious. It is proposed to start for the Lake at 9 o'clock by the p.s. Lalla Rookh from the Queen-street wharf, and pick up North Shore friends half-an-hour later. The Treasurer of the Orphan Homo calls for tenders for the supplies of provisions for use in tha.t institution. Particulars may be ascertained by reference to our advertising columns. The Devonport Wesleyan Sunday-school will hold their festival to-morrow, weather permitting. They will proceed to the Lake by the p.s. Lalla Rookh. Mr. James Wrigley, of Shortland Crescent, the Chairman of the Remuera Highway Board, requires lenders for carting scoria ash for use in the district. Mr. Dornwell notifies that his premises will be open on Saturday, the Ist prox., from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from C p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Monday at the usual hours.