Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4417, 10 January 1876, Page 2

The improvements to the Presbyterian cemetery are being thoroughly carried out. The stone wall is now nearly completed, and is a very substantial structure, and the walks are being cut down to one level, and formed with some regard to system. Private effort is also doing much to remove the uncared for aspect which has been allowed to mark this place.

There was a good double bill at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Saturday evening.' The performance commenced with the well-known nautical play o£ "Black-eyed Susan." Mr. R. W. Lawrence took the character of William, and played the part of the heroic sailor extremely welL He seemed to live rather than to act the character, and in every part he was equally effective. Miss Jennie Nye sustained the part of Dolly Mayflower with spirit, and Mrs. Collier, as Black-eyed Susan, played carefully and with success. Mr. Searle did well with a dual part, and Mr. Sam Poole was, as usual, excessively funny. The second piece, "The Widow's Victim," was also carefully put on the stage. Mrs. Searle was quite at home in her part. Mr. Collier, as the stage-struck barber, Jerry Clip, was a success, and his imitations were: excellent. He recited the speech of Salem Scudder, in imitation of Mr. Hoskings, in a manner that won very hearty applause. Mr. Searle, as the "Victim," and Mrs. Collier, as the maidservant, both merited and obtained applause for their careful acting.

Some little excitement was created in Queen-street on Saturday evening by the appearance of a man with a monster telescope, who took up a position at the corner of Queen and Victoria-street East, and after fixing his instrument, invited the passers-by to have a look at the moon through the telescope for the low sum of sixpence. The tiling was a novelty, and of course took well with the people, who, as they peered at Luna through the medium of the magnifying lens, were treated by its voluble proprietor to a full description o£ the various mountains, craters, and plains which came under their notice. Unfortunately the sky soon became obscured with, clouds, and the opportunity was lost for that evening of making an astronomical observation. The citizens of Auckland will no donbt have their curiosity duly gratified by having a better view of our satellite, or, indeed, any of the stellar constellations they may desire, during the next week or two than they. ever had in Auckland before. It is not unlikely that some sanguine individual, by a slight stretch of imagination, may fancy he can see through the tube of this aid to the visual organs the inhabitants of the moon. If so, he will no doubt kindly inform his less fortunate brethren of the discovery.

Baba, an old Hindoo, well known about the town as a very polite through povertystricken gentleman, was charged at the Police Court on Saturday morning with being a vagrant. Sub-Inspector Pardy said the prisoner had been sent to gaol frequently, but as he had no chance of earning enough to support himself, he was always in the same condition of impecuniosity when set at liberty. He had been in the Old Men's Refuge for some time, but his inherent desire for freedom had induced Mm to take a rather abrupt leave of it. It was eventually agreed to remand the case until Monday, in order that during the interim steps might be taken to procure his re-admission into the benevolent institution from which he had so lately escaped.

Two persons appeared to answer charges of drunkenness preferred against them at the Police Court on Saturday morning. One of them, an old woman, was evidently well used to the situation, as she had stood in the same dock for similar offences on 52 previous occasions. We think that cannot be beaten out of Auckland. The other prisoner was an old man, who had been punished on the same charge the preceding day. His appearance was singular, and stamped him at once as a devoted follower of Bacchus. JBoth prisoners received their meed of punishment with the utmost nonchalance. The hearing of a charge of vagrancy, brought against another person, completed the business before the Court, Mr. Barstow, the Resident Magistrate, was the presiding officer.

A man named Edward Thatcher, alias Tice, was landed yesterday from the steamer Taupo, .in custody of-a Nelson constable, haying been apprehended at Nelson on a warrant issued at Gisborne, for fraudulently appropriating a sum of sixty pounds at Tologa Bay. The prisoner was lodged in the Auckland lock-up, and will be conveyed to 1 Gisborne by. the first steamer.

An inquest will be held this afternoon, at the Whau Asylum, upon -the body of a patient named Kennedy Steward, who died" on Saturday last..

The City H*ll was well attended v on Saturday evening, and the performance as •well enjoyed by the audience as ever. The Brothers Du Ville went through their gymnastic exercises with perfect ease and great skill, and were duly honoured with hearty marks of appreciation. Mr. and Mrs. Empson were successful in their endeavours to entertain and amuse, and were obliged to accede to one or two encores, which were loudly demanded by their hearers. Mr. Davies enlivened the proceedings by the coloquy "which he k®eps up between Tom.and. Joe and the other tictitious individuals whom. ho introduces to the notice of the assemblage. youngsters gave ample tokens of their delight, especially whenever Joe received a slap in the face from his master, "which was rather fro* quent. Several of our dusky friends (the Maoris) "were presenfcj but were rather incredulous as to the ventriloquiaj part of the entertainment, which they considered to be accomplished by means of springs fastened in the backs of the heads of the iigures with which Mr. Davies conducts the conversation. On being asked how this could be in the case of the little girl, whom one would suppose to be hidden in the box, their only answer was an ominous shake of tho head. They expressed a decided preference for the feats gone through by the Brothers Du Ville. A great attraction will be presented to visitors this evening in the first appearance in Auckland of Natator, the Man-fish, whose exploits have occasioned so much surprise in all the places where he has hitherto performed. "We expect a crowded house on tlio occasion. The Melbourne Argus, of April 19, details Mr. Weightman's extraordinary performances as the lt Man Fish," and says : --"A remarkable feat with which Mr. Weightman winds up his performances is that of fixing a chair (like that used by Mr. Blondin) under water in his tank, and then working his way about like an eel over the seat and through the back, under the seat and round each leg, with all the apparent ease of a fish, and with an endurance of restrained respiration which is certainly astonishing on the part of a man. When the 1 ' Alan Fish came out of hia bath after this performance, he was positively cheered to the echo. His is a very genuine performance."

We have all been led lately to take considerable interest in the efforts being made to introduce salmon and trout into Now Zealand, and therefore will gladly hear what is being done in other parts of the world, in the way of pisciculture. In California, there is a Board of Commissioners of Fisheries, which publishes a report twice a year. From the last of these reports we learn that California goes into the business most energetically. They have an aquarium car on the railway by which they transport large quantities of desirable fish. We quote the portion of the report referring to salmon: — " The largest establishment in the world for the hatching of salmon eggs is that belonging to the United States, on the McCloud river in Shasta county, under the superintendence of Livingston Stone. At this point from six to ten million of young salmon are hatched each year, and distributed to the Fish Commissioners of the various States having rivers suitable for their growth and increase. In 1873, California receiv*:! from this source half a million fish, which were turned into the Sacramento river. The Government works at this point are so extensive, and conducted with such economy, that it is found that the total cost of hatching one thousand fish from the egg is but one dollar.

We learn by the English papers received by the last mail, that at the Newcastle-on-Tyne Quarter Sessions, Charles Fox, barman, surrendered to answer the charge of having, between the Ist day of April and the 31st of July, solicited a telegraph lad named Thomas Bell to disclose the contents of telegraphic messages. The lad Bell, with other messengers, was examined to shew that the prisoner had bribed them to disclose to him privately, from the information they had gathered in the press-room of the telegraphic department of the post-office, the names of the winners of certain horse races. They had listened to the messages read off, and by previous agreement slipped out of the office and gave the prisoner the information he required. Bell and the other lads got 6d or Is, as the case might be, for the information, and were regaled with beer. The x>risoner was found " guilty," and sentenced to IS months' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Mr. Wayte has received from Mr. Severn, of the Thames, a sheet of photographs shewing the aspects of the moon. This interesting collection of fourteen views of the moon, compiled as it is from the best authorities, and placed on ono sheet, is a most interesting publication, and must prove of great value, particularly in an educational point of view. We have the moon at first quarter, with the crater Copernicus, and others plainly visible ; then we hare the full moon, with a reference chart, on which are numbers from one to ten, referring to ten enlarged views; then we have a partial eclipse, where the earth's shadow is on the moon's disc. This is wonderfully like the real aspect of the x>henomena. Should sufficient inducement offer, similar sheets of the sun aud planets will be published.

The annual races at Whangarei were held in Mr. Prater's paddock on New Year's Day, and were witnessed by about five hundred persons. A prize of 16 sovereigns for the Whangarei Plate was won by Mr. Morrison's Wizard, Young Performer was second, and Burnettee _ third. The Maiden Plate of 10 sovereigns was won by Mr. Sarah's Young Performer, Willis's Deceiver was second, and Stephen's Sultana third. The Maori race was won by Aterata's Brandy, the Settler's Stakes by Gerrett's Electric, the Hurdle Race by Morrison's Te Kooti, and the Trotting Race by Morrison's Busett.

The Thames Advertiser understands that the representative crew for that district at the forthcoming inter-provincial regatta, to take place at Wellington this month, will have to leave for their destination to-day (Monday), They hear that the gentlemen who took the matter in hand have not been successful in collecting all the necessary amount, but hope that those interested will, for the credit of the place, see that the crew get away all right. It will be the first time the Thames people have sent a crew to the South, and they sincerely hope the crew will bring back some of the prizes.

The nomination for "Franklin will take place to-day, at Otahuhu. There are five candidates : Messrs. May, Goodfellow, Crawford, Lusk, and Hamlin. The nomination for Waitemata will be held to-day, at Devonport Hall, North Shore. The candidates are: Dr. Lee, Mr..Hurst, Mr. J. S. Macfarlane, Mr. T. Henderson. The nomination for Rodney also takes place to-day, at Warkworth, the candidates being Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Farnall, Mr. Bradley, and Mr. vMoate. The Rodney electors who intend "to nominate Sir George Grey can surely not reckon themselves his friends. We are surprised to hear of this intention.

A cricket match will take place this day at Onehunga, between the Tarauaki Cricketers and an eleven of the Manukau Club; play to commence at 10 o'clock sharp. The Manukau players will be Messrs. Donovan, Patten (2), Pilling, McMahon, Lynch, Leggett, O'Callaghan, Leahy, Daly, Brennan, and Hamor.

The Athenceurn states that Mr. Seth Green, who is the greatest authority in America on the subject of fish culture, is in correspondence with Mr. Frank Buckland concerning the best means of preserving fish eggs during long voyages, and also concerning the stocking of New Zealand rivers with Californian fish. • ' ' •

.The Auckland members and delegates of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars leave for Taran&ki in the s.s. Go-Ahead thiß morning. About twenty-five are expected to attend the Grand Lodge as the representatives o£ the subordinate Good Templar Lodges of the province of Auckland.

A meeting of the Mount Hobson School Committee was held on Friday evening. -James McCosh Clark, Esq., was elected . chairman, and Mr. Angus secretary.

During the dry- season there is always a danger of the bush or grasses, along the lin 9 1 of railway, being ignited by sparks from th» ? furnace of the locomotiTes. This danger ? should be reduced as far as possible, as very '{> seriouß results may arise from it. By our ' American exchange files we learn how this ' $ is proposed to be done there. Mr. Win. Stamp, a machinist employed in the Eria"* Railway shop in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania: !' has patented an invention that prevents ' ■ sparks and cinders from flying out of the- ® smoke-stack of a locomotive. His exhaust" has a spiral channel connecting with a similar channel in the smoke-stack, giving - " p the cinders a centrifugal force that sends ' ■>' them against the inside of the stack, whence ? they are conducted to the ground. They , can"be retained if necessary, and be deposi- '' !i ted at any point along the railway. ' Stamp says that if his invention is used* locomotives can be run with less coal, and passengers can raise the windows without ■/ having their eyes filled with cinders or soil-.' ing their clothes. The engineer can keep a . rl better lookout, and the cara may be thoroughly ventilated without annoyance.

The Whangarei Comet, of the 6th, gives '■ the following particulars respecting the late 1 suicide there:—"The .James •• '*! Kowe, reportedin ourlastashaving Attempted ■ ij to commit suicide, expired at the Cou.t- i house, on Sunday morning, from the wounds inflicted by his own hands. An inquest was held next day before a respectable jury, of which Mr. J. Wilson was chosen foreman. j| From the evidence of Messrs. 0. Kelland \ and W. jMorgan, two of the principal wit-> 'i nesscs, we deduce the following:—The de. : j ceased man was a stranger to the camp. He I apparently was suffering from delirium fre-'. * l ! mens. He gave some annoyance by his con-k : V, duct, but the diggers sypathised for hinj.' On Wednesday deceased was missinp, and'-< ; H Mr. Kelland made inquiries for him. gnb. 1 - sequeutly he went to the whare where de- ,>JI ceased was. On pulling aside the door he- S saw Rowe sitting on the far end of the bank ' -J with his head split open and his face covered' % with blood. Kelland called Morgan and W. f Langridge as witnesses. There were two A axes by his side covered with blood. There ":'i were a number of wounds in the head. Rowe i ? was insensible, but his fingers were twitch- ' i ing. The flies were aggravating the wound. 'ji Mr. Bissett started immediately to report - the matter to Constable Hammond. The,' rlconstable had a corpse in his house waiting • j burial that day, and recommended Mr. 2Jis- '13 sett to go for the doctor himself, saying thu Government would pay any expenses he in. curred. Neither appear to have taken anyi ; .;' < further notice of the matter, till a letter was; ' < received by the constable, between four and Hi half-past five o'clock that afternoon, from' Kelland and Morgan, stating that' the man 1 -j was sinking fast and required the doctor that 3 day. Constable Hammond did not go out ' till the following morning. Dr. Sissions de- • posed that he had attended the deceased at the Court-house. Did not think the mail's life could have been saved had he attended '■>* bim sooner. There were six cuts in his head, f apparently inflicted by the axe produced. S Deceased must have done it in a sitting pos- , ! \ ! ture. The jury returned a verdict that dev'iccased committed suicide while under temporary insanity."

At the General Council of the University of Edinburgh, which was to meet at the end % of October, there was to ho presented a $ Report of the Committee appointed to ob« M taiu funds for the endowment of a Chair of & Celtic Languages and Literature. The period of office of the Rev. Dr. Lindsay Alexander, • as the Council's assessor in the University rjS Court, has expired. j|

The cricket match which was to have '■% taken place at the North Shore on Saturday, § between the local club and an eleven from 1 H. M. S. Sappho, did not eventuate, but "will ! Tvj be played to-day. • -(■

By an error in the advertisement of Saturday, the extension of the holidays of certain city and suburban school was printed as 24th February. It should have been January. "■%

Mr. Wilson's circus will open to-night Trith a grand display of athletic talent and equine >5 docility. We understand that, no matter $ how crowded they may be, the audience can M sit in comfort and security, as their seats $ have been erected in a most substantial $ manner, to prevent any liability of an acci- i | dent. Mr. Wilson's great reason for post-"A;3 polling from Saturday was his determination. to have everything complete and in good*#! order. jii

A meeting of the Central Committeee bo held this evening in the Hall, for the purpose of promoting the tion of Mr. John. Sheehan, for Rodney. A meeting of the committee -will be held morrow evening, for the purpose of promoting the election of Messrs. Lusk and Hamlin for :a }[ Franklin. , /:#£

The declaration of the poll for the elec-S® toral district of Eden will take place to- : ® morrovr, at 3 p.m., at Newmarket.