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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4901, 1 August 1877, Page 2

An impression prevailed that tho railway line to Ngaruawahia, Waikato, would be opened to day. Such is not the fact, however, as we are informed by Mr. Maodonald, the Auckland manager, but it is probablo that it will be opened some time during the present mouth. The treasurer of the Young Men's Christian Association acknowledges the receipt, through Archdeacon Maunsell, of £5, a donation from the Orangemen of Auckland, in addition to the £10 subscribed by them on the !2th of July, at St. Mary's, Parnell. The Thames Naval Brigade huvo accepted the challenge of the Thames Scottish, with this proviso, that as the short carbines of the Navals are not equal to the rifles of tho Scottish, the two sides shall, during the contest, change arms, and shoot half the proposed number of shots with their opponents' weapons. Twenty-live are to compete on each side, for a stake of £2r> aside. The Naval Brigade also add, that on the next visit of the Government Drill Inspector, they will be happy to take up the other part of the T!: ; \::ic.; Scottish challenge, and drill against them. We publish in our telegraphic columns the probable date of the arrival of the Dunedin football team, who expect to be here on the I.sth, and play (v. Auckland) on the loth. 1 his will only allow of two more Saturday afternoon games being played, and, as many of the players are in anything but good form, it would be desirable to endeavour to "et u» some imitation of a match on other days sav from 4.30 to 5.30 on Tuesdays aud Thursdays, as tile present style of practice does very little in the way of getting players into proper trim. We notice that the Dunedin men wish to pUv against a strictly local

We understand that in the proposed reductions to be made in the colonial Estimates Ministers have determined that amongst the savings to be effected will be £4 annually from the youthful messengers employed at the Auckland Telegraph Department. In reference to the telegram which appeared in yesterday's issue, alluding to the plans of the Town Hall of Duuedin, for which competitive desigits had 'o>;en called, it appears that three designs wen; sent from Auckland. One of those has, it appears, gained the first prize ; and another, the third, the second prize, being taken by s. Dunedin architect. Ihe gentlemen who sent designs from the city were—Messrs. T. B. Camerou, G. Aitken, aud M. Henderson. A correspondent writes complaining of the noise and uproar at Mr. Severn's lectures, which, he says, prevent those who wish to write essays fur the prizes offered from hearing the remarks of the lecturer. He attributes the uproar in a great measure to the Grammar School boys, who, he says, are not properly superintended, aud suggests that those boys and girls who are writing for the prizes Bhould have front seats reserved for them. The suggestion seems a good one, and one ouly fair to those who go to be instructed as well as amused. Messrs. A. gßrodie and John Reid, two members of the Thames Domestic Water Supply Corporatien, were in town yesterday negotiating a loan of £2000, to enable them to extend the bsnefits of the supply. It is intended to raise the 4-inch maius which lead from the reservoir at Parawai to Shortland, and substitute 10-inch mains. The pipes which will be raised will then be as sub-mains in the principal streets. We understand that several offers for the proposed loan have been received, and these will in due course be submitted to the Water Supply Corporation.

Mr. W. B. Taylor, one of the principal operators ia the Auckland branch of the Telegraph Department, and who has been in this branch of the public service for over eight years, has resigned his connection with Government employ with a view of going iuto the Union Bank. The general manager, Mr. Lemon, telegraphed his regret at Mr. Taylor's resignation, and forwarded him a very flattering and deserved recommendation for the manner in which he had performed his duties whilst employed under him. The oflieers here made him a present of a very pleasing memento as showing their kindly feelings towards him, and a number of his friends toasted his health and future success at a social gathering yesterday evening.

The new Committee of the Mechanics' Institute have not lost time under the regime of their president, Dr. Ellis, in making an attempt to extend the usefulness and popularity of their library as well as readingroom. Yesterday about £30 worth of new books were added to the catalogue. As a circulating library, it is of course expedient to provide light literature in greater proportion than exacting reading, but this is of the best kind, comprising the most highly reputed works of modern writers of fiction. At the same time there is a very considerable number of these books which appeal to a much higher intellectual standard. These books have been arranged in their places upon the shelves in the library, and will be immediately available for distribution.

We understand that a petition has been sent down to tho Government, with 120 signatures attached, regarding tbe Auckland and Riverhead Kaiiway. It seems that there is some danger of the line of rail, as originally proposed, being deviated from, and another line, which runs almost parallel to the Waitemata I'iver, chosen in its place. The advantage of the latter, that is the Government line, would be that it is a mile shorter, but this would be far more than counterbalanced by tbe fact tha.t if formed the Government line would have to cross navigable creeks, over which awing bridges would have of necessity to lie crected, and pass through a difficult country, whereas the tine referred to by the petitioners would, with one erception, where a short tunnel of about two chains is required, pass through a country of a very level character. Besides this, the iinu petitioned for would afford means of bringing the timber, which abounds on the verge of the district through which it would pass, whereas not only is there little or no timber along the route proposed by the Government, but at the distance of about a mile or a mile and a half in a parallel direction with the latter are the Waitemata Kiver and Harbour, which afford excellent means both of postage and transit for the settlers noar the shores. On the whole, regarding not only the economy, but the advantages to be derived from it, the line proposed by the settlers seems to us to be considerably the better of the two.

Tenders for the stock in-trado of Messrs. Barnett and Levy, and Mr. C. Sutton, are invited. A statement of the affairs of the Tokatea (t.M.Co. will be found elsewhere. The quarterly meeting of the Licensing Courts for the districts of Pukekohe ami I'iijukum will ho held at the Court-house, Papakura, on Tue<iUy, the -Ith September. The Commissioner of Crown Lands intimates th.it certain Crown grants arc ready for delivery, the particulars of which will be found in another column. Creditors in the estate of Messrs. George Ev;ins nnd Co. are requested to provo their debts on or before the 15tli inst., when the first and final dividend will be paid. A lecture on the " Science of Music," will he delivered by Mr. Churles Blomfiold this evening, in the Baptist School-room. Mount Edon. Tho subject will be illustrated by selections of vocal music rendered by a powerful choir.