Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 5019, 17 December 1877, Page 2

Dr. Philson, Hospital Surgeon, and Dr. Goldsbro', Health Officer for the district, have examined into the subject of the drainage from the District Hospital, referred to by us the other day, and the latter gentleman will report on the subject to the Gratton Road Highway Board in respect to the nuisance referred to.

The Kev. Father Walter Macdonald begs to acknowledge with many thanks the receipt of the sum of £13 9s 3d, subscribed at Te Kopuru and Aratapu, Northern Wairoa, by the men working there, in aid of the enlargement of St. Mary's Orphanage, Ponsonby. The list was in charge of Mrs. Coghlan.

It will be observed by advertisement elsewhere, that Mr. and Mrs. Morton Tavares will perform to-night at the Masonic Hall, Onehunga, for one night only. The laughable comedietta "The Happy Pair," the quarrel scene from the " School for Scandal,'" and the farce of "Nothing to Wear," will comprise the entertainment provided for the residents of Onehunga to-night. An entertainment of this class, with artists of such celebrity as Mr. and Mrs. Tavares, cannot fail to meat with a cordial reception.

Messrs. Branston and Forster have fitted up the Union Steam Saw-mill Company's buildings and premises, Mechanics Bay, with water rervice-pipes and hose, which are now available for dealing with any outbreak of fire on the premises. The servicepipes, 2 inches in diameter, are supplied by the steam pump with water from the sea. There are sections of hose, nozzles, and water-cocks on each floor, and on tho roof there is a standpipe commanding the entire roof. During the present dry Weather the manager intends to saturate the roof at intervals by means of this standpipe and hose, so as to prevent danger from ignition from stray sparks.

On Friday afternoon as tho third officer of the ship Famenoth was engaged examing some of the work which the men had just finished near the water-line of tho vessel, the raft upon which he stood got loose, and before a line could bo thrown to him, he was drifting down the harbour with an ebb tide and a lair wind. The tide carried the raft close to the buoy, off the end of the Railway Wharf, but too far for the castaway to get hold. In the meantime the large life-boat, which usually haugs a9tern of the vessel, was sent away with two hands in her, and they speedily got alongside the raft, aud took their officer on board and the raft in tow. To get back however to the ship with such a heavy boat, against wind aud tide, aud ill-manned, was more than they could manage, and the boat gradually drifted to leeward, when one of the Ferry steamers, noticing their predicament, ran alongside, giving them a tow-line to a place of safety.

We believe Mr. Staines's meeting at the Domain yesterday was the first political meeting held on Sunday in Auckland. It is an innovation which we have no desire to see introduced, and one which has few recommendations. No doubt tho object of the convener was to secure a large attendance ; and so he did, at least comparatively so, for most of the pleasure-seekers in the Domain at the time found their way 'to the place. These, with a large number of boys and youths, constituted the larger proportion of the meeting, and this was proved by the very slight interest which was taken in the proceedings, except by boys who exercised their wit on the speakers, their appear ance, their antecedents, aud their position. Very few hands were shown in favour of any of the resolutions, and no one felt it worth while to controvert tho arguments adduced. We trust the failure of this meeting will be a lesson to the champions of tho people, free thought, or .spiritualism, uot to trade on the only day which people of the working-classes, or those in trade, have for religious devotion, quiet recreation, or rest from business. It was a bad move for popularity, and the promoters of the meeting will gain very little credit for themsolves by it.

In accordance with previous notifications, the p.s. Te Aroha left the Wharf on Saturday afternoon for a trip down the Waitetamata, calling at Glen Orchard. Tempted by the genial sunshine, the cooling breeze which moderated the heat of the sun, and the pleasant sparkle of the water, but perhaps stimulated more than all by the prospect of a feast of strawberries at the rotreat whither the vessel was bouud, about 40 persons took passage. They were mostly family parties, with a few young men however in quest of pleasure, and a number of boys hopeful of mischief. The trip down the harbour was all that could be desired, and as the steamer approached its destination visions of strawberries, delicious to the taste and enchanting to behold, began to float before the minds of those ou board. With all possible expedition, therefore, the anchor was dropped, the two boats of the steamer lowered, and the passengers conveyed to the beach, which they soon left iu groups for the rich gardens which they had fondly pictured to themselves and to each other. After half an hour's weary rauibliug aud hunting about, the dispirited searchers came upon what at one time had been well-trimmed strawberry beds, but though the plants were there, of fruit there was none. A few, mildly anathematised those whom they supposed the authors of the "sell," while others said it was a " sin aud a shame but one and all sorrowfully returned to tho beach, where, after enjoying a few oysters, obtained at much trouble, they re-embarked. The trip home was marked by no feature of iuterest, if wo may except the fact that the straw hat of a smartly-dressedyoung mau suddenly, and without premonition, took unto itself wings and lloated away in the direction of Gleu Orchard. The event caused a general rejoicing ou board. The Wharf was readied at 5.30 p.m., and the various members of the party at once wended their several paths homeward, pleased and, notwithstanding the disappointment alluded to, satisfied with their excursion.

That Auckland will in time becoinc the great fruit-producing district of the colony, if the sparrows, blackbirds, &c., do not prevent fruit growing, is a prognostication not of yesterday or to-day, but has long been fondly believed, and every succeeding year brings us nearer to the realisation of the anticipation. Those who have lived in the city for a number of years, and who have become thoroughly acclimatised, will remember that in years past almost the only fruits locally grown in quantities to deserve notice were the peach, and the melon, and that their sale was coniined in great part to the Maoris, wno hawked them about the streets. Sine: then things have greatly changed ; and, perhaps, not the least important in the changes is the attention that has of late been given to the cultivation and production of fruit. The exf.eut to which this industry has attaiued, aud the quality of the fruit produced from the orchards of the province can be somewhat realised by anyone who takes the trouble to iuspect the fruiterers' shops on any morning of the season, but particularly on a Saturday morning. Semi-tropical, and even tropical fruits lie side by side, with those familiar to the newcomer from the mother country, and one and all appear 1o have thriven well. Tempting bananas and oranges are exhibited for sale at very low prices, while near them, and equally cheap, appear dishes and baskets of cherries, radiant with colour; strawberries deliciously luscious and cool, and gooseberries | tempting and well developed. Some splendid sainplesof this latter fruit were displayed in the fruiterers' windows on Saturday last. Two varieties, from the garden of Mr. Parr, Titiraugi, viz., the "Cheshire Lass" aud the "Smiling Beauty," were especially line, both ii flavour and size, aud attracted considerable notice. Mr. .Parr complains of having been robbed of large quantities of the berries just as they were ripeuing ; not in this instance by that muchabused feathered biped, the sparrow, but by bipeds of more rapacious proclivities—the lads of the locality. The fascinations of the " Smiling Beauty" have proved too much for the susceptible hearts of the youngsters, and their attentions have become more frequent than welcome. It may be just as well to remind these lovers of cherries, &c., that though their taste in selection is good, their conduct is bad, and that, if detected in their pilfering expeditions, they may be handed over to the tender care of the officers of the law, and obliged to partake of the simple aud less geuerous diet of the Mount Eden establishment.

The only case brought before the Police Court on Saturday morniug was that of a woman charged with inebriety. She acknowledged her delinquency, and was duly punished. Mr. Baratow was the presiding magistrate.

A rather strange advertisement appears in our advertising columns this morning, Mr. Hannaford wants two sacks of peas by five o'clock this afternooD, to send to the Waikato. Seeing that the Waikato is an agricultural district, we should have imagined that district could have grown all the peas required, but facts are more telling than mere opinions. We have no doubt the required quautity will be forthcoming from our market gardeners.

From ati advertisement elsewhere, it will be seen that on Wednesday next Messrs. J. D. and K. Hill will offer for public auction, at Hamilton, a number of allotments and villa sites, varying in extent from one-fourth of an acre to 10 acres. The position of the land is in close proximity to the Hamilton Kailway-station, and as such should command brisk competition. The value of land in and around Hamilton of late has been considerably enhanced, and as the terms of the vendor are liberal, an opportunity will be afforded of enabling persons of moderate means to become possessed of a freehold in one ef the most rising districts in the Nijrth Island. The sale will take place immediately after the arrival o£ the train from Auckland, the line on this occasion being opened for the first time for passenger traffic henco to Hamilton.

A case which is creating great interest is likely to come off in the Kaipara district on Tuesday. The queatioD, as far as we understand the matter, is simply this—" what i 3 personal luggage ?" By the laws of Railway Companies any first-class passenger on the Kiverhead Railway is entitled to have with him 1121bs. luggage. A gentleman the other day, that is, a short time ago, travelled by this railway, and took with him two ga!l<jns of whisky ; this did not, with his other luggage, make 1121b5., but he was told it was not " personal," and so he must pay for it. This he refused, aud now is summoned to show cause why he should not pay the sum of 2s for freight. Truly, Dr. Johnson was right when he said that no aian ought to use a word he did not knosv the meaning of, and what does "personal" mean ? In England every passenger who goes first-class, is entitled to have carried 1121bs. of luggage; second-class, SOlbs. ; third-class, 561bs. ; provided the luggage does not incommode others. The affair obviously requires looking into.

The Lyllelton Times has the following :— A correspondent who signs himself "Dainty Ariel" writes: "Could you inform mo if Mr. W. Walters's (of Auckland) racing filly Venus Transit ever ran in a race against Mr. Parmer's colt Longlands ; and if she did, did she prove the beat?" Venus Transit met Longlands twice at the Auckland Autumn Meeting—in the Champagne Stakes, aud also in the Flying Stakes. On caeh occasion Venus Transit was victorious.

The British revenue returns for the year and the quarter ending the 30tli of September have been published. The amount received during the quarter lias been £1G,G24,952, a net decrease compared with the corresponding period of last year of £109,625. The revenue for the year has been £7S, 974,5G7, a net increase of £1,410,034 as compared with last year. In the quarter the chief decreases are found in Customs, Excise and Stamps, Excise alone showing a deficit of £334,000. These three heads also give a decrease on the year, all other items except miscellaneous showing an increase.

Mr. Charles G. Leland ("Hans Breitmau") has presented to the British Museum a remarkable copy of the famous declaration made by President Lincoln on the Ist January, ISG3, of the emancipation of the slaves in all the States of the Union then in arms against the executive authority of the Americau Republic. This copy (says the Athenuum) is one bearini; the autograph signature of the President himself, countersigned by Mr. Seward, Secretary of State. Only a very few copies were issued with these autographic signatures, and they have now become excessively difficult to procure.

In South Australia the settlors are as much troubled with the destruction caused by rabbits as are the settlers in New Zealand. Various plans have been adopted there at different times for the destruction, if not extermination, of the rabbit pest, but hitherto all plans have failed, either oc account of theirj inefficiency or expensiveness. A new method has recently been adopted which] promises to work well, and which has the merit of economy—that is suffocating the rabbits iu their burrows during the day time by fumes of burning sulphur. A small apparatus is provided for burning the sulphur, and blowing the fumes into the burrows. In every case where this plan has been tried, and the burrows p.fte •- wards opened, the rabbits, old and young, have been found dead, many of them appearing as if they had died instantaneously. This method of destroying "bunny" has been so far successful that the Government of South Australia are to try it upon a large scale upon some extensive reserves which are sadly overrun with the rabbits.