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New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5042, 14 January 1878, Page 2

From a telegram received last niglit, we learn that the K.M.s.s. Zealimdia, with the London mails to December 13th, sailed from San Francisco on tin; 31st lilt., or two days before contract time; consequently she is due in Auckland oil Wednesday, tho iiSrd inst., but it is quiti probable she will put in appearance on the Tuesday. The new service commenced this montli, and the City of Sydney will bring London datc3 of the 3rd inst, Sail Francisco, 21st ; and arrive in Auckland on or before Wednesday, February 13th. The young ladies who work at Mr. Tireda's etablishment in Shortland-streot were treated on Saturday b3* their oiiployer to a picnic to which eaali young lady was accorded the privilege of inviting a companion of the other .sex. The steamer Te Aroha had been chartered to convey the excursionists to Motuihi, which was accordingly done, the party leaving the Wharf at 9 a.m. The island was reached at 1) a.m., and after landing little time was lost by the ladies and their attendant squires in improving means of amusement. Kiss iu tile ring and similar games were in high favour, while dancing was also engaged in. A special feature in tho day's pleasantry was the performance of the Arabian box mystery, and of the aerial suspension by Professor and Madame Hennikie. Thoroughly pleased with the result of the day's outing, and grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Breda for the efl'orts put forth by theni to add to the general enjoyment, the party (numbering about SO) re embarked at 9.30 p.m., aid gained tho Queen-street \Vharf two hours later. In another column will bo fomid au account of tho first day's match between Twenty-two of Otago and the Australian Eleven wlipare on a tour through New Zealand prior to their visit to l-.'ngland. It will be gathered therefrom that the visitors are very strong, although the Otago players are making a liard fight. Bad luck appears to have fallen to the two crack batsmen of the Australians, tho brothers Banncrman retiring before tliey were well set with the small score of 13 obtained between them. The play subsequently became more careful, tho batsmen acting oil the defensive, apparently finding that the bowling, coupled with the fielding of the Otago men, was not to be trifled with. When time was called, three wickets were down for the score of 53. It is evident, from the foregoing, that the match, so far, is in favour of the-Australians, and we fully expcct to see them pull off tho match. They play next at Canterbury, and we understand that, with the recent victories obtaiued by tho Canterbury team sent on a tour lately, they feel confident of success, and intend to play the Australians with fifteen men only. It is expected that the Australians will be in Auckland about the first week iu February, and it behoves our cricketers to make the most of the time, by a constant attendance at the practice-ground. Some 70 circulars have been issued by tho selection committeo iuvitiug tho recipients thereof to join at the practice, iu order that the merits of each player may be fully seen ere tho selection is made. We are glad to note that the practice is being carried on somewhat differently than heretofore, and that when the contest does take place there will be found more harmony in the fielding than is nsual at most of the matches.

Mr. Andrew Diliforth, of Waitakerei, and Captain Colebeck, of Kaipara (Te Pahi), were on Saturday sworn in, before Mr. Justice Gillies, in Chambers, a3 Justices of the Peace of the colony. We are requested to remind the licensees for carters, cabs, private carta, porters, lodginghonse-keepers, &c, that their licenses expired on the Ist instant, and that all who have not renewed the same may expect to be summoned forthwith—the fourteen days having expired. Under the Eating Act all valuations require to be completed by the 15th instant, and from these lists are compiled the burgess rolls for boroughs and ratepayers rolls for counties, but the names of persons who have failed to pay their rates must be omitled. Hence they become disfranchised, and solely through their own neglect to make themselves eligible by paying their rates in time. On Saturday laet we were shown a few ears of wheat grown on the farm of Mr. Churches, West Tamaki. The ears were part of the crop grown on 13 3cres, which are expected to yield a fair average. The grain has not yet been threshed, and the actual out-turn is not known, but Mr. Churches is hopeful that it will prove highly remunerative. The election, of a City Councillor to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of Mr. Brett to tho Mayor's chair, is exciting a good deal of general interest. The two candidates —Mr. John Grey and Mr. Buchanan—have each energetic committees working on their behalf, and canvassing for votes. It is generally thought that the contest will be a close one. The election takes place tomorrow. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court will be resumed this moruing at 10 a.m., when jurors and witnesses should be in attendance. The two cases set down for trial are those of Daniel Mclnany, charged with specimen-stealing, and a charge of perjury against a man. named Barley. Should the defendants in either of these cases plead guilty, or the trial occupy a short time, it is probable one of the fraudulent bankruptcy cases (Utting or Meyera) will be entered upon. Five members of the Victoria Riflo Volunteer Company presented themselves at the Mount Eden Rifle-range on Saturday afternoon, and engaged in the periodical competition for the Ladies' Prize. The ranges were—2oo, 400 and 500 yards ; five shots at each. The scores made were as follow :— Volunteer B. Cooper, 49; Volunteer Payne, 43 ; Volunteer JUondersou, 43 ; Volunteer Alderton, 41; Volunteer Bowden, 39. There are some more Volunteers yet to fire, so that the result will not be known for a day or two. The children of St. Mary's Sunday-school, Parnell, held their anuual school feast in the Domain on Friday last. They were in charge of the Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell, Mrs. John Kissling, Mr. Dyer, Mr. E. liobertshaw, and the teachers of the school. There were about 200 children present. Service was held in St. Mary's Church at 11 a. in. before starting.' At 12.30 the children wete regaled with a substantial luncheon, and tea was served at 5 o'clock. The day was spent in cricket, racing, and athletic games by the boys, and less energetic pastimes were improvised for the girls. At C o'clock the children returned to St. Mary's Church, where they were dismissed after spending a pleasant day. A correspondent writes that Mr. Finlayson, of Waipu, has shorn a lot of hoggets, and some of their fleeces have weighed 241bs. The hoggets are three-quarter-bred, ascended from tho merino. Some of them bear a strong resemblance to them yet. The merinos were several times crossed with Leicester rams, then with Lincoln rams from tho flock of Mr. MoNicoJl, Ohaupo. Tho hoggets have got both length of wool and thickness, the sure thing to make a heavy fleece. The great evil with sheep farmers is that they keep too many sheep for their feed. It is time that farmers were thinking about how they can grow tho most wool for mutton at lAd to 2d per lb. will never pay to put down artificial grasses. Amongst tho obituary notices which appear in our columns this morning will be observed that of Air. James Alison, a very old and highly respected colonist. He passed away very peacefully at his residence, Carloton Gore Ruad, oa Saturday morning. The deceased gentleman arrived in Auckland by the ship Duchess of Argyle, thirty-six or thirty-seven years ago, and on landing started in business as a blacksmith, and continued till the bodily infirmities incident to old ago compelled him to give up active work. Mr. and Mrs. Alison had six children, who are all married, and many of whoso children are also married and possess families of their own. The descendants, it is said, number fully a hundred. The funeral of the departed gentleman will take place at 3 p.m. to-day. The Thames Scottish Volunteers fired for tho company's belt on Saturday, ranges 200, 400, and 500 yards, five shots at each rango. The day was not favourable to good shooting, the wind being strong and unsteady ; nevertheless, the competitors made some splendid average shooting. 'I ho belt was won by Volunteer George Price (of the firm of Price Brothers, engineers) with a lino score of 52 points. Nearly 30 men made 40 points and over, the averago being close on centres. The competition came oIF on the Maori range. This match, with another to be lired next .Saturday, is to decide tho team to fire against the Auckland Victoria Company. Tho Thames Scottish keep up the excellent attendance at drill as well as at the rifle range, and we believe they can at present turn out 100 strong, exclusive of brass band or pipers. An entertainment was given in the Temperance Hall on Saturday night, for the benefit of tlie Pioneer luvenilo Temple, and was well patronised. Mr. Joseph Newman occupied the chair. The meeting was commenced precisely at S o'clock, by sinking a verse of a Temperance ode. During his opening remarks, the chairman stated ho had been a total abstainer for forty years, and after speaking of the necessity of temperance in order to accomplish any great work, advised the young to become abstainers, and remain such. An excellent and varied programme was gone through, and tho meeting closed shortly before 10 o'clock, after a vote of thanks to those who had assisted was proposed by Mr. McKenzif, superintendent of tho Temple, and carried by acclamation. Tho reading wore perhaps rather long, although excellent. Tho gntn <if tho evening was the well-known duet, " Hunting Tower." The will of the late Sir Titus Salt, Bart., of Bradford, Yorks, tho well-known head of the manufacturing firm of Titus Salt and Sons (Limited), Saltaire, Bradford, has been proved, and the personalty sworn under £400.000. The deceased b.ironet was the discoverer of the process of utilising tho wool from the alpaca, and which laid the foundation of tho largest worsted matiu facturing establishment in tho world. Deceased was one of the most philanthropic men in England, and it is estimated that in charities alone he distributed over £150,000. He was a member of tho Nonconformist body, and in his model village of Saltaire is one of tho neatest chapels of that connection iu H'ngland. He represented bis native borough (Bradford) for a session iu the Uouso of Commons, his coadjutor being the Uigh* iron. \V. E. Forster ; but tho parliamentary duties were too much for his advancing years, and he retired in favour of Mr? Ed. Miall. This gentleman was, however, opposed by Mr. W. M. Thompson, who succeeded in defeating Mr. Miall. Mr. J. Mays writes respecting the culture of almonds as follows : — " Almonds aa Fruit" writes requesting information on fruiting almonds ; and " Agricola" also invites information on the same subject. I might state that Mr. Dodd, of Bombay, has five or six trees laden with fiuit in his orchard. They get no more attention than ordinary peach trees. Some of the trees bore fruit last year also. I cannot tell how many years the trees have been planted, what they are budded on. and whether they are thoroughly sheltered from southwest winds. I consider the peach far too luxuriant for almonds, aud work all mine on the plums. I consider the almonds, apricots, and walnuts will thrive in this province, and fruit just as well as tho peach and the plum. Apricots bore well with mo this year, and bore well with Mr. Dodd. Walnuts bear at Papakura, at Martyn's farm, at Gtahuhu, also, I believe, in Bombay. Will " Agricola" pay me a visit, and I will then show him several orchards where he may view fruit trees of every description, thriving and bearing freely.

The Sisters of Mercy, through Father Walter Macdonald, acknowledge with many thanks, the receipt of £3 103 from Father O'Reilly, Coromandel, towards the enlargement of St. Mary's Orphanage, Ponsonby. Mr. Stephen Massett, the talented elocutionist, musician, and poet, will give his clever entertainment this evening in the I Public Hall, Onehunga. To-morrow evening he is announced to give an entertainment at the North Shore. As these entertainments are of a highly intellectual character, he cannot fail to draw large audiences. A new entertainment in the shape of a waxwork exhibition will be opened to day in the new building adjoining the Union Bank. The collection of figures is, we are informed, very large aud varied, and comprises life-like representations of great numbers of eminent and famous men. The charge for admission is fixed at one shilling. The date of the Waikato Turf Club's annual meeting has been fixed for the 13th and 14th of next month. The list of events is one of the most attractive ever issued by the club, and the prizes are such as to command the attendance of good horses. The nominations for the Turf Club and other handicaps must be sent in to the secretary at Hamilton by eight o'clock on Tuesday, the 29th instant, and weights will be declared on the following Saturday. Several battles having been notified during the last two days, and the latest news stating that the question of an armistice had been " referred to St. Petersburg," the mendacious character of recently-published telegrams— which announced " cessation of hostilities;" armistice concluded direct between Turkey and Russia"—is plainly demonstrated. Attention has been previously directed to this manufacture of " bogus" telegrams, and it is not necessary to do more than allude to this latest flagrant instance. A man named Robert Chalmers, who some time ago was brought before the magistrate at the suit of his wife, who alleged that he left her destitute and without sufficient means of support, had an order made by the magistrate that he should contribute £1 per week to the support of his wife and child. He was arrested on warrant on Saturday, charged with being in arrears with his payments. Four others were lockei up for being drunk on Saturday, but no arrests were made yesterday. The programme of & series of athletic sports to be held at Ellerslie, on the 29th inst., has been published, and is of a very attractive character. It comprises a large number of events, for which substantial prizes are offered, and there is no doubt there will be numerous competitors and close competition. Altogether, there is material for an excellent day's amusement for those who enjoy athletic games. We may remind intending competitors that entries will close on the 19th inst., and direct their attention to the conditions appended to the programme. The members of the Fire Brigade held a meeting at the engine-house, on Saturday night, for the purpose of considering the form which the celebration of their anniversary next month should take. It was agreed that there should be a torch-light procession through the streets of the city on an evening to be decided on at a future meeting, and Mr. Superintendent Hughes was requested to write to the Insurance Companies and to the City Council asking for the customary donations, in order to carry out the celebration. The latter is to conclude with a banquet. A committee was appointed to carry out the arrangements. Mr. Burgess, the Secretary of the Regatta Committee, has received a "letter from Mr. Dargaville, stating that a crew from the Upper Wairoa district will not be able to take part in the forthcoming Regatta, as- intended,- in consequence of their boat being an open inrigged one, and the programme of the Committee does not provide for auy event of this kind. Mr. Dargaville is so anxious, however, that his crew should compete in Auckland that he is desirous the committee should make an event for iurigged boats, which he would subsidise liberally. The offer is a very liberal one, and we trust that something will be done to meet Mr. Dargavillo. We fully agree with his remarks that it would greatly add to the interest of the Regatta. Of late our Regattas have brought very little new blood forward, and the event for outriggers, 4c, is generally a foregone conclusion. If the committee cannot see their way to the suggestions of Mr. Dargaville, he would be in favour of a challenge match bein" "ot up, and would back four of his men against the pick of any club in Auckland, giving them boati! of an equal class, and "in Li's own words—"would even back my people to win." " Creation by Evolution and its Relation to Prayer," was the title of a lecture delivered by Mr. Charles Bright at the Choral Hall, last evening, to hear which a large and respectable audience attended. The manner in which the subject was treated displayed much thoughtful study on the part of the lecturer. He began "by saying that the theory of creation by evolution took it out of the spasmodic and finite, into the scops of the natural and infinite. In ages past the minds of the people required a theory of creation suited to their infantile conditions, and the legends of creation were necessarily simple in their character, and represented the Creator working at the task of creation spasmodically and laboriously. But creation by evolution was a natural growth. Mr. Bright proceeded to show that the work of creation was constantly progressing, and said that obedience to God's laws caused happiness, and disobedience misery, and all they had to do was to ascertain those law?, and follow them. God's laws were unalterable, and pursued their majestic march from age to age, and man was now beginning gradually to understand them. In dealing wit!) the second part of the subjeet, the relation of creation by evolution to prayer, Mr. Bright showed how scientific men had ruthlessly proved that prayer was unavailing—that it had no potency. It was, however, a great human iustinct which could not be eradicated, and bad been planted there l.y the Creator himself. It was natural to ths soul, and the God of nature had implanted it there, and they might rest assured that he created it there for some good and useful end. It was an aspiration after tho Divine, and had an enobltng effect. Prayer by rote, and forms of praver, lie ridiculed, but referred to the aspirations of people, and humanity at large, as the emanations of tho God of humanity. Mr. Bright was listened to throughout with the most marked respect and attention, and, on concluding, ho was warmly applauded. On Saturday evening last a me-ting of the officers and men of the Ist Waikato Regiment was held at Tau ranga, convened by Captain Fras : r, to consider the best steps to take for restoring the monument erected by the regiment at Drurv to the memory of their comrades who fell in an engagement with tho natives at the Maukau, in November, ISG3. It will be remembered that in the fight referred to Lieutenants Norman and Percival, with six or seven men. were killrd. and their bodies feafully mutilated. They were brought into Drury, and there buried, and some time thereafter a handsome monument was erected over their common grave by tho Ist Waikato liegiment. The monument and its surroundings have litely fallen into disrepair, and for some time past a movement has been on foot to restore the same. It was deemed advisable, however, before any puhlic action was taken, that the nucleus of the Ist RegimentstationedatTxnrangiishoulri be consulted. This Captain Fraser took upon himself during a visit to Tauranga at the holiday season, and the meeting was held on Saturday last. There was, we learn, a good attendance, and the matter was very warmly taken up. It was considered that the monument would never be properly looked after in Drury, and that the bett course to adopt would be to exhume the remains of the brave fellows who are buried, and transport them with the monument to Tauranga. where they could be re interred near the last resting place of many braves who fell at Gate Pa, Te Ranga, and other places. This idea was warmly supported, and subscriptions were at once opened to carry it out, a good amount being collected at the meeting. Tt is stated, and with reason, that if the monument is left at the village of Drury, there will not be any one to look after it; while, if it were removed to Tauranga, it is reasonably certain that there will be always a number of residents there who will preserve the traditions, if not the recollections of the Ist Waikato Kegiment, and willingly give a helping hand to keep in good preservation a memorial erected in honour of their brave dead.— Thames Star.