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New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5335, 21 December 1878, Page 4

The Auckland Weekly News o£ to-day contains, in addition to the usual budget of general, farming, and local news, talcs, and miscellaneous reading, a large illustrated Christmas aud New Year's supplement of forty columns, the whole forming the best newspaper publication ever issued in the colony. The engravings comprise a view of Sir George Grey's residence at Kawau, an excellent illustration of Lake Taupo, and a view of Mount Cook, the highest mountain in the colony. In the supplement is an original story, entitled, " Marion, or After Many Days," by au Auckland lady, as well as other stories suitable for the season. A most interesting lecture, by Dr. Campbell, upon "Old Auckland, or Auckland in 1840, and How We Lived Then," is also given. In addition to which there are original articles upon Christmas, with conundrums, varieties, &o. The selection of poetry embraces several beautiful pieces, entitled rs follows:—" Christmas Bells," "Praying for Santa Claus," "Companions on the Road," " Dying with the Dying Tear," &c. Copies may be obtained at the agents', and at the publishing office, Queen-street.

Respecting the Ministerial visit to the Thames, our Grabamstown correspondent writes :—About noon on Tuesday last, the Government steamer Hinemoa arrived off Tararu, having on board the Hon. J. Macandrew, Minister for Public Works, and Mr. Blackett, the Engineer for the North Island. In the afternoon Mr. Macandrew, accompanied by the Couuty Chairman, the Mayorelect, and others, visited tho big pump, and also the Moanataiari mine. Mr. Blackett, accompanied by Dr. Kilgour, Mr. Aitken, and one or two Councillors, drove out to Totara Point to view the country through which the proposed rail tray is to be carried. On Wednesday morning, the whole party proceeded to Ohinemuri, to enable Mr. Blackett to have an idea o£ the character of the country ia that direction. The party returned to Grahamstown in time to be present at a dinner in honour of their visit. It is pretty ifrell decided that the railway shall be made on the line of the present County road. On Saturday next, Sir George Grey is expected. The morning will be devoted to turning the first sod of the railway, after which there will be a luncheon. In the afternoon, the monthly inspection of Volunteers take* place, in which, it is expected, Sir George will take part, and in the evening ha will address hia constituents.

In reference to the arrangement amongst the various municipalities in the colony to send one telegram to Her Majesty in her late bereavement, a telegram was received yesterday afternoon to the following effect, from the Town Clerk, Christchurch: — "Town Clerk, Auckland: Wellington aud DunecOn wire special; we better do same.— T. J. Hasiins, Town Clerk." The following telegram was immediately forwarded to London:—"Citizens of Auckland deeply sympathise with Her Majesty in recent bereavement.—Pejcook, Mayor."

At the Board of Education meeting it was decided that the office holidays should extend from Wednesday to Saturday, both days inclusive, and the Ist and 2nd o£ Jauuary.

Irrespective. of the gravity of the crime wilful murder, preferred against Thomas Rennells, at the: Police Court yesterday, there are peculiarities in the case which are' likely to lead to fresh legislation, or at least to making the law clearer than it at present seems to be. The question of jurisdiction cropped up in a very awkward manner, and in vhe skilful hands of Mr. Hesketh, was made almost to appear that the authorities, were, in the first instance, acting illegally in taking the prisoner into ouetody, and that the Court had no power to order his detention. The circumstances are no doubt fresh in the memory of our readers: Renneil was a trader for Mo Arthur and Co., in the' island of Butaritari, one of the Gilbert Group, three degrees north of the Equator. C.iptain Moller, acting on authority, cilled for his accounts, and, these not being satisfactory, he proceeded to take away the trade goods, and, while doing so, Rcnnell fired at him, inflicting a wound on his arm which in a few days resulted in his death. The crew of the vessel acted in the most legitimate manner, arrested the mur lertr and delivered him up to the authorities at their first British port of call, Auckland. It is not alleged that they used the slightest unnecessary violence towards the prisoner ; in fact, their conduct throughout seem 3 to have been exemplary. The proceedings in Court yesterday are pretty fully reported elsewhere. What we were surprised to notice was that the prosecution appeared to be unable to shew in any way that Sir Arthur Gordon was appointed Lord High Commissioner for Polynesia. The announcement was made more than twelve months ago, and since then Sir Arthur has appointed a large number of Deputy-Commissioners, with properlyconstituted Courts, at various groups of islands in the Pacific, so that cases relating to British subjects may be dealt with on the spot, without reference to Levuka. The full text of the Imperial Act (a lengthy one) under which the Courts are constituted was published some time ago in the Samoa Times, and those engaged in the Island trade who have kept a file of that journal may pat Mr. Brookfield in the way of obtaining the information which he desires. The publication was extended over several numbers. The Act was also re-published in the New South Wales Government Gazette during thepresent year. The proceedings yesterday were of the ordinary character in hearing a prima facie case, but it was acknowledged by the prosecution that the Supreme Court of New Zealand could not deal with the case> and it was also acknowledged that the Resident Magistrate waß powerless to send a case fur trial to any Court outside New Zealand jurisdiction. Instead, therefore, of commit;ing for trial, the magistrate remanded the accused to prisoii to await the pleasure of His Excellency the Governor. Of course, i£ it is found that the Acting-Governor of Fiji exercises the powers of the Actiug-Higti Commissioner of Polynesia, the accused, witb cupies of the evidence, and the witnesses against him, will be sent on to lievaka to take h?s trial there, and the proceedings must commence de novo.

We are given to understand that yesterday one of those interesting episodes which Berve to make the daily routine of b'.isiness-life pleasmt took place in the warehouse of Messrs. Oiven and Graham, when an address was read, and an exceedingly handsome presentation made by the employees to Mr. A. Heather, who is leaving the firm. The committee of the Orphan Home are having extensive repairs dona to the institution. The whole building is being reshingled, painted, and a great many other necessary repairs undertaken which will considerably reduce the treasurer's balance. It is to be hoped that kind friends Willi remember this institution and the good work it is doing at this season of Christmas.

At the Police Court yesterday, Hugh Alexander was sentenced to terms of imprisonment for six months, without hard labour, on seven distinct charges of stealing books from churches. The case is a very painful one. The accused was a new arrival in the colony, where, accompanied by his family, he arrived in the ship Lady Jocelyn, which brought Mr. Yesey Stewart's second batch of special settlers to New Zealand. He held a good position in the hom > country, where he attained the position of minister of the Presbyterian Church, and siuce his arrival in Auckland he has officiated and preached at least on one occasion at St. David's Presbyterian Church, Newton. Alexander is about CO years of age. The cause of his degredation is, we bslieve, a love of drink, or, rather, an infatuation for stimulants. Very great sympathy is felt for his wretched wife and family, who literally find themselves strangers in a strange land, deprived of their position in society the social standing and the respectable status which they were accustomed to. Of course, in the eyes of the law, drunkenness is not an excuse for crime even of the mildest type, but there is lit tie reason to question the fact that it was this fatal appetite in tho accused which led to the commission of the potty and mean thefts to which he pleaded guilty.

We observe that the Improvement Commissioners have turned their attention to the nasty hummock of road from Bowenstreet to Victoria-street. This has been a disgrace for some time, both to the Corporation and the Commissioners. The City Engineer is to be consulted as to the best means of makiag a practicable road or thoroughfare.

In our report of the examination of the Auckland Girls' Training and High School there were two items which were not mentioned in the programme or in the official report. One of these was the address and presentation by the pupils to Mr. Niel Heath of an address in the following terms :

—"We, the pupils of the Girls' Training aud High School, take this opportunity of presenting to you this small gift (two splendid volumes of Tennyson's " Elaiue," illustrated by Gustav Do: e) as a testimonial of our sincere respect for you. We have very much pleasure in testifying ( ;hat the manner in which you have conducted oar studies during the past year (1S78) has been of the best possible character." The address was prettily read by Miss Durrico. The second item was the presentation of Mrs. Heath's prize for sewing to Miss Catheri'na Schnackenberg. Both presentations were accompanied with loud applause from the pupils aud the company.

Bishop Cowie has received from Mr. Seccombe, of Alexandra, and paid to the treasurer's of the respective institutions : —£4 for the Orphan Home, £3 for the Ladies' Benevolent Society, and £3 for the Old People's Home. This announcement will, it is to be hoped, remind other kind-hearted people that the measure of Christmas "good cheer" to be enjoyed by our orphans, and those who are iu distress, will depend on the funds available for the purpose at the disposal of the treasurers of the said institutions. During the present week we understand that the pupils at the Girls' High School presented Miss Mann, one of the teachers, with a very handsome gift, as an acknowledgment of the care and pains she had taken regarding them. Miaa Mann's connection with the Girls' High School has closed, she having been appointed to a more lucrative situation at Napier. A few days ago a gentleman in this city suffered a heavy losa in bank notes, which he had been accumulating during a considerable time for a specific object. They were taken from his room (luring his temporary absence, and no clue has been found as to their whereabouts. He had neglected the very obvious and simple precaution of taking the numbers, so, it seems, others did it for him. Every person having funded moneys of this kind by him ought to keep an accurate description ; for, even if did not prevent the ultimate loss of the treasure, in case of theft, it would bo of great Bervice to the police in traoiug the offenders aud bringing them to justice. The grocers of the city and suburbs of Auckland have issued a circular notifying that, after the 10th of January, their respective places of business will remain open until 10 p.m. on Fridays, and be closed at 2 p.m. on Saturdays. They earnestly solicit the public to make their purchases either on Friday or early on Saturday, and thus assist in the attempt to make moro general the Saturday half-holiday.

A largely-attended meeting of the Auckland branch of the Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society was held last night, at St. Patrick's Hall. The principal business was the election of officers for the ensuing year. The following weie elected : —Mr. W. G. Connolly, president; Mr. P. Kearney, vice-president; Mr. B. Cronin, secretary ; Mr. J. Gallagher, treasurer; Mr. E. Gongk, warder; Messrs. McCormick and O'Sullivan, sick visitors; Messrs. J". A. Tola and J. Dempsey, auditors ; Dr. Wine, medical attendant ; and Messrs. Clifton, Cronin, and O'Sullivan juvenile committee. The secretary brought up a balance-sheet shewing a balance to credit of £796. A vote of thanks to the retiring secretary was passed, and the meeting separated.

The long-announced Ponoonby Christmas Promenade Concert will take place , and Saturday next, at the Poauby > when a tree well-covered with ViS?* Va,uable artio,es wiU Visitors on paying Is or 2s Od. as for,r" b ° entitled to a draw In addition" the JwiU 1" T e^ e ° ditarecream, and refreshment nf strawbel ™ 3 »?<* 1 he proceeds are ,n aid of All Saints' o%l a f A'K'tt auction will commence on S? 1 =• at 9 •'<***. Admission^ Most of-rthe statues presented to tha Institute by Mr. Thoaiaj Huosell-hare been placed on the pedestals prepared for them by order of Dr. Campbell. The more that i 3 seen of thi* splendid gift, the more valuable it appears. Great efforts are being made to have ths whole of the s'aiues and busts in. situ before Christmas, eo that the Museum may be open during the Christmas holidays. Mr. Justice Gillies sat in Chambers yeaterday for the first time. There was a large uumber of applications dispased of, but they were all of a formal character.

We are requested to intimate that ths Court of Petty Sessions, on the 24th instant, will sit 11 o'clock instead of at the usual hour, 10.30 a.m. It will be seen by advertisement in another column that the International Cir/,us will open on Boxing Night. The Markei squara has been secured for the and biing central will no doubt be wcl'-atteuded, as the Circus comes here with a good reputation. The only arrests made by the police up to a late hour last night were three on chargj of drunkenness, two women and one man. The latter is likely to have a second charge preferred against hitn, as he U9ed abusive language toward a gentlemau who was piss, ing through Customhouse-street. The Waikalo Times says that it is satisfactory to learn that the Thames-Waikato railway will be at once proceeded with, and that the sale of land in the immediate vicinity will, it is expected, recoup the colony tne cost of its construction. We have no doubt that the Government has not over estimated the returns, when it calculated to re-pay the whole cost of the lir.e from sale of allotments in the proposed township of Omahu, ami in the sale of small farms, til" largest of which, we are informed, will be 320 acres on the Te Aroha block. An amusing incident, shewing tho advantage to be derived in some eases by tha exhibition of a good doso of cold water, occurred yesterday morning at one of ths hotels in town. A fellow who had been sacrificing rather liberally to Bacchus, atuuib.ed into the bar, and called for mora liquor. The landlord very prop.rly refused it; but the thirsty one declined to take "no for an answer," or to leave the houE.r. Ho was summarily thrust out, but returned as quickly. It occurred then to the landlord to try the efficacy of a moving power which was used in the Kussian capital seme time ago when the police found it necessary to disperse turbulent gatherings. He quietly screwed the water-tap, and gave the intruder a douche bath. This had an instantaneous effect. It caused an instant cure ; and tho man who one minute before could not stand steadily on his legs, wai the next ruaning full-sp ed round a far off corner, evidently thinking that the tormcnter was close at hisheols. H>; returned uo more. This cure rni_ht be adopted iu other places, and would save the police much trouble.

An entertaiumeat of a miscellaueons nature took place in tlio Beresford-strtet Sunday-school yesterday evening. The object of the entertainment was to pay for the usual annual treat which is given to the school children. A Christinas tree wa3 placed in the building, and profusely decorated with small articles, both fancy and useful, wi.icli were distributed to ali attending the Sunday-school. Several ladies and gentlinen connected with the Church rendered songs, &c. A Service of Song in connection with St. Thomas's Church, Freeman's Bay, took place yesterday evening. Tho lie v. Mr. Burrows piesided. Thu proceedings opened with the customary devotions. The subject of the Service of Song was the life of Samuel. The Rev. Mr. Burrows read tha appropriate p»ssages illustrative of the life of the prophet, and the choir sang suitable selections illustrative of the lecture. The choir was a pretty strong one, the voices blended harmoniously, and Miss Arch, who presided at the harmonium, played with great tmte and effect. It must be satisfactory to thoss of the dwellers in the Grafton District whose business takes them to tho upper section of the city, to find that the Cemetery Trustees ara having a good pathway, formed by which they will be saved a long journey. It will still, however, be very steep, and hardly available iii wet wether. Possibly tho Board and the Trustees may combine at some future day, and, with the aid of voluntary subscriptions, thro a' a light wire Buspension bridge across the lower and by far the steeper part of the ravine. The half yearly meeting of the shareholders of the Cure GMd Mining Company was advertised to be held at tha office of the secretary, Mr. Home, at noon yesterday. At the hour appointed a quorum was not present, and the mating consequently laps:d. The position of tho company i« favourable at present, there being & credit balance of £101 lis. Madame Cora and Val Vose returned to Auckland yesterday evening, after a short, but very successful, season at the Thames. They will open the Lorn'-street Hall for tht Christmas holidays, Madame Cora's entertainment comprises a very great variety of elegant legerdemain. Mr. Val Vose is regarded as perhaps the most accomplished ventriloquist living. The combined entertainment derives considerable attraction from the acknowledged t iste, in all matters of form, of both these a'tista.

In our advertising columns will be found a notice from Measrs. Porter and Co., of this city, to the effect that they expect shortly a consignment of a new kind of reaper and binder. This new invention is said to be a very great improvement upon the now celebrated McCormaek reaper. {The new candidate for public favour is designated "The Harvester King." The circular of Messrs. Arkell, Tufts, and Company, of London and New York, for October, thus refers to this new inveution "The Harvester King.—We call the special attention of our correspondents to this splendid reaping machine, manufactured by Messrs. Gammon aud Dearing, of Chisago, and which we believe superior to any other known or exported from the States. The reaper is made to cut either a sor 6 foot swath, is drawn easily by two horses, has no side draught, is less liable to get out of order, and, Bbould it do so, is more readily and cheaply repaired than any other m:\ehine made. It is most simple in construction, arid lesa liable to break binding wire than ordinary reapers, aud if wire does break, threads its own needle while in action, while others stop to re-adjust. Will bind its sheaf tighter than other reapers, aud uses oae wire instead of two." None of these machines have as yet been lauded in the colony, but a vessel is daily expected at Lyttelton from New York with a number of these useful implements. A portion of the consignment comes on to Messrs. Porter and Co.

Allotments 3G5 and 3G6, Opotiki, bloc 2, in the Auckland Provincial District, cor taining 2a 3r 28p, have bo n permanentl, reserved as a hospital endowment. Constable Thomas Whelan has been gzetted gaoler at 'l'auranga, vice Sergean White. Mr. Samuel Yeoman Collins, of Auck land, has been gazetted Deputy-Commii sioner of the Land-tax at Napier.

Tho coming season necessitates ladies an gentlemen who study their comfort to make change of clothing. A.mple provision is mac for this in the display of new summer mill nery, drapery, and ni jn's clothing at T. SlcMa: ter's, Queen-street. Tho stock of lace, achus, millinery, dresses, collars, ties, umbrellas, ana parasols, is especially worth notice. _ . Messrs. Huntor ami N T olan announce that, in consequence of tha regular Pupakurn sale-day falling on New Year's Day, tho sale will be nelu on Saturday next, the 2Stli instant. In another column will bo found the draft or a by-law which is intended to be passed by the City Council. The law is for the purpose 01 regulating the sale of meat, &c. On reference to our advertising column it will be seen that Messrs. Phillips veterinary surgeons, have appointod a. numD , of local agents for their celebrated norso cattle medicines. A list of the prices at w they can be obtained is also given. In another column will be foil nil so advertisements relating to the tuvision 0 Pukekohe district into two Highway Districts.