Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5359, 20 January 1879, Page 2

The Hon. Mr. Sheohan will leave for th e Thames to day by the Stella, returning on Tuesday. The visit is solely on account of native business. By a telegram from Waikato, we learn that Rewi has left for Taupo, to arrange some land disputes in connection with blocks which will shortly be before the Native Lands Court. Our Southern contemporaries have expressed surprise at the amount of money which lias been invested in racing sweepstakes in Auckland. The money thus invested was, it must be recollected, divided between tha chief racing events of Australia the Cup and Champion, and the local races' In a single issue of the Dunedin Evening Star, of January 7th, we notice sweeps advertised on a local race, the Dunedin Cup to the amount of £8750. These are openly advertised, one for £4000, one for £30u0, one for £1000, ono for £500, and one for £250 each with conditions and place of address spocified. ' In consequence of the favourable news received from the K.uranui Company's mine within the last few days, shares have steadily advanced, and on Saturday a slight spurt took place, they jumping from 10s to 13s, at which figure business was done. Alburnias were also inquired after at 19s to 20s. Bank of Now Zealand, new issue, £10 10s—old £i 0 ; Colonial Bank, buyers, 50a ; National* 67s Gd, sellers 70s ; New Zealand Insurance! sellers, 78s; South British, sellers, 655; National Insurance, sales, 245. The Grafton Road Wesleyan Church anniversary services were held yesterday. The Kev. A. Reid preached a very excellent and practical sermon in the morning, and in the evening an instructive address was delivered by the Rev. B. Bavin. The collections for the day amounted to £(>.

We have received from Mr. McMnrdo, of the Government lusarance Department, a copy of the annual report dated the 15th September last. This report U brought up to the 30th of June last, and states that during the y*ar ending on that date there had b~en 2>9/ n*w proposals for an aggregate of £9/1,000. Of this number, 806 proposals wera declined or not completed, leaving 1991 policies issued for £65G,600. Of this number four p%ym°nts were made, ensuring a payment of £162 4a per annum. Nine were for endowments, the sum assured being £1100. The balance was of the ordi- j nary class of insurance. The annual premium upon this sum is £21,269 9a sd, whicb, together with the single payments, made a total of £23,042 13s lid. During the year 42 life policies had been paid, amounting to £13,250, arising from the death of 37 persons. The rate of mortality has been found to be much less than that on which the tables used in the department are based. We also learn from the same report that during the year 436 policies upon which the holders had made payments, perhaps for years, had been discontinued. Of this number 42 in the assurance branch are discontinued, in consequence of the death of those in whose favonr they were issued, 48 by surrender, 3 cancelled, and 304 lapsed. In the endowment branch 9 are discontinued, in the annuity branch 6, and in the industrial branch 22 lapsed, and 2 were terminated by death. Since the department was established, 10,813 policies have been issued, assuring £3,846,813. Of this number 1969 policies have been discontinued, leaving 88±4existingpolicies, assuring £3,267,231. This vast number of discontinued ! policies, principally through being allowed to lapse, in consequence, probably, of the people not being able to continue the payments, represents a vast loss to the public, and a corresponding profit to the Government. The income from all sources during the year was £111,201 163 2d, and the accumulated fund at the end of June stood at £292,523 2s 4d. We learn from Hokianga that the land dispute between two tribes of natives, which has existed there for some time past, and in which re Wake has taken a prominent parf, has been virtually settled, —having been referred to arbitration. It will be remembered that Te Wake was concerned in a native row some years ago, and actually shot a man. Mr. James Mackay got the natives to give him up, —there being an | understanding that his life should not be j taken. He was sentenced to imprisonment, I —either for life, or for a lengthened period, we forget which, but he soon contrived to make his escape, and to reach his friends in the far North. A pardon was subsequently procured for him by the interposition of Mr. Sheehan, and he actually came to Auckland, went to the gaol, gave himself up, and obtained the pardon. Te Wake has been behaving lately in a some what turbulent manner, but all the matters in dispute are now in a fair way of being arranged. The annual gathering in connection with the Wesleyan Sunday-school Union took place yesterday afternoon in the Theatre Royal, which had been engaged for the occasion. There were seven schools represented, viz., Pitt-street, Grafton Road, Ponsonby, Union-street, North Shore, Parnell, and Lorne-street, mustering over 800 scholars, while the attendance of parents and friends Bwelled the audience to about 1500. The meeting was presided over by the Rev. J. Crump, ex-Presideut of the Conference, supported by numerous ministers now in the city attending the sittings of the Conference. The Rev. R. Bavin addressed the scholars in a most spirited mauiier, and, at the close, spoke a u word in season" to the adults and parents. The scholars at intervals sang a selection of hymns, and, under the able conductorahip of Mr. Bridson, <bhey were rendered with effectiveness. The collection at the close amounted to the handsome sum of £17 0s 3d.

The Governor has appointed the following gentlemen to be Superintendent-collectors of Agricultural Statistics for the Provincial District of Auckland for the collection of the annual returns, under the Census Act of 18/8, to bs taken next month :—James H. G-reenway, for the Counties of Maugonui, Bay of Islands, Hokianga, and Hobson ; John King, Couuties of Rodney, Waitemata, fden, Manukau, Coromandei, Thames, and Piako; Herbert W. Brabant, Tauranga, Whakatane, Ea3t and West Taupo Counties ; James M. Gelling, for the Counties of Waikato, Raglan, and Waiohia. L'he sup(ji iuiciicicnt-collt-ctorß shall also define that the district for which each shall act shall be that portion of the colony comprised by the Counties or parts of Counties specified opposite thiir names, and including the Boroughs within such define J boundaries.

In addition to the man Browo, arrcated for attempted rape, the other arrests made since Siturday night are Patrick Alurphy, on a charge of stealing from the dwelling of George Carter, corner of Moore and Hobs'onstreets, a watch and clothing. A sailor was arrested for deserting from the ship May Queen, and a solitary drunkard occupied his temporary cell.

The Rev. J. Crump officiated yesterday morning and the Rev. A. lteid iu the evening at Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, to large congregations. The collection in aid of Conference expenses amounted to £19 2j od. The Conference tea-meeting will take place to-morrow evening, at half-past six o'clock, and afterwa-d a public meeting will be held, when the Revs. Crump, Reid, Morleyi Bavin, Lee, and others will address the audience. A select choir will be present to render music suitable to the gathering.

The weekly meeting of the Loyal Star of Auckland Lodge, No. 20, 1.0.0. F., A.C. was held in the lodge-room, New Zealand Insurance Building, on Friday, January 17, at 7.30 p.m. Inconsequence of the illness of the N. G. (Brother Davidson), Brother John Uughes officiated as N G., assisted by S.P.G. Brother Patterson aud V.G. Brother Guest, and impressively initiated seven new members. The acting N.G. declared a recess of 15 minutes, duriug which timo greetings were exchanged with the newlyiuitiated and visiting brethren. Among the visitors wer.; three from America on their travels per City of Sydney : Brothers Beney, of Lodge Reliance, Ontario; Wilson, of Lodge Ophir, San Francisco ; and May, of Lodge Muuro, Brockport, Now York. After the recess, Brother J. Butler was installed as treasurer. Brother Beney, on belulf of the visiting brethren, thanked the lodgo for the hearty reception tliey had received, and expressed himself much pleased by the appearance and working of the lodge. Blether T. Burham officiated as organist. In our list of successful competitors for scholarships, on Saturday, two of the names were misprinted. E. Browning and H Hoskins, both of Wellesley-street school," should be E. Bowring and H. Hockin. To the Editor: Sir,—As Mr. J. P Du Mouliu's Stonyhurst estate at Mount Eden consists of j2 acres, your paragraph referring to the sale to Mr. J. M. Thompson may lead to some misconception. The portion purchased by the nbove-named gentleman for £2000 comprises the dwelling-house ana other buildings, with about 9i acres of laud, the remainder of the estate beiDg in the market. 1 have thought it necessary to correct the error.—l am, & c ., S. V\ile Auckland, 17th Jaliuary, 1579.

For the Tradesmen's Athletic Sports, to be held in the Domain Cricket Ground on the 29th mst., the anniversary of the colony, the entries have been received, and may, on the whole, be considered very satisfactory. For the 100-yards champion race there are 10 entries; for the 120-yards handicap, 23 entries; for the 440-yards handicap, 22 entries ; for the mile handicap IS entries ; for tho 200 yards hurdle race' S entries ; for the maiden race, 7 entries '• and for the mile walking match, 10 entries' Numerically, therefore, the entries aro as large as could be anticipated, and we have no doubt there will, for each race, bo keen competition and good sport.

A sample of potter's earth has been left at this ofiice, which expe.ts state is much superior to anythiDg hitherto wo ked in the colony, and wotfld make the very finest kinds of earthenware. Indeed, it is very similar to the material used iii making porcelain a kind of decomposed felspar. It adds another to the long list of useful materials found in tho Waikato District. A supply of it has been Bent to Mr. Moses Ickell, of the Arch-hill Potteries, who will shortly put it to the crucial test, and see what it really will produce. He has great confidence in its capacity of being turned to most of the uses to which porcelain earth is applied, and will soon have somo ornamental articles manufactured from it ready for show in the city.

The Trigin's Gold Mining Company, on the main creek, have arrived to within 15 feet of tha reef which, in adjoining claims, gave an ounce and a-half to the ton. If this yield can be got it will make an exceedingly valuable claim, and will constitute it one of the most valuable gold-producing ones in the dietriot.

Reference has occasionally been made of late to the too-prevalent habit of robbing orchards and flower gardens, of breaking down, trees and shrubs planted in public gardens and along the sides of streets, &c. when offenders of that class are discovered here, the punishment meted out is very light as compared with the punishment awarded for similar offences in Germany. In that country the punishment for wilful damage to public property is very severe, as the following extracts taken f r om a Dresden paper testify. One night recently in that town sixty-three young fruit-trees, which it is now the custom to plant along the sides of public roads, were broken off. Several months later thirty-four more shared the same fate, and a similar number on another occasion. Moreover, the destructive propensities of the delinquent were not yet satisfied, and seventy-six more trees were sacrificed in the same way. But this time the offender was caught in the act, and he was found guilty of having been the author of the damage doue on four different occasions. In spite of the pleadings of his counsel and his own endeavours to shew that he was irresponsible for his actions on these occasions, because he wa9 under the influence of drink, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment and four years' chrenrechUverlusl.

A man hamed John Williams, who lately arrived from the Thames to settle in Hamilton Bast, has met with a great misfortune, tie lately purchased a team of horses from Mr. Deegan, and one of the horses, worth £40, took sick in a fortnight's time after buying it, and died on Friday night. Mr. Gwynne gave all the assistance he could, in skill and medicine, but without avail, and the man, in consequence, cannot undertake the work he had engaged to perform for the bridge contractor.— Waikato Times. The following are the weights for the Napier Handicap, of 150sovs., to be run on March 20 :—Maritana, 9st. 71bs ; Ariel, 9st. 41bs.; Laertes. 9st. 21bs.; Danebury, 9st.; Pinfire, Sat. 71bs.; Lara, Sst, Gibs.; Mufti, Bst. 4lbs.; Otupai, Sat. 2lbs.; Parewhenua, 7st. 131b5.; Izank Walton, 7st, 121b5.; Heroules, 7st. 11 lbs.; Sinklog Fund, 7st. lOlbs.; Tamatea, 7st. 71bs.; T. K. A. t 7st. olbs.; Elsa, 7s. 4lbs.; Dainty, 7st.; Lady Ellen, 6st. 121b5.; Punga, 6st. 121b5.; Omega, 6st. 91b3.; Merlin, 6st. 91bs.; Fiction, 6st. Slba.; Pukehura, 6st. 71bs.; Lady Elizabeth, 6st. 6lbs ; Repo, 6at. 51 bs.; Grey Momus, 6st. 4lbs.; Xantippe, 6st.; Ben Nevis, 6at.—H. P. Lance, Handicapper.

A proposal has been made to establish a hospital in Waikato. The Waikato Times says : —"The Waipa County Council the other day, when the sum of £US was deducted from their share of the Government subsidy as the County's half-yearly contribution towards the maintenance of the Auckland Hospital, very naturally considered the question whether, by a united effort on the part of the four Counties aud the Borough of Hamilton, a public hospital might not be established, and in a large part, if not wholly, maintained by their several enforced contributions to the Provincial District Hospital, from which in return the Waikato districts receive little benefit. It was resolved to write to the three other Waikato Counties, Raglan, Waikato and Piako, and to the Hamilcon Borough Council, asking their co-operation." Mr. Sheehan was communicated with on the subject, and he promised, if the matter wore taken up in a business-like spirit, that the Government would contribute two-thirds of the cost of erection, and afterwards pay pound for pound, either on iate3 or subscriptions, or both.

It is reported in Coromandei that the Goodenough gold mining claim is to start work again shortly, as they have found gold in sufficient quantity to warrant their carry, ing on extended operations.

A Poverty Bay paper, referring to the action which is about to be raised by Mr. J. S. Macfarlane against Mr. Rees for alleged libellous words spoken at a public meeting, in reference to the estate of the late Captain Read, says that Mr. Macfarlane considers that the estate of the late Captain Read has been greatly injured by the words spoken.

An accident of a very serious character happened on Thursday to a man named Warr, living at .East Hamilton, and, at the time, engaged in working on a cutting near Leslie's bridge. It appears that a block of about two tons of earth had been undermined for falling, when it came suddenly away, nearly burying the unfortunate man. lJr. Waddington, fortunately, was returning from Cambridge, and was within a couple of hundred yards of the place at the time, when the sad affair occurred. Warr was dug out, when it was found that one leg was broken at the thigh, and that the knee and kneecap of the other were dislocated. Dr. Waddington did what could be done in a temporary way for the sufferer, and sent him home in a dray, covered with hay, kindly lent by Mr. Ewen. Having then seen him home, the doctor dressed Warr's injured limbs, and made him as comfortable as he could, and also got a stretcher constructed with the intention of sending him to the Auckland hospital. Unfortunately, however, when the time came for sending him away, Dr. Waddington found his patient too unwell to b.ar the journey, and the project had to be abandoned. At a late hour on Friday night, the condition of Warr was much improved, and Dr. Waddington has great hope of his ultimate recovery. At the moment when a local hospital for the district is seriously suggested, this unfortunate case of Warr's pleads eloquently and strongly in favour of the proposal.— Waikato Times.

The auuual meeting of the Epiphany Church was held on Friday evening, January 17, after service in the church. The Rev B. T. Dudley occupied the chair. In his opening speech, he congratulated the members on the efforts of the past year, which had increased members and finances onethird. The report was read by Rev. J. Haselden, and accounts by Mr. Probert, which shewed a total of £13S 17s Sd. The total expenditure was £135 17s sd, lcavin - a balance iu hand of £3 0s 3d. The follow" ing gentlemen were elected on the com rnittee, namely : Messrs. Stanton, Tucker, Probert, Lightfoot, and Rowe, It was proposed and carried, "Jhat the stipend be increased by £20 for next year." A vote of thanks to the out-going committee was passed, after which the meeting separated.

The Theatre Royal will be opened this evening by a new company, under the management of Mr. J. P. Hvdes, an old Auckland favourite. Their repertoire comprises burlesque and light comedy pieces. Among tho lady members are several popular names, viz : Miss Jenny Nye, Miss Lizzie Morgan, Miss Alice Johns, Miss Amy Johns, and Miss Marian Liston. Messrs. Simmons, Mack, Wilkinson, Alexander Emmet, and Devanui are also well known.' The season opens with good promise of success.

A farewell dinner was given by Admiral | Sir Thomas Symonds, K.C.R. (brother of Judge Symonds), at Admiralty House, Mount Wise, on Thursday evening, on his resigning the command at Devonport. The whole of the Admiralty staff were included amongst the guests. The sincere respect of those with whom he haa been associated and which is also felt throughout the Navy at Devonport, by both officers and men, and the regrets which have found expression at his tenure of command having expired, are strong evidences that the gallant Admiral has suffered ho loss of esteem or popularity because he has proved a strict disciplinarian. Admiral Symonds will carry with him the good wishes of all, especially of those who can appreciate the exercise of diaci'line with justice and without favour or affection. English paper.

When You Wish to Furnish Your House obtain a Book Catalogue from the City Hall Arcade, which contains valuable information not only enumerating what can be obtained there, but shewing the cost of Furnishing a Three, Four, Five, and Six-roomed house ; also Drawingroom separately, and Bachelor's Rooms' The proprietors hnve purchased from Messrs. Grossman and Hauling the balance of their very handsome stock of Swiss Goods, beautifully and wonderfully carved, which are being rapidly disposed of, at Half-price. Also, just opened up, a large lot of Fancy Baskets, and various articles suitable for presents. Just received, some magnificent all-wool Kidderminster Carpets, for dining and bedrooms; very cheap Tapestry, Brussells, and .belt Carpets : the largest stock in Auckland. All kinds of Houso Furniture, anl an immense assortment of Bedsteads in Iron, Brass, Kauri Cedar, Rimu, and Mottled Kauri; with Wardrobes, Drawers, Waslistands, and Tables to match. Dining and Drawingroom Suites to suit all classes. Several new designs in Linoleum. not seen before in the city; Oilcloths, all widths. Carpets measured for, cut out, and laid, and Goods delivered Free of Charge to any part of the town. Catalogues sent Post Free. Ladies and gentlemen about to Furnish are invited to stroll through the " Arcade " where, in addition to House-furnishing Goods will be seen Drapery, Clothing, Millinery, and Fancy Goods. — Holloway, Garuck, and CEAifWELL, Proprietors, City TTnll Arcade Queen-street, Auckland. '