Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5760, 4 May 1880, Page 4

Messrs. Saunders and. Pharazvn, members of the Civil Service Commission, arrived hera yesterday by the steamer Ringarooma. All the Commissioners are now in Auckland, and they will begin operations thi3 morning at the Post Office Buildings. It is understood that several promineut offioi>ls in the Bailway and Public Works Departments will be examined to-day. It will be observed that Mr. Reader Wood has advertised a meeting oE his constituents for Friday night, and it seems that there ia a possibility that the meeting of Sir George Grey may be fixed for the same evening We hope arrangements will be made to obviate the awkwardness of having two important political meetings at the same time. The new public school building for Parnell was opened yesterday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives (the Hon. G. M. O'Rorke), Mr. Moss, M.H.R., Mr. Hurst, M.H.R., assisting at the ceremoDy. The building itself has been fully described in these columns. There are nearly 300 children on the school-roll, and about 250 were in attendance. Mr. Jonathan Winks occupied the chair. Apologies were read from Dr. Campbell, Mr. R. G. Wood, M.H.R., Mr. "W. Swanson, M.H.R, Dr. Wallie, M.H.R. Several influential gentlemen of the school district and of the province were present. The proceedings will be found reported in another column. A meeting of Sir George Grey's Central Executive Committee was held yesterday afternoon at the secretary's office, when arrangements were made for receiving Sir George Grey on his arrival in Auckland to- ] morrow evening. Should Sir George approve, his meeting will take place on Friday night, and in all probability it will be held in the Choral Hall, Symonds-street. A Bub-com-mitfcee has been appointed to make all necessary arrangements, and another meeting of the committee will be held on Thursday afternoon, in order that many matters of detail may be decided on. At the end of the week Sir George Grey will in all probability leave for Christchurch, and other places, and then return to Wellington to be present at the opening of Parliament. The chairman read a letter which he had received from Sir George Grey by the last mail from Kawau, and it spoke of his health as being very good.

The Police Court was crowded yesterday by persons anxious to hear the result of the prosecution instituted by the well-known Abel Fletcher for alleged indecent assault on his wife, Rachael Fletcher, by a respectable young man named C. A. Martin, at present proprietor of the Captain Cook Hotel. Abel made several ineffectual efforts to secure the services of a solicitor in his cause, but after a brief investigation of the facts, each member of the bar declined to meddlo with it. His Worship plainly informed him that even if he was to believe the whole of the evidence given by Mr. Fletcher in the previous case, Martin v. Fleteher, which was held on Saturday (and he might add that he did not), there was not sufficient to support a charge of indecent assault, and he asked Fletcher if he had any fresh evidence to produce. Fletcher had not, and therehqp a it it was allowed. Fletcher then took his place at the bar whil9 His Worship pronounced judgment in the case which was heard on Saturday. He denounced the conduct of Fletcher and hi 3 wife as a base conspiracy to extort money from Mr. Martin, and besides inflicting a penalty of 40s and coats—in all £7 13a—or in default two months' imprisonment, he ordered Fletcher to find sureties to keep the peace for a period of six months. The accused was removed in custody. Every person present in Court during Saturday and yesterday, and who heard tho evidence, must heartily endorse the opinion of the worthy Resident Magistrate, and never did any person, against whom a base charge had. been preferred, come out clearer than did Mr. Martin, who is to be heartily congratulated upon the result of the investigation. Mr. George Alfred King, of the Supreme Court, Auckland, has been removed to the Justice Department, Wellington, and Mr. George W. Basley, second clerk in that branch of the Public Service, is to be transferred to our chief local Conrt here. Air. Basley has many friends in Auckland who will bo glad to hear of his promotion and ■ return. At a meeting of Auckland grain merchants held at the auction mart of Messrs. Tonks and Carr, yesterday afternoon, the following resolution proposed by Mr. Jakins and seconded by Mr. Conpland was carried unanimously :—" That in future the weight per bushel of whole maize be fixed at 561b5., and of crushed maize at oOlbs." Yesterday was the regular day of meeting for the council of the Acclimatisation Society, but no meeting took place. In the first place, it was found not to be necessary to call tho members together, as there was no business to bring before them, or to transact; and in the second place, the secretary, Mr. Cheeseman, is at present absent from town. The latter, however, was only a minor consideration, and scarcely affected the meeting. The great majority of the members of the council had no doubt been engaged in the pursuit of feathered game. On several occasions we have intimated that it was the intention of Professor Proctor to paj' a visit to A'ew Zealand and the Australian colonies, after his tour in America was finished. It will be noticed on reference to tho passouger-lißt by the mail Bteamer Australia, which arrived this morning, that the name of the professor is among them. For several months past he has been lecturing in various places in America, to crowded audiences, upon his favourite science. Many of the topics, interesting to Christian men of science, have been discoursed upon in hi 3 American lectures, and no doubt he will favour the colonists of New Zealand with a few of his brilliant discourses upon the science of the heavens. Professor Proctor's published works are well known to the public of Auckland and New Zealand generally, and many will be glad to make the personal friendship of one whose published statements have given them so much pleasure. Ou the Ist inst. Professor Proctor favoured his fellow-passengers on the Australia by delivering a lectnre entitled "The life and death of a'world," illustrated by a serie3 of paintings of the sun, planets, and lunar scenery. Henry Keller, a pianist of European celebrity is on board en route for Australia, but he intends returning te New Zealand. Mr. Keller delighted the audience by playing a fantasia on " Rigoletto " on the occasion. Paul, of Orakei, leaves this morning on a visit to Tawhiao. An invitation was sent by Te Keinga, Manuhiri's daughter, who attended the late Parliament at Orakei, but Paul was not then well enough to go. Rewi is at Hikurangi, |with the whole of Ngatimanapoto.

Mr. Justice Richmond has appointed Mr. Richird KuifE Davis, of High-street, Auckland, a certificated accountant in Bankruptcy for the Northern Judicial District, under the Debtors and Creditors Act.

We are glad to learn that Mr. John Lamb, jan., who wa3 so severely injured some time ago by a fall o£ earth at the works which are now going on at the corner of Customhouse and Fort streets, where Mr. Lamb's mill is to be erected, is, under the careful attention and skill of Dr. Haine3, progressing very favourably towards recovery. Besides other injnries, Mr. Lamb, jun., sustained two fractures of the thigh bone, bat he Is now so far recovered that it is hoped that by next week he will be able to get about on crutches.

it the meeting of the St. James's Clas3 last night, Mr. J. D. Schmidt read a thoughtful and carefully prepared essay on " Prejudice." He referred to the universality of prejudice, and then proceeded to notice the peculiar opinions held by individuals, political parties, and nations. He out how prone certain nations were to claim a monopoly of praiseworthy qualities, instancing the Germans and English, who in general are so persuaded of the superior character of their respective nations as to consider anything un-German or un-English as unworthy of admiration. " He dwelt at some length on religions prejudices, touching particularly on the Sabbath question, eternal punishment, and predestination. He ended his essay by exhorting his fellow-members to be charitable towards the peculiar opinions of their neighbours. Mr. G. R. McNab followed with a paper on " New Zealand as' a field for emigration." Mr. McNab said he had travelled much through the leagtli and breadth of this colony, and he considered that New Zealand wa3 one of the best, if not absolutely the best, field for British colonisation. The climate, though somewhat moist, was extremely mild and healthy. The soil was capable of producing almost anything and everything. The country was emphatically a poor maa's land. No man who exercised prudence, eaonomy, industry, and perseverance, need have any fear of poverty. At the same time it was worse than useless for people destitute of these qualities to attain to prosperity, particularly in the bush or out-districts. Both essays were listened to with interest, and were favourably criticised. At the regular monthly meeting of the Lodge Ara, 34S LC., yesterday evening, after the regular lodge business had been accomplished, the lodge, through the "W.M., Brother Durance, paid a handsome tribute to the untiring energy and worth of the lodge secretary, Brother W. L. Mitchell, P.M., by presenting to him a handsome clock. This timepiece is unique and elegant in construction. The whole of the works are exposed, the four walls beingof plate-glass; and the whole covered with a glass shade.

Inside is a silver shield, bearing the following inscription:—"3rd May, ISSO. To "Brother W. L. Mitchell, P.M., as a token of esteem and recognition of service from Ara Lodge, 345, 1.C., Auckland, New Zealand." The shield is surmounted by the Masonic emblems, the square and compass. Iu making the presentation the W.M. gracefully referred to the able and valued services rendered by Bro. Mitchell to Lodge Ara, and to masonry in general. Bro. White, junior warden, an old member of the lodge, Bro. Ree3, P.M., Treasurer, and Bro. Page, P.M., bore testimony to the zeal, courtesy, aud energy of Bro. Mitchell, who, in modest terms acknowledged his thanks, not only for the valuable present, but more so for the kmc' expressions made in acknowledgement o£ such services as he had rendered. Amongst the visitors present were Bro. W. P. Moat, P.M. Lodge, Bodney, the W.M. Lodge, Waitemata, and a nurrrber of representatives

of pother lodges. Thejgroceedines were of a It will be observed on reference to our advertising columns that an old Auckland favourite in the musical world is about to settle permanently in this city. We allude to Mr. H. Gordon has been for mauy yeara basso of the Carandini Company. He has been recently appointed to the professorship of vocal music at the Auckland College and the Girls' High School, where he will begin his duties about the end of May. Mr. Gooch intends to receive private pupils after his arrival in Auckland. A grand ball was given in the Whau Public Hall, on Friday evening, April 30, by the members of the Union and United Cricket Clubs. About 40 or 50 couples assembled, and dancing started at 9 o'clock, and was kept up without intermission till , nigh daybreak on Saturday morning. Mr. John Sinclair acted as M.C. Refreshments were served in abundance during the dancing. A word of praise is due to the committee, who worked energetically to make every arrangement as complete as possible, which helped in a large degree to make it such a successful gathering. Everyone went heme well pleased with their night's enjoyment. We call attention to the 400-gallon water tanks to ba sold by Mr. George Sibbin, on Queen-street Wharf, alongside the City of Quebec at 11 o'clock. This will be a good opportunity for purchasers, as tanks are scarce and greatly advanced in price.