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New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5994, 2 February 1881, Page 4

The s.s. Australia, which arrived, here last evening to take the San Francisco mail, brings English papers to December 17, from "which we give elsewhere copious extracts. As an instance of the speed with which exchanges between Auckland and London are now made, we think the following is worth recording. A few years ago it was the customary thing for the booksellers in Auckland to obtain the first of the bound annual volumes of "The Leisure Hour," '' Sunday at Home," and similar serials, from the middle of April to the beginuing of May. Sometimes the arrival tes later, if the vessels met with unfavourable vreather, but rarely were any of these volumes received until during the mouth of ApriL These conditions are now all changed, probably never to return to the practice of by-gone days. This year these annual volumes were exposed for sale in some of the Auckland booksellers' stores on the 24th of January, instead of about the middle of April. The volumes came by a somewhat round-about way by Sydney, and it is jnst possible that they would have arrived a little sooner if the departure of the mail by way of San Francisco had suited the convenience of the London publishing houses. Perhaps better time would be made next year, by despatching the Xew Zealand orders by way of .San Francisco, when it may be expected to arrive here about a fortnight earlier. Amongst the passengers by the s.s. Australia from Sydney yesterday, were Captain Fergus son. son *of Sir James Fergusson, formerly Governor of this colony, and Lieutenant .Jervois, R.E., sou of Sir William ! ervois, Governor of South Australia. Taey are on a pleasure tour. Among the passengers b\" the s.s. Te Ai-S'j yesterday, from the South, was Mr. Alfred SlrildtTs, jun., son of our fellow-townsman Mr. R. B. Shalders, draper, Queen-street. He has been absent from Auckland for five years, the time being principally spent in England, the Continent, and the Australian colonies, gaining information and experience, with a view of joining his father in business at an early date.

In our Actuary column will be found recorded the decease of Joseph Schroedet Moore, Ksf|., barriater-at-law, and formerly of a judge of the Supreme of New Zealand. His death took place last December at Jersey, one of the Channel Islands. He occupied the Auckland Bench for some years during the absence of Judge Arney in the Mother Country. His name will be best remembered in Auckland in connection 'with the celebrated case of the brig Flying Cloud, which was so Icing before the Courts.

The Homo papers say that Archbishop MoCabe is the rival of Archbishop Croke, and represents Ritualism as opposed to Land Leagueiam. The Archbishop of Dublin (MoCabe) is to be the new cardinal, and in the end hip moderate counsels will prevail. The Pontiff in known to be against all communism for Continental as well as Irish reasons, and the extravagance of the Irish agitation produces a fear of its ultimate destructive consequences to church as well as civil society. It is very possible that ere long a consent of opinion among the Irish Roman Catholic bishops may be exhibited which was for a moment interrupted, and that its effect will be to give prominence to a restrained and more or less moderate scheme of land reform which will deprive the Parnell agitation of its volume and force.

Several yearn ago gold was stated to have boen found it: the Waitakerei district, and at one time it was hoped that a valuable discovery would be made there. The prospecting that was then carried on collapsed, but not before several specimens of gold-bearing material had been found. Since then, until a few months ago, the matter has lain in abeyance. For some time past several settlers in that district, who have had experience on one or more goldfields, have been fossicking about the district, and are said to have found gold in the stone as well as in the sand along the sea beach on the North Head of the Manukau. Little has been said about these prospecting enterprises, but we are informed by Mr. Cunningham that very encouraging prospects have been found, and hopes are entertained that good go hi-bearing material will yet be found, it is to be hoped that the prospecting now going ou may lead to the discovery of some valuable golden deposit.

" Honour to whom honour is due," writes: "Can you inform me if the Champion Fouroared outgrigiier and inrigger boat races were won by Auckland or Wairoa lads ?" This ia a mere quibble, as the inquirer probably knows! very well. Several months ago a programme for an interprovincial regatta was decided upon, one of the events of which was an outrigger race, for a prize of £100. This, it was considered, was sufficient to induce crews from other parts of the colony to compete, and it was therefore thought that Auckland should have a representative provincial crew. A committee of gentlemen undertook the responsibility of sending to England for a first-class boat, and persons willing to become members of the crew were advertised for. The matter of expense was a serious consideration, and it was decided that the Wairoa men more nearly combined every requirement than any other. For instance, they were all known to lie good oarsmen, but some sadly in need of training, but living together it would be easy and convenient to practice. Smith, the stroke, might have hailed from Wellington at a time not long back. If they are a purely Wairoa crew, it does not speak well for that district, that it allowed Auckland to bear all the expense in connection with the boat and training the men. The fact is, the crew represented the provincial district of Auckland, in an interprovincial race.

The match between Hanlan and Lay cock takes place on Monday week, the 14th. Bell's Life says that the contest will be a repetition of the match between Hanlan and Trickett, and that Laycock wil,i be defeated jnst as Trickett was. The Sporting Life states that Laycock is a- w«il-built and very powerful man, but that Hanlan is a better sculler, and will succeed. Laycock is 12nt., and in fine trim. Trickett will act as pilot, and Ireland as referee. The betting on the event is stagnant.

A reef four feet through, and which promises to bo payable, was cut in the United Company's mine, Coromandel, a few days ago. The leader, from which a crushing of Bozs. to the ton was taken say two months ago, runs near to and parallel with it. A contract for driving 50 feet in the reef was let yesterday.

A poll of the citizens is to be taken on the 10th February, at the Young Men's Christian Association, for the purpose of recording the votes for and against the establishment of tramways within the city of Auckland. The poll will open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.

The Remuera Band of Hope held their annual picnic on the 29th, at Orakei. There was a good muster of children and friends. A.rnongat those persons who take an interest in this society, we observed the Rev. Mr. Monro, Messrs. Newman, Lennox, Dingwall, and Dinnison. Everyone appeared to enjoy themselves —* fishing, boating, bathing, and the usual pames whieh tend to lend a charm to the juveniles—French tig, &c. All returned to town in various conveyances about G p.m., highly delighted with their day's enjoyment. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Cheeseman, the Curator of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, presented to Captain Cargill, of the Pacific mail steamer Australia, an address and draft forwarded by the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. It was a recognition of the care and attention he had bestowed on the introduction to the colony of Ligurian bees. Captain Cargill fully deserved this recognition, and we are glad to notice that tlie Canterbury Association has not been slow to acknowledge the services rendered by Captain Cargill 011 this occasion.

We understand that the passenger traffic on the Newmarket-Waikomiti section of the Kaipara Railway is increasing weekly, but that the goods traffic, though improving, is not increasing in the same ratio.

A rifle match took place yesterday between six men of the Auckland telegraphic staff and six men of the staff of the Wellington station. The Auckland team fired at the Mount Eden range, the distances being 200, 400, and 500 yards. The following is their score :—Bloxsome, 53 points ; Kearns, 48 ; T. B. .Salmon, 45 ; Lumsden, 4.4 ; Goldsbro', 32—grand total, 222. The Wellington team made the following scores : —-Chisholm, 51 ; Barr, 50; Wallace, (ft; Hawk, 45 ; Tait, 45 ; (Jell, 44—grand total, 281. It will thus be seen that the Wellington men won the match % 50 points. The Auckland telegraphists have since challenged the Wellington staff to a match of four men a-side.

Writing on the late Intercolonial Yacht 11a..<3, the Age says:—"The result of the race, though gratifying from a local point of view, goes to show that our New Zealand neighbours are adepts in the art of yaclithuilding, and the Taniwha is a vessel that will yet make a name for herself. She is a beautiful boat 011 a wind, and, when running, gained perceptibly every round. In the second round she carried away her topsail halyards, and though the sail was reset in a surprisingly short space of time, the accident must have had a great deal to do with losing her the second place."

Messrs. Alexander Brodie, L. J. Bagnall, and James Kilgour have been gazetted members of the Thames High School Board.

Yesterday evening, a Celestial, one of the fore-cabin stewards of the a.s. Australia, thought he would have a walk up town. He wa» buttoned up to the chin, looked quite stout and sleek, and as he stepped on the gangway, his face beamed with a smile that waschildlikeand bland. But something struck Joe Veale, the venerable coxswain and deputy commander of the Customs launch, that all was not right, so lie went to that heathen Chinee, and inquired of John, just as he was about to step on the wharf, '' What have you got there, John?" John resented this impertinence, and ran back to the ship, calling out lustily for the captain and boatswain, while Joe cried out as vehemently "Stop that man." The people on board could not realise the situation for a little time, but Mr. Parker, the tide surveyor, rushed and intercepted the Chinaman's retreat, and Detective Brennan came to his assistance. John resisted violently, and yelled so as to be heard afar off. But the wily Custom-house officer was searching as effectually as the troubled circumstances would permit, and convinced himself that the waist of the almond-eyed stranger was lined with cigars, and, therefore, arrested him on a charge of smuggling. But still the prisoner wrestled strenuously for freedom, and in so doing proved his guilt. During the struggle, his under-shirt became loose, and 10, , fragrant cigars, to the number of about 100, fell on the deck, but were not allowed to remain there long by the smoking-loving crowd who surrounded the actors in the scene. Eventually the Chinaman was secured, and upon his pockets being searched 80 more cigars were taken therefrom, so that he must have had about '200 on his person. Fortunately Mr. Hill, Collector of Customs, was close at hand, and after consultation with Captain Cargill, John was allowed to proceed on the trip minus £6, placed to the debit of his wages account in the ship's books.

Some exception has been taken to the position of the site lately given by Mr. Gardner, for the purpose of erecting a hall for the Epsom district, and another site on the main road leading to Onehunga has been generously offered by the same gentleman. A public meeting will be held on a date to be advertised, for the purpose of considering the above matter.

"Thei:e is many a slip 'twixt cup and lip," and the adage was tolerably well exemplified yesterday afternoon. A bridal party rolled up in two wedding coaehcs to St. Matthew's Church close on '2 o'clock, but as the doors of the sanctuary were locked, the party drove up Hobson-street promiscuously to idle away the time, and then returned to see how matters were progressing. There was still no sign that the Church was ready with open arms to receive her children, and the coaches pulled up opposite the building to await the development of events. After a decorous interval of waiting the cabmen (whose varied and extensive experience in matrimonial affairs enabled them to speak with authority), suggested to the principals that they should try another establishment, and appeal to a fresh operator. The suggestion, however, was held over for further consideration. At this stage the verger put in an appearance, unlocked the door, and the bridal party hurried in—the bridegroom's natural impatience being somewhat appeased by this preliminary step. Another awful pause took place, and then the verger returned to the church, got from the bridegroom a legal-looking document, and disappeared into the vestry. Another agonising period of suspense ensued, and then the parson —the true master of the situation—issued slowly from the vestry in full canonicals. The worst was not yet over, for on the bridal party ranging up in front of the altar, the bridegroom, whose selt-possession had been sadly shaken by the previous mishaps, took ground on the extreme right, and there seemed a very fair chance of the "best man" being united to the bride. Fortunately the Argus-eyed parson detected the faux pan, "fell out" the interloper, closed up and dressed his matrimonial line, and the service then proceeded without further interruption. The moral of the whole affair is, that though "punctuality is," as Louis le Grand observed, "the politeness of kings," things in this world would go on much more smoothly if the virtue were practised by less exalted personages.

Mr. George B. Woodruff, the well-known European manager of the Singer Manufacturing Company, was a passenger by the s.s. Australia. He is visiting the Australasian colonies with a view to extend the operations of the company, and will spend some weeks in New Zealand. Mrs. Woodruff and -their son accompany him throughout the tour.

The regular quarterly communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge, S.C., was held last evening at the Masonic Hotel, Brother the Hon. F. Whitaker, V.W.P.G.M. for the North Island of New Zealand, presiding. The principal business was the election of Grand Lodge officers. With one exception the whole of the retiring efficers were reelected. Brother Hendry, P.G., swordbearer, declined to take office again, and Brother Dunwoodie, 1.P.M., of Lodge Manukau, was elected in his place. The Church Gazette for February has been published. It announces that the number of clergymen on the 20th of January, 1881, belonging to "the Church of the Province of New Zealand, commonly called the Church of England," was 207. The present number contains a large amount of parochial intelligence. The leading article consists of the continuation of an account of the recent visit to Norfolk Island. Among the extracts which are given at the close of the .Sunday le3sons, is an extract from the Guardian, rather severe upon the AII2IO- - This paragraph is a notice of an article on the subject in the Church Quarterly Review, which is said to be a vigorous criticism of the Anglo-Israel craze, which is charged by the writer of the article in question with " turning history into legend, and legend into history, in order to substitute a literal and physical fulfilment of prophecies for the ideal and typical one whieh the Christian Church has always from the earliest times held and taught." ■ In a New Zealand Gazette, published on the -SJth January, appears a proclamation by the Governor, declaring the following lands in the Auckland province reserved temporarily for the purpose stated :—lßßa. in the parish of Waikomiti, Titirangi survey district, for a cemetery ; lot 19, sec. No. 5, small lots of the village of Howick, containing 3r. 27p., for a water reserve ; lots 17 and | 18, sec. No. 5, near the village of Howick, containing 24a. 27p., for a recreation ground; lot 20, sec. 5, small lots near the village of Howick, containing 4a. 3r. 5p., for a quarry ; and lot 211, suburbs of Gisborne, containing Ba. lr. lip., for a sheep and cattle quarantine ground. ,a; Tiie Patriot, although entered, did not compete in the race for boats of her size 011 Regatta Day, as some one had taken a new suit of sails intended for the race. Being left unprovided with canvas that would leave any chance of victory, the Patriot did not run the course. Al! objections to the valuations for city ratej must be lodged by the loth inst. As the b-.ir ;ess list i» bylaw simply a copy of the val lation list made by the city valuator, any errors in names or descriptions are perpetuated, unless corrected by the Assessment Court pursuant to objections lodged in time. Inspection of the valuation list can be made at the City Council office any day I during office hours,

> A special meeting of the .ratepayers of the Epsom Highway District was held yesterday at the Junction Hotel, for the purpose of electing a trustee in the room of Mr. G. W. Waller, deceased. Mr. Gardner occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance. Mr. Arthur Heather was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy, and a notification to that effect appears in our advertising columns.

At the paying of the Regatta prizes last night, the cash paid amounted to about £500, besides the cups presented by Messrs. Lewisson and Kohn. Only one protest was entered, and that was against the Swallow being declared the winner of the race for fishing boats. Upon investigation, what was thought to be sharp practice proved a piece of brilliant sailing on the part of the Swallow in rounding a buoy, and the protest was therefore disallowed. Great enthusiasm prevailed at the meeting, and three cheers were given for the winners, especially in the Outrigger Race, to Mr. McGregor for his handsome donation of £25; Mr. M. Gallagher for the trophies presented by him, and to the committee. The scene at the Waitemata Hotel was quite lively, owing to the numerous crowds of people assembled on a business of pleasure. Owing to a mistake relative to the mark boat, it was decided that the race for 16-feet boats, in which the Olga, &c., were competitors, should be sailed again on Saturday next, at 2 o'clock. We cannot close this last notice of the regatta without complimenting Mr. Ellis, the secretary, upon the energy displayed and pains taken by him to do everything tending to promote the success of the regatta. The committee also is to be congratulated that the proceedings passed Off so satisfactorily. To say that the regatta of 18S1 as a whole was an advance upon its predecessors is asserting a great deal, but not too much.

The s.s. Te Anau will leave for Motutapu at 10 o'clock this morning with the children of the various charitable institutions. Excursionists may also proceed to this pretty island at a nominal charge, and the proceeds will be divided amongst orphan homes of the city.

The quarterly returns under the Sheep Act show that in the Poverty Bay subdivision of the Auckland sheep district, there are flocks aggregating 86,900 sheep that are reported affected with scab.

The following is the state of Her Majesty's Gaol, Auckland, for the week ending Saturday, 29th January, 1881 : —Oil remand, 8 males ; awaiting trial, 4 males ; penal servitude, 36 males ; hard labour, 83 males, 20 females ; default of bail, 4 males ; debtors, 1 male; received during the week, 20 males, 6 females ; discharged, 19 males, 7 females ; total in gaol, 136 males, 20 females.

Our Pukekararo correspondent writes :— " The books promised to the successful competitors in the recent examination of scholars attending the district school, were presented by the Rev. Mr. Caughey on Monday, January 24. While handing to each pupil the prize intended, Mr. Caughey administered a few words of suitable advice, and at the close of the presentation the rev. gentleman delivered a most pleasing and instructive address, which was attentively listened to, and evidently understood by his youthful hearers. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Caughey for his kindness in being present; to Mr. A. Kelly for his valuable gift of books ; and to the school committee for the interest always shown by them in matters relating to the happiness of the children of .he district."

A urand bazaar is advertised to be held in aid of the Kihikihi Church, on the 9th and 10th inst., in the Awamutu Hall It will be formally opened by the Hon. the Attorney-General. Contributions are requested to be sent in not later than the 7th instant. To-day Messrs. B. Tonks and Co. will sell, by order of the trustees of R. Harris, various house and other properties at Hamilton, Kirikiriroa, Taupiri, &c. The ram and ewe fair, under the auspices of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, is advertised to be held at Christchurch on the 24th March and following day. The distribution of prizes and certificates of scholarship and proficiency to the successful pupils of the Ponsonby Public School will take place tomorrow, at a quarter to 3 o'clock p.m , in the district school-room. On referring to our advertising columns it will be seen that several sales of Crown lands in the Waimate plains, Parihaka, Forty-mile Bush, and the Manawatu districts are announced on the deferred payment system. The dividend of 7s 6d per share declared the other day is now payable to the shareholders in the Auckland Gas Company on application at th company's office. Evening classes in connection with the Auckland College and Grammar School are to be opened on Monday evening at the Grammar School, Symonds-street. Fresh tenders for the Waikomiti West Coast Road—Potter's Hill deviation—are called for by the Engineer—Mr. J. Boylan, C.E. To-day Mr. A. Buckland's sheep fair is to be held at the Remuera Yards. A considerable number of good Lincoln and Leicester rams are to be offered besides a few thousand sheep of various kinds. To-day Messrs. E. and A. Isaacs will hold a clearing-out sale of the stock of Messrs. Ryan, Bell, and Co. The sale begins at 11 o'clock, and is to be held at Messrs. Ryan, Bell, and Co.'s stores. Th# stock consists of wines, spirits, cigars, &c. The present residence of Mr. Harvey Boys Graham, who was at Waitakerei in June, 1870, is enquired for by a firm of English solicitors. A medical man is wanted at South Rakaia, where the settlers offer a guarantee of £400 per annum for a doctor to settle in the district. The sale of the Ellerslie land, the property of Mr. R. Graham, has been postponed for a fortnight to allow time for the property to be properly pegged out and flagged, and to get the plans ready The date of the sale is the 20th instant, at the same time, as per advertisement.

Inspector Monro announces that the sheep kept upon the run known as Charles Roberts' Farm, East Tamaki, are infected sheep within the meaning of the Sheep Act, 1877.