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New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6098, 3 June 1881, Page 4

The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last evening. There was a large amount of business before the meeting. The report on ways and means submitted - was of a, highly interesting and important nature, and was discussed at considerable length. A report of the proceedings is published elsewhere.

Several Tauranga settlers were passengers to Auckland yesterday, by the Glcnehr, ia order to take the most effective and speedy measures to rebuild their places, which have been destroyed by the great fire. Tauranga is fortunate in the possession of men ot enterprise and energy, who are not likely to become diseouraced, or to lose precioos time. Mr. Henry, of the Bay of Plenty Times, came to town and procured, A m }*'± yesterday, a complete plant for «j*newspaper. If- the Glenelg had bee" able to leave last night, the Times wooM have been issued as usual, on Saturday _s t> owing to the delay through last nigWa storm, it may have to omit another P« bl . lc j" tion. Fire is, no doubt, a great calamity, but it may ultimately have not a few benefjcial effects so far as Taurange is coMfri: A short time ago Mr. John ChadwwK proposed that a water supply should u obtained for the township, by bringing « water from the Waimapu, and probably ui scheme will now be carefully examined. *" effective fire brigade might also be estsDlished, which, with the water supply.™" ensure the town against sxich a calamity •■ has just taken place.

• The annual meeting of the Chamber of •Commerce was held yesterday. Mr T. ISS(T. and S. Motrin) in the chair. The annual report of the operations of the society for the past year will be found m another column. The address of the Chairman upon the close of hia year of office will be found in our report of the proceedings. It is a most compendious and interesting statement of the process made by this part of the colony 'during the last three years. It will be found that in almost every denartnient of agricultural and pastoral wealth the Provincial District of AucklanQ has' made rapid strides. Everything indicates the advent of a period of trreat prosperity. Mr. J. Lamb instanced the case of a gentleman who had lived for various periods in the other provinces of this colony ami in different parts of other colonies, and gave it as his deliberate testimony that Auckland gave a better return for money invested, or enterprise carefully estimated, than any other portion of the British territories in the South Seas.

Mr- Griffin, United States Consul, has received a communication from the Secretary of States' office, Washington, expressing the highest satisfaction with his report on the trade and commerce between the United States and New Zealand, and stating that it would be published-by the Government.

' During the time the fire was burning in Hiwh-street las* night, one of the S-inch niains in Customhouse-street, near its junction with Fort-street, burst with c considerable commotion. The roadway was broken to a considerable extent, stones and clay were 1 precipitated indiscriminately, but fortunately without entailing serious damage. In the meantime, however, the cellars of the Britomart hotel and other buildings in Customhouse, Gore, and Commerce-streets, were flooded. The. water flowed for nearly two hours before it was stopped, and this, of '-course, necessitated the cutting off of the water supply from a considerable portion of the lever section of the city and from the raiivray station. Repairs will be effected as early a3 possible to-day. A case of considerable interest was heard yesterday at the Resident Magistrate's Court, before Mr. Barstow,-in which Mr. S. Ramus, who described himself as a commission agent at large, sued Mr. John Jones, builder, of Newton, for £12, being commission on sale of a house belonging to that gentleman, disposed of to Mr. M. Gallagher, through Mr. R. C. Greenwood, estate and commission agent, but which sale Mr. Ramus considered he had, in reality, been instrumental in effecting. Acting on the principle, that "The early bird-gets the worm," Mr. Ramus, hearing that Mr. Jones's house wa3 about to be put on. the market, interviewed that "gentleman, and got his consent to his endeavouring to effect a sale (on per cent, commission) for £500, Ramus meanwhile having j\lr. Gallagher in his eye as a customer. Mr. Gallagher saw the house, and was satisfied, the matter then being only one of terms. Here the plot thickens. Mr. R. C. Greenwood accidentally met Mr. Gallagher^

". learned that he had got,an eye to Mr. Jones's house, took, in consequence, prompt measures ,to "bring, the parties together," as it is

termed, and carried off the commission by " a ; nose on the-post." Mr. Ramus failed to .appreciate Mr..Greenwood's services in the , matter, and the- a:lion yesterday was the consequence,-.with a verdict in Ramus' - favour for the. full commission ngainst Mr: Jones (who had already paid Mr. Greenwood), and. £2 17s costs. Mr. Jones acted throughout- in perfect good faith, but between the. upper and nether millstones of the smart rival commission agent he has been ground small.: He knew he had sold his house, but when he was called upon to

pay the commission a second time he came

to the conclusion that he had not only sold Jiis house, but been sold himself. The magistrate practically told him that it was well to be off with the old love before being on with the new, to all of which lie agreed (as respects Messrs. Ramus and Greenwood) in- the spirit of the old ditty, "How happy could I be with either, were 'tother dear charmer away."

An interesting discussion took place at the City Schools Committee last night respecting the reversion, now the winter season is approaching, to an interval at the public schools. of only one hour for dinner. Mr. Wright stated he had been informed by Dr. Wright that such a rule was acting injuriously on the health of some of the pupils. In an hour many of the pupils were unable to get home and take a warm meal in comfort, while others were deprived of getting a hot meal at all. There were cases where children, una.ble to get their dinner On the instant on going home, went back to school without a meal, rather than be punished for being late. The committee were greatly divided on the matter, as both the hour and hour and a half mid-day intervals had their advantages and disadvantages. It appears that some teachers, as a pnnishment, confine offending pupils in school during the dinner hour, and the committee expressed, its disapproval of such a practice as likely in the cass of children of delicate constitutions to injure their health. It was suggested that offenders should be kept in after school hours, but it did not seem to occur to the committee that by that method the teacher would be equally punished with the pupil. ' -

Some- time since Mr. John Lamb sent to New York a sample of wheat grown by Mr. Robert Wallace, of Mangere, and in respect to it has just received a letter from Mr. YV. H. Trafton, of the Few York Produce Exchange Reporter, who also gives some interesting particulars respecting the grain trade in America. Mr. Trafton says :— " Dear Sir, —I beg to thank 3'ou for the very handsome sample of new Tuscan wheat recently sent me, and which I have exhibited on our exchange, where it attracted much attention and favourable comment. It is certainly most magnificent grain. Your colony seems to be better adapted to wheat than the others. Xhe unparalleled severity of the winter, and thus far of the spring, has done considerable injury to our fall sown wheat, and spring seeding in very backward, and not likely to be finished before the first week in May. Of fall sown the area was slightly increased over that of the previous year, but of spring the breadth sown will doubtless show some decrease. The latter description usually constitutes about one-third of our total production, perhaps a.little less than that in late years. At the present writing the outlook 13 not considered favourable to as large a crop in this country as was gathered last year, and in view of the paucity of European stocks, including those of rye, present values may be carried much further into the future than lias been generally anticipated."

The Little Barrier Island, which looms out beyond the harbour of Auckland, as a landmark for the mariner, and which is the very picture'of rugged grandeur, is now the subject of contending claims in the Native Lands Court. On the one side are the Uriohau. Kgatirougo, and Kawerau, who are opposed "J the Ngatiwai. The case has been heard, and re-heard, and now, by the order of Judge Pentcn, is to be re-re-heard on Saturday. .There are no residents on the Little Barrier, .out-a considerable quantity of firewood i 3 cut from it.

It is reported that Mr. Brandon will not stand for the "Wellington Country Districts oex.t session, and that Mr. Charles Johnston, Mother of the Postmaster-General, will enter the h'at3 for that seat. There is considerable probability also,-that Mr. E. T. Gillon will also stand for that constituency.

Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, the drama of "East Lynne" was produced before an excellent house at the Theatre Royal last night. It is only now as the season is approaching its close that the public seem to be awakening to the fact that there is in Auckland a theatrical company far superior to the average of those that travel the colonies. The principal character in the play is the dual one of Lady Isabel Carlyle and Madame "Vine, admirably sustained by Miss Louise Beaudet. One cannot see this youug lady on the stage without feelinpr that she is an actress of extraordinary ability. She reads, comprehends what is required to lie represented, and possesses power to give expression thereto in the amplest degree. The actress disappears in the representation; and this is the strongest proof of naturalness. ' Wlietheraa the loving but sensitively jealous wile, the penitent wife, or the fond mother, Miss Beaudet was equally successful—each phase of feeling had its peculiar characteristics fully set forth and vividly depicted. The other characters of the play had justice done them. At the close of the last act there were not a few tearful eyes amongst the audience. Severalof the performers were called before the curtain between the acts.

At the City Council meeting last night preliminary steps were taken towards welcoming the.Royal Princes and officers of the flying squadron on ther arrival in Auckland. An address is to be presented by the City Council, which the Finance Committee is authorised to prepare, but the main feature will be a citizens' ball. The members of the Council form the neuclous of a working committee, ,and will associate -with themselves citizens who desire to make the ball a suceess.

We would draw the attention of our readers to the letter of Mr. W. S. Laurie, respecting fruit-evaporating machines, which will be found in another column.

A case against Mr. Soppet, for nuisance caused by his bone-mill in Freeman's Bay, will be heard before the Resident Magistrate to-day. We are informed that some thirtyseven witnesses have been subpoenaed.

Mr. Bandmann takes his benefit this evening under the patronage of the Mayor and Corporation, the piece selected being the four act society play entitled "Blighted Li ve3 "or " Father and Son," to be followed by "Don Caesar de Bezan." All the members of the company, with Miss Beaudet, wili appear in both pieces. Mr. Bandmann is an actor of eminent ability and reputation, and his benefit ought to secure him a substantial recognition of his merits.

A lecture will be given this evening, at 7.30 o'clock, in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association, by the Rev. A. W. Webb, on "Frances Kidley Havergal : her Life, Poetry, and Songs." Some time back Mr. Webb delivered this excellent lecture for the benefit of the Young Women's Institutc, and it is now re-delivered by special request. One of the features of it is the introduction of selections from Miss Havergal's own music and sacred songs, and Beethoven's " Moonlight Sonata," with her poetic intei% pretation oi it. The proceeds of the lecture will be devoted to the funds of the Welles-ley-street Baptist Sunday-school.

Mr. J. Henry Wright, Boscarne West, Pukekohe, killed, on Tuesday last, a most beautiful pig of the Berkshire breed, which measured from point of nose to butt of tail 5 feet 7£ inches ; girth, 5 feet 5 inches ; and weight, 44D lbs., or 22 score. I may add that the above pig is from the breed of R. Bilkey and Sons, who, I find, have instructed Mr. A. Buckland to sell, at the Pukekohe Yards, ten'of the same breed, on Monday noxt, the 6th of June.—[Correspondent.]

There was a very good house last evening at the Lome-street Hall to witness Professor Hasc'mayer's entertainment, the front seats bein;; rather crowded. The "hat trick" was- introduced, and a number of globes were taken out, also baby linen, and lastly a crinoline, which the owner of the hat emphatically assented did not belong to him. "Psycho," the automaton whist player,. and his partner scored ten tricks against their opponents. Madame Haselmayer's crystal box was examined and locked up by Mr. Stichbury and Captain Farquhar, and subsequently overhauled by these gentlemen for. a quarter of an hour to understand its mechanism, but without success. A change of programme takes place to-night, when for the first time somatic feats and prodigies will be introduced. Saturday evening will be positively the last performance in Auckland.

Mr. Moss, advance agent of Professor Haselmayer, leaves for the Thames to-day by the s.s. Rotomahana, for the purpose of making 'arrangements for the Professor's appearance there on Thursday evening next.

Our Ngarawahia correspondent writes : — "The ferry across the Waipa river is now ready for running, but the small amount of money eked out by the Waipa County Council lias only been enough to place it in position. The approaches will have to remain as they are till some future day. Your Ngarawahia correspondent •• Ploughshare,' a few days ago asks, What has become of the Public Hall Committee ? Let me inform the inquirer that they are still in existence, but have their hands tied for want of a site. A few months ago, they applied to the Government for a certain section they thought would be suitable for a hall site. The reply received was, that it was required for railway purposes. This same piece of land is now being squatted on. If the railway authorities have no better use for it than to be thus occupied, it is possible they might waive their right to it, if the committee again applied to have the allotment either granted or sold to them. It was to raise funds for purchasing a site, if the committee failed in getting a grant, that the entertainments I mentioned in my last were proposed."

Mr. Andrew Dilworth is gradually recovering from the dangerous injuries which he recently received. He was yesterday removed from the Auckland Hotel, where he has been staying since Saturday, to the residence of his brother, Mr. James Dilworth of Remuera.

The Taranaki Herald of the 30th has the following :—"An effort was made last evening to get the s.s. Rowena off the South Spit at Waitara. All appliances were iu readiness for hauling her off, but as she wa3 firmly embedded in the sand, the attempt proved unsuccessful. She is high out of the water, and as she has settled down, it will probably take some time before she will be got off. We understand she is not in a dangerous position. A later account is that the s.s. Rowena is now not more than her length irom the channel, and has received no injury. The master and harbour-master fully anticipate she will be hove into the river with tonight's tide, should it be a good one.

Mr. David McMasters, one of the pioneers of the Thames, died on Wednesday at the Thames Hospital, at the age of 4S years. The late Mr. McMasters had been a great sufferer, and the nature o£ his complaint appeared to baffle all the skill of the medical profession in the district.

Mr. J. R. Ranclerson received a telegram, from the manager of the New Golden Pali mine yesterday to the effect that he had obtained a few picked stones in the intermediate level, west drive. He also received one from the manager of the Success mine as follows :—■' Another haul of gold to-night, similar to last; more showing. .

The health of the Venerable Archdeacon Brown is causing considerable uneasiness to his friends. The Venerable gentleman is confined to bed, suffering from an attack of bronchitis.

Mr. Laird, nurseryman at Wanganui, points out that while the Government are stated to be importing from Sydney 500 mulberry trees, the nurserymen in this colony could supply as many thousauds if wanted.

The editor of the Tarauaki Herald says :— "We have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a couple of brace of pheasants from Okato, and a brace from Waitara, all o£ which were in prime condition, and showed the skill of the sportsmen who bagged them." No Auckland sportsman has earned a similar compliment.

The Auckland Weekly News continues to maintain its premier position in the field of New Zealand journalism. This week's number is a specially good one Tho illustrations are—a portrait (with sketch) of the world-renowned war correspondent Archibald Forbes; .1 sketch of Aickin'a Pharmacy, Queen-street; and a number of wood-cuts

To-dav's Observer will contain the result of the prizo-rfrawinE for the Suite of Furniture, and etchings of Fred Sharland, Herr Carl Schmitt, Ted Cooper, Archibald Forbes, and the Czar of Russia; also the dances and evening parties of the woek, Letters." "Promoters of' Scandal," and the usual and several new features. It is a capital number. Buy early!— [Advt.J

Informations will be laid in New Plymouth against Miss Retford for a breach of the Lotteries Act ; and also against the Ven. Archdeacon Govett, Rev. P. Walsh, and several ladies and gentlemen for like offences.

Someone inquires for the present whereabouts of Edward McGarry through our advertising

The Champion Sculling Race, open to all con-ers, is to bo held at Mercury Bay on the 27th of December. The prizes are stated in our advertisement columns. Only one of tho White brothers is to be allowed to pull in the race.