Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6147, 30 July 1881, Page 4

The annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Audi land Gas Company was held yesterday, in their offices, Fort-street. A dividend of 7s 6d a share -waa declared. There was a contest for the election of directors between Messrs. "Wood and Dignan (the retiring directors), and Mr. E. Isaacs, a new candidate. The two former were l-e-elected. The proceedings will be found reported in another column.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Law Society was held yesterday, Mr. Mackechnic in tho chair. The report of the society will be found in our account of the proceedings in another column.

His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies sat in Chambers yesterday, and disposed of some important business. In the case of an application for registration of transfer of land from a native named Heuheu to T. Morrin, HiY Honor gavo judgment, which will be found in another column.

Tho petition for tlie abolition of the Counties Act in road districts north of Auckland, which Mr. Lambert has had prepared and signed by the trustees of 52 highway dis-. tricts, is to be forwarded to Sir George Grey to-day, in accordance with the resolution carried at the meeting held on Thursday night at Archill. Captain McKenzie, Chairman of Sir George Grey's Central Committee, has kindly undertaken to forward it.

The King party have, through Manulriri, sent a special telegram to Mr. 0. O. Davis, asking him to meet them at Ngaruawahia x>morrow.

We have received a copy of the Victoria Review for the month of June. The artitles are up to the average standard of maga:ine literature, but nearly all of them possess particular interest foe colonial readers. Tlfere is one article which is locally interesting to people in Auckland, from the fact tbit a young Auckland solicitor is the author. The article is entitled " The Political Destiry of the Australasian Colonies," by E. W. Buton, Auckland. It is a well written and,well thought out article. The author forerastes a scheme of "Colonial Federation," as opposed to what is called " Imperial Federation." Mr. Burton is already knofrn as ono of the most talented leaders of one of the Mutual Improvement Associations which have sprung up in Auckland of late years. In this article he gives proof of powers of steady reflection and political insight. The facts, which are patent, favour his argument. The reasoning is very cogent. /

Between 400 and 500 persons have already joined the Auckland branch of the Bible and Prayer Union, and many testimonies, have been received to the usefulness and profit of this plan of reading the Bible. All that is necessary in order to join the union is to send your address, with a twopenny stamp, to Mr. Brackenrig, Young Men's Christian Association, and by return post a card of membership, &c., will be forwarded.

It is not the general public alone who are guilty of appropriating books belonging to libraries. Yesterday, a list of books missing from the Supreme Court Library was read at the meeting of the Law Society. These books are mostly of a professional and technical character, so that it U extremely probable' they will turn up in some of the remote corners sacred to the use of legal prac-> titioncrs. It was resolved to advertise the.* books in the newspapers, with a request ■*** they beTreturued— this is'.-a pre,u"mJ'" 1 ' y some further measures bcinc v tak«- *<*. their recovery, ,/ ', / V -i- . •» •:■•*»«*

■■•'Mr.'Superintendent Thomson, in his letter, to the' City Council on the working of the Adulteration of Food Act, makes the follow-; ing remarks on the inspection of dairies and the■ functions of the Public Analyst:— << With ; reference to the periodical inspection of dairies, I am decidedly of opinion that under none of'the provisions of the Public Health 1 Act could a conviction be obtained , for dirty or ill-drained dairies, the existing law" being manifestly defective '■ in this respect; and such apparently is the opinion 'of the local Board of Health afChristchurch, judging from the attached Press telegram, in connection with which I may state that the Contagious Diseases of Animals Act, 1878 (an Imperial Act), is not—so far as lam aware—in force in this colony. In reply to your concluding question, I beg to inform you that Mr. J. ! M. Tunny holds from the Government the appointment of Public Analyst here, at a salary of £100 per annum, and his services are available to analyse any •drugs, liquors, milk, or articles of food that iuay be purchased or otherwise procured by the police for the purpose of analysis " Mr. Thomson's suggestion that the inilk cans should be labelled respectively "new milk;" "skim milk," or "milk and water,", is simply a proposal to carry out the provisions of the English Act, in which this method is enforced. . . ■■■■■.

.The Rev. Dr. Somcrville, the well-kno>vn evangelist, has returned from his Continental mission. At the noou prayer meeting, held in Glasgow on the 2nd May, present, and gave an interesting address about his experiences in Germany and Russia. He said in Germany he was heartily welcomed everywhere. ■ The people attended in large numbers the services held in the largest halls. The heart of the German people is fresh, and they are ready to receive the Gospel of Christ purely preached, and will ■welcome any that go to them to declare the glad -tidings. : In St. Petersburg the veteran evangelist was well received, and was assisted by an influential committee. One 1 countess came and helped in singing in the' volunteer choir nearly every day. In Moscow many difficulties were met with in connection with obtaining halls for the meetings in consequence of the peculiar state o£ the country. Interesting services were held, which were largely attended. The proprietor of the hall refused to receive any remuneration, and said he was thankful to be allowed to give his hall for the purpose. Dr. Somerville will remain in Glasgow for a time.

On Thursday next, at the request of a number-, of the residents of Onehunga, Professor arid Madame Westen will give one of their drawing-room entertainments in the Masonic Hall of that township. The Professor has arranged a :varied and attractive programme for the benefit of his patrons. After the entertainment there will be a select assembly dance.

A little boy, about four years of age, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vesey, of Chancery-street, narrowly escaped death by poisoning yesterday morning. At about 10 o'clock he was found by his mother in convulsions, and the cause was at once apparent, for alongside tlie i child was a " flask or bottle which had contained nearly half a pint of tincture of iodine. The child had swallowed the greater portion of the contents. A messenger was sent to Mr. Sharland'e in search of medical assistance, and Mr. Sharland promptly forwarded an emetic, which had the effect of causing the child to vomit, and this no doubt had the effect of saving his life. Constable Jones procured the assistance of Dr. Haines, who prescribed for the child, and last evening he had almost recovered from the effects of his dangerous draught.

The opera of "Les Cloches de Corneville,

(the Chimes of Corneville), which was re-

ferred to yesterday, is positively to be placed before the public on Wednesday evening, in the Lome-street Hall. It had an excellent run in England, and there is no reason why it should not be as popular in the colony. There is an ingenious plot running throughout the piece, the interest in which is well sustained, until the denouement in the closing act. The following is the cast : Henri, Marquis de Corneville, Miss Maud Pollard; Jean Greincheux, Master O. Osmond ; the Baillic of Corneville, Master E. Esmond; Gobo, Master J. Shehan ; Gaspard, Master H. Salinger; Germaine, Miss Julia Simmons ; Serpolette, Miss May Pollard. The opera opens with a view of the sea beach below the cliffs of Corneville, and of the ruins of the old chateau, the first

act ending with a grand Maypole dance, arranged by Mr. F. Darbyshire, stage manager. The. second act exhibits a view of the haunted castle, in which the situations are laid, and the third depicts the orchard o£ the chateau, where the mystery attached to Germaine is unravelled, and where over the betrothal of the marquis and Germaiiie come the chimes of Corneville. One of the features of this act is the grand ballet of the cider dance, the music of which has been specially composed by Mr. J. J. Pollard, jun. Mr. N. Thornton, scenic artist, has prepared the scenery; Mr. Ford the costumes, while the mechanical effects arc by Mr. Laval, and the properties by Mr. T. Munro. In this connection we may menfa that the ersfcivJiiieindefatigaMe manager for Professor Haselmayer, Mr. M. A. Moss, has been appointed business manager and advance agent for the Liliputian Opera Company. ■

We have received from Mr. Owen C. JlcGee a spirited description of the late Pakuranga Hunt Meeting at Mount Wellington, but too late for insertion this week.

There were one or two good stories told yesterday at the meeting of the Law Society of the procedure adopted by the' unpaid magistrates (the Justices of the Peace of the colony). One learned gentleman referred to a case of " a justice " coming a long distance to:sit on the Bench because "he was interested in the case." Another' w practitioner said the country justices '' iguored " everything, and gave judgment according to "conscience." A country justice said ho sat in foro consctcnt'ice, and them was no appeal from that. Another case was cited in which the decision went immensely beyond the judgment of Solomon., It was a case of "bastardy." The learned counsel argued elaborately." But the country justice fined the putative father and the mother of the " illegitimate " £5 each': then admonished them if the money was not paid they would be sent to gaol.. "But," exclaimed the counsel, " what is to become of the 'illegitimate? ,,, "Sir," said the justice, " the law does not contemplate ' illegitimacy,, and a bastard has no legal rights. Even were it otherwise, it is 'an infant in law, , that is quite clear I"

There wero only two persons in the lookup last evening—one man charged with drunkenness, and another man named Knapp on,a charge of the larceny of a coat.

M. de L'Eau, President of the French Literary Society, will deliver a lecture this evening at the club, and Mr. A. F. T. A.nsley and other gentlemen will give readings from French authors.

Many will have a keen recollection of their first attempt at smoking, but we doubt if any one has liad a "rougher time" of it as a punishment than the hero of the following "good story," narrated the other day by an Auckland citizen — himself the victim. The gentleman in question, when a boy in New York, one day indulged in the "fearful pleasure" of a smoke—his first. He unluckily chose Broadway as the thoroughfare in which he would show his newly-acquired dignity as a smoker, and was so frightened by the unexpected appearance of his mother, whom he saw advancing with a couple of other ladies, that lie nearly swallowed the pipe—certainly, at least, more smoke than was at all good for him as he hastily concealed the pipe. He immediately began to feel the ill effects of his unaccustomed indulgence, in an extreme nausea and sickness.. Unfortunately for him, cholera was at that time paying ita fell visit to N ew York) * \ n § the extreme pallor of his appearance on meeting his mother and friends a few minutes afterwards, was instantly and naturally credited by the alarmed ladies to an attack of that dread scourge. He was hastily placed in a cab, taken home, and for two days kept in bed, and subjected to the most thorough and drastic cholera remedies until pronounced providentially cured! Of course ho did not dare to give the real canie of his indisposition, and is to this day of the opinion that the next worst wng to catchiDg the cholera is to bo of catching it. ..,.' '

The Rev. Thomas St»"geon has kindly consented to preach iV the Choral Hall on Thursday evening- 4th August, on behalf of Jr en > s \™ ciation. .ThiV-feek evening service will give many a* tfPortunity of hearing Mr. Spurgeon wV could not otherwise do so the Connection

We,'quote the , subjoined extract'from th narrative of one of 'thelßev. Thomas Spur-■< geon's tours in Queensland,' which appears in the April number of ; th« ! Sword and Trowel under the title," Ovel: the flanges on an Iron Horse :"—" The Southern and Western Railway of Queensland already :penetrat<>s more than'3oo miles iriland.'and on its way to< tho* present terminals, 1 Roma, traverses two ranges of hills at tlio height of between 2000 and 3000 feet above sea level. In the formation of each- : a l:oad'-there were, of course, numberless difficultiiss, which, however, have had to yield! to tingineerihg skill and perseverance, and now tlio railway, with all its curves and tuiiinels': and v " gradients may be reckoned aa it, complete triumph*. Some_ of the-wildest and grandest scenery imaginable is "to be secin on this trip. The incline is so great, in places,. that progress is slow enough to allow of a protractetl view and lately many of tholgiant gum-tttes have been cut down so that the view may be uninterrupted. "■ On our right tower tho rocky hills, clad for the most part with various species of the gum, whose dark foliage and barkless trunks form always a striking feature in Australian foreslt scenery, their great white limbs stand out in: contrast to the shaggy,, ever-brown foliage above them, and present an appearance which, to Englieh

eyes, is peculiar,, but witbal picturesque. On the other side|of the track stretches the wide, deep-valley. At times a steep precipice descends from' quito close to tho permanent way, then this presently gives place to a gentler slope thickly i timbered. Anon we pass over a trestle brHge, which seems to shiver under the heavy load, and then across a high embankment, ' or through a deep cutting. One minute to are turning sharply round a spur, and the next entering a short tunnel through the opposing rock. Higher and higher we climb; the glorious view extending and altering with- every curve. There is a sea of tree-top's everywhere, and here and there a green billow seems to riso above sea-lovel, and doubtless would appear a considerable hill, but for our'superior height. Tho distance is dim with mist, with enough of form to give wings to fan*--, r."4 one can almost imagine that a vie inland sea rolls to the edge of tho feresi;; Only occasionally could we discover a small spot in the valle} , - cleared • iiud cultivated, which amongst the dense' dark 'green looked as though one of tho billows, as it rose, had left la patcli of foam behind to mark the place from which it sprang. Sometimes we could catch a glimpse of a cutting, or the black mouth of a tunnel, miles ahead and far above us, and wo ivould woiiderhow even our tortuous course could bring us there. Often after a long round wo would appear to be but a few hundred yardn from a spot passed some time before with a great gulf yawning in between, so circular is the route. I have travelled on this lino at early dawn, and watched the sun rise. What beauty he poured on hill and dale, roekand tree 1 How he chased the mists up the steep hill-side, and bathed in light; what had before been Bwathed in cloud and fog! How ho set the magpies chattering and the bush-birds whistling! and as he climbed the sky, he turned everything to gold, till the deep green sea grew phosphorescent, and smiles played on tlio faces of the frowning- hills. Who could help thinking of the Sun of righteousness and his liealing wings? And how could one help praying, as the arrowy sunbeairs triumphed over night and darkness, 'Lord, send forth thy light and thy truth, imtil the remotest comer of a benighted world are filled with the gladdening flood.'"

Yesterday afternoon sixty-four prizes were distributed to 'scholars! attending the Kewton; East public school, by Mr. J. L. Cox, the visiting agent ef the Auckland Scripture Gift Association. The Bible exercises undertaken exhibited painstaking cave by the' writers, and were mostly well committed to memory. Mrs. _ Peter Mason and Mrs. Wallis assisted in the interesting proceedings. •

Mr. Worthington gave the fourth of his series of lectures ou Roman History last evening, in the largo room at the YVcllesleystreet East School. The subject, " The First Punic War,'! was very clearly explained, and listened to with that close attention which Mr. Worthington always exacts, and rarely fails to obtain. The opening part of the lecture: was a brief sketch of

ancient Carthage, its trade, manner of government, and marvellous prosperity, with some reflections on the certainty of coming into conflict with so persistently an ajrgres» sive power, such as Rome. The outbreak of the war in the isl;i.nd of Sicily was briefly alluded to, but the determined and repeated efforts of the Romans to out-rival their anemie3 on their own element—the seawas dwelt upon at some length. The constant perseverance of the Romans in building fleet after fleet was a proof of their high patriotism, and is worthy of imitation urder similar circumstances. The story of Regulus, the captured Roman, was told with pathos, which enlisted the sympathy of the audience for the fallen hero, and made it almost appear that the final defeat and humiliation of the Carthaginians were a righteous retribution. The lecture occupied an hour in delivery, and was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. Notwithstanding Uie inclemency of the evening, there was a very fair attendance. The following is the full list of the names of those gentlemen who were ballotted for and elected members of the Chamber of Commerce, at the special meeting held on Thursday :—Messrs. J. M. Alexander, H. P. Barber, Button, Henry Byron, W. Buchanan, Joseph Craig, F. E. Compton, R. C. Carr, Comiskey, A. B. Donald, John Edson, L. Ehrenfricd, Thomas Finlayson, Thomas Henderson, jun., Joseph Howard, Charles Hesketh, George Harper, R. R. Hunt, T. H. Hall, John Hay, Jackson and Russell, Wm. Johnston, 0. Kummer, John Kirkwood, Moss .Levy, Edward Lewis, Thomas Maclcy, J. M. Mowbray, E. Mitchelson,. James MacFarlane, Joseph Newman, J. W. Oxley, A. Oppenheimer, John Reid, A. S. Russell, Russell and Devore, A. Saunders, A. Stewart, Thos. Thompson, jgihitaker and Russell, J. Wiseman, Winks and Hall W. R. Waddel, and J. H. Upton!

"Wo notico at present on view at Mr. Leech's, ShortlanoT-strcet, five new oil paintings by Mr. Charles Blomfield. The first is a view of Lake Taupo, from the settlement of Tapuaeharuru, just where the Waikato river emerges from the Lake, and in the distance are seen the; active volcano of Tongariro, and the snow-clad Ruapehu. The second is a scene : on Rotoehu, a small Jake lying south-east of Rotoiti, while the third depicts a, storm ori Lake Rotoiti. Ths fourth picture is one of the far-famed Rotomahana Lake, showing the pink and white terraces, while in the distance is seen the sacred mountain of Tarawera. Perhaps the most remarkable of all is tho last, giving a view of a group of geyseni and steam jets at Tikitere. From the top of a rolling mass of fern hills, and covering the ground for several acres in extent, rise innumerable steam jets; some from huge pools of boiling water, others from mud volcanoes, and crevices in the ground, ■ which is covered with a deposit of pure sulphur. The lake seen in, the distance is Rotoiti. These pictures give an admirable conception' of the beauties of the scenery of tho Lako country. There are also on view at the same establishment two excellent paintings by Mr. Gibbs, of Christchurch, who-was an exhibitor at the

late exhibition of tho Society of Artists, aud also at the Duuedin, Sydney, and Melbourne exhibitions. Tho first is "Milford Sound," depicting tho grand scenery of this, the most famous Sound on the West Coast of the Middle Island. The entrance from the sea is in through the opening where the Sterling's waterfall, 460 feet high, is seen in the middle of the picture. The hill to the left hand is Mitre Peak, 4000 feet high. In the ceuteerfgAhc picture is the Lion Rock, so called ftyi?wty resemblance to a lion's head (with its mouth 1 ~lf towards the clouds), 3000 feet high. The ■ snowy peak on the right is Mount Pembroke, 7000 feet high, covered with perpetual snow. The second picture is "Cape Brett—Sunßet, I '"' near the entrance of the Bay of Islands. Both pictures are well worthy inspection, owing to the mocle of treatment adopted ty tho artist and the evidences of originality manifested by him. t uo w hole off the pictures above noticed are mounted in handsome and massive gilt frames, the moufiings,Sα, bemg the product of local industry, and • turned out at Mr. Leech's establishment Mr. Garrard, the great agitatorj aoved

by the statement that "sixty' ffitusand Bens have been excluded from|Witical privileges, has set out on a seltanposcd mission to placis them on the electoral roH. ifo has succeeded in disco veringjiiearly one hundred of theso unhappy mou Shady, and is. busily engaged in filling up their notices claiming to be put on the rotlpvith a view to using these votes potentially/ at the ensuing general election. ; |f _Tho quarterly communication of tho Provincial Grant! Lodgo of Scotland i™s held last night at tho Lodge-room, Masonic ■Hotel. It was presided over ir tho al> ! eenco of the P.G.M;, Brother Wlitaker, by Brother. Andorsim, .D.P.G.M A: large amount of routine business w aß tjjttsacted.