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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7222, 10 January 1885, Page 4

At the Supreme Court yesterday the Grand Jury returned no bills against Martiu Swallow, indecent assault; Wilaiam Hobaon, killing a horse ; Meianata te Hara, horsestealing ; James Joseph Daro?s, personation ; Charles Cunningham, personation; Abratn Ridings (two indictments), indecent assault. A true bill was brought in against Abram Ridings on one indictment. In discharging Martin Swallow from custody, His Honor referred in strong terms to the prisoner's conduct, which, he said, was such as to exclude him from all decent society. Jacob Hanson was fined £5, or in default, one month's imprisonment, tor assault. Paul Louis was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with hard labour for larceny as a bailee ; Thomas Johnson, two year 3 for forgery ; Huiatahi, twelve months for homestealing; George Andrew Watkins, 18 months for stealing from a dwelling. The jury returned a verdict of " nob guilty" in the charge against John Dignan of breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Constance Johnson, and stealing goods. The Court resumes at ten o'clock this morning. The firnt case to be taken will be that of Isaac Rout, uttering consent to marriage of a minor.

Mr. Moss has written to the Kaueranga School Committee, in reply to their nomination, thanking them, but informing the committee that he had decided some time ago not to bo a candidate for a seat at the Board of Education after the expiration of his present term on 31 afc March next, as he found his absence in Wellington and other duties prevented his attendance to the work of the Board as thoroughly as he should desire,

This afternoon the Garrison Band, under arrangement with His Worship the Mayor, will perform in Albert Park from three to five o'clock the following programme: — Quickstep, "The Masher" (Chambers); overture, "L' Intrepide" (L. Basquier); valse, Sooner or Later" (Meissler) ; selection, "Falka," Comic Opera (Chassaigne); I quadrilles, " Jolly Girls (Dawson); slow march, " Reception " (Leconte); "Beauties of Ireland," selection (Newton) ; valse, " Queenie " (R. Smith); " God Save the Queen." For some time past the Band of Hope Union Choir, assisted by friends of the Sanday-school and church choirs, have been busily engaged preparing for Mr. Booth's mission, and on Monday next the practices will be continued in the Pitt and Vincent Street School. Although the choir numbers over one hundred, it is etill hoped to strengthen it, as the work in hand entails its services for two consecutive weeks or more, and will be of a most enthusiastic character. Owing to other engagements of the choir's conductor (Mr. Cranwtll), Mr. R. Tudehope has very kindly taken up the work, and in his hands good results are expected. All persona in sympathy with the mission and willing to assist are requested to attend the practice on Monday, as being the last day of receiving names. Mr. Neil Heath, late head-master of the Girls' High School, and Mrs. Heath left by the Tarawera yesterday. A large cumber of persons were present to bid them good-bye, consisting of teachers and pupils, and parents of pupils. The following is the state of the District Hospital for the week ending Sth January: — Remained last state, 103 ; admitted since, 13 ; discharged, 10 ; died, 3 ; remaining at present— males, SI ; females, 22 : total, 103. Out-patients, 19. It appears that the practice of malicious poisoning of valuable dogs has extended-to Kemuera. Mrs. Maxwell has had a valuable Newfoundland dog poisoned. The animal was found quite dead in the owner's yard yesterday, and the suspicion is that the poison must have been thrown to him either by some malicious person or some tramp whose vigilance he had baulked. A juryman who failed to attend at the Supreme Court ,on Wednesday was brought up next day and fined £1 for not obeying the summons.

The Grand Jury terminated their labours at the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon, about half-past three o'clock. His Honor thanked them for the attention they had paid to the business. His Honor said it bad been rather tedious on this occasion. He hoped it would not be so in the future. Ihe Grand Jury were then relieved from further attendance.

The green of the Auckland Bowling and Lawn Tennis Club is at present in excellent order. The matches for the various trophies will be played this afternoon, and a good attendance is expectcd.

The Board of Education did not hold its usual meeting yesterday afternoon, but will meet for transaction of business on Friday next.

We understand that Mr. David Ross, architect, received on Thursday last a cheque in full for his account against the Harbour Board, as architect, in connection with tht erection of the Harbour Board Offices, and is now engaged in the preparation of drawings and specifications for the iron railings, counters, and other extra work required for the building. A meeting of the Waitemata County Council was held yesterday at the Council's office, Shortland-street, at which a large amount of correspondence was read, and other business disposed of.

We understand that the Government have arranged to occupy a part of Mr. J. C. Firth's bonded warehouse in Albert-street, at a very high rental, to do the duty of a Customhouse during the next three years, and get the piece of property at the corner of Albert aud Customs Streets set apart as a Customhouse site. So far as Auckland is concerned, the Customs Department have for the last ten or twelve years been always on the "move on," no fixed habitation being allowed them as in every other port in New Zealand.

From the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency's circular we obtain some in formation relative to the condition of the crops in various parts of the colony. The Dunedin representative reports that "most of our inland correspondents report favourably upon the appearance of the crops and pastures. Although th« spring was rather late and cold, the warmer weather of the past two or three weeks has had a beneficial effect on the backward crops. Judging from reports, the prospects of a good harvest are almost assured." The Christchurch report says:—"The weather has been very unsettled since our last report, warm days alternating with showers and thunderstorms. This has been favourable to light land crops, but on heavy lands the plant is very backward, and nothing short of really hot weather will suffice to bring it to a healthy bloom. The crops are even more backward than lass year, and harvest operations will scarcely be started before February." From Invercargiil we have the statement that " the rain had a most beneficial effect upon the growing crops, they are looking very healthy, and the yield promises to be a very heavy one." In Marlborough " the season up to the present has been all that could be desired, and the crops are looking well in all parts of the district." From Gisborne the report states that "owing to the lowncss in price, very little wheat has been sown, but of barley, a considerable breadth has been sown this year, and the crop locks promising."

We learn from the Tasmanian papers that during Mr. Matthew Burnett's recent trip through the western and north-western districts of the colony 2200 persons, adults and juveniles, took the pledge, and 2500 donned the blue ribbon. This completes his tour of the island, and since his arrival in the colony 13,500 have taken the pledge and donned the blue. Eleven hundred separate family cards have also been issued,

About three o'clock yesterday afternoon' the men engaged upon Wiastone's reclame tion contract at the foot of Hobsoa-street put in three " blasts" of powder at the fo o of the old retaining wall at the cliff to brin» it down. The charges brought it dowj effectually, as well as the whole of the tele, phone line which runs along Customs-street Some of the stones fell on the wires between two of the posts, and snapped the whole lot fourteen in number, running along the above thoroughfare to City West and Ponsonby The officers at the Telephone Exchange gpeedily discovered that there was no com. niunicacion westward, and the officer m charge of the telegraph Department, sent out men to ascertain where the wires were in contact. In the meantime the telephone subscribers in the western suburb failed to get their messages through to the Exchange and being unaware of the real cause of the trouble, concluded that Mr. Furby, according to the notice in the papers about non-payment of arrears, had suddenly wound then.', up with a round turn, but they thought it too summary to crush out fourteen of them at one fell swoop. There was a good deal of blasting during the afternoon, but it was principally confined to the subscribers of the Telephone Exchange. By dusk three wires bad been repaired, and it is believed the whole of the connections will be restored by business hours this morning. In yesterday's issue we announced ths death of Charles Henry Sherman, of the marine guard of U.S. Iroquois, of acato rheumatism, at the District Hospital. Tho funeral took place yesterday morning from the Hospital. About nine o'clock a large party of marines and blue jackets landed from the ship, with the following officers :— Captain Stirling, Lieut. Commander Stockton, Lieutenants Crocker, Nip, and Fisher, and headed by the Garrison Band marched to tiie Hospital, the blue jackets carrying the " Stars and Stripes." The coffin having been placed in the hearse, the cortege wended its way to the Presbyterian Cemetery, the Garrison Band playing the " Dead March in Saul " and other appropriate airs.' A large assemblage gathered at the cem«. tery, attracted by the unusual spectacle, The funeral service having been read, the firing party of marines fired the usual three vollies, a.3 military honours to deceaied. The officers and men of the Iriquois intend erecting a tombstone over the grave of their late comrade. Deceased had served right through the American civil war, and been in numerous engagements.

A meeting was held on Thursday evening, at the residence of Mr. F. G. Ewington, Mount Koskill Road, of residents in the district desirous of erecting an Episcopalian Church on the bite given by Mr. Paice. Archdeacon Dudley presided. Plans of the proposed building were submitted by Mr. Arthur J. Wilson, and from inspection, led to the belief that the new church would form an ornament to the district. It will seat 200 people and cost about £500. Arch, deacon Dudley stated that a gentleman, who wished to remain unknown, had given him a cheque for £25 towards the object. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Paice for his liberality in giving the site: A subscription list was passed round, and £27 promised. All the persons at the meeting agreed to take collecting books, and thoroughly canvass the district first, then the general public afterwards. An effort will be made to finish the building in four months. Another meeting will be held in three weeks, in order to report progress. A grand conversazione, in aid of the building fund of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle, will be held in the Choral Hall on Thursday and Friday, the 15th and 16th-inst. There will be vocal and instrumental music, limelight exhibition at intervals, various amuse, ments, a cookery competition, refreshments and fruit, &c. Recitations will also be given by the Rev. W. E. Rice and other friend?. This varied and attractive programme will, no doubt, ensure a good attendance. Mr. J. Gavin, chief officer of the Cnlonhl Treasury .Department, Wellington, is at present on a visit to Auckland. He is an old Aucklander, but has not been here for many years.

The meeting last evening in connection with the week of universal prayer was held in the United Methodist Free Church, Pitt and Vincent Streets. There was a good attendance. The Rev, S. Macfarlane presided, and an excellent address was delivered by the Rev. Mcfveczie Frazer. The meeting this evening will be held in the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms ; subject, " Prayer for Missions." Mr. T. Buddie will preside, and addresses will be delivered by the Revs. T. G. Carr and Chas. Carter.

Last evening the employes of Messrs. Wingate, Burns & Co. were entertained in Canning's Dining Rooms by Mr. C. C. Brown Douglas, on the eve of his departure for England. As a mark of the esteem in which he is held, they asked his acceptance of some New Zealand views handsomely bound; also a pretty box inlaid with New Zealand woods.

There were four persons in tie lock-up last night, on charges of drunkenness. The Eight Hours' Demonstration Committee met last evening, Mr. Crouch in tha chair. It was resolved that tenders be called for brass bands to accompany the procession ; also, that posters be circulated ia country towns requesting the working-men co join in the procession.

The Tramway Company commence next week to lay down the rails at the cutting at the Ponsonby Reservoir, so as to connect the line ending in Karangahape Road with the section laid down in Ponsonby Road. It is xpected that the oars will be running trough to the Three Lamps in three weeks from date.

The s.s. Arawata arrived from Wellington ; ast night. She brings some 260 tons of cargo, received per Toogariro from London, She also brought a number of passengers by the same steamer.

A meeting of t'no local committee of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition was held it the Chamber of Commerce last night. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. The following gentlemen were appointed an Executive Committee to receive applications for space :—The Mayor (ex-officio), Messrs. John Rtid, Johnston, J. Winks, C. Atkin, J. Chambers, Jones (Northern Boot Company), and Mason. Messrs. A. Yollbracht (Tobacco Company) and Harris (New Zealand Timber Company), have been added to the local committee.

A meeting of the committee of the Auckland Regatta Club was held at the clubroom, Waitemata Hotel, last evening, Mr. M. Niccol occupying the chair. There was a good attendance ot the committee. It was directed that the owners of sailing boats distinctly understand that waehstrakes are allowed as in previous years, and that as to false keels of cutters they are left to the discretion of owners, there being, no restriction as to depth of keel. J. Mclvenzie informed the meeting that Mr. Brewster, the secretary of the Sugar Co., had kindly placed their steam yacht at the committee's services for Regatta Day. Messrs. Nearing and J. McKenzie were appointed a sub-committee to arrange re flagship. Other routine business was transacted, after which the meeting adjourned. The Hon. P. A. Buckley, ColonialSSecr- t tary, is staying on board the s.s. Hinemoa, at the Queen-street Wharf. Mr. Buckley is awaiting communications from his colleagues.

An advertisement appears in our columns to-day for tenders for the erection of the Public Free Library and Art Gallery. Owing to the peculiarity of the weather, hitherto tho process of maturing has gona on very slowly with the present season's factory cheese. The Waikato Cheese Factory has, therefore, only just commenced the supply of many orders received, and yesterday a parcel of a ton and a-quarter was dispatched to Te Aroha.

The Auckland Weekly News is "the largest, best, and most readable family journal In the colony, and consists of forty pages. Besides being admirably illustrated, it Is characterised by the fulness of its intelligence and the variety of its contents. Its agricultural articles are carefully written ; Us country, colonial, English, and foreign news full and well selected, and its literary matter both interesting and edifying. It publishes each week sermons by the most prominent preachers ot the age, serial tales by the ablest authors of the day, special articles on general topics by wellinformed writers, entertaining letters from its correspondents in America and England, and a large variety of instructive matter. As a weekly newspaper ad family journal, the News is without an equ^l. The members of '.he Auckland Fishing Club wi'l make another excursion till afternoon. The steamer is advertised to leave at ten miautss past one punctually. Lady <ijitors should rememoer this will be the second of tho competitions for Mr. Vr'. Aitkenl three guinea prize.

The Gas Company advertise their intention to supply buyers of five ton-, of coke per mr.ntb, at IS< per too. This reductior. to manufacturers in the cost of this valuable fuel, is certain to further extend its usa in thft city.