Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8926, 15 December 1887, Page 5

We have received a copy of the Australasian Shorthand Joarnal for December. It Is an excellent little publication conducted by Messrs. Stott and Hoare, of Melbourne, on the same lines as the English and American journals of the same class. Its contents, however, are more "newsy" and interesting to shorthand writers than the majority of inch magazines, and it is well worth the modest subscription of 6« per annum. We may mention that it contains a short para* graph referring to the Hon. Mr. Fisher, the present Minister of Education, under . the beading of "From Reporter's Box to Ministerial Chair." A gentleman who is aft present visiting Auckland, and who is well known for his aitronomioal knowledge, writes "There is yet another method, simpler than any yet given in the Herald, for grasping somewhat of the enormous distance between our earth and the nearest fixed star. Light is known to travel at the rate of not less than 185,000 i miles in each second of time. If then Alpha Centauri were suddenly extinguished, we should still see the star shining for nearly four years. The last rays that left the star would not reach the earth until that time had passed, notwithstanding the enormous velo« city at which they had travelled."

Yesterday was the day for the presentation of prizes at the Church of England Grammar School. Dr. Maunsell presided, in the absence of the Bishop who was called away unexpectedly to the North, The long room of the school was tastefully decorated with devices, flags, ferns, eto,, amongst whioh the school motto, "Keep Faith," was conspicuous, After music, recitations, and readings by the boys, amongst whom Turner and McCausland did particularly well, the Governor's speoial prizes in divinity, were swarded to James Hall (maximua) in the Upper School and Devereux in the Lower. The Upper School silver medal went to Charles Spooner, and the bronze to Hall (maximus). In the lower Abbott gained the lilrer medal, and Griffiths (major) the bronze. The medals were pinned on by Mrs. Cowie. Hall (minor) gained the headmaster's special prize for general progress, and the Rev. P. 5. Smallfield gave prizes to Hall (major), and Hall (maximuß), and two to Eliott for the neatness and care with which their copybooks and exercise books were kept. A prize given by Mrs. Peroival "to the most popular boy" was, by vote of his companions, bestowed on Spooner. Mr. H. G. Seth Smith and Dr. Maunsell both addressed the boys, and th« headmaster read his report. There was * large attendance, including Mrs. Cowie and her family, the Rev. W. Beatty and Mrs, Beatty, the Rev. G. H. S. Walpole and Mrs. Walpole, Rev. J. K. Davis and Mrs. Davis, Mr. C. C. Macmillan, Captain and Mrs. Tilly, Mr. Robert Hall, of One-tree Hill, etc., eto.

To-morrow Major Dane will lecture in the City Hall on "The Kainbow Land." The title is a poetic name for the Hawaiian Islands, where at one part, from the moisture of waterfalls and steady sunshine, rainbows are constant. The lecturer is intimately acquainted with the group, which is of especial interest to us as a member of the Pacific family.

A christening quite unique in its surroundings and remarkable in its accessories (says the Dunedin Herald) took place on Sunday last, December 4th, at Swift Creek, when Mary Grace, infant daughter of Mr James Kinlav, and Christopher Francis, infant son of ilr. Guinan, recaived the mystio rite of baptism at the hands of the Rev. Mr. Roth* well, Wesleyan minister, the water used on the occasion having been brought from the far-off river Jordan, and the vessel into which It was poured was from " the street which is called straight "in the ancient city of Damascus. It is not presumed that the water itself possessed any special virtue other than its sacred associations in having come from the selfsame river In which Jesus Christ was Himself baptized, tad possibly touched the very stones on the banks of that fast flowing river where He Himself stood when he went down to parlike of that rite. For the first-born «on of the Prinoe of Wales water was taken from the River Jordan by the Prince some 3000 miles; bat these children of Heriot probably are the first in New Zealand to have been so favoured. In this instance the water was brought by a lady (Mrs. Miles Coverdale Bellamy) who had lived long in the East and five times made a tour of the Holy Land, and who has carried with her through Asia, Europe, Africa, and to New Zealand these mementoes of a land dear to all hearts. We wish the Heriot little ones a hearty " God speed," and a blessing on their whole lives. The anniversary services of the Franklin Road Primitive Methodist Church were calobrated on Sunday and Tuesday. On Sunday appropriate discourses were delivered by the Hers. Monro, Chew, and Bavin, to good congregations. On Tuesday the annual soiree was held, when there was a large attendance. The Rev. C. E. Ward presided over the after-meeting. Earnest practical addresses were delivered by the Revs. Smith, Woollass, and Ward. Some excellent sieging was discoursed by the choir, Mr, Dinney leader, Miss Booth organist. To-morrow and Saturday a Christmas tree will be held, when the ladies will offer a large supply of useful and ornamental goods for sale. The Newton Band will be present. A large attendance Is expected.

"Human Nature"was repeated with its customary success at the Opera House yesterday evening before a crowded audience. The acting throughout was exoellent, the ludicrous eccentricities of Mr. George Leitch u Horatio Spofkin provoking great laughter, whilst the other characters were as usual ably sustained, and the principals were repeatedly called before the curtain. The scene of the storming of the town was re« wived with the utmost enthusiasm, that in which is shown the return of the British troops from the Soudan campaign being also loudly applauded. "Human Nature "Is to be again staged this evening..

Yesterday afternoon Constable McKnight arrived in town from Paparata in charge of three boys named Play, the eldest of whom li seven years of age. They were en route for the E.ohimararaa Training School, as their father is an inmate of the Lunatic Asylum, *od their mother recently deserted them, leaving them destitute.

To-morrow evening the cantata, entitled "The Flower Queen," will be produced in the Choral Hall, under the direction of Mr. T. Cranwell. The cantata opens with the Chorus, "We are the Flowers," which ends, List! list 1 there is a footstep near ; away ! away ! we must not linger here." The Recluse enters, and singi, "Here would I rest, far from the busy scenes of toil and care." The Flowers (ohorun concealed) then sing, "Re«t thee here." This leads to the recita tive (Recluse), " Lost in wonder . . . say who dwells within your dark and shady lilet?" The Rose and Lily then enter and a duet, after which the Recluse sings, "Oh, gentle peace." Then the Flowers burst oat in chorus, " Who shall be Queen ?" The Crocus then states her claim, and is tAunted the Dahlia, who claims superior charms. The Heliotrope and Mignonette sing the duet, "'Tis not in beauty." The Lily then lings, " Prized by the beautiful." The Sunflower enters and sings, "Make way, ye 'illy praters, all for me," followed by the chorus, " Where is our favourite Lily ?" Violet and Lily then sing, " Sister flowerets We are here," followed by the Aoae solo, "The balmy odours." The Tulip, in a recitative, introduces the chorus, "Come quiokly away," the semi-ohorus. and song °f the Recluse, " Fold, oh, night. T»n "mutes' interlude. Part second opens with 'he chorus, "Good morning;" the singers greet each other from either side of the ts ge, all eagerly singing "To the choice hot the Hollyhock interrupts, " Dear Wends; you've quite forgotten me." The 'lowers then oall upon the Recluse to dec'de who shall be Queen. His choice falls npon the Hose. Then follow three choruses leading to the coronation scene. Semichorus, 11 Receive thy crown and "On •by brow the orown we place." All unitedly buret out with, "Long live our beauteous Queen." The Rose then siegs, "Filled with gratitude and love." Another chorus, and a Pretty duet, Rose and Recluse, "May peace *Ueud thee still." In the last chorus, opened 7 soli voices and Recluse, all join in one Brand chorus, " Light of eternal day, guide l boa his onward way.'' Information was given to the police last •ght that a little girl, named Mary McCarthy, aged 2J years, whose parents reside jo St. Mary's Road, Poneonby, had left her Otoe some time during the afternoon, and Sough she had been searched for had not en found up to a late hoar in the evening, h eu last seen she was dressed in a red * n d white pinafore. Any intelligence ceived ii the little stray will be fiddly re ' -The half# yearly meeting of the Auckland wl; * nent Building and Investment Society, i*n.«j « Wa * 40 have been held yesterday, e d for want of • quorum,

The following new patents have been aplied for : — Improvements in mechanical movements, a communication from abroad from Eckley Brinton Coxe, mining engineer, of Pennsylvania, and Samuel Salmon, me> ohanical engineer, for washing; dressing and drying phormium tenax (commonly called New Zealand flax), flax, and other fibrous substances, to be known as " McQueen's patent flax-washing machine," by Charles McQueen, of Dunedin, engineer; a compound flooring of cement, conorete, asphalt, or other plastic material in combination with timber, to be called !' Herbert's patent climax floor," and a plastering lath, to be called " Herbert's patent dovetail timber lath," by Thomas Herbert, of Auckland, faotory manager to the New Zealand Timber Company ; an improved adjusting and parallel-action scraping jaws for flax machines, by Edward Fraser Jones, of Wellington, civil engineer and arohiteot ; an electric brace or trousers suspender, to be called "The favourite eleotrio brace or trouser«suspender," by Thomas Gager of Christoburch ; improvements in shoes for horses and other hoofed animals, by Charles James Jutson and Frederick Abraham Ponpard, of London; Silcock's water-raoe and drain plough, by William John Silcock, of Ashbnrton, contractor ; for wringing and mangling clothes, called Victoria combined wringer and mangle,' by Henry Fanoonrt of Dunedin, settler ; a combined horizontal and vertical disoharger, by William McKeegan, of Wellington, engineer, and William Andrew Young, of the same place, carrier; improvements in the construction of carts, waggons, or any other vehicles, by John Fltohett, of Wellington, coachbuilder ; improvements in lubricators, by Daniel McUill, of Lower Halt, enginedriver, and Thomas Robert Barrer, of Wellington, mechanical engineer.

The ourability of consumption was discussed at this year's meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. The authorities present agreed that careful dieting, the avoidance of heating food, the expansion of the chest, such careful attention to hygienic rules as shall make the other organs of the body do their proper work instead of overloading the lungs with labosr, and carefnl avoidance of overwork for any part of the system, will generally effect; a salutary and beneficial change. Violent drugging and a large carnivorous diet are to be avoided. Careful building up of the body, keeping clear of all excesses, maintaining a quiet mind, plenty of exercise and fresh air, all tend to recovery.

Legal proceedings are about to be taken by the City Council for the reoovery of rates,

A grand concert, in aid of the funds of the Boys' Rest, is to be given at the Choral Hall this evening, under the oonduotorship of Mr T. Tallis Trimuell. An excellent programme is to be submitted.

The first inspection of No. 1 Company, St. James' Boys' Brigade, will be held at ei|;ht o'clock this evening at St. James' Hall, when addresses will be delivered by the Revs. .R. Maonicol, West, and Hill.

Tenders, returnable on Thursday, January 12th, are ißvited by the Wellington City Council for the reclamation of a portion of the Wellington harbour.

The comlo operas, " Breaking the Spell " and " Rose of Auvergne," are to be produced by the Amateur Operetta Company on Thursday and Friday evenings, 22nd and 23rd instant. Herr Scbmitt will act as conductor, and a full or* chestra and chorus will be in attendance.

The places of business of the leading Queenstreet drapers and clothiers will be closed on Monday and Tuesday in Christmas and New Tear weeks, as notified by advertisement elsewhere.

The City Council invite tenders for printing, and for kerbing and channelling in Grafton Road and Queen-street.

It will be seen by advertisement that the well-known photographers of Duaedin, Messrs. Burton Brothers, nre desirous of meeting with an energetic firm in Auckland to take up the local agency for their photographic productions.

As will be seen by an announcement elsewhere, the adjournsd public meeting of eleotors of Auckland, relative to the tariff question, will be held in the Auckland Industrial Association's Rooms, Wyndham-street, this evening at eight p.m.

We are informed by the manager for Mr. James Pain, the celebrated pyrotechnist, that a large stuff of his workmen and a groat quantity of pyrotechnic wonders and material have arrived by the Te Anau. Wo are glad to bear that at Christmas and New Yeartide it is his intention to give some of bis magnificent firework displays and illuminations on the

Government House Reserve. The enormous success that has attended Mr. Pain's displays in Melbourne and Sydney should promise a great treat for the public of Auckland and district. Full particulars and programme will be shortly published.