LATEST AUCKLAND NEWS AND GOSSIP.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XI, Issue 2905, 18 April 1878, Page 3

LATEST AUCKLAND NEWS AND GOSSIP.

(ebom oub special cobbespondent). Auckland, Tuesday. The s.s. 'Botorua' sailed this evening at about 5 o'clock for the south. She calls at Napier for very short time. The following passengers were booked: Rev W. J. Williams, Mrs Williams and 2 children, Mr and Mrs Reeves, Miss McKay, Capt. Parr, Messrs Dickson, Taylor, Cahill, Dice, Dunbar, Fallon, Prince and Buivier. There were down at the vessel, several gentlemen and ladies, taking leave of Mr and Mrs Williams, who depart for Wellington. •Mr it. Diokson, City Councillor and contractor, leaves shortly for his new contract in the South. His contract has already been begun. He sublets the greater portion of it. His place in the city will be declared vacant in a few days, and it is very possible that the seat will be contested as there are several aspirants to office.

The complimentary benefit to widow Winchcomb and her daughter, held at the Theatre Royal, was a great failure. Although under distinguished patronage, only about £7 was realised.. It was a most deserving case, but the public get weary of tho multitude of benevolent calls.

Mr Clias. T. Harding, of Choral Society notoriety, has been tendered a benefit by his mutual friends prior to his leaving Auckland. Himself and his singing have had a great number of admirers. The committee of the Young Men's & ssociation have issued a new circular, and are about making a desperate effort to demolish the balance of debt (£900) on the whole premises. The paper row re the Working Men's Club has subsided, and the directory are aiming to get supporters rather than correspondents through the Pross. The Young Men's Association and the' Mechanics' Institute have had no perceptible injury by its presence. The Watchman gold mining company have issued their prospectus, 12,000 shares of 10s, £6000. Messrs Stone, Paul, Stewart and Tierman are tho directors; Mr Sanderson legal manager. Arthur v. the Waikato Steam IST. Go,, occupied the whole of yesterday and today. There was a ponderous weight of evidence given for tho defence,ls witnesses. At about 5 o'olock tho Judge began to sum up the case. Tho Judge was short and pointed out the duty of the jury. The jury retirod at 5.15 and were locked up. At 9 o'clook there was no appearance of the foreman. There were many outside the court awaiting the verdiot with great interest and speculation. There was no sign of tho jury at 9.30. Registrar gave them, to 10 o'clock and said if they j did not agree then they would be locked up for the night. Shortly after 10 o'clock the jury returned into Court, when tho foreman reported that thoy had not agreed. On some of the issues they were all of the same opinion, and on others there were nine on one side and three on the other. After consulting together, the foreman said nine jurymen were for awarding plaintiff nothing, and three thought he should get something. This was held as practically a verdict for the defendants, and waß so entered.

Three new cases of neglected children wore ordered to-day to the Nowton Home, by B.C. Barslow (U. M.) The number of destitute children in tho Home is increasing. Many of the older ones have gone out to service, and are behaving well. Petty larceny is on tho increase by small boys and girls. Tho thieves always find receivors for tho stolen property, and often escape detection of the Polico. The Chairman of the Board of Education (Dr, Campbell) has announced ex cathcdra, that the Press are admitted to the meetings of tho Board' on Sufferance.' The other members, including Mr Luckie, resent it keenly. There is great talk about town over the matter. l)r. Campbell does not wish to exclude the Press, but thinks a permission is understood by the Act, that could be used if wished. Dr. Campbell has always been very courteous to representatives of the peoplo. H. Devoy was arraigned to-day, on the charge of stealing a valuable horse from Panmure, The Court held that the case was proved, and he was fully committed. Bail was allowed,

At tho Waste Lands Board to-day, on application from chairman of the Thames County Council, that 2 blocks of land bo opened for selectionlt was resolved to survey the blocks, and the application granted. The Broomliall Settlement,Mr Firth drew attention to derogatory statements against the Board, made at a meeting at the Thames, He denied that

tho Board Bhowod any favouritism to M Broomhall.

Tho Grammar School new Board of Governors .held its first meeting to-day. Mr. Justice Gillies was unanimously elected chairman of Iho Board of Governors. Tho grammar- school is about to be removed by ordor of the Board of Improvement Commissioners. The removal will not take place for six months. At the Harbour Board to-day, a chart of the harbour was presented from the Secretary of Customs. The lokatea Gold Mining Company at Coromandel have advertised for a new mine manager.