AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 6, 1 June 1883, Page 17

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent.) On Sunday next, 27th May, at 11 o'clock a.m., His Lordship Bishop Luck will celebrate Pontifical High Mass at St. Benedict's Church, Newton, that day being the Sunday within the Octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Let me correct an error which occurred in a former report wherein the Very Rev. Monsignore Fynes was stated to have celebrated Pontifical High Mass upon Easter Sunday. These words in italics should have read High Mags. Mr. James Green, who has been residing with the members of the Benedictine Order for some time past, and who came Ko Auckland along with the late Lord Abbot Alcock, 0.5.8., leaves for Europe per ship Mataura to finish his theological studies. Mr. Green, it will be remembered, was to have left in the ' British King with Eev, Father Golden, but missed his passage. Numerous friends wish him v/n ion voyage. The Auckland University College was formally opened last Monday evening, at 8 o'clock p.m., by His Excellency Sir. Wm. Jervois, The ceremony took place in the Choral Hall, Symonds street. There was a very large attendance. His Excellency, being called upon by the chairman of the council to formally open the College, did so by delivering an address, somewhat lengthy, but most erudite and replete with arguments on behalf of education- in themselves 6ound and incontestable. His Excellency was loudly applauded upon concluding the same. Professors Brown, Thomas, and Tucker, being respectively called upon by His Excellency, each made a few appropriate remarks. The chairman of the council, Sir G. M. O'Borke, next spoke and in a very happy manner told of the difficulties with which he had contended for years both within and without the avails of Parliament in bringing about the establishment of the Auckland University College. He referred to Hon. F. Whitaker in high terms of praise for the manner in which he had acted during the last session in obtaining the present grant. Mr. J. L. Tole, M.H.R., also came in for a share of praise for having aided in bringing about the present circumstances, and last, but not least, Sir Maurice awarded the southern members of the Legislature their due in speaking of the manner in which they had assented to the said grant. He regretted that at present there was no building, and thought that no place in the city was too good for a site for the purpose. He was loudly cheered upon taking his seat. His Excellency then, after a few brief remarks, declared the College to be open. His Excellency was adorned with the badges of his office, and the professors, as also some members of the council, wore their respective gowns. This day will be, without doubt, a bright one in the history of this city. A list of properties which have become public weal under the provisions of the will of the late Edward Costly, have been published. Some of the properties are amongst the most valuable sites ia the city, and are to be sold by public auction very shortly. Many Bug. gestions as to the mode of managing the Costly bequests have already been made through the local papers. A laTge number of new books are to be put upon the shelves of the Free Library in a few days. It is said that there are more books than can be at present conveniently accommodated. The Salvation Army has taken root in Auckland, and ia to a certain extent becoming a nuisance. The larrikins, as in other places, seem to have little aspect for the advocates of the new system of religiously educating the people, and already the oiil. vs and V...i .-, have been roughly handled. It would serve no pm.use toix^esa the general opinion of the people here as regards the movement, but suffice it to say that the street-blocking at night and its conseqoences is by no means looked upon favourably. Many converts have appv rently been made. , , , The Blue Ribbon Army has also caused some stir here, and nearly every third person one meets in the street has affixed to his button-bole a Bmall piece of blue material. The origin of this blue ribbon adornment seems to be disregarded by those who now claim membership of an institution whose principles are purely temperance and its dissemination.

There has been a perceptible fall of late in the land market, especially in suburban and country lands. The money market is still the same, and between 9 and 10 per cent, is asked for investments upon freehold security. Saturday last was the occasion of the Auckland Bicycle Club's first meeting. Nearly 2000 persons were present. The sports were held in the Cricket Ground and were a great success. This club has now some forty members, each possessing a bycicle. The different events were well contested, and a goodly number entered the lists each time. The fancy riding, which seemed the chief feature of the day's proceedings, waß watched with great attention by those present, and one gentleman in particular merited great praise and loud plaudits for his skill. Messrs. Service, Flewellyn, and Neane won the chief events, the former winning the Club Champion Five Mile Race. Thirteen members started for this event. A fatal accident occurred at the Sugar Company's Works, Northcote, last week, whereby one of the workmen engaged in excavating was killed by a sudden fall of earth. The verdict at the inquest relieved everybody from blame in the matter. Much has already been done by the above-mentioned company upon the site of the future Refinery Works, but a great deal in the way of excavating remains yet to be completed. The surroundings of the works present a picturesque appearance, numerous tents being pitched by the men ea^aged. \AII will regret to bear of the death of Major E. Withers. The deceased gentleman had been ill for some time past, being affected with a severe cold which ultimately turned to bronchitis. He was greatly respected by all here and bore a great and honourable reputation amongst the Volunteers. The several officers of the different companies were repeated visitors upon the deceased during bis illness. Major Withers, who formerly held the appointment of Inspecting Officer of Volunteers for the Colony in 1876, succeeded Major Lu9k as officer commanding the Auckland Volunteer district. He was at one time Captain of the 65th Regiment of the Imperial Army. The deceased was accorded a public funeral, a large number of Volunteers and private friends joining in the cortege. The Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, assisted by the Rev. T. W. Tebbs, performed the burial service. Major Eccles, A.D.C. to His Excellency, was present. Colonel Lyon has been appointed to take command for the time being of the Auckland Volunteer and Militia district. His Excellency the Governor, Lady, and Miss Jervois leave for Gisborne to-morrow. To- night (24th May) a grand ball is being held at Government House. Some 874 invitations have been issued, and a large and most fashionable assemblage is expected to be the result. This morning at 11.45 a.m. His Excellency held a full dress levee, and was to have attended the Takapuna Races at 2 p.m., but as it has been raining incessantly since early morning, no doubt such attendance has been abandoned. — The review of Volunteers which had been looked forward to as something worth witnessing did not eventuate in consequence of the inclemency of the weather. However, the usual salute of 21 guns and many other matters which took place throughout the city during the day gave every indication of the importance of the holiday. Our population has been greatly augmented by the arrival of two immigrant vessels with passengers to the number of upwards of 700. The " generals " were all employed within a few hours of their arrival, and the people yet wish for another batch to come. Dally.