AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 26, 15 April 1892, Page 15

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Auckland, April 7, 1892. Thb hero of the hoar need never complain of the lack of admirers in Andkland. The latest lion to be stared and gaped at was Sergeant Doughty, who so admirably won the Rifle Champion Belt of the Colony at the New Zealand Bifl« Association meeting. Sergeant Doughty, a tall, strongly-built, athletic-looking young man, of quiet manner, and with hosts of friends, was warmly congratulated when he retained from the scene of his triumphs, and on Friday nigbt last a promenade concert was given in his honour at the Lome street Hall. Many volunteers were present, wearing their uniform. There was a good programme of songs, etc., for which Mr Arthur Towsey played the accompaniments. Sergeant Doughty was formally introduced by Captain Geddes, of his company (the A Battery of Artillery), but merely saluted, and walked away, not making any speech. In fact, the rifle champion must be a man of deeds, not of words ; for even on the day of his arrival, when the people cheered him, and the Mayor welcomed him back, congratulating him on his victory, h« said nothing.

Thursday, the 14tb, will be Sir George Grey's birthday, when the veteran statesman will have reached the age of eighty years, and the citizens of Auckland propose to give him an address of congratulation, to be presented in the Albert Park if the weather is fiae, and in the Opera House or City Hall if rain is falling. If Sir George approves, the hour will be four o'clock, when the school-children, who, it is wished will take part in the demonstration, shall be able to attend. Many people intend to go out in the morning to Parnell to meet Sir George Grey at his home in St Stephen's Avenue, and offer him their personal congratulations ; and, regarding this, there has been a difference on the committee who are promoting the public demonstration, Somebody having suggested that as many of the school-children as possible, accompanied by a band or band?, should be driven out in brakes in the morning to St Stephen's Avenue. This was considered excellent, and the secretary, understanding that the committee had agreed to pay for brakes and bands from the general f and, received several subscriptions for that part of the programme. But the committee say they did not resolve upon the morning demonstration at all ; that if such a demonstration is held, that in the afternoon will not be a success, and that, therefore, any person calling upon Sir George Grey in the morning will do so as private citizens. The secretary, Mr R. J. Duncan, naturally points out that the subscriptions mentioned must in that case be returned. He proposes to have the mitter re-con-lidered.

While playing Shylock on Wednesday night, the first night cf " The Merchant of Venice," Mr Walter Bentley fell ill suddenly from nervona exhaustion. Advancing to the front of the stage be exclaimed, " I beg your pardon, ladies and gentlemen, I cannot go on !" and hurried behind the scenes moaning with pain. Seeming to think that the attack was only momentary, he then crdered the play to proceed, but the pain returned with increased violence, and two doctors who attended told him that it would be impossible for him to continue the performance. Mr Bentley was taken home, and the theatre closed. It is hoped that he will be able to appear again tonight. During his season he has been attracting large audiences, and his Shakesperian characters have been much appreciated .

The demand for land prevails as strongly in Auckland and thereabouts as elsewhere in the Colony. In Waikato several satisfactory sales have been recorded, and notwithstanding the talk that one hears about depression, there appears to be a good deal of quiet, solid prosperity in this part of the Colony. A visitor one day remarked to me, " The people of Auckland are fond of complaining. When they go away from their own city they grumble about its depression and about bad times, and bo on ; and I came here, therefore, expecting to find Auckland in a sorry Btata indeed, On the contrary, I see plenty of business going on, the principal streets crowded, and a brisk appearance generally. You have well-kept streets, handsome buildings, comparatively small local taxation, good drainage, and many other advantages, and yet you growl. I cannot see any depression." This is quite right ; Aucklanderß grumble for the sake of grumbling. It most be something in the climate.

The Picturesque Atlas people begin their legal|campaign in Auckland next week, and the people who have signed their papers are patting on their armour for the fray. As "it's an ill wind that blows no!»ody good," the lawyers may gain something. A case has just been decided at Hamilton, in which the defendent, a settler, though he admitted that be ordered the books, eaid that they had not been delivered to him. The Picturesque Atlas man replied that he had put them outside the defendant's house, but the settler stated that he had never seen them. The Bench gave judgment for the defendant, believing that the word of a man of integrity, well known in the district, should be believed, if that of a stranger waß to receive credence.

Mr Samuel Luke, a gentleman who has a good deal of the Conservative about him, and who is an infatuated worshipper of the State system of education, has been elected chairman of the Board of Education.

There are now 150 pupils attending the Elam Free School of Art, which was established under the bequest of the late Dr Elam. It is intended to give an exhibition of the work of the student?, probably next month.

The directorship of the Kyneton School of Mines, Victoria, with a salary of, at least £300 per annum, haa been offered to Mr A. Pnrdie, M.A., and Associate of the Otago University School of Mines, at present assistant at the School of Mines at the Thames. He has not decided yet what he will do about the offer.

A man named Gregory Nichotls, a carpenter, who was helping to build a shed in Hellaby's slaughterhouse yards, Cox's Creek, was killed by the (all of a derrick and some of the timber. He was struck on his head, and bis skull fractured, death being instantaneous. Nicholla was a widower, with some children. Two brothers of the deceased are in Christchuich .

Another fatal accident occurred on Monday at the Captain Cook brewery yards, Kyber Pass Road. Henry Perkinson, a carter, was driving two horses with a waggon through a gateway to deliver about two tons of malt, when the leading horse swerved, and the cart turning, Perkinson was pinned by it to the gatepost, and immediately crnshed to death. The man was killed in a moment, as when the cart was pushed back, he fell to the ground, dead. He leaves a widow and three children, who are destitute. A little girl eight years of age, daughter of a storekeeper named Day, fell dead in Sydney Square, Hamilton, on Wednesday.