The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 82, 13 April 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1870.

One of the most interesting projects shadowed forth in the ministerial scheme, as submitted at the late session of the Provincial Council, was that for connecting the Kaipara and Waikato districts more closely with the metropolis. The completion of the railway to the banks of the largest of New Zealand's rivers, and its subsequent extension up the magnificent basin of the Waikato, would be equally valuable for commercial as strategical purposes ; whilst a tramway crossing theportage between the heads of the waters of the Waitemata and Kaipara would be the best means of developing the resources of a district, in it's importance to this city, second only to the Waikato. Whether these two schemes are near or far off in realization, it will be a subject of interest to many, and sincere cougratulation, that a means of developing the resources of these two districts, next best, is about to be presented ; for we are glad to learn that the fine little steamer ' Go-Ahead,' after having undergone a complete overhaul and renovation, is about to enter on this dual trade. But there is another reason why we should rejoice at this re-opening of these districts. Difficulty of communication has undoubtedly retarded the progress of the districts ; but, on the other hand, the depressed and uuprogressive state of the districts, especially in the case of Kaipara, has been the cause of interruption to regularity of communication. And, in the opening of steamboat communication between these districts and the west end of the port of Auckland, we have unniistakeable signs of the times, and evidence of the vigour of our rising industries. The boundless extent of our flax lands, the large number of mills starting every day, and the population settling down to progressive and remunerative industry, will soon make the laying a steamer on our western waters a matter hardly to be noted; but we cannot pass without notice the pluck of our enterprising townsman Mr. S. H. Smith, in fearlessly opening the trade. When we look at that noble inlet, the Kaipara, with its singular ramifications, its hundreds of miles of coast line, surrounded .by plains and hills of richest fertility a-nd picturesque beauty ; and when we think of its necessary future, when thousands of homesteads will be nestling among its hills, and towns and villages be scattered over its plains, and sails will be seen in hundreds flitting on the inland sea, we cannot help thinking that the appearance of the little ' Go-Ahead in its waters, wiJl be the harbinger of prosperity. We sincerely wish success to the new enterprise ; and may this re-opening of the trade bring not only a merited return to the projector, but make the districts of Kaipara and Waikato in all their agricultural and commercial interests indeed go-ahead.

A meeting of Mr. Joseph's creditors was held to day, in the Supreme Court. Liabilities, £6087; assets, £2598. Mr. Sherra was appointed trustee, and Messrs.. MeCosh .Clark and McMillan were appointed supervisers.

Complaints have reached town of the burning of large quantities of flax, at Mangawai and Mangapai, to the extent of several thousand acres. This is a most wanton and inexcusible waste of property.

We like Volunteers and volunteering, and it is with the most friendly intentions to the cause that we ask the sensible members to speak to their brothers in arms about last night at the Prince of Wales. Waiting till the play had commenced, a brigade came thundering along in the dress circle, to the total stoppage of the acting, and the consternation of all beholders, and tumbling the chairs about with much noise, eventually took their seats, magnificent to behold. We do not object to the military right to wear the pretty cap so jauntily over the ear, and retain it even in the presence of ladies, but we can assure our military friends that it is these little vagaries that do injury to volunteering, and cause that scoffing that is so often meted out to the citizen soldiers. This a work-a-day world, and display is generally unpopular; and, if magnificence was intended, it was not enhanced by going into the ladies' cloakroom and smoking cigars there. This is simple rudeness, and we are confident would be condemned by none more than by the main body of the Volunteers themselves. To our citizen soldiers we must look for the defence in future of our hearths and homes. We are proud of our Volunteer corps, and should regret that any little vagaries should give room to the silly sneer that is so often the recompense of volunteering.

That vanity is not the mere product of civilisation was this morning exemplified in a shaving saloon in Lower Queenstreet. A Maori whose hairs had began to show a slight sprinkling of the snow of years, entering, requested the proprietor, Mr. Symonds, to restore the haii*s to the hue of youth. For the sum of " ten herring," which he paid like a man and a brother, the Maori's locks speedily assumed a raven tint, and he weut upon his way rejoicing.

On yesterday evening, about half-past four, a picture was presented in Lower Queen-street, that, we venture to say, in some respects, could not be surpassed in any other city of equal population. A man somewhat inebriated was scuffling a little with the police, when a crowd gathered around, containing various representations of the six daily newspapers of Auckland, all in quest of a miserable " local." The outskirts of the crowd consisted mainly of a throng of city Arabs, each with a large pile of penny papers under his arm; and the whole scene constituted a tableau viuant strongly expressive of the intellectual variety of the people of Auckland.

A man named Martin, a drill instructor, has been arrested, at Wellington, on a charge of criminal assault on a girl 11 years of age.

We have been informed by a gentleman who feels deeply interested in the matter, that all the circumstances connected with the lamented death of the late Mr. Lawrence Lazard, will be brought before the first session of the House of Representatives.

Auckland Rifle Volunteees.—ln order to get the members of Nos. 1, 4, and 5 Companies into form by the Queen's Birthday, a parade will take place in the Albert Barrack Square tomorrow morning at 6.30 sharp, when all members are particularly requested to attend.

We perceive by advertisement which appears in our columns, that Mr. F. G. Kwington purposes reading publicly in the Weslejan Chapel, Mount Albert, on Thursday evening next, an original essay on " Earthquakes and Volcnnoes." We would remind our readers that the lists of claimants to be put on the Electoral Itoll will be posted at the various polling places during this week. All objections must be lodged with the Registration Officer, on or before the 30th instant. It is notified that the Banks will be closed on Monday next. This being Easter Monday, no doubt most other mercantile establishments will follow the same rule. The members of No 3. 1 and 5 Companies A.K.Y., will parade for company drill in the Albert Barrack square, at half-past 6 o'clock on Thursday morning.. The price of the excursion tickets, issued for the steamer Williams, for Waiwera and the Hawaii has been reduced from seven shillings to five shillings.

The old lamp-post which stood at the first turn of the descent on Constitution Hill came to grief the other day through sheer rottenness, and remained prostrate close by the pathway until Monday evening, when some miscreants —for whom the pillory and the cart-tail would be far too mild a punishment —placed the post right across the path, one end resting upon the lower rail of the fence. A more diabolical act of mischief could hardly have been perpetrated, for the spar was placed exactly in such a position as to trip up-any person descending the hill, and a fall under such circumstances would almost certainly have been attended with fracture of arms or legs. Luckily the obstacle was discovered and at once removed before mischief could ensue. The authors of the deed must surely be of the stuff of which cowards are made.

We have been favoured by Mr. Knaggs, of Omaha, with a view of a quantity of dried hops, grown and cured by him. These hops seem to be of firstrate quality, their aroma being delicious. A sample is left at our office for inspection. Mr. Knaggs informs us that he is convinced that ihe cultivation °ot hops

will prove a paying business, and that it is his intention to prosecute the thing more fully. We would call public attention to the notification in our advertising columns by the Collector of Customs with regard to the registration of arms. Mr. McKellar is Licensing Officer for Auckland, Mr. Brewer for Onehunga, Mr. Lundon for the Thames, and the clerks to the Bench at all other places within the district. It must not be forgotten that a severe penalty attaches to the neglect of proper registration of all firearms. The Hibernia Hotel would appear to have been the scene of some rather disagreeable family misunderstandings lately; yesterday they were made the subject of investigation at the Police Court, when Mary Steele charged her step-father with having threatened her life ; defendant was bound over for three months. The only case of importance was that of George Holdship, who was charged by the Inspector of Buildings, with having commenced an edifice in Custom House-street without having given due notice. The Bench considered the case proved, and fined defendant 10s. and costs ; defendant's counsel at once gave notice of appeal. In the Shorfcland Police Court yesterday, James Dyer, alias Brown, was charged with assaulting William Nicholls. Mr. Macgregor appeared for complainant, and Mr. Dodd for defendant. Complainant deposed, that on the 11th, he went down on the beach at Grahamstown to seize the vessel Elizabeth, that belonged to him. He saw they were ready to go away, and he took a man named Charles Waring to take possession. Complainant was standing on the shore, when defendant jumped into a boat, and threatened him if he touched the vessel. Complainant put his hand on the vessel, and defendant then seized the tiller and struck complainant a severe blow on the back of the head. He did nothing to provoke the assault.—Charles Waring was examined for the complainant, and Thos. Hume and Daniel Keys for defendant. — Defendant was fined £5 and costs, or to undergo one month's imprisonment.