Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 91, 25 April 1870, Page 2

A fbiknd tells us that last night as he was turning the corner from Wellesleystreet into JN T el son- street, in the dark, he came suddenly on a gentleman meeting him. The suddenness of the meeting must have startled gentleman i v«o. 2 from a reverie, for, from the treacherous sl;pperiness of the pathway, his feet flew from under him, his umbrella took one way, and himself all fours went sprawling into the channel. The suddenness of the capsize, and the bewilderment of the fallen hero, were excessively ludicrous; while his language resulting, was in the highest degree forcible and improper. One of the prettiest and most tasteful pieces of cabinet work that we have ever seen, is at present for view at Messrs. Upton's, booksellers, Queen-street. It is an Escritoire, made to order for presentation to Archdeacon Lloyd from his late clergy. It is formed of iNew Zealand woods, totara mainly, inlaid with rewa rewa, remo and puriri with exquisite, skill. Two folding doors open on receptacles lor paper, envelopes, &c, with drawers and all conveniences. The back consists of one piece, being a knot of totara wood, the grain of which is singularly beautiful, while the numberless small pieces of the other wood constituting tbe front and sides, curiously blending, produce a lout ensemble of chasteness, richness and taste that beggars, description. As a specimen of what New Zealand has lo show in the way of furniture woods and workmanship, and also as a memento of affection and a tribute to worth, the gift may be proudly shown in Kngland by the Venerable Archdeacon. It bears the name of " Seuffert, of Elliot-street," as maker ; and on a silver shield in frcnt, the inscription:—-'To the Venerable John Frederic Lloyd, Archdeacor of Waitemata. A token of love and esteem, from the clergy of tho Archdeaconcry, on his leaving New Zealand, 7th Feb., 1870." : Thk Grammar School Board met on Saturday, at the Provincial Government Offices. There were present his Honor, the Provincial Secretary, Mr. O'Rorke (Speaker of the Council), Messrs. Fenton, Clark, and Joseph May. The business transacted was the passing accounts, signing cheques for salaries, &c. The Secretary was instructed to notify to the head master that the building was quite at his disposal if he chose.-' to occupy, it. Messrs. Clark and ivJaywere appointed to enquire into the present state and future prospects of all the property belonging to the Trust Fund, and to report to the Board at an early date. It will be seen by an advertisement which appears elsewhere, that Major Heaphy has resigned his seat in the House of Representatives as member for Parnell. , . --, - v -

Drowning of Mb. Syme.—Many persons, especially old travellers round the colonies, will be sorry to hear of the death of Mr. James Francis Syme, who was long and favorably known in the intercolonial trade' and on the coast as second and chief officer in. connection with the boatsof the late P.N.Z. and A.R.M. Company. At the breaking Up of the company, Mr. Syme went to England with Captain Harris in the s.s. Rakaia, and distinguished himself durinsr a very heavy gale off Cape Horn ova very dark night, by encouraging the men on to form a boat's crew, and endeavouring to save the life of a seaman who was washed from tue bowsprit. After a short stay with his relations in the' old country, ho joined the ship Bogata as chief officer, bound from Liverpool to Valparaiso, and on the 31st of December, during a

hurricane off the Calf of- s|Sn,--in St. George's Channel, was.;washed^verboard. He was never seen more, and is supposed to have been stunned in passing over the ship's side ; no effort could be made to save him. Mr. Syine was very much respected for his integrity and the unflinching performance of his duty, and was a.universal favorite with .passengers and his brother officers. We notice by advertisement that the Justices of the Peace residing within the Auckland.District are requested to"attend at the Police Court to-morrow, at noon, to select a chairman, and form a rota of attendance, &c, &c, for Petty Sessions. A pooe young widow in Berliu, on returning to her house after an hour's absence, recently, found this note lying on her table :—" Madame, —I came here with the intention of robbing you, but the sight of this respectable and peaceable little room, decorated with religious pictures, and adorned with pious souvenirs, and, above all, your two little children, which were quietly sleeping in their little beds and smiling in their dreams, have touched my heart, and instead of depriving you of the little money I found ia your drawer, I take the liberty of leaving here fifty dollars, hoping that you will accept of them a_ a.tribute of my respect and admiration." As Miss Howard, a lady engaged at the Greenwich Theatre, was going home-on Monday night, the 10th of January,- she heard piercing screams for help proceeding from under the Catford Bridge, which crosses the river Ravehsbourne. Looking over the bridge she saw two children struggling in the water, having evidently fallen in from the footpath. Plunging at once in to their rescue, she succeeded in getting tbem both to the side, but the bank being Bft. high and nearly perpendicular-, she was unable to climb up it or make good a landing. The weight of her clothes and the children clinging to her rendered the task of keeping above water a difficult one, and all three were on the point of sinking when Superintendent Griffin, who was travelling on horseback, hearing their cries, galloped up, and rescued them from tiieir perilous position.