THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 112, 19 May 1870, Page 2

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1870.

Although the stigma attaches to Auckland of dormant public spirit. yet the treatment of the electoral rolls in the matter of objections, manifests undoubted wakefulnesa on the part of some, albeit that it is shown, in an irregular way. Some one is evidently peering into futurity; and, though it is a hardship to check any nianifestion of public spirit, still when it avails itself of forgery to effect its ends, we can scarcely regard it as having a claim on our consideration. On every side we hear of persons having, without permission been asked, made a " cat's paw " for the removal of names from the electoral rolls. The operators are evidently 'prentice hands in electioneering tactics, for anything more clumsy than the mode of operation it is hardly possible to conceive. Perhaps there is nothing that requires more clearheadedness, skill, experience, caution, than manipulating an electoral roll, or dealing generally in electioneering, and those gentlemen who have undertaken the duty for this district, have either just awaked and opened their eyes for the first time to the claims of public duty, or have been by nature gifted with" very thick skulls indeed. The transparent ruse attempted oil Mr. Hannaford, in obtaining his signature to sheets with a few names sparsely clotting them, and then filling up the intervals at leisure, must have been the suggestions of a political babe and suckling, while the systematic arrangement of a list, and appending to it an objecting name by the simple process of forgery, has in it such apparent daring and want of caution as could only arise from ignorance of danger. But will no action be taken on this violation of law ? Of course the consequences of the attempt are simple in prevention. Those whose names have been unwarrantably used can withdraw their names, and the objections must fall to the ground. Objections resting on a presumed signature, which is a figment, can have no validity, or even existence; and it is the duty ' of those whose names have been so used to purge themselves of blame by taking pains to have those objections nullified. But more : such tampering with one of the most dangerous and tempting forms of crime should not be passed over, and it is the undoubted duty of those whose names have been forged to swear informations againstthe forgers ; and now that in every journal public attention has been directed to this offence, the police authorities have no excuse if the crime is not traced home to its authors.

The p.s. Williams will leave for the Thames to-morrow, at three o'clock p.m., instead of half-past two, as advertised in our shipping columns, returning from Grahamstown at 8 p.m.

Tatteanga.—The schooner Queen arrived in harbour this morning. There is no news of importance from Tauranga.

Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather last night, there was a good house at the City Hall to s:ie tbe diorama of the Apocalypse. We are glad to observe the general favor which the entertainment has evidently won from the ladies of Auckland, —the best testimony to its propriety and tastefulness.

We are much gratified to learn that the entertainments intended in connection with the Mechanics' Institute, are being organised, and that a preliminary meeting of those intending to Jend their aid, will be held at the Mechanics' Institute tomorrow evening at eight o'clock. The entertainments are to be of a miscellaneous character, including songs, recitations, readings, part acting, &c. Some six or eight amateurs have already volurteered their services, and it is requested that any others interested, or desirous of aiding this step in the right direction, will meet the sub-committee to-morrow evening.

We learn that it is the intention of the Auckland Literary Institute to give an entertainment in Slid of the funds of the Orphan School, at Parnell, on the evening of to-morrow week, the 27th inst. The City H all is to be engaged for the occasion, and botli from the excellence and variety in the class of entertainment usually given by the society, and the philantrophic purpose to which the proceeds will be devoted, we anticipate a very successful effort on the part of. the society.

In the Police Court, to-day, there was a full Bench, Mr. Porter being punctual to rota; Mr. Newman being present hy request of Mr. Pierce as his substitute ; and Mr. Kitchie, whose name appears in the rota for to-morrow, having, we presume, made an interchange of days with a brother magistrate. It is gratifying to see the attention our magistrates are giving to the public service, . entering into the new system con amove —and that the stigma hitherto attaching to our local Bench of indifference to the fulfilment of their public duties, is so rapidly passing away. Two persons appeared in the

character of drunkards repenlsut, and another was charged with being belligerent in his cups —-to wit, fighting promiscuously against all comers, and playfully butting against- Constable Clarke, after the manner of a ram, to the serious derangement of the constable's epigastric regions. The only other case was one of those not unfrequent in the Police Court, where the great machinery of the law is put in motion by a very little. Two young fellows appear to have been squabbling, and the one called ihe other " a loafer," when the offended individual, instead of settling the matter in the good old English style of a manly blow, or with equal propriety, walking away, must needs put the law in force, and had the offender arrested on warrant. It would appear as if second thoughts were supervening, for prosecutor was not "up to time," although counsel for prosecution and defence, the Armed Constabulary, and the Court, were all prepared for the momentous issue to be tried. We shall like to hear the definition of " loafer," on the significance of which, of course, the heinousness of the offence will hinge. Ihe case will be resumed on Saturday.

Essay and Discussion Class, Y.M. C.A.—The above Class meets this evening, at half-past seven o'clock, in the Rooms, Wellesley - street, when a debate will take place on the following question :—" Is it desirable to substitute Vote by Ballot for Open Voting in Political Elections ?" The question of the Ballot is an important and practical one, and public opinion in the Colony seems fast trending in the direction of that measure of political reform. His Honor 1 the Superintendent has pronounced himself unequivocally in favour of the measure, and with the fragrant recollection of certain occurrences at the late election fresh in his remembrance, will no doubt have the whole subject of Vote by Ballot thoroughly ventilated in the Assembly. Through gross apathy a large proportion [of the electoral constituency never exercise their political rights at all—but if, as has happened before now, men have to endure a preliminary martyrdom prior to reaching the polling booth, and succeed in exercising the franchise not only at the expense of their feelings, but their stomachs, a much greater number maj be reckoned upon in future as declining the privilege on conditions so onerous. With the cession of the franchise the voter may fairly look to the Government to so frame the electoral law as to reduce to a minimum the risk of intimidation —whether physical or moral—in its exercise. Last evening the monthly inspection of the Auckland Naval Volunteers took place at the Drill-?hed, Fort Britomart. There was a very good attendance of members, considering the unfavourable state of the weather. Adjutant Tisdall was present, and inspected the men's arms and accoutrements, which were found to be in good condition. They were afterwards put through the sword and other " exercises "by Petty-officer Cooke, and acquitted themselves most creditably. Captain Guilding also put the men through a variety of evolutions. A muster of the Artillery had been called for the same time and place, but only two of them turned up, so that nothing was done, although Sergeaut-jVlajor Bronghton was present, and the guns were all in position. No doubt the damp state of the atmosphere kept the men away. This evening another entertainment will be given at the Lunatic Asylum for the benefit of the patients, at which a number of amateurs and others have promised to be present and lend their assistance. The members of the Tradesmen's Garrick Club have promised their services, and will give a dramatic representation. These entertainments are much lo be commended, and we trust that the affair will be very successful. Application has been made to his the Governor, by George Philip Hilton and Uobcrt Walker Fairburn, for lerters patent for the use within the colony of New Zealand of an invention for certain improvements in lowering, raising, and transporting of minerals, &c, and also in the apparatus employed therein.

The Eev. J. E. Jenkins will lecture this evening, at the Albert street Congregational Chapel, the subject being " The Eagles and the Cross."

The shareholders of the Belfast Gold Mining Company will be paid a dividend of 2s. per share at the office of Mr. C. Tothill. This is the third company paying a dividend at Mr. Tothill's office during the present week, the sums of the dividends amounting to over £6000. To-night, at the .Newton Hall, is to be given an entertainment (the first of a series), in aid of the establishment of a fund for the erection of a school-house in connection with St. Sepulchre's Church. The ladies aad gentlemen appointed to take part in the programme are amateurs oi' weil known ability.

Theee will be a parade of the Auckland June Volunteers, at seven o'clock this evening, at the .Drill-shed, Princes-street. After a short drill the men will be formed in fours, and there will be n inarch out of the corps, headed by the band of the battalion. Masonic—At the request of the P.G-. Master, 1.0., and the W.M. of Lodge Ara, the Eev. Dr. Ji idd has consented to allow the sermon which he preached at Si. George's Church, at the Thames, to be printed. Any profit from the sale will be devoted to the Orphan Home, Parncll.

The Eesident Magistrate's Court will be held to-morrow, the day of holding hating been altered from Thursday to Friday. The Chamber of Commerce meets today, and the report ot the Dock Committee will probably be placed before the meeting.