SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 114, 21 May 1870, Page 2

SATURDA Y, MAY 21, 1870.

It ia evident that there is a growing uneasiness in the public mind regarding the magazine in the Albert Barracks ; and it shows a culpable indifference to the public safety that this peril is permitted to continue. There can be no doubt that the building in which the gunpowder is stored is built on the most scientific principles, and that no empty treasury impeded the carrying out of whatever plans were deemed most conducive to the safety of the stores. ]N ror have we any reason to suppose that there are less precautions taken under the present regime than under the stringent discipline of the military proper. It is true strange rumours do get abroad about men walking i through the cells with great hob-nailed boots, the avoidance ot which, and the substitution of wooden soles or slippers, are regarded among the first elements of precaution iv such stores. But granted that every precaution possible is habitually taken, public safety pleads that such a slumbering volcano should not be in our midst. No reason compels its continuance, and until permanent provision is made for its storage, the lives of the people should be protected by some temporary arrangement.

As a means of giving at least temporary safety to the city, it- has been suggested that the gunpowder at present in the Albert Barracks should be removed to the two magazines at Mount Eden ; but, to anyone who has examined the position of these two buildings, the carrying out of such suggestion must appear an act of. great inhumanity. The detenus in that suburban retreat may not be of the class to appeal strongly to our sympathy ; but they are bearing the penalty that has been laid on them for violations of the law. and for anything beyond that, their lives claim protection equally with the freest of Her Majesty's subjects. The magazines at Mount Eden are within the confines of the gaol; with a lofty scoria bank behind, and the buildings of the gaol filled with inmates some fifty paces distant in the front, and there is an absolute certainty that an explosion of any considerable quantity of powder in the Mount Eden magazines, would blow the Stockade entirely away. There is abundance of sites in the neighbourhood of the city, along the borders of our waters, where explosives could be landed without subjecting the lives of citizens to danger by the passage of powder-laden drays among their residences and thoroughfares ; but as a temporary deliverance from risk the gunpowder should decidedly be placed on board a hulk and moored at a distance from the city. A floating magazine has points of objection, but in many cases it has been found to serve, even for lengthened periods; and as the cheapest and readiest provision, it especially claims attention. The Wentworth has just been altered into a hulk—she could be devoted to the purpose; and if those in whose hands, in this regard, the lives of citizens are placed see not to it, they may have a reckoning yet to render at the tribunal of public opinion.

In the City Hall la%t" :> night the Diorama was viewed again _by a full house. These beautiful pictures, are bringing in a golden harvest " and golden opinions from all sort&of people." The gold ipatcic wasiw.on by a man named Sinclair' m""the shilling .seats, and great fun was caused '"by Mr. Barry O'Neill goiug forward to receive his prize as the fortunate' winner of a doll in undress costume. -The entertainment was 'as successful as ever. . (

We regret to hear of the continued illness qf our respected Resident: Magistrate.! As will be seen from advertisment, the proceedings in Mr. Beckliam's Court are adjourned in consequence. Moee correct particulars have been received in town to-day regarding the accident to Mrs. W. Marriner, at Mangawhare. This lady was riding a young horse, which bolted towards a fence, when, getting nervous, she jumped to the ground, spraining her ancle so severely that the bone protruded through the flesh. It was set by a woman at the place, and on the surgeon arriving two days after, it was considered by him to be all right and getting on favorably. Subsequently mortification set in, and a second medical man being called in from Wangarei, amputation was performed. Owirg to the severity of the injury, and the shock to the system of the lady, we regret,to say she cannot be said to be out of danger. Mr. and Mrs. Glover took their farewell benefit at the Prince of Wales Theatre, last night, when there was a good house. The Bride of Lammermoor was produced, in which Miss Raymond (Mrs. Glover) played Lucy Ashton capitally ; indeed, we have never seen her play better. Mr. Glover was also very good in his part. In the interlude Mrs. Hill read Tennyson's " May Queen" in a very feeling manner, and, at its conclusion, was loudly applauded and recalled. Mrs. McGowan sang two songs well, and Mr. Glover danced a capital Highland fihg, and, on being encored, favored the audience with the sailor's hornpipe. The performance concluded with the Bonnie Fishwife, in which Miss Kaymond sang Caller Herrin and another Scotch song. Mr. McGowan. was very funny throughout the piece, and Messrs. Mugrave and Clifton deserve a word of praise. We hear that the Tradesman's Garrick Club have tendered Mr. and Mrs. Koberts (Polly* Leake) a farewell benefit at the Theatre Koyal, on Tuesday next, previous to their departure for Sydney. The pieces selected are the Colleen Bawn and H. M. Spitfire. We trust that the benefit will be a substantial one, for really these two clever artistes deserve some warm recognition at the hands of the playgoers of Auckland. The theatre is comparatively speaking, a new one, and we trust to see it re-opened with a crowded house.

No less than six victims of drunkenness passed before the Ueuch to-day in the Police Court. 'J he case Harris v. Atkinson, to which, we alluded a few days ago, being a charge of insulting language, was again brought up. In opening the case, the counsel for the prosecution referred to some remarks of ours on the issue of a warrant for the arrest of defendant. We certaiuly had no intention of reflecting either on the Court, or on the learned counsel, for the issue of the warrant ; in so far ifc was but the regular and unavoidable course of the law when once put in motion. But there does seem to us a growing evil in the tendency to nse the Criminal Court for petty spite. In the case in point, a simple wrangling, in which plaintiff was at least as blameable as defendants, instead of "having it out" in a manly way on the spot, or dropping it altogether, the plaintiff took out a summons, watched his opportunity, and when defendant had gone away to a situation in the country, hud the suromons served at his known residence. Defendant knowing nothing of the summons, did not appear, and as an unavoidable consequence, clearly foreseen by plaintiff, a warrant must issue. On the case assuming this serious aspect, defendant is at once advised, comes into town, and surrenders to the police. On defendant appearing, the prosecution is deferred, and as another unavoidable consequence, defendant is bound over to appear again. On the case coming up for hearing to-day the evidence of plaintiff himself was fucli that his counsel very properly withdrew from the case. This is the third instance in which the machinery of the Jaw has been put in motion within the past week to gratify ill temper—" Couzens v. Me Manas, Granger v. Arch, and Harris v. Atkinson— and so far from our reflecting in the faintest degree on either Court or Counsel, we believe we are acting as amicus curia in holding such cases up to public opprobium. The only other case before the Court to-day was that of three very little boys brought up for destroying the shrubs in the domain. There seemed something grotesque in the formal arraigning of the little fellows, in the learned language of the law, but the fright will have its effect on them, and with the admonition to the parents, who were present, will, we expect, go far to suppress the frequent destruction of valuable aud beautiful shrubs.

The JS'elson tweed yesterday submitted to the Board of Volunteer Officers, as a sample for the new uniform, was really a capital material, and we trust the day will not be long distant when Auckland will be 'able to compete with her sister province in the manufacture of a similar ch;ss of goods.

Thk sixth lecture on the " Early Christian Church" will be delivered to-mor-row evening, at the Albert-street Congregational Church, by the iiev. Warlow T)avies. -

A tea-meeting in connection with the Band of Hope will take place at the Paruell Hall op. Tuesday evening next. The total abstainers belonging to H.M.S. Bosario are invited to attend.