The Evening Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 191, 19 August 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1870.

It is, no doubt, very agreeable to bo able to show oneself in old scenes an i to old friends as a lire legislator from the land of Te Kooti; and the small anbition would be pardonable if no injury is likely to arise from its indulgence. But ire think at least the cons -nt of a member's constituents should be obtained as preliminary to airing such honors in a distant land. Mr. Fara ill, one of the members for the Northern Division, hag now been for some time in England, nor do his friends know at what time it will be agreeable to him to return and take his seat in the legislative halls. The practice is aa exceedingly repre*

hensible one, and we would strongly urge the

constituents of the honorable member to take some prompt steps to mark iheir displeasure. Of course remonstrance would not reach their truant representative to any practical benefit so far as this session is concerned, and dissolution of parliament, irrespective of absence for a session, will remove this gentleman from his seat. Bub in the interests of representative institutions, and to check a practice which might result in great injury to a constituency^ ■we trust his constituents will in some form protest against what must be regarded as contemptuous treatment.

To all disciples of Isaac Walton, and to all subject to the more utilitarian impulses of a physical desire for a good dish of fish, it will be of considerable interest to learn that, under the unflagging care of Mr. Erie, the trout ova in the Acclimatisation Grounds are rapidly develop ng into the forms of their parents. The delicacy necessary in dealing with these undeveloped fishes and their liability to disappoint all the efforts made to bring them to maturity make it a matter of no ordinary gratification to learn that uncertainty has passed, and that the day is approaching when by our own streams we shall see " the fly " and " the fool" pleasantly whiling away the time as in Old England.

The .:.s. Duke of Edinburgh will leave for the Thames at half-past 3 o'clock this afternoon.

The schooner Strathnarer arrived from Lyttelton this morning, but brings no later

papei's.

At a meeting of the Committee of the Mechanics' Institute on Wednesday evening, the Secretary submitted a very beautiful map of the Thames goldfield, which had just been presented to the reading-room by Mr. Wayte, the publisher. The map is bordered by some sixty well-executed views of the principal buildings, public and pr.vate, in Auck land and at the Thames ; and besides giving very accurately the positions of the vai-ious claims on our goldfield, and being of great interest and advantage as a work of reference! will be a very ornamental addition to the reading-room. A cordial vote of thanks was passed by the Committee to Mr. Wayte for the gift.

The well-filled houses attending the Glassblowers' exhibition, will, we have no doubt be augmented by the extra treat to-night when beautiful prizes will be awarded for conundrums, the best and the worst being the victors. There will be a daylight performanc e by the Glassblowers to-morrow, commencing at 2.30 p.m., and we would strongly recommend, parents who do not. wish the ir children to go out at night to not miss the opportunity of letting; them see one of the most pleasing and instructive entertainments that could possibly be desired.

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Howard fate a benefit to-night, when all the available talent at present in Auckland will appear. An excellent bill is announced, and we hope to see a good attendance at the Prince of Wales Theatre to-night.

It is gratifying to learn that not only have the City Board conceded the request of the management of the Mechanics' Institute, and suppressed tho proposed urinal in Chancerystreet, which was regarded by the committee as objectionable, but hare generously offered to erect a wide and commodious flight of steps leading from that street up to the door of the Jq stitute. This improvement will not only be advantageous to the Institute, but a very great convenience to the public generally.

Anything from the pen of the late Charles Dickens will now present an interest to readers. The following is a copy of an autograph letter which is in the possession of Mr. Joseph Brown, organist of St. Matthew's,and which we publish through the courtesy of that gentleman. Mr. Brown was, at the time, librarian to the boys' library at Eton College, and Rev. Mr. C'ookesley, one of the masters, had applied to Mr. Dickens for an autograph page of " Barnaby Ku ige," for preservation in the boys' library. After considerable delay the MB. was at length received, with the letter alluded to, which was given by Mr. Cool<ea ley to Mr. Brown. "We are sure this gentleman will have pleasure in showing the autograph to any one interested in seeing the hand-writing of the most popular writer of the age:—"Broadstairs, Kent, Twenty-fifth September, 1851.—My dear Mr. Cookesley,— Here is the scrap of MS. at last. If it were half the weight on the Post-office that it is off my mind, nothing less than a van could deliver it to you. —lam, most truly yours, Chabz.es Dickens. —The Rer. W. Gh Cookesley."

It is sincerely to be hoped that the movement now being initiated for the establishment of a paper mill in Auckland, by means of a Joint Stock Company, will not meet with an untimely end. Auckland has fame for undeveloped proj cts, and for contributing largely to the flooring of some place that is said to be paved with good intentions, and lif the propjsal for the establishment of a manufactory of paper could only be looked at in the light of sentiment, and, as done for " the good of the country " we should have our doubts as to its ever being developed into action. But there are so many reasons *or regarding such an effort as one 1 kely to result in dividends that we are warranted in look ng on Messrs. Stevens and Bolger's scheme in a hopeful light. The enormous consumption of paper in New Zealand, the provision to our hand of the yery finest material for its manufacture, and the present high

and advancing price of paper, together with the failing of uil ordinary sources of supply of the raw material, all point to a paper manufactory as specially called for in New Zealand. We trust that the prospectus of the company will be so arranged that the multitude of our citizens nay be enabled, if so disposed, to join in helping on what will not only prove a commercial success but a great public boon.

The adjourned meeting of the committee of the Otahuhu Road Accident Relief Fund was held on Wednes^ ay evening, in St. David's School, Mr. G. P. Pierce in the chair. The addit onal subscriptions paid in were :—Mr. Walker, £11 14s 6d; Mr. Pierce, £8 l~s ; Mr. Moon, £4 17 6d ; Mr. Jas. Wilson, £ L ; Mr. Reid, 103 ; Mr. Galbraith, £1 19s 6d ; Mr. Lever, 16s ; Mr. Edwardes, 12s 6d ; Mr. Lupton, ss; total, £30 13s ; which sums after deducting £4 5s pail on behalf of Mrs. McGann, was handed over to the treasurer. The committee adopted various resolutions tending to forward and complete the work it has taken in hand. A resolution, giying £5 for the relief of Mr. James Storey, was agreed to. The meeting was adjourned unlil Thursday, September 1.

We are requested by Messrs. Samuel Cochrane and Son to direct attention to the valuable freehold and other property, at Grahams - town and Tararu, which they will offer for unreserved sale on Monday next. —[~Advt.]

The s.s. Hero, for Sydney, was the bearer of. 3159 ounces of gold, valued at £13,150, shipped by the Bank of New Zealand. The regular monthly meeting of Lodge St. Andrew will be held on Monday evening next.