The Evening Star.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 197, 26 August 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star.

FBI DA V, A UOUST 26, 1870,

Wiih his usual zeal and care for the interests of his province, Air. Gillies has been using his efforts to obtain from the General Government the possession of the reserves of Fort Britomart and the Albert Barracks, the former for the endowment of the harbour, and to make possible easy communication with the city for the people of Parnell, and the latter as a people's park. Tho question of their future disposal is yet pending, and we think it is culpable negligence that no effort has been made to strengthen the Superintendent's hands by a demonstration of the views of the people of this city. The salubrious aud picturesque position of the Albert Barrack reserve is peculiarly tempting, and if put up for sale the land would no doubt bring a handsome sum to the funds of the colony ; and there cannot be a doubt that if left to take its course, this will be the history of the reserve ; and yet if it were shown that the people of this city strongly desire it as the only possible park for the recreation of the citizens, we believe there will be sufficient good feeling and sense of justice on the part of the representatives of other districts prompting them to aid our members in obtaining this boon. It is needless to point out the amount of heathful recreation obtainable by families penned up in our crowded streets, from having such a promenade for inhaling the bracing sea breeze, and catching glimpses of as pretty scenery as is to be found in the colonies ; while the peculiarly dry nature of the soil makes the situation especially desirable under our ever weeping skies. The buildings already on the reserve would be available and valuable for various city and provincial purposes, aud the laying out of the ground would be attended with exceedingly small expense. Portions of the outskirts of the'reserve would not be required for the purposes of the park, and by the sale of these for building allotments a fund would be created sufficient to form and beautify the park; and a fringe of cottages and villas would be erected, contributing greatly to its ornamentation. And il such result be aimed at, it is to be hoped that the portions allotted for building sites will not be disposed of by lease, and so effectually prevent the erection of substantial and ornamental buildings ; but, having in view the improvement of the park, not only should possession be given in fee-simple, but attended with conditions as to the style of buildings. The consideration of the whole matter is deserving of the urgent attention of those who feel an interest in the welfare of the city; and as possession, whether by the province or city, is the first thing to be aimed at, we would urge that the City Board should take the subject into consideration, and that a public meeting should be at once convened, and a petition signed, as it would be, b}' all the citizens, and forwarded to Wellington, praying that the Barrack reserve at least should be given in trust for the benefit of residents. The City Board has been doing all its limited powers will allow to improve the city. In this, by stepping perhaps a little aside from its ordinary functions, it can supplement its services, and b~y leading in a public movement cf the citizens, greatly strengthen the hands of the Superintendent in conferring a lasting benefit on the people. May we urge the Board to take prompt action in the matter, and to request its energetic chairman to convene the citizens, and bring to bear their united voices on the disposal j of the reserve.

As will be seen from another column, the p.s. Sampson will leave for Whangarei tomorrow afternoon at 5.

The Glassblowers' entertainment in the City Hall last night was very well attended, and the usual interest in the proceedings manifested. Now that the prices of admission have been reduced to one-half, and the entertainments are drawing to a close, we would recommend a visit from any person who has not yet seen this singular exhibition of taste and skill in the working of glass. The Hall will be open to-night and to-morrow night as usual, and at half-past two to-morrow afternoon, for the benefit of those who are no; disposed to go abroad at night in this miserable weather.

The fine s.s. Alhambra was to leave Newcastle for the Fijis, on the 23rd inst., with passengers and cargo.

Intending passengers to Queensland wiU note that a good opportunity for obtaining passage direct to that colony is afforded by the Thomas Daniels, just laid on for Gladstone. This fine barque will leave on this day week, the 2nd of September.

A correspondent writes as follows : —" On Wednesday morning, August 24th, I, with others, saw a carcass of beef, of the very worst description, taken into a butcher's shop, and but for the keen eye of Constable Jackson, it doubtless would have been retailed to the public, and who can tell the amount of disease retailed with it ? The guilt of the parties is evident, for while Jackson was gone for another officer, they put it away, thus eluding tho vigilance of that officer, and preventing the meat being seized on the spot. Was this a solitary case, probably I should havo allowed it to pass, but I am convinced to the contrary, and it should and ought to be thoroughly investigated by the proper

authorities."

We learn that a writ will be issued in a few days for the election of another representative for the Thames district, to supply a vacancy caused by the resignation of James Mackay, Esq., junr.— Advertiser.

A meeting of the members of No. 2 Company Auckland Rifle Volunteers was held last evening, at the Drill-shed, for the purpose of electing a captain, which post has been vacant for some considerable time past. W. L. Rees, Esq., was unanimously elected. A vote of thanks was passed to Lieutenant Matthews for his conduct in acting as the head of the company during the interregnum. After the election, some business in reference to the management of the company was transacted, but it was of no public interest.

The fifth anniversary of the opening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre will be celebrated as usual by the administration of the holy communion at 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. The usual thanksgiving services will be held on Sunday.

The Baltimore Sun states that a Michigau woman has recovered by law all the money that her husband had spent in a liquor saloon for six years. The prohibitory law of that State does not regard liquor as " property," and the wom;m recovered the money on the ground that it had been paid to the liquor vendor without consideration. After this verdict gets to be well understood throughout tho State, very few men will be found courageous enough to undertake the retail liquor traffic within its limits.