The Evening Star.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 198, 27 August 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star.

SA TURD A V, A UQ VST 27,1870.

It is evident that there has been a very narrow escape this morning, at the Queenstreet wharf, from enormous loss of property, and fortunate it is that the masters and men of the neighbouring vessels were so promptly on the spot. Hai the flames succeeded in forcing communication with the air, not only night the Excelsior have become a prey, but the wharf and vessels alongside would have been all seriously imperilled. It was, perhaps, all the better that the City Fire Brigade was not on the spot, for the seamen, being accustomed to anticipate having to cope with fire occurring in air-tight walls, look promptly the most effectual means to prevent its gaining the mastery, by simply suffocating the flames. Nevertheless it is calculated to convey an uneasy feeling to learn that the city brigade did not make its appearance. It is true its absence is susceptible of explanation? but explanations will not extinguish fires. It appears that the superintendent, as bis duty is, proceeded direct to the fire, the brigade mustered at the engine-house; the fire-bells rang intermittently, and there being the absence of the usual glare, nobody could tell the firemen where was the scene of the fire, and they we're dismissed under the belief that it was a false alarm. In this

city of ours we may never learn till we are taught by dire disaster. Our vessels are lighted at night at the cost of the Tauvanga; we shall hare the magazine removed when half the citizens are blown into eternity ; and the simple means to signal the position of a fire, in use in every other city, will be adopted when something more serious than the fire in the Excelsior compels it. In every place else, the city and suburbs are divided into fire districts, and on the fire being discovered, the bell tolls furiously forth the tidings ; then Btopa and slowly tolls the number of the district, peals rapidly again, and, stopping, tolls again the number. The advantages of such an arrangement are obvious, and we hope to see it adopted by our Fire

Brigade,

S. Cochrane and Son's sale of household furniture, at the residence of It. Douglas, Esq., Woodford Villa, Epsom, will take place on Monday, the sth pros., and not on Monday first, as advertised in our morning contemporaries.

There was an excellent attendance in the City Hall last night, at the Glassblowers 1 entertainment. It seems almost a pity that Mr. and Mrs. Woodroffe should have resolved on leaving when apparently in the midst of such a golden harvest, but as they have made their arrangements, to-day is the last of the exhibition in Auckland. As we go to press a daylight performance is proceeding, having commenced at half-past two, and to-night the last exhibition will take place. The Glas^ steam engine which bas been the cynosure of many thousand eyes i 3 to-night to be taken to pieces and its component parts and general internal economy exhibited and explained to spectators. As a last performance, and with guch an addition to the interesting features of the exhibition, we anticipate a bumper house. Such an entertainment as that|of the Glassblowers is to be welcomed to any city; and we wish them success wherever their future wanderings may lead them. The pleasure and instruction afforded by their nightly exhibitions have been unattended by a solitary objectionable feature, while the straightforwardness and urbanity of their popular, agent and general manager, Mr. Peachman, has largely contributed to their popularity.

On Monday evening at the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute, a benefit will be taken by Mif. Neill, in the form of a musical and literary entertainment. From the names of those assisting, and from his own elocutionary ability, we have no doubt that Mr. Neill, who deserves well of the public and of the Institution for his own generous services in giving benefits to others, will receive a substantial requital in a well-filled house.

As will be seen from another column the Oarandini family,assisted by Madame Winter, have generously granted their services at a grand concert to be given on Thursday next, at the City Hall in behalf of the funds of the AH Saint's Church. Aided by the ability and popularity of these favourite songstresses, and enjoying the patronage and presence of Lady Bowen, the entertainment will, we have no doubt, be eminently successful.

We learn that Captain Peek, of the Mary Shepherd, will preach (d.y.) in the Highstreet Congregational Chapel to-morrow (Sunday) morning, at 11 o'clock.

We heartily wish success to tho movement now on foot for the establishment of a paper mill in Auckland. As will be seen from another column, the affair is being launched, and so soon as the required number of share holders has been filled up, the works will be commenced. Few places are so favorably circumstanced for the initiation of such an industry. The material, the great difficulty in other lands, is here in boundless quantities to our hand, and the enormous consumption of paper in proportion to the population, together with its rapidly advancing cost, owing to failure in supply of raw material for the factories, presents a prospect of satisfactory results beyond that ordinarily shown by new projects. To those who have capital to invest we would recommend consideration of the prospectus of the New Zealand Steam Paper Mill Company (Limited).

A resident from Drake-street informs us

that the pathway leading from Cook-street to Wellingto-i-street is after nightfall in a highly dangerous state, owing to the absence of a proper light to mark the landslip which has lately taken place in that neighbourhood. We are sure that we have only to bring the matter under the notice of the City Board and the remedy will be at once applied. An emergency meeting of Lodge St. Andrew's will be held at the Star Hotel on Monday evening.

Thanksgiving Services will be held tomorrow at the Church of the Holy SepuWire —in the morning, prayer, with Holy Communion, and sermon, by the Bishop of Auckland ; in the afternoon, Litany, by the Rev. C. M. Nelson ; and in the evening, prajer and sermon by the Rev. D. Jones.