The Evening Star.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 200, 30 August 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star.

TUESDAY, A UGUST 30,1870.

f '&~T. ■ - "• " 7PtJßiiic attention has been directed in the neighbouring'polonies to the quantity of .worn ffiv.ei coins there current, and steps takenlfpr their s transmission to England, to be by new coin fresh from the mint.i slf appears that no difficulty will attenSjthe interchange, nor loss result to a*__ydra§ "but the Crown, which supplies mint Jd.coins to the people. It is needless to pfint opt the evils that would arise frpml.any, doubts beipg 7cast upon the solirefccy pf.#ur_ niost ordinary currency, or thf general embarrassment that will be produced by suddenly impairing 'the credit of our half-crowns and shillings whetf a little worn in the service of the 'publfC. It will, therefore, be a source of general annoyance to learn that the banks in tbf-. city have commenced to refuse the worif- silver coins, without giving any war Jiing, and before new coins have beer \ imported, to take the place of tbos c wnwh will thus be practically exujjjied from the currency. If any evil canJ a"se the receiving of these coins, a monetary institution is perfectly warranted in looking to its pecuniary interests, however embarrassing to the pub lie; ■ brat as worn coins are received a! good at the Mint, and steps are ahead} in progress for the exchange of new foi old, and for thoroughly supplying the co I lonies with a new issue, it is nothing less than a needless, wanton, hardship in flicted on the public to suddenly create this embarrassment in the. currency. Il is a fact in political economy that . "pertain number of coins is required and used., in the commercial inter changes of a given community : that a surplus of coins will lie dormant or find its way^abroad, and that any dimi nution in the number will largely stifle trade. The vast proportion of our "silver currency that will be affected by the rejection of the smooth coins cannot fail to produce serious inconvenience ; and if this is to become the rule, as it S)S doubtedly will, all business transactions following suit of tho banks, it is suchthing as demands the prompt and 'decided action of the Government in taking steps to hare the deficiency in the currency wpplied.

We greatly regret that the benefit entertainment to Mr. Neill at the Mechanics' Institute last night was not very well attended , the depressing influences of this uncertain and inhospitable weather having evidently deterred tha public from attending. Mr. Neill and his excellent entertainment were both deserving of a larger house. . The recitations, songs, and glees were well performed, and the audieuce in" expression of their appreciation, endeavoured to compensate for the paucity of numbers. The following programme was faithfully gone through: —Part I.: Duett, overture (piano and violin) ; recitation, " Death of Rhoderick Dhu;" solo, " Wait for the turn of the tide _" recitation (comic), " Pastor McKnock's address to his flock ;" duett, " Chimes of St. Mary's;" recitation, " Hubert and Arthur ;" solo, " I'll meet thee in the lane;" recitation (comic), scene from " RoryO'More." glee, "The pastoral wreath." Part II.: Solo, " The church bell;" recitation, "Charge of the Light Brigade;" duett, — ; recitation (serio-comic), " Aw s'pose it be all right;" violin solo, pianoforte accompaniment; recitation, " The vagrant and his dog ;^solo, " Happy be thy .dreams ;" recitation; " The vulgar boy ;" glee, with chorus. '/' As will be set n from another cdlumn, the Messrs. Upton have removed to very beautiful and spacious premises in Canada Bdildings> between Messrs. Cosgrave's and Short's, in Queen-street. We have no doubt that the more airy and extensive space afforded -to intending purchasers, giving also a more expansive view of their elegant stock of books and stationery, will bring a good requital for the outlay in meeting the admiring taste and requirements of our citizens."

Notwithstanding the raid threatened on the barbers' poles, the barberous profession seems to flourish. As will be seen from another column, Mr. Short, who has purchased the establishment of Professor Evans, proposes to manipulate the heads and chins, and cheeks of all comers in the most scientific and barberous manner, without treating them barbarously in the matter of charges; in fact suiting his shaving charges to the saving spirit of the times. This establishment we know to bo a paragon ofcompletene3s; the neat and effective machinery for brushing the. hair, erected over the chair of state, and worked by the foot of the operator, conveying the impressiom of the triumph of civilisation and luxury in the realms of barberism. We can really recommend any one desiring a shave, or the "removal of superfluous locks, to pay a visit to the saloon of Mr. Short. The tenders for leasing the Hape Creek tramway were opened yesterday. The tender of Messrs. J. J. Holland and A. G. Peace was accepted at 60 guineas per annum. W c understand that the bond has been signed for one year.

We are exceedingly glad to notics that the Government are taking steps towards the fostering of the Volunteer movement throughout the colony. During the discussion on the resolution of the Committee on the Militia Bill in the House, on Thursday evening, the Hon. Defence Minister intimated the intention of the Government to place the sum of £2,500 on the estimates for the colonial prize-firing, instead of the £1000 voted last year. We feel sure that this concession on the part of the Government will be hailed with much satisfaction by the Volunteer force generally, and trust the HoU3e will pass the item as brought down. — Independent. On the 23rd inst., Mr. Macandrew's motion respecting Port Chalmers being the terminus ©f the San Francisco line was brought before the House again ; the Auckland Harbour Trusts Bill was further considered in Committee. On the same day, Mr. Bradshaw. was to move " That the petition of John Lundon and Frederick Alexander Whitaker be referred to a Select Committee, to inquire into and report on the allegations contained therein. The Committee to consist of the Hon. J. Hall, the Hon. J. C. Richmond, the Hon. Julius Vogel, Mr. Kinnersley, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Bunny, Mr. Clark, Mr. Wood, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Creighton, and the mover, with power to call for persons and papers ; three to form a quorum ;to report in a week." And Mr. Macffarlane to move that leave be given to introduce a Bill intituled " An Act to Amend the I aws relating to Limited Liability Mining Companies." The regular monthly meeting of the Lodge United Service, 421, 1.C., will be helot tomorrow evening. It will be seen by a notice that appears elsewhere, that on and iifter this date, Bay of Islands coal will be sold at reduced prices.