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Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 407, 1 May 1871, Page 2

It is satisfactory to find that the ladies oi Auckland will have an opportunity of uniting in the welcome to the Nevada, and that arrangements have been made by which ladies' tickets to the gallery will be issued to those gentlemen who have taken tickets to the luncheon. The day has not yet arrived when woman s right" to join practically in public banquettmg will be conceded, but it'is doubtless an instalment of the "good time coming " 3^. cV hey are invite<i "to see the lions feed." Lite hounes around the celestial gate, they must have but a distant glimpse of the pleasures of their lords' and masters, but we do not doubt?- that their presence will not enliven -the welcome, lending it the ecUt of bright smifes and pretty faces, but serve to regulate the gastronomic and bibulous proclivities of the superior animal devouring victuals below. *It is not fair to severely criticise postparandial oratory, and on this ocpasion especially, freedom must be given to; rhetorical rhapsbdy. But we venture to affirm that there will be some arch criticism in the gallery, and that many a one who, under the inspiring influences of the moment, will fancy Minself soaring

in the highest flights of oratory, will next day be humorously reminded of-the transcendentalism to which he has giremutteranice. *,

. The interest felt in the anticipated arrival of the Nevada was '.shown to-day by the excitement that suddenly arose on the Luna being signalled. Somebody,-either from mistaking the signal, orforthe purpose of befooling people, started the rumor that it was the Nevada, and immediately clusters of people-were to be seen in a high state of enthusiasm' discussing the code of signals. The signal L for "New Zealand Government vessel" if it had been supplemented with a code pennant over the flag, would have indicated "vessel from South America," and as somebody supposed Mr. T)uder fo have but one flag for all America, the appearance of L without the pennant was sufficient to raise the rumour. The Nevada may not be expected before Wednesday. ■ To-day commences the shooting. Season, and we wish all our friends and patrons good sport. If the bad character which the pheasants are acquiring for themselves among our agricultural settlers is really founded on fact, we sincerely hope that there will be an immense number of sportsmen, and that every " pickle "of shot will have its billet. L, will perhaps enhance the pleasure of the shooting season when our sportsmen know that they are doing public service in lessening the numbers of these feathered immigrants. To-day firing at One Tree Hill has been proceeding ; 'the competitors being five members selected indiscrimiuately by Colonel Harrington from each of the companies. The intention is to discover the average ability of the companies in the use of the rifle ; and a report is to be forwarded to the Government oh the subject. The first drill of the new company of " Royal Engineers nee Sappers and Miners," will be held this evening, at half-past seven, at the Drill-shed. This, the youngest of our companies, gives good promise of becoming highly efficient, and the importance of that particular form of duty with which they must be charged if ever our defenders are called to take the field, makes us wish them the very best success. We observe that tenders are called for their uniform, which, through the spirited conduct of the officer in command (Captain Dargaville)f will be placed at the service of the members of the company immediately. The s.s. St. Kilda arrived in the Mauukau this morning from Taranaki and Wanganui. She brings no news of importance. Thomas Beckham, Esq., H.M. and District Judge, returned from Taranaki by the s.s. St. Kilda this morning. . Mr. J. Gh Hall, bootmaker, called our attention the other day to an American shoemaker's bench, which he has had erected in his workshop. It is very ingenious, and we are assured by Mr. Hall that boots and shoes can be made, by the employment of this bench, nearly doubly as quick as by the usual method.— Taranaki Herald, April 29.

The programme of the annual course of winter lectures to be delivered before tlie Young Men's Christian Association, in the rooms, Wellesley-street, will be found in our advertising columns. It will be seen that, whether n." regards the lecturers or the topics selected, the series is in no way inferior to its predecessors. This evening a newly-formed troupe of minstrels, culling themselves the Orpheus Ethiopian Troupe, will give a performance at the Mechanics' Institute, Onehunga, for the Benevolent Society at that place. An excellent programme has been arranged, and as several of the gentlemen of the Orpheus Troupe formerly belonged to the Auckland Ethiopian Troupe, whose career was so very successful, the entertainment will doubtless pass off satisfactorily, and will, we trust, bring in an addition to the funds of the Benevolent Society. At about one o'clock yesterday a house in the occupation of Mrs. Gilbert, Parnell, had a narrow escape from fire. Some boys were tho first to give the alarm, and assistance was rendered previous to the fire obtaining a firm hold of the building. A hole burned through the roof of the back kitchen in which the fire originated was the only injury which resulted. Had assistance not been bo opportune, no doubt, an extensive conflagration would have been the result, as the house immediately adjoins the ParnellHall. An impudent robbery took place on Friday evening at tho Lunatic Asylum. At that time several ladies' were walking up and down in front of the Asylum and noticed with; surprise a woman (apparently) cutting the flowers and shrubs in the front garden. The ladies' at once ran in to the Asylum to give the alarm, when the depredator fell down hiding his face in the grass. Some of the keepers gave chase, when the thief took to his heels and jumped over a fence, in doing which he with more agility than grace, displayed a pair of grey pantaloons and other indications of his sex. He however only jumped out of the frying pan into the fire, for he plunged head foremost into a clump of furze bushes, broken bottles, and brick-bats, cutting himself very badly J The keepers did not follow and the rascal succeeded in effecting his escape. • This is not the first occasion when depredations of a similar kind have been committed. Proper measures have bten taken, however, to pre- • vent a repetition.