The Evening Star. SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 430, 27 May 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1871.

"Scrip Corn3r"has been laughing to-day at the misfortune of some of the most wideawake of the " band of brothers." .he latest Australian quotations of Tookey's and some other claims had excited considerable cupidity, and many a longing wish had been expressed to catch some gudgeons expected to arrive per Hero, and supposed to be in ignorance of the altered state of the market. While the multitude but sighed and wished, a few of the more energetic held themselves in readiness. Last night a certain favourite little steamer wus in waiting, simmering all the night like a kettle for the family tea ; and the " wide-awakes" were literally awake, while the foolish slumbered aud slept. How it should have been had the dark hull of I he favourite old steamer loomed through the darkness, it is not given us (o say. We may fancy the air of indifference with' which the steamer should have been boarded, the careless abandon with which the brandy and soda should have been, ordered ; the artless turn of the conversation to scrip, the incidental mention of "latest quotations," the throwing of the bait, nibbling 0 f the gudgeons, the triumphant return to shore, the jaunty air at the corner, and the contempt of the "fiats" with which the smart trick should have been narrated. But, alas, " the beat laid plan of mouse and man gangs aft agee." Whether it was that anticipato y sippais of brandy and soda had induced somnolency, or whether the steam had evaporated from prolonged simmering, but wbeu the Hero approached, the watchers weiWlied not; and when at length the little

steamer transferred its clever passengers to the Hero they were interrogated by the new arrivals with regard to there being signs of verdancy in their personal appearance. The crestfallen aspect of the "knowing ones" on their ret urn has produced a broad grin of fun over the usually grim visage of " Scrip Corner."

Most people will have heard the rumour to the effect that the s.s. Hero had been sold, and was being taken off the trade. 'Die " hundred-tongued" even condescended to particulars, and placed the future po-ition of the Hero in the Fijian trade. What could have originated such rumours we cannot even surmise. They are wholly without even a shadow of foundation, and we are glad to say that neither has this most favourite steamer changed hands, nor is there any 3tich intention entertained, nor yet any alteration in her berth on the Australian and Auckland trade.

It will, we have no doubt, afford great gratitude to many to learn that on Wednesday next the shareholders in the Thames Gold Mining Company will receive dividends of £4 per share.

The s.s. Hero, which arrived in harbour this forenoon, has brought with her the English mails via Suez, the telegrams of which had previously arrived by way of the South. In our columns will be found the latest Australian and other news.

We learn that an art union lottery is projected for disposing of a large number of very beautiful oil paintings. The scene of operations will, wo believe, be at Mr. Leech's picture gallery, where the pictures are at present on view.

During the past month or 60 (says the Wanganui Chronicle) an unusual number of deaths havo occurred amongst the natives in this locality. Several old men and women have died ; soineof the former, such for example as Biua Tao, To Waka, of Aramoho, Repeka, the wife of George Grey, Poni of Ranana, &c. —were well known to tlm storekeepers and old settlers.