The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 451, 21 June 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1871.

. xr a™ Zealand Insurance Company is an institution the interest in which is more extended than the limits of the list of shareholder. As a local institution, it is difficult to, avoid feeling a kindly inter^t in it fe'^ Whale the imag nificent building erected by the Company in Queen-st.eet, the most orn„ Wn t ft HuMn g iuthecity,^rtlW

stitution in a tangible ami attractive way to the eyes of citizens. Wo feel confident, therefore, that the highly satisfactory report of the last half-year's operations 'to-day presented fco tlie directors, and published by us in another column, will bo perused with no ordinal*}' interest.

A meeting of the Harbour Board was held this afternoon, but as our reporter was not admitted, we are unable to give a report of the proceedings.

We are informed that the conductor of our evening contemporary has been annoyed by our advertising for a sub-editor of multifarious duties and a shipping reporter of equally varied functions and restricted screw. This was part of our intention perhaps. But it is currently rnmoured*throush the city that our notice is likely to do personal injury, and being supposed to emanate from the office of our contemporary will.be visited on the heads of members of our contemporary's staff. This was not embraced in our intentions, and we give the distinct assurance that no person connected with, our contemporavy either wrote or inspired or was in any shape aware of the advertisement. That our contemporary gives starvation wages to his hands, does not require being told us from his oQlce, for it is town talk. And it was because the whole town knows it that we advertised for literary help at our contemporary's scale.

Wo believe wo are warranted in saying that an entertainment of rare exccdlence and attractiveness will be given at the City Hall on Friday evening i ext. We are not permitted to mention the names of those gentlemen who are to assist. Suffice to say that several of our most prominent citizens are to take part—gentlemen whose names, if we were permitted to mention them, would of themselves attract a crowd, if for nothing else through curiosity to see how they deport themselves in mimic life. We are" credibly informed that all are well up in their parts, and that the representation, which will be dramatic, with a large clement of vocal and instrumental music, will be of the mo3t effective and interesting kind. The object is sacred, being in connection with the erection of a church in the Waikato ; and the entertainment, being under the patronage iv the presence of Lady Bowen and the vice-regal party, will, we do not doubt, be one of the most successful seen for some time in Auckland.

It has been repeatedly urged that the scrip market should be removed to tho covered area within the New Zealand Insurance Company's buildings. There is a tendency also on the part of scrip dealers to betake themselves thither, but if an absurd regulation issued by those in charge of the building is insisted on, the tendency will be nipped in the bud. Tho order simply is that smokers must swallow their spittle. Now, on hygienic principles, we objest to this, and in behalf of scrip we protest. Whatever may be said on the great tobacco question, it is admitted on all hands that the absorption of nicotine, if salira is swallowed during the process of smoking, is simply poison. Why should we poison °our dealers in scrip? It is bad enough for Mr. Asher to "suppress tho nuisance" of their presence in. the public streets ; but we maintain by all the rules of fair play, and all tho principles of civil liberty, that they have a right to spit.

Through the courtesy of the printers we have been favoured with a copy of the now " Catalogue of the Library, and the Laws and By-laws of the Auckland Mechanics' Institute." It is customary for such works to be submitted to press criticism, but it m;iy bo presumed that it is because of our having exposed tbe job that was intended in connection with this catalogue that the usual course has been abandoned. The volume has boon very neatly got up by Messrs. Jones and Tombs, and is a highly creditable piece of workmanship. We feel a species of pride in the result, knowing what a "botch" would have resulted had we not rescued the catalogue from the little private arrangements intended. In this, and in saving "the chemical apparatus from the little sub rosu sale, we claim the gratitude of the members of the Mechanics' Institute.

There was an oxcellent attendanco at the Newton Academy, in Karangahape Road, last night, an entertainment being given in aid of the funds of the Homo for Destitute and Neglected Children. Aseries of dissolving views, embracing scenes from the Holy Land, and other pictures of ah instructive and amusing kind, offorded much enjoyment to those in attendance, and the funds of this most deserving institution will be benefited to a considerable amount.

Through the kindness of the directors of the Caledonian claim I have been enabled to purchase a large piece of quartz, which I will at once proceed to cut up into slices. Anyone wishing to have a momento of the Thames will do well to give E. H. Lewissokt an early visit. —Advt.]

The San Francisco News Letter, alluding to the threatened raid of American filibusters on these colonies, says :—" Our filibusters have enough to do on the Mexican coast without crossing over to steal colonial mutton."

The Otago Daily Times, of June 12, says: —The ship Helenelee, belonging to Messrs. Patrick Henderson and Co.'s line of Clyde packets, now lying at Port Chalmers, has been sold to a Canterbury firm. The price has not transpired. The ship will load for home, taking part cargo only from bore, and the remainder from Lyttelton, where, we understand, she will receive a new mainmast.

Captain Kennedy received a tangible recognition of the appreciation in which he is held by the merchants of Dunedin. and others in the various Northern ports, from the hands of Captain Wheeler, of the e.g. Taranaki, amounting to upwards of 100 sovereigns, with a view of liquidating any expense incurred by Captain Kennedy while out of harness, after losing his late vessel, the favourite old Airedale. This of itself speaks highly of the confidence placed in Captain Kennedy as a coastal steamship muster.— Otago Times, June 8.

Skyiaeks poe Auckland.—Captain Wheeler, Tvho leaves Nelson this morning for the Manukau direct, takes with him twelve skYlarks in fine condition for the Acclimatization WhVf 1- ThiS F- fch6 *><X»d to tXil k*? a? 8 th^ fc, Mr- has sent to Auckland, for which Mr. Huddleston is to receive rooks and starlings to bo turned out at Nelson— Nelson Colonist.