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Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 476, 20 July 1871, Page 2

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"We are excedingly gratified to see our new arrival, the Thomson Eoad Traction Engine, showing all the qualities indicating a most valuable colonist. The "official trial," whatever that may mean, has not yet taken place; but it will be admitted that the undress rehearsals of the part which it is to play have been satisfactory in the exlretue.'Thejointsofthethingarenaturally stiff after the long sea voyage, and even though it should have shown a certain amount of uufitness for work, we believe it would have been excused on these grounds and from the generous instincts of the people of Auckland. But evideutly it requires neither sympathy nor forbearance, and making a small allowance for this stiffness in the joints, it has proved itself thoroughly up to its work. It yesterday brought in from Onehunga a huge boiler without showing the slightest'! symptoms of straining or fatigue;! and standing as it has been this forenoon quietly reposing beside its load in Custom-house-street, it appears wholly unconscious of having done anything extraordinary, or of the admiring looks of the spectators. The machine is somewhat uncouth to look at, but its useful properties are unquestionable ; in fact, it is impossible to over-estimate its future as a colonising a«ency. Whatever failures may have ,elsewhere occurred with these engines, the "Auckland," for thus ifc is named, is no failure ; but an excellent colonist; in itself, it will unquestionably be the precursor of many of its kind. Today the Auckland has btou going up and down the streets, accustoming itself to the sight of horses, or them to the sight of it; and though the first impression conveyed is-that it is broken-wiuded, a little observation shows that this is its natural manner of breathing, and that there is not an indication of its ever being weak or weary.

As vill be seen from another, column there will be held to-morrow, nt tho Mechanics' Institute, the annual mooting of ratepayers "f the Grafton Road Highway DUlriot, and immediately thereafter, a special meeting to consider the subject of lighting.

The monthly general meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce is being held at the office at Captain Dald/i, a* ire go to pre«.

The usual meeting of the Union Literary Society will'/ take place this evening, in the rooms, Wellesley-street, when a discussion will take place on the following question : — " Ought suicide, or attempted suicide,- to be treated as an offence against the State ? .

Last evening the usual monthly inspection of the Volunteer Artillery and Engineers was held at the Drill-shed, Princes-street. There were about 40 members of the Engineers present, under the command of Captain Dargaville, and nearly an equal number of Artillery, under the command of Lieutenant Isaacs (in the absence of Captain Fcaton, through illness). A large number of Cadets were present, and the Band mustered in full force, and discoursed a number of favourite airsiu really excellent style. The men were inspected in the usual manner by Major G-ordon. After the parade was dismissed the members of the Artillery Corps held a meeting at the Belfast Hotel, but the business transacted was of no public interest, merely relating to the payment of the capitation allowanca, &c.

In consequence of the severity of the weather, and several of the performers suffering from severe colds, the concert of Mr. Walter Stubbing, fixed to take place at the City Sail this evening, has been postponed.

The bazaar, in aid of the funds of fcho Auckland Choral Society, Trill bo opened on Saturday, the 29th instant, nfc noon, and on Iho following Monday and Tuesday. During the continuance of the bazaar, music will be performed by the bands of the Artillery and Choral Society.

We yesterday^ inspected the workshop of Mr. Herbert Smith, High-street, the ingenious inventor and manufacturer of the stoves bearing his name. He has for some time been making cooking stoves, at a very low figure, and the latest thing in the way of improvement is a patent kitchen cooking range made of wrought iron, which is certainly a great improvement on the imported stoves, which aro raa-le of cast iron, and are consequently liable to crack. The prices, too, are exceedingly moderate, ranging from £6 10a to £8 10s, and all p.rsons who wish well lo thoir adopted country should encourage by ryery means in their power our local industries, and none nro more dosorving than these ovens of Mr. Smith. We notice, too, that he lias made considerable improTomont on the thirtyshilling ovens, with which ho started, and which may now bo obtained at different prices, ranging from thirty to fifty shillings, thus placing them within the reach of all. They aro incomparably superior to the miserable camp ovens generally used in humble families, where the meat is neither boiled nor baked. We have triod the cheap oven of Mr. Smith, and can conscientiously recommend it to all housewives whose means will not afford a cooking range, and even for those wo recommend an inspection of tho now cooking range, of which we have spoken above. — Herald.

The proprietor of the Occidental Hotel wishes to inform the public that there aro a few moro opportunities left for any person to add thoir name to the charitable Dime and Pin List, prior to tho exhibition of that great curiosity—tho two headed calf with two tails. —[Advt.] ;.