The Evening Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 500, 17 August 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1871.

" For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do."

A " devil-devil" of some kind has been caught iv the Mamrkau, and, we are informed, is about to be exhibited in the city. The animal was found at Huia, off Gibbons's Sawmill, on Tuesday, by Mr. John Harris, having rushed op '.mi-mouthed at its cuptor, who adroitly oscipcd the ugly jaws, and seizing it, placed it in durance vile. As described to us liic anin.al must be a most extraordinary one, itbotit throo feet sis inches long, and progresses in Hie most uncouth manner by the aid o: flappers or fins. Our informant states that ho never saw anything of the kind before, which we admit may be attributed to his utiiravelled experience as much as to the extraurdiuary qualities of the brute. WebeJieve the thing has been purchased by a few gentlemen in the city, anil will make its bow to au Auckland assembly for the first time on briJiiy or Saturday.

The Cadets of No. 1 Company of Naval Yoluutcer3 mustered in good, force last evening in Fort Brilomart, and went through their drill in a very satisfactory manner.

The usual weekly parade of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers will be held this evening in the Drill-shed, at half-past seven o'clock. If the weather keeps fine we shall-expect to see a good muster.

A very large consignment of Tasmanian fruits and preserves, Sydney oranges, and other articles, will bo submitted to tho hammer to-morrow, at 11 o'clock, by Messrs. H. S. MoyersJ& Co.

Princes-street has lately received some small attention at the bauds of the officers of the. Borough Council, tho large holes which had been worn in it having been filled with metal. It 13 a pity that the Borough Council do noti take into consideration tho question of gravelling the short c"t from Victoria-stree to the end of Princes-street. : Although tho track leads across one of the military reserves, (ho public have long maintained a kind of right of-way over it, and much loss of time iv thus avoided by those whose business \ takes them to the centre part of the city. At present, from the long continuauco of rainy weather", it is absolutely -impassable. We notice, with pleasure, that a'good coating of. scoria bus been laid on the crossing of Wellesley ' und Queen-streets. A similar improvement is Iniich needed at many other crossings in the town, and as the expense is very trifling, wo trust to see the matter attended to.

Thero is hope for the country. " Tommy the Shingler'Mias got married. At tho mature age of seventy-five Tommy has all the warmth of his early days, and has takeu a wifo unto his bosom. The sober joys of matrimony have a charm for Tommy, and he has bet an example to his younger fellow-colonists which they would dd weli to lay-to heart. Tommy means well—may he be happy.

At a-mocting of tho.directors of the Red Queen G«id Mining Company (registered), held on Tuesday, tile : report of Messrs. Bright (Mining Engineer), and Dewar, of the Tookey Gold Mining .Company,-, was laid before them, 'lheso gentiemen. recommend obtaining permission from the Caledonian Gold Mining Company to continue a drive in their mine to cut the No. 1 Golden Crowii reef, which course they had been following. They also recommend a connection to be made with the Otago shaft, to obtain air, and other works for the economical working of the mine, as detailed in their able report, which is open ■ for the inspection of the shareholders at, the office of the company in Auckland.

Speaking of Mr. Vogel's visit to England, the New "Zealand JLoiin and Mercantile Agency Company's Circular" saya : — " Owing to the shortness of Ms stay in this country,; an amount of hard work /had to.beigot.through which will effectually redeem his visit from the character of a pleasure strip, even 'though no railway contracts had been entered into ; but we are informed, that within ari hour or two of his departure from London a,most' important contract with Messrs. Brogdeh and Sons was signed for the construction of railways in the colony cither upon a system of direct guarantee, or by guarantees in connection with a system of land grants and with emigration, tke Government being at liberty to elect between the two systems. The details of these contraots are as yet necessarily private, but the engineering- stiiil'prooocdi to the colony by the 'preaopfc nuii),"" arid; the Messrs. Brogdon, in proof of tlicir buna Jidos, 'have deposited with the.Government bankers in London securities to the value ,of £25,000." A meeting of the shareholders df ;the iChristmas Box Gold Mining Company jk convened for the let proximo. ' \ ■''■ C: : :'-;/'■; v t I

Notice is given of the forfeiture of certain shares in the Red Queen Gold Mining Company.

A competent teacher is required for the Devonport District School.

A meeting of the creditors of J James Frederick Cobb will be held at (he Supreme Court on the 23rd instant.—Charles Grey

gives notice that he intends to apply to pass his last examination at the Supreme Court on the 31st instant.

Chueoh Sibepino-.—O'er their devoted heads, while tho law thundered, snugly and heedlessly snored the six hundred. Great was the preacher's theme, screwed on was all the steam, neither with shout nor scream could he disturb tho dream of the six hundred. Terrors to right of them, terrors to left of them, terrors in front of them—hell itself plundered of its most awful things, weakminded preacher flings—kindly ho spoke and well all on deaf ears it fell, vain was the loudest yell, volleyed and thundered ; for caring, the truth to tell,' neither for Heaven or hell, snored tho six hundred. Slill, with redoubled zeal, still lie spoke onward, and in hia wild appeal, striking with hand and heel, makiug the pulpit reel, shaken and sundered ; called them the church's foes, threatened with endless woes ; faintly the answer roso — (proof of their sweet repose) from the unite:] nojo of tho bi'x hundred.

Tlio transfer books of the Caledonian Gold Mining Company will bo closed from one o'clock on Saturday, and remain elosod until tho following Friday, whoa a dividend will bo payable.

We learn that Mr. Webb, the steam mail contractor, and Mr. Brogdcn, the railway contractor under agreement with the New Zealand Government, are expected to arrive by the next mail boat from San Francisco.