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Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 602, 14 December 1871, Page 2

The Provincial Council sat till near midnight. A discussion ensued on a motion of Mr Ball's in reference to placing a sum of money on the estimates for the purpose of testing the value of the coal measures in the vicinity of Mangonui. The motion was carried, after being slightly amended. A five hours debate took place in reference to Mr Creighton's motion on the constitution of the Council; and an amendment of tho Goldfields Secretary, as follows, was carried on a division, with one dissentient voice : — " That this Council feels called upon ta express its disapproval of the attempts made during the last session of the Assembly to pass measures calculated to effect a radical alteration of tho Constitution, without any notice being giveu to the governments of the several provinces, or opportunity being afforded to the electors of the colony to cousider such measures. And this Council further protests against any alterations affecting the constitution, powers, and functions of Provincial Legislatures being made, unless and until the proposed alterations arc submitted to the country, and the whole of the constituencies allowed to elect a Parliament for the express purpose of considering such alterations. And this Council hereby requests his Honor the Superintendent to place himself in communication with other Provincial Governments throughout the colony for the purpose of securing their cooperation in taking any steps that may be considered advisable for maintaining the integrity of provincialinstitutions." Other business of a minor nature was disposed of, and the Council adjourned.

That indefatigable manufacturer Lloyd of the Ponsonby Road, seems determined to leave no means unturned to render the manufacture of rope a credit to New Zealand. It is well known now that the indigenous flax, phormium tenax, is absolutely the best in the world for that purpose, not even excepting hemp or the fibre of the banana. Mr Lloyd is well aware of this, and has devoted his energies to the manufacture of rope of every gauge from the New Zealand flax, and for thispurposecontinues to import machinery of the latest patents. Some time ago we gave a full description of his extensive works on the Ponsonby Road. Then they appeared almost perfect, but to our astonishment this morning we found that immense improvements had been effected, andnew machinery brought into operation. The machinery seemed even more automatic than before, scarcely requiring the attendance of a few lads to give the prime impulse to the fibre, and pick out the knots in its passage through the machinery. But Mr. Lloyd has not contented himself with the smaller and more regular kiud of rope, but has undertaken a work of a kind never before attempted in these colonies, in the shape of an immense flat rope for the winding gear of the Caledonian mine. When we called in this morning we found, besides the usual operations, in an upper story of the building four six inch ropes were being dragged by steam power through a machine which flattened them in the same way in which wire is drawn, and were being fastened together as one rope of six inches in breadth by about one and a half in depth. The rope is to be 800 feet long, and is intended to reach into '■he inmost recesses of the golden regions. The works on the Ponsonby Road, are well worthy of inspection, and now the omnibusses pass every hour there is every facility for people curious in machinery to inspect them.

That portion of Victoria-street immediately opposite the scene of the fire the other night has always been in a disgraceful state of mud whenever a day or two's rain occurred. But now, we are glad to see, the Corporation authorities are striving to put it into decent order. The mass of filth which had accumulated between the water tables (such as they are) and the metalled portion of the road, is being removed, and metal is to be deposited to fill the blank. An anonymous notice has been issued calling on the ratepayers of Auckland to 'meet on the Reserve, next the Thistle Hotel, on Saturday evening, at six o'clock, to nominate a fit and proper person as Mayor for election by the city Councillors.

The baths at Smalo's Point do not apper to have that universal appreciation which they deserve. The fact of their being no main road leading to them seems to militate against them, although if people would only endeavour to find out what means there are for cleansing themselves from the dust which must accumulate on every human hide during the hot summer season they would soon discover two or three easy roads by which tbey might reach the " Rock Baths. Cleanliness is not to be expected in this ill-drained metropolis of the North, and it cannot therefore be wondered at that its inhabitants should prefer allowing the dirt to accumulate on their bodies until it peels off in flakes, to taking a morning plunge in the sea. The bath which we are speaking about has lately been very much improved, and measures have been adopted which allow the egress of dirty water and the ingress of fresh sea water at the proper time of the tide. There is every convenience for bathers, and there is plenty of room and plenty depth for the best swimmers. Thecustodian complains to us that there is one vast nuisance to which decent visitors are subjected on Sunday mornings. A number of youths and hobbadehoys, after laving thenTSelves in the crystal basin, take delight in drying themselves by rushing about the roofs of the drossing sheds like a parcel of amatory tom-cats. It is impossible to catch them. Even a policeman who was called in a little while ago was of no effect. The only thing is to call upon the parents of these rampagious youths to keep a watch on them, and use Solomon's infallible recipe for the straightening of distorted youth. Birch rods are good, and if parents would only apply them to a particular spot when required, the juvenile depravity too common in this town would gradually cease and determine.

Some time ago an awning was hoisted over the hall of the Exchange in the Insurance Company's Buildings, but it has not had the desirt-d effect in preventing the rays of the sun from striking on the heads of those doing business below. The side lights are entirely unshaded, and through them tho rays of heat and light are projected during a good part of the day. Would it not be better to frost the whole of the inner surface of the roof ?

We regret to learn that a poor little fellow, the son of a dairyman, John Crawford, residing at Mount Eden, was a few, days since worried by a ferocious dog in Cfrafton lioad. We understand that had it not been for the intervention of a man who came to the rescue, the child would have been inevitably killed. As it is, he is in a precarious state. We really wonder for what purpose people do keep such ferocious animals, and we should be delighted to hear of the owner of the wild beast in question being brought before Captain Beckham, when we have no doubt he will receive his desert.*.

The embankment across the creek, which used to be an absolute barrier between Newton West ancl the further end of the Kirangahapc Koad, has been so far completed that vehicles are able to drive across. The connection between the two districts has already been found of the utmost service, and many a weary step is saved to the hard-worked animals in milk carts and tradesmen's vehicles. We hope to see the work completed ere long. Now is the time for finishing works of this kind.

In our issue of yesterday, in the prize list of the " Melbourne House Academy," an error was committed. The first prize in the first class was won by Frank Best, not by F Hanson, as stated.

Complaints are constantly being made of the discharge of colliers at the Queen street Wharf. The coal dust blowing about is enough to blind any one, besides being likely to damage people's clothing Could not coal be landed at some other place, and so prevent the nuisance ?

| Quite a gay company assembled on board the Golden Crown this morning. A great number of the members of the Choral Society, as well as other musical people,— probably about 150 in all, —started to give their assistance to their musical friends at the Thames, in giving a great rendering of Handel's grand oratorio, The Messiah, on the occasion of the consecration of the new church.

Among other local improvements we observe that the Ponsonby Road, which has hitherto always been in a state of filth, has received a dose of gravel, which has so far indurated its skin that it is actually possible to drive along it without having the wheels sink up to their hubs. The work had become necessary, for the increased population in the district some weeks ago induced certain enterprising people to place a line of omnibusses on the road, and they have proved an immense benefit and comfort to the inhabitants of that'distant region, besides enticing other people to take up their residence in that very beautiful district.

The Thames Advertiser says that a provisional committee has been formed for the purpose of inviting Mr Howe to a public dinner, aad that 100 names have already been sent in of persons desirous of attending on the occasion.

The prayer of the petition asking for the release of Francis Innes from Mount Eden Gaol, who was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to five years imprisonment, has not been granted. A letter to that effect has been received from the Colonial Secretary by the Lord Bishop of Auckland. The letter states no reason, but simply says the Government is unable to comply with the prayer of the petition. ■ An emergency meeting of the United Service Lodge No. 421 J.C., will beheld at 7.30 this evening. Visiting brethren are invited, to attend. ■ •'.'')

We are sorry to find that the Wynyard Pier is fast failing into a state of dilapidation, and is melting away. < The timbers are perfectly rotten, and. in many places the planks have disappeared bodily. This jetty lias always been a favorite place for promenading on summer evenings, and even for that reason ought to be kept in such repair as would prevent people from breaking their legs.

Athletic sports and races will be held on the 26th instant CBoxing Day) and following day at Coromandel; also at Papakura on the 26th, and at Papatoetoe on the 28 th instants.

A correspondent signing " A Man in a F03," writes to us drawing attention to a letter published by us, signed " Argus," with reference to the late fire ; and asking " Argus " for an explanation ofjan involved and ambigious paragraph contained; but we do not see much good that would arise from our publishing the letter Another corressondent signing M.E., under the heading " Slander," says,—" It is a pity your morning contemporary the Cross, does not require correspondents to allow their names to be published, so that the public might see if they are disappointed office-seekers, or only private enmies of the Mayor, who are the authors of the abusive letters agaist him." But ihe anonymity of the correspondence of the press is established by prescriptive right, and is scared. "We think, however most people could single out the half dozen or less among whom are comprised the few who are ringing the changes as if by various hands. In our report of the proceedings in Banco, published yesterday, some inaccuracies occurred. The following is a correct report. In the Providence appeal case the Judge decided that property could only be held on the G-oldfields so long as the person holding it was in possession of a miner's right, and that in the appeal before him the Providence Company had no miner's right, and therefore could hold no property. In that case the Warden had no discretion under the Goldfields Acts. In the Bright Smile case the Chief Justice allowed the application to stand over till next week. E and H Isaacs advertise a large sale to-morrow of goods suitable for wear in the summer season. Clothiers and dealers in boots specially ought to attend.