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Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 603, 15 December 1871, Page 2

Some of the local Highway Boards have awakened to a sense of duty, and the late fine weather has given them an opportunity of developing their energies in a satisfactory manner. The Dedwood Highway Board, of which Mr Stannus Jones is chairman, is specially deserving of commendation in this respect. For a long period the sea made encroachments in the causeway connecting the end of Drake street with the College Road, and numberless were the paragraphs writers in the daily papers without having the effect of inducing the then board to shake off their lethargy- These chasms were exceedingly dangerous, for they were situated at the apex of a kind of parabola the road describes at that particular spot, carriages were in constant danger of being dashed into them by the centrifugal force. The present board, however, has filled them up, and has also taken measures to widen the embankment. Besides this, the road leading to Dedwood, which is known as the College Road, is being vastly improved, and other works are going on in the Dedwood district, which will have the effect of rendering one of the most lovely suburbs approachable in any weather by night or day. Gas alone is now required.

We wish to call the attention of our readers to a notice which will be found in our advertiseing columns, of the Tokatea Gold Mining Company, declaring a dividend of eight shillings per scrip. This mine commenced operations on the 30th September, 1869, and for the first year gave but little evidence of what it has since proved to be, one of the most valuable mines on this or any other goldfield in New Zealand, as during the year ending 1870, it only declared a dividend of seven nonce halfpenny por scrip, and for six months afterwards but a comparatively small amount was issued in dividends, namely, £1,652, but since the beginning of July of the present year, upwards of twenty-eight thousand pounds has been paid in dividends to .the fortunate shareholders. At present upwards of £500 is paid monthly. Two hundred and twentyone ounces of retorted gold was lodged in Bank of New Zealand this morning, These facts speak volumes in favor of this noble claim, and of the certainty of the continued prosperity of our field.— Coromandel Mail.

We would remind our readers that Dr. Macartney will again take up his subject on Fiji, in a lecture to-night at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms. It is to be hoped there will be a better attendance than on last Tuesday.

Athletic sports will be held at Newmarket on Boxing Day. The programme consists of thirteen events, and are likely to prove exciting affairs,

Mr Hawkeswood estimates his losses by the late fire as follows :—Wood-watterns -destroyed, £073 19s; Iron do, £24G 15s ; Machinery, £750; value of Buildings, £500 ; total, £2370 14s, against which he insured for £300 on the machinery and £200 on tlie buildings. We arc requested by Mr Lincoln, letter carrier, to say that on the night of the fire at the Choral Hall, some person assisting left his coat at Mr Lincoln's, and can obtain it on application. The annual examination of the Aucklhiud Blue School will be held on Monday and Tuesday next, and the prizes distrihuted by the Eev E N Bree ou Wednesday evening. There will also be a special parade of the Cadet Corps on Tuesday evening. The adjourned meeting of members of Court, City of Auckland, A.0.F., will be held at half-past seven o'clock this evening. The members of the Rifle Brigade desirous of firing in the competitive match, in order to furnish company representatives to fire for the General Government prizes, are requested to assemble in uniform on the rifle range, Mount Eden, on Tuesday morning next at 9 o'clock. In the obituary notice of a lady the editor wrote : —" It is feared that her husband will not be able to bear her demise," which the careless compositor, with but a change of two letters, transformed to, " It is feared that her husband will not be able to wear her chemise." The horror of the bereaved husband, and of the editor, and of the mourning relatives may be imagined.