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Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 605, 18 December 1871, Page 2

We have received an exceedingly long letter from a correspondent signing " Anthropos," with reference to the election of Mayor, from which wc mako tho following extract: —" In what portion of his official duty has the present Mayor failed to give public satisfaction ? Has he not been attentive, zealous, and indefatigable in the performance of his civic duties P Has ho not been watchful and careful of the interests of the city over which he worthily presides ? As Chairman of the City Board, to which he brought dignity and respect, at a time too when the position was sadly in need of both, from the beargarden character of the proceedings of that body corporate, his conduct has been loudly applauded, and deservedly so, as irreproachable, by the very parties who are now loudest in his condemnation. As chief magistrate of the city, both in and out of tho Council, for the short time he has held the office, up to the present time, his conduct has been that of a gentleman and a man of business and education ; and not even the shadow of a shade of reflection has been attempted to be cast upon his public or private reputation, until these writers in the Cross havo thought proper to do so. But I can tell them they are unmasked. Their motives for attacking Mr Philips aro seen through. Their little game is found out, and won't pass current with a discerning public. The duties of a Mayor are onerous duties, and I have no hesitation at all in saying that the clique will fail in their effort to bring forward anyone who will perform these duties more honourably, more usefully, more satisfactorily, and with more regard for the public interests, than Mr Philips has already done, and is still more likely to do, should he be re-elected, as I have no doubt he will be. He has already rendered good service in the Provincial Council, aud as a

member of the Harbour Board, his intelligence is additional value to that most valuable body. I believe this fact will not be denied. But there is an under-current working against him; but a current he will be quite able to turn aside. There is a clique in Auckland who are eternally finding troubled waters to cast; their hooks in, but they will find in the present case they will not be able to bring up even flounders, They will scarcely be so fortunate as the fisherman in the Arabian Nights. The £500 a year said to be attached, or about to be attached, to the office of Mayor is, no doubt, worth fishing for, and the crumbs likely to fall from the £20,000 loan have a talis manic effect upon not over-scrupulous consciences. Let the ratepayers, however, look to it. Now is the time, or for ever hold their peace. An unfair and unreasonable prejudice is sought to be cast upon Mr Philips, because he feels a natural and reasonable desire, or ambition if you will have it so, to bo reelected. It is a prescriptive right,practised in every ago ; and who has a better right, I should like to know, to the honour and advantages of the office than he who has already borne tho toil and anxiety of its duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow-citizens. Up to the present timo the tongue of slander has been quite silent in Mr Philips's regard ; but now at tho eleventh hour, and upon the eve of his retirement from the office of Mayor, it is freely indulged in, no doubt to do him a personal injury. Is such conduct fair, honourable, or honest ? Unquestionably not. The clique imagine that they can make and unmako a Mayor ad libitum, but they may find they are miserably mistaken. The great Warwick was styled the king-maker, but the man ho raised to tho throne afterwards defeated him. In like manner Mr Philips, whom these parties raised to the dignity of Mayor, and whom thoy would now fain depose, may similarly defeat them in their attempts to do so, for there is such a wholesome thing as public opinion, and that public opinion is unquestionably in his favour."

Return of sick treated at the Provincial Hospital during the week ending Saturday, December 16, 1871: —Eemained last return, 75 ; admitted since, 9 ; discharged, 6 ; died, I; remaining, 77 ; males, 06; females, 11. Arrangemout of cases : — Cancer. 3; scrofula, 3; syphilis, 3; phthisis, 8 ; dropsy, 1; rheumatism 6 ; delirium tremens, 1; paralysis, 5 ; amaurosis, 1 ; epilepsy, 0; imbecility, 1 ; ophthalmia, 1; bronchitis, 4; pneumonia, 2; aneurism, 1; heart-disease, 1 ; braindisease, 2 ; liver-disease, 3 , colic, 1 ; dyspepsia, 1 ; fistula, 1 ; stricture 1 ; cystitis, 1; ulcers, 5; wounds and contusions, 4 ; necrosis, 2 ; fractures, 3 ; debility, 6. A man died on the 12th inst. of hypertrophy of heart. Thanks are returned to Mrs Porter, of Grafton road, for a mosquito curtain. Old linen or calico much needed.

A lecturo will be delivered to-morrow in tho JNewton Congregational Sunday School by Mr J. Jackson, whose subject is to be " Heroes." As tho proceeds are to be applied to the purchase of seats for the scholars, wo have no doubt thero will be a large attendance.

An enlightened individual strove the r-.tl.c- day to dimpfl ±1>" o_-__-*__c__i-_. dark ness of central Queen street, by erecting a light-house. The Corporation, however, seem to have something of tho dog in manger in their composition. They won't light tlie city themselves, and they won't allow anyone else to do it for them. As a matter of course they ordered the daring innovator to unbuild his building. Boeotian obtusenoss is still tho order of the day; and every endeavor to]illuminate the dark streets or foggy brains of our rulers is certain to be put a stop to by those who eschew the light.

The banquet to Mr W. Rowe will tako place on Wednesday next at St George's Hall, Grahamstown. Mr C. B. Hales, of the Golden Fleece Hotel, has been appointed caterer, and a sub-committee formed consisting of Messrs P. Nolan, E. Thomas, J. Craig, and W. H. Oldrey, to make all the necessary arrangements. Tho price of the tickets is fixed at 10s 6d,

The usual monthly meeting of the Lodgo Waitemata, 689, E C, will be held 'at the Masonic Hotel, this evening, at 7*30 p,m.

A new paper is announced to appear for the first time on 6th of January. It will be devoted entirely to the interests of tho Volunteer movement. We have no doubt the Sew Zealand Volunteer Gazette, and Colonial Forces Record, will meet with abundant support.

Mr Itobert Wymore of Mercury Bay, has been appointed a Justice of the Peace.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Moulo has been appointed Commissioner of Armed Constabulary, and to conduct the correspondence of the Defence Department.

A cricket match was played on Saturday afternoon between members of the Press and members of tho Stage. The former were victorious.

Mrs Lewis's breaking up farewell ball, will be given to-morrow ovening, in the Drill Shed, Princess-street.

The appointment as a bonded store, of tho building known as Smith's Store, has been annulled.

The Athletic Sports in connection with the Auckland College will hold their usual half-yearly fete to-morrow in the Albert Barrack reserve. The games will commence at 10 o'clock, and there are 28 events upon the programme.

The Eesident Magistrate's Court will be closed from the 23rd instant to tho Ist January, both days inclusive.

An Irishman who had blistered his fingers by endeavoring to pull on a pair of new boots, exclaimed, " I believe I shall never get them on until I wear them a day or two.