SHAREMARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 606, 19 December 1871, Page 2

SHAREMARKET.

Tuesday, Decembor 19. MB J X LENKOX's EEPOIU1. There was not much business done in the sharemarket this morning. Tookey shares were sold at £24 ; Thames, £16 103 ; Caledonian, £70. There- are very tew buyors.

The City Council met yesterday afternoon. A long discussion took place in respect to Councillor Atkins' resignation. Counsels' opinion was read on the subject, holding that the office became vacant by his tender of his resignation. Some members took occasion to take offence at remarks on the subject made in the Evening Stak- Amongst the correspondence was a letter from Mr Hawkeswood, a sufferer by the late fire, requesting permission, to erect a temporary building of iron, in which to complete some contracts. This was granted. Other matters of detail were discussed. Tenders for earthworks in Symonds-street, a-ere opened, and that of Messrs Eugene Itiley and Co, for 1973/!., accepted.

A correspondent writes to say that happening to bo in the Police Court a day or two ago, lie was astonished to see an Inspector, three detectives, two sergeants, and seven police constables present to take care of three or lour drunkards, and a turbulent vagrant. He says, that at the same time the town was almost wholly unprotected. Some one told him that these were the men who had been on night duty. Surely half a dozen at least might have been allowed to go to bed.

A friend says he has discovered a salt mine close by ; but on questioning him, it appears that he had only discovered an incrustation of about half an inch thick, on the surface of Queen-street, where it has been left by the evaporation of the sea water. The muriatic acid evolved from salt is well-known to be excessively injurious to articles dyed black, which it turns red, and inflicts considerable loss on those tradesmen who expose their wares to its action.

A correspondent sends us the following .__" The Sea View claim, ICeraua Point, Coromandel, which has been worked under miners rights has been formed into . /-i «,„.,„ -n;-««r^~ c . nnrl lfioal ma-s«crf"* having been appointed. Wor* is to be pushed on vigorously, and a crushing may soon be expected ; about 4 tons of good stone being now ready, from which a return of at least 3 oz. is expected."

There is a post in the very centra of the foothpath of the principal street in Paruell, which is;exceedingly awkward to night travellers. It is in one of darkest parts of the town, and has been the cause of many an ugly bump. Being neither useful nor ornamental, but rather the reverse, the Board should have it removed.

Among other improvements which have been effected to the hall of the Supreme Court, is a kind of sounding board at the back, and over the witness box. Although hideous in design, and startling in the severity of its plaiuness, it will doubtless be a great comfort to jurymen, who may perhaps, hereafter be able to hear some portions of the evidence.

It is very seldom that the fields and open spaces around Auckland, present such a parched appearance they now show. An unusually wet and severe wintor has rendered the grass more tender then usual; and a remarkably hot summer succeeding, has already turned most of the grass into hay, of that brown tint familar to the eyes of Australians.

We observe that the Duke of Edinburgh will make an excursion trip to Wangarei on Boxing Day (26th inst), and return cither next day or on the 2nd January.

We would draw attention to the attractions at the strawberry gardens, Eosebank Nursery, North Shore. The strawberries are in "splendid condition. On Saturday evenings the gardens are illuminated with Chinese lanthorns, and a band of music is in attendance.

The City of Auckland, which arrived yesterday, was the bearer of 4 sparrows, 20 yellovy hammers, and 12 partridges, for the Acclimatisation Society.

Numbers of passengers arrived by the City of Auckland speak in glowing terms of the attention, courtesy, and kindness shown them by Captain Ashby on their voyage out.

The 22nd half-yearly meeting of tho New Zealand Insurance Company will be held to-morrow.

We notice that Cagli and Pompei's Italian Opera Company left this afternoon by the ' Taranaki' for the South. We wish this talented and efficient company every success.

The interminable Hazlebank litigation appear not yet to be at an end. A notice has been issued by Mr Kees, warning persons not to deal with, or interfere with the claim ; as an action is now pending in the Supreme Court, in relation thereto.

The illuminated model of the steam ship ' Nevada/ was again on view last evening, and attracted a number of visitors. It gives great satisfaction. A notice appears in the morning papers that Mr James Farmer offers himself as a candidate for the City Council. We have since beard that Mr Farmer has withdrawn, but wo trust that is not the case. A Directors' meeting, of Murphy's Hill G-.M.C, is to bo held at tho Metropolitan Hotel, at 4 p.m. to-morrow,