WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 611, 27 December 1871, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1871.

A case that was brought up in the Police Court on Saturday is deserving of general attention. There seems to be a feeling with many that thefts of flowers are of the minor peccadilloes and, probably from this impression, this class of offence appears to be on the increase. We have from time to time heard numerous complaints on the subject and persons plundered, from the seeming smallness of their individual loss have been reluctant to take the decided steps of instituting a prosecution. We are glad to see that the prosecutor in this case, Mr Jones, took a different view of tho case, and we trust that others will follow the example until this petty but mischievous system of thieving is totally put down. Dedwood appears to be the centre of this petty plundering, and a large number of residents there having been at great expense and pains in beautifying their places by imported plants, have been subjected to insufferable annoyance. The charge agar til. the depredator in this case though ftiearly. proven was r;et pressed, the pros&intov desiring that the offender should |.y leniently dealt within consequence of 11 apvc«' v"» to]x> jit first offence. But v?ei.trisy few"l "■> distinctly known that tho v:vi<..i-fpen^y will be inflicted on the to'jy.t occriw 11 °* a conviction; and we hope thii-M. vfh.y matter hag h~I Jf ought to the front Bjs®F\/3&e.s, his neighbours, if there are' a ny similar offences perpetrated, will £t once bring the case under the noticsrof the police.

J* naving been understood by many electors of the City, that Mr Henry Isaacs is a party to the return of his brother, Mr Edward Isaacs, to the Council, we are desired to state that Mr H. Isaacs is strongly opposed to any two brothers, or two members of one firm taking their seats in so small a Council; and that in the event of the return of Mr Edward Isaacs, Mr H. Isaacs will consider it his duty (with the sanction of his supporters) io resign his seat.

We are glad to see from another column that Mr F L Prime has announced his candidature for election to the City Council. Having now before us the names of the candidates in the field, Messrs Farmer, IsaacSjjud Prime, we shall to-morrow review the qualifications and claims of the proposed members of Council.

A Christmas soiree will be held tomorrow evening in the Panmure Hall.

Two notorious characters have been apprehended at the Thames by Detective Murphy on a charge of robbery from the person. Their names are Patrick Shine and John Stephens ; they have both only just been released from durance vile.

The following tenders for supplies have been accepted by the Provincial Government t-^-For twelve months—Printing for the Government, J H Field ; printing for the Council, no tenderaccepted; stationery, Upton "and Co.; binding, J F Leighton ; carting, George McCasslin. For six months —Rations for Mount Eden Gaol, T Wilson ; for Lock-up, T Teasdale ; prison and police supplies, R Hale ; provisions for Hospital, J C Morrin; for Old Men's Refuge, R Hale; for Lunatic Asylum, J C Morrin ; bread for Hospital and Refuge, T Teasdale; for Lunatic Asylum, T Teasdale,; rations for sick and destitute, T W Doonin; coal and firewood, Archard and Brown; firewood for Asylum, H Smyth,: sen:

The Christmas holidays have passed over this year in an unusually quiet manner. Good order has been the rule, rowdyism scarcely visible, and cases of intoxication extremely rare. And yet everybody has made holiday, and festivities have been carried on in an unusually large scale. More than this, by a blunder of the legislature, no provision was made in the late licensing act to close the public houses on Christmas day, thus giving every facility to the chronic drunkard or those afflicted with perpetual thirst.

The usual Christmas services were held in the various places -of worship on Monday last. At ,St Paul's church there was full cathedral service. At St Matthews, under tlie able guidance of Mr Brown, the organist, on Christmas Eve, Handel's beautiful recitative, " And.there were shepherds," with the following airs, were well performed, and the concluding chorus "Glory to God," was rendered with great precision and effect. On Christmas Day there was the usual choral serviceywith the Hallelujah, chorus interpolated as an anthem. In all the other chnrches there were services appropriate to the occasion, and elaborate decorations had been made in most of them.

The regular monthly meeting of the Lodge United Service, No 421, 1.C., will be held this evening, when brother James Macready will be installed W.M.

On Christmas morning those unfortunate victims of alcohol who had been taken to the lock-up on the preceding evening for their own protection, were as customary discharged with a caution.

On Sunday last a prayer for rain was offered up in all the Anglican places of worship.

Mr William Thome, Barrister and Solicitor, has removed his office to Vailes's Buildings, Wyndham-street.