TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1872.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 622, 9 January 1872, Page 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1872.

While we have heard so much and oft of the necessity for a People's Park in the Albert Barracks, it is a most remarkable thing that no agitation has hitherto taken place to give a breathing place to the large population located in the western parts of the city. Ear be it from us to express a word of envy, respecting the privileges enjoyed by those who have fixed their habitations to the east of Queen-street. The Domain is really a noble place for promenade, with its thoroughly sylvan scenery and umbrageous retreats — delightful trysting place of lovers, and rendezvous for family parties, when Sundays and kolidays afford an opportunity of enjoying its shady, meandering walks and purling brooks. Happy people of Parnell! who have such a pleasure ground at your very doors. But it is needless to say that to the dwellers beyond^Hobson street, and the regions round abput Ereeman's Bay, the Domain might as well be forbidden ground. The projected Park in the Barrack green will be something better in this respect; but for the large population in the west of the city, and the western suburbs, there is absolutely no provision of the kind, nor has public attention been directed to the subject, quite as if that most populous part of Auckland was undeserving of attention to its health and pleasure. And this has not occurred from any want of available ground for the purpose. There are large reserves, the property of the city, adjoining Ponsonby Road, that for picturesqueness of situation and salubrity cannot be surpassed, if actuallyequalled,inthe city. Commanding a magnificent view of sea and mountain, overlooking the Erith of the Thames and the Pacific, the situation for a public park would be beautiful in the extreme ; while from the elevation of the ground it could not fail to be of the utmost benefit, for the health and recreation of all the residents in the western parts of the city. This is a work that eminently belongs to the City Council. It is true that at present the predominance of power in the Council is on the side of Parnell and the eastern district; but we mistake the spirit of what is called jocularly the " Parnell clique," if they would allow such considerations to impede a great public good. There is not in or around the city so desirable a site for a large and beautiful park, and we trust the suggestion will not be allowed to die. „

A good notion of the manner in which business is done in Auckland might have been formed j. by J those who were present at the meeting of the so-called " Colonists' Protection League." The meeting was called for 2 p.m., but it was much nearer 3 when the few 'members assembled, who thought the grievance of farmers of sufficient magnitude to 'warrant them in leaving their private business to attend a meeting, having for its object the promotion of agricultural pursuits in the province. After all only five attended, and the business done was ia point of fact absolutely! nothing. The farmers do not appear to support the League, and the balance is on the wrong side of the ledger. We hear tliat Mr. Wm. Reynolds, junior, of Cambridge, has met with his death by a fall" from his horse. Notice is given that Mr J. Cater will in future keep his photographic studio open until 6 o'clock on Saturday evenings. j The transfer books of the Pride of Tokatea, \ Gold Mining Company, will be closed from j Thursday the 11th inst., until the following Monday, when a dividend will be payable. There is some liklihood of a telegraphic communication between Coromansl and the Thames. Mr. A. Sheath, Telegraph Inspector, left yesterday for the latter place for thr. purpose of marking ontthe line of route to lay tho wires. At the Police Court yesterday, William and Bridget Lestrange were sentenced to 14 cays' hard labor, for stealing two hand-saws, valued at 65., the property of Charles Porter, store- : keeper of Barrack-street. A .charge against j John O'Connor for robbing Christian Lawson of 305., at the Oriental Hotel, was dismissed. An old man was brought up from the Old Men'sJßefuge, charged withbeiDg a lunatic. On the evidence of Drs. Hooper and Lee, he was not committed to the Asylum, as he was not pronounced insane.

An entertainment of a novel kind was given last evening, at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, by Mrs. Colclough, comprising a lecture by this well-knowd lady on " Strong Drink and its Victims," and a concert. fcho arrival of the mail prevented the attendance of the Orpheus Glee Singers, but several ladies gave their assistance, and executed pieces of music, vocal and instrumental, very creditably. The lecture comprised a number of very vivid pictures of -the wretchedness and misery caused by drunkenness. The animated narrative was most effective, and she was repeatedly aps plauded. On the motion of Mr. Osmund Lewis a vote of thanks was given to Mrs- Col* clough by acclamation.