WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1872.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 623, 10 January 1872, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1872.

The " Nonpareil " G-old Mining Company is distinguished for enjoying a state of chronic unrest. Some months ago the shareholders were engaged in what was graphically described as " casting out the devils;" but the troubled spirits have not found rest, and seem to think that it is only to be found by obtaining a re-entrance into their old habitations. On that occasion we called on the public to sing " Jubilate !" when the old directorate with all its belongings, was summarily bundled out, neck and crop ; and now we call again upon the public to beheld and admire the heroic efforts of the expelled to re-acquire possession of the influence of which they have been deprived. Hot work has been proceeding for the past few days in the hall of the Mechanics' Institute, and Nonpareil proxies have been at a premium. We can ourselves afford personal testimony to the zeal of the oppositionists, as afforded in one case at least—the obtaining of a proxy by an ingenious system of false pretences of the most straightforward kind. We understand that similar results virtually have been obtained by the less ingenious but simpler method of forging dates of proxies, so as to make antiquated and superseded documents of this class, when refurbished up, assume a modern and effective appearance. Into the merits of the case as between the ins and outs we do not enter; we only know that a party which resorts to the means which have been availed of in this contest, must have some great ends to serve in ousting the present directors and should be religiously excluded from power. The present directory were eljcted as an express mark of condemnation of their predecessors. In that act there was afforded very general satisfaction. The new directors at once proceeded to relieve Mr. Roderick McDonald Scott, of the responsibilities of Legal Manager. We do not say that they did wisely; we do not say that he may not have been the very best of Legal Managers ; but, as was altogether natural, they preferred having a Legal Manager of their own appointment, and Mr. Roderick McDonald Scott retired. But Mr. Roderick McDonald Scott had not finished with the Nonpareil, and it appears declared his determination to be even with the new directors, though he should agitate for 20 years. Mr. Penton, who appears also prominent in in this fiery agitation, narrowly escaped being elected a member of the present directory, but wasn't. He had also, it appears, a relative, for whom he wanted an appointment from the directors, but they did not seem to see it. We do not blame Mr Eenton for this. On the contrary, we believe he shows a very commendable spirit in .not forgetting to do a service to his friends, when he can have opportunity. That opportunity was not afforded by the new directors of the -■ Nonpareil," whereat Mr. Eenton was indignant. Animated by these not very elevated motives, these two gentlemen appear to have essayed to fan the smouldering embers of discontent, and have summoned these indignation -meetings of shareholders. Eor so far, they have been ignoininiously defeated, as, we would venture to j say, they deserved. There is of course a tendency in the pubilc mind to sympathise with a defeated party in a hopeless struggle with power; but it must be remembered that those now in power in the Nonpareil company, were placed I;here to repair gross abuse, and that it is the most natural thing , possible, that the overthrow of abuse should make somebody wince. Mr,

Eoderick McDonald Scott declared j again to-day in public meeting, that he would keep up the agitation for twenty years, or he would succeed. We think it will be quite sufficient for the shareholders to take a note of this, and also of the motives that seem to inspire Mr Eoderick MeDonald Scott to a twenty years crusade, to make his further efforts at agitation futile. The supporters of the present directors offered unusual advantages to their opponents to-day in a challenge to a test of strength; but we call on the director^ in the interest of the whole body of shareholders, to afford no further encouragement to these agitatators, whose motives are not the interests of the company, but their own personal spite. This continued agitation is injurious to the company, and the old regime having been overthrown by the irresistible force of public opinion, we trust the shareholders will not stultify themselves, by affording the smallest measure of sympathy or encouragement to a clique, and its belongings, that only found their deserved fate.

We are much pleased to find that the City Council have listened to the dictates of sober reason with reference to the paving of the footpaths of the city ; nnd that at least an opportunity will he afforded of proving to citizens the suitableness of asphalt. At the last meeting of Council, it was resolved by the Council to afford permission to a leading citizen to have a portion of the footpath in Wyndham street laid with this material, the request having been preferred with the sole desire of proving the value of proper asphalt. In accordance with a resolution previously passed by the Council, information was obtained from other places with reference to the relative merits of asphalt and stone for pavement. The information from Melbourne, where the bluestone quarries in the suburbs provide at the lowest possible price, perhaps the hardest and best paving stones in the world, is unfavourable to the asphalt on the question of cheapness. But when we know that our local quarries are a monopoly, and that this monopoly somewhat prematurely has been attempted to be turned to practical account, the relative values of stone and asphalt must be rather reversed in the case of Auckland. Besides, we hold that any number of unfavourable reports respecting asphalt do not avail against one single good report, inasmuch as every one knows, that knows anything at all on the subject, that asphalt can be of the veriest rubbish. Whereas a statement showing that it is capable of being made to rival stone in durability, and at the same time vastly exceed it in cheapness, is all we require. That this _b fact regarding genuinely good asphalt, is known ; and we presume that in contemplating asphalt-pavements, the City Council mean real asphalt, not rubbish. The report from the Southern provinces, we understand, was favourable, as every one that has seen the footpaths of the southern cities must have expected; and, in consequence, permission has been accorded for the laying of a specimen portion of footpath in Wyndham street. We do very cordially commend the public spirit of the gentleman who thus proves his faith in asphalt by hia works; and we confidently anticipate that his spirited action will result in having most of our principal footpaths laid with a material, that is in the utmost degree suited to time, place and circumstances. We are glad to say that a thoroughly competent and experienced worker in asphalt has been engaged for-the work, so that the material will have, a fair local test. And we need scarcely add that if the citzens of Auckland, which cannot yet be called a city of the first magnitude, are relieved of the oppressive burthen of having to pave their footpaths with costly stone, they should feel grateful to those who may have been instrumental in effecting such result.

We are pleased to observe the decision in the Police Court to«day, with referenco to the cutting in Wakefield street t not that we are glad to see the co ntractor punished, but because it will be the most effectual .deans of removing a real danger to human life. We formerly drew attention to this danger, but it appears that, not the City Council, but the contractor, was responsible for the neglect of precautions. Every night since the com" mencement of the works, the light of the candles placed in the lanterns at the excavai tions were extinguished before one o'clock in the morning. And in this we believe MrEeilly has been more sinned against than sinning ; for we have reason to believe that in some cases the candles were deliberately stolen. We are glad the police have done their duty in the matter, but really considering what a thoroughfare has long existed in Wakefield street between country and town, there should be something more effective done than the mere furnishing the precarious light of a lamp at night; and either the place should be carefully blocked up, or further protection afforded.

A man who has lately held the office of check-taker at the pit entrance to the Theatre Royal, died suddenly yesterday morning. An inquest is being held at the Provincial Hospital as to the cause of his death, as we go to press. Operations have recommenced on the long dormant Drury Railway. A gang of men were at work this morning in that portion o^ the line between the Domain and the bridge in Mechanics' Bay.

Prom a telegram from the Bluff kindly shown to us by a friend, we learn that the Somersetshire has arrived at Melbourne after a pleasant passage, and brought a number of passengers en route for Auckland, among others, Mr. H. E. Christie of the Bank of New Zealand, Mr. and Mrs. B. Harrison, &c. Th c Hero was to leave_Melbourne on Tuesday, the 2nd instant, for Auckland via Sydney, so that she cannot well be expected here before to-morrow morning.

As will be seen from advertisement, the first numberrof the "New Zealand Presbyterian Magazine," a monthly periodical devoted to the interests of the Presbyterian Church, has been published to-day. It is to be had from MrWayte, the publisher.

A most lamentable accident happened on the night of tho 23rd ultimo at the house o* Mr Miller at Maungakaramea. The .premises caught fire and were consumed, and a poor little fellow named David, son of Mr Miller, was burnt to death before assistance could be rendered him.

Kereopa's portrait has been taken by a Napier artist, who has secured the copy*, right of his work of art, The likeness, according to the Eawke's Bay Times, "is of exceedingly faithful character, and shows considerably less outward appearance of villainy than might be expected by those who have read of his deeds. The expression of tho feature, is, in fact, of a plaintive rather than a criminal cast."—Southern paper.

There seomed to be a curious fatality in regard to the trial of cases in the Criminal Court this morning. First, one of the jurors empanelled in the wounding case met with a severe accident, and that case had to be left in abeyance ; then it appeared that some of the counsel were too unwell to proceed on account of the prevailing epidemic j then one of the persons accused was absent, because he had been led to believe that he would not be wanted, and for a similar reason a witness in another case had gone out of town. His Honor made some remarks on the inconvenience thus occasioned by one accident, and said in future he would havo to insist on the continual attendance throughout the session of all parties concerned. As matters stood, there was no alternative but to lose half a day, and adjourn the Court until ton tomorrow. Sharks are beooming prevalent in the harbour. One measuring Bft. 6in. long was caught yosterday by the watermen. Others hare been seen, but tbe attempts at their capturo have been ineffectual. The Auckland Bowing Club will hold a general meeting this evening at 7.30. A full attend, ance is requested. The business will consist of selecting the orews for the annual regatta > and other business; also, to consider the legality of the Thames Eagatta Committee entertaining the protest on the four-oared amateur gig race in the late regatta at the Thames. The dairymen's association will hold a meeting on Friday evening next at tbe Eden Vine Hotel, New North Road, to consider the rules of the new association and other business that may be brought before the meeting.

If we may judge from the appearance of a specimen of tobacco which we have seen in a garden in tho Newton hollow, belonging to Mr. Bull, of Wakefield street, we should be disposed to think that the cultivation of the plant in this di.trict would be a most profitable business. The plant had no especial care dovoted to it; indeed, Mr. Bull was unaware of the proper method of treatment until too late to be of much service. However, the sample is a large one, and some of the leaves measure two feet by fourteen inchca. If the weed can be grown to advantage even in Australia, where frequent hailstorms beat down the leaves and destroy the hopes of the agriculturist, surely in this country, where there is no such drawbaok, it could readily be made a great source of profit.

Messrs. Vicker and Co., the distillers, have obtained a verdict of £28,964 compensation against the Metropolitan Railway Company for the re-construction of their premises, rendered necessary by certain extension works being carried on by the railway company.

On the 41st day of the Tichborne trial Mr. Sergeant Ballantyne informed tho Court that his client could no longer continue the arrangements as to shorthand notes, by which two sides had paid £700 a week between them for a correct report of the proceedings by shorthand writers. The Judge under these circumstances was compelled to take the evidence down himself in the ordinary way, an incident which, of course, will lengthen the proceedings. Mr. George Alexander Lingard, one of the most popular members of the Christy Minstrels, has died. As illustrating the progress of the Austra* lian Mutual Provident Sooiety, we copy the following from tho Melbourne Argus of 15th December, 1871:—"The following has been sent to us as an example of the advantage! of the " mutual" system of life assurance. The late Rev. George Mackie insured his life 18 years ago in the Australian Mutual Provident Society for £1,000. The policies are now worth £1,518 17s. 2d.—i.e., the following bonuses have been added to them, viz. :—ln 1859, £82 10s. 5d.; 1864, £183 10s. sd. 1869, £222 16s. 4d. ; 1870-71, £30 : total, £518 17s. 2d., being considerably in excess of the premiums paid by him, whioh amounted to £395 2b."

We observe with pleasure, that the au» thorities are taking advantage of the present low tide in the reservoir to olean it out. It is high time, for the bottom shows a rich deposit of slime mixed with a great variety of de» composiug elements. It is difficult to perceive how the water could do otherwise than produce dysentery, in its present filthy state, unless subjected to a process of fermentation, similar to that which takes plaoe in Thames water, when taken on ship-board.

The cutting at tho summit of Wakefield street is making rapid progress, and the Market Reserve is fast assuming a level aspect,