THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1872.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 624, 11 January 1872, Page 2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1872.

Feoji another column it will be seen that a vacancy has occurred in the representation of Eodney Electoral District, in the House of Representatives ; and we have no hesitation in saying that general satisfaction will be afforded by the intimation that . Mr. John Sheehan has entered the lists. On

Jl_ vJ? y-. U-U.UI tAit. Xi-X t/^>4l V/W 1/ It/ XkJ greatly to be desired that every encouragement should be given to gentlemen of education and ability, when they show a disposition to devote their talents to the service of the country ; but there is a special reason in this case, why any opposition to Mr. Sheehan would be exceedingly ungracious. Mr. Sheehan is a native of the colony and of the province. This may to some seem a small matter, but we hold that on the contrary it is deserving of the utmost consideration. We may speak as we will of the interest that we feel in the land of our adoption ; and abundant evidence is on record of the devotion that men may show for foreign countries, with whose institutions they have cast in their lot. But no one will question that there are peculiarities of affectionate feeling and patriotic devotion to one's native land, to which the mere sojourner must ever remain a stranger; and if there is anything at all in the declaration of a desire to serve the interests of the country, .and it is not wholly bunkum, we may expect that sincerity, if ever found, should be most likely to be found in the breast of one who is inseparably linked by the ties of birth, to the country he hopes to serve ; whose earliest • associations entwine themselves around its history ; and who, in considering any question bearing on the welfare of the country, must feel the influence of the tender but ennobling sentiment, " This is my own —my native land." Far be it from us to encourage any feeling of distinction between the native and the immigrant elements in colonial society ; but it is impossible to suppress a feeling of interest in every manifestation of public spirit on the part of our nativeborn population. We venture to say that any parent in the province looking forward with interest, as a parent does, to the future of his own children, cannot be wholly indifferent to such a candidature as that of Mr Sheehan.

These perhaps are the sentimental aspects of the question; nevertheless they are deserving of consideration ; and we venture to say that they will be not among the least influential of the causes that will contribute to placing Mr Sheehan in the Greneral Assembly, as the representative elect for Eodney. As to the liberal and progressive views, the ability in public speaking, and the popular manner of Mr Sheehan, it is needless to speak. Suffice to say, that a young man who, at his time of life, has come to the van, and holds a seat in the Executive Government of his province, is destined to yet write his name in the history of his country. As we have said, any opposition to the candidature of Mr Sheehan would be exceedingly ungracious, and should, if attempted, be peremptorily put down by every one that wishes well to the country j and as Mr Sheehan is the first native-born who has had a seat in the Provincial Council, and has in that position shown what New Zealand can'

produce, we sincerely trust that, not grudgingly but with perfect unanimity, heAvill be afforded an opportunity of showing in a higher sphere, the abilities of which ho is unquestionably possessed.

Those pilferers and audacious thieves, the goats, have again been in trouble ; and, as it was found impossible to catch them, the police took other proceedings, and summoned their owners for allowing the predatory quadrupeds to nibble the bark of trees not in their lawful possession. Pour persons were accordingly mulct in sums which will make them wish thej. had made venison of their goats long ago. But, in the investigation of the charges against these predacious croppei'3 of green things, it cropped out that they had been generally imprisoned within the Barrack walls. Thereupon his Worship the sitting Magistrate spake out, and no doubt what he said will greatly relieve the wounded feelings of those cricketers who have been damaged by prominent parts coming into contact with the irregularities of the ground occasioned by the trampling of many feet. He remarked that the enclosure had now been established as a public recreation ground as well as an area for the practice of cricket; and that it ■sras simply a shame that it should be trampled and deitroyed by a herd of animals which had no right there. This being the case, he thought it necessary to inflict the full penalty.

"We are desired by Mr. Abel Fletcher, night soil contractor, to state that he will bo unable to attend to any business in his line until aboat the 14th of next month, having received intimation from the Town Clerk that the necessary lieeuco will not bo granted until that day. There are at least 70 to 80 residents that jfequiro his services at tho present time, but he ie unable for the reasons stated to comply with their requests until that date, lie wishes to convey his thanks to the Mayor and Corporation for entertaining his application, and will endeavour to carry ou1; his con* tracts in an able and satisfactory manner.

The Resident Magistrate this morning, when giving judgment in a case brought bcforo him in the Police Court, in which tho defendant pleaded guilty, made some remarks as to the aggravation of guilt occasioned by defendants pleading not guilty when they must have been certain that the perpetration of the offence could easily have bsen proved against them. Not only was it likely that the attempt at perverting justice would lead to higher penalties, but tho costs were enormously increased in the event of the offence being proved. We would call the attention ofsmokerson the wharf to the vory dangerous practice of throwing lighted matches, or allowing ignited tobacco to fall upon the wharf or between the crevices, during tho dry weather. Should a fire break out in consequence of one of these uuls, me anaiago uiiguL De loartul, if it extended to the shipping. There may be plenty of water at hand, but in tho event of a fire breaking out under the flooring of the whai'J, it is very doubtful if even one bucket would be forthcoming to enable anyone to assist in its extinction. The directors of the Una Company, according to the Thames Advertiser, are taking steps to establish an "Accident Eelief Fund" amongst the workmen of the mine. The object is to embrace relief to a sufferer and his family after he has become convalescent, but too weak to be able to resume work. It is to be hoped the example will be followed in other mines.

The members of the Auckland Rowing Club had a meeting last evening, at which it was decided that tho gentlemen who had pulled against the Thames crew were strictly amateurs, became, according to their rules, "anyone was an amateur who did not earn his living by piling for hire with a pair of sculls." On this it was settled that ifthe Thames Committee refused to hand over tho prize, legal steps should be taken to enforce the payment. It WBS also agreed that the Club should givo a cup valued at £10 to the Regatta Committee as a prize in a pair-oared rase for all comers.

The inquest on the body of the late John Lees, who had for some time been employed as ticket-taker at the Theatre Royal, resulted in a verdict of death from natural causes feoing given, the evidence going distinctly to show that death had been occasioned by the rupture of one of the blood-vessels of the brain.

We learn from tbo Coromandel Mail that* from advices received by Captain Thomas thi 8 mail, respecting the old Kapanga mine, a large and powerful company iB formed in London, and will commence operations on a large scale almost immediately. This important work will give a grrat impetus to the adjoining valuable mines.

The Coromandel Mail says there is at the present moment a fine opening for building speculators. Houses are not to be rented for love or money, and it is not in the power of every one to erect dwellings fov themselves 1 There is no scarcity of building Bites, and a few two or three-roomod cottages would quietly find tenants at a rent remunerative to the builders.

There appears, after many delays and disappointments some probability of the erection of a Church of England at the lower township, Coromandel.

A serious bush fire has occurred at Wangarei, doing damage to a large extent in destroying fences and other property belonging to Dr. Sissons. The fire is still raging.

The Auckland Licensed Victualler's Associ^ ation will hold a special meeting this evening at the Thames Hotel, at 7.30.

The Rev. C. M. Nelson, incumbent of StPaul's Church, Auckland, was admitted on the 26th October by the University of Cam. bride to the degree of Master of Arts.

Tha building in course of erection at the Thames for a Mechanics' Institute, narrowly escaped being burnt down on Tuesday last, through a lighted match being carelessly thrown down amongst some shavings.

Things in Tasmania are in such a depressed state that the very thieves are reported to be leaving the colony. This ia a bad sign indeed

Another instance of carelessness in the use of matches occurred this morning. The full particulars are not yet to hand ; but we are j told that some careless laborer, after lighting his pipe, threw the burning fragment down and ignited a whole field of wheat belonging to Messrs. Low and Motion. The fire seems to have spread with a rapidity only to be accounted for by the extraordinary dry weather w& have lately experienced, and ultimately consumed a valuable stack of hay belonging to thit firm, valued at £100, and the paddock of wheat worth. £50.

Last evening Waymouth's bc>at building shed at Smales' Point was discovered to bo on fire. The fire vas promptly extinguished. It is believed to have been the act of an incendiary.

The Wellington Post says:-One of the latest ingeuious methods of avoiding the receipt Btamp duty has come under our notice. A gentleman, on being paid £50, was asked for a receipt. This he had no objection to give, but the outlay of twopence for the stamp, " A percentage, Sir, a heavy percentage upon my own hardly es-rned money," wa3 more than he could stand, so a difficulty checked th e passage of the money, mnch to the annoyance of the would»ba recipient. At length, suddenly bis face beamed as a bright thought struck him, and he gave a- receipt for 305., which was perfectly legal without a stamp, "in full settlement of all claims to date." He went homo happy in the thought o£ having saved his coppers, and "done" the com** missioner."

By tho Coromandel Mail wo learn that the good return from the Specimen Hill claim at Wyndyardton iscausing groat excitement, and a rush has set in that locality. Several claims were pegged out last week on the supposed line of the gold, which the knowing say is bearing towards tho old Kapanga workings. The ownerß of the allotments are being eagerly sought after, that terms may be made with them for the working of tho claims.

Some pooplo who know tho locality well, among them Mr Brighton who has bo long resided in the neighbourhood as to hare become well acquainted with the formation of the district, are sanguine that the whole of the largo basin at tbo head of the Domain contains water sufficient to supply the whole of Auckland for many years to oome, and that by sinking to a small depth, laying down proper drain pipes, and deepening tho reservoirs and the channel leading into thorn a few feet only, as much as required can bo procured at a small cost. Some experiments are now boing made, and Mr. Brighton ha» sunk several small shafts to from two to four feot below the oiiiting canal, and has invariably found abundance of water of the best description, the bottom being a kind of pipe»clay.

The first swimming match of the season will take place on Saturdpy, 26th instant, at tho Auckland Salt Water Baths.