THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1872.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 631, 19 January 1872, Page 2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1872.

We believe ifc -will afford general satisfaction to find that there is no indifferenco on the part of our civic authorities to the urgent cry for water. We have made enquiry respecting the steps that have been taken in connection ■with the subject, and find that whatever may be the result no dilatoriness is likely to characterise the efforts made. On the arrival of Mr. Carruthers, the Mayor placed himself in communication with the Chief Engineer with reference to a water supply for the city, and the duty of examining and reporting was at once undertaken by Mr. Carruthers, the Minister of Works approving. But as the people of the city are more interested at the present moment in something more immediate in its results that the report on the best permanent supply, the Mayor has placed himself in communication with Mr. Seicombe, respecting the proposal for drawing water from the brewery wells. At the same time MrPhilips has been in communication with the Superintendent, and instructions have been given by Hi 3 Honor for the Binking of a tube well in the Domain near the reservoirs, for the purpose of sounding for water. This work has been proceeding since yesterday, and it is intended that if water is found, the "Black Elephant" will be brought from his stable and made to do something for his keep. As there is every likelihood of a spring or subterranean reservoir being tapped by tho tube well, it is expected that a supply not much inferior to that at the brewery may be found in close proximity to the reservoir. From what we have learned we believe that every eflort that may be most likely to be attended with success, is being put forth in order to remove the inconvenience occasioned in the city by the drought.

In another column will bo found a letter from North Shore, signed " Decency," com. plaining of the annoyance given to ladios by gentlemen bathing on the open shore. We should be very unwilling to say a word in defence of anything savoring of indecency, and believe that gentlemen should take every reasonable care to avoid giving annoyance to the sensitive feelings of tho gentler sex. But with all due respect to the ladies, and we have great reverence for them, we venture to say that ladies are sometimes a very great nuisance ; and tho manner in which our foroshore is in many casfl3 tabooed to bathers, because forsooth, our fair sisters might be offended, is getting a little bit intolerable ; and if the ladies do not desire to provoke us to rebellion, and stand up for " man's rights," we think they had better be a little bit milder in their interference with our comfort. The ladies have not the slightest hesitation in going themselves into the briney wave at any time and any place, never once giving a thought to our sensitive feelings. They cannot form the slightest idea of what our feelings are when we turn away from our pleasant promenade, as they disport themselves like mermaids in their native element. But then we suppressooru r emotion, and don't get a champion to write for ub to the papers. This weather is sufficient to impel mankind to rush frantically into tho waves. But then in this place he can't bathe, and in that place the police will be set on him; and in the other place tho newspapers will get him; and unless ho pays for a dip in the public baths, to which he may have to walk so far that all the benefit is lost, all the enjoyment of our seashores is denied him. We hold that the salt water should be as free as the air we breathe, and .that when the impulse is on a man he should be allowed to bathe when and where he pleases. If there was only originality or independence of thought sufficient among our authorities to compel the wearing of drawers in bathing, the difficulty could be got over. A Frenchman in his calegons bathes freely among the ladies j and the population, in becoming and appropriate bathing apparel, mingle as freely in the waves as they do in the public streets. Of course we are shocked at such an idea ; we are so very proper. But we do not hesitate to say that if the authcrities would only insist that gentlemen bathers should invariably clothe themselves in "calegons," the whole foreshores on both sides of the water should be thrown freely open to bathers, and any ladies who objected to the arrangements might jußt go into their houses, and shut their doors and windows, so that they might not be offended. It makes one savage this hot weather to think that any one should interfere with bathing; and we feel angry, even with the ladies. There now.

Mr. Ellis, of the Seafield Road, says that he is prepared to sink to the ordinary depth of a well in little more than an hour, and to place a pump over the shaft, at little more than the present price of a 400 gallon tank. Ho will have one in action to»morrow, and invites inspection. If successful his invention deserves credit, and will be a great boon.

A meeting of the parishioners of St. Mat* thew's will be held this evening at half»past seven o'clock in the schoolroom adjoining the Church, for the purpose of receiving the re. port of the vestry for the past twelve months and to elect vestrymen and churchwardens for the ensuing year. There should be a full at* tendance.

We are very glad to see that the advice •which we gave with reference to the institution of water carts has been taken up. It is really astonishing that this matter has been neglected so long, Mr. Craig, whose advertisement will be found in another column, has made arrangements to get supplies from Mr. Sutton'e wells in Eden Crescent which are known to yield the most delicious water in the city, and he proposes to draw it in tanks to citizens, at a cost that is really exceedingly moderate. We look on Mr Craig as a deserving man. He has been the first to come forward and make the experiment of supplying a pressing want. If he succeeds, there will be plenty to follow in hi 3 wake, and try to obtain a share of his trade. This ia specially characteristic of Auckland. But we do not hesitate to say that bo long as Mr. Craig is able to supply his wares at a reasonable cost, the people of the city should make it a point of duty to employ him in preference to any other. Mr. Craig's office is in Fort street.

Tho following are the magistrates on the rota to occupy the Bench on 22nd and 23rd January : —22nd mat., Messrs. Gillies and Mitford j 23rd inst., Petty Sessions, Messrs. Joseph May (chairman), Owen, Pierce, Porter, Kitohie, A. X Taylor, Turfcon, and Wood.

Tho Auckland Artillery Volunteer Band will perform in the Albert. Barracks to-morrow (Saturday) from 4 till 6 o'clock. Programme : 1. Quick March, le Polonais, Brepsant; 2. Grand March, la Boseo, E. Migette j 3. Quadrilles, Echoes of the Opera, Pearson; 4. Selections, Maritana, Vincent Wallace ; 5. Waltz, la Voltige, Brepsant; 6. Scottischei Bibetti, Weiproght; 7. Galop, Neufohatel, Messon. God save the Queen.

" Noun Verrons " has not furnished uh with his name in confidence, and by our invariable rule his letter cannot be inserted. To correspondents generally, we desire to Btate that having a large number of their communications on hand, wo shall give insertion to them as space will allow.

A man namod Thomas Vernon has been drowned in the Waikato River at Cambridge. He wa3 the driver of Quick's coach between Ngaruawahia and Cambridge, and waa taking his horse down to the river to water, when ha went out of his depth, having got upon Kome quicksand, and, after floundering about for some time, both man and horsa were drowned. The body was afterwards recovered. A deputation, consisting of Mr. C. O'Neil, M.1L8., and Mr. Warmoll, J.P., waited on tho Publio Works Minister (Mr. Ormond), yesterday, in reference to the water supply at the Thames. Mr. Ormond intimated that he would proceed to Grahamstown to-day accompanied by Mr. Carruthers to see what steps could be taken to inorease the water supply. These gentlemen left by the Golden Crown this morning, in accordance with Mr. Ormond's promise. The following are the names of the civil cases for trial at the Supreme Court, with those of tho solicitors :—Daniel and another v. Cartwright; for plaintiffs, Weston ; defend* ant, Sheehan. Kelly v. Brown j plaintiff, Dignan 5 defendant, Hughes. Creagh v. Maungaroa j plaintiff, Richmond; defendant, Macdonald. Hull v. Bayson; plaintiff, Richmond j defendant, Tyler. Williams y. Messenger. Special jury—Gow and another v. Frazer; plaintiff, Rees; defendant, Weston. The civil cause list will in oil probability commence on Monday next.

In the tobacconist's shop next door to the Theatre Boyal is now to be seen a marvellous specimen of what can be done with pen and ink by a skilful artist. It is a drawing representing a piece of thorough English scenery ; and in clearnese of detail, aDd fineness of delineation, rivals the best specimens of steel engravings. Judgment upon D. G. Smale and A. G. Power, convicted last sessions of forgery, has been deferred until the July sessions of the Supreme Court.

We beg to call the attention of the Auckland tradesmen and others to the Saturday's weekly sale of produce, groceries, furniture, and sundries, by Mr. Geo. Sibbin, to be held from 11 to 12 o'clock. Goods must be removed before 2 o'clock, the closing time on Saturday.—t Advt.]

We observe by advertisements that Mr. E. W. Dyson, so long and favourably known in the drapery trade, is about to relinquish the business, and consequent upon the expiration of his lease will, for the remainder of term, hold an unusually cheap sale, and solicits an early call to secure bargains : [Advs.]

To any one who will show a larger stock of Auck-land-made Quartz, Greenstone, and Mosaic Jewellery, within six months, I will give a rewardof fifty pounds. I also challenge New Zealand for style and beauty. Two thousand pound worth of Colonial-made Jewellery always on hand.—F. H. Lewisson, Qneen street. — [Advt.]