SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1872.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 638, 27 January 1872, Page 2

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1872.

We havo received another letter from "A Working Man" urging the men on strike to not yield on the question of the eight hours' dailj labour, and eulogising the Stae for our advocacy. We have received a contribution respecting the bowling out of a teacher, in his knowledge of classics. No public benefit would accrue from its publication. " Peaceful" censures the people for not having attended to the sinking and proper keeping of wells, in anticipation of droughts. The same correspondent sends us a second letter thanking us for directing attention to the larrikins that assemble at the junction of Queen and Wakefield street. "Enquirer" enquires when the decision will be given on the charges laid respecting the conduct of the Manukau Pilot Service. We cannot say ; but we cannot help remarking that there seems something strange in tbe delay respecting the close of this enquiry. A " Subscriber," " Willing Hands" and " X" have failed to comply with our rule, in not sending their names to us in confidence."

Another instance has occurred of the loose manner in which judicial business is conducted at Riverhead. This morning a man named Clark was charged with an offence, the particulars of which it is difficult to arrive at, as the charge appears first to have been entered down as "burglariously entering," &c, the premises of Mr. H. R. Sayce. This is altered to "breaking and entering," &c.j while at the last moment the prisoner is only charged with "larceny of 5 gallons beer and 1 cwt. gum." The prosecutor in his function of magistrate issues his own warrant, wherein it is set forth that information had been laid before him, and substantiated on oath, that the offence was believed to have been committed by one "Harry," whereas it appears that no information had been laid whatever. The warrant further says that the man had failed to appear in obedience to a summon?, which is simply untrue. The war. rant was entrusted to a special constable, who forthwith in spite of all its informalities, proceeded to apprehend the said " Harry" and bring him to Auckland. The prinoipal wit* nes's is also apprehended on a charge of drunkenness, probably a safer way of insuring his attendance than by issuing a subpsona. When will such grave matters be conducted iv a fair and business like manner at Riverhead.

A programme of the sports at Onehunga on Monday is published in our advertising columns. Amongst them will be observed a race '_ioe old women j the prize is to be a quarter chest of tea. Here is a chance for grandmother. The winner will be able to talk over " the cup that cheers but not inebriates'' with her neighbors and acquaintances as bow she won the prize.

Mr. Daniel Page, of the Criterion Hotel, has leased the right of admitting people to the end of the wharf on Regatta Day, and we have no doubt will exercise it judiciously. The price of admittance will be one shilling for adults, and sixpence for children.

It was generally supposed yesterday after-1 noon that the contractor for sinking the well in Barrack street had become convinced of the correctness of the old advice " let well alone,'' for after scratching the surface, the men mysteriously disappeared. This morning, however, about 10 o'clock, the attack on the ground was renewed in tho presence of an admiring circle of small boys, who watched the process of disembowelling the earth with intense interest.

Shutters are doubtless useful articles when once in their proper places ; but when used as battering rams and propelled violently from their hiding places, passers-by are occasionally liable to suffering. The square end of a board is considerably harder than the human tissues, and the inpingement of a mass of wood weighing some thirty or forty pounds, upon the living frame, is apt to cause inconvenienoe. We hope the hint will be taken.

The Diorama of the French and German War will be exhibited for the first time this evening, in the City Hall. Mr Lancelot Booth will accompany the views with a descriptive lecture on the events of those destructive series of conflicts. The business of the Circuit Court was finished yesterday evening, and the tedious caso of Gow and another v. Fraser concluded after four days' trial. The result of the investigation wa3 that the special jury returned a verdict for plaintiff, damages, £660 3s.

Wo hear that the original Auckland Ethiopian Troupe of Minstrels are about to make a re-appearance, having been strengthened by the accession of several gentlemen of welU known musical ability. The various crossing-places at the corners of the streets ire boing put into good repair. This was a work much needed, and will be found of great benefit when the wet weather sets in. A juryman on a coroner's inquest at Melbourne committed suicide during an adjournment, and the jurj had to sit on him at tho same time as on tho other death. The Auckland Rowing Club held a meeting last evening at the Thames Hotel. Tho meeting was adjourned until this evening. The principal's address to the pupils of the Auckland College has been postponed until Tuesday instead of Monday next. Full particulars of the al-fresco concert to take place to-night, will bo found in our advertising columns. We learn that Mr. H. Kohn, jeweller, has presented a pair of gold sculls to be competed for on Monday at the regatta. The Banks will close on Monday next, it being the anniversary of the colony. We observe by advertisements that Mr. R. 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 : [Advt.]

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. — [AIJVT.]