The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1873.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1191, 17 November 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1873.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For tlie future in the distance, And the good that we can do

Ihe impatience felt under direct taxation

is familiar to every one that has had his attention turned in the least degree to what are cfH e d the "burthens of the people." But the patience felt under indirect taxation

can be appreciated after taking a. little glimpse into statistics ; and we cannot withhold our wonder at the ease with which the " burthens of the people" can bo borne when carefully and adroitly adjusted on the shoulders. Through tho courtesy of a friend we have been furnished with a brief extract

:'rom the revenue returns bearing on the consumption of spirits and tobacco in the province of Auckband during the quarter ended on the ?>oth of September last, and we cannot resist the temptation to take this abstract and therewith point a moral and adorn a tale. It appears that during the last financial quarter of a year there was duty paid in the province on 29,:*>97 gallons of spirits, or at the rate of 117,588 gallons per annum. There are in the province, it is estimated, 14,000 households, which have therefore requiced for each in the year say S\ gallons of spirits. On the total quantity for the quarter there has been paid in duty £16,191, being at the rate of £G4,7G4 for the year; which for the 14,000 households would give a return of £4 12s Gd per household paid in duty annually for ardent spirits. The retail cost to the consumer of the quantity above stated cannot be less than £129,0f 1, there being thus paid by each household in the province an average of £9 8s Gd per annum for ardent spirits. Again there arc supposed to be in the province about 32,000 persons, male and female, Jabove the age of 21 years. This allows for each adult a consumption of 3§ gallons per annum, costing them upwards of four pounds, whereof two pounds are duty paid annually by each adult for ardent

spirits. Then we take a glance at tobacco in its various form. Reckoning by the same quarter we find that there is an annual consumption of tobacco in the province of 20.'.,5041b5, on which the duty is £25,G85, and of which the cost to the consumers is £41,376. There is an annual duty paid in tho province on. cigars and snuff of £2,890, and of these articles the cost to consumers in the province is annually £G, 924, making a total payment for tobacco in its various forms of £48,300. Each therefore of our 14,000 households pays annually for tobacco an average of £3 9s' per annum, whereof about £2 are duty. So that on the average each household in the province pays for the enjoyment of^grog and tobacco a household tax of £6 12s Gd, or a total cost of £12 17s Gd per family. Now here are a few nuts to crack both for the Good Templars and the opponents of the Education rate. To the former it is quite needless for us to say a word, but we cannot help admitting that ?n view of such a state of things we ought to pardon them if they are a. little w."!d and intern-

perate in their language at times. To the latter we would say look on this, and weep. We do not defend the distribution of the tax among the people. We do not say that it is right that it should be alike to rich and poor. We do not say that one pound is not too much for a poor man to pay as his contilbution for the education of all the children of the province, his own included. But when we know—for our eyes tell us —that according to our social usages there is as much grog drunk and as much tobacco smoked in Auckland by the poor as by the rich, and often the most by the poorest ; and when we see that on an average for these two luxuries every household pays a household tax of £G 12s Gd per annum—and pays it- without a grumble—we feel it difficult to become very enthusiastic in declaring that one pound per annum for the support of education is a very galling, burthen. Be it understood we do not defend it. We say better far if it is made ten shillings, or even five shillings to those of limited means; but surely, in the sight of honest men a one-pound tax for education does not seem exorbitant by tho side of a £6 12 Gd tax paid to the Goverment for tobacco and grog. For years and years wo have boon paying £4 12s Gd household tax for the grog we swallowed, and £2 household tax for the tobacco we smoked, and we havo never heard a growl. Now we are asked to pay £1 houso-

j hold tax lor our children's education, and I what a hubbub and uproar ': "Which is best for us our grog and tobacoo, or our ehildro?i's education . \'\ hieh will uonduco mosb to our own happiness, aud the happiness ot our children? guzzling whiskey, or training our offspring ? making chimneys of our mouths, and dust holes of our noses, or preparing our rising generation for prosperity and honor in the race of life ? Yet, for enjoyment of the one, wo cheerfully pay tlie Government four pounds twelve and sixpence, and two pounds; for the other, when asked to pay a pound, we get sulky, and sullenly button-up our pockets. We do not defend the equal Education rate of a pound per household ; but in tho sight of heaven and earth it can very favorably compare with the burthen » laid upon our shoulders by alcohol and I nicotine.

On our fourth page will ho found the now boundaries of various provincial electoral districts as prescribed by the Representation Act, 1872, Some weeks ago a trading enterprise was slatted in Auckland, its object being to lit out a vessel with a suitable cargo, to fake her to some of tho lets frequented islands of the South Pacific and trade there in pearl, tortoiseshell, and other valuable articles with tho natives. The project had the promised suppoifc of one or two of our lcacHn" merchants, who however sub-s-quently backed out of the undertaking, which lay in abeyance for some time. L?st week the matter was aga**n taken up by some of the smaller tradesmen of Quo-ill-street. A very suitable ves.se., " the Lunalilo," lately from the Sandwich Islrnrls, has been purchased for about ;EBCO, and a cargo of nearly the same value is about to be put on board, i.ftor due examination pud survey, preparatoiy to insurance, the " Luualilo" will be put lo sea, and embarked on what promise., to be a lucrative expedition, and the probable forerunner of many similar undertakings. It has been often pointed out, but the statement will perhaps bear repetition, that Auckland ought to have the lead ill this South Sea Island trade which hr'< been much neglected. Attention however is now being turned again in this direction, and should the Lunalilo's voyage prove a successful one afresh stimulus will bo given to what ought to bo a very important brruch of Auckland trade and commerce

There was a very good aiubenco at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Saturday evening to witness tho fine dramatic performance of " Sixtcc" string Jack," the delight of the juvenile world, and which was received with eoatacy. Tho entertainment concluded with the " Mariner's Dream,': and altogether a capital treat was enjoyed. The lessees, Messrs G. W. Collier and Company, are resolved that no effort shaU he wanting on their part to render the d-.-ma acceptable to the people. They have therefore appealed to every variety of taste —from the works of Shak- speare to those of the unknown author of the play introduced on Saturday evening hst. We observe that Mrs McGowan and Mits Lizzie Buschc wl'l take their joint benefit [next Friday, under the immediate patronage of His Honor the Superintendent, His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Willianuon, Dargavillo, and Lusk, and other of the leading spirits of Auckland. We trust the tho weather will be propitious for the occasion, and the house crowded. The pieces selected for the evening arts full of life and calculated to remove little natural impediments and give ease to gouty limbs. First will be presented the fine and very successful comic drama "Milky White," which had an immense iuii at the principal theatres of London, Dublin, New York and Boston. This dramatic sketch port ray's " a daughter's early love," which unfortunately alway draws tears from the susceptible of listeners. Mr McGowan represents "Daniel White ;"Mr Collier, "DlckDuygs;" MrClinton, "Archie Good;" Mrs McGowan, "Mrs Saddrip;" and Miss Bushe " Dear Annie White." The Whites are represented as cow-keepers, makers of butter, and retailers of milk aud eggs ; the purity of Daniel's character, the genuineness of his milk, and as he never committed a breach of the by-laws he obtained the sobriquet of "Milky White." The scene exhibits White's niral cottage and dairy, and the landscape with his cows in the distance. This will be followed by a " musical melange, " and the amusing comedietta so much admired by the late Emperor Napoleon, entiled " The Rifle Brigade." Several songs wPI bo sung by members of the company in the course of the evening, namely, " E",rly Love," "Goodbye, Sweetheart," aud " Riflemen form." On Wednesday evening Mr J. Hesford w.'H take his benefit, to which we will refer tomorrow.

We notice that at the Lincoln Agricultural Show, Canterbury, the first pi ize for the best long-wool led ram was won by Mr W. Lawry with a Leicester ram, bred bj^ Mr A. McLean of Auckland, shorn December, 1572. The second piizc for Leicester rams w.-"i won by Mr La'vwy with an Auckland ram, also from the flocks of Mr McLean.

Tho City Hall exhibition was very fairly attended on Saturday, and the visitors evinced much interest in the cuiiositics. In the evening tho interest was enhanced considerably by the delightful singing of Mis and Miss Gourlay with musical accompaniments. Mr Gourlay states that this week will be the last of the exhibition in Auckland in order that he may meet his arrangements in Wellington. We would advise all those persons who have not seen this remarkable museum of art and nature to take an early opportunity of doing so ere it is too late.

A social gather.'ng of the residents in the neighbourhood of Mount Albeii; will take place on Thursday, November 27th, in aid of St. Luke's Church, in the beautiful domain of A. K. Taylor, Esq. Tea at six o'clock, tobe followed by sports and amusements.

An emergency meeting of the Lodge St. Andrew will be held this cveniug at halfpast seven o'clock for the dispatch of important business.

The regular monthly meeting of the Lodge Waitemata, No. GB9, E.C., will bo held this evening at the Masonic hotel, at half-past seven. The hon. secretary of one of the most beneficent of city institutions, the Auckland Dispensary, announces by ■ advertisement that tho collectors wait on subscribers and friends of the Institution during the present month for their annual subscriptions and donations, and he earnestly solicits liberal support to a cause wdiich is of such good to the humbler classes of society. The oularged and newly-decorated drapery establishment of Mr B. Cass, known as Cheapsido house, presented a gay and animated appearance on Saturday evening with its brilliant lights and fashionable display of summer goods. The house, in its present condition, is certainly a great improvement to the East Wollesby-streotcorner of Upper Queen-street.

The outward Suez mails will be made up at the Post-office. Auckland, on Friday next, and a supplementary mail subsequently if any opportunity offers The ou Sward steamer leaves Melbourne on December 5. Presuming therefore th.-..!. no learner Leaves here at a time suitable for conveyhig a supplementary mail the Auckland letters will be clear fortnight in. reaching Melbourne. This is postal-despatch with a vengeance. Probably, however, thy Ladybird, which leaves the Manukau on Monday next will be in time to convey supplementary mails to catch the Albion . on' her way round to Hokitika, from which port she takes her final departure for Melbourne. Tlie bulk of the New Zealand mails will be conveyed by the s.s. Tararua via the Bluff, that steamer being now due at Hokitika.

The benefit of adveitising, especially in the Stak, which reaches the hands of nearly everyone in the city, is illustrated, by the prompt reply to an advertisement that appeared in our Saturday evening's issue, offering £2 for a £10 note'lost. Within an hour and a half from the time of publication the note was delivered at our office, and tho finder received his reward. An honest lal ouier who found a purse containing a sum of money advei !,ises through our columns to-mght, and we hope to see as prompt a response as that which followed the advertisement on Saturday.

At the School Teachers' Association on Saturday Mr Theore", Professor of Modern Languages, and a member of the Swedish University of Upsall, read a very exceHent essay on " Education in ' Sweden," which will shortly appear for circulation among the schoo1 masters of this province. The paper was carefully written, and received with thanks by those present. The llev. Dr Kidd. the president, who takes great interest in the Association, gave notice that at the nexj monthly meeting Mr VVortbington, master of Auckland City East School, would open a discussion on the question "How to obtain greater regularity and punctuality of attendance, among the pupils of our common schools." Mr Martin's object lesson, tho second of the series, was well received. Mr Martin's brief but pithyprefatory remarks are always excellent and to the point, and arc worthy of a pei.nanent shape. "Teach children," remarked this teacher, "to use; their own judgment, and trust to the dictates of their own common sense;'help them lo ehoos.e the right aud hate the wrong; to lovo ttuth for its own sake, and to despise all that is false an.l mean. In shoi o, set before your scholars by your ownjiroccpts and active oxa-nple the highest standard of being.

Mr W. K. Ball was elected on Thursday last, without opposition, member for Mongonni in the Provincial Council. Mr Maxwell, the late member, who was expected to have been returned, did not come forward.

Mr R. Cunningham's tender for the extension of the Tararu tramway to the Ohiho crook has been accepted at £-iS:~>.

The Thames Star states that effort*! aye being made to establish a Bushman's Benefit Society, an institution capable of ell'ecting an immense amount of good.

The allotment of shares in the National Insurance Company seems to have given as little satisfaction iv Dunedin as in Auckland if we may judge from the following advertisement which appeared in one of the Dunedin journals:—"A meeting of the provisional directors of the 'National Grab-em, Bone, Roller Company ' will be held at the 'Tabernacle,' Tuesday, November 4, at 7 p.m., for the allotment of ohares. No 'Widders' or Dumuv'snced apply, as the 29 provisional directors will not vote themselves more shares than they can sell for .CI premium.—Tammany I.mc, Sole Manager

The nomination for the return of two members of the Provincial Counci1 for the district of Eden took place to-day. Messu Bovcridgo and Buckb-ud were the only gentlemen proposed, a-id wero declared duly elected.

Messrs Samuel Cochrane and Son sold at their Land Matt, th;s day, a house and six acres ground at Remuera, for the sum of LISO.