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Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1204, 2 December 1873, Page 2

The case of a Mrs Stanley is a very pitiable one, and we cannot refrain from bringing it under the notice of the public. Some two year 3 ago her husband was drowned in the Kaipara, leaving her with six helpless children and nothing to support them. A number of friends kindly interested themselves in her behalf, among them Mr John Lamb, of Riverhead, and a goodly sum of money was collected. Portion of this was handed to her, but the greater part was retaiued in the hands of Mr John Lamb, and all efforts to induce him to hand over the money to her have been unavailing. It appears- that without her approval, in fact contrary to her wishes, he purchased a house, having a heavy mo %,age on it for the balance of cost, and has insisted on her taking this as settlement of the account. The poor woman having been up till yesterday in receipt of Government rations, and seeing no means of meeting such obligations as would be necessitated by her taking this mortgage off Mr Lamb's hands, has resolutely declined, and, as we are informed, she was warned by -the Relieving Officer that

unless she accepted Mr Lamb's arrangements her rations would be stopped. Preferring, we presume, such .x contingency to burthening herself witii obligations which she saw no possibility of fulfilling, the pour woman still refused to submit to the terms, and on yesterday Mr Graham, the Relieving Officer, struck her and her helpless children oft' the receipt of Government assistance. Wo sincerely hope that this last feature in the case is susceptible of satisfactory explanation, as we do not believe Mr Graham to lie capable of a wilful unkindness. Witli reference to Mr Lamb's share in the transaction we simply lay it before the public for them to form their own judgment. Mr Lamb is one of those holy men of God with a diseased conscience with whom it is exceedingly difficult to deal. These will do things thab nobody else would do, and then when assailed for them they shelter themselves behind a great overgrown conscience, which, being completely ossified by the practice of conscientious acts, becomes as impenetrable as the nether millstone. For nine months Mrs Stanley herself,, and many friends who have taken an interest in her hard case, have used every means to induce Mr Lamb to render some account of the money and its disbursement. But no. His " conscience" in some way or another interposes, ai\d she must take over the mortgage oil'his hands. We cordially believe in Good Tcmplarisin ; but we verily believe that if wo could induce Mr Lamb to take a glass of grog it would dissolve the petrifaction which has evidently hardened in his bowels of compassion through over indulgence in unwholesome cold water; and would inspire him with more genial and kindly feelings towards this poor widow and her children. However, for the present, we have done our duty in bringing the matter under the public notice, promising to return to it, and to never rest until we see justice done to poor Mrs Stanley.

The banquet to the cricket and rille representatives will be carried out on a tirstclass scale. The Choral Hall has been selected for the affair, and the catering department lias been entrusted to Mr C. Burton, of Parnell, who will not, we may rest assured, leave anything undone that could at all contribute to the perfection of the cuisiue. A drag for the accommodation of the committee will leave Hardington'.s yards to-morrow morning at S o'clock, and will proceed to Onehunga for the purpose of receiving the cricketers on arrival and escorting them into town in triumph. The cricketers will probably arrive in Auckland at ten o'clock, when they will doubtless receive an ovation from the citizens.

Tho pour box at the Police Court was opened in the presence of tho Clerk of the Court and other persons, and the monthly subscription amounted to tho sum of £2 11 s 5(1.

A complimentary benefit will be given tomorrow evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre to Miss Vivian by the members of the Gatrick Ohib. We notice that " All that (Hitters is not Gold," Morton's celebrated two-act drama, will be played, with an interim, filled by the much-admired bone-aolo of Mr D. Clinton ; K.C.B. by Miss Vivian, the Highland Iling by Mr Stewart, and the double hornpipe by Mr Hooper and Miss Vivian. These performances are all admirable, and cannot fail in giving satisfaction and pleasure. The evening will be brought to a close by that lively farce, "Hoots at the Swan," which has retained its place on the stage for more than twenty years, and is not likely Boon to be cast aside. The programme is full and promising, and in tho hands of tho talented Garrickors must issue in results that will become sunny memories to tho lady for whose benefit the entertainment is specially designed.

We understand that arrangements have been made witli Captain Casey to run a steamer early to-morrow morning to Mahurangi, returning in the evening. This will enable Auckland voters for the district of Warkwortli to be at the poll with as little inconvenience as possible. Several supporters of Mr Palmer are expected from the Thames to-day. The contest between this gentleman and Mr Moat is therefore likely to be a close one.

The Wosleyau Missionary anniversary meeting will be held to-morrow (Wednesday) evening in the Pitt-streot Wesleyan Church. The chair will be taken by J. C. Mrth, Esq., at half-past seven o'clock. An interesting meeting is expected.

We notice that the authorities are making good use of the inmat«s of Mount Eden. Yesterday a gang of prisoners were brought from their terrestrial home and were employed in clearing away the weeds and high grass around the Supremo Court, a spot associated in their minds with unpleasant recollections.

A meeting of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday, at which Messrs Firth, Murdoch, Q. B. Owen, Burtt, and Dr Campbell were present. < A letter from the Secretary of the Domain Board was read, asking the society to put into thorough repair the cart road leading to the gardens. The president, Mr Firth, and Mr Gillies were appointed to inquire into the position of the society's tenure of their ground, | which at present does not appear to be wholly satisfactory, being merely that of tenants at will, who might be ejected upon very short notice. —His Honor the Superintendent forwarded for the use of the society fifty copies iof rthe Protection to Animals Act.—A letter was read from Mr Larkworthy, of London, announcing the shipment of thirty-nine red grouse. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Larkworthy and to Mr G. Perrier, who had taken charge of the birds during the voyage.—lt was resolved to ' register the society under the Protection to Animals Act.—The gift of two kangaroos from hia Excellency the Governor was announced.— The Secretary read an estimate of accounts for the ensuing year, from which it appeared that after payment of expenses there would be £300 in hand, and to appropriate £250. as follows : £15 for removal of the fish-house to a new site, and construction of a basin for the young fish ; £30 for purchase of trout ova and the expenses contingent thereon ; £2GO for the importation from England of the following birds : the titmouse, the long-tailed titmouse, the hedge-sparrow, three varieties of wagtail, the, golden plover, the nut-hatch, and the woodpecker. It was agreed, after some discussion, to carry out,these, suggestions and to forward instructions to England on the subject. An amendment of Mr. Burtt's, to let the matter stand over until next meeting, was negatived.. On Sunday last Mr John Smith, master' of the ..schooner Lcetrfcia, ,died suddenly of apoplexy at Mercury Bay. The deceased, who, had been in the colony for the past five years, was only twenty-five years of age. His remains were brought up to town for interment, and this afternoon a number of his; friends, by whom he was much respected, ' followed him to the grave. The members of the celebrated Lynch family have just concluded a successful tour through the Southern provinces, and are now on the way to this city in the Taranaki, which is expected in the Manukau in the course of to-morrow.

A cricket match between eleven of the Parnell Grammar-r.cr.ool and a Tke number from the Auckland Grammar-school was played on Saturday. The Aucklanders made a score in the thai; innings o;: 70, n.nd in the second 59 ; total, 135. Purnell, in the first innings, made 17, and in the second 32; total, 49. The victory was therefore to the Aucklanders, with 86 runs to spare.

The Returning Officer gives notice that the official declaration of the poll for City East will take place at the Mechanics Institute at noon on Thursday next, the 4th hist., and for the City West on the some day at two p.m. at the Young Men's Christian Association liooms, Wellesley-street.

The weather was not favourable last evening for the complimentary concert to Mr .Joseph Browne at the Choral Hall, hence many persons were prevented from enjoying :v vocal and instrumental treat of a very high order. We conscientiously nflirm that the concert last night by the Choral Society— which reflects so much credit upon this city —was one of the best to which we have had tho pleasure of listening for a considerable ! time. Tho concert consisted of selections from. Rossini's "Stabat Mater," Haydn's " Creation," and the highly musical " Memo Men of Sherwood Forest, or forest days in the olden time." The quartette and chorus of the tirst of "Stabat Matar" was rendered correctly and with much skill. The solo (tenor) " Cujus Amman " av:is well sung, by Mr Harding, who also appeared with several sublime passages of the Creation, such as " Now vanish before the holy beams," to great advantage. This amateur gentleman was sevei'al times worthily applauded in tho performance of his different airs. The musical interludes were lively and frequently very beautiful. Mr Ncwbury's line rendering of " ProPeccatis," from "Stabat Mater," and "In the beginning God created heaven and earth," and other equally poetical passages from the first book of the Pentateuch, were given in that gentleman's bohl and masterly style, and evidenced how much may be acquired, and what an altitude of perfection may be reached by studious votaries of the divine art. The beautiful air of " Infiammatus," the difficulties of which require great power and careful management of tho voice, was exquisitely performed by Mrs Mitchell. The parts this lady took in "Creation," especially the solo " The marvellous works," and in the trio "On Thee each living soul awaits," need no criticism." " The .1 leavens are telling " was Bung with (rue taste and feeling, and altogether the sacred selections were a complete success. The last part of the concert wan redolent of the music of the woods, full of seolean memories of one of the most classical and poetical of the forests of old England. The name of Sherwood forest instantly awakens thoughts of Robin Hood, Little John, and Maid Marian, and its green glades, and groves and rivulets were some sixty years ago the favorite haunts of the author " Cli'lde Harold, " and since that period the favourite resort of ■ a score of Nottingham poets. This chaste musical production is full of life and merriment, and seems to breathe of the dewy morn, the chase, and all the rural associations of the Held and landscape. The piece, moreover, contains all that can be known from tradition and history of bold "Ilobin," and forms a beautiful sylvan romance. If the first act wo have the chase with the morning call to tho merrie men ; then the fine solo and chorus ; then the hounds unkennelled, and in full cry ; answered by the echoes of the forest, the lyric nf'Little John, and the truly enchanting' air by Maid Marian, with flute obligato. Marian's song is highly creditable in a literary point of view ; what can bo more natural or more pleasing to a poetical ear than Marian's address to the linnet—

Sweet, pretty bird, o'er liill and dale, Thy heivenly warbling tells its tale. Thy music charms my listening eir, And wakes the echoes far and nonr. The second part leads to tlia trysting tree, the wedding of Robin Hood and Marian, the bacchanalian aongof Friar Tuck, and the in orris dance. We cannot pause longer to critici.se this excellent musical composition, and any attempt to criticise the separate performers would be out of place where all appeared to harmonise, and all, as far as we could judge, were fully prepared for their evening's task, which was executed with a perfectibility rarely exceeded, and which gave ample satisfaction to all present. Mr Browne conducted the concert with his wonted skill and ability, and the music, as every one present will admit, was eminently successful. We trust Mr Biownc will be induced to repeat the concert, for the benefit of those who were precluded by the inclemency of the night from being present last evening.

We are requested to state that Mr Shove was the seconder of Mr Shanaghan yesterday at the Newton nomiaation, and not the proposer of Mr McElwain.

We have been requested to state that the residents of Chapel-street were not unanimous in petitioning against Warnock Bros.' soap and candle manufactory, a contra petition bearing sixty signatures having be'en presented, while the petition against the works only.bore thirty signatures. '

| The Auckland Harmonic Society will hold its first concert this evening in the new Oddfellows' Hall, Lome-street, the proceeds of which will be divided between the Home for Destitute Children and the Ladies' Benevolent Society. We learn that the members have been most indefatigable at practice, and lalst night they were rehearsing until a late hour. This Society has been very successful, and includes in its roll of membership many of our leading amateur vocalists. Much interest is felt regarding the result of this first public effort.

The return match between Panmure and East Tamaki was played on Saturday last at Pakuranga.. The play throughout was good beyond all expectaton. The Panmure men gained the day—winning by ten wickets. The total scores -were East Tamaki, first innings, 27-; second innings, 36. Panmure, first innings, 48; second, 16, with no wicket down.

We paid a visit yesterday to that now celebrated, and i\jally interesting creature, the hairless horse. It is indeed a .well.made intelligent looking animal, about fifteen hands high, differing very little from other horses saving its one great peculiarity, being perfectly hairless—not even an eyelash, and with a skin as black as ebony. It is in a fine healthy condition, with a good appetite, and is evidently well cared for by his owners, and as he stands in the centre of the room in which he is exhibited he looks positively handsome. In spite of the rain yepterday he was interviewed by a large mimber of ladies and gentleman. The room chosen for the exhibition is in Queenstreet, below the Bank of New Zealand, and is central and convenient.

The official declaration of the poll for Kaipara by Mr Andrew Bonar, Returning Officer of tho district, gives Mr Lloyd a majority of thirty-nine over Major Stoney. There was only one instance, we hear, in this election of a man voting twice. The votes were of course rejected.

Tha meeting of the New Zealand Agricultural Society is being held at the Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu, aa we go to press. •

The schooner Maggie Robertson, 16 tons, j David Skinner, master, has been lost in ' running from Grahamstown to Waiheke. • The master reported the matter at the Customs to-day. He was abreast of Cham- . berlin's JJTsland when the vessel struck I a piece of baulk timber on the port bow. He at once put her round, but did not think any damage - had been done by the collision until he found water making rapidly. The pump and baling were insufficient to keep down the flow, and he tried to get the vessel into a sandy cove in the centre of Chamberlain island. She however became unmanageable, and sunk j ustbefore she got to some rocks in about eight feet of water. The sailsand running gear wereatonee taken ashore. The master and mate, Alfred Lawrence, stayed by the vessel until Friday, when they went to Macintosh Island, and obtained the assistance) of Mr Porter, Finding nothing could be done without taking her round to the passage, an expense which the master would not incur, lie aold the wreck to Mr Porter for £5, with a promise of £12 if she did not break up.

There appears to be no falling off in the number of visitors pouring into the City Hall day by day to witness Gourlay's wellknown exhibition of works of art and curiosities of nature. This exhibition has increased in interest since the vocal and instrumental concert has been added to the other attractions of this deserving entertainment. The reduction of tho price of admission may also have given opportunities to numbers who were previously excluded.

We are glad to learn that a contract has been entered into between the postal authorities and Major Stoney for a mail service north from Woodsidc (Stokes' Point), beginning on the first of January. The service is to bo conducted by coach twice a week between Woodsidc (Stokes' Point) and Wade, mails leaving AuckTand at S a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the Wade at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Wednesday's mails will be carried on by horse from the Wade to Warkworth, arriving there the same night, thus giving a weekly mail service to Mahurangi and twice a week to tho Wade.