The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1873.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1206, 5 December 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1873.

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

By pressure on our columns avc are obliged to hold over till to-morrow a letter signed '■Veritas odium parit," having reference to the action of our local contemporaries in relation to the Improvement Commission, also a leading article on the same subject.

We observe that our contemporary the Cross has corrected its geography this morning, and re-fixed* the position of Sing Sin» and San Francisco. Wo believe our com temporary consulted "one of Mr Moss's fourth form boys" on tho subject.

We have received two letters Avith reference to our yesterday's paragraph on " He's come! ! He's come !!" The one is from Mr C. T. King—the other from Mr Edward Ledger, brother to Mr Frederick Ledger. They go into details in the domestic arrangements of Mr Frederick Ledger, and Aye might possibly publish them if intending to bolt from the country, types and all. As avc have not this intention at present, and desire neither a residence of two years at Mount Eden, nor yet to make our readers suppose we had gone mad, we beg ourcorrespondents toexcuseus. We really can do much, very much, but thia would be too much. Wc merely felt repugnance to our columnajbeing madejtho vehicle, Avithout our knowledge of the circumstances, for one neighbour having it out Avith another ; but really we shall feel very much obliged if the 'Ledgers and the Kings will settle their little differences in Cat-street. The weather there seems a little too hot for us. .

We understand that an information has been laid against the doctor of the ship Chile, for assaulting and ill-treating one of the women passengers. Mr Brookfield has taken up the case on behalf of the Crown. The matter will come on for hearing at the Police Court to-morrow morning.

We- have received a letter from Mr H. Fuller, secretary to the Licensed Victuallers Association, repudiating having anything whatever to do with the persons who yester day attempted to shake over our heads the rod of the Licensed Victuallers. Wc aro glad of this, for although we may differ in our views at times Avith tho members of _ that Association our mutual relations have always been those of courteay and respect. As we suspected and stated, so avc find, that these tAvo persons Avere " self-elected,", and speaking " without authority," when they shook the flag of the Association in our face. Mr Fuller speaks of our bounceable visitors as "the very same persons descended from manhood who caused the lirst letter to appear respecting Dedwood. Nothing, sir, that you could possibly think of in the shape of dirty meanness but that these people would be guilty of in order to throw odium on the publicans. No member of _ the L.V. A. would have done as you say without first consulting the committee. That has not been done,-so lam sure it must have emanated from the .source mentioned." It is announced by advertisement that the " Hairless Horse " will only be on exhibition two days more, as the proprietors purpose visiting the Thames. Opportunity should be taken by those who have not seen this curiosity. The letter of Mr Lamb, to which as being held over till to day Aye referred yesterday, has been in type, but is withdrawn by request of Mr Lamb. By papers from Fiji, per schooner Herald, we learn that Capt. Simpson, of the Blanche, has forbidden the promulgation of the new Constitution for the present. A large number of rebels have been sentenced to various terms of imprisonment for fighting against the Government. The missionary meeting this year amongst the natives of Bau, has been most successful, exceeding all expectations. The attendance was large, dresses and mekes good, and the donations most liberal. There were between eighty and ninety pounds collected, a sum considerably in advance of the subscriptions of lastyear. This must be the more pleasing to the missionaries, as thegifts are entirely voluntary. A large party of police and soldiers Avent into the Lovoni hills for the purpose of seeking refugee foreign labourers who had taken refuge there. The party was under command of Mr Blackmore (adjutant), and Mr Senior (sub-inspector). Three refugees were found, one of whom was shot dead, the other two escaping. It is is stated that • one of his Majesty's Ministers will proceed under instructions, vifi Honolulu to Washington, and most likely on to Europe for the purpose of pressing upon the great Powors the claims of this kingdom to the fullest / recognition. }

A meeting of the Pioneer Lodge of Good j Templars was held hist, evening. There was | a numerous attendance, and fifty-four new members were admitted. The Good Templars are evidently ginning ground rapidly, and promise to be a power in the State here as elsewhere.

A very extensive sale of confiscated lands in. Tauranga and Waikato is advertised to take place on the 14th January next, at noon. ]

In reply to a deputation from the Auckland Temperance Society, asking the Superintendent's advice and assistance in reference to the sale of the Temperance Hall site to the Auckland Improvement Commissioners, His Honor says that: "In the Act of the Provincial Legislature authorising the sale it may be provided in what manner and subject to what terms and conditions (if any), and whether in one or more blocks the said piece of land shall be sold, and whether by public auction or private contract." The Act under which the Improvement Commissioners are acting confers upon them certain powers and authority, but it does not interfere with the Act. However, lie would, consult with a legal gentleman on the subject before the preparation of a bill, to be submitted to the Council. The deputation having thanked His Honor for the information afforded them, withdrew.

The meeting of the Early Closing Association last night, at the Young Men's rooms, was well "attended. Mr Stanwix in the chair. Letters were read from the Draper's Association, Christchurch, the Auckland Pioneer Lodge of Good Templars, and the Independant Order of Rechabites. The first was a request for a copy of rules and regulations, which the secretary was requested to send. The second enclosed the following resolution :—" That this lodge of Good Templars, sympathising with the early closing movement as tending greatly to promote the best interests of the young men, and all others engaged in business, sincerely trusts that the present attempt to shorten the hours of business will not bo frustrated by the obstructive conduct of any individuals, and earnestly asks of the general public not to make any purchases after six o'clock p.m." The third contained an expression of sympathy with the movement. Cordial votes of thanks were unanimously passed, to be recorded in the minutes. The conduct of Mr Friend, in relation to the association, was then discussed, that gentleman having expressed liis determination to keep open till a late hour, and take a resolute stand in opposition to the reasonable requirements of the association. On the motion of Mr Davis, seconded by Mr l.Manto, the following resolution was carried :—■ "That this meeting considers the recent conduct of Mr Friend, jun., in endeavouring to extend the lafco-hour system, inconsistent, and that his name be struck od' the committee." A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

Mr D. Page, president of the Licensed Victuallers' Society, lias called at our ollicc to-day, and states that lie has been accused of having instigated a paragraph which appeared in our Wednesday's issue relatin" to the ball. We may state that neither Mr Page nor any other licensed victualler had anything whatever to do with the paragraph in question.

The Remuora District Board have applied to his Honor the Superintondant to hand over to them for a term of years the Mount Hobson Itescn-e, which at present was a nursery of weeds, briars, and thistles. If handed over to the board for live years they would clear it of weeds, and improve it. His Honor requested the applicants to reduce their requirements to writing, when he could further consider the matter, and see what could bo done to assist them.

At a meeting of the City Council and Harbour Board Committees yesterday the city boundaries avci-c fixed) and the continuation of Drake-street agreed upon.

A meeting of the Licensed Victuallers' Association Committo will bo held on Tuesday next to settle accounts in connection with the recent ball.

Tho Presbyterian Assembly will meet this evening at seven o'clock at St. Andrew's Church, when a sermon will be preached by the Rev. J. Elmslie, M.A. After the administration of the sacrament the new moderator will deliver an address. The Assembly will resume aitting on Monday at the Provincial Council Chambers.

Mr Jas. Plunkct gave some select readings from various leading authors last evening, at St. Patrick's Hall. The attendance was not very large owing probably to several of counter attractions elsewhere at the same time.

The museum of curiosities at the City Hall Avas again well attended last evening despite attractions elsewhere. Mrs and Miss Gourlay enlivened the entertainment by their rendering of several choice songs, that of "Little Noll" eliciting an encore. We understand that additional novelties are to be added to the exhibition next week, when Mr Gourlay will appear.

A novel seizure is reported from Hamilton. On Monday last the books and assessment rolls of the Kerikeriroa Highway Board, Hamilton East, were seized by Constable Haddock at the suit of Mr Hunt for costs awarded to him in an appeal case against their rating, and are to be sold by auction on the public square, Hamilton West, on Saturday, the 6th, at noon. The Rev. Mr Patterson, of Wellington, will be the preacher in the Presbyterian Church, Onehunga, on Sabbath first, the 7 th inst.