The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News. WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 10, 1873.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1202, 10 December 1873, Page 2

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

WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 10, 1873.

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

It afforts us great satisfaction to learn tkat the legal proceedings arising out of the late Pakuranga election have come to an end, and that Mr J. Wallace and Mr H. S. Andrews are smoking the calumet of peace. As will be seen from another column Mr Andrews has made the amende Jionorahle, and we are confident it will be accepted as frankly and asunresenredlyasithasbeenmade. These election excitements are bothering at the time, but they do no harm if only settlers who have so warmly evinced their interest in the public weal will sink their differences in this fashion and let by-gones be by-gones. We are also glad to say that we have not been under the necessity of craving indulgence from the Good Templars. The "big drunk " has not taken place, some of the parties, to their credit be it;recorded, being imbibers only of " aqua pura." So all is well that ends well; and we do sincerely trust that nothing will again occur to disturb the genial good fellowship that is known to exist among the gentlemen residing in the district of which Otahuhu is the capital city.

We have very great pleasure in publishing the following communication. We admit that we were under the impression alluded to, and we cordially accept Mr Gillies' assurance that he was neither the writer nor inspirer of the articles in question :— "Auckland, 9th December, 1873.—Sir,—I have been informed that the allusions contained in your article of Monday last to ' the inspiration and the pen that have given birth to the recent articles in the Herald attacking the Improvement Commissioners,' a pen which 'has been set in motion because of the opposition which has been given to the laying off a road intended to benefit merely private interests ;' ' a road attempted to be smuggled in on the south ' aide of the Grammar School,reserve,' were intended to apply to me. If such was your intention I will thank you to state it plainly, so that I may have an opportunity oi proving to you how grossly you have been misinformed as to facts. If such was not your intention I shall feel obliged by your doing me the justice of saying so.—l am, yours, &c, Thomas B; Gillies. To the Editor of the Evening Star. . . . i .

It may be noted as a remarkable occurrence that there was a clean charge-sheet at the Police Court this^ morning. Mr Beckham took his seat at the usual hour, and* the Clerk ordered tlie constable to call the first case. * The sheet was then held up with the significant "nil" written legibly upon it. The Resident Magistrate expressed his gratification at this, and considered the happy change must be ascribed to the influence of Good Templarism. In our police report of Thursday last, in the case of Matilda Jones, alias Kelly, our reporter unintentionally gave the name of Braekenbury instead of Brackenridge as the gentleman who had interested;himself in favor of the young ■woman. We have to apologise to Messrs Braekenbury and Brackenridge for the mistake,

We have no objection to making public the fact that Mr. T. B. Hannaford is a Good Templar. On the contrary, it is exceedingly gratifying to ourselves, as it must also be to Mr. Hannaford's friends, to know that he has forsaken his crooked ways ; but the announcement, having once been made, for pity sake let it alone for a while, and we shall have no objection—say at the end of three months— to afford space for the information that Mr. T. B. Hannaford is still a Good Templar. We have, however, received no less than four letters from Mr. Hannaford developing the fact that his presence now adds dignity to the gatherings of the distinguished order. Wo hava admitted three of these, but finding it necessary to draw a line somewhere, fixed it at the fourth, a letter making a bitter personal attack on Mr John Sceats, 'of the British Hotel. Mr Hannaford has, it would appear, made a fool of himself by sending a letter to Mr Sceats, which the latter posted outside his door. On awaking to a sense of his position he addressed his manifold talents to the preparation of a vindication. No doubt it is of very great importance to Mr Hannaford to make some explanation, although scarcely of equal interest to the public, and as we have clone him so many good turns we would suggest that he should do us one by publishing his letter through the medium of our advertising columns. We have to-day received the following letter from Mr Hannaford with reference to the excluded effusion :—" Sir,—ln your Saturday's impression you gave a prominent position to to a letter I was compelled through Mr Madden to forward John Sceats, holding me up as a grinning post for all your readers, and if it is any satisfaction for you to know it most successful have you been in so doing. I wrote you a letter late on Saturday night explaining the provocation I had received, which caused that letter's transmission. Now, sir, you have a very grandiloquent motto nightly topping your leading article. Have you carried it out in my case by suppressing my letter ? I know it is no use for me to call v.pon you at the office. I should bo met with an icy brow and the majesty of a Jupiter Tonans, and frowned out of your sanctum. I, however, contend that when any one is pinned insect wine in yourcolumns itisbut common justice to allow him room for replying, and so do away with the jeering laughter of the Auckland ninnyhammers. This rule of procedure seems to be by you (at all events in my case) utterly ignored. Such being the case I pity your constituents. Poor benightod Takapuna leans indeed upon a Reed.—l am, &c, T. B. Hanxafokd.

The monthly inspection of tho Artillery Volunteers took place last night at the Drillshed. The muster was fairly good. Captain Featon put tho men through a series of movements, which were executed in a veiy steady manner.

The Royal Exhibition and promenade concert in the City Hall continues to occupy a prominent position among our .city sights, and will, do ao for some time to come. Mr Gourlay oxhibited his favourite character to the life in the lively comedy of " The I'ights of Women," and Mrs and Miss Uourlay were equally successful in their impersonations.

It is a Bacred and eternally true adage, " cleanliness is next to godliness," and one that should practically be remembered by the people at this season of the year. Auckland is not short of the purifying element, and is not likely to be, even though the question of a water supply remains unsettled until the next generation. There are plenty of opportunities for sea bathing, and for those who prefer privacy to the open waters along the shores of the Waitemata there is the solid rock bath at Smale's Point, where the refreshing and invigorating plunge may be had for a few wall-spent pence. We are told by advertisement that "the bath being excavated in the solid rock securen a firm footing, and with the stone steps along its whole length and breadth insures a Bafo aud pleasant batho to the most nervous as well as to the boldest swimmer." The great work of our medical officers and inspector of nuisances is comprised in a few words, namely, a war against dirt; and dirt leads to physical and moral degradation. 'Every reformer who has attempted to introduce cleanliness both of person and abode amongst the humbler classes of society knows that the tank is ah arduous and disheartening one, and that failures in individual cases are of frequent occurrence. If you can but induce persons to perform rogular ablutions they are almost certain to improve morally, and begin to feel something like Belf-respect; but if otherwise they become careless of 1 every true feature of manhood. In proof of this one need only look at the faces of those unhappy drunkards who daily appear in the High-street Policecourt. A drunkard never shows a clean, ruddy face. It is wonderful what soap and water will do, morally aud physically, for individuals and families. 111-constructed i badly- ventilated houses, and an insufficiency of water in narrow, demoralising thoroughfares, in connection with an inordinate love of stupefying drinks, have much to do in fostering dirty habits among the lower orders, and in. filling local institutions, such as the gaol, the lunatic asylum, and the Home for Neglected and Destitute Children, with the victims of pernicious propensities. The Mayor and Captain Heale waited upon the Superintendent yesterday for, the pur ose of setting before, His Honor the ata.^i of the finances of the Domain Board. The deputation urged the necessity of funds being provided for fencing, draining, and works of improvement generally. At present ; the annual income of the Board was barely sufficient to cover the ordinary necessary ! expenditure. His Honor replied that the state of the provincial exchequer rendered it impossible for assistance to be rendered from that source, but he thought it probable the General Government might be induced to grant a small sum for the purpose stated. He would do his best to further the interests of the Board. The* deputation thanked His Honor and retired.

The performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre last evening, though not quite so fully attended, was eminently successful, and the ballads and dances were 1Q loudly encored.' The singing of, Miss Wataon and Messrs Braham, Riley and O'Brien is above the average order, and cannot fail in giving ample satisfaction to the public. Madame Blanche and Mons. Hamew were also successful. Mr Baker was pleasing in his song and dancea. To-night there will be an entire change of programme, when Harry Braham will .sing ' f Milk to my Tea," and Miss Watson will sing her serio-comic , ballad "Polly put the Kettle on." The Good Templars of the Auckland Pioneer Lodge will meet at the new Temperance Hall, Albert-street, this evening, at half-past seven. We learn by the latest European intelligence that Prince .Bismarck has become a Good Templar,'arid in lieu of wine takes water. He has, moreover, sanctioned the opening of Templar lodges throughout the States of Germany. A shrewd lad belonging to a school a few miles from Auckland was questioned on matters pertaining to sacred history, and among other questions was asked why Adam and Eve were turned out of Paradise ? The boy, after a moment's hesitation, replied " Because they could not pay their rent." The teacher was silenced.

We have much pleasure in giving insertion to the following letter on the Choral Society. We may mention that the parts referred to were practised at rehearsal last night :-— " Sir,—l am exceedingly pleased with your remarks in this evening's Star respecting the forthcoming performance of the "Messiah" by our Choral Society and friends during Christmas week, and trust that it may be a success. Can it be true, however, that it is purposed to omit the following choruses :— "His yoke is easy," "Surely he hath borne our griefs," " And with his stripes," "He trusted in God," in addition to the usual omissions of the oratorio ? I can scarcely believe it. If such be the ca^e I have no hesitation in saying that the whole character of the work will be destroyed ; the connection of one chorus to another (or to the musical piece immediately preceding or following it) being absolutely necessary to the oratorio being properly understood, either musically or in relation to the subject the words themselves are intended to convey. If we are to have a performance of the "Messiah" let us have it in something like its entirety.— Yours, &c, X.Y.Z. Dec. 9, 1873.

We are sure the following paragraph from the Otago Daily Time.? cannot refer to the Star, which was never known to give publicity to anything at all approaching " unwarrantable and libellous language." Our morning contemporaries are evidently in for it, and it seems doubly hard upon them considering the harmless course they usually pursue. The Times says :—" Some of the Auckland newspapers have been making use of most unwarrantable and libellous language in regard to the action of the directors of the National Insurance Company, and we are glad to hear that these latter will in all probability proceed against one of these journals at least for the offence which has been committed. Joint stock companies of all kinds have hitherto been regarded by certain Auckland cliques as peculiarly their own, and the recent encroachments in this direction by the Otago people have led them to say things for which they should be made to suffer." We have been requested to state that at the meeting of the Tonic Sol-fa Society last night the secretary was asked whether an invitation had been sent requesting the class to co-oppearte with the Choral Society in tho porformanco of the Messiah. He stated that he had not yet received any intimation upon tho subject. The society numbers forty members. The Hawke's Hag Herald Btates, without vouching for the truth of the statement, that Kcnata Kawepo intends to institute proceedings fqr damages, fixed at £3,000, against a member of the General Assembly for the alleged seduction of his adopted daughter. Home rule with a vengeance is now to be advocated by a journal which is shortly to be started in Dublin by the HomeEulc Club of London. Here is the programme it is to insist upon :—" The re-placement of the Lotd-Lieutenant by a Suzerian (with a nominal title of King), nominated by the Queen and elected by universal suffrage ; the establishment of diplomatic relations with foreign powers; the right of ' the people' to confer heriditary titles; 300 Peers and 3CO Commoners elected by universal suffrage to the Irish Parliament ; no Peer to sit in the House of Lords unless elected by the people ; tho right to establish an Irish army and | navy, to confiscate the estates of absentees, i and to order the sale of their estates; ico. I These are the leading "claims" of tho pro- | gramme ; and one can easily fancy what a Bare-bones Parliament and "universal chaos" I would come out of it all."

By a typographical error in the advertisement announcing the Christmas vacation at the public schools it was made to appear that the holidays will commence on the 12th inst. We are sorry to spoil the pleasurable anticipations created in the minds of the scholars, but the date should have appeared 19th instant, on which day the schools will breakup, resuming duties on the 19th of January. Unfortunately the advertisement was forwarded from our office to the morning papers, resulting in the perpetuation of the mistake.

A concert in aid of the fund for the purchase of an organ for St. Mary's Church, Para ell, will take place in the Choral Hall to-morrow night. Mr J. H. Beale, the conductor, has been actively preparing the vocalists for their various parts, and judging by the success that attended his efforts at the last concert wo feel justified in anticipating a musical treat of a very high order. In our advertising columns appears the programme, which we have only to draw attention to in order to assure lovers of music of its judicious selection. Several of the pieces are new to an Auckland audience, and all bear the imprint of the highest composers. The talented Beale family perform singly and together, and their efforts alone wonld be sufficient to ensure the success of the concert.

A conversazione of a varied and very pleasant character in connection with the Presbyterian Church Assembly will be held this evening in the Choral Hall. The programme is in two parts, affording an interval of ten minutes, and comprises a very choice selection of sacr«d and secular subjects. Among the sacred anthems and hymns we notice—"O, Be joyful in the Lord," "Before Jehovah's Awful Throne," one of the grandest of the paraphrases of Dr Watts ; the soulsthring anthem "My (Jod, look upon me," and the even-song of Simeon "Lord .now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace." The ballad selection includes "The Last Rose of Summer," the pensive reflection of Moore's feelings; " Queen Mary's Prayer," "The Anchor's Weighed," and "Nil Desperandum." Madame and Miss Winter will take part in the proceedings both in music and song. Also, Messrs Harding,! Walker, Culpan, Reid, and Hill. 'The pieces will be interspered with brief addresses by Rev James Hill, (moderator), Revs M essrs Emslie, McKinney, Paton, and Patterson. The particulars of the entertainment are given in our advertisement page. The music will commence exactly at half-past seven. The election for Albertland district has resulted in the return of Mr J. Shepherd. The numbers were—J. Shepherd, 29 ;E. Browne, 26. : ; The annual meeting of the Otabnhu Public Hall Company will be held in the hall on Friday evening for the purpose of considering the yearly report and the election of officers. The Victoria Company, with. Cadets, met for their usual drill last night under the command of Captain Derrom. A good proportion of members answered to the roll call, and the evolutions were well performed. We have received a copy of the BUBScrip» tion list in aid of the melancholy case alluded to in our issue of the 19th November. The list lies at our office for inspection by by any one interested. The total amount collected was £22 7s, out of which £9 11b was paid for sick-nurse and funeral expenses only, the balance being handed over for the support of the helpless children. i \ ■' At a meeting of the creditors of Abel Fletcher, a bankrupt, held in. the Trustee's office. Supreme *Court,| yesterday, the liabilities were found to be|£27o 11s 2d, with no assets. .

The Auckland Scottish Volunteers will meet for inspection parade this evening in the Drill-shed at half-past seven. Uniform, full dress. The members of the Auckland Rifle Brigade, in accordance with district orders, will undergo their monthly inspection tomorrow evening in the Drill-shed. The Licensed Victuallers held a meeting yesterday, at Sceats' British Hotel for the purpose of considering their position in connection with the Licensed Victuallers' Ball. The finances, after deducted expenses, Avere found to be in a satisfactory condition, with a large balance in hand. It was proposed to place the overphis -to the credit of a Licensed Victuallers' Association School Trust Fund. Five racehorses belonging to Mr Redwood, of Nelson, arrived to-day by the Ladybird. The Attorney-General, Mr Prendergast, arrived by the Phoebe to-day. We understand that Mr D. Cruickshank, Fijian Consul, has received a letter from the Fiji Government, stating that they will not be able to contribute anything towards tho San Francisco mail subsidy at present.