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Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1667, 22 June 1875, Page 2

" I was a stranger and you took me notjin," is not likely to be charged to Auckland by shipmasters. At least this will be so if Captains are allowed to go away with wrongs unredressed such as that which finds to-day expression from Captain Whitson, of the ship Dunedin, and which we are proud to see our contemporary the Gross has not been afraid to publish. Tt appears that Captain Whitson, coming a stranger, acting on advice, employed a surveyor to survey his cargo. This gentleman, than whom we have no worthier citizen, happens to be also surveyor to the New Zealand Insurance Company, and mixed up in business matters with the—in this case—principal consignees. A claim is made and on applying to a lawyer, the lasvyer it was found was mixed up similarly in business with the consignees. With a promptness and a decision. that do him credit, the captain resolved to release himself from the difficulty by buying up the cargo that was the subject of dispute. Now in this case it is not the individuals but the system that is to blame. The surveyor of the Insurance Companies is not to be censured for taking private business, if sufficient salary is not afforded, but either the Chamber of Commerce (or some other body) should see to it that strangers visiting the port are not made the victims of sharp practice, and that the fair fame of our commerce is not destroyed by such complications as this. The second case of which Captain Whitson complains is one having more of an individual character. A box was missing, and the captain was: asked for £.'!!) 4s lOd for it ; it was found and passed through the Customs, and the captain discovered that thus it was declared for value £7. We know not the name of the owner or anything of his box, but we would not hesitate to nay that he is simply a rogue.

We must apologise to one .1. if. >S?anncll, on whose toes we appear to have trodden in our aiticle on the Dunedin gaol, and who, in a letter to the Cross to-day, draws attention to our "unmanly remarks " Jt really was not our intention to hurt the feelings of Mr Scannell, or any other, when we called in question the value of a prisoner's labour. We gave the highest praise to Governor Caldwell for his management of the gaol—considering that he has achieved a success which has not been achieved by any other gaoler in the colonies But we think that neither prisoner, nor ex-prisoner, nor hoc rjenus omne should find fault with us for saying that forced labour is not so valuable as voluntary labour ; and it was not with the intention of casting any slur on any person who may thus have been serving her Majesty compulsorily in connection with our penal institutions that we drew the comparison. And vre would put it to Mr Scannell himself, wrmld his service, freely and voluntarily rendered to an employer now, not be more extensive and valuable than eight or nine hours of penal work on Bell-street and Stewart-street and Jetty-street and the harbour at Dunedin, and "the twenty other diffei'ant places that he could name," and to which he very natuHl ally looks back with proper .and becoming pride. We believe the greatest crerlit is due to those who have rendered such valuable services o-* the roads of the colon y, and the men chipping scoria at Mount Eden are in so far benefactors of their country. Mr Scsnnell is no doubt in a position to speak with more authority on the subject than we, when we question a prisoner' 3 labour being worth seven shillings a day, but we trust he will not suppose we intended any personal depreciation of himself or others of special experiences when contrasting free and enforced labour. 1

We would again remind readers that the Choral Society's first concert, " Acis and G-alatea," followed by miscellaneous selections, will take place in the Choral Hall this evening, under the conductorship of Mr. Joseph Brown. We can speak with confidence of the success of the concert from a musical point of view, and hope that the attendance will be commensurate with the merits of the Society.

The efforb being made by the SherManstreet Primitive Methodist congregation to raise funds for the erection of a new chnpel by sewing meetings, conducted on the novel principle which we alluded to recently, is proving most successful. Since the matter was drawn attention to in the Star, members of other denominations have attended the meetings to see how the system works and willing to help on the good «ause. All are welcome who come to aid, and those ready workers who are willing to bear their part either in the woik or in entertaining the happy circle should see the Rev. Mr Harris, the esteemed pastor of the flock, or the Rev. Mr Tinsley, of Edwardes-street. The system is one which commends itself, and those who are interested in congregational effort, will do well to watch its progress.

From facts which have come to hand plentifully from merchants and others since the paragraph relating to the detention of tlie ship Dunedin, published in our yesterday's edition, was written, it appears that the present system of "receiving" on the wharf is defective rather than the shed accommodation. It would seem to be totally inadequate to meet such a pressure of business as that which followed the arrival of the Hero, however efficient it may be for the ordinary requirements of the part. Seldom has such *a state of confusion arisen as that from which our business firms are still suffering the effects. Any amount of packages, for which claims have been made missing, have been found stored at the wrong merchants' bonds, among goods which have perhaps come by another vessel. A large number are still missing, and likely to be—the claims having beeD paid upon them —while many that h,ave turned up are badly damaged. The Dunedin, the Hero, the Moneynick, the Emily McLaren, and the Shooting Star have all more or less suffered, and the matter is of sufficient importance to warrant its being made the subject of an enquiry, independent of the legal investigation of the question who has to pay the piper. The system, rather than individuals, is to blame. It may be said that, as the' present arrangements are only temporary, and wil} be superseded in a few years by an improved and permanent state of things, that therefore it is not worth while to alter them now. So far as an elaborate reform is concerned, this is ' perfectly true, but still it is possible for the Harbour Board with its very full powers to step in and protect the reputation of the port by a little healthful intervention in the meanwhile.

It is satisfactory to know that the Bay of Island coal has greatly improved in quality lately, and is now superior to Newcastle coal for household as well as steam purposes. It ignites much more readily, bums with a brighter flame, and generates more heat. The large quantity of sulphur present in the coal when the mine was first worked rendered it unpopular for household use, but this objection does not apply now. The coal burns veru well on the hearth ; is little more than haltthe price of Newcastle coal, and makes a much cheaper fire than wood. These facts, whioh may be proved by any persons putting the coal toa test in their homes should covnmenc 1 this excellent fuel to the people of Auckland and remove the prejudice which has existed hitherto against it. We would urge the Company to send up a fewcargoes of cut coal for household purposes, which would remove the objection raised against the slack, and to make a special effort to get the coal widely used in the homes of the people, as it surely will be when its value becomes fully known.

The pastoral drama of "Dora" was performed last evening at the Prince ?)f Wales Theatre, and was justly commended. Those of our readers &ho are acquainted with the poem upon which the drama is based will know the affecting narrative. The character of Farmer Allen, the iron-hearted, but -whose heart melts in the presence of his grand-child, was a good representation in the hands of Mr Collier. The character of Dora, with its fine traits, was well delineated by Miss May Howard, Miss Rtephenson played Mary Morison with a gracefulness, peculiar to her heroine, which was commendable. Mr Sam Poole was humorous in the extreme in Luke JBloomfield, a character introduced with a rustic appellation, but which is foreign to the original. The play throughout was fairly 'sustained, and considering its peculiarities was well received. The " Lottery Ticket" followed, aud to-night will be repeated, by particular request, " The Geneva Cross."

J. T. Warren Esq., Inspector of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, intimates through our advertising columns that a branch of that institution will be opened in Auckland on or about the 20th July, in the premises next the New Zealand Insurance Company's building, where the National Bank commenced business in Auckland. The Colonial Bank is a New Zealand institution in every sense of the term; conceived, floated, and managed in New Zealand. The policy of the directors hitherto has been marked by great prudence, and has resulted in placing the bank on a sound and satisfactory basis. We augur for the young institution a prosperous business in this city. *

The following rhymed jeu d'espritw&s enclosed by a young lady to an Auckland deutisfc, whose name we cannot disclose :— Pear sir, 7011 maketh teeth of brino For thj*e whom fate hath loft without; And find provision for your own By pulling other people's out. The dentist referred to thanks the lady, and hopes she will have no objection to the appearance of her verse in the Evening Stak.

The members of the Auckland Fire Brigade mustered List evening for driN, under Mr Superintendent Hughes, in Albert-street. After three hours' close exarciae the men retired.

The City Park, Ponsonby Road and Beres-ford-street, seems likely to become anything but a healthful reserve, if the practice, of depositing night-soil is permitterl, as it seems to be at present. Residents in the vicinity com plain that the stench arising from the park yesterday and to-day was so unbearable as to cause severe sickness to persons of delicate organisation. This complaint abouid receive the attention of the Council at once It is clearly the duty of the Inspector of Nuisances to lay an information against the Corporation if he finds that night-soil or any filth has been deposited thi-jre, whereby a nuisance was created contrary to the statute made and provided.

Mr. W. L. JJees will give his leciure on " Modern Materialism," this evening in the Beresford street Hall ; commencing a6 half past seven o'clock.

A meeting of the "Newmarket Hall Bu'H

ing Committee " was held last evening. The Yen. Archdeacon Pritt was appointed Chairman, and the names of Messrs Keane, T. Barr, K. Keir. and J. Wrigley were added to the Committee.' Joseph Osborne, Esq., was appointed treasurer of the Hall, ami Air J. T. Witheford — secretary. It was decided to issue the subscription lists at once, and use every endeavour to meet the wishes of the public in the matter of a hall. From the assurances of support already received, there is every ground for the belief that the Newmarket side of the town will not Ions; remain in its prc-sent backwardness, but - will ultimately take a leading position as centre of intellectual and of public amusement.

Mr. P. Doran, and his friend Mahoney have projected a grand variety entertainment, shortly to take place in the Lome-street Hall for the benefit of Mrs. Sextie and family. The.programme is of the usual order, songs, dances, sketches, and acrobatic feats. Amateurs and others who will take part in the entertainment are desired to meet for rehearsal to-morrow (Wednesday) evening.

We would call attention to the fact that the various tolls under the control of the Provincial Government will be sold to-mor-row by Messrs B. Tonks and Co., at their mart, Queen - street. These tolls include the fees leviable at the public slaughterhouse, and the charges for the shipping water supply. The sale commences at noon. The same firm will offer, by order of the Board of Education, the Exchange Hotel, Parnell, and shop and dwellings in the Manukau Road.

In the House of Commons on April 5, an interesting little debate took place upon the merits of the Martini-Henry rifle, which found several powerful friends and no opponents. Lord Elcho said he was a member of the second of the two Committees appointed by the Government to test the weapon ; that he went on. the Committee dead against the rifle, but that he was completely converted by the evidence he heard. He also stated that Mr Edward Eoss, " tvho might be said to be the best shot in the world," was a member of the said Committee, which had reported favourably on the rifle. Colonel Mure also commended it, Lord E. Cecil and Sir Henry Havelock followed in still more eulogistic terms, after which the vote was agreed to. Among the items.passed at the same sitting was one of £437,200 for the expenses of the Volunteers —a sum which several members declared to be much too small, seeing the number of the Volunteers to be 160,000.

"I wish I was a pudding, mamma." " Why ?" " 'Cause I should have such lots of sugar put into me."

Mr Richard J. Feltus intimates by card in another column that he is carrying on business as accountant, commission agent, and negotiator of loans. His address is Symonds street.

The famous Wheeler and De Glorian comedy and athletic Troupe will open tomorrow evening in the City Hall. Lo Lo "The Flying Fairy" Miss Elsie De Courcy, the charming vocalist and protean actress, Master Bennie the character actor, the De Glorian Brothers, the great gymnasts, and Ben Wheeler, the Irish comedian and vocalist will take part. The opening will consist of selections, followed by "Barney's Courtship," the comical sketch of " Handy Andy" the comedietta of " Divorce" and the daring midair evolutions of Lo Lo and the De Glorian Brothers.

Professor Bruce gave a most successful entertainment last evening in the City Hall; his mesmeric and phrenological experiments were much applauded, and by desire, he will appear again thii evening, for the last time. He will appear nt the North Shore on Wednesd»y«

The siatera Duvalli announce their unrivalled protean entertainment commencing on Saturday next, when they will be assisted by. Mr C. F. Coutes (singing and character actor), Mdlle. Paulina Terlecki (the eminent ruaniste), and Mr Charles Hall—of the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. The entertainment will open with the musical comedietta — "The Dream of Life," introducing some capital songs and dances. After the interval, the comedietta of the " Shah of Persia, or a Statue for an Hour," will be placed on the stage with musical accompaniments and dresses of an attractive character. The Diivallis have been acknowledged as the Queens of Terpiichore in the Southern Hemisphere.

A spiritualistic cure is claimed to have been performed at Dnnedin by a correspondent of the Star, who says that his wife being then in a very hopeless state of decline, the consequence of lung-diaease of several years' standing, and all other available means having failed to restore her to health, resolved likewise to try spirit-cure, and attended the circle of Mr Jackson, of Great King-street. She attended twice, and with the best results. On the first occasion the controlling spirit— a doctor, without—after giving a description of her illness and its cause, prescribed treatment. He requested very particularly that his prescription sbonld be observed in all its details, and that at the expiration of two months she was to return to the circle. My wife carried out these instructions, and at the end of the term named again attended bub this time much improved in health. A change in the treatment was next effected, and under it she has now almost quite recovered." Another correspondent "tops" this letter by stating that his heart, lungp, liver, kidneys, and brain were irreparably diseased when he was induced to try the spirit cure, as dispensed at various bars in the city, with the most beneficial result?.

The Mystic Tie Lodge of Good Templars of Papakura have been dissolved and the balance of funds, £4 Bs, has been handed over to the school committee as a nucleus for a building fund.