The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1875.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1701, 31 July 1875, Page 2

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1875.

I"»r _• cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong that needs rcsistancs, •or the fkture in the distance, AbA the Mod th«t its can _,

The abolition proposals and financial statement are now before the people and deserve careful and impartial consideration. The Bills brought down do not justify the fears expressed last night that it was intended to make abolition apply immediately to the Northern provinces only ; this, it appears, was the original intention of the Government, but Mr Stafford secured the change to total abolition, and in yielding to his suggestions the Government have no doubt acted wisely. The amalgamation of the proposals with the financial statement,; however, will serve to confuse and baulk discussion. It would be impossible to criticise fairly to-day such large measures as those embodied in the statement of Major Atkinson and the two Abolition Bills, and we therefore defer all comment until the public have fairly mastered and familiarised their minds with the Government

measures. We have therefore published, today, carefully-prepared summaries put in a simple and readable form, which will, we believe, at once give our readers a clear idea of the intention and scope of the Government proposals. Their effect and feasibility we shall discuss in our Monday's issue. We may remark, however, that their effect on the Harbour Board does not appear very manifest from the summary of the Bill we have been placed in possession of. So far as we can see from it, that Board will be simply blotted out unless re-constituted by special legislation.

Very important telegrams relative to the gum tax have passed between Mr Dargaville and Mr Swanson, copies of which we append. From these it will be seen that Mr Dargaville thinks altered circumstances have rendered the tax undesirable, and it will no doubt be

abandoned. In the present unsettled state of the provincial question the gum tax is an unhappy suggestion, although applicable enough to the previous position. The Government proposals recognise and endorse all existing provincial legislation, not excepting the education rate, and we have no need to add to special local burdens, which will be increased quickly enough. The telegrams referred to are as foilows : —

" Forward as soon as you can the exports and value of the gum from Auckland for the last six years, and any other evidence you may think fit. Send any information v>u have about Manilla gum.—Wm. Swanson."

To which Mr Dargaville replied : — " Auckland, 31st July, 1875. W. Swanson, Esq., M.H.R., Wellington. Latest advices, London and New York, shew that Manilla is now for the first time freely entering into competition with kauri. This was brought about by holders of kauri standing out for extreme rates. Under the altered circumstances, it would, I think, be injudicious at present, to impose export duty.—J. M. Dargaville."

We are greatly indebted to Captain Lloyd, of the s.s. Taranaki, for Melbourne files, received per Albion at Hokatika. The Taranaki met the Albion going into Nelson as she was coming out, and these papers are the only ones that have yet; reached Auckland. Elsewhere, we make copious extracts from them, including Torres Straits news, which his not been received by telegraph, and other items of interest.

The maize brought by the Emu to-day from Fiji is an unusually tine sample. It is part of the new crop, and is kiln-dried, while the greatest pains have been taken to ship it in the best condition. Buyers should give it their attention.

Mr John Higgins, of Point Russell Hotel, Mercer, has enclosed £1 to the Auckland Folic. Court box, it being the amount given to him by the Coroner of the district, for the use of the room wherein lay tho body of the man who was found dead in a swamp, aud on which an inquest was subsequently held. Mr Higgins considers that hotel-keepers generally should imitate bis example.

The collections to-morrow at the Anglican Churches of the city will be in favour of the Home Mission, the object of which is to aid the people in thinly populated districts in maintaining clergymen and erecting churches and school-houses, by supplementing local subscriptions with annual grants towards stipends, and with donations to building funds.

Divine service to-morrow (Sunday) at Newton Kirk, by Rev. Dr. Wallis, morning, "In memory of James Doull;". evening, " The ascension of the Apocalyptic witness." At Lome-street Hall, by Samuel Edger, C.A., morning, " All Eeligion has its mysteries;" evening, "On making home happy." Wellesley-street Baptist Church, by Rev f.H. Cornford, morning, "Hope, a teacher;" eveniiu', " The door open and the door closed." At Beresford-street, by Rev. W. Daries, sermons morning and evening. Services as usual at Edwardes-street and Sheri-dan-street Primitive chapels, and at other places of worship as advertised.

A meeting of gentlemen was held yesterday afternoon in the office of Mr William Percival for the purpose of forming a committee with the vie if of a poultry and dog show towards the close of the year Mr Ivey was called to the chair. After debating the matter for some time the association was formed, a committee appointed, and the annual subscription fixed at half a guinea. The following gentlemen were selected a committee with power to add to their number, Messrs Thomas and S. Morrin, Lanford, Ivy, Brett, and Macffarlane. The next committee meetiug will be held on Monday next at ten o'clock a.m.

The Co-operative Meat Supply Company announce by advertisement, cheap cuts for to-night.

The grand soiree d'Ethiop by the Hobson Band Minstrels in the City Hall last night in favor of Mr} MoComish, was a great success, and gave general satisfaction. The programme consisted of three parts and a laughable negro sketch. The Hall was well filled, and the various singers and minstrels acquitted themselves with great credit.

The Oddfellows' annual dinner was well attended last evening, and a large number of persons sat down to an excellent spread at the Cook-street hall, provided by Mr. Stacey. After the inner man had been satisfied, the evening was spent in conviviality and song. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given by the chairman and others and duly responded to. In addition to these, "Our Guests," proposed by P.P.G.M. Fleming, was responded, to by Mr. Holdship. "Kindred Societies," proposed by P.V.G. Matthews, spoken to byS.C.B.,D.D. Marks. Dr. Dawson in proposing the "Ladies," made some pretty allusions to the influence of the sisterhood. The "Press," was ably responded to by Mr. Kinsella. The entertainment concluded in excellent time, and the greatest good humour prevailed throughout the evening.

We see by a telegram in the Melbourne Age that the Yarra left Warrnambool for Auckland, with a cargo of potatoes, on the 17th inst. She may be expected at any moment.

The Parnell fire-bell rang an alarm last evening, and] caused quite a consternation among the residents. People ran, and boys cried "fire," when it was found that Mr. Churton's chimney had been on fire, but had fortunately been extinguished by that gentleman, who immediately upon discovering the accident, pulled off his coat, and, with the aid of two buckets of water extinguished the flames.

Our Hokianga correspondent writes : — " The accident to John Maxwell on the 24th was very nearly proving fatal, in fact there is little doubt it would have turned out so had not medical assistance been at hand. The mode of the accident was as follows : In the forenoon of Saturday, some men were shifting logs at Te Kohu Kohu for the purpose of removing a Derrick for the use of the Barque Moneynick, when a log slipped and fell heavilly on Maxwell, causing serious injury to his left side and shoulder. Since the accident. Maxwell has been unablefto speak or eat and suffers severely from stoppage. Dr. Foreman was sent for to Waimate on Sunday, and by aid of his instruments the Doctor has been enabled to give the poor fellow some relief. Great sympathy is expressed for Maxwell as he is a most industrious and steady young man, and it is llbped he will shortly recover. There is no other news of importance."

The lad Hunt, the only survivor from the loss of the cutter Hero, arrived by the Taranaki from the South yesterday. A sum of £9 15s was collected on board the vessel in aid of the widow of the late Captain Doble, everyone contributing something. This was done on a vessel where the deceased was quite unknown, and it is an example worthy of emulation by the crews of other craft.