The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1875.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1704, 4 August 1875, Page 2

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1875.

Far the cause that lacks assistance; For the wrong that needs resistance "«r the fmture in the distance. Ami tba eeod that we can £•>

TnjToldiSupreme'Court site has been cleared of the disreputable " shedifices " which have so long disgraced the city, and the land now presents a not very attractive appearance, if less demonstrative in its ugliness than before. The Corporation has long cast fond looks upon that spot as a site for the future Town Hall, and made a brave fight for pessession, but was worsted by the representatives of the Province and the upholders of education, who ultimately carried off the prize. Nevertheless, the site is par excellence the place for a Town Hall, if Auckland is ever to own such a structure. Situated in the centre of the city, in a fine commanding position, without actually occupying a spot which could more usefully be applied to business purposes, a handsome TownHalland Corporation offices at the corner of Victoria-street would beanornamenttothe city, and would tend to uphold that dignity and opulence which will belong to the Corporation of Auckland when valuable endowments, the leases of which soon fall in, become available, and the ordinary revenues are swelled by the pound for pound and the licenses generously promised by the

Government. If the Corporation secured these extra funds for one year only, a very handsome Town Hall might be erected with the proceeds ; and afterwards, when the extraordinary revenues have been -withdrawn, the citizens of Auckland would have a standing monument to remind them of the gleam of millennial light once vouchsafed by a Ministry wooing their favour, and at the same time a testimony to the truth of the old, old proverb — " Put not your trust in princes." Looking at the question, however, in a serious and practical way, we think it a pity to allow this most suitable section to pass beyond reach, if the Corporation ever mean to follow in the footsteps of all other Municipal Governments. It is not very creditable to the Council that they have allowed shopkeepers to set them an example of enterprise in the matter of public buildings and have done so on land actually belonging to the city. No doubt the section in view could be secured on as reasonable terms as any other, and as it is infinitely the best now available, the question of acquiring it is one really worthy of consideration by the members of Council, to whom we commend it before the land passes into the hands of some speculator, and the opportunity is for ever lost.

[by telegraph.]

However tempting the morsel with which the Government hook is baited, the countrywould do wisely to pause, and see what is to be offered by the Opposition. The fact that these liberal minds did not devise so liberal a thing during the four years when liberal things were possible, and have reserved to the eve of this momentous crisis the offer of relieving every burden, when (as everyone know 3) the power to do it has fled, bears suspicion on its face. In these circumstances, it is wise to at leasfa suspend juJgcaent so as to coatra3t with these utterly delusive and impracticable proposals t!ie policy and plans shadowed forth last night in the speech of the leader of the Opposition. What those plan 3 are as affecting Constitutional reform we have but dim indications, but these unmistakeably point to propD3ecl changes nob merely affecting the lower legislatures, but that unrepresentative and irresponsible branch of the Assembly which is supposed to do tho state service ia putting a break on the wheels of progress. A feature dimly outlined, also, ia the preliminary remarks of the leader of the Opposition, and one that would meet with insurmountable opposition from the Upper House, as at present constituted, namely, taxation on income and property, will we believe be gladly hailed by the great body of tho people. Such a scheme, had this Governmjut had the daring to to propose it, might have removed their proposals for doing everything for everybody from the sphere of Utopianism, and have shewn that even though they did leave the land fund to tha South and intended to abide by the compact of 185G, they had an honest purpose to really fulfil the liberal promises with which they hope to purchase the consent of the country. A few days will probably reveal the proposals of the Opposition, an.d we venture to say that they will be sounder and more practical, if nob so showy, as the dazzling offer which reproduces the feelings that greeted the gorgeous promises heralding the era of ths policy of I mmigrafcion and Public Works.

There is one fact in the financial statement of the Colonial Treasurer on Friday last which should be deeply pondered. On the 30th June last the colony was liable for £948,785 annual charge, interest, and sinking fund, on its public debt, and when the total indebtedness contemplated is reached, the annual charge will be £1,074,047, representing an annual payment of £3 103 per head by every man woman and child of the population for interest on debt alone. If the loss sustained by the discounts on various loan transactions were calculated, with accumulated interest ad ded, an astounding sum would be presented. According to the census of 1874, the total male population of the colony between the ages of 21 and 65 years was 92,450, and as it is upon this section that the burden devolves, the average cost of the debt to every family man must he something in excess of £10 per annum. Paterfamalias may well contemplate this sum with some degree of wrathfulness —while his wife is wearing her last summer's bonnet, too, and does not forget to remind him of it. To the ggregate indebtedness of the colony must be added the large debts contracted by corporations and other local bodies, each of which is an annual drain on the resources of the people.

It is well known that the Australasian Steam Navigation Company have been for some time in negotiation for the purchase of the Hero from Messrs. Bright Bros. Up to the present time, the "figure" has presented an insuperable difficulty in the transaction, but, if we may go by signs on the surface, there is now a prospect of an arrangement for the transfer being effected. When the Hero was in Sydney last, the Company sent their surveyors on board to examine her engines, and we understand they shortly intend surveying the entire vessel. This looks like bu3ine3S. From what we learn there is little chance of the steamer being withdrawn from the Auckland trade even if the purchase is completed. The fine old boat and her captain have made themselves too firmly an institution of the porb to be " laid on " in any other direction with a chance of equally good returns. The price asked by the present owners is said to be £24,000.

Three seamen of the barque Robina Dunlop were brought into the police-station this afternoon on charges of riotious conduct and disobedience of orders, for which they will have to answer before the Court to-morrow morning.

It will be seen by our Tauranga telegrams that the petition against natives taking a part in the elections of European representatives, suggested in our columns some time ago, has beon adopted and numerously signed, and comes up by the Rowena to-day for transmission to Wellington. Other districts affected by this evil should pursue a similar course.

We have much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of 10a. from his Worship the Mayor in aid of the family of Mr. George Pate, whose caEe was mentioned yesterday.

The gold returns from Coromandel are larger at present than for a long time past, and the leading mines never looked better. The Manaia brought up 1,1500zs gold for the National Bank, last night, and another parcel is nearly ready.

The sewer in one parb of Wakefield-street has fallen in, leaving a dangerous hole, into which a woman fell last night, but fortunately without receiving any serious injuries. Sergeant O'Connor had a fence erected round the opening immediately upon hearing of the accident.

Some stir was caused in town this morning by a rumour that Sir Julius Vogel had unexpectedly arrived. So accustomed has ever} - body become to the startling moves of the great modern political prestidigitateur that the fact of his suddenly appearing on the scene at the present crisis of affairs commended itself to many as not at all impossible or even improbable, and various conjectures were started as to the effect which his presence might have upon the coming struggle. At Shortland-street corner this morning a knot of eager disputants, who evidently believed the report, worked off the " situation " in no time, laying it down that Stafford seeing his air-castle destroyed, would suddenly discover serious hindrances to his promised support of the goverament measures, and would hold out overtures to Sir George Grey ; that Bowen and Atkinson would commence immediately to make themselves friends of the mammon of righteousness (with ulterior objects, of course), and that Pollen had already with all obsequiousness tendered his resignation. Other gossippers would have it that the sudden advent of their feared rather than beloved chieftain had thrown the dove-cot of the present Ministry into dire confusion, upsetting all their little plans, and making one too many in the family party ; that accordingly Stafford and Pollen feeling themselves sufficiently strong, had ouly received the important telegram with a cool remark to the effect that Sir Julius had far better have stayed at home with the Agency General and his promised £2000 a-year, and not have come disturbing their little arrangements ; it was even maintained that the reply to the telegram had contained this meaning very thinly veiled, and that on receipt of ie the angry statesman had at once opened communications with the leader of the Opposition. Other equally probable conclusions were arrived at, but just as the fate of the colony had been traced in the imagination of these philosophers through every conceivable combination and complication likely to be caused, it was discovered, much to the disappointment of the newsmongers, that instead of the statesman it was only the schooner Julius Vogel which had arrived in the Manukau last evening.

The Wellington correspondent of the Cross (who invariably looks at political matters through Government spectacles) informs the readers of that journal to-day that the Press is unanimously in favour of immediate abolition, and, among other journals, mentions the Lyttellon Times as supporting that view. Singularly enough, in the same paper is a summary of those identical remarks by the Lyttelton Times which unequivocally condemn the proposals, and the first meeting on the subject held in Canterbury, namely tbat of the Selwyn electorate, unanimously passed resolutions against abolition without an appeal to the country, and resolved to telegraph to their representative to resist fche enormons concentrating power in the General Government provided by the Bill. The s Otago Daily Times was another authority quoted by the Cross, yet our telegrams to-day inform us that the Timrs asserts that no Otago member who votes for the bill will be re-elected. This is one way of creating popular opinion.

The manager of the Old Men's Eefuge desires to acknowledge with thanks the receipt, from " A Friend," of a parcel of books and papers for the use of the inmates.

Messrs Brogden and Sons have made the offer for building a railway from the Thames to the Waikato. The terms upon which the offer is made are said to be that the tirm are to receive from the Government 200,000 acres of land. The details of the proposed arrangements have not come to hand but should Messrs Brogden's offer be in any way reasonable the colony would be greatly benefited by the negotiation. The members of the firm having great personal influence in England would be able to induce an influx of immigration with a view to the special settlement of the land and so a large and rich tract of country would be opened up in the province. We shall await with some interest further particulars of the scheme.

We have received from Captain Lloyd and crew of the s.s. Taranaki £10 2s, subscribed towards the widow and orphans of the late Captain Doble. The whole of the amount was subscribed by the crew of the ship. The captain and crew of the schooner Golden Isle have felao subscribed £1 11s Gd towards the same object.

Owing to a full rehearsal on Monday evening next by members of the Choral Society at the Choral Hall, the new quarter of Mr Brown's part-singing class is postponed until Monday 16th, when it will be commenced in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association.

At the meeting of the Star of Newton Lodge, Independent Order of Good Templaes, last night, the following officers were installed for the ensuing quarter by Bro. Brooking, Grand Worthy Secretary, assisted by Bros. Salmon and Stickley :—WC.T., Bro. Wormß; W.S., Bro. J. McGregor; W.T., Bro. S. Moulden; W.M., Bro. J. McCuit; W.0.G., Bro. J. Walker ; W.L.H.S., Sister Lightfoot; W.D.M., Sister McCuit; W.V.T., Bro. E Lightfoot; W.F.S., Bro. J. Lee; W.C., Bro. J. Crawford; W. J.G., Bro. Ball ; W.R.H.S., Sister Lee ; W.A.S., Bro. Burns.

The first football match of the Banks and Warehouses will be played on the 14tti instant.

The drawing of the Art Union to liquidate the debt on the Convent, Parnell, came off yesterday in St. Patrick's Hall, BFobsonstreet, —Father Fynes, to whom the success of the affair is very largely due, presiding. Four hundred tickets of ten shillings each had been disposed of, and the drawing resulted in the foliowing distribution of • the prizes : —1. The surrender of Mary Queen of Scots to the Confederate Lords at Carberry Hill in the year 1857, splendidly worked in Berlin wool, floss silk, and gold, value £100; Captain Casey (ICO). 2. Fire screen, in embroidery on black cloth, elegantly framed, value £5 ;E. Mahoney (51). 3. Sodom and Gomorrah consumed by fire, in Berlin wool, neatly framed, value £5; —.McCabe(lll). 4. A handsome cushion in Berlin raised work, value£3los; Mrs Dempsey (289). 5. Group of artificial flowers, under glass shade, value £ 3 10s; Mrs E. Davis (382). 6. Handsome cushion on white velvet, Poonah painting, value £3 10a; George Elliot (138). 7. Music stool, value, £2 lOaj-Carroll (256)). 8. Large handsome doiJ, value £2 10s; James Conway (349). 9. Group of flowers in Poonah painting with gilt frame, value £1 10a; James Conway (175). 10. Handsome smoking-cap, nicely braided on black velvet, value £1 10s ; W, H. Parker (392). 11. Pair of crotchet anti-macassars, value £1 10s ; F. Quick (66). 12. Pair of slippers, in Berlin wool and beads ; Mr John McGallagher (255.)

We learn that the proprietor of Ellerslie Garden b.as decided to hold a monster gathering of athletic sports at that favourite resort on the 9ch of November next. A full programme will be published at an early date. For the present it is enough to say that the prizes will be richer that have been yet given, and that the principal trophy will be awarded to the winner of a handicap over a popular distance.

The illuminated temple of the Juvenile Pioneers of this city will be opened this evening at half-past sdven, according to announcement, for the reception of the accredited members of the City Band of Hope.

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of £1 for Widow Doble and 10s for Jackson, from Dr. Kenderdine.

We give insertion to the following to shew what extraordinary reasons some people will give for doing the most ordinary things: — Dear sir, having Beene a Good tempelar for years having to leave the lodge I belong to Drew my Clearancecard Went Down south and Joined a lodge Down there and Came Back again. Went up to the Edentearrace lodge last night they Wouldnot admit me because i Belong to another lodge and as i Could not Wait in the Cold for my Brother to Come i had to go to an hotel and had to Drinck there Which i never tasted for years it may Be isly seen What a noble order it is When they Would not admit a Brother. — i am, Do right.

The members of the Hobson Company met for their weekly drill last evening in the Catholic Institute, when each member present received a new Snider, according to previous notice. Lieutenant Clifton read the district order for the monthly inspection, in lieu of Capt. Dignan, who is suffering from a severe cold. The inspection will be held on Tuesday next, with the band, at the usual hour in the evening.

An emergency meeting of the United Service Lodge will be held this evening, at the usual hour, in the lodge-room, Masonic Hall.

Mr Justice Gillies and Captain Daldy were among the passengers of the Taupo which left the Manukau for the South this morning. Judge Gillie 3 goes on a circuit to Nelson, while Captain Daldy journeys to Wellington on public business connected with several important measures to be brought before the House of Assembly this session.

'The final exhibition of Messrs Baker's Grand Hibernicon will take place this evening in the City Hall, the proceeds to be given to St. Mary's Orphanage. We may repeat that Baker's Bibernicon, illustrative of the scenery and music of Erin, is one of the most pleasing of the many entertainments that are from time to time placed before our citizens.

The lime-light lecture entertainment of Mr Dennes last evening, in the school-room of St. Mary's, Parnell, was very well attended. The children and young people evinced much pleasures at the pictures of the abbeys and cathedrals of England, as they passed in review before their eyes. The description of the scenes, though brief, were sufficient for the purpose and calculated to inform the young mind without oppresing the memory. At the close of the entertainment a vote of well-deserved thanks was accorded by acclamation to the lecturer,

At the Eden Terrace Lodge, 1.0. G.T., last night, the officers at the ensuing qinrfcer were installed as follows, by Brother S. Brooking, G.W.S., assisted by Brothers Brown and Robertson:—W.C.T., Brother Jno. Shaw ; W.V.T, Brother A. J. Mears ; W.S., Brother P. \. Wilson ; W.F.S., Brother W. Stevenson ; W.T., Sister Mears ; W.C., Brother C. O'Connor ; W.M., Brother S. Stockbridge ; W.1.G., Brother Chalmers ; W.0.G., Brother W. Rose; W.R.H.S., Brother F. S. Shepherd ; W.L.H.S., Brother J. Jackson ; W.A.S., Brother J. W. Wilkes ; W.D.M., Brother Gunaon.

The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Agricultural Society was but thinly attended yesterday at the Criterion Hotel, Mr. Goodfellow was called to the chair. The business consisted chiefly in considering a letter from Mr. Vincent E. Rice, on behalf of the Superintendent, intimating that his Honor would consult with Mr. Cuthbertson, M.H.R., with a view to obtaining from the Assembly annual grants to Agricultural Societies ; also, letters on the proposed essay on farming and other subjects. The Society, it will be remembered, offered a prize for the best essay on the subject of farming, but the subject, as stated, was so vague, that the Secretary is continually pestered with letters from intending competitors as to the mode of treatment to be observed, and in this matter the Society can give no definite answer beyond the mi3ty one "We want an essay on farming." Mr A. Calvert, veterinary surgeoD, wa3 elected a member of the managing committee, and two gentlemen were for membership.

We are indebted to the Government printer for copies of the Financial Statement, Abolition, and Local Government 81113, and other Parliamentary papers. Our special correspondent at Wellington forwards w several copies of the Abolition of Provinces Bill, which (we shall be happy to distribute, so far as they will go, to Chairmen of Highway Boards or other gentlemen interested.

Mr. James Pettet, one of the overseers of Shoreditch parish, has published the following startling statement:—"'My wife was confined on the 17th of December last, and to our great sorrow the child had to be sacrificed in its birth. She wished, none the less, to offer her thanksgiving to the Lord for His mercy and goodness, through the prescribed form in the Prayer-book; and for that purpose ?I spoke to one of the curates of my parish church, telling him that we wished the service on the next Sunday morning, January 10. He said he would ' church' her himself at the close of the Communion and we accordingly attended, and after waiting some time we were told that in her case my wife must offer up a private prayer for herself—that the Church could not help her. We were both astonished and hurt at this treatment, and on Sunday, January 17, in company with the church-wardens, I attended the vicar's vestry, and asked from him the reason. His reply was that "my wife's life should have been sacrificed and the baby saved, and since ifc was otherwise, the Church could not pray for her." The Bishop of London having been appealed to, says that he has communicated with the Rev. Mr. Evans, who is " very sorry," but he "misunderstood" trie matter. Not a word, however, is said about the performance of the ceremony. We wonder what will be the next device to which Saeerdotalists will resort with a view to subordinating the action of the laity to ecclesiastical caprices which have no legislative sanction.— JEuglish Independent.

A story of horrors comes from the neighbourhood of Paris, where there are certain leech-ponds, from which the Paris market is supplied. It is the hideous custom of the proprietors to tie living horses, too old for work, up to their girths in these pools, when the leeches immediately fasten on them, and, in the course of a day or two, suck their blood till they expire. The brutal people concerned in this inhuman business are, we are told, wont to speak jestingly of the appearance of the miserable horses with these black vermin covering their limbs, as " wearing the calecon," (drawers.) It seems that a man named Moulin, the owner of such a pond, had one little boy seven years old to whom he was much attached as such men can be to anything, and that he used to allow his child to play with a superannuated horse on his premises. Considering that his leeches wanted food, however, Moulin took the horse, fastened him in the usual manner a few feet from the shore in the horrid pond, and went about his business, leavin» the horse to be eaten up alive! When he returned home some hours afterwards Moulin missed his boy, and after looking for him in vain in various directions, suddenly bethought himself of the pond. There, indeed, he found the poor little child, who had gone to seek his old playfellow, and had waded into the pond, and there duns ia desperation to the poor horse's neck. The animal, of courae, being chained to his post, was unable to carry the boy to land, and the childs naked legs were assailed and covered by the bloodsnekers. When the father found his dying son the child also, like the horse, " wore the calecon" Is there no tongue in France to read the dread moral of this horrible story ? " With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."