The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1875.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1706, 6 August 1875, Page 2

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1875.

For tha e»a»e that lacks asnistauco For the wrung tlmt nuecis resinujaoa v 'cr tbo future in the distance. Aa4 Uia e»o<1 chat wa can d*

Oxce more the effort is made to pass a measnre that has commended itself to all the sister colonies in the Southern seas, but which we, in our sapience, have persistently repelled. It may be, as urged by one member in the House last night, that the table is not groaning under petitions praying for relief from the disabilities imposed on marriage with deceased wife's-sister. It may be that but very few may ewer have occasion to feel the irksomeaess of this most'arbitrary and absurd prohibition; but the fewer the number, even though it were but one pair of hearts that desired union, all the greater reason is there that those so little able and, certainly reluctant to make their grievances felt, should be delivered from a ridiculous restriction aa opposed to nature as itis to revealed religion. No one desires to compel a man to marry his sister-in-law ; he may chase her from his house with a broomstick if helikes; but if he wishes to make her the guardian of her sister's children and think that she, better than a stranger, could fill that place in his heart left vacant by his lost wife, then perish the man, perish the law, that would arbitrarily and unwarrantably interfere with his personal liberty ; and it is galling to all who cherish a love for religion

and also for civil liberty to think that it ia but the stupid and bigoted interpretations of religionists that gave first origin to this restraint and that have perpetuated the ignorant hubbub that always attends its consideration. The beautiful words of the Saviour of mankind in which, with that tenderness of feeling and force and fulness of imagery so characteristic

him, he described that nearest dearest, and sweetest bond that man has ever known, a3 "they shall be no more twain but one flesh," have been seized by thick-headed divines without either sensitiveness of feeling or capacity for appreciating imagery, and have been forced down the gaping throats of ignorant devotees in all the grossness of materialistic interpretations; and on the basis that man and wife are literally made one flesh, and she and her sister are naturally the same flesh, have built up the Canon law that a man may not marry his deceased wife's sister any more than he may marry his own sister according to nature. And then, this once made an ecclesiastical law, the whole Bible is torn to rags to prove it so. The conservatism c* everything ecclesiastical is notorious, and the desire to elevate the wood, hay, and stubble that have been attaching themselves for years into great principles for which men ought to be glad to broil on faggots, is just as rife now with some as ever it was with our fathers. A.nd Mr McGrillivray in the House, dragging in by the head and shoulders some old father of the fifth or sixth century and trying to over-awe legislators by opinions on a civil question pronounced by divines in the seventeenth century, is perfectly expressive of the force that arrays itself against this most reasonable and sensible reform. They may be few to whom such legislation may bring relief, but the fewer they are they are the more helpless, and the more helpless they are, all the more honor to Mr. Steward who year after year, despite the chaffing to which it has subjected him, has perseveringly laboured to h,ave this contemptible remnant of ecclesiastical despotism swept from the age of civilization. That our precious Upper House may throw the measure out again is not improbable. Old England is following rapidly in the wake of her colonies in this direction,, and yet there are in New Zealand and in the place of legislation, those who would defend to the last this relic of Christian barbarism.

TnoSE who think Auckland will receive justice at last when under the fatherly care of the General Government will, no doubt, be able to explain the first instalment of it tendered by the General Government in the apportionment of the appropriation for provincial Bervice3 for the eight months following abolition. We are indebted for particulars of the proposed division to the special correspondent of the Cross. They are as follow : "'1 he total sum of £230,322, chargable on the consolidated fund for the eight months is apportioned thus:—A.uckIcnd, £31,564; Taranaki, £3,704 ; Wellington, £20,035 ; Hawke's Bay, £7,1G2; Nelson, £17,0Gl ; Marlborough, £3,630 ; Canterbury, £60,988 ; Westland, £16,052 ; Otago, £70,063. The contributions to the consolidated fund, for the last financial year were:—Otago, £518,603; Auckland, £310,842 ; Canterbury, £257,502. Yet the Government consider that our provincial services will be amply supplied with £31,564 ; while those of Canterbury require £60,988; and those of Otago, £70,063. In addition to this, the latter provinces are to have their enormous land revenues to carry on public works. It must be borne in mind that this cannot be excused on ths ground o^ provincial appropriation, as the last session of the Council only voted six months' supplies, and if our dwarfed institutions are to be carried on as heretofore, where is the mighty advantage to come from ?

The wonderfully beautiful and artistic entertainment of Dr. Silvester, the Fakir ef Oolu, continues with undiminished success to draw crowded houses. The Theatre last evening was thronged by persons anxious for I a change of scene, and amply were they gratified by the mystical performances of j the modern enchanter. The scenes were the same as on the previous evening, interspersed .with varied smart sayings and apt expressioons of the Doctor, which add greatly to 'the enjoyment of the public. The mesmeric experiment and suspended lady, are managed with perfect ease and unquestioned skill, and the wonder of the audience does not lessen by repetitions. But however, astonishing may be the suspension and immitative attitudes of the entranced lady, the most brilliant and most attractive picture of the programme is the magnificent fairy fountain which for beauty and harmony of color, cannot be surpassed, and must be seen to be ; thoroughly appreciated. We learn that the Doctor intends giving a midday treat on the 14th instant, in order that the children of the schools and institutions of the city may have the opportunity of seeing that which they will not easiiy forget.

Some time ago a large case conveyed an emu to Ellerslie. At the top of the box was a hole large enough to allow the huge bird to put his neck through. It happened that at the time of the arrival of this emu there arrived also at Ellerslie an amcient sort of a lady who had travelled all the way from Howick to take a look at the gardens and to see the wonderful train. As the latter came in sight the dame put down her umbrella, and with her elbows resting on the case, held a pair of specfcaeies with a firm grasp on her -nose, and gazed earnestly at the wonderful Bight. On came the engine, puffing and whistling, and roused the slumbering giant bird up through the v hole in the box, and actually brushing the old lady's face, suddenly shot head and neck of the emu, who also gazed steadfastly at the. approaching train. But the old lady had seen enough; she waited to see no more but flew from the spot in great affright. She was> like Mrs Gamp, of a class who never taste a drop of drink, excepting when they " feel so disposed," and to quiet her nerves she was disposed to take a gentle stimulant, after which she departed, and has not since been known to leave those peaceful glades of Howick, where neither frightful apparitions nor the bustle of the train diskurb the rural solemnity of the • place. During the month ending July, 1875, there were 19 deaths, registered within the Cit/ of Auckland. The numbers during the , corresponding month of 1874, were 17 deaths. For 1875—Under 1 year,. 4 deaths ; under 5 years, 2 deaths ; under 20 years, 3 deaths ; under 50 years, 5 deaths ; over 50 years, 5 deaths. Total, 19. For 1874—Under 1 year, 7 deaths; under 5 years, 4 ; under 20 years, . 1-; under 50 years, 3; over 50 years, 2. Total, 17. The deaths registers as from typhoid fevtr were : .1 in Victoria-street, 1 in Symonds-streefc, 1 in the immigration barracks, and 1 in Albert-street.

Fish 18 a very wholesome article of food, well suited to our climate, and recommended for general diet; but fish bones are productive of much uneasiness when, by mischance, they get swallowed. Tbe other day a lady had the misfortune to let one glide down her throat, the bone sticking midway. It was but a small one, but the effect must have been a very uncomfortable sensation. Bread was swallowed with a view to dislodge it, but in vain. The fair sufferer had to retire to rest with the unwelcome atom in her throat. During the night, however, the bone became dislodged, and no further ill-conse-quences resulted than a temporary loss to the fish trade, as the lady is said to have vowed to taste no more of the same, which vow will, no doubt, be kept until next time the fisherman comes round.

Our supplement to-morrow will contain "A Maori Love Story" written specially for the Stab, " A Pique Marriage," an account of " The Tower of London" and its remarkable history and many other interesting and amusing gleanings.

The latest news from Newton relates to the finishing touch given by the hands of a new chum painter to a house, the painting of which had been entrusted to him on day work, sufficient paint being supplied him to cover the whole building, which is a new one in the heart of the place. After being hard at work some days, he applied to the owner for more paint, who wished to know how he was getting on and how much more material was required. The man stated that he had done the shingles, and had finished the roof all but painting the chimuies ; he would start at the top of these and work down the weatherboatda. The owner was aghast at this new method of paintiug, and lamented the waste of his oil and leads. The roof painter was paid off instanter, after offering to repaint the shingles black, if it would give better satisfaction. The owner of tne house, however, was better pleased to leave well aloue, and the amateur painter departed, leaving the chimnies not painted, the walls untouched, but each particular shingle shining in all the original glory of its new colour.

Auckland and North Shore is the football match for to-morrow. Play to commence at 3. p.m, on ground near Government douse. Auckland team : T. Henderson, H. Henderson, Carter, Gudgeon, Hedley, Whitaker, Woon, Shariand, Itussell, Pollen, Clark, EJlis, Philson, George and Abrams. North Shore : —liees, Duder, Burgess, Dacre, Nolan, Halea, Wells, Ca verb ill, Cochrane, Swanson, J. Wynyard, Atkin, Wynyard, Whewell, and JNiccol.

A seaman named William Michie was arrested to-day, on a charge of disobedience to lawful commands aboard the ship Flechero.

An srror occurred in the acknowledgement of some boxes of oranges kindly presented to the Home for Neglected and Destitute Children. Two of the boxes were giveu by Mr Mynott, one by Mr J. B. liussell, and one by Dr Kenderdine.

A scratch match between the members of the Graf ton, Ponsonby, and Parnell Football Clubs will take place in the Domain, tomorrow afternoon. Play to commence at a quarter to three.

The members of the Auckland Regatta Club will hold their annual meeting on Tuesday evening next, at half-past seven o'clock, in the club-room at the Thames Hotel.

The members of the Sir George Grey Cadets will meet this evening, at the Auckland College, at half-past seven o'clock, for the purpose of taking into consideration the disposal of the property of the corps in the care of Capt. Taylor.

An incident oscurred in front of our office to-day which the Danbury newsman ought to have seen. A boy was carrying two iron rods up Wyndham-streefc, and when he had got as far as the Star office another boy called him from behind. Without thinking of his burden the boy attempted to turn round, when one of the rods went through Mr. T. H. Hall's office window. In his fright the boy slewed the rods round and the other ends came in contact with the head of one of our staff who was at the mement going out of the door. What with Mr Hall rating him on one side, and our reporter jacketing him on the other the boy got confused and making sudden turns effectually cleared an open space around him. No other accident occurred and the boy, after promising to pay the damage to the glass, was suffered to proceed. Our reporter's broken head does'nt matter. The boy says it was cracked before, but this is a libel.

The regular monthly meeting of the members of the Enniskillen Loyal Orange Lodge will be held this evening, in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association at the usual hour.

Persons about to travel in the lonely districts of the Waikato, may procure a pocket pistol, primed and loaded, at Grattan's Thames Hotel.

Mr Greenwood will offer for sale a splendid collection of fruit and ornamental trees tomorrow. They are of the finest growth, and well worthy the attention of the public.

The charge of attempting to bribe a member of the New South Wales legislature, on which a man named Edward White was recently committed fpr trial, consisted in offering Mr Stephen Scholey £25 to vote for a claim of £4,600 made by James Twaddle. The plea for the defence was that the offer was made by White while drunk.

The Intercolonial Cricket Committee met at Messrs. Jackson and Russell's office to-day at twelve o'clock, when it was unanimously decided that the proposals received from the Australian promoters of the proposed visit could not be entertained.