The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1875.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1709, 10 August 1875, Page 2

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1875.

For th» cause that lacks a»»l«t.-rac*. For the nraag that weeds re.-istt*c«, Wor the f«ture In the distance. Aa4 th» ff*od that wu can <U,

It appears, from Wellington telegrams in today's Cross, that a very pretty little dorlge as intended in connection with last night's ting at Newmarket. We, yesterday referred to the report that the meeting

was believed to be " cut and dried," but we

did not suppose that the promoters intended to go so far as the Cross telegrams seem to indicate, nor yet did we think that capital would be made out of this intention n Wellington by the Government party before the electors even had au opportunity of expressing any opinion. The Cross correspondent, considering no doubt that the affair would be over before hiß

telegram saw the light of day, inadvertently

lets the cat out of the bag, and reveals the source from whence the inspiration has

sprung. He says: "Thinking it advisable

to let Mr Reader Wood know what was going on in Auckland, I showed him, at dinner,

my telegi am, notifying the fact of the Parnell meeting, and also announcing that it was intended to move a vote of censure on Mr Reader Wood." This, then, was the little

move on the board which caused the

double-shuffling with reference to the place of meeting. The combined electors of Eden and Parnell had been called together

istance from Mr Wood's constituency, and in a building -which could not possibly hold a fair representation of both electorates, and for what ? To pass "a vote of censure on Mr EeaderWood." We have no doubt the electors of Parnell will appreciate as it merits -this kind desire to represent their feelings and views, and have equally little doubt that when Mr. Wood returns and meers nis constituents, as he invariably does, he will be quite prepared

*o explain his action in the Assembly, and

"^Ceive the vote of censure then. The let. • read at last night's meeting from th Chair me of the Parnell and G-rafton Koad highway districts shewed clearly that both those gentlemen were under the impression that- the meeting was to be held at the Parnell Hall, and that they were taken by surprise when the announcement appeared in print for Newmarket. Fortunately, however, the ruse did not succeed, and v the Parnell electors will have an opportunity to-morrow night of expressing their views oh the question before the country ; but so far as any vote of censure is concerned, we are satisfied that whatever might be the feeling of a majority of that meeting -on the bills brought down by the Ministry, a British lova of fair play would restrain the Parnell electors from doing anything so mean and unworthy as to condemn a man unheard. The trick was one^ attempted by two or three, who soon discovered that a large majority of those presemt at the meeting last night wero favourable to the clearly reasonable course of submitting such large constitutional questions to the people instead of dealing with them in pi expiring and nonre presentabive parliament. The Wellington correspondent of the Cross aud those who have talked so glibly about votes of censure and public opinion will find, when public meet gs have actually been held, that the gr S3 of thinking people are not so a by a few who aspire to the office

of wire pulling ; and unless we are very, much mistaken, Sir George Grey will receive from Auckland a true and earnest support in his efforts to retrieve the lost position oi this part of the colony which the Colonial Treasurer so facetiously designated " the public scandal."

The effect of the abolition proposals of the Government are so mixed up in the public mind "with the question of provincialism and other extraneous subjects that we give below the financial results relatively to the three largest provinces if the bills and appropriations now before the legislature become law. The one marked characteristic about the advocacy of the Government journals which are unitedly urging the Ministerial proposals, is the uniformly abstract nature of their statements and eulogy. They will not descend to particulars and inform people why this is such a good thing. It is true that we hear a good deal about the costly nature of Provincial institutions, and how much the Government will save by abolition; but we are not aware that saving off our miserably-provided for public institutions is such a very desirable thing, unless something good is offered in lieu thereof. Already the outlying highway boards, which most need aid, get £2 for every £1 of rates collected, and we do not see what benefit they are going to receive, unless it be, the cost of constructing their own bridges and main roads added to their responsibilities. All the unsupported assertion is on the side of the Ministerialists, all ■ the real argument on the side of those who believe they see in the Government proposals the final rivet that will fix for ever the chain that has bwind Auckland down. We, therefore, offer the following figures from Major Atkinson's financial statement with a Bpecial request that our contemporaries will examine and refute them, if they can, for the information of the Parnell electors to-morrow night :— The contributions to the consolidated revenue of the colony last year (which is the only basis we have to go upon) were : Ota"0 Auckland Canterbury £518,003 .. £310,342 ~. . £257,502 If the Government measures are carried, the provinces will receive for all the institutions of Government —gaols, education, asylums, public works, etc., the following sums for the eight months following aboliAttclc- CanterOtaßO. laud. lmry. v £ £ From consolidated fund.... 70.M3 31.564 00,988 From land fund (about).... 170,000 - 170,000 Tola l g 210,008 31,504 230,088 Each province receives the road board and municipal grants alike, the only difference being that a large proportion of that given to the province of Auckland will be charged as an accumulating debt against any land fund which she may hereafter become possessed of, while the grants are free to Otago and Canterbury. The figures are only approximate, as we have not the full estimates before us, acid the calculations are necessarily based on last year's revenue. But we offer them as fairly representing the relative proportions of the • rovenues to be received by the respective provincial districts during the eight months following abolition, and trust our enthusiastic contemporaries will enlighten the people of this province if it is otherwise. And this is the proposal we are asked to swallow without a murmur, or without even waiting to hear the | other side.

It is with pleasure that we announce an act of munificence on the part of His Worship the Mayor of this city (F. L. Prime, Esq.) who has placed in the hands of the proprietors of the EVENING STAB the sum of £20, to be distributed among our charitable institutions as follows, and which sums the treasurers will kindly acknowledge on receipt of the s»me. Home for Neglected and Destitute Children, £5; Ladies Benevolent Society, £5 ; Auckland Dispensary, £5; St. Mary's Orphanage, £2 10s; and Orphan Borne, Parnell, £2 10s.

We have received the following particulars of another distressing case : Sir, —Will you be so kind as to state in your paper this evening for me that I am a poor woman and sadly in want of a little help as my husband was accidentally drowned last Thursday off the Cutter Bertha, whilst poliDg up the river in a punt for cargo at Maurangi and I am left with one little child and in very delicate health, quite destitute. We only arrived in Auckland two months ago from Sydney. My husband did not get employment until two weeks previous to his death. Any little help that may be kindly offered will be thankfully accepted by me.—Mrs. Leisnek. I have to acknowledge with many thanks the following subscriptions :—Mr. J. Rion £2 Mr. C. Wood £2.

The action between A. K. Taylor of Mount Albert, and Joseph Wilkins, a settler at Waiuku occupied the greater part of the timeof the Court yesterday, in which plaintiff claimed for damage done to defendant's adjoining crops by defendant's pigs, and for other alleged wrongful acts. The defence was that the pigs had actually done good by destroying the crickets which abounded on Mr. Taylor's farm. Several witnesses were examined on either side, and His Honor, having listened to counsel, gave? judgment for plaintiff for £12 11s. and promised to consider the question of costs. The Court then adjourned until Wednesday morning at half-past ten o'clock. The Eegatta meeting is to be held this evening, at half-past seven o'clock, at Gratten's Thames Hotel. The principal business will be the election of a committee. It is to be hoped that all members will be careful to be present as important reforms are in contemplation.

We yesterday referred to the dissatisfaction existing in Victoria with the Government mode of dealing with the waste lands. Our remarks receive forcible illustration from a petition just presented to the Victorian parliament, now in session, and published in papers received by the Cyphrenes. The petition sets forth :—"That the trust which was reposed in this colony for the benefit of the people by the surrender by England of the Crown lands of Victoria has been violated in every respect. That as regards the first class lands of the colony, they have been handed over in immense areas to individuals, and there is not; now a single acre of these rich soils to be obtained by any of the other inhabitants. That as good land in every country is scarce as compared with the inferior soils, the wholesome fraudulent alienation of the good land is a high crime and misdemeanor, and your petitioners, viewing the consequences of it to the present and future inhabitants, humbly conceive that it is the bounden duty of the Legislature to resume possession of these first-class soils for the use of the people generally, in moderate allotments, and for that purpose to adopt the precedent set by the Parliament of England in the reign of William the Third, in resuming, by act of Parliament, possession of the large grants that had been made to individuals by that monarch and his Ministers."

We Have often drawn p s ~-*™> Baker's Hibernicon, one of tL Cresting of public entertainments, »v we have had the pleasure of witnt ing. Ihe ceneiy of the panorama represents some of sthe most pleasing parts of Ireland, parts associated with history, poetry, and songs, which are musically described by the gifted brothers, Messrs. Baker, and O. Verner, who are about to leave the city on Friday by the s.s. Macgregor, for Sydney, and as they have special claims upon the community, which caterers for the public aood in every instance have not, it has been resolved to give these three gentlemen a complimentary benefit on Thursday evening, at the City Hall. It is not every company that makes an appearance amongst us that acts in so disinterested a manner in relation to the charitable institutions of the city as the Messrs Baker have acted. Therefore, it is seemly that some grateful return should be made to them, such as that announced in another column of this journal, and which we trust will meet with a hearty response. ' The Hobson Company and Band will muster this eveeing at the new drill-shed for monthly inspection ; members to appear in full dress with arms and accoutrements. Ihe members of the City Company (No. 2) will meet at the same time, in undress uniform, for monthly inspection

At the Cook-street Christian's Meeting House, a lecture will be delivered this evening by Mr Edward Lewis, on " Reformations and Restorations."

There was a good attendances to-day at 'Messrs Tonks and Co.'s sale of Fiji tobacco, sperm candles, and currants, on account of whom it may concern, and fair prices were realised.

The Newmarket Highway Board are negociating for the supply of Gas Lamps for the District, in all probability arrangements will be come to, and the work fiaished in time to be of service before the summer weather sets in if the Board consider the state of the funds justify the expenditure.

The bad weather of yesterday culminated towards evening, when the rain came down in torrents and the wind at intervals swept in from the North-East in squalls of hurricane violence. About half-past seven a heavy thunder and lightning storm passed over the city and harbour, lasting for upwards of an hour, during which the forked lightning was very vivid. At ten o'clock the wind moderated, and though the sky remaided clouded all night the elements seemed tired out and did not again clash.

It is estimated that there were over a millioa dollars' worth of coral obtained last year from the Mediterranean by the coralgatherers of Naples.

The city of New York has a civil service of about 1.3,000 parsons, or one man drawing pay to every three paying taxes. It takes §13,000,000 to run tha city annually.

The members of the Auckland Fire Brigade mot last evening in Albert-street. Mr, Superintendent Hughes in the chair. Two new members were admitted. It was also arranged that the anniverdary of the Brigade should be celebrated by a torch light procession, aud £5 waa voted towards the expenses.

Tho adjourned meeting of the membera of the Regatta club will be held this evening, at the Thames Hotel at the usual hour.

Beecher has just received as a gift, from the ladies of the Homeopathic Fair, an umbrella-stand of gilt wood, two umbrellas and a cane, the sticks bsing of malacca, gold-headed, and the silk of the best English make. It was awarded to him by a vote as tho most popular clergyman, hi 3 principal rivaLbeing Cardinal McClosky.

The Viceroy of Egypt is about; f> astonish the world again. He has resolved to build a railroad along the valley of the Nile in the interior of Africa, and as he has plenty of money .and thousands of serfs at his command, he will no doubt acoompiish his purpose. In a few years, African explorers will be able to travel in sleeping cars, and to write magniQeent descriptions of places which they have passed through in the dark.

The Sergeant-at- \rms in the State House at Boston has found it necessary to nail down the lower portion ©f the windows in the cupola to prevent the utter destruction of the gilding on tho dome by tobacco juice squirted upon it by filthy visitors.

A German named Lardelli, who last Hummer dispensed the frozen luxury of ice cceam in the streets of Newcastle, N. S. W., has come into a fortune of £60,000.

The miserable end of a miser is recorded in the neighbouring colony of New South Wales. The body of a man, 70 years of age, apparently destitute, was found by James Buckley, a labourer, near Ploughman's Creek, death having to all appearances been caused by exposure 'and starvation. On examination, this forlorn object was found to have on his person sufficient to place him in a position of comfort, but apparently, from his miserable nature, he denied, himself common necessaries. Wrapped up in a number of filthy rags in the deceased's pocket, the constable found notes amounting to £147. The medical examination showed that the stomach was quite empty and that death was clearly the result of want and exposure.

Queen Victoria can count four attempts on her life; the King of Prussia, one ; the Emperor of Austria, one ; the Duke of Parma, one, which caused his death; the Queen of Spain, two; the ex-King of Naples, one: Napoleon 111, six, including conspiracies to assassinate him ; the Queen of Greece, one ; and Victor Emmanuel, one. " Uneasy is the head that wears a crown."

F. G. Brown and Co., who have introduced various cheap and excellent cakes to the notice of the public, announce a new one of maizena, which is commanded by Dr. Baynton for its lightness and richnessa of flavour. Their Mabel fruit cake, which is sold at one shilling, is a very superior luxury for the teatable.

An actor engaged in one of the Baltimore theatres, while going through a performance recently, was suddenly taken with paralysis of the throat, accompanied by swelling of the lips, tongue and salivary glands. The physician who attended him said that he had been poisoned by cosmetics used in colouring his lips and cheeks.

The Onehunga branch of the H.A.C.B. Society (No. 89) will hold their annual soiree tornight in St. Mary's Hall, Onehunga. Visitors from' Auckland will be conveyed out in a 'bus leaving the Thistle Hotel, Queenstreet, at 6.30 p.m. Dancing commences at eight o'clock. The gathering promises to be a most successful one.

A cablegram, dated London, July 15fch, states that the New Zealand cable is to be laid before May next. This is carrying out the work with despatch. The colony is to pay a subsidy of £7,500 per annum for 10 years; the charge for the transmission of messages through the cable not to exceed 7s 6d per message of 10 words, and 9d for every additional word inclusive of n.ames and addresses ; the tariff to be reduced to 5s for every 10 words, and 6d for every additional word whenever the average number of messages during any preceding six calendar months has amounted to 200 per week, excluding Sundays. This cable will be another great tax upoa newspapers, which are already very heavily handicapped with telegraphic charges. Frequently during the present session of Parliament, ■ our telegrams for one day's issue have coat between £5 and £6, the full benefit of which ;s secured by any of the public for a penny. It i« needless to say that these large expenses are not in any way recouped by direct returns, and comparatively few of the public even discriminate between the news collected at so great a cost, and the padding and bogus rubbish which some journals pass off as " telegraphic."

While three persons at Utica, N. V., were looking over a garden at sunset, a few days aeo a rat appeared near a stone wall; then another and^nother, until five had assembled, the fifth and last dragging a dead rat A council then seemed to be held after Which four of them took the foot of their dead companion and drew the body to a place where the earth was soft. The fifth dug a grave with the head and feet, the depth being sufficient to allow the earth to cover the body. The four afterward assisted in covering it up, leaving the tail of the dead rat out of the ground

Dr Despine, in his Psychologic Naturelle, gives a strikiug analysis of the mental status of the criminal classes. Attracted by the singular want of emotion displayed by most; criminals, Dr. Despine was led to a thorongn examination cf court records and other sources of information. He arrives at a belief in the entire absence of moral sense in this class. . He says that free will, which in the normal man is only controlled by a sense of duty, in the criminal has no such counterbalance this sense being wanting. His acts are therefore mentally automatic, the result of the strongest instinct, appetite or passion prevailing at the time. Most criminals are therefore morally irresponsible, no matter how great the crime as against society. Like brutes, savages, and idiots, they yieia to natural appetites and passions unrestrained and unreproached by any feeling of impropriety, although intellectually cognisant ol the moral standards of society. Hence tneir remarkable Sangfroid, and the superficial character of any apparent reformation or conve;s;on. Dr. Thomson, resident surgeon to the, General Prison for Scotland, at Perth, fiuds his experience confirmatory of the views of Despin°, and, in a paper published in the Journal of Science for October, IS7O, recognises various decrees of "moral insensibility. We notice that the Hobson Band Minstrels will give their UDique entertainment, the Grand Soiree d'Ethiop, at the Whau public hall on Thursday evening next, lhe programme is full and varied, including the chair performance. Comic and sentimental songa of a very choice character, a negro sketch, called the Dramatic Agency, lhe musical department will be conducted by Mr. McComish, and will consist of eight musicians. Should the evening be fine many persons will take an opportunity of a pleasant ride to the Whau, to hear the melodies and music of the Hobson Minstrels.