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Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1710, 11 August 1875, Page 2

The vine-growers of Mangawari have petitioned Sir George Grey to endeavour to obtain a repeal of the license fee for the sale of New Zealand wines.

A navvy named James O'Brien, employed on the Kaipara railway, was found dead in his bed on Sunday morning. He had been suffering from irrigation of the bowels but was otherwise well. At an inquest before Andrew Bonar, Esq., a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. An accident occurred in Wellingtonstreet last night about seven o'clock. A horse belonging to Mr. Parker, baker, was standing near his shop while the owner was engaged removing the cart harness, when the animal took fright and bolted, bringing the cart so shaiply into collision with the verandah post of Collins Brothers store as to carry it away, also breaking the harness and freeing the animal from the cart, which was also damaged. But for Mr. Parker's presence of mind he must have been serioualy injured. After getting released from the harness the horse galloped down Wel-lington-street, where it was ultimately stopped by Mr. Parker. The animal is usually very nervous and apt to take fright. Sweepstakes on the Melbourne Cap will take place at the Exchange Hotel every Saturday evening. The Treasurer of the Ladies Benevolent Society desires to acknowledge receipt of a handsome donation of £5 from P. L. Prime, Esq., Mayor, per proprietors of the Evening Star.

Local ghost stories are rjot very common, but" Veritas" writes to the Wailcato Times stating that on the day and at the hour when the late Mr Leary, solicitor, died in Auckland, he saw him distinctly sitting in his accustomed place in the Hamilton Court, and he mentioned the circumstance to another gentleman when both went in to speak to him, but were surprised to find that the figure had disappeared. The Town Clerk notifies that unless rents due on endowments are paid within fourteen days, legal proceedings will be instituted. The general and special rates are also now due and non-payment renders ratepayers liable for costs.

We are always happy to note the advance of journalism in the out-districts, because such advance is a sure index of the progress of settlement. It is therefore with pleasure that we direct our readers' attention to the advertisement of the Bay of Plenty Times in another column. Mr. Edgeumbe, the sole proprietor, announces an immediate enlargement of the Times, an alteration which is rendered necessary by the increased population of the settlements on the East Coast, for all of which the Bay of Plenty Times is at present the only representative newspaper. We have on several occasions had reason to admire the energy and independence of the editorials of this country journal, and since Mr. Edgeumbe has taken entire charge of the paper, the claims of the settlers in and about Tauranga and the want 3of the district have been advocated with fearlessness and spirit. Such a course of policy is sure to meet with due appreciation by the subscribers, and to result in benefit alike to them and the proprietor. It is no doubt owing to this cause that the necessity for enlarging the Times exists. We heartily wish our contemporary a still greater share of prosperity. We may mention that Mr. Edgeumbe is at present in town for the purpose of receiving additional advertisements. The Times may be recommended to hotel-keepers, manufacturers, and tradesmen generally as an excellent and cheap advertising medium. A little sensation was caused to-day by the bursting of the drinking fountain at the top of Wyndham-street. The top flew off with the pressure of water, and a muddy stream spouted out to a height of several feet, which created quite a little flood in Wyndhamstreet. No doubt the increased pressure caused by the heavy rains caused the accident.

At the Otahuhu R. M. Court, yesterday, William Patterson and John Cady were fined 20s. and costs for fighting in tho township. Various other cases were disposed of. A valuable library belonging to the late John Williamson, Esq., is to be sold by auction to-morrow, by Mr R. Arthur, at his rooms at eleven o'clock. The works are of rare value, and from some of our first authors.

Bakers' Hibernicon, with accompanying melodies, will be shewn for the last time in Auckland to-morrow evening in the City Hall. The entertainment is given as a compliment to Messrs Baker and Verner previous to leaving for Sydney, when a silver prize cup will be presented to the best amateur singer, comic and sentimental, to be decided by the audience.

Messrs H. S. Meyers sale of fruit, jam, etc., ex Freetrader, has been postponed unti.

A public meeting of the electors of Parnel will be held this evening ia the Parnell Hall, for the purpose of considering the abolition of the provinces and local Government Bills.

Friday, at eleven o'clock sharp.

The annual soiree of St, James's Presbyterian Church, Wellington-street, will be held this evening. Tea on the table at halfpast six o'clock. The Rev. R. F. Macnicol, minister of St. James', will take the chair, when several clergymen and gentlemen will deliver addresses. The music and choir will be under the direction of Mr and Mrs Mitchell.

The monthly entertainment of the St. Matthew's Church Union will be held tomorrow (Thursday) evening, when a lecture will be delivered by Mr Blackman, on the character and genius of the poet Cowper, with musical accompaniments.

A correspondent asks : "Sir, —Was Daniel O'Connell ever Lord Mayor of Dublin."— [O'Connell was elected Mayor of Dublin in IS4L-Ed. E.S.]

Dr Silvester, better known as the Fakir of Oolu, was honoured last evening by a large and fashionable circle of witnesses of his astonishing and perfect illusions. The various tricks and performances presented to the audience were similar to those of the preceding night, and attracted admiration and surprise. The wonderful pie-biter, who could bite through twenty pies, and who never failed but once, and that was owing to a plate between them, which was too much for his teeth, caused much amusement in his continued production of

eggs, which came forth, one by one, from his mouth at the bidding of his master. Leo was again introduced and uttered some new things ; he believed that the lion was the Queen's favourite animal because he was always in the royal arms. The representation of the legend of the Hartz mountains was successfully repeated. The beautiful representations of the entranced lady were greatly applauded ; also the poetical play of the silver fountain. At the close, the doctor informed his audience that on Saturday afternoon he would endeavour to gratify the young people of the city with a matinee.

The Treasurer of the Dispensary desires to acknowledge with thanks, the receipt of £5 from his Worship the Mayor, through the proprietors of the Evening Star.

The second anniversary tea meeting of the Star of Newton Lodge, will be held in the Congregational School-room to-morrow evening. The remainder of the evening will be devoted to readings, speeches, and song, the musical accompaniments by the Newton choristers.

A lecture will be delivered this evening in the Cook-street Christians' Meeting House, by Mr Caleb Wallis, of Papakura. The subject "Popular Religious Progress."