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Evening Star, Issue 3095, 20 January 1873, Page 2

The Presbyterian Synod root tJiiß afternoon, but the business transacted up tx> four o’clock was purely formal. The report of the Victorian Woollen Com panv shows that during tire past year a profit of L 2.395 19s 3d was made. i he capital of the cojnpany is L 39, 00. Manufactured goods to the value of 1.17,3(58 16s 21 were sold, and consisted of tweeds, shawls, and blankets. The f Howmg remedy for slugs, so disastrous in co*tape gardens, is given as the result of experience by Mr E. W. Coteh, of Eapajkura “ The mode I adopt is to get «omo iuijt dry brushwood, spread it over the b ds, and set, (lee to it previous t ■ sowing seed. This destroys all el.m.'S that may be up n the immediate site of the bods, and to prevent the slugs from going to the beds a r t«rwards, lav some strips of wet or damp blanket. woollen stuff, or o d bags around tjje borders of the beds on the paths, about S«i a-fc, anti let them remain all night. This harbors the sings, who congregate underneath. and may be removed in the morning by lifting the strips and taking them off. There are other remedies of course which I suppose most gardeners and fanners are acquainted with namely, placing boundaries of either line, soot, salt, or sawdust around the Peds ; but I have found that the strips of pld blanket, &c., are more effectual.” A project is on foot to open in Christchurch within a short timp an Aitisans’ Industrial Exhibition, it is intended to go upon the principle of endeavoring to phtapi fop purposes of exhibition the many interesting mo lels, &e., manufactured by mechanics, artisans, Kc., in their leisure hours, such as models of em ines, mechanical contrivances of various kinds, which would no doubt proyc highly intm estin, to the general public, and also simulate others toe me forward in a similar way bn future occasions. In addition it is prm-osed. in order to five an attractivene s to the exhibition to obt lin'from persons in Christchurch the loan of paint, ings, kp.f sot however making this the prin*

cipal feature, but ra‘her subsidiary to the f main project of the scheme, which is to (rive ] a chance of a class of prod cfcs being exhi- i bited which do not ordinarily come under public notice. One of the oldest Auckland Colonists, Mr Phillip Tapsell, who has reached the mature age of 98, recently expressed a wish to his j friends and neighbors to the following effect, | viz , that all the cannons that could be found j should he brought to his residence—as ho ' has not been well lately—and in the ev- ntof ; his death, he should like to have them placed | across his grave. To gratify the veteran’s whim, says the Tauranga Time*, about 100 people went to a place calhd the Timu to j dive and drag for some cannons that were thrown into the river by the Waikato natives about 37 years ago, at the time when they were at war with the Arawa. After about two hours hard swimming, diving, and poling, they at last succeeded in finding a 14-pounder, w’hich with great difficulty was put on board a canoe and taken to Maketu, amidst the shouts and cheers of all who had been engaged in the work. There are two still in the water ; but as the natives are not quite certain of the place where they were thrown in, it will take some little time to find them, and they intend soon to go and have another look The gun, having been furbished up, was a day or 'wo aftnwards fired by old Tapsell, with a c gar he was smoking. A very important point in the working of the Bankruptcy Acts was brought before Judge G reason last week by the Provisional Trustee, fit Christchurch. The facta of the case are simply these, that one Robert \J‘Kay filed his declaration of insolvency, and in course a first meet ng of creditors wa called. At this meeting a Mr James Munday was elected trustee to the estate, but on finding there were no assets he declined to act. The Provisional 3 rustee was powerless to act, as he could only become trustee by reason of non-attend-ance of creditors, or by special appointment at the meeting. Neither of these contingencies happening, he could not interfere, an t there was a dead lock iu the matter. He applied to his Honor to know what was his position in the ma ter, and how he had better act. His Honor took the ground that it was an axiom of law that no man could be made trustee against his will, and that until Mr Monday had signed his acceptance of the office and his appointment had be n confirmed, he was not, in reality, the trustee of the estate, and that under the 151st section of the Bankruptcy Act, Mr Walten took possession as bailiff or custodian on the part of the creditors, and that this was hi* position. The case is of interest, as it is the first of the k nd which has come up here. The following is the 151st section:—The Provisional Trustee shall; immediately on adjudication, take possession of the bankrupts estate, and s’■ all rtfciiu possession thereof, cither personally or by a ban iff or assistant, appointed by him until the choice of a trustee by th creditor.-’, and the confir motion of such choice ; but if the Provisional Trustee, or if the Court, on the representation of any creditor, is of opinion that the keeping possession of the bankrupt’s estate is not requisite for the due protection of the creditors, such possession shall not be continued.”

The sale of runs at the Crown Lauds Office, to-day, attracted a large attendance, and Mr James Milner was the auctioneer. Hun No. 303, situated on the west bank of the Waiau Hiver, opposite its junction with the Wairaki, and containing 15 20' acres, 6,20 > acres of which are fairly grassed land (including 1,800 agricultural), 6,* 00 acres ferny land, and 3,000 acres of bush, possession to be given on Jauury, 1874, realised 1,820, in addition to a premium of LBB 6s Id, the purchasers being Messrs John M Kellar and E. B Cargill, bun No. 350, situated on the west .-bore of Lake Wakatip, ami containing 46 00 > acres. 20,000 of which are grassed la; d (including 700 acres agricultural), 15 000 aores ferny land partly grossed, 5,000 acres with little grass, and 6,0 0 acres of bush, possession to be given in February 1874, was purchased by Mr Larnach for I 2,995. in addition to the premium of L 245 19s 2d, Hun 394, on the east shore of Te Anau hake, and containing 29,000 acres, 9 000 of which are fairly grassed land (including 3 000 acres agricultural), 18,000 ferny land, and 2,000 acres bush, w s purchased by Messrs Oakdcn and Booth for L 1.500, in addition to the premium of L 139 16s2d. Hun 443, on the west bank of the Waiau, containing 2,600 acres, I,oooof which are open country, the remainder being scrub and bush; and run 442, on the west ford of Te Anau Lake, containing 82 000 acres, 18,000 of which are fairly grassed land, 30,000 high summer country, and the rest bush, were purchased by Mr John M‘Gregor; the first for 1,5, with a premium of L 7 )7s 7el added, and the second for LIOO, with LIO7 3s premium. The following rup.d lands were also sold : —Biueskiu, sec. 1, block 5, see. 10. do, G. E. and A. (Jharlton, L 3 each j se.c. 1, block 9, W. Percival; secs. 3 and 4, do., G, E,‘ and A. Cjiarlton ; seg. 7, do , soq. 1, block 10, sec, 9, plo.ck JQ, W. I‘ercival ; e e. 19. block 3. Catherine Butterfield; secs. 18 and 19, block 9, Jane Fredrick, L 3 each ; sec. 5, block 9, W. Percival, I 3 os ; Dunedin and East Taieri, sec. 2 of 32, block 4 (93 acres 3r. 8 1 .). L 46 17s 61, das. Renton; sec. 23 bock 5 (112 acres), L 56 2s fid, 4Jex. Wilson ; Otakia, sec. 15, block' 3 (Ufi acres lip.), 1-98 11s 3d, Messrs Hcpbipu, M 'Larep, and Ijlptph, A Queensland contemporary, in commenting upon the subjects who hj it js proposed the Interco'onial Confer noe should deal wi hj, alludes to the que-dion of cable communication with New Zealand, and suggests that the delegates should agree on a plan which they will subsequently submit for the approval of their re poctive Legislatures. The cable, it goes on to say, should be laid, maintained, and worked chiefly at tho cost of '•lew Z aland, “ but aided by the contributions of the other Colonies, the obj-ct of their co-operation being to ensure that their int<l*C“ts shall he duly considered in the work ng of the * * f the Queoisldiuhli may taken as the exponent '9 option in the C deny jyhero it L published, thi re is some ground for believing that assistance will bo received from that quarter. So far as trade and inte change are concerned, Queensland has little or no immediate interest in the establishment of telegraphic communi. cation with this Colony. Ultimately, however, when her resources are fully developed, when her sugar trade has assumed the proper ions which its promoters anticipate, direct and rapid communication with New Zea'and may be of some consequence to her producers. Tasmania, .South Australia, and Western Autralia, are in much the same relative pos tion with regard to this ' 'olony as Queensland. We have very little trade or interchange with either, but a time may come when a closer commercial intercourse will bo ostabLahed. Victoria and New South Wales, pn the other hand, have already large business connections in the Colony, and the probability is that those will be greatly extended as time parses. It follows, then, that even now they are directly interested in the question of cable communication with New Zealand, and that the Colonial Government have substantial reasons for claiming their cooperation and assistance. Mr Barnes, having announced l)is determination not to hold his promised meeting in the Octagon, wo of course made no arrangements for reporting it. Our contemporary seems to have been better informed, and Lorn the columns of the Daihj Times we gather that Mr Barnes was stuck up by a numbe' of persons determined not to miss their joke; and apparently yielding to their gentle coercion he delivered himself of the grievances he desired to invito p"blic sympathy upon. We do not suppose our readers would care to read the fnl l repo’t given It is quite sufficient for their purposes to know the chi f points he wished to enlighten the citizens upon. H is chief aim appears to bet* show that ho gloats'in the name of the ‘‘City

Watchdog”; and having appropriated that character to himself, to prove that he can snarl and bark. With or wit hout rea-on, Mr Barnes charges the Mayor—first, with being satisfied that a month elapsed during which no meeting of the Council took place. Grievance the second was, that two horses and two carts “ under contract for the Corporation were doing private work.” Mr Meikle, Corporation carter, told Mr Barnes bluntly that he had told a lie about the matter, but Mr Barnes did not seem to admit it. The ebarge does not appear to be very clearly made out. By his expla- ation it appears that L3O was voted for lowering the hid at Albany street; and anybody that wanted spoil was at liberty to cart it away. Three daymen were filling some carts, which seems to Mr Barnes to have been a mi appropriation of time, although we do not exactly see that the cost would be greater through throwing the earth into a cart than by casting it to a distance on to the road. Perhaps Mr Barnes can explain. He says there was no vote for cartage, and therefore it remains for Mr Meikle to explain who paid the cost o . Grievance the third was, Mr Smith told him that the Mayor had given him permission to ta' e away the foot of the hill below the Main South Road, near the cemetery. Mr Barnes, on this information being laid, showed his teeth at the idea of the possibility of tinconsequences of a land-slip on to the road ; and we quite agree with him on that point; hut bad this statement been made iu a couvt of justice instead of an open-air meeting, he would liave been asked if the Mayor was present when Mr Smith made the statement; aud if it proved he was not, it would n< t be considered evidence against him. Grievance the fourth was that the drainage scheme was likely to fall through. The difference between Mr Barnes and men gifted with know ledge on the subject, will prove a sufficient reason. Next, Mr Barnes informed I)is audience that one inducement to his barking was the pro-peel of Ik ing presented with a gold chain by the people of Leith ward After answering some bantering questions, the meeting concurr d in Mr Barnes’s proposition to expend L 13.000 for drainage purposes. Several questions were asked respecting the triumphal arch, the late ball, and some imaginary or real slights shown to the Councillors by the Mayor, at the reception of the Governor. A vote of thanks to Mr Barnes was carried for his manly inde pmdenco in protesiing agfinsb jobbery, and also endorsing his action in the City Council.” Nearly twelve thousand persons paid for admission to Chiarini’s circus, now performing in Auckland, during the four nights of its stay there. The Herald thus notices the company:—Mr John Fell n (known in California as the “Iron Bo ”) performed a number of feats of strength that were perfectly astoundii g. Ho throws two hundred pound weghts as though they were pippins. The entry of the next peifonner was watched with great interest, and in coming in wi.h his two trained steeds “ Prince” and “ Duke,” Sguor Chiarini was loudly cheered. “Prince” is a magnificent white horse, “ Duke” a black one. Both appear to be possessed of almost human intelligence, and their dual perf.omance was a rare treat to witness A grand act of tumbling by the company of acro' ats, fd by Mr George Hollands, followed, and was one of the finest entertainments of the kind ever witnessed in Auckland. As a rule, we do not care for tumbling, but the neatness dexterity, i-nd rapidity of every feat possessed an attraction that ’was perfectly irresistible. Miss Kate Holloway, a most accomplished equestrienne (and a very handsome woman), came into the ring directly it was quitted by the acrobats, and went through a performance on horseback that was rapturously received. ( very movement was marked by grace and daring, aud the entire act was decidedly a, great success. The three brothers Carlo next went through a most unique, weird, aud extraordinary series of tumbling feats, each playing at the sam- 4 time, and without a moment’s cessation, upon the violin. This was decidedly one of the most clever and wonderful portions of the entertainment. The next part was termed upon the programme the “ grand earn ing act, on a bare-back steed, by the greatest of female equestriennes, Helen Cuba (a colored woman), carrying in the most difficult poses the infant prodigy, La Petite Emilie.” This latter was a child only three years old, and excited the wonder and admiration of the spectators. Belcn Cuba is a very clever rider, and the child is a perfect prodigy. At an age when some children can hardly walk, she can ride as though she had been born upon a horse’s back. Mr Qeor e Holland, in his backward and forward somersault throwing, exhibit-d a grace and diring that has seldom been surpassed. The brothers Carlo again came forwar -, and went through some feats of acrobatism that delighted the audience. We might mention just one feat to show what these acrobats can do, 'i he first, standing on the shoulders of the second, throws a back somersault, an i alights on the shoulders of t)ie third several feet in his rear—certainly the .cleverest thing of the kind we have ever seen done. Tlic last act on the programme was the crowning act of the evening. The Lttle child (we might almo-t indeed call her baby) Kmilie entered the ring on two ponies, and galloppad them round, and leaped over bars, and went through a performance such as w r e sup ose has been done by no other child of such tender years Altogether there jyorp fourteen "istinct acts, which fo lowed ea hj otfior without a moment’s intermission There was not oven the usual ten minutes allowed for ‘'refreshments ” The entire performance was a great success.

We notice that Madame Cora de Lamond, assisted hy her sister and Master Waiter, will open the Masonic Hall qn Saturday evening next with their ent* rtainmenb. Madame ( ora, who is described as the only female magician in the world, has been playing with great success in Melbourne, and her performance is highly spoken of there. For full r information we refer our readers to the bills. Wo beg 'o thank “Master Humphrey” for a copy of his letters on the finances of the Colony of >ew Zealand. They are now to be had in pamphlet form, neatly printed, ami in a handsome wrapper Messrs Mills, Dick, and Co., Stafford street, are the printers,