THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1726, 24 September 1862, Page 3

THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

We observe that the Superintendent of the Province has this day announced to the electors his intention of resigning his office. Pending the election of Mr. Williamson's successor, the Speaker of the Provincial Council, Mr. Powditch, will discharge the duties of the Superintendent's Office in .accordance with the provisions of the Superintendent's Deputy Act.

Steam Tiur to Howick and back.—The smart little steamer " Tasmanian Maid" will leave the wharf this morning, at 10 o'clock, on a pleasure excursion to Howick and back, returning the same day. Affording cabin accommodation of a very superior nature, and well supplied with those creature comforts, whether edible or potable, so consolatory to the inner man, short pleasant excursions like the present one—now that the fine weather has fairly Bet in—will afford a happy relaxation to our citizens, and prove, we trust, a source of remuneration to her proprietors. Now that the rush to Coromandel has well nigh died out, her visits are not likely to extend to more than one or two in a week to that place. Indeed next week she will be laid up for an overhaul, which is likely to extend over a fortnight, so that the present opportunity of availing themselves of an excursion trip is the last which may for some weeks be afforded to those of our citizens who may sigh for green fields and pastures new. Artificial Stone foe Pavement.—A few weeks a K o, we drew attention to the fact that Messrs. Willis and Morris had left at this office samples of an artificial stone manufactured by them, and suitable for the above mentioned purpose. Since then, a considerable improvement has been arrived at in the texture of the article in question; and within the last few days the pavement in front of Mr. Darby's hotel, at the corner of Durham and Queen-streets, has been paved with flat blocks of this material. The public has now an opportunity of forming its own opinion as to the desirability of using the article alluded to. Challenge to the Auckland Kifles.-A friendly challenge has been forwarded from twenty of the Nelson Hide Volunteers to a like number of those of this Province. Our Volunteers are not likely to be backward when such an opportunity of showing their prowess is afforded; and we hope that the invitation of the Colonel Commanding to meet him at the Militia Office, on Friday the 2Gth instant, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements, will be responded to as it should, and no doubt will be. Our Volunteers may hang back when asked to place themselves in a position of seeking public charity, but they will with alacrity and enthusiasm enter the lists against any competitors, and we think with a fair chance of success.

Proposed Extension of St. Paul's Church. — The want of necessary Church accommodation has caused the vestry of St. Paul's to appeal to the parishioners on behalf of the above undertaking. The plan of the proposed enlargement which we have seen will accommodate it appears some three hundred additional persons, and the cost is estimated at about £ 1,900. The increase of immigration dining the last i'e\v years has rendered some such step necessary, for it is a wellascertained fact that the applications for sittings at the Auckland churches exceed the accommodation. We believe it is the opinion of Col. Mould that, at a very small additional cost, a new and altogether more commodious building could be erected—one thing being quite certain, that the serious cost of repairing the old one would be avoided, a cost which will be heavily felt from time lo time. Whatever step is taken—and it is quite evident that some course must be resorted to —it behoves the parishioners to make some united exertion in the matter; meantime the present accommodation might be greatly extended if the ladies would onD r have the good sense and Christian forbearance to moderate—on Sundays—the size of the inflated balloons iu which they are accustomed to envelope themselves. We can well recollect the time when the same seat which now only holds three held five comfortably. Grand Soiree at the Odd Fellows' Hall.— An entertainment of this nature will, we perceive, take place this evening iu the Odd Fellows' Hall. Feus Case of New Zealand Woods.—We have just seen at the Homoeopathic depot, in Lower Queen-street, another of beautiful pieces of art from the hand of Mr. Seufcrt, our fellow townsman, for which he has already become well known. The article in question is a fern case, and has been made for Dr. Monro. It is about two feet in length by one and a half in breadth, and about 5 inches deep, and is made entirely of a largo variety of New Zealand woods, assorted and grouped in rich profusion and perfect taste. Of the workmanship we can only say that it is as exquisitely finished as .that of the escritoire lately forwarded for Her Majesty's acceptance. To those who arc unaware of the extraordinary beauty to which our New Zealand woods can be wrought, and to those who can at any time find pleasure in a work of art wc cordially recommend an examination of this latest work of Mr. Seufert.