LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2308, 26 May 1898, Page 20

LOCAL & GENERAL.

To iDcreaso the interest that is taken in the matter of rendering aid to the injured before.* doctor arrives, and so, in many cases, obviate mill further injury, Dr Fulton has decided to offer through the Dunedin centre of the St. John Ambulance Association k very light and compact stretcher for a competition open to teams from the St. John Ambulance Coips, the Dunedin Bearer Company, volunteer companies which learn ambulance a3 a part of their duties, &s. Tb.6 stretcher will be retained by the winning team for a year, and will have affixed to it a silver plate with the names of the winners inscribed thereon. The regulations for the competition are being prepared and - will ba issued shortly by the secret ary^ of the 'Danedin centre, Mr W. Livingston.

A s«d case (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent) has conae under the notice of the Wellington Benevolent Institution Trustees through the instrumentality ■of Lady Stout, who at a recent mettiug applied for aid for a young girl with an illegitimate child. She yould not give.the girl's name, no doubb thinking thab if sbe got chance and the case -was not m*de public there would i)e a better chance of the girl's redeeming her past error. The trustees, however, could no% see their way to giving aid to an unknown applicant, aod .Lady Stout still refusing te divulge the name taid she would see what she could do privatt ly.* The matter has been again brought before the trustees by Mrs F. W. Mackenzie, wife of a •well-known doctor. It appear* that the girl for whom aid is sought was adopted by a mamand bis wife, both of whom appeared to be very fond of their ward. When only 16 years of age -» child was born, but the girl would not tell who the father was." Recently, however, -another child was born. It then came out that ihe head of the household (who had several children by hia own wife) was the father of the childreu.

Mr W. H. Sallmon, M.A., travelling secretary of tbe Australasian Students' Christian "Uaion, - arrived from the north on the 17tb. Mr Snllmou is making a tour of the universities and colleges of New Zealand, and has so far been snccesstal in .establishing several additional Christian unions. He seems to have been well received on his lour, as both the Primate it Auckland and the Bishop of Nelson have jjiven him reception?, and the Bishop of Christchurch intends to' hold one in Mr Sallmon's honour ithetx the latter returns there from Punedis. , A zce*-i) :■£(.£ persons interested in the growth ttf chryt,a.r.t:jc caums was held in the Continental Cafe, "Prineee street, on (he 17th. Mr Hngh Adam presided, and there were 14- gentlemen present. . Af tier some discussion it; was decided io * form a club, to ,be called the Dunedin Chrysanthemum Club. About 14 of those j -present agreed to become member* of the club, J, knd the chairman read the names of about 30 j others who had expressed their willingness to J be members. The following office-bearers were < sleeted :— P/eaidanfe* Mr J. Sinclair Thomson ;

vice-presidents — Messrs T. Brown, J. R. Sinclair, P. C. Neill, and A. Batbgate ; committee — Messrs Youngson, William Renuie, G. Jackson, E. A. Hamel, O. Grave, W. M'Laren, E. Chaplin, and R. M 'Neill; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. Adam ; auditor, Mr F. E. Brittain. Ifc was stated during the course of the meeting that the club was nob intended to injure the Horticultural Society in any way, and a number of those present said if such a thing were contemplated they would not join the club, as they were members of the Horticultural Society.

. The 'Union Steam Ship Company's winter excursion to the South Sea Islands gives promise of being a great success. Although the lovely islands that; c-fcud the Pacific are not now the terra incognita they once were, thanks to the Uaion Company's regular trader*, yet the vista of islands, not hitherto vi3ited by tourists generally, opened by the excursion whioh leaves Sydney in July has induced a large number to m&ke application for berths. As a matter of faci*, lately applications have come in to almost an embarrassing extent, and cocsequently tbe passenger list; had to be closed. So large a number have applied that (he company, in order to avoid disappointing any, had -to provide extra accommodation, but in spite of that a number of applications had to ba refused. As it ia about 130 have been booked, and as the splendid steamer Waikare will be potfe on for the trip ib should prove a moit enjoyable one. The excursionibts for the most parb are from Australia, although quite a percentage of them hail from New Zealand. Some of the loveliest ' islands of the Pacific will be visited, and time will be given the tourists at each stopping place to see all that is of most interest. The islands of Tongan, Satnoau, and Rarotocgan groups; will be touched at, and last, but not least, the Tahiti Islands, which, perhaps, surpass all the otherg in beauty. To those who have been fortunate enough to secure berths the excursion should be one never to be forgotten. At a meeting on the 18th inst, of the committee cf the Technical Glasses Association (Mr A. Burt presiding) ib was intimated that a letter had been received from the Uuder-aecre-tary for Education notifying that the department would give a subsidy of £ for £ on the current year's subscription. It was pointed out that on the strength oE the Minister's assur-, ances that assistance to the amount of £1000 would be forthcoming daring 1897, the committee had gone in for new premises and mado extensive alterations thereto, with a view to eventually bringing all the association's classes under one roof. A less sum than £500 would be of no assistance to the association, as the expenses of the teaching staff absorbed nearly all the available money in baud, and the reserves, which had been specially ear-marked, bad already been trenched on, It was decided that the chairman should draw 116 a statement setting forth the plight in which the association found themselvos, and that representations on the subject should be mado to the Minister by a deputation from the committee. The resignation by Miss Gether of her position as teacher of the wood-carving olasa was accented

with regret, and ifc was decided to invite applications for a tof.cher of carving and modelling. It was reported that over 580 pupiU had enrolled for the current term.

The members of the Rose of PaJmerstoh Lodge, U.A.O D., held a scc'al in tha lodge room ori Friday evening, 20fch inst , which was well attended by members and their lady friends. The object of the social was to wish P.A Bro. M'Dougall (who is leaving here for Christchurch) good-bye and God-speed. During tha evening D.P. Bro. Hopkins, in a few wellchesen remarks, in which he expressed ihe regret the officers and brothers felti afc losing so useful a member, presented Bro. M Dougall with 9, framed group ,of the brethren taken at tbe last anniversary of the lodge held on the 9bh November, 1897. Bro. M'Dougall very feelingly thanked the brethren for the picture and fchfcir kit.d wishes. He assured them that all he bad done for Druidistn ho considered he had done in his own interest. Dancing, interspersed with songs, was kept up till midnight. The mus'c waß supplied by Blr A. Morrison and Bro. Sutherland, Bro. Sloan acting a? M.C. Songs were rendered during the evening by Bros. Penny, :Gjodwin, Wilsoji, and Sutherland, and recitations ware given by Bros. RanVin and Philip. A very enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the staging of " Auld lang syne."

The chairman of Mr Ward's Gore committee v» rites : "Mr M 'Nab was never approached or asked by Mr Ward's committee, nor was anyone authorised to ask him, to retire in favour of the Hon. G. F. Richardson. On the contrary, when Mr Richardson was informed of the rumour he emphatically declined to accept Mr M'Nab'a retirement — preferring a atraight-out fight; £or tha seat. So far as we know, Mr 33' Nab never promised to retire in Mr Richardson's favour, and there is no foundation for the rumour."

Oar Auckland correspondent telegraphs :—: — "It is estimated that the total cost of the expedition to Waima in connection with the Native disturbance there will run into' close on £2000. This sum of course includes the oosb of maintenance of the men ■while in camp, which will be borne by the Government, and not deduoted from tha men as ration allowances ; also the use of the steamers Gairloch, Hinemoa, and Tutanekai, engaged in conveying troopi to and Erom Wellington and Auckland and Hokianga. Regarding the refusal of the Maoris to pay taxes, the Waima and other Natives ass at present) indebted to the County Council to the amount of £200, this being in addition to the sum due for dog taxes, which fchsy *lso decliue to pay."

Mr W. Carncross, member for the Taieri, addressed his constituents ab Middlemarch on Monday, 16tb, and on Tuesday evening spoke at the Volunteer Hall, Green Island, Mr J. Miller (mayor) in the chair. Mr Carnorosß addressed himself to the consideration in brief of the events of last session, and apoke at considerable length on the subject of old age pensions, giving his reasoES for voting against the third reading of the bill introduced by the Premier, and goin« on to express his own idea

as to how the principla enunciated by Mr Seddon could be made workable. Tbe speaker was attentively listened to, and he apparently convinced his hearers as to the soundness of hia views on. this and other subjects/ since at the close of the address no questions were asked, though aa express and reiterated invitation to seek for explanation was made by both Mr Cfcrncroaa and the ohairman. A vote of thanks to Mr Carncross was carried unanimously.. The member epoka on Thursday evening at Allanton.

At last week* meeting of the Education Board Mr Gallaway said t-htfc in proportion to the amounts received from tbe board, tbe amount required for absolutely necessary expenditure was greater y in tha oas<s of % smaU echo.l than in the case of a larga school, but the proper remedy was not to break a regulation to meet what might bs regarded as a hard case, but to spe if it were possible to grant further financial assistance to the smaller schools.

The weekly meeting of tha Benevolent Inafci(u'ion Trustees, held on the 18sh'in»fc., was attended by Mes ; rs A. Solomoa (chairman), C. Allan, B. Wilsou, P. Tce*eder, 11. Watson, H. Gour.ley, and W. Swtn. Accounts amounting to £133 143 wer» passed for payment. Tbe secretary reported that Annie ( Kt;ii,h, aged 79, dis dat the institution during the week. The cost for maintenance at the institution for the month of April amounted to £318 7a. The inmates number 288, and the average cost per head per week was 5s 2d.

Mr J. F. M. Fraser on the 18 h announced his resignation as a member of the Education Board. Already Mr Jameß Mitchell, of Oamaru, is. definitely in the field, and several other names are mentioned.

At a meeting of the O&rnaru Presbytery with the congregation of St. Paul's, the name of the Rev. Mr Porter, of Morai'igtou, w«.s inserted in a cill, which was largely signed and subsequently sustained. The Noitb Ofcago Times states that the meeting <vas a large and harmonious one.

By tbe Talune on bbc 18th the Presbyterian missionary to rhe Chinese iv Otago returned to Dunedin after an absence of neatly eight months. Mr Don, accompanied by Mr Joseph Ings, of St. Clair, etosely inspected Chinese miesion work at -San Francisco, Lo» Angeles, and Sacramento, California; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington ; Victoria, B.C. ; Yokohama, Jajan ; Hongkong and Canton, China. The reception given him Ivy the Chinese iv the country districts arovind Cs.utoa city was remarkably frieadly, and hia desirs to create co-operation between missionaries these and fcfre seems in a faic way of fctb&iameut.

The question of bonuses Io school t;ach«rs was considered at a special -meeting of the Education Baard last we;k, when ft was resolved, on the casting vote 01 the chairman, to aboiinh the bonuses, but ibis resolution does cot ccrao into fores' until tbe new scale cf salaries bus been adopted. At the same meeting tbo Rev. Mr Fraser's proposals re the method of appointing teachers wers considered, and the matter remitted to % commiutee to draft a resolution embodying the principles contained in tne "motion, but modifying its details.

Tbe r'eporb of 'Jtfr Robert H. Jones, gt Londou, on a sample of asbestos scut to him fropa the New Zealand 'Asbestos Company's deposit at Takaka confirms the opinion formed locally regarding the value of the deposit. In hia -report Mr Jones states that agbss&os is a form of hornbleude, while chrysotila is fibrous sorpen--tjine. The latter is the Nelson deposit. Bobh ! forms occur in-'Bt-rpentice reck. What is ; usually found in Ausiiaiia is .tbe hornblende variety ; consequently "chryaot.i!e fa everywhere keenly sought foi% He says : "Your sample from New Zealand is remackably good. This •I take to be chrysotile. It i» a great misfortunft I that it nev.er occurred to you to eend a mioerai legist's sample 'with i;he rook attached. A 'rough analysis gives 41 11 of silica and 4-1-077 'of magnesia, which is ' very good." It mast be ■ good news to the shareholders therefore to i ie&rn that in their Nelson deposit they have [ something superior to anything hitherto found ;in Australasia* -

The bakers of Danedin and suburbs have raised tha'prioe of the 41b loaf to 7d.

Oar Auckland correspondent telegraphs :— '•• A meeting of the women's political societies has been held for, the purpose of allowing tbe local delegates to- the recent Wom6n'« National Cuuncil in Wellington an opportunity to explain what was done at the convention. Mrs Daldy wont into the business of the conference at lesgth, and Mrs J£irkby>eferred to Misn Benjanaiu's paper on .the tquilifcies of the law regarding men and. women, which was rejected by the council. ■ She said the- advice Mias Benjamin gave 'aounded lika isKpettinenca coming from a yttuug woman, even though she was a f ull-blown'b'arrister. Mrs Kirkby thought ifc was quite rightTihe paper was rejected. Miss Benjamin had been asked .to wsite on the disabilities of women, bat- did- not point out any special disability-. - Oae-of fee members of the council had said; aud Mrs Kirkby thought she was right, that ff~ the* paper had been read it would have been like f>oxiDg their own ears in public."

Professor Betibam, -wbo succeeds the late lamented Professor Parker in the chair of Biology at the Qta.^o " University, arrived in Wellington by the Kaikoura on Thursday. He is eccooipanied- by his wife and family. Dr Banhani was. for some time assistant to Professor Ray Lsnkester.- -

At Thursday's meeting of the Education Board Mr Hugh M'Millan, of Gioumerburn, was appointed- -fir*&- assistant of the Normal School.

Messrs A. B. Kelly and J. Fenton, who left Coromandel for the Klondyke, have returned to Auckland. Th&y oaly reached D^ea, tha terminal port of the steamer route, and the placa at which supoliea for tbe field are obtained. There they** heard terrible tales of the starving and perishing hundreds who hare already found graves at White's Pass, Chiicoot Pas?, and other dangerous parts of the road. Many of the corpses, it was reported in Dyes, had been found with gold on them. Ihe richness of tae fiald and its extent i», however, according to their report, greatly exaggerated. A 6 any r*ta Messrs Kelly and Fenton learned sufficient of the inhospitable place to induce them to return to New Zealand.

The Right Hon. Mr Seddou, in a letter to the Auckland Observer, says :— " In your laet week's issue you drew a comparison as between the financial position of the late Sir Harry Atkinson and his Ministers and myself and colleagues, and you allege that I am worth some £40,000 or £50,000. Yaur stfttsmont is absolubely incorrect, and the inference' you wished to create — namely, that owing to my official position I had amassed wealth— is an insult undeserved by me afc your hands. The facts sre : Stripped of my present position, I should not be called upon to pay either income or land tax. Further, to-day I am 'not as well off as I was the day I took office. So much for the spoils of office. Like the tHrea Premiers tHat bave preceded moj I am cot overburdened

with this world's good 3. The sacrifices mai?4 my family and I c*n bear without demur, but my honour, the one remnant remaining, I feel constrained to protect. -Rumour was ever a lying jade, and having based your uncalled-fes and unmerited assertion upon such a rotten foundation, I call upon y.u, in the interest! of honoati and f*ir joucnaiiaxa, to mace the necessary correction."

It is otated in Westporf. on what purports to be authority, i,hat tbe Midland railway will shortly become the property of the Government;.

Oa aud after the Ist June the north express train corning f <o Bunedin will only, stop »t Hil)» grove and W«.icati to put down passenger! from north of Oamaru.

Mf A, H. Johnson has been appointed signal engineer to the New Zealand railways. Mt Johnson is said to have had oomidertble experience in England and the United Sfc»te», and it will be hie duty to design and develop » uniform echeme for iaterlocking points »nd signata, iaiprovemeufc in the present. <y*tem hnving been found absolutely nece«6*rv. The signal cabins in ase will be fiotnd up wilh more modern appliances, and the Qumbir iucreaged. An extensire «et of plans is heing prepared, and the first steps towards the new installation, will be taken in the Wellington yards.

Mr W. H. Sallmon, (he travelling secretary of the-AußtralasiaD Student Christiaa'MissioD, has^ been mepting with the .students in th« university this week ia the interests'^ of the union. Mr Sallmon is a graduate of Yale University, and seem* thoroughly to nnder> stand the work in -which- ho is at present engaged. He has made an admirable impression on the students by. hia addresses and personality. , We understand th*t arrangements are ia progress to en&bie Mr Sullmon to meet next week with a number of laymen interested in the work or the union.

The Clufcba, Free Press says :— •• On fit, on the very best authority, that Mr Thomas Matf* ksriz : e will, in three months' time, sever his connection with the various New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Associations for which he has been acting as London representative, and return to this country. Mr Mackenzie's reason for faking this step is that tbe climate of London does not agree with him."

Friday being the third anniversary of the death of the. late Bishop Moran, a solemn requiem mass was celebrated in St. Joseph's Cathedral at 9 a.m. Bishop Verdon wat the celebrant, and amongst those who were present «tre the Rev. Fathers Murphy,' Ryan, O'NeiH, and M'Muller. There was a large congregation, and the music on the occasion was ren? tiered by the choir of Dominies n suns. At 11 o'clock the bishop and several of the clergy proceeded to the Southern Cemetery, the bishop solemnly blessed the' beautiful mortuary chapel in the vault of which the mortal remains of the late Bishop Hor?n find a resting place. Immediately after, .a requi^a: mass, was celebrated by Father O'Neill, of Mii Con. Toe Wellington correspondent of the Lyttel ton Times writes :— " The Premier has received informa'ion that some time ago an order for IQ,OOO tons of Wesiporb- coal was rooeived in , Australia froaa the Far Eatfe. Howevery tbe Australian companies were bound -to the Sew South, W&les Bofnes. aud would not nncSftrtake ■ the freight. The Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand was then applied to, but ifc asked rates that were simply and absolutely prohibitive. Had bottoms been available other orders would have followed thufc for fct-e 10,000 (one, and New Zealand is 00 much the poorer. It is felfc that the fsc'.s constitute a case for serious commercial consideration, and even for a new dep&rtnre in the matter o£\ making provision for carrying Ntfflr Zealand cosl into outside market?."

The Hon. J. M'Konzie addressed a denselypacked meeting at .Stratford on Thursday night. His speach ma mostly devoted to replying to Mr £cob : e Mackenzie* address at Auckland. -He twitted the senior member for- Dnnedin with never being four years on the same 6ide, and denied that the Government ever influenced the votes of civil* servants. A vote of i hanks and confidence was carried by acclamation as against one of thanks of only, aa& tha meeting gave cheers for the Government

Profeaaor Beahatn, who was appointed Professor of Biology in the Otago University in the place of the lafce Dr Parker, arrived in Dunedia on Sunday afternoon by the Westra\ia with hi* wife and family, and was met at the wharf by Mr A. Hamilton, registrar of the university.

His Honor Mr Justice Edwards hs» requeued Mr Slater, a member of the Arbitration/Court*, to adjourn the proceedings in conntction with the bootmakers' dispute till June 7, when it is expected the court will be able to sit in Dun* edin.

As an evidence that the good feeling now manifested between -the United States- and Great Britain is not the outcome of recent events the following paragraph is interesting. The New York Sun in May, 1696, referred to the birthday celebration of her' Majesty Queeo Victoria in thess terms :—": — " Queen Victoria's seventy-seventh birthday was celebrated by her subjects ail round the world, and by none more zealously than by our neighbours in Canad*. 1 Life' does not believe io risks any very biting criticism from any good American v when ifc says tbafc if celebrations of the Queen's' birthday in the United States will ewcour*ge the indefinite recurrence of those anniversaries, they might be compassed in considerable number and with hearty goodwill! The good Queen is admired and honourediin this country. Long life to her and peace of mind ! "

Mr William Nicdson, of Hampden, a member ol the Waiiaki County Council, is definitely announced as a candidate for the vacant se&fe on the Ofcago Education Board.

Bishop Nevili has recently returned from a visit to the southern portion of his diocese, in the courae oi which, after organising a mission to lavercar^Ul and the neighbourhood, he visited Riverton, Wintori, and the Bluff. At WinfoD, after special services aui\ cenfumatioa. & meeting wasjitld in promotion of the ovectioa of a vicarage house, and about_£lso was raised or promised. Arrangements were also made for the settlement of a clergyman for, Gladstone and the Bluff, which hat now been placed in oharge of the Rer. D. O. Bales, from the diocese of Qoulburn, New South Wale*." Passing on to the Gore, Mataura, and Tapanui districts, the bishop held confirmation and other services in each of those places, and over 50 candidates received the rite. The bishop gave four' separata ' addresses "'at' the services on' Sunday, May 15, which were very largely attended. t

The action brought against Constable Christie* of Oamaru, by W. H. Rule, claiming £100 dsm* ages for malicious arrest on » false charge, waa heard on Thmsclay before District Judge War^ and a special jury. Me Left appeared for plaintiff, and Mr H*.slon and Mr HarVey fog defacdant. The ;• ry were unable to &gree % and were disobwi*'*. It waa alleged fprtha plaiuti££ that be waa l:nnnt*>.d down and arrastea

fc" the constable when reluming home with ofel era about midnight from a banquet (the prfsuroption being that Christie had mistaken li)ie for another man who bad shaped up to hiw in a right-of-way and then disappeared), /wo released on the mistake baing discovered. Th*. defence wan a total deaial of the »lleged arrest, Constables Christie, Treahy, and Cotter ali alleging that Rule was not knocked dowu or arrested.

The secretary of the New Zealand branch of the Australasian Fruitgrowers' Society has issued a circular drawing attention to what is termed "the strenuous opposition of a minor portion' of the fruitgrowing interest in this colony" to the proposed legislation for the more effectual suppression of the rapidly increasing fruit pfsfcs. In order to strengthen \ the hands of the Minister, horticultural societies and kindred bodies are requested to pass the followiog resolution, to be forwarded to the Minister for Lands with a fruit acreage return of the district .—•' That it is of the u'most importance to the future welfare of the fruit industry in New Zealand that the Orchard and Garden Pests Act of 1896 be at oncn amended so as to prevent the importation of infected fruit from unclean into clean districts within the. colony." Further, ' societies are urged to obtain a pledge from the member for the district to energetically further the passage «f the proposed bill.' >In this c-nnection it in interesting to note that the Government of Tnsmania are taking nie*.«.ures to prevent the Spread of 'disease. _ In a recent ' isnde of fche Ta«manian Gazette there ia a notice that no fruit trcec, fruit - cuttings, scions, nursery stock, or other plants sh»U be imported for '•* period of 12 months from Ist May current. Any person infringing the laws shall be liable to a fine, and the plants will be destroyed. .ap. One of the innovations rect mmended by tbe Military Conference is that the officers in each battalion should be selected by the colonel iv command after consultation with the Defence department.

A very successful . concert was held at Highcliff Hall on Friday in" aid of the library Juad. Songs wtre rendered by Misses Riddle, Dick, G&llichan, and Bnrnside, and Messrs Heuderson and Wilson. The sailor's hornpipe and an Irish jig were danced successfully by Master John Dodds. In the second part of the programme, the entertainment provided by Mr G. Wilson (a ventriloquist) and his happy family ■vras much appreciated by the audience. 'Mr Fairbaim proposed the usual vote of th&nks, and the hall was then cleared for dancing-, which wss kept up till au early hour.

■ A well-informed conespoadent writes from Wyndham : " The Mai aura election will furnish a great surprise to the Government. Mr Ward has gained marvellously wherever he has been heard. Mr M'Nab is hampered by the disfavoar attaching to Ihe Government. Careful consideration ot reports from all paits of the electorate indicate a crushing defeat for Mr BJ'Nab and another blow for the Government." - . ■ J

; Ooe of the first applications made by a judgment qreditor under "The Workmen's Wages Act, ,1893," came before Mr Carew.at tbe sitting bf-the'>M»gißtra6e's Court on Monday. The case was'th«t"of James Scrivener (judgiaeDt creditor), George Hunter (judgment debfoi), and the Ofcago ' Syndicate, Limited (aub- debtor), and- was an application by the judgment creditor, who , at a sitting of .the court had obtained a judgment for wages the debtor to attach moneys in the hands of the sub-debtor in respect of a contract for bush--felling near Waikaia. Tha sub-debtor h&d previously been seived with a notice of aUach-roent-under the Workmen's Wages Act. Mr ■Payne applied for aa order attaching all moneys in the hands of the sub-debtors for the payment ot wages due by the judgment debtor, tbe amount involved being £44 10s. The order was made as applied for, with £1 12s costs, after evidence had been given of service aud his Worship had referred to the provision of tbe &cfc

The centenary of the Irish insurrection of '98 •was celebrated at the Garrison Hall on Monday night with the utmost enthusiasm. Stirring speeches were made by the Rev. Father Cleary jsud Mr A. R. Barclay dealing with the incidents of the rebellion, and were punctuated by loud and persistent applause.

The election of a councillor to fill the vacancy in the Clntha County Council, caused by tbe resignation of the late Mr Wallace, took plsca on Saturday, when Mr John Clarke, of Brooklandp, Wairuna, was elected by a majority of 35 votes. The voting was as follows : — Mr Clarke, 71 ; Mr Gibson (Ashley Down*), 38.

The, mystery concerning the finding of two skeletons in a rough pine coffin at Waip&papn Point has been cleared up. ■ The Wyndham Fanner states that Mr John Dobson, an old pettier in tha locality, informed- Constable Bpgue that the skeletons were these of two sailors who, were drowned tff Waip&p&pa Point -~*«oufc 22 years ago by' the itfreek of the "William a /timber ladea vessel. These bodies ■were Dot' recovered' from the w^ecfe until th?y .were much decomposed, so they were buried iv their clothing, without ' being searched. Thus • accounts for money, being found in the pockets of ths clothing— some 12s 9d. ' The Wellington correspondent of the Lyfcteltco Times states that the reports about volunteer companies losing their individuality, ceasing to manage their own finances, and that wotk devolving on the battalions are all absolutely wrong, AH volunteer corps will, to the fullest extent, continue to manage their owa affairs, do their own' recruiting, and possess all the individuality which they now enjoy, though ■when they are on battalion duty they will, in the ordinary iray, be treated and disposed of as component parts of their battalion. On all other occasion!:, however, and in all other respects, they will retain all the individuality . »nd all the freedom of management which they now possess as separate corps.

A Chinese named Kong Yeck was found clead in his hut at Waikaia at 6.30 a.m. on Monday.

The cost of the Wellington drainage works ao far is £162,901. A mile or (wo of piping has still to be laid, and some Email work 3to be * done: Five thousand four hundred and fifty louses have been connected, and 3000 still remain to be connected, but the plumbers cannot cope with'the work fast enough.

The Oamaru Mail states that the Land Purscbase Board have assessed the value of Awimoa estate at £12 10s per acre, or several pounds less than the assessment for laud tax purposes, '"nud this price is deemed considerably below the marlr. "With regard to the Waikakahi estate the price asked by the proprietor is much above the State assessment. What course will be adopted concerning these estates has not been decided.

In another column will befound the advertissinent of an important sale of Clydesdale horses, the property of Mr Edward Menlove, of Windsor J?ark, near Oam am, Th{r\sale take 3 place in pamarii on Saturday, 28th in'st., and is to be conaucted by Messrs Wright, Stephenson. and Co., •fUunedm, in conjunction with ths N.Z. Loas

and M.A. Co.'s Oamaru branch. There' are 15 pedigree fillies and mares and 15 colts and geldings to bs submitted at the sal°, which is to be without reserve, and the name of Mr Menloye as breeder and owner ia sufficient assurance in itself that tLe horses are of veiyhigh class. They are younjr, ai d chiefly bred from mares registered in the New Zealaud Clydesdale Stud Book, haying for their ancestors such well-known sires as Prince Charlie (Boag's), considered about the best Scot-tish-bred Clydesdale ever landed in the colony, Nimmo's Emperor, the Gowrie slud horse Sir Colin (imported), the far-famed l J rince Victor (also imported), British Lion (imported), British Monarch, Hard Times, &c. Several of the mares are in foal to the champion prize howe Cedric the Saxon.

DEATH OF MR GLAD- , STONE.

A GREAT MAN'S DYING HOURS

WORLD-WIDE SYMPATHY.

A PUBLIC FUNERAL AND A

MONUMENT.

WORLD-WIDE TRIBUTES.

MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE.

AFFECTING- SCENE IN THE COMMONS.

London, May 17.

The Queen has sent a touching le'tsr fco Mr Gladstone thanking him for his services to the country and the Throne. The Priccesß of Wales tel'grftphed : "lam p/aying for you." The latest bulletin reports that Mr Gladstone is bee- mi:g more exhausted. May 18. Dr Dobie, who was one of Mr G'adstone's attendants, states that it is useless to attempt to abate the malignant nasal growth. The patiens's sufferings are beicg assueged by injections of m?rpbia. Unlesß a decided rail/ occurs he will prcbab'y die within 2i hours from heart failure. He is already almost pulseless. , Mr Gladstone rallied at 8 o'clock this morning, and is now sleeping. ' During his sleep to-day Mr Gladstone, in a weak whisper, repeated the opening words of the Lord's Prayer and nome worda in Prenc!). Members of the household, together with the servants at Hawarden, ■ yesterday took fax* wells. Several touching scenes occurred. - Mr Gladstone is now nnconscious, and bis bands are ia a comatoia condition. i/ Mr Gladstone esperlances difficulty in taking breath -known 1o medical men as the Chsyne-Stokss ohsnge of breathing. Ths circulation has slightly icopsoved. - All ihs family are at his bedside. - May 19. Mr Gladstone died at 5 o'clock to-day. The Government propose to accord Mr Gladstone a public funeral and also erect a raonunusni;, following the precedent ia the case of Chatham and Pitt. At public gatherings yesterday Sir W. V. Harcourt, the Earl of Devonshire, and Mr Chamberlain made speeches deploring the passing of the greatest of Englishmen. The Prince of Wales sent a pathetic tele: gram of sympathy to the family. President Faura and othsr political leaders on the Continent raade repeated inquiries as to the aged statesman's condition. World-wide sympathy was expressed with the sufferer. Witb reference to Mr Gladstone's breathing, what is known to medical men an Cheyne-Stokes respiration is observed in the later stages of some diseases of ths heart. It consists o! a regular series of rapid inspirations increasing regularly until the acme is reached, when the inspiration becomes slower and shallower, finally ceasing altogether. *""* Dr Dobie states that the finaPHShange in Mr Gladstone's condition was noted at 2 o'clock this morning. His pulso fell and his breathing became laboured. Mrs G'adstone .remained at the bedside throughout the night holding bar husband's hands. He died in perfect peace. AU the members of the family were present in the bedchamber. ' ' Mr Gladstone had a.habit of sleeping with his hands clasped on bis breast, and in this petition he died. ' The Queen sent a touching message to Mrs Gladstone.

Leading American newspapers publish tributes; and refer to bis death as the world's loss.

The House of Commons adjourned for the day, on the motion of Mr A. J. Balfour, seconded by Sir W. V. Harcourt.

Flags are half-mast on all the public buildings throughout the kirgdoro. The Greeks have placed oa record their gratitude as a nation to the departed statssman for his work on behalf of their country. May 20. Many official messages of condolence have been received by Mr Gladstone's family from foreign countries.

President M'Kinley cabled American sympathy and sorrow for the death *' of the most notable modern statesman."

• President Faure, in a message on behalf oE the French, says Mr Gladstone nobly served his country and humanity.

Graece deplores the lojbb of a father, protector, and friend. Italian expressions of grief are intense.

Before he died Mr Gladstone expressed a desire that no flowers should be placed on his grave.

Many social functions, including a State ball fixed for Monday, have bean postponed as a mark of respect to bis memory.

Mr Gladstone's last word was "Amen,' 1 uttered in response to the Rev.' Stephen Gladstone's prayer.

Messages of profound sorrow have been received from all parts of tha United Kingdom, especially London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Dublin. Tory and Liberal Clubi in th« metropolis drew their blinds whon ths death was announced.!

When Mr Balfour rose 3a the House every head was uncovered.

The Prince of Wales and all the members of tha Royal Family sent tender condolences.

American and colonial newspapers and public men have been most generous in their recognition of Mr Gladstone's great achievement;.

Mr Gladstone passed away without a struggle. He gave two alight gasps and died bo gently tbat the doctors alone were aware -the end had come

Though Mr Gladstone and his wife preferred that he should be buried at Hawarden, the famiJy will probably acquiesce in the desire of Parliament and the people that ths remains should rest ia Westminster Abbey. Tributes of syonpatby have baen received from public men of all parties.

The press, in obituary articles, unanimously recognises the lof< y character, great services, and unique personality of the dead statesman.

There was a touching and impressive scene in the House of Commons. All the members were in mourning, their complete silence testifying to the depth of their emotion. " Mr Balfour, though suffering from the after effects' of influenza, in a broken voice announced Mb intention to move to-day that an address be presented to ths Queen praying that, unless inconsistent witb Mr Gladstone's wishes, he be accorded a public funeral and: a monument in Westminster, as expressing public admiration and attachment of the Houses of Parliament and their high sense of the rare and splendid gifts devoted to labours in Parliament and the great offices of the State The House then silently adjourned.

The Lords did not sit.

Both tbe Irish Nationalist newspapers and the Unionist journals refer to the death of Mr Gladstone »s & national loss.

An independent attitude is being mairtained by Messrß John-E. and W. H. Redmond, on the ground that millions of Irishmen feel that their country suffered, instead of being benefited, by the influence of the ex-Liberal leader. .

Tba Continental newspapers &nd public men join in giving most generous recognition of Mr Gladstone's great abilities.

The House of Cummonß unanimously adopted the motion with reference to Mi* Gladstone of which notice had been previously given by Mr Batfour. Sir W. V. Harcourt seconded the motion.

May 21. Mr Gladstone's iomai'je will be interred in the etatesmen'i* corner, Westminster Abbey. Space will be reserved for Mrs Gladstote beside her hußband, the precedent set up in Lord Pdlmerston's case being followed. Tbe funeral takes place on June 6.

Condolences have poured in by thousands from ail parts of the world, and from eveiy kind of tfoetety or institution, and of all shade's of. political and religious opinions. Messages of sympathy have been received from the King and Queen of Denmark, Empress Frederick; Kings Gaorga of Greece and Leopold of BeJgiurn, Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, and all the .Continental Legislatures.

The Czar telegraphed that the civilised world bewailed the loss of a great statesman, so humane and peaceful.

Lord Salisbury, speaking in the House of Lords, said the secret of Mr Gladstone's extraordinary influence lay in the belief that all his efforts were inspired by a high moral ideal and the purest aspirations. He was an example of a great Christian, and the moat distinguished politician of the century.

Lord Rosebery, who was greatly overcome, d&livored a magnificent panegyric. Mr Balfour, in the House of Commons, said Mr Gladstone was the greatest member of the greatest deliberative assembly in the world.

Sir W. V. Harcourfc' said the daad statesman always employed his divine gifts to high and noble ends. He Jeffc to the race an undying memory and a precious inheritance of enduring example.

May 23

President Kruger, m a cable message of sympathy to Mr Gladstone's family, sajs that Mr Gladstone's services In tbe Transvaal will never be forgotten by Ins Boers.

Memorial services to Mr Gladstone wore beld in all the churches, and attended by large congregations.

At Hawarden Mr Gladstone's favourite hymns were sung. Daring the singing of "Rock of Ages" Mrs Gladstone occupied the seat formerly her husband's.

Dr Wickham, Dean of Lincoln, and son-in-law of Mr Gladstone, made .touching allusions to the deceased, referring to the widespread affection rarely inspired by public men.

At the memorial service at St. Paul's the Archbishop of Canterbury said Mr Gladstone had raised political life to its highest level. Canon Wilberforce, at Westminster, referred to him as a statesman who made the century.

Mr Gladstone's body lias in state at Harwarden till Wednesday. It will then be brought to Westminster Hall, where it is expected it will lie in state till Thursday or Friday; - The funeral takes place on Saturday.

Sydney, May 20,

Mr Reid, in the joint name of the Australian Premiers, yesterday morning sent the following message to Mr Gladstone, which, it is believed, would reach him shortly before he died :—": — " We have watched the cource of your Illness witb deep anxiety, and fear to intrude at such a time, but feel strongly moved to offer you a tribute of the esteem of the Australian people and tbeir united gratitude. Your long and illustrious labours were the cause of constitutional liberty within the British Empire, and in the cause of humanity among all nations." There was no time to communicate witb Mr Ssddon his narae therefore was not included.

Tha morning papers publish lengthy BCtJcss and eulogistic leaders re Mr Gladstone's career. The Sydney Morning Herald says : " Looking at the broad generalities of his career and cbaraoter, we but echo the verdict of public opinion throughout the Empire when we say that these will continue as a present for us and those who come after

us. In the decsased gentleman were found the finest standards of a highly developed citizenship and enlightened statesmanship."

The Telegraph saya : "No life has baen batter spent, or is more worthy of honour ; or no life more honoured can be told of in long list o£ those who have done much for the the making of England or the advancement of humanity. The greatest of all great Ecglish statesmen is dead."

• Expressions of sorrow are general. Flags are at half- mast, and many business places are draped in black.

Mr Reid, in the name of tho Australian Premiers, cabled Mrs Gladstone expres?iug the profound regret of the Australian people at the death of her honoured and illustrious husband, and trusted the world-wide admiration and estiroition in which bis u&me «tas held and would l;e enshrined for all time would help to sustain her in her lifelong aoirow.

Miy 22. - Pulpit referecces to Mr Gladstone were universal. A majority of the cburohes were draped in black. Special music was rendered.

Wellington, M*y 20. His Excellency the Governor, at request of. the Premier, has sent a cablegiam to Mrs Gladstone expressing, tbe colony's sense of lesi by the death of her husband.

The Mayor of Wellington cabled as follows to Mrs Gladstoch :—": — " Citizens tender their sincere sympathy."

The flags on the Town H*ll, public offices, and on the shipping in the harbour were at halfimsfc on Friday as a mark of respect to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone.

A telegram of condolence was forwarded last night to Mrs Gladstone on bthalf cf the Irishmen and Catholics of Duuedic.

Exyressi^no of deep regret aud cympathy vvere general throughout Chi'^tchurch when the news of the death o v ftlr Gladstone wss received. The cathedral bell tolled *t intervals ot a mii.ute, one toll bsmg given for each year of Mr Giadstone's age. A Wellington message states that the Irish Federation have stnt t, cable of sympathy to 3'lru GiadM jik. A Nar,i«r '.elegiam. states that reference to Mr C4i6d3tcD'}'s death nai mrde in the cathedral and most of the churches in Napier. An Auckland telegram states that a npr - ssntative meeting of citizens was held on Mocday afternoon in connection with the death of Mr Gladstone. It wa.3 decided to hold a, public meeting to testify to the honour and respect in which che deceased -itafesmwa is held. Sir M. O'Rorke will deliver on oration, i'tre question of erecting a permanent memorial will also be considered. The following cable mesiage wai forwarded "on Saturday by his Worship tee Mayor (Mr E. B. Curgill) :- , " Mrs Gladutone, Hawardan, England. — Citizens "of Dunedin, teuder to Mzs Gladstone an expression of the utmost syup&thy. — E. B. Cargill, Mayor." The career of William Ewarb Gladstone, whose death at the age of 88 yean it chronicled »bove, ha& b:en ao much wr«pt up with the uistuy of the nation for the greater part ot the century, and the incidents in it have batu sc varied, that it Is impossible in the brief space available in a newspaper notica to do more than glance at the more important of the latter; but fortunately the life of the eminent statesman, whose political career begun five years before the Queon ascended ihe tbror.e, has been so often and no well told that the leading fac*f in connection with it may be assumed to be tolerably well known. From "Men and Women of the Time " we >take the principal portion of the following outline of his remarkable career :—: —

Gladstone, tha Right Hon. William Ewarl, P.C., is the foutth son of tha late Sir John Gladstone, Bart., of Fasque, County Kincardine, N. 8., a well-known merchant of Liverpool, and was born there, December 29, 1809. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, of which he was nominated a student in 1829, and graduated, taking a double first; class, in Micbaelni&s term, 1831. Having spent some time in a Coutinontal tour, he was returned at the general election in December, 1832, in the Conservative interest, for Newark, and entered Parliament just as the struggle of parties was at its height. On January 25, 1833, he entered Lincoln's Inn, and when he had been a member for six years and three months, petitioned to have hie name removed from the books of the society, on the ground o? hia having given up hfs intention or' being called to the -bar. In the House of Commons, his mercantile origin, tho uuccess of his university career, his habits of business, and his high character recommended him to the notice of Sir Robert 'Peel, who, in December, 1834-, appointed him a junior Lord of the Treasury, and in February, 1835, Under-Becratary - for Colonial Affairs, Mr Gladstone retired from office, with bis Ministerial leader, in April, and remained in Opposition until Sir Robart Peel's return to power in September, 184-1. On accepting office under Sir Roberb Peel, in 1841, as Vice-president of the Board of Trade and Master of the Mint, Mr Gladstone was sworn a member of the Privy Council. In his new position he bad to explain and defend in tbe Lower House of Parliament the commercial policy of the Government ; and ia the discharge of this duty he bad whatever advantage his mercantile origin and connectiou could give him. The revision of the tariff in 184-2 was almost entirely the result of his energy and industry. When thia laborious work was brought before the House of Commons, it was found to be as admirably executed in its details as it was complete in its mastery of general principles, and it received the sanction of both Houses with icarcely an alteration. In 184-3 Mr Gladstone succeeded the Earl of Ripon as President of the Board of Trade, but resigned that office early in 1845.- In January, 1846, Sir Robert Peel announced his intention of proposing a modification of the Corn Laws. Mr Gladstone, who had succeeded Lord Stanley (the late Earl of Derby) in the post of Secretary of State for i.he Colonies, adhered to tha leadei under- he h&d entered upon Ministerial life ; but, possibly, unwilling to remain under obligations to the late Duke of Newcastle, who sympathised strongly with tbe Opposition party, resigned his seat for Newark, and remained ' for some time out of Parliament. At the general election in August, 1847, he was, with the late Sir Robert Harry ' Inglis, elected for the University of Oxford. In the

Parliament; of 184-7-52 the questions of univer* sity reform and the removal of Jewish disabilities were frequently and earnestly agitated' in the Lower House. Though Mr Gladstone's early sympathies no doubt bound him strongly to the High Church and Tory parby, yeb he felt thaft on both these points the exigencies of tha times required that some concessions should be made. He consequently found himself frequently opposed fco his former friends, and eventually separated himself from the great; body of the Conservative party in February, 1851. At the general election in July follow ins Mr Gladstone was re-elected for the University of Oxford, but bos without a severe contest. Ou the formation of what i 3 generally known as the "Coalition" Ministry, under the Earl . of Aberdeeo, in Decembsr. 1852, , Mr Gladstone i r. a 8 appointed to the Chancellorship of tho j Exchequer, in which office the thorough knowledge of fluaae'e which he had acquired, and had tested by practical experience at the Board of Trade, proved of the greatest assistance to the Miaisfery. After the breaking up of the Aberdeen Administration, nr rather, on its reconstruction under Lord Palmerston at the beginning of 1855, Mr Gladstone at fi-sb continued to occupy the same post, bub he resigaed in "the courseof a few weeks, on finding that ib was not the inteation r>f tb'e Ministry collectively to oppose the vote of censure implied in the resolution of Mr Roebuck, in favour of the appointment of a committee of inquiry into the state of the British army bsfore Kebastopol, and the causes, of its sufferings. For some time Mr " Gladstone,- who held co public office, gave Lord-*--i Palmerston's Minisl-ry au independent supports In tha winter of 1858-9 he «caep';ed, under j Lord Detby's second Cabined, a special mission to the lonian Island:!, to arrange cer'ain difficulties which had arisen in the administration of that dependency ; and in June, 1859, resumed office uuder Lord PAlmerstou as Chancellor of <he Exchequer. In this capacity he j was mainly instrumental in repealing the papri ) duty, and in promoting the negotiations eon- ; ducted by Mr C'obden, which resulted in the commercial treaty between England and France. Mr Gladstone, though originally very jealous of an intervention on the parb of th<s State in the matter of University Reform, lent the Government from timo to time very valuable assistance, by supporting the suggestions of the Oxford University Comtniseionrr* through, his extensive personal and official j irjflaence with the authorities at Oxford as one of the representatives cf that university in , Pavliameufc. I Besides being eminent as a statesman, Me Gladstone had acquired celebrity as an. author. His first work, » treatise entitled j '• The State in its Relations with the Church," fubliehed in 1838 (4th edit, enlarged, 2 vol. r , 841), and followed, in 1841, by hfs "Ciimcb ■ Principles considered in tbeir Results," stamreii him, while still a young man, as a deep ..art original. thinker. His'views on these subjects, as they are unfolded in these treatises, had, it, naed scarcely say, been formed and moulded by the education' and associations of Oxford, to which university they are dedicated as the firstfruits of her teaching and training. Soon after their appearance, they were though!; worthy of & long and' elaborate criticism by the iate Lord Mac*u!ay ia the pages of the Edinburgh Review* Mr' Gladstone's "Remarks on Rrc-'nb Commercial Legislation," published in 1845, whilt» the country was on ths eve of aa important change in her commercial system, were intended, to pave the way for. the extensive modificaiion ia the restrictions on commerce impored by the corn s aws, and contain au able and comprehensive summary of the beneficial results of tb« tariff cf 1342. In 1851 he published a work o? a different lrinr 1 , which created considerable interest both at Home and abroad. During & visit to Naples in the previous year he learned that & large number of citizens of that place, who had formed the "Opposition" in thfe Neapolitan Chamber of Deputies, were exiled or imprisoned by King Ferdinand, and thai--abeve 20,000 of his subjects had been thrown into prison ou a charge of political disaffection. Having ascertained the truth of these statements, Mr Gladstone wrote the E*rl of Aberdeen, urging his interposition on their behalf ; and that noble lord's remonstrances* proving ineffectual, he published an indignanb letter ou the subject of the State prosecutions at Naples, which was tiactslated into several foreign languages, and was seat by Lord Fnlmerston to our Ambassadors and Ministers on the Can- ' tinent, with orders to forward copies of it tiv their respective Courts. In 1858 he published an elaborate work on Homer (" Studies oa Homer and the Homeric Age," 3 vols.), and in July, 1861, fee was solicited to beooms a caudii date, in the Liberal interest, for South Lar.ca - shire, bub relu-tid to forsake his former constituents. Having been rejected by bhe University of Oxford at the general election ia July, 1865, Mr Gladstone was returned, being third on th<poil, for South Lancashire. After the death « f Lord Palmerston,' hs became leader of thi -House of Commons, retaining the Chancellorship of the Exchequer in Lord Russell's second Administration. Early in the session of 186S .. he brought in a R form Bill, and a motion in Committee having •" been carried, June 18, against the Government by 11 votes, Mr Gladstone and his colleagues resigned. The divisions in the Liberal ranks prevented him defeating Mr Disraeii'3 Reform Bi 1, which he strenuously opposed. In the early parb of the aesMoa of 1868 Mr Gladstone brought forward aad passed through the House of Commons ft series of resolutions, having for their object the dtsestablishmenb and disendowmenfc oi the Irish Church. These resolutions were the basis of the Irish Church Suspensory Bill, wh : cb, on May 22, passed a second readiDg in the Lower House by 312 votes to 258, but was soon_ afterwards rejected in the House of Peers' by a majority of 95. At the general election of 1868 Mr Gladstone stood as one of the candidates for South-wesb Lancashire. After a fierce contest, the result of which excited the most intense interest throughout the country, he was defeated ; but tbis defeat did nob exclude him from the House of Commons, as in anticipation of such an event the electors ot Greenwich had, a few days previously, returned him by a large majority as one of the uiembors for that borough. On the resignation of Mr Disraeli's Ministry, in December, 1868, Mr Gladstone succeeded that statesman as First Lord of the Treasury. The principil events ot hia Administration were the passing of the Irish Church Disestablishment Act (1869), of the Irish Land Act (1870), and of the Elementary Education Act (1870 1 * ; the abo'itiou o£ Purchase in the Army by iixa Exercise if the Royal IVerogatw* in contequcacu of an R.-iverse Vote by tho H>iusu of Lord?, on the Army Escalation Bill (1(371) ; the nugotiatious o c the Treaty of Washington respecting the Alabama Claims (1871) ; ihe passing of tha Ballot Act (1872) ; and the Judicature Act (1873). The principal measure proposed by the Government in the session of 1873 was the Univarsity Education. (Ireland) Bill, which wr» opposed by tha

Eoman.C*fci3o\ic membeJfl, $bo, J Voting- on Jibla occasion _with the Conservatives, caused the rejfidtion o£ the bill'by 28? votes against 284 .^ (M*rch 11). Upon this Mr Gladstone tendered his resignation to her Majegfcy, and Mr Disraeli w»s«eotfor, but ftS'he,declinod to take office, skr.GlsiJstorie, tbongh with relucfcanfl?, undertook (Mavob 16) to reconstruct the CabiaeS. In,Augusf, 7 .873, icamediibely after tbe close of the 'session, the O&bmet was e&nsiderjtbiy femoflftlledlT "Mr >GHadstoije *s*SDiri'iJg the ChancGllors"b!p of the Exchequer in addition to jbieuqffiee. oi First Lord of _the '.Treasury. On 3rsimery'-24, 1874,- a"- fortnight" before both Houßea.wero to have mot. for the' despatch 'of, Eublic b^ss!ie'ss',;^r'-Grad£ione -took everybody jj,Awpriß& '.by-,»ftnDdanping-^the. 'immediate ilisaf>latioiaV^ £ '-JP« ! fl'iamsat,~datta«i{sßfling'- liis . ed dross? to.;jfaifl- coisstituOßt»^a{f '/Greeu'Trich, in ■wbich;he^prpmisfid<lo '-abolish -the infiomo ,tsx. At 'thtegeneril ejectioawfeich, ensued the votes" jwere, for^the -firet time, taken by secret ballot: •Jibe ■result, proved .moat dliasiroaa to .the t^?ty. Tfco returns, .- completed 00

ffebraary 87, showed that ' 351 ~ Conserva- | fciveß. = bad .been elected and -302 Liberals, i Jnerusive of. tie Home Rnlew, who, in. point of j •fact, ,, declined , to .identify^ themselves 5 with j Bither of. tha old' political parties. Mr Glad- - Btone.afe'once resigned, aad Mr. lJisraeli -became "/.Prims Minister." L ln-the session' of 1874. Mr -" Gladstone, who had bean j.'e-ele'cfced for Green,mcli^wa.s t-ar^y .feobe.seen^n his place in the " JBonee o&;CammoDe ; -but t at,its close he offered - »4persi«fenfc^cippoaiuon'-to'-the Fobjio Worship- - 'Regulatioadßiir., * ■ vr ' '<■-,. ''" , "' • - 1 ->, Even *- amid the : turmoil ,of politipal life ■ r-* BJr/JSULdgtone'had c'd&voied •*& .-portion^ of c Ws time -,'to /literaJure I .' * , His - " Bcce ■ Homo," reprinted-" - .from' r '"'Good " Words,".' • appeared in 1868 ;, *-• pamphlet . on the Irish ■ Cburch

jqaestton,' entitled, : M-A Chapter of Autobiography,".- was- published - November 23, 1868; -and MJuventua Mnndi j . the Gods and ' Men of

fchejHeroio-Age, M 'in 1869.,- After shis unsucces-

fol,viitr«nj>t- to prevent the passing of the ■ PuWic^Wcirship Regulation Act, he contributed fco.--tbe"r,"'Couten.por~ary -Review" for Octobsr, 1874,>raa~ article -on •*■' Ritnalfsm," which .gave rite-'tp-in aDim«.<ctl controversy." lv.it he asserted ,-thfct " B'tne had substituted for the

proud 1 boast of •sent ffr ead*m a policy of violence •nd^chaiige io- faith;''-- that .she "=uad refur:nisb.ed'iaudiJparaded' anew- every _.< rusty .= tool ;wbich'jshß"Was J fondly'thought-to have tiisused," that i" no one could' become her convert -•with- " out^renouccirig'his 'moral, and mßntsJ freedom, andiApliciisg »hia , civil loyalty and' duty at the " mercy- of -another,'" -an.-} that "sfae.had equally * repudiated modern -thought and ancient history." -, Challenged by his Roman Catholic, friends to* substantiate these grave charges,

Mr.Gladstofle published (November 7, 1874) a fculky. ipanspblet ' entitled " Tbe Vatican -Decrees r-in their • bearing -on Civil AHejsitin.ce t • » .Political -Expostulation," -.•which- 'eiicHed 1 mumeroua ;. elaborate reEliesiJivm J!Agv. Cupe!,- l)r ' Nefmsn. Arehisfiop Wssiitvin^,. and otbeV dis'Unguished mem- 1 -^bers ci ib&JtVni&r.Catbblio, Church. Mi' GJad---«tone's'-r^piyc to^his^ piiblihhed 7J"ebrnarj- "24; -. 1875,- is -entitled * " Vafcicanism ; ; *n J A.nVw6^ tOxß«yplt«eß BOja-RepiSofs/'^Mr Glsd- \ _<■ «top,el"f tiUKwed^bp -hii .;attacks /On it-be Roman j - "Catholic G=eu-;ch iv aii*ttiolejon s', 35fae Speeches ! V,of.-Pms;-iLX£iin-lh'e' ".Qoarterly Review " for j January ,^lß,7s..- .-^-- ; , '- . . \ , On. Jft'outrj^l^,. ISTS^thteel-weeka ..before j ifce .'«S|embliJ|ng '„ ofl'P,BiliaHient p ' Jlr GLad-'^ stone ;,an»onnde"d, in ' »feletter,'<to TB3arl 'Gran* \ 'villviiSx'defce'rmmationioretirefco'in the leader- :

,'BhipTof-f he;lHberal jparty. - **. At the *ge ,of 65, " vhe'rsmatked, "acd*fter4-2 yeirflcfa laborious - -public life, -Xi t hh JJ ' r myeeif entitled -to retire - on* J tfae-present«opporfcTinity.' This retirement is

dictated Ao me by Tny'pertonftl" viewa as*to iie » l>est^etiiGd foi *pending..4he cloßirig -years of -jny^iifeJ" Jsooa,,*aftersraj?ds--' the 'Marquis of Hartittgtcfri.'W»s fey , the -Liberal party to

foe : their , leader dn the -House. 'of -'Commons.-'

Bnbsequ'Batly, -. 4ie^rever,\*%34r ,-Giadstane . con-. *feantly;-^ook>frai!t* s ,in v "the.idißcnßßions f-off -of that.

Asoembiyl.HTln -1876 - fas published " JHcTnerkj

, Synchronism ": AnJtnqnir? iato the. 'Time ?and - JPlace'of 5 3l!jmer;">«nd^on'fiepte«ibet'i8 in tbe > .«tirie;^«*r,--a|)peared"^iß^fk'mou«'-pamphle't -on

' f'sßalgaiaati;'»HarTor«;.»nd -,the./Quipsti©n of, the £htM!X -I-fc'w follo-wed-^arch 13,"a877) by pamph'lefc, ,"-,ieQti&eii''.~ 1 -f < ,l(e8son8 ~r -in 'Hft»tax^M)tiKti JSrpoMtion of tbe Gonflnctiof "the - Porteyn-and about.Bulgaria since : May, 3.876." Mr-Gladstone tookian active-part, in .the - tion respß2tirig'jthe"masßacres '4n' -Biilgatta,-, «.nd "straimously, opposed, Jooth in and out of ParJia-inent,-iih6 -policy -of tbe Coraiervfttive" Government,, which ! ,TfiSulted in, the 'Treaty of Berlin aud 'the ikigiiing »of -,» Anglo-Tnrkish 'Con--'TOBti6n:'.sJh'€he aufecmtfxjf .1877 17— - - Noyember.l2) ihe paid .a'Wigit -to. "Ireland, and -. vafipresi!»t'e'd-.with'*h6. t ffeedom of the^Oity of 'Diiblin. --«Oii Korember Ib-in^bhat <year^he was - elected' Lord* Rector of the University, of • Glas-

-^ow, s ;Succee^iag;LQr4 BsacdnsfiVld. * :Mr,Glad- --. stone * aVnt ' >a\ Jetterrfjio^the'^jresident #>f ' \ • ; Greenwich JLdberkl, K\ JPiva. fiu&'dred'," on,M*rch : $I^lß7 B,';£bßAihg,£h*t : hs^sbould . -Wpreseatj the -" ._boroughU)nly ;untjl^4ii*/nexfc -general .election. • Initbe'roUrsGJtJf' the -year, 1879. ha cofit'ributr.d to 'tthe^Vß/itish'^nikriel i ly7Re J vie. i ft "- -a^'jirlipie ou ! Movement ;. j its -Parent-age, j "and -tissue," and i pnbiithed a-coliectmu i ,of his -fugitive writings "-under tho title aof •• Gleanings of-Pa.sfc3fes.jrs/' -Early in the same year (1879) J he had been invited to: become the Xitberal candidate" for Midlothian, and the crowning'ineident of "the electoral c*mpaigu in the-ensnics parliamentary r<~ces^ was his visit to Sooilandin connection -his purpose cf - - cout-esti«» x.h*t ponuty*t the general election. • Se^et^out from Lirerposl for Edinbui«gh on November 24, *nd, J'roirs -thiit' date, iwibh Abe .-eseepbian of >tsro ;oUiya' -jctsv tat Taymotith - Castle, bis life, till his return, to Hn warden on

DfCfmbejt _9, long succession of enthuuiftstie reeepfcionsuind newcaried speech-making in ~<obndi.inuution'<or tbc,poiicy of 'tD*'Coti3arrativsrVGoveriitaeui. 'this tour.be /Ssj&xeTßCl --,th*s . lifeiorial -Ad dr.es«", before fchs _ vUiiiversity'^df £rife^)gow (December Js). -tJjOa,*fche>d4B«!olution of .Piailiament -»b .E»ster. jGlad4storisitreGewed-in>Midlothtßn the

•,tmn / . -de sforcz of the , prefedinjg J >s»ranter,,'jand -he -wps suocpssful' in -bis usauiSi- j Sa,UiT4},qxoUiag 15S7vo^fi aswiiiFt 1303 cecorded j -.in favour oi ih^-^dnf Dalkeitb, dii* Oorts»e4TA- ! " kir^pjjfjQtieai: -^V'swm* the coifp-u.jtion of, .the ,' - ..new^SHjo'hss 6f."''Commo«s 'was twiade' known I --. iti»ptie4r?S?-i&ds^S : ' co^sifefesd>.-cf"349 < -&ibarils, r e l^u^ers.' ! -'' i SPh«i J fflf^Boaaoi6field^4'feifdered^is^rfiftig«*tioii'; ifto^xfce Qiifeen'xMß soplf-as it'naT^a^rifeaKAh&t' ' r-theXiber&l .party had^o^isaneS'^tn .HEcmesUonjftblßjfm&jpcity. * Tbe JSSarqaie, of Harrington,) •T^lS/b&iHbsW l.ianer' cfiifee K3pp'ositioft{U)'the < rXcowtfsE~'H'buse,>"S.Tid' JSarl Gracviile, the Op.po- . -'»i|rion!iskde.r,ij) tijp House of P«rerß,-wevejßeiu. . ,for by ls<-r Maj mj i~j tie fifti lr:<ti'. Co. \-J\\. in % •zccor<\ii,i cv t. i\t c 1, ,J..iirtii):is aa* ?.^ '■ f caieio '^oPMieifnuiiy, tiifj t^cotuu-.fciid.fd the Queen lo ' ' : entonsii, tbe i«.sk-of iformisg a- Os.bhit.ii to -Mr ; .- '"Gl»dgtone. . He t consented ±0 accept, the 3ufey ' fr wibh a ivieiw -to (Coaciliate 'and ito Tepresens the | -' diff^«nt_^ectaOßS4of /the;Xjbera3 majority, ;Mr 'super'added to bis duties as : "First 'JJord «ofMhe Treasury tha Jurrcfeiojig .of ! Chancellor of the Exchequer, but he resigned j - Ihe latter office in 1883 into the hands of Mr

? ChildprS, The history of Mr Gladstone's second Ministry may be summed up in three words — Irelacd, Egypt, Franchise. — though of 1 ! coar«s a large number of other matters (such as j Mr ChamberLun's Bankruptcy Bill and Mer- ' ehanb Saipn!;!^- Bill) were long under 007J- ', sideration. li-e' ;>d was" the groat qufcsti'.s ' during i be ft?«-ions of 1830 (Maj' — August), j 1881 S 1882, aud t'ae debates ou the Compenaa- j I tion for D sturbanee Bill, on Mr Foraterjs Oo«reioit Bill, acd (atter the murder of Lord Frederick C»vt«udiah and Mr Burko, May 6, 1 1882) 0:1 tbo Crimes BiU, ocoupi?d fhe greater j part of th^ time and fttitention of Uie country. i What pi-oloegod and exasperated ' the disoua- ! ' fioti v/an *.h*" method of obstruction invented J J »ad prac'-ist'd not 'oiily by fhe" followera .of Mr i • Pafnelly but alßo-'by.somotnemburs of tbe<Xory, party. •• .■ " - "- -'•' >•■•' -,< 1 - After the passing of the Grimes Act,, which closed & period of almost utifxacnpled parliamentary and administrative difficulty, Egypt' began to oocnpy tbe mind of ParJia- 1 menli. The wtruggte "witb Arabi eanse t» I a head in 'July, wh« 11 Sir B. Seymour (ti'-v.- ; Boron Alcester) bombarded tiie forts of Air-x- ] ! anOria ; and was ended on September 13, when \ j Sir Garnet Wolaeiey won th? battle of Tel-e!- | Kebrr. - But Mr Gladstone's difficulties were only just beginning. The revolt of the Arab tribes of" tbe SoudftU, the destruction of, Hicks j Pasha's Egyptian sumy., iho two Suakim ci- j pedJtions, the despitcb' of General Gordon to I JShaTtonm, and long afterwards of Lord Wolse- | ley's felievibg fercb; the advance of this latter, i its diffiqulties and', iis" hard-won -viefcorie's, its ,\ failure to reach' Kbartonm in' time to save Gor- ! 'don— these things are too fresh "in the public j memory" to " need a "detailed repetition."- The ■ session of 1884 was occupied, 'as far- as Home J politics are concerned, with the Franchise BiU ! — a bill for extending the btiusefcoM MifrYagft tv ! the " countie", and thus complt-tiag the de- j mccrafcisiug of our Constibotion Passed in the Commons, it was thrown oat by the Lords, who, under tho guidance of Lord Salisbury, declined to pass =it until the .redistribution scheme was before them. But^tfter an autumn of popular " demonstrations " a series of con-ferences-between the Liberal and Tory leaders ' wereheWjin which 'the- iicer of a Redistribution 811 were settled A r ter this both bills passed | in due course (18&5) ; but soon aflerwardf, on Jane 9, Mr Gladstone was overthrown- by a vote on the Budget, and JLord Salisbury came injto power. At the general -election of November, 1 1855,-the Liberals were returned with numbers almost exactly equal to those o? Tories and P*rnellites combined. Soon after wardn Mr Gladstone returned to «.ffice, and at the same time caused -it be kuoivu that he w&» prepared , to, introduce a Home Hale measure for Ireland. Thia broke up the Liberal party. Lord Hartington ,and others refused office, and Mr Chamberlain and Mr Trevelyan ouly accepted on , grounds which were soon afterwards shown to be untenable. Mr Gladstone introduced his "Home Buie Bill in a long and powerful speech j ou April, 8 (fclio scene in tha ficas^^btiforp, i duriDg,- asid after the speech being one thai • will motr not be forgotten), and ,on. June 9 the , second, reading was rejected by t sl majority of.} 30. He 'appealed 'to- the country, -'and a-i » - resulb an -overwhelming majority of ' Conserv- , tivesand Unionist" Liberals was returned/ H>^ ■ reVigEe'd without meeting" Parliamenb, jisd - Lord " Salbbivry bename for .tha second ti«sc Primt--Mißister : (August .VIBB6X- On' Deoem- - ,bpr 29, 1889, Mr " Gladstone _ celebrated' "ilia' eightieth 'and -received congratulations from all parts of the world, the Prince and Princess of Wales being cf those who offered their congratnlatious to the venerable statesman. On March 3, 1890, Mr Gladstone delivered what was considered one of the fineit or&fcions in Parlisvnieci, the subject being '•♦The Parnell Commission." In the sutuain of ' that year, Mr Parneli having • feeen feupd guilty of committing adultery with the wife of Captain O'Shea,- Mr, Gladstone demanded of Mr Parnell, iv the interests of Ireland, that he should retire from the leader* ship ot- the Irish patty. Tars occasioned 9, split^amorig the Irish "members, the rcujjorit? of -wbotc aided with the demands -oi Kir ■Gladstone. ' J On ' February ,4, 1891,. Mx Gladstone mc-ved the. seeped reading of the Religious Din* i abilities Heroovai Sill, in a speech-noted as one I of htefineft efforts.' during 1892 Mr^Gladstpne I carried out yet another campaign io Midlothian. 1 Jle svskfc-.rettirned *t tbe genfral "loelion of that ■ Lyear -though by a mr.eirreduce;S nihjority,' and \ in A4i£Ust 3 -on the fall -of „the Conservative Government, became Premier- for- the fourth time. -He.dtliTered the -first of the Romanes, lectures <at Oxford on October 24, his subject being *• M«disev*l Universilaes," and his weir 1 come at his old uciveraifcy was enthusiastic. On December 3 he wa* ..preseaied -with the freedom' of the City of -LivMpool, and shortly' after.w&rd* paid a visit to --Biarrlia, 'wberc'his eighty-third year -tw*s r-psjit r -\ On 'April 6 he -jmoV«d the, second "reading of tbe .Home Rule I .Bill- in the House^o'f< 'Cqiamons^ , and /cub-, ifegoentlj lie Buperiutended the progress of the ' bill with ,unpavalleled vigour And patience. < In ' Aprlba-lanatic made » .strange attempt on his > 1 .life, thoiigb.tibe assault was-tnot,-parsoDal. At I -Jhe oyeniug "of the new Hawaiden Institute on i May 23, lie delivered a speech ou labour representation. Ja September .>he was in Scotland, and spuke at Edinburgh on the relations . between Lords ,aad Commons. On the reassembling 'of Parliament Mr Gladstone ,re--turned to his place as usual, bub in "the winter; .recess he spent many weeks at Biarritz with his family a.nd a small circle of frieuds, and 4he House met in his absence. Early in 1894 the Pall Mall Gszobte created «. aensauon by .publishing 'a .report thac Mr GtadafcGne intended -rttiriog from putiito ht'e. Tie truth of the. -report --was oflici«lly cjutrsulicfced, and Mr Gladstone returned, to i&ngUivci &ad to hies «eaJr.in i thti -House _of Comrnotts. 1 • Aii • th& • end .of v j February, how«ver, -the Premier, 'speaking to , itbe order o£ the day, which was unimportant, ; qiUKtly 'announced' his intention $t retiringfrom I .&l!»i«tefi«l Ufa. He r&Bigned<'his position very •-rJioitly *fterWArds, and >wae 6uceeeded' by Lord |'Eo«ebery, Failorc of hearing .and eyesight [ were alleg«d a« ithe proximate caute of Mr j 'Gitidatone'* jretiretnent. Indeed, sooa after j . pftss!Bg}into .pm-afee life the -er-Pre ; tote^ 'begati j I I.Q prepare, for an 'operation -for t*t*raet in the , I r'gfcit -eye, s whicb, .on M&yi-EI-, 1894, -was sue- ! oe6*T.»l!y .peVJoiuned-BivLard liende'l^t, house ■by* Mt :E,«>J>f«tSfclesb.'isU> ! JDx JSaiberßhoni.. "ftud «I;1 B/'-Lawford;?; MrrG^a'd,«toce'fpsiid'ia,' wait .;to Cannes" i-ftafily in A 3895. "- ■$$»*' *}oag can.<wibh \fche' -Hoate • of ;ijGomsoons; tihal:> year, jfor 'he. did not^sec-k *«- ,'pJection''*t,4he "general election,- ,Jle visited < ,the -Continent in tU« 4'ollowtng) Tear, smd hn,ci ' -bh irtterfwfrw >wJcb,P're;sident Faiu-?, but most' of . his time TVfts npent m iiiigrary work. 1 la S'-p- i terc'ier, however, li« unlivc-ted an rmy>!<jsi--'v-- . epaecii at; Liverpool. _ In 1897 be ais'j ! ' pub''i»het} letters, ipleading the- csuse of Crete! i and .Greeoe . t a3 against Turkey. He .visited ] '. Cannes .tbis-y.ear,, And shortly atter his return 1 ?iiis liealtb broktf.dojwn. > Oi his rfiufferings isineo j then fthe--e»MeB have^givea >us some alight ,idea. SAftev his iretirement 4a'om 'Gladstone waR for some time engaged in forming a library j ' (fiheJDamioJ^ -which aie intei^ecl io hsqusaMi < I to the* public, and in jtnporta&t literary work, J His remarkable iooe<fcical t^nnslaiion of !;ba

" OJes of Horace "has been lately published by Mr John Murray. In 1890 he published " Landmark* of Homeric Stud) " and "The Impregnable Rook of Holy Scripture." The latter work was a r»prin ( . of articles in-" Gk'Ol Words,"' and attain-"! -, ••'-ejod a-ud much aatplifiea edition in I£9^.

In July, 1839, He Gladstone vvas married to Catherine Giyune, daughter of Sir S. R. Glynne, of Hawarden Castle, thus commencing that devoted domestic partnership in whioh, during the 59 years of its existence, the fierce light that now beats upon the privaoy of the home has never detected even {.be slightest suapicion of -a jar. On July 25, 18S9, Mr and Mrs G3a.dsfonecelebrttt.rQ their go!d*a wedding. Of his aaas, the eldest eat in Parhaaaeat for some time as memberfor EssfWorcestiershire.; ■the second, 'the' 'Rev. Stephen Gladstone, ,-ia reotor of Htawardeu ; and the fourth, the-Right Hon- Herbert J. Gladst'oas, has repraßeut«d Leads or West Leeds io Parliament sinca 1880. H<*. was f>ii'ate secretary to bis father in 1880-81; a Junior Lord of th« Tressufjr, IBBL-85 ; Dtpu-y Commissioner.' B.>&rd of Woilts, 1885; F<mucia3 Secretary t.; the War Office, 1886 ; and "Under Horn* Seoretsry, Angusfc, 1892 • Miss Helen Gladstone, wellknown as an advocate of the higher education of women, la one of the vjce-principals of Newnbam OoHege. ' A lose which cast every member -of the Gladstone' family an .additional *pang of -pair, during the last aad daTs'w'ai that of little Peiz, the black Poruer&niae, who for nine years past has oeen the constant »nd .faithful companion of Mr Gladstone in all his walk* and drives' about Hawarden. Pefz, who was inoonsolable during ht3 master's absence, died jast after Mr Gladstone's return to H»w«rden.

Mr Gladstone was* fully mforcoed of Lin own condition in Marob last ; he asked the doctoxs to tell him the truth, and he was thankful when informed that there was no chance of recovery. The Westminster Gazette, referring to this, said :—": — " It will be a comfort to all his friends to know that his stace of mind is one of complete happiness. His life goes on quite quiedy and evenly. Mueic in slill tiis gre^c solsce, and one of hie family piays to him s.n Lour or two before and after dumer every day. Oue of his chief delights at Bournemouth wss the -listening first to Lady Halie and her sister, and then to Mdlie. Janotha, wh» came on different evenings and played to him at the villa. Nothing hw soothed his. pain so much as the niimtrraftions of -these feindiy masician*!. 16 is iccpoKßible to vffclch the last weeks of the g'e*t veteran without & sense of the pathos and solemnity of hia passing, or of deep sympathy with the .venerable l*dy who has shared his juys and sorrows for so long a span of life ; yet it is a happiness to know that, in the- words of one who h*B seen him recently and ssts him often, hie owu Et&te of mind is one of * serene 103."

Tho Pall -Mall G-Z/liO'C-n the same occasion j'cSsß&r!ked.: — '* Loi'd Ccftthaaj, as he lay djiu», ia said, to hare aeraarkad, with uoble pride, that ali England- was waifcingfor the funeral of PAtroclus. It is barely a-n tsxftggeration to say that the whole country .is afc present at Mr Gladstone's bedside. *Ahd the facts thsit the family p«rmft to bs published are jaut. those IJi*t. Ib is uerraißsible to hear. Mr G Sadet,ono has f en& tfie great p&jn before 'him w\th the piqug reß,olu r tion that was to bs expeefciij of him. a He is still capable rff being soothed by music, and though not free from pain enjoys complete happiness. A magnificent closing;," truly, to &n illustrious career."