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Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1635, 15 May 1875, Page 2

The intelligence, per Press Agency, that thearrangements for layingacableunder joint guarantee of a subsidy from New Zealand, New South Wales and Queensland, had broken down, and that Mr Audley Coote was proceeding to London by the City of Melbourne.} to make fresh arrangements, apparently confuses the somewhat vague information already published regarding the exact position of the cable project. It will be remembered that the arrangement which has 1 now terminated was the one entered into [ by Mr Vogel at the Conference with the dele- ; gates of IN'ew South Wales and Queensland, and ratified by the respective colonial parliaments last session, by which an entirely new line of cable was to be laid down connecting Queensland with the main telegraphic system of the East, so that instead of one cable, as at present, bringing Europe (and, in fact, the whole world) into direct electric connection with these "distant isles of the sea," there would be two. A provision was also contained in the agreement for laying down a cable between Australia and New Zealand. This contract was with Siemens Cable Construction Company. It would appear that the project in this form has fallen through, and as Mr Audley Coote was the chief negotiator on the part of Siemen and Co., we can understand his object in proceeding to England, an object which may also hare been strengthened by the negotiations which have for some time past been proceeding for laying a cable to New Caledonia on behalf of the French Government. But, as we announced last Tuesday, Mr Vogel telegraphed under date April 28th, that "arrangements for the construction of the submarine cable are progressing satisfactorily, and are nearly completed, with the Eastern Extension Company." This, we think, explains the whole position of the cable question so far as concerns this colony. The agreement made by Mr Coote on behalf of Siemen and Co., with the joint Governments was set on one side a fortnight before the City of Melbourne left Sydney, and Mr Vogel had then, or perhaps before, opened up negotiations with the Eastern Telegraph Extension Company, the company which owns the submarine cable now connecting Australia with Java. Some time ago the Chairman of this Company addressed a letter to Mr Vogel protesting against the injustice that would be done to his Company by the creation of an opposition under Government subsidy. He stated that an average of only twenty-two messages a day were sent on the cable, and that an opposition would mean rnin to both, bo much so that if any break arose in their cable it would be a question whether shareholders would deem it worth while to spend money on a hopelessly losing concern, and the advantages expected from two cables

would thus not be realised. The letter was altogether a very able one, and the chairman succeeded, we think, in establishing his position, that it would be grossly unjust to deprive the company of those benefits which their enterprise merited, after they had carried out so large an undertaking. The letter concluded by stating that-if a cab<e to New Zealand were desired, the company would be willing to undertake the work on reasonable terms. It is no doubt on the strength of this manifesto that Mr Vogel has changed the whole course of the negotiations for connecting New Zealand with Australia by cable, and the announcement that the agreement with Siemen and Co. has been set on one side a fortnight ago only comes as a sequel and explanation to the information published last week that Mr Vogel had nearly concluded arrangements with the Eastern Telegraph: Company for a cable to New Zealand connecting with their presest main. line. The colony has reason to congratulate itself upon the termination of an agreement

wkich saddled our revenue with a very large liability for a questionable advantage. The New Zealand cable alone is a much lighter Work than that embodied in the joint agreement, and as New South Wales and Victoria are nearly as much interested as New Zealand, on account of the close commercial connection between the colonies, we believe a much better arrangement may be made.

The opening services of the Eemuera Presbyterian Church will be held to-morrow, when the Rev. D. Bruce will preach in the morning, and the Eev. R. ¥. Macnicol at night. Collections will be made in aid of the Building fund.

In another column of this day's issue will be found an advertisement of the Co-opera-tive Meat Supply Company. We learn, on enquiry, that the business of the Company is increasing daily, and this cannot at ali be wondered at, considering the very great advantages which the Company offers to consumers of that very necessary article of food. Those whose arrangements cannot allow them to pay cash can reap the same advantages as the cash purchaser, and receive credit simply by becoming a member. The price of. the shares is fixed at so low a rate that they are within the reach of all. We wish the Company every success, and we think that the thanks of the Auckland community are due to the promoters of the undertaking ; for, although the Company has not commenced operations three weeks, it has brought down the price of meat fully 20 per cent. We have great pleasure in directing attention to the advertisement in another column.

We are glad to learn that Councillor Hold ship is about to move, at the City Council on Monday, for an estimate of the cost of forming Howe-street, from its junction with Wellington-street to Karangahape B,oad, so as to make it passable for drays. It is not creditable that this street should have been allowed to remain in a state of nature, while thousands of pounds have been expended in cutting down other wellformed thoroughfares. Perhaps some other Councillor will take up the cause of Napierstreet, which stands in a somewhat similar position.

We have much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of £1 5s Gd collected by the workmen in the establishment of Mr Kohn, jeweller, for the widow Warts.

At the City Council on Monday, the Mayor will move that an estimate be prepared for an annual general rate to be struck on all ratable property within the city for the period between the Ist June 1875, and 31st May 1876.

The dislike which Mr Gladstone has expressed for Vaticanism, says the Times, and the vehemency with which he has assailed it, are explained sufficiently by his opinion of its consequences to religion. If the Romish Ohurch is to be made the organ of sacerdotal domination, it will not fail to discredit itself in the eyes of the world, and the truth as well as the falsehood of its system will certainly be endangered, and may not impossibly be involved in a common ruin. Mr Gladstone's dream has been of an united Christendom, from which Rome and its adherence are not to be excluded, and his real quarrel with Ultramontanism is that its authorised acceptance in the Romish Church has somewhat more of a tendency to make such union impossible. There was a time once at which the aspect of affairs was very different, and at which the deep and wide gulf which has now been drawn between the forces of the old and the new world did not seem absolutely impassable. But Vaticanism and Protestantism and modern thought are simply irreconcilable, and it is on this account that Mr. Gladstone has been, not unnaturally, stirred to anger against the new spirit which has assumed the direction of the policy of the Romish Church.

The more light admitted to apartments the better for those who occupy them. Light is as necessary to sound health as it is to vegetable life. Exclude it from plants, and the consequences are disastrous. They cannot oe perfect without its vivifying influence. It is a fearful mistake to curfcain and blind windows so closely for fear of injuring the furniture by exposure to the sun's rays; such rooms positively gather elements in darkness which engender disease. Let in the light often, and fresh air, too, or suffer the penalty of aches and pains and long doctors' bills which might hare been avoided. A narrow escape from drowning occurred this morning at ten o'clock, to a sailor named Jackson, belonging to tbe brigantine Sir Isaac Newton. The man was partly intoxicated, and slipped from the fender-ladder into the water. He was at once rescued from his perilous position, got on ti the wharf, and entered the first hotel he came to for "more drink." Nearly the whole of the crew of the Sir Isaac Newton were in their " cups" last night, and the captain has experienced great difficulty in getting his men together. We regret to learn from Napier of the death on the 29th ult. of Miss Minnie Parker at the early age of twenty years. This lamented young lady in 1868, when Te Kooti and his band attacked Poverty Bay, and murdered a number of its settlers, hearing the natives Burround her father's homestead, with great presence of mind, ran into the room where her mother's baby lay, took it up, and rushed out of the back of the house into the bush, where she lay concealed until Te Kooti and his marauders left, after plundering and burning down the house. With the babe in her arms, she managed Bhoeless and almost worn out to reach a place of safety. On the subject of taxation " A Mechanic" writes :—" In Sir George Grey's estimate of the taxation imposed on working men, he makes one or two important omissions. The city taxation is Is 6d. in the pound, and this on a house of eight shillings a week (and a working man with a family cannot get accomodation for less) is 30s a year. The cost for emptying earth-closets, which we are compelled by law to bear, is now 24s a-year. It is not necessary to say that these charges must fall on the tenant, making, with education tax, an annual charge of £3 16s direct taxation on a small income. When the water rate is imposed I don't know how we shall live.— Yours, &c, Mechanic. : Polly Plum writes to the Thames Star that in Melbourne no one wears strings to her bonnets ; everyone wears falls ; everyone wears a kick-up to their hats; that you must wear your dress as tightly drawn round you as is consistent with decency in front, and " pile oh " the fullness, any amount, behind, that a jacket with sleeves, is an abomination, and black (loaded with jet) the most distingue" wear.

The evening classes at City West No. 2 school are progressing favourably. The English commercial branches, uader the able guidance of Mr. Harrison, have increased greatly. The French scholars are now about twenty, and the class is conducted in two divisions. Students wishing to join the same are requested to apply with .the least possible delay 4 The newly-formed Latin class is also promising, and not improbably may reckon among its members individuals of the fair sex. Even with regard to this class early application is desirable. There is a little hope of forming a German class, which, indeed, would be quite a novelty to Auckland. 'The linguistic instruction is given by'Mr; B. M. O. Theorell.

PanDy was pretty, and had a clear sweot voice. Fred proposed to her, and was accep. ted. Eevealing his happiness to his friend Frank, Fred told of the joyous ring there was in Fanny's voice whan she accepted him. ' A Wedding ring I suppose, old fellow,' was Frank's neat reply.

Mr. J. Brown will commence a new elementary singing-class on the Mullah system on Monday evening next in the WellesleyBtreet Young Men's rooms; The second part singing-class will commence HA eight o'clock on the same evening. Mr. and Mrs. George Darrell, having completed their engagement at the Thames, will re-appear on Monday evening next at the Prince of Wales Theatre in connection with the Star Dramatic Company. The entertainment will open with Mr. Darrell's new American comedy, entitled the " Four Fetes," which has received high commendations from the -American and Australian press. We notice that Messrs Nicholls and Hall, of this city, have purchased the premises of Mr James Lamb, where they intend to carry on a coal and firewood business. They have also opened livery and bait stables, with horses and vehicles for hire, as per advertisement in another page of this journal. The first meeting of the present session of the Auckland Institute will be held on Monday evening next, in the Museum Buildings at half-past seven o'clock. Mr. Brabazon, of Union-street School, delivered a lecture last evening in Mr Martin's Training School, Choral Hall, on the system of shorthand writing. Mr Leonard, of Parnell, also exhibited a complete set of kinder gar ten toys, and described the same. There was a fair attendance. Seventy years ago the heaviest naval gun was a thirty-two pounder, weighing two tons and a half, and ten pounds of powder was a charge. A gun now in process of construction in Woolwicb, England, twenty-six feet and nine inches in length, will weigh eighty-one tons, throw a projectile of 1250 pounds weight and require 210 pounds of powder to load it. Some time ago a few earnest persons desirous of doing good, established a Sundayschool in Chancery-street, one of the poorest and possibly the most wretched of Auckland localities ; and despite some discouragement, they have met with considerable success. Captain Daldy kindly consented to superintend the undertaking which is somewhat analagous to the ragged schools of London, patronised by Lord Shaftesbury and other friends of the people, but which system really originated in the humble cottage of a Portsmouth cobbler, whose noble work was modestly eulogised by the late Dr. Guthrie in his late work on ragged schools. The population of Chancery-street has been greatly thinned of late through the exertions of the police. Still there are some remaining in the skirts of this locality who are not absolutely beyond hope; hence the thought " tbese may be rescued," by the outstretched hand of human sympathy. Laßt evening an entertainment was held in the room, and more than 130 persons were present to witness the original panorama of the coal-mines, which was exhibited and explained by Mr Barton, and which excited much curiosity. The children sang several hymns at intervals in a very pleasing manner under the direction of Mr William Carlaw, their vocal teacher, who has been at great pains in teaching, in more senses than one, the laws of harmony.

A Soiree d'Ethiop and musical entertainment is announced at the Catholic Institute, Wellington-street, on the evening of the Queen's birthday—the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the efficient Hobson Band, which deserves encouragement at the hands of the public for their perseverance and zeal in musical life. The minstrels will perform a great variety of choice songs, choruses, etc., under the direction of Mr McComish, whose urbanity and disposition to please at all times are well known. A number of gentlemen amateurs have promised their assistance on this interesting occasion, and after the general performance a select; quadrille party will be organised for the exercise of the young people, who love to "trip it on the light fantastic toe." The programme of the whole will shortly appear. ' Mr Edward Carven, of Lome-street, sends us a letter on the Council labourers, from which we made the following extracts : — Sir, —After referring to Mr Kirby's " manly letter," he says I am one of those men that was employed in Eden Crescent, so under those circumstances I hope you will let me have my say in the matter. I will commence with "Bourgeois." At the time he wrote that letter he was aware that he was penning a scurrilous lie, their being but one foreman in the employ of the City Council, so under those circumstances twelve foremen could not spend their time tippling with the men. With regard to "Ratepayer's" letter, presuming she is a lady, save the mark, I unequivocally say, is nothing but a tissue of untruths. Why do not the two poltroons, if they have the interest of the City Council at heart, coma forward like men and lay their charges before the City Surveyor, but no; sneaking informer-like, they fly to the press ami conceal their names. Let " Ratepayer" and " Bourgeois" come forward, though near two months have gone by, and then we shall know who they are, what they are, and what they have been perchance." A saunter through the Auckland market at any other time than Saturday evening (when the lassies are out for an airing) is not by any means a cheering undertaking. Half the stalls are closed, and open stall-keepers lean upon their counters, and glance down the columns of the newspaper, or lose themselves in a deep theological treatise from the penof J. Edwards. One scholarly man in years naturally of a cheerful. turn of mind, was laughing immoderately over a page of Don Quixote; another was comparing Auckland with Tasmania, and lamenting the scarcity of gold in this golden isle. Another respectable woman in years, was giving her daughters lessons, as a mother should do, in the, art of love. A little further on, a cluster of men with their hands in their pockets, were admiring Clark's " Happy Family," consisting of monkeys, birds, cats, &c, which form really a wonderful instance of unanimity in opposite natures. A large collection of second-hand volumes may be observed in a central corner stall, the least required, perhaps, of all human requirements in thousands of households, for as one said, "'tis all very well, but give me a Motion cabbage in preference to~f(Lord) Bacon." OnJ[ the shutters of a butcher's stall was written, "closed for a few days' •" on another "a death in the family;" and at the stall of Mr. Fenton, a female remarked, " How dear butter is getting, up to 2s. 3d., dear me." Mr. Kew smiled from his toyshop as we passed, and the confectioner opposite hoped trade would shortly improve, he had just received an order for a wedding cake. A few pheasants hung here and there indicative of the season, but generally the market wore a cheerless aspect, and stall-keepers complained sadly of the dreariness of, the times, some asserting that they had not taken money enough during the week to pay the weekly demand of the Inspector.

The Russian police have discovered the retreat of a band of forgers, exiled criminals, in the forests of Irkoutsk. They were taken, thirty of them, infi agrante delicto. Their speciality was the fabrication of 10 rouble paper notes, so admirably excuted that they passed at most of the banks in Russia. The oddest part of the affair is that these notes were openly bought and sold at the markets and exchanges of that part of the Empire for three roubles each, which proves a rather exceptionable standard of public morality, to say nothing of the surveillance over these villians, for such a state of things to be possible.

When Baxter, the Noncomformisfc divine, was on one occasion brought before Judge Jeffries, ' Richard,' said the Chief Justice '1 •cc a rogue in thy face.' ' I did not know,' replied Baxter, ' that my face was a mirror. 9

We woflia direct attention to the Church service announcements fot to-morrow, which appear in our advertising columns. Money is a drug in New York according to the Graphic, notwithstanding the high prig's of gold. The insurance! companies and savings batiks find it so difficult to effect loans that they are considering the propriety of letting out their surplus means at legal rates, without extra charge for the efcamtnation of titles and legal expenses. This has been found a heavy tax on both lenders and borrowers from the savings banks here and in other pottions of the country besides New York. If Hot abolished altogether, it might well be abated.

The anniversary services of the Congregational Church, Beresford-street, will take pjace to-morrow, when the Rev. J. Williams will preach in the morning, and the Rev. Werlow Davies at; night.

A man was brought tip to-day, aboard the cutter Rdb Roy, suffering from a broken leg, and was sent to the hoSpitaL

One of the faculties possessed by figures is that of dispelling fallacies. An instance of this is seen in a late statement of the Prussian Minister of Finance, by which it appears that a prevalent impression that Prussia is a very prosperous country is not altogether a correct one. the Minister informs the Landtag that 0,447.631 persons in the kingdom are necessarily exempt from paying personal taxes, of whom 6,034.236 are exempt on account of poverty, the income of each person being less than $107, gold, per year. Taken in connection with the fact that Prussia has bat 8,900,000 persons who are lawfully subject to taxation, these figures look very bad. Of the remainder of the non - taxpaying population, 423,243 persons are unable to pay ; though having an income of §107 per year, 32,791 are exempt by reason of not being sixteen years of age. and 138,344 are exempt on account of being employed in niilitay service.

In the healthful uplands around Lake Moero, Livingstone fell in with a very handsome race of negroeß. " Many of the men," he writes, "have as beautiful heads as any one coold find in an assemblage of Europeans. All have fine forms with small hands and feet. None of the West Coast uglineßS from which most of our ideas of the negro is derived,is here to be seen. No prognathous jaws or lark heels offend the sight. My observations deepened the impression first obtained from the remarks of Windwood Reade, that the typical negro is seen in the ancient Egyptian, and not in the ungainly forms that grow up in the unhealthy swamps of the West Coast. Indeed, it is probable that this upland forest region is the true home of the negro. The women excited the admiration of the Arabs. They have fine, small, well-formed features ; their great defect is one of fashion—which does not extend to the next tribe : they file their teeth to points, the hussies, and that makes their smile like that of a crocodile."

An American editor complains :—" Some contemptible thief burglarised our commissary department last night, and carried off a nice ham, a few slices of which we intended for our breakfast this morning. We have our opinion of the wretch who would steal the necessities of life from the editor of a country newspaper. He who steals our purse steals trash, but he who steals our ham deserves the unqualified malediction of the entire civilised world.— ldaho Avalanche.

A revival prayer meeting will be held this evening in the room of the Young Men's Christian Association by the Sundayschool teachers of Auckland at half-past seven.

The business of the Police Court to-day before Mr Beckham, consisted in disposing of three persons, who were found in the storm last night in a state of intoxication. The first of these, James Cudbrighfc. found in Hobson-street by Constable Mulville, was fined 203 and costs. George Lemon, for being prostrate and unable to rise from. the pavement Grey-street, was fined in the same amount; and a young fellow, named Martin Lestrange, was subjected to the same penalty for a similar offence.

A recent event in Chicago appears to indicate that the Chicago rough ia about the ronghest of that undesirable class of human beings. On the 6th instant, as narrated by the Chicago Tribune, several ladies of the highest respectability, accompanied by one gentleman and lad had occasion to take a trip in a late horse-car, the time being between 11 and 12 o'clock p.m. The car was filled with men smoking, and the atmosphere was such as to cause the ladies to cough, when the brutes began to mock them and use insulting language. Not content with this, one got in front of one of the ladie3, and holdin by a strap allowed the slightest motion of the car to throw himself heavily against her, while at the same time he made repeated attempts to spit in her face, his mouth being full of tobacco at the time, although foiled in this intention, he succeeded in ruining the lady's dress. Unable to endure their disagreeable company, the party were about to leave the car, when the rough took his departure. At this the party concluded to remain, and ieseated themselves, when the fellow returned, and dealing the lady whom he had been prosecuting a furious blow between the eyes, suddenly disappeared. The lady was stunned and suffered severely. The Tribune states that similar, though not quite so aggravated outrages, are of continual occurrence on this particular line of cars alluded to, and that -while frequent complaints have been made, neither the company nor the city authorities take any Bteps to protect the respectable persons who have occasion to use the late cars. In view of this fact the Tribune says that "If ifrbecomes necessary for any one to use these cars, the only advice that can be given, since the company and the police decline to act, is to quietly shoot the first person who insults him." .

Service will be held in the North Shore Presbyterian Church to-morrow morning, at the usual hour.

The details of the horrible murder perpetrated in a drunken row \at Hamakna, Hawaii, writes a local paper, ought to awaken attention to the question whether something cannot be done to stay intemperance among the native population. It is but a short time since we chronicled a murder committed in Kona, Hawaii, in which the parties concerned were under the influence of liquor. A gentleman who lately returned from a tour onMaui,says that intemperance is on the increase on that island, and that native men and women spend their earnings to indulge in drunken carousals. Idleness, vice, and murder, with their attendant diseases and misery, are increasing, and threatens to sweep off the remnant that remains of our aboriginal race, Friends of Hawaii!— Can nothing be done to stay this great curse ?