The Evening Star : WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News and The Echo. THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1881.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3338, 7 April 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star : WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News and The Echo.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1881.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For tho wrong|tliat needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we con do

The Irish question, next to tho President's inaugural address, is tbe great newspaper topic in, the United States. The papers contain columns daily, recording the move • meats of Paraell and his co-agitators, the steps taken by the British Government to repress disorder, the opinions of the English and American press on the subject, and the records of local meetings of Irish-Americans and American branches of the Land League. From this budget, we are able to fill in the outline already given in our cable despatches, and thus gather a better and more dispassionate view of the agitation and its consequences.

When the previous mail left, Mr Paroell was in Paris, and it was asserted that he would go from thence to America, not daring to return to England, owing to most damnatory papers discovered in the possession of the Irish-American Fenian Michael Davitt. However, Parnell did return to England, although the American press reiterated that he did so at his periJ. The London correspondent or the New York "World" cabled that paper on February 20th as follows :— "Although Mr Parnell has returned to London without being arrested, there can be no doubt that the Home Cilice has convincing proofs of his association with the treason societies. Davitt certainly succeeded in enticing him into a position where the law could step in and lay its hands upon him at any moment. He will shortly return to Paris, but the sharp comments of New York papers, which were cabled here on his proposed American tour, deter him from the latter enterprise. The profound discouragement caused by his disappearance obliged themember for Cork City to show himself again in parliament at all hazards, but he knows his danger, for the papers in possession ot the Home Office would in law justify his arrest at any moment. I may add that I receive these facts upon authority which can be trusted implicitly." It was generally declared by the press of all shades ot opinion, both in the United Kingdom and America, that Parnell's mission to France was a failure. The New York "Tribune," the most reliable paper in the United States, says: "Mr Parnell's latest manifesto, recommending an alliance with the English Radicals, shows that at

last lie recognizes the right and only practical political course for the Irish members to adopt. Unfortunately, ho has hitherto spumed all overtures, and the Radicals have no longer the power, nor, indeed, the inclination to join forces with him. The obstructive tactics have discredited Mr Parnell's leadership and immensely injured the Irish cause throughout the nation. His interview at Paris with Henri Rochefort has also, as was to be expected, given bitter offence to the Catholic party, and his countrymen begin to feel that all is lost until they can linda leador of better judgment. The leading Catholic organs, which were hitherto disposed to befriend Mr Piirncll, now repudiate him, Telegrams from Home represent the Pope as angry, and Dublin dispatches allinu tho same thing of Irish Bishops. ParueH's friends complain of his want of tact in associatiug himself conspiciously with men with whom it is

iiiipo?siblo for tho Irish Catholics, as a body,

to act for any common purpose. French sympathy is lost. The French Conservatives and Liberals', whoso sympathy with Ireland Parncll hoped to turn to account, are alike alienated. Everybody agrees that the branch campaign was a failure, Paruell' having enlisted only M. Rochefort, the most discredited politician in all France, and Victor Hugo, whoso influence is exclusively literary. Paruell clapped the climax of his folly by wantonly insulting Ganibetta. The Parncll organs iv Dublin slur over the French incident and suppress tho details. This resort to silence is a moat significant comment." The President of tho Republic officially requested Victor Hugo to remove Mr ParneU's name from his Committee of Honor, and tho demand not bciny complied with, demanded tho erasure of his own name. The Bishops of tho Roman Catholic Church in tho Lenten pastorals gave expression to their disapproval of ParneU's consultation with atheists and communists, and while sympathising with troubles of their people, warned them against participating in violent, secrot, and unlawful proceedings. Archbishop McCabo, ol Dublin, in his pastoral for the season of Lent, specially attacked Paincll for his conference with Rochefort and Victor Hugo iv these words: "It 13 your duty, iv those troubled times, earnestly to pray for our holy father, and for the pcaco of the church. Wo should also pray for our own dear country, on which in hia inh'uito wisdom and unfathomublo Providence, the Almighty, Inn permitted soru trials to fall. Her history for ages hivs been an almost unbroken record of temporal sorrows, which to a great extent are still her portion; but a calamity more terrible and humiliating thtmany thn t has yet bofal lon her seems to threaten our peoplo to-day. Allies for our country iv her struggle for justice are sought in the ranks of impious infidels, who have plunged their own unhappy land into misery, and are sworn to destroy the foundation of all religion. Will Catholic Ireland tolerato such mi indignity ? Will she give her confidence to fhe men who have wickedly planned it? Will sho break from the holy traditions which, during ages of persecution, commanded for her the veneration of tho Christian world ? Let us pray that God iv his mercy may forbid it." Notwithstanding such udverao criticism, Mr Parnell still met with an enthusiastic reception from the people. His first step after his return was to visit Ireland. He was welcomed by enormous crowds at cvory station, including large numbers of fanners. Bauds played, bauuors bearing patriotic mottoes were waved, and he was hailed as the " Liberator cf the Farmer," the " Man of tho Peoplo," and accorded other demonstrations testifying his extraordinary popularity. At Dublin station, an escort ot 200 ot the Land League Cavalry met him and escorted him to Clara, a distance of eight miles. At the entrance of the village the hoises were taken from his brougham and tho vehicle was drawn urouml the streets to the platform. The enthusiasm was immouso, and fully 10,000 people were present. Mr Parnell rose to deliver his first public speech in Ireland since the celebrated Waterford banquet oration, which he made bofore tho State trial began. Ho was greeted with an ovation unequalled iv the history of his progress in the agitation. Several Catholic priests were on the platform, Father Gcoghegan of Vasa presiding.

In his apcccli on this occasion, Mr I'tmiell declared that he had four-tiftits of the Irish people at home and abroad, on his side, and if the Government intended to put them all in prison, they would have to provide gaols for 20,000,000 people. He continued : " Tho tenant farmers arc the men to whom

all are looking to-day to display their courage. They cau show their devotion by refusing to pay unjust renta. [Cries of "Pay no routs.'] That is not n very hard thing to ask you to do, and that is nil wo will ask. [Cries of "We will <lo it."] ]f you promise to do this we arc willing to go to prison or anywhere else for your sake. Regarding the Land Bill, my belief is that tho present Parliamentary Government will fail to settlo the land question, yet if they give the tenant legal defence against ejectment, it is something not to bo refused; but no mcaßuro which does not reduce rental to about tho Government valuation will be acceptable to the Irish tenant. The last time tho habe:n corpus was suspended iv Ireland, fitteeu years ago, before you had any independent Irish party, it took them twenty-four hours to pass a bill through the Commons aud the Lords, but this time it has already takeu seven weeks. That is my auswer to the man who says that we are not doing our duty in opposiug this bill. I say that in all my political lifo I shall look back with no greater satisfaction to any portion of it than to my opposition to the suspension of habeas corpus. Fellow-countrymen, I leave you with the utmost confidence that you will do your duty during the coming crisis, and will meet the Government policy with a policy of passive resistance. Patiently sufler anything tt>.cy put upon you, avoid retaliation or attempting to meet force with force. Stand by audencouraqc each other in your sufferings. Refuse to takefarmsfromwhichyour neighbours havo been evicted. Refuse to pay unjust rents, then this measure of coercion will fall harmless upon you. I uutreat you, fiually, to be worthy of the occasion, The eyes of the world arc fixed upon you. Don't let it be said thai you faltered in this, perhaps the last aud greatest struggle Ireland will ever have to make for tho freedom of her land." In another Bpeech Mr Parnell advised tenants threatened with eviction to plough up the grass lands, so that their successors should not have the benefit ot them. Some dajs afterwards, however, bo published a letter retracting his foimer advice, on the ground that he had since discovered that to act upon it would render the uufortunatc offenders liable to seven years' imprisonment under an old lav»\ Had such an Act been iv existeuce in New Zealand, the punishment of the Maori ploughmen would have been very much simplified. Iv a manifesto published immediately after his return from Paris, Mr Parnell counselled umon with the extreme Liberals and Kadicals in the House of Commons. The proposal received more favourable comment both in Europe and America than

any other, and was described by the New

York "Tribune" as a sign that the leader of the agitation was returning to his senses and seeking the means of legitimate redress. That journal, however, doubted whether the breach had not become too wide to be bridged, the obstruction and violeuco of the agitators having not only alienated their friends among the English Liberals and aroused a strong adverse feeling in the country, but bad caused a split among the Home liule Party, rio attempt was made to conceal the seriousness of the differences between the Home Rule merufaerj. A letter from Patrick J. Smith, member tor Tipperary, was read at a Land-League meeting at Tralee on Sunday, in answer to an invitation to attend the meeting. Smith said that the policy of the Land League was stupid. It had sacrificed a just cause and dishonoured the country. " Wheu I see," he says, "Irish women forgetful of the modesty becoming their sex and turning stump orators, and when I read of imbecile counsels promulgated one day from the public platforms and withdrawn the next, I hang my head for shame us an Irishman." Another Home Ruler, Mitchell Henry, in writing to the gentleman who accused him of deserting the Land League, says: " I never belonged to the League. Its stupid and irrational policy iv the past few months has crippled the Irish vote in Parliament for ever. The money extracted from the poor people in America aud at hoaie is removed to foreign soil and no accounts published, and the leader flies at the very crisis of the tight iv Parliament." In telegrams which followed the publication of this correspondence, it was announced that "the Land Leaguera decline to be stung into publishing their accounts by Mitchell Henry's letter." The League, at the same time, do not mean to relax any effort to procure more of these subscriptions for which no account is to be given, aud have despatched Mr John W. Walsh, one of the traversers (and brother to Mr Walsh, one of the first persons arrested under the Coercion Act), to collect money and excite sympathy in New Zealand. He is now on his way to this colony.

: We find that it will be impossible in one article to review the whole of the month's proceedings, and are compelled, therefore, to reserve for a future issue an account of the enforcement of the Coercion Act, the progress of evictions, and the proceedings in the House of Commons, which have been of an exciting character

A meeting of shareholders in the Golden Star mine, which adjoins the Alburma mine, at tho Thames, was held yestorday in Mr Kanderson's ollice, Insurance Buildings, when it was decided to form a company under the Mining Companies Act, 1872, called the Golden Star Goldmining Company Limited capital, £7,500, in 15,000 shares of 10s each. Messrs T. McMaster, J. Fisher, G. Winstone, J. Butler, and H. Neale, wore elected directors. Mr T. I\. Randersou, manager, and ths colonial Bank of New Zealand, bankers.

The final meeting of creditors in the estate of John Dalbeth, farmer, of Papatoitoi, was to have been held tonlay, but as a quorum could not be obtained tho debtor will now have to apply to the Court for his discharge under the lS4th section of the Act.

This evening at St, Andrew's Mutual Improvement Association Mr J. M. McLachlau will give an essay on "The Duke of Wellington." Another essay, on " The Atmospliore and its Effects,'1 by Mr T. Latta, was also to have been read, but that gentleman is unfortunately prevented, by indisposition, from delivering it.

The following is tho result of the races of the juvenile contingent of the H. A. C. B. Society held in the Domain on St. Patrick's day last:—lst race (100 yds): Zeiglar, 1; J. Uonway, 2. 2nd race (150 yds): Holland, 1; Gibbous, 2. Walking match : Holland, 1 ; Holly, 2. 200 yds race : Couway, 1 ; Zciglar, 2. Tho prizes were presented on last meeting night (April 6th) by Mr W. G. Connolly. Votes of thanks were accorded to Father W. McDonald, and Mr J. Flynn for their generous donations towards the sports. The prizes consisted of several valuable worl«, including a neatly-bound edition of Mitchell's " History of Ireland,'1 " Tho Lifo and Works of Gerald Griflin," splendidly bound and illustrated, and boiiio very haudsoino prayer-books, &c,

Last evening Bart's Joy was very successfully repealed by tho Arch Hill Band of Hope in the Newton West school. The attendance was very large, and much interest wan taken in tho Borrows nnd joy of Bart, as road by Mr George Hcmus, while tho mombsra of the Band acquitted themselves very creditably in tho singing nnd reciting in connection with the piece. Mr G. Sinnott accompuniul on tho harmonium, and Misses Rudcliff and Downey hud charge of the singing. Tho Service of Song was supplemented by an entertainment, which was supported by tho following :— Misses Lightfoot, Marson, Mr C. B. Kiutr, and members of the Bund of Hopo, the whole concluding at a reasonable time, everyone being perfectly satisfied.

As a fitting commentary on tho guah of Wednesday about Colonel Trimble's Liberalism (says the Wangauui " Herald ") his son has just received tho appointment of Clerk of the Court and Receiver of Land Kevenue at Hawera. How did this young person manage to riao so rapidly iv the Service 1 Will Mr Bryco explain this piece (if favouritism to his constituents ? By the bye, there is no Buch body as tho Liberal Association of England, or any such organisation. How could Mr Bryco then have seen a lottor from its Secretary vouching for Colonel Trimble's Liberalism ?

A concert will bo held in the Devonport Hall to-motrow evening. Mr Gordon Gooch aud several leading amateurs will take part, so that a good evening's entertainmeut niny bo anticipated. Should a sulliciont number of visitors from Auckland attend, a special steamer will leave the North Shore at 12 30, so us to enable those who wish to stay to a dance after the concert to do so.

Mr Peacock has successfully interested himself in getting a portion of tho magnificent specimen from tho Success claim for the Auckland Museum. The directors, acceding to his representations, agreed to grant a portion of the pure lenfy gold, becoming themselves responsible for its value. As a specimen of purof gold occurriug iv quartz nothing equalling this has ever been Been iv Auckland, and Mr Peacock aud tho directors of tho Success deserve public thanks for preserving it permanently for our city collection. Many useful additions to the mineral department of the Musoum might bo obtained if directors of mines only kept the institution in mind, and instructed their managers (o lay aside any curious stone illustrative of the gold-bearing strata which they come acrow in the cour.-'O of working. We hope tho example of the Success directors will have many imitators.

A number of the members of the Loyal United Friends of this city met last evening in the lodge-room for the purpose of bidding a temporary adieu to tho G.M. Brother Gco, Warburton, who is proceeding to London by the Tararua, iv order partly to bo present at a Grand Conforonco of tho Order of Loyal United Friends, which will bo hold in July next. This Conference is held every live years, aud a great deal of interest is attached to it by tho numerous brotherhood. The lodge" in Auckland which Mr Wurburton will represent, was tho tirstthat was established outside London nince the formation of tho Order in IS2O, which numbers many thousand members, and when its principles are better known lodges will increase iv the colonies. Mr Win burton, who is an experienced gardener, will visit some of the best gardens in Kimland, especially thoso of Cheshire, Chatsworth, Kcw, and Hampton Court.

" Dngonet," in the London "Referee,' hears that there arc great complaints about Lord Mayor M'Arthur'x children's party given at the Mansion House recently. Dancing was strictly prohibited ; and the Door children, who had looked forward eagerly to an evening's light fantastic, wore compelled to nit aud lounge about ond umu'se themselves aa best they could with microscopes, living statuary, and magiclantern representations of the Holy Laud. A large portion of the guests were Nonconlormißt ministers, aud it is understood that prayer-incetincs were held at intervals during the evening. The face ot one of the Lord Mayor's footmen when he helped a clerical guest on with his overcoat, and received a tract as a gratuity, can be easier imagined than described.

Persons who have visited Christchurch know what a splendid ground the cricketers already possess in tho heart of the city. Not satisfied with thi?, auothcr ground is being prepared, tojwhich the following refereuce is made in a Press Association telegram :—"Tho new cricket and athletic sports ground has reached the etageof being sown down with grass. Iv order^to obtain information aa to the best vatiety of grass for their purpose, the directors of the company communicated with the cricketers in Melbourne aud Sydney, and by their advico have decided to lay down the ground iv rye grass, tho particular variety selected being " Devonyhiro evergreen," which has been found to answer admirably on some of the cricket ground of Auatralif.. The ground is of vast size, aud will bo fitted fora variety of purposes besides cricket and football. A double terrace ruun round on three sides for the convenience of spectators, and a grand stand will be erected, and the tramway laid down to tho gates. It is on the opposite side to Stanley Park ground, and some two miles from it. It will not bo ready for regular play next season, but the match against Li/lywhite's team will probably come oft" there when it is finished. Tho cricketers and athletes generally ought to have a good time of it, both physically and financially." What do tbc Auckland cricketers think of this ?

"Alfa" deplores the dnncerous increase of larrikinism, aud thinks that, as the subject is claiming attention in Sydney and Melbourne, some stringent rules should bo adopted here by which larrikins could be brought uuder strict police surveillance, otherwise our (ai present) little army of "genteel loafers" will assume such gigantic proportions that tho question of "larrikiuism and genteel loafers " will ere long be one of our cryinc evils, aud will' considerably retard the future progress of Auckland. He says :— " Auotherinstauceofthedestructivc unfeeling character of our somewhat immedicable larrikins was witnessed yesterday. A poor harmless bird had fallen to the grouud stunned, having come in contact with the branch of a tree while flying, and was unable to take to its wings again. Seeing its "helpless" condition a loquacious 1 larrikiu rushed forward aud ruthlessly seized it, carried it off in triumph, and subjected it to all kinds of ill-usage—tyintr a piece of string to its tail, etc.,—until the poor fluttering bird died in his hands. The young scoundrel was remonstrated with for his merciless conduct, and retaliated, of course, in the usual choice language for which our errant city larrikins arc noted. This subject is almost worn threadbare, and is an old-staudiug complaint, letters innumerable having been written with the object of suppressing it. One thing is certain, that unless something is soon done to remedy the existing evil we shall find ourselves in the same predicament as the other metropolitan centre?."

The contents list of to-morrow's "Observer" will be found in the Bth column OH the 3rd pago.

Mr C. B. Andrews notifies elsewhere that his dancing class for learners and their friends will re-open tomorrow evening at 7.30 in tho ochoolroom at the back of the Temperance Hall, AlbertPtreet. Mr A. should be well patronised as the soaoon is specially favourable for the commencement of enuh a class, the evenings being fine and cool, and there boing many desirous of learning or improving themselves in this art, A violinist Is required,.