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Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5480, 11 February 1885, Page 2

under his command, regarding whom thoro was considorablo unoasinoss felt. Hia safe arrival at Korti proves that tho lino of communication between El Metammoh and hoadquartora continuos open, and tho roault of conforonco between Sir Charlos and Lord Wolseloy has boon tho despatch of furthor troops to tho front. As nothing is said about an advance on Khartoum Doing in contemplation, tho likolihood is that these roinforcoments ore roquisito to hold tho positions and keep communications open ; and tho diroct operations against Khartoum will probably not commonco until tho arrival of some of the regiments now on their way from England, tho Mediterranean, and India. Onr cablo dospatchos stato that nativo Indian troops constitute tho roinforcements from that country. When tho adv&nco from Suakim.to Berber commoncoH there will bo hoavy fighting, as Osman Ditrna is concentrating a largo body of Mahditos, with tho object of contesting tho road, The Italian Govornmont havo offorod to assist actively in tho operations, and Canadian volunteers aro also ofl'oring their sorvicos for garrison duty in England.

A telegram roceived from Dunodin this afternoon etatos that tho Firo Brigade Demonstration Committoo havo appointed a committee to answer Supt. Hugheß's statement* through tho Press. Tho new harbour offices aro Btcadily npproaching completion, but it is improbable that thoy will bo out of tho contractors' hands for two months yet,

Tho Hon. J. Ballanco loft nt noon to-day for tho Thamos in tho Government stcamor Ilinomea. Ho will remain thero until

Friday, when ho loaves again in tho Btoaraor for Tauranga, calling at Waiwern en route, in order to confor with Sir Julius Vogel. Ho oxpocts to roturn to Auckland in about six weeks, whon ho will visit tho North, principally with the object of discussing land matters with tho nativos.

Thero is to bo a fight in Parnoll over tho licensing quostion. By ndvortisomont in another column, thoso in favour of ton o'clock closing are requested to meet in tho Proßbyterian School-room, l'arnell, 10-mov-rjw (Thursday) evening.

To-day ia a red-letter day in tho annuals of tho bntchors of Auckland, it boing tho occasion of tho inauguration of an annual picnic for members of tho trado. The Queon-stroot Junction was the placo, and 9.15 this morning tho time appointed for the rendozvous.and at that hour upwards of two hundred persons assembled, and subsoquontly vended their way to tho Queen--Btr93t Wharf, where tho p. 3. Tongariro wo waiting to convey thorn to the Tamaki. A good programme of sports had been provided, and no doubt the picnickers would enjoy themselves thoroughly. The day's festivities will bo brought to a suitable conclusion by a ball in the Lorno-streot Hall this evening. In consequenco of the picnic most of tho butchers' shops in the city and suburbs wore closed today.

Tenders for the orection of a villa rosidence at Mount Albort wore received yostorday by Mr R. Mackay Fripp, architect, Mercantile Chambers, as follow:— Lynch, late : Wooller, £755 ; A. Hanson, £849 ; A T Craig, £850 ; W. B. Smith, £870; W A. Turk, £883; W. T. Foreyth, £892.

Tho sad news of Gonoral Gordon's doath overshadows tho other intelligence from tho Soudan, and sorrow for tlio gallant warrior's ■untimoly ond must oxclude nearly ovory other fooling, and to some extent provent tho full significance of tho movomonts recorded in tho cable dospatchos being fully approhondod. Wo note with pleasure howovor, tho gratifying announcement of tho comploto safety of Sir Charles Wilson and tho dotnehmont

Jamos Scott Ingram has supplemented his sworn statement to tho Official Assignee with some particulars in reference to his partnership, with Mr Crawford. Ho cays that up to the time that they consulted Mr Cotter a* the first meeting of their creditors in Durham-street, he had always considered Crawford as not legally a partner, though morally so, as ho himself acknowledged the partnership. Whilst a case was pending against Crawford and himself in tho Supremo Court, partly upon a promissory note, tho fact that Crawford had signed it as Ingram and Company was stated to them by Mr Cottor to bo " damning evidence against Crawford," proving him to be a partner in tho firm. Other documents in his possession proved the same fact. Crawford's statement that witness owed debts to the amount of at least £750 prior to joining him in business was utterly falso.

Trouble has befallen a member of the lecturing fraternity who has recontly been "holding forth" on a variety of subjects. Immediately upon his arrival here he induced a local jeweller to supply him with a gold watch and chain, gold ring, locket, etc., and also to lend him something like £15 in cash. The purchaso and loan wore effected on tho strength of property which tho young man said ho possessed in Sydney. The jeweller subsequently endeavoured to got somo money from his friend, but in vain, and fearing tho loss of his valuables, ho balled up the young man and compelled him to disgorge the whole of the jewellery. His friosa will not cut such a dazzling figure when next ho appears on the platform, unless ho prevails upon some other friend to bo equally kind for a season.

The'annual meeting of tho Auckland Regatta Club was hold last ovoning in tho Woitomata Hotel. Tho attendance, apart from the members of the Committoo, waa confined to the reporters and Messrs C. Bailey and M. Kceslng. This shows how much public Interest there is in the regatta after the prizes have been paid. Messrs Keesing and Bailey consequently had the unusual pleasure of proposing, seconding, and carrying unanimously a vote of thanke to the outgoing Committee for their arduous labours during their term of office. Our report appoars in another column. Mrs Leavitt, organising delegate of tho American Women's Christian Tomporanco Union, delivered an address in promotion of its objects last night in the Ponsonby Wesleyan Church. There was a good attendance. The Rev. J. S. Hill occupied the chair, and briefly opened the meeting. After the reading of a portion of Scripture by the Rev. T. G. Carr and prayer, Mrs Leavitt began her address. She explained that the Women's Christian Temperance Union wai an outgrowth of the Women's Whiskey Crusade in the United States. It comprised 200,000 members, among_ them being ladies of the highest social position in America. They wore a white badge, in addition to the blue, and no badge was more honoured throughout the length and breadth of the States. In America, when they closed up drinking saloons in a district, the women of 1b.9 Ur.|)n pledged themselves to support the saloon-keepers with their custom on taking to any legitimate occupation. It was the duty of Christian people to don the blue ribbon, either for the sake of others or for their own sakes. She trusted the ladies of the branch of the Union now.organised in Auckland, and already counting nearly 200 members, - would set itself to work to accomplish several things:—(l) To influence their husbands, brothers, and sons to vote straight on the temperance question; (2) to bring about temperance instruction in the public schools, so that the rising generation would be forearmed through being forewarned; (3) to obtain by legislation the abolition of barmaids. No woman who stood behind a public bar—heard the conversation there going on—met the looks which were there cast upon her—and endured placidly the surroundings of such a life—was fit to be a wife and mother. The membership fee of the W.C.T.U. was 2s 6d per annum, and gentlemen might become honorary members at a fee of 10s per annum. Mr Booth was the first honorary member in America. At he close a number of ladies joined the Union. Mrs Leavitt speaks to-night at Bemuera, arid on Friday evening in the Newton Congregational Church.

Tho news of General Gordon's death, which reachod us by cablo to-day, and was cironlatod in Extras from this oflico, was receivod everywhere with feelings of aoop regrot. In token of respect for tbo memory of that bravo officer, a large number of business houses in town and also the vessels in harbour had their flags hoisted, at " half-mast" throughout the afternoon. The annual picnic of the Builders and Contractors' Association takes place tomorrow at Hendoraon. Those who intend availing themselves of the opportunity offered by tho cheap excursion train Bhould be at Auckland Railway Station at 9.15 a.m. sharp. Superintendent Thomson left for tho Thamos by tho Hinemoa today. Ho will roturn on Friday. The attendance at Grafton School is increasing at such a rato that if it continues, increased accommodation'will bo absolutely nocessary. On tho 3rd February, tho day after opening for tho torm, tho number in attondanco was 517—an increase of ovor 30 from tho annual examination; and to day , tho numbers were 533—an increase of about 50. Mr Hoaloy lias applied for additional furniture for the third time since his appointment. A young man named John Shaw was committed to tho Luuatio Asylum today, on tho medical certificates of Drs. Coomand Walker. A deputation consisting of Mr Howard and otlior gontlomou waited upon tho Hon. J. Ballanco to-day respecting tho removal of restrictions from nativo land. Mr Ballanco said tho policy of the Government was not to lift tho restrictions. Tho quostion of how those lands woro to bo disposod of •would, howovor, have to bo decided by comprehonsivo legislation noxt session. Mr Francis King sonds a letter roforring to tho caso of the girls Barry and King. Ho says their agos aro 10 and 17 ; that the girls ran away togofchor a week boforo laßt Christmas, and prior to Mr Barry breaking up his homo. With rogard to tho girl Theresa King, ho says she has been going to the bad ever sinco sho went into service at a house in Lorno-strcet,whoro sho had acquired a tasto for liquor. Her fathor, beforo his death, and our correspondent sinco, had dono everything poesiblo to save her.having, with tho aid of tho polico, takon her from bad associates ; butßlio wont away from his house Slyly ono night, and our correspondent lias not soen her sinco Ho thanks somo ladies in Parnoll for thoir unsuccessful efforts to aid tho girl to a bettor lifo. A "slogging" match took placo yosterday ovoning on Mount St. Mary. Both men woro in good form, and tho pugilistic display would not havo disgraced a pair of disciples of Jem Maco of average proficiency. As a moans of preserving tho water supply from contamination, Duncdin City Council aro talking of erecting public abatoirs, and havo provided tho reservoirkeeper with a boat and a gun, so that he may prevent birds settling on tho water. Tho annual thanksgiving servico and harvest festival will tako p'aco to-morrow evening in AH Saints' Church, Ponsonby. Mrs Caldor and several ladies of tho eongrogation have boon for somo days past aotivoly preparing for the coromony. Although tho staff of helpers is small, yet tho roßult of thoir labour manifests groat coal and oarneatness in occleeiastical work. This morning a number of Kaipara natives waited upon the Hon. tho Nativo Minister at tlio Star Hotel to lay boforo him certain . matters requiring attention in that district. ' "Mr Ballanco did not go into all the nubjectp, , but promised that ho would visit tho Kai--1 para soon and mako personal invoatigationa on tho spot. Ono matter, that of the claim > of A. Waiapo to tho Kaira block of about 1 60,000 acroa at Knipara, was fully laid beforo 1 tho Minister. Waiapo is a young man who ' inherited largo properties on tho death of ■ his fathor some years ago ; but there have boon continual disputos regarding the ! owuorship, and some poitions wero seized ) by other chiefs. Tho largo block in ques--1 t ion had beon tho subjoct of lengthy dispute 3 boforo tho Nativo Committee, but no deci--1 sion was arrived at. Waiapo now requested f tho Nativo Minister to liavo tho block surf veyed by Government and passed through - tho Native Land Court with a viow to do- - tormining tho title. Mr Ballance promised to havo tho survey made, and to look after L the young man's interest in tho land, 1 Furthor particulars havo boon received 3 respecting the firo at Mr Wallaco's farm, . Hunua. It appears that tho chimnoy of 1 the house had beon on firo on the previous 3 evening, but the flames wore extinguished, J and everything appeared safo. About five o'clock noxt morning, Mr Wallace hoard something falling upstairs, and looking up, " found the roof and boards on firo. Mr Wai- " laca and his son made an unsuccessful 1 attempt to quell the outbreak, and tho fire ■ extending to the dairy, led to ito destruction. It is believed that a spark Btnoul- "' dered from tho previous ovoning and Bet ' fire to tho roof during tho night. Tho furniture was uninsured, and Mr Wallace 1 estimates his loss at £200 above tho £245 ) for which tho house was insured in tho 3 South British. r At a meeting of tho Wellington Exhibl- , tion Committoe, Mr Callis remarked that j tho nuinbor of industries springing up In , New Zealand was almost marvellous, and j ho did not think any person who had not t visited different parta of tho colony could \ form any adequate Idea of what tho local r industries woro. Ho had beon told in [ Duncdin by a firm of manufacturers that it , was impossiblo to mako buggies out of , colonial woods ; but at Auckland ho found > firms who were, and had been for some time, utilising New Zealand timber for that i purpose. ] Tho Hon. Mr Ballanco informed us to- : day that boyond what had appeared in tho local papers, ho had not heard anything respecting tho deputation of Samoan • chiefs on the subject of annexation with i Now Zealand. i Mr Honry Exloy has issued another. , pamphlet, tho title of which Is—"la Denominationalism of God? A Plea for ; Christian Union." This consists of a careful I examination of the teaching of Scripture on ' tho subjoct of the unity of the Church of Christ, tho conclusions arrived at . being that the existence of hundreds of t different socts is opposed to Christ's desire, dishonouring to God, and constitutes a great hindoranco to the spread of tho Gospel. ; The publication is woll worth perusal. We may mention that of Mr Exloy'a former book, " The Problem of Problems," nearly a thousand copies havo already been disposed of. To tho Editor: Sir,—You will be conferring a favour on many of tbo public who as yet are unaware of tho cheapest method of sending small parcols to Southern ports. Yesterday I wanted to send a parcel of books to Dunedin. I found that to post them would cost 3a 4d. Dooming that rather more than I could afford, I went to tho U.S.S. Co.'a offico, whero affier waiting 20 minutes, I was informed that my parcol would cost 3s Gd. Tho parcel In quostion measured lOin. in length, 4in. width, and 7in. depth. Soitwillbosocnthatforsmallparcols posting is the cheapest method. Of course, there are several ways of killing a cat; even so there are various ways or protesting against and escaping such unfair charges. For the uninitiated, I would suggest that a kindly disposod passenger, going by boat, will invariably oblige by taking such a parcol as I havo montionod. Hoping that competition will soon come our way, and do away with such extortion as the above, —I am, &c., H.K. The Young Men's Christian Association at Dunedin would seem to be in a very sickly condition. Tho annual report just issued says that the Association is solvent, but the funds are not prosperous. The income about meets expenses, but previous liabilities are not decreasing. Some of the branohes of work undertaken by the Association aro flourishing—such as tho mimic parliament, singing- classes, etc., but not those branches peculiarly within the sphere of the Association, such as the Monday morning prayer meetings, which, after lingering for a month in a decline, have had to be stopped. The Sabbath morning prayer meeting has also had to be stopped, and the youths' mission, to continue which was found impossible, owing to a-lack of persons to take control, though the youths were found willing to attend. In addressing a public meeting at Westport last Friday night, the Premier spoke on general politics, though Mr Menteith, M.H.R., detected a personal application in his remarks. Mr Menteith, in moving a vote of thanks, said he had been taken by surprise at the evident drift and tendency of the address. He had certainly not come prepared to meet anything like a direct attack on himself. He hinted, however, at tho possibility of a dissolution at no distant date ,md said the people would do well to be on their guard. He was compelled to believe that the Premier's address was designed to undermine his (Mr Menteith's) influence with his constituents, and this he resented as being inappropriate to such an occasion. The Premier disclaimed any such intention, and treated lightly the suggestion as to the possibility of a dissolution. Tha present Ministry were not going to be got rid of bo easily.

James Scott Ingram, a bankrupt, was oxaminedthis morning on oath with respect to his private estate. He Raid :—" About March or April, 1884, Mr Crawford suggested that we should start a dairy factory at Wairoa South, and I agreed, provided that we could pet a partner with capital to see after the business. As a result Mr Fox came to the office, and we came to an agreement, Mr Crawford arranging nil the dotails. Part was that lox should provide £750 cash, and that we should find machinery to a like amount. Mr Crawford supplied all the machinery but I do not know whether the material was to tho full amount of the agreement. Personally Iliad nothing to do with the matter., The reason my name was put in was that Crawford was an uncortificated bankrupt. He would, otherwise, have been the partner. A great deal of work was done and material supplied over and above tho agreement. I havo no personal knowledge of the books, as I was in reality, and certainly wag treated as a nominal partner. The s.s. Maori was also a speculation of Crawford's, his idea being to run her in connection with the Wairoa factory. At Crawford's suggestion I was registered as solo owner, and the Walshes, who paid the purchase money, wore admitted to a third share. Nearly all tho financial matters were carried out by Crawford without my being consulted."

. It is not so well known as it should be that tho North Now Zealand Farmers Co-operative Association retail all kinds of farm produco at their premises at C 9, Queon-Htreot. The aim of tho Society is to bring the consumer and producer together, thus dispensing with the profits of the middleman, and potatoos, butter, eggs, choose, fruit, &c, can all be purchased direct from the farmers through the agency

of tho Association. • Tho fruit-crops this Season in this district (says tho '• Northern Wairoa Gazette") aro generally satisfactory, and with perhaps the oxoeption of peaohes and grapos.promiso to exceed tho average. Peaches are growing BJarcer year by yeir, and will soon become altogether extinct if growors neglect to plant new trees in the place of thoso which are fast becoming old and useless. Apples are unusually prolific, but grapes will be anything - but plentiful. At Mangawhare, however, thore is fortun»tely an exception to tho general scarcity to be found in the garden of Mr It. Hume. The crop on his celebrated vino is very heavy; and in tho course of a few weeks the clusters of ripening fruit will present quite a picture.

Tho anniversary soiree of the Upper Pittstreot Primitive Methodist Sunday-school was hold last evening. Tea was provided at half-past six o'clock, and visitors and friends waited upon by Mesdames Carlaw, Hardy, Wootton, and Miss Moyle. The mooting was opened by Mr D. Goldie, who Btatod that Mr C. B. Stone was unable to occupy that position, ho being unwell. Mr Ooldio gavoan excellent address on Sundayfchool work, and itn importance in teaching obodienco, Christian sympathy, and leading children to Christ. Mr Wm. Carlaw, organist and Socretary, road a neatly written report of the year's proceedings, whioh woro encouraging. The library comprised 254 moral and religious books, which were continually in request. Monthly publications were regularly supplied, ana occasional lectures givon. Thoro wero 140 scholars on the roll, and tho avorago attendance was 75 morn ing, and 85 in tho aftornoon. Receipts during the year were £31 17s 6d ; expenditure, £20 18s Cd; balance, £10 19a. The collection after the anniversary services on Sunday amounted to £10 2s lOd. Addresses on the following subjects, interspersed with hymns by tho choir, were then given :—Rev. H. W, J. Miller (Onohunga), on " The Flight of Time, Hopo. Patience, and Expectation;" Rev. Jesse Boothroyd (Franklin Road), "The Value of Pictorial, Natural, and Biblical Illustrations in Winning the Children ;" Roy. A. Koid (Pitt-Btreot), " Sunday-schoola in America, and Reminiscences of Robert Moffat," an interesting and forcible discourse, closing with an extract from Gerald Massey's fine poem, " Tho World is Full of Beauty," &c. Rev. W. S. Potter, In parting words, proposed votes of thanks, to which Mr Turloy responded. The whole closed with the Doxology. Devonport Naval Artillery Volunteers are warned, uy advertisement olsewboro, to be present at monthly inspection to-morrow evening, at 7.30 sharp.