THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1886.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 206, 2 September 1886, Page 2

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1886.

If thero aro advantages arising from the want of a natural centre in Now Zealand and the division of the city population into four rival towns, the fact has also many very palpable drawbacks. Interprovincial jealousies are responsible for much waste of capital and energy ; every port considers" that its existence is at stake if a work undertaken by another port is not immediately copied, the result being the sinking of a large amount of borrowed money in unnecessary and unprofitable works. One of the most flagrant instances of this waste is contained in the proposals which are favoured in Wellington and Port Chalmers for the construction of big graving docks. No large dock in New Zealand, even it it had a monopoly of the work, would pay, and assuredly the graving dock at Lyttelton can supply all the wants that will arise within range of the Southern ports for the next generation, and then not do more than cover its working exponses, leaving the capital cost a burden on the shipping interests. But a section of fche Wellington and Port Chalmers people, although within a day's steam of Lyttelton, are determined to enter into rivalry with that port. At Wellington, a substantial section of the business community has thrown cold water on the project by showing that the best method of promoting shipping trade is to cheapen harbour charges, and make the port one which, from the lightness of its dues, as well as its central position, is fitted to become a great commercial entrepot. It is doubtful, however, whether even their wise counsels will prevail, and we fully expect to see the Wellington Harbour Board raising money for a large graving dock.

The movement for the construction of a big dock afc Port Chalmers has emerged from a singular struggle between the members of the Trust into a still more remarkable determination to go into the money market for a loan which the Dock Trust cannot pay the interest upon out of any resource at present at its disposal. The constitution of this Trust was the outcome of one of those pieces of political manoeuvring that are the curse of New Zealand. There is already a very good d"i;k at Fort Chalmers which meets all tlio wants of the ordinary shipping ■visiting the port, and the management pi dock affairs formerly vested in the Ofcago Harbour Board which was really representative of the meroantile interests of the port. But that Board, having fully considered the question, came to the conclusion that, heavily burdened as the port was with its costly harbour works, it would be rank folly to go into competition with Lyttelton in a matter which involved large expenditure and was of comparatively little importance to the shipping interests. This decision, however, was attributed by the Port Chalmers people to jealousy of the little town at the entrance to the harbour, and through the energy and influence of the member for the Borough, Mr Macandrew, dock affairs were removed from the control of the Board and placed under that of a Dock Trust, which was endowed with the right to

make certain reclamations on the fore shove tor the purpose of creating an endowment. These reclamations have not been made. It would cost £55,440 to make them, and it is Very doubtful then whether they would pay interest on their cost. The whole revenue for tlio year ending 31st December last amounted to 3.s 10d—namely, balance of earnings above working expenses, 0s 3d; sums received from rents, 3s 7d. In the face of these figures the Finance Committee of the Trust assess the amount of revenue at between ,-£4,000 and ,£5,000, and upon this basis propose to proceed with raising the loan ! The Dunedin representatives, fearing that, Ure.ih"o ■■itablo deficit may be charged against the harbour Iwv'e tough t tooth and nail'against the project, but they are outnumbered 'and out-Voted by 'the Port Chalmers rejtresentutives. Port Chahners is dull; a local expenditure of £90,000 will revivo its flagging coriimerciitl interests, and the people are resolved to have it,'let the interest on the loan come from wherever it may. They believe that the colony cannot permit a public body created 'under Parliamentary charter to repudiate, and tlio trustees doubtless rely 'topon tlic dhaiices of being , ablo to "squeeze something more in the way,of 'endownment out of Parliament. The Diulcd'm Slcir, concluding a vigorous article in condemnation of the project, gives oxprossion to the following opinions, which will be endorsed throughout the colony:—

We nsk the people of the city and district to consider where- the money for principal find tiYtoreWt must eventually comu from, R is, we think, moat desirable tlmt public duinion should assert itself in distinct condeinnat'ion of the action of tho Trust, which practically will bo found to bo of very general concern. Thero is nothing, so fur (is wo can see, to prevent (if they do go into the monoy market) their sacrificing tho debentures at any pric'o to secure a modicum of ready money, tho expenditure of which at tho I'ort is, we verily believe, their chief if not only object.

Captain kdwin wires at 12.0 p.m. that a very heavy gulo may bo oxpoctod from between north-west and south-west, with heavy rain. Barometer further fall, but will probably rise aftor 12 hours. [Tho galq has alroady started operations, thoro having boon several heavy north wostorly equalls from noon today.]

Throe caeoa aro sot dovn for trial at tho Auckland Civil Sessions on Monday next, as follows:—Now Zealand Loan and Mnrcantilo Agenoy Company (Limited) v. David Andoreon : £300 Os 10d, for overdue interest. Thomas Edward Fitzgerald v. John Carrol Seccombo: £100, damages for trespass. The Accident Indomuity Company (Limited) v, P, A. Edmieton; £000, damages for elander.

Miss Errington (socond daughtor of Mr W. Errington, tho well known cngineor) was married yesterday at Bishop's Court, Parnell, by Bishop Cowio (assisted by Archdoacon Dudley) to Dr. O'Callaghan (incumbent of tho Epiphany Church ) Miss Minnie Errington was bridesmaid, und the Rev. W, H. Porcival and Mr Tibbs (of the Grammar School) were grooraemon. The happy pair haVo gone to OnohUnga for their honeymoon, and their mutual frioude were treated to a vory enjoyable party last night at the residence of tho brido'e parents.

The result of the no-progress policy of the ratepayers of the Borough of Newton is now becoming painfully apparent at the Groat North Koad, especially tho eoction from the Poneonby junction to tbo building known as the Working Men's Club, Arch HilJ. This portion of tho road is now in a most disgracoful condition, boing a series of hills and hollows, tho latter lately developing into small lakes of water. On the Newton side of tho road an amount of clay has been dopceited with a viow to raising it to its permanent level, but has the borrowing proposal was vetoed by tho will of the ratepayers, nothing further can bo done fur want of funds. Ono gentleman ia especially a sufferer by thin, as ho obtained tho proposed lovole, and built n house and shop to correspond. At pretont ho ia about 3 feet bolow tho footpath, with a pool of water undornoath his excavation. It is time conic definite action was taken by tbo Council.

A statement of the assets and liabilities of Kobert Jenkinson, contractor, has been filed. £1,437 Sa is due to unsecured croditors, and £1,800 to secured creditors. The assets are estimated at £4,560, tho principal items of which aro: — Stock-in-trade at Lome-street, £750; horses, drays, etc., £150; book debts (£300) estimated to produced £200; tramway sharop, fully paid up, £160; claim against Carr and Morton, £100; intorest in "Jonkinson'd Patent pile," £1,500 ; surplus from securities in hand of secured creditors, £1,000. The dobtor's «tatoment thus chows a surplus of £.'), 123 12s. The largest of tho unsecurod creditors are T. and 3. Morrin and Co., £500; Cruicksbank and Co., £350 ; E. Porter and Co., £177 18a; Auckland Timber Co., £50. The secured creditors arc : Union Bank, £300 ; New Zealand Loan and Mortgago Company, £1,500 —the securities being a freehold property in Lome-street, with tbree-story brick building valued at £3,000, a freehold property at Mount xVoekill valued at £100, and a leasehold in Howe-streeb worth £60.

Last Saturday a moet successful meeting of St. Thomas's Juvenile Branch of tho Church of England Temperance Society took place. The Rev. W M. Dv Rieu opened the meeting with prayer. By the kindness of Mr Waymouth, who takes a great interest in tho branch, Mr Ewington had been asked to address the children, and he -"id bo in a most amusing and in tereating speech. Then followed a laughable piece, "Over Particular," given by members of the Society, solections on the piano by tho Misses Armstrong and Austin, and a distribu tion of gifts to each child off a most imposing Christmas tree, which was laden with toys—dolls, work-baskets; aprons, etc , for the girls, and whips, tops, bows and arrows, etc., for tho boys. These gifts wore distributed by members of St, Thomas's Church, among whem wo may mention Messrs Evans, Robinson, and Alloway, and the Misses Owen and Colo. Afterwards the children (about 150 in number) were regaled with tea and cake, provided by Mesdames Waymouth, Olive, Armstrong and Austin, the Misses Hould, RobinsoD, Brett, and M. Hill being indo-, fatigable in their attention to the children's wants.

Mr Moss writes: Sir,—Your correspondent from Woodhill writes that the men were obliged to work 74 hours in tho canal, and that I was in error on that point. I was told by several of tho men that they had to work as your correspondent eayp. One told me that the simple choice given them was " into the water or off the works." On the other hand some of the officials described the work a? only half in the water. My vieit was necessarily short. I had little time for inquiry, and preferred not to risk a good cause by the appearance even of exaggeration. The thing was bad enough at the best, a disgrace to the Government and to tho province. Time was when New Zealand was proud, above all things, of the character and prosperous condition of her working classes. Now every chance seems eagerly seized by a certain set to depreciate their character and to attack their condition. This set, though noisy, is, I believo, but a small one. The most complete answer that could be given ie the cheerful courage with which these hardships at Woodhill were borne, which must command for those who endured them, the respect of all right-thinking men. Tho canal work, I judge by your correspondent's letter, is over. The other suggestions which he makes aro we'll worth consideration ; but the Government alone can deal with them, and will, I hope, be well advised in doing so. —I am, &c, F. J. Moss.

A service of song entitled, " True to the Pledge," will be given in the Grafton Road Wesleyau Schoolroom this evening at 7.30. The admission is nominal, and there ehould be a large audience.

Though the weather was anything but inviting, there was a most hearty meeting of women yesterday afternoon at Mr Wright's service in St. David's Bhurch. In the evening, the attendance was very good, despite the darkness of the night and the almost impassable state of the roads Mr Wright is making tho power of the Gospel much felt in the paneh, both among churchgoers and non-churcbgoora. A prayer meeting takes place this evening at 7, and the service at 7.30. To-morrow evening Mr Wright will close his mission at St David's,

1 Tho following ie typical of American onterpriso : A company has boon foritied, ■with $1,000,000 capital atdck, to dredgo the Carson River, in Novada; for quickoilVor and amalgam. Eighteon miles of the rivor bod have been locatpd. It is estimated that ten per cent, of the bullion product.of the Cometock mines has flowed as tailings into tho Carson Kiver, and that at least 840,000,000 will bo recovorod.

Mr J. Bridgowator, who has for many years been connected with that groot centra of merchandise, Wood'.-troot, London, was to leavo in AugUst with hie family for Auckland, whoro ho intends to rosido and carry on business.

"An Unfortunate SheroHoldor" think* that tho Fioening Cotnpopy. taight have done wi.'tiout so Orjiato nn'd cxponpive a pamphlet), considering tha state of its finances. Fcoinrny is, in our correspondent's opinion, tho " pno thing noodful " in tho all'airs of this company.

, T-he Cromar divorce.case, lately heard in Melbourne, tiff jrdtd some lively disclosures The wore members of. Mr Harry Kicknrds's theatrical company. Agnes Cremar, the petitioner, was married on 24th August, 1577, to respondent, at the early age of 18. . She was not then on the stage. Jlor statement showed.a long Het of crnolties-always; forgiven by her, always repeated. Without wiehiDg to mako a joke of Mrs Cromar'a misfortunes, her statement roads something like this : — Tlie cruelties commenced bo oarly as three weeks ifter marriage. " Wont to Nowcastlo, drunk, struck mo in thq face ; Hull, struck me on tho mouth ; South, Shiolds, unploaeart pla.ee, knocked down and kicked in thoetroote ; Liverpool, very budly treated (loft him); Belfast, thrown down stairs'; Glasgow, bod; Edinburgh, hot tea thrown over me ; Middlesboroußh. slappod in tho face ; Stockton t . blackened eyos ; Shefiiold, struck on tho ear'; Bradford, thrown down stairs, again; Shoilield, an oatia — only struck with a boxing glove ; I'ortemouth, hit with a broBS candlestick ; on board- tho Austral, coming to Au»tralia, knocked down twice and ro?cuod by passongors ; Brisbane, kuoclccd down with a stick ; Melbourne, struck with a stago club on Boxing Night.' , Those are simpiy abbreviations of hor statomont to tho Court. It appears highly probable that Mia 0. kept a diary, hor pi ices and datos are so procieo. Improper conduct was also alleged against tho rosponde'nt.

An act of unpardonablo Vandalism is going to bo committed if (says a Homo papor), as roport says, tho old bridge of Ayr is to be domoliehod. If when Burns wrote of tho bridgo of Ayr ho could talk of tho "poor narrow footpal h of a et'roet, whore twa whoolbarrowe trcn'iblo whon tjioy moot," it is not surprising that tho etonoe aro now dropping from their places, and that the auld brig \a considered unsafe for traffic. But fur closo on CSO years it has done its work, and that surely is long enough to have oarnod tho repose, not of annihilation, but of an honourod national monument. That " o.mcoit :d gowk," the now bridgo, is still quite capable of carrying all who with .to cross the Ayr, and it is difficult to understand what imperative reason there can bo for destroying tho " brig of ancient I'ictish ra?o, tho vera wrinkles Gothic in hie face." And besidos its commomoration by the Ayrehiro poet tho bridge has a romantic interest of its own, having, liko tho pyramid of Khodopis, been built nt tho solo oxponeo of a single lady, though tradition variously describee ber inotivoa.

To tho Editor : Sir,—With your pormissioTi, kindly permit mo to call the attention of the authorities to tho general 'dirty state which Durham-stroot Wost daily presents. From its contral position, foot paeeengura aro numorous going up and down, and a moro cloanly etalois therefore highly nocossary. Sovoral of the crossings might, too, with advantage be improved—for inetanco, that leading into Moesrs Hunter and Nolan's saloyards.— Yours, &a, Jar, Mukboat.

Tho Timaru " Herald " states that tho Timaru Woollen Factory has stopped running, ponding tho meeting of shareholders to coheidor the position. Tho com pany lias no proaeing creditors—ia perfectly solvent, as there is material in stock and uncalled capital sufficient to wipe off all liabilities—but tho mill ceaeed work because it was not cloarly seen whore the next fortnight's wagos wore to como from for the ouiployiSa.

Tlio Prince of Wales roccntly gavo a garden party at Marlborough House, to which ho invited tho Fronch Winces now in oxilo. Tho following day notices nppearod in all tho Orloaniat papors in Paris to tho effect that lie had givon a magnificent entertainment in honour of the Comte do Paris, and that tho Queon had como to town from Windsor for the purpoeo of meeting tho Pretonder at Marlborough Houeo. Tho Prince was furious, and the matter created the worst possible impression at Paris, whore at first it was looked upon as a direct insult to the Government. Mattere wore slightly improved by an official communication in the "London Times" indignantly denying the Orloanist despatches. The Comto de Paris gave orders for tho statement to bo contradicted in France.

A romantic etory of shipwreck and residence on a small iclumi in the Caroline group among tho natives for 15 months is • oldby Joeoph BrinekinnndGus Wenswend, sailors. They sailed Irom Newcaetlo, Australia, November 16, 1884, in the Australian barque Borthwick Castle for Amoy, China. The captain lost hie reckoning, and ran out of his course, striking on a roof of tho Mokin Isle, in tho Carohno ijroup, on January 3, 188"). The nhip wont down at noon, after the crew of 18 men had taken to the boats, and with a small quantity of food and clothing roached tho land. To their surprise and joy they found it inhabited. Thoy were very kindly treatod by tho people, taken to their huts, and made at home. Tho natives aro described ac fine-looking pooplo, who havo very little intercourse with tho outside world. Af'.or a sojourn of a year and a quarter, Brinekin and Wenswend were taken off' the islaud by the ship H. L. Tiornan.

A scheme has been adopted by the joint Committee of tho Victorian Employers' Union and the Trados' Hall Council for the establishment of a Court of Conciliation for tho settlement of trade disputes. The scheme willnow lie submitted to thesobodies in question. It provides that a Board of Conciliation shall investigate such disputes between employers and employes as ehall bo submitted to them, and recommend such terms of adjustment as scorn fair and reasonable. The Board will ceneist of not more than eighteen nor leas than ten mombore, half of whom aro to be appointed by the Tradm' Hall Council, and half by tho Employers' Union. With a view to prevent sorious trade conflicts it is proposed that no lock-out nor strike ehall under any circumstances whatever be resorted to until the following steps have been token to procure a settlement of tho question between employer and employe's ; first, that the matter in dispute shall be referred to tho Secretaries of the Trades' Hall Council and the Victorian Employers' Union respectively, and they have failed to secure a settlement; second, that tho matter in dispute has boon referred to a Committee of and it has failed to eecure a settlement; third, that the matter has been referred to the Board of the Council of the Union, and the decision of such Board has been refusod recognition. The scheme was to bo diecuesod by the bodies directly concerned on a recent evening.

The members of tho Franklin Cricket Club are notified by advortiscraent of their annual meeting, to take place to-night, at 8 o'clock, in the St. George's Hall, Groat North Road.

Tho matron of the Upper Refuge desires to acknowledge a parcel of illustrated papers from the Working Men's Club, for tho use of the inmates.

Arrangements were made last night between Jimmy Martin and John Laurie, of Blenheim, for a glove contest to take place on-the 10th of this month, and £20 a-side was placed in the hands of Mr Macintosh, of *ho Waitemata Hotel, who will be final stakeholder. Both men will now go into hard training.