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Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 40, 16 February 1889, Page 4

The. Government are taking seasonable precautions against any disturbance resulting from the movements of the ex-rebel chief, Te Kooti. The police in the districts through which he will pass on his way to Poverty Bay have been instructed to arrest any persons, whether Europeans or natives, who may be guilty of conduct likely to lead to a breach of the peace.

Many people in Auckland and neighbourhood will learn with regret of the death of Mr J. P. Kidd, which took place last night at Portland lioad, Remuera. Mr Kidd came to Auckland from Scotland about nine years ago, in a very feeble state of health, and the effect of the mild and agreeable climate here was to prolong his life very considerably, although his ailments were past medical skill. He was a native oi' Anstruther, in Fifeshire, and was of a most genial and kindly disposition. His sister-in-law, Mrs Law, of Remuera Seminary, an nounces that on account of Mr Kidd'a death, the school will be closed during next week, resuming on Monday, 25th inst. Thii funeral is to take place at 2 p.m., to-morrow (Sunday).

To the Editor : Sir,—Sir Harry Atkinson tried at his meeting here to make a point by saying that though Sir Julius Vogel before coming into office last time condemned the property tax in favour of a land and income tax, ho nevertheless "put aside" the idea of altering the property tax during his term of office. What are the facts? The Governor's speech on the opening of the session of 1884 by the Stout Vogel Government stated ; " My advisers greatly object to the present property ta^, and will propose its repeal at the earliest moment practicable. They are favourable to an eqan\ and moderate land tax, deducting from the value of the land improvements and a reasonable amount of exemption." In tho following session of 18C5 the Stout-Vogel Government introduced a proposed clause in the Property Assessment Act* the object of which was as Sir PbObert Stout said, "a step towards a land tax." That ckmse exempted from taxation all agricultural improvements, which was to be deemed to mean "all dwellings and farm-houses, fencing land, drainage, felling bush, clearing land, etc., to any amount not exceeding £3,000. This clause, if carried, would have been an enormous relief to the whole farming community, and a great step towards a land tax; but at Sir Harry Atkinson's strong instance in moving its omission, the clause was struck out. It is therefore misleading and disingenuous of the Premier to tell his audience thafc the Stout-Vogel Government or Sir Julius Vogel made no effort to get rid of the oppressive character of the obnoxious property tax.—l am, &c, Jus^itia.

There have been several changes in the police force during the present week. Constables O'Brien and Dunn, of the Thame?, are transferred to Auckland, Constable Christie leaving Surrey Hills and going to the Thames. His station will be filled by Constable O'Brien, of Devonport, and Constable Cotter leaves street duty in Auckland and fills the vacancy at Devonport.

A sale of unclaimed goods was held at the Police Station this morning by Sergeant Ellison. Amongst the articles disposed of are relics of Gasparini, Gleeson, and other characters. An old cash-box waß sold which had evidently been at one time the property of a cracksman, as the bottom was tilled with putty on which were various impressions of keys. A speeler's bag filled with purses useful for the old trick was also knocked down at three shillings.

There was areportcurrent in Rangiriri on Saturday last that Mr John Jeffries, a wellknown settler in Wairangi, had received very satisfactory reports upon a quantity of quartz he had found in the district, and had forwarded to Auckland for analysis.

Mr Brabant, formerly Resident Magistrate of Tauranga, later a Judge of the Native Land Court, will probably be transferred to Wairarapa, in the place of Mr Speacer Yon Stunner, and to Wanganui upon the return of Mr Yon Sfcurmer to Wairarapa.

Serious complaints are being made at the state of Wellington city water supply. As the water is drawn from taps a strong smell is detected. The cause is attributed to the Polhill Gully supply, which was turned on while the burst in the pipes of tho Wainui-o-Mata, the main supply, were being repaired.

The District Council of the Independent Order of Reohabites, which has been in session at Nelson, concluded its sittings on Thursday evening. Representatives from various places, ranging from Invercargill to Napier, were present. The following officers were elected for the ensuing term: D.G.R., Brother T. Fathers, of Nelson • D.D.R., Brother D. Hall; ,D.S., F. H. Eraser; D.T., J. Collins; D.S J.T., Fathers; auditors, Petherick and Benuett.

In the middle of an interesting discussion last night at the Presbyterian General Assembly, one of the reverend brethren was suddenly prostrated on his back in consequence of the chair coming to grief. The fact of a minister being so quickly changed to a lay brother appeared to cause intense amusement.

A meeting of members of the Devon port Presbyterian Church was held last evening for the purpose of considering what pteps should be taken to cause a larger attendance at and an increased interest in the work of the church at the Shore. There was a fair attendance, and Mr George Sibbin presided. After considerable discussion had taken place regarding the manner in which reforms and improvements could be effected, a committee was appointed, for the purpose of advancing the objects sought, consisting of the following gentlemen:—Messrs Mitchell, Sibbin, M. Niccol, Macky, Logan, Murchie and Gelston. At the close of the meeting it was announced that to-morrow divine service would be conducted by the Rev. James Hill, and the following Sunday by another minister at present attending the session of the Presbyterian Assembly.

M. de Flaix (says the " Hospital ") brings forward some rather surprising statistics on the influence of alcohol on morality and health. He says that in those departments of France where the consumption of alcohol 13 small, the birth-rate is less, and the mortality, criminality, and suicide rates are greater. Italy consumes very little alcohol ; its criminality is appalling. Spain conssumes three times less alcohol than Italy; its criminality is double. Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, with a population of about on,ethird, consume four times the quantity of alcohol consumed in Italy, and yet the criminality of the former is very small, while that of the latter is appalling. M. de Flaix seems to think that the consumption of alcohol is in direct co-relation with the amount of crime in the countries he compares, Is it not rather a question of blood ? The phlegmatic Norsemen can consume more alcohol, and be less excited by it, than the more emotional Latin race. Nevertheless, M. de Flaix is as much justified in his conclusions as those enthusiastics who associate alcohol and crime.

Some of the fruit-growers at Te Awatnutu (writes a correspondent of the " Waikato Times :I) are complaining of the low prices obtained in the Auckland market. One consignor told me that on a consignment of plums he lost the cases, the freight and commission absorbing the price of the fruib. One settler was present at a sale of apples last year, where one man bought up the whole lot in the auction room on behalf of the various fruiterers for a sum that left nothing for the producer. The former have combined"againsb the latter, with the result that they reap all the profit, a harvest they will continue to gather until in. self-defence some system of co-operation is adopted. The word co-operation has an unsavoury odour in the nostrils of tha farmers since the failure of the "Cooperative Association " which was to be the salvation of the country districts, consequently farmers are shy of embarking in any such scheme in the future ; but unless some such measure of self-protection is adopted in the matter of fruit the city retail dealer will enrich himself at the expense of the grower.

The public of Dunedin have actively taken up the question of the sweating system, with a view to devise measures for abating the evil. At a preliminary public meeting, last night, the hall was crowded and Mr Downie Stewart, M.H.R., presided. After a good deal of speaking, it was decided to appoint a committee to consider how the evils of the sweating can best be met, the committee to formulate a basis of operations, and submit such to a mass meeting of citizens, to be held in about blirea weeks hence. The committee is to consist of seven, of whom three are lad es.

A citizen of Christchurch was this week greatly pleased and surprised at receiving a cheque for £52 10s, under the following circumstances. Some years age a mortgagee advanced him money on some property at 10 per cent., which was at that time an extravagant rate of interest. However, the mortgagee, whose security has now been released, writes to the effect that he considers so high a rate to be prejudicial to the prosperity of the country, and accordingly returns the amount named above. The lesson for many mortgagees all over the colony is—" Go thou and do likewise !"

The New Zealand Beekeepers' Association met last evening, when some discussion took place re a proposed bee convention, when it was resolved that the Executive Committee regret the seeming iuability of the majority of beekeepers to attend the proposed convention ; also, the unfortunate illness of the respected Secretary, Mr I. Hopkins, and, under the circumstances, deem it advisable to postpone the convention and show until a future period.

A match of much interest to local draughts-players took place last night between twelve of the city representative players in the recent Town v. Country match and twelve other city players. The contest took place at Smith's perambulator factory, and proved most exciting. A close contest resulted in the " reps " being beaten by one game. We hope to have several of the games for next Saturday's issue.

To the Editor: Sir, —One cannot feel sure as to whether the chief idea of your reporter lately in interviewing Mr Garland, the Auckland-born member of the New South Wales Parliament, was for the object of stimulating the young men of to-day to increased diligence and new effort; but, if so, disappointment would accrue, inasmuch as the sketch given was almost purely a commercial one. Mr G.s school period was named, but then every boy nowadays is found more or less at school. The grand eventful period in every young man's life, and when his diligence or his idleness tell most unmistakeably on his future career, is that of the date of schoolleaving. On the due improvement of spare hours, or else the squandering of the same, at this time of every young man's life, depends very much of his future success or otherwise. Young men should endeavour to remember this. The special age is from about that of 16 to 22 years. One would enjoy seeing something like a young men's Anti-fritter-away-time Association established, if but of a private nature only.—l am, etc., N.Z.

A most successful harvest festival was held at All Saints' Church yesterday evening. The church was beautifully decorated with fruit, flowers, and gram. The service commenced with the hymn, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come,;) after which the Rev. A. G. Purchas engaged in prayer. Rev. O'Callaghan read the first lesson ; Ezekel xxxvi. and the Rev. W. Mulgan the second lesson, Phil, iv eh. 4, 9 verses. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Warden of St.-John's College, who took for his text Psalm 103, and urged the need of perpetual thankfulness. The anthem sun°- was Dr.' Garrett's Psalm 145, " Praise Ye the Lord for His Goodness," and the hymns were " We Plough the Fields " and " There is a Blessed Home.''

The annual election of five persons "to constitute the Licensing Committee for the Eden Terrace districb will take p ice on Saturday, 2nd March, at the Bom d' office. Nominations are receivable up 1 11 Saturday, 3rd February, at 12 noon.

The New Zealand United Lepa: Friendly Burial Benefit Society, which nu nbers about a thousand members, las made a special granb from tl c funds to the father of a deceased mitnber whose term of membership was not sufficient to entitle to such under the rules, and an acknowledgment of the act appears in our advertising columns,

A Waikato contemporary has been told by a gentleman lately visiting in the Rangiriri district, that a number of people on the look-out for suitable land ior settlement have of late been moving about in that locality, and that a large unsatisfied demand exists.

Cr. Dignan has given notice that at the next meeting he will move: "That the Engineer be instructed to place upon the table, with the \ie\v of calling for tenders at once, the plans and specifications of the proposed bridge to connect Hobson-streeb with the wharf."

Mr S. B. Browning has writte 1* to the Auckland City Council statinl? that he has in his possession a French bra# cannon captured at Waterloo which he wa 3 desirous of presenting to the city of Auck" land. As he could not make an absolute present of the cannon he would leb it go at a peppercorn rent. The cannon was once the property of the late Benjamin Boyd, who used it as a " Long Tom "on his yacht Wanderer. A number of documeuts have also been forwarded by Mr Browning. Amongst them are autograph letters from the Duke of Wellington and Dr. Gustaff, the explorer. There is also a copy of the " Australasian,'' the oldest newspaper in the colonies, established 1824. A petition- of the citizens of London for the alteration of the navigation laws is also added, and a couple of Chinese magnetic compasses.

The Zealandia Skating Rink was well attended last night, fully 1,000 people being present. The skates were all out before 8 o'clock, some 500 pairs. The principal attraction of the evening was the race for the two-mile championship of [Auckland there being four competitors. J. Eaton went away with the start, and won easily from W. Knox, H. Holland being third. As the winner received the handsome silver medal, the band struck up " See the Conquering Hero Comes." This is the third race Eaton has won in the Zealandia Rink. The members of the Gem of Auckland Lodge,|l.O.G.T., held their weekly meeting in the Alexandra-street hall last night. There was a lcir^e attendance of members and visitors. After the ordinary business was disposed of, and the initiation of two candidates, it was decided to form a football club, to consist of members of the order—belonging to the various lodges in town —and compete for the Junior Cup next season. Mr Quinn, Mr Jas. Preston, and Mr Jno. Preston were appointed to meet delegates from the other lodges and arrange matters. The item on the programme for the evening (conundrum and question box) was then proceeded with, and a very enjoyable evening was spent.

To-morrow afternoon theDevonportFerry Company will run steamers to St. Helier'a Bay and Lake Takapuna, both leaving the Ferry Tee at 2.30 o'clock. In addition to the above, no doubt many will visit Devonport, as the volunteers are encamped there, and in the afternoon Hunter's Artillery Band will play choice selections of music at the camp.

The moonlight excursion to St. Helier's Bay on Monday night promises to be as great a success as the previous ones have been. The Artillery Band will play a choice selection of music, ft new departure in the programme is tne issuing of a double ticket for lady and gentleman at Is 6d return.

The annual harvest thanksgiving service will be celebrated at St. John's Church, Northcote, on Monday evening next, when. a special sermon will be preached by the. Rev. J. S. Hill.

The statement of values of real property proposed by the Property Tux Commissioner for the three years commencing Ist April, 1889, for the Eden Terrace Road district, can be seen during office hours att the waterworks office, Eden Terrace.

8$ A meeting of special interest is to be held in the Grafton Road Church on Wednesday next. In addition to the usual tea, inseparable from a circuit gathering, addresses are to be given by the ministers who have all recently returned from Conference, viz, Revs. Messrs Taylor, Bavin, and Reid. In accordance with the decision of Conference, Mr Bavin will shortly remove to his new field of labour in Australia.

The forohcoming butchers' picnic and sports, which eventuate at Tamaki on Wednesday next, promise to eclipse their predecessors in popularity and attendance. The Committee are working hard to ensure a pleasant day's cuting for their visitors, and, given a fine day, Mrßuckland's beautiful grounds, which he has kindly thrown open to the Committee and their friends, will no doubt be largely patronised. The fine new boats of the Devonport Ferry Company will run at suitable hours, accompanied by the Artillery Band, which will also discourse dance music on the ground. The fact that the creature comforts will bo looked after by Mr T. McEwin is a sufficient guarantee that nothing will be wantinc on that score, and the Committee also, notify that they will provide hot water free.

The Pitb and Edwin streets School sermons will be preached to-morrow, when Revs. B. L. Thomas, J. Dawson, and A. J, Smith will preach. The service in tha evening will be held in St. James's Hall. There will be special singing bythechildrp,n* accompanied by a large orchestra; Mr C-reo* Turley conductor, Mr W. Carlaw organist,*

The Rev. J. Dawson, the Yorkshire evangelist, will conduct the seyvices ab Alexandra - street Primitive Methodist Church to-morrow. At the morning service the Newton Rifles will be, present.

The programme of the farewell concerfa to Miss Otic Chew appears in another parfc of this issue. The concert is to take place on Thursday next, 21st inst., at the Choral Hall.

There was a large attendance at the Columbia Rink last evening- The floor was crowded with rinkists and there was a very fair attendance of spectators.

Tenders are called for the Onehnnga Court-house contract, as per advertisement) elsewhere. Tenders will be received up till the 6th of March.