FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1889.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 57, 8 March 1889, Page 2

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1889.

New Zealand is destined to be a grea t agricultural and pastoral country. .Her well-watered lands and " her reliable climate place her far in advance of other parts of Australasia as a field for farming- enterprise, and the impetus which has recently been given to land settlement and production in this colony will, we trust, go on until the rich possibilities of increase which she possesses are fully developed. New Zealand will also be a great manufacturing country in course of time, but in the natural order these secondary industries follow in the wake of agricultural prosperity. It is therefore of prime importance to this colony that no opportunity should be lost of developing her agricultural resources. Good land laws, cheap land, and profitable markets for produce are all prerequisites of importance ; but it is, perhaps, still more essential that the people of the colony should be possessed of a strong desire to "go on the land," and that the rising generation should have opportunities of acquiring a practical acquaintance with and a lively interest in farming operations.

For these reasons any proposal such as that laid before the University Senate the other day by Professor Thomas deserves to be warmly welcomed and carefully considered. Before launching out on any fresh scheme of agricultural instruction, it is to be hoped that a well-matured plan will be laid before the Government, so that past mistakes may be avoided. The Agricultural College at Lincoln, Canterbury, which was founded upon what was believed to be a sound basis, has of late years drifted into an unfortunate position; the attendance of students has fallen off, and the institution has been losing money. It would appear that these deplorable results have been brought about chiefly by mismanagement ; such, at least, is the opinion airived at by a commission lately appointed to inquire into the matter, and who have just given in their report. The leading points in this report are as follows : —

The Commissionei-3 havo come to tho conclusion that bhe Board of Governors failed to manage tho School of Agriculture so as to produce the best results, and that a change in the managing body is desh'able. They recommend thab legislation should be obtained to placo tho institution and its endowment; under a Board of Agriculture constituted similarly to the Council of Agricultural Educabion in Victoria, and thab a system of scholarships should bo instituted. The Commissioners express an opinion bhab bho fees charged ab presenb are far too high, and that a reduction could be made by adopting a different system of charging students. By this means and utilising produce of bhe farm, the cost should nob exceed £30 per annum. By adopfcing bhese_ recommendations bhe College would bo placed within fche reach of all classes of the community. The general results of the farm would be much improved by the appointment of an efficient farm manager so as to enable fche director to devote more time to other duties, and carry on a more exbensive sysbem of experimental work, which has been neglected in the pasb. If managed on the lines indicated in the report, bhe Commissioners submib that the School of Agriculture, Lincoln, would soon be rendered ol inestimable value bo the colony.

No doubt steps will be taken to have the suggested legislation carried out in the approaching session of Parliament, and when the matter is under consideration it should be the aim of Auckland members to make the Board of Agriculture representative of the whole colony, and at the same time to urge the establishment of an experimental farm m- the North Island. It is well known that on account of diversity of climate, the agricultural products and processes are in many cases entirely different in the North from what they are in the South, and there are specially profitable branches which could be pursued in the sub-tropical North if the people had but the requisite knowledge, and if the success of these new industries were experimentally demonstrated. There has been an area of land set apart near Whangarei Harbour for the purposes, of such an experimental farm, and t>y a small annual expenditure we are convinced that valuable, practical results could be achieved, by showing how many profitable articles of commerce, which are now imported to the colony at great cost, could be produced in any required quantity. It may not be necessary or desirable just at present to go to the expense of erecting college buildings and appointing highlypaid Professors ; but something on the. lines we have indicated ought to be started at once. The teaching of the elementary prisjdples of agriculture in the public schools of the colony would be incomplete if there were not an experimental farm which pupils might visit to see for themselves the operations and processes, and where youths might be apprenticed to the farming at rates within the reach of every member of-the community.

The careless manner in which vehicles are driven on the L;ike Road has frequently given rise to comment, and surprise has again and again been expressed that accidents are nob of frequent occurrence. A mishap, however, occurred yesterday afternoon, bub fortunately was not attended with auy very serious consequences. Davis's and Morley's coaches met in collision about midway between the Lake and Devonport. Morley's was outward bound, and only carried one,passenger, Mr Wakefield, who was thrown violenbly to the ground and stunned. He was removed to his house at the Lake. The pole of Morley's coach was broken, bub Davia's.sustained no danger. Neither driver admits thab he was to blame, one throwing the responsibility for tha accident on the o*sk»r.

As a horse attached fco a spring cart belonging to. Mr P. Nerlieny, of Greystreet, was being backed into his coal yard this morning the horse slipped on to its haunches. The harness was soon taken off by some ready hands, the cart drawn back, and the horse was thus released from its awkward position. No damage was sustained.

A shed belonging to Duder Bros., situated near Church-street, "Devonport, was totally destroyed by fire afc an early hour this morning. The shed was a weatherboard building,.with iron roof, and almost valueless, but 2fb distant there was a two-stall'stable containing the racehorse Hune, both of which were saved. The fire was discovered by Mr Jno. Woodward, and Mr Fred Corbett was also promptly on the scene. The alarm having been given, assistance was promptly at hand, and with the aid of both neighbours and volunteers in camp (Waitemaba Naval Artillery) the fire was speedily extinguished. A good supply of water was obtained from Mr Prater's place. The fire ia supposed to have originated in some straw stored in one corner of the shed.

Wo understand that Mr G. M. Reed, who is recognised as one of the most able of New Zealand journalists, will leave on Tuesday next for Melbourne, where he is to fill the position of editor of the new "Evening Standard " in that city.- It is intended to present Mi- R,eod, prior to his departure, with, an illuminated address expressive of the esteem in which he is held in Auckland. The address has been engrossed and illuminated by Mr Slator and largely signed, andjit is intended to leave it afc Messrs Kidd and Wildman's for a day or two in order that others who desire to append their signatures may do so.

A correspondent, "Censor," writes complaining of the want of ventilation in the newspaper room afc the Free Library. Ho adds: "About a week ago tho chess and draught players wero turned out of their old room so as to be prepared for the lending library. Now, it is a notorious fact thab a number of strong, able-bodied, loafing fellows spend day after day, week after week, and month after month in playing draughts. They are not only too lazy to work or look for work, but they are so impervious to all sense of shame or decency thab from sheer laziness to clean themselves they actually stink. The consequence is fchab the extreme end of the room is saturated, wifch a poisonous atmosphere, highly offensive and injurious to visitors. 1 do nob know how tho~o dirty fellows oxisb, but they evidently work nob, aa ib in clear fcliey wash not. 1 do nob know wliofcher the Charitable Aid Board havo anythingl fco do with them, bub I think it is high time that the librarian expelled some of them."

Another old identity passed away from our midst this morning in fche person of Mr William Eustace Martin, whoso face and form have long been familiar to the inhabitants of Auckland. The deceased gentleman was. a son of the Rev.' Dr. Martin, Dean's vicar of St. Patrick's Caunedral, Dublin, and was educated ab Trinity College, Dublin. Ha tiffconvards became a barrister and solicitor of bhe Four Courts of Dublin. In 1862, he emigrated with his family to Auckland, bub did nob praetiss his profession here. Ho was very widely known and held in high esteem by his numerous friends. Tho deceased, who was 00 yoars of ago ab tho time of death, leaves two Bons and three daughters, besides numerous grand-children.

The third, annual meeting in connection with the New Zealand Alliance will be held in the Rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association on Tuesday evening, March 12th, commencing at 7 o'clock. Sir Wm. Fox will preside ; all members and friends arc cordially invited. Also afc half-past 7 o'clock tho public meeting will be presided over by J. H. Upton, Esq., and e.ddrcsses will be given by Miss Ackcmiann, Rev. A. Reid, H. Hunter, Esq., and others.

Wo sometimes hear of lack being badly treated when let oufc fco work on farms, bub judging by a circumstance which occurred afc the Police Court this morning there are instances where iads arc quite happj7. A widow named Mrs Ellen Bond leb oubher son for twelve months to a farmer ab Pripakura named G. W. Hanson. Recently she went to bring her boy home, and as his time was not up till June the farmer objected. This resulbed in some trouble, and the affair culminated in Airs Bond suing Mrs Hansen for assault. While the casewasbeinglieard in Court this morning Mrs Bond quietly leffc the Court with her boy, bub was quickly broughb. back by " Mac," who as usual was on tho w.'ttch. The case was dismissed and Mrs Bond again started off with her son, when Mr Hanson interfered. She appealed to the Bench, bub while she was talking Mr Hansen said, " Come on, Johnny," and the lad promptly leffc his mother ancl hurried oub of Courb in company wifch his employer. That cloarly proved that he, ab leasb, was satisfied with bis treatment on the farm.

Some amusement was caused afc tho City Council last night by one Councillorstabiug that another had been ordered to " move on " by a constable when he was standing with two frionds in Queen-street. The gentleman referred to got up and pathetically appealed to the Council as to whether it was right that under the by-laws three men should be at the mercy of an ignorant policeman. Cr. Holland laughingly remarked that if the Councillor referred to was talkingloudly and obstructing the footpath bhe constable was quite justified in ordering him to move on. Cr. Crowfcher.said that if a constable ordered him to move on when conversing with a friend he would "hit him in the eye." .

Rev. Geo. Samuel, a Baptisb minister from Birmingham at present touring the colony, conducted the service ab bho Tabernacle last evening. In his opening remarks Mr Samuel referred in affectionate terms to the Roy. C. H. Spurgeon, at whose college he was educated and who had influenced him, and to the pleasure he felt in meeting his son, the Roy. Thos. Spurgeon, in this city. Mr Samuel then deliveredasbirringandremarkableaddrcssfrom Ezekiel, i, 10—" As for the likeness of their faces they four had the face of a man, and tho face of a lion on the righb side, and bhey four had bhe face of an ox on the leffc side; they four also had the face of an eagle." Mentioning bhe facb that bho face is almost invariably an index to the character, the speaker enlarged upon the attributes of the various beings represented in his text, the parallels in their characters and in the life of a true follower of Christ. The address lasted some 50 minutes, and was listened to with rapt attention by the larsje congregation, and concluded with an earnest appeal to the unconverted.

Last evening the Waitemaba Naval Artillery musbered in strong force for big gun drill, there being 46 men on parade. Amongst fche visitors abForb Takapuna was Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, who closely inspected the men whilst manning thebat'tery. Never since the drill started have the men worked better, and the Colonel was highly pleased with the smartness shown. He stayed the night in camp and at 5.30 this morning inspected the corps by daylight. The inspection ■ was made under very unfavourable circumstances, as bhe men were wet through, having jusb returned from extinguishing an outbreak of fire. Altogether, the officer commanding the district was pleased with his visib, and particularly with the excellent muster.

'' How stange ! How passing strange ! And yet 'tis true." Nofcwibhsbanding tL:e high dufcy, boots and chocs can be bougho at R. Hannah and.Co.'s, 172, Queen-street, cheaper than ever. The lines now being cleared during their great sale cannot ba repeated.—Auckland Cash Boob Palace.— (Advt,j

Miss Smithson requests us to mention here that the lease of the City Hall for Monday, March ißbh (St. Patrick's Day) haa been handed over to the Ifisk Jubilee Singers by heij. To-morrow night a grand athletic tournament and concert carnival will be presented, and as the amateur athletes have not had an opportunity before of contesting in feats of strength for a prize, the management will present a medal for the best amateur all-round heavy weight lifter. Profes3or Milo Moss, the "Auckland Hercules," has kindly consented to act as judge, and the weights, dumbells, &c., will be on exhibition -tomorrow in the dress circle, entrance to the City Hall, where, to avoid any crush at night, tickets may be obtained. .An excellent programme in the concert portion of the entertainment will be presented.

The drapers are endeavouring to initiate an annual holiday, and with this end in view the majority of the employers have signed a paper agreeing to close next Thursday. 'One or two of the shopkeepers, however, consider Sb. Patrick's Day would be more suitable for the holiday, and on this ground have refrained from co-operat-ing with the others. It would be a pity/if a movement of tin's kind were to fail because of want; of unanimity.

The ranks of the professors of the healing art in Auckland have received an interesting addition in the person of Mrs Conway, of Richmond Road, who works by means of magnetism. She is said to have given considerable satisfaction where her services have been' brought into requisition. , M -

To the Editor: Sir, —I was very much interested in reading your report -in lasb Tuesday evening's Star of tho P.ev. Mr Gulliver's third lecture at Sb. Paul's, inasmuch as that gentleman appears to pose in quito a new ! character. A short time ago lie waa thodefeftdcr of orthdoxy against gft&b Cryptogrammists, bub now in a caso a hundred time more 'difficult of determination he comes forth a greater than Donnelly, and still more cocksure than that writer, that by methods a hundred times more difficult than his, it is as clear sis mud that Leviticus was not written by Moses, but by a scribe, a sorb of: Jewish Francis Bacon. When one reflects, one feels how one ought to admire tho method of the great Gorman school of criticism, which at an immense interval of time out of a thousand possibilities in the way of theory or reoonciliabory explanations, can pub its -fin«er down with cerfcairjby on the one biTiO theory and say " That's settled for all hereafter." It's grand ! and there's not tho least bit of arrogance about it, — An Old Native.

The annual toa meeting In connection with the anniversary of Birkonhead Wesleyan Church was held last evening;. Tea was provided at 6.30, and the following ladies dispensed tho good things to the numerous attendant;?, viz., Mosdamess Johnstons Chainpbaioup, Ronnie, Witherford, Gumman, White, and Misses Sfcoclo, Jackson and Bond. At the public meeting in the church, Mr W. Thome presided. After devotional exorcise and tho Balance-sheet by the Secretary, the Chairman called upon Rev. C. H. Garland for on address. Mr Garland explained that no doubt tho largo audience had been drawn together from the fact that tho previous pastor of the circuit (Rev. H. IX. Dowsbury) had returned to the colony from England, and would be only boo anxious (like the speaker) to hear from Air Devvsbury some account of his jonrneyings. .Rev. H. R. Dewsbury on rising to address tho meeting was accorded a fitting reception', and gave an interesting and instructive address, which was* highly appreciated. After votes of thanks had been accorded tho chairman, speakers, ladies and choir, the meeting was brought to a close.

Our Hamilton correspondent writes : "Sheep Inspector Oldham brought five eases into court, ajcaiiist sheep owners for havincj sheep with lice. Two other, summonses have been issued, but not served. In each of the five instances tho defendants pleaded guilty and were lined £1 each and costs.

To the Editor : Sir, —Having seen three letters in your paper, signed by Presbyterians, they need not be astonished when I tell them that thePresbyteriansof Cam bridge have hung up the Confession of Faith, and have not taught the shorter catechism in the Sunday-school for'many years. With the Bible forbidden in our day-schools we intend to make more than one Robert Stout in the colony.—Jenny Geddhs, Cambridge.

The opening of the winter course of Band of Hope meetings in connection with the Newton Congregational Sunday school was held last evening-, March 7th.. before a very large and appreciative audience, the president, Mi- Sprajr, occupying the chsir. The following' ladies and gentlemen assisted in the programme :■ Misses Stevens (2), Miss Hicks,, Miss Currie, Miss Nicholson, Mrs Rosser (vocal quartette by four little girls), Mr Peace. Mr Hamilton, Mr Ellyett, Mr Smeaton, Mr McKean (2), after which the meeting was brought to a. close by sieging the National Anthem.

Mr L. G. Sharpe, advance agent for the Fisk Jubilee Singers, has arrived in Auckland to make arrangements for the s-econd season here, which will commence in the City Hall on St. Patrick's night, and continue for nine evenings. The Company is making a very successful tour of the South, and is now at Napier. j Gisborne will also be visitod, and fche talented singers will arrive here about the end of next week.

Extensive preparations have been made for the Birkenliead and NorUicote Fruitgrowers' Society Annual Show of fruit, "flowers, and vegetables, which takes place at Gladstone Hall to-morrow and promises to be a great success. Entries will be received at the hall to-morrow morning, and the r-ho\v will be open from ono o'clock to nine o'clock p.m. The display is expected to be a remarkably good ono.

An announcement by Messrs Baker Brothers with reference to a sale of Wellington suburban property appears in our advertising columns. The property was offered for stile in May of last year, and since then 108 sections have been sold, and aboub twenty houses erected on the property. The ".Hawke's Bay Herald," in alluding to the sale of thin estate, says the firm are evidently maintaining the reputation they have established for themselves as auctioneers.

Messrs Arthur and Buddie are to sell a rare lot of household furniture on Monday next, at the residence of Mrs Scott, Oakley, City Road. The convenient situation of the residence, no less than the high quality of the goods, ought to ensure a large attendance of buyers.

To those in search of a most desirable marine residence a fine opportunity is presented by Messrs Arthur and Buddie, who \rill sell at their mart on Thursday next some of the choicest sites on Cheltenham Beach. The beach- is too well-known to require puffing, bub for health and ozone, combined with convenience to the city, it cannot be beaten as a place of residence;

Those desirous of securing a beautiful island home, within easy distance of Auckland, should avail themselves of the opportunity of visiting1 Pino Island to-morrow, per City of Cork, allowing two hours to view the property and its picturesque surroundings, or by the Riverhead excrusion steamer on Sunday morning, This property is to be sold on Wednesday nexiTab 12 o'clock by D. I\ Evans and Co.

We would remind those of our readers who are ratepayers in the Lake Road District of the adjourned public meeting to be held in the Takapuna Schoolroom, at ? p.m.,- on Saturday, 9th msb,, when the Committees appointed aS the rec jh^) wet* ing will present their reports.