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Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 245, 15 October 1889, Page 4

By way of comparison, the Minister of Lands has had prepared a return showing the number of sheep in the sheep districts of the colony at the end of May, 1889; also showing the increase during the latter year. It is as follows: — Auckland, .381,901; Hawke's Bay, 3,194,884; Wellington and West Coast, 2,372,541; Marlborough and Nelson, 804,710; Canterbury and Kaikoura, 4,800,051; Otago, 3,834,838: Total, 15,388,925. The increase is—Auckland, 31,185; Hawke's Bay, 128,055; Wellington and West Coast, 120,990; Marlborough and Nelson, 32,164; Canterbury and Kaikoura, 26,874 ; Otago, 7,459. The total increase is 346,727, of which 280,230 ie in the? North Island and 66,497 in the South Island.

News from Tonga by the steamer Wainui states that H.M.B. Egerla, surveying vessel on the Australian naval station* was lying in Nukualofa Harbour, Tongatabu, last week, having just returned from her surveying and sounding work in the vicinity of the Vavau Group. Just outside Neiafu Harbour, Vavau Island, it is stated, she discovered the second deepest ocean sounding in the world. The exact depth of the sounding is not given. This week the Bgeria was to leave Nukualofa to prosecute her" arduous surveying duties amongst the coral islets and reefs .of the little Haapai Group, a portion of the Tonga archipelago". She may be expected to return to Auckland after the prolonged survey cruise seme time next month. In the beginning of hext year it is expected that she will start the survey of the route of the proposed Pacific cable from Fiji and Samoa to Honolulu and Vancouver.

Miss Bavin, daughter of the Rev. R. Bavin, formerly of Auckland, now of Sydney, was a passenger to Auckland from Tonga by the Island steamer Wainui last evening. A short time ago she went down to the little South Sea kingdom of Tonga to take charge of a private school, but has had to return on account of failing health. Miss Bavin goes on to Sydney to. her friends.

A shocking episode is reported in our cable messages to-day from The body of One of the girls drowned in the Sydney yachting accident was found floating in the harbour. A number of sharks were endeavouring -0 devour the body, and two boats' crews who attempted to secure it were driven off. Eventually the police launch, ab great risk, recovered the body, and while it was being hauled on board a shark tore off one.of the arms.

Several interesting discussions took place at the Diocesan Synod yesterday afternoon and evening, notably—(l) as to the advisability of requiring candidates for the ministry to pass an examination in extempore preaching ; (2) as to giving preliminary notice of marriages; (3) re the payment of the cemetery chaplain for funerals from public institutions ; (4) as to the payment from marriage fees by clergymen to the Pension Fund ; and (5) re the adoption of a pension scheme submitted by a special committee last year. Our report of bhe proceedings appears in another column.

His Honor Justice Conolly yesterday afternoon delivered judgment on the question of law between the Kaihu Valley Railway Company and the Kauri Timber Company, in favour of defendants. The former had claimed £21,000 damages through caveat on certain land, lodged by the Kauri Company, and the question argued out was whether there was reasonable ground for lodging such caveat. The judgment practically means that the Kaihu Valley Company have no right to go ou with their action, but Judge Conolly's decision is likely to come before the Court of Appeal. If the judgment be reversed there, then the Kauri Timber Company will probably bring ib before the Privy Council.

A letter read at the Diocesan Synod las* evening caused quite a flutter amongst the clergy assembled. The writer stated that, having heard that a country clergyman had had to walk to Auckland through inability to pay his railway fare, he now desired to supplement that clergyman's salary by a donation of £10. He added that he had intended to-give this donation to the Home Mission Fund, bub thought that as the Synod did not know its own mind for twenty-four hours on that subject, he might have the privilege of being equally inconsistent. The Bishop invited tbe clergyman in question to come forward, but there was no response.

" Ratepayer " writes expressing the opinion that a considerable saving in the city expenditure could be effected by reducing the number of overseers and employing working foremen.

The Japanese training ship Hiyei, Captain Matsumura, arrived at Honolulu about a fortnight ago from Japan. As soon as she diopped her anchors, the officers on •duty of H.B.M.S. Caroline and U.S.s. Alert boarded and paid their respects to Captain Matsumura and his officers. Tbe Hiyei sailed from Japan in company with the Pongo, a sister vessel, which is expected at Honolulu. The Hiyei was built in England in 1878, and is a composite vessel of 2,248 tons, possessing engines of 2,500 horse power, capable at attaining a speed of thirteen knots per hour. She carries six 15-centimotre Krupp guns, two 17-centimetre guns of the same pattern. Her complement of men is 333, including 30 officers and 40 naval cadets. The Pongo, shortly expected, has a like number of cadets. They will remain for about three weeks, and then proceed to Samoa, Fiji, and other adjoining islands, and then return for home.

The Rev. Shirley Baker, Premier of Tonga, was one of the passengers who reached here by the steamer Wainui last evening from Tongatabu, Mr Baker reports political and religious affairs in the little kingdom of Tonga to bo'quiet, as usual. The natives are just starting the manufacture of copra again, the low prices for this article which prevailad a short time ago having had the effect of stopping the work of making copra from the cocoanuts for a time. The fruit trade—in oranges, bananas, etc.—between Tonga and Auckland is steadily on the increase. Old Ring George, the native monarch of Tonga, notwithstanding his ninety odd years, is scill hale and hearty, and there is not much probability of the throne of tho group being vacant for some time to come yet.

The Rev. George" Brown, head of the Wesleyan Church in the Kingdom of Tonga, was a passenger to Auckland last evening by the Island steamer Wainui, from Nukualofa. He comes up on private business. There is no new phase in church affairs in Tonga, and no sign of union between the Wesleyans and the Free Church. A union or amalgamation of any sort between the leaders and native followers of the two sects seems as far off as ever.

The railway employees ab Christchurch have lately been taking steps for the nonenforcement of the Railway Employees' Insurance Bill, the provisions of which they consider unjust and an infringement of the common liberty of employees in respect to their earnings. Though the Bill did not become law last session, the Railway Commissioners have given notice that its provisions will be brought into force. What is most objected to by the employees is the clause which gives power to the Government to stop the amount of contributions from each man's pay. The compulsory nature of the Bill as a whole also is strongly objected to. An exciting meeting of railway employees and sympathisers was held at the Terminus Hotol on Sunday, Mr Hoban, solicitor, in the chair, to consider the best means of resisting the Bill and preventing it becoming law. He pointed out that a large number of the men are members of benefit societies, and many had their lives insured in the Government Life Insurance. A committee of twenty was appointed to arrange for a public meeting at an early date, when the grievances of the men will be laid before the public. The Mayor of Christchurch has consented to preside.

The pupils of Professor J. Milo Moss gave their first public display of ability in gymnastic work last evening in the Opera House. The entertainment wag under the patronage of Sir W. Fox, His Worship the Mayor, and Mr F. G. Ewington, and was most successful. The house was well filled in all parts, a large part of the audience being composed of youths, who could not fail to be impressed by the work done by jfrof. Moss'a pupils, and the advantages to be gained by scientific gymnastic work. The performance began with dumb-bell exercise in squad to music, in which the pupils acquitted themselves well. Good work on the rings was then done by nine of the more . advanced pupils; vaulting the horse, with somersaults, followed, a couple of the pupils dressed as clowns doing the funny business much to the delight of tho small boys in the audience. Then Mr J. Selby gave an excellent performance with heavy Indian clubs. The second part commenced with club exercise in squad, followed by some fine heavy dumb-bell work by Professor Moss and feats of strength by Mr T. Hurley, which were heartily applauded, the weights lifted being very great. Mr J. Hogg gave an exhibition with light Indian clubs, and the pupils went through various other exercises in fine stylo. Durine the entertainment songs were contributed by Messrs Charter, Kilpatrick, McCarthy, and Moss.

. To-night the concert given by the music pupils of Mrs Turner takes place in the Foresters' Hall, Newton, and the affair should, from the published.programme, be a success. A number of Mrs Turner's pupils take part in songs, recitations, and vocal and instrumental duets, and several friends also contribute musical items. The concert commences at 7.30 p.m.' It will be followed by a social dance,

Three prisoners wore brought down from Helen-viflelast night by Constable Foreman: --.William Burke, who bad been sentenced to 14 days hard labour for having used obscene language; a lad named Cassidy, remanded for a week on th« charge of larceny of a whip ; and Neil Malcolm, on remand, charged with cattle stealing.

After the ordinary business had been disposed of at the Newton Borough Council lastnig-t, a deputation of ratepayer, headed by Mr R. T. Warnock waited upon the Mayor, Mr S, Ambury, and asked him to allow himself to be nominated for the ensuing year. Mr Ambury acceded to the request of the deputation.

The opening date of Mr Maccabe's season In Abbott's Opera House has been postponed from Monday next, 21st inst., to the following evening, Tuesday. The "only Maccabe" appears in performances unrivalled for. their cleverness, brightness, and fun, and daring his stay in Auckland he is pretty sure to nave crowded houses.

Three deserters from the Navy will be passengers by the Mararoa this evening for Sydney, together with a sailor from the Dart who had been left in the Hospital with a broken kneecap. The men will be under the charge of Ship-Corporal Green, who will be assisted by Constable Taylor, of Wellington, who recently came to Auckland with a prisoner.

An unusually wild lunatic was brought to town yesterday by Constable McGovern. The man's name was Frederick William Wilkinson, and he was so violent that he had to be handcuffed and required two men to take care of him. Upon arrival at the Auckland Police Station the man was examined by Drs. Mackellar and Coom and duly committed to the Lunatic Asylum at Avondale.

In cross - examining a witness at the Police Court Mr C. E. Madden caused a laugh unintentionally. It was an assault case, and the question was, •• Did yon not tell him to go to a warm place, and consult your solicitor ?" As Mr Brassey was the solicitor for the complainant, he rose to his feet and said that ho felt sure his client would never tell the defendant to seek him in such a place. Amidst laughter Mr Madden hurriedly explained that he did not mean the question that way on.

The island steamer Wainui, which arrived last evening from Samoa and Tonga, brought from Tongatabu a large quantity of Tongan native exhibits for the forthcoming Dunedin Exhibition, which will be transhipped to Port Chalmers. They include bundles of native manufactured cloth or gatu, food-baskets, pillows, fans, kavacups, native mats, copies of books used in the native schools, photos of Tongan chiefs and women, and local scenery, samples of native produce, such as copra, fungus, cotton, coffee, arrowroot, etc. Mr Campbell, Collector of Customs at Nukualofa, sends by the Wainui for the. Exhibition some fine photographs of Tonga scenery. On the next trip of the Wainui from Tonga to Auckland she will bring up for the Dunedin Exhibition a full-sized Tongan native dwelling-house, or fare, which will be placed in the domain at the Exhibition.

The Ponsonby Narals mustered well last night, considering the wretched weather, there being 62 of ail ranks in parade. Captain Miller and Lieutenant Dacre were present. The company was put through a use-, ful course of drill, and considering that the men have done little lately but gun and torpedo instruction, they acquitted them-: selves very creditably. The Naval Band under Bandmaster Hunter was also present, but the Company did not avail themselves of its services for a march out. After drill Captain Miller informed the .corps of its orders for a Guard of Eton Our to-day for General Edwards, arid also: for the ? ins pecf? tion on Wednesday, and two crews were detailed to man the cutters at the opening of the rowing season next Saturday.

The Catholic schools of the Auckland district are determined not to be outdone by the public schools at the Dunedin Exhibition, and for the past month or two have been engaged in preparing-work to be sent down for exhibit. On Sunday last the work done by .tbe pupils of the Sisters of Mercy, Parnell, was exhibited in the Superior School. for the satisfaction of parents and others who might wish to see it. Some .very good work was shown in mapping, drawing and needlework, while the exercise books of the children were models of tidiness.. A very fine specimen of button work "Parnell in Buttons" designed by the Sisters was also 'exhibited. The; following contribute work for tbe Exhibition:—Superior School: Miss Mary Brodie, Miss Hendry, Miss Evelyn George, Miss Alice Hagan, Miss May Neville Miss Margaret Smith, Miss Nellie Thornton, Miss Kay, Miss Cremen, Master Neville, Miss Hobsdn, Miss McCabe, Miss Garnaut, Miss Evelyn Yates, Miss Ouida Hendry, Miss Mabel Hodgson, Miss Nellie Hodgson, Miss Cooper, Miss Atkins,' Miss Nellie McCabe, Miss Eva Hagan. St. Joseph's School: Louisa Sextie, Harold Ruthven, Hannah O'Sullivan, Minnie Richards, Alice Markey, Mary Hansen, May O'Brien, Nora Cu-hbert.

On Thursday evening the grand complimentary concert tendered to Miss Julia Knight prior to her departure for Melbourne will take, place in the Choral Hall. Those engaged; in preparing the details of the concert have made all arrangements for a most successful and enjoyable entertainment, and . one which shall be a fitting farewell to one of Auckland's most prized lady -vocalists. Professor Carl Schmitt will act as musical director and conductor, and the Misses Julia and Carrie Knight, will take part in the concert. Amongst tbe other performers will be Miss Quinn, Mrs Tayler, Messrs Knox, G. Paque, A. Tayler, T. Jackson, Martin, .Hookey, S. Jackson, and Others, and the Orpheus Glee Club will contribute several quartette.. The London and Berlin Piano Company lend a grand piano for the occasion, and the accompanists will be Miss Hayles, Messrs A. Bartley and J. B. Macfarlane. The prices of admission ;;/arefixed at very low rates, considering the merits of the performance, and Miss Knight will doubtless be acoorded a good " send-off" by the Auckland music-loving public

The first rehearsal of the newly-formed Weit End Musical Union was held, in the Ponsonby Hall last evening. There was a good attendance of members, and the work was taken up in thorough earnestness. M r J. H. 'Phillpot gave evidence of his abilities as conductor. Tbe Committee of the Union have taken the Ponsonby Hall for their practices, and have secured a good piano—an indispensable factor in the success of_ these- gatherings. There is- every probability of the Union becoming a success and doing: good work in the musical world of Auckland,

• In consequence ot the attendance having increased, the management of the Pitt and Edwin-street Primitive Methodist Church have decided toenlerge thepresent building. As there are many pleasant recollections attached to tbe building amongst the old scholars a good idea has been hit upon to perpetuate that memory. A series of photographs have been taken, and these have again been photographed on one card. Atthe top, is a small view of the church building, and beneath this is the photograph of Mr W. C. Woodward, the present minister of the church. On one side are. the teachers and elder scholars arranged on a platform, whilst on the other appear the remainder of tbe scholars, and the members of the Christian Band. The ." At-Home" in the Helping Hand Mission Hall, Freeman's Bay, will be held this evening. Tea at 6 o'clock*

■--__■_--___—■__■ —a—M——■_M__M___aiWMa_fta__ ___ Matters at Tuakau, writes our correspon : dent, remain much as usual. Flax istha one absorbing question,. and all the mill! are in full blast, with the exception of the one on the beach ; alterations and improve ments are being effected in tho latter boh an early start is expected. Preparations are rife for the incoming cricket eeaeob' and a successful course is anticipated' The coming election has not as yet exoited any very great interest; w opinion is sensibly in favour of some pra<y * tical candidate coming forward whose knowledge of local requirements and iarmJ ~ ing industrial pursuits would fit him as •' representative " in deed rather than in word. In. this direction it has been remarked that few could so well fill the posi* tion as Mr J. C. Firth, whose intimate a& quaintance with the tendencies ol railway" - mismanagement, practical experience i£ the ways of the aboriginal.and long connection with the agricultural and pastoral classes, renders him better fitted to effect necessary reform and advancement than any outsider whose proclivities are- less specialised.

The Rev. R. Sommerville delivered aleei ture ou Sunday evening in St. Peter's Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hills, fronj the text, "Being destitute, afflicted tormented, of whom the world was not worthy," Hebrews, xi., 37. His theme in relation to the text was the sufferings of the Scottish Covenanters. Those times of persecution formed a dark page in the his. Tory of our country. The men and womeQ of these times preferred death to dishohour,: being faithful to their convictions. CharleS I. had permitted the calling of a General Assembly at Glasgow. The Marquis of Hamilton was the Lord High Commig. ; sioner, while Alexander Henderson was Moderator. The Assembly objected to. the Km?''. interference in sacred matters. The Lord High Commissioned declared the Assembly dissolved, but the members to a man voted to go on with : - i: the business. It was at this time that the important relations of Church and Stats' were distinguished. In 1650 Charles Unsigned the Covenant, and immediately thereafter proved a traitor. A packed parliament reversed all the laws made in.' the direction of religious reform. He be-' •

came thirsty for blood. The Marquis of Argyle was beheaded saying, "I could die' as a Roman, but I prefer to die as a Chris. Man." The King used all his arbitrary power to enforce prelacy. Sharp, subset quently Archbishop of St. Andrew's, was the main agent in this. Four hundred ministers were expelled from their pulpits, and their places supplied with incompetent youth's. It was a crime for the expelled ministers to seek help as it was' a crime to give it. Attendance on preUv tical worship was enforced by the soldiery,' ..; At length the troops were empowered to kill. John Brown, of Priesthill, refused to. attend the curate's service, and wasmnrdered by Claverhouse before his own door, 1 ;> in the presence of his wife and children, * How many in our day would play suCha» W noble part as did the Covenanters ? How many of the disciples of modern thought would for conscience' sake go to the stake ' and the scaffold, and in their dying'moments shout, "None but Christ! None but Christ!" A competition for members of the Port-; '..*'-. sonby Baptist Rand of Hope was held lastl : evening,and was a pronounced success: The, audience were given voting papers,, and :; were asked to score out the name of the

best performer in each section with, the -: ; following result:—Reciting, over 12 years : Ada Wright, Ist prize ; Fanny Fear, 2nd. i Reciting, under 12 years : Johnny Bigelovr, Ist; Wilfred Wright, 2nd. Solo, with accompaniment, under 12 years: Annie Robinson, , Ist; JohnDy Bigelow, 2nd. s , Impromptu reading: . Willie Big'elow, Ist; Annio Robinson, 2nd.., Solo accompaniment, over 12 years: Ann's Wilson. Ist. Piano solo, over 12 years : Katie Bruce and Florence Wilkins were equal. A rule had been made whereby a competitor could only win one prize. • The ; -. 2nd prize in solo singing goes to Annie Craft, the second prize in reading to Edwin " $. Robinson. , | A rumour obtained currency at Christ-' f church yesterday that somo trouble-_a4y|||;,' taken place at the Kaiapoi Clothing Fa£?f||l| tory. The inforniatiori l received conveyed :%L' the idea that a strike was on foot. It seema -''"" that seven or eight hands had been dis- ' charged, because'they formed themselves into a committee for agitating indoors, and had been collecting names and money for a union in the midst of working hours. "I would remove a hundred if they did the same," the manager said. "They may all belong to a union if they like, so long as their joining does not interfere with theirwork. When it does they must go. The union will do the factory far more good tfffi; than the employees. We have'been paying a log which is quite one-third and some- '.55 times more than one-third higher than the Dunedin log, and when the latter is carried here, as it appears it will be, then we must bringf'our prices down- to it." No fnrtber"f||p action was taken by the employees last night. •

Last evening the Rev. H. Westmoreland, of Ballarat, who is at present on a visit to Auckland from Australia, gave a temperance address at the Wesley Hall, Pitt-, street. The hall was fairly well filled and ; the Rev. E. Best presided.* The lecturer said that he had always been a total abstainer, and every year of his life added to !KvS his enthusiasm in the work. His observa- ;> eions of the evil effects of intoxicating liquors had been world-wide. He ridiculed the prevalent drinking customs and dwelt at length on the many advantages of temperance. This evening Mr Westmoreland lectures on "Round the World on Haif-a-crown.'

.— --—~ . , >. /. We have received from Mr W. Wood, sen., of the Thames,, a copy of the second edition of his work, "The Climax of the- , Present Kosmos." Mr Wood is, perhaps, better known as "Enoch," or " The"Pro-' - phet." However, he does not profess so much to prophesy himself as to be the interpreter of Bible prophecies, and in his work he brings forward various arguments from the Bible and from the stirring events of the ■present times to show that the end of the present state of the world is ab, hand. Referring to some remarks in a Wellington paper in reference to the StephensonHearn sculling match, our Dargaville contemporary aaya •—"Well, if the Wellington people will lay a £1,000 or two, level money, on their own favourite, Hearn, it will, we venture to say, be speedily taken by Stephenson's friends in this district. More than that—after the pet of the Empire City has had, his colours: lowered, by Stephenson, wo understand that the Dargavijle'sports'will.be prepared to backsan* other Northern Wairoa stripling again.. him for;a £100 a-side, or more ; that is, v ■ Hearn will come so far from home as to row the match on the Wairoa, than which Nevr Zealand haß no river better adapted ior the, purpose." :•-■■■'■• j The Hamilton creamery started day with 500 gallons of milk. There ■Jp.jgf two improved separators running '■ i,-.*...-' revolutions a minute "and putting 300 gallons of milk an hour. In a few weeWji. $& Mr Reynolds expects to receive L'jWfetffe gallons daily. At each factory the butter will bo made and forwarded in bulk Wj-.v, ft Hamilton, being the most central place, -then it will bo tinned and packed for port. The Whatawhata factory is the """JJ?^. perfect in Waikato; being erected on ™"j:j;.f*§ edge of a gully with a sufficient fall to » r v *■*",;, range the building so that the milk is «_e- t . -;\ livered into the receiving vat, runs the separator and tho skim milk passes outside. ■ - oJ'-i'-'-''' A mysterious disappearance of on . pain follows an application orßenshaWf ,| Monarch of Pain.—(Advfc,} ..'-:: ' ; ' ' " ; . ... ,-;„.