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Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 31, 6 February 1891, Page 2

Yielding to the pressure of public opinion, tho Governmenb have set up an independent commission to investigate tho charges made by Nurse Arnaboldi against Dr. Collins, and now we may expect tha_ the inquiry will be immediately proceeded with and the allegations either proved or disproved. The Commissioners appointed are Sir Maurice O'Rorke, formerly Speaker of biie House of Representatives, and Dr. Yon Mirbach, of Waipawa. The latter gentleman does nob appear to be known in Auckland, and has, no doubt, been chosen because of his freedom from local knowledge and consequent probable prejudices. There wore good grounds for the objections to the conduct of bhe inquiry by the former tribunals, and for bhe reasons then abated the decision, whether right or wrong, would nob havo inspired that confidence which is desirable in an inquiry of bhis kind. Tho protests of the public have been effectual, and now that an independent commission has been set up, ib is to be hoped that, in the interests of tho Hospital itself and out of consideration for those immediately concerned, the inquiry will be commenced withoub further delay, and bho truth or otherwiso of the allegations ascertained.

For some time past we have been in_ formed by cable from day to day of lenientable hostilities in the Caroline Islands (Nor'-western Pacific) between the natives and the Spanish troops. The Caroline Tslandei'B, who aro naturally a peaceable and harmless race, are under the Spanish rule, and they appear to have been goaded back into their former condition of savagery. The Spanish authorities seem to have had a rupture with the American missionaries in the group, and have threatened to expel them. A letter from one of the lady missionaries at Ponape, Carolines, at Honolulu, recently said:—"The commander of the U.SMs. Alliance has made the Spaniard governor own that the missionaries were driven from Ponape, as indeed they are. What are the Spanish doing ? Nothing very aggressive. No fighting has taken place Biuco my last. They seem to blame the missionaries more and more. Before thay burnt tho missionary houses, they took from them what they chose. As yet only one tribe seems to have became involved in the trouble, and thoy aro very careful not to bring in the others. As for example, t.wo hundred or more of this hostile tribe, armed with rifles, had a chance to attack tho Spaniards, surprising them at very good advantage ; but they, the Soaniards, were just over the lino on Kiti territory and so tho attack was not- made. Tho chief of whom I told you whose head was boiled and sont to Manila still lives, strange to say, and is more successful than ever. Question, whose head did the Spaniards boil? The Ponapeans seem to know which men to strike, as among those of the Spanish killed a large proportion have been officers. A Ponapean woman tolls that she saw the Spanish put all the Ponapean Bibles in a heap and burn them."

Tho failure of the South Australian loan, of which advices wore cabled yesterday, has somewhat significantly realined the predictions of financial authorities. The failure is attributed to the high premium at which tho loan was fixed, when the advisers suggested that the minimum should be 97. Another cause assigned is, that only two per cent, discount was offered on immediate and final payments. There were aboub one hundred tenderers, the highest individual amount subscribed being £50,000, at la premium. The opinion generally expressed in London is, that it is rnadnes~ of the other colonies to think of borrowing at present, unless they are prepared to place their loans at a lower minimum than 98. We are told in addition that the South Australian Colonial Treasurer will not send definite instructions to the loan agents respecting the loan until further information haa been received from the Agent-General, Sir Arthur Blyth. It ia apparent from the cable messuges bhat the failure is nob due to any disinclination to invest in colonial stocks, but rather to the conditions imposed by the promoters of this loan. The failure will be somewhat of a surprise to the South Australian people, who were irapressed with tho idea that the present was a very opportune time to approach the London money market, and who, in view of the fact that colonial loans have been less frequent of late, had formed great expectations concerning their " little loan."

When the exodus of population from Auckland took place two or three years ago, the reported prosperity of San Jose, California, attracted a good deal of attention. Quite a colony of Aucklanders established themselves there, and we are glad to observe bhat they are making their mark. The " San Jose Mercury " of December 23rd contains a list of the candidates who have passed the teachers' examination for that county, and among those who were successful in. gaining certificates we nobice the names of three Auckland young ladies—Miss Belle Burdick, Miss Jessie Mason, and Miss Sarah Rose Sheasby. The questions were propounded upon the following subjects-.—Grammar, orthography, arithmetic, geography, United States history, composition, reading, method of teaching, mental arithmetic, word analysis, school law of California, physiology, natural philosophy, entomology, book-keeping, music (old notation), industrial drawing, Civil Governmenb and penmanship, and an average of eighty per cent, upon each subject was required for a certificate. Miss S. Rose Sheasby was ab one time employed as a pupil teacher in Ponsonby School, and her many Auckland friends will be pleased to learn that she is achieving such success in her American home.

A shed containing hay, the property of Fraser Bros., Coromandel, waa destroyed by fire at Titai at seven o'clock lasb night. The origin of the fire is unknown-; ib is supposed to have been spontaneous oombustion. There was no insurance on bhe property destroyed, and bhe loss is estimated at £30.

Huntly appears to be flourishing again, all bhe mines being in operation. Tho "new dip " ab which bhe sad disasber ocourrred recently is now being worked, and a splendid seam of coal has been cut, which is stated to be much better than thab worueo in bhe old mine. Strange to say, there mob ab present a J.P. in the neighbourhood, so that if a man wants any information ne has to go 10 miles to reach the nearest justice. The wants of the district have been recognised bo the extent of arranging for a Courb being held once a month. Ralph Hall has been secured as a oourohouse, and the cases in connection with die recent fatal accident happen to be tne tuscases taken.

At the ordinary meeting of the City Council last night a memorandum from Air P. A. Philips was read calling attention to the facb thab bhe recent fire <">n the ship Leading Wind had cost the city _11U i° r eorvicea rendered by the Fire Bn.aae in addition to six or seven thousand gallons of water used. The city gob nothing tor this outlay, but the owners got their insurance, and ib would no doubb result in the Harbour Board getting increased wharfage rates. The Mayor thought this waa an important matter for consideration, in his view the Barbour Board should be asked to pay the expenditure incurred 111 this matter. The real question at issue was whether any arrangements should be made in case of fires oubsido the city. Lr. Crowther thought the right course was to refer the Town Clerk's memo to the Legal Committee with bhe view to making an application to the insurance companies to bear part cosb, and moved accordingly. Cr. Dignan, seconded the motion and ib was carried withoub Rather discussion.

Mr Rush-brook's children had a rather nasty accident lasb evening at Norbhcobe. They gob into a cart to which some horses were attached to pretend bhey were going for a ride. The horses, however, took fright and bolted, and all the children were thrown out and more or loss bruised and injured, one little fellow being stunned for a time. The curb was, however, the greatest sufferer, though the children had a narrow escape.

A boxing match to a finish was arranged last evening ab the British Hotel between Messrs F. G. Heath, of Sydney, and S. Armstrong, of Auckland. Tho match is for a trophy and a side wager of £iO, and will como off on Monday week ab Potters Paddock. Articles were signed lasb night, and Mr J. Gallagher was appointed stakeholder.

In the British House of Commons on Wednesday Mr Gladstone's Religious Disabilities Removal Bill was rejected on division by 256 bo 223. In moving tho moa.-51.1re, Mr Gladstone contended that tho present disabilities under which Catholics suffered were unfair, since their loyalty hud been proved to be untainted. Mr Smith, speaking on behalf of the Government, who opposed bhe Bill, said there was njb necessity for the Bill, and thab bhe present time was inopportune, as bhe mass of the Queen's subjects regarded tho proposed change with alarm.

The quarterly election of officers of the Star of Newton Lodge, 1.0. G.T., took place last night in the lodgo-room (the Protestant Hal!, Newton). After the usual opening ceremony, the District Lodge Deputy (Bro, Leßoy) being the installing officer, the following members were elected to office for tho ensuing quarter : —Chief Templar, Bro. Dickson; Vice-Templar, Bro. M. Cook ; Secretary, Bro. Potter ; Assistant - Secretary, Sister Nicholson ; Financial Secretary, Bro. Lightloot, senr. ; Treasurer, Sis. Lightfoot, eenr. ; Chaplain, Bro. H Cook; Marshal, Bro. Higgard ; Guard, Bro. Payne ; Sentinel, Bro. Proud ; Deputy Marshal, Bro. Lightfoot, jut-r.; organist, Sis. Mills (re-elected). A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation ho tho officers of the past quarter.

A regular London Music Hall entertainment on well-known metropolitan lines is announced for to-night at the Opera House, Thore will be none of tho chair business as usual in nigger shows. Each artist will havo a turn, and, of course, each will do his or her best to excel the other in pleasing the audience. An amusing entertainment may, tlierofore, be confidently anticipated. Harvoy Bros, should get a good house, and tho audience plenty of fun for their money. -The athletic reps, from Sydney and the South as well as our local " lions " will be there in force.

Ab lasb (says a Sydney paper) something practical has been achieved with respect to a lighthouse on thab dangerous i_roup of islands lying to the southward of Now Zealand, the Snares. Ib is many years since the colonial Governments were asked to pecuniarily help New Zealand in this undertaking, but only lately were four colonies— Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand, and New South Wales—found willing to join. Captain Hixeon, R.N., president of the Marine Board, was appointed by the Government of this colony to select a site and arrange the preliminaries for the work, in conjunction with delegates from the colonies interested. Captain Hixson has returned to Sydney, having completed his commission. Tho lar_.es. island of the group was selected and a siteagreed upon about 500fb above sealevel. Sailingshipsfrom Australian pcrts bound round Cape Horn and vessels bound to American portsfrom Ncwcasblefrequentiy pass to the southward of New Zealand, making bheir rongitude on a high parallel. The Snares lie in bhe track, and the lighthouse now arranged for will be appreciated. It is a dangerous locality in thick weather. Deep water exists right up to the shore, and it is believed that more than one missing vessel has been dashed to pieces against these almosb inaccessible islets, and every soul perished. Ab the Auckland Islands, which sbill lie further to the southward, several wrecks have occurred, and the loss of life which has taken place there ie estimated ab fully 100 persons.

The p.s. Victoria, in connection with Sb. Matthew's Sunday-school annual treat, will leave the ferry tee at 3 p.m. to-morrow afternoon for an excursion round bhe harbour. The excursion will be followed by a tea in the schoolroom at 5.30. Tickets (is each) may be obtained of the teachers or at the boat, all scholars being free. Parents and friends of the children are specially invited.

Little by little the meagre facts surrounding the loss of tho ilHfated British iron barque Assaye, bound from London to Wellington, in the vicinity of the Chatham Islands, come to light. The latest bit of new 3to hand comes from Dunedin by wire. Information has been received there stating that in August last, a halt-caste living at Chatham Islands saw rockets sent up, evidenbly from a vessel lying on the west reef. It waa after this that the wreckage of the Assaye bogan to come ashore. The half-caste's story was only laughed at by his people, and they say a iiahiug party had lights burning ; but Mr Shand. R.M., after investigating the matter, is quite satisfied the half-caste's f-tatemenb is true, and that the rockets came from the Assaye.

The Ciby Councillors wore occupied for about half-an-hour last nighb discussing whebher or nob bhey should grant an old lady in Symonds-sbreeb a permit to erect a fence about ten feet in height to prevent her neighbour annoying her by "making faces." Councillors waxed warm in discussing the subject, some being very eager to protect the lady from the alleged annoyance, while others thought the neighbours should be allowed to fight oub their quarrel without the intervention of the Council in permitting a breach of the by-laws. After a great deal of talk, the matter was referred to a committee to investigate and report to another meeting of the Council, when the marter will no doubb be settled one wav or the other.

We observe that at the last meeting of proprietors of the Union Bank cf Australia (Limited), held in London on26bh January, a dividend of 14 percent, was declared, and a sum of aboub £16,000 was carried forward. A boy named Turner, employed ab the Woollen Work?, Onehunga, met with an accidenb yesterday, getting his hand caught in the machinery. Dr. Erson had to amputate a finger. The boy was removed home. This is the first accidenb of any serious kind that has occurred at these works. An inquesb was held ab tho Prince of Wales Hotel yesterday afternoon inbo the death of a child named Arthur Kaymond A3hby, eleven weeks old, which died at the house of Mrs Blanche Vivian, Nelson-street, early that morning, as previously reported. The evidonce wenb to show that the deceased was delicate from birth, and for tho lasb fortnight of ibs life had been suffering from a cough, from which ib became very weak. Every care seemed to have been given to it, but it was found dead in bed on the 4fch February. The deceased was the illegitimate child of Sarah Ashby, residing afc Drury. The jury returned a verdict of " Died from want of its mother's milk and general debility."

The laigest farm in the world is in the south-west corner of Louisiana (U.S.). A syndicate boliglib ib in 1883 and now runs it. At; bhab time 30,000 iicad of half-wild horses aud cattle grazed over the area. In ono lump the syndicate bought 1,500,000 acres. At present this immense tract is divided into convenient pasture stations, or ranches, existing every six miles. The fencing alone cose in the neighbourhood of $50,000. The land is best adapted for rice, sugar, corn and cotton. All cultivating, ditching, etc., is done by steam power. Grain is shipped in |rroa*j qtiuritities. The company owns 16,000 head of horses, three steamboats and a bank. Away up in America they do all things on a big scale.

The Hawaiian "Gazette "of a month ago says :—" There returned to Honolulu by tho steamship Zealand ia on Saturday from King Malietoa's realms the following Hawaiians:— -Jim Kukonaandwife, Kaweluand wife, Kaolola, Kaluna, Moanulua and Ki.hinu. Their return passage was paid by the Hawaiian Government out of tho appropriation for the return of Hawaiians abroad. They stated that the mode of living at Samoa waa easy, and therefore very agreeable ; but the decree of banishment of King Malietoa (through lear of I.prosy) could not be averted, and thoy had to como home. There are several cases of leprosy at Samoa going ab large, and the natives there as well as their neighbours here aro indifferent to segregation. Mr James Keau, a former member of the Hawaiian Legislature, and who left the Kingdom in 18CG, is doing profitable business on one of the Tonga islands, and King Malietoa's proclamation does not affect him.

Mr Justice Denniston yesterday issued a prohibition forbidding the Resident Magis irate from proceeding further inre conviction of Seli_ and Bird, proprietors of the " Referee," who in October last were each fined £50, or three months' imprisonment, for a breach of the Gaming and Lotteries Act by taking money to invest on the totalisator and not doing so, but presumably paying toralisafor dividends on those thab won. Tho Judge held that there was no evidence that the money had not been put on tho totalisator, though Selig and Bird hod not done so themselves, and that tho evidence in the case was not consistent with their having contrived a scheme of betting totalisator odds. Probably, however, the money had not, been put on the totalisator ; but that, though a fraud, would not alieeb their clients as long as Selig and Bird were solvent. He would not give costs against the Magistrate. It was contended that an amplication' for prohibition only applied where tho magistrate had exceeded his jurisdiction ; but Justice Denniston considered it applied to other cases, though he would like the point settled by a higher Court.