BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 135, 9 June 1891, Page 4

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The difficulty experienced in arousing the general public to take anything beyond the most languid interest in the dissemination of the Bible throughout the world does not s corn to diminish with time. Year after year throughout the colonies, there is tb e same old tale. The scanty attendance of the public yesterday evening is but an example of the want of interest shown in the Society's meetings in nearly all the chief centres of population. Such a state of things is not creditable to Protestants. They are never tired of repeating the old saying thab the Bible is the source of England's greatness. Many of them profess the utmost horror because it is excluded from the State schools. Differing on almost everything elso, the various sects agree that the Bible is tbe common rule of faith. They profess to believe it it is translated into their respective languages and dialects, the metaphysical Hindoo and tbe untutored inhabitant of New Guinea will alike discover in it a scheme of salvation. An open Bible is, we are told, the strongest barrier against the encroachments of Popery on the one band and secularism on the other. These professions would carry more weight if the various Christian bodice showed a little more active interest in the proceedings of the Bible Society. The magnitude of its operations may be gauged from the fact that during last year nearly four million copies of the Scriptures were put in circulation. As the Society is wholly unsectarian, ifc should receive the support of all the religious bodies in the city ; but apparently their faith is so languid that it has become necessary, as we learn_ from Mr Lewis' remarks last evening, first to interest them in the working of the Bible Society, and second to strengthen their faith in the Bible itself!

The judgment of the Court of Marine Inquiry in the case of the lose of the ship Joseph H. Scammell was delivered at Melbourne last Wednesday. The Court found that the wreck was due entirely to the default of the master, Albert Chapman, in not exercising proper vigilance and precaution when approachinga strange harbour. J' lt was found that the pilotschoonerswere'oruising on their proper stations, and that no blame was attributable to any other person than the captain. In a supplementary reDort the Court recommended that the lighthouse on Splio Point should be completed without delay, that any light between Cape Otway and Port Phillip Heads, which might prove misleading, should be blinded to seaward, and that the limifc of the outer pilot station should be extended from 12 to 15 miles.

At last evening's meeting of the Sir George Grey Reception Committee it was arranged that after the Government Policy Bills have been brought down a public meetingshall beheldtostrengbhenthe hands of the Government in regard to their labour lagislation. On that occasion Mr Napier will deliver an address on " The Mission of Liberalism in New Zealand," A unanimous vote of condolence with Mrs Farnall on the loss of her husband was passed. Various speakers referred to the services rendered by the late Mr Farnall to the cause of labour and of liberalism.

Another of the very few old Maori warriors now left in New Zealand, passed away at Raglan last week, the native chief Keropa te Wairangi. He was a famous fighting chief of the Tainui tribe, and was also closely connected with other tribes belonging to the Raglan side of the Waikato River. One of the last great fights in which he took plart waa near the Waikato Heads, when the Tainui and other kindred tribes engaged the Waikato and Thames tribes, after a desperate struggle the former gaining the victory; Keropa was a' chief of great influence, and had long resided at Kopura, Raglan. A very large number of natives assembled at his interment, and the usual spread was given, canoe loads of pigs, potatoes, flour and other food being conveyed to the ground, a?id the usual firingof guns took place.

A meeting of the Committee appointed to arrange for a public reception to Sir George Grey waa held last evening, Mr W. J. Napier presiding. Messrs Napier, Duncan and Dr. Beale were appointed to ascertain' Sir' George's pleasure as to the time and place for presentation to him of the joint address from the Liberal Association, Trade 3 and Labour Council, Knights of Labour, Anti-Poverty Society, etc. A draft address was read and approved. It waa decided to invite all persons in sympathy with the movement to attend on the wharf at the arrival of the Wairarapa, and to arrange for the services of a band.

The difference between Captain Whitney, of the Colonial Ammunition Factory (Melbourne), and the Victorian Commissioner of Customs, is about to culminate in legal proceedings. Captain Whitney has persistently refused to take out a license according to the Act, and some time ago started to work without complying with the law in this respect. He claims that under his agreement with the Government it is not necessary to take out a license, and that ha is only responsible to the Defence Department. The Commissioner of Customs has decided to test hia claim ab the Footscray Police Court to-morrow.

The football match between the Pokeno and Pukekohe, teams, played at Pokeno, wae fairly attended. The visitors, with a combined rush, carried the ball across the Pokeno line, but Vinson saved. The play now became very fast and exciting, and the first spell ended, neither side having scored. Early in the second spell the Pokenoites, playing: well together, carried the ball over the Pakekohe line, and Fagan falling on it, secured Pokeno'a first score. The shot at goal byF. Dean was unsuccessful. Shortly after a misunderstanding arose in consequence of the whistle being blown, and the Pukekohe men playing on, Hickey scored a try, from which McShane kicked a goal. The result of the game was thereforo somewhat unsatisfactory. Throughout the game the utmost good feeling prevailed, and the visitors were entertained by the local men at the Rope Factory,kindly placed at the disposal of the club by the proprietor, Mr Joe Albion. H.M.S. Himalaya is due at, Sydney on July 26, and is to leave again for England on or about August 6. She brings out the relief crews for Orlando, and a portion of the crews for the Curacoa, Rapid, and Lizard. The remainder of the crews for the last three ships are bringing out the Mildura, Wallaroo, and Karrakatta. The old crews of Orlando, Curacoa, Rapid, and Lizard will return to England in the Himalaya. Charley Hugo, the well-known minstrel performer and comedian, is again in Auckland with his varioty troupe for a season in this city. The company arrived from Sydney by the s. s. Wairarapa, and on arrival at the Queen-street Wharf were met by McComish's band of sixteen performers, who gave them a musical welcome back to Auckland and accompanied them up town.

Our?Wangarei correspondent) writes :-J' Too much is being made of our little dim* culties in raising revenue to pay interest oa. )oans. There are many ways that have nob been tried yet. Suppose now the Govern* ment would put a duty on wool of so much per lb, say one penny (Id), this would catch the absentees who have large runs here and contribute very little to the revenue of the colony. Taking the quantity of wool produced in the colony for 1889 as given in Brett's " Auckland Almanac " for IS9I, at 83,225,7331b, which ab Id would give £346,770, this would aboub equal the property tax.

The third of the meetings in connection with the football district scheme was held last evening in the Ellerslie Hotel. \ large' number of suburban players were there gathered together, and it wae unanimously resolved to form a club to be called the South Suburban Football Club. Officers were elected as follows :—Mr W. F. Buck, land, M.H.R., was elected President* Messrs Thompson, Garrett, Wakefield, p' Sutherland, T. Cottle, E. Hesketh, U*. Garrett, and T. Smith, Vice-Presidente j Mr J. Leahy, Secretary; and Mr M. Herrold, Treasurer; Committee, with' power to add to their number, Messrs S, Somerfield, M. Herrold, and J. E. Leahy. It was decided that the colours of the Club,, should be black.

A couple of orders were made yesterday by His Honor Mr Justice Conolly in Chambers in addition to those already published. On the motion of Mr George an order was made that Mary Webster have) leave to sell certain lands in the estate ol Thos. VV. Webster, deceased. Mr Tunkd (Jackson and Russell) applied to have a bill of costs furnished by Mr Tylden, solicitor, referred to the Registrar for taxation. Mr Tylden was present, and made no objection. He pointed out thatt one of the trustees approved of the while the other wished to have it An order was made as prayed.

" Little Monte Christo " was repeated last evening in the Opera House before a large and well-pleased audience. Miss Amy Vaughan and the other members of; her company were thoroughly at home iii their parts, and the burlesque went off without a hitch. The fun is kept going from stare to finish. The local hits, songs and dances, were all thoroughly ap-s, preciated. The piece, too, is well and the dresses are bright and attractive! The performance will be repeated thisevenv* ing.

Cr. Savage gave notice of motion at tht meeting of the Parnell Borough Council last evening, " That the Council of Parnell do hereby make and levy a general rate for the general purposes of the borough of Is in the £ upon the annual value of all ratable property in the said borough foe 1 the period of one year commencing on the Ist July, 1891, and ending on the 30th June, 1892, such rate to be payable in one/ sum on the Ist July, 1891."

An announcement appears in. another; column of the lecture-,to be.given by Mr Joseph Hannington (brother,'.of the late martyred Bishop) in the V.M.C.A., ou Thursday night at 7.30, the subject being " A Walking Tour from the Cedars of Lebanon to Jerusalem," illuetrated with a coloured representation of the-Holy-City. Admission is free, but a collection will be made.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Yachting Association fofi, New Zealand was held at Wellington laslj night. The following delegates were pre* sent:—Messrs J. B. Graham and T. Hen*

derson (Auckland), J. Rich (Lyttelton), J. Coutts and G. Mcc (Wellington). It wa/i decided to call the Association *' The Nem* Zealand Yachting ■ Association;" ?.« The* drafted rules were discussed seriatim. Iμ was decided :—l. That each club belong* ing to the Association having frpm IS to 3(1 members should be entitled to send twd delegates and an additional delegate fon , every additional 30 members. 2. That thej annual meeting should be held at the port at which championship races fire held. 3. That two championship races be held in each year instead of one a3 originally proposed. 4. That any Yachli or Sailing Club having 15 or more member* shall be eligible for election te the Association. Considerable discussion took place as to fixing the tonnage of boats competing in the First-class Champion Race. Mr Henderson, of Auckland, pointed out that it might happen that a /tb.ree'-s|onner in a very light wind could beat a,boat twenty times her sizej.ajnd he considered, it would be absurd to characterise such a small boat the champion yacht of the colony. It waa ultimately decided that yachts competing in the First-class Race would have to be/ seven tons and upwards; and for the Second-class Championship under seveu tons, and not less than four- Ib was decided to adopt the British system of. measurement, instead of that at present! adopted in Auckland.

A special meeting of the Victorian Trades Hall Council wa3 held last week, ai», which a resolution was moved to the effecti that it was subversive of the best interests of trade unionism that a unionist should be compelled to join any other union than hia own before securing employment. In support of the motion it was decided that the present system of extorting entrance fees trom unfortunate men out of employment! waa indefensible and a species of blackmailing. After a heated discussion the motion was adopted.

The Standing Committee on Victorian Railways has almost competed its report tq Parliament. The report will probably re* commend that no new lines should be constructed unless the settlers to be served; undertake to pay higher rates in proportion) than those that prevail on existing lines, and unless a guarantee will be given that} the land will be made available gratuitously. It will also probably reoommend the formation of a construction branch as a separate department altogether. Another change to be proposed is that each line should be made the subject of a special Bill.

The poll for the election of a member to represent the graduates at the Auckland, University took place yesterday at the office of the Registrar, Eden-street). The candidates wore Messrs F. E. Baume, LL.B., and E. D. Mackellar, M.D. Great} interest was manifested in the election, 31 votes being recorded out of a possible 44. The Returning Officer, Dr. Kidd, an« nounced the result as follows :—E. D. Mac« kellar, 22 votee ; F. E. Baume, 9 votes.

Leave was given in Sydney last week ta the plaintiff in the action Ellis v. the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand to appeal to the ' Privy Council againsfa the judgment ]of the Full Court. It may be remembered tha* plaintiff sued to recover upon an insurance policy taken out for the barque Sir William Wallace, and the jury found in hia favour. The appellate Court, directed a new trial, on the ground tba.b in h its opinion the vessel was unseaworthy when she left Sydney, and that therefore the verdict was erroneous. Plaintiff is novf taking his case to the Privy Council. The city footballers are to hold a meeting tomorrow evening in the British Hotel to consider the formation of a club to j)lay against the other district clubs that are>being formed. Messrs .Orchard, Chas. Stone and Peter Mackie are conveners.

Despite the inclemency of the weather last night, there was a large appreciative audience at the 4th of the winter evening entertainments given by Sir Henry Havelock Band of Hope. The vice-presi-dent, Mr Goldie, took the chajir, and Mr A. Trenwith accompanied the fingers. The following friends contributed; to the entertainment :—Mrs Collings, Mra Anderson, Misses A. Lomer. B. Soustetf, A. Wheeler, and Messrs Vinnicombe, I Souster (-)> Holloway, Mcßurney, Allan! 0, Clark,

Captain Edwin wired at 1.7 p.m. to-day: "Indications gla»a further rise, and very cold night,"

During the last fortnight the Harbour Board's Priestman Dredge No. 1 has been working at the approach to the Hobsonstreet wharf and vicinity, and has dredged up 31 punb loads of silt, equal to 1,240 cubic yards, which has been deposited in Freeman's Bay.

At the Waikato Hospital on Friday, Dr. Cole, who has charge of the institution whilst Dr. Kenny is away for a holiday, performed a rather interesting operation on a patient named Blelloc, from Whatawhata, who was suffering from a severe attack of pleurisy. The operation was tapping the chest by means of the aspirator, when no less than fifty-two and a-half (525) ouncee of greenish fluid were drawn off, thus reHerinff the heavy pressure on the lungs, aud the patient has progressed most satisfactorily since, his breathing being much relieved. Dr. Cole has been kepb very busy gince his arrival. He considers the Waikato Hospital to be a most perfectly appointed institution.— (Waikato correspondent.)

The match played yesterday afternoon between teams trom Trenwith's and the Northern Boot. Factories' employees' resulted in a decided victory for Trenwith's (Pioneer) by 15 points to nil. Tries were obtained by Burnand (3), Barton (2), Conway, Bain, Morton, and Watts one each, and a goal frouu the field by Kirkwood. Two of the tries were converted by Conway. For the losers Hicks, Schofield, Vincent, Todd, and Faulkner played a good game. A large number of spectators were present. Messrs M. Trenwith and C. B. Kin" were umpires, and Mr F. Jeffries referee. Thenduties were made easy by the game being played in a most friendly spirit. The construction of landing steps at the approach to the Calliope Dock, across the harbour, has just been completed, and passengers can now be landed there during all kinds of weather without the slightest difficulty.

Mr W. A. Murray, of Piako, has been urged by Mr W. S. Allen and many other prominent men in the Te Aroha electoral district to contest the election. Mr Murray ha 3 hitherto declined to come forward in the hope that a more suitable candidate than any yet offering may stand, as his extensive farming and land improvements in the Te Aroha and adjoining electorate fully occupy his time. If, however, no more satisfactory candidate presents himself, Mr Murray may offer his services, as he has stated that his desire is to do what is his duty, and all the good he can Recording to his opportunity.

The contractors tor the construction of an extension of the outer western tee, Queen-street Wharf, for the accommodadation of mail steamers, are making fair progress with their work, notwithstanding the wet weather. The whole of the blocking has been laid, and the top work is nearly completed. The work should be Landed over to the Harbour Board in about a fortnight's time.

From Waikato we learn that the weather, trhich has been andTCol&'fof ieight or ten days, has taken a turn for the better, and a spell of niiepsweather is expected. On Saturday night, although there were several showers' of rain, there was also frost, and on that afternoon a heavy fall of enow, as telegraphed, took place over Pirongia. On Sunday night it was again frosty and dry. As threshing and chaff-cutting have been much delayed, the change is much appreciated.

The Finance and Legal Committee of the Harbour Board recommended to the Board to-day:—(l) That the Secretary be authorised to give notice to persons in arrear with rent or wharfage that unless payment be at once" made proceedings will be taken for recovery of amount due. (2) That the draft Bills re Admiralty Reserve, near Calliope Dock, and St. George's Bay and Shoal Bay, etc., be approved of, and that Mr T. Thompson, M.H.R., be requested to introduce them.in Parliament. (5) That the consideration of details as to ! conversion of bonds be deferred until the .Bill has been considered by Parliament. (4) That a sum of £1,000 be expended on new ferry jetty for Northcote ferry service, jßueh sum to include all dredging required. (5) That the lease of the Devonport ferry offices for three years, with the exclusive fight of advertising within the building, ibe cold by auction, the ttpseb price to be (£lO4 per annum. ; p" :; ' ' vS

During a recent sbam'ffgfib geant Taylor, of the City Guards, received injury to his ej 7 e owing to a naval having discharged his carbine in dangerous proximity to his face. The authorities have ordered an investigation into the circumstances connected with the accident. A board of inquiry sat last night.consisting of Major Morrow" (President), and Captains Wilier and Robertson, The investigation did not terminate last evening.

Our Waikato correspondent says:—As I wired on Saturday night, the football match between the Paterangi (so called) and Hamilton clubs did nob come off owing to the wretched state of the weather which bae prevailed for some time, only six members of the Paterangi team, viz. Messrs Bowden (Frank), Corboy, Cruickshank, Ryburn (2), and another, putting in an appearance. Ib was a pity, too, as the afternoon was quite good enough for play and great interest was taken in the match. The Paterangi Club includes all the players in the south district of Waikato, includine Kihikihi, Tβ Awamutu, Paterangi, Ohaupo, and Alexandra, and coniequently have a large selection of players for the match on Saturday, betting on a email scale being three to one on them. They have amongst their backs Gage, of the team that went to England, and other good men, and their admirers seemed to think they could " run through " the Hamilton lads, but I am of opinion that the Hamilton " boys" will take a lot of "running through," more than their adversaries think. They have a fine forward team this season and an almost unbroken record of wins (if not quite bo) for two seasons past, and as they always "play the game," they are pretty hard to beat by any of the local teams. When the match doe 3 come off it will be a keenly contested game, and I venture an opinion that neither side will have very tnuch the best of it.

Wr E. Bell has written to the Auckland Harbour Board, drawing attention to a very frequent occurrence on the QueenBtreeb Wharf, which may cause a serioas accident some of these days. On the arrival of coastal steamers at the wharf, there are generally over a dozen cabs on the tee, and the drivers of these aro, he asserts, in the constant habit of leaving their vehicles to pick up passengers on board, and allowing their horses to look after themselves, while scrambling for a fare, and using disgusting language.

The following recommendations of the Works and Tariff Committee of the Auckland Harbour Board were submitted to the Usual meeting of the Board this afternoon : —(1) " That MrFlower, in charge of wharf shed, be reprimanded and cautioned to be more careful in future, that he take no action except through the wharfinger, and that in future no hour be observed for dinner except by arrangement of the wharfinger. (2) That the consideration of letter from the Collector of Customs re working hours'ior bonded sheds be deferred. (3) That the consideration of amended plan and estimate for Northcote ferry jetty be deferred. (4) That the specifications and Conditions for annual contracts for timber, Coals, ironwork, shipchandlery, iron and brass castings, towing silt punts, and printing be approved, and tenders called in accordance therewith. (5) That the City Council be offered a site for mortuary of •uch size as may be required on the west ,iide of NeUon-street, with water frontage."

v Sn cur shorb notice'of Mr H. W. Farnail's death last week, ib was stated that the deceased gentleman was a native of the North of Ireland. This was an error, Mr Farnall, who was born at Bath, having sprung from an old English family, which is still settled in Hampshire. He was especially proud ofj hie English nationality, looking upon the British race as the representatives of God's chosen people, who, for centuries scattered, would ultimately rule the world with a righteous and beneficent 3way.

Our Waikato correspondent writes: " Electioneering matters are receiving attention in the Te Aroha electoral district, and the excitement is just beginning , . At present the announced candidates are Dr: Broom, of Huntly, Mr Hawkins, of Tβ Aroha, Sir Walter Buller, Colonel Fraser and Mr Vesey Stewart. Sir Walter Buller is expected up in a few days to commence an active canvass, but so far none of the others have made a more in the agricultural end of the district except Dr. Broom, who addressed the electors at Cambridge on Wednesday evening in the Oddfellows' Hall, and was well received, getting a moit hearty reception, and answering a number of questions in a very happy manner. The contest, when it does come off, will be keenly contested, although up to the present all the announced candidates are supporters of the Government, except Mr Hawkins, who says he ie thoroughly independent of any party. It is expected that the writ will be issued soon after Parliament meets. MrW. S. Allen having taken hie departure for England, will not be able to take any active part in the election, as he intended to do, and no doubt he would hare influenced a large portion of the electors for any candidate to whom he gave hi? support. The proprietor of Mount Hobson Nursery and Seed Warehouse, Remuera, has just issued an abridged or supplementary catalogue of his stock. Mr Wren has in addition to the usual stock of old favourite shrubs and trees gone in for new things in order to cater for the popular taste for novelties. An instance i 9 the fact that Mr Wren is now in a position to supply nine choice kinds of the persimon or Japanese date plum, which is now found to fruit freely in this district. Amongst other articles mentioned is the Physianthus albens or codlin moth creeper ; the tree heath for bee pasturage, and the new great fodder plant, lathyrus tilvestris, or flat pea, which is said to be unrivalled for cultivation on poor soils, produces heavy crops, and lasts 50 years. The supplementary catalogue printed at the Evening Star Office containe an amount of valuable information. The annual meetiu* of the Ponsonby Navals is advertised for next Wednesday evening, at the Drill-shed. A full attendance is requested, as business of importance will be brought forward. The second meeting of tha Ponsopby Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society was held lasb evening in the schoolroom. There was a good attendance of members. ££ri interesting prosjratnme was provided as follows :—Reading/Miss Lovell; recitation, Mr Elliott; song, Miss Butler; reading, Mr Patterson; pianoforte, duet, Misses Scott and Baker ; reading, Mr A. Watkins ; recitation. Mr T. Tichbon. The Rev. J. H. Simmondt presided. There wae a good attendance ab th e meeting of the Grafton Road Mutual Improvement class lasb evening, about 70 persons being presenb including visitors. The subject for the evening was a debate, "Should the Bible be read in Public Schools," the affirmative of which was taken by Mr N. Newcombe and the negative by Mr E. Gash. After the principals had- both Spoken Very ably :f or their respective sides, the subject was thoroughly discuased by a number-of members of the class.; A.show of.Jmods was asked for, the result was rather a surprise, those who opposed the reading of the Bible in schools winning by six, *' How to Cultivate Memory " will be explained to-night at the if.M.C.A. Rooms by the Rev. Mr Perry. This gentleman affords really valuable information, and it is given free, there being neither a charge for admission nor any collection. The secretary of the Huntly Disaster Fund desires to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following amounts :— Collected by Mt% O. Blythe, Rotorua, £2 4s , Bd ; collected"• by Capt. Amodeo, s.a. Kma, £1 Iβ ; collected by Mr Harrison, Kimihia, £4 lW: collected by Mr Henry Williams, Pakaraka, £2 5s ; donated by Mr D. S. Cattanach, Auckland, 10s. Fowlds' 20s trousers to measure are all picked patterns and well made.—(Advt.) Our readers who are in the habit of purchasing tea indiscriminately should try Arthur Nathan's Reliable Teas. They will find that they are all that is represented.— (Advt.) Don'b be without a Mackintosh in weather like this when you can get one for 21a at Fowlds'; tweed overcoats 15s 6d.—(Advt.) Jusb fancy, dressed regatta shirts 2s 6d, worth se, and etrone , working shirts Is 4d, at Fowlds' startling sale. —(Advt.) Tweed hats 9d, beat linen collars 7d, and silk handkerchiefs Iβ lid, worth 3a 6d, at Fowlds' sale.—(Advt.)