PIGEON-PLUCKING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 142, 17 June 1891, Page 4

PIGEON-PLUCKING.

The case of Rae v. Greenway ie ended at last. The plaintiff when weighed in the balance by His Honor was found wanting, bub three-fourths of the jury returned a verdict in his favour for rather more than half the amount sued for. Mr Kae therefore vanishes from the record with soiled hands and £248 in eolid cash representing some money lent and a considerable amount of second-hand jewellery trucked off.

To judge such a case on its merits is nexb to impossible. Where witnesses contradicb themselves and each other so unblushingly, jurors are necessarily guided chiefly by the light of nature, and any verdict is largely the result of guesswork. Indeed, His Honor's remarks seemed calculated rather to impress upon the jury the necessity of taking the moral measure of the witnesses than of relying on the bare letter of their evidence. The admonition was not unheeded, for a more flyblown lob than some of the witnesses have never appeared in a coui-t of juebice. The happy family convicted themselves out of their own mouths. They are proved adepts at pigeon-plucking. It ia nob necessary to depict them in darker colours than they have represented themselves ; indeed, black paint would be lost on them. In one respect the prostitutes compare favourably with some of the other witnesses, for they openly avow their shame and make no pretence other than that their wretched victim was almost habitually in a state of drunkenness and imbecility.

But, indeed, there is hardly a redeeming feature in the wretched story. Our readers who have waded through the disgusting details will have no difficulty in seeing that the unfortunate Greenway was plundered alike by avowed prostitutes or under the guise of friendship and the cant of wholesome advice. It is a melancholy fact that under the shadow of churchee, and almoet within earshot of coteries purring about social purity, a drunken imbecile surrounded by unscrupulous men and abandoned women can month after month join in wild orgies at brothels which rear their stately fronts in the face of heaven, which make no pretence to be anything else bub houses of ill-fame, and which the police seem powerless to suppress, although their existence is patent to every schooi-boy in the city. As for Greenway himself, the less said about him the better. He was not a bern fool, for he had intellectual capacity enough to graduate in arts, and to qualify himself fco practise as a barrister. He is one of many examples in the colonies of the little power inherited wealth has to benefit a man unless his moral faculties are developed by training that keeps pace with hie financial expectations. If he had been obliged to work hard to earn a crust, he might have been a decent average citizen. There is not) much room for pity for a career which seems to have been dominated by selfishness. If a man plays the role of pigeon, he will goon find himself in the clutches of hawks. But the most cynical can hardly fail to regret that a man who is respectably connected should become a companion of the most worthless members of society, and that his name instead of being associated with the duties of good citizenship can naver be mentioned by hia friends without a feeling of degradation and shame.

A sitting in Chambers was hold by Mr Justice Conolly afe 9.30 o'clock this morning, when Dr. Laishley applied for directions from the judge as to the mode and time of trial in regard to the petition filed by Thomas Quoi for a divorce from hie wife on the ground of her alleged adultery. His Honor fixed the trial to take placo on Monday, the 13th of July, before himself withouo a jury. Ib will be remembered that some time ago Mrs Quoi instituted an action against her husband for a judicial separation in the Supreme Court, and also took proceedings in the Police Courb for maintenance, but after a lengthy hearing the R. M. declined to make any order, and subsequently the other proceedings were allowed to lapse, after which Mrs Quoi went to Sydney.

At the Police Courb this morning, before Dr. Giles,R.M.,Henry Phillips, alias Kertz, was charged with having misconducted himself by using insulting and obscene language in Manukau Road, Parnell, yesterday, with inteeDto provoke a breach of the peace. Mr Heaketh appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Cotter for the defence. On the application of Mr Cotter the case was adjourned until Friday next. William Morley, driver of a vehicle plying for fares between Devonporb and Takapuna, jras fined Is and 24a costs for committing a breach of the Devonport Borough by-laws by .starting from Devonport 18 minutes late. George Vickery, for allowing his chimney to be oq fire at Devonport, was fined 10b aad coets 17s.

Glenfoylo, the residence of Mrs Tonks at Remuera, has been sold to Mr James Macfarlane for £2,250, by Messrs Cochrane and Son,.

The agricultural statistics for the colony, the compilation of which was delayed by the operation of taking the census, reveal a startling falling off in the grain yield. It was known that the unfavourable weather had seriously affected the crops in the South, but even allowing for thab Ithe decrease is far beyond what was suspected. Mr Brown, the Registrar-General, thinks the loss to tho colony cannot be less than half a million. Tho following is a summary : — Total holdings, 38,083 ; land in fallow, 210,509 acrea : wheat, 30,460 acres, yielding 5,723,610 bushels, as against 8,448,506 lasb year; oats for fodder, 203,694 acres; oats for grain, 346,224 acres, yielding 9,947,036 bushels, as against 13.673,584 in 1890 ; barley, 32,740 acres, yielding 758,833 bushels, as against 1,342,823 last year ; potatoes, 32,691 acres, yielding 178,121 tons, as against 159,729 last year; turnips or rape, 402,184 acres ; other crops, 35,775 acre 3; total under crop, 1,354,768. In hay, 44,045 acres, yielding 63,059 tons, as against 65,476 tons last year; grass land after ploughing, 3,250,543 acres ; grass land not ploughed, 3,715,675 acres; gardens, 9,810 acres ; and in orchards, 17,046 acres. Tho Regis-trar-General appends the following remarks:—"Compared with last year there is a large decrease in the number of holdings in Otago and Canterbury, bub a considerable increase in Wellington and Hawke's Bay. The area under wheab in March last wae loss by 34,401 acres than in 1890 ; but the area under oats was greater by 2,546 acres, with this difference, howover, that the area under oate and grain was lesa than in 1890 by 79,847 acres. The decrease of land under grain crops and the increase under turnips arid green crops indicate the substitution, to some extent, of pastoral farming for grain cultivation. The area under turnips and rape was ereater in 1891 by 49,281 acres, and that in grass land ploughed by 222,631 acres."

Chas. Tweedale Renshaw made the following statement before the Official Assignee. I have heard my brother's statement of yesterday which is substantially correct, in all particulars. I have nothing to add regarding , partnership affaire. With regard to my separate estate, I am unmarried and living in lodgings. All I have in the nature ofassets consists of a horse, saddle and bridle, and two dogs, which I estimate to be worth £8. I have no private debts.

The following are the handicaps for the Consolation in the Sheffield Handicap at the Zealandia Rink to-night: —H. W. Brierly, 2yds; G. Laxon, 3yds ; W. Cummins, 4yds; D. Somere, 4yds : S. Woods, syda ; G. Quaid, 6£yds ; J. Frost, 6?, yds ; R. Noonan, 7yds; F. Wilson, 7yde; B". Goldsbury, 7yds ; S. Roberts, B£yds ; J. Miles, 9yds; A. McLean, 9£yds ; J. Healy, 10yds ; R. Hughes, 11yds.

W. J. Meek, of Wellington, who successfully sued a young woman to whom he was engaged for the return of jewellery last week, haa now been appearing in Courfe at Wellington as defendant in a slander action. Shortly after his marriage with Miss Alwood was broken off he married a Miss Nicholson, the daughter of a wellknown scenic artist of that name. It appeared from the evidence that statements had been made ac t«J the defendant's behaviour to his wife before he married her, she being a girl of 20 and he an old man of 66, and these led to quarrels between Meek and his father-in-law. The former wrote letters to the Masonic Lodge officials repudiating the charges brought by Nicholson, and calling the latter a convicted felon and a liberated convict. Owing, however, to his peculiar spelling, it wag no* at all clear whether he wrote felon or fellow. He claimed the word was the latter, bub the plaintiff considered it to be the former. Nicholson, in consequence, sued for £1,000 damages. Meek swore he had obtained his information from hearing something which Nicholson's wife let fall, and also from his own wife, and the latter went into the box and corroborated what he said. Meek, hoiverer, admitted that he had offered Nicholson £100 to settle *he matter, but insisted that it was only to prevent a Masonic scandal. The plaintiff denied that he had ever been a felon or a convict, and his wife denied that she had ever said anything like what Meek attributed to her. Thomas Carr said the defendant hud asked him to try and got the plaintiff'a consent to his marriage, as Miss Nicholson was likely to have a child through him. Meek was recalled, and he denied the statement solemnly that he had acted improperly to his wife before marriage. If Carr eaid that, he was "an abominable —well, something." After two hours' deliberation the special jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for £10 damages.

A special meeting of members of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Assistants' Union was held in Robson's Rooms last evening, in order to consider the proposed Shop Hours Bill. Mr Walker presided and there was a good attendance. A letter was lead from the Secretary to the Wellington Shop Assistants' Union enclosing a copy of the Bill, and stating that the Union consider it in the main a most useful measure. What was wanted was an expression of opinion on the Bill by assistants and employers in all centres of the colony, and for support in putting the Bill through the Houee. The Chairman said the Bill needed considerable consideration, and possibly amendment, and the following Committee were appointed to consider it, and report to a future meeting:—Messrs Sainsbury, Morgan, Gower, Bramwell, Walker, Cullen, Dickson, and White. It was agreed to allow the Commitiee to consider the desirability of presenting a monster petition to the, Upper House in favour of the Bill.

There was another very large audience in the Pitt-street Wealeyan Schoolroom last evening at Mr W. H. Whitehead's entertaining lecture, " Foot Passengers, Keep to the Right." The Rev. Mr Berry presided, and Sir William Fox was also on the platform.. The address waa deeply interesting, and the vocal and instrumental musical selections given by the lecturer wore excellent. Owing to the large number of people who could not gain admittance last evening, Mr Whitehead will repeat his lecture at the same place this evening.

There was another crowded house at Hugo's Buffalo Minstrels' performance in the Opera House last evening , , and the merry entertainment wend off remarkably well. All the songs and dances were exceedingly well received by the audience. Miss Priecilla Verne's character impersonations and songs were particularly good. There is an excellent programme again this evening , , and a matinee is announced tor next Saturday afternoon.

At the Supreme Courb to-day the follow" ing cases were called : —Davis v. Long : MrTheo. Cooper said that the settlement of the case of Goldwnter v. Greenway bad scmewhat surprised his brethren of the bar, and coneequently they were not prepared to proceed with that case. He asked that it be fixed for to-morrow morning, which was agreed to. Queen v. Mackechine: Mr Button aoked that this should stand over, as Mr Hosketh and himself were trying to arrange for a statement of facts to save the time of the Court. His Honor consented. Ib was announced that the cases of W. C. Stewart v. Charles Jordan, claim for possession of land and £10 mesne profits, also that of S. Vaile and E. Vaile v. J. Tutchin, claim for £200 and £135 6s damages, had been settled. Thomas Mace Humphreys v. Edward Donnolly, a bush contractor of Mercury Bay, claim £20 Is Id, amount of bill of costs. Mr J. A. Beale appeared for plaintiff, and defendant was not represented. After hearing the evidence of plaintiff His Honor gave judgment for plaintiff for amount) claimed, with costs pa I!)" lowest scsle.

Thomas Walter Discombe baa made the following statement to the Official Assignee :—" I have been in business as cowkeeper and milk vendor for the last three years. Previous to this I was in the service of the Gas Company, getting £2 a week. Whilst so employed I broke my leg, and was laid up for four months. On my recovery the doctor suggested thafe I should adopt a country life, on account of my general health. I had a wife and six children at that time, and as a consequence of my accident and the large family to support, I got considerably into debt for necessaries. ■ I took three or four acres of land at Mount Hobson, and started with one cow, and gradually increased the number by various means, and made a moderate living for a few months, when we got typhoid fever in the house, and in consequence lost my customers for a while — nearly six months ; during this time we wore helped by our friend?. Eventually I got my customers back and did fairly well, and could have continued bub for creditors pressing for the old debte. This was a constant source of trouble and anxiety to me, as it took nearly all my earnings to support my large family, now seven children, the eldest child being under 14 years of age. Several judgments have been obtained against me recently, and I saw no alternative but filing to avoid being sent to gaol. My debts amount to £156 I7e 9d, and all I* possess in the nature of assets consists of six coweand dairy utensils, £13 ; book debts, £14 : horee, trap, and harness, £9; fowls, £1 10s ; and household furniture, £15 ; total, £52 10».

The battery of the Great Mercury Proprietary G.M. Company, at Kuaotunu, has been started. The piano consists of a 40 h.p. steam engine, a multitubular boiler of 55 h.p. The firing is underneath, and passes through 68 tubes, the smoke escaping up a stack 55 feet in height. At present 10 beads of stampers are working, but foundations have been laid for double that number. The gratings are 50 meeh, or 25,000 per square inch. The ripple tables consist of two silver wells tilled with mercury through which the ore is forced by water after reduction by the stampers. The ore is then passed into amalgamating pans manufactured by Messrs A. and G. Price and Sons. From one pan Mr Dowar has removed the false bottom and substituted a hard iron plate which stands about a quarter of an inch from the bettom and has slots to allow the ground ore access to the quicksilver beneath. A circular overflow in the centre of the pan forces the ore to sink and come in contact with the quicksilver. One of Mr Fraser's (Coromandel) pans has also been added. The official opening took place at 2 p.m. by Mr A. Dewar, Mise Bella Peebles starting the engine and naming it "Monitor." Afterwards all present partook of refreshments that had been provided.

Thomas Frederick Roberts, or Wren, for whose arrest a warrant was lately granted by Dr. Gilos, was arrested in Sydney, and will be broughb back to Auckland, by the police. He is a resident of Onehunga.

The Inspector of Schools (Mr Goodwin) has been paying a visit to Point Chevalier district *for examination purposes. He spent the 28th end 29th of May at the Poinb Chevalier School, and the children acquitted themselves exceedingly well, as many ac 95*5 per cent, passing: thoir examination, in fact, only two children in the school failing to satisfy the requirement* of the Inspector. This is exceedingly good. At a meeting of the School Committee on Monday last the Secretary was requested to forward a complimentary resolution to Mr Taibot, which he did.

Madame Cora's second exposition of th e hypnotic science in the City Hall last evening was fairly well attended, and proved as amusing as on the previous flight. A Comtnittee of three from the audience occupied seats on the platform daring the performance to see that all was square, and they expressed their satisf action with Madanae'e mesmeric feats. Five young men were placed "under the influence," and while in this state performed many eingular actions. Madame Cora is worth seeing , , if only to laugh at her hypnotised " subjects."

On Saturday week Miss Amy Vaughan will produce at the City Hall the burlesque of "Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp." Miss Amy Vaughan has hit the popular taste in producing her varied repertoire ot burlesques. New scenery is now being painted, and the various artists and choristers are busily engaged ie rehearsals', etc. Thecoetumee will be new, and suitable music has also been composed. " Aladdin " will no doubt prove ac great a success as " Black-eyed Susan" and " Little Monte Christo."

The usual meeting of the Sfc, John's Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society was held last evening. There was a good attendance of members. Short essays were given by Miss Harris, Messrs Tregaskis, Hall, W. Bartley, and S. E. Hulbert, which were freely criticised by the members. To enliven the evening's entertainment the following musical items were interspersed : Duet, Messrs Horsley and Tichbon ; piano solos, Misses Russell and E. Harris ; song, Mise Kate Bouskill. A short address from Dr. Moir brought to a conclusion an enjoyable evening. The Rev. J. H. Simmouds presided.

The ordinary monthly meeting of Lodge St. Andrew, N.Z.C,, was held last night in the Freemasons' Hall, Princes-street, when there was a large attendance of members and visitors, there baing a number of pautmaeters on the dais. The W. M. Bro. Tewsley presided, and in addition to the ordinary businoss there were one passing and two raisings.

With reference to the case of Myer Goldwater v. Alfred Robert Green way, which was fco have been heard at the Supreme Court this morning and which did not come on, having been settled out of Court, we understand that the basis of settlement was as follows : — Plaintiff claimed £318 10s for money lent, and consented to accept £161 10s in settlement, that being his actual cash advance without any interest, and the value of the jewellery as specially assessed. For the other promissory notes held by plaintiff amounting to £344 the plaintiff also takes his actual cash advances withoub any interest, making in all £460, including costs £21 18a 6d.

The firefc gathering of the season of the Hobsonville Band of Hope was held on Saturday last. There was a large attendance, and Mr G. A. Field. President, occupied the chair, whilst Mr* 0. Clark and Mr Warren acted an organists. Messrs Booth, Allan, and Bradbury, all visitors, took part in the meeting, and the following programme was efficiently gone through : Recitations, R. Ockeleton and Rudolph Bernicker ; song, Mr Button ; address by Mr Booth : reading, Mr Allan ; recitations, Margaret Vazey and Lilly Worsley ; duet, Mr and Mrs Clark ; recitation, Janet Hutchinson; speech by Mr Bradbury; song. M r Tattersall • recitation, Fred Bernicker ; solo, by Mr Booth ; recitation, by the President. After a reading by Mr Allan, and some remarks from the chair, six pledges were taken.

There was a crowded audience in the Tabernacle last evening to hear Mr Joseph Hannington's lecture on the " Holy Land." Many were unable to obtain admission. The lecturer, in a pleaeant and chatty manner, described the various places shown on the sheet by the limelight. Mr Hanningfcon will re-deliver the lecture this evening in the same place at the same hour as per advertisement appearing in another column. Children will not be admitted except accompanied by parents. Mr Hannington is leaving by the incoming mail steamer Alameda tor Sydney en route for the Holy Land,

A meeting of the Otahuhu Road Board was held on Monday night, when there were present: Messrs James Atkinson (Chairman), Thomas Stringer, Patrick Kelly, Owen C. McGee, and Captain Hutton. When the usual routine business had been disposed of the Chairman tendered his resignation as a member of the Board. The letter stating his reasons for so doing wa3 read, showing that as long as a certain member remained on the Board the Chairinau considered that any efforts of his own to advance the interests of the district would be futile. Mr Stringer asked the Chairman to withdraw his resignation, and ultimately the meeting decided not to accept the resignation. Mr W. L. Lockhart was appointed Registrar of Dogs and Inspector of Slaughter-houses, also Secretary to the Board. The Clerk was ordered to take legal steps to recover rates now overdue.

At a meeting of the Council of the Royal Colonial Institute, Sir Arthur Hodgson, K.C.M.G., in the chair, the following gentlemen were elected fellows : — Captain William Ashby (late of New Zealand), Sir George Baillie (Victoria), Mr James B. Bebfcington (New South Wales), Dr. Ernest Black (Queensland), Dr. Victor Black (Queensland), Mr Alexander F. Harvey (Tasmania), Mr Herbert Lloyd, Mr Francis W. Ranken (Dominica), Mr W. John Rivington, Mr Alexander Ross (late of Ceylon), Mr Victor A. Taylor, and Mr Henry T. Whitty (New South Wales).

Our Waiuku correspondent writes:—On two former occasions there has been an attempt to get a creamery started at Waiuku, but on each occasion ib has failed. Mr Spragg and Mr Reynolds each offered to erect the necessary building, etc., aud. start, if the farmers would supply the number of cows required. Several large dairies were being sent to Auckland, and the farmers seemed to be undecided whether or not the starting of a creamery would pay them as well. However, the opportunity was allowed to slip, through no fault of the gentlemen named. On Saturday lasts our enterprising townsman, Mr McPherson, took ib into his head to see what he could do towards getting a number of cows guaranteed, and a document was drawn up accordingly, and by Tuesday laab upwards of 300 cows were pub down and signed for. Mr Honking was handed the document, and asked to call a meeting of the farmers, which will likely take place during this week, and I feel certain thab where two years ago it was a hard matter to got 250 cows guaranteed, ib will now be easier to get nearer 500. It is not through the scarcity of cows or feed that the number has not been forthcoming before, bub because between 1 ton and 30cwt of fresh butter leaves Waiuku every week for the Auckland market, besides salt buttei in casks. Then, again, our Pukekohe and Mauku farmers are at Waiuku every sale day, buying every spare springer that can be gob. So it is to be hoped that this attempt of the farmers themselves will be successful.

" Would the colony be benefited by the introduction of Henry George's single tax?" Such was the subject of debate at the Tabernacle last evening , . The President for the evening was Mr E. Bell. The debate was conducted with great spirit, the speakers being of Y. M.C.A. and Tabernacle debating societies. The principals were :— Mr Renshaw (V.M.C.A.) and Mr E. E. Vaile (Tabernacle). The former upheld the single tax and its good effect if adopted, and the latter opposed it. The speeches showed considerable grasp of the subject, and were frequently applauded. Mr Renshaw,. in half-an-hour's speech, delivered, with good effect, clearly explained the terms "single tax "and "unimproved land, values." Hβ dwelt on the evils consequent on the monopolisation of land, and attained that by the application of the single tax thaaa evils would be destroyed. The side found an able and fluent championjn Mr E. E. Vaile. He argued that Henry George's arguments were fallacious, and while not denying the great principles of the single tax, maintained that their practical application to the Government ot this colony would be cumbersome, expensive, and impracticable. The debate wae then thrown open, and a number of speakers, limited to five minutes each, spoke on either side. A vote of thanks to the chair conclude ■' the proceedings. .

The coroner's inquest held yesterday afternoon at Gleeson's Hotel on the body of the late Mark Hassan, who died suddenly yesterday, returned a verdict to the effect) that " Deceased died in a fit of paralysis." Evidence was given by Con&tablos Howell and Brotberton, Dr. Hooper, Dr. Bayntun, and Mr Moss Dβ Jongh, relative to the deceased, which showed that the man had suffered for some time from attacks of paralysis, affecting his vocal organs, and the medical evidence wenb to show that it) was a paralytic fit which had carried him off. X - ■