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Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 276, 20 November 1891, Page 2

The Representation Commissioners concluded bheir labours yesterday, having disposed finally of tho objections made bo bhe boundaries of the new electorates in some cases, and to the naming of them in others. None of the objections represented any serious difficulty. The name of bho Waitobara districb ie changed to Patea, and bhe Easb Coasb bo Waiapu. In the South Island liakaia is changed to Ashburton, and Dunedin North becomes Chalmers. The boundaries of the Waikafco and Waipa disbricts have been altered in accordance with the suggesbions of the residenb setblers. Slight alterations are made in the new electorates of Grey, Westland, Lyttelton, Ellesmero, Selwyn, Wakatipu, Tuapeka, Bruce, and Clubha. The Commissioners' report goes direct to the Governor, and the particulars of bhe new electorates cannob'be known to the public until forwarded by His Excellency to bhe Premier, By tho last outward English mail Mr C. C. Dacro wroto to Mr Parkes, Secretary of the Scotch Football Association ab Glasgow, and to Mr Alcock, Secretary of tire English Association game ab London, and placed before them the position of Association football in Now Zealand and Australia. Mr Daere also urged upon these gentlemen the advisability of sending a lirst-cla3s Association football team to visit bho colonies, referring thorn to Dr. Smith, with whom ho had had somo conversation on the subjoct. Tho Association Football Conference meets ab Wellington shortly, and arrangements will then bo inado for a series of iuterprovincial matches in competition for tho Association challenge shield. The usual sitting of the R.M. Courb took placo this morning, bub litblo business was transacted. The judgment summons cases on the lisb were either struck oub or adjourned. Replying to a communication senb to the Hon. J. Ballance re naval and military claims, which were fully discussed ab a meeting held ab the Temperanco Hall on October 23, the Premier writes :—" I have received your letter respecting old soldiers' claims, and hope bo go inbo bhe matter wibh the Defence Minister upon his arrival in Wellington, when somo definite stops shall be taken towards the sebblernenb,. ab any rate, of those claims thab have been scheduled in the Act of lasb session. We hope noxb session to bo ablo to deal finally with tho unsatisfied claims that are admitted to be just." Mr Charles Edward Button being the only candidate nominated yesterday for the Birkenhoad Borough Mayoralty, tho Heturning Officer, Mr Seaman, declared that gentleman to be again duly olectgd. A painful accident happened to Mr W. C. Mirfin recently when travelling between Morrinsville and his mill at Piako. He was driving a vehicle, when ib upset and fell on Mr Mirfin, injuring him so bhab ho had bo be baken back bo Morrinsville for medical attendance. Ho is reported to be progressing favourably under the care of Dr. Cooper. Captain Kohn, member of the Council, invites the local mombcrs and inbending members of bhe New Zealand Rifle Association to meeb him to-morrow evening bo discuss bhe programme and proposed alberabions for uext meeting, at Silverstream, in tho Wellington districb. Suggestions will be received here, and, if approved of, transmitted to Major Soinmerville. A few weeks ago a meeting of members of School Committees was held, ab which Mr J. Blades, chairman of bhe Ciby Schools Committee, broughb forward suggestions relative to obtaining more equibablo representation for the Ciby Schools. Tho resolutions arrived at' were forwarded to tho proper quarter, and Mr Blades has received the following reply:—"l am directed by the Minister of Education to acknowledge receipt of your lebter dabed 31sb ulb., covering resolutions adopted ab a recenb conference of School Committees, with a view to securing moro oquitable representation on Education Boards, and to inform you thab he will give bhe matter most careful consideration." A cable message from Sydney to-day conveys intelligence of very severe weather in the Gilbert Group of islands, which, lie on the Equator in bhe Central Pacific, accompanied by an extraordinary tidal wave. Great loss of life and destruction of properby appears to have ensued from bhe rush of bhe ocean over the low-lying island, as many as eighby nabive inhabitants of one of the islands being drowned. Full details are nob yeb _to hand. The hurricane season has jusb seb in in the Soubh Sea Islands, and probably the severe weather spoken of in the cable message was a strong hurricane which levelled trees and habitations. Hurricanes may be looked for in bhab parb of bho South' Pacific Ocean extending from lat. 10- south to the Southern tropic, from November till April, this being the web or hurricane season of bhe year in the tropics. The Gilbert Group may be said to include the Kingsmill Group, where violent storms, said to be byphoon-like, are periodically experienced. The Gilberb Group lies across the Equator, almost north and south, and consists of 15 or 16 low-lying islands. The highest land of the group is not. more bhan 20fb above the level of the sea, and bhe islebs are sbabed bo bo fast wearing away bj the action of the sea during westerly gales. The islands include Arorai, Nukumau {Byron Island), Peru Island, Tawana, Onoatoa, Drummond Island, Taputukoa, Nanoubi, Apemama, Tarawa, Manouki, Mama, Apaiang, Bubaritari, and obher localities. The largest island, Bubaritari, is 14 miles long, and Apemama, one of tho principal islands, is 10 miles long, and only sffc above the surface of the sea. Seeing thab the islands are so little elevated above sea level, ib is no wonder thab a very severe hurricane, accompanied by a tidal wave, would completely inundate some of the islands temporarily, as has been the case in the low-lying Paumota Group on more than one occasion, with bhe resulb of great loss of life. The islands are very- fertile, and well-populated, the nabives being warlike, and 'not particularly industrious. The chief industry of bhe group is copra - making, a brisk brade being carried on in copra by Sydney vessels, including Messrs Henderson and Macfarlanesltrading steamer, and also by occasional American vessels. Several colonial firms are represented in the group, Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane, of Auckland and Sydney, having trading stations established there, but the whole population' is very small. Mr R. L.. Stevenson, tho novelist, in his valuable articles on bhe "South Seas," appearing in bhe Star, gives a very good idea of life on the Gilbert Islands.

Considerable dissatisfaction is felt- in naval volunteer circles at the long postponement of the examination in submarine mining. Ib is nob bhe guineas the mon want, bub bhe certificates. Besides, bhey feel bhey are being kepb back. Had bhe examination taken place early lasb year as was originally intended and promised by Government, something might have been done in elecbriciby by bhis time. There. is now some chance of bhe examinabion baking place shorbly, and there is a feeling of anxiety on the subject, both in the Auckland and Ponsonby Navals. The Tabernacle in Upper Queen-street was crowded last night to hear Mr Isaac Selby's lecture on " Charles H. Spurgeon and Charles Bradlaugh, or Two Greab Men of OurOwnTimoComparedandConbrasted." The Rev. Isaac presided. Mr Selby reviewed the careers of Spurgeon and Bradlaugh ab some lengbh, and soughb to show" thab the influences exerted by the firstnamed in the world were more likely to be productive of lasting good to humanity than the political services of Bradlaugh. At the close of the lecture Mr Dennes, Mr Henderson and several others pub quesbions to Mr Selby, which were duly answered. ,To-night Mr Selby lectures in Jho V.M.C. A. Rooms. Mr \Y, G. McKay, coach proprietor, has laid on a line of coaches from Whangarei bo Soubh Waipu, and from Whangarei also bo Kawakawa, three time 3 weekly. This will bo a greab convenience to the travelling public. _}Ob so very long since there was a greab difficulty in going from place to place along the Northern Peninsular Main Road, and there ate still bad spots in bhe road ; for instance, the Ruakaka Valloy Road is said to be in very indifferent order. The Whangarei Flower, Fruit, and Vegetable Show was held in the large Volunteer Hall on Wednesday last. Tho exhibition was very large and creditable under the different heads, and was well patronised in the evening (£2O baken ab the door), especially by bhofairsex. Thesbring band rendered some excellent music (from "Martha" opera), which was highly appreciated by bhe audience. The usual fortnightly gathering in connection with tho Burns Club Highland assemblies took place lasb nighb in the Masonic Hall, Karangahape Road. A large numbor of members were present, and an onjoyablo evening was spent. Mr A. Murchie made an efficient M.C. Messrs Reid and Davis provided the dance music. A pleasant gathoring took place lasb evening in the Foresbers' Hail, Karangahapo Road. It was in connecbion with the Caledoniau Society, and was well attended. Mr Robertson was in tho chair, and officiated as M.C. ab the danco later on. The following items wore contributed by various friends :—Pianoforte solo by Mr England, an original gavotte and waltz ; vocal duet, by Mrs Anderson and Miss Picard ; reel, danced by eight Highland lads and lassies in appropriate costume. Mr Taib sang " My Pretty Jane " and " My Bonnie Lassie;" Miss Sime sang "The Land o' tho Leal;" Mrs Edmondes, "Jock o' Hazoldean;" Mrs Anderson, " Somebody's Coming ;" and Mr Sandall delivered a recibation. Shorbly after nine o'clock dancing commenced, the music being provided by Mr England. The Picturesque Atlas Company's agents are delivering their immortal work to bheir subscribers ab Whangarei, some of whom will nob receive ib, and consequently bhe parcels may bo seen on the verandahs and in bho porches. Ono of tho objections alleged by the subscribers is that it should havo been delivered in parts long since, when they could have paid for ib more easily, as not everyone now has £9 or £10 to spare. The Company might have delayed bhe delivery for years, ib is argued, and bhen come down on tha unfortunates for bhe paymenb of bhe whole ab once. Ib is said bhab several of the subscribers hero are about to contesb bhe validity of the claim and refuse to take delivery.— (Correspondent.) The down grade of youth was exemplified ab bho Police Courb this morning, when a young fellow about 18' years of age was fined for drunkenness. The Bench remarked thab ib was his fourth conviction bhis year, and warned him that it was time to pub on fcho brake before he became a confirmed drunkard. At bhe monthly meeting of bhe Birkenhead Borough Council yesterday, there being present the Mayor (Mr C. E. Button), and" Crs. Champtaloup, Hawkins, Kay, Porter and White, bhe Town Clerk announced that, as Returning Officer, he had thab day received tho nominabion of Mr Bubbon as candidate for the Mayoralty, and being the only candidate ho had again declared thab gentleman re-elected. The anriouncemonb was received with much satisfaction.. Several matters of local interest were attended to, amongst them confirming as a " special order " the resolution re diverbing certain roads through the estate of the New Zealand and River Plabe Land Mortgage Company, and disposing to the Company of such roads as wore no longer required by the public, Mr Seaman being appointed valuer to fix the amount to be paid thorefor. A resolution was passed instructing the collector to take immediate proceedings against defaulters to recover their unpaid ratos. The Treasurer reported tho presenb credit balance to be £26 13s sd, and accounts amounting to £20 12s were passed for payment.. At the Wesleyan District Meeting ab Wellington yesterday, the report of bho college at Three Kings, Auckland, was read and considered, and ib was resolved, "That the theological report be received, and bhat sabisfaction be expressed ab the increased number of native students, bub bhab no recommendations be made." In referring to the death of tho Rev. Alex Reid, the meeting oxpressed its deep sense of the loss the Church has sustained, and sympathise with thoso bereaved. To the Editor: Sir,—Your correspondent " One of the Crowd "was in error in sbabing in Wednesday's issue bhab bhere were no members ot the House of Representatives present ab bhe Eighb Hour Celebrabion ab the Metropolitan Grounds on November 9th. The facts, briefly, are these: The original intention of the Committee appointed to make arrangements for the attendance of bhe members was bhab Sir George Grey should address bhe people at aboub twelve o'clock, and invibations to Mr T. Thompson and Mr Shera were sent oub for that hour. Sir George, however, arrived when the procession had marched on to the grounds, and it was thought advisable to have an address from him boforo the banners were furled and pub away. Mr T. Thompson wroto, regretting bhab a prior engagement prevented him from being present, bub he sympathised with the principle and had done so for many years. Mr Shera arrived on the grounds about half-past eleven, and remained there for some time. As a matter ot justice bo bhose two members, I trust, sir, you will publish tho foregoing. —Yours, etc., Member or this Reception Committee. At a meeting of the Dunedin Charitable Aid Board ib was stated that the benevolent trustees would be overdrawn at the end of the year by £1,600 in excess of estimabe. Ib was explained thab this was due to the large increase of outdoor reliof. In a general discussion the opinion was expressed that so long as outdoor relief was given it would go on increasing. It was suggested thab tho trustees should get a farm, bo which those who could work should :be senb instead of giving outdoor relief. A commibbeo was appointed to ascertain if the invesbments of brustoes could not be realised and used bo meet current oxpondi- ■ ture.

At the Supreme Court this morning before- Mr Justice Conolly, in bhe divorce case William Henry Laycock, pebitioner, and Agnes Annie Laycock, respondent, Mr Coleman moved, and an order was made accordingly, "Thab leavo be granbed bo proceed without making John Gilbert the co-respondent." Manifold are tho excuses used at the Police Courb by- inebriates, with a view to mitigating their fine. This morning one man tried the old game of saying bhab he was jusb aboub bo leave for tho counbry on a year's engagemenb if leb off this timo. The Bench quietly remarked that the same promise was made lasb April, and he had been in again once in the interim. The Bench accordingly postponed tbe visit to the country for three days, unless 203 was paid down. The Auckland Shipwrights' Protection ; Society hold a special meeting in the Temperance Hall to-nighb. The trade between Auckland and the ■ Upper Thames district is engaging considerable attention jusb now from local shipping bodies. The Northern Steamship Company and bhe Hauraki Steamship Company have recently had two fine little screw steamers especially builb for the passenger and cargo running between here and Paeroa, by way of intermediate ports, and as the trade is nob particularly brisk, a good deal of interest is manifested in the question as to whether the companies concerned can make it pay. The s.s. Paeroa, owned by the Hauraki Steamship Company, has been running in the trade for several weeks now, and the s.s. Obinemuri, the new acquisition to the Northern Company's fleet, started in- the trade last nighb, leaving for Paeroa ab midnight wibh bhe direcbors of the Company, and Mr Itanson, manager, on board. Both steamers left town about the same time lasb night, and a wire from Turua to-day states that bhe Paeroa (Captain J, M. Syms) arrived ab Turua ahead of the rival boat the morning. To-morrow promises to be an eventful day ab Onehunga, as bwo events of the season will take place on that date, firsb of which is the spring Show of bhe Onehunga Horticultural Society. This Society is now entering upon its fourth year, and is growing in public favour, its membership being double thab of any previous season. The entries for the coming show are also far in oxcess of previous seasons, and all that is wanting to make ib a success is lino bright weather to develop the outside blooms. The second event of no less importance will bo the inauguration of the Manukau Yachting and Open Sailing Boat Club, which opens with a procession of sailing and pulling boats. Some 30 yachts, open sailing boats, whaleboats, gigs, and steam launches aro expected to take parb in the opening ceremony. At 12.40 p.m., the silver cup presented by Mr Don Sutherland (Commodore of bhe Club) will be competed for by open sailing boats. The coursa is eight miles, and tho following boats have entered:—Fidora, Mona, Dart, Daisy, Mabol, Amateur, Foam, Gem. As the Horticultural Show does not open to the public until 2 p.m., there will be ample opportunity for visitors bo avail bhemselves of both of thoso events without one interfering with the other. Tho race will bo run on a course where bhe boats will bo visible from start to finish. A very successful concert was held las fc Wednesday evening in the Protestant Hall, Papakura, in aid of thab building. The Rev. T. Norrie presided, and opened the meeting wibh a few introductory remarks. The following programme was well rendered and well appreciated by the large audience:—Song, "Driven from Home," Mr Richardson : song, " Write Me a Letter from Home," Miss McLarnon ; song, " Fine Feathers," Miss Huxtable (encored): recitation, " The Fireman's Wedding," Miss Grouse ; comic dueb, " Supposing," Messrs Docherby' and Rollesbon (encored); song, "The Old Log Cabin," Mrs Richardson; song, "Man Overboard," Mr C. McDonald; comic song, "Ib was Gone," Mr Absolum (encored); pianoforte solo, Mies Absolum; song, "The Irish Car-driver," Mr A. McLean ; song, "Turnham Toll," Miss Huxtable (encored); reading, by the Chairman ; double song and dance (negro), Messrs Docherby and Rollerston (encored); reading, Mr S. Walker ; song, Mr Luke Tomlinson ; song, "If tho Waters Could Speak as They Flow,". Miss Absolum; recitation, Miss Cornwall; comic song, " O'Grady tho Tailor," Mr Absolum (encored); song, " Tbe Litble Brown Jug," Mrs Richardson. After a vote of thanks carried by acclamation to bhe performers, and bo Mr and Mrs Pennel for bho use of bhe piano, bho concerb was closed by singing the National Anthem. A dance followed, which was well attended, and kept up wibh spirib, Mr D. Hall acting as M.C, and Mr G\ Walker supplied bhe music. A lecture, the subject of which was " A Visit to the Holy Land,''was delivered by bhe Rev. Mr M-Galium in the Presbyterian Church ab Mangore on Tuesday ovening, to a large and attentive audience. The lecburer carried his hearers to Egypt and the Holy Land, describing many objects of historical interest to the traveller in those countries, particularly the Greab Pyramid, bho physical and geographical features of Palestine, including the Sea of Galilee, the valley of bhe Jordan, and the Red Sea. Tho lecture concluded with some account of the recenb exploration work in bho Holy Land, and ibs adaptation to Jewish colonisation. Ab the close of bhe lecture a cordial vote of thanks was_accorded to the lecturer, and also to Mr W. Massey, who presided, and to Mr W. P. Hunter, of Otahuhu, and others who had given musical assistance.