"The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and Echo. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1893.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 91, 19 April 1893, Page 4

"The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and Echo.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1893.

Tor th.B cause that lacks assistance, Tor the irtong that noeds resistance, For the future in the distance. And the good that we can ao.

The Hon. J. G. Ward, who has just •returned from the Postal Conference, availed himself of the opportunity afforded by his visit to make a personal observation of the condition of aflairs in the leading Australian coloniesWhile much impressed with .hcmagm tude of the difficulties Victorian Minis ters are coping with, Mr Ward is at the same time of opinion that they mU, j. allowed a free hand, extricate the i fr_m the financial quagmire. |^ionofbo'<i«»nd

measures than any previous administration has ventured upon. A Ministry that is prepared to stand by a scheme of retrenchment whereby a saving of annually will be effected, must not only realise the desperate state of the finances, but feel confident of the moral support it will receive from the people.

The glut in the labour market that specially attracted Mr Ward's attention forms one of the chief embarrassments the Victorian Government has to deal with. During the winter months of last year the distress caused by want of employment, reached a cruelly acute stage. Thousands ofj persons were only saved from starva-: tion by relief afforded by Govern- j ment, supplemented by the contributions of private individual-. Many citizens whose means enabled them to do so contributed nobly to relieve the woes of their poorer neighbours, and notwithstanding the shrinkage in their income, the charitable institutions strained their resources to the utmost. But even the spontaneous generosity evoked, could not hide the fact that it was a sad and humiliating spectacle to see stalwart men, and decent women who were willing to work, obliged to eat the bitter bread of charity. It was fondly hoped the depression had reached bed-rock, and that with the; return of summer there would be are- ' vival of trade. These hopes have not been realised. The revenue continues to shrink, and the Government, in presence of empty coffers, is firmly determined to carry on public works lor the time being on the most limited scale consistent with the requirements of the colony. It is not to be wondered at that business men also are contracting their expenses in all directions. The recent bank failures, too, have accentuated the feeling of insecurity, and rendered capitalists, for the time being, still less disposed to invest in new enterprises. The accumulation of causes of slackness in trade is telling heavily upon the would-be workers. With the approach Jof winter, there is every reason to fear i numbers of families will be dependent I on charitable aid for food and shelter.

A cablegram received on Monday states that 2,000 of the unemployed | attempted to interview Mr Patterson. The Premier refused to see them on the ground that the leaders had recently indulged in violent and Socialistic utterances. One of the most bitter things an honest workman has to endure is that in times like the present numbers of blatant loafers put themselves to the front. Their noisy clamours and senseless vapourings are as offensive to decent men, who wisli to work for the bread they eat, as to the Cabinet Ministers who are subjected to their insolence. Mr Munro, when in office, put up with a great deal from these gentry, but the present Premier has more iron in his composition. Like our own Minister of Public Works, Mr Patterson, while not wanting in sympathy for genuine distress, has a great contempt for the professional loafer. In a recent interview with a small deputation he made it clear that the whole burden of providing work for the unemployed could not be thrown upon the Government, and expressed a hope that private enterprise would also assist in relieving the congested labour market.

What action can be taken either by the Government or private individuals is not easy to determine. There is a great deal of talk about settling the people on the land. The Victorian Government has at present a scheme under consideration for making what are known as the "malee lands" available for that purpose. It is believed that large tracts now covered by | scrub can, with a comparatively small outlay, bedotted over with smiling farms and homesteads. But this, and kindred measures require time, and hungry men cannot wait. Mr Patterson has clearly explained the position to various deputations. The Government, he says, will not retrench one set of men to provide employment for another. Public works that are not of a reproductive nature will be discontinued. The Government has further no intention of finding work for the unemployed in Melbourne itself, and all who look to the State for help must make up their minds to go into the country. The railways will be pushed on as far as funds are available, and it is proposed to employ a large number of men in hewing coal at Korumborra. The Government, however, is resolved neither to raise a new loan, nor to impose fresh taxation for the purpose of finding employment.

With regard to the assistance to be rendered by private enterprise, the prosptrct is not very encouraging. It is suggested by one of the leading journals that the territorial magnates should come forward and assist to find homes and work for the unemployed. We do not anticipate much practical result from such an appeal. Many of the landed proprietors are feeling keenly the ejects of tbe financial collapse. Some of them are mere nominal owners, and their estates really belong to banking and loan and mortgage coronanies There is no reason to believe that as a class they are unwilling to tak- their share of the public burden, but" when they have as many employees as .hey can find work for they are hardly likely to increase the number In fact, as we said before, every employer is inclined to curtail expenditure, and to redace, rather than add tn the number of his workmen. It is evident to everyone that no permanent good can be effected till large numbers of the people, who during the last few years have crowded to Melbourne, find their way into tbe country, ho nersons have more cause to curse he S peculation that prevailed durmg Se "boom" than the working men who were tempted by high wages to crowd from all parts into the city.

The Government havo completed the purchase of a largo allotment on the Greab South Road, Otahuhu, near the property of Mr John Gordon, for the erection of a court bouse and police residence. This is a step in the righb direction, as Otahuhu has been neglected in the past in regard of public buildings, and the local consbable has had bub a small house, quite unsuitable for a family to live in. The property was vended to the Government by Mr John Todd, and is a beautiful site for the purposos required.

When a. large and influential section of the Home press is denouncing the financial unsoundness of Australia and severely rating her for her extravagance and speculation, ib is somewhab surprising, even to Australia, to hear Sir Gavin Duffy give a point blank denial to their statements. Tho veteran Victorian statesman is reported by cable to have Btated thab the colonies had nob been recklessly lavish, thab their laud speculation was a natural fault, and thab it would be impossible to permantly injure their cradib. A j;reab doal of what the ex-colonial Minister says every colonial will giadly endorse, for we havo all perfect faibh in ibe future of the colonies, but after the recent revelations not even tho moat patriotic colonist would like to go so far as bo say thab our finances in bhe pasb have been administered with exemplary economy. We are all pretty well convinced thab the fiscal policy of tho pasb was nob by any means tha wisesb or mosb beneficial we could have adopted, and, much as we respect the opinion of our distinguished advocate, we cannot halp thinking thab he is mistaken in the line of defence he had adopted on our behalf. Probably Sir Gavin Duffy is allowing a sense of gratitude to the land whore he spenb the moijb successful years of his life to obscure his bettor judgment. Australia treated him with a most memorial liberality when he firsb came to her shores without a penny in 1855. Tho people of Victoria gave him £5,000 worbh of property when he came to live in their midst. They gave ib mosb enthusiastically. The diggers ab Ballarab pledged themselves to contribute an ounce of gold apiece to tbo presentation fund. His career was an upward one from the moment of the young Irish pabriot's arrival in his adopted country to bhe bime he lefb it full of years and honours. Little wonder then thab Sir Gavin Duffy stands up for bhe colonies, and repudiates the charge, of reckless lavishness which bhe Home journals with such woary iteration have been hurling againsb the colonies.

Further correspondence has been received from the Hon. Mr McKenzie relative to the survey of blocks for Auckland Land Associations. Mr McKenzie points out thab special settlement associations have been formed all over the colony, and states thab the cosb of survey would absorb the wholo annual rate, leaving the other surveys unprovided for. The Hon. Minister of Lands also points out that the experience of the Governmenb is bhat although a large number of bona fide settlers aro in these associations thore are also a certain number of speculators. The survey fee now charged is -simply a guarantee of bona fides. Considering thab the land is given rent free for two years, Mr McKenzie says " ib is surely not too much to ask that new associations should provide for their own surveys."

It is suggested that a useful form for the proposed "memorial to the late Mr J. McNicol, of Waikato, would bo the building of a wing to tho Waikato Hospital ab Hamilton." The family of the deceased have declined the offer of a public memorial on the grave.

MrR. Reeves, who is a member of the Westport Harbour Board, sued at Westporb for £72 odd for travelling expenses, being at tho rato of one guinea per day, nine days each month, in travelling from and to Nelson to attend the Board's meetings. Judgment was given for £69, £1 a day exclusive of coach fare. The action was brought in consequence of the Audit Office havitTg refused to pass any amount except coach fare. Mr Guinness, M.H.R., appeared for the plaintiff,

In last night's issue appeared a lisb of tho names of persons nominated for the Mount Eden School Committee. Two other gentlemen have since been nominated, namely, Messrs G. Nicholls and T. F. Plntt. The annual meeting this year will probably be unusually interesting, as it is stated there will bo a grievance to ventilate.

The case against Wm. O'Halloran, George O'Halloran, William Waro, William Westbrooke Squires was concluded at the Police Court lato yesterday afternoon. Some time before the close of the proceedings Dr. Giles decided to dismiss the charge" against George O'Halloran and Squires, Tho other two defendants then gave evidence and other witnessestestified to their good character. Dr. Giles having considered the evidence, said thab he thought there had boon no intention on the part of the youns men to steal the ducks. They had simply been guilty of a foolish and thoughtless acb in molesting the birds. He ordered each of the defendants to pay 5s and coats, besides paying for the damage done. William O'Halloran, for the assault, was fined 10s and costs (£1 15s) with the alternative of three days' imprisonment.

The annual meeting of the City Schools Committee was held in the Wellesley-street School last evening, when there worepresenb Messrs J. Blades (Chairman), R. Farrell, J. B. Fairs, J. Adams, W. Sherson and Burns. Among other correspondence, a letter from Mr J. L. Innes was received, stating that owing to the small attendance of young teachers at his Saturday morning singing class in the Wcilosley-street School ho had been compelled to close the same. The Chairman stated that £32 10s had been paid into the credit of the Committee by the Board of Education for travelling expenses of the Truant Officer. Accounts amounting to £15 lis lid ware passed for payment.

Bearding the existing system under which School Committees aro nominated and elected, a correspondent.makes the following remarks :—" One clause in tho circular sent round to the several chairmen of school committees states that the nomination paper musb be signsd by the proposer and the candidate, and be in the hands ot the Chairman nob later than Monday, the 17th. Then the names of the candidates nominated aro to be posted up for inspection Lower down in the circular appears another clause thab tho annual meeting takeß place on the 24th, when any house-, holder can nominate a candidate by word of mouth or in writing. Now, that being the case ib would be possible for a few people to upsob the whole of the candidates who had complied with the rules and been nominated on the day specified. For instance, say a Committee of hve is wanted and that all havo been properly nominated and their papers in tho hands of the chairman, being afterwards posted up for public information. A householder geea the names and not being satisfied arraneos with a number of his friends and attends the annual meeting He proposes another five from his friends, and like y upsets the whole of those who had been duly nominated because they would go to the meeting unprepared. If tho object o nostins up the names of thoeo nominated on the 17th is for householders to see who the candidates are, and if they aro not satisfied with them to attend the meeting on the 24th and verbally propose someone else, then surely it ought to answer.

Yorke's Peninsula is the only S. A. constituency which baa never had either a Minister or an ex-Minister to represent it. Treasurer Rounsevell, driven from his old district of Fort Adelaide by the labour vote, is now striving to break this record.

Captain Edwin wired from Wellington ab 12.40 p.m. :—"North to E. and S.E. gale, with heavy rain after 12 hours from now. Glass fall." An accident occurred on the Rare Kare Road, near the Manukau Heads, which resulted in the loss to Mr Cox, of Mount Albert, of a valuable horse. He and hia friend were returning from Kare Kare Bay on the West Coast Road with hia horse laden with botanical specimens, ferns, etc., and when going up the Kare Kare side cutting the horse slipped over the side of the narrow path and fell a distance of a hundred feet and so injured his spine bhab he had to be shot. This road has become quite impassable. It is completely blocked by landslips. Complaints have been made to tho Waitemata County Council by the settlers of the dangerous state of this road for oyer a year, and no later than last year the engineer reported on ib and recommended that it be abtonded to at once, bub nobhing was done. Ib waa very forbunate for Mr Cox that he removed the bridle rein off hi 9 arm just before the accident or he would have most certainly been dragged over with the horse and killed. There are a great number of man engaged getting timber to tho Huia Mill, and their stores and implements have to be packed up this road from the Manukau Heads.— (Communicated.)

Some eighb years ago Te Kooti {t-hortly after his pardon) wished the Government to give r-irn the reserve at Orakau, near Kihikihi, Waikato, where bhe battle of Orakau took place, and where the Maori and European dead were buried. Such a vehement protest, however, was raised ab the time against this historic spot being handed over to the ex-rebel that his request was not entertained. The Government, however, bought him apiece of swamp near Orakau, which Te Koobi declined a3 " too wet" to live in.

The Union steamship Taieri ia at present discharging ab the Mill wharf, tho largest and finest cargo of wheab that ever came to Auckland. It waa carefully selected by Mr McCorqu.odale, the manager of the Northern Roller Milling Company, soon after his return from Queensland. He landed at the Bluff, and visited all the chief wheat raising districts in the South Island, making arrangements for supplies throughout the season. The first instalm.nb of nearly 2,000 tons arrives here this week.

A new public school building has just been completed at Nortbville, near Whangarei. It is situated aboub one mile from the Whangarei Post Office. The contractors were Messrs Langley and Sons, of Auckland, and the architects were Mossrs Mitchell and Watt, of this city. The design of the building is something altogether out of the common. The contract price was £579. The school has a concreted foundation made out of Mahurangi lime and cement. The entrance to the building is by flights of concrete steps on each side of a large room built in porch shape and giving entrance by separate doors to the boys' and girls',rooms respectively: The arrangements for overflow and'cleaning out of cisterns are remarkably convenient.

The storm experienced along the West Coast, upon the 9th and 10th of March, caused greab mortality among the young sheep. For a weok previous to the storm, settlers in the Taranaki county were busy shearing their lambs. Nearly all lambs shorn in these days died during the storm. One settler lost 740 in one night, and a great many others lost heavily.

A petition promoted by the Mayor of Christchurch, for the reconstruction of the wards of thab city, was considered aba special meetine of the Christchurch City Council last nighb, when the councillors resolved to send a counter-petition to His Excellency the Governor. During the meeting a ruling given by the Mayor was not accepted by the members, and he thereupon left the room.

Captain Gilbert Mair, now of Wellington, on one occasion in the war of 1869-70 saved the native residents of Ohinemutu (Rotorua)' from massacre by Te Kooti, who is just dead. With the aid of a few friendly natives Captain Mair forced Te Kooti to retreat.

Aba meeting of the Committee of the Auckland Yacht Club lasb evening, in connection with bhe recent sealed handicap race for yachts under three tons rating, ib was decided thab the yacht Gloriana be nob disqualified by carrying a. topsail. The prize will accordingly be paid over to Mr Logan, owner of the Gloriana.

At a public meeting held in Mareretu last Saturday, it was unanimously resolved to form in Mareretu a branch of the Auckland Liberal Association. Mr John McCarroll was elected President, Mr C. H. Jenkins Vice - President, Mr F. S. Miliington, Treasurer, and Mr V. A. Birb, Secretary. Over twenty of those preseut ab tho meeting gave in their names as members of the Association. Associations are also being formed in Paparoa and Matakohe. —(Mareretu correspondent.)

The Otahuhu Mutual Improvemenb Association held their usual fortnightly meeting on Monday night, when the following programme was ably rendered by a number of members :—Reading by Mr S. Luke, •' Story of the Life of Shakespeare ;" reading by Miss Luke, "Scenes from Henry V. ;" duet by Mrs Armstrong and Miss Gillespie ; chorus, "Full Fathoms Five," by Mr McDonald and members ; reading by Mr H. Hall.

The Wellington Hospital returns show thab there were in the institution on the 31st March, 1892, 144 patients, and that, during the year, 951 more were admitted, the total under treatment having been 1,095. Of these, 905 were discharged, 70 died, and 120 remained in the hospital on the 31sb March last. These patients collectively stayed 46,150 days in the hospital. Tbe cosb of supplying 102 persons with groceries, meat, bread, fish, vege^ tables, 'and milk for the lasb quarter of 1884 was £849 ; while in the same quarter of 1892, the trustees supplied 165 persons with the same necessaries for £632. The cosb of wine and spirits for the same period was £168 and £32 respectively.

The Napier Harbour Board yesterday decided to proceed ab onco to the erection of the tee wharf at the breakwater for the Union Company's boats, and to ask the Company to use the present wharf in the meantime, the shelter now being sufficient in nearly all kinds of weabher.

Lasb evening a meeting; of the Committee of the Auckland branch connected with the St. John Ambulance Society was held in tho V.M.C.A. Rooms. The Rev. Dr. Egan (of St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Church), presided, and amongst those also present were the Revs. Scott West, Monro, Dr. Dawson, and a number ot others. An amounb of discussion took place on ambulance work in Auckland, and arrangements were mado for the energetic carrying on of lectures and practical work in connection with the Society in Auckland during the coming winter season.

The Rev. Dr. Watters, Rector of St. Patrick's College (Wellington), has been summoned to England on ecclesiastical business, and expects to leave Wellin_t° n_ via. Sydney, early nexb month. He will be absent about six months.

A meeting of those interested in the formation in Auckland of a branch of the Prevention of Cruelty to Women and Children, was to have, been held lasb night in the V.M.C.A. Rooms, bub was adjourned on account of the bad weather.

Mr W. J. Napier, who has just returned from Wellington, says that from an interview which he had ab Wellington with the Premier, he found that the Premier and Ministers were confident of a laree majority at the forthcoming general election,

Tho sfabement of receipts and expend!ture of the Auckland Domain Board lor the past year show the receiots to be £1,114 12s, and tho bank overdraft to be £458 12s 4d, bub it was reduced by cash in hand, £14. In 1891 the deficit was £439 5s lid. The principal items in the revenue are :—< Rents of roserves, £137 ; rents of gardens, £78; cricket ground fees, £233; ground rents,,£loO.

Messrs P. Crowe, of tho Mona Bakery, Hobson-street, and A. Cowley, Hygienia Bakery, Symonds-streeb, have now secured the right to manufacture the "Montgomerie Malt-Extract Digesbive Bread." Tha pabentee for bhis bread is the renowned M« Montgomerie, of Glasgow, and he has sold the authority to bake it in Auckland. Wo hare seen samples of the manufacture, and can pronounce it first-class. Each loaf contains one ounce of malt extrac.. It is nob a poor man's bread, by any means, for thia reason : thab poor people do not usually suffer from indigestion, and also they would cab four times more of ib bhan any other kind, ib is so palatable.

Ib will doubtless be remembered that on the occasion of the s.a. Chelmsford's pioneer trip North, our representative described at length the newly-found Nguuguru coal district. At the time of thab visit, the tramways from the proposed mine to the river side were in bhe process of being laid. The work is now completed and everything is in readiness for working the coals. Tho syndicate having purchased tbe steam launch used by the Kohimarama Training School, have placed her on the river to tow the barges from the terminus of the tramway down to the settlement proper. The Spitfire has gone up to load 60 tons of coal for the use of tha Northern Steamship Company. Experts in various parts of the colony speak highly of its quality, and as the coal in tbe Bay of Islands Company's mine is exhausted, the discovery i 3 very opportune.

Tho following are the nominations for the Managing Committee of the Auckland Amalgamated Teachers' Union and Educational Institute : — President, Messrs Armstrong, Benge, Heriot, and Stewart; vice-presidents, Messrs Carter, Lippiatt, and Webber; secretary, Messrs D. W. Jones and A. Edwards ; treasurer, Mr C. W. Clark ; unofficial members, Mrs Skeen, Misses Cleveland and Udy, Messrs Armstrong, Bruford, Hames, Heriot, Hogwood, Leonard, Mclnbosh, Mellsop, Oblson, Scotb, Stewart, Thwaites, Warren, Whitham. The election will take place on May 13th.

The .celebration of the anniversary of the Tabernacle Sunday-school was brought to a conclusion by tho soiree, held last evening. Notwithstanding the unsatisfactory Btate of the weather there was a good attendance. The earlier portion of the evening was devoted to the consumption of a plentiiul supply ot edibles, the tea tables being presided over by the teachers and ladies of the congregation. At the public meeting, the Rev. J. Blaikie occupied tha chair, and there were also on the platform, tho Rev. 0. D. Cox, and Mr E. Wood. The report of the year's operations, read by tbe Secretary, showed that the number of scholars on the roll was 395. The death of four scholars and one teacher were referred to, and it was mentioned thab twelve new teachers had joined during the year. Tha church membership had been increased by the addition from the Sunday-school of twelve scholars and four teachers. The membership of the Temperance Society was 257, and tha Christian Endeavour Socieby was also flourishing. The receipbs for the year were £64 14s 4d, and a credit balance of £15 9s remained after expenses had been paid. Addresses were delivered by tha Chairman, Mr Enoch W rood, and the Rev. G. D. Cox, and they were interspersed by the special anniversary selections which were rendered by the choir. The accompanists were Miss Brame (piano) and Mr Wells (harmonium).

Steps are being taken to put coursing on a firm and permanent foobing in Auckland. Aba meebing of the Coursing Club helfJ last night it was left to the Committee to selecb a date for the opening meet. An unlimited all-aged stake, open to members only, will be run in the first week of June. The meeting agreed that the course should be run under the National Association rules, with which the club is affiliated. Mr Coates, the hon. secretary, and the Committee intend sparing no pains to make the opening iixture a success.

At the R.M. Court at Wellington yesterday judgment was given against the Union Steamship Company to the amount of £8 and cos>ts for breaking a morticing machine in carelessly removing from a truck on the wharf. Notice of appeal waa given.

The widow and children of the late Mr Mahony, accidentally killed at Rotorua,, have been left in destitute circumstances. A concert and dance on thoir behalf is announced to take place on Friday, 19th proximo, ab the Foresters' Hall, Newton.

A very interesting social gathering waa held in the school-room, Alexandra-street, on Tuesday evening last, when a silver watch, suitably engraved, was presented to Miss F. Murray, who had been identified with the school for a number of years, firab as a scholar and latterly as a teacher and absentee visitor, bub who had retired, having resolved to enter the Hospital as a probationer, so as by study and training to qualify herself to become a nurse. The superintendent of tbe school (Mr Goldie) made the presentation, which waa very neatly responded to by the recipienb. Addresses, interspersed with music, were also given by the pastor, the Rev. J. Guy, Mrs Kerr and Mr Burton. A very enjoyablo evening was spent.