MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1893.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 221, 18 September 1893, Page 2

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1893.

Owing to press of Parliamentary business, we learn that Government will be unable to deal this session with the Commissioners' report on the kauri gum industry. This is the more to be regretted because the question of the roads north of Auckland is intimately bound up with it. The Premier very properly said that the report dealt with some very large questions—such as the imposition of a general license fee and the levying of an export duty on kauri gum—which would require to be very carefully considered before legislation could be attempted upon them, and that both subjects mustwait till next session. But the condition of the Northern roads forcibly dealt with in the report cannot wait.

Whatever difference of opinion there may be upon a license fee or upon an export duty on gum, there is but one universal opinion about the shocking state of the Northern roads. The most terrible accounts are continually reaching us of frightful cruelty to animals, of the complete bar to further settlement of the land, of the loss and ruin to the settlers already upon their farms. Settlers who years ago were able to cart their goods over the rough natural roads of that time, are now driven to use pack-horses to convey stores and produce to or from their farms. In some instances ten, twenty and even thirty bullocks' are yoked to one dray to convey little more than one ton of gum.

One recent case, amongst hundreds of others of terrible difficulty, may be selected to show the condition, not of bye-roads, but of the main roads in the North A bullock dray laden with gum started on Friday morning for the port of Awanui, a distance of seven miles. Next rooming (Saturday), the dray had arrived, after a day and night's toil, within half a mile of the port. At this point they were stuck. Borrowing a sledge, and placing three sacks of gum upon it, in the hope of getting the whole load by degrees through the mud to the port, they worked their hardest. They had not gone far, however, when they were met by a County Councillor. This man, dressed in a little brief authority, compelled the wearied drivers to cease using the sledge, with the result that the poor fellows carried the load of gum on their backs, a sack at once, through the remaining half-mile of mud to the port. By Saturday night at dark, the gallant fellows finished their work, having been two days and one night engaged in conveying one ton of gum seven miles.

Pity it was that some budding members of Parliament were not there to help them in the " humping." After such an experience of mudlarking, a beginning in the improvement of Northern roads would certainly have been made without further parley.

In some mud holes in the Great North Road the horns of bullocks dead below are seen sticking out, in others drays lie buried. But why talk about broken-hearted bullocks below, when there are hundreds of settlers whose hearts would have been broken long ago, if they had not been men—and women tco —of real grit. If Northern settlers, exasperated by the neglect and mud amidst which they live do not swear in Greek, like a certain learned member of Parliament, it is not because they have not abundance of provocation, but because it is more easy to swear in English. In our Law Courts oaths are becoming obsolete, but on Northern roads curses are as deep and a& .frequent as the mud holes.

The indignation of Northern settlers is both natural and unbounded when they hear of great districts in the South Island provided not only with hundreds of miles of good metalled roads, but with railways running alongside the roads, whilst the whole of the districts north of the city of Auckland do not contain 70 miles of railways, nor 50 miles of metalled road: Is it surprising that the most deap-seated indignation and discontent prevail when it is remembered that these Northern districts have exported kauri gum of the value of £6,000,000, together with hundreds of millions of feet of timber, employing more than 10,000 workmen, hardly one of whom has ever come upon the Charitable Aid Boards, or has ever cost the country a shilling, whilst a Northern cry of the unemployed has never been heard in the land?

About thirty millions sterling have been borrowed and expended in the colony upon public works of one kind or another to provide for the wants of 600,000 people. Of that number, about 30,000 people, or one-twentieth, dwell north of Auckland. Their just proportion of the expenditure would have been one million and a-half sterling. Will it be believed that not more than about half a million has been expended upon Northern roads aod railway, whilst the additional million due to them has been expended elsewhere, mainly in the South Island ? And yet, Northern settlers are compelled to pay p£50,000 yearly interest on the million of which they have been— shall we say—defrauded. Many a less injustice before now has been wiped out by revolution and bloodshed. If representative Government can perpetrate such shameful acts of injustice upon those whom it is a cruel mockery to say it governs, it is clear enough that " there is something rotten in the 'state of Denmark."

We do not, of course, blame the Seddon Government nor the present Parliament for this shameful wrong done to a most industrious body of settlers and to the richest district in the colony, for the wrong lies at the doors of their predecessors. But unless they at once set about redressing this most cruel injustice they cannot escape the charge of being participators in one of the most shameful wrongs ever perpetrated upon a free and industrious community.

The time has fully come for metalled roads to be made throughout the roadless North. The license fee and the gum tax can wait for the next session of Parliament to settle. The roads cannot wait. Large areas of Government land cannot be settled unless roads be made to them. To place settlers on such lands with no other approaches to them than the awful mud tracks now existing in the North, would be nothing less than a criminal act. Justice and good policy cry aloud for roads. Let the Seddon Government demand a vote of —or about half the yearly interest which Northern settlers are now unjustly paying—as a first inetalment, to be expended by their own engineers during the coming year upon Northern main roads, and we are convinced the dying Parliament will sdd to the many measures of good policy it has passed, by doing, in its closing hours, a simple act of justice. Such a deed may not ring through tho world like woman's suffrage, but it will cheer the souls and brighten the lives of many brave and longsuffering men and women, whose patient industry and stubborn courage neither hard work, awful roads, nor even a cruel wrong has been able to destroy.

A very heavy thundersborm, accompanied with heavy rain, passed over Whangarei on. Sunday, and lasted for several hours. TBe'lightning was verjr vivid.

Colonel Pat Boyle has sent a letter to Mr A. J. Edmonds, secretary of the Newton Band Socieby, intimating that Hie Excellency Lord Glasgow will be pleased to become President of the Society.

A native named Ropihau was killed while felling bush ab Ohautira lasb Thursday. The case was nob reported to Constable Ryan, of Raglan, until last Saturday, and that officer ab once arranged for the customary inqueeb.

Yelling in the street, while nob particularly harmful, is none the less annoying to peaoeful residents who retire to re3t at reasonable hours. For some reason or other, lato on Saturday night appears to bo the favourite time with these leathorlunged midnight howlers. A youth was fined 20s, or, in default, 48 hours' hard labour, this morning ab the Police Court. Sergeant Gamble informed the Bench that the lad was arrested outside the Opera House late on Saturday nighb, when he was yelling and causing greab annoyance. Perhaps this may serve as a warning to others who are similarly disposed to utilise their lungs.

It is pleasing to note thab more building is proceeding in the suburbs. In Saturday's issue the tenders advertised included two cottages,in, Parnell Rise; a villa residence, Surrey Hills; anothor villa at Ponsonby ; and a dwelling-house'ab Mount Eden.

Recenb news from Fiji Btateß thab letbers received bhero from llotumah, an island some distance to the north of the Fiji Group, state thab there has been a great falling off in the quantity of copra made at this island owing to the past hurricanes and drought and some kind of a disease which has affecbed the trees, causing the nuts to fall when about bwo-thirds grown. "Even if nuts were plentiful," writes a correspondent ab Rotumab, " I do not think there would be people lefb to work them up. Moat of the young and ablebodied men go away, leaving only the old and decrepit bo work. There are a greab many of the young away from bhe island who will never return. The people of this are doomed soon bo disappear like the natives of Easter Island. I landed on this island 14 years ago, and I should judge there were at that time about 3,000 people on it. At the present time Ido nob think the population exceeds 1,500. There has been a greab decrease in these fow years back. I know of one village where there are only two or three people living, where formerly there were hundreds. In a village called Voimosi you could once counb them by hundreds; at presenb there are only about seven, all told. And so with a good few othar villages."

One of the men who was sentenced ab the Police Court this morning for drunkenness, informed tho Bench that within the last six weeks he had gob through about £35. The Bench allowed him three months' retreat in which to recover from his thirst.

Mr Charles At kin elsewhere announces, in reply to.a requisition of citizens, lhafc he will contest bhe Mayoral chair against all comers.

The business at the Police Court was speedily dispatched this morning by the presiding Justices, Captain Anderson and Mr J. Gordon. For drunkenness, two first) offenders were each finod ss, or 24 hours' hard labour in default. Thomas McGarry, for drunkenness, was fined 20s, or 48 hours' hard labour in defaulb. Elizabeth Spiers was also fined 20s or 7 days' hard labour for a similar offence, and Henry Barstow was sentenced to throe months' imprisonment with hard labour. A fine of 2s 6d withoub costs was imposed' upon Colin Mclntosh, for having allowod his cow to bo at large, and James G. Harp had to pay Is and costs for riding his bicycle along bhe foobpath.

Mr W. M. English, an old settlor in the Opotiki district, was drowned on the 12th insb., while attempting to ford the Waioeka River, with a buggy and pair of horsos. When ho wa3 crossing, those on the bank s"aw tho buggy go down, and attempted a vain rescue. A Mr Eutler saw Mr English clinging to one of the horses, tho trap being rolled over in the swift currenb. In another instant, before a canoe from tho bank could arrive, the horse went under, and Mr English disappeared, and was not again neon. Those in tho canoe came up with the buggy, but could find no traces of the drownod man,

Our Thames correspondent telegraphs thab a lad named David McWalbers had one of his toea smashed through his brother throwing a stone upon it, and ib had to be amputated.

Mr William McDonald, lessee of the Masonic Hotol afe Opotiki, whoso unexpected death is announced, was very well known in Auckland. He hnd many triends in this city. Mr Mac Donald was for some years head book-keeper in Hancock and Co.'s, Queen-street. Subsequently he had a bottling store in Durham-street. About 5 months ago ho took over the Masonic Hotel at Opotiki. Ho was married and had three children. For some time be acted aa organist at St. Mary's Church, Parnell.

On Saturday morning, some residents at Richmond noticed a man arrayed in white busily engagod in a paddock. They came to tho conclusion that this was an escaped lunatic, and took prompt steps to have the man secured. One or two were detailed off to watch him, while another sent word to the Police Station that a lunatic was at largo at Richmond, pulling up foncos. Constable Walker, of Surrey Hills, and Constable Brown, of Ponsonby, were despatched, and, upon arriving, found that the supposed lunatic was a hard-working settler, who, having to spread bonedust, preferred to drnw a white article of male attire over his clothes.

Mr H. Field, Secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, has returned from Wellington after spending about tbrce months in the Empire City in the interost of the temperance cause.

It has become the custom at the Police Court to ask witnesses if they claim their expenses. Tho result is that many do nob, bub this morning one witness intimated thab he wanted his expenses. The bonch forthwith asked the amount of his wages nnd what he would lose by attending, Sorgeanb Gamble, however, pointed out thab if anyone were brought to Courb as a witness, because another had wilfully broken tho law, he was undoubtedly entitled to receive his expenses. The witness stated thab ho had to get some one to take up his work. Under these circumstances expenses were allowed.

A very pleasanb social gathering of the congregation of the Wesleyan Church, ab Pukekohe, took place on Tuesday evening last, for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr and Mrs Thos. Wilson on the eve of their departure for Taranaki, Mr Wilson having received an appointment) as superintendent of the several butter factories owned by Messrs Young and Co. Rev, S. Griffiths occupied the chair. Mr and Mrs Wilson havo been a great help to the Wosleyan body during the past nine years while living in the district, and have always been ready to assist any good cause thab was brought under their notice. The programme of the evening consisted of music, recitations, and impromptu gpeoohes, the subjects of which were drawn by lot. Two speeches were much onjoyod, viz., one by Mrs L. Bell on the "Ladies" and tho other by Mrs R. E. Pilgrim on ''Homo Rule." During the evening, Mr and Mrs Wilson were presented with an album, the contents of which will remind them of many pleasant days spent in Pukekohe.

"Truth" is ventilating the grievance of aMr Hogan, of Auckland. Ifc appears that Mr Hogan, after having gained a commie- | sion by his distinguished services in the j Crimea and the Indian Mutiny, and being now in straitened circumstances, is pronounced ineligible for a special pension because he held this same commission when he retired. Rarely has red tape involved itself in a more grotesquely unjust argument, says Mr Labouchere's veracious organ. | A meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, I Pukekohe, on Wednesday evening, under the auspices of the Ancient Order of Forastera, for the purposes of inducing the formation of a local court in connection with the order. The following brethren from Auckland were present:—D.C.R. N. Meiden, Sub-D.C.R. Chisman, D.S. H. T. Garratb, D.T. Stichbury, P.D.C.R. fiheppard, P. D.C.R,. Carlaw, Bros. J. J. Jenkins and E. Nordan. On the motion of Mr J. Johns, Mr Webster was voted to the chair, and after a few remarks, invited the 1). S. Mr Garratb to address the meeting. Mr Garretb in his opaning remarks, expressed his sympathy with other kindred societies, and then proceoded to advocate the uniting together in benefit societies, and tlia A.O.F. in particular, afterwards invited his audience to ask any question they thoughb fib with reference to his subject). After several questions had been answered satisfactorily, the meeting concluded with votes of thanks to Mr Garratb and his brother Foresters for their visib and to the Chairman for presiding. Subsequently aboub fifteen names were handed in by those desirous of opening a Court in Pukckoba,

The death of another of New Zealand's pioneer settlers, Mr Thomas Somerville, ia recorded in our obituary notices today. The deceased gentleman had for some years pasb resided at Tauranga, where he died suddenly of heart disease on the 11th insfc. Mr Somerville arrived in the colony in 1840, and waa for many years in business in Auckland as a corn and produce merchant He leaves a widow and six children to mourn their loss.

A meeting of Thames school teachers was held in the Wai-o-Karaka school on Saturday, for the purpose of forming a branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. Most) of the teachers of the Thames and surrounding districts were present, while others apologised for their absence. The objects of the Institute wore briefly stated, after which it waa resolved that a branch should be established ab the Thames. The following were elected as office-bearers :—Chairman, Mr Horatio Phillipa; Secretary and Treasurer, MrE. C. Purdie; Committee, Miss Haselden, Mrs Macky, Messrs Newton, G. N. Phillips and Day. Ib was unanimously resolved thab a telegram be forwarded to Mr Jae. McGowan. M.H.R., thanking him for taking action in the matter of a colonial scheme of salaries for teachers. All of those present signified their intention of becoming members, and assurances were given thab many of those unable to attend would join the branch.

On Saturday evening last the annual meeting of bhe Tuakau C.C. was held in the hotel. Mr George Brown was voted to the chair. The annual report showed that the Club had played Beven matches during tho past season, all of which they had won, thus securing first position for the County Association Cups. The following officers were elected : — Captain, W, Smeed ; Deputy-captain, H. Oldham; Secretary and Treasurer, F. H. Brown ; Committee, H. Turbob, A. H. Brown.

The Cogill Minstrels took their farewell at the Opera House on Saturday evening, when an excellent variety performance was given. The Company were to leavo for Wellington to-day.

Yesterday the thirty-eighth anniversary of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle was celebratod by special services, conducted by the Rev. J. Blaikie, who preached both in the morning and in the evening. The collections for the day were £27 7s 6d. Tomorrow evening the usual public soiree will be held.

The anniversary of St. John's Wesleyan Church, Ponsonby, was celebrated yostorday by special services, the morning, afternoon, and evening services being taken by the llevs. S. F. Prior, A. H. Collins, and C. H. Laws respectively. Special hymns ■were sung by the choir, and the interior of tho church was decorated with flowers and evergreens. The anniversary soiree in connection with the church will be held tomorrow evening.

Mr Arthur Field-Wolrige intends shortly to deliver a Sunday evening lecture upon that always interesting subject, "The Holy Land." Mr Wolrige, having travelled through that historic country, should be able to gire an intensely interesting lecture, and considering that a large number of really superb pictures and coloured photographs will be shown by limelight, a crowded attendance must be anticipated. The lecture will most probably be given in the Choral Hall, and the pioceeds will be given to the Hospital fund or some other deserving public institution.

At St. Benedict's Church yesterday special interest was taken in the musical portion of the morning service in the production of sacred music remarkable for its novelty and excellence. Local interest was aroused by the announcement in our columns on Saturday evening that an original composition by the Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., late conductor of St. Patrick's Cathedral choir and the present conductor of St. Benedict's choir, would be sung by the eminent vocalist at prceent in our midst, Mr John Fuller. The merits of the composition cannot be fairly estimated by yestoiclay'e performance without its elaborate orchestral accompaniment, but the arrangement for organ, and tho violin obligate, as played by Miss A. Mcllbone, and Herr Zimmermann, gave ample, proof of the beauty of the work. Mr Fuller's faithful interpretation of the spirit of the motett and the facilo and effective manner in which he used his beautiful voice, would lend the impression that the composer had written it expressly for him. Although written Borne years ago, it was sung for the first time yesterday, and the reverend composer was fortunate in having the assistance of so cultured a tenor vocalist in its production. Tha music of the Mass was Haydn's thirteenth. It was admirably sung, and tho instrumental accompaniment was well emphasised by the choir, their able organist, and the masterly playing of Herr Zimmermann. Under the experienced and skilful training of the Rev. Dr. Egan, St. Benedict's choir promises to regain its former celebrity for the excollence of its musical services.

The twenty-first People's Popular Concert which takes place on Wednesday nighb promises to be very interesting. A new march composed by Miss Clarice Brabazon will be played, and the dueO " Maying " will be sung by Mias Alice Riminer and Mr John Fuller.

On Monday, 2nd October, an amateur dramatic performance is to be given ab the Opera House, under the auspices of the Auckland Polo Club, when a very attractive programme will be presented to the audience. The intensely amusing comedies, "O'Callaghan" and "Written in Sand," are to be etapad, under the direction of Mr Montague, who will be ably assisted by a number of well-known lady and gentlemen amateurs. Mr Arthur Towsey will conduct the orchestra, which will be composed of amateurs who have kindly promised to to lend their help. During the interval a double quarbette from the Liedertatel will give one of their choice selections, and Mr McClean. who has so often delighted Auckland audiences, will give a violin solo.

It is intended to hold a private plain and fancy dross skating carnival, in connection with the Columbia Skating Club, on the last night of the presenb season, Thursday, 21st September, when skating will be continued till 10 p.m., and dancing till 11 p.m., or after if required.

Having the confidence of the public, Arthur Nathan's "Reliable" teas continue to be appreciated by reason of their excellence over all others. Sold everywhere at 2s per pound. Extra quality, 2s 6d per pound. —(Advt.) 9

For immense value go to the public Bale at Geo. Fowlds', Victoria Arcade. Mens' and boys' straw hats, 6cl; men's working shirts, Is 6d; tweed trousers, 2s lid; boys' and youths' shirts, Is; boys' tweed trousers, 2s 9d.—(Advt.)

Public sale prices :—White handkerchiefs, three for one shilling; boys' overcoats, 4s 6d; youths' sac suits, ]2a 6d ; men's striped jerseys, 2s 6d ; elastic belts, 5d ; bath towels, 5d ; silk handkerchiefs, 9d; silk Derby scarves, 6d; gents.'kid gloves, Is 6d: portmanteaux, 9a 6d, at Geo. Fowlds', Victoria Arcade.—(Advt.)

At the public sale, Victoria Arcade, you can purchase at the following prices :— Men's tweed suits, 15s 6d ; sac coats, 7s 6d ; stiff felb hate, Is 6d; merino sor, three pairs for Is; boys' sailors suits, 4s 6d ; linen collars, Id ; cuffs, 6d j studs, 6d Beb; steel trunks, 7a lid.—(Advb.)

New season's goods arriving daily, mothers will find the boys' suits wonderfully good for so little money. The latest novelties in tailoring department. Inspection invited.—New Zealand Clothing Factory, 158 and 160, Queen-etreefe.-*----(Advfc.)