THE CASE OF PROFESSOR ALDIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 247, 18 October 1893, Page 4

THE CASE OF PROFESSOR ALDIS.

Although the deputation of citizens which waited uDon tho University College Council yesterday to urge a reconsideration of tho caße of Professor Aldis was animated by tho best of intentions, we doubt whether ib can have any good effect at this lato stage. It is rarely, if ever, possible to restore the siatiis quo ante bellum, and although in the h'rsb instanco, if Professor Aldis had manifested a more conciliatory spirit, a good working basis between himself and the Council might, and probably would have been found, subsequent ovonts have rendered ib exceedingly doubtful whether the interests of the College would bo served now by patching up a psace iv which both parties would probably continue to rankle under a senso of injury. From the commencement of the differonces between the Council and the Professor, Mr Alilis has displayed whab we cannot bub regard as a spirit of contempt and defiance towards tho governing body. He took his stand upon his right to a lifo appointment, which did not exist, and accused the Council of breaking its engagements. Wo cannot recall any communication of his which discloses even a desire for re-insbatemenb at tho hands of tho Council, although we assume from his letters to bho press and to tho Official Visitor, that he would nob objecb to be placed back in his chair against the will of tho Council, if the gentleman composing that body were sufficiently humiliated. Although Sir George Grey pleaded for a re-consideration of the case with the eloquence for which he is celebrated, it did nob appear that the deputation either actod with the authority of the Professor, or that he would accepb a reinsbatemenb if ib were offered to him. Now, while ib is clearly within the righb of Professor Aldis to take up any attitude he may please as a private individual, it should bo made equally clear tbab, as an officer of the University, he must manifest a proper respect towards thegoverning body of the institution. Unless the members of Council maintain their authority over the institution, the sooner they retire from office tho better. Thore is another aspecb of the case which demands attention. Outside interference with the administration of public institutions, more especially when action is taken in the interests of men who are more or loss influential, is as a rule to be deprecated. The University College Council comprises some of tho most intelligent, fairminded and upright) men in the city. Aparb from its Chairman, who possesses great public experience, Bishop Cowio, Mr Edwin Hesketh, tho Mayor, the Chairman of the Board of Education, Dr. MacKellar and tho other members, aro all men in whom the public are justified in placing full confidence. While their acts are no doubt properly open to fair criticism, citizens should hesibabe to adopt any abtitude towards such a body aa will tend to prevonb able men from giving tbeir services to public work. They know a good deal more about the circumstances bearing upon tho case than any outside and irresponsible persons can possibly do, and may, we think, bo safely trusted to act in the best interests of the institution which has boen placed under their control,

For our own part, wo think undue prominence has been given to Professor Aldia and his affaire. The kernel of the matter seems to bo that Mr Aldi3 hold? one viow with regard to his position and duty and the Council holds another and totally different view. As neither side has shown any disposition to give way there is no alternative but to part Aa to tho rupturo affecting tho interests of tho College injuriously, that we consider mere fudgo. Universities, like other institutions, are steadily advancing, and the introduction of a younger man, wibh recent EDglish experience, and willing in his own department to bring the work of the Collegemore in touch with modorn views and with the national system of education in this colony, would, ia our opinion, bo a distinct advantage. Wo Bay this without disrespect to Mr Aldis, or his attainments as a mathematician, which have never been sailed in question.

We have roceived a number of letters discussing the merits of political candi" dates. It is manifest thab such communications cap only be inserted as advertisements, otherwise we should be deluged by the gratuitous puffs of candidates and their friends. Electorß desirous of eliciting the political opinions of candidates may do so by attending their meetings, which will be duly reported in out columns. An interesting article entitled "Beyond the Atlantic ; or Pen and Ink Sketches of Men and Things American," by the Rev. Dr. Whitelaw, appears on our sixth page t o-nighb. Messrs Cruickshank and Co., the local agents, inform us thab the Auckland passengers and a portion of the cargo of the Shaw-Savill direct steamer Arawa, which arrived at Wellington yesterday afternoon from London, will arrive here next week by the East Coasb steamers Talune and Dingadee. The contract between the Canadian Government and Messrs James Huddarb and Co., of Sydney, for a direcb steamship service between Canada and Australia has been finally concluded for a term of ten years. A third swift and large stoamship is to be immediately added bo the line, and the number of vessels will be further augmented and the service made more frequent as the traffic increases. Mr W. J. Napier haa given notice to move at the next meeting of the Harbour Board "Thab the Works and Tariff Committee be requested to consider and report to the Board within two months the most suitable method of lighting the wharves by electricity." Last week, the Sydney-owned schooner Result, built in New Zealand eleven yoars ago, and said to be uninsured, was totally wrecked on the New South Wales coasb south of Sydney, at a place known as Abraham's Bosom. The weather became dark and overcast, and she was in difficulties almost before tho land was seen. An attempt was made to stay tho schooner, but failed, and she drove ashore. The crew had a perilous time of it, bub landed, and ab latest accounts the men were working at the wreck. The Result was a schooner of 56 tons and was built ab Whangaroa by Messrs Lane and Brown in 1882.

Intending applicants for Crown lands will be interested to learn that by the Amending Land Acb of 1893 it ia not now necessary, as before, to remit deposits when sending applications to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Hitherto in order to make these applications legal it was necessary to enclose certain fees with the declaration under the Act, but by the Amendment Act just passed the declaration only need now be sent. On the back of each form, however, is printed a form of agreement, which the applicant must fill in, undertaking to pay the required amount of the deposit, according to the tenure under which the land is wanted, when advised by the Commissioner that his application has been approved. "Security" writes: "Will you lend your influenco to pub a stop to a great scandal ? My wife had occasion to go down College Hill on Saturday night at 8 o'clock with two lady friends, and they were subjected to a gross insult. Three welldressed men obstructed the pavement, the elder of the three holding himaelf indecently, one man pushed one of the young ladies against tho wall, and to get out) of the way of tho other her companion had to go into the road. This took place at the foot of College Hill, near the gaa works. A lamp should be placed en that vacant piece of ground so as to give greater security, as nothing those scoundrels fear as detection. The women wore too frightened to notice who their assailants were. This makes the third time in about four months that my wife has been subjected to annoyance near this spot. It would bo interesting to know if other women have been subjected to like annoyance, and what remedy is to be applied for its discontinuance. If this sort of thing be tolerated, and the wanton destruction of property as reported by you a few nights ago of respectable (?) young fellows breaking a monumental stone belonging to Air; William Parkinson, Auckland will become as unnnviably notorious as Sydnoy." Yesterday, a second " working-bee" was held at Birkenhead in connection with the repairs necessitated by the recent Birkenhead landslip, a number of residents from all parts of the district gathering at tho wharf and labouring with pick, shovel, and wheelbarrow, to widen the road. Tho amateur navvies worked with a will, and by the afternoon had succeeded in widening the road near the wharf for a considerable distance. A good deal of work yet remains to be done, and it has been suggested that the Auckland football and cricket teams should devote one of their half-holidays to a course of pick and shovel work at Birkenhoad, in order to assist the local workers, and to profitably utilise their superfluous energy. The matron of the Jubilee Kindergarten returns thanks for the following donations : —Bread, Messrs Wallace, Nairn and Buchanan; buns and scones, Mrs Smith, Dallen, and a friend, Queen-street; meat, Messrs Salmon and Fenton, Lumpkin and Kilgour, Hellaby, Mrs McNaughton and MrHedger, Kyber Pass; yegetablop, Mrs Kemblo and Mrs Crombie ; milk from London dairy daily ; sack of potatoes from Mr Canham, High-street; bag of vegetables from Mr Wall, Penrose; cakes from Mrs Lennox, Romuera; cake and sandwiches from the juvenile ball, Remuera; pumpkins and marrows and parcel of clethes from Mrs Wigmore. The firsb annual literary competition in connection with the St. John's Wesleyan Boys' Club took place in the schoolroom, Ponsonby, last evening. The President, Mr W. Bartley, occupied the chair. The following are the results of the competition :—Recitations : Mr H. Butler, Ist; L. Beaumont, 2nd. Readings: Mr G. Horsley, Ist; Mr G. Currie, 2nd ; Mr J. Hall, 3rd. Extempore speaking: Mr P. H. Harris, Ist; P. Moir, 2nd ;W, B. Scott and C. Green tied for third place. A spelling bee took place during the orening, which was won by Mr B. Firth. Tho judges of the items were Rev. C. 11. Laws, Mr P. R. Dix, and Mr A. J, Blomn'eld. The competition will be continued next wook, when solo singing and instrumental playing will form leading features. The concert in aid of the funds of the Alexandra-street Sunday School was to have been held last evening in the schoolroom, but so many were seeking admission after the building was packed to it 3 utmost capacity that an adjournment was made to the church. Great credit was duo to the Secretary of the school, Mr Wm. Jaffrey, for the manner in which the interest was worked up. Mr Goldie, the superintendent of the school, presided, and after praise and prayor by Mrs Kerr, he introduced the friends who had so kindly volunteered to assist. Miss Birdie Butler and the other lady vocalists were in good voice, and tho elocutionists did their part well. One feature of the ovening was tho musical porfonnance of Mr Over upon the dulcimer, which was very interesting, as was also tho recitations by his little daughter. Tho meeting was an enjoyable one, and will holp to reduce the debit balance on tho Treasurer's book. The City Hall will be opened on Saturday evening next under entirely new mauagement. It ia proposod to rovive the popular Saturday nicht entertainments, and somothing entirely new is promised. Tho Company, we are informed, will comprise forty artists, and the usual pieeoa will bo adhered to. Particulars will be advertised on Friday. The Auckland Bowling Green will be opened for play by the President on Sabur'day next, at 2,30 p,m,

Further particulars received with,. to the fatal boating accident ab HnH Rat* are to the effect that on Tuesdo^b Constable Hogg and Mr S. H Li Rb> hotelkeoperatßawone, left Koh'ukohn ,' Raweno in an open bont. As they did arrive at their destination a search boatno' despatched, which discovered Mr p^j f body, and also the boat bottom 8,? 1 Constable Hoggs hab waa also f On \! amongst the gear in tho boat, bub Mb hnS waa nob recovered. As the weather 2 equally, ib is conjectured that tho boabo!» sized m the "Narrows," at which nl there is a strong tide rip. Already severri fatal accidents have taken pl ac 6 a t> thi apob. Constable Hogg was a roliabl. officer, whose duty it was to patrol week as far ais Kohukohu: It is seated that H<Ji was insured for £200. He leaves a widoi and family. Mr Godden was insured f ot Yeetorday the first meeting in Auction of the Board of Land Purchase Co2 8 sionera appointed under clause 3 of th Land for Settlements Act, 1892, was held ab tho Crown Lands Office, the Board beinp composed of Messrs S. Percy Smith (S ur veyor-General), C. M. Crombie (Commia' sioner of Taxes), G. Mueller (Commissioner of Crown Landa), and Bamford (District, Land Registrar). The objecb of the Coin, mission is "to ascertain by the valuation of a competenb valuer, and by such other means as seem to them fib, the value of any lands which the Governor may propose to acquire for the purpose of thia Act and to report as bo the demand fo{ land for settlement in the locality where ib is proposed to purchase the Bame," Tho meeting yestorday considered three applications with regard to land offered for sale to the Government. These were in respocb to a block of 4,000 acres ab Hikutaia, Upper Thames, offered by Mr Alley a block of 4,000 acres in Waikato, offered by Messrs Buckland and Shipherd; and an area of land near Kamo, Whangarei county in the vicinity of tho coal mines, offered for sale by the Bank of New South Walei The Commissioners proceeded to Wha". ngaroi laßb evening by the s.s. Wellington for the purpose of inspecting tho Kamo block. On their return they will visit the Thames and Waikato blocks, Tho Auckland Choral Society's third orchestral concert of the season will be held in the Choral Hall to-morrow evening Nearly the whole of the orchestral itemi will bo new, amongsb those on the programme being Mascagni's intermezzo from " Amico Fritz," Roinecke's "Marechund Ballet Music," and Gounod's "Philemon and Baucis." Of the chamber music, the firsb item will be Braham'a trio for tho piano, clarioneb and 'cello, which will be played by Miss Harding and Messrs Jackeon and Paque. Schubert's " Tronb Quintette " will be played by Miss Reevo, Herren Scbtnitt, Zimmermann and Tutschka, and Mr J. A. Beale. Of the vocal numbers, which are four in number, Mr F. Norman will contribute two songs, "A Bandit's Life" and "The Plying Dutchman." Miss Reeve's songs will bo "Had You Bub Known" and lf The Carnival." To the latter Herr Schmitb will contribute a violin obligato. There are on exhibition in Upfcon'i window two pictures which attract a very large amount of admiring attention. Nor is the fact to bo wondered ab, for the pictures are of two favourite and famoui race horses.Castor and HotchkißS to wit.the property of Mr T. Morrin, and the Btare, so to speak, of the Wellington Park Stud. The artist is Miss M. Morton, who has established herself firmly as a painter ot animals, her forte being undoubtedly horses. Ib will be remembered that Mies Morton. obtained several commissions to paint pictures of tho polo ponies ab the time of the tournament. These were exhibited andywore adjudged excellent by critics and horsey men alike. The pictures of Castor and Hotchkiss are an advance, and a notable one, on that work. They are really fine specimens of animal painting and reflect tho greatest credit on the young artist. If sho improves in the future aa steadily as she has in the past there is bub little doubt that her future is likely to be a brighb one,artisbically and financially, foreo far as we know, though landscape painton swarm, animal painters are rare in the colony. The annual concerb given by Mr S. Adams and pupils has been so successful in the past thab this energetic musician has been induced to engage the Opera House for Tuesday evening next, October 24. Tho programme includes a good selection of instrumental music, orchestral and solo, the orchestra being under the lead of Uisß Edith Whitelaw. Mr Adams has also secured the services of W Rimmer, Mr J. Ferriday and Mr A. T :. :cU, who will contribute vocal items.

There was a very fair attendance ab fcha variety concert given by H.M.s. Tauranga's Variety Troupe in St. George's Hal], Newton, last night. A long programmo was submitted and mce'ivori hearty approval, encores being frequent. The cutlass drill and tho bayonec oxercise were very good, a9 also was the sido stick exhibition. Greab credit ia due to our bluajackots for the way they worked and the praiseworthy object they had in view ( the proceeds, after the expenses, being given to the Auckland Hospital. The programme was under the charge of Mr Tyrell (Secretary and Treasurer); Messrs Turner, Purcell and Richards being the accompanists. Tho concert closed with the National Anthem. Staff-Captain Slater recently composed a musical history of the Salvation Army, and this will bo produced to-morrow nigbt in the Albert-street Barracks by a company of Salvation songsters. The connective readings have been compiled by Staff-Captain Grinling. As the admission is free thera should be a good attendance. The Auckland Catholic Literary and Debating Society lasb evening pMsed a n)1 solution congratulating Mr Patrick Nolan, late of the " New Zealand Herald" reporting staff, on his appointment to the subj editorship of tho "New Zealand Times, ab Wellington. Mr Nolan while in Auckland was an active member of the Society. The Amalgamated Society of Carpentoi and Joiners held their usual fortnightly meeting last evening. One of their mem- , bera, Mr Thomas Tudehopo, J.P., is a candidate to represonb tho city, and it wM unanimously resolved to support him in w coming election. On Monday evening a meeting of th Avondnle Liberal Association was beld" the Avondalo Hall, for tho purpose of jjl election or officers, Mr Girdwood in. I™ chair. The following officers were elect«»: Chairman, Mr Molndoe; secretary, •» Hampshire ; treasurer, Mr Clark ; and • strong Committee. The rules of tho AM'1 land Liberal Association were adopted ? tar as practicable. After a friendly a*' cussion the mooting adjourned. The Franklin Road Church was «'] , filled last evening with an appreciate audience to listen to the ever pop" 18' service of song "John Tregnoweth Hi* Mark." The musical portion of the p»w was rendered by the Christian Stand"1 * Choir, conducted by Mr Marson, junr., W" Ethel Ramsay presiding at the harmoniufflThe principal solos wore taken by « Misees Downey (2), Wat kins. S. ano*' Marson. The story was well recitod d» Miss Lily Marson. Tho whole WW'I'," tratod by views shown by Mr On*.Cooper. Altogether tho performance w a groat credit to all concorhed. Mr Geo. Aldridgo will lecture on Fr'W next, at the Forestors' Hall, Karang»WF Road, on "The Story of 0. H. Spatf»J as Preacher, Theologian, Pbilantl>»P° and Author." Tho lecture will of V, tonally illustrated by over 70 colour limelighb views, ehowu by Mr w** Coopor'a limelight,

""""lie of the Women's Franchise The n"36" 1?: fae i(j yesterday on account league «»»° , absence from Aucks[MrTheo. Co°P place on the 2 4th insb., MiJ^s Allen and Mr Cooper will "hsaMrZ newly enfranchised. Tho sddroM W« Lea?uß are very sorry so officers pi ™ disappointed yesterday, many I"*"" 8 waß noC advertised they did »s the meeting at . tendance , Parbicnlars not »xp d e u | y announced on Saturday next. Wil Kennedy Dramatic Company, conr The ?farUeß, appear to-ni R ht in the Prir Hull Onehunga, when they will Pnwic d» • pu i ar musical comedy drama P r0 rdDC9lfl Busman." Mr Charles Hill the part of Hans, and Miss Millie wil -P /hi cart of Jeffry. All the original Colher nrSe effects will bo used for induction, and as it is seldom such a th6P company visits Onohunga, there Wd be a crowded attondanco. « nrivate dance in connection with Miss A\ adult pupils took placo in the f tors' Hall, Newton, last evening, and •nevery sense an unqualified success. II I were about sixty couples present *° 1« and the gnllory and stage wore da ifd by spectators. Tho feature of SfewntolfW" "Dallße Fedora>" a Bkirb jM performed with exquisite grace by m voone ladioa in vory artistic costumes. -rJime kept was perfect, and tho graceI Ivoments of the soft skirts exceed- • woretby. A court minuot and French in£L also (rave much pleasure, bub the , l«r being quite new to Auckland was delated more. Miss Scott played for »kn fancy dancoa, and received hearty and Ileamed congratulation for the grace Stayed by her pupils Eurke's Band Lifid the mubic, and the supper, which .entirely the work of the Misses Scott, revided materially to the pleasure of all present. It will be observed from our adverbiaing oftlnmns thab the fourth annual recital of L red music will take place in St. Andrew's Church, Lowor Symonds-streeb, f n Monday evening next. Judging by former sacred concerts given by the choir cfSt, Andrew's, a musical treab may be anticipated. Tho choir is to be assisted by a foil orchestra and organ, and a collection will be taken up during the evening in jid of the church debt. Pleseenote that between now and Xtnas tailoring orders will be executed strictly in rotation, therefore place early to avoid disappointment. Suporiority instyleand fitting /osranteed.—New Zealand Clothing Faclory 158 and 160, Queen-street.—(Ad vt.)