NEW ZEALAND v. AUSTRALIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 69, 21 March 1894, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND v. AUSTRALIA.

It is a great pity for New Zealand, thafc the talented colonial editor of the London "Times" did not make a long stay when she vißited our colony, for then she might have recorded her impressions of the Land of the Maori as she bas recorded her impressions of the Land of the Golden Fleece. Had Bhe looked on the pastures and the cornfields and the orchards of onr home, with the same rose-coloured spectacles as she wore when she passed through certain parts of Australia, she would certainly have found it necessary to borrow from Milton's description of the garden of Eden, with the result that our name would have been in every mouth. As ib is, her brilliant lecture on " Australia," at the Institute, has really detracted from our fame: for in ibshe gives such a glowing description of the youngest continent thab the sister islands moored to eastward of it are in danger of being forgotten altogether. That lecture, though nob published ab length in the Home papers, has travelled through the length and breadth of the Old Country, and has conjured up before the British public such a vision of a land flowing with milk and honey thab ib would seem there was overy inducement for an emigration of the people en masse for Australian shores.

We nro jealous of the possibility of such an exodus to a land which wo feel iB in every respoct, except size, inferior to our own New Zealand. Forthab reason we are nob sorry bo find thab Miss Shuw's gorgeous picture of the fertility of South Australia has been toned down by a wash of sombre criticism by more than one writer. It is true wo sigh with regret thab Miss Shaw did nob speak of us. Bub we can console ourselves with the thoughb thab the delightful predictions she has ventured with regard to the future of Australia are even more applicable to New Zealand than to the great Continent. Asa recent writer in the "Spectator" puts it, Miss Shaw tells us thab in the near Future of Australia " a great population of vinegrowers and cultivators generally will have worked oub the problems which so disturb Europe, and will be living ab ease under circumstances whioh will enable the agriculturalist to be also a gentleman and a scholar. She believes, and indeed sees, thab the wonderful fertility of Australia will allow an agricultural population to spring up congested enough to possess many of the advantages _ now almost peculiar to cities, especially in the way of education, and rich enough never to be overworked. The Southern Australian who will work can, in facb, make annually £30 an acre; and ten acres will yield him a pleasant, though moderate, competence through life. Miss Shaw declares that the future she foresees is already approaching, and that the hind who takes to cultivation on his own account, and the gentleman who does the same, tend in a very curious way to approximate towards each other. Throughoub temperate Australia one of bhe mosb interesting movements thab is to be observed is the tendency bo place upon the land a higher class of intelligence than has ever before been. associated with agricultural pursuits, The future ' rustic' of Australia will be the descendant of two classes who form at presenb the mosb striking elements of Australian society. There is. the workman who is determined to better his condition and to leavo his family in a happier position than thab to which he himself was born, bub who does nob intend to cease to be a workman; and bhere is the jjentlem'an who is prepared to accept

manual labour, but who does nob intend for thab to cease to be a gentleman, inese two classes meet on equal terms upon the land. Each class has much to learn from the other. In some districts, where neighbours are rare, they intermingle freely. Their material position is already often fairly equal, and it is easy to see in these new groups of population the foundation of a very valuable society of the future. Really when we read this we begin to doubb whether Miss Shaw did not, in the hurry of travel, got her notes mixed, and waa applying to Australia whab she had gathered in New Zealand. It is undoubtedly tbe fact that tho remarks on Australia are even more applicable to our own than to the sister colonies.

Good Friday, the 23rd insb., will be observed as a close holiday at the Chief Post Office. Mails usually closed on Fridays will be closed on Thursday, the 22nd insb., at 7 p.m. On the evening of the 22nd insb., the Posb Office will be open from 7 to 8 o'clock for delivery of letters, including those usually delivered by letter carriers.

The Vice-regal party left last evening in the Hinemoa for the long talked of island cruise. Ib is intended to visit Rarotonga in the Cook Group, and adjacent islands. The trip, the duration of which will be aboub five weeks, should prove a very pleasant one. The party numbers 14 persons, including Dr., Collins, of Wellington, who accompanies the Governor's, party as medico. . Captain Clayton, A.D.C., remains at Government House till the return of the HinemOa.

A partial eclipse of the moon will be visible (weather permitting) to-night throughout New Zealand. The firsb contact with the penumbra will take place at 11.29 p.m. The magnitude of the eclipse will be '244 of the lunar diameter. We understand that the Premier will give an address in Auckland on his return from his tour in the North. The address in all probability will be delivered on Tuesday nexb.

After we went to press yesterday afternoon the Auckland Board of Education discussed the report of tbe Finance Committee of the Board, which we published in our yesterday's issue. A number of propositions and counter-motions were put forward, bub eventually it was agreed, on the motion of Mr S. Luke, to adjourn the consideration of the report unbil there was a full com piemen b of the Board present. The following motions were moved by Mr A. Granb, bhe first two being negatived and third carried :—(1) " Thab the nameß and qualifications of pupil teachers on the teaching staff be printed in the same form as the lists of bhe resb of the teaching staff are printed." (2) '* That bbc length of service necessitating residence from home over nigho be added againsb the name of each of bhe teaching staff in the printed lists, in a column for that purpose." (3) "That bhere be laid on the table all printed or written sets of questions given at inspectors' examinations bo bhe fourth and higher standard classes between lab June lasb and Christmas, with names and dates endorsed of each school examination ab which the sets of questions were severally used, as well as the name of "the examiner." The Secretary was instructed to forward to Wellington bhe reporb of the Auckland Education Board for 1893. Mr Grant, the retiring member of the Board, was given a voto of thanks for his services.

The many friends of the late Quentin Mackinnon, tbe explorer, who was lost in Lake Te Anau, will be glad to hear thab, in answer to an appeal made by Mr George Leitch to the New Zealand Governmenb for some recognition of Mackranon's services.. in the .hape of a grant to his widow and son, whom Mr Leitch discovered in very straightened circumstances in Melbourne, the New Zealand Governmenb have most heartily and promptly responded, offering Mrs Mackinnon either the pqsition of Governmenb typist or a grant of money for the benefit of her son. Mrs Mackinnon has gratefully expressed her preference for the position of typist, she being thoroughly experienced in typewriting, by which means she, under the pressure of tbe times in Melbourne, has been able to earn only a bare subsistence for herself and child.

Lasb evening a boy named Henry Roy, o' Mangere, was admitted to the Hospital suffering from a fractured skull. It appears that the lad, who is 9 years old, was riding a horse, when he was thrown on his bead on the road. He was immediately removed to the Hospital, where he is doing very well.

A fair number of the Victorian Rifle Clnb mustered at the Drill-shed lasb evening under Captain Somers and Lieut. Kearney. There was no drill, tbe meeting being called solely for the purpose of explaining the arrangements for the Easter encampment. Captain Somers, afber giving the particulars as to what would be required in the way of utensils, etc., requested as many to attend as possible.

A firsb meeting of the creditors of H. W. Mitchell, licensed surveyor, was called for this morning, but lapsed for wanb of a quorum. The debtor's liabilities amount to £2,739 lis Id and the assets to £3,169 17s, leaving a Burplus of £439 5s lld. Three creditors appeared at the meeting bub only one had proved. The Official Assignee stated bhab he would call another meeting aboub the middle of April as bhose presenb did not form a quorum or representative meeting.

The two heats of the Auckland Club's trial fours rowed yesterday resulted in Laird's crew defeating Wright's, and Cramond's proving too good for Dacre's. In the former race No. 2 (F. Thomas) broke his oar by putting too much strain on it ab bhe start, thus leaving Laird's crew to win easily. This evening tbe final of the trial fours is to be rowed off between tbe winners of last night's events.

Our Waiuku correspondent writes :— " Can it be wondered at thab Volunteering lacks the interest there was taken in ib a few years ago when they are treated as follows : The A Troop Waiuku Cavalry, being the oldest troop in the colony, formed, I believe, in 1866 and kept together ever since, has several members still in ib that joined at the formation. One of these.men has been a regular attendanb for twentyeight years and during the whole time was never absent from a parade. Lasb year, through illness, he missed a half-day's parade. He took parb in bhe last Easter encampment, which occupied nearly a week, and then almosb the nexb week put in five and a-half days' drill out of the six days. Tbe troop then had to go into camp for their yearly training. Being unwell and nob fib for drill, he was on this day allowed to go home in the afternoon, and because that half-day parade waß not pub in he is disqualified from capitation. There are several others situated almoßb bhe same, who put in all the time at the Easter encampment, but nob tho slightest consideration is shown them by allowing those men the day or half-day as the case may be that was loßt by them ab their annual parades. Surely thab is enough to discourage any one taking an interest in volunteering. ■- lb cannot he bbc wish of the Government that such miserable means should be taken to keep back a man's capitation of £2, out of which he had to keep a good horse, saddle, bridle, etc., if so volunteering will soon be a thing of the past."

The Holy Week services commence this evening at Sfc. Patrick's Cathedral, Wynd-ham-street, at 7, o'clock. The Very Rev. Father Hillary, a distinguished preacher of the congregation of Passionists', who is ab present on missionary duby in New Zealand, ia announced to preach this evening, aleo bo-morrow end Good Friday, morning and evening.

The West Coast Sounds have been somewhat overdone in the matter of descriptive articles and pictures, but some new views recently taken have revealed new beauties} hitherto unnoticed. The latest photos by Burton, of Dunedin, form admirable pictures and must command admiration wherever seen. A splendid set of views of Milford Sound are reproduced in the special mail number of the *• Graphic" issued thia day. Three of the pictures are of large size and exceptional beauty, one of Mitre . Peak, with cloud effects, being particularly fine.

The Mayor of the Thames, Mr Thomas Radford, and <the Town Clerk, Mr VV. Carpenter, waited upon the Hon. J. G. Ward early this morning with reference to obtaining from the Postal Department a loan of £2,000 for that borough. Mr Ward decided to accede to the request, subject to the usual conditions. The Minister was also approached relative to a loan for tha Thames Harbour Board, but Mr Ward requested to be furnished with fuller information on the matter before giving a definite reply.

On Saturday next a team from the West End (Ponsonby) Lawn Tennis Club visit Hamilton and try conclusions, with the local club. The West End team paid a similar visit last year. The Hamilton Club will be represented by Misses Newell and. A. Jolly, and Messrs J; S. Edgecumbe, J. Hill, J. H. Hume, P. E. Stevens and W. N. Yea Stunner. The matches will consist of singles and doubles, ladies and gentlemen and combined doubles.

The usual weekly meeting of Sb. John's Boys' Club was held in the Schoolroom, lasb evening. Mr Bartley occupied the chair. The evening was .taken up with a debate, •' Should Female Labour Replace Male Labour." Mr R. A. Scotb opened in the affirmative, and Mr Moir in the negative. Other interesting criticisms followed by members on each side. The judge, Mr Horsley, gave his decision in favour of the negative, this side scoring 12 points and the other 11 740 th.

Another successful entertainment was given last night at the Opera House by the Lynch Family of Bellringers and their talented assistants. There was a good attendance and the various items were well received. The audience was manifestly charmed by the beautiful harmonies extracted from the glassophones. The imnutations of the flute, piccolo and harp on crystal bowls is really an excellent effect, and the performance must be beard to receive full appreciation. The various selections played bn the hand bells were as usual excellenb. Messrs A. W. Hume, T. E. Collins, E. T. Ford, L. A. Sanders and Professor Herebimer were all really good in their respective lines. To-night there will be an entire change of programme.

,'. At the annual meeting of the Public Service Association held in Wellington last night, there were about 40 present. President Fitzgerald's address was very brief, and contained no remarks of importance. The question of overtime was discussed, several of the speakers advocating that if men were required to work after hours they should receive remuneration, others explained that the eld system of payment had been abolished, owing to the abuses practised. Ultimately tho matter Was drooped without any resolution being passed. The following are the officebearers for the year .—President, Mr is. E. Fitzgerald ; vice - presidents, North Island, Messrs E. Bamford (Auckland) and Lieut.-Colonel Hume (Wellington); Soubh Island, Messrs H. W. Bishop (Christchurch) ana C. W. S. Chamberlain (Dunedin); Council: Messrs W. T. Glasgow, G. AHporb, J. Ashcroft, J. H. Baker, P. Garvey, A. H. McKay. P, Mo^fUair, E. G. Pilcher, L. G. Reid; E. Tregear, and Sir E. 0. Gibbes. ~

A lecture of considerable interest was do" lirvered last evening ia the Ponsonby Baptist Church. It was instructive as well as. humorous. The Rev. A. H. Collins, who ia well known as an able lecturer, handled his subjecb in a masterly manner, it being well interspersed with sketches of character, and, from a sanitary point of view was a decided success. By the applause of tbo large audience it Was evidently well received. The proceeds being of a satisfactory nabure are to be devoted to. the in* terest ion the Church debt,. '

On Thursday last the.annual firing.for the Waiuku Cavalry champion belt took place on tbe range at Waiuku. The day was tine, and some good shooting was done, about 25 members firing. The ranges wero 200, 300, 400 yards, and seven shots at each. bhe highest scorer being Farrier Mc« Pherson, with 78 pointß; Corp. W. Coburne, 76 : Trooper Hedge, 75 ; Trumpeter Codlin, 72 ; Corp. Rossitter, 71 ; Bandsman Kemp, 70. Capb. Manning Waß presenb and took charge of the shooting. Ib is the intention of the Waiuku Cavalry to be present at the Easter encampment with their band mounted. Last evening the soiree in connection with the Union Free Church, Wellesleystreet, was held ia the church building, there being a large attendance. The third annual report stated that the school and church were flourishing, and that the attendance was satisfactory. Addresses were given by the Rev. E. Best, Rev. Mr Dewsbury, Messrs C. B. Stone, R. Fry and others. Prizes and certificates were preeenbedto the scholars who had won them. During the evening the school children sang some special hymns. Noticeable among the passengers by the Manapouri last evening was the Indian Contingent of the Salvation Army. These gentlemen, who for the past few weeks have . been narrating to the Auckland branch the stories of their several conversions, received a big send-off, After a number of hymns had been sung, the usual fare welling took place, and continued till the departure of the steamer. lb is again notified in our advertising columns that, the quarterly meeting of the National Association will be held in the Lecture Ball of bhe Rooms, 123, Queen-, sbreet, to-morrow (Thursday) evening, at 8 o'clock. A large muster is expected to hear the discussion on such an important subjecb as is announced, namely, "The Council's Scheme for an Elective Upper House." The President, Mr Batger, will introduce the subjecb and explain the scheme, after which a full and free discussion is expected to follow. The Rer. J. Palmer, the present head of the Melanesian Mission stall, will speak of the work of the Mission at All Saints School, Ponsonby, to-morrow evening at 8. Canon Haselden will exhibib some new lantern slides of the scenery of the Islands.

To-morrow at 11 o'clock Mr G. Lewis will sell ab bhe residence of Mr T. Russell. Sb. Stephen's Road, Parnell, the whole of his first-class household furniture and effects.

The advertisement of the Ferry Company in another column of their excursions for Good Friday will repay perusal. Firsb tbe Britannia will run to Sb. Helier's Bay as intervals during the day as advertised, the firsb trip being at 9.30 a.m. Ab 10 a.m.» ♦he Nautilus will leave for the beautiful island of Motutapu, and after landing passengers will proceed to the fishing grounds, returning to Motutapu in the evening, and leaving for home at 5 o'clock. In addition to the above there will be a steamer for the Salt Works, Rangitoto, at 10 o'clock, which will also proceed to the fishing grounds after landing passengers, returning at 6 o'clock. The steamers will aleo run at shorb intervals to Devonporb, Northcote and Birkenhead. Gas and coke consumers aro reminded that Tuesday next, 27th inst., is tbe last day upon which any discount can be allowed on their accounts.

This year there were a greab number of objections to the valuations in bhe Parnell bsrough. Mr J. S. Duke, the valuator, raised the assessment for 1894-95 to £25,803, against £22,955 in the previous •ear. This was an increase of £2,848. (The sitting of the Assessment Court is now over, and the returns show that the total reductions of Mr Duke'a valuations by the judge only amounb to £668. This means tbab the valuations of bhe Parnell borough for tbe year of 1894-95 are increased over last year by £2,180, and the total stands ab £25.135. Mr Duke's valuations were' tho subjecb of some severe attacks during the three sittings of the Assessment Court, but it must be admitted bhab he has come well cab of the ordeal and done well for the district.

Full particulars as to train arrangements for the Easter holidays are published on page 2 of this issue. Three Auckland cyclists, viz., Messrs p. Surman, G. Henning and W. M. Service, leave for Napier by the s.s. Ovalau to-morrow evening, for the purpose of assisting ab the Autumn carnival of the Wanderers Bicycle Club to be held on March 31st. Surman and Henning will compete in all the open events.

Tbe only case which came before the Bench ab the Police Courb to-day was an application by Mrs. E. Bell for a protection order againsb her busband, John Bell. Mr Cotter appeared for the wifo, and Mr Napior for the defendant. Mr Northcroft, S.M., granted an adjournment for ono week.

A sale of lands was held to-day at the Crown Lands Office. Three lots were pub up, of which two found purchasers. The following is a lisb of the lots offered :— 1. Mahakirau, Coromandel,' section la, 15J acres, Mr W. S. Howell; upseb price, £7129 6d. 2. Otamatea County, section 160, 711 acres; upset price, £1,070; passed in. 3. Hokianga, sections 1 and 2 of block 5, 121 acres and 31 perches; annual rental, £2 15s.

Mr Thos. Wilson, nominated by Mr R. Hellaby and J. McNair, was to-day elected » councillor for the Richmond Ward, Newton borough.

To the Editor : Sir,—Among the obituary notices last week I observed the name of Mrs Testa, of Mount Eden. . Allow me to say a few words respecting the deceased lady. She was one of our old colonists, having arrived here with her husband in '57- Having been for some years a member of the Royal Academy of Art in London, sbo was one' of the originators and contributors to the firsb exhibition of art in Auckland. Mrs Testa waa in every respect a gifted and accomplished lady and much respected amongsb a large circle of friends, albhough, being of a rebiring disposition, Bhe avoided public society.—l am, etc., Secretia.

Professor Pahnell's swimming carnival, which like all fetes of the sort organised by the professor, promised to be a pronounced puccoss, had to bo postponed to-day owing to tbe inclemency of tbe weather. It is intended to hold the carnival on Easter Monday, when the programme as arranged for to-day will be given off the Northcote Wharf. A promenade concert is to be held after the swimming events have been gone through, on the lawn ab the hotel.

There has just been issued, at the reduced price of one shilling, an eleganb edition of thab patriotic song "The Old Land and the New," which was sung here for the first time with great effecb by the well-known entertainer Mr Snazelle. The words of the song, ib may be remembered, are by Mr W. R. Wills, of Otahuhu, and the music by Daama. Both the words and the melody are of the simple, hearty character which is to be found in most of our popular songs, and we predict a very_ favourable reception for this local composition. Songs of this kind which savour strongly of New Zealand are altogether too rare. Nearly all the lyrical favourites of our concerb halls or drawing room? are exotic. We have little bhat is native bo the country, and for that reason if no obher we should prize that little especially when it 19 possessed of menb such as belongs to " The Old Land and the New." The publication which bas been printed, to the order of the proprietors, ab the Star LibhographicWorks, is a chaste and beautiful production. The music is clearly printed, and the outside corner is extremely handsome. A portrait •f Her Majesty, others of Mr Snazelle, Sir Geo. Grey and Tawhiao, with small pictures of scenes ia the old land and the new, eive a bright and attractive appearance to this lateßt New Zealand producbion in bhe way of musical publications. The piece is now for sale by all music sellers in the city.

Messrs Jagger and Parker advertise in another column the time-table for the steamers Waitoa and Invincible, which are to run to Pine Island during the Easter holidays. Mr Leitb's lecture on "Tbe Pyramid," will take place next Tuesday, instead o* Friday as advertised last night.

Ab the Riverdale Tannery, Avondale, tomorrow, a sale will be held of bhe whole of the' property, subdivided into homestead sites (on many there are good plantations of wattles), also the steam engine, bailer and machinery, as per advertisement. Mr Richard Arthur is the auctioneer. A 'bus will start from the mart ab half-pasb ten O'clock.

Smibh and Caughey are hard at work opening up and marking off new autumn Ihipments, ex steamships recently arrived. HAdvt.l The Election. A safe candidate. "Reliable Tea." I Everybody voted for ib. (Advt. Think of ib ! Hard felb hats, latest Shape, 2s lld; sofb felt hate, Is ; large white shirtß, Is lld each at Fowlds'^sale. — lAdvb.) The greab salo still continues to draw at Fowlds', Victoria Arcade; and no wonder, Belling men's belts and braces ab 6d ; linen collars, all shapes, 7d.—(Advb.)

Extraordinary value in men's macintosh coats, over 400 to select from, A large quantity being bought cheap at McArthur's sale.—Smith and Caughey, Queen-street.— (Advt.)

Just before Messrs Sargood and Son took possession, Smith and Caughey, amongst other important purchases, made arrangements with Messrs McArthur and Co. fer the purchase of their entire stock of black and coloured kid elovee, amounting to over £600. at less thanhalf price. Being all real French kid, good makes and extra «tock, great bargains may be expected.— (Advb.)