PARLIAMENTARY TRIBUTE TO SIR GEORGE GREY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 213, 6 September 1895, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY TRIBUTE TO SIR GEORGE GREY.

The resolution adopted unanimously in Parliament yesterday, on the motion of the Premier, eeconded by Captain Ruasoll, Leader of the Opposition, was a very graceful tribute to New Zealand's greatest statesman and Auckland's foremosb citizen. It .is pleasanb indeed to see public men Hhaking_ off the shackles of party feeling and prejudice, and recognising the merits of men with whom, upon many questions, they have been at variance. Tho speeches delivered upon the motion yesterday were in excellent taste, and we, feel sure thab when the veteran statesman receives the resolution which was adopted by the Legislature of the counbry in whose service the b_at years of his life have been spent, it will come as a welcome solace in his declining days. The movement which has now been inaugurated for a city tribute to Sir George Grey has beon conceived iv the same Bpirib, and will be equally gratifying to him as an evidence thab he haa not lived and laboured in vain. It will also act aa a stimulus to other colonists to spend their talents and their wealth for the benefit of their country and the good of their fellow creatures. No ono agrees with all that Sir George Grey haa done—some of those who supported tbe resolution in Parliament yesterday had broken many a lance with him in political warfare—yeb every dispasaionabe man must recogpieebho remarkable breadth and versatility of his genius and sympathies, and hia devotion, while filling many on,eroua roles in life, to noblo ideals, which he has endeavoured with more success than attends the strivings of most men to embody in institutions which will confer blosaings upon humanity long after hia connection with their foundation haa been forgotten.

A large amount of business was transacted on the Stock Exchange to-day, and there waa considerable inquiry for investing stock. For National Bank sharos 23a waa offered, and for Colonials 19a, without aalea resulting. South Britiah Insurance wero also wanted ab 49s nnd Colonial Sugar ab £22 10<i. For tho last day or bo there has been a ateady buyer of Union Oils at 15s 6d, but no transactions were reported. Northern s.s. Company shares are firmer, 4s 9d being now offered. Auckland and Gisborno Gas shares wore also in request. Upper and Lower Thames mining shares were most in demand bo-day. Waitekauri .Specials steadily advance, buyers now offering £5 without sales resulting. Last Friday these shares were offered at 755. Woodstocks sold to-day at 355. Owbaroas were also in demand, sales taking place at 6s fid, with further buyers ab 3d advance. Victors sold yesterday at 4a lOd, and ab noon co-day ab from 5s 3d bo 5s 7d. Imperials nnd Unitods continue firm in price. Huanuis changed hands at 3s 4d, and Kupai-Vermoncs ab 10s 3d. Try B'lukea and Waitaiaa wore a little easier. In Coromandel stocks the only sales wore Welcome Finds at 4s 2d and Bunker's Hills at 7a and 7a 3d.

Tho annual meeting of the Auckland Cricket Club was held yesterday evening at bhe Mebropolitan Hotel, there being a large attendance of members. Mr R. Neill presided. The secretary (Mr T. H. Wilson) presented hia annual report showing thab the senior eleven played 9 matches and won 4 ; second eleven played 7 and won 1 ; and the third eleven played 10 and won 4. Tho atabemonb of accounts presented by the Treasurer (Mr E. O'Keefe), showed the receipts £55 9a lid, and expenditure £42 18s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £12 lis sd. Tho election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows : — Patron, His Excellency Lord Glasgow ; president, James Russell, Esq. ; vice-presidents, Messrs W. E. Barton, L. Ehrenfried. F. Earl, H. Brett, W. Coleman, Colonel Burton, J. J. Holland, J, J. Odium, W. C. Brown, R. H. Keid, T. Thompson, and VY. J. Napier; lion, secretary, Mr T. 11. Wilson : hon. treasurer, Mr E. A. O'Keefe; delegates to the Association, Messrs T. H. Wilson and R. Neill ; committee, Messrs E. C. Beale, J. Arneil, C. Stone, A. E. Uabton, Grevillo, R. Neill.'

One Aucidandor ab leasb appears to have had luck on the C'oolgardie goldriolds. Mr 18. C. Hopkins, who was formerly employed in one of the local timber mills, bub has for the laab year or so been in Wesbern Auabralia, cabled bo his relatives on Wednesday nighb: "Struck rich gold." As Mr Hopkins had to travel 50 miles to reach the telegraph station ib is fair to assume he must have found something really good. Ho was prospecting aba point 45 miles westward of Coolgardio.

The funeral of the late Mr James Macky, which book place yesberday afternoon, was very largely attended. A service was held ab the late residence of deceased ab Devonport, by the Rev. D. J. Steele and Rev. Jas. Hill. The coffin waß then borne by friends from the residence to the wharf and broughb over to Auckland. The remains were interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Symond-street. At the grave the Rev. Mr Hill gave an address. He referred to deceased as a man of enterprise and of strict integrity, esteemed by all, and his death would be regretted aa one of the fast diminishing band of pioneer colonists who had helped to Iny the foundabiona of the colony and to build it up.

An important meeting of the local branch of the Irish National Federation was held in St. Patrick's Hall laab evening. Mr Jno. Callnan presided. Several lady membera abteaded. Tho presentation of the annual balance-sheeb was held over till next meeting. The election of officera for the ensuing term of twelve months took place, and all the old officers were re-elected. The presenb phase of bhe Irish question was discussed. Mr Napier was of opinion bhab the Tories would strive to carry oub Mr Chamberlain's peb scheme of "provincial government for Ireland. The reception of Mr Davitb on hia arrival in Auckland was talked over. The Presidenb was direcbed to wire to Mr Davit'; immediately on hip arrival at tho Bluff, tendering him a cued mille failthe.

Last evening the weekly drill of the "A" Battery of Artillery Volunteers was held iv the Drill-shed, there being a large muster of the Battery under Captain O'Brien, Lieutenants Lipscombo and Boaworth. Three guns wero broughb into action, and after some gun drill the battery was pub through a course of instruction in foob drill by the officers.

Miss Amy Vaughan continues her popular weekly entertainments on Saturday night ab the City Hall, wbeu a firstclass programme is promised.

We are pleased to observe that Mr Carey James Pirie is appointed one of the engineera'of the Kai Pan, a smart revenue cruiser of H.I.M. the Emperor of China. Mr Pirie is son of Major Pirie, of Parnell, and wua apprenticed to George Fraser's Phoenix Foundry.

The auarterly musical evening for the inmates "of the Jubilee Institute for tho Blind waa given last nighb, the programme baing in the hands of Mr J. Lyle, of tha Burns Club. A fantaeia on Scotch airs for violin and piano, rendered by Mr Taib and Miss Lyle, opened the proceedings. Other ibema were songs by Mrs Wrighb, Mrs Murchio, Miss Miller, Miss Moncur, Mr Higgott, Mr Taib, and Mr Lyle; recitations by Mrs Murchie, Mies Grindrod, and Mr Home, and cornet solos by Master Woab, a young eenbleman of 10 years. A very enjoyable evening waa spenb, and the programme waa capitally rendered, Master West's cornet soloe and MissGrindrod's recitations being especially well given and received. During the interval between the parts, a reading from Braille type was given in admirable style by Ernest Chibty, one of tho inmates; and the ayatem of writing wae demonstrated by Mr Tighe, the principal. On bhe motion ol Mr John Abbotb, the Treasurer of the Inatibute, who presided, a very bearby vote of thanks wae accorded to Mr Lyle and friends for the capital programme prepared, and the evening was brought to a close by singing " Auld Lang Syne."

The steamer Tanais brought an interesting account to Sydney the other day of an experience ab sea by the French cruiser Duchaffault. Ib appears bhab the Duchai ffaulb waa homeward bound from New Caledonia via Magellan Strait. On 2nd July she foil in with a shipwrecked crew, comprising the master and 11 men, belonging, to an American barque eaid to be bhe Buck (a vessel of this name does not appear in any of tho regiaters). The barque ia stated to have loaded guano and went on a reef off Terra del Fuego. She waa bound to Europe and was a long timo oub. The men picked up were in an emaciated condibion. Four of bhe number were quite unconscious, and bhe captain had to resort to strong ..measures to quiet aotae of the others, the men being almost raving mad from thirst. When the Duchaffault hove in sight bhe shipwrecked men were 2,500 miles from laud, and their escape wae, under the circumstances, remarkable. The captain of bhe Duchaffault placed bhe poor fellows at once in charge of the docbor, and by careful attention they were landed in a convalescent state ab Callao, whither the cruiser ateered to land them.

An industrial exhibition waa opened ab 2.30 p.m. yeaberday in Sb. Luke's Hall, Remuera, in aid of the Sunday-school building fund in connection with St. Mark's Church. There waa a fine assortment of exhibits, while the neatness and taste which had apparently boen exercised in tho classification and arrangement reflected credib on bhe ladies and genblemen by whom this part of the work had been carried out. The Committeo consisted of Misses A. Barstow, M. Herrold, Heywood and W. Wesbwood, and Messrs Ryan, E. Wood and G Palmer. There wero aboub 200 enbries in bhe several sections for girls and boys. Miss Herrold had charge ot the toffy stall, Mrs Brown of the art gallery. Misses Dowell, Spiers and Mrs Beabby of the refreshment stalls, Miss Crowther of the "grand pie," and Miss Weatwood of tho waxworks. An excellent feature in' connection with the exhibition waa also made of the t«bleaux, produced undor the supervision of Miss Hesketb. These were very creditably presented. There was a large attendance both in tho afternoon and evening, especially the latter, and there is every proapecb of the exhibition being in every respect a success.

On Friday last, Auguat 30bh, Mr Crabb began a most successful temperance campaign in Onehunga and Mangere, where he haß been the gneat of Mr J. E. Taylor, and during which he has delivered no fewer than eight addresses to very largo and appreciative audiences. At the clo?e of the lasb meeting Mr Crabb acceded to an invitation to give a further periea of addressee in the Onehunga and Mangere diatricts. A large number of people took tho pledge. Ab the annual meeting of the Onehunga Prohibition League, officers for the coming year were elected as follows:— Rev. R. Ferguson presidenb, and the Revs. Williams, Rhodes and Headrick, and Mr J. E. Taylor vice-presidents, Mr Watts secretary and treasurer, also a large and influential working committee. A good proportion of the audience enrollod their names on the League.

An adjourned meeting of the Manukau County Road Boards will bo held on September 19bh at Papakura, to consider the Local Government Bill. All bodies are requested to either Bend delegates or an opinion on the subject.

Afc the meeting of the Committee of the Auckland Kennel Club, held last evening, a Rati-<f,intory report wns brought in from some of tho Committee appointed to collect special prizes.

"Should tho System of Parby Govenment be Abolished ?" was the subject of debate, ab Sb. David's Literary Society, which mot lasbnighfc. Mr Hill opened in the affirmative, followed by Mr Johnson in the now?.tive. Discussion followed, and upon beinf pub to tho vote, tho affirmative side was carried by a large majority.

The old friends of bhe Rev. Charles Abel assembled last night in the Bereaford-streeb Congro2-ntion.il Church to listen to his lecture on " Mission Life in New Guinea. The Rev. G. Burgess presided, and during the evening solos wero sung by Miss Layers and Mr Martin. The lecbure waa of an interesting nature, and being illustrated by limolight views was evidently much appreciated. The customary collection was made. At tho close of the lecture Mr Abel showed samples of fancy needlework done by native girls, for which-orders wero taken.

Miss Reynolds, of London, gave another address to the ladies of tho Y.W.C.A. laab evening in the Social Hall of the Young Men's Christian Association. Miss Reynolds first gave a "Bible talk" on tho subject of " Personal Influence," the passage in the Book of Ruth, •« Thy God shall be my God." and followed this with an address on Y.W.C.A. work from a spiritual poinb of view. This afternoon Miss Reynolds gave a Bible reading at the V.M.C.A. Her closing addresa to the ladies of the Y.W.C.A. will be given tbia evening.

A service of song entitled "Home Sweefc Home," was given last evening nb the Salvation Army Barracks. Captain Ail brook read the narrative. Mrs Thompson com ribubed the solo, "Thero is Rest for The Weary." and Mra Gladding, the solo, Home, Sweeb Home." Bobh were well rendered. The various choruses and other items were also well given and much appreciated by r,he audience.

The annua plain an d fancy dress ball of the Auckland Lodcre of Druids takes place in the Foresters' Hall. Karaneahape Road on Friday nexb. Tickets are going off rapidly and an enjoyable evenin_ i« Droraised. ' F

Ths entertainment to be given at tho Üby Hall on Monday next, entitled "The Land of the Rose, Shamrock and Thistle " should not only attract lovers of beautiful scenery, but good music. With such son^s as "The Desert," '« Ora Pro Nobis?" Jessies Dream." etc., pictorially illuatrabed by powerful lantern and auric- by those popular vocalists Miss Katio FitzPatrick, Mr John Fuller and Mr Howard Lhambers a really interesting night's eniovmeet may be looked forward to.