The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED. The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1897.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5, 5 March 1897, Page 2

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1897.

for tii» cause that lacks aßsiatanco, sor tho -wTons that nocd3 rcsiatanoe, For th» future in the distance, And tho gDcd that we can do,

THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND

JUBILEE,

No one denies that the diamond jubilee celebration will be a most fitting occasion for the colonies to testily their loyalty to Her Majesty and their attachment to the Mother Country. We are too alive to the value of these sentiments in strengthening the bonds of Empire to do or say anything that might discourage their cultivation here. But at the same time there appears to be a little danger of our attempting an unnecessary display in connection with the great function which takes place in London next June. The first simple suggestion of Mr Chamberlain's that the Premiers of the several colonies sbouid be present at the celebration has been followed in this colony by other proposals much more extensive and expensive. The first of these was that some thirty rank and file of mounted rifles should be sent Home. Then came, a proposal for a score of New Zealand natives;

then two dozen Permanent Artillerymen were added to the draft invoice ; later there was a talk of a small parcel of picked riflemen being thrown in ; and now somebody in Wellington has suggested that a few first-class samples 11 represeating the culture to which nature, mind, and mariners have attained among the native race during Her. Majesty's reign" should find a place in this New Zealand consignment;. What the next proposal will be it would be hard to imagine, but we shall certainly not be surprised at anything that may be mooted. Even a scheme to transport a portion of the colony itself—an acre or two oi the Hauraki goldfields, for instance—is not beyond some of our coiotsisis.

If these suggestions were merely the result of an overflowing loyalty on the part ot New Zealand we could not commend them tor many reasons, not the least of which is that there are much better ways in which that loyalty could be proved. As it is, we /eel inclined to condemn them severely since we are certain that they are in no sense a reflection of the respect and affection the colonials feel for Her Majesty. They are dictated by a mere love of display and self advertisement, and in that somewhat reckless spirit of extravagance which has marred so much ot the colony's past history. The Sydney "Daily Telegraph," commenting on the New Zealand proposals, considered that we were exhibiting the same tendency as we have displayed in other quarters to overdo things. The journal was inclined to naake fun regarding the suggested Maori warrior contingent but what would it say to the proposed samples ot Maori intellect 1 The latter idea shows to what extremes people will go here. What on earth would a batch of native B.A.s or M.A.'s in lull academic costume do in ,a brilliant military pageant such as is contemplated (or the celebration ? Such suggestions give a ludicrous aspect to the whole affair.

The same objection cannot be raised to the simple rifle corps which it is proposed to send, after the example of some of the other colonies. But we question very much whether it is at all necessaiy or even expedient that New Zealand should incur the expense involved in this matter. What would thirty mounted men be in that great procession ? They would simply be swallowed up. Instead of being an advertisement of the greatness of the colony they would raiher emphasize the smailness of the community they represented, and certainly they could add little to the imposing aspect of the pageant. We confess that we cannot see any sufficient reason for the proposed step. We do not stand in the same position as Canada and the Cape for instance. The former represents a population as big as all Australasia, it has something of an army worth representing, and both it and the Cape are comparatively near to the Old Country. It is only a foolish ambition on our part that would prompt us to take equal rank with Canada, and to endeavour if possible to draw down on us a bigger share of attention than is bestowed on the Dominion. On an occasion like this we have no right to try to emulate Canada in mere matters of display, and we are sure that ihe Home authorities would be. quite as well pleased if, instead of attempting it, we were to adopt the economical course, and not be represented in the procession at all. Economy as a virtue may be only second to loyalty, but it is a virtue the possession of which New Zealand is much more urgently required to give proof of than ol the latter. We trust that considerations of economy will be allowed to weigh with the Government in this matter. The arrangements for our military contingent have not yet been commenced, we understand, and before anything is done the actual value of our proposed representation at the great celebration should be coolly discussed.

With regard to the Premier's visit, that of course stands in quite another category. He, in common with the Premiers of the other colonies, has been specially invited to attend at the (unction, and there might be something approaching discourtesy in his refusing to accept the invitation. His absence, too, unlike that of the thirty rifles, would be marked and commented on, (or the colonial Premiers constitute altogether a small body of men. As yet nothing has been decided with regard to Mr Seddon's going. The Opposition leaders approve of it, but in the case of Sir Eobert Stout it would seem that the approval is not altogether unmixed with the hope that the fortunes of the Opposition would have a chance of brightening were Mr Seddon out of the way. The probability is that the Premier will follow in the lines of Mr Reid, of New South Wales, and leave it with the Parliament to say whether he shall go or not. This course would certainly be the most regular, and the least likely to lead to misunderstanding and political bickerings in the future.

In reference bo the Northern settlements, our correspondent writes:—"Since the first of the year there has boen rain nearly every day. The recent gale was very severe, doing damage to all the tender plants in the gardens, blowing trees down in all directions. The moiit season has brought) caterpillars in great numbers, but the gra«s doubtless will Boon recover with warm weather, co that there should be abundance for winter. The number of cattle and horses hae greatly increased, One effect of bhe heavy rain was that abouS 7,000,000 feeb of kauri logs found their way to the boom; business therefore is briik in (the bush and at the milla. Our through road has been delayed in its completion, bub should shortly ba finished. The importance of fehis road is not as yet realiaed, opening as it does large tracts of good land for further aefcblemenb, and at the same time giving those in the North more direct communication."

Tbe Rev. Shirley Baker, who returned yesterday from Tonga, is of opinion bbab the Islands, instead of making bhab advance which bhe establishing of bobber communication would lead one to expect, have retrograded considerably daring bbc last few yoara. A number of the old chiefs have died comparatively recently, must of them from meaales, of whicb there has bsen an epidemic in the Islands. A drought which had lasted ab Tonga for aorao time proomod to do aorioua and extensive damage, but heavy rain expotiencad on the Taviuni on the trip up to Auckland would, it was bhoutrbb, break bhe epoll of drought) in bhe Islands. Mr Baker thinks bhab unless an easiar «yataffi of freebrade is established bebvreen hero and Tonga trade will go from this port so Sydney, and the satuo holds good with our farade with bhe other Islands. He was informed by one of the traders who paid periodical visits feo Sydney that ib was possible feo buy ch&apor in Sydnoy retnil than to purchase goods wholesale in Auckland through the former beiag a free port.

Mr James Bromsgrove, native of Birmingham, England, was found dead in his bed yesterday morning ab Wolvorton Homo, Upper Queen-street, where he has resided for the pasb nine years. The deceased, who at one time possessed means, retirad from business 31 years ago, and came to the colony in bho year 1881. Mr Bromagrove was a widower, and leavos several grandchildren. The deceased was a wo!i informed man, and retained the ase of his faculioe up fco his death, which bas taken place ab the age of 82. So recently aa the day preceding his death Mr Brotnagrove was in Quaen-ebreeb. Dr. Wine having given a certificate of death from heart disease, no inquest will be held. The funeral look place this afternoon at Waikomiti.

The many friends of Mr Charles Bulmer Daviea, head teacher of the Howick School, will be sorry bo learn thab fchnt gentleman passed awsy quietly and unconsciously ab five o'clock yesterday afternoon. Mr Davies waß well known and much respected for hia kindly and amiable disposition, and was always among tho firs& with relief and advice to the sick and dwrossed in the neighbourhood, and whoso madicine chest and simple prescriptions have often brought comfort to BetUar? in tho viciairy of Howick and Turdßga Crook. Thn deceased was a very old colonist., and aaw »oaia hard experiences in the daya of the Otago gold diggings, where he practised his profession as gold as*iyer *nd gold buyer for the Bunk of Australia, and where he was intimatolv acquainted with the preeenb Premier, Hon, it. J, Seddon, then a young and enterprising storekeeper. Mr Davies was a liluoco&b boy of Christchurch, London, and (md been cn^u^ed in the honourable vocation of teaching for the last 21 years under the Board of Education.

Mr Ashley Huntor, Asjoc. M. Insb., C.E., who has boen engaged for the la»t three years supervising the erection of machinery for tho Westporfc Coal Company, has returned to Auckland with tho intention of enabling down hero, being under engagement in connection with certain large goldmining work. The planb erected for the Westporb Company under Mr Hunter's enporvision is tiio bimjeas and most complete plant in the Australasian colonies, having a capacity for turning out 1,400 tons coal per day. The " Wetttport Times," in a lengthy description of tho work, sayß:-"Tho company is to bo congratulated upon the unquali tied success of tho work as a whole, whilst it musb be a source of gratification to bhe company's engineer, Mr Hutjtor, and, in fact, to everyone who ha« had anybhing to do with the prosecution of tho works either os contractor, overseer, fitter, or in any other capacity, to know that everything hiw worked smoothly and without a single hitch of any bind ever since the inclines were h'rsb started, six or seven months ago." Ab the annual mooting of tho Wefttport) Coal Campany, held on Fabruary JOth, tho Chairman said : "Tho completion of bho Grnnity Greek Works is a subject for congratulation. This is now ona of the best equipped mines in the Southern Hemisphere. The engineer, tho diebrict manager, and all concerned, deserve our thanks for the excellent manner in which the work haa been carried out. The experiment of having all the machinery made in the colony by Me«3rs Anderson, of Chrisbcburch, Messrs A. and T. Bart, of Dunedin, Messrs Cable and Co., of Wellington, a»d the Anchor Foundry, of Nolaon, has proved satisfactory and successful both an regards efficiency and economy. As the work of construe* tion is now completed, the directors considered there was no longer any need for a resident engineer, and they have reluctantly dispensed with the services of Mr Ashley Hunter. All his work has been thoroughly well done, and in severing their connection with him the directors doeire to express their satisfaction with the care and attention which he has invariably devoted to hie duties. The Granity Creek works, of course, have been the subject of constant thought) to nil concerned, and as I have already aaid they are a perfect success. There has nob been a tiingle hitch throughout, and if shareholders will take the trouble fco look at the photographs they will soo how smoothly the tuba are going up and down btto inclineThe work is done thoroughly well."

A young man named Alexander, employed in the Birkenhead branch office of the Devonport Ferry Company, broke his arm laat evening by falling off the gangway down between one of the ferry steamers and the wharf,

SUber Blakeley, writing to the Y. M.C.A. "Monthly Record," from Jang - K'eo Kinnpsi, China, under data December 29th, 1896, eaya :—" We had a very happy Christmas Day here amongst the natives, having prepared a little and decorated be forehand. Wbab a motley crowd came ! In addition to Christians and enquirers, we had invited the younger members of the Mandarin's family to attend. Then the eldest son came to know if they might not • eong-h' (make a seasonable gift-), «nd thereupon ordered two pairs of handsome wftH-ecrolle, silver and deep red, with giit character*, the words culled from the Bible. Then the head cußtom-housa officer beergfid the same privilege ; so that, on Christmas morning, we received four pairs of beautiful scrolls and eight tall red tallow candles, each nigh teen ioclieo high. So we could not but invite the donors to bho festivities, and had a busy time while partaking of viand*. In our dining-room (which serves a9 drawing-room, too —a drawing room without carpet* ! alas for our English ideas !) —in thin room I say, were seated the Mandarin himself, his two elder sons, and two youngei boys, and the Customs-Officer, with our evangelist; in our courtyard all the Christians and enquirer? ; and in another room the two young ladies from the Y amen, Miss Alstrom from Kwangfong, and ourselves. It was " rao-rih ten hen " (all astir with pleasure), as the natives say. The chapel was packed with our people and outsiders during the evening, and I could almost fancy myself in a home gathering with that row of gentlemen facing the audience, all the brightness, and that wonderful Christmas tree.

Now is the time to lodge objections to city rates by all who feel that their taxation is excessive. Objection forms may ba obtained at the Star Office.

Everything promises well for the success of the Premier picnic of the M. 0. Oddfellowß to-morrow. Large entries have been received for the running and cycling events. Steamers are advertised to run from Workworth, Coromandel, Howick Wharf, Turanga Creak, Panmnva Bridge, aud the ferry fleet from Aucfc: - : '.

Mr Justice Conolly will return to Auckland by ths B.s. Tasmania on Sunday, and will fife ab the Supreme Court, ia Chambers aud Bankruptcy on Monday morning nexb.

Oo Saturday afternoon a disturbance took place at bha Paltca Hotel.Te Araha.che originators being three recent arrivals from Sydney, who have been visiting the various gold field centra*. They arrived ab Te Aroha on Saturday and called ab the hobei for drinka. OneoftbembocQmingdiaorderly Mr Stnardnn, the Ucenaee, pub him out. Hia mate objected, and in tho course of the *lcercafclon struck Mr Smardon on the face, knocking him down. The boots of the hotel thereupon inkerfsred in hia empioyer'n behalf, as did also Mr Smardon'a eon. By this time the three Sydney visitors were all fighting, and Constable Wild putting in an appearance, was very roughly haadled in attempting bo arrest them, So perai&beably did tboy resist, bhab the constable had to call on the spectators bo asaiai him, which they rondily did, and after a good deal of rough and tumble work he managed bo g»fe his prisoners b» iho lock-up. On Tuesday morning bhe accused, who gave bheir names •«« William Miller, John Gairna and Sydney Gardiner, were brought up before Messrs Pavibb and Gallagher, J.P.s, and charged with riotous conducts iv a public placo, and aleo with resisting the police. They &H pleaded guilty to the first charge, Miller and Odrns plsadine nob guilty feo the latter offonco. S. Smardon, Krntot Smardon and Constable Wild gare evidence, *nd bho Justices hfcfinof considered tho offences clearly proven, eantenced bhe prisoner! to bhrea months' imprisonment with hard labour in Mounb Eden Gaol.

The Wttikomiti Fruitgrowers' Association held their usual monthly meeting on the 3rd inab. in the echoolroom. There wat a large attendance of members and visiting friondu, and bbo Association was strengthened by the addition of eleren new members. A large amount of correspondence waa submitted by the Secretary, and ako voluminous reports from the. Committee. Ths«o were severally considered with a view to making the Association a real inouns of advancing the interests of frnitgrower*. A very hopeful tone pervaded (ha entire proceedings, and every member appearod to ba fully altva to the importance of unity. Atter bhe Secretary read a very tengfchy and exhaustive paper reviewing tho proceedings of the late Conference of Fruitgrowers held in Wellington in May laat. The Prosidens announced that at bbc noxb meeting he would read a paper on "Fruib-ciisea and Packing," and bhe following month Mr W. Levy would favour the Association with a paper on '• Practical Knowledge and the Reason of Non-success in Fruitgrowing and Cultivation in General."

At the City Hall this evening the Musin Concert Company and tho Amateur Op«ra Club will give their last performance of Mr Hill's operatic Maori legend •'Hiaemoa." This will be the farewell appearance of hi. Ovule Mueinand hia talented company in Auokland for many years, so that additional interest attaches to this evening's function. An exceedingly attractive firab parb is announced, and there will be the full chorua at»d orchestra present to perform the charming *' Hinemoa," tho praises concornine which have been upon everybody's lips during the present) week. A very large audicrico is expected to bid adieu to M. Musin, Mr Hill, and tho resb of the talented musical coterie.

The "Church Gazette "for March has the following about the collodion for the Home Mission fund on Sunday :—"Sunday next, the 7th instant, is the day appointed by the Synod for collections in all tho ciuirchoa of the diocese in aid of this most itr.porbanfc mifion. All monoys contributed art tha morniajr and evening services on this day are understood to be intended for and to be paid ovur ab once without deduction to tho Home Mission Fund. In country districts, with the approval of the Bishop, another Sunday within four weeks may be taken in lieu of tho 7th of March. But it is desirable that, $o fur a* possible, the collections should ba eitnultsnaous. Unfortunately, the accounts of tho Homo Mission chow an overdraft, which hag been steadily growing larger for some tiino past. If, however, the collections on Sunday next and other contributions sent in are as largo as the Standing Committee have a right to expect (a majority of parishes and districts baviug specified a, definite Bum not leas than which they will endeavour to contribute) this overdrafb will be cleared off, and a fair sum will be left in hasd tow.trds the current year's expenses. These expenses will bo leas than formerly, the Standing Committee having folk Its necessary to reduce considerably the stipend payable to the Diocesan missionary. Since the Isb of Fobrnary, the office of Diocesan Missionary has been held by (he Rev. E. M. CowV M.A., already well and favourably known in some of the districts. It will be, neeoooary for him bo have occasional assistance, in order that all the engagements hitherto kipb by fcho Home Mission may be manibained, and that new engagements ba made as opportunities open out. Comparison with other dioceses will, we boliave, more and more confirm the wisdom of our scheme for thin work ; it only remains that it ehall be heartily supported on every hand. The Rev. Canon Haselden, bo whose earnestness and tact and unremitting care tho Mission owes go much, censes his official connection with the work as organising secretary at the end of this month, but he will continue to assist Mr Cowie ia every way in hia power."

A social in connection wibh the Auckland Caledonian Society was held last evening in the Foreaters' Hall, Karangahapo Road. The following programme was gone through :—Selection on the bagpipes, Mr Harrißon; song, " Mary of Argyle," J. McDougall; song, "Nea," Madame Foley ; song, "Jocko1 Hazsldean," Miss Harloy ; song, "Alice, Where Art. Thou," Mrs Murray; recitation, "Curfew Will Mot Ring To-nighb," Miss Gardiner; song, " Lougho-Bachan " (encore, "Ye Banks and Braes,") i\Ji»B Arley ; recitation, "The Golden Cup," Master Charles Garratt; pianoforte dueb, " Woodland Whispers," Mieses Smith and Tilly; song, "Annie Laurie," Mrs Murray ; Highland fling and sword dance, Mr John Henry. A danco followed the concert.

A very enjoyable concert was tendered to the inmates of the Jubilee Bund Institute lasb evening by tho Rev. Dr. Egan, MrJ. Montague and other friends. Mr J. Thornea preaided, MrR. Leslie Hunt, the Secretary, being also present. The programme comprised songs by Misses Conway and Lonergan, Mr R, Birch and Mr Moylan, violin solos by Herr Zimmerman, humorous songs by Dr. Egan, and recitations by Mr J. F. Montague. The various ibems were capitally rendered, most of them being encored. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was tendered to the performers.