MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR Europe and America.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 5

MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR Europe and America.

OUB HOME LETTER

AUCKLAND, N.Z.,

December 23, 1897,

There has been nothing of more than ordinary interest to mark the month. The fact that Parliament has been sitting long and late, up to the very threshold of Christmas, might seem to indicate the transaction of weighty business in the. political arena gut the last month of the session has in no way redeemed the barrenness of its early days. Practically nothing has been effected by the Legislature, the lirp-e having- been consumed in iiselelPivTang-ling. The fault of this waste of time must largely lie at the door of the Opposition. The members on the left appear to have taken a keen delight in obstructing the measures of the Government. When no valid reason could have been given for their conduct except mere party animosity, they have persistently hindered the transaction of business, so that now the session has come to a close there is really nothing whatever to show for the many long weeks durin 0- which our representatives have taken counsel together. The country is very thankful that the House * has risen, and members share the same feelings. There was at one time some talk of bringing- the representatives back to Wellington after the Christmas holidays, toconclude some of the work, but such an un- ! popular step has not been found necessary, and members will be able to 1 enjoy the merry season in the bosoms : of their families unvexed by the dis- • agreeable prospect of re-assembling in Wellington during' the heat of January. The schedule of business of the House during the session shows.: 24 select committees set up, 42 public bills received Boyal assent, SS were dropped or otherwise ' disposed of, one private Bill received Royal assent, 35S petitions were presented, 155 divisions were recorded, 381 questions were asked of Ministers, 216 papers were laid on the table, 334 reports were received from select committees. The House sat on 51 days, the average, daily sitting being ten boars and ten minutes. His Excellency the Covernor, Lord Kanfurly, visited Woodville on the 11th inst., and formally opened the last section of the railway line betwen Napier and Wellington, via Wairarapa. The Premier, Mr Thompson, Captain .Russell, Mr Eollesto'u, { .and other members j>f theJHouse were present' atr^e^functrp;n, ra-^'till :'ae-. count of which ia given elsewhere in this issue. Lord Kanfurly had just previously spent- ft couple of days in Taranaki, during which he indulged in some fishing in the rivers, and laid . the foundation steae of the Whiteley Memorial Church in New Plymouth. His Lordship was accorded a most enthusiastic welcome wherever be went, this being his first official visit ■to Taranaki, and he expressed himself greatly pleased with all the evidences of prosperity and progress he saw around him. The Vice-Regal party stayed some days at Government House, Wellington, wdiere Lord Hampden, the Hon. Dorothy Brand, Miss Darley, and Captain i ;elden are the guests of Lord and Lady Rahfurly. The entire party have left Wellington for Christchurch in the Government steamer Tutanekai, and from the City of the Plains a start will be made on the camping- out expedition through the South Island which Lord Eanfurly has meditated for some time. As the weather is n^./ perfect, the party will be able to see the beauties of the South at their very best.

The Public Works Statement has lost the importance which was at one time attached to it. Some speculation las existed this year with regard to funds for. carrying on necessary works, and it was suspected that a new loan might be mooted. However, the Statement laid before Parliament on Dec. 14 was a very mild affair, containing nothing at all sensational. After gathering together into one account the balances from rll the accounts which are administered by the Public Works Department, the Minister finds that on the 31st of March last there was an unexpended balance of £639,159. He proposes, to supplementthat fund for the services of the current year as follows: —Transfer from revenue, £300,000; to be specially raised for additions to open lines, £200,000; school buildings, £25.000; technical schools, £25,000. Total, £550,000. In addition to this sum it is expected that sundry credits will come to hand to the amount of probably £5,000, thus bringing the gross total ways and means up to £1,194,159.

A full account of the work done in 1896-7 and that proposed for the current year appears in the Statement which we publish to-day. The estimates provide for an expenditure of £1,021,570. The purposes to which the money is to be applied consist chiefly of additions to existing railways, the construction of roads, public buildings, and other miscellaneous works.

The new Banking Bill was brought down hy the Premier on December Ist. A new Board is to be appointed, consisting of aine members, five to be appointed by the governor in Council, and four to be elected % shareholders of the Bank. Of the five directors to be appointed by the Governor three are to be resident in tbe North Island. yi the Aye appointed by the Governor, one kto he Chairman. Of the four elected by shareholders two are to be resident in the North Island, and two in the middle Island. The New Board is to take office °n the 31st March next. The office <a President is to be abolished. One Year's salary is to be offered as compensation' to the retiring president, Mid if he declines he can sue for wrongful dismissal. There is to be a standing committee consisting of the Chairman and three other members. The Chairman will also be Chairman of the Standing Committee. The Board is to meet not less than once a month, and the Standing Committee not less than once a week,

the salary of tho Chairman not exceeding one thousand pounds, and of other members not exceeding £350. Powers aro taken to appoint an additional auditor. Tho balance* sheet of tho Assets Board in to bo made onco a year, and laid before Parliament in the now form for presenting returns made by the Bank. If (lily trading 'concerns, land or interest fall into fcha hands of a bank or banks by way of mortgage, the bank shall dispose of it within three years, and if tho bank takes peeflesaiou it becomes its absolute property. fll@ Bill Wfi3 one of those abandoned at a iatav p6i4otl of the session.

The Legifiiation Council on Dec. IS killed another of tho Ministerial Labour Bilk, The Minister of Education moved to commit tho Wages Protection Bill. The report of tho Labour Bills Committee advir.ed that tho Bill in the meantime should btj withdrawn, Mr Bonar moved tho adjournment of the debate, which was carried, and tho Bill killed by 19 to 9. Tho division Hat was aa follows :—A yes (against the Bill), 19 : Reynolds, Richardson, Stewart, Baillie, Barnicoat, Macgregor, Kwansen, Shi'imski, Stevens, Bonar, Ormond, Oliver, Johnston, Grace, McLean, Bolt, Williams, Peacock, Montgomery. Noes, 9: McCullough, Arkwright, Kerr, Kelly, Bigg, Jenkinson, Feldwick, Pinkerton, and \Y_ C, Walker.

Tho Hon. 11. J. Seddon addressed a publle luoetlng at Carterton on December iSfch, his utterances for the most part being a reply to a speech made by Mr Buchanan at the same place a fortnight ago, Referring to tho rejection of the Old AgoPoßsbnaliillbythoLegislativeCouncil, ho naid Parliament being now in session he waa fettered and his tongue tied, but there would be a time when lie would toll the people they must not suffer wrong when it was being done repeatedly, and when the Houso had carried measures for the good of the country they must not be treated with contempt. A. motion expressing confidence in tho present Liberal administration was carried by a large majority though there were many dissentient voices. The meeting was also addressed by Messrs Carroll, Steward, Morrison, Wi Pere, Lawry, Flatman, Gilfedder, Kaihau, and Hogg.

A deputation consisting of Canterbury members interviewed the Premier and Minister of Public Works on Dec. 9th, and urged that the expenditure on the Midland Railway for next year should bo spent at tho Canterbury end. Mr Seddon said that at tho commencement of the session it was expected the Company would make default, but to the Government's surprise payment had been made. He understood steps were to be taken by those interested in the line to bring the matters to a definite issue. The amount to be expended next year on the line would appear on the Public Works Estimates, but he pointed out that any expenditure on Canterbury side did not diminish the distance between Canterbury and the West Coast, whilst expenditure on the West Coast did. Mr Hall-Jones intimated that he intended sending a competent surveyor to report on the possibility of a better route from Springfield than the one at present proposed.

His Excellency Vicount Hampden (Governor of New South Wales) the Hon. Dorothy, Miss Darley and Captain Field, A.D.C attended the floral feto at Auckland on November 27th. Next day the party attended the morning service at St. Pauls, and in the afternoon drove to Mount Eden and One Tree Hill. Viscount Hampden is greatly pleased with the scenery of Auckland and with its harbour. On the 29th the vice-regal party left for Rotorua, and went on to Wairake'i on December 2nd. As the Tokaanu-Wanganui Head is now practicable for wheeled traffic that route was taken, and the party left Taupo on Dec. 4th for Tokaanu, remaining there over Sunday. On Monday, 6th, a start for Pipiriki-was riiade, thence along the Wanganui River the party proceeded to Wanganui and Wellington. His Excellency opened an extension of tho Woodville Railway giving through communication between Napier and "Wellington.

The Old Age Pensions Bill introduced by the Government occupied the House of Representatives for several days, and underwent many amendments, after which it finally passed the Lower House, but was subsequently rejected by the Legislative Council. The principal provisions of the Bill as it emerged from the Representative Chamber were contained in Clause 8, as follows: —

Subject to the provisions of this Act every person who at any time after the coming, 'into operation of this Act attains the full age of 65 years or upwards shall thereafter, wliilst in the colony, bo entitled to a pension as hereinafter specified for the rest of his life unless disqualified as hereinafter provided:—Provided (a) that he is residing in the colony on the date when he establishes bis claim to the pension, and also (b) that ho has so reaidod continuously for not less than 20 years immediately preceding such date, anil also (ol that during a period of four yours immediately preceding such dato ho has not been convicted four times and upwards in respect of drunkenness, and also (01) that he lift* not boon in prison during a period of four months or on four occasions at any time within 10 years boforo establishing a claim to a pension for any offonco which is punishable by imprisonment for 12 months and upwards, and also (02) that ho has not at any time within ten years of establishing his claim for a pension for a period ofnot lees than twelve months, deserted his wife, or refused neglected, or failed to provide her with adequate means of maintenance, or wilfully neglected te maintain such members of hie family cut are under 14 years, provided that if the pensions! certificato is issued the pensioned flghfe thereunder shall not be alleoted by any disqualification contained in this paragraph unless the fact of Ptich disqualification ia established to the satisfeetiohof a Deputy-IWstrar within 12 months after the date of such issue, and also (08) that he is not notoriously of drunken or Immoral habitß, and ad such Was known to the police of &iiy other person at toe time he filed his pensien claim, and also (C 4) that if a wife, she had not. deserted her husband hi' fetich pf he? children as are under the age of ledrteen years for twelvemonths Wifckiii & Period of ten years immediately preceding the date on which sli6 applies Ioe1 her pen' sion-. (D) Thai'hid total income from, alhsources (exclusive of his personal earnings te tlie extent of £Bi per, annum, and his pension) dees iiet amount to £53 per annum or upwards, computed as hereinafter provided, and felse [m that he is the hoidef el a pension feerfcineate as hereinafter provided-. 2. 'Pet the purposes of paragraph (B) of this feectiort Continuous residence m the colony shall not be deemed te have been interrupted by tempGi-ary absence tuorefrom unies3 the total pededhi such temporal', absence eseeedtt Is Mefiths.

In' the next el&UsS} liking the amount* of pension, it is provided tlmt the pension shall be £19 pcl1 fefenum diminished by £ I for every complete psntnd of income aoovw £34, exclusive of pension.

Replying to a deputation of Wesleyan ministers who presented an address from the Wesleyan Conference to tho Governor, Lord Ranfurly, at Wellington on Dec. 0, His Excellency said ho had been muo.i .-.(ratified during his travels over these islands by tbe industry which characterised ;!_q inhabitants. Ho hoped to see New Zealand in tho next few years making :-anid progress, and as Her Majesty's representative here ho would use his best endeavours to further the advancement ot the colony in evory way he was able.

The first of a series of five test matches between Stoddart's English team and an Australian Eleven was commenced, after two postponements, on December 13th, at Sydney. The Englishmen went first to the wickets, and gave a brilliant exhibition of batting, their score reaching- to 551. Of this fine total Raivjitsinhji, the Indian prince, contributed 177, Maclaren 109, Druce 90, Hayward 72, and Hirst 62. The Australians in their first venture could only put together 237, the bowling of Hearne and Richardson being very destructive. The only batsmen to make a stand were McLeod, 50, not out; Trumble 70, and Gregory 4G. Trumble and McLeod, at a critical perioa, rendered yoeman service. They not only saved the innings from ignominious collapse, but rendered the follow-on much easier. In their second innings the Australians made a magnificent up-hill fight, showing a gneat improvement in their play. The innings closed for 4 OS, of which Darling- made 101, by sound and careful cricket, Hill 90, and Kelly, not out, 40. The English, requiring 90 runs to win, knocked off the number with the loss of one wicket, Maclaren playing out time for 50.

One of the events of the past month in Auckland has been a destructive fire which occurred early on the morning- of November 29, on the Queenstreet Wharf, resulting in tb_e destruction of the Harbour Board's large goods shed, on the outer eastern tee of the wharf, and extensive damage to the tee. The shed was full of cargo just discharged by the steamer Run-g-atira, from London, and the goods destroyed, comprising general merchandise of all descriptions, were valued at about £25,000, only a portion being insured. The Harbour Board, which loses about £3,300 through the fire, has lost no time in making arrangements for the reconstruction of the shed and tee, and a contract -for £2,860 has been let for the repair of the wharf. A number of importers whose goods were destroyed had paid the import duty thereon before the fire occurred, and as the Commissioner of Customs declined to make a refund thereof, a petition was sent to Parliament by the importers concerned, praying for a rebate of the duty paid on the merchandise destroyed. The Petition^ Committee having recommended the refund, a sum to cover the amount was placed on the Supplementary Estimates.

The annual statutory meeting of the Auckland City Council was held on Dee. 15, for the purpose of the installation of Mr Peter Dignan, who has been elected unopposed as Mayor of the City for a second term. The councillors present were Messrs Jamieson, Trenwith, Farrell, Julian, Grey, Kidd, Stitchbury, Courtney, Hewson, and Patterson. Mr Dignan made the usual statutory declaration and took his seat. The Mayor was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for the valuable sendees he had rendered to the city during his past term. Those present then adjourned to the Mayor's room, which was prettily decorated with flowers for the occasion, and where strawberries and cream and other refreshments were partaken of at the Mayor's invitation. The Mayor's health was drunk in bumpers of champagne, the toast being proposed by Councilor Trenwith. The Mayor briefly responded, and then' prdposed the '■ toast of 'the City Councillors,' which was responded to by Councillors Trenwith, Kidd, Courtney, and Patterson. The health of 'the officials,' coupled with that of Mr P. A. Philips, Town Clerk, was then honoured, the Town Clerk and the City Engineer (Mr W. Anderson) responding. The toast of 'the visitors and the Press' was also drunk, exCouncillor Garratt and Mr John Gordon replying on behalf of the visitors.

The address delivered by the Bishop of Auckland at the opening of the Anglican Synod on Nov. 30, possessed a more cosmopolitan interest than usually attaches to ecclesiastical reviews of this description. Dr. Cowie excused himself on account of his long absence, from entering upon any detailed notice of the affairs of the diocese, and directed his remarks mainly to an account of the impressions made upon his mind by what he saw in England. The Bishop insists strongly upon the maintenance of the absolute autonomy of the Church provinces. The care exercised at the Lambeth Council in guarding- against any act which might furnish "a precedent hereafter for an unwarrantable assumption of autocratic central authority conveys a salutary lesson to constitution makers in the (secular sphere. And we may hero express a hope that at the General Synod, which meets in Christchurch next February, the New Zealand Church will exercise the powers that* were sciactfully recognised and endorsed by r*ie Lambeth Conference when honoimng the Archbishops of Ontario, Cape Town, Sydney, and other provinces, by conferring upon the Primate of New Zealand the title which rightly belongs to his exalted and responsible office. It is abundantly evident from the zeal and unity which pervaded the Lambeth ' Conference, and' the spontaneous enthusiasm and affection which maintain the liturgy and doctrines of the Anglican Church, that neither an autocratic Church Council nor a supreme personal ruler is needed to sustain the ecclesiastical edifice. The mobility of the system of government -conferred upon the New Zealand Church under the constitution drafted by Sir George Grey, acting in conjunction with Bishop Selwyn, has indeed strengthened the church by furnishing good workable machinery for effecting needful reforms, and we regret to learn from Dr. Cowie that urgently needed changes are still obstructed in the mother church, by the influence of vested interests. AH classes of citizens will welcome the return of Bishop Cowie to Auckland where, apart from his important public position, he has so long been universally esteemed as a distinguished citizen.

Mr J. H. Callen, mate of the steamer Yaralla, which was recently under charter to Professor Agassiz, supplies the "Sydney Morning Herald" with an interesting acoountof the scientilic researches of that ("■cntleman and his party in the Fiji islands. Evidently the trip was not lacking in interest, for the writer tells of the time taken by the scientists in collecting specimens, classifying and photographing them, and it seems as if novel specimens were _-_ct with in great abundance. Numerous photographs were taken of the various islands visited. That of Marambo provided tho visiters with a mine of interest. This was the crater of an extinct volcano vicn on the north side. Dotted over the mrface of the water in the crater were tumorous mushroom-shaped rocks, and the vvftter itself in the light of a burning sun . ..wealed to the visitors hitherto unknown beauties of colour. The natives of Kam-

bara were amused at the sight of white men scampering after crabs, butterflies, or insects, picking up tiny shrubs, or filling bottles with sand, in the fashion of scientific enthusiasts. At Toloya a crater of an extinct volcano was found, into which the steamer could enter and sail around. Here as in other places the visitors were entertained by the natives with a ' miki miki,' which seems to be .something in the nature of a corroboree. In the various lagoons visited dredging was resorted to for the purpose of securing .specimens of coral and marine animalcuhe. On the rocks at the base of the Solos Lighthouse, near the North Astrolabe Reefs, at Kandava Island, two sea snakes were caught by Captain Thompson, who saw no less than ten of them in as riiany minutes. The capture of several live specimens of bulolo, or coral worms, appeared to have caused much gratification to the .searchers, who, aided by the natives in canoes, discovered them in thousands. The worm is said to dissolve after being about two hoars on the surface. When the results of Professor Agassiz's investigations are made public they will doubtless provide much interesting and valuable information.

There has been high doings in local Druidic circles during the past few days, due to the presence in Auckland of Pro. J. Purnell, D.G.S. of the Grand Lodge of the ! North Island of New Zealand. !sro. Purnell was taken for a drive on Sunday by the executive officers of the Auckland and Ponsonby Lodges, and on Monday he met the executive in reference to tho dispute as to the election of the District President. Eventually an amicable settlement M- as arrived at between all parties. Subsequently Bro. Purnell opened a Royal Arch Lodge with a good membership. At night Pro. Purnell was honoured with a social in the Tailoresses' Hall, Cookstreet. The chair was taken Oy P.D.I. Pro. Alfred Kidd. Bro. Strathearn proposed the toast, "Queen and Druids," which was responded to by Pro, A. Mewburn, P.A. The toast of "The Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand " was proposed by Bros. Flannigan and Michaels, and responded to by Bro. Purnell. The Druids' string band was present, and played several choice selections. There was also a good programme of vocal and instrumental items, including a guitar and mandolin duet by Bros. P. Fernandez and E. Brockett. The singing of " Auld Lang Syne" brought the proceedings to a close. The arrangements for the social were made by Pros. Peace and Pike, P.A.s, and reflected credit on them. Bro. Pumeli left on Tuesday for Paeroa and Waihi, and he visits the Druids' lodges in those districts, lie returns here on Bth January, and then proceeds to Gisborne on i Druidic business,

It is customary to ascribe all the increased prosperity of the past two or three years in Auckland to the mining 'boom,' but the activity which prevails in the timber industry has contributed in no small degree to the commercial revival. No doubt, sawmill.ng, like other industries, owes a good deal to the demand for timber on the goldfields; but other influences have been at work. Few people have considered how much money is annually disbursed through the fitedium of the timber industry. According- to the latest Government statistics, there are 40 saw mills ami sash and door factories in the Provincial District of Auckland, employing 1011 men, and paying £ 53,175 in wages; but the last mentioned item only represents a small part of the share received by labour, because bush work is largely done by contract, and there is an immense expenditure in carting, shipping, and various other ways. We shall not be very far astray if we reckon that nearly two-thirds of the £301.328. -whi«h~--repi.o,w*uted' The value of the product of the Auckland mills in' 1895, found its way into the pockets of workers of one kind or another directly engaged in connection with, the industry. When ihe suppliers who cater for this industrial regiment are taken into the reckoning a fair idea of the importance of the industry to the community may be formed.

We are pleased to observe from the report and balance sheet of the Kauri Timber Company, which is published in another part of to-day's issue, that our chief saw milling corporation — the largest, indeed, in .Australasia — has shared in the general prosperity. Partly through increased business and better prices, and partly through better management, the company earned last year an actual profit of £27,246. The whole amount hns been passed to the liquidation of the ■- balance standing to the debit of the profit and loss account, which is now reduced to £13,605, but such an improvement in the returns from the business brings within measurable distance tbe time when the shareholders will receive some return on their capital.

It is worthy of remark that the bal-ance-sheet this year of the Kauri Timber Company w-as prepared in accordance with the very stringent provisions of the new Victorian Act, which was framed to protect shareholders and the public against false or misleading statements of account. In addition to the usual auditors' report, solemn declarations by the secretary and directors arc nppended. The secretary's declarations are as fallows: —'I, Thomas Louis Howell, secretary of ihe Kauri Timber Company (Limited) do solemnly and sincerely declare: That the liability of the members is limited. That the capital of the company is divided into 000,000 shares of two pounds each. That the number of shares issued is 600,000, of which 1.50,000 shares are paid up, and were issued to the vendors to the company as paid up in pursuance of the agreement referred to in tbe Articles of Association of the company, and 450,000 shares are contributing. That calls to the amount of 22/ per share have been made on tbe 450,000 contributing shares amounting to £495,000, under which the sum of' £495,000 has been actually and bona fide received in money.' (2) T, Thomas Louis Howell, secretary of the Kauri Timber Company (Limited), do solemnly and sincerely declare that the above statement is to the best of my belief and knowledge true iv every particular, and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of an act of the Parliament'of Victoria rendering- persons making a false declaration punishable for wilful and corrupt perjury.' The directors, on their behalf, affirm: 'That there are-no assets of the company consisting of government or municipal securities or money lent on mortgage or on other security nor any liability for money due to depositors deposited at interest debts due on judgment or on simple contract ( -r contingent liabilities not included v.) the above mentioned items. • That there is no reserve fund.'

Such solemn personal declarations must bring home to directors and officers a sense of individual responsibility such as is lacking in tho management of many joint, stoolc companies. The old 'guinea-pig' director may find his position anything but a sine-

cure when the duties of his office have to be performed under conditions like these.

We understand that the profit shown by the Kauri Timber Company this year would have been larger but for the severe writing-down which has taken place in order to bring assets to bed-rock values. There are certain items in the statement of assets and liabilities amounting- altogether to a

quarter of a million sterling for which it is stated there are no assets. The directors may perhaps consider the expediency of taking" advantage of the provisions of the Victorian Act, which provides for correcting the capital account'by writing off capital that has been lost. Looking generally at the balance-sheet of the Kauri Timber Company it must be admitted that the so-called 'fat man' has had decidedly the worst of the deal in his exploitation of our kauri forests, and no one would grudge him a fair return on the balance of his capital which remains intact, but which for so many years has provided no return whatever to its owner.

The value of kauri cut down, as stated in the report, brings before one's mind rather forcibly the work of destruction that is going on with ruthless vigour in the primeval forests of the North. Glorious trees that have weathered the vicissitudes of a thousand years are falling beneath the blows of the axemen, and arc, moreover, often being destroyed to much less useful purpose through the reckless use of fire in the vicinity of valuable bushes. One wonders bowking the standing kauri bushes of the provincial district will withstand these attacks. On this subject we learn from a paper on fife conservation of forests, In id before Parliament this session, that according to an estimate made by Mr -Mueller, Crown Lands Commissioner, on October iOth, 1890, the total available- amount of kauri timber is 1,:_7t,405,050 feet, of which 371,405,000 feet is growing on Crown lands, and on native and private properties 500,000,000 feet,