MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR Europe and America.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 158, 6 July 1899, Page 5

MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR Europe and America.

OUE HOME LETTEE

AUCKLAND, N.Z., July 6.

If the speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor at the opening 0 { Parliament on June 23 may be taken as a guide to the probable work cf the present session, the labours of members will be very light. But, as a matter of experience, we know that the Governor's speech is about the last place one should look for political news. The speech, as usual, is largely retrospective, and narrates a thrice--told story of vice-regal and Ministerial doings in the past. These are not likely to afford much ammunition for Opposition guns. The action of the Government in relation to Samoa has generally been approved by the press und public opinion within the colony and in Great Britain. That it is appreciated by the Imperial Government and has given New Zealand a certain prestige over the other colonies ot Australasia in relation to island affairs, the request made by the Secretary of State for the Colonies that New Zealand should nominate a British Consul to act during Mr Max.se's absence from Samoa on leave is a gratifying proof. Our Government may well be proud of this evidence of the confidence placed in their judgment by the Home authorities. The net is a very- timely recognition of the interest New Zealand has taken in Pacific affairs, and must materially strengthen our claim to have a voice in the affairs of those islands with which the commercial interests of the colony are now, or may in the future be, identified. In choosing Major Mair to fill the position of Consul, our Government have, we believe, selected a man who will in every way do credit to the colony and justify the trust Mr Chamberlain has reposed in us. There were some who chose to treat the %ffer of the New Zealand contingent jrith ridicule, and to predict that it •would be so regarded in the Old Country. But it is plain now that there ■was not the least inclination on the part of the Home people or Home authorities to regard it in that light. On the contrary, our action on that occasion has apparently been well remembered, and our Auckland boys may take credit to themselves for a good deal if in the future New Zealand should be an important factor in the administration of the islands of the Pacific. His Excellency's visit to the Cook Islands also serves to strengthen the bond between New Zealand and the archipelagoes over which some day we may perhaps exercise an extended jurisdiction as the outcome of the partial association with them which we have succeeded in establishing and are striving to render more intimate.

The coMial' felations existing between the native and European populations of New Zealand were brought into picturesque prominence by the meeting at Waitangi to which His Excellency makes reference. The fact that these assurances of goodwill between the two peoples-are rapidly losing the interest they once had is significant of the great changes which have been brought about. There was a time when the influence and power of the Maoris in the land were such that it was no small relief to the pioneer settlers to know that they were peacefully disposed towards the Europeans. Now it could scarcely be a cause for serious alarm if we were told that they were dissatisfied. But on larger humanitarian grounds it is gratifying to know that the Maoris are on good terms with us. There is, to every generous m^nd, an intense satisfaction in the reflection that from the beginning we have striven to deal justly with the native race, and that now when their mana has departed and they can no longer offer to our arms the same noble resistance they once could, our solicitude to please them is not less but greater. The native gathering at Waitangi, and the subsequent meeting of His Excellency with Mahuta and the chiefs of the Waikato are pleasing incidents illustrative of the kindly policy we have followed in our dealings with the Maoris —a policy so strongly in contrast with that observed by other Governments in their contact with the aboriginals, that we are always glad of an opportunity to give it prominence.

Aucklanders mark with pleasure the reference to their Exhibition, and Weilingtonians the notice which the speech takes of the Victoria College. Of more general interest la the announcement that proposals will he laid before the. House for extending the compulsory taking of land to b6Wuj=fh and suburban lands in order to enable provision to be made for workmen's homes and villages. The promise of more labour legislation is not of a kind to alarm the most timid, and the suggested proposals in connection with the Industrial Conciliation andi Arbitration Act may be assumed to be as much for the henefit of employer as employee. Ministerial utterances have from time to time advised us generally of the measures to which the Governor's speech makes reference as part of the Government's programme for the session, but there is no matter touched on that requires special notice at this moment.

The appointment of Sir Robert Stout as Chief Justice of New Zealand will, we feel sure, command public approval. In the absence of an AttorneyGeneral from the Cabinet there is no one who can be indicated officially as holding the .position of leader of the New Zealand' bar, but Sir Eobert Stout has been both Attorney-General and Premier,, and he has since enjoyed a very large share of what may be termed co'onial practice as distinguished from business arising- in the provincial centre where the barister resides. He is a sound lawyer and a man of high moral character, and withal genial and warm-hearted. Somewhat soured perhaps by the recent course of politics, which has proved disappointing to a man of Sir Robert Stout's naturally ambitions and rather egotistical character. Ambition, laudable in its objects in ifche main, has.fired the heart of the

new Chief Justice from the day when he was installed a pupil teacher at the age of thirteen in the Shetland village school. Gifted with very considerable natural ability, he has won success by untiring industry, and his career from the pedagogic chair to ■ the Premiership of the colony and the high position of Chief Justice with a commission of Acting-Governor in the absence of His Excellency from the colony should encourage every young man in New Zealand to press forward on the upward track.

The appointment of Sir Bobert Stout furnishes another answer to the impudent cry of the Opposition about •.spoils to the victors.' ' "ie new Chief Justice has been one of the most bitter and relentless opponents of the Seddon Government, but as he had recently retired from Parliament and political life it cannot even be said that, his nomination to the Chief Justiceship was prompted by a desire to get rid of a dangerous political antagonist. We have no doubt that in selecting him the Government have been actuated, as they ought to be, by an earnest and patriotic desire to place at the head of the judiciary of New Zealand a gentleman1 who will fill the position with dignity and honour to the colony.

The news to hand from Samoa by the Taviuni is very satisfactory. From what we definitely know of the action of the Commissioners, and from the forecast sent us of their ultimate decisions, it appears that they have succeeded in effecting what should prove a settlement of the trouble there for some time to come, if it does not entirely preclude the possibility of complications in the remoter future. By the abolition of the kingship, one of the chief causes of disturbance among the natives has been removed. While there existed rival claimants for the island throne—and there is a strong presumption that, as the native community is constituted^ such a position would frequently arise —there was sure to be trouble in the wind. Now that the ofiice has been done away with there will certainly be an end to an infinite amount of scheming and jealousy. As it is, no more opportune time could have been chosen for the step, apart from the fact that recent events have necessitated it. The intensity of the existing rivalry between the partisans of the two claimants has made the action of the Commissioners much easier than it, would have been had the two factions been less hostile to one another. Then they might have demurred to depriving- them of a monarchical head. Now both sides are willing to accept the decision of the Commissioners as a compromise. If Mataafa is not to be king then neither is Malietoa, and if Malietoa is not to be invested with regal power ueither is his rival to have the "pule." It is an arrangement in which the Samoau philosophically acquiesces.

Before abolishing- the kingship the Commissioners did a very wise thing in recognising Malietoa Tanu as king. To have neglected this step would have been a. great mistake, tantamount to ignoring the authority of the Chief Justice and weakening British and American prestige in Samoa. As it is, their action must tend to confirm the natives' respect for the law and the decisions of the court, a respect which cannot but have been severely shaken by the action of Germany. On the other hand, it is calculated to depreciate the influence of the latter Power in the place and to cbr-responding-ly appreciate that of Great Britain and America. It is in effect a condemnation of the attitude taken up by the Germans in Samoa, and a justification to some extent of the forcible measures which were taken to bring the Mataafa party to terms. Another step on the part of the Commissioners which cannot but have a salutary effect on the natives, and Europeans too, while it removes from a zealous and capable official any suspicion of partiality in the discharge of his duties, is their request to Chief Justice Chambers not to relinquish his post in Samoa at present, Mr Chambers, we understand, was offered a much better position, and it would have been to his advantage financially to have left the islands, which, after all the trouble that has occurred, can scarcely be the most desirable place of residence for him. But, recognising how fully his services have been appreciated by the Commissioners and the fact that" by i-emaining he might aid in the further settlement of affairs he has consented to stay.

With the abolition of the kingship a Provisional Government has been appointed, but that will be replaced as soon as possible by an administration modelled on quite new lines. It is understood that the Commissioners will recommend that the judicial and diplomatic functions of the Consuls be taken away and these gentlemen he vested with no further powers than are held by ordinary consular agents elsewhere. The functions and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court willbe correspondingly extended. This change promises to be directly beneficial. It is pretty clear that the extended powers "exercised by the Con-, suls not only helped to foment international jealousy, but detracted seriously from the respect felt in the native mind for the Supreme Court. Had it not been for the impression ol divided authority which the influential position of the Consuls suggested the recent trouble would never have attained the dimensions it did. The abolition of the office of President and the placing of the Apia Municipality under the direct control of its Council and Mayor will also concentrate the divided" authority that lias been a source of trouble in the past, and at the same time will save a good round sum of money annually. The supreme control in the islands will according to the forecast of our correspondent, be vested in a governor and a legislative council of three persons representing Great Britain the United States, and Germany T^e Council, aided by a small body or Samoans. will legislate for the group ,;; d the Governor will have the power to veto any of their proposed acts. Tt is rumoured that the Commissioners wU recommend that the Governor shall not be a subject of any of he three treaty powers. Evidently Sey recognise that it is not merely fn the claims of rival Samoan kings Sat trouble is bred in the islands and - d b f X^VarS\nte~l K2 es^o^the chief accredited representatives of the European nations in Samoa. It may be objected to the above arrangement that it does not preclude the chance of such friction altogether. But owing to the. tripartite nature of the protectorate

that could never be done. A fear has been expressed that the same unsatisfactory state of things which existed under the consular regime will be found under the Council, and that the three Councillors will cause as much trouble as the three Consuls. The cases are not the same, however. The Councillors will not be accessible to the same disturbing influences which affected the Consuls, and will be under a control from which the latter were free. The success of the plan, so far as we can see, will largely depend on the character of the Governor ; and there is no hiding the fact that he will have to be a man of more than ordinary tact, discrimination, and firmness, to discharge the duties of his office successfully.

The Federation of Australia is assured. On June 21 the voice of the people of New South Wales declared in favour of the amended Convention Bill, and no obstacle now exists, or, so far as one can see, can arise to hinder the consummation of the great ideal of national unity, in striving for which. Australia, we believe, has only fulfilled, her destiny. The latest figures give 101,200 for the Bill, and 79,670 against it, which makes a majority of over 21,000 votes in favour of federation. When the poll was taken a year ago the votes recorded in New South Wales were 71,412 for the Bill, and 69,954 against it. As a niininiurn vote of 80,000 was then required to carry the measure, the Federalists had to own themselves defeated. But they were not discouraged, and so hard have they worked that within twelve months they have reversed the order of things entirely and secured a glorious victory for their side.

New Zealand's support of Australian federation is largely based on a general sentiment in favour of closer union among the different parts of the Empire. The same feeling will also play a iiart in any movement for the inclusion of our own colony in the Australian Commonwealth. But so , soon as the iirst step in that direction j is taken the political, financial and commercial considerations which have complicated the position on the Continent will assert themselves here. "Whether, in our case, they will prove greater barriers to our joining the Union than in Australia they have been to federation we will not attempt to discuss on this occasion. We wish to point out, however, that the event must be the signal for our taking up with an earnestness we have never displayed before the question of New Zealand's attitude towards federation. The question is likely to be forced upon us whether we will or not. In Australia federation had its birth in. a desire for unity that was sentimental rather than utilitarian, but here before the sentiment has time to ripen as it did on the Continent we may be forced by commercial exigencies to throw in our lot with our great neighbour. Our action in this respect depends on the position Australia takes up with regard to this colony. The trade between New Zealand and the Australian colonies is worth, roughly speaking, about two and a half millions. In these colonies New South Wales and Victoria are our chief customers, and very good customers they are, taking quite twenty | shillings' worth of our goods for every fifteen shillings' worth we take from them. And the prospects are all in favour of our doing better business with them in the future, more especially with New South Wales, which is twice as good a customer as Victoria. In dairy produce alone we should ! establish a great market in the Mother j Colony. Our attitude towards federation'must therefore be largely de- ! termined by the attitude United j ! Australia takes up commercially with i j respect to us. If the Continent should I adopt a protective tariff against outj skiers it would be a very strong argu- j 1 ment in favour of our joining the • Union; but even if the Commonwealth | did not go so far there might be other ' commercial reasons scarcely less powerful that would make it to our advantage not to remain apart. The New Australian Commonwealth will commence its national life with a population of nearly four millions, and a trade, import and export, of more than a hundred and twenty-five i millions pounds sterling. Free access to this splendid market, with which we arc directly in contact, j would confer enormous benefits upon ! our producers and merchants. The [climatic advantages of New Zealand j resulting in heavier yields of all kinds !of crops, places the coiony in an exceptionally advantageous position for competing in the Australian markets. Even when handicapped by hostile ! tariffs New Zealand finds a valuable | outlet in the adjacent colonies. If j Customs duties were abolished this I trade would be capable of great ex- ! pansion, On- the other hand, Austrai iia could offer us in exchange for our ! grain, potatoes, batter and cheese, wines, grapes, and some other ! products which she is in a position to | supply, while the removal of tariff restrictions that now hamper the intercolonial trade would no doubt tend to strengthen the position of Sydney and Melbourne as great, mercantile emporiums. The commercial benefits of federation and the national gains accruing from union for defence purposes, and the co-operative strength secured in prosecuting great national enterprises, are so manifest that if there were no disadvantages we might count upon a unanimous desire for union. There ;ire, however, some very serious drawbacks. By federation we should surrender our present perfect power of self-government and place ourselves under the rule of a legislative authority far removed from us, and understanding very little of the peculiar circumstances of this colony, which differs ill many essential respects from the colonies on the Australian Continent. Of course, as a State we should preserve complete local autonomy, which could not be destroyed without the ctinsent of the State itself; nevertheless there is always a tendency on the part of a strong central Government to aggrandise its own power and encroach upon the sphere and functions of subsidiary bodies; and even if the Federal Government of the Australian Commonwealth should prove an exception to the rule New Zealand must sink much of its identity by accepting the position of a province of the new Dominion. It may be said regarding the distance from the centre of Government that this colony would be in no worse position than Western Australia, which is as far, removed as we are from the site of the federal capital in New South Wales; nevertheless the circum stances of the two colonies are so entirely different that the analogy, such

as it is, cannot be considered to carry much weight. The interests of West; Australia are inseparably bound up with those of the other continental colonies, and an extension of the trunk lines of railways must at no distant date bring it into direct communication overland.

The equal representation of the States in the Senate, provided under the Australian Commonwealth Bill, affords a good guarantee for the preservation of State rights, and the presence of a majority of small colonies in the federation gives additional security. State finance has been safeguarded for ten years by the Braddon clause, against which the antifederal party in New South Wales have directed their chief attack. This clause provides that /not more than one-fourth of the revenue shall be absorbed in managing the federal concern, and that the remainder shall be returned to the colonies in. the proportion of their contributions. With regard to the Federal Government the Commonwealth Bill provides' that the seat of Government must be in New South Wales from the outset. The Federal Government will consist of three distinct bodies—the executive, the legislative, and the -judiciary. It is provided that for a time the legislative body shall sit in Melbourne, but the other two bodies must be in New South Wales from the start. The headquarters of the Governor-General and his staff must be in that colony from the commencement. Every one of the Ministers the administrative offices, the stall ot defence forces, the Chief Justice, the headquarters of justice, and the Federal Supreme Court—all must be located in N.S. Wales. This definition of the administrative centre is the most favourable to New Zealand that could have ben secured, but the Federal Cabinet would still be far enough away to.lessen the pressure of public opinion upon it. It is a pity that New Zealand has not kept itself in touch with the movement by appointing delegates to recent conventions, nevertheless we believe it would have been unwise for this colony to have joined the Commonwealth at the outset. New Zealand's most prudent course now is to take up an attitude of friendly observation, backed by a determination to establish closer relations, with the new power across the water if not by legislative union by inaugurating'some system of commercial reciprocity.

The most striking feature of business on the Exchange during the past, month.-was the rapid advance in the price of Waihi shares. When a month ago .£" was reached the price was considered a good one, but since then a further rise of £1 per share has taken place. £8 having been paid, and there remained steady buyers at a shade under that figure. Accounts from the mine are as satisfactory as ever the output of bullion this month being close on £34,500. At the Waitekauri mine important developments are also reported, and shares in that company also advanced 2/ during the month, "sales being made at 49/ and 49/0, with steady buyers left at 48/. X.Z. Talismans,'on the other hand, arc easier than they were a month ago, but apparently this is merely a market fluctuation, as accounts from the mine are satisfactory. The returns from the various mines havebeen well up to the average, and next month should show a good increase, as three new batteries are nfc work, permanent crushing having been started at the Kauri Freehold Gold Estates 40-stnmp mill. Opitonni: also by the Whangamata Gold Corporation and the Alpha. Company at. Waitekauri. The Grace Darling Company is now getting its battery in order, and tenders have been returned for a crushing plant for the Barrier Keefs Company at Great Barrier Island. At Cororuandel most: interest, at present, centres in the Bunker's Hill mine, owing to frequent hauls of very rich specimen stone having been obtained, which give good reason for belief that a continuation of the famous Leggc's reef has been picked up. Important, developments have also taken place in Scotty's mine, while the second crushing of the Four-in-ITand Company was, like the former one. very satisfactory. At. the Thames some unrest occurred during the month owing to the dispute between the TharocsHanraki Company and the Thames Drainage Board on the question of payment for pumping done. The Thames-Hauraki Company claimed payment, for water raised, and the Drainage Board agreed to pay the. p mount actually saved to that, body by the operations of the Thatnesllnuraki Company's pumping machinery. A definite settlement was not, however, arrived at, and suddenly the Thames-HaiJraki Company closed down, which caused a little unrent that affected the price of shares in companies within the drainage area. Pumping has. however, been repumed, and no doubt, a satisfactory solution of the difficulty will be arrived at. Generally speaking, the outlook for the mining industry is promising, although business, on the Exchange has not b?on so brisk on the average as it was the previous month.

The gold-dredging industry in 01 ago srems to be flourishing, and is greatly" promoting- the business prosperity of ihe district. The success cf the New Zealand dredging 'companies has attracted great attention in Australia, where, it is reported similar enterprises are to be undertaken for the winningl.-'of gold from rivers and estuaries. The dredges at -work in Otago are said to be yielding1, very good results as a rule, and in some cases splendid returns are obtained. It is reckoned that the weekly wages paid by some 50 dredging' companies now working amounts to about £2500, while the construction of the dredges is the cause of a still larger circulation of money. It is estimated that as much as £150,000 will be speat between June Ist and September next in the making of new dredges besides those already at work. Dredging and sluicing appliances are -;o much in demand that, in addition to other work, engineering shops and foundries can scarcely cope with the orders received. In the establishments of' Messrs A. and T. Burt, of Dunedin, for instance, over 400 hands are now in constant employment. This firm are turning out a number of dredges, every part of which, in'•luding copper pipes, is made on the premises. One of the most interesting facie in this connection is that Messrs Burt have received an order for the construction of three gold-dredg-ing plants for Eussian customers.

I Two gentlemen from Kussia have ; lately visited the colony and inspected a large number of dredges and roted the work they do. One cf these is Mr I. Hem, a civil engineer, representing a large mining company in Siberia, and the other, Mr Sheestploff, is a practical miner, interested In the same mine. The pair were greftly astonished at the work performed by the dredges, and remarked, as to one of them, that in Eussia ; t would take 500 men and 25 horses to do equal work. They ordered three dredges, one to bo shipped in May, and the other two in August next. They were to be constructed on the same lines as the Hartley and Kiley dredpe.

The. society which' exists here few the Protection of Women, and Children and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals must feel very grateful for the kindly and practical interest His Excellency the Governor and tie Countess of Kanfurly have taken in its philanthropic labours. Thanks to the assistance rendered by them the funds of the organisation, which were at low water, i are now in a most satisfactory state, and the Society is enabled to proceed on its * career of usefulness untrammelled by the financial considerations ! which have hampered it in the past. A benefit concert held in Government House ballroom on .June 21th, was | the suggestion of Lady Eanfurly, who hoped by such an entertainment not merely to stimulate public interest in the Society, but to improve its monetary position. That Her Ladyship hit j upon the very best way of helping the I organisation, the success of the enter- | tainment from every point of view, i abundantly proves. The musical seci tion of the community, including siick distinguished visitors as Mdlle. Trebelli and Mr J. Prouse, gave their services for nothing, and the public accorded a most enthusiastic support to the concert. At eight o'clock the ballj room at Government House, when I filled by a fashiona.ble audience, prej sented a brilliant appearance. All the I nrranffpments foT receiving and seatj ing the visitors had been perfectly carped out by the Government House j (officials, and the result was that the entertainment was listened to under i ,the most comfortable and atrattive j conditions.

The return of railway receipts and expenditure for the four weeks ending 27th May shows tbe former to have been £123,890 10/, and the latter £72,091 10/ 2d. In the corresponding period of the previous year the figures wore £113,724 10/7 and £74,82G 16/11 respectively. Of the revenue, the North Island lines contributed i 141,207 10/0. as against £40,911 4/3, and the South Island linos £82,088 10/6, against £72,813 G/4. The North Island lines absorbed £29,217 0/1, as agahist £30,024 19/, and the South Island linos £43,874 10/1, as against £44,801 17/11. The proportion of expenses to revenue on the several lines calculated on an annual average for the respective periods of 1899-98 was as follows:—North Island: Kawakawa 139. 99-335. !-'O; Whangarei, 57.53-41.07; Kaihu, C 1.72-44.23; Auckland, 66.02----07.01: Wellington-Napier- New Plymouth, 58.42-65.80. South Island: Ilnrunui-Bluff, 51.05-57.29; Qrey-mouth-Brunner, 44.1fi-G1.73: Grey-mouth-llokitika, 55.45-57.77; Westport, 43.17-34.00; Nelson. 75.82-115.35; Pieton. Gs.no-00.52. Grand total, 57.20----00.27. The receipts on the WellingtonNupier - New Plymouth section amounted to £37,833 0/2, against £2R,54u 12/8 in thij corresponding period last year, the number of passengers carried being 09.430, as

against 97,038. The grain traffic on the nurunui-Bluff section was again heavy, being 70,253 Inns, as against 48,375 tons iD the .same month last year.

The twenty-second annual report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies has been laid before .Parliament, and is of an exhaustive statistical nature. The number of registrations during IS9S was 21, distributed thus: —Manchester Unity Oddfellows, 10 Lodges; Foresters, 5 Courts; Druids, 2 Lodges; Rechabites, 1 Tent; isolated friendly society, 2 Societies; and 1 Working Men's Club. On December 31, 1R97, the number of lodges whose returns are tabulated was 358, and of central bodies 34, with a total membership of 32,070. The total assets amounted to £637.011, invested at an average rate of 5.0 per cent.

The Registrar remarks as follows on the question of rates of contribution:—"Although New Zealand experience, so far as it is available,

was last ycr.r utilised for the calculi: lion of a table of rates of contribution, tlio compilation of facts on which to establish a pound system of Friendly Society finance must bo continued, not only in order to complete the experience, but also becnus? some oi:' the conditions effecting it may, in the course of time, undergo an appreciable change. Many years ttgo official warning was given of n previously unexpected danger to the finances of Friendly Societies in Xew Zealand. The exceptionally light of tb-a colony was generally thought to justify the assumption of a correspondingly favourable sickness rate. It was,-however, pointed out that on the contrary the probable effect of greater longevity would be to increase the average life sickness per member, and that .a loss would be move likely to accrue than a gain to Societies'. Unfortunately, the expectation of a relatively light sickness has not generally been realised."' Societies on application to the Registrar may have their valuations made free of cost. The experience of Societies valued in the office as at the end of 1897 for the quinquennium preceding the valuation date represents 147,203 years of life at risk.

In continuation of their policy of buying large estates and cutting them up'for settlement; the Government intend taking over several of t)he Waikato estates o£ the Assets Company. The estates which will probably be taken over are: Fen Court, Tirau and Okoroire, aggregating about 150,000 acres. ' Major Harris and Mr K. Thompson, members of the Auckland Lands Board, accompanied by Mr Gerhard Mueller, Commissioner, left for Wellington, on June. 21st to meet the. other members of the Land Purchase Board and the Assets Company, in order to make arrangements for the acquirement of the lands by the Government. Mr McKerrow, Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, inspected the estates a short while ago. The opening of the lands will give a great impetus to settlement in the Upper Waikato.

To the late Mr J. C. Firth is due the discovery of the value of pumice as an insulator for refrigerators, and through his indomitable energy and ability the adoption in many cases of this material in preference to charcoal was mainly due. Unfortunately he did not live long enough to. reap the full fruits of his labours, either in financial profit or in the honour that belongs to every man who has done something that is of permanent value to his fellow men. We learn, however, on the authority of a report by Mr i Cameron, the Government produce expert in London, that the question of the insulation of frozen meat cargoes has recently been freely discus- j Bed in the English commercial press, and pumice very favourably spoken of as a substitute for charcoal, and what is termed "slag wool" is also in excellent repute. The idea appears to be steadily gaining ground that charcoal insulating material breeds germs detrimental to cargoes, and is also responsible for many of the fires occurring in the colonial trade. The Agent-General has forwarded to the Government a communication on the subject from the Alliance Marine Assurance Company. The secretary of the company states that his corporation is. convinced that the continued use of charcoal should be discouraged, and adds that as pumice is a New Zealand product, it would be desirable to promote its use. Mr Cameron states that Messrs <Turnbull, Martin and Co. are now insulating the steamer Buteshire, which suffered from fire recently, with pumice throughout. This company lately made a number of experiments to demonstrate the relative values of charcoal and pumice, and these prove charcoal to be the better insulator of the two. The cost of pumice is reported to be very much greater than charcoal, as a, thickness of six inches of charcoal is equal to seven inches of pumice. Mr Cameron's remarks as to the cost of pumice would hardly apply were the industry better developed in New Zealand and stimulated by a larger demand.

A large and influentially signed requisition has been received by the Premier asking him to allow himself to be nominated for the representation of Waikato at the next general election. The Premier has replied that, while greatly appreciating the honour offered him, he cannot see his way to sever his connection with the part of the colony he has so long represented.

The Humane Society of New Zealand has awarded a certificate for an act of bravery to Charles Jacobsen, a schoolboy, for endeavouring to save a boy named Edward Maulser from drowning in the Takaka river, Nelson. Also a certificate'to Samuel Westrupp, of Fernsidc, Nelson, for efforts in saving the life of William Patterson and family.

The Union S.S. Company have decided to place a third vessel in the One-hunga-Kew Plymouth and Wellington service, and an additional steamer will be engaged to carry out a daily ferry service between "Wellington and Lyttelton. It is also intended to inaugurate -i daily service between Wellington and Picton. The vessels to be engaged in the above trades are not yet decided upon but the Mawhera will probablj take part in the Pictou trade.

\t the ordinary meeting of the City Council on June 15 His Worship tne Mayor submitted important proposals fo/ the. improvement of the city of Auckland. The scheme submitted involves an expenditure of about £ 100,000 and deals with the questions of drainage, water supply, street paving, etc. Mr Goldie outlined a scheme' for raising the necessary loans to carry out the work, which it is anticipated can be done without any additional rating.

Last year the Wei ngton Marine Survey Combination . forwarded a report *to the Collector iof Customs strongly urging that the statutory free board of vessels trading to the colonies should be increased. In support of this numero. recent instances of damage and total loss were alluded to. The report was forwarded to the Board of Trade, and that body has now replied, declining to interfere, on the ground that no sufficient reason is shown, in which they say they are supported by authorities appointed by them to assign free boards. •

Mr C. A. Green, commercial delegate from Philadelphia, had an.interview with the Premier on June 24, and made a request that the colony should place on permanent exhibition in the Philadelphia Museum samples of its own leading lines of manufacture. The Premier thought such a request should be granted, as good must result to the colony therefrom, and promised to see what could be done. Mr Green also urged Mr. Seddon to bring before the Government Ihe matter of appointing a delegate to represent the colony at the .coming Commercial Congress in Philadelphia. The Premier replied that the matter was to be brought before the House.

In connection with the report that Mr \V. Mackenzie (the well-known baritone) and Miss Glover, who recently toured New Zealand with a concert company, have been drowned whilst proceeding to Klondike, the IS Tapiev "Telegraph" says: "The story at present Licks confirmation,-but it is stated that the relatives and friends of the two entertainers have received information that they left for the Klondike goldfieldg at an unseasonable time and by a dangerous route, necessitating the crossing of a particularly treacherous river. News was subsequently received that eleven people had been drowned at the crossing in question, but no names were to hand, nor were they afterwards ascertained. As, however, Mr Mackenzie and Miss Glover have not since been heard of, and as it is almost certain they were with the party whose numbers were diminished by the sad accident above referred to. it is feared that they were among the victims."

GISBORNE, July 5

The Tiniroto Hotel, owned and occupied by J. S. Cooper, was destroyed by fire last night. The origin of the fire is supposed to have been in a defective chimney in the centre of the building, which had been damaged by an earthquake. Nothing was saved. The insurances total £800, in the Liverpool, Loadon and Globe, j^.J^vj^