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Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 277, 22 November 1899, Page 4

Speaking at Tauranga last night the Premier said that the Hon. J. G. Ward had been the victim of one of the most outrageous attacks privately for the purpose of injuring the Liberal party political!. To-day it was admitted that Mr Ward had been wrongly judged, and his actions had proved him to be an honourable and upright man, and Mr Ward would

be reinstated in the Ministry

in future the overland train leaving New York at nine p.m. will reae'h San Francisco on the fourth day at a-quar-ter past five p.m. This means a gain of three hours and a-half. enabling the mail steamers to leave San Francisco nor later than eight p.m. In the other 'direction a third daily train has been arranged between San Francisco and Chicago, as from the 15th u!t. This train leaves San Francisco daily at eight a.m.. arriving at Chicago on the third day at half-past nine a.m., and New York on the fourth-day at twenty minutes to two p.m.

The"Rev. Dr. Bevan, of Melbourne, who passed lliroiip.it here yesterday on his way from .San Francisco iii the mail steamer Moana. delivered an address on '-Federation" yesterday afternoon in the V.M.C.A. Rooms. The attendance was not large, but those who heard the eloquent address were greatly pleased. Mr C. E. Button presided. Dr. Bevan said public men in New Zealand seemed to be waiting to see which way the wind blew before they set I'heiiv sails in regard to this question of federation. The tendency of the age. was federation, and if New Zeulanders resisted that tendency they would be resisting the spirit of the age. It would be a mistake to rush into it too hurriedly, for once federated there would be no withdrawing. But fhey should not rest; they should diligently consider and enquire into the subject. He did not think New Zealand need be too anxious about being one of the original States, because if she wished to join the federation later on he. did not think those in Australia would make the terms.;, too hard. In conclusion, Dr. Bevan urged New Zealanders to look at the question in abroad statesmanlike manner and not to take a narrow paro.hial view of it.

The enhanced value of. New Zealand fibre has given a decided, impetus to the flax; industry in Waikato. Mr J. doates, who has had a- mill running for some years, has just purchased one at Morr'insville from Messrs Fry Bros., and has another to course •of erection at Hukanui. Mr TZSlade, too, has just built a mill at Hukanui, and expects to commence operations at the end of the present week.

We very much fear that some deserving applicants for electoral registration will be disappointed in their names not appearing- on the final Supplementaries, owing to their neglect and unwillingness to send in the. claims in good time to the Registrars of Electors. The proper officer for City of Auckland, Eden, Parnell, and Manukau registers, found it necessary to hand a large number of claims for enrolment to the Inspector of Police for enquiries and reports during the last few days. A certain number of days are allowable by law for statutory enquiries. It is a great pity so many persons have left the lodging or posting, of their claims until.-yesterday and to-day. '" ', J

The annual sports- meeting- of the Prince. Alnert .College is proceeding inJ,jie Domain Cricket Ground this afternoon,

By advertisement in another column it will be found that the Government Insurance Department is now prepared to lend sums of from £100 to .£IO,OOO on mortgage upon freehold security on liberal terms as to repayment at the low rate of four and a-half per cent. Full information regarding the mode of obtaining loans can' be ascertained from the district manager, Mr W. J. Speight, at the office of the Department.

For some time past the Waipa County Council has been urging the Government to acquire some 1400 acres at- Te Rapa, within a few miles of Hamilton, for small settlement, and at last meeting the Land Department signified- their .willingness to entertain an offer. Mr J. Gillett, of Hamilton, however, stepped in and secured the property from Mr Orbell, the former ownei\ and intends opening up an extensive gum field. He has already draining works in hand and expects to have between two and three hundred Maoris at work there by January or February. The land is good and' onl'v requires draining to: make it suitable'for dairying, and as the railway line runs through the heart of it, and the N.Z. Dairy Association have a creamery in full swing within- a stone's throw of the blocks, the speculation should prove a profitable one for the purchaser and for the town.

On Monday evening- next the Musical Union give'the final concert of the .season,'in the Chora J Hall. The work to be performed is Cowen's "Sleeping Beauty." The soloists will be Misses A. Loi-igan and Lynch, Messrs A. L. Edwards and W.J. Gunn, and the society will be assisted by an efficient 'orchestra, under the leadership of Mons. Willimoff. The second part of the concert will consist of part songs by the society, orchestral items, and solos. The box plan is open at- Wildman and Lyell's. There will be a full rehearsal on Thursday evening, in the Oddfellows' Hall, Cook-street.

Messrs P. A. Philips and J. Calnan, J.P.s, presided at- the Police Court this morning. James Daniels was fined 10/ or 48 hours for drunkenness. A case against Wm. Henry Whiteside, charged with being found on licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order, was adjourned till Saturday. Christina Larsen, charged with vagrancy, was also remanded till Saturday| A man named Archibald Roy Parvin was remanded to New Plymouth on a charge, of stealing a pair of saddler's compasses, value 5/. Leopold Ahrens, a fruit-hawker, was charged with carrying on business as a. hawker without a license. The Bench adjourned the case till to-mor-row for further enquiry, being of opinion that the bye-law exempted vendors of fruit. Sub-Inspector Wilson represented the police in the above cases.

An incipient fire occurred at the house of Mr T. Longville, Victoria Avenue, Eden. Terrace, on Monday night. It appears that a candle Avas standing on the table of a bed-room, and a draught of wind blew the curtains against the flame. About £5 worth of damage isireported to have, been done. - Tlie Police Barracks in O'Rorkestreet is rapidly approaching' completion. In about four weeks time it is expected to be thoroughly completed.

The special mail number of the "Graphic" 'published to-day is one of the very best- issues of that popular and up-to-date periodical. It contains a number of pictures .of the war of the utmost interest at the present time, including three large full page pictures specially sketched for the "Graphic." One of these represents the battle of Gleneoe and g-ives a realistic representation of the Boers being driven over the hill at the point of the bayonet. The. attack on the train at Elands Laagte and the capture of a Kaffir Ivrall held by Boers near Mafeking are also fine pictures. There are also smaller and detailed sketches of Ladysmith, showing the Town Hall, the camp, etc., etc., and likewise a general view of Mafeking. Portraits are given of Major-General ,T. P. D. French, j who commanded at. Elands Laagte. I Major-General Hildyard, who is with | the relieving column for. Ladysmith, ;and Major-General Sir H. E. Collville, i who commands the Guards in South 'Africa.'. The Auckland Agricultural • Show is handsomely dealt with in the ; matter of illustrations, there being no less than nine interesting pictures, mii eluding a very fine panoramic view of the paddock, exhibits, and spectators etc., etc.; A farther instalment of- reproductions of the best pictures at the Society of Arts exhibition is given. Mr Phe'n.ey'« fine picture of "Bullock ! Cart," Mrs Waldron's "Waiwera," and IMr Leedham's "Christchurch and I Hokitikei Road," being all beautifully ! reproduced. Assuredly not the least | interesting feature is the series of pictures' .showing the improvements lin j Freeman's Bay. Two. photos show the j works' now in progress, vyhilea third i full page illustration gives a capital I idea of what the reclamation will look [like when the proposed park is.an accomplished fact. Boating sheds, cricket and tennis grounds, band stand j and gardens are all shown, and a very j attractive ensemble they make. There | are in addition, to these pictures of ('bowling celebrities, while there is as j usual a perfect wealth of reading matj te'r of every description.

I Yesterday morning an old man ; named Thomas Short died somewhat ' suddenly at the residence of Mr Alfred ; Duch, Cleave Avenue. Dr. Parkes, who ;-was called in, but did not arrive till 'death had supervened, being unable to 'give a .certificate, an inquest was held. i The medical evidence given by Dr. ; Parkes .was to the; effect that deceased [appeared to 'have succumbed to fatty I degeneration of the- heart, congested liver and a complication of ailments. | A verdict was ret Limed. in accordance j with " this /evidence. Short was .adrummer in the Imperial Army, came to Auckland a few years ago, and at the time of his death was in'receipt of both Imperial and old age pension. He. was -78 years of age. Mr W...F. Mitford, who was a passenger by the Taviuni'on her last, trip to Fiji,. on_a-..-vjusit: to 'his brother, who is accountant- of the Bank of New Zea- j land at Suva, died on the steamer on . the 12th-inst. The Taviuni left Auck- ; land oh the Bth. Two days out Mr . Mitford was taken ill, and, gradually ; becoming worse, died after two days" j sickness." Deceased was buried at sea. j Mr Mitford was a bachelor, 40 years '[ of age, a native of New Zealand, and. j for many years in the Customs Depart- ■, ment. Great regret will be felt by the i onany, friends of Mr Mitford at his :j untimely death. : I At the Franklin Road Primitive! Methodist Church last evening the! Rev. W. F. Wilson, B.A, delivered-his! popular lecture on "Irish Character,' Witand. Humour", to .a;„good,.aud..;Lp-. pre'eiative audience The Rev.' ,T. Sharp occupied the ihriif. and Mis;; Howling, 'Mr and Mrs Wood 't'p'htr't.biited a'pp.-o-pririte solos.Mrs C. Dickens pi'es;;ling tat the piauo.

Mr Hi C. Thompson, champion ai_& - teur cyclist, of Canterbury, aceonn panied by-Mr Ingram, of Christchurch,Z. arrived from the South 'to-day. .j{- j? Thompson intends competing at tie ~ Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club's sports on Saturday. At the Supreme Court to-day _,_- C. J. Fan- stated that Mr Tole, th. Crown Frosecutor, would be unable to conduct his business at the Court this : week. He would appear for the Grown to-day in the cases before the Court, Arrangements had been made for Jj_«Z Theo. Cooper to conduct the remain., der of the cases. The Postmaster-General has decides that as soon as the stock of post-cards on hand is exhausted, all future cards will be printed on paper, 5-Mn by 3_in, in lieu of 4£iu by 3_in, as at present. The All Nations Fair will close to« night (Wednesday), when a splendid programme will be presented. The scenery is to be offered by auction at the close. A plain and fancy dress ball takes place on Friday night, Tickets can be had from the com« _ mittee. , .-•*.' J I J Mr P. Quinlan is organising a benefit \ concert to take place in St. Benedict's Hall on Friday, December Ist, The proceeds will be divided 'between the hall fund and St, Francis's, de Paul Society. Mr A. L. Edwards will he among the vocal contributors tovthe, programme. The Taupiri railway bridge across Mangawhara Creek had a narrow escape from destruction by fire on Sunday. Two residents noticed the bridge burning and succeeded in extinguishing the fire. ) The Rev. F. Warner, of Auckland, has been paying a short visit to Raglan. He preached on Sunday, the 19th inst., at Te Mata in the morning, at Okete in the afternoon, and at Raglan in the evening, and on Monday evening he delivered a very in, teresting lecture in the Congregational Church. His visit has been much appreciated by, those who have attended his meetings.