The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1900.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1900, Page 4

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1900.

For th.o causa that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the futuro in the distance, And the good that we can do,

NEW ZEALAND AND TONGAN ANNEXATION

Owing to the close attention commanded by the vital issues now engrossing' the Empire, we arc liable to overlook questions which, while of lesser moment, materially affect our local prosperity. There is a matter at the present juncture it is expedient should be agitated by those within whose province it J'alls. We refer to the dispositions now being made in the Friendly Islands as an outcome of the Anglo-German agreement. From the point of view of New Zealanders, more especially at this end of the colonly, the most important concession obtained by Britain for the sacrifice of Samoan interests was the transference, of Germany's claims on Tonga. Britain has all along" beeu the paramount European power in the group, but a financial hold secured by Germans of late years gave their country certain claims to a say in the regulation of the destiny of the islands. Now England has secured untrammelled rights, and a change in the administration is apparently on the eve of initiation. Mr Basil Thomson, who has an extensive knowledge of the natives' character, and the position of Tongan affairs generally, is en route to Nukualofa. His mission as a British Commissioner is to explain to the native administration the scope of the AngloGerman agreement in its relation to the Friendly Islands. A short cable from Sydney a few days ago stated that H.M. Porpoise was leaving for Tonga in connection with the official taking over of the islands by Britain. While this information was meagre and possibly not from an authoratitative source, there have been numerous indications during the past twelve months of some such move. After a visit of the cruiser Tauranga at the commencement of the Samoan outbiea'k, a statement received wide publicity to the effect that the British Government purposed talcing over the complete control of Tonga. Such a step could hardly be made without the acquiescence .of the natives, as they have proved themselves capable of maintaining a stable government, conducted on European lines. The Friendly Islanders throughout have adopted a favourable attitude to British control, and we believe a vast majority would raise no objection to outright -annexation-, bringing* with it as a consequence a consolidation of the control now exercised. However this may be there can be no question about, the fact that the British Government propose extending- the control, if not entirely taking over the

islands

New Zealand is the part of the British dominions most affected by any change in the Friendly Islands, and it behoves our legislators to see 'that in any alteration our interests are entirely safeguarded. When there was some talk /of England taking over Samoa, Fiji moved in the matter with a view to obtaining the regulation of the government of the prospective possession. A similar step will no doubt be made in the case of Tonga. Incorporation with Fiji would be. detrimental to our interests, for Fiji is more closely associated with Sydney in its trade, relations than with New Zealand. At present otir exports to the Friendly Islands amount to a larger sum than to any other single Pacific group. In 1898 they were of the value of £21,667, and in 1897 of. £27,419. We trust that the Chamber of Commerce and our members will move in this

matter. That Xew Zealand could obtain a control, abundantly securing' this colony's interest if a change is contemplated, we feel assured. It should only be v question of urgent representation to the Imperial authorities, for the geographical relation of New Zealand to the group renders this colony admirably situated for the regulation of Tongan affairs. A first consideration is that any action it is deemed expedient to take should not be allowed to stand over till the Imperial authorities have made such definite dispositions that no mat-

ter how urgent our representations modification would be impossible.

Captain Edwin forecasts for 2-t hours from 9 a.m. this day. easterly gale with heavy rain, heavy sea. high tides, and glass falling.

The steamer Manapouri arrived from Samoa and the Friendly Islands early this? morning-, two days earlier than wiis anticipated. Every thing1 was quiet nt the Islands, and no damage was caused by the gale met by the 11.M.5. Alameda. The transport Abarenda and the German warship Cormoran. which put to sea when the Alameda left, returned to port shortly afterwards. The authorities at Tonga, in view of the outbreak of plague at Sydney, were considering the advisability of declaring the whole of Australasia infected, and of quarantining vessels for fourteen days after arrival, but this had not been decided upon.

The French warship Eure took her departure for Noumea -'.is morning.

At the Police Court this morning, before Mr If. W. Brabant, S.M., two first offending inebriates were discharged with a caution, while a third, who did not appear, was fined 10/, to be deducted from the bail money. Kate McManus was fined 20/ or 7. days, and Fanny Berry 10/ or 48 hours for drunkenness. A boy of twelve, found sleeping in the openair at night, was committed to Burnham Industrial School. Oswald Grattan for disobedience of a maintenance order was sentenced to 14 days hard labour, warrant to be suspended for four days to give the defendant a chance to pay the arrears. Mr Brookfield appeared for the prosecution on behalf of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children.

The Rev. Fin lay Wilson yesterday gave notice to move at the next meeting, of the Hospital Board: '"That steps be at once taken for the, installation of electrical battery connections to the four wards in the Hospital main building, and the four wards in the Coctley Hospital building, with connecting plug in each ward and one switch board for each building, also the following accessories, viz.. a galvanometer, handles and plates, at a cost of say £25;

Yesterday morning a man named Thomas Beake, a driver employed by, Messrs A. Buekland and Sons, Al"bertstreet, sustained a painful accident. The horse he was driving bolted and Beake was thrown under the wheel of the cart. The wheel passed over his left ankle, causing a compound fracture and dislocation. Dr. Girdler was soon'in attendance, and ordered the man to be removed to the Hospital.

Malietoa Tanumafili. who was declared to be king of Samoa by Chief Justice Chambers, has asked for an education. His request was for-

warded by Consul-General Osborn, now at Apia, to Secretary Hay, who has approved it and has suggested in a note to Germany and Great Britain that the three Powers pay the expenses of the young man while he attends school in Etirope.

A question of salaries caused considerable discussion at the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday afternoon. The Finance Committee. recommended that Dr. Baldwin's salary be raised from,£soo to £550. This was a cause of various motions and amendments being proposed. One member thought the doctor should have, a house allowance of £75 added to the £500, while another favoured the recommendation of the committee. Others spoke strongly against any increase, while one new member at the Board table was surprised to hear that if a patient was brought to the Hospital with a broken leg one of the hon. medical staff had to°be telephoned for, while the. sufferer lay in pain. He thought it was the duty of the Medical Superintendent to' act in such cases. Another member said it would be a breach of professional etiquette to act in such a manner. Eventually it was agreed that Dr. Baldwin's salary remain at £500. The Finance Committee also recommended that Mrs "Wooten's salary be raised from £100 to £125, but this proposal was also rejected. Mr J. Bagulev, chief cook at the Hospital, had his'salary raised from £90 to £100, worth. An application from the Engineer for an increase in salary was declined. Mr Friend gave notice to move at the next meeting that the Medical Superintendent and matron be voted a bonus of £50 and £25 respectively.

The American cruiser Philadelphia was to sail for Samoa from San Francisco this month, with Commander S. Schroder, Governor of Tutuila, on board. On his arrival he will relieve Captain K. F. Tille3% w rho is now acting Governor of the latest addition to the' possessions of the United States. Tutuila is the island on which is. the new harbour of PagoPago. The United States is now building a, coaling station there, ancV the-.chances are that Governor Sch-^ roder will take up his residence there. '.;■.:.

Last Friday evening- a very reprei sentative meeting of the New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women | and Children and ■• Prevention of ! Cruelty to Animals was held in thq i Town Hall,.Te Aroha, presided over by i the Rev. S. Griffiths, to hear an address jby Mr Wilding1, chairman of the society (who happened to be staying- in the- town). It was unanimously decided to form an Aid Committee, of which Eev. E. J. McFarland, 8.A., was elected chairman, and Mrs Blencowe lion, secretary. The Rev. T. J. Wells, M.A., and ISev. Father Kehoe, with several other we'll known residents, consented to act upon the committee. It is hoped that this movement will not only aid the work of the society in Te Aroha, but augment its funds.

j • Buyers of bicycles should attend the auction sale to-morrow at 1 p.m. on the premises of Messrs Skeates and Boekaert. Twenty-five machines are, for sale without reserve.

i The April number of "The Bible Standard" is to hand, and the contents well maintain the reputation the periodical has so long sustained.

ilails for Capetown via Albany close at Wellington per Maori and Wannate on Saturday, 31st., at 10 a.m.

A large number of supporters of Mr .Tt. Hobbs assembled at the Tailoresses Hall last evening to present a requisition asking that gentleman to stand for the city at the bye-election. Mr Geo. Higgins presided. Mr liobbs consented to stand. He said that when he retired from business his only

wish was, in the few remaining years of his life, to serve his country. He did not care a rap for a seat in the House. If they wished to return him they had in the hall the nucleus of a very powerful organisation, but unless they worked hard they could not succeed. He would place himself in their hands, and would personally do his best. From the. number of persons who had approached him, he did not see why they should not win hands down. The work of forming committees was then entered on. The Central Committee meets this evening at Mr Higgins' warehouse, near the Market entrance, at eight o'clock.

The Auckland City Assessment Court will sit on Monday, April 2nd. The number of appeals against the values- a.- -igned by the city valuer is 210, and is made up as follows: Ponsonby 43, East 51, North 37, Karangahape 20, South 58, Graft-on 7. The City Council, on the representation of the Ratepayers' Association, will contend that the values of certain properties have been over-estimated.

Tenders for the Auckland city loan of M. 50,000 will be received at the City Council office up to Saturday the 31st. A few tenders have already been handed in, and there, has been great demand at the Council office Jf;r forms for tendering. Each tender has to be accompanied by a deposit of 10 per cent., so that few are expected before Saturday. The interest is at the rate of 4 per cent., and the debentures are £50 each fpr 21 years.

At the annual meeting of members of the Pitt-street Unitarian Church last night, Mr T. Read, sen., on behalf of the committee and friends, presented the retiring secretary, Mr H. C. McCready, with a gold mounted watch guard as a slight token of their appreciation of his services to the church since first he conceived the idea of gathering the Unitarians of Auckland

into an organised body. In replying to Mr Read's appreciative remarks Mr McCready said he had done his best in the interest of the church, because he had the cause of liberal religion at heart, having been bred and born a Unitarian, as were generations before him. He thanked them heartily, however, for this token of their appreciation of his efforts.

Yesterday we reported the sale of a lease of,land in Brighton Road, Parnell, for 60 years at £ B.per foot per annum. Jt should have read £8 per allotment.

Tenders will be received at the City Council office for the T whole or any smaller number of £50,000 worth of Mjo debentures issued under the Auckland City Borrowing Act, 1899, on or before noon on March 31st. Particulars are advertised in another colulnn.

Captain Jackson Barry, the veteran pioneer, a colonist of 71 years, has been most successful in his canvass for subscriptions for his new book, '"The Australian Colonies and Xew Zealand," with the author's autobiography. In Auckland alone he has over 200 orders, and promises of many more. The book will be issued shortly".

The congregation of the Franklin Road Primitive .Methodist Church welcomed their new minister, the Key. W. Potter last evening, the welcome taking- the form of a. social. There was a large attendance, and Mr T. Booth presided, and extended to Mr Potter the sympathy and loyalty of the congregation. Apologies for absence were read from the Rev. E. Best and Mr Goldie. ' The l&ev. B. Dudley, from Stratford, delivered an impressive address on the "Mission of the Christian Ministry." Mr Potter briefly replied, and the remainder of the evening' was occupied with an excellent musical pi'ogramme.

The Ponsonby Orchestral Society held its second practice last evening, under the conductorship of Mr S. Adams. New music was put into rehearsal with excellent results. This new society is progressing very satisfactorily. Twenty leading instrumentalists attended last night.

The Jones-Haven Minstrel Company appear again at the Foresters' Hall,

Newton, to-night. The programme includes songs by the Jones Brothers, Messrs Milford Haven, Chas. Hugo, Diamond, and others. The prices of admission are a shilling and sixpence.