A NOBLE UNION.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 23, 14 June 1886, Page 2

A NOBLE UNION.

—?? — —— Wo can congratulate ourselves upon being for once in perfect accord with the leaders of all parties in Parliament. Tho brief but pregnant message which was flashed to England's Premier on Friday night was a singular instance of unanimity of thought on a great subject, amongst representative men who differ much in thoir views 'of local politios. It is indeed pleasant to find " Groy, Atkinson, Stout, Montgomery, Macandrew " agreeing in assuring the greatest statesman Of the age that -their sympathy is with him in his efforts to effect one of the greatest national reforms which ever statesman essayed—is with him in the temporary check which his exertions have encountered. It was a simple mossage, dictated by a kindly thought, but we have little doubt that it will have its effect in cheering and encouraging him to whom it was sent. Its significance is really great. The association of the, five representative names is remarkable • Sir George Grey is of Irish family, Major At.kinaon an Englishman, Sir Robert Stout and Mr. Maoandrew, Scotchmen, and Mr. Montgomery a North of Ireland jnan. Thoy are all representative men, representative of varying lines.of thought on' local .questions, and' representative also of' New Zealand ooloniste. Is

it not a happy omen, is it not a proof of the blessings of free institutions, of the priceless valne of the right of nelf-groTernmcnt, when wo find these men uniting in their sympathy with the movement to extend that blessing and confer that priceless boon upon another section of the Empire which they all love so well and arc bo proud of ? Have not all these men borne a leading part in building up the fabric of self-government whioh we enjoy bo fully here ? They know well that institutions of Belf-government in reality strengthen and draw together tho bonds of affection which unite the Mother Country and her offspring, and from the btorea of their experience they can discredit the prediction that to confer upon Ireland too right of managing its own internal affairs would weaken or destroy the unity of the Empire. Wo may well feel proud of a country and a Parliament whore leaders aro nnited in sympathy with the cause of liberty and of justice — the cause which has in the capo of Jjxlund found so able and eloquent a champion in Mr. Gladstone. By uniting as thoy have done to express that sympathy, they have honoured themselves and the co'ony.

At a moeting of the Otago members this morning- a letter was read from the Premier statinjr that the Otngo Central railway to tho Taieri Lake would be completed within thiee jeark.

# Wo have been requested to make a correction in the list of names published on Saturday of those members who signed tho telegram to Mr. Gladstone re tho Irish question. The name of Mr. Allwright, M.H.R. for Lyttelton, was incorrectly placed among the signatories, and the names of Mr. Smith and Mr. Dignan inadvertently omitted therefrom.

Sporting and lotterstothc E<litor aro publi.sliod on tho fourth page. Tho English and Australian mails ex Tarawera, which urrived at the Bluff this morning, chould arrive in Wellington on Wednesday by the Eotorua. The annual meeting of polioyholders in tho Government Life Insurance Association will bo held at tba Athenaeum this evening, to consider the proposals as to the romodelling of the inbtitution. Tho steamer Maitai, on her last trip from Auckland to here, sighted the Kusbian man-of-war Vestnik on the 4th instant while off Tnporoa, a little above Gisborne. Sho left hero on the lfet instant, but was reported by Captain Popo, of tho Tui, to be off Terawhiti on tho same evening, evidently at that time intending to go up the West Coast. The appointment of usher of the Supremo Court, rendered Tacant by tho promotion of Mr. Peter Skerrett to a olerkship in the Resident Magistrate's Court at Waipawa, has been conforrod on Mr. George Bastian, who entorcd on his duties to-day. Mr. Bastiau has for sovoral years been employed as a coachman in Wellington. Mr. Skerrett leaves for Wai])awa this day week. Yesterday being Whit Sunday, full choral servicos weie held at St. Mark's Church. Tho Psalms were sung to chants as set in the Cathedral Ppalter. The Canticles in the morning were sung to Garrett's Set ,'ice in F, and in the ovening to a harmonised Gregorian setting by Dr. Stainor. The Communion offieo waß Baker in F, and the anthem, " I will give thanks," by Barnby. Tho whole of the music was exceedingly well rondored by the Choir, whioh now numbers about 45 voices. Mr. E. T. Morshoad presided at the organ. The officiating ministers were tho. Rev. E. Coffoy and tho Rev. C. D. doCastro. Thore wero large congregations at both services. Tho jury-empaiinelled in tho divorco suit of Wright v. Wright wero not required to do much for the *1 noto which each of thorn received as payment for hia services. Tho case was to havo boon heard on Friday, but as both counsol wore out of the district it was adjourned until to-day, so as to enable the gentlemen of tho long robe to bo present. When it was called on again this morning', ono witness was examined, and Mr. Bell, who appoared for the respondent, thon statod that ho was willing a vordict should bo found for tho petitioner, on the count of her alloged adultery with a young man residing at Newtown. By his Honour's direction the jury brought in a verdict for tho potitionor, and as that was the only issuo they were empannelled to try they were discharged, not, howovor, boforo tho Registrar had presented oach of them with a £1 note, boing payment at tlie rato of 10s per diem. As they only tat for about 10 minutes on Friday and half-an-hour this morning, thoy must consider themselves to have been oxcecdinglywollrecompensedfor their servicos. A fourth attempt to find a candidate to fill tho vacant seat on tho Foxton Town Board has failed. Mr. E. Jowoll, of Whyte's Hotel, Foston, has, it is said by tho local papor, filod big schedule. Tho public examination of Richard E. Smith, builder, was conclndod in tho Bankruptcy Court on Saturday afternoon, and tho dobtor's bankruptcy was declared closod. Mr. Justice Richmond expressed tho opinion that tho dobtor's statcmonts wero not satisfactory, as he ought to havo kept books. In fact no person should become a contractor unless ho kopt accounts. His Honour intimated that he would havo something further to say when Smith came up for his discharge. The bankruptcy of Jacob Gidall, J. Stuart "Reid, Robert Rising, and Reuben A. Ingram wore declared closed. An application was mado by Boyd Thompson, of Auckland, for tho admission of his proof of olaim for ,£195 upon tho estate of his brothor, Alexander B. Thompson, late grocer, of Wellington. Mr. Jellicoo appeared for iho applicant, and Mr. Travers for tho Officnil Assignee. His Honour considered that the whole matter was overclouded with suspicion, but as the applicant had obtainpd judgment for tho amount in tho Supremo Court, the proof must be allowed. On tho application of Mr. Jellicoe, a proof of tho claim of Jonas Arundel was admitted in the estato of Waring Taylor. A case in which preliminary proceedings had been issuod at the instance of a Homo firm, calling upon the Official Assigneo to pay certain claims out of his own pocket, was struck out by tho Court, tho claimant firm not being represented. Special orders for professional costs were made- in tho estates of James Sim, G. Ingles, J. J. Smith, J. H. Wallace and Co., and A. A. Taylor. The Court then adjourned until Saturday next. Mr. Rawson, a resident of the Hutt, experienced a narrow escape this morning from an accident which might have resulted fatally. When the downward train from Wairarapa reached Ngahauranga, he stepped out of it on to tho rail for some purpose or other, and just then the train for tho Hutt passed by, and would have run over him, had not some one pulled him back in time. A squabble between two drnukon men, which led to an oncountor with fisticuffs, occurred in Manners-street at noon to-day, and caused somo little disturbance in tho vicinity of tho New Zealander Hotel. The Pahiatua Star records a fatal accident to a little boy aged seven, the son of Mr. H. Sodcole. Tho lad, with some others, was in a dray going along a bush rood, when a sudden jolt threw them all out, young Sedcole falling undor the wheel, wnich passed over his head, death being instantaneous. 'An inquest was hold on Saturday before Mr. Haggen, J.P., and a verdict of Accidental Death was roturuod Inspeotor Browne rosumed the active charge of tho detoctive department of tho city police force Hub morning, after having spent an enjoyable six -weeks' holiday in Victoria. A four-roomod cottage and shop in Fitz-horbert-streot, Featherston, occupied by William Smith, storekeeper, was partially destroyed by fire at noon on Saturday. The promises were owned by Mr. Angus Anderson, of Woodside, and were insured, but to what extont has not yet been ascertained. At tho Magistrate's Court this morning, boforo Mossrs. Eb. Bakor and A. L. Levy, Justices, a first offender was convicted of drunkonnoss and fined 10s, or in defanlt 48 hours' imprisonment. A woman who had been admitted to bail, did not appear when called, and a fino of £1 was inflicted, with tho alternative of -18 hours' imprisonment. Mary Jonos admitted that sho had been guilty of drunkennoss for the second time within six mouths. She was fined -62, or in default three days' imprisonment. A small boy namod Sydney Smith doniod tho ohargo preferred against him of having used a " shanghai" in a public place, to tho danger of property. Constable Slight gave ovidonoo in support of the charge. On tho application of defendant's fathor, tho caso was adjourned until this afternoon, to enable him to obtain evidence. Two lunatics, namod Mary E. Davidson and Emit Wilhelm, both of whom are still in their teens, were brought to the Mount Viow Asylum from Wanganui on Saturday, in the custody of Constable Gray. Detective Campbell arrested a man namod William Thompson on Saturday ovoning on tho chargo of haying absconded from.Blonheim, with the view of defeating, delaying, or embarrassing proceedings about to be taken against him under the Bankruptcy Act. Thompson will be sent across to Blenheim in custody this evening. The ground floor of tho Arcade, Mannersstreet, was orowded on Saturday evening, on the occasion of Mr. W. Noble's lecture on the subjeot of " Lights and Shades of English Life," 'large numbers of people being unable to gain admittanoo. The Hon. Major Atkinson occupied the chair, and Mr. G. V. Shannon and several clergymen occupied Boats on the platform. -The address consisted mainly of a succession of anecdotes illustrative of experiences in the Old Country, and all bearing more or less upon the temperance question. At its conclusion the lecturer appealed to all in Wellington— the young men especially — to fight against the temptations of drink. Mr. Noble played several musical selections on ooncortinas of three different siies, and the music appeared to be fully appreciated. Another crowded meeting was held at the Arcade yesterday, and in tbe evening Mr. Noblo filled the pulpit at the Wesleyan Church, tho congregation being unusually large. We havo to acknowledge receipt of the first copy of the Pahiatua Star, issued on Friday lost. It boars the imprint of Mr. Alexander Black, and is a very creditably got-up little papor. The final performance of " Patience " by St. Peter's choir, in aid of the funds of the Wellington Hospital, took place on Saturday night, and was fairly well patronised by the public. The performers have attained a high state of proficiency during the Droductions of the open, and the audience on Saturday evening frequently manifested its | approbation by outbursts of applause. W,e j understand that tho gross Bnni realised -an , the interest of the Hospital funds was .£B2, whioh will be handed over to the treasurer -with very trifling deductions, the expenses having boon remarkably light. A tea meeting in connection with {he Presbyterian Church, Petone, Will take place on Wednesday evening. Messrs. Deacon and Company report tho following Reefton returns of amalgam for week ending the 12th instant, viz: — Keep-it-Dark (boxes), 4500z ; Fiery Cross, "2580z ; Jnglewood, ISOoz.

Mr. Grattan Riggs and his theatrical company returned to Wellington yesterday ! by the Wairarapa from Napier, where they hive performed to large audiences. Tho company will re-open at the Theatre Royal j to-night, for a season of six nights. The piece do resistance will be the Irish drama ofthe " Peep-o'-day," in which Mr. JBiggs will suotain the principal character, that of Barney O'Toolo, which is said to be one of liis most successful impersonations. New and realistic scenery will be introduced for the occasion The opening ceremonies in connection with the Thorndon Lodge, 8.U.0.0.F., will tako place this evening at Mr. Cloke's room, bottom of Tinakori-road. Candidates for initiation are required to secure certificates from the lodge surgeon before presentation. The General Secretary of tho Young Men's Christian Association informs us, in reference to the paragraph in Saturday's issue re evening classes for girls, that the feinging | class, under the able tnition of Rev. P. N. Hunter, is open to membors and their lady friends. Anyono who desires further information can obtain it on application to Mr. Draflin at the Association rooms. We havo to call tho attention of the Lower Hutt residents to the public meeting advertised elsewhere, when the deputation appointed at a previous meeting will lay before them a report on their action re the Education Board, &o. Donations to tho funds ofthe Rugby Foothall Union were taken at the gates leading to Newtown Park on Saturday afternoon, and about £13 10s was received. As over a thousand persons passed into the park, the receipts averaged about 3d a head. As the Union is in want of funds to entertain the New South Welshmen and send a teara to Auckland this season, donations will bo invited on the occasion of each important match during the next few weeks. Messrs. T. Kennedy Mocdonald & Co. will sell to-morrow, at 2 o'clock, wines, spirit*, groceries, and sundries, of which details appear in another oolumn. Messrs. Francis Sidey & Co. will continue tho sale at the Oxford Hotel to-morrow. They will also hold a sale of wines, spirits, groceries, &c, in the Arcade.