SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Evening Star, Issue 7280, 3 August 1887, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

AUCKLAND, August 3.

A private cablegram received from Sydney states that the following were the awards for j reapers and binders at the agricultural show there: —Buokeye, 1; Hornsby, 2. Inspeotor Thompson was presented with a gold ring last evening by the members of the Auckland Fire Brigade on the eve of his departure for Wellington. When it became definitely known that his removal had been decided on the members of the Police Force took in hand the getting up of a valedictory testimonial. The rules of the service preclude presentations, but the men got over the difficulty by deciding that Mrs Thompson should be the recipient of their gift. A large sum of money was collected in two or three days, and a solid silver tea and coffee service, valued at sixty guineas, was purchased. The late w. S. Pulford had a checkered career; in foot, his life would make a readable book. In the early days of the Victorian goldfields he joined!the gold escort as a cadet, and in 1853 went up to the Bendigo diggings in command of twenty - eight troopers, of whom Detective Walker was a member. Later on he turned up as a deteotive at Adelaide. He was subsequently engaged in explorations in South Australia with Mr Hargreaves. He then commenced to contribute to the Australian Press, and was also author of some dramas. He next came to this Colony, and settled in Auckland, when the •Observer'was started. He resumed Disconnection with the Press, and became manager of that journal. Latterly he became a newsagent, and manager of the Creditors' Mutual Protection Association. He was also preparing a handbook of the New Zealand Parliament, whioh was to contain short biographies of the members. Some years ago, when Payne, the celebrated American shootist, was in Auckland, Pulford narrowly escaped death while standing in the Opera-house as a target, when Payne fired at an apple placed on his head. This feat did not come off quite right, and the bullet scored a line along Pulford-'s oianium. Since then Pulford has never been the same man. About a year afterwards he fell down in a fit on the lonsonby road. He received prompt medical treatment and apparently'recovered all right. He has, however, repeatedly been seizei since then with what appeared to be mild epileptic fits. During the last few weeks he has been receiving medical attentfon from Dr Haines and DrLeigerson. At a meeting of the Auokland Presbytery to-day there waß read a hatch of correspondence i between the Rev. A. Mackenzie, M.A., 8.D., formerly' a minister at Avondale, claiming arrears of stipend,. and-also. payment for-resi-dence at the manse as guardian of the premises. He threatened to take "other Bteps" if his demands were not complied with. An extract of a minute of the Church Session was also read ebowing that tile treasurer had offered. Mr Mackenzie L 7 8i 3d as payment of arrears, bat he would not give a' receipt in full From a subsequent letter from Mr Mackenzie to .Mr M'Nicol, it appeared that he claimed that about L.70 was due to him, he - having not ceased to be minister of the congra- { gation until June.- If thfese arrears were net |

ig|fitay settled he would seize the church. He ? trampled on," and could afford to takd the -matter iilto any Court. A deputation from tbfrJEirk Session of Avondale was present wjttf rettftnoe to the supply of the pulpit. The )mfr<fmaHe church'extension fund. After 'itonie djjfcrassion, it was .unanimously resolved to refer fhß. ;.whole Jfjatter to a committee,' siich coirlmittetfso Have power to ftct, and the moderator to have pdwerio recommend the Church Extension Committee to grant a liberal \llowanceto Avoltdale. . Is.anian Bound to support his ex-mother-in-law ? is & Question which is now exercising the Slharitable Aid Board. At the meeting yesieray Mr Udy asked the chairman' whether the statement was correct that the grandmother of an Auokland bank manager had been in receipt of charitable aid for soma time. The chairman replied that the statement was substantially correct. The person referred to was the ex-mother-in-law of a bank manager in the city, but the law could not compel him to support her. Mr Udy said he had also heard that the sister of a prominent tradesmari and the grandmother of an Auckland solicitor were receiving charitable assistance. The chairman (Mr W. R. Waddoll) said that the last-mentioned assertion was in accordance He pointed out that it was hardly fair that the statement should be given unless accompanied with names/ and to this Mr Udy replied that he was quite willing to give the names.

OHRISTGHCROH, August $. Sir John Hall's speech ha's been commented upon with curious difference by the 'Press' and the 'Lyttelton, Times.' According to the ' Press' the moderation of the speech is so evidently natural as to constitute an additional charm to it. After dealing with tho pointß in detail, the Opposition organ says:—"The impression whioh the speech, a? a whole, leaves is that Sir J. Hall has carefully considered the present position.of the Colony in all its bearings; that ho has thought out the. means of relieving us from the long-oontinued depression, and that we have now laid before us a matured policy, on whioh.the Colony may safely rely for the immodiate future." The ' Lyttelton Times, on the other hand, declares that Sir J. Hall has failed to answer the case for the Ministerial claim to economy, actual and comparative. He does not understand the importance of the land question, on which he has kept an odd silonce as to the pastoral leases, and ho has no ideas of retrenchment himßolf. He commits himself to little or nothing. He can make out bui a poor case against the Government, and lie altogether shirks of replying to the case made but in their favor. "As Sir John Hall said, this hj a roost critical period. A 6 critical periods a Government united in itself," and having ready a Srogramme of necessary measures, cannot be isturbed. The raising up of a new leader among our politicians at such a time would be billy a disastrous disturbance. The duty of the electors, who have to choose between an aspirant to the leadership and an intending private member, between ■ ori'e' wo wttnts to steer some course of. his own and one who is ready to help others to steer a course recognised and proved to be, safe, is clear. Prudence requires them to choose the able seaman, and to reject the pilot. The ship is in difficulties; she has enough pilots, and wants only a stronger crew." . ....:.. \-..,„,