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Evening Star, Issue 7345, 18 October 1887, Page 2

The Hon. Wi Tako is in a critical condition, and but slight hopes are held of his recovery. The North New Zealand Woollen Company's Mills at Onehunga were opened on Saturday. Bishop Moran did not arrive, as expected, by the Mararoa, but will leave Melbourne by the steamer sailing to-morrow. The Minister of Public Works has asked the Auckland City Council to nominate a third man as member of the Railway Board of Appeal. Auckland merchants are promoting c petition to the House of Representatives praying that the Stratford route of the North Island Trunk Railway be idopted. Major Airey, of the New South Wales Permanent Artillery, has received the Burmese medal in recognition of his services as a Volunteer in the Burmese campaign. A poll was taken at Greymouth yesterday for raising an additional L 1,350 for the Wallsend-Taylorville footbridge. The result was 157 votes in favor and only two against. At Auckland y2sterday Bishop Luck laid the foundation stone of the new Roman Catholic Church of St. Benedict, to be erected upon the site of the first St. Benedict's Church recently destroyed by tire. The Mayor of Wellington has beep in communication witli Mr Prince, electrician, in regard to the experimental electrical lighting of that city, which has already been authorised by the City Council. The trial of Wadham Wyndham, the Inverell squatter who murdered his family in a fit of religious frenzy, has been concluded at Armadale. He was defended by counsel instructed by a leading Sydney firm of solicitors. On being asked to plead, the prisoner said he did slay his wife and children, but not with murdnrous or premeditated intent, and solely as a sacrifice. His plea was entered at the request of counsel as not guilty. The prisoner was very much affected, but showed no signs of insanity. The jury found the prisoner " Not guilty " on the ground of insanity, and he was remanded unt;l the pleasure of the Governor should be made known. The late boisterous weather has prevented the prisoners making much headway .with the Jubilee Park. It may be of interest to know that it is intended that the hill facing Serpentine Avenue entrance shall be levelled; that a road twenty-four feet •wide, -with a culvert underneath, is to be formed at the bottom of the Park. A palm-tree avenue, from the Serpentine avenue entrance right through the park to the Maori road, is also thought of. All banks within the enclosure are to be sloped from 2ft to Ift, and to be sodded or planted with ivy creepers. The paths, which are to be of a circuitous description, are to be 4ft 6in wide j whilst that known as Tomliason's pond has been drained. It is to be made larger, its banks are to be sodded, the centre raised, and bottom concreted. A constant flow of fresh water will be reoeived and discharged daily. A bridge is also to be formed leading out the Maori road.

Further details of the shooking murder of ' a wife and two children in the Rue Brey, Paris, are now published. The examination ' of the body of the unfortunate woman, made ' shortly after the murder, showed that she had been killed during her sleep. All the four bullets her husband had fired at her had entered her head. From the attitude of the body of the little girl Fanny, whose head had been nearly severed, it was evident that sh.c had struggled and implored for mercy, her hands being clasped together and her arms extended as if in supplication. Her features bore the expression #f the deepest terror. A 8 to the boy, aged three, hia neck h«4 befcn fcapked and gashed in a horrible mannef. The W&JJQPP with which fhe crime was committed—a jreyohrcr of a iarg.i bore, which Padrona had used against; his wife, and 8> Spanish dagger with a chased silver handle -*- were found in the room. The point of the dagger w%Q broken off, showing the fury with which Padros*, had struck his two little victims. Padrona's last declaration before the ejf&mjning Magistrate, who remarked that his variouiT&agwerp ■ did not tally, was: "It was fate ! It was to be !" A second examination was attempted later on, but the murderer appeared utterly prostrated, and only muttered incoherent replies. Within the next few days he is to be examined by specialists as to his mental condition. The 'Lyttpjton Times' is moving the spheres to get up * ,de.m° ns tration against the Southern members wkft have dared to take office under Major Atkinson. It says j —" The charge of having outraged public opinion falls more heavily on the Southern contingent, It ought to crush men like Mr Hislop, who wfto returned on a plain and distinct understanding that he was unfavorable to Major Atkinson's taking the Premiership, and who had not been in Wellington a week before he was working tooth and nail to induce the by no means enthusiastic Opposition caucus to accept the very man agajnstwhoni he had declaredatOamaru. We sincerely regret that Mr Hislop will not be one' of those members who will pay visits to their constituents during the quasi recess which has just begun. Unless the electors of /Qamaru are exceedingly easy-going in their notion? of political morality, or are] unusually prone to be .flattered by the honor of being represented in a Cabinet, no matter by whom or on what conditfons, we should imagine that Mr ijisjop's barefaced behavior will disgust them once and for all. Messrs Pearson and M'Gregor ought not to. have altogether a bed of roses in the future. We are aware that the member for Ashley has a strong hold on his constituency, and that party politics do not, as a rule, exotte the .good people of Akaroa to anything remotely approaching a frenzy of indignation. Still we should - fancy that even in Ashley and Akaroa the return to pjfrce of , Sir ,F. Whitaker, Major Atkinson, apa the' . Minister for Publio Works, who imposed ] the grain tax, will scarcely be received with i acclamations." .'. ,/ (

The Postal Conference at Adelaide will probably be put off till the end of November. The Hon. J. Martin is about to try an experiment in the cultivation of sugar beet on his estate at Wairarapa. Mr Arthur Appleby, of Christchurch, who goes Home by the Aorangi, intends to finish his musical education under the best masters in Germany. At the City Police Court this morning John Roberts, for drunkenness, was convicted and discharged. Mr William Gregg, J.P., was the presiding Justice. During the trial of Moonlighters at the Limerick Assizes, an informer, in giving his evidence, admitted that he had been in the pay of the police to watch the prisoners before the commission of the murder with which they were charged. A late cablegram states that Mr Champion, the Socialist, whose name came into prominence in connection with the disturbances in London several months ago, was invited to address the Church Congress, and delivered a speech, which was well received. The subscriptions to the presentation to be made to Bishop Moran nave exceeded expectations, and over LI ,000 is now expected. It was to have been made this week, but the Bishop, at the urgent request of Archbishop Carr, decided to stay in Melbourne a week longer. Our Melbourne correspondent writes :- "Mr P. G. Pryde, secretary of the Otago Education Board, is at present in Melbourne on a holiday for the benefit of his health.— Mr C. J. Harper, who is associated with Canterbury agricultural interests, is interesting himself greatly in the irrigation systems which are in* operation in different parts of the Victorian country. He has been afforded every facility for making his observations by the Government, and he hopes to be able to give some valuable hints to New Zealand farmers on his return.

In consequence of the scandal in which Colonel Hughes-Hallett, M.P. for Rochester, was concerned through his seduction of the stepdaughter of his late wife, the clergy of all denominations in his electorate have joined in a petition requesting him to resign the seat. The Conservative Committee, however, are not willing that he should resign at the present time, when the seat might be lost to the party, but they say a new candidate will be chosen at the next general election. A very remarkable article appears in the September * Blackwood,' dealing with the comparative military strength of France and Germany, and their respective chances in the war which moßt people think inevitable. The writer, whose anonymity must be respected, but who (says the * World') is known to be an artillery officer of repute, demolishes Sir Charles Dilke's theory that Germany cannot attack France's "frontier of fire," and can only invade by violating the neutrality of Belgium. The French fortresses are only a new Chinese Wall, the whole value of which is lost when pierced at one point. Germany, unlike France, has devoted all her energies to the perfection of the mobilisation system, and could be so much the sooner in the field, in overwhelming numbers, that she could break through where she pleased, of course at an enormous sacrifice, but success would be worth it. As to the two armies, the writer believes that of Germany maintains its superiority—in arms, seeing that it is already armed with magazine rifles; in discipline, which is admittedly bad with the French, especially as regards the relations between officers and men; and, last of all, in the prestige that still hangs round the victors in the last campaign. The Otago Hussars went into camp yesterday. The country corps arrived by midday train, and at once proceeded to Tahuna Park, where they busied themselves in putting the tents up and making everything ready—a task which involved double labor, for at about two o'clock the weather broke and a storm blew all the tents down. The Dunedin men marched out at five o'clock ; but the high wind demolished t(je kitchen and they had to return to sown for the evening meal. This over, they returned to the Park, and by taking extra precautions the tents were kept standing through the stormy night, though the men had anything but a comfortable time of it, as the rain was exceptionally heavy during the gusts. This morning the troopers paraded and drilled in the Park in preference to the beach, as the sand on the shore has become very uneven and there is a lot of water standing about in pools. The total number in camp is forty-five, under the command of Captain Stronach and Lieutenant Maclean, while a large share of the detail work falls on the shoulders of Sergeant-major Robin. Captain Coleman is expected to pay the encampment a visit before the week is out. On Saturday there will be the usual review movements, which generally attract a large attendance of the public ; and on Sunday, prior to the breakup, a church parade will probably be held.

The Intercolonial Chamber Manufacturers' Conference has been held at Adelaide under the presidency of Mr E. Steinfield, of Melbourne. Dr LL. Smith moved—" That it is desirable that Freetrade amongst the colonies of Australasia should be established," but it was altered bo as to read—- " That in the opinion of this Conference it is desirable that Freetrade amongst the colonies of Australasia should be established on the basis of a customs union with a uniform tariff," An amendment was moved by Mr Hawk—" That in the opinion of this Conference legislation that will remove the barriers that now exist in the way of a free interchange between the colonies, is highly desirable, and that with a view to finding a way to this result, a customs union and assimilation of tariffs in all practical way should be encouraged." The motion was oarrled by twelve to two. The delegates present then formed themselves into an Australian Federal Union, witty powers of amalgamation and affiliation, The following resolutions were ajlso carried i—"That this Conference reoord* its oonyiotion that the laws affecting patent rights should bo amended, so that a patent granted in any one colony shall have equal force In all or any of the Australian colonies on the payment of the registration fee."-*" That in the opinion of this Conference the imposition of countervailing import duties on bounty-fed foreign sugar is absolutely necessary to the continuance and growth of the Australasian sugar industry." The next sitting of the Conference is to be held at Brisbane on a day to be yet fixed.

The Jubilee Horticultural Society have forwarded to us their prize-lists for the December and March shows. The ' Illustrated Australian News' to band lias for a frontispiece an engraving of the M&yaroa j n quarantine in Hobson Bay, and a .Visw of Jluapehu. Mr George Leiteh and his " Harbor Lights " and " Human Nature " Company arrived by the To Amu, and open in Timaru on phe 24 th'jnst., afterwards making a tour of the Colony, and visiiing Duriedin in January next. There was a large attendance last evening at the closing entertainment of the Kaikorai Presbyterian Young Men's Society. The performers Wfcw Juttioe, Callender, Reid, Moir, Pearson', Hay, B&nnerman, Paterson, Laing, and Neave; Messrs Fraeer, Kobeptson, Wathen, Laing, Coull, M'Rae, and Lumley. Tfoo Rey. $. Ji. M. Sutherland was cbairman. The current number of the ' Colonial Military Gazette ' urges that the proposed Australian Milittry Collage should be commenced on a modest scale, "It would be a great mistake if the College were established on extravagant lines, because all wo require at present is a mode-.t but vigorous beginning. Australian aie things of the far future ; let us be content for the present with thoroughly efficient mjimental officers. If a field-marshal is required hoie at any time within the next quarter of' a century we have no manner of doubt that the Old Country will be willing to send him out/'

An entertainment in connection with the &fc Paul's Young Women's Association was held last evening in the St. Paul's schoolroom. There was a good attendance, and the Rev. Quartus Bacon presided. Vocal selections were contributed by Misses Corrigan (" v Twas a Dream"), Leech ("Caller Herring"), Messrs .!. Smith ("Lastof All"). Jones ("The Scout"), and a pianoforte duet by the Misses Irwin. Mr Dickie gave a clever exhibition of ventriloquism. Miss Wilson aeted as accompanist. The farce' "Taming of a Tiger" (in whioh Messrs F. M'Oarthy, Davie, and Beid took part) concluded a pleasant evening's amusement. At the ordinary meeting last night,of Boyal Oak Lodge; U;O.D., at. Caversham, P.D.P. BishoD, of Wellington, attended, and gave an, address o£ generaj -Cruidicsl matters, and made, particular' "reference j;o of the' Order jn the North Island. 'BR? that, the Dunsdin lodges should combine and organise demonstrations and art unions,, whioh were found to be a great souroe of profit to the Nqyth Island lodges, where.they are occasionally held,' He also explained the principle upon whioh the Druids' Loan and Investment Sooiety, the. benevolent fund, and lodge extension fund were worked'; and spoke of the advantages of having good circulating- libraries, such as the one at Auckland, in connection with the lodges. A hearty;yoie of thjnjks, was passed to the visitor for his address, and the hope expressed that he' would pay the lodge another visit. T * V"

We thank Messrs Ferguson and Mitohell for a useful paper-weight of their make. Footballers are notified that all unolaimed| garments in the Oarisbrook pavilion wilphjjtdestroyed if not claimed by the 31st inst. ''•''■ The regular monthly meeting of Lodge Dunedin, 931, E.G., will be held in Masonic Hall,' Moray place, this evening, at 7.30, ~ W The offioers and members of District Lodge of ©tago are requested to attend a meeting in Freemasons' Mall on Wednesday, 19th October, at 8 p.m. Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen have just.received a supply of a weapon, known as Francotte's patent breech-loader, which is the very; thing to arm our cadet corps with. Its weight, with bayonet attaohed is only 31b 15oz, and it can be fired with accuiacy up to 500 yards. One of the cadet companies attached to a crack London corps is armed with this rifle, and we believe it has been largely ordered for use by the cadet companies in Victoria. But for the: straitened state of our finances the Defence Minister might do muoh worse than procure a number of these handy, serviceable rifles. The following new patents have been applied for:—An improved oven for the use of bakers and others, to be called "Parker's Patent Eoppa Maori," by William Rechab Parker, of Ghi-ist-church; an improved apparatus for bottling aerated waters, principally for counter use, by Evan Rowlands, of Melbourne; improvements in the mounting of the container in contrifugal separators and similar centrifugal machines on its spindle, by Mikael Pedersen and Jens Nielsen, both of Denmark; for the restoration of sight and the curing of weak eyes, shortsightedness, soreness of eyelids, etc., to be called "Burd and Rusden's Patent Sight-Restorer," by Thomas Burd, 0.E., and Francis Rusden, of Auckland; for Mauley's asphalt top-dresser, by William Barron Manley, of Dunedin; for a produce-preserver, by Robert Ferdinand Loffler, of Auckland.