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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3909, 8 May 1877, Page 2

We understand that the Education Board of Hawke's Bay has reserves vested in it which, if let now, would bring in about £1000 per annum, but the board does not consider it expedient to lease them at the present moment.

The wonderful story in reference to Te ivooti'B miracle working, sent us by an occasional correspondent at Wairoa, we observe is being reprinted in a large number of the Southern papers, and -will shortly, most likely, get into tho Australian papers. The Wellington Argus, which copied it first, headed it " from the Napier Telegraph." We mention this in justice to our correspondent, in order that other papers, which might otherwise follow the Argus in its mistake or misrepresentation, whichever it is, may not do so. The Telegraph had a somewhat similar story about a week after ours (which is the one copied) appeared. We take the following from the Wanganui Chronicle, in reference to the late Rev. John M 'Michael, formerly minister of the Meanee church: — "In Hawke's Bay for three years he prosecuted the work of a faithful pastor, until a flood of more than ordinary disastrous character ruined many of the members of his congregation, and so disheartened others, that their minister felt necessitated to resign his charge. Shortly after he proceeded to Victoria, where he was comfortably settled at Belfast, within the bounds of the Presbytery of Mortlake, in the autumn of 1868. The disease from which he suffered since 1870 was a most painful one, and his sufferings were most acute, but he bore them with Christian fortitude, and never a murmur escaped his lips. He rested firmly upon Christ, and was supported by a firm and unshaken hope of everlasting life. And on the sth of March he passed away at the call of the Great Master to his rest and reward. Thus another standard bearer in the Presbyterian Church of Victoria has fallen, leaving behind an example worthy of imitation. " The Church of England day-school at Taradale, which has been closed for the past week or ten days, will be re-opened to-day (Tuesday), under the auspices of the newly-appointed master, Mr James Smiih. We were informed some days ago that the Rev. H. W. St. Hill had been asked by the Rev. J. Townsend to take charge of St. John's Church for twelve months, in order to allow him (Mr Townsend) a change of scene, but were requested not to publish the information. As, however, oiir contemporary has done so, there can be no objection to our giving it the wider publicity of our columns. A telegram from Alexandra to the New Zealand Times, under date May 2, says : — "Douglas M'Lean, Sir Donald's son, was at Kopua j'esterday, where he met Manuhiri, Te Ranga, and other chiefs, who held a tangi over him, expressing their grief for Sir Donald's death. Mr M'Lean left here this morning for Te Awamutu. Tawhiao and his family had left Kopua previous to his arrival there, for which Manuhiri expressed regret." It was a matter of general complaint yesterday afternoon, in places in town where gas is used, that a highly offensive odour was emitted from Ihe burners, or from the slightest aperture where the gas could possibly escape in the least degree. Evidently there must be something wrong in the manufacture of gas tainted with so unpleasant a smell, and which must really be injurious to those who are subjected to its influence. We understand that the disturbance which occurred in tho White-road on Saturday night, of which we gave an account in yesterday's Herald, will be inquired into this morning at the Resident Magistrate's Court, on cross summonses issued by the police and the young man Connor respectively. We are informed by Inspector Scully that it is in consequence of the Wairoa bar being closed that he has been as yet unable to place a police officer in charge of the Napier lock-up. Sergeant Robinson, hitherto stationed at Waipawa, is to take the place vacated by Sergeant Moffit ; but Sergeant Robinson cannot leave Waipawa until he is relieved by Sergeant M'Guire, now at Clyde. We learn, also, from the same source that it is intended shortly to add three constables to the present police force in Napier, and that the new constables will be single men quartered at the Napier police station, ready for any emergency that may occur. The Lyttelton Times thus comments on the situation in the East : — " Once established in Constantinople, the Russian will by a better neighbor than the Turk. The order and enterprise that he will introduce into the country that has so long lain fallow under the blight of misgovemment, will make his connection most valuable to those who are fortunate enough to secure it. Englishmen are fond of complicating the position by trembling for India. If the Russian has designs on that Empire, it will be long before he can carry them out. At present an overland march on Hindostan is simply impossible, and the obstacle in the way of seizing the Suez Canal is the conquest of Turkey." The Poverty Bay Herald says :— Mr A. Graham left Poverty Bay in the s.s. Jane Douglas yesterday on a trip to Great Britain, and a number of business people and other residents in the district assembled at the wharf to bid him farewell and to Avish him a safe return. From the first moment of his arrival in the district, Mr Graham has been distinguished for his ■ liberal enterprise and for the warm interest he has ever manifested in all matters affecting the welfare of the district, and we feel confident that the majority of our readers will join with us in echoing the good wishes so cordially tendered to him' yesterday morning. Mr Graham intends being absent, wo believe, about eight months." Auckland has taken a wise precaution against the risk of a visit from an enemy's cruiser in case of war, by letting the enemy know how well it is prepared to resist attack. This has been done in the most ingenious manner. The proprietors of the Illustrated N.Z. 1 feral d have been induced to publish as a supplement to their valuable paper a bird's-eye view of the city of Auckland. In this the frowning walls of Fort Britomart form the must striking and prominent feature, and certainly the look of this splendid fortification would scare almost any Russian in the world ; and the Maori Avar canoe shown in the harbor would frighten those even who might be disposed to run tho risk of Fort Brilomart's guns. We never full}' understood what was meant by a "masked battery" until we saw this picture of Fort Britomart. — Wellington Ai'gtw. As showing the want of genuineness which characterised the recent unemployed demonstration, we may state that only two or three men have applied for work at the Public Work's Office, Dunedin, although His Excellency, in reply to the unemployed petition, stated that the Government were prepared to find work on the railways for all who needed it. — Otago Daily Times. The following arc from that curious sheet, tho Lycll Argus : — " London, April 9. — It is reported here that tho Editor of tho Lyell Argus has gone mad. Is it true I (No ; its worse — He's got married. — E.L.A.)" " Polite— Wanted— A small boy to instruct the Editor of the Inangahua Times in the first rudiments of politeness, also to copy the Lyell Argus 'leader' when said Editor hasn't brains enough to compose one for himself. Apply at Times oflice. (N.B. — This notice is inserted Gratis, in return for the ungentlemanly attack made by the Times on its ' better conducted little brother,' the LyeJl Argus.— E.L.A.)" Tho New Zealand Herald says that it is whispered that in certain influential quarters there exists a disposition to throw cold water on the Broonihall special settlement scheme — that is to say, in plain language, that difficulties will not be removed out of the way, and that petty obstacles will be allowed to accumulate till the combined force causes the abandonment of the enterprise by the projectors.

Professor Taylor, the Champion Skater, and Lillie, Queen of Skates, who have been performing in St. George's Hall, Wellington, for some weeks past, will shortly arrive in Napier, and will "ive performances in the Oddfellows' Hall. The Governor has sent the following telegram to the Mayor of Milton (Otago) in reference to the apparent slight cast upon the people of that place a few days ago, as recorded in our telegraphic news : — " Invercargill, April 2G, 7.45 p.m. It caused a very great disappointment in observing the preparations made to receive me at your station, to find the train did not pull up there. On inquiring at Waihola, I was given to understand the train had to stop at Milton ; and relying on your arrangements with the traffic manager, it did not occur to me that any further precaution was necessary. I regret exceedingly the disappointment which you must have been caused by the misunderstanding, and hope to have the pleasure of meeting the inhabitants of your town on the occasion of my next Visit. — NORM ANBY. ' ' It seems there has been a fall of colonial securities at Home of 1 per cent. In the Argus a telegram was published stating that Australian securities had fallen 7 per cent. This was corrected to the effect that it was Austrian securities that had fallen 7 per cent, but neither the announcement nor the correction were telegraphed to New Zealand. — N.Z. Times. The following may suggest caution in the handling and storage of what appears to be a very dangerous material : — " Within three years," says the Commercial Bulletin, "'there have been three shops destroyed in Massachusetts through lampblack. A hand damp with perspiration, a drop of water, a bit of grease, or a sprinkle of oil will create a combustion which will start the lampblack aglow like charcoal, and so ignite the package, and hence the blaze. In lampblack factories, while great precaution is taken to prevent fires, a rainy or sharp frosty day will start a dampness upon the inside of a window pane, and the flying particles of dust lighting upon this create a spark, which, communicating with the pile, may send a glow of fire with wonderful rapidity through the galleries of the shop." The Rev. Daniel Isaacs once alighted at an inn to stay the night. On asking for a bed, he was told he could not have one, as there was to be a ball that evening, and all the beds were engaged. "At what time does the ball break up V asked Mr Isaacs. "About three in the .morning, sir." "Well, then, can I have a bed until that time ?" "Yes, certainly; but, if the bed is asked for, you will have to remove." "Very well," replied Mr Isaacs ; and away he went to get between the sheets. About three in the morning he was awaked by loud knocking at his chamber-door. "What you want?" he asked. ' ' How many are there of you in here?" inquired a voice. " There's me, and Daniel, and Mr Isaacs, and an old Methodist preacher," was the reply. " Then, by Jupiter, there's plenty of you !" And the speaker passed on, leaving Mr Isaacs to enjoy his bed. Even Puritan Boston, says the Melbourne Argus, is in advance of Melbourne with respect to the rational observance of the first day of the week, as will be seen by the following paragraph from the Index of the Ist February last : — " It is with the greatest pleasure that we learn that the directors of the Boston Art Museum have unanimously voted to open their beautiful rooms free to the public on Sunday afternoons, from March Ist to November Ist, from 1 to 5 o'clock p.m." Webley Brothers and Rother's wool factory, Nelson, is once more in full work, manufacturing more flannels and hosiery than cloth. Orders have been received for the supply of guernseys and stockings for the Auckland, Christchurch, and Wakatu Football Clubs. The Waikato Times thus refers to the recent visit of Mr Thomas Russell to the Waikato district :— " The visit of Mr Thomas Russell to Waikato has not been without beneficial results to the district, as we foresaw it would be. The works of the Swamp Company will be recommenced upon a larger scale than ever, and be continued with vigor. Orders have, we understand, been issued to commence drainage works on a scale hitherto unprecedented in swamp reclamation in this part of New Zealand, and every available dry acre is to be forthwith put under the plough, with the object of laying it down in permanent English grasses and clovers. To enable these works to be carried out with a system, and economically, the estate is to be at once surveyed, and as soon as this shall have been completed, contracts for draining and other works will be called for. Amongst other matters it is intended to establish two new stations, and tenders will shortly be invited for the erection of cottages, buildings, &<s. " A writer in the Poverty Bay Standard says : — ' ' It is highly satisfactory to learn that 95 per cent, of the eleven hundred Justices of the Peace in New Zealand can read, while 92 per cent, can read and write, although only 18 per cent, can spell correctly. Of the whole number, according to the returns furnished, 800 Justices of the Peace spell ' drunkenness' in the judgment book with one ' n ;' 280 spell it with two ' k's ;' 84 appear to consider one 's ' at the end of the word sufficient. One J.P. spells the word ' dhrunkiness.' Fifty-eight per cent, of the J.P.s have received their commissions for supporting ministerial elections, five per cent, for endorsing promissory notes of Government officials, and four for lending iuonej r which was never returned, and never will be. The report that many of these J.P.s are bankrupts in character as Avell as in means — that many are utterly unfit to discharge their duties, or are entitled to the honor conferred on them — is altogether untrue, and is a wicked, malicious libel which is entitled to reprobation. The Bay of Plenty limes says : — There is every probability that the Native Lands Court at Maketu, which has been talked of for some time past, will be held early in the month of June. Applications for the Court to sit have been sent in by the natives, and we suppose the prescribed six weeks' notification will immediately be gazetted by the Government. The preliminary negotiations for passing the Te Puke block through the Court have been most satisfactorily completed by Captain Mair, who has received all the claims from the various owners. "Tho Wellington Prices Current" for the present month gives a return of the quantity and value of the wool exported from Wellington this season, which exceeds that of last season by 2,400,0001b5. The total export this season amounted to 12,437,7101b5, valued at £047,554. The Adelaide wheat statistics for the year have been published, and show that the total area sown was 1,718,770 acres, of which 211,882 acres were not reaped. The average yield of the acreage sown was 5 bushels 25 lbs., and of the acreage reaped G bushels 43 lbs. The latest advices state that 15,000 bushels had been sold at Gs 5d for export to New Zealand. The Otago Grtiardian tells an amusing story about a promising young man who is learning sheep-farming in a neighboring province. He was introduced to the woolshed last season for the first time. His fond parent was anxious to know how he got on with his first lesson in tho art of shearing-, " Well," replied the cmbroyo squatter, " some fellows go about it too carefully, and tlie} r never make good shearers. There's nothing like going at it with a will. They all think I will make a first-rate hand in a very short time." " How did your first sheep look when you had done with it >" asked the father. "It did not seem very well," replied the son ; "in fact, they thought it better to kill that sheep."

It is now tolerably certain (says the Post) that Parliament will meet for the despatch of business on the 20th July. An interesting discovery (says the News Letter) has been made at Woodlands, the station of Mr John M'Kenzie, situated seven miles from Masterton. On the banks of a creek there is a spring, the water of which is highly impregnated witli sulphur, and probably other minerals. The surface gets covered with sulphur in a very short time, but as the water is sometimes used for drinking, it is not allowed to accumulate. At intervals the water bubbles up as if it were boiling ; but there is no steam ; in fact, the water is icy cold. On the opposite side, also close to the bank, there is another spring of the same description, but the water is undisturbed by gas. A good deal of attention is being attracted in agricultural circles by the introduction into Victoria of a new forage plant from Franco and England. This is the "prickly comfrey," or " solid stem comfrey," a plant which is described as yielding as much as sixty tons to the acre of a fodder to which horses and cattle take alike, and which has great fattening properties. The speciality of the plant is its success in withstanding droughts, and the accounts received from the Southern States of America are very satisfactory in this respect. In Virginia last year no rain fell for two months, the thermometer was seldom below 95deg in the shade, and frequently over 105deg, and the comfrey grew well on dry ground, furnishing abundant green fodder, while every other crop was parched up. Mr W. R. Church, of Camberwell, has imported the plant, and is now showing it, so that agriculturists can judge for themselves. According to New York papers received by the San Francisco mail, Mr Gladstone's attitude on the Eastern question ' is susceptible of an amusing explanation. A telegram from Paris, dated Jan. 26, says : — A strange story appeared yesterday in the JRepubliqae Francaise, the organ of M. Gambetta and the Republican Left. Its correspondent gives a scandal, in which the reputation of Mr Gladstone is involved, and pretends to account for the position that he has taken in the Eastern difficulty by saying that he is amoureiuv. The eminent statesman is represented to be in the hands of a Russian princess of great beauty, who was charged with the delicate task of weaving her toils about a statesman of 60 years. The journal in question states that Mr Gladstone is now the object of public gossip, the grande dame IZusse in question having boasted of her success, and stated that she had a number of compromising letters. It is certain that the lady, who is separated from her husband, an aidede camp of the Grand Duke Nicholas, has been for a year or more past one of the diplomatic agents of Prince Gortschakoff in London. Mr Gladstone has been extremely assiduous in his attentions to her, and it is now said that it is owing to her influence that he turned against the Turks after having fought for them in 1854. Between the two there has certainly been frequent exchange of letters, and the report is that the lady has some which do more honor to his heart than to his prudence. The report first appeared in a journal of Sheffield, and the reply to it was not a little embarrassed, but contained a sort of denial. Whether or not there has been an indiscretion on the part of Mr Gladstone is more than one can learn from the correspondence. It is insinuated, but not directly affirmed. But now that the story has appeared, the enemies of Mr Gladstone will continue to believe that he wanted to drive the Turks out of Europe at the instigation of this Russian Circe, and that his remarkable change of policy was due to her sweet influence. Let me say here that the lady is as spirituelle as she is beautiful, and is one of those strange beings who seem born to profit by the weakness of men. •' Attjs grands komtnes les gra tides foiblesses," says Prudhomme, and it is upon this principle that the wily Gortschakoff works when he sends out the most beautiful women of the country to act as diplomatic agents. The Poverty Bay Standard, May sth, says : — " The Rosina, steamer, which, came into the river yesterday from the coast, brought a full cargo of turkeys. In consequence of the numerous marriage feasts lately given in Gisborne, the turkey market had run quite bare. The usual demand will be amply met by the supply to hand. A Bill has been introduced in the Californian Legislature to prohibit the sale of liquors within four miles of the California University. It should be entitled "An Act to promote pedestrianism among students." Messrs Margoliouth and Banner will sell, at 2 p.m. to-day, a large quantity of apples and oranges. Messrs Turley and Brathwaite will hold a sale of cattle to-day at Mr Thomas Reynolds' yards, Havelock. We understand this is the first of monthly sales to be held at these yards, which are commodious and well adapted for such sales.