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New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5499, 2 July 1879, Page 4

Our cablegrams to-day announce the death of Lord Lawrence, formerly Go-vernor-General of India. His name, and that of his brother Henry, will be imperishably associated with the history of British rule in India, as illustrating the heroic qualities of Englishmen for courage, self-devotion, and intrepidity in the darkest hour of national disaster and distress. John Lawrence received his early education at Foyle College, Londonderry, and, in his 18th year, received hia nomination to India as a writer. After filling various posts, principally in the Revenue Department, to the satisfaction of his superiors, the administrative abilities of young Lawrence at last attracted the attention of the Governor-General, Sir Henry Hardinge, who conferred upon him the important post of Commissioner of the trana-Sutlej Provinces, which were annexed at the close of the first Sikh war—lß4s-6. In this new sphere of labour he inaugurated a variety of social, judicial, and financial reforms. The assassination'of the English envoys at Mooltan — Mr. Agnew and Lieutenant Anderson—was the signal for a general insurrection in the J?un* Jaub, followed by a second war

with the Sikh nation, which was finally defeated, at Goojerat by Lord Gough, and its territories annexed to our possessions by the then GovernorGeneral, Lord Dalhousie. Again, the services of the brothers Lawrence were in requisition, Henry, who was Resident at Lahore, and his brother John being nominated two out of three members of the Board for the administration of the Punjaub. In the new province, John Lawrence found ample scope for the political and administrative capacity for which he was noted. He educed law out of anarchy, order out of chaos, and extended to the misgoverned inhabitants of the Punjaub that protection to person and property which constitute the primary functions of any Government worthy of the name. The various races, estranged from each other by caste and tribal feuds, were brought into subjection to the constituted ai'.thorities, and reconciled to the righteous rule of one of India's ablest statesmen. It wa3 of Lawrence's Punjaub administration, that a French traveller made this remarkable observation : et It. was like the beneficent rule of the Deity, unseen but felt everywhere." The time for testing the value of his work was at hand. In 1857 the Indian Mutiny broke out. While province after province _ went into revolt, carrying terror and dismay into the adjacent territories, the Punjuab remained faithful. Not only so, but so strong was the confidence reposed in the name of Lawrence, that lie wa3 able to strip the Punjaub of troops, supplies, and war material, which he hurried forward to Delhi, and thus enabled the general commanding to stem the torrent of rebellion before a single soldier of the thousands hurrying from England could be set in the field. From first to last he supplied from his province over 50,000 men, Punjabees and others, efficiently equipped for active service. For the large share he thus had in preserving the Eastern jewel of the British Crown, Lawrence was created a baronet, made a member of the Privy Council, and K.S.I. of the Star of India. In 1863 he succeeded the late Lord Elgin, as Governor-General of India, and thus was enabled to carry out many of his cherished schemes to fruition. Honours fell fast upon him. Ho was made member of the Indian. Council, the East Indian Company granted him a life pension of £2000 per annum, and he was subsequently raised to the Peerage by the title of Baron Lawrence, of the Punjaub, and of Grately, in the County of Southampton. The deceased statesman was a persistent opponent of the "scientific frontier" policy of Viceroy Lytton and Earl Beaconsfield. He believed that Britain's best security for her Indian possessions lay not in mountain barriers, in well-stored arsenals, and military railways, but in the affections of the two hundred millions of Indi&'s population, which it was her duty to rule wisely and well — carrying British civilization and British Christianity throughout the length and breadth of the land. Lord Lawrence has passed away full of years and full of honours ; but in the years to come, the name of the brothers Lawrence will be cherished as amongst the ablest administrators which our Indian empire has produced. Both men were remarkable for self-devotion and self-sacrifice, and the story of the Mutiny will be sought in vain for a more heroic episode than that of Henry Lawrence lying a-dying of his wounds in the little casemate of Lucknow, and while the life-blood ebbed away, forgetful of self to the last, simply murmuring : "Let there be no fuss over me ; bury me with the men !"

The'latest telegraphic news from the Cape ib to the effect that the general advance into Zululand, previously announced, has taken place. The army moved forward under Lord Chelmsford in three divisions, and with a keen recollection of former disasters, the several corps are intrenchiag and establishiog a secure base of operations from which to operate. The transport difficulty appears to be as pressing as ever, and is not likely to be lessened by the Fabian policy whieh Cetewayo appears to be pursuing. He is reported to have abandoned Ulundi, and fallen back on further inland positions of great natural strength. A second and unsuccessful attempt has been made by the colonial troops to capture the stronghold of lloiriai. Tbe Erst assault, under Mr. (Colonel) Griffiths, was one of the most atrociously mismanaged affairs of the campaign, and simply ended in a wanton sacrifice of human life. First of all an attempt was made to starve Morosi out, but after three weeks' investment that was given up, and the colonial troops, without a breaching battery of sufficient calibre, and scaling ladders, were hurled against stoue parapets twelve and fourteen feet high, only to be shot down in their tracks from the rifle-pits which flanked and covered every approach. Some £250,000 has been expended in the siege of this petty chief's stronghold, containing at the most a garrison of a couple of hundred men. The telegrams also state that the remains of the Prince Imperial are on the way home for interment. His body will no doubt be laid beside that of hi 3 father, Napoleon 111., in the mausoleum at Chiselhurst. Stranger things have happened than that the remains of father and son may yet repose under the shelter of the Invalides, in their much loved France, beside the founder of their dynasty, Napoleon I. Few men ever expected to see the French nation begging that the ashes of the exile of St. Helena, might be entrusted to their care, and placed beside that Seine which had witnessed his highest triumphs ; but in France, at least, tbe whirligig of time brings abont strange revenges.

Within the past two dayß, public attention has been diverted from the crisis at Taranaki to the crisis at Wellington. Even m impending war pales in interest before a personal squabble between two Ministers. The Government are still strengthening the posts and making every provision to meet the worst. They are also making arrests of natives for trespass, and the most extraordinary part of the business is, that the Maoris are allowing themselves to be taken prisoners and pat in gaol without making the least resistance. The Constabulary are " gathering them in " at a rapid rate, and if the process goes on for a week or two, there will be nobody left to fight. We hear that the Government have resolved, in the event of an outbreak, not to resort to confiscation again, but to charge against the lands of those in rebellion a proportion of the cost o£ the contest.

A charge against Mrs. Thompson, of the Whau, for rescuing cattle which had been lawfully seized for the purpose of being impounded, was remanded from yesterday till to-day, owing to pressure of work. There are a number of witnesses to be examined on each side, and no doubt the case will occupy a considerable portion of the time of the Magistrate and officers of the Police Court.

The conjunction of the planets of Mars and Saturn, which took yesterday morning, appears to have been well observed iaMelbourne. The telegram from oar own correspondent; at Melbourne, published in another column, shews that the close approach of these planets was distinctly observed through the large telescope at the observatory there. The distance between the planets, at the time of nearest approach, was found to be 88 seconds of an nrc, and, as on other occasions, it was found, by comparison with Mars, that the colour of Saturn was decidedly green. The latitude o£ Melbourne gave the observers there abetter opportunity of noticing the approach of these planets than was possible in Auckland, for, being further to the east than Melbourne, the time of the nearest approach of the planets at Auckland wa3 considerably after sunrise, a circumstance which mars much of the beauty of conjunction of two planets of such different colours a? Saturn and Mars. We have not learned whether any good observations have been obtained in the Auckland district ; probably there has not, as the weather was unfavourable, and the sky cloudy at the time. At any rate, there are no such instruments in New Zealand as the Melbourne Observatory possesses, even thongh the weather has been all that could have been desired.

At tho meeting of the Harbour Board yes terday, a discussion took place relative to the Beach Road between the wharf and Freeman's Bay. All the members were unanimous in stating that the road at present was impassable or nearly so, but the question under disenssion was whose duty was it; to make it good—the Board's or the City Council's. On this subject the Board was divided, several members arguing that it was the duty of the Board to do so, bnt Captain. Daldy opposed this'argument, and expressed an opinion that any expenditure of the Board's funds in this direction would be illegal, as the road had been .taken over by the City Council. Mr. Cosgrave remarked that the Council had never taken over the reclamation. It was done in some peculiar manner by a former Jiayor without the consent of the Council, and the latter were in consequence saddled with an expense v.hich they were not entitled to bear. In the caso of any private road being dedicated, it would not be taken over by the Council unless it was first properly formed and made, and in the same way the Harbour Board would have been'bound to make the roads on the reclamation before handing it over to the City Council.

A curious question arose at the Harbour Board yesterday. The committee had reported in favour of a reconstruction of the Buard, so as to have nine members, eight o£ whomshallbeelective and only one nominated member the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. At present, the Board is mainly constituted of nominated members. Gentlemen who, by virtue of their office as Chairman of the Ponsonby and Devonport Highway Boards, members of the City Council, and Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, are members of the Harbour Board, as well as members who are nominated by the Government. Mr. Boylan objected to the proposed change, and said that the Board, as such, had no power to alter its own constitution without reference to those by whom, they were 'Appointed. As a nominated member himself, he had no objection to being abolished by Parliament, but he objected to being abolished by the Board. The matter was argued at some length, and re--ferred back to the committee, who reported that they had not had time to arrange about the constituencies, or the qualifications o£ voters, for the proposed elections.

The definition of dates -is often of great importance, and it wonld be just as well, in official matters at all events, to fix them definitely inßtead of by general terms. A motion was passed at the Harbour Board yesterday. "That thoWorks and Endowments Committee be empowered to fix the npset pries of certain allotments to be sold on the 10th proximo." Now the meeting was held on the Ist of July, and the proximo must therefore be read to refer to the following month. But here a new difficulty arises, aa the 10th of August falls on Suuday, a day on which the sale is not likely to be held. When are the allotments to be sold, or what is the meaning of the resolution 5 The answer may be of importance to intending purchasers.

Lucy Dromgool, a respectable-looking young girl, apparently about 20 years of age, appeared on remand at the Court yesterday, in answer to a charge of forging & telegraph receipt. Prisoner seemed to feel her position very keenly. Eight witnesses were examined. The evidence will be foand in our police report. The prisoner was committed for trial. Prisoner was admitted to bail, herself tin £100, and two sureties in £50 each. Her parents are respectable settlers in the Waiuku district, who have resided there for the last 20 years or more, and it is only a few months since Bhe left the home of her parents to come to Auckland as a domestic servant.

The celebrated comic opera by C. Lecocq, entitled "Girofie Girofla," was repeated again yesterday evening to a very good house. To-night will be'the last time " Gi» rofle Girofla " will be produced, when Mr. Charles Harding will take his benefit.

The case of "William Wilkinson, for stealing a watch and chain, was heard at the Police Court yesterday. It occupied the whole of the forenoon. There were five witnesses examined, bnt no evidence was given to shew that prisoner took the watch, nor could it be traced to his possession. Mr. Tyler rose to address the Court for the defence, but his Worship was satisfied thai! there was no evidence to convict the prisoner, and dismissed the charge. A full report appears in another column.

Tenders for the erection of the Auckland Stud Company's premises, at Glen CVcbard, Tamaki, have been received, and tbat of Mr. J. W. Jones was accepted at £149 for the cottage, and £600 for the sheds, stables, &c. The other tenders were as follows :—Watsen and Co.: Cottage, £182; ptables, £942. Colebrook : Cottage, £144; stables, £875. Hill a.nd Butterworth : Cottage, £181; stables, £575. Malcolm : Cottage, £153; stables, £801. McConnachie: Cottage s £173; stables, £784. Kyan and Carrie : Cottage, £165; stables, £643. The plans, he., have been prepared by Messrs. Keals and Son, and the contractor will make an early start with the buildings.

His Honor the Judge of the District Court granted the application made by the plaintiff for a new trial, in the case of Te Wheoro v. Hawke. The "Great Bnll of Tnakau" will again come before the Court. The plainti T will have to give security for the costs of tho first trial (£116) before "he can take advantage of the application.

An important commercial case, Moir v. Thomas Henderson, jm., was part heard yesterday in the District Court. The proceedings illustrate in a remarkable degree the contradictory character of " expert" evidence. The hearing will be resumed this morning.

A correspondent writing from Dairy Flat, respecting the money collected for, bat not paid to, Mrs. Littlechild, says it would be a pity to divert the money to other objecbi however meritorious. He suggests thai: that those moving in the matter might obtain Mrs. littlechild's present address, by applying at the top hoose in Victoria-street East, adjoining Mr. Buchanan's stone-yard. It appears that Mrs. Littlechild resided in fTiin house some time previous to her departure for Britain.

I Joseph Welling got into trouble yesterday I in respect to a pairof freshly-caughtmackeral, I which he appropriated without the permis- \ sion of the owner. John James Burgess had been amusing himself with piscatorial pur- ? suit, and had caught the fish in question. Welling, it appears, walked off with them, and when Burgess remonstrated, the man accused struck him across the face with his fist. He was given in charge for th*i theft, and will be charged to-day with stealing the \ fish, and also with assaulting the owner. ■ Ellen Dowd writes to say that a wrong impression seems to prevail regarding her means. Her husband, previous to being sent to gaol, sold all the cows, five in number, and did not give her any of the money to keep herself and four children. She asks if she can compel the party who has her busband's means in haod, to give her some money to feed and clothe herself and children, are nearly all in delicate health. Had it not been for the kinduess of Mr. Hayes, she could not tell how they would have subsisted. The question is a legal one, and Mrs. Dowd, or her friends, should consult a lawyer on the subject.

The monthly inspection of the Thames Soottish Battalion took place on Monday evening last. There was a large muster of the rank and file, and the following officers of tho battalion were present on parade : Major Murray, Lieutenants Dey, Johnston, Coney, and Brownlow, Adjudant-Scholield, Suroeon Kilg -ur, and Quartermaster Symingtonf Tho ba'nd was also present in great strength, and, under the leadership uf Bandmaster Hunter, played several marches with admirable precision and effect. The battalion was put through the manual exercise and several other movements, which were per- ] formed in the usual steady manner for which the Thames Scottish are noted. Advantage was taken of the parade, to present to Lieutenant Dey (who is leaving the district) au illuminated address accompanied with a handsome gold watch and chain for Mrs. Dey, the gift of the battalion. The following is the text of the address, which has been illuminated by Mr. Hollis:—"To Lieutenant Dey, Thames Scottish Volunteers : It is with feelings of regret the officers, noncommissioned officers, and members of the Thames Scottish view your departure from this district, and the consequent severance of your connection with thetn, after eight years [of pleasant association, during which you have secured their respect, and esteem by your gentlemanly bearing as an officer, and by your genial character as a comrade and friend. As a souvenir of your connection with the corp*, they present you with this short address, and also desire you to accept the accompanying gold watch and chain for ilrs. Dey. vVishing you every happiness and success, we are, dear sir, very faithfully yours.—Sigued on behalf of tho Ihames SeottishVolunteers at Thames, New Zealand, this 30ch day,of June, IS79.—T. L. Murray, Major ; J. Watson. Captain; P. Johnstone, Lieutenant; fc. Brownlow, Lieutenant; G. Symington, Quartermaster; J. M. Scott, Colour-Sergeant; G. Downie, and G.Wilson." The address and accompanying testimonial were presented to Mr. Dey by Doctor Kilgour. Lieutenant Dey expressed his acknowledgment in feelings terms. A large number of visitors were present on the occasion among whom wo noticed A Brodie, iCsq. (County Chairman), Sub-Inspector Kenny, Captain. Small, and Lieutenant Barlow, of the Hauraki Engineers; Rev. J. S. SJeill, chaplain to the battalion ; Mr. McLaren, travelling correspondent of the Town and Country Journal, and others. A number of battalion and company prizes were also presented to the winners, at the conclusion of which the corps headed by the band marched off by fours from the right for a march-out.

The Rev. Thomas Buddie desires us- to contradict the statement made by certain Kingites in a recent issue of the Herald, as to his obtaining an audience of Tawhiao, at the Kopua meeting in a surreptitious manner, and that it was on that account that he was rebuffed and discourteously treated by the King's body-guard. Mr. Buddie assures us the fasts are the following ; —" The Rev. Wiremu Barton and a chief from Kawhia, named Eruera, were in constant communication with the King, and they asked Tawhiao when it would be convenient for him to receive a visit from Mr. Buddie and his fellow-mis-sionary. The King replied that he was then expecting them to visit him. Shortly afterwards one of the King's messengers came to Sir George Grey's quarters, where Mr. Buddie was, stating that the King was ready to receive them. The two missionaries (Messrs. Buddie and Schnackenberg) at once started, under the guidance of Barton and Erii.era for the King's tent. They went in the usual way and by the nsual approaches, and neither Bought nor shunned the King's body-guard, who it appears were not sufficiently on the alert in tho performance of their duty. A3 to getting admission to Tawhiao's quarters clandestinely and by a ' back-way,' Mr. Buddie gives the statement an unqualified denial. Is would not have been possible, even if there had been the desire, for the flanks and rear of Tawhiao's tent was [covered with heavy .manuka and scrub."

The theatre Sunday-evening service was well attended as usual, the whole of the lower portion of the building being crowded. An earnest and eloquent address was delivered by tbe Rev. J. S. Hill, from the 53rd chapter of Isaiah, " Who hath believed our report ?" The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Mr. WhewelL These servicse are largely attended by the classes for whose benefit they were originally inaugurated— namely, those who are cot in the habit of attending any place of worship. A goodly number of merchant seamen, and of men-of-war's-men from the German war-ship Albatross, and H.M.s. Emerald are regular visitants. An evangelistic service for young men will be held in the Young Meu's Christian Association Rooms, o i Thursday evening next, at 7'30, when an addresses will be delivered by the Rev. Mr. Hill and other gentlemen. It is announced that the Rev. J. S. Hill's lecture will be re-delivered at St. Stephen's School-room, on Friday evening, by particular request. The following message from the sea, enclosed in a bottle, was picked up in the Wairoa river on June 7, off Whyte's Wharf, by Mr. Poynter :—" Wrecked, August 7, 1878, the schooner Don." The writing is in pencil, on the leaf of a pocket-book. We have looked through the shipping registers, but have failed to find anything to throw light upon the matter. It is possible, however, that some of our nautical readers may know the vessel. Yesterday there was on exhibition in the shop of Mr. Brewin, Beedsman, a splendid piece of ironwork in the shape of a fuschia, made of wrought iron. It is enclosed in a glass case. The fuschia is entwined round a rod of iron, and stands 3 feet 4 inches high. The flower represents that of the " fuschia fulgais." It is very neatly got up, and does the manufacturer, Mr. Peter Birley, blacksmith, great credit. It will be sent to the Sydney Exhibition among his other choice exhibits. A slight error has been pointed out to us in yesterday's issue, in onr notice of the approachiog presentation of tbe M. A. diploma to Mr. W. St. Clair T. Tisdall. His earlier studies were pursued at the Auckland College, and not at St. John's College, as stated in our article, and it is from the Auckland College that he graduated with honours. Mr. E. Richards, of Matakana, writes to ns to state that there is no truth in the statement published that his wife had given birth .to triplets. The author of the malicious hoax is well known.

• Chevalier Thorn and his assistants, the Royal Illusionists, repeated the programme of the previous evening, at the Lorne-street Hall last night. The legerdemain feats of the Chevalier were performed in an expert and clever manner ; but as before, it was the second part of the entertainment, the exposure of the jugglery practised by the Davenports, Fay, Eddie Brothers, and other professed Spiritualistic mediums, which excited the greatest interest. The exposures were clever, and the explanations for the most part simple and easily comprehended. Some changes in the class of exposures will take place to-night, ancl further explanations are announced. A skilful sailorinan ascended the platform during last nights performance, and tied up the performers in a most Bovere manner. The audience got quite excited, and two parties were formed, calling out lustily. The performer was, however, successful in freeing himself from his bonds.

A telegram elsewhere records the death of Captain Isinnis, of Coromandel, whose demise has been quite unexpected, as ho was in the enjoyment of his usual health a tew days ago. Captain Ninnis was a very old resident of Auckland province, having arrived h<'re about the foundation of the colony. For many years he was engaged in coppurmining at the Great Barrier. Afterwards, with Dr. Purchas, he instituted a series of experiments with machinery, scutching and cleaning the p/tormtitni tenax so as to bring it into the European market as a marketable article of- commerce. lie also carefully prospected the Tiki, Coromandel, for coal. Subsequently he was appointed manager of the Kuranui-mine and battery, and which post he filled for tome time, and latterly was supervising several claims at Coromandel. The deceased gentleman was an active and useful member of the Wesleyan communion, and took considerable interest in Sundayschool work. Ho leaves a widow and a very large family to mourn his loss. His children, grand-childreu, and great-grand-children number about 90.

Owing to the paucity of Auckland exhibits for the Sydney Exhibition, it is not proposed to submit them, as originally intended, for public inspection. The secretary to the Auckland Commission intend to ship them by the s.s. Hero, and the Collector of Customs has received instructions to pass them free of Customs duty.

Sir. E. B. E. Turner, of Newmarket, writes to aay that the fence enclosing the grave of his late father (Mr. B. E. Turner; and his son, erected in St. Mark's Cemetery, Kemuera, has been cut, and a portion of it removed during his absence in Fiji. The fence was an iron one, and was erected about four years ago. He has found out who did the work of mutiliation, and asks the person who gave the order to the tradesman to restore the iron fence at once as it was originally, to save the matter being exposed in the Police Court.

To what we said yesterday about the meeting of Catholics in reference to the Education question, we have one or two particulars to add. The object of the meeting was to consider about sending delegates to the " aggregate meeting" at Dunedin, but it was agreed that this should not be done. Those present were willing to endeavour to have the Education Act altered, but would like to take such action as they thought proper, some of them not caring about the favourite device of the " block vcte," which has virtuilly disfranchised the Catholics for years. The July number of the iYefo Zealand Presbyterian Church Jfetcs has been published. The opening article is devoted to a review of the statistics prepared by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, relating to the various funds of the Church. The other principal articles in the present number are a notice of the late Mrs. JN'icol, the mother of the poet Robert Nicol, who died while still a young man ; an extract article upon " How to make a Prosperous Congregation" ; a notice of the New Hebrides Mission by Mrs. "Watts to a friend in Auckland ; " The Story of the Bible Discovery near Nimroud"; " Religions Thought and Life in England"; and correspondence relating to various matters of interest to the Church. Then follows the news of the local churches, after which a series of short extracts are given, and these conclude a very readable number.

This evening the organ recital at St. Paul's Church, given a few weeks ago, will be repeated. On the occasion of its first performance the weather was unfavourable to a large attendance, and it is to be hoped that to-night the weather will be more propitious. The programme is published in our advertising columns. An evangelistic service, for women only, is to be held at the Young Men's Christian Association, this evening, at a quarter-past seven o'clock. The meeting is expected to be addressed by Mrs. Bodle and other Christian ladies.