Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6329, 1 March 1882, Page 4

The_Hon. Native Minister intends to leave for Waiwera to-day to spend a few days there.

An application was made to Mr. Justice Gillies, sitting in Chambers, yesterday, in the matter of the election petition of Mr. W. F. Buckland, the unsuccessful candidate for North Franklin, to be declared the sitting member instead of Mr. B. Harris, who was returned by the declaration of the poll made by the properly constituted oliicer. Some of the heads of the petition appear in our abstract of the proceedings before His Honor. It will be seen that this election inquiry is likely to be verv instructive. It opens uearlyail the questions likely to arise upo:i the construction of the statute. The Court of Inquiry (consisting of the Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Gillies) will be asked to pronounce a decision upon each of the objections made to the return of the nresent sitting member. It will be necessary* therefore, to make some exposition of 'the law upon each allegation that may involve a point of law. The facts, however, will be got by evidence. For the reasons above stated this inquiry is looked forward to with general interest.

Tauranga has been proclaimed a borough under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1576. The area of the borough is 1000 acres. ,'

A committee of the Thames Deep Level lnbute Company, accompanied by Mr tayne, president of the Sandhurst School of Mines, waited apon Dr. Hector ye»w. day to point out to him the benefits that would likely accrue through employing diamond rock-borers at the Thames. t)r Hector proved quite conversant with the subject. While admitting the force of th* arguments put forward by the deputation the doctor aid not see how the Government could be reasonably asked to furnish drills tor the use of particular mines.

Yesterday a very dense fog prevailed If only manifested itself about the city' and harbour in the evening, but along the coast it was very thick all day. For some hour* m the evening the fog was perhaps denser than has neen noticeable for many year? The mail steamer Zealandia was detained several hours in the stream through it. The s.s. Tam O'Shanter returning from the Wade struck on the JCorth Shore Spit, which is remarkable, considering that the master Charles Hopkins, has been plying to the harbour from his childhood, and should be as conversant with it as is possible for any one to be. That he stuck goes to sh6w that navigation just then was a matterfef groping not seeing.

Among the passengers by the Winaka yesterday inorninjr was Bishop P.edwood the Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington! who has come up to attend the sittfngs ■>{ the New Zealand University Senate. The Very Rev. Father Fynes, V.G., and Father Paul, of Oaehunga, went on board and welcomed him to the province, and His Lordship was driven into town and taken to the Presbytery, Wyndhamstreet. He was subsequently shown the various institutions in connection with the Church. Subsequently Bishop Red. wood, accempanied. by Father Walter Mae. Donald and other clergymen, visited the mail steamer Zealandia, in order to see Bishop Crain, the R.C. Bishop of Sandhurst, who is a through passenger to Europe, being on a visit to Rome on matters connected with his diocese.

The annual meeting of the Scripture Gift Association was held last night in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, Mr. F. G. Ewington in the chair. The official report and the outline of the proceedings will be found in another column.

A short time back the New Zealand Telegraph Department ordered seven cases of telephones, &c, from America. By some misadventure or.e of the c«ses containing transmitters was short shipped, rendcriuj the instruments incomplete. It was sent on by the Zealandia, which went into quarantine here; consequently it was taken on to Sydney, where it was again quarantined only arriving to hand yesterday by the samevessel. Its arri%-al is most timely, as add;'tional subscribers vo the Telephone Exchange are coming in daily, and the departmenthas not been able to make the necessary connections. A second annunciator will shortly lie fitted up at the Telegraph Office. As the wires are getting too numerous in the section between the office and the junction of Queen and Shortland-streets, a second telegraphic cable (containing twenty-four wires)is being manufactured at Wellington for suspension in the above locality, in order tc clear and ease the telegraph poles by that number. The steady growth of telegraph business at the Auckland office may be imagined when it is stated that on Mr. Furbey's arrival here from the South, as oScer-in-charge, there were but nine wires entering into the office, now there are nearly eighty.

__ Mr. Bayne, Mayor of Sandhurst, and Mr Keith Ramsay, chairman of the Duitdia Harbour Board, were taken on a trip aiound the harbour in the p.s. City of Cork yeitcrday aiternoon by members of the Harbour Board, a considerable number of whom were on board.

The petition against Major Harris, member for Franklin North, will be gone into next Wednesday at Papakura. The Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Gillies will be the presiding Judges. Messrs. Jackson and Russell will appear to instruct counsel onbehaif of Mr. Buckland, while Mr. Hug*. Hart Lusk has been retained by Majo.Harris. The result of the judicial inquiry is looked forward to with much interest in thevarious districts of the electorate. We havenot heard what legal gentlemen will champion the cause of the Returning Oiiicer, Mr. William Shanaghan, and would not be surprised if that gentleman undertook the management of has own case.

An extraordinary general meeting of share holders of the Queen of Beauty Extended Gold-mining Company (Limited)'was held in the Insurance Buildings yesterday afternoon. Mr. J. A. Pond occupied the "chair. The business of the meeting was to pass, if approved of, a resolution authorising an increase of capital in such manner as might be agreed en by the meeting, or to wind-up the company with a view to the formation ois new company, or to pass such other resolutions as might be deemed most advisable -'n the interests of the shir*holder.-. the Ch'.jrman spoke at sorat length jl: '■':: - r-;siti''i; >; theeomprniy, andtb-,3 mo--:-i the )'■->'• lowing rj?:->ution :--" That the capital of tin or-'v-- ; :e ii: .1; ased by the creation of 10,000 new shares oi x.l -.-ach, Vxper share to be deemed paid up ; 500(3 oi such shares to be issued to the shareholders of the company .at tlie rate of one to every four original share.?, on payment of os each share, .; i;irther lia'-!lity of 5s per share the said .'OOO shirw. At-." share not taken up by the shareholders one mouth after the date of issue, and the remaining unissued shares to be held by the directors or their nominee in trust for the company, to be issued, sold, or disposed of at such time or manner and on such terms or conditions as the directors may deem advisable." this resolution was seconded by Mr. Eairlinscn, and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. J. M. Alexander, seconded by Mr. James Burtt, a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman of the meeting.

The winter session of the St. Andrew's Mutual Improvement Association will commence this evening, when the inaugural address will be delivered by Mr. John Blackman. The St. Andrew's Church choir vriii sing at intervals during the evening.

Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather there was a very fair audience at the Theatre Royal last evening to witne=? the peformauee of " The Slave's Revenge,' which is founded on Mrs. Beecher Stowe's well-known fiction of '' Dred, or the Dismal Swamp." Mr. \V. H. Leake as Tom Gordon (the tyrant) played with considerable dramatic power, the rule of the avenger, Dred, b?mg taken by Mr. R. B. Lewis. They were well supported in the various subsidiary characters by the members of lis company. The piece was well mounted, r.:id the tableaux illustrative of the most exciting episodes in the drama were warmly applauded as they successively appeared in view. The drama will be repeated to-night. The new Roman Catholic church, at the rear of the Symonds-street Cemetery, '- rapidly approaching completion, and will be ready for handing over in a few week-'. Already the attractiveness of the new edifice can be seen from a distance, and it must be s source of great satisfaction to the Catholic sof the district that they will soon have tufScient accommodation for the members Ot heir body in the locality.

Mr. John Harris McCair, Town Clerk of Tauranga, has been appointed Returain? Officer to conduct the first election of M»yMV councillors, and auditors ;f the borough.

Owing to the numerous Crown land sales -which are advertised to take place next month, we apprehend that the land revenue will be largely in excess of the Colonial Treasurer's estimates, and must show a considerable surplus under that head for the provincial district of Auckland. The financial year closes at the end of March.

Two young men, Messrs. Robert Govett and Frederick Marshall, have accomplished the task of walking and riding overland through the King Country from Waitara to Te Aivamntu. They left Waitara on Tuesday week and arrived at Te Awamutu on Sunday last. The journey was a rough one. Mr. Govett gave an interesting verbal description of the country they passed through to the Native Minister. The only delay°by the Maoris during the trip was caused by Te Wetere, of Mokau, who has the reputation of being the most friendly of the Hauhau chiefs. Te Wetere kept them waiting at his settlement a day before he consented to allow them to proceed. At last his consent was obtained, and they were furnished with a guide. At one part of the route a whole day was taken to travel from one point to another, the distance as shown on the maps between these points being only four miles. The scenery at this part was very rugged and picturesque, the track in some places being very dillicult to find. On reaching a point on the Mokau River they procured horses, and rode slowly to Te Awamntu in two days. They did not visit To Kuiti. Messrs. Govett and Marshall saw Winiata, the murderer of Packer, near Alexandra.

It is stated that Sir George Grey has taken a house, now occupied by Mr. Burtt, in Hobson-street, and will shortly arrive in Auckland to take up his residence before «'oing to Wellington to attend to his parliamentary duties.

The Park Committee of the City Council, viz.—His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. M. Clark), aud Messrs. Aickin, Waddel, and Thompson —waited on the Native Minister yesterda'-' with reference to the removal of the Armoury. In the course of the interview the deputation pointed out that the Armourv was an eyesore in the plan for the improvement now being carried out in Albert T.irk. Tne City Council have offered the Government £1250 and a valuable allotment in Lome-street, in exchange for the site, in order to secure the removal of the trail'lints. The Native Minister said he •would accept £1500, with another site at the corner of Wellesley-street and Park-sti-eet, the Government to have the use of whatever material might be useful in the construction of the new building, the balance of material to go to the City Council. The Native Minister's offer will be considered at the next meeting of the City Council.

Our Wanganui correspondent wires that Mr. Shc.ian is expected there about the middle of nest week, for the sitting of the Native Land Court, and that Murimotu and other blocks are likely to be dealt with before the Court finishes its sittings. Judges Williams and Symouds are expected atWan<*anui about the middle of the present month.

In yesterday's paper we referred to the change of commander of the Zealandia, in consequence of the threatened resignation of the whole of the crew of that vessel. A conespoudent, who has obtained information on the subject, writes : —The details ot the cause of the change of captain in the s.s, Zealandia, are not generally known even in Sydney, where, from the influence of the late captain, they were suppressed. We have it, from reliable sources, that the change miiht have been made some time ago had the interests of the travelling public or the company been consulted. The Zealandia, from her size, comprises a large community in herself, even without passengers, from the number of officers and men therein employed. The captain, for the time being, is absolute ruler, and. as is well known, can make the ship a comfort to sail in, or the other extreme. It is not often that in a ship's company you rind men who are able to combat successfullv, especially in large boats or companies, witn a popular captain or the petty tyranny exercised by the Jack in office for the time being, but in spite of his live years' service the late captain of the Zealandia reckoned without his crew. It seems that when he joined the vessel, some five years an-o, he introduced the strict naval system of discipline, and to such a length was this carried, that the life of the officers and men became perfectly miserable. Many of the officers came out from Home in the ship, under engagement for a term of years. This term expired lately, when they seized the opportunity of sending in their resignations in a bodv, owing to the very tyrannical and im"eatlemanly treatment they had been subject to for years past. This wholesale resignation I was telegraphed home to the owners from San Francisco and caused an inquiry to be held in Sydney, the result of which was that if the crew, many of whom were old and valued servants, persisted in their refusal to proceed to sea m the ship under the late captain, he was to be dismissed and his successor appointed. The conduct of this gentleman when the discussion became known was far from dignified, as he went round among the officers to ask them to le' the matter blow over, and it would be all right in the future, to which they turned a deaf ?ar. One curious phase ot the afiair is that in spite of the matter of the inquiry bein'.' kept very quiet, it leaked out, and a number of applications were received from deck hands, viz., mates, second mates, and others, to fill up vacancies, but none at all from engineers. Mr. John Fay, of the firm of Messrs. Hay and Buchanan, Auckland, and Mr. Graham, of Awhitu, are at present in Wanganui inspecting some blocks of land, with a view oi investment for English capitalists and themselves.

In our report cf the Council proceedings on the -31th February it was stated that Superintendent Hughes had reported that the doctor's account to Captain Philip Jones had been paid. Captain Jones writes to inform us that the account had been paid bv himself. Superintendent Hughes, on inquiry being made, says the statement made to the Council was that the account had been "passed for payment" out of the brigade funds" and it is owing to the neglect of the secretary that the money has not been sent before this.

It is highly desirable that a constable in plain clothes should be stationed on Sundays in the Symonds-street cemetery, both to put down larrikinism, and other offences of even a "raver nature. On Sunday last two little girls went to the cemetery, to visit the grave of their little brother. Shortly after they had entered, some miscreant noticing that no adult was with them, began to conduct himself indecently in then- presence, but seeing some grown persons coming up the walk, disappeared down in the tea-tree. When these had passed, he again came up the roadway, and repeated the oilence. Ihe children went to look for the grave-digger, to point the man out to him, but they eou.tl not find that official, and the offender halfdivinin« their intention, made oil' down the gully. = The little girls described the man as being of a lo<v-livcd appearance, of middle years, and somewhat reddish in the face. At the weekly volunteer parade last night, th>. Yietoria Company mustered strongly, havin" forty-seven rank and file. The other companies did not fall in, there being only three or four members of each. The Victoria Company was put through various evolutions by Captain Mahon and Lieutenant Selfe.

His Honor Judge O'Brien and staff leave by steamer to-morrow, from the Manukau, to hold a sitting of the Native Lands Court, which has been gazetted for Friday next, at Hokianga. The Court, in all probability, will open on Friday and adjourn until the following Monday. Mr. J. A. Tole, M. H.R. for Eden, has been retained by several of the Hokianga chiefs, to proceed to the district and act for them in the various cases in which they are interested. Mr. John Lundon, late M.H.R. for the Bay district, will also be present. It is understood that, owing to the length of time which has passed siuce the last Native Lands Court was held, a considerable accumulation of work has arisen, which no doubt will be disposed of before the Court finally adjourns. From what we learn, there are large blocks of native land in the Hokianga district well suited for occupancy, and the Court which is about to sit will settle the ownership amongst the different hapus, and thereby largely add to the promotion of settlement in this hitherto much neglected part of the North.

The results of the poll for the Dargaville Licensing Committee are : —A. Andrews, 28; E. Bassett, 27 ; R. Masefield, 20 ; W. Soiers, 25; W. Jackson, 20 ; J. Morgan, 16 ; M. Harding, 15 ; Thomas Webb, 11. The first five were declared elected by the Returning Officer. The Good Templar interest is therefore not represented on the Bench.

At a meeting of the Victoria Volunteer Company, convened by Captain Mahon, held yesterday evening, to consider the requisition to secede from the battalion, it was unanimously decided to forward the requisition to the commanding officer, Major Derrom, with a request that it he sent on to Wellington. Of 47 members present, 40 attached their names to the requisition. Captain Mahon complimented the company and especially Sergeant McLcod and Volunteer Rose, upon the success that had attended them at the Auckland Association firing. In doing so, he announced his intention to present a handsome scarf-pin with diamond centre to the scorer in the Victoria Company, of the highest aggregate at the Association firing. It was also decided to forward a congratulatory telegram to Volunteer Edward Cooper, representing the company at Nelson, upon having won the first prize in the Otago match. A vote of thanks to the chairman, terminated the proceedings.

Mr. W. J. W. Harris has been gazetted judge of the Assessment Courts at Kaitaia, Oram, township, Whakapakn, Totara, Whangaroa. and Kaeo, County of Mangonui, in place of Mr. R. N. 11. Matthews, deceased.

The anniversary soiree of the Otahrd.u Baptist Church was held last evening in the Public Hall, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, was successful, the hall being well filled. The following ladies presided at the tea tables : Mesdames Andrews, Box, Cox, Donald, Garner, Jones, and Vuglar, and Misses Dutton and Reyburn. "Mr. Thomas Spurgeon presided, and gave an address on "The Birthday of the Young Church." Addresses were also given by the Rev. J. Macky on "Infidelity as opposed to Christianity, and the Means to Resist its Force;" by the Rev. G. Bond on "Christian Workers and the Power of Unity of Action;" ,-vnd by Mr. Smith on "Christian Work and the true Motive for its Exe-eise." Messrs. Gilbert Carson (of Wauganui) and J. Brame also spoke, but briefly. It was announced that the anniversary Sunday collections of the clmrch amounted to £12 15s, including £5 from Dr. Kenderdine to the building fund. Votes of thanks to the ladies who had presided at the tables, to the other friends who had assisted to make the gathering a success, and to the chairman. A number of Auckland friends went out in two omnibuses and by private vehicles, returning to town after the meeting.

A soiree and public meeting to celebrate the opening of the Pitt-street Primitive Methodist Sunday-school was held last night. About 200 persons sat down to tea, the tables being presided over by Mesdames Cann and Hardie, and Misses Hardie, Freer, Taylor, and Donald. Mr. T. Buddie presided at the public meeting. Addresses were delivered by the chairman, and the Revs. Messrs. Long and Guy, and Mr. D. Goldie. The choir, under the leadership of Mr. Frith, sang at intervals during the evenin". The collection in aid of the Sundayschool at the service last Sunday amounted to eleven guineas. This school is connected with the Alexandra-street Primitive Methodist Church.

The deputation appointed at the meeting at St. Thomas' school-room on Monday ni"-ht had an interview last evening with the Rev. Mr. Tebbs, iueumbent of St. Matthew's parish, at the parsonage, in reference to the closing of St. Thomas' Mission Church. The interview was of an amicable character notwithstanding the stormy character of the proceedings on Monday night. The deputation consisted jf Messrs/ Fisher, Olive, and Mackune Mr. Cornish being absent). They informed Mr. Tebbs that they saw a way out of the liinculty, and a method of keeping the ibove place of worship open, but were lesirous of knowing whether he would eonent to it. Mr. Tebbs replied that he would ike to have it in writing, when he would louvene a meeting of the vestry of St. datthew's at the earliest possible date to iousider the proposal, as with them as the epresentatives of the parish lay the reponsibility of acting. The deputation exiressed themselves entirely satisiied with lie reply. Mr. Tebbs further explained :3 a reason for his not visiting the people of >t. Thomas' district and the Sunday-school, hat as a curate had been appointed (up to Christmas last) to do the work there it was lot deal-able he should interfere in the local rork of the district. There were certain .ouudaries assigned Mr. Hitchcock, and hese boundaries lie had respected, but now hat that gentleman had left he was again isiting St. Thoma3' district and people. It uos been suggested as a way of getting out >f the unhappv disputes which have been csociated with St. Thomas' Mission Chureh hat the south-west corner of St. Matthew's >arish should be thrown into the St. ipiphany district and made a separate .arish, and as the St. Epiphany people ontemplate erecting a new church m varam'ahape-road, that they shoald take ivcr St. Thomas' Mission Chureh, with t3 principal obligations, and remove it to he above site. This scheme, it is conended, would end the bickermg3 winch lave prevailed, and give the St. Epiphany icople a church commodious enough for their /ants at a very low figure.

Vf" are requested to draw attention to the sale to be hold today by Messrs. Tonka-and Co., at no-jn or the townships of Oxford and Waipa, and suburban lots. These properties are situate, the one on the main Kotoruvrtfid, and is the proposed site of a railway station on the Main South ltotorua Kailway, an l the other on the main road to Taupo and Napier. and en the Waikato river. These properties are now irtrtlv built on, and we understand the proprietors are determined to sell. Large fortunes have been irade"by purchasing lots in new townships, and the Durclia'ers at to-day's sale may pretty confidently reckon upon a large increase in value withmavery short period. _ The ouarterly communication 01 trie district Grand Lodge of Auckland, E.C., is advertised to be held in the Freemasons'-hall this evening at hallpast 7 o'clock. \le«sra B Tonks and Co. will sell by auction to-morrow, the booths for the grand band SSntcKt takes'place next Saturday, at Stark and Quick's Garden's, North Shore. The share register in the Thames Gas r. „J t. in he closed from the 2nd to the 6th of | when'a dlvldEd of IsJJOd per share will be | payable at the company's office. .