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New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6820, 26 September 1883, Page 5

Fighting has been resumed in Madagascar 'between the Hovas and the French. The positions occupied by the invaders were attacked in force by the natives, and after ■severe fighting the French troops were •defeated with great loss. It is becoming 'more certain' that the campaign in Madagascar will prove a more difficult and costly undertaking for France than the Ferry Ministry dreamt of. Fresh reinforcements Will be required to be sent out, and there is the prospect of a prolonged and ex; pensive war. Our other cablegrams give additional particulars of the explosives at the Government rocket factory, at Woolwich. It is now stated that although the explosions continued for upwards of an hour very little damage was done. The Board of Trade inquiry into the sinking of the Austral 'has begun. The defence of the officers will be that the ship was unstable. Tbe Loch Fyne, from Lyttelton to London, has not yet reached her destination, aud fears are entertained for her safety. On our sixth page will be found the third of our series of articles on Fiji, dealing especially with the labour trade. His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies sat yesterday in chambers, ar,d disposed of a number ■of applications, the details of which will be found in another column. Mr. Gamble, agent ior tbe Pacific Mr.il Steamship Company, is in receipt of a cablegram, which states the s.s. City of New York left San Francisco on Sunday, 23' d instant, being one day after time-table date, and may therefore be expected to arrive oa Men lav, October loth, time-table date. At the meeting of the Grammar School Board of Governors yesterday, it was resolved to establish three scholarships of £40 each per annum—each to bo tenable for three years— one to be given each year for three successive years"; competition for the first to take place iu December next; competitors to be betwten the ages of fourteen and sixteen years. A proposal by Mr. Laishley to limit the scholarships to the students of the school was negatived on the casting vote of the Chairman. The question as to whether such scholarships can be open ~"to all comers was referred to the Board's •iegal adviser for opinion. It was also agreed to establish six foundation scholarships open to all comers under the age of "thirteen years, to be competed for in such '■way, and before suah examiners, as the governors shall appoint; two scholarships "to be given annually for three successive ■years. The criminal sittings of the Circuit Court "•will be held on Monday next, the Ist October. Up to thy present there are 17 • cases set down for trial, viz.. Annie Quinn, ■ forging aa d uttering (Hamilton); Michael O'Urien, breaking and entering (Auckland) ; William Burns, indecent assault '(Auckland); William Small, David Thorne, and Michael Ryan, assault and robbery '■ (Auckland) ; Murtagh Dooahoe, Michael Casey, and Patrick Hennessy, malicious •injury to property (Auckland); Edward ■Dewar Richards, malicious injury to property ■ (Auckland); Thomaa James North, larceny ■ (Auckland) ; James Murphy, attempt to - commit au unnatural offo'ice (Whangaroa); ■ Rulca iioera, horse ttealing (Mangonui); ■ Richard Bell and Robert Gibson, breaking and entering (Hokianga); James Watson, alias E. McMauley, uttering (Auckland); ■ John William Henry Subritzky and Henry George Subritzky, larceny (Mangonui); Ann Dohyn, larceny (Auckland); Robert •Golding (three charges), breaking and entering (Auckland). " The Mayor, ; Councillor?, and burgeoseß •of the-City of-Auckland have been gazetted trustees for the maintenance of the Auckland ■'.'Public Cemotery in the parish of.Waiko- • •miti, containing 188 acres.

The attendance at the evening classes at the Grammar School is so small that it is likely most of the classes will have to be discontinued.' The head-master reported to the Board of Governors yesterday that last term, the classes for chemistry, Latin, and French were not held in consequence of the prescribed minimum of eight .entrances not being reached. For the pre-eat ferm the numbers of names given in are as follows :— Latin, 4 ; French, 1; chemistry, 2 ; mathematics, 13; arithmetic, 9. The classes for mathematics and arithmetic are therefore the only ones in which the minimum has been reached. We are, afraid thai these classes are not a success through, not to put it too strongly, the lack of interest shown in them by the governors, and also perhaps by the masters.

Dr. Daval was again brought up yesterday at the Police Court, on the charge cf obtaining money by means of a valueless cheque from Samuel Coombes. Mr. BrowniDg appeared for Dr. Duval, and clearely showed that the occurrence arose through a misunderstanding which he explained, and that there was no fraidulent intention. The Bench, while agreeing with this fact, exonerated the police from any blame for the action they had taken, and discharged the accused.

There are doubts whether the Mr.' Thompson, who was arrested at the North Shore on the charge of embezzling and stealing money at Normanby and Inglewood is the right man. Indeed, the impression prevails that he is not. When brought before the Court yesterday, the police applied for a remand in order that he might be identified, and on the application of his counsel the accused was admitted to moderate bail.

Mr. Bourne, head-master of the Grammar School, in his report to the Board of Governors, regrets that the attendance at the Ponsonby branch of the school does not increase more rapidly, but he is convinced that it is doing -useful work. The attendance is about 25, the minimum fixed by the Board. The appointment of Dr. J. H. R Bond to the charge of the Auckland Hospital in place of Dr. Mackellar, resigned, has been gazetted. Messrs Samuel Brett Farmer Cooksey,Eflwin Pheasant, John Isbister, John Ovens, Richard Smith, Joseph Ishioter, and Joseph Ovens have been gazetted trustees of the Matakohe Public Cemetery, and Messrs Charles Stanislaus Stafford, Edward F. Roach, George Lipsey, Henry Ernest Whitaker, and James Lavery have been appointed to a similar office in respect to the Public Cemetery ab Te Aroha.

The Te Aroha recreation ground, section No. 5, block XI., Te Aroha survey district, containing 121 acres, has been brought under the Public Domain Act, ISBI, and Messrs. Charles Stanislaus Stafford, Edward F.Roach, Georae Lipsey, Henry Ernest Whitaker, and James Lavery have been gazetted the members of the Te Aroha Domain Board.

At a recent meeting of the Melbourne Presbytery the Rev. Mr. Hay called the Rev. Mr. McEachran, '! a combination of Pecksniff and UrUh Heep." The Rev. D. Fraser described some remarks of Mr. Hay as offensive " and scurrilous abuse."

By the s.s. "Waihora which arrived yesterday from Melbourne, via Southern ports, were received two tramway engines from Wellington. One is to the order of the sawmill at Whangapoua, for the purpose of hauling logs. The destination of the other is uncertain. The two engines formerly bebnged to the Wellington Tramway Company, but had to be dispensed with, as the regulation now is that only horse power can be used on the Wellington lines.

* The ODly occupants of the police cells at a late hour last night were two men and a woman for drunkenness.

William Law lor, a navvy working on the railway at Piako, was received into the Hospital yesterday, suffering from injury to his knee, caused by a fall some ten days ago. As the wound did not heal, but rather became much worse, Lawlor decided to come to the Hospital for treatment.

The little boyßuaby, who was run over by an expre'S-cart on Monday, has passed through Monday 1 night without delirium, and was yesterday doing as well as could be expected. He remains under the careful and constant attention of Dr. Murray Moore, in consuUation with: whom Dr. Walker has seen the patient. Dr. Walker entertains a favom-able hope of his recovery, but thus far the result is still doubtful.

The Melbourne Argus mentions a new departure by a firm of drapers in that city, in the manner of conducting a retail business. The business, says our contemporary, like that of many other similar places in England and America, is on the cash principle, but the uso of telegraphic communicators from the counters will do away with the annoying cry of " cash" when a visitor makes a purchase. At the back of the shop proper is a large space set apart for the purposes of a jardin elyxie, where customers may obtain refreshments in a cool grotto, made attractive by aviaries of birds, salt and fresh water acquaria, and the music of a band, which will be seated in a fernery situated in a picturesquely-painted landscape. There will also bo pianoforte and other recitals. The basement, which comprises a very wide area, will he converted into a gentleman's lounging club, with lavatories and refreshment buffets, and will be aceessiblo from tho street by a private entrance not leading through the shop. Here gentlemen may read, or talk, or smoke while their lady friends are makiDg th<;ir purchases upstairs. A cosy room, comfortably furnished and decorated, will be devoted to the use of lp.dies as* a private club, while another and similar apartment has been termed the " dark room," for the somewhat paradoxical reason that it is lighted by artificial light alone, the object being to give ladies an opportunity of duly observing the effect of certain harmonies and contrasts in colour under tbe influence of gaslight.

It is stated by the Weekly Advocate that the Rev. Lorimer Fison, M.A., of the Training Institution, Navuloa, Fiji, has again becom the recipient of singular literary honour, the Anthropological Society of Washington having elected Mr. Fison to full membership—an honour conferred on one only each year. The contributions ot Mr Fison to scientific knowledge are regarded as of such merit as to entitle him ta the honours conferred.

The first of Mr. Pooley's competitions for amateur musicians comes off next Monday, and we hope to see-some really good baritone and bass vocalists brought to the front on this o;casion. This effort of Mr. Pooley's is certainly deserving of encouragement, and as the audience have the matter in their own hands as regards deciding upon the most meritorious of the candidates, the arrange ment will afford them an opportunity of exercising their critical faculty in relation to an art in which they have tho reputation of excelling. The competition, as will bo seen from the advertisement elsewhere, will form part of a first-class evening concert, and doubtless a most enjoyable evening will be spent by those present. It will take place in the old " home " of the Saturday Popular Concerts, the Theatre Royal.

Writing from Ambrym (New Hebrides) on August 23rd "The Vagabond" says :-The result of the action of H.M.S. Dart at the village of Ballat on the 4th inst. was that nine natives were killed,and several wounded. , villages were burnt. Afterwards cornman del' Moore held a conference, in the presence of the Presbyterian missionaries, with the inhabitants, and made them give np all their arms, 40 muskets, including 10 Sniders and a quantity of bows and arrows. These were packed in cases and sent by the schooner Energy to Noumea, to be despatched to the Commodore at Sydney. An agreem-nt was made that in future none or the natives of Ambrym are to carry arm*. Commander Moore also fined tho village -0 pigs for the murder of Captain Belbin, which was totalty unprovoked. Mr. Craig, a v<'hu e trcder who, with li'a wife, resides at Dip Point, near Ballat. tells me that Commander Moore has given the natives such a salutary lesson that he now feels perfectly safe, as they will not attack wbite men again. Wm. Parker, the seaman of the Dart who was killed in the attack on tho village, was buried at sea.

A summons was issued yesterday out of the Supreme Court, to be served on the attorney of James Daley, of Hamilton, ca ''" ing upon the latter to show cause why he should not bo adjudicated a bankrupt. The summons was ordered to issue upon a petition by Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co.

The following telegram was received yesterday from the manager of; the Hauraki G.M. Co.:—'• Crushed 73 tons last week, which gave 1170z9.' amalgam from tables, and 37c>zs. from berdans."

An adjourned sitting of the District Court was held yesterday. befo*e Judge Smith, when, in the case of Str-mghan v. ths Black--1 more Gold Mining Company. His Honor gave judgment for the plaintiff, with £14 17s costs. Ths case of Elias v. J. and A. Mcleod wa3 then called, and >'eard before th - Court and'a "jury of four." Th« evidence is very volum-'nous, and the hearing I'ad not concluded when the Court rose at. h*lf-past five o'clock p.m. The action is brought by the plaintiff, a settl-r at Wainui, to recover £100 damages for injury done to his land by the defendants, through driving their timber logs down the Waitoki Creek. An outline of the case will be found in another column. We learn that the work of connecting the Police Station and Gaol by telephone will ba commenced immediately. N Captain Mahon, of the Victoria Kiflea, has received a letter from Mr. Stevens, Secretary of the New Zea'and Rifle Association, in reference to the forthcoming matches which are to be held in Auckland. The meeting will be held at the end of February, not next month, as was at first proposed. As the Government has only given £500, the prize list will not be so good as that nt the Dunedin meeting, but they would do their best. The Union Company had agreed to give competitors return passages at single rates, and arrangements were a 'so being made with the Railway Department, but Mr. Stevens fears that thtre will be very few competitors from Otago. It is intimated that men on the reserve t'orce may compete for all prizes except the belts. It is intended to have sixteen 'argots, and Mr. Stevpns recommends ODe-Treo Hill, if it can be obtained for the range. He urges the volunteers and citizens to use every effort to make the met ting a success. A man named Costello was brought to the Hospital yesterday by the police in an Insensible state. He was found lying on the side of the road, his insensibility apparently being caused by drink and subsequent exposure. On inquiry at the Hospital at a late hour last night, we were informed by th<* house surgeon, Dr. Bond, that the man was still insensible and ia a low state. The return football match between Thames and Te Aroha resulted in a draw. Mr. Ehrenfried promised a cup to be competed for between the Thames and Te Aroha clubs. Amongst the passengers by the s.s. Waihora, from Southern ports, we notice the names of Mr. J. M. Dargaville,-M. H.K., and Mr. S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster here. All those inlands in the Hanraki Gulf known as Mokohinu, Hen and Chickens, Poor Knights, and Fanal Islands have been reserved to be used for lighthouse purposes.

, The Waitiki, which has been purchased by the Kamo Colliery Company from the Union Steamship Company, will commence running between Whangarei and Auckland some time in October, the former company having uudertakeu to supply the latter with 500 tons coal -weekly, which will be transhipped direct into the Union boats or into hulks, to be kept in the Auckland harbour by the Kamo Coal Company. There is no intention at present, ib is stated, to alter the existing rates for freight or passage, but the Northern Advocate announces th?t Mr. Joseph Benuetfc, managing director of the company, has issued imperative instructions that the providoring of the steamer shall be the very best possible, and, in his own words, " Better even than that, of the Union boats." A correspondent, writing on the subject of steam communication between Whangarei and Auckland stys : — "Business having brought me to Whangarei, and managing to get it through by the hour of departure of the Macgregor on her maiden trip to that delightful watering place, I resolved to take passage by her, and judge for myself as to her capabilities. The N. >S.S. Company,l see, are going to havestrong opposition in the Waitaki, and as she will be commanded by the genial Captain Crawford, the above company will have to put their best foot forward to beep hold of the trade. Leaving Whangarei by the two p.m. train on Monday we arrived safely alongside, and proceeded on board, finding on closer acquaintance, a, comfortable, well-ventilated saloon, and an obliging steward in Mr. McLeod. As for Captain Johnson, he is careful and strict, yet, from his courtesy, popular with his passengers of both sexes. We left Marsden Point at twenty minutes past three p.m., sitting down to a liberallysupplied table, which left nothing for criticism. The engines worked so smoothly that in the evening I indulged in a quiet nap, only being aroused by the people on dock overhead rambling about, and on proceeding on deck found we were approaching the Auckland Wharf, the New Zealand Insurance Co.'s clock just striking the midnight hour." It will be seen by an advertisement elsewhere that Mr. James Tindal (sole a_>ent for Miles' patent burglar alarm till), is at present staying at the Governor Browne Hotel. The invention for which ha is agent is a most ingenious contrivance for protecting shopkeepers' tills against thieves, and is well worthy of attention. The till can be so secured as to prevpnt the possibility of its being tampered with without an alarm bell being rung. The apparatus is capable of being set so as to be opened only-by one knowing the number, letter, or mark by which it is set, the lock having 26 different combinations. At the Thames on Sunday last, the Rev. Father Doyle during the service at St. Francis' Church, while advocating the claims of the Freeman's Journal newspaper on the people, and canvassing the advantage likely to be derived from its perusal, had the effrontery ti make a statement to the effect that the columns of the colonial Press were filled with immorality and infidelity. The children's entertainment at Remuera has been postponed to October 10. The annual meeting of the Auckland United C.C. takes place at tho United Service Hotel this evening. The West End C.C. hold their annual meeting this evening at the Y.M.C.A.