THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1883.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6824, 1 October 1883, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1883.

More detailed statements reach, us respecting the events -which transpired recently at the port of" Tamatave, in Madagascar, threatening a rupture of friendly feeling between England and France. Prom the accounts published in oar other columns it will be observed' that the French Admiral officially denied the allegations made as to the outrage on the British Consulate, which in view of the sanctity that is Usually conceded to the surroundings of the representative of a foreign friendly Power, seemed at the time somewhat incredible. Enough occurred, however, in the action of the French Admiral to intensify the feeling of irritation existing at the time between the residents in Madagascar belonging to the two nationalities, which may account for the rather exaggerated statements which first appeared. In this portion of the complication there does not seem to have occurred much presenting any very grave difficulties in the way of friendly diplomacy j nor does there appear to have been any particular loss of national prestige in the British Cabinet accepting the explanations and friendly assurances of the French Government.

The Shaw incident, however, appears to have a different complexion, and if we are to accept the detailed statement alleged to have been furnished by the arrested missionary himself, it is probable that something more than mere "explanations and friendly assurances must pass before the irritating effects of' his treatment will have been removed from the public mind. The charges against the reverend gentleman appear to have been of a most extraordinary kind, and not without an admixture of the ludicrous.' He was charged with having attempted to poison French soldiers, and subsequently with '•' not having exercised sufficient t prudence to prevent the French'soldiers from being injured by drinking "\sdne and other medical drugs which hetti been taken away from the mission dispensary, and which were found lying about the garden." The fact appears to be that some persons had taken'the opportunity of the confusion of the bombardment to tamper with the reverend gentleman's medicine chests, and not liking the taste of the contents, had thrown the bottles about the garden in their flight, and the French soldiers finding these, and taking them to be their favourite vin ordinaire, had sought to slake their thirst with senna and salts, or some of the other vigorous remedies which no doubt the missionary doctor had found necessary for stimulating the vi-;;3ity of the not over-refined Malagasy physical system. The effect on the more sensitive organism of the French soldier would probably be prodigious, and Orapaud in his distress concluded he was poisoned. The medical missionary may be thankful that at last his case came before some one of more intelligence, or an acuter sense of the ridiculous, than his first captors, who appear to have taken a somewhat malicious pleasure in tormenting him in revenge for the sufferings to which they had been subjected by his mixtures; and after'very short commons indeed, and these administered in a bucket, without even the convenience of a knife and fork, and after many weeks of very considerable indignities, mixed with some cruelty, he was, at length pronounced not even indictable before a Oourtmartial, the charges were so flimsy. If the statement of the missionary is found to be correctly reported, it shows a considerable amount of vindictiveness in the treatment to which he was subjected, and some light is thrown on this by the evidence of religious antagonisms being mixed up with the elements of discord in Madagascar. Shortly after Mr. Shaw's arrest the French refugees who had boon expelled from the capital arrived at Tamatave, and it is said of these " refugees, Jesuits, and others," that " they had a most bitter feeling against the English, to whom they attributed their expulsion." It is known that there was a very strong hostile feeling before between the Jesuits and the Protestant missionaries in that particular mission field, and the expulsion of the Jesuits a's Frenchmen would be looked on by themselves as the triumph of their opponents. Inspired by these feelings, they would naturally have so expressed themselves to the authorities on board the French squadron, and the special inconveniences to which the captured Protestant missionary was subjected were the natural result. At all events this is the manner in which it will appear at Exeter Hall, and we venture to say that if Mr. Shaw, wlio is in London, narrates his story in the West Strand, as he did to the reporter of the Planters' Gazette in Mauritius, it will contain all the elements for extensive, popular excitement in England, and* r the germs' of unpleasant relations with France.

Our remarks relative to the seizure of the Gazelle have been, brought under the cognizance of the Government, and the Collector of Customs has courteously favoured us with a statement of the case from the point of view of the Customs authorities, which we publish "in another column. In this we fail to see anything to modify the views which we have already expressed. On the

contrary, in the action of the Government in communicating with the. owner of the Gazelle, offering to release the vessel on payment of a fine of £50, and giving a "guarantee or engagement that the business had "closed and I the case terminated,',' -we see a distinct admission of the harshness and injustice, of the proceeding, and a 'desire to recede from the position as easily and quietly a3 the busir ness" could be effected; while in the firm refusal of the owner to arrange it oh any such terms, we recognise the natural reluctance of an innocent man to condone the proceeding, and to admit his complicity, in any shape or form, with smuggling. Our remarks

were directed, not in any way against the decision of the law Court, as the expounder of the law as it stands, but against, the outrageous injustice of the law itself, and the impropriety, of the Government in enforcing it in this particular case, against an owner so utterly disconnected with the offence. This latter was entirely within the discretion of the Government, and though the expressed reason for imposing a fine of £50 was to give a " caution or warning to owners that great care must be exercised in the selection of captains," the payment of the impost could not be otherwise regarded than as a distinct admission of guilty complicity on the part of Mr. Ellis; and we' can readily understand that a spirited gentleman having his honour and commercial reputation in his own keeping, would, rather lose his vessel twice over than, by any such concession, admit a criminal responsibility 'in the disgraceful offence of smuggling.

With reference to the intention of warning owners that " great care must be exercised in the selection of captains," we apprehend. that no such warning is needed, and that an owner intending to entrust such valuable property as a ship, with probably a valuable cargo contained, to the hands of another for voyaging in distant parts, exercises all the care and discrimination that is possible with reference to character and antecedents, as well as skill and ex perience, before making a selection ; and that it is not within the power of human knowledge or foresight to pick up officers that are absolutely infallible; and though it may be quite reasonable that the owner should suffer by the laches of his agent, within reasonable limits, it is outrageously unreasonable that he should forfeit to the Government his entire property, owing to an arbitrary rule, imposed, and through the offence of an officer, committed no doubt in distinct violation of the express orders of the owner. It is no answer that the Government has provided a means for the owner to avoid this great' Joss, by the offer of acceptance of redemption money; for if the seizure is oppressive and wrongful, the redemption fine insisted on is equally unjust, as it is based on the assumed rightfulness of the seizure. No one can question the right to impose the fine of £100 on the offending officer, or twice the amount, or ten times the amount, or imprisonment for years, if our laws are sufficiently Draconian to inflict punishment to the utmost extent of savage vindictiveness on anyone that may offend the State. So long as it is the wilful offender that is made to suffer, there is nothing wrongful in principle in the punishment. But no laws have any right to ■inflict vindictive or deterrent punishment on a man who is entirely innocent of intentional offence.

"Whatever may be the law is not, however, now the principal question; it-is the arbitrary action of the Government. It is seen, and it is admitted, that it was within the discretion of the Government to waive the right of confiscation, or to put the law in force; and in taking the latter course they have committed an arbitrary and tyrannical action, and the only honourable, and right course is to recede from it unconditionally as quickly as possible. If this is not done, we trust that- Mr. Ellis, even though it be to the dishonour of New Zealand, will press this matter to the bitter end ; and for the honour and safety of commerce, we hope that he will be sustained by the sympathy and countenance, not only of all the commercial men of New South Wales, but of New Zealand and ths whole of the Australasian colonies.

Another agrarian murder has occurred in Ireland, Mr. Crotty, a prominent landlord in County Mayo, having been shot dead. No particulars of the terrible outrage.have come to hand, but it is stated that the perpetrator of the murder has not yet beeu arrested. For some tiin-:- paet Ireland hasbeensiijgulavly free of crimes of this description, but during the last few days our uablegrams have given indications of the country being again in a disturbed state. . To what cause this unhappy condition of affairs is duo it is, at the present tim?, impossible to say, but it is worthy of note that it has succeeded th* renewal of the Land League agitation, whicli our cablegrams a short time asjo.stated was about to be prosecuted with increased vigour. The attempt of the Leaguers to carry their campaign into Ulster has, however, proved a failure, and we have news this morning that it has collapsed. The Rev. "Mr. Shaw has narrated his experience to an Exeter Hall audience, and the story of the ill-treatment he received at the hands of Admiral Pierre atTamo.tavehas evoked a strong public feeling in England against. France—a teelina which is not likely to be lessened by the defiant tone adopted by the French Press. The Matacra's cargo qf frozen meat has had to be disposed of to soapboilers at one halfpenny per pound, its condition rendering it worthless for the London meat market. We print elsewhere a telegram from our Christchurch correspondent, which fchows that the failure of the cargo , is attracting considerable attention in the South Island, and evoking comments far from complimentary to those who had the practical management of the shipment at this port. A demand is made for a thorough investigation iuto the whole matter, and, no doubt, some inquiry will be made with a view of ascertaining the causes which have led to the present uiifortuuate result, so that the mistakes which may have been eommitte.! in this instance may be avoided in the future.

The s.s. Hawea, which arrived in the Manukaxi yesterday mornini?, was the bearer of the English mail via Suez. Her dates are to ." ; iigus~ts 10 from London. The mail was sorted during the day. • In our commercial column will be found the returns for the month of and quarter ending September just paaad, and in our shipping columns the return of shipping entered inwards and cleared outwards at this Ijortior the quar:er named. The Customs receipts for ths quarter amount to £S2,6SS 5s Sd, as as>aiu3t 12s 6d for the corresponding quarter of last year. Elsewhere will be found an interesting selection of home and foreign news by the Suez mail, which arrived at the ManuUau yesterday. ' ■ • Latest nf ws,from Madagascar, and ah inter, sting account of Mr. Shaw's treatment by the French naval authorities at Tamatavc, will be found on page six. The directors of the New Prince Imperial. Gold. Mining Company have declared a, dividend of five shillings per share, k,

"I °?, r weeWy bndget of informationiLreeM* to allathlebc sports will be fW*oS sixth page. .■ < • l Wegive in another column a report of the greater portion of the eermon ofd&eSev A Reid, in Pitt-street Wesleyau Church, on a subject which has been much discussed «£ late ; and alao notices of special services •»«• the Roman Catholic Churches. ( *" ttß,u; A telegram informs us that a warrant has been issued against a chief of the Murimotu country for interfering with a anrvey party lately, and that two constables (have left to endeavour to execute the warrant It is pretty safe to predict that they will not besuccessful. They may be thujkfal if they get back safely the mselveil. ■ - The criminal or Crown g;tting3 of the quarterly circuit Court, holden for gaol delivery, wiil be opened this diorniag, in the Supreme Court Building. TJjjr'e are nineteen cases set down for trial, tfiiie particulars o» which have already been published. His Honor, Mr. Justice Gillios,; will deliver llhe opening charge to the Grand Jury at the usual hour—eleven o'clock. It may be neceseary to remind jurors th&i the business of the Court commeucte every day after the first at tea a.m. Jurors 3:oald be careful te read their summonses, 'and. attend at the hour therein stated, otherwise they run the risk of being fined. In our obituary column will be found the announcement of the death of another old and esteemed missionary, the Rev. Benjamin Yates iehwell, whoa« life has been spent in missionary work in tV-is colony. Mr. Ash' well expired on Saturday night, at his residence, Kemuera, at tbe ripe age of 73 years. The Rev. Mr. Ashwell, first arrived in Mew Zealand aa alcatechiat. Suh3equently he beciine aa ordained minister of the Church of England, and, for* great nuraber of years, ■was engaged in mission work tmongattbe Maorie.3 of Lower Waikato, hia h<=ad quarters being the mission station at Taupiri. When he arrived in Auckland soma y«3rs ago, that is to say, when the outbreak of the war made it impossible for him to reside iu Waiknto, and perform his duties as missionary, he was appointed minister of Trinity Church, Devonport, and since resigning that charge, he has resided in the suburbs of Auckland, and devoted himself to the work of ministry at the Hospital and Gaol. Mr. Aehwell wao highly esteemed in every'position which he held, and his memory will be gratefully cherished by inanyof the older settlers and by many natives.* He leaves a wife, but no family., Tho funeral will take place to-day, leaving hia late residence at Rerauera, at half-past three o'clock, for, St» Stephen's ceriietery, Parnell. ..;

For some .time past the members of the Beresford-street Congregational Cbnrch residing at Mount Men have felt the desirability of establishing a church in their neighbourhood. J They just commenced a Sunday-school with very encourging pro-, spects, and! have decided to bold regular Sunday evening services, and for these purposes the juse of the new hall recently erected at the foot of the mountain off the Mount EJen Road have been secured. Last night the first of these services was conducted /by the Kev, J. Robertson, M.A., of Beresford-sfr/eet Church. The attendance was good,' theJiall being filled. After expressing his earnest wish that these services might have of God upon themand be attended with a large measure of prosperity, the prer.cher announced a subject appropriate to the circumstances, it being- " The Secret o.' a Church's Prosperity." The text was "Thehand of the Lord was with , tbem : and. a i*reat number believed, and turned unto the Lord" (11, Acts 21). The cheerful and well lighted building, the hearty singing, the good attendance, and marke'l atieiiiijQß, led one to the conclusion that' the CoEgregationalists are to be congratulated on having commenced this new work under st'ch favourable auspices. There was I again a large audience at Abbott's Opeia'House on Saturday night to witness the of Hegarty's Minstrel and Hibeifiicoii-Comedy Company. There was a change of programme, and the new soDgs and comicalities met with much favour. The, entertainment will be repeated this evening, anKaie season is announced to close on. Wedueii|p!y. tVhis is one of the moatr amusing entertainments which we have seen for a long feline. It is literally brimful of mirth and inn, and keeps the audience in hilarions merriment from first to last. The farcical cooiady -which succeeds the minstrelsy part of the evening's amusement iB irresistibly finny, and is full of side-splitting scenes and situations. No one should miss this laughter-provoking performance.

The unfortunate ■ man Michael CostetToy whose deail was attributed by the Coroner's.jury on Friday to "exposure accelerated by drinlf," was one of the oldest of the olcT military settlers. He came to Auckland I with the 55th Regiment in 1845, and held [the post oE steward o! the officers' mess during theperiod. the regiment was employed on active service in 'Auckland. It ie nearly twenty-sii years sicca the regiment was ordered lome. Costello -was one cf those who, haWng been granted his discbarge, elected U remain in the colony. Two of his officeia who art now resideut in the colony describe him as a person at that time addicted to intemperance. Ho was for a time employed as messenger in the old : Provincial fGouueil, but his intemperate habits caused him tbe loss of that situation. Fora cJr.sideraWo period he earned a precarious livelihood as waitei , at public dinners, festival gathering, and on similar occasions. About eighteen months ago, while under the influence of drink, he m.ude an attempt on> bis life, For some time he was aa zbetainer, but be relapsed again into his dranken course. Latterly he appears to .have been reduced to a very deplorable condition. One of the jury at the inquest said that in hie drunken etate he begged twopence, and ht. oallel on Dr. Goldsbro , to ask the loan of a shilling. A more terrible example >f the appalling conapquonces of drink coaia not' be found. There were two performances at Woodyew's Circus on Saturday. Prior to the matinee the troupe turned out en masse, and rode in procession through the city, the cavalcade attracting a very large amount of attention. At the matinee there was a large atiandanceof children, bat, owing to the incl meat state of the weather, those fromjthe choritaSle institutions cotild not attend. The evening performance, the close of the season, wae also,largely r.ttended, and Mr. Woodyear may congratulate himself on having had a very 'successful season in the face of numerous counter attractions. Mr. J. C. MacCormick writes a long letter in or the proceedings in the cUrges instituted by him against Mr. North, who was formerly bis clerk, and also in re--s»d to the charge of perjury brought against him. As these esses are sub-judicz it would be, unfair to publish the letter. The funeral of Mr. S. M. Smith, who died from the effects of injuries received bv falling off a building in lUliott-atreefc, toofc place yesterday, and although the weather was cold and somewhat stormy, there was a very large attendance. The members of the Uricklayere , Society and tho.=e of the Hiberniani Society attended in full strength to fcsufy their ivspect for Mr. Smith, who was s, member of both societies. : A special meeting of parishioners of Ml Saints Church, Ponsonby, was held ia the schoolroom, on Friday evening last, the Sev. W. Calder in-the chair," when it wal unanimously resolved that teuder.n be called it ouce for shingling the church. We are glad to be able.to state that the id Buaby (son of Mr. Busby, Venetian blind iianufaoturer), who was recently run over by i spring cart in Durham-street, is progressing favourably towards recovery. The only occupants of the police cells at a late hour last night were two persons for drunkenness, and Richard Sarsfield for a breach of the Vagraot Act by having no lawful visible means of support. , At the next meeting of the City Coanoil, Mr. Field is to move: "That steps be taken by the Couucit to connect Oliohant and John Streets, through the property of jMr.-E Port?r, his representatives b? commuuicatefj'with on the subject." : I A new marine msnrance association, under • jthe style of the Melbourne Lloyd's, has just ;been formed. It consists of about thirty mercantile men, carrying on business in Mel- ; bourne. Mr. -J. A. Francis, of %he National Insurance Company of New Zealand;, has been appointed managing underwriter Insurance and Banking Record.' ! dominations for the Sprint; Steeplechase and Stewards' Stakes Har*licap, C.J.CV spring Meeting, and for Middje Park Stakes Midsummer Handicap, C.J.C. Summer Meeting, close atninep.m. on.MortcSay. '- h O &£ n ?- ° a3e ™»s set dofn for hearinis . nt the Police Court on Saturj&yV a charge, pf drunkenness, which was in the usual manner. ■;,■■• '■•>.-,■ ■■—• \| v *■ ■■;.: ■

nn,o firnt of Mr. Po'oley's series.'qf competitSe con erU will take pice at" the Theatre Kwalto evening, and, from its novelty, >s likely to attract o l»rge audience. The comiiKeiy ro *« d t ama teur vocahste, SS'we notice That nine candidates have Ulthe liata-baritones and basses being entered the ima occasion. One alOn n Staeof these contests is that the S ll6 of SuTcating upon the respective of the competitors is left entirely in tte hands ol the audience, whoso critical t ,l7v and powers of discrimination are Sf LaSUy exercised. These contests * h ". &n vogue at home for some conSSSabte time, but we believe this is the Irst attempt that has been made to establish them to New Zealand ; and we hope that Mr Foley's veoture will turn out a success.

In a very forcible and amusing speech delivered last week in the Diocesan Synod at Wellington, on the Church Fund question, the Rev. P. Cameron, of Wanganui, related an anecdote of a lady member of the Free Church of Scotland, who druve 12 miles to collect a subscription of Is, and had to pay la 6d in tolls for doing so—(laughter)—hot ll 0 did it for the sake of keeping np the subscriber' 3' interest in Church matters. He oread the Church members not to go in Minkere, and bo unable to go outside their own parishes, but to look to the good of the whole Church. Pursuing his equine illustration, he said the clergy were continually bein°- lashed for their wane of energy. JSow, iie rode as good a horse as any clergyman in the country, but he had to give that horse plenty of good oats to make him go, It was no use whipping him unless yon gave him lots of oats too. Now that was how the clergyshonld be treated. You should give them more oats, and less of the whip. (Laughter). Give them plenty of oats, and see what fine sermons you will get then, {Roars of laughter). It might be quite true ±hat there waa "nothing like leather, but let the leather be in the ahapo-not of a whip, but of a purse. (Laughter and applauae.) . Further intelligence has been received at Cooktown respecting the recent convulsions in the Straits of Su D da. The tidal wave destroyed part of the harbour wall at Batavia, caused by the eruption of the volcano Grakatoa, which, though distant S3 miles from Batavia, could be distinctly hesrd through the night of the 26th August. Next day the discharge of ashes and powdered pumice stone darkened the air so much that work had to be suspended for over sik hours. The volcano kept up a continuous boom, especially at night, shaking the houses very considerably. The heavens became overcast, and eventually dark between ten a.m. and two p.m. The discharge of ashes ■svaa severe while it lasted. The eruptions caused great loss of life and property.

The fortnightly meeting of the Mahurangi Literary Society was held in the Public Hall, Warkwortb, op the evening of the 19th September. The Rev. R. McKioney occupied the chair. Mr. McMurdo was the lecturer of the evening, who spoke on "Sma mens in corpore sano." The lecture was a particularly interesting one, and -was listened to throughout with the utmost attention by a Targe and appreciative audience. A specially interesting feature in the lecttire related to the cases of insanae mentes which were spoken of, and which were referred.to as cases of "illusion and delusion." An^animated discussion followed the reading oJ the paper, in which Messrs. Voakes, Campbell, McLeod, and Wilson took part. The Uhairman'3 concluding remarks brought the meeting to a close. The paper to be given at the jnext meeting wiil be by Mr. Neil McLeod, OH ''TheHighlanders."—[A Correspondent.]

Auckland playgoers will be pleased to learn that Mr. H. N. Abbott, proprietor of the Opera Honse, and his buisinets manager, Mr. Lachlan McGowan, have completed arrangements for the appearance of tho great comedian' Mr. Polk and his'talented wife in Auekland. The career of these artistes in Australia has been an unqualified success in the " Strategist" and other comedies, and the Press of Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide speak of him as the most successful light comedian of th 6 age, while Mrsi Polk is said to possess the best sopraeo voice of any artiste whe has visited Australia. Mr. Polk will bring [with him his own comedy company to support him during his JOPr through New Zealand, and will commence hie campaign in Auckland, at Abbott's Opera House, at the end of October. Mr, Genese, who was here with Miss_ Jenuis Lee, will act a3 business ageut to Mr. and Mrs. Polk. Speaking of these artistes, the Sydney Morning Herald gays:-—"Mr. Polk is a comedian of the Charles, Matthews order, trim and jaunty of beating, cl-.ar, quick, and incisive of speech, ahd with uufhggim; vivacity. He rattles through his part with such easy self-possession and.effect that tha idea of any scene in which he appears being a mimic one is at the tiie impossible, and so the audieace alternately smile, chuckle, and laugh, as though they were enjoying the actual dilemma and comical experiences of friends of their own. Mrs. Polk can best be described by the epithet 'cheery.' She has a bright, attractive face, always lit up with intelligence and animation."

The Masonic ball in coniection with the Rodney Lorlge came off with great 6clat in the new Freemasons' Hall, |>Varkworth, on the evening of. Thursday, 20 Mi September, and was a decided success. The steamer Sose Casey arrived about fivj p.m., bringing a number of friends from Auckland. Dancing commenced at nine o'clock, ami was kept up with vigour until daybreak. The music was excellent, the >and being an Anckland one, under the able leadership of Mr. Morris (formerly a settlor in this district). The catering was all that could be desired, the caterer being Mr. Fred. Howard, ff the steamer Rose Casey. Among thosa present was Mr. Richard C. W. Cuming, of Dunedin, proprietor of the Sew Zealand freemason. Kveryone seemed to appreciate the new hall, and a most enjoyable evening was spent.—[Own Correspondent. ]

Describing the extraordinary tidal phenomena obstrved in King George's Scu.id, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, August 27, 28, and 29, the Albany Mail says:—"As the fLM.S. Rosetta was steaming out of the harbour on Monday afternoon, a great rush of tide like a tidal bore came in, vnd the vessel had to put on full speed to rieet it, and on the following day there wore two great rushes inward, and ihen a Iretttndous rneh outward. All the buoys disappeared under w.iter, and then rose to the surface "and took moorings and everything mt into the Sound. On Wednesday, whm the harbourmaster waß coming in wr.h the B'jeamer Coniston, at 8 p.m. the tide oitwards ■was running at such a rate that the vessel could hardly make headway full speed. Such a tide was neverkuownby the Oldest nautical inhabitants of the poit, and was strange considering the slight r*e and fall of the tide in this harbour, only 3 feet. There must have been a succession o. tidal waves, or several shocks cf submarinejeartbfiuake."

* Our Mahurangi correspondent writes, on September 24 -.—With sincere regiet, I announce another death in our Hldst, namely, that of Mrs. HughDavies, of liOWer Matikana, and eldest daughter of th; late William Bowen, of Neville-street, Varkworth. The sad occurrence! took plJce at her residence, Matakana, on the 18th September. Her remains were followed tctheir, last reatiDg place by a very large concmrse of sympathising friends, from all par.B of the district. She was interred in. the English cemetery, alongside of her fathex the burial service being performed by the iev. B. ifcKinney. She was a fond wife, an affectionate daughter, and was helovedaud deeply regretted by all who kaew her. The Eev. R. McKinney, in his discourse on last Sabbath, referred to this death anrt otiera ■which, in connection with these .districts had lately taken place. He Baid that tiose solemn dispensations of God's Providence were teaching us lessons which he hopec we would all learn. Toey were teaching us that we have here no continuing city, but that in the midst of life we are in de»th. The wor'd he said was fleeting froinjup. Earthly stays on which we lean were biing removed, and all things were teaching us the necessity of choosing for ourselves the better part that could never be taken fom ne. He exhorted all to place thtir trust in the Lord Jesus, and in their hour of nedl to look to Him for support and comfort, aril so it would come to pass in the end, that waen all their trials and bereavements were jast and gone, f 'or remembered onl} a3 a dream of the night, or as a tale that ia t(ld a home would be piovided for them in tiat Heeeed place, where no ills come and where the near aud tho dear once met, meet to fart no more. The sermon was an excellent cae, and was listened to throughout by a Vjjry appreciative audience. i

Br. JLangdon has been elected togjljihe surgeoncy of the Ooromandel liospitali t«e Dr. MbMnllenis, resigned. The stipend is fixeaat;?2Cop«)ranonM. '.'{■;

His Worship the R.M., after hearing Mr. Russell for the defence in.the prosecntion against Messrs. - Phillips and Trace, charged with maliciously injming ahonsem Waihske Island, the property of Mr. Robert McLeod, dismissed the case on the ground that no malice was proved, and the defendants acted on what , they thought to be a bona Me right. The following distributions "of books as prizes, &c, have been made by the Scripture Gift Association during thr month of beptember:—Thames District Schools, 205 ; Mullet Point, 30; Te Aroha, 35; Paeroa, 22 ;Te Mata, 12; Mercer, 14 ; Flat Bush, 21 • Otabuhu, 8 ; Whangarei (Wesleyan Sunday-school), 15; Pabi, 12; Alexandra, 12 ; Pukerimn, 21 ; Russell, 15 ; Omaha, 36 ; youths' elocution class, 7 ; workshop lads; 34 ; school libraries, 87 ; coastal steamers' cabins, 7. Total, 593.

Aa has already been announced by cable, Eliaa Lnycock has met with a serious accident at his residence, Shark Island. It appears that he was jumping from one large piece of rock on to another, as he had often done bbfore, in order to ro down to his boat, when the upper block of rock being loose slipped, and jammed hie left leg on to the other, breaking it about four inches above the ankle. Ooly that be is a very powerful man, his injuries would have been much inoresevere, as he by sheer strength managed topreyenttihe rock slipping further until assistance arrived.. Aβ soon as possible Dr. Millford wairshit for, and he arrived with all despatch and set the injured limb, bnt the break is a bad one, and it will probably be some time before he is able to get about. To add to Laycock'e troubles, he was to have entered en his duties as landlord of Deeble's Hotel, at Woolloomooloo, on Monday, he having purchased that hostelry; however, his friends are rallying round him, and this matter will be satisfactorily arranged.

The Australasian Insurance and Banking Record for September has the following :— "Suggestions t< Masters of Vessels Insured in New Zealand Offices" is the title of a very nseful and popularly-written brochure. It is printed by the New Zealand Marine Underwriters' Association for distribution amongst the class to which it is addressed. Opening with a reference to the enormous losees at sea, it glances at the duty of the master as to seaworthiness, advises him upon the various mishaps to which his vessel ii liable, and concludes with forcibly urging the extreme value of temperance. The line of action open to the master in case of disaster is clearly expressed in the following words : —"The only motive which can properly impel an honest master, in all cases alike, is the simple, direct desire to save and preserve the property, without the slightest reference to the insurance or its ownership. In fact, i< is none of h'ts business whether the property be insured or not, or klu> owns or has liens upon it. All he has to do wto act as if he were, himself the uninsured owner of ship, cargo, and freight." We can heartily commend this little work, with the hope that its practical instructions may be remembered in every case of need.

At one of the New Plymouth churches the pastor commented on the illiberality of the congregation. He intimated that on the occasion of a rev. gentleman preaching in the church who attracted a large number to hear him, only £1 13a 3d was collected in the plate, or at the rate, he said, of about one penny a-head.

The following is a list of visitors at Ohinemutu Lake House for the week ending September 28:—Miss Shannon, Wellington ; Mr. and Mr 3. Suriiuaki, Oimaru ; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Broardrib, Palamacco ; Mr. .-u>d Mrs. Schorm, Guernsey ; E. T. Dalmage, Ceylon ; J. Mackay, "Wellington ; Mr. and Mrs. Mincheon, CUrlatchurch ; M. Fitzgerald, Esq., Anokland ; 0. Platt, Esq., Bingley, England ; E. A. Ensland, Esq., Bingley, Englacd; J- tforter, England ; Mr. and Mrs, Clark, Auckland. ,' The half-yearly meeting of the members of the Or.ehonga Perpetual Land. Building, and Investment Society will bo held on Thursday evening. The annual meeting of the Auckland Rowing Association will be held this evening. Mr. R C. Greenwood will sell by auction to-day the leases of several allotments situate on the Breakwater. Messrs. Samuel Cochrane and Son hold a sale of landed property today at 11 a.m.