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New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6828, 5 October 1883, Page 5

Our cable messages this morning utate that Leo XIXL is reported to be seriously ill. The situation at Canton continues to be threatening, on account of the hostile attitude of the natives towards the Europeans. The latter are in a state of great alarm, and a number of gunboats have been despatched to protect the European quarter of the town in case of an attack. The French commander at Tamatave has sent home urgent demands for immediate reinforcemeuts. Smith, one of the Irish informers, has been recognised at Marseilles, and has shipped for China. Judgment in the Austral inquiry will be given to-morrow. The various Chambers of Commerce in England are urging Lord Derby, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to use his influence to induce the colonies to join the Postal Union, but His Lordship has caused a reply to be sent to them pointing out that the chief obstacle in the w ay of such a union is the question of finance. The Agents-' eneral were present at a banquet given by Lord Derby when Sir P. Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zesdand, alluded in his speech to the frozen meat trade, and showed that the colonies insured for the home country a regular supply of cheap food.

The ordinary meeting of the City Council was held last evening. No business of special importance came up for consideration. Tenders were opened and accepted for laying water mains in the Grafton, Ponsonby, and Karangahape Wards. A report of the proceedings will be fouad in another column.

The Supreme Court (criminal sittings) was occupied the whole of yesterday with the trial of Thomas James North, a lawyer's clerk, for stealing books, parchment, and other things from Mr. MacCormiek, solicitor. The case has occupied pablic attention for some time past, partly in consequence of the somewhat singular defence set tip against the accusation, and counter cliarges made by the prisoner against the prosecutor. The evidence was very voluminous, and some of the details exceedingly minute. The trial from the first took a somewhat unnsual turn owing to the fact that other alleged acts of larceny than those on which, accused had been committed by the magistrate were put into a second and third count of the indictment. These two counts were ultimately withdrawn, and a nolle prosequi entered in respect to them in view of a rather important view of some questions of legal practice expressed by His SoflSf These views will be found in the discussion between the solicitor for the Crown (Mr. H. Williamson) and the learned Judge, of which a full report appears in another column. The trial lasted from ten o'clock in the morning until past six o'clock in the evening. The jury, at a quarter past seven o'clock, brought in a verdict of " Not Guilty." The sittings will be resumed thin morning.

The fire at Karangahape-road was hot, and proved disastrous to the members of the Fire Brigade, an unusually large number being rendered hors de. combat. Stanley at # an early stage of the fire was disabled b> having his thumb cut open by a falling plate of glass or iron ; Heaps got a severe cut on the arm ; Christie Smith sustained a nasty cut from a Tailing timber on his cheek bone near the eye; George Finlay, while working on the roof of the big dwelling-house facing Kara-ngahape-road, while, blinded with emoke, inflicted a severe bruise on the calf of the leg with his own tomahawk ; George Moore had the side of his face scorched, and Solomon trained the muscleß of hiH leg. Superintendent Hughes was also burnt under his right ear and on his face. These accidents are not complained of by the brigade, but four at least of those who were injured were unable to attend their ordinary work yesterday.

The Assembly of last session voted a sum of money for the erection of telegraph-lines to Raglan, Kaipara'Heads, and Hokianga Heads, but so far no practical steps_ have been taken for carrying out the decision of the Legislature. It is to be hoped, as the votes have been passed, that the works will be shortly gone on with, as they are of great public utility to the districts concerncd,

A number of people met List night at Glee3on's Hotel to meet and welcome Mr. J. E. Redmond, M.P. for New Ross, Ireland, who i? at present on a mission to the Australasian colonics as a Land League delegate. On landing from the steamer Mr. Redmond was warmly received by a number of sympathisers and Saken round the suburbs. In the evenin" an address "tf&s presented jto Mr. Redmond and suitably responded to oy him. The proceedings at thia meeting will be found reported elsewhere in our columns. Mr. Redmond trill give a public address m the Theatre Royal on Monday next,

The Whangapoua and Whitiangi telephone i line is nearly completed, and at both , these places will be opened la about ten days. Another will be opened in a week, at Jtangiriri: ons in about a month at Waihou (Thames Valley); aad one at Waimate North within the seme period. A telephone line is also being constructed irota the Auckland Telegraph. station to Avondslo 5 End another from Whaogarei feo Maagapai. Mr. OrchistoD, District Itinpector of Telegraphs, has beeu lately exploring a telephone route from Man gonui to G&pe Mari?. Van Diemen lighthouse, with * view of preparing estimates 01 the cost ot the line, which would be used for notifying to Auckland the names of vessels passing the North Cape for Auckland and other ports. Although it is possible the Govern merit may not see theii- way clear to going the-length of spending £8000 in constructing "this line to the Cape for the | benefit of the mercantile interest solely, yet it ts to ba hoped the line will be extended as far as Kaitaia and Awanui, as these are rising districts. . In the sixth page wili be found the second article on " A Trip to the Patetere Country, containing a description, by special reporter, of that district, and the improvements going on there. It has hitherto been -anaveidably held over. _

Mr. J. E.: Bedmoad, M.P., will deliver a lecture in the : Theatre Royal on Monday evening onHome Rule : It .vßeal Meaning. The first general meeting of the New Zealand Sugar Company will be held at the offices of the company,. Queen-street, on the 422 nd Instant.

This morning about one o'clock _a young man named Charles Madden, while in a disorderly state from drink, stole the door-mat from the door of Frank's restaurant, Darbystreet. Constable O'Brien challenged the offender to stop, but as Madden paid heed. O'Brien followed and secured him. Madden's mate, Alfred Neal, then attempted a rescue, but Seigeant Donnelly opportunely came to the constable's aid, and took Neal in hand. Both offenders fought desperately, and at Victoria-street Neal succeeded in catching hold of Sergeant Donnelly by the beard and a sharp up-and-down tussle took place between the two. Constables Lamb and MoConnell then came up, and Neal and Madden were handcuffed and taken to the lock-up. They were charged with beinp drunk and disorderly ; Madden was aleo charged with larceny of the mat, and_ Neal with. assault and obstructing the police in the execution of their duty.

The usual monthly inspection of the A Battery took place last evening at the Drillshed by Major Shepherd, officer commanding the. district. The parade state was 53, under Captain Payne, Lieutenant Norrie, and Sub-Lieutenant Geddes. After the inspection there was a march out, headed by the band. Dr. Tennent has offered a silver medal for competition by members of the battery 5 Sub* Lieutenant Geddes gives a second prize of £1 10s and a thrid prize of £1. The prizes will be fired for at an early date. The competitors will be handicapped by the officers of the battery.

There were in the lock-up last night a woman on a charge of drunkenness, and Henry Christopher Smith, charged with larceny of watchmakers' tools value 5s 6d, property of Paul Louis, watchmaker, and also with larcenv of similar articles value 2s 6'!, property of Lauritz Henriksen, watchmaker, Victoria-street.

A gentleman informed us yesterday that he saw portions of the Domaiu bush adjacent to the railway line on fire io the forenoon, and his impression was that it originated from sparks from the locomotives.

The Government, we learn, are now laying out the land telegraph line from Waiwera to the Whangaparoa Peninsula, facing Tiritiri, where an ordinary telephone station will be opened, on completion of the cable from Tiritiri to the coast. It is anticipated this will be done within the ensuing two months.

Shortly after eight o'clock last night, a glare of fire was observable on the horizon in the direction of Newmarket. At first an impression gained ground in town that the fire was at the railway sheds. It proved, however, to be but gorße and fern on fire in one of the gullies near Newmarket, on the Hobson's Bay side of the line.

Dr. Philson, Coroner, held an inquest at the Clanricarde Hotel, yesterday afternoon, on the body of Robert Wills, who was found dead in his bed on Wednesday morning last. Nora Wills, widow of deceased, residing in Chapel-square, off Wyndbam-street, deposed that her husband was a cook, and was 45 years of age. He had been ailing for nearly two years, and had been attended by Dr. Lee. Daring the past four months he was not able to work. He was very weak, and had a bad cough. Deceased took to his bed on Saturday last, and died on Wednesday morning at ha'f-past eight o'clock. Mo medical man saw him before his death, as he said he did not believe in doctors, and would soon get better. Charlotte Trueman also gave evidence. Dr. Goldsbro' deposed that he"had made a post morlem examination of the body. The case of death was pulmonary consumption, and the enfeebled condition of the heart. A verdict of death from natural causes was returned.

A remarkable discovery has been made in connection with the human remains which were recently found near the Karangahake trig-station, Ohinemuri. The Paeroa medical gentleman, Dr. Cooper, on'examining the disintegrated fragments brought to the township by the police, pronounces them to be the imperfect remains of two human beings, though the vertebra of both have disappeared, and only one skull is to be found. This new and startling revelation has caused Bome little sensation in the upper country, but nothing has transpired to elucidate the mystery. It is believed that the lambing throughout the Hawera district has been a very good one upon the whole. The recent dry weather, though unfavourable for spring grass, has suited the lambing, and the resuls will probably be shown in good percentage of increase wherever feed has not been very scarce. Last night "Lost in London" was produced at the Opera House, the occasion being the joint benefit of Messrs. E. B. Russell and Barry O'Neill. The piece was well staged and played, the various performers acquitting themselves with considerable ability. After the drama a number of songs were idmirably rendered by Mr. M. Anderson, Mr. Sceats, Mr. Scott, Mr. Lissant, Mr. Barry O'Neill, and others. Miss Greenlees also executed an Oriental dance in a very skilful and graceful manner. The entertainment passed off very successfully, and met with so favourable a reception that it has been determined to repeat it this evening.

At a meeting of the Waitoa Road Board the following tenders WMS accepted :—No. 1 contract: T. Russell, lid per yard. No. 2 : D. Murphy, earthwork, per yard, Is 4d, 7d, and 4d ; pipes, 2s per foot. No. 3 : Murphy and Burges' tenders were equal, namely, earthwork per yard, 6d, and pipes 2a 6d per foot. The two tenderers cast lots for the contract, and Murphy winning, his tender was accepted. No. 4 : No satisfactory tender. No. 5: Mainprice and Co., Is 2d per yard. The tender o£ Messrs. Mercer and Marshall, for building a bridge over the Waitakururu at Morrinsville, was accepted.

In regard to the fire which took place on Karangahape-road on Wednesday night, we have little to add to the particulars we have already furnished. No doubt an inquest will bo held £ind further light thrown on the origin of the fire. We are informed that Mrs. Featon insured for £140 in the Equitable Office a day or two before the fire. We may also add that the house in which Mr. Burtt [ lived adjoining the fire was owned by Mrs, Mclvor, with'whom Mr. Burtt is a lodger.

The judges appointed by the Society of Arts to award the prize of £20 for the best design for a certificate of merit for the sooiety, have awarded the premium to " De Doros," and second place to "Unicom." The competitive designs will be open for exhibition to the public 9a Saturday afternoon at the Museum, between the hours of two and five. Twenty-five designs have been opened, and maay of them are of superior workmanship.

Mrs. Jacobs, who jumped out of the window during the fire in Wyndham-strest, has not escaped from injury, as was anticipated. She has been confined to the house ever since, and the left leg below the knee is very much swollen and discoloured. It is feared seme bones are broken. Mr. Jacobs finds that his total loss is from £230 to £240, o£ which £100 was insured. His loss is therefore a serious one.

A special general meeting of the shareholders. of the Queen of Beanty Extended Gold Mining Company will be held this forenoon, •in the large room, New Zealand Insurance Buildings, for the purpose of considering there-formation of the company.

Amongst other good' things that Pokeno # can now boast of is a Domain Board, the Government having vested in trustees 130 acres o£ land for a recreation and timber reserve. The land is well situated, and includes the hill which makes* ths background of the beautiful Valley of Pokeno—formerly an old native settlement. Fifom the summit of this hill the climber is rewarded by a grand view of the Wsikato River as far as the Taupiri Gorge, and still further, and as far as the eye can reach, is the Pirongia mountain, celebrated by many a legend in Maori traditions. The members of the Board held their first meeting on Saturday, the 29th September, at 2 p.m., in the Public Hall, Pokeno. Present: Captain Jackson, Messrs. Kingsford. W. Motion, Graham, J. Adams, and 8,. Hobbs. The only other member of the Board not present was Mr. John Dean. Mr. Kingsford wis appointed chairman, treasnrer, and secretary for the current year. It was resolved to let the cattle run by

tender for twelve months. A map was produced showing the boundaries of the land. The various clauses of the Domain Act were read over, so that the members might be acquainted with their responsibilities and duties. The Act is very stringent as to trespassers or persons cutting down trees or committing many other, offences .mentioned in. the Act. The time .will come when the settlers will set great value on this fine property, now secured to the district, and all we can add is, Pokeno settlers, go on and prosper.—[Own Correspondent October 3. J.

Mrs. Mary Martin, a barmaid, was yesterday brought up at the Police Court, on a charge of larceny of a silver watch and gold chain, valued at £20, the property of George Cook. The prosecutor did nof; appear, and a remand wub granted till to-day, the accused being admitted to bail in one surety of £50. It was rumoured last night th*t the missing watch had been found.. The accused is a respectable young woman, and the reluctance of the prosecutor to appear ifc seems likely arose through his having been too precipitate in laying the charge above referred to.

A movement has been on foot for some time past, in this and surrounding districts, having lor its object, the raising of funds to defray the debt (£100) on the pvoperty used as a parsonage by the Anglican minister. The Rev. J. Hewson and his good wife are energetically pushing the matter forward, and the ladies have formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of holding a bazaar shortly. The exact time is I bslieve not yet fixed, but due notice will !be given. The ladies have arranged to meet at each other's houses to discuss matters, etc., which is a guarantee that the matter will be carried out satisfactorily, and the debt wiped off. One of these meetings was to have taken place last Wednesday, the 25tb, at the residence of Mrs. Colbeck, TokaTapu, who takes a very active part in the matter. Captain and Mrs. Colbeck offered to give a tea and invite the general public, but it was suggested to them that a 'small charge might be made, the proceeds t;o go to the parsonage fund. This idea was carried out, when aboutoo persons were present. More would have been there, but the weather looked threatening. The visitors amused themselves by walking about the grounds, and having yarns, both b- fore and after tea. Captain Colbeck was unable to be present, but Mrs. and Miss Ada Colbeck did their utmost for the comfort of their guests. Another meeting will be held in six weeks' time :it the Parsonage, Papairoa, having the same object in view. A ladies' committee meeting will also be held on the 4th October, at the residence of Mrs. Titibets. All are invited to contribute something (no matter what) either in the shape of utu or articles for sule. They will be thankfully received by any member of the committee.—[Matakohe Correspondent, September 28.]

Wu would call attention to a notice in our advertising columns of an important sale by auction, at the Public Hall, Te A,roha, by D. B:.. Gellion and Co., on Friday, the 12th instant, of part of section No. 13, High School endowment, in suitable allotments, for a term of nineteen years, at a nominal ground rent. The position is convenient to the mines, and adjoining the present Waiorongomai township.

. The Auckland Weekly News (illustrated!) ia the best and largest weekly journal published in the colony, and contains an ample and woll»B,3Sorted collection of general, commercial, poll* tical, mining, agricultural, and sporting intelligence; the latest English, American, and Continental cablegrams, recording the principal events throughout the world; special contributions from our travelling correspondents; tales by the most popular novelists; and {Interesting items relating 4o art, literature, science, music, and the drama— the whole combining to render it the most attractive and readable weekly jonrnil published in New Zealand. A beautiful engraving, " Spring >Flowers," is given in this week's issue..

Amongst the attractions of the season are the various shops in Queen-street, which are now dispjayiag their stocks of spring and summer goods. Novel and droll are tho dssi&ns on many of the dress prices, whilst the milliner]' is of the most elegant and rechtirche description. Tike ladies do not absorb the undivided attention of tho mode, as an inspection of the windows and counters of Mr. W. H. Fenton's establishment will show. There is to be seen a variety of novelties, both in design and pattern, in the way of hosiery, mercery, hats, caps, and a multitude of necessaries to a gentleman's toilet, from the English, French, and American manufacturers. It is impossible to enter into a detail of the numerous articles, an in 3pection of which will fully repay the visitors.

The St. Helier's Bay Company, as will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, arc desirous of re* ceivii:i< applications from a respectable couple willing to le.f so the large home «>t Glen Orchard, and conduct it as a family hotel hnd an attractive place of accommodation for visitors.