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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6937, 11 February 1884, Page 5

Our cable messages to-day state that Gordon Pasha has reached Berber in safety. Baker Pasha has been recalled, and Admiral Hewitt, who is at present stationed at Souakim, has been entrusted with the defence of the place. A j peals for aid have been received from Sinkat, but as it is impossible to send assistance the town will probably fall into the hands of the rebels. Prom London we learn that the Egyptian policy of the Ministry is being severely censured in the leading Liberal and Radical journals, and that the idea of a British protectorate in Egypt is gaining ground. Cetewayo is reported to have died suddenly. We pnblish a short biographical sketch of the late king in another column. The committee cf the Parnell Borough Council met Messrs. Boylan and Lundon, engineers, and Mr. BlewdoD, contractor, on Saturday, relative to the laying of the water mains, &c. The engineer was quite prepared to have the trenches opened to prove that the pipes were properly laid, and to 'upport the statements made in the engineers' statement to the Council, but this was not deemed necessaay, and the matter dropped. The incumbent of St. Matthew's, in the course of an eloquent sermon preached last evening, based on the apostolic benediction, made the following remarks: —"We are often under a deep obligation to tbe public Prints in that unflinchingly they give us as much against the infidelity of the present as for it. At all events, if they are not distinctly for ub or against us, they are for themoßt part impartial, and I would read and earnestly ask you to ponder on these which at thia juncture carry great Weight with them." Here the preacher read an extract irom our Saturday's supplement, fidelity " e S an e *-Apoßtle of InfnU- 6 1 ®' reno h Literary Society held their rtnightly meeting on Saturday, when the embers were treated to a very interesting ecture by the Rev. Peter Mason on "Alfred » a "• iecture was well written, * n a the discussion that ensued was of a complimentary character to the rev. gentleman. Mr. Graham Tawhai was unanimously elected a member. James Robertson, of Newmarket, pastry*L 00k > and George Henry White, publican, ere adjudged bankrupts on Saturday last, don't. ° f the Re S iatrar of the Supreme

We understand that Mr. Peacock, M.Q.R., for AucklaDri North, intends to stand for Newton at the next general election. Mr. Peacock is desirous of representing the district in which he resides. He made up his mind to stand for Newton three weeks ago.

i The Union Company'a fine steamship the Rotomahana is to make an excursion trip to the Bay of Islands, leaving the Queen-street Wharf at six o'clock this afternoon. She will arrive at Russell early to-morrow morning, and on the next day will act as flagßhip at the regatta to be held there that day, leaving again in the evening for Auckland, reaching this harbour shortly after daylight. Tbiß will afford the public an excellent opportunity of seeing the beauties of the Bay of Islands, and also to witness a regatta that has in past years held a good name for the excellent manner in which it is managed, and the interest taken in it by competitors. The fare has been fixed at the low figure of 20s for the return journey. A peculiar prosecution under the Licensing Act took place at the Police Court on Saturday. It will be recollected that on the occasion of the Eight Hours' Demonstration at the Domain a booth for the sale of liquors was to be provided, bnt exception was taken by Mr. Joseph Newman, and it was found that no license could be granted, inasmuch as the Domain was not included in any licensing district. Mr. Corbett, the licensee of the Royal George Hotel, Newmarket, however, procured an extension of license from some members of the Newmarket Committee, aud erected a booth in a paddock outside the Domain, Carlton Gore-road. This was held to be illegal and a contravention of the Act, inasmuch as the place on which the booth was erected was not that on which tho sports were held, and that therefore the extended license could not be granted for it. The question of law and tha construction of tho stations of the Act were argued by Mr. Theo. Cooper, who appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Edwin Hesketh, who appeared tor the defence, afcer which the Resident Magistrate reserved judgment. A detailed repast of the case is published in j another column.

The statement of the Chairman of the Board of Education on Friday last in respect to the Tauranga School site was left rather obscure. The site that the school committee desired to obtain was at one time set apart as a site for a market place. A large number of the people sinned a document in favour of the change of purpose of site, while a few approved the proposed change. The Government during the interview Mr. Hobbs had with them on the subject, thought the question should be fought out by those interested, and that the change of purpose could be best effected by a local Bill on the subject, supported by the member for the district. This was Mr. Hobbs' opinion also, and he was willing to support the member for the district to secure that result.

An incident in the harbour on Saturday created quite an excitement on board an excursion steamer off Kauri Point. The passengers on board the steamer observed a very small boat with five men in her (standing). The boat was at anchor, and without sail. She was very low ou her side to windward, as if something was pulling at her. Presently one of them seized a harpoon, aud cast it at an object which appeared to absorb their eager attention. The harpoon evidently struck the object, for the handle stood half out of water for perhaps a second. Presently the little boat was struck by the huge tail ot a large fish. "A shark!" was the cry ; but to the disgust of everybody the "shark" was seen no more. The slap of his tail was a valedictory performance. The tueu in the boat, apparently Maoris, must have been much chagrined at their ill luck. There were provisions for a month in that shark if they had captured him.

The annual picnic of the railway employes and their friends will be held to-day, at Buckland station, three miles from Pnkekohe. The Government have as usual recognised the claim of their railway employes to a day's outing with their families, as on the usual holidays they are more than ordinarily busy at their duties, and it is to be hoped that the public will assist in promoting the holiday by requiring as little goods traffic as possible to-day. The excursion train of 26 carriages will leave the Auckland station at eight a.m., picking up two carriages at Newmarket, and two at Penrose, making the entire train 30 carriages, and will arrive at Buckland at twenty minutes past ten a.m. The Kaipara train will leave Helensville at six minutes past five a.m., reaching the scene of the picnic at eleven a.m., and the Waikato excursion train will leave Te Awamutu at seven a.m., reaching Buckland at eleven. An excellent programme of sports has been arranged, and a strong influential committee apqointed to carry them out. Mr. W. Dallen is to cater on the grounds, and will no doubt afford every satisfaction to his patrons ; but it i 3 notified to those who may desire to enjoy their picnic amongst their own friends, that the committee will provide tea, but visitors must provide their own cups. The return train will leave for Auckland at five p.m., arriving at about eight. These gatherings have up to the present been very enjoyable and successful, and large as tne train accommodation supplied for this occasion, we believe it will be hardly capable of providing for the very large number to whom tickets have been issued. With fine weather, the day's outing should be ; thoroughly enjoyable.

The Artillery Band, under Bandmaster Hunter, paid a visit to the Hospital yesterday, a number of choice sacred selections on the Hospital lawn, much to the gratification of the patients.

Captain Bongard, of the mission schooner Southern Cross, met with a nasty accident on Saturday morning while driving to town, via Parnell. The vehicle he was in collided with an omnibus, and he got thrown out, and sustained some injury through becoming entangled in the wreckage, and dragged along some yards. Hie wounds were dressed at Mr. J. P. King's dispensary, Queen-street.

The scow race — Vixen v. Result—for £50 aside, which was set down to be sailed on Saturday last, had to be postponed until to-day, owing to the Vixen not being able to-be fitted with the new centre-board in time. The course for the race will be fixed according to the wind this morning.

The New Zealand Times haß the following :—Messrs. J. Bycroft and Co., of Auckland, one of the largest firms of flour millers and biscuit manufacturers in the colony, have opened an agency in Wellington, in offices on Lambton-quay, near the Bank of New Zealand. Their representative, Mr. T. F. Morley, favourably known in Wellington, is now engaged opening out an extensive assortment of over 60 packages of sample biscuits, and will be prepared to commence active business in a few days."

A moonlight concert will be given by the Beresford-street Congregational Church choir (Mr. J. P. Hooton conductor), in aid of the new organ fund, on board the steamer Victoria to-morrow evening. The steamer will leave the wharf at eight o'clock, cruising about the harbour till ten p.m. The programme, which is a choice one, will be found in our advertising columns.

The monster turtle, brought from the Islands by the brigantine Bannockburn, has had a short life, if not a merry one, at the City Buffet. Mr. Thos. McEwen announces by advertisement elsewhere that turtle soup, steak and cutlets, will be obtainable to-day at the BufFet, Queen-street. Those who desire to become conversant with the mysteries of calipash and calipee had therefore better put in an early appearance, or else the gourmands will forestall them. Tbe turtle, it is said, yielded up with its life 300 eggs.

There was good competition at the rifle match of the Hobson Company at Mount Eden Range on Saturday afternoon. The prize was a valuable trophy, presented by a lady friend. Twenty-five competitors had entered their names, out of whom 20 pnt in an appearance at the range. Captain Dignan was in command, and Lieutenants Clifton and Connolly were also present. The trophy w:»s won by Mr. W. Jennings, with a score of 51 points. A number of the members of the Naval Artillery, in charge of Petty Officer Smith, were also on the range, and fired a test match for choice of representatives of the company in the forthcoming New Zealand Rifle Association contests, and some excellent shooting was made.

There was a large attendance at the band performance in the Albert Park on Saturday afternoon. The number is increasing every week. The band played »t the northern end of the Park, near the flagstaff, so that the public might have the advantage of tinshelter of the trees on the slope. The company was very orderly, and none of the flowers or shrubs were injured in the least. The band will play iu the Western Park next Saturday.

Professor Payne gave a freah exhibition of his skill as a marksman at the Opera House on Saturday evening. After various clever tricks of legerdemain which formed the first part of the entertainment, ho repeated his feats of shooting with which the public are now familiar. After firing at an apple placed upon his brother's head, and splitting it in two, Mr. C. O. Montrose offered to submit to a similar test. Mr. Payne, to his try his nerve and coolness, first fired over his head, and finding that he stood fire unflinchingly, aimed at the apple the second shoe and split it in two upon Mr. Montrose's head. The dangerous and difficult feat was much applauded. Mr. Montrose had had the advantage of being previously repeatedly under fire, in action, but tha average auditor at Mr. Payne's entertainments had better not adventure on a similar experiment or reckon upon the like immunity. The cabinet trick caused a good deal of amusement, and the balance of the programme consisted of songs by Mr. Barry O'Neiil and Miss Bella Sutherland, and dances by the latter. There will be a change of programme to-night.

We have to hand the New Zealand Baptist for February, which is dow issued in on enlarged and improved form. Mr. tV. Carey, of Rawdon College, grandson of the famous Indian missionary, Dr. Carey, and who has come to the colony for his health, has accepted the pastorate of the Baptist Church at Lincoln, Canterbury, The Rev. A. North, of Dunedin, one of the ablest ministers of the denomination in the colony, has commenced a series of biographical ikatches in the magazine, entitled " Leaders of the Early Churches." The one in the present issue is Clement of Rome. Among general ecclesiastical intelligence, it is noted that the Congregational and Baptist Unions have cobined to establish a lectureship at Oxford University, the authorities of that great institution having thrown open one of its principal buildings for the exposition and defence of Noncomformist principles. The first lecture was given by Dr. Fairbairn (Principal of Airedale College, and exPrcsident of the Congregational T?nion), the subject being " Free Churches and the Religious Ideal." "Dr. Fairb&irn," says the Freeman, "is known throughout Nonconformist circles as a profound and philosophical thinker, thoroughly abreast with all the highest culture of his age, as sturdy as he is intelligent in his adherenocto Nonconformist principles, and capable of expounding an>l enforcing them without a particle of bitterness towards those by whom they are repudiated."

The North New Zeaknd Sottler for February is published. This journal is now published at the beginning of the month instead of towards the end, as formerly. The contents of this number are fully equal to those that preceded it. Captain Bowerman, of the Salvation Army, was a passenger yesterday by the Wanaka, from kelson, his last station. He conducted the service at the Theatre Royal in the afternoon, and also at the Temperance Hall in the evening, which was crowded and numbers refused admittance, lie remains here for a fortnight, and proceeds to New Plymouth to open a station there.

A boy named Carrigan, liviug in Alex-andra-street, got his arm lacerated yesterday with an iron bar, and was taken to the Hospital for treatment.

The Wanganui Herald says:—"A proposal is on foot to organise a special trip of Wanganui residents to Auckland during the meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association, and to charter the titormbird for the purpose. It is proposed to make up a total of a hundred persons, and in the event of this number being agreeable to go, the amount would probably be just £2 for the return journey. This would be cheaper even than the volunteers taking advantage of a Government concession of a free railway pass to Waitara, making the remainder of the journey by sea ; and as Auckland presents so many attractions for visitors, we have no doubt the require.! number of citizens to make up 100 with the volunteers will be found."

Several clerical mistakes have occurred in the list of candidates nominated for the various city and suburban Licensing Committees. The notifications appear in their corrected form in our advertisement columns to-day.

Mr. E. H. Taylor, from the Thames, delivered an address in the Oddfellow's Hall, Ponsonby, yesterday afternoon on "Conditional Immortality," in connection with the opening of a Sunday-school in the above building. There was a good attendance, the hall being well filled. Mr. Taylor, who is a fluent and forcible speaker, delivered an earnest address in favour of the above dogma. At the conclusion of it, he announced that a Sunday-school would be conductsd there in future every Sunday afternoon at half-past two o'clock by Messrs. Beecroft and J. Graham, where the children would be taught the doctrines comprised in ' the Scriptures from conditional immortality to the second coming of Christ. He exhorted the Ponsonby friends to interest themselves in the matter by sending their own children to the Bchool, and also by going out and gathering in the children which were running about untaught, and who were not going to any Sunday-school.

A number of alterations and improvements have recently been effected at the premises of the Auckland Club, Shortland-street. The plaster has been stripped off the ceilings in the hall, smoking, dining, and card rooms, and replaced by handsome panelled wooden ceilings, painted, and cornices picked out. The card and smoking rooms have also been repapered, the ventilation of the dining-room improved, and the billiard-room painted and. repapered, and the roof reslated. The billiardroom is now second to none in Auckland. A number of other repairs and alterations have been effected, all tending to promote the comfort and convenience of members. Mr. W. G. Connolly was the contractor for the carpenter's work, and Mr. J. Henderson for the painting. The work was carried out under the supervision of Mr. F. W. Grey, architect.

The sale of tickets for the opera season, commencing on Saturday next, opens to-day at the Box Office, Lennox's (late Wayte's.) Everything indicates a large demand for tickets, so that those who desire to secure seats, either in the dress circle or stalls, should make early application. When it is remembered that the pieces will be produced upon a scale of magnificence and completeness of detail never before attempted, the prices appear very reasonable. Purchasers of family tickets obtain a reduction of a shilling on each ticket. The sale of family tickets and subscription list will close at two o'clock on Saturday. The business manager, Signor Nobili, is wellknown here for his great attention to the comfort and convenience of patrons of the opera. His guarantee is sufficient to assure tbe public of the high class of entertainment provided ; the purchasers of tickets of security for their particular seatß, and a courteous attention while in the theatre.

The other day we referred to Mr. Marsden's patent for manufacturing atmospheric gas, and the machine on view in full work at his premises, corner of Chapel and Durham Streets. Scores of persons have since visited Mr. Marsden's factory for the purpose of seeing the machine at work. It may be interesting to refer to the history of the affair. Mr. Binney, of Dunodin, some short time ago invented a machine for making gas, the constituents of which were fat, water, and air. He sold his patent to a few gentlemen in Dunedin (of whom Mr. Marsden was one), and they introduced it in Melbourne, where they have sold an interest in the patent for a considerable sum (retaining one-sixth) to a company. The Zetland Hotel has been successfully lighted by this process for some time, and the Victorian Government have had under consideration the lighting of Kew Asylum by it. By continual experimenting Mr. Marsden is satisfied that he has effeoted several improvements upon the original invention. Among other things he has dispensed with water, as one of the constituents in the gas prepared by him, and also simpified the process of its manufacture. Mr. Marsden notifies in our advertising columns that the process of manufacturing the gas can be witnessed to-day at his factory, previous to his taking the machine down for removal to the country districts for exhibition. We believe Mr. Marsden leaves with the apparatus to-morrow for Cambridge, where he will place it on exhibition. Mr. David Koss, architect, has highly recommended the process to Mr. Robert Graham for introduction ioto the Waiwera and Lake Hotelß, or ia any other country township where gas has not been introduced.

There was only one prisoner in the lock' up last night, a woman for drunkenness.