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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7260, 24 February 1885, Page 4

The Russians are showing renewed military activity in Central Asia. They are stated to be again threatening Penjdeb, on the western frontier of A fghanistan. In November last Colonel Alikhanoff, who is in command of the Russian forces in that part of the world, attempted to seize the town, and was only prevented by the determined attitude of the Afghan governor, Aminullah Khan, who at once sent for reinforcements, and declared his intention to resist the attempt by force, whereupon Colonel Alikhanoff withdrew. On Sir Peter Lumaden, chief of the British Afghan Frontier Commission, reaching Penjdeb, which is about 140 miles from Herat, he found great excitement prevailing owing to the aggressive proceedings of Russia, It now aeems that Russia is again threatening the town, and that Sir Peter, fearing a conflict between the invaders and the Afghans, has retired from Sarakhs to Herat.

The news from the Soudan to day reports a tribal engagement in the neighbourhood of Metammeh. The tribes friendly to the British were the victors, and are said to have slaughtered two thousand of their opponents. Oiman Digua is repOieed to be concentrating an enormous force at Tamai.

The steamship Doric, from London via Teneriffe and Hobart, came into harbour yesterday afternoon after a fine and pleasant weather passage. Her steaming time was— From Plymouth to Teneriffe, 4 days 17 hours 43 minutes ; from Teneriffe to Hobart, 33 days 23 hours 33 minutes ; and from Hobart to Auckland, 5 days 3 hours 9 minutes, makingin all 43days 20hours 31 minutes. The Doric brings a number of passengers, there being in all on board 24 saloon, 30 second cabin, 40 steerage, and 214 immigrants. There were two deaths and one birth during the passage. The immigrants consist of 22 married couples, 39 single men, 64 single women, and 68 children. There are a number of ladies and gentlemen on board who are making the round voyage by the Doric, and they include Lieutenant-Colonel Gamble, Mr. Wolff, of the celebrated shipbuilding firm of Messrs Harland and Wolff (the builders of the Doric); Mr. Haddock, of Liverpool; and Mr. lemay, son of the manager of the White Star Line (to which the Doric belongs). The Doric is to commence discharging her cargo today.

The New Zealand Congregational Union held iti firet meeting of the soesion yesterday, at the Bereaford Congregational Church. The Chairman for the year, the Rev. W. H. West, LL.B., presided. At the meeting in the afternoon a large amount of business was brought up and dealt with. In the evening (he Chairman delivered an able address on "The Church's weakness: Its'symptoms, and remedies for its removal." The public service this evening will be conducted by the Rev. H. Miller, and the Kev. J. floateon, of Christchurch, will deliver a sermon. The Re?. R. Laishley, of the Thames, will preside at tha communion serr'ce. A collection will be made on behalf of the funds of the Upton. A programme of the public meetings will be found in our advertisement columns.

Our Pokeno correspondent writes:—The funeral of the late Mrs, Pendergast took place on Sunday afternoon, and was largely attended by the settlers of Pokeno and surrounding districts. Never before has there been such a large concourse of people gathered together in the district to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of a departed brother or sister. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. ' Mr. Griffiths, in a manner earnest and impressive.

There was only one prisoner in the lock* up last evening—a man named William Simpson, charged with larceny of a pair of tailors' Bciaeora, from Mr. Daltcra, tailor, Victoria-str ecfc.

Mr. George he will present a racket for lady members of. the Auckland &*£? \- Lawn Tenni. Club, entries for which i&ffi received op to Saturday, 7th March.: ** Messrs. Ellis Bros., writing from flni Waikato, underrate February *?££& following remarks on sunflower cultml^ 8 " We noticed a few day. ago in *£§££ a paragraph concerning sunflowers aiZ?" three feet sir inches in circumference **?** hibited in Messrs. Garlick and §i*E' window. It may interest your reader, to2 ' that there are some grown in the Wain ?* exceeding that. We have several m if larger, the largest measuring as much aaf£ feet two inches in circumference." at A eon of Mr. J. Anderson, ckseiciil». u. at the Grammar School, had hi. riS^ r broken just above the ankle by slinni 8 the asphalt in the playground of th!?\Velw ley-street School yesterday morning -a little sufferer, who is nine years of ae'e removed home, and the break, which w*** simple, fracture, was set by the m≥ attendant to the family. medlc al The dismantling of the exterior of St. Paul's Chu :h was commenced early ve* day morning. The gas-fittings, a laree ber of the seats, church furniture, etc removed to the temporary building bv a evening. Workmen are engaged takiJ T organ to pieces, the removal of which and its re-erection will occupy some tim» i the American organ,* belonging to the* s ? day-school, will do duty in the mSIhW The work of removal and fitting of the fe porary church will be sufficiently advamS for the ordinary service to be held in it Sunday next without any interruntion 1 * The excavations. for the cutting down W nrk have already entered the church yard ami Mr. McGuire's men are now workim? Jitv a few feet of the tower. g n * 1 « At the District Court yesterday, judement was given in the case Ervine v, Pnji which is of some interest to licensed vi & tnallers. - The action was for breach of apree ment to let a billiard table, and the defence that the plaintiff allowed playing after hoan thereby endangering the license. The pijjn' tiff was nonsuited, with costs. Mr. The ' Cooper appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. 6 N." Brassey for the defendant. ' '

Wβ -would draw attention to the perform. ance which is to be given to-night by the Waitetnata Minstrels for the benefit of Mr Paul Purchase, who had the misfortune to lose hie right hand by an accident in machinery. The Minstrels are already well known to the Auckland public, and the excellence of their performances have earned for them a high reputation, not only fortute and skill but for variety. The programme is a most attractive one. The first part con. sisti of the usual chair business, bat it intto. duces a most attractive variety of sentimental, character, and comic eonge, and a tableau. The second part, an olla podrida, introduces songs, dances, &0., and the con. eluding portion consists of the laughable farce, "Who Died First." We have no doubt Mr. Purchase, who is himself de« servedly esteemed, and who has received the general sympathy of his friends in his mis. fortune, will have a bumper house, and we are quite sure that all who attend will enjoy the performance.

An important decision was given in the District Court yesterday by Mr. S. G. Seth Smith in the case Lundon v. Lundon, which raised the question whether a married woman could sue by virtue of the recently enacted "Married Women's Property Act" without joining her husband as a co-plaintiff. Mrs. Lundon, of Onehunga, sued her daughter, Cecilia Lundon, for £50, on a promissory note given some years ago by the defendant to the plaintiff, in part payment of the purchase money of a piece of land at Onehuoga. The evidence and the arguments of counsel (Mr. Napier for plaintiff, and Mr. Cave for defen* dact), were heard last Court day, and Hit Honor yesterday gave judgment at length, citing several recent English cases which jus. tified him in holding that a married woman could now bring an action in her own behalf. Judgment would accordingly be for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, and ooste £7 16>. We understand this is the first case which has been heard in .New Zealand under the new Act which has conferred the full privileges of citizenship on married women.

A correspondent writing from Cowes, Waiheke Island, says :—" It is with much sorrow that I have to record the death of one of oat oldest and most respected settlers, Mrs. Parris, who died very suddenly on the night of. the 19th inst. She was a most kind, hearted and amiable woman, who always had a kind word for everyone; if she could not say a good word about one, ehe would not say a bad one. Judging by the number of friends of deceased—and settlers—who attended both before and at the funeral, she must have been greatly respected, and Mr. Parris thanks them heartily for their great kindness. The greatest sympathy is felt for Mr. Parris and his large family of little ones in their great affliction. Out of respect to Mr. Parris, who is one ot our school com. mittee, and has a number of children attend* iog the school, the committee requested the teacher to close the school. The deceaied was the eldest daughter of one of our oldest settlers, Mr. Joseph Hodson, and sister to Messrs. J. and E. Hodson, oi: Auckland. The funeral took place on Saturday, at her residence, our lay reader (Mr. Ashwin) read* ing the burial service, at which almost all the settlers attended, including the deceased's relations from Auckland."

A correspondent, " Fair Play," write* :— I consider Mr. A. Martin should be a little more precise in defining the " Auckland authorities" in reference to the destruction of trees, seeing that those near St. Paul's Church have doubtless been cut down by private persons, while those in the Domain were cut down by order of some of the members of a previous Domain Board, and those on streets at the request of the resident ratepayers.

At the Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. Moody and La Roche, J.P.'s, Joseph Welling, a fish-hawker, and well known to the police, was sentenced to three months' hard labour, for larceny of a quantity of tools, on February 12. Arthur Dewson, for assaulting his wife, was sentenced to two months, and ordered to find sureties to keep the peace at the expiration of the sentence. A case of indecent exposure at Government House grounds, on Sunday evening, was remanded to this morning, and a charge of drunkenness against one of the tram-car drivers was also adjourned to this morning.

Visiting Helensville on Saturday after an absence of a couple of years, we noticed a good many changes in the township, showing that it is steadily improving and advancing. A good many new houses have been erected. In Helensville, as in Auckland, fire » tne great improver. The old premises of Messrs. P. and J. McLeod, burned down some time ago, have been replaced by brick buildings, more substantial and extensive than those destroyed. On the site of the old Kaip«a Hotel, also burned down, has been erected a fine new hotel, which would not &*&?]? Queen-street, Auckland, cantaining in addition to sitting and dining rooms, batb ana billiard rooms, seventeen bedrooms, all comfortably furnished. Since our last visit we Oddfellows and Foresters have each ereotea halls, and the Public Hall has been enlarged. The two latter are fitted up with stages ana scenery for dramatic entertainments, * sash and door factory is now in full swing, belonging to Stewart and party, ana a new sawmill is also about to be B &p!r°* them a short distance from the R* l *?:' Hotel. The fish-curing establishment of Mr. Masefield, formerly on Stewart's Flat, n« been removed to Batley, on the Otamatea, » being more central. Some work has we" done at Helensville in the way of streetforming, and altogether the townsafp wearing a healthy look.

A correspondent, " Avondale," writes en doming the remarks in yesterday's > M " er T specting the impolicy of depriving the avu dale residents of the benefits of the cheap «"« way excursion on Saturday to Helens™* He states that some of the Avondale people. although the excursion fare, first-clan, i ™ Auckland to Helensville was only ss, naa pay from Avondale 6i Sd, then on return from Avondale: to towj another shilling, thus paywg 7s Sd ida", 50 per cent, more for second-class .ban i Aucklanders did for tirst-classtickets. of the intending excursionists from Avon were so indignant when learned t rate it was proposed to charge theni they declined to go, and thus »«>e «oan train lost about a score of touruts w> Avondale who would have gone had » been allowed to go at the excursion fare*. The adjourned meeting of: theA«*J» Parliamentary Union was held *•»* but further adjourned owing to tnej» gone to see the new arnvala by the not cleared ud-

Pendergast waa brought down in custody of Deteotive Twohey and Constable Ryan by the ten minutes past six a.m. train from Mercer yesterday, arriving at Newmarket about a quarter past nine a.m., where the party alighted, and Pendergiiet was at once taken off to Mount Eden, where he ie now safely lodged.

The nautical inquiry into the circumstances snrrounding the striking of the e.s. Thomas Rutsell on a rock off the East Cape was formally opened at the Police Court yesterday afternoon, before the K.M. (Mr. H. G. Seth Smith) and Captain Frater, Nautical Assessor, and adjourned to Wednesday, March 4, on the application of Mr. S. Hesketh, who represented the master of the steamer. Mr. H. Williamson appeared oa behalf of the Collector of Customs.

To-day the work of demolition of St. Paul's Church will be commenced. Mr. Bell, the purchaser of the materials, intends using the bricks in the erection of a fourstoried brick store, on the vacant allotment below the Shakspere Hotel, Wyndhamstreet, and for which the plans have been prepared by Mr. David Ross, architect.

Yesterday a man named Stainton, employed at Messrs. E. Porter and Co. s, ironmongers, Queen-street, met with a nasty accident He was engaged fixing some machinery at the ceiling of the lower storey, when be fell from a considerable height, injuring his back by striking against a case of galvanised iron. Dr. Huxtable was called in, and attended to the man, and had him removed to his home for further treatment.

There is a clock on view in the show window of Mr. Howden, watchmaker and jeweller, the peculiar features of which always draws a crowd, curious and gaping, and is a never-failing source of interest to young and old. The clock is what is termed a Flying Pendulum, and is patented. It seems to act on the principle of the governor balls of an engine, and consists of a small crane, to which is attached a hanging weight on the end, which being hung round catches on an upright wire pillar, twists round it. Its own weight then untwists it, causing it to rotate the opposite way, and which lets it pass to another wire, where it performs the same operation, thus regulating the clock to the greatest nicety.

There is little more to add to the account of the fire at the Lyceum, Hobson-street, than appeared in yesterday's issue, Messrs. Peters and Heizod, who occupied the premises as a workshop, state that they are uninsured, and that the tools of the workmen are also uninsured. The fire appears to have been either the work of an incendiary, or hag arisen through vagrants sleeping about the premises. Just after the alarm of fire, Mies Nearing saw a man run out from the building with some of his garments under his arm, and the night-men, going their rounds, state that they saw two men leaving the vicinity of the premises just before the outbreak of the tire. Superintendent Hughes was unable to use the water-sheet nozzle with effect, owing to the lack of water pressure. The custodian of the Fire Brigade station telephoned to the turncock at the Ponsonby resevoir at twenty minutes past three a.m., to turn on the Kyber pressure, and that officer answered promptly, but it was twenty minutes to four before the gauge in the station showed that the pressure was increawng. Formerly, during a series of experiments, the Eyber pressure was felt in two minutes, but now there is considerable delay in getting the necessary increase of pressure at fires. This matter should be looked into, and a remedy applied. Some delay was also occasioned in getting the hose-reel to the scene of the fire, through some members of the general public acting with a zeal without knowledge. It arose in this way :On the first alarm of fire the custodian of the Fire Brigade station, to save time, went up the bell tower in his shirt, without waiting to put on his continuations, and rang the bell. While so engaged some men came along, burst open the door of the engine-house, and ran off with the hose-reel. On their getting into Victoria-street it " took charge," and ran down with them to Queen - street before they pulled up. When Superintendent Hughes dressed, he' went into the engine-house, and seeing the reel gone, naturally concluded some of his men were off with it to the fire, and he was only undeceived on getting to the scene. A fireman started after the runaway reel, and found the truants tuggiDg it up the hill to the fire. The orders are, that the reel does not leave the Fire Brigade station unless in charge of a foreman or fireman, and therefore the wellmeant exertione of the fint-comers were rather irregular, and scarcely appreciated by the Fire Brigade.

Iα response to the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. J. M, Clark, a second batch of the members of Professor Aldis's astronomical class availed themselves of the privilege of scanning the heavens through their large telescope yesterday evening. The observatory in which this valuable instrument is placed ia of the most approved construction, and occupies a commanding position. Professor Aldis explained the details of the telescope, especially the wonderful piece of clockwork mechanism which automatically moves the instrument so as to keep any particular star constantly in the observer's view. The first object inspected was a double star in the constellation of the Southern Cross—Alpha Cruris. Then followed excellent views of Saturn and its belt, the moon with its craters, and Jupiter, accompanied by its satellites. During the evening the gathering clouds for a time unfortunately covered the eky, and prevented a more complete investigation of the starry depths. Before the visitors departed Mrs. Clark, with her wonted hospitality invited them to partake of some refreshment. To-night the remainder of the claee will, if the weather is propitious, have an opportunity of observing these celestial wonders through this magnificent telescope.

The Licensing Committees are contemplating taking rigorous steps to repress Sunday trading and the sale of liquor after legal hours by law-defying publicans. It appears that the repeated cautions and warnings giren having failed to effect a reform in certain quarters, the committees intend to punish the offenders in the interest of the law-obeying hotelkeepers. Several licenses are likely to be cancelled owing to unfavourable reports having reached the committees as to the conduct of some houses. The quarterly sittings of the Licensing Courts take place next month, when the publicans are likely to have "a bad quarter of an hour." Last Sunday, although some temperance scouts were out, several persons were about the streets under the influence of liquor, and one got put in the lock-up. The hotelkeepers who pereist in supplying liqaor to these people on Sundays after the ample warnings given will only have themselves to thank for the trouble that may ensue.

Tenders are invited in our advertising columns for the construction of two fiveroomed cottages on the Marton-Ie Awamutu line of railway, but the locality is not indicated where they are to be erected.

This evening Profeseor Hugo will deliver a lecture in the Temperance Hall on " Education and National Physiognomy."

The Pollard Comic Juvenile Opera Company, who commence a short season here on Monday next, will appear in a large number of pieces, their repertoire comprising "Little Duke," "Les Cloches de Corneville," Princess of Trebizonde, 1 ' " Patience," " Madame Angot," "Girofle-Girofh," "H.M.B. Pinafore," Ac. The string orchestra of the company is said to be very strong, and the piece will be mounted with new ecenery and dresses.

The following is the weekly state of the District Hospital for the week ending February 19 :—Remained last state, 96; admitted, 16 ; discharged, 10 ; died, 4 ; remaining at present: 77 males, 21 females ; total, 98. T, H., died on the 16th instant. Out patients, 11.

A regatta will be held at Tauranga, on Tuesday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day). An excellent programme of 17 events has been drawn up, the chief one being a 20 fooS open sailing boat race, for boats built in the B»y of Plenty district. There will be a Maori war canoe race, and numerous other interesting aquatic competitions, finishing up with tub race, sea-horse race, duck hunt and greasy pole.

The following is the state of Her Majesty's i neon, Auckland, for the week ending February 21, 1885 :-On remand, 1 male, 1 female ; awaiting trial, 4 males, 0 females ; sentenced to penal servitude, 39 males ; hard labeur, TO mtles, 22 females ; default of bail, 6 malee ; debtors 3 males ; received during 23 ™? ' I 8,1 1 ?' 4 femalee 5 discharged!

We have to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of " The Schoolmaster " for February. It is full of interesting news relating to schools and the profession of teaching. The meeting of the Educational Institute held at Auckland recently is reported at considerable lengtb, and judging by the following extract the trip of the Southern representatives to Auckland was thoroughly enjoyed :—''Concerning the hospitality of our Auckland friends, there is heard on all sides bnt warm and hearty praise. What with the excorsion and the banquet, and the many private invitations, the delegates had a delightful time of it. We are sure that all the delegates left the fair Northern city with many pleasing memories." The editor is evidently not in favour ot technical education, for he heads his loading article thus : " The Technical Education Craze."

In reference to Mr. Ashbury'e visit to the Kiog natives, a correspondent at Taupo sends us the following : " Mr. Ashbury and friend, Mr. Scholield, who have arrived here, were received at the native settlement near Alexandra by Tawhiao, Major Te Wheoro, and other chiefs and their families in a manner Dever known before. The King, Te Wheoro, and a host of chiefs made set speeches', containing expressions of loyalty and thanks for the attentions paid in England to the chiefs. Mr. Ashbury expressed the opinion that any home Government would listen to their claims with feelings of deep interest and generosity. The chiefs gave several presents of meres, native work, and other things, and provided four horses to go through the King Country. The journey occupied six days, and the party were received at all the native settlements with great attention."

On Wednesday, the 4th in&tant, the e.s. Macgregor left the wharf on the Mangapai River with a full and happy party of excursionists on pleasure bent. The weather was supremely delightful. The destination of the party was the picturesque and beautiful grounds of Mr. R. H. Aubrey, whioh had been again placed at the service of the Macgregor excursionists. Landing was effected about noon, and instanter began the work of picnicing. Cloths were spread, tea made, and soon everyone was fully bent on doing justice to the viands substantial, and to the nicknacks aud niceties tastefully and liberally provided, after which games and amusements of various kinds were freely indulged in, and with evident gusto by both sexes. Too much praise cannot be given to the captain and crew of the Macgregor for their united endeavours to facilitate the pleasure and comfort of the party. The thanks of the entire district are due to Mr. Aubrey, and I feel sure are heartily accorded to him, for the kind and ready manner in which he places his grounds at the service of excursionists. About nine p.m. the Macgregor landed her living freight at their respective wharves, and the moon lent her brightest light to enable them to reach their homes in safety after a truly happy day.—[A Correspondent.]

Parties desirous of purchasing Englishmade furniture, real oil paintings, oleograph*, lace and other curtains, ihould attend the sale this day at eleven o'clock, by Mr. G. Lewis. The goodi aro all landed ex Vanduara, and are (or absolute sale and are very choice.