Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7270, 7 March 1885, Page 4

The relations between England and Russia are at present in a very critical condition. Mr. Gledstone, in the Houae of Commons, as will be seen from a cable message, stated that a question of extreme delicacy had arisen between England and Russia, and he deprecated any questions on the subject. This statement was made after an interview between the English Foreign Secretary and the Russian Ambassador. The nature of this question can of course be only a matter of surmise out here, but we have no doubt that it relates to the retirement of Russia from the positions menacing the Afghan frontier, which she has lately occupied. It is probable, too, that it has some connection with the reported presence of Russian agents in Cabul. The South Australian offer of troope for the Soudan has been accepted, and intimation has been Bent to the other colonies that any contingent raised in any colony will be accepted, provided it can reach Suakim by September. It now appears to be the intention of the Government not to prosecute active military operations during the summer, and the headquarters of the expedition have been removed to Dongola.

The Board of Education held its usual meeting yesterday afternoon, and the sitting lasted over four hours. A motion by Mr. Mos3 to have the meetings held monthly was rejected, an amendment, by Profeseor Tucker, being carried in favour of fortnightly meetings, and that an Executive Committee be appointed, with defined powers. Mr. Moss said that uuder the preueut system it was impossible for country renidepts to seek election to the Board, The Board endeavoured to do its work in the anode common to corporations, that is to say, by mixing up the executive with the general Board. The consequence was that there wi« no revising body to investigate the action and conduct of the executive, and no real reejionaibility. They had jurisdiction over twenty thousand square miles, of country, and it was impossible to apply to bo large an area the rules of an ordinary local governing corporation. A condensed report of the Board's proceedings will be found elsewhere.

An apple weighing 19ozs. was sent, with others in a case, to Mr. John Davis, storekeeper, Maungaturoto, last week, Thie apple waß grown by Mr. Griffin, of "that place, ona tree two years old, planted on stiff limestone land. The grower did not know the variety to which it belonged, but in form it greatly resembled the peach-shaped apple illustrated in the Weekly News of the 21st Hit

By the a.s. To Anau yesterday the followvolunteer representatives went to Welliugton to attend the New Zealand Rifle Association meeting :—Auckland Artillery Company : Sergeant Allen, Gunner Parslow, Sergeanfc Henderson, Gunner Webster, and Gunner Payne. Victoria Company : Captain Mahou. City Guards : Lieutenant Osborne, Volunteer Lee, and Volunteer Sterling. Thames Rifle Rangers : Lucas, Donnie, A. Thomas, Newdick, Inglis, Hawk, and Patterson. T&e Thames Naval Brigade, representative Peter Weir, is already at the Empire City. In another column will be found the programme of the principal items in the Cantata "Harold Glynde," which is to be performed in the Choral Hall, on Monday evening, by the Band of Hope Union Choir. The Kev. J. S. Hill has kindly undertaken to deliver the readings, and the affair promises to be very successful. A full rehearsal takes place in the Choral Hall this evening at half-past seven.

Another vacancy has occurred on the Senate of the New Zealand Uuiveraity, by the resignation of the Rev. Charles Fraser, M. A. At the meeting of the Senate yesterday, it was resolved, on the motion of Professor Sale, — That on Tuesday, 10th instant, the Senate proceed to the election of a Fellow to fill the vacancy, and that nominations be made in Senate on or before Monday. The whole of the framing of the first storey of the new mill establishment ot the New Zealand Timber Company is up, and the work of construction is being vigorously proceeded with. At the old mill, Freeman's Bay, the machinery is kept going night and day executing orders. The triangle at the foot of Franklin-road, which, is occupied by the Auckland .Gas Company, is at present a busy scene of indmtry, a large number of workmen being engaged in getting up the new gasometer tank. The clang of the hammers may be heard from morn till dewy eve. The new gasometer, from its size and height, completely dwarfs the old one.

The Auckland and Thames volunteer representatives of the districts in the New Zealand Rifle Association Prize Firing, to take place next week in Wellington, proceeded South yesterday by the e.s. Te Anau. They include, with those who have already gone South, Captain Mahon, in charge of the Victoria team; Lieutenant Oeborne and a team of four others representing the City Guards; Sergeant Allen, in charge of the Artillery team, seven of the Thames Rifle Rangers, and Seaman Weir of the Thames Navale. Had the Hinemoa come up for the representatives as they expected, a much larger number would have gone to the competition, but, in consequence of the uncertainty, they could not make arrangements at the last moment. The representatives were accompanied to the steamer by a good many of their officers and comrades, who wished them good luck and success. The regular monthly meeting of the Waitemata County Council was held yesterday, and a large amount of general business, including the striking of a county rate, came up for'discussion. The business, which was of a good deal of interest to the various ridings will be found in another column. In compliance with the wishes of Messrs. Larkins and O'Brien, contractors, the Mayor and City Council will meet at the bridge across Cemetery gully this morning for its formal opening. A meeting of the Zealandia Royal Arch Chapter . was held at the Masonic Fall last evening. There was a good attendance, and Brother McCullough presided as M.E.K., P.M.'s Dewar and Niccol assisting. Brothers Sir Frederick Whitaker, J. D. Whitaker, J. Thomson, Kitt, Kaye, Ingles, and Lowry were advanced from the degree of Mark Master to the M.E. degree of the Royal Arch. The chapter was a most interesting one, and the greatest attention was devoted to the impressive ceremonies.

The " Little Duke " was performed at the Opera House by Pollard's Lilliputian Opera Company last night with great success. There was a good house, and the clever and spirited rendering of the comic opera by the children was frequently applauded. Tonight Von Suppe's grand spectacular opera, •' Fatinitza," will be produced.

The committee appointed by the Coursing Club and the committee of the Plumptou Park Company proceed to-day to Papatoitoi to make an inspection of the park and the arrangements for the coursing match. There was another alarm of tire yesterday forenoon. This time in Vincent-streot. The Fire Brigade were disgusted to find, on turning up to the scene, that it was the old story —a foul chimney. Their language was scarcely suited for a select audience, while dragging back the hose reels.

Jamea Archibald, Robert SSS? frGordon Lennox, Edward J. S?2 'at? I ** Ussher, aa candidatee for ft! wJfc o, * , Licensing Committee, and beL o'rS omiti number required, were decl.reffily™J* e the year 1885. Itf coatoSs S?'. f « sketch of University maS £ &*■* land, and what led to the establish /,e *" the Auckland College; it al" c " t™* 0 ' < names of the Council, the Prof?.." 3 * th University Regulations, a reS V he Auckland Univerßity College P Act £*• regulations, scholarships, syllabus of i ge turcs, names of graduates and under*,,,? 0 " atea, examination papers, IJ>S4, & c . pa<la ' On Monday evening a concert and a will be given in the Lurne-street HtU f benefit of the widow and children of tw i the Mr. Peter Crompton, engineer. Mr C te ton came to Auckland aoout three v ' e » mp * I suffering from conaumption, in the hoi^^ o, I a change of climate would be of some h<. - to him. He got employment in the fin- W shop of Messrs. Eraser and Tinne but* not able to do much work. He'erad V 1 £?ot worse, and after he ceased to beaablyi y work his fellow-workmen gave the f -{° some help. He was a member of the cm/ fellows' Society before leaving England it being in such bad health was never abl v join any of the lodges here. Howw« 1° got some relief from the English i od 'n« which he was a member, and the P 0U nt • of Friendship Lodge here gave some helni? his death. He left a widow and th children unprovided for, and the Oddfell are getting up the entertainment on MorH*' evening to help the widow and vn children. The Fountain of Friendship 8 granted the use of their hall free; thj, n* Ve rison Band have also consented to head «f" procession, which leaves the Cook-atr t tlall at seven p.m. on Monday evening w marches thence to Albert-street, tnenc ♦ Customs-strett,and then to Queen-atreet ana to the Lornestrest Hall. Members 'wh have been unable to procure regalia . r ° requested not to absent themselves on tint account- Members of kindred societies who feel disposed to join in the procession would be heartily welcome. Several leading mem bers of the Waitemata Minstrels have con! sented to take part. Mr. A. Smith, the popular reciter, will give one or two recita. tions. Miss Gribble has also consented to sing, together wita Messrs. Wright, Gee ana Peace. The Misses Hayles will pi ly duets on the piano. The above artiste should make a very attractive entertainment, and considering the object for which the entertainment is got up, there is no doubt the hall will be well filled on the occasion. The dance at the close will be strictly select' and admission will only be obtained by invitation.

One of the questions asked by a deputation which waited on the Native Minuter daring his recent visit to Rotorua (says a Taunngi exchange) was whether the Thermal Springs Act would be repealed, so as to allow the Europeans to obtain land within the district, The JNative Minister replied that the Thermal Springs Act would remain ia force; and it was the intention of the Government to hare 600,000 acres surveyed sad cut up into small blocks, and then leased for 21 yean, At the end of that term the leaseg would be put up to public auction, and the incoming tenant wonld have to purchase all improvements at a valuation.

It was resoved at the meeting of the University Senate yesterday, on the motion of Dr. Koseby, " That the Government be urged to make arrangements, witn as little delay &i possible, for the publication of a new edition of Sir J. D. Hooker's 'Handbook of New Zealand Flora.'" The Chursh Gazette for this month ia to hand, and although not so full as usual of matter of general intereet, still hae plenty of news for those to whom it is more particularly addressed. There is an interesting paper, or rather the commencement of one, on " The Donor of the Ellerslie Windows," which strikes one as being too short. Iα a paper of this kind the interest is lost by the time another number comes round. A complete biography, even if shortened, would be preferable to having portions of the subject at such a long internal. One sentence in it is interesting because it finds a fitting reply in another portion of the same issue : —" Wβ are told that bad examples are catching, This may be true, but I see no reason why good and generous examples should not be catching also; and it is to be hoped that before long we shall hear of gifts of ornamentation beiug being bestowed on some of the neighbouring churches." Of St. Mary's, iN*e» Plymouth, we read : "!he church has been considerably beautified by the erection of three handsome stained glase windows"— gifts. The rest of the number ia of the ureal character.

The annual meeting of the Trades and Labour Council was held last evening at Robson's Rooms, Queen-atreet, Mr. Thomas Tudehope presiding. A report of the proceedings will be found in another column,

There were in the lock-up last night three persons on charges of drunkenness; aud John Connolly, on a charge of arson, in hiving wilfully set fire to his house on the sth innt,, with intent to defraud the South British liisuaraiice Company. Constable Hammond brought down from Waikato yesterday a prisoner named Patrick Riley, who has been sentenced by the Hamilton Benoh to three mouths' imprisonment in Mount Eden Gaol on three charges, namely, of drunkenness, using obscene laaguage, ami of assaulting the police.

The following is the weekly state of the District Hospital for the week ending oth March :— Remained last state, 9S ; admitted since, 16 ; discharged, 14 ; died, 3; remaining at present —males, 7'2 ; females, 25: total, 99. T.C. died on the 2ad inst. Outpatients, 16.

The drainage works at Patteson-street have been completed. The residents affected by the new levels are engaged in raising them. Mr. Winstone has a uumber of drays constantly engaged in tilling in, the stuff being got from the excavations in Lot. • C Hobson-street.

The monthly meeting of the Mount Eden Domain Board was held in the Mayors office, City Council Chambers, yesterday morning .at eleven o'clock. Present : Mr. T. Thompson, M.H.R., in the chair; also. His Worship the M*yor of Auckland, mo Messrs. Bridgman, Harper, Lawry, Potter, and Udy. The current accounts were presented, and duly passed. Mr. Wm. Kirby, contractor, made a personal explanation re charges made for scoria ash. The Boa™ resolved that the usual prices had been charged to Mr. Kirby, and it could no therefore treat his case in any exceptional manner, end the Secretary was instructed M press for payment of the account. •"" Chairman stated that the Board's Engineer had inspected the proposed route oi tnfl road to the mountain on the Epsom side, ana would duly report on the same. The question of obtaining by-laws applying to roe management of the Domain was considered, and the Chairman, and Messrs. Unagman, Lawry, and Udy were appoints a committee to ascertain the P°"f. possessed by the Board as applied to to» matter, and also to draft rough bylaw l l» accordance, to be • submitted at a tuiar meeting of the Board. The question w securing a piece of Crown land situated new the windmill, as an addition to the "?*&* was 'next considered, and finally « w» resolved to consult the Epsom Domain coaw. and if that body desired to secure it » B Board would assist them, or it would ena» vour to secure it as .an addition to present Domain, if the Epsom Board wow waive its right; and it was unawinonw declared that the only object the Board w* in view was to secure the land in q u ? s "°°.'" the public under some local adminiittwuj The Chairman of the Epsom Board P r °™>' to ascertain the feelings of that body Dew the next monthly meeting, and to anno" k, the result at euch meeting. A vote <"«•» to His Worship for the use of his oince minated the proceedings. The carpenters are now finished wtb interior of the new nave of bt. r» Cathedral, and are busily engaged io<W£ up and altering the old «tracture, pwg' tory to the ceremony of the formal open"* and the consecration. House building is going on apace on rf Surrey Hills estate, and the "J"* , rf rates to the Newton Highway Board m be something substantial. # A meeting of the Women J*™&*f Temperance Union took place on afternoon in the Young Mene Cr Association Rooms. About a hun d Jji&oa are to be issued, for signature, of:• pe praying the Legislature t0.P" ,1 pensing of liquors at hotel bars by wo h fact, the abolition of barmaids.

Mr. George Potter, f resident of the London Working Men's Association, in a letter to the Times, advocates Imperial federation in much the same strain as did Mr. Firth jn a communication in our columns a few days ago. Mr. Potter says : —" I advocate Imperial federation as a relief from our industrial depression. Why should England not amalgamate with her colonies and dependencies in one vast free trade, and protect ourselves from other countries ? Foreign countries are doing thin to us now. We could command everything we require in our own Empire, and Imperial federation would be equally advantageous to our coloniee as ourselves. Our colonies have had and do now require our money to open up their countries, and also our protection, la return for this wecould have thatforeign trade through them we require, and by so doing keep our wealth in our own Empire. There would be ample competition in this country, so that our colonies would obtain manufactured articles as cheap at home as going elsewhere for them."

The charge of arson against Valentine Becquet arising out of the fire in Rokebyetreet on Monday last came on at the Police Court yesterday before the R.M. (Mr. H. G. Seth Smith). The case being an indictable one requiring the depositions to be taken down lasted until five o'clock when it was adjourned to ten o'clock this morning in order that the taking of the rest of the evidence might be finished to-day. Six witnesses were examined yesterday and there are six yet to be called. The Court room was crowded the whole of the day. The following is ft copy of Mr. Errington's letter to the Harbour Board relative to the preparation of the plans and specifications for the Calliope Dock : —" In preparing plans and specifications for machinery and plant for Calliope Graving Dock, may I ask if it is the wish of the Board that such machinery shall be tendered for both in England and in New Zealand, and, if so, whether it would be desirable in the former case to ask tenderers to submit designs for machinery and pumps, caisson, &c, oiqual to our requirements, and to take delivery in London, f.0.b., by an authorised agent, the Board paying shipping charges and freight, and then erecting the machinery here under another contract; or whether the contractor should manufacture, supply, erect, and maintain the whole of the machinery and appliances for a period of, say, six months." Lieutenant Livingstone, of the Black Watch (42nd Highlanders), who has been in Auckland for tome days, bas received a cablegram directing him to join his regiment.

We alluded the other day to the large sunflowers grown at Orakau, in the Waikato. Mrs. Charles Ellis—to whom the honour belongs of growing these flowers—has forwarded a couple to Mr. T. B. Hill, chemist, and are on view in his shop window. The largest one measures 4 feet 4 inches in circumference and 17 inches in diameter, and certainly may be said to eclipse all others. The smaller one is sent because the plant it came from contained 74 other heade. Surely something can be done in turning to advantage a plant that thrivee so well with us.

Sergeant Bennett, Secretary of the Victoria Rifle Company, was unanimously elected Lieutenant of the City Guards Company in place of Lieutenant Coope'r. The announcement of his election, which only reached him .the day after, wae a surprise to Mr. Bennett; but he at once stated that he could not consent to accept without first consulting Captain Mahon and the officers of the Victoria Company. Yesterday, before the departure of the Te Anau, Mr. Bennett met Captains Mahon and Isaacs. Capain Mahon said that he was very sorry, indeed, to lose Mr. Bennett from hi 9 company, but he felt it a compliment to himself personally and to his company that the City Guards had chosen one of their officers from amongst the company. Instead of objecting, he congratulated Mr. Bennett on his promotion, and said that he would do all in his power to advance his interests and assist him in preparing for his examination. Mr. Bennett then formally accepted the position to which he had been elected by the City Guards. The regular monthly inspection parade oE the Auckland Naval Artillery was held last night, and there was a splendid muster of ■ixty-two all told, including Captain Leßoy, Lieutenant Parker and Lieutenant Smith. Captain Leßoy acted as inspecting officer, and the company having been put through a course of drill, had a march out through the principal streets of the city, headed by their own dram and fife band, Mr. Fronde and Lord Elphinstone left yes* terday for the Lakes, via Cambridge. The second annual meeting of the Home Mission Society of the Church of England will be held on Thursday, the 19th instant, in St. Matthew's School. This is a work in which all members of the Anglican communion should take an interest, and it is hoped that there will be a good attendance.

The matches of the third draw in the various competition events at the Auckland Bowling Green are being played off, and will he continued to-day.

We have received from Mr. C. Mackay, bookseller. Grey-street, the January monthly part of " Harper's Young People," an illustrated weekly paper, published by Messrs. Sampson, Son, Marston, and Co., Londoo. The monthly part contains a handsomely - coloured plate, showing a bird'e-nest snugly made in a cluster of flowers. The other parts of the paper are well illustrated, and the ■tories it contains are carefully written, and of the class likely to interest adventurous boys. "The Lost City, or the Boy Explorers in Central Asia," by David Ker, is one full of interest to all healthy, vigorous boys. Papers on mosses, and other branches of natural history are given, enlivened by abundance of explanatory illustrations. Aα Announcement is made that in future this publication will be published simultaneously in Britain and America. The paper is one that will no doubt iind many readers as it becomes better known in the colony. The Hon. J. W. Cotton, Premier of South Australia, is at present in Wellington. He visited the Government offices, the library, and both legislative chambers under the guidance of the Hon. Mr. SVaterhouse.

It may not be uninteresting to mention a few facts connected with the beautiful instrument on which Remenyi, the great Hungarian virtuoso, performs. The father of N. Lupot, Francois was a favourite pupil of Straduarius. He made very excellent violins, and settled iu Orleans, Prance. After a couple of years he left Orleans for Paris, and there his son Nicholas became the greatest violin maker of modern times. He copied only the model of Straduarius, and his workmanship is as good as that of Straduarius himself, if not better. Simon, the first violinist at the Grand Opera, Paris, ordered a violiu in ISIS, and told Nicholas that he wanted the very perfection in workmanship as well as in wood and varnish, Nicholas consented, but asked for time and leisure; to this Simon agreed. Nicholas finished this wonderful instrument in 1818, and had it exhibited at the Conservatoire, Paris, for an entire year. After this time Simon became the happy possessor of Lupot's masterpiece and played on it until his death, in IS4O, Mr. Godding, the celebrated London brewer, who was a great collector of violins, and who certainly had at that tims the finest collection, went from London to Paris expressly to buy this matchless instrument, and he had it in his collection until his death. After his demise, Mr. R. D. Hawley, of Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America, who has at the present time the grandest collection of violins of the great masters, purchased it, and had it amongst his gems. Rem6nyi made the acquaintance of fiawley in 187S, when he gave a concert at Hartford during his concert tour in the United States. Seeing this wonderful violin in the collection lie coveted it with his utmost fervour, but could not get it or buy it until two years after, when Mr. Hawley, after a concert in which Remenyi did his very best to arouse the violinistic enthusiasm of his friend, became at last tractable, and the instrument was given by him to Rem(Snyi. The Auckland Fishing Club will make an excursion this afternoon, the steamer starting at ten minutes pasl one o'clock. We call attention to the great sale of Kemuera land, announced by Mr. J. It. Randerson, for Thursday next. The property is well situated, aad has frontages to Victoria Avenue, Albert and Alexandra Streets, and I'orJand-road, and ia inown as Griffiths" Nursery. The live hedges contain thousands of valuable shelter trees. Our readers are invited to join the auctioneer iu viewing the property, tliu afternoon, leaving Mercantile Chambers at two to ca'-f-past two. _ The Miranda Coal and Iron Company invite tenders until th- 25th instant for excavating a «nal frsm the Maramarua Creek to the site of the company's new shaft. The name of the firm of successful tenderers l.ndMa^? ni Libr&ry U PrlCe and Malcolm ' not Rice Mr. G. Milner Stephen advertises a reaurkable cure which aa has effected.