Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7302, 14 April 1885, Page 4

The situation this morning is more threaten* ing than ever. j The Russian and Britten Go. vernments are making elaborate preparation* in view of .the outbreak of hostilities. The former are said to be purchasing swift cruisers in America, and "to be advancing their troops along the Mnrghab River. Vast military stores are being accumulated at Pisheen, and an Anglo-Indian force is being massed at Quetta. Further details of General KomarofFa explanation have been received, He states that the , Afghans, after crossing the Kushk River to the Russian side" occupied a position which menaced hi* camp, and on his • despatching a force to dislodge them and compel them to re« tire, the Afghans opened fire upon the troops. The Emperor William is said tc have suggested that the question should be left to the arbitrament of the three Emperors at their annual meeting. . Inconsequence of the crisis New Zealand securities have declined. The value of city property outside Queenstreet' continues to advance, especially in those streets close to the centre of traffic, and in no part of the city is this more noticeable than in Lome-street, where a number of substantial atructures are new built, *cd others are in contemplation. At an instance of the increased value of property in this street, we may mention that a property purchased by Mr. Holland for a comparatively small sum is now bringingin a revenue of upwards of £400 a-year. We notice that the adjoining property, owned by Mr. Robert Jenkinton, builder, is to be offered for sale to-morrow by Messrs. Tonks and Carr, and the bidding, will give a fair test of the present value of property in this street. ....-.;. A singular action was tried yesterday at the District Court in which the South British Insurance Company sued Robert Stephenson for £24 5s for unpaid premiums of insurance on his property. His Honor, after hearing the evidence, gave judgment for defendant with costs £3 I2si The details of the ease, which are very peculiar, will be found else* where. The trial of Robert Pendergast for tin murder of his wife at Pokeno, occupied the attention of the Supreme Court all yesterday. There was but little further evidence gives than was furnished at the inquest. The act of killing by the prisoner was admitted, and the plea of defence was that of insanity. The summing up of His Honor Justice Gillies was very full, and he was very clear in his explanation of the law bearing upon the caie. The prisoner maintained a very unconcerned demeanour throughout the trial, but when sentence was passed upon him he excitedly ! cried out "If I had that other — 1 don't I care.! From the small attendance at the Court it was evident that there was not much public interest taken in the case. The railway reformer, : Mr. r Samuel Vaile, returned by the Penguisi from the ■South, having concluded' his Southern lecturing tour. We understand that he is well satisfied with the result of his trip, and believes i that it will lead to pressure being brought : to bear on the Government to effect many i needed reforms in the management of ths railways.- <■ • , _ \ -•■ * ;' > ' . The various matches for the trophies com* : neted for by members of the Auckland Bowl* ; ing Club have been nearly completed. Only ! one match remains to be played. t'& : A few days back we drew, attention to the fact that the wharf area was wholly insuffi« cient for the requirements of this port, and ! we now learn that Mr. Thomas Henderson has* given notice of ; motion at the Harbour Board in respect to the question. It is a matter of surprise that the Board have not ere this taken • action .on this subject, - especially in the face of the fact that the mem. bers' attention has been so frequently drawn to the inadequate wharfing and berthing space at this port, and it any proof were needed en this head, yesterday's oonfiauioa and rush should have been convincing, several vessels needing berths, which were not procurable. \ ; ; ; i On Sunday last Captain Kelly, of the barque Lutter accidentally fell through the lazarette opening, and in his fall seriously sprained his left ankle. Captain Kelly was brought to town by Captain Sainty in thi pilot schooner, and the injury was attended to by Br. Walker. Captain Fernandez has been taken to Dunedin with the Lutterworth, to assist Captain Kelly in the navigation of the ship. The barque in to sail from her anchorage off Gall Point to-day. This week another opportunity ia afforded for a aheap trip to the Waikato district. On this occasion an opportunity will be aficrded for staying in the Waikato district one day or three :as ; the traveller may elect. The fast passenger train j> starts $ from Auckland station at seven o'clook on Wednesday morning, and Newmarket at ten ; minutes past seven, and the passengers may proceed either to Cambridge and witness ; the horse race* there, or they mty take the western branch and • go on to :Tβ Awamutu and * witness the ceremony of cutting the first sod i» the I first ; section of the main trunk i lino of railway through the centre of the North Island. Those :-who go to Cambridge will have the option of remaining three days, thus witnessing v the: two' days 1 races, and returning on Friday. The fares ! for the one-day trip will "■bet 9a and 6s 64. firsti ; and second class respectively, anA for those "iI who stay^the , , thtee i days v> the district the fares will be double the above amounts. j> There is no doubt that many will take the opportunity of witnessing Tawhiao cutting the first sod of a mode of communi-; cation which, when completed, will for ever make \ a continuance of Maori ? isolation impossible. :

We are informed that the Governor of Now Zealand has not received any auch intimation as that which is said to have been seat to Lord Loftue. It is exceedingly unlikely that a wanning of that nature would be sent to One colony, and we understand that the Premier considers that there must be some mistake about the telegram. Mr. Levett, in whose marble works in Stanley-street the fire occurred on Saturday night, writes to say that the machinery does not belong to Messrs. Morrin and Co., but to himself, and that none of the Harbour Board mantelpieces were destroyed, as they had been delivered, but a large number of finished mantelpieces were destroyed, including several very good ones, intended for the forthcoming Exhibition. At the meeting of the Board of Education held on Friday last, after Mr. Goldie bad moved that Professor Aldis ba elected Chairman for the ensuing year, Mr. Luko said that bo personal objection could be raised to Professor Aldis; at the same time he considered it unwise for the Board to disfranchise itself in the Auckland University College Council. He read Section 6of the Anckland University College Act, 1882, which provides that "the Council shall consist of eleven members, one of whom shall be the Mayor for the time being of the city of Auckland, another shall be the Chairman for the time being of the Education Board of the district of Auckland, and of the remaining nine members (divided into three equal groups) three shall bo elected by the members of the General £ißombly resident in 'the provincial district of Auckland, three others shall be appointed by the Governor-in-Council, and the remaining three shall be elected by the graduates of the University on the books of the college. Provided always that no Professors of the college shall be eligible to hold office as members of the Council." Be considered the representation of the Board in the Auckland University College a moat important matter, as it formed a real and tangible connection between primary and university education, and he regretted that this great privilege, which Mr. Svvanson and others obtained for us, should now be voluntarily surrendered. A correspondent, S.G., nrites :—"Your contributor, 'Index,'considers it the duty of the City Council to regulate the foot traffic in Queen-street, and prevent idlers and loafers congregating at street corners. Iβ this not rather the duty of the police, who are vested with full powers ? ' Index • goes rather far when he talks of Queen-street being the most disorderly street in the colony. Doubtless there is room for improvement, but it is very certain that all the By-laws and Regulations thtit could bo made would be in operative unless they are put in force by the custodians of the peace, viz., the police on duty. And with reference to closing the Albert Park gates, and preventing loafers and idlers from resortins; there by night, a difficulty arises in the fact that if the large gates in Coburg Avenue are closed, not only are vehicles and foot panßongers precluded from using that thoroughfare, but the residents of Princesetreet who use the right of way at the rear of their residences would also be unable to make use of their back entrances for themselves or vehicles, and even then seeing that persons, even females, do not hesitate to get over the iron fence, it is evident with out regular police supervision the practice will not be stopped." A musical and literary entertainment was given in tho Union-street Wesley an' Church laal; night. An excellent programme of songs, recitations, and a dialogue was gone through to the satisfaction of a moderate attendance. The proceeds will be devoted towards painting the building. The protest arising out of the walking contest at the Theatre Royal on Saturday was decided last night by the judge, Mr. W. Mettam, awarding the match to McCune, on the ground that Rayner broke when rounding a corner of the track. Rayner immediately served » notice from Messrs. Jackson and Russell, his solicitors, upon Mr. H. N. Abbott, the stake-holder, warning him not to pay over the stake of £100 and the balance of the door money until the matter has been decided in a Court of law. The entries of pictures for the Art Exhibition are quite up to those of last year, but aro larger in size, and require larger wall space. A number of exhibits have yet to come in. Some of the Southern exhibits arrived yesterday by the Tarawera, but have not yet been landed. So far those which have come to hand show a marked improvement on last year's exhibits. Owing to the dilatorinees of exhibitors the committee of management will have all their work to do to be ready by the opening night. As it is, several canvasses cs.me to hand yesterday t>y post, and the pictures have yet to be framed! The following notices of motion have been lodged at the City Council offices:—Mr. J. H. Upton 'to move: " That the Streets Committee, accompanied by the Engineer, be requested to visit the streets in the Ponsonby Wards, the fixing of the levels of which was deferred on the 2nd instant, and that the objectors to the proposed levels be requested to meet them there." Mr. Montague to move: "That an asphalt crossing be laid in Victoria-street West, from Elliott. Btreet to Sargood, Ewen, ana Co.V Charles Mack, charged with illegally pawning a watch, and Hartshorn, alias Baker, who have been remanded to Wellington by the Auckland Bench, will be taken South to-day in the steamer Penguin, by Constable Christie. An accident, which has terminated fatally, occurred on the Devonport Racecourse on Friday morning. A man named James Allom, who was employed by Messrs. Duder in the capacity of trainer to their racehorses, vu riding Alaska at a gallop, accompanied by another horseman. Alaska stopped at a turn in the course, and Allom was thrown heavily, alighting on his head. He was removed by Mr. F. Duder to his cottage, and Dr. Parkinson was called in, who diecovered that he was suffering from compression of the brain. He never recovered conseioasneas, gradually sank, and died on Sunday morning. An inquest was held upon the body at the Flagstaff Hotel yesterday afternoon, before Dr. Philson, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr. Charles Long was chosen foreman. Dr. Parkinson's evidence went to show that death was caused by concussion or compression of the brain. There were no marks of violence. William Parsons (labourer), and Mr. F. Duder, who witnessed the accident, were examined, and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death." The deceased leaves a widow. Deceased was a very steady young man, and much esteemed by his acquaintances. The funeral took place yesterday, and was largely attended by jockeys and trainers, and the members oli tha sporting fraternity. The Messrs. Duder, in the most -liberal manner, defrayed all the expenses connected the funeral, and, we understand, also handed to deceased's widow a cheque for a respectable amount; The following is the report of the Female Prison Gate Brigade for the week ending April 11:— Received into the Home, 6; left. 2; remaining, 8; number of beds given, 57; number of meals supplied, 197. Donations of meat was received from Mrs. Howie, Messrs. Evans, Teasdale, Waddel, and Tremaine, and of meat from Messrs. Hulme, Eadie. Garrutt, Woods, and Fisher. Donations of blankets, groceries, and vegetables would be acceptable. The quarterly meeting of the Auckland Institute of Architects was held in the lec-ture-room of the Museum last night, the President (Mr. W. F. Hammond) in the chair. Mr. Hammond proposed, and Mr. Bell seconded, "That the meetings of this Institute be held monthly instead of quarterly," which was carried. Mr. Walker was nominated an an associate. Mr. Wade proposed, seconded by Mr. White, "That the Secretary write to the Governor, asking him to become the patron of the Institute." Carried. The hon. Secretary then read the reply received from the Government re "Custom House Competition " for Auckland, and the suggestions agreed upon by the Council for the conduct of architectural competitions were adopted by the meeting. The hon. Secretary tendered his resignation, on account of presti of work, but was prevailed upon by the unanimous vote of the Institute to continue the duty. The advisability of appointing an hon. Secretary was adopted, and Mr. T. Mahoney accepted the office. At the conclusion of the buainess of the evening, the President invited, any member to contribute a paper for the next meeting, and Mr. Arnold kindly promised to contribute one on the." Strength of Building Materials," and Mr. Arnold also proposed, seconded by Mr. Saber, "That the Council be requested to nominate a member to read a paper upon a agreed subject at each monthly meeting." The hon. Treasurer, Mr. BelL reported £20 to the credit of the laititttte, in the Auckland Savings Bank,

Dr. E. D. Mackellar, who was Housa Surgeon to the District Hospital in 1883, was yesterday appointed by the Hospital Committee to the hon. visiting medical staff of the institution. The annual demonstration of the Onehunga Band of Hope took place on Saturday afternoon last at the Recreation Grounds, Gnehunga. About 200 of the members of the Band of Hope and upwards of fifty friends and workers formed a procession, and, beaded by the Onehnnga Brass Band, marbhed through the town and down to the grounds, where a most enjoyable afternoon was spent. Tea was provided for those present, and at about half-past five the proccstion re-formed and marched back into Queen-street, where, after giving threi) hearty cheers to the band for the efficient manner in which they had aided in the success of the meeting, the children dispersed. It is intended to have an enter* taiinment (in the course of a few week*) to provide funds to pay for the demonstration. Mr. Thomas Morrin has been appointed a director in the Cambria Gold Mining Company, in the room of Mr. John Heary Smith, resigned. An examination of the Western Springe reservoir was made on Saturday, and some alterations made, in case of any leakage, to prevent impmrity in the water supply. The Ponaonby and Kyber reservoirs were run off about three weeks ago, and were found to be remarkably clean and free from sediment. With fourteen feet of water in the Ponaonby reservoir, the water was so clear that the outlet pipe could be distinctly seen at the bottom. The ateam roller working at present on the Ponsonby Eoad seems to be the bete noir of the tram and omnibus horses. As they approach it their notbrils dilate, and they break into a cold perspiration. Yesterday a team actually pulled a tramcar off the rails in their terror and anxiety to escape the monster. "Fun on the Bristol" opens a short season of four nights at the Theatre Royal to-night, when there will be a change of songs in tho programme. The fiie on Sunday morning proved to be at Boyd'd Pottery, Newton. A spark from a kiln had fallen on some sacking oovering a quantity of old timber, and ignited it. The tiro was soon snppreesed, and but little damage wan done. Miss de Grey and company opened a season at the Opera House last night in " Woman Against Woman." The audience was a large one, tho lower portion of the house being crowded. We are compelled, owing to pressure, on our space, to hold over a detailed notice of the performance, which was an excellent one.