Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7340, 29 May 1885, Page 5

It will be seen from oar cable messages this morning' that the Admiralty have definitely decided to adopt the Brennan torpedo, the patent of which the Imperial Government purchased in 1882. The torpedo is called after its inventor, Mr. Brennan of Melbourne. A conference has taken place between the Agents-General and Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key on the subject of the defence of the colonies.. The Emperor of Germany, who is 8S years of age, is seriously ill. Dongola is to be evacuated by the British troops, and the first detachment left on Wednesday. The Afghan question appears to have dropped out of notice. It is not mentioned in any way in our cable messages. - Confidence in an amicable settlement of it appears, however, to be increasing, as consols are reported to have gone up on* per cent. ~ -

In anotheir column we publish a detailed report of a meeting between Mr. LaMonte and a number of gentlemen , interested in the development of mining industries, to consider his proposals in regard to his patent processes of saving gold which cannot be saved by the ordinary process of battery work. Hβ submitted a sketch of his proposals, and a committee was formed to consider the advisability and practicability of forming a company with the necessary capital of £10,000. The committee meets at the Chamber of Commerce to-day.

The Government stsamer left Ooehunga yesterday morning, having on board Sir George Whitmore, Hon. Mr. Larnach, and Mr. Smythe, torpedo electrician.

At the meeting of the City Council last evening, a number of complaints were received about the muddy state cf the streets at the crossing*) in various parts of the city. Three letters were read in which the writers draw attention to the almost impassable state of the upper part of Symondii-etreet, and Messrs, Montague and Aickin complained of the muddy state of the lower part of Queen-street. Mr. Upton said if all the carts in the possession of the City Council went to the foot of College Hill they could hot touch the mud. ' What was Vanned there was a large pump. The mud there was simply caused by the ordinary traffic, and the grinding down of •coria. He hoped the Council would go to the foot of College Hill, and take a bath. Mr. Devore presented a petition from residents in Ponsonby. The petitioners stated that the road was in such a state of mad that it was extremely inconvenient to cross it. The petitioners prayed that crossings be made. The petition was referred to the Streets Committee. The Engineer reported that the present appliances of the Council were not sufficient to properly carry out the work of street cleaning. Two more carte were required. It was resolved that the mud in Upper Symonds - street be removed.

Among the passengers by the s.a. Te Anau yenterday were several officers of the Telegraph Department. Mr. Mollis, senior operator, proceeds to Christcharch, being relieved by Mr. Keith Wilson, who arrives by the Southern steamer in the Manukau on Sunday; Mr. A. J. Talbofc, who goes to Dunedin, being succeeded by Mr. Potter, of Cambridge, Waikato; and Mr. W. Tregoning, of Thames, bat formerly of Auckland, who proceeds to JSapier, being transferred to that station. A number of their brother officers were on the wharf to bid them adieu.

Notwithstanding the approach of winter, little has been done to improve the approaches, by way of the reclamation road, to the railway station. Owing to the heavy and incessant traffic on the road, a few hours rain makes it a perfect quagmire. The old pool of stagnant storm-water still survives as a feature of the landscape, and k likely to be 80 for years to come.

An extraordinary general meeting of the New Zealand Sugar Company was held yesterday at the ofSce of the company, Customs-street East. The meeting was a formal one to confirm certain amendments in the articles of association.

At the Opera House latt night Falconer's clever comedy, "Extremes," was produced by Mr. Wybert Reeve ax>d the members of his company. There was an appreciative audience, and the piece was received with demonstrative marks of approval. The performance (a detailed notice of which we are compelled to hold over) was a capital one, and repeatedly evoked applause. The great play, " Diplomacy," is in active preparation and will be produced on Saturday evening.

We are glad to learn, re the Btdger Statutes embroglio, that His Worship the Mayor has paid for the two volumes of rtatutee upon which hie came bad been stamped in letters of gold. The Mayor evidently repudiates the dogma that any coun cillor can claim personal possession of \vorka purchased by the ratepayers' money, on the strength of the adventitious circumstance that his name has been inadvertently placed upon them.

A party of workmen are at • present digging out the foundations for a fourstorey warehouse in Customs-street East to the order of Laurie and Co. It is being, erected from designs furnished by Mr. Borrowes, architect, and Messrs. Hamilton and Pace are. the contractors. The contract time is six months. This fine building will be immediately opposite . the handsome block of four-storey bnildings erected by Messrs. J. Coupland and Buchanan, and which are now ready in part for occupation.

The ordinary weekly sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court was held yesterday, A large number of email debt cases were disposed of, and the rest of the sitting was occupied in hearing two -defended cases, which were of considerable interest to surveyors and architects. In one of them Mr. F. Cherry claimed a fee of £6 6s for drawing up a i»lu plan ot allotments in Mount Eden, and which was shown to be inaccurate, was nonsuited, and defendant, Mr. C. Atkin, coachbuilder, allowed costs. The second case was a claim for architect fees on a house ereoted at EUerslie in 1883. It is asserted that the contractor complied with the specifications as little as possible. Owing to the lateness of the sitting the case was adjourned to Saturday at half-past ten a.m., and eeven other defended cases on the list were adjourned to Thursday next.

The remains of Mr. Waterhouse Nicholson, the Tiotim of the unfortunate gun accident on Monday, were buried in the Church of England Cemetery yesterday morning. All the officials in H.M. Customs paid their last token of respeot to the deceased by following the funeral cortege, and the service at the pave was impressively read by the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley.

The barque Alastor from London anchored off the Lake last night after a somewhat tedious passage. She not only brings a full general cargo, but also some twelve pas■engere, who have all arrived in excellent health.

The examination of. pupil teachers and candidates for employment by the Board of Education will be held at Auckland, Thames, *n<l Hamilton on Tuesday, the 30th of June, *n<l following days. The names of pupils tent in not later than the 20th of

The following resolution was carried at the meeting of the City Counoil last evening: —" That all persons in arrears for rates be proceeded against in batches of sixty persons, ten to be taken from eaoh ward at a time, at intervale of fourteen days, and that they be taken in alphabetical order, commencing with the letter ' A'."

The ordinary weekly drill of the A Battery of Artillery was held in the Drill-shed last night, when there was a fine mu«ter of 70. Captain Payne and Lieutenants Norrie and Geddes were also present. The company was put through a course of gun drill and squad drill. The recruits were then taken over and instructed in preliminary motions. At the close of the parade it was agreed to re« establish the shooting club in connection with the corps, and bave it upon the handicap basis instead of the olass distinction. Competitions will be held quarterly, and a committee was elected last night to carry out the arrangements.

Mr. J. C. Fraser yesterday exhibited a new design of washing maohine which he has constructed, and a considerable number of people went to see it working at the washhouse of the Victoria Hottil. The exterior of the maohine is constructed of galvanised iron, the lower portion being a stand, the centre portion a trough, and the upper portion a cover, which oan be utilised as a tub. In the trough, and under the cover referred to, is a wooden cylinder about 18 inohes in diameter, the ends being boards, and the circular surface formed of open tinted laths. The interior of the cylinder is divided into three compartments lined with Hated timber, and there is an opening for putting clothes into each. The washing in done by turning a handle, and the motion can be reversed as frequently as desired, the washing being of course done by the rubbing of the olothes against the flutiuge, the cylinder being charged with soap and water sufficient for the requirements of each wash. The prooess seemed to be very satisfactory, and the materials washed were certainly turned out in a very clean condition. There is one of these new machines now on view at Messrs. T. and S. Morrin and Co. , 8, Queen-street. - The purification of the rolls is still being proceeded with. A number of summonses have been issued in the Parnell distriot, calling upon certain persons to show cause on Saturday week, at the Police Court, why they should not be struck off the eleotoral roll of that district.

We would again remind the electors of the City North that Mr. T. Thompson, member for the district in the General Assembly, will address them this evening at the Temperance Hall, Albert-street.

The concrete foundations for Messrs. Garrett Brothers' extensive block of buildings in Karangahape-road are all in. and a start will at once be made with the stone and brickwork. As the fagade of the new buildings, judging from the plans and designs, is a very handsome one, it would be a great improvement to the whole endowment block if those subsequently building were to adopt the same style up to the Ponsonby Reservoirs. Nothing mars street architecture in Auckland so much as the lack of uniformity, even for a hundred feet or so, and the higglety-pigglety appearance of some of the street frontages.

Superintendent Thomson is at present at the Thames on a visit of inspection, but is expected back to-day.

There seems to be quite an outburst of competition just now among the Auckland photographers, more particularly in the enlargement or improvement of photographic establishment. Among the latest additions is the erection of photographic premises in Cleveland-road, Parnell, for Mr. Valentine (of Valentine and Son, Dundee). Mr. R. M. Watt being the architect. The new establishment will be devoted almost wholly to landscape photography.

Yesterday forenoon as an expressman, named Henry Bell, was driving down Queenstreet, with a load of goods, he took a fit and fell off'the express on his head, being unconscious when picked up, and frothing at the mouth. Constable Bernard got a cab, and took Bell to bis residence, Bunedin-street, Poneonby. Dr. Evans was subsequently called in, but he does not consider the case serious.

There was on view yesterday at Upton and Co.'a Queen-street premises a very handsome shield of photographs, mounted by Mr. James Slater in very elaborate style. There are three oval plates, bordered by a gold band placed on a sky-blue shield. The upper oval contains the photos of the staff employed in the railway station department, the second the photos of the railway guards, and the third the photos of the railway porters, and there are floral designs interxpersed, and striking outwards in very ebaste style. Beneath is the following inscription:—" Presented to Mr. G. S. Hansen by the employes of the Auckland section of New Zealand railways as a token of their esteem. April 21, 1885." The whole is enclosed in a handsome gilt frame, and will prove a welcome memento to Mr. Hansen, the late stationmaster, of his residence in Auckland.

The new two-storey buildings, recently erected at the corner of Lome and Rutland Streets, for the Metropolitan Club, are now being fitted up. An application has been sent to the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, to have the club registered, so that shortly its inauguration may be looked for.

There were in the lock-up last evening six prisoners, namely, three for drunkenness; JbWgar Parsons, for deserting from the ship Loch Linnhe ; David Mathieson, for larceny of cigarettes and tobacco; and John Micklea, alias " Happy," for having no visible nutans of support.

The Mahurangi Literary Society held their fortnighty meeting on the 27th inatant, the Rev. R. McKinney, Chairman, presiding. Captain Erippner gave a lecture "On the supposition of a war breaking between England and Russia in India."

The annual meeting of the Auckland Fibre Company was held yesterday, Mr. J. M. Clark (Chairman of directors) presiding. The net profit for the year, £677 Hβ 2d, was carried forward, making the balance at credit of profit and loss account £1497 13s Id. Messrs. J. M. Clark and C. B. Stone were reelected directors.

It will be seen that the suggestion thrown out by Herr Carl Schmitt in his letter of yesterday is likely to be acted upon, as the Artillery Band, through their bandmaster, Mr. Hunter, have thrown down the gauntlet to any other band in the province. It is to be hoped that the matter will not be allowed to drop, and that the public will cheerfully asaiet in sending the best band to uphold the honour of our city at the Colonial Band Contest.

The Helmsburgh and Gareloch Times of April 8 contains another instalment by exIx>rd Provost Ure of the account of his travels in these colonies. The present narrates the start from Auckland by the Wairarapa for the island trip, and gives some information about Fiji.

The enquiry into the collision between the ateamere Gairloch and Herald upon the Manukau Harbour on May 3 will commence this morning before a Nautical Court, con eisting of Mr. H. G. Seth Smith, R.M., and Captains Frater and Scott, Nautical Assessors.

The Rev. W. Calder, with a view to the physical development of the young men of his parish, has succeeded in forming a gymnasium, under the title of the All Saints' Gymnastic Club, the inauguration of which takes place this evening in the schoolroom attached to the church. The following office-bearers have been elected :—President, Mr. T. T. Maeefield; Vice-President, Mr.. J. Finlayson; Treasurer, Mr. P. L. Somers; Secretary, Mr. G. Cruickshank, jun. It is the intention of this club to hold periodically athletic sports. At the sitting of the Eleotoral Revision Court for City North, before Mr. Seth Smith, R.M., over 300 names were struck off the roll for being absentees, or having non-residential qualification. A protest was entered by Mr. J P. Campbell against Mr. J. Robs of Messrs. Sargood, Ewen, and Co. being struck off the roll for a freehold qualification for the allotment upon which the firm's warehouse stands in Viotoria-street, and which, is re. gistered under the Land Transfer Act in the name of Mr. F. T. Sargood. On the application of Mr. Campbell, the question was adjourned until Jnne 6tb, in order that he might call evidence to show cause to have the name retained.on the roll. Considerable lmportance is attached to the decision in thie matter, as it is considered . it; will affeot all joint stock and other oompanies in the city by giving all shareholders possessed of £25 qualification a vote. In a New Zealand Gazette published on the 21st May, appeare a list of reserves set apart as endowments for the borough of Hamilton. A list of reserves eet apart as endowments for the town of Alexandra also appears in the same Gazette.

The W ark worth Race Committee met in the Masonic Hall.on the 23rd instant, and Mr. Charles Phillip* wag elected Treasurer, receiving from Mr. Such a substantial cheque, as balance from the last race meeting, wbioh was placed in the Post Office Savings Bank in the joint names of the Treasurer and Secretary. A vote of thanks to Mr. G. £. Such for his kindness in hitherto providing a room for the use of the committee, was unanimously passed. It was arranged that the next race meeting shoold take place at Warkwortb on the Ist of January, 1886.

A curious case has cropped up at the Bay of Islands, which reveals a rather mixed state of affaire matrimonially. A man named Mole reported to the police that his wife had eloped with a Frenchman named Alexander Coge, from Freeman's Bay, Auckland, on the 12th instant. The police subsequently traced the woman and three children to Opua, where they were living with Coge, Mole laid an information against Coge, for stealing his property, consisting of personal effects to the value of £20. A constable proceeded to Opus and found the property in Coge'g house. Mole's wife stated that it was her that took the property as it belonged to her, and she had paid for it. The constable arrested Coge on the virtue of a warrant, and took charge of the property. Daring the evening Mole's wife told him if he did not withdraw the information —and on no other conditions—she would never live with him. Mole then consented to withdraw the Information, and they went to Mr. Moody, J. P., who would not interfere without Mr. Clendon's advice. The constable notified to Mr. Clendon that the wife took all blame, and that the prosecutor waa desirous to withdraw the information. The following was Mr. Clendon's reply, upon which the informant withdrew the information, and Mr. Moody, J. P., discharged the prisoner :—" The application of informant to withdraw the information, simplifies the whole matter. The man can be discharged when the information is withdrawn." When the prisoner was dismissed, the woman told her husband (with the greatest contempt) she would never live with him, and it is said that she left for Auckland with Coge on Thursday last. Mole is employed in Kawakawa, at present.

The annual public meeting of the Y. M. C. Association will take place this evening in the rooms of the Assooia ion, when the President (the Rev. J. S. Hill) will deliver an address, during which he will give some important information re the proposed new building. Addressee will be given by the Rev. (J. Worboys, on " Some Important Elements in Christian Character; " by the P.ev. R. Bavin, on " Some Inducements to Christian Service ;" and by Professor Aldis on a subject not announced. The Evangelistic choir will render some choice musical selections. A cordial invitation is given to all to attend who are interested in the sooial and spiritual welfare of young men.

An open meeting of the Star of Newton Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held last evening. There was a fair attendance considering the inclemency of the weather. Addresses were given by the Chairman, Mr. Longbottom, and Mr. Fowier; a recitation by Mrs. Longbottom ; songs by Messrs Mason, Lightfoot, Johnson, Stoddard, Williams, Wilkes, Selby, and Misses Edmonds and Lightfoot; a pianoforte duet by Messrs. Stoddard and Wilson, and a pianoforte selection,by Mrs. Stoddard. There was an interval for parlour games, and the evening's entertainment olosed with the Anthem.

What may happen to s contractor is likely to find an exemplification in the Law Courts. It appears that a man having an account against a contractor, instead of proceeding to his office for payment, wandered in search of him into one of the numerous buildings which he has in course of erection. In the course of his peregrinations on the ground floor a brick fell from the upper floor and hit him on the head. It is not pretended that the man's head has been cracked by the "incident"—that's the correct word now-a-days—but he wants £100 damages for his wounded feelings.

It will be seen from an advertisement elsewhere that the premises at present occupied by Messrs. Milne and Ghoyce in Wellesley-street will be closed to-day, for the purpose of transferring their stock to their new, handsome, and commodious premises corner of Queen and Wellesley Streets. To-morrow (Saturday) the new premises will be opened with the bulk of the present stock, together with a large shipment just to hand from the London market. An auction sale will be held in the Wellesley-itreet premises tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, in order to clear the balance of goods not sold at the cheap sale.

A correspondent, writing from the country, calls attention to the setting of question* in the annnal examinations for standards. Onr correspondent gives, as an instance, the arithmetical card Mo. 14, for Standard IV"., question 3, where a question in mensuration is given while it cannot legally be done till the pupil has reached Standard VI. Our correspondent gives other instances.

The remarkable career of General Gordon has been made the theme of a new service of song. The piece has been published by Messrs. 3. Cur wen and Sons, 8, Warwicklane, London, E.C., and is entitled "General Gordon." It contains a biographical sketch of Gordon, which ia interspersed with a number of musical illustrations, the whole being compiled by Mr. A. J. Foxwell. The leading points of Gordon's life are pioked out with judgment, and the illustrative music is in many cases well worthy of the subject, the words being vigorous and patriotic, while the music is clear and expreseive. The little publication is issued at a nominal price, and it would be well that some of our,local societies should put it in rehearsal for the coming winter season.

All the brickwork of the new railway station is nearly completed, with the exception of some eight feet of the central tower. The spacious verandah on the station buildings is also in progress of construction, and a start has been made with , some of the fencing. When completed, the new station will present a handsome appearance. It is, however, a great pity that the Government should "spoil the ship for a pennyworth of tar," by putting on a corrugated iron roof, instead of using slates. The annual standard examinations at the several city achools are being proceeded with. On Friday evening last an interesting entertainment was given at the Temperance Hall, Onehunga, by Mr. C. K. Jeffs, agent for the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company, The programme consisted of readings, musical selections by Mrs. and Master Meredith, and a dissertation on accident insurance. Mr. Jeffs, who is a master in the art of elocution, gave great satisfaction to hie audience, which numbered between 300 and 400 persons. The lecturer illustrated on a black board the various rates of accident insurance, and pointed out that the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company is the oldest, and holds the premier position of any similar institution in the colonies, having paid over 2200 olaims, representing a value of £20,000 Hβ was listened to with great attention, his hearers showing their appreciation in a marked manner, which testified to the growing popularity of accident insurance.

A correspondent writes from Ardmore, neai Papakura:—" The shooting season has begun, though sportsmen say that pheasants are not plentiful this year, probably om account of the scarcity of insects in summer. Teal are abundant on the creeks, and quail are to be seen in large flocks."

An effort is now making to get up a branch Post Office at Ardmore. At present we have either to post and receive our letters or papere at Papakura, which is four miles, or Wairoa South, a distance of five miles from the district. This inconvenience has been submitted to for years, but as there is now a daily mail to Wairoa South, the settlers along the road are becoming more alive to their interests.

The little monthly paper, the Illustrated New Zealand News, published by R. T. Wheeler, advertising and general commission agent, Stratford-street, Dunedin, continues to be conducted with a good deal of spirit and enterprise. With the May number is published a coloured illustration, entitled "Sunny Hours," whioh represents a mother fondling with her first-born. The other illustrations are largely tinctured with the excitement of tho time, the threatened war with Russia. There are many warlike sketches, views of torpedo boats, military manoeuvres, volunteer sketches in Auitralia, together with several illustrations of New Zealand scenery and Maori carved whares, etc. The Illustrated New Zealand News for May is altogether a oreditable production.

Mr. Marshall yesterday scratched King for the Great Northern Steeplechase, being it is said dissatisfied with the weight allotted to the hone.

The contractor for the Grafton-road Wealeyan Church, Mr. Brabazon, is pnshing on with his contract, and it is anticipated that this handsome place of worship will be completed within a month lor s<l.

The Auckland Wbekly. News has been established twenty -two years, and U one of theooldestt t - andknown weekly newspaper* colony. It ■ circulates not only, in New. Zealand, _bnj throughout a jrsaYpertfon of Australia, Taimaola. and ■ Fiji As a aojily and agricultural jo.irnal it la without as equal-;, in the colony- Among all classes of the community it powessera high reputation an , * onioys great popularity ;. No pains have been 'spared to tender it aaetal to farmers and otberr engaged. in ' the cultiva- j tion of the soil, or In the different rural purfalU. Competent writen each ' reek ' supply instinctive artldei dealing with agriculture and kindred wbjecti, and this important . department of the Sews in a full and interesting repository of information on all matters appertaining to country eocnpationi, special attention being paid to the cultivation of tub-tropical produce.' The information supplied is illustrated by admirably-executed woodcut*, which convey a clear and correct idea of the articles described, whether relating to the farm, the orchard, the apiary, or the dairy. To the tettler the News it an indispensable vade meenm. As a general newspaper it . also takes " high rank. It contains a 'fall and carefully-prepared collection of mewi of the week, English, foreign, colonial and local, entertaining letters from its correspondents abroad, and specially written , articles o> social subjects by experienced and able writers It also publishes serial tales by some of the best known am 4 most popular authors of the day, and each week there appears in its columns a sermon by'some dUtlognishetl preacher. Its family reading matter is of the most Interes ing and direriified character, and is suited to all tastes. The News tis in addition profusely illustrated, the illustrations being skilfully and artistically executed. A portrait of the late Mr. Robert Graham is amongst the illustrations this week. ' The New Zealand Sugar Company announce an advance in the prices of sugar. . '.. , All Royal Arch Masons are invited to be present at the convocation of the Zealaniia Royal Arch Chapter, which will be hold to tn> Freemason's Hall at half-past seven o'clock this evening,- when M. E Companion Siccol wi|i deliver an address on " Royal Arch Masonry." ■■~ ;■ We would call attention' to the sale of chaste, unique, and valuable ter»,cqtta figures, dogs, Japanese vases, brackets, and other useful and ornamental articles (the property or a gentleman leaving the colony) for sale to-day by Messrs. B. Tonka and Co. Messrs. B. Tonka and Co. sell to-day the consignment of fruit, ex Loongana from Hobart. at eleven o'clock. • . ; ■'•'.'"' :