Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7343, 2 June 1885, Page 4

j The • Anglo-Russian agreement reported yesterday is denied this morning on the authority of Earl Granville. His Lordship has published a letter stating that the report is incorrect, and that negotiations are still proceeding between England and Russia. The following cable messages from London have appeared in the' Melbourne Age:— May 20 : Mr. James Monro, of Melbourne, at present in London, has had an interview with Earl Derby, and urged the necessity for strictly prohibiting the sale of alcoholic liquors to the natives of New Guinea. Earl Derby has promised to give his earnest consideration to the matter. May 22: The outbreak of cholera in Marseilles is sporadic in character. Mr. Garrick, the AgentGeneral far Queensland, has accepted the decoration of Knight Companion of the Order of St Michael and St. George offered him by Her Majesty. May 26: The steamer Stirling Castle, engaged by tho British Government as a war cruiser, is now undergoing the necessary alterations at Malta. When completed she will be despatched to Australia. The R.M. s.B. Australia arrived with the English and American mails from San Francisco yesterday afternoon, shortly after four o'clock, and with commendable promptitude Captain Sainty, the pilot, had his vessel securely moored to the end of the Queenstreet wharf. No time wao lost in landing the mails, cargo, and passengers, and by nine o'clock the Australia was again ready to resume her passage to Sydney. The Australia upon the present trip was one day late in leaving San Franoisco, and owing to fresh head winds daring the latter part of the passage, and the dirty state of the vessel's bottom, Captain Ghest was unable to pick up any of the lost time, in fact another day was . lost during the .passage. The Australia's dates are : From London to April 24, and from San Francisco to May 10. Shu was the bearer of a heavy mail and a large number of passengers, whilst in the mattei of cargo she was also fairly patronised. The particulars of her passage, cargo, and list oi passengers will be found in our shippiia; columns.

Some gentleman has been organising another gold-saving process company ii London, and promises to bring it out t< New Zealand. Why he should have gone to London to raise the capital fs not clear, because it could easily have been raised in the colony, if the process is of any value. The scheme is denounced as a swindle by Truth.

The s.e. Manapouri leaves for Sydney this evening. Amongst her passengers is Colonel HaultAin, who is to represent New Zealand on the occasion of the return of the New South Wales contingent from service in the Soudan. Mr. G.'Boldship, manager of the Auckland Timber Company, leaves on a visit to Sydney. Mr. W. G. Moginie, manager for Robertson and Co., in this city, is also a passenger by the same steamer. Mr. Moginie has been appointed to the managership of Robertson and Co.'s Sydney branch. Be will be missed by a large cirole of friends a: acquaintances. The opening meeting of the present session of the Auckland Institute was held last evening, when the President, Mr. J. A. Pond, delivered the annual address, and several interesting papers were read. The Nautical Court which enquired into the matter of the collision of the steamers Wellington and Macgregor delivered judgment yesterday. The Court held that the mate of the Wellington was in fault, and ordered that his certificate be suspended for three mouths. The captains of both vessels and the mate of the Macgregor were, in the opinion of the Court, free from blame, and their certificates were returned. '

The annual licensing meetings were commenced yesterday, the first Committee beinjt 1 that of City North. The proceedings lasted the whole afternoon. In several instanced applications were adjourned. The committee laid it down as a fixed principle that only one bar should bo allowed, and in a great many cases licenses were only granted on the condition that fire-escapes were erected to the satisfaction of tho Superintendent of the Police. A detailed report of the proceedings will be found in another portion of this issue.

Amongst the passengers by the Union Company's R.M. steamer Arawata, which left hero last evening for Fiji, were Mr. Woodyear and the members of hit circus. It is the intention to play a short season at the principal settlements of the islands named.

The inaugural mooting of St Matthew's Literary and Debating Socity was held in the schoolroom last night, when the President of the Society, Rev. W, Tebba, who occupied the chair, delivered the opening address of the session. In doing so, he dwelt upon the advantages of the society, and the benefits derived from the culture produced by mutual interchange of ideas, and by social intercourse. A suggestion that the ladies should be honorary members of the society was acted upon, and is was agreed to give notice of motion for next meeting. It was also resolved that a challenge debate to some other society, upon a subject to be fixed npon, should be arranged during the season. The programme of the session was drawn up, and the next meeting was fixed for Monday, Bth instant, when the debute, "Is man justifiable under any circumstances " will be taken. Upon subsequent evenings, papers on Railways," *' Spectrum Analysis " (with experiments), "Fires and their extinguishment," "Astronomy." "Water" (with experiments), and "Chile" will be read and discussed. Other evenings will be devoted to a spellingbee, original tales, and a prize essay on » subject to.be, fixed by a committee. A number of new members were enrolled, and the meeting terminated, .No officer arrived by the Australia from St. Louis, in connection with the PreUer tragedy, to attend to the case of Maxwell, alias D'Auguer, who is now in. custody at Mount Eden Gaol on the charge of murdering Preller. The time has been so sho.-t since Maxwell's arrest that it was scarcely ex-, pected the United States authorities wsmlo have time to take the necessary step*.

g —. i = A boxing match took place at the Parnell Hall, last night, between R. Matthews, a young 'American, and £. Donovan, the Auckland champion. The articles of agreement were as follows :—The aforesaid R. Matthews, wagers the sum of £30 that he will "knock out" the aforesaid E. Donovan, in four rounds, with full sized boxing gloves, Marquis of Queenberry's rules. The winner to take 75 per cent, and the loser 25 of the gate receipts. The hall was crowded on the occasion. In the first round Donovan seemed to have slightly the best, but in the ■ooond his antagonist showed his superiority, and knocked hia opponent out of time in the third, round.

The election of three members of the Bemuera Road Board took place yesterday. This is, we believe, the first time that an election has been held in the district under the Local Eleotions Act, only a show of hands having been taken previously. Nearly 200 ratepayers voted, and a great deal of interest was evinced in the proceedings. The following is the result, the first three gentlemen being "elected :—A. K. Isaacs, 160 ; James Russell, 148 D. Nolau, 103; T. Wilkinson, 71 ; John W. Herrold, 68 ; K. K. Davii, 48. Mr. Dinnison was the Returning Officer. There was only one informal vote.

"Diplomacy" was repeated last evening st the Opera House. There was a good attendance, and the drama was received with the same expressions of hearty approval as those which greeted its first production on Saturday night. The leading characters were repeatedly called before the curtain.

A social meeting of the members of the Presbyterian Band of Hope and Temperance friends of: Hamilton was held in the Presbyterian Church on Friday evening la*t, to bid good-bye to the Rev. Wm. Raeburn. The different Churches were well represented. -&11 expressed their deep regret at Mr. Raeburn's leaving the district, and wished him God speed in his new sphere of labour. Mr. French gave an interesting address, in the course of which ha said that ministers who are brilliant and caloulated to do much good should not be retained too long in one place, but that other Churches should have the benefit of their services. A duet was sung by Mrs. Cochrane and Mrs. McLernon with fine effect. A solo was sung by Miss Strange of Waitoa, who possesses a rich mellow voice. The chief feature of the evening, however, was the presentation to Mr. Raeburn of an illuminatedaddress.and a magnificently bound volume of Church Praise" by his many friends, as a small token of the esteem in which he is held by them. Hymn 3 (Sankey) was then »nng very feelingly, being most appropriate to the occasion. The benediction was pronounced, which closed a very profitable meeting.

The Melbourne correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes :—Professor Tucker, of Ai ckland University, has been appointed to fill the chair of elastics in the Melbourne University. His appointment was warmly advocated by Bishop Moorhouse, who said of him: "Professor Tucker's testimonials disclose qualifications which, I think, are not likely to be equalled. I would specially point to the testimony of Professor Mayor, whose honesty I know, and whose high ability and attainments are known to all the world. Ido not remember to have seen it said of any man, as he says of Professor Tucker, that the notes appended to the paper which he sent up in his examination might have been published in any edition of the authors to whose works they referred." It was also explained that Professor Tucker was desirous of leaving New Zealand and coming to Melbourne, because he had a laudable ambition for a higher and wider career, and also a desire to be near the great libraries of Melbourne, for he was now engaged in preparing an edition of " .fiscbylus"for the Clarendon press—a very high honour in itself—and it was considered that a great honour would be conferred on the University if the coming Clarendon press edition of " .cEachylus" was issued under the editorship of one of its professors. The Epsom Mutual Improvement Society met on Thursday last for the purpose of arranging the programme for the present session, but owing to the exceeding wet and stormy night there was but & small attendance. The meeting was therefore adjourned until Wednesday next, the 3rd instant. Mr. Thomas Wing, harbour-master, Manukau, writes to say that his evidence in the Herald v. Gairloch collision was, that he wan harbour-master at Manukan, and had known the harbour for nearly 50 years, aud wan the discoverer of the Manukau and the Kaipara.

" Prevention" writes : —" It is now several Weeks since the existence of phylloxera was discovered in one of oar suburbs. One would have thought that immediate action would be taken by the Government upon a matter of such vital importance, particularly at this season. Has the Colonial Secretary department pigeon-holed it, or what is the cause of the delay ?"

John Nairn, a patient in the Old Men's Refuge, whose attempt to commit suicide by cutting his throat was recorded in yesterday's issue, died yesterday afternoon at the Hospital from hk wounds. Dr. Philson, coroner, will hold an inquest this afternoon, at halfpast two, at the District Hospital. The following is the report of the Brigade Captain Little, of the Male Prison Gate Brigade, for the week ending May 29 :-—No. of meals given, 141; of beds supplied, 50; persons admitted, 15; discharged, 11; still in the Home, 6. Donations of meat from Messrs. Garrett, Pagan, Holme, and Hellaby, of bread, Mrs. Howie, Messrs. Waddol, Parsons, and Tremain; bread and butter, Mrs. Brown, of Tsbernacle; firewood, &c, Mr. C. B. J?tone; timber, Mr. D. Goldie; clothing and food, Captain Lorrock; groceries, Mr. W. L. Prime; blankets, sheets, and pillows, Mr. Pea; two bags potatoes, " A Friend;" sheets and clothing, Mrs. Morgan ; T. Ball, 5s ; E. Ball, 2s 6d ; "A Friend," ss. Requisites: firewood and groceries.

The Bret of a series of meetings, under the auspices of the Gospel Temperance Society (Blue Ribbon Army), was held in the Beres-ford-street Congregational Sunday-school-room last night. Owing to counter attractions, there was not a large attendance. Rev. C. Worboys occupied the chair, and in his opening speech pointed out that the aim of the meetings was to make a closer connection between the executive and the members of the society, bo that they might elicit their opinions, and thus promote their efforts in the cause; and also that the members might bear testimony to the benefits that came under their notice, all combining to show the good done. He also announced that an attractive programme had been prepared for Saturday night, when the meeting would be held in the Salvation Army Barracks. Upon that occasion the programme of the Band of Hope Union, held last week in St. James's Hall, wonld be repeated, and Mr. E. C. Carr would deliver an address to the meeting, which would be free to all. fie said they must keep op the interest in the Blue Ribbon movement, for, as sure as they did not, it would begin to fade. Then followed a stirring address by Mr. E. C. Carr upon the rights of the children in having the liquor traffic suppressed, in this city by the closing of all licensed houses. In response to the Chairman, two gentlemen gave testimony to the benefits they had derived from total abstinence, and one of them threw out the suggestion that there should be more organisation in the work of- the society. Rev. B. Bull delivered an interesting speech upon temperance topics, which instanced the benefit he had derived himself. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting. The Gordon Rifles have been undergoing a steady coarse of drill twice a week, under the tuition of Mr. Wainwright, drill-instruc-tor, and are making very steady progress. Arms and accoutrements are now served out, and in future the sphere of instruction will be more extended. The drills for the future will be held on Tuesday evenings from seven to eight o'clock, and on Friday mornings. There will be a regular drill at the Drill-shed to-night, at which the officers expect to have a large muster. A most remarkable marriage has just been celebrated in Wellington. The bride is a good looking woman of under thirty years of »ge, who has just taken to herself a fourth husband, her three previous spouses being all alive, and yet she is not now amenable to a charge of bigamy. When a girl she married her first husband, and afterwards discovered that he had a previous wife living. Leaving him, she married No. 2, a single man, but after living with him some time they separated, and although the marriage was a good one, she risked a prosecution, and contracted a third marriage, »lso with a bachelor. Husband No. 2 obtained a divorce, and marriage the third being of course invalid, the parties after a time separated. Now a fourth husband has led this much-married woman to the altar.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of Gardner's Penny Time-table and Diary for June, which ia now iasued. The alteration of the railway time-table will affect travellers considerably, and these will be found in this useful publication.

Among the through passengers by the mail steamer for Sydney were General Morgan, the Hon. Mr. Dunn, and Mr. J. C. Williamson, the 'well" known operatic manager.

The local option polling returns for the Takapuna licensing' district are not yet to hand. In yesterday's issue we gave the return for Devon port, in which by a large majority the residents had polled against an increase of publicans' or accommodation licenses. At Takapuna only one vote was recorded, and that an informal one; while at Northcote there were for increase of publicans' licenses, 4; against, 30. For increase oi accommodation licenses, 3; against, 31. The returns from Lucas Creek are not yet to hand.

A hoy named James Christie was received into the Hospital yesterday, having fractured his thigh through a fall off a horse at Ponson by.

We regret to learn that Mr. Joseph May, of Mount Roskill, is seriously ill. On Saturday he was stricken with what is believed to be paralysis. Dr. Wright was called in, and pronounced the oase to be very critical. It will be remembered that Mr. May was Beriously injured a short time back through being thrown from his buggy, and the present illness may possibly be the result of the injuries he then received. The Union Company's steamer Manapouri made a smart trip of 21J hours from Qisborne yesterday. She brings a large number of passengers, amongst whom we notioe the name of Mr. Justice Gillies. The Manapouri is to leave for Sydney thia evening. The nautical enquiry into the collision between the steamers Herald and Gairloch in the Manukau Harbour was resumed yesterday, when the evidence for the Gairloch was completed, and the examination in chief of Captain Savory of the Herald taken, when the Board adjourned to half-past ten o'clock this morning. A report of the proceedings appears in another column.

We have received the fourteenth annual - report of the Melbourne Sailors' Home for 1884, from which a few extraots may bo useful to those of our readers who are interested in forming such an institution in our city. The governing body is constituted as follows :—Patron, Sir. H. B. Loch, Governor of Victoria; President, the Hon. Commissioner of Trade and Customs. Committee of management: Five trustees, headed by Chief Justice Sir W. F. Stawell, and six committeemen, two being nominated by" each of the following public bodies :City. Corporation, Harbour Trust, Chamber of Commerce. Tho Superintendent of the Home, which is centrally situated in Spencerstreet, is Captain J. G. Allbeury. Seamen are provided with four meals a day and a bedroom for 17s 6d per week, or at the rate of 2s 6d per day. A bedroom only may be had for 5s per week. A single meal costs 9d. On permission from the Superintendent, friends of sailors are allowed to take meals with them at the same tariff. The regulations for maintaining order and sobriety in the institution are well conceived. Among others the excellent rule is observed, that "no spirits are allowed to be brought in." That the Home is popular among the seamen is evident from the fact that no less than 1700 were admitted during 18S4 as regular inmates, and 117S men occasionally slept there, or had their meals in the house. The Savings Bank of the institution had £2913 deposited during ISS4. Advance notes were cashed to the amount of £1029. The system of engaging crews through the superintendent as licensing agent, a plan adopted lately, also by the Government of South Australia, has given satisfaction, and has saved much time to ship-masters and expense to shipowners. The financial statement shows the gratifying fact that the Home earns enough to pay the expenses of maintaining it. The expenses amounted to £2131 for ISS4, while the total amount paid by seamen for board and lodging amounted to £2154. During the year the cash balance in the bank had increased to £79, and the fixed deposit by £50. The spiritual and moral requirements of sailors are not overlooked. Sunday morning services are held in • the dining hall under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association, and a temperance meeting is held every Tuesday in the same room. It does not seem that there is a special lecture hall for such purposes. This would be an essential requirement in the Auckland Sailors' Home. Holding its annual meeting on the same day and managed by the same committee, is the Victorian Shipwreck Relief Society, whose report is issued bound in the same cover as that of the Horne. Its funds, derived from legacies and subscriptions, amount to £1469 10.3 4d. Strange to say, no claim whatever bas been made upon upon the fund during 1884, which is accounted for by the statement that " our coasts this year have happily been free from shipwreck or marine disaster." Would we could say the same of our New Zealand shores 1 There is just a small nucleus now forming of a fund of this kind at onr Sailors' Rest and Home, 39, Queen-street.

To-day, there is to be offered, at R. Arthur's mart, the whole of the remainder of that large consignment of gold and silver lever watches, diamond goods, Ac., jnst to hand ex City of Sydney. Tli* lot comprises over £3003 worth, and is to lie sold regard cf any cost, so dealers and others will do well to avail themselves of this exceptional opportunity of securing some gonntne bargains.—[Advt.]

The surplus goods from the late sale of work on behalf of the new Wesleyan Church, Grsftonroad, will be offered for sale in the school-room, Graf ton-road, to-morrow (Wednesday) and Th nday afternoon and evinlng of each day. It is announced the prices have hocn largely reduced, and that no charge for admission will b» nude. The proceeds are on behalf of the building fund of the new church.