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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7344, 3 June 1885, Page 4

The negotiations between England and | Russia on the Afghan question have apparently proved abortive, for the Gladstone Government now propope that the matters in dispute should be.submitted to the arbitrament of the King of Denmark, and have asked His Majesty to act in the capacity of arbitrator. The King has consented. Sometime ago, when he received a similar request from the Czar, he expressed his willingness to arbitrate between the two Powers, Unless, therefore, Russia has changed her front in the meantime, it is probable that the question will, after all, be submitted to arbitration. But we are not sanguine that much good will result therefrom. It will also be seen from our cable messages that a Blue Book on the Afghan question has been issued, which does not show the action of the Gladstone Government in a very favourable light, or afford hope of an amicable solution of the difficulty. The despatches are said to display the feebleness of Earl Granville, and the unyielding attitude of Russia. That an uneasy feeling is again beginning to be felt in commercial circles at home is evident from the fact that consols have suffered another decline.

Among the passengers by the s.s. Manapouri for Sydney yesterday, were the following citizens : —Colonel Haaltain, who goes to represent New Zealand in the welcome to the New Sooth Wales contingent upon their return home; Archdeacon Dudley goes to Australia upon a holiday tour of several weeks' duration ; Rev. J. S. Hill, who goes to Sydney to attend a series of Anglican mission services, and will be absent for several weeks; Mr. G. Holdship, manager of the Auckland Timber . Company, who visits Sydney on business; and Mr. W. J. Moginie, who takes over the managership of the Sydney branch of Robertson and Co. 'a business. There was a large crowd on the wharf to witness the steamer's departure.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce have accepted the invitation issued by Sir Julius Vogel to the Chambers of the colony to grant free passages to delegates to the elands by the s.s. Janet Nicoll. At a meeting of the committee of the Auckland Chamber on Monday the invitation was accepted, and the selection of a gentleman was referred to a sub-committee, who were empowered to send a son-member of the Chamber, if necessary, if he has the requisite experience. No expense will be undertaken by the Chamber, the ticket from the Government only being banded' over to the representative, who will submit a report upon the commercial aspects of the groups the steamer visits, and during the voyage he will be at liberty to conduct any business he may think it necessary. . The selection of a delegate will be announced in a day or two.

The nautical enquiry into the cause of the collision between the steamers Gairloch and Herald was resumed yesterday, it being the third day. The' cross-examination of Captain Savory ,and the evidence of the first and second mates of the Herald took up the whole of the day. When the Court adjourned at half-past-four p.m., one more witness, a seamen, had still to be called on behalf of the Collector of Customs, and there are several others to be called by Captain Savory. A report of the proceedings will be found in another column.

In the account we published yesterday of the Preller tragedy at St. Louis, it would be noticed that Preller was a member of the religious sect known as the Plymouth Brethren, and for his contemplated tour to New Zealand he had letters of introduction to Mr. Moyes (Evangelist) and Mr. W. Li. Lees, both of this colony. We understand that deceased belonged to what is known as the North British division of the Plymouth Brethren, which has latterly sprung up. Mr. Moyes is an itinerant preacher, and was in Anokland, we understand, about eighteen months ago, and is believed to be at New Plymouth at present.-; Mr. W. L. Lees « stated to be at Oamaru. ; -

There were in the lock-up,- lust evening three prisoners, namely, George Murpny alias Summerfield, and ' Edward • Hpdlam to larceny, and a woman for drunkenness.

There is little further to add to the account of the Victoria-street fire published in yesterday's issue, save with regard to the insurances. ' No farther light has ' been thrown upon the . origin of the fire. The following are the corrected insurances :— Dare's premises, whioh .were' totally destroyed, were insured by owner, Mrs. Wallace, in Northern for £500. Dare's stock was insured for £250 in Phoenix, £250 in Equitable, and £350 in Colonial, of whioh £150 is re-insured in Phoenix. Messrs. Brown and Met tain's premises were owned by Mr. Ball,, and , insured for £500 in . Koyal. They are badly damaged. Brown (uninsured) loses £150, and Mettam was only covered to extent of £75 in Norwich Union. Messrs. Slaney and Somen' premises were owned by Mr. R. Bartley, and insured in Northern for £350. They are considerably damaged, Sianey was insured, £150 in National, on stock and tools ; and Somers, £130 in Norwich Union, of which £100 was re-insured in United. Tho two shops owned by Miss Duffus were occupied by Mrs. Crawley and Mr. Carr, and were insured by her for £500 in the Koyal. They have suffered little damage. Mrs Crawley was uninsured, and Carr was insured on stock and furniture, £344, in Norwich Union, of which £172 was re-insured in the United. Cotter's premises were insured in Colonial, but £30 will cover all the damage. The New 3ealaud Insurance Company comes well out, having only £10 on E. Young's personal effects stored in the premises of Mr. Cotter.

The Auckland Garrison Artillery held an afternoon drill yesterday, when there was a muster of about 60, including the officers of the company. The parade was handed over to Sergeant Brown, drill instructor, who put the men through about an hour's drill in manual exercise. It was intimated, as will be seen by advertisement elsewhere, that a general meeting of this corps will be held this evening in the Parnell Hall to consider the rules of the battery, and it was announced that the next drill would be on Thursday evening in the Drill-shed.

At the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday, the Dock Engineer's recommendation re lengthening Calliope Dock 100 feet was again read, and after a brief discussion, it was agreed "That there be prepared a detailed estimate of the extra cost .of machinery required, and a separate estimate of lengthening the dock now, and lengthening it after completion."

From the telegram in yesterday's paper about Mr. Kelly and the Tauranga seat, it would seem that Mr. Kelly supposes that the information - which we published the day before was given by Mr. Moss, solicitor, ft was Dot so, but came to us by another channel.

The schooner Maile came in from Tonga Yesterday, and by her we learn that matters ■were quiet when she left. Parliament was expected to be called together early in June for despatch of business. Captain Lane reports that, although some heavy weather had visited the group during May, there had been no hurricane this year.

Mr. W. Kelly, who has just contested the Tauranga seat against Mr. Sheehan, is now in town, and we are informed that he still contemplates proceedings with the view of unseating Mr. Sheehan on account of illegal practices. We are informed that he has consulted Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond, and is confident of success.

When the fire in Victoria-street was in progress yesterday morning, a very impudent robbery was attempted at the Empire Hotel, opposite the scene of the conflagration, which bad been opened to serve the firemen with refreshments. It appears that Mrs. McDerznott, the licensee, had left the bar, and was returning when she saw a man leaving it with a case under his arm. She acquainted the barman, who started in pursuit, and caught him. cm the footpath with a case of achnapps on his shoulder. He was handed over to Constable Lamb, to whom he denied the charge, and upon arriving at the station a pair of new boots were found upon him, which he could not satisfactorily account for. His name is Walter Tyrell, and he was brought up at the Police Court yesterday morning, and remanded to Thursday, bail being allowed.

We hear from R&glan that the residents there hare intimated that they are prepared to take up 5000 shares in the North New Zealand Woollen Factory conditionally that the factory should be erected in that district, and also provide a site with fine water power at a merely nominal figure. The acting Secretary has intimated, in reply, that 'it is necessary to apply for the shares in due form •nd then elect some Raglan gentlemen to advocate the suitableness of such site when •die directors make the selection, and they ffould then have more status in the question.

An extraordinary general meeting of the ■hareholders of the Queen of Beauty G.M. Co. was held at the legal manager's office yesterday afternoon. The following resolution, passed at a previous meeting, was confirmed : —"That the company be wound op voluntarily under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1882, and that Mr. D. G. MacDonneli be.appointed liquidator." ,

The balanoe of the goods remaining from the Oriental Fair were sold yesterday aftersoon by auction at the Choral Hall, by Mr. T. M. Jackson, of the firm of Richardson and Jackson, auctioneers. The ecclesiastical George Robins did his best to effect a clearance, and this was done, the receipts being about £30, making a grand total of gross receipts from the Fair of about £1350. In this connection we may mention that one of the features of stalls Nob. 5 and 6 at the late Fair was the beautiful goods displayed from what was known as " The Californian Box." A number of ladies formerly of Auckland, but now resident in California, and who still take an interest in Auckland matterß, sent a box of goods to Mrs. John Abbott, of St. Georges-road, to be disposed of at the Fair for the benefit of the new St. Mary's Church building fond. Many of the articles were hand-painted, and including also an assortment of elegant articles which could not be purchased here. The whole of the goods were disposed of early in the Fair, and, as the auctioneers say, there was still "an unsatisfied demand.The sum realised by '' the Californian box" was a very welcome addition to the St. Mary's Church building fund.

On Saturday morning we shall issue, as a, memorial of the laying of the foundation atone of the Auckland Free Library and Art Gallery, a Pictorial Supplement. It wil! contain a picture of the two fronts of the building, and also a ground plan showing the Art Gallery, the General Free Library, the lecture hall, and the different rooms, with their dimensions. Portraits will also be gives of five Auckland citizens who will take a prominent part in the opening ceremonial, and who have rendered good service in connection with the objects of the institution. These gentlemen are Sir George Grey, Sir G. M. O'Rorke, Sir Frederick Whitaker, Mr. Waddel (Mayor of Auckland), and Mr. J. M. Clark, ex-Mayor.

At the weekly meeting 'of St. Andrew's Bible Class, held last Tuesday evening, the Rev. A Carrick presented Mr. W. Ferguson with a gold chain and pendant on behalf of the members of the Bible Class and friends. In doing so, Mr. Carrick referred to Mr. Ferguson's approaching departure for Scotland, and testified to the good fellowship which had always existed between him and the members of the class.

There will be a sale of surplus goods horn, Ike recent bazaar, on behalf of the GraffojfWad New Wesleyan Church, in the titernoon and evening of to-day (Wednesday"), as, well as to-morrow (Thursday), at the jKhooOroom in rear of the church. There is/no charge for admission and the goodajpfllbQ disposed of at moderate figures.

The annual meeting of the Auckland South Licensing Committee was held yesterday. There were no formal objections lodged to the granting of any license, but fhe Bench objecied to the Wellington and the Criterion Hotels, on the grounds that they were not up to the required standard, and were not reared, and to the Rob Roy Hotel, Drakestreet, on the ground that the license was not required in the district.

The regular monthly meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was held esternay in the Auckland Institute, Mr, R. C. Barstcw in the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. James fiusßell was appointed Treasurer inplace of toe late Mr. Thomas Macffarlane, and » resolution waß passed expressing the regret of the society at the loss of Mr. Macffarlane, Who had for so many years acted in the opacity of Treasurer 'to the society. It was agreed to order 20,000 trout ova from the Otago Society for distribution amongst "Wsewho had applied; and the Chairman *** authorised to have fifty- trout removed iv 'he Whau stream to a little stream (which was considered suitable) , near the western Springs. This was all the buti«6«.

The Municipal authorities are making all preparations for the laying of the foundation Btone of the Free Public Library and Art Gallery to-morrow afternoon. A very handsome silver' trowel has been procured from Mr. F. H. Lewisson, the well-known Qafeen-street jeweller, bearing the following inscription suitably engraved upon i it:— ,V Presented. .to W. K. Waddel, Esq.,; Mayor of Auckland, 4th June, on the occasion of his laying the ■ "Foundation Stone of Free Public Library and Art Gallery." The mallet has been turned ont of the atelier of Mr.Seuffert and is really a work of art. It is composed of various native woods, and is one of the finest specimens of workmanship even Mr. Seuffert has turned out. There has been some doubt as to whether the i City Council would run the "coins of the realm" at the laying of the stone, seeing that they have been so "Badgered" of late as to their expenditure; but the latest municipal deliverances go to sho* that this part of the ceremony will be performed. The stone will be built in after the coins have been deposited, so that any amateur Plummer will simply be wasting his time in endeavouring to extract them. It is intended to enclose the documents and papers deposited in a zinc casing, so as to prevent them from suffering the fate of those placed beneath the foundation stone of St. Paul's Church.

A short time back Messrs. J. W. Carr and Sons, the well-known Auckland boatbuilders, built a cutter of the same build, style, and finish as used in the English Royal Navy, to order of the Napier Naval Brigade. The firm have received a letter from Lieutenant J. Setter, commanding N. N.A.V., in which he states he is requested to thank them for the excellent manner in which they had built and fitted out the boat, whioh exceeded expectations in every way. They had a trial of her on the 26th ult., and found that she was a good boat to pull. Lieutenant Setter concludes by saying that should the Brigade need another boat, they will be happy to forward the order for her construction to the firm.

The polling for the local Parliamentary Union elections commenced yesterday at the shop of Messrs. Upton and Co., Queenstreet, and will close to-morrow. There are 95 members to be elected, and 274 candidates to choose from. Members who have not received voting papers will receive them on application to Atkin and Co., printers; or Hughes and George, solicitors.

The Gordon Rifles held their first parade at the Drill-shed last evening. There were present Captain W. B. White, Lieutenants Leigh and Fairs, and 44 rank and file. The company was put through the usual company's drill by Captain White and his officers. During the evening Colonel Lyon visited the Drill-shed, and expressed himself pleased with the way the company acquitted itself, considering their limited opportunities for drill hitherto, and that it was their first parade and drill at the Volunteer Drill-shed. The corps has accepted the title Gordon Rifles in honour of the hero of Khartoum, and they desire by efficiency and discipline to < make themselves worthy of so distinguished a name. The uniforms and equipments of the corps will shortly be ready.

Mr. Evan Bond Wade wrote on Monday as follows :—"ln your issue of the 23rd, there is a letter purporting to be an account of a public meeting called in the Wainui—but where held is still a mystery to most people to protest against the construction of one of the most important and useful works that the Waitemata County Council has ever taken in hand to construct. Unfortunately the letter does not commence with facts, and is throughout a misrepresentation of the actual state of things. This hole-and-corner meeting at which not one in five of the settlers interested was present was got together by a man who wishes the new road to pass near his house, and who considers all public money misspent that is not used on a road for his special benefit. Perhaps the proposed deputation will inform the Council that the Chairman of 'the Wainui Road Board and three of its members interviewed Mr. Mays at the Waiwera, and requested him to make the Wade and Kaukakapa road, recommending it as one of the best works the Council could undertake. The proposed road is a level one, and will accommodate a number of settlers and open up a large area of land for settlement, and is the shortest line of road to connect the East and West Coasts. It would enable the people of Kaukapakapa to make use of the subsidised coach running to Auckland, Hot Springs, and Mahurangi. To show the state of publio feeling on the subject, I will give the following fact which cannot be disputed :—The Pukeatua Road Board unanimously requested their Chairman to write to Mr. Mays, and to interview the County Engineer to inform him that the proposed road was one of the most important works requiring the attention of the Council.

The Lyttelton Times says :—Mr. Beetham, the Resident Magistrate, in deciding a case against two disorderly women, expressed alarm at the serious effects which had followed the withdrawal of the operations of the Contagious Diseases Act in Christchurch. Instances had been brought under his notice by parents, where girls under 15 years of age had taken to evil practices, and he expressed the opinion that the sooner the provisions of the Act were again made operative here the better.

It may be recollected that about two years ago the northern face of the Masonic Hall, Princes-street, was painted with a coat of silicate. The reason was, that it was found that damp leaked through, owing to the exposed position of the face of the wall, and this remedy was adopted rather than spoil the aspect of the hall by cementing it over. It was partially successful, but not entirely so, and now another coat of silicate is being applied, which it is expected will make the brickwork impervious to damp.

It will be remembered that a few months ago M Paul Kodgers, traveller for Christopher Johnson and Co., of Sheffield, cutlers, died at the Albert Hotel after a short illness of lung disease. Mr. Holmshav, the new representative of the firm, has just come from the South, having arrived in the colony from England by the s.s. Arawa. On behalf of the firm, he has. presented Mr. B. C. Roberts, who was, at the time of Mr. Rodgers' death, landlord of the hotel, with a very handsome net of cutlery, in a beautiful case lined with velvet. Mr, flolmshaw was also the bearer of a suitable present# to Mrs. Robert?. These were in recognition of the kindness shown by Mr. and Mrs. Roberts to Mr. jEtodgers daring his last illness, and of the cfire taken of his personal property.

Yesterday forenoon Mr. Waring, painter, met with a very serious accident while engaged at work on a two-storey shop in Unionstreet. Owing to the heavy morning dew he slipped on the parapetting, and fell to the ground, a distance of over 20 feet. Fortunately, he fell feet foremost, as otherwise the result would probably have been fatal. As it was he broke the small bones at the ankle in both legs. He resided with his \ family at Point Chevalier, but it was not deemed advisable to remove him thence, as he required medical attendance, and he was therefore tajfen to the house, of a friend, in and his wife -sent forT" 1 Dr. Knight, of B<msonby-road, was called in soon after the accident occurred, and attended to I the inUmes Waring had sustained. The patient is now progressing favourably, but haywill be incapacitated from working for yMveral weeks to come. ' Constable Coughlan, of Kawakawa, telegrained to Superintendent Thomson, yesterday, that a railway labourer, named Patrick /Rice, at Opua, was missing from his home since ten p.m. the previous night, and fears are entertained that he is drowned. He left Cain's publichouse in his boat, which was found floating bottom upwards in the harbour, though with coat and bottle of beer in it. Constable Coughlan states that Rice had five glasses of rum between seven and ten p.m., before he left the hotel. Rice was married, aDd leaves a wife and three children.

We understand that Mr. Goblinsky, landlord of the City Hotel, burst a blood vessel yesterday, and remains in a precarious state.

The health of the city is very good at the present time, and not a single case of. fever or infectious disease has lately been reported to the Sanitary Inspector.

Building operations appear to be fairly brisk at present, and quite up to those of the previous year -at the same period. The revenue for building permits for the past month was £54 13s. i i

" Diplomacy " was played at the Opera House last evening by Wybert Reave and his Comedy, Company with great success. Mr. Wybert RSeve (Henry Beauclerc), Miss A. Deorwyn (Dora), Mr. J. B. Steele (Captain Beauclerc), and Mr. R. Stewart (Count Orloff) were called before the curtain at the conclusion of : the second act, and loudly cheered. " Diplomacy " will be repeated tonight. • ' - . ''

; The Melbourne monthly, Once a Month, under the careful editorship of Dr. P. Mercer, increases in popularity. Each succeeding number contains muoh reading -matter of interest to colonials, and also to readers at home. • The magazine is well got up, is printed on good paper, and is heartily welcomed in many homes in this colony every month. The May number, published on the 15th instant, is equally interesting as ' its predecessors. It is prefaced with a good engraving of the Hon. William Bede Dalley, Q.C., M.L.C., Attorney- and: Acting Colonial Secretary, New South Wales. A biographical notice folio wb, from which it appears that the Hon. Mr. Dalley is a native of Sydney, and was born in 1831. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and as for many years taken a prominent part in public affairs. There is an article entitled "Doings of 'Holy Russia,"' by G.H.D. Gossip, formerly translator for the Times office, Paris, which is anything but favourable' to the policy and proceedings of Russia in the past. A very interesting account is given by " J.H." of a visit to Nazareth, besides • other articles of general interest. The magazine is well illustrated by many carefully- engravings, which help to add to the attractions of this serial.

The following is the state of Her Majesty's Prison, Auckland, for the week ending May 30, 1885 On remand, 5 males, 1 females awaiting trial, 10 males, 1 female ; sentenced to penal servitude, 38 males; hard labour, 73 males, 14 females ; imprisonment, 0 males, 0 females; default of bail, 2 males, 0 female ; debtor, 1 male; received during the week, 32 males, 9 females; discharged, 31 males, 8 females; total in prison, 129 males, 16 females..

The following is thA state of the Lunatic Asylum, ' Auckland, f6r. the week ending May 30, 1885 Remaining last week, 328; admitted since, 2; discharged, 2; died, 1 ; remaining, 220 males, 107 females : total, 327. Thanks are returned to Avondale Library Committee for a large parcel of illustrated papers, kindly given for amusement of th 6 patient.

The Auckland Weekly News has been established twenty-two years, and is one of the oldest and best knows weekly newspapers in the colony. It circulates not only in New Zealand, but throughout a great portion of Australia, Tasmania, and Fiji. As a amily and agricultural journal it is without an equalIn the colony. Among all classes of the community it possesses a high reputation and enjoys great popularity. No pains have been spared to render It useful to farmers and others engaged in the cultivation of the soil, or in the different rural pursuits. Competent writers eaoh week - supply instructive articles dealing with agriculture and kindred subjects, and' this important department of the News is a full and - Interesting repository of information on all matters appertaining to country occupations, special attention being paid to the cultivation of sub-tropical produce. The infermation supplied is illustrated by admirably-executed woodcuts, 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 settler the News is an indispensable vade mecum. As a general newspaper it also tabes high rank. It contains * full and carefully-prepared collection of news of the week, English, foreign, colonial and lccal, entertaining letters from its correspondents abroad, and specially written articles on social subjects by experienced and able writers It also publishes serial tales by some of the best known unl most popular authors of the day, and each week there appears in its columns a sermon by some distinguished preacher. Its family reading matter is of the most interesting and diversified character, and is suited to all tastes. The News is in addition profusely illustrated, the illustrations being skilfully and artiaticilly executed. A view and plan of the new Free Library and Art Gallery, and a portrait of the victim of the St. Louis tragedy, C. A: Freller, will be found in this week's issue. The committee of the PonsonbjvAt Home have,' we underitand, reconsidered their decision as regards the prices of season tickets, which are now one guinea for a gentleman and half a guinea for a lady. The first At Home takes place in the Poiisonby Hall on Friday, the 6th Inst., at eight p.m. Mr. G. W. Binney will sell a large number of oleographs and steel engravings to-morrow, commencing at eleven o'clobk. '