THE The New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1886.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7647, 26 May 1886, Page 4

THE The New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1886.

. « Whatever faults may be charged against Sir Julius Yogel lie certainly cannot be accused of keeping the House waiting for his Financial Statement. Somewhat „ suddenly he announced yesterday afternoon that the Budget would be submitted during the evening sitting, and it was submitted accordingly. It will be seen that the prediction, more than once made by the Colonial Treasurer and the Premier in their recess speeches, that the Ministry would bo able to meet the House with a surplus, has been realised ; and that, including the balance available at its commencement, the financial year closed with a surplus of £37,859. This is not quite so much as the public were led to expect; but still it is comforting to reflect that, instead of adeficit, there is something on the credit side of the account. This, however, is accounted for not by an increase of revenue but by decrease in the expenditure. The estimated revenue for the year fell short by £1954, while the estimated expenditure proved less by £39,875.* It would certainly have been more gratifying if the surplus could have been otherwise accounted for. An enlarged income would have supplied

evidence that the country had recovered from the depression which had lasted for some time previous, whereas the saving effected in the expenditure simply means that so much less was expended upon necessary works, and, to that extent, a retarding of tho country's progress. This Sir Julius Vogel virtually admits when he states that the principal reduction in the estimated expenditure was in the item of subsidies for local bodies; and, in adding that a great deal of this will come in for payment during the present quarter, he rather presents his vaunted surplus in the light of a diminishing quantity. Still it is gratifying to be assured that a saving wan effected, as it may be regarded as evincing an economic tendency in the administration ; while the fact that the deficit in the estimated income is so small, shows that the finances of the colony are on the whole in a sound condition. Sir Julius appears not to have forgotten the cavalier way in which the House last session treated his Customs tariff proposals. With a slight tone of reproach he referred to the necessity which the rejection of the suggested increase in the Customs revenue imposed on the Ministry of raising the property tax to seveneighths of a penny in the pound. In view, however, of the action then taken by the House he does nofc intend to recommend this session any increase in the Custon>3 duties, or indeed increased taxation in any form ; and the country will be pleased to learn that the reason assigned for this considorateness is that additional imposts are not required. On the contrary,he proposes to diminish the burdens of the people by reducing the property tax by one sixteenth, and expresses his willingness, if the House would consent to raise tho Customs dues on certain articles, which would not include any of the necessaries of life, to lower the property tax to fiveejghths. This is no doubt gracious after a fashion; but, considering the excessive valuations which during the recent assessment were placed on all kinds of real property, especially in the North Island, and the great increase of revenue which will consequently be realised, there ought to be no diiHculty in reducing this tax to the last suggested rate without resorting to any increase in the Customs duties. This is a view of the question which, it is to be hoped, will be pressed upon the notice of the Ministry while their financial proposals are being considered in the House, the" more especially as all must endorse the opinion expressed by the Colonial Treasurer, that to impose a high tax on property which ia not paying is a political mistake. With respect to the borrowing pro posals of the Ministry these are ! very different from the highly-in-flated anticipations respecting them which were set afloat some months ago. The huge loan scheme of ten millions which the public had somehow been led to expect has dwindled down to the comparatively modest sum of one million and a half per year. This sum, however, as inti mated in some of the Colonial Treasurer's recess utterances, is to be restricted exclusively to the construction of railways, and its apportionment for these is to be so fixed by Act as to prevent the diversion of any portion thereof to any purpose other than that for which it is specifically appropriated. This is 30 far well. But the appropriations will require to be sharply looked after in the first instance. Those proposed in the Budget for the construction of railways in the North Island are small as compared with those which the South Island is to be favoured with; and, as might have been anticipated, Auckland is to have scant justice meted out to her. The vast sums that have already been expended in the South on the building of railways in all conceivable directions are kept out of view in the reckoning, and the principle now acted on is tlv of voting nothing for the North, unless on the condition of the South securing at the same time a further equivalent. It will be the imperative duiy of our representatives to see that this injustice is rectified while the apportionment the loan is being made, and the Auckland members especially should units as one man in demanding that tho several portions of this provincial district should have their claims fairly and and substantially recognised. In so far as the local bodies are concerned, their wants are to be met by a special arrangement. But to this portion of of the Treasurer's scheme, as also to several other subjects in his Financial Statement, we shall take another opportunity of referring. The Budget altogether may be described as moderate in its tone, and as distinguished by that lucidity of exposition and hopefulness of spirit for which the Colonial Treasurer has acquired a reputation.

The inference to be drawn from the announcement made a few days ago by Mr. Gladstone th&fc the debate on the Home Rule Bill would last over this week is that he is trying to gain time, in the hope that the feeling of aversion with which the Bill is regarded would undergo some abatement. And that this inference is correct is shown by a more recent telegram than the one conveying that announcement, and which states that much discontent among the members of the House of Commons has been caused by the tactics of the Government in unnecessarily prolonging the discussion. We do not at all wonder at the dissatisfaction thus evinced. For nothing is more certain than that a decided feeling of hostility is entertained towards the measure, both within the House and throughout the United Kingdom. Were it otherwise no one would be more eager than Mr. Gladetone to press the question to a division. Hβ knows that, if he were to call early for a vote of the House, his Irish policy would mo3t certainly bo vetoed, and his manoeuvring for delay simply means that he intends to weary out the members, and, if possible, gain his purpose by a fluke. The chancee of his success in this desperate game, however, are exceedingly small, for the tendency of it is to cause the members of the House to become stubborn,and to alienate from him the sympathy of thoso who have hitherto been undecided as to their course. It would certainly be more desirable if the Government were to take the earliest opportunity of deflnitely ascertaining the mind of tho House, and thus save a useless waste of time. If the result should prove adverse, Mr. Gladstone would then be in a position to decide whether he should resign or appeal to the country. This is the only manly course to pursue. It is doubtful, however, whether it will be taken. The probabilities rather are that the division will be postponed as long as it may be possible to do so, in the expectation that

telegrams of sympathy with the measure may arrive from extraneous quartern which might somewhat affect the result. But ir Jβ not at all likely that any material change of parties will be caused by the receipt of information of this dubious nature. The slackness which has thus far characterised the debate is a pretty clear proof that the minds of members are already made up as to the side they will finally take on the question, and further delay is calculated only to render the condemnation of the measure more emphatic than would otherwise be the case.

The news from Athens to-day is more satisfactory. A royal decree has been issued disbanding fifty thousand Greok troops. A plot has been discovered to assassinate Prince Alexander. The conspirators arc said to be Russians. The British Parliament is expected to be dissolved next month. In the House of Representatives last night the Colonial Treasurer brought down his Financial Statement, which we print in our columns this morning. No additional taxation is proposed, and, with the exception of the property tax, which Is to be reduced onesixteenth of a pemiy, it is not intended to interfere in any way with existing taxes. The Government are to ask Parliament for authority to borrow one million and a half, which is to be exclusively dovoted to railway purposes, It has now been discovered who " Old Charley," one of the unfortunate victims of the fire at Borsboom's Wlgiughouse, svas - His real name was John Bushnull. He had been in business in Nottingham, and had failed, aud his troubles had affected his mind somewhat, so that he was regarded as being weak and harmless. Hβ had been in the colony for about twelve years. He was in the habit of attending St. Paul's Church, and thus had become acquainted with tho Rev. Mr. Nelson, who, seeing what sort of man he was, had allowed him to occupy an outbuilding on his premises. When old St. Paul's was pulled down aud other changes were made in tho locality, Bushuell was deprived of his of lodging, and he thereupon took up his abode in au outhouse belonging to Sir Maurice O'Roike's house in Jermyn-etreet. He was in the habit of doing odd jobs occasionally, and had been working over at the North Shore, so that his absence did not for a time excite any remark. But At length Miss U'Rorke noticed that Buehnell never made his appearance, and Mr. Neleon also remarked that; he was absent from hie usual place in St. Paul's. At length it occurred to him that Bushnell might be the rrau who had been killed at the fire, and who hart not been identified. On applying to the Superintendent of Police Mr. Nelson obtained the photograph which was taken of " Old Charley " after his death, and he no longer felt any doubt on tho matter. The portrait wae shown to several persons who had been in the habit of seeing "Old Charley," and without having been previously informed they all agreed in identifying deceased as Bushnrll. As an explanation of how ho came to he known at the lodginghouse as "Charley," it may be mentioned that on one of Mr, Nelson's children one day asking his name, he said it was "Charley Crocodile." Bushnell was 56 yeara of age. Some years ago a son of his, who is still in Nottingham, had heard that his father was in Auckland, and wrote a letter addressed to "The Anglican Clergyman, ,1 making inquiries, and enclosing a small sum of money. This letter was sent to Mr. Nelson, who, of all others, was best qualified to give the information asked for. He answered the letter, telling how Bushuell wai situated. Mr. Nelson intends to write to Nottingham to the friends of deceased. A well-attended meeting of the Sir George Grey Address Committee wm held in Robson'u Rooms last night, His Worship the Mayor presiding, when it was resolved that the credit balance should be devoted to binding the address. Mr. F. Irvine, in a few very appropriate sentences, moved "That a very cordial vote of thanks be passed to Mr. E. J. Duncan, the lunorary secretary to the movement," and, in doing so, roferrod to the large amount of time and trouble which had been given spontaneously by Mr. Duncan. Dr. Beale seconded aud several other gentlemen (supported tho motion, which was passed by acclamation. The chairman, in conveying the expression of the committee to Mr. Duncan, gave utterance to the very great pleasore he bad in doing eo. In acknowledging the vote, Mr. Duncan referred to the long space of 40 years during which he had known Sir George Grey, and epoke of the very cordial manner in which the New Zealand Herald had assisted the Address Committee, and also the Evening Star for Its aid in briuging the address to such a successful termination. The passing of a very cordial vote of thanks to the chairman of the committee brought the meeting to a conclusion.

Two men, named George White (alias G. W, Wakimhaw) and Arthur Hey wood, who have been unfavourably known to the detective police for some time pait. were arrested yesterday afternoon (on warrant) by Detectivee Walker and Herbert, on a charge of obtaining money by false pretences from a boardinghouee-keeper named' Mrs. Widdows, in Grey-street, under the following circumstances : —The accused took lodgings with Mri. Widdows on the 18th instant, and said they were going to stay for months. When the first week was up they tendered her a cheque on the .National Bank for £5 10s, and she having only a £f> note and a £1 note in the bouae gave them the former, and told them to return the £1 10a, which would square up the account to date. They left the boardinghouse ostensibly to do bo, but never returned. On the cheque being presented at the National Bank, it was returned, marked "No funds." The heartlessoess manifested in the case is the greater that Mr, Widdows' husband is a patient at tie A vondale Asylum, and that she is struggling to maintain herself and her three children without the aid of Government. There is now a vacancy in the representation of the Graf ton Ward in the .City Council, owing to the resignation of Councillor Holland, who ia about to visit the mother country. A meeting of the members of the Auckland Parliamentary Union was held last evening at Kobson's Rooms, Mr. P. A. Philips presided. There were about sixteen present. The chairman explained the objects of tbe meeting, »nd concluded by moving, " That the Auckland Parliamentary Union be wound up." Mr. E, W. Burton seconded the motion, and, in so doinf;, suggested the formation of a society for literary and political purposes. The motion was carried. The chairman then moved, "That it be an instruction to the Clerk of the House to convene a meeting of subscribers within 2S days for the purpoee of deciding as to the disposal of the balauco in hand after paying all necessary expenses, and that any fees paid this year be refunded once." Dr. Murray Moore eeconded. The motion was carrie.i unanimously. In the course of the discussion It was suggested that a room in the new Free Litrary should be secured on behalf of the prcpoied new literary society. Mr. Burton proposed, and Mr. Geddis eeconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. P. A. Philips for his admirable attention to the duties of Speaker, The motion was carried by acclamation. About eleven o'clock last night the Grey■treet firebell rang out an alarm, which was subsequently taken up by the brigade station and other city firebelle. Aβ no glare of tire could be seen, there was some difficulty in ascertaining its exact locality. It proved to be at Sydenham House (Mr. Fisher's), foot of Grey-street, and arose through some leakage of gas, which igniting, set fire to the ceiling. The fire vrai suppressed with very slight damage. Junior Foreman Clarke and »ome of the brigade got at the gas-pipe, and took down part of the ceiling. Foreman Harley, while on hie way to the station, on the alarm, ascertaining the true state of the case, stopped the ringing of the Grey-street bell, and was on his way to stop the Fire Brigade turning out when he met them The turn-out, however, will coat the ratepayers £3 2s Gd, and Superintendent Hughei the fare of the cab in which he hurried away to the scene of the supposed fire. One Sunday evening lately two policemen made "surprise" visits to several of the hotels in and about South Dunedin, and as a result of their inspection a licensee was fined £5 with costs, and the couviction was ordered to be endorsed on ithe license. Mr. Carew, R.M., said the defence that the liquor was a gift was so frequently set up when delivery was proved itkat he had very little faith in it. •

) Before the business of the District Court 5 began yesterday, Mr. Laishley rose, and . said : "May it please your Honor, it will j probably be within your Honor's knowj ledge that the funeral of our late brother, s Mr. John Richmond, takes place at two p.m. to-day, and I, as the senior member of the bar present, have been requested to a9k P on behalf of the bar that, as a mark of the 1 respect in which Mr. Riohmond was held, 5 the Court may be adjourned to-day at one i p.m." Hia Honor at once acceded to the > request. ' A telegram was received by Superinten- ) dent Thomson yesterday from Teurang*, in reference to the accidental drowning of Mr. J. D. Wrigley, off the island of Motiti. In response to a request contained in the tele--3 gram, he has asked Captain Stephonson, of i the Wellington, to keep a good look out on ; the trip to Tauranga, as perchance the body . might be seen floating. i A packet of correspondence was pioked . up yesterday in Queen-street by tho polioe, l evidently intended to be posted by the San Francisco mail, for a party resident in Redruth, Cornwall. 5 One of the seamen of the 8.8. Kaikoura, » named Albert Smith, was yesterday arrested ' on a charge of assaulting tho fourth engi- ■ neor, Archibald Nicol, on the hijjh seas; t also with a breach of the Shipping and • Seamen's Act, by refusing to obey lawful • commands. We understand that Colonel Lyon has received a telegram from Major Gudgeon, Secrotary of the Defence Office, requesting that, as three 9-poundur guns are being sent to the "A" Battery, the two C-pouudor guns in possession of the battery should be • forwarded to Wellington by the Hincmoa on the first chance. If we understand Captain Payne and the "A " Battery of Artillery ; aright they will stick to those 6-pounder guns tenaciously until their succeseore, the , long-promised 9-pounders, arrive, and are ', installed iu the Drill-shed. ' Tho interesting ceremony of inaugurating a new lodge of Freomasonry undor the ' Englieh constitution is to take place at Otahuhu to-day, under excep. mially favourable circumstauees. The Freemasons of the district, although large in numbers, have i been somewhat backward iu pushing thoir i claims for recognition, but. enlivened by the i success of tha Wairoa South, Papukura, and ' Pukekohe lodges, they have taken heart of 1 grace, and applied for a dispensation to open a lodge. Bro. Dr. Erson, R.W.M., of the Wairoa lodge, has been elected Master, and ' tho name Lodge Harmony has been selected as the uamo of the lodge. The opening ceremony takes place to-day. The brethren, who will be joined by the district Grand Lodge and other brethren, will assemble in the Public Hall, Otahuhu, at throe o'clock, and then march in procession to attend Divine service at the parish church, where the Pro. Grand Chaplain will deliver an address. The proceedings will bo celebrated by a banquet, which is to be held at the Criterion hotel in the evening. The coursing match for the Shareholders Cup was completed yesterday at Plumpton Park. The day was beautiful, and the coursina good. The winner was Mr. A. Todd's f b Musk, by Sam Slick—Ladybird ; arid the runner-up was Mr. M. Dervan'e b and w d Martini-Henry, by Welcome Jack—Perfume. Details will be found in another column. A serious accident happened on Saturday at the Huutly coal mine, to a miner named George Smith. While shoring up the rooting a quantity of coal fell upou him, fracturing his left leg and injuring his spine. Notwithstanding hi 9 injuries he is progressing favourably. On making a more careful examination of ' the premises of Mr. Neal, grocer, yesterday, supposed to have been broken into on Sunday night, some 5s iu small change was discovered to be missing, and a fetv cakes of . tobacco. So far as is known that is all that has been taken. From the method adopted to get access to the warehouse it is evident that the entry was effected by some one familiar with the premises. A lecture will be given this evening in the Pitt-street Wcileyan Schoolroom, in aid of Wesleyan horn? missions, on " Lord Macaulay," by the Rev. H, R. Dewsbury. of the North Shore. Mr. Dewsbury's historical lectures have alwaysi proved a great literary treat, and we have no doubt there will be a large attendance. The remains of the late Mr. John Richmond (or the firm of Messrs. Heskcth and Richmond, solicitors), were brought from Sydney by the mail steamer Mararoa. Mrs. Richmond (widow of the deceased gentleman) was a passenger by the same vessel, ( and was accompanied on the voyage by Mrs. J. Hay and Miss Bruce. The body of Mr. Richmond wa3 taken from the Mararoa early yesterday morning to the establishment of Messrs. Winks and Hall, and thence removed to Mr, Richmond's late residence, Jermyn-atreet. A little before three o'clock the funeral cortege left for St. Andrew's Comefcery, Epsom, a short service having been previously held at the house by the Rev. David Bruce. In the first carriage were Messrs. William Aitken, A. Aitken, Street, Rev. D. Bruce. Second (private carriage) : Mr. Justice Gillies. Mrs. Hay. Third : Dr. Honey man, Messrs. F. Mcßae, Aitken Carrick, Carrick, Heather. Fourth : Messrs. C. Heaketh, fc'. Hesketh, J. Alexander, G. Reid. Fifthandsixth: office clerk*. There were a large number of private carriage* followed, containing friends of the 'lecsssed and many of tha leading citizens of Auckland, indicating the respect in which the deceased gentleman was held. The legal profession was largely represented. The service at St. Andrew's Church and at the i/rave was conducted by the Rev. Mr. SmalUield, of Ep»om. There were in the lock-up last evening two persons on charges of drunkenness—a man aud woman. The man wa3 badly cut about tho face, having wandered down the v/harf last night and tumbled over various piecee of wood. As there was a likelihood of !m falling over the wharf and getting drowned, Constable Mackay arrested him and took him to the station-house. He declined to ijive his name or any information concerning himsielf. About five o'clock last evening, as Brown and Barrett's springcart wae coming rapidly down Qaoen-street, the horee euddenly tripped and came down, jerking the driver clean out of the vehicle on to the street. Fortunately the man escaped without injury, and, with the aid of the bystanders, the horse was got on its legs again. The only damage was some slight injury to the horse and the bellyband being broken. One of the male patients at the Asylum escaped yesterday, but was recaptured in the evening by the warders. There is reason to believe that among those lost in the Taiaroa wae a young man named Mack, whose mother resides in Auckland. He left hero in company with Messrs. Harford and Smith, " speelers," who were lost in the vessel. One of the survivors, McQuarters, stated that in the boat with him were fonr women, several men, and a youth with curly hair, who greatly lamented having to leave his performing monkey on board the vessel. The dneuription corresponds with that of young Mack ; and, as he has never been heard of since in tho South, it is believed he has perished. At the request of Mrs. Mack, Superintendent Thomson is making further inquiries at the hands of the Southern police authorities. An Order -in - Council has been issued extending the time for the preparation of county rolls. For preparing the rolls for ridings within each county in the colony the time has been extended to the Ist of June ; the time when such rolls shall bo open for inspection is from the 4sti of June to tho Ist of July ; the time for lodging appeals against the said rolls is up to the 15th of July ; Revision Courts may sit for hearing applications until the sth of August; and the time when the said rolls, having been duly corrected end signed, shall come into force, the 16th of August. The informations for assault arising out of the fracas the other day between W. G. Garrard, "the great agitator of the unemployed," and T. B. Haunaford, of matrimonial agency fame, were dealt with at the Folica Court yesterday morning, before Messrs. C. D. Whitcombe and G. P. Pierce, J.P.'s, and after occupying the Court fora considerable time, resulted in the case against Garranl being dismissed, and the information sustained with regard to Bannaford, who was ordered to pay a fine of £5, with coste, amounting to £4 14s, or in default of payment to undergo a term of i 4 days' herd labour at Mount Eden. There wae a numerous array of persons in the body of the Court, and considerable amusement was afforded when "the champion of the unemployed " was under cross-examination. The tramways carried no leas than 7500 people on Queen's Birthday,

The following applications for patents have been gezatted :—William John Harvey, Invercargill, for an invention for a colonial oven and boiler; Henry Rayner, Christchurch, bootmaker, for an invention for protecting the backs of boots from cracking; Archibald Douglas, Auckland, agent, for an invention for smoking cigars, to be called the patent hygenic cigar-holder; Walter Nathaniel Valentine, Petone, Wellington, for an invention for a patent matchbox ; and William Chivers Wilkine, Invercargill, for an invention for heating water for circulation, to be called "The acorn heating apparatus ;" Thomas J. Thompson, Bluff Harbour, for an invention for a new method of manufacturing Portland hydraulic cement from Bluff diorite or syenite, soft rock, or clay, combined with other materials; William Stocks, Christchurch, contractor, for sinking pipe wells and cylinders for foundations ; John Barclay, Blenheim, and Thoß. Kelly, plasterers, Auckland, for improvemonts in plaster walls and ceilings; Alexander Suttie, Onohunga, tanner and currier, Suttio's patent acme leather ; R. G. Dixon, Auckland, for an invention for a horseshoe which will effectually do away with tho cruel use of nails, the shoe fitting securely and firmly without naita, to bo called the nail-less horae shoe ; Otto Karl Peez, Napier, architect and engineer, foi - an invontion for the centre-bit mortise lock; J. S. (Jibbons, Onohuuga, for Gibbons' butter kegs. "Settler" writes: "Sir,—ln this day's issue you mention a influential, and enthusiastic meeting to consider Home Rule for Ireland. It does seem a heartless thine; to bo so enthusiastic in forcing Home Rule on one million and a half of the Irieh people and in supporting Mr. Gladstone in these so-called heroic efforts that, if successful, will plungo Ireland into all the horrors of civil war. In last week's issue the preliminary meeting is spoken of as being representative of all the 'religious sects.' Tho freethought or renegade of aonio few of the sents were there. Home Rule, Fenianism, Ribbonism, Break-of-Day Men, are all different names for one and tho same thing, namely, the overthrow of the Protestant or as with them called the Heretic Government of England. This tho Protestants of Ireland, all sects combined, will reaiet to tho death against the Roman Cbnrch combined for its overthrow." We aro requested to state that the late Archdeaeou Pritt's family decline with thanks to accept the sum of money kindly subscribed for them, circulars having been issued without their knowledge or sanction. Very many thanks aro offered, especially to the clergy, for their numerous and liberal response. Mr. Johu Munro Fraser, Auckland, has been appointed to act as an interpreter under the Native Land Court Act, ISSO. In a Gazette issued on the '20th of May is published a new set of survoy regulations. "Another Citizen" writes in reference to the commercial morality of Auckland, saying that he concurs in the opinion that we are too lenient with the big fish, and allow the grossest extravagance to pass, while the enforcement of "our morality" is left for tho poor devils who owe tens or hundreds of pounds only, and them wo severely sell up, presumedly because, with the thoueands-of-pounds insolvent, there is something to hide or somebody involved who is to be sheltered from the public gaze. Two more resignations have been made by gentlemen holding the Commission of the Peace — Mr. G. B. Owen (Messrs. Owon aud Graham) and Mr. John Murray (of the Bank of New Zealand) having sout in their resignations. We were pleased to observe yesterday morning that the clerk of the Police Court (Mr. Joseph Cunningham) was sufficiently recovered from indispotition to resume his duties. Mr, Charles Williams has secured a patent for the manufacture of spirits of ammonia, etc., as a cleansing fluid, to be called " Spirits of Ammonia, the Excehior* Washing Fluid."

Yesterday evening, tho 21st anniversary of the Auckland Sunday-school Union, was celebrated by a tea and public meeting at the Tabernacle. A number of representatives of various schools were present at the tea, and Mr. F. Battley presided at the public meeting subsequently held. He said they inet under exceptional and somewhat painful circumstances, as their secretary, Mr. Corkill, to their great surprise, was not present, and they had consequently do programme prepared or any arrangements completed. Mr. Corkill had gone to VVaitakerei for a holiday walk, and as he had not returned for two days, they were afraid some accident might have befallen him. He trusted, however, that they would see him back by tomorrow morning. The chairman then gave a short address on the subject of the meeting, alluding to the progress made during the 21 years' existance of the Union, and urging Sunday-school teachers to persevere in their work. The meeting was also addressed by the Revs. T. Bray, H. R. Dewsbury, and H. W. J. Miller, on the aubject of Sunday-school work. A selection of hymns were sung in the course of the evening. Henare Kaihau, of Waiuku, who ie a neer relative of Tawhiao, and who accompanied him on his last visit to Auckland, left by the fiawca yesterday for Wellington. He proposes to negotiate with the Government in reference to various affairs in which Tawhiao is interested. If a satisfactory conclusion is come to, he will send a telegram to Tawbiao, who will then proceed to Wellington. An inquest was held at Waiorongamai on Monday un the body of Thomas Uobinxon, who was killed by being struck by a piece of machinery, as narrated in our Monday's paper. After a full icquiry the jury returned a verdict of accidental death. Mr. H, Kenrick acted ae coroner. The example of Mr. Firth has followers or imitators. Mr. G. Brown advertises land four miles from the North Shore at £5 per acre in 20 to 30 acre lots, four fifths of the money to remain at five per cent. A man who gave the illustrious name of William Shakespere was charged at the Police Court yesterday with fighting in the public street. Whether the name is real or as eumed, the party concerned is not Mr. W. H. Shakcspear, of Queen-street. In the report of the Home Rule meotiog in St. Jamee' Hall on Monday night accidental omission waa made of a resolution passed towards the close of the proceedings, according thanks to Mr. Parnell for his labours in the cauee of Home Rule. Amongst the speakers, in addition to those already mentioned, were Mr. McNaught and Mr. Duncan. The following is the state of Her Majesty's Prison, Auckland, for the week ending 22ad May. 188(5: —Awaiting trial, 7 males ; boys, 4 ; penal eervitude, 31 males; hard labour, 73 males, 14 females ; default of bail, 8 males; received during tho week, 15 males, S females ; discharged, 18 males, 8 females ; total in prison, 123 males, 14 femaleß. " Australia " writes to the Melbourne Argus :—" It appears by a lengthy telegram ' from London that Mr. Gladstone has received expressions of sympathy with regard to Home Rule in Ireland from the United States and the colonies. The only expressions within the knowledge of colonists are those emanating from branches of the Irish National League in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. How long are loyal Australian subjects going to remain silent and allow such false views to go uncontradicted ? Mr. Gladstone is evidently making use of telegrams sent by the loagnes referred to as the voice of United Australia, when it is well known that such voice is emphatically against a movement which means the disruption of our glorious Empire." The manufacture of copra in Fiji ha 3 been utterly abandoned in some quarters by Europeans and natives alike for more remunerative enterprises. At half-past two p.m. yesterday tho R.M. steamship Mararoa took her departure for San Francisco with the homeward niaile and passengers via San Francisco. The departure of this fine steamship was witnessed by a large number of people, the fineness of the day, no doubt, tempting so many to the wharf. As the Mararoa was easting off from the wharf one of her passengers called for three cheers for the " citizens of Auckland," and they were most heartily responded to. The Mararoa'e mail is due in London on the 30th of June. The steamship took a large number of passengers. The Rev. G. O. Barnes, the evangelist and family, were amongst those who left by the Mararoa.

Last evening a very pleasant tea-meeting waa held in the new Devonport Congregational Churoh, and was most numerously attended. A sale of fanoy work also took place between chree and five p.m. and seven and nine p.m. The proceeds , of the tea and sale are to be devoted to the church fund. " Civis," in the Otago Witness, tells the following amusing story :—ln a certain country district the spirit of Christian brotherhood permits the Catholic priest and Presbyterian minister to be fast friends, greatly to the dissatisfaction of the latter'e parishioners, who, nevertheless, had not ven* tured to remonstrate, A few Sundays back, however, the minister, with some of his elders, was standing at the manse gate after service, when the priest came along in his buggy. The minister signalled him to stop, and walked into the road for a ohat. When he returned, the senior elder thought it his duty to " lift up hie testimony." What fellowship oould there be between a minister of the gospel and that " Popish mummer ? " "We canna , think," said the elder, " what ye have to say till him, or what he has to say till you." "Well, McTavish" i«plied the minister, "as to that, T ' r iell you what I said to Father Donovan and what he said to me. I said to him, ' How are ye, old boy ?' and ho answered, 'First-rate, my son.' Then 1 said, 'I'll swap collections with you; , and he answered, 'No fear, cockey !—I know your flock,' and he drove on. That's all, gentlemen ; good-day,"—and the minister left his elders to worry out the significance of tho conversation at their leisure. In the course of an inaugural address to the Australian Church Literary Society, the President, the Rev. Charles Strong, said : — "I cannot but think that our Churoh Literary Societies should not ignore the Bible, and that our young people should be encouraged te take up books and authors of the Bible, and treat them from the point of view of literature. It is not unusual to prohibit such subjects as likely to lead to discord, but why should this be so ? Surely we cau differ from one another without quarrelling. Within the last half century tin , books of the Bible have been studied with a patience and perseverance, and a ripe scholarship unknown to any former age. In Germany, France, and Holland theae studies have been carried on more earnestly, and with a greater religious freedom than in English-speaking countries. It cannot be pretended that these literary efforts have left the Bible just whero it was. They have opened out new points of view which the friends of religion cannot ignore. Yet how little is known of the results of such literary criticism. They are absolutely a terra incognita to the majority of people. Would it not bo well that our young people should turn to the Bible again, and learn what latter-day studies have taught us about it ? Better this than that they should Ignore it, or worship it as a fetieh. In addition fco our own Bible, there are the sacred books ot other nations. These might also form interesting subjects for literary essays. The study of other religions than our own is one of the most important studies of tL present day. Why, then, should not the young men aud women of our churches turn their attention to this most attractive and engrossing field of literature? They would find such subjects as our own sacred books, and the sacred books of other nations, much more profitable, and much more likely to enlarge their minds, and give them an insight into human history, than the often-hackneyed themeß which have been threshed out over and over again." Yesterday the schooner Julia Pryce, with a cargo of ISO,OOO oranges from R&rotonga, came into harbour. This, together with the quantity brought by the schooner Olive the night previously, shows no lees than 313,000 orauges as having been received here in the course of twelve hours. The North OtagoTimes states that it the present time there is a large run up the U'aitaki on which nearly 120 men are engaged in rabbiting. The Gazette notifies that Dr. Beale, late vaccination inspector for the Waikato district, has been appointed an additional public vaccinator for this city.

The following story is told in a Southern paper :—A few d»ye ago a local butcher was attempting to make out his half-yearly balance-sheet, but, after numerous attempts, he had to give up in disguat. He went to the shop door, and asked a pas3er-by, who wae a stranger, "if he was any good at figured." The stranger hesitated for a moment, and replied : " Yes ; I think I can do something at figures. Why ?" Butcher : "Because Im puzzled over my balancesheet. I can't get it right. Do you mind helping mo?" Stranger: " Oh, yes ; I'll try what I can do." They entered tho shop, and after about half an hour's hard work the balance-sheet was brought out right. The grateful shopman asked the stranger how much he was in his debt, and received tho reply: "Nothing whatever. I have sometimes been in difficulties with figures myself. Good day," And with that the stranger departed. The shopman, pointing to the receding figure of his benefactor, asked an acquaintance who the stranger was, and was dumbfounded at the reply, " Why, that's Major Atkinson !" We have much pleasure in drawing attention tT the lecture to be delivered this (WeduexUy) evenias: In th» upper nchoolroom, I'itt-stroot Church. OD behalf of tho Weeleyan Home.Misulon Fond. Full j)f.riicularj will be fonnd in our advertisement lotumni.