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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7649, 28 May 1886, Page 4

Our cable messages this morning state that it is reported that the English Government have suggested that the blockade of Greek ports should be raised. It is not expected that the concessions which Mr. Gladstone is to propose at the meeting of the Liberal party will satisfy Lord Hartington and Mr. Chamberlain. On the occasion of his visit to Moscow the Czar was presented with a jingo address, in which reference was made to the waving of the Cross above St. Sophia at Constantinople. In the House of Represents* eeterday Major Atkinson, as leader of t.«. position, congratulated the Hon. Sir Robert Stout on the honour which Her Majesty had been pleased to confer upon him, and referred in graceful and felicitous terms to the private character and public services of the Premier, and to the friendly relations which had always existed between Sir Robert and the members of the Opposition. Mr. Macandrew also said a few words. Sir Robert Stout, in thanking the House, said that the honour had come to him unsolicited, and was quite unexpected; In further illustration of the remarks in yesterday's issue, as to how children are got into the Industrial Schools, and the difficulty is getting the parents to fulfil their duty if they can L «;t the State to do it for them, it may be mentioned that the visiting officer is at present endeavouring to get some children out of the schools who are put in under peculiar circumstances. The parents were in a comfortable way of business but gave it up, when the father, after seeing his children comfortably quartered in the Industrial School, cleared out so as to avoid being compelled to contribute to their maintenance. The mother has been offered rations and other assistance to take her children out and thus keep her family together, but declines to do so unless she gets a rented and furnished house. In fact it will be a favour if she condescends to do anything at all in the matter, possibly expecting the Government to pay her to look after her own children. This family alone are costing the Government—or rather the ratepayers—£l 88 per week. It would be scarcely possible to have a worse system of regulating and supervising the admission of children to the Industrial institutions than the present, and any change must be for the better. It is evident that the Kimbcrley goldfield rush is attracting the attention of our merchants as a likely market for their goods, for at the present time there are three vessels loading for Derby and Cambridge Gulf. One is at Whangaroa, loading timber, and the other two are at this port. One, as we have already stated, has a number of houses which have been built here and then taken to pieces, each part being marked so as to bo easy to erect at the goldfields. The third vessel is also to take timber and general merchandise. The brlgantine Linda Weber is announced to be placed on the berth in about a week's time. The vessels referred to are likely to take a few passenger*. -SThere were brought up yesterday by the Tauranga steamer an old couple named Benjamin and Alice Kay, in charge of Con* stable Aforams, who were committed by the Tauranga 'Bench to take their trial at the next criminal sessions of the Supreme Court on a charge of arson. They were taken to Mount Eden Gaol. Their joint ages are .--id to be about 100 years, A fire occurred at Onehunga yesterday morning, between three and four o'clock, which resulted in the destruction of a fourroomed cottage, the property of a waterman named James Neville. The building was situated a short distance from the wharf, and detached. Neville was away in his boat at the time. A neighbour named Hunt heard the screams of the children, and went out to render assistance. The fire was then at the back of the premises in the neighbourhood of the kitchen. Sergeant Green and Constable Haslett were speedily on the scene, but the house was then in flames, and nothing could be done for the suppression of the fire. A few of the effects were saved. The building was insured in the South British for £150, the Onehunga Building Society having a lien upon the property. A labourer named Patrick Vallaly wai brought down from Waikato yesterday by Constable Wild, who had been committed by the Hamilton Bench to the Auckland Lunatic Asylum as being of unsound mind. He had attempted suicide, the result, it ia said, of drink and domestic trouble. In our obituary columns appears the notice of the death of Mrs. Davidson, relict of Mr. Alex. Davidson, engineer, of Glasgow. The deceased was a good mother and a staunch Presbyterian. She was mother-in-law of Mr. George Eraser, of the Phconix Foundry, Auckland, and Mr. Alexander Brodie, chairman of ths Thames County Council. As one of our earliest settlers, she endured all tho hardship's and vicissitude* of early colonial life, and has left behind her numerous grandchildren. The bereavement has mads a void in the family circle, and the relatives have received a number of telegrams expressing condoleuce with them in their loss trom various parts of the colony. The funeral takes place from her late residence, Upper Lome street, at three p.m. to-day. The seamen and other friends who take an interest in the mission work connected with the Sailors' Rest, 25, Queen-9treet, will bs pleased to know that Mr. Trotter and tho Hon. G. Waldegrave, who have given such valuable help in connection with this work for several weeks past, and are shortly to leave us, will give a Bible-reading in tho Reat at eight o'clock this evening, when no doubt there will be a full meeting. At the Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. Whitcombe and Prime, J.P.'s, William Gordon, a cabman, was fined 20* and costs for cruelly whipping his horse. A number of oases for breaches of City Council by-laws were adjourned till Satur« day, 29th. The Rev. Peter Mason writes, addressing Mr. Win. Noble through our columns :— " Being unable to attend your meeting in tho Tabernacle, when a question box was in use, I take this opportunity of asking if you know of any work more suitable for use in the advanced classes of schools than that of Dr. Richardson's Temperance Lesson-book, and if you know to what extent it is used in the British Isles and America." Another good attendance greeted the fourth representation of the drama of "My Partner" at Abbott's Opera House last night. The drama is an excellent one, and is not only admirably placed on the stage, but is also well performed. It is to be repeated to-night and to-morrow evening, and on Monday will give place to Messrs. Sims and Pettitt's drama of "In the Ranks." Our marriage notices show that an event ef more than private interest took place on tho 26th in the Takapuna Lake district, the third daughter of Mr. Thomas Seaman (known to the public as the Lake Poetess, authoress of " Thoughts by the Way ") being married to Mr. Anthony Mactier, of Richmond Road, Ponsonby. Numerous valuable presents from the clergyman, the choir, and the Sunday-school teachers of St. Peter's Church, and from many friend?, testify to the high esteem with which Miss Seaman had been regarded ; and while her loss will be felt at the Lake, her zeal in the cause of benevolence and other good works will doubtless find ample scope in the new sphere to which she has removed. The contribution of the beautiful chancel window in St. Peter's Church will not allow the donor to be forgotten by its worshippers. Last night a party of men were engaged on both sides of Queen-street, opposite the Theatre Royal block, in undermining the roadway in order to put in large pipes con» necting the Theatre Royal with the main sewer in the south side of Queen-street. It was hoped to complete the work during the night, and fill up the breeches, so as to enable the trams to run in the morning.

At the meeting of the City Counoil last night the Legal Committee's report of amendments to the Consolidated Municipal Act was discussed at some length, and finally adjourned for a week. The chief discussion was on the question of the high level water reservoir. This had been postponed from the previous meeting, and Mr. Errington, C.E., Waterworks Engineer, was present at the meeting of the Council last night to furnish estimates and information. After a lengthy discussion it was resolved to accept the tender for the enlargement of the Ponaonby reservoir, and to take steps to secure the site for the reservoir at Mount Eden. We learn that Mr. Edwin Besketh has arrived in England in improved health, and although the news of the death of his partner, Mr. Richmond, was broken to him by Mr. Thomas Russell soon after arrival, he has dccided to remain for a short time in Europe, and consult the best aurists there about the slight deafness from which ho was suffering when he left the colony. The s.B. Manapouri, which left yesterday for Southern ports and Melbourne, took hence 460 cases of oranges for Southern ports and 100 cases for Hobart. She had also for Melbourne 22S hides, 75 cases preserved meats, and 20 cases cheese. A petition was yesterday very numerously signed in favour of a loop line of railway to Penrose from Auckland, via llobson s bay and Remuera, with a view to relieving the traffic in the present tunnel. The R.M.s.s. Almeda may bo expected to put in an appearance to day from San b rancisco. She will be the bearer of the English mail covering dates to the 22nd of April from London, and to the. Bth of May from Sail Francisco. The Hinemoa sailed last evening for Wellington. She took the two six-pounders and equipment belonging to the "A Battery, Captain l'ayne commanding. The battery will receive in their place three of the nine-pounders, which havo been shipped from England. Owing to the absence of the guns, the men of the battery were exercised last night at the Drill-shed in squad drill. The water police took yesterday down to Kohimarama Industrial School a boy named Thos. Gleeson, who was committed from Tauranga, and brought up by Constable Abrams yesterday. While there they ascertained that one of the boys at the school had absconded in the morning, and had attempted to steal a horse to aid him in his flight. There was in the lock-up last night a boy named John McAllister, who has been brought up from the Thames to be recommitted to Kohimarama. He had been restored to his parents on probation, but again developing a tendency towards kleptomania he has been recommitted. Ibis is the young hopeful who some months ago gave Constable McDonnell, of the water police, the slip while ho was in custody, and caused that officer in the chase after the runaway to make his great record against time. An election petition, under the Regulation for Local Elections Act, IS7O, will be heard before Mr. H. G. Seth Smith, K.M., in the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, against the election of the Maugere Road Board, held the other day. The petition sets forth that the nomination papers of the five elected candidates were informal. A large number of witnesses have been subpoenaed. On yesterday afternoon an inquest was held at Water View, before Dr. Philson and a jury of six, of whom Mr. Sansom was foreman, upon the body of Mr. Joseph Arnold, farmer, Avondale, who died suddenly on Wednesday night. It appears that Mr. Arnold had complained of lata of a pain at his heart, and on Wednesday when he came in from his work, his wife gave him some hot water and milk with » little painkiller, after which he went to bed. Subsequently he died. Evidence was taken, and that of Dr. Young (Superintendent at the Lunatic Asylum), who made a post mortem examination of the body, showed that the deceased had died from pleurisy. The jury at once returned a verdict of " Death from natural causes." Notwithstanding the cry of depression the stream of nominated immigrants is well kept up. The parties here have to pay £10 down for each adult, the classes nominated requiring to be farming people, married or single, and single women who are domestic servant;. Tradesmen and mechanics can only be nominated subject to the nominators giving substantial guarantees for constant employment on arrival, and then only in special cases, with the sanction of the Minister for Immigration. The £10 pays all depot charges in England, outfit, bedding, &c., on shipboard, and entitles the parties nominated to passage by direct steamer, This class of immigration is found to be the very best possible, and is leading to the introduction of a superior class of immigrants. Colonists do not pay £10 a head to bring out the drones and "bad eggs" among their relatives in the mother country, but rather friends who will be a source of strength, and a credit to them. Considerable strictness is exercised at the Agent-General's office, buth as respects the health and character of the applicants. In the case of the single women, they have to give references and a satisfactory account of themselves, as to whether at home or at service for two years previously. Some time ago a number of the "unemployed " were engaged in road-construction, at Waikomiti, by piecework, for the Waitemata County Council. The experiment was not particularly satisfactory to the Council, and it was not so either to the workmen engaged, aa on finishing their contracts they evinced no desire to take fresh jobs by piecework. Some three of the men, who elected to settle in the county, were promised any work which ; the county j had, in the vicinity of their homes, and these I men are doing very well. The election of officers for the United Service Lodge. 1.C., for the ensuing year, took place on Wednesday night, as follows : — W.M., Brother Thomas G.Allen; S.W., Brother Trafford; J.W., Brother Ballantyne ; treasurer, Brother P.M. Boak ; secretary, Brother Milton; S.D., Brother J. G. Christie; J.D., Brother Ilanley ; master of ceremonies, Brother Suiter ; stewards, Brothers Ellison and Leaning ; 1.G., Brother Moss Kuesing ; 0.G., Brother Tonge; organist, Brother Bothwell. The installation of officers will take place at the first monthly meeting, A robbery of a remarkably cool character took place at the Star Hotel on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, and which resulted in a visitor named Thompson being eased of a gold watch and albert valued at £15. The missing articles were traced, Detective Herbert having found that they had been pawned at Mr. Kae'a. Mr. Rac gave a description of the man, and a watch was kept for his return. Yesterday morning he came back to Mr. Rae and tried to pawn a swag, but the pawnbroker, not feeling quite satified, gave him in charge to Detective Walker. It has been discovered that his name is Robert Carr. He will be brought up at the Police Court to day, on remand. The North Shore people will have the opportunity of hearing Mr. Noble, the temperance lecturer to-night, as he is to deliver one of his entertaining addrosaea at the Wesley an Church, Devonport. Mrs. Aid is has written a letter on the Contagious Diseases Act, but we think it unnecessary to insert it. Its reasoning is, that as the Act has been repealed in England, after prolonged agitation, therefore any testimony in favour of the Act hero is worthless. Aa an instance of the railway charges and their deterrent effect, M. writes: —"I am charged 2s 4d freight for a brace of pheasants from Helensville, 3s 6d for a small box of apples. After cartage is paid, the fruit can be bought in town for the money paid for freight." The Remuera Highway Board have levied a rate of £d in the pound on the assessed value of property in that district, which this year amounts to £500,024, as against £257,000 last year. This will uive an available income to the Board of £15G2 10?, instead of £800 But the question will naturally suggest itself to those interested in the payment of these rates how so great an advance in the value of property has been made in a single year. The challenge thrown out by F. Morshead to walk three distances—one mile, two hours, aud six hours for £100 a-side-haa been taken up by W. Speight, who claims the championship of Auckland, and intimates his willingness to arrange the match at the Park Hotel to-night. Mr. Garrard yesterday asked the police for tho stick he was beaten with by Mr. Hannaford, for the purpose of keeping it as an heirloom, but the request was refused*

The joint committee of the Boot Manufacturers' Association and the Operative Bootmakers' Union sat last evening at Robson's Rooms, and went over the tariff. Considerable progress was made, tho result of mutual compromises, and the committee will ait again this evening at the same i place, when it is hoped the list will be got through, and an amioable settlement effected. Bishop and Mrs. Cowie, who are occupying the Howick parsonage during the absence of the Rev. Mr. Farley, invited the old pensioners and their wives and the widows of pensioners to dinner yesterday, in honour , of the Queen's Birthday. Some of those invited were unable by reason of _ bodily infirmity to be present at the entertainment. A goodly number assembled. Several of the old soldiers wore their medals. Among the pensioners were men who were at Jellalabad with Pollock, at Ghuznee with Nott, also some who had seen service in Canada, South Africa, .*ud Syria. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Wilson, whose kindness to all in need is proverbial, helped Mrs. Cowie in making her arrangements. After dinner tho Bishop addressed his guests, making reference to the gallant deeds of the several regiments in which they had served. Mr. Hare entertained the company with amnsing stories connected with his military ex. perience, aud several others made short and suitable speeches. When all had finished their coffee and smoked their pipes, "God Save the Queen" was sung, Mrs. Cowie leading, and the happy meeting came to an end early in the afternoon, Last evening the winners of the medals given by Mr, Donald McGregor to the recent trial fives in whaleboats, were presented with the trophies. They are very pretty silver medals, and each have suitable inscriptions upon them. The balance-sheet and auditor's report oi the club wore also preaouted aud adopted. The club is shown to be in a very flourishing condition, and during the past season had greatly increased its membership, a fact that is due in a great measure to the admirable management displayed by Mr. Westpfahl, the hon. secretary, and Mr. H. Parker, the captain of the club. Information was received by Superintendent Thomson yesterday that a Maori child was burned to death in a whare at Papakura yesterday morning. An inquest is to be held to-day. There were in the lock-up last evoning one man on a charge of drunkenness, and James Clarkson for being drunk and disorderly. The two young men, Arthur Wood and George White, both with an array of aliases, appeared at the Police Court ysterday morning upon a charge of obtaining by means of false pretence (a valueless cheque for £5), the sum of £4 17s lOd, and a leg of mutton, from Mr. W. Palmer, butcher, Pitt-street, and were each sentenced to six months' hard labour. Wood admitted tho charge of uttering the valueless cheque, upon which he was discharged without prejudice the previous day, but rearrested immediately ho left the Court, and was sentenced yesterday to three months' hard labour. Messrs. C. D. Whitcombe and F. L. Prime were the presiding Justices. The Sydney Evening News of 19th May says : Early on Monday morning occurrcd one of the most disastrous fires which have yet been known in Noumea. The general store and distillery of De Sonneville were burned to the ground, and it was only by the most strenuous exertions of a strong naval and military force that the Messageries office and the stores of Le Meacam and Co. did not share the same fate. Insurance companies affected by the fire are : South British, £2000 ; United, £ICOD : Imperial, £1000 : Confidence, £2000 ; Sun, £1000 ; Lloyd's, £3000. Sonneville's loss, besides all this, is said to amount to £6000 more.