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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7659, 9 June 1886, Page 4

Amongst the Parliamentary papers by yesterday's mail were two Bills affecting the liquor question, of which we may state the purport. The Intoxicating Liquors (Supply to Children) Act, 1886, introduced by Mr. Fisher, is intended to make the law more stringent than it is under the Act for 1881. The 166 th section of the latter Act provides that liquor shall not be supplied to children under 1G years of age, but Mr. Fisher's Bill will reduce the age to 13 years; it renders houses committing this offence liable to suspension for not more than five years, but Mr. Fisher's Bill would render the houses liable to absolute diequalification, by bringing this offence under all the provisions of the Act for 1881 relating to suspension, forfeiture, and disqualification. The object of this stringent amendment is, no doubt, to curtail the pernicious practice of sending little children into publichouees, where they might hear and see undesirable things, and it is probably the outcome of temperance agitation upon this question. It is one of these provisions which probably few members of the House will oppose, as there is a pretty general agreement that the age of 16 is too high for New Zealand. The two main features of Major Steward's Bill, the Licensing Committees Election Ace, 1886, are the extension of the franchise to every person of 21 years ©f either sex on the electoral roll, and the extension of the term of office of committeemen from one year to three. Last year this Bill was withdrawn, as there appeared to be an unwillingness to concede the right of voting to females. There can be no doubt that triennial elections, instead of annual, will be ii boon to the public. A vast amount oi! bickering will be done away with, and committees will be able to carry out a more consistent and beneficial policy than at present.

There has evidently been an interruption in the cable lines, a* daring Monday afternoon and yesterday, no telegraphic news was received from Europe. The arrears, however, have come to hand this morning, and will be found in another column. It will be seen that Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule proposals have been rejected by the House of Commons by a majority of 30. The Greek difficulty appears to be wearing a favourable aspect, as Greece is going oa with the disarmament of her forces, aud the blockade of her ports has been raised. Russia is, however, suspected of meditating an advance on the Balkans, and of secretly making preparations with that object in view. It is somewhat significant in this connection that Prince Alexander, of Bulgaria, ia at present tha gueat of the King of Roumania. It is conjectured his visit is with the object of forming a defensive alliance against Russian aggression. Prince Victor Napoleon has issued a manifesto protesting against the expulsion of the Orleans Princes from France. It is suggested by the Chamber of Deputies Committee that the same step should be taken with all members of formerly reigning families. The Copyright Bill, to amend the present Fiue Art Copyright Act, has passed the House of Commons. Mr. Pender, of the Eastern Extension Cable Company, announces that he ia unable to equalise the Government and Press charges on cable messages unless the Governnieut subsidy is increased. The final trials of the Brenuan torpedo are to be made in a fortnight's time. It is claimed that Brennan, the inventor, an Australian engineer, has now perfected his invention. From Canada cornea the disquieting report that the Canadian Orangemen have shipped 30,000 rifles (Martini-Henry) to Ulster. A serious collision has taken place between two steamers in the Suez Canal. In the great sculling match Mattereon, the Australian sculler, defeated Godwin, his oppouent easily.

From a cablegram in another column it will bo seen that Maxwell has been convicted of the murder of Preller, at St. Louis. The tragedy was one of a peculiarly atrocious character, and showed Maxwell to be a man of great nerve. During his incarceration in Mount Eden Gaol he stated to one of his fellow-prieoneis that, if the worst came to the worst with him, he had the means, on hie person, of taking away his life. It was understood he referred to eomo secret poison. Another of those terrible events, of which we have so many in the Islande, we have news of this morning from Brisbane. While the schooner Young Dick was recruitiug at Malayta, in the Solomon Group, and while two boats' orewe were absent, a number of the natives attacked those who were on board, and killed the Government agent, the cook, the sailmaker, and a recruit. The mate and a seaman contrived to get arms, and shot a number of the natives. Massacres have been frequent in the Solomon Islands, and tho natives have an evil character for treachery and ferocity. The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co.'e s.s. Doric arrived at Dunedin early yesterday morning from London, via Teneriffe, Cape Town, and Hobart, after a passage of 40 days 3 hours and 17 minutes. She left Plymouth on the '23rd April. She brings 2000 tons of cargo and a large number of passengers. The names of those for Auckland will be found in our shipping columns. The passenger* for here will be brought on by the s.s. Tβ Anau, due here on Monday next. Amongst the passengers by the 8.8. Walra* rapa, which arrived yesterday, wae Mr. W. R. Stephens, advance agent of the Leon and Cushman's Minstrels. This company is to open on Monday next, at the Lorne-street Hall. The combination is spoken of as a highly talented one, and has been most successful in tho Australian colonies and in Southern cities.

Mr. W. J. Hurst, M.H.R., was a passenger from Wellington by the steamship Wairaropa, which arrived yesterday morning. The cause of Mr. Huret's return to Auckland is owing to ill-health, whioh wholly prevented him from attending to his Parliamentary duties at Wellington. He is somewhat improved by the voyage. The following blocks of land in the Auckland province have been reserved for the purpose stated :—Lot 104, section 10, of the suburbs of Auckland, containing 3 acres, for railway purposes ; and section 11, of the parish of Waiuku East, Maioro survey district, containing 11 acres 2 roods SI perches, as a cemetery. The usual weekly practice of the Auckland Amateur Opera Club will be held at the Choral Hall on Saturday, instead of Thursday this week. The club is making excellent progress, and receiving several valuable accessions to its ranks. Notwithstanding the repeated complaints in the Press of persons driving in the streets after dark without lights, the dangerous practice is still persisted in, to the danger of life and limb of pedestrians. If a cabman is found guilty of carelessness in this respect he is at once pounced upon, but many of the outside public violate the law with impunity. There were in the lock-up last evening two persons for drunkenness, and a man named MoCormiok for being drunk and disorderly.

The attendance at the Free Public Library still continues remarkably good, and it is feared that many visitors are among the unemployed. A correspondent, who has recently examined the book shelves, expresses his astonishment at the gaps existing in English literature which require to be filled up there. He suggests that there should be a |und available for purchasing books when private collections, are brought into the market, and that some competent person should be commissioned by the municipal authorities as agent to secure valuable works when offered for disposal in that way. Aβ an illustration, he mentions that at the sale of the late Archdeacon Pritt's private library, a number of rare and valuable works fell into the hands of dealers for a song, which would have been a great acquisition t. the Free Public Library. Among the recent arrivals in town is Captain Hume (Inspector of Prisons), who is laet from Wellington, on an official visit in connection with the Mount Eden Gaol. It appears that Councillor Goldie is not without his admirers for the action he took in protesting against the expenditure of the ratepayers' money in sending a cablegram'to the Queen, congratulating her upon attaining the jubilee of her reign. "L.V.," of the Wade, in a letter on the subject, says :— " Mr. Goldie deserves great praise for the sentiments he expressed. I fail to see any just reason that can be urged for the paying away of the ratepayers' money upon a cablegram congratulating the Queen who, through acoident of birth, has been placed in a position to cost the British taxpayer £500,000 per annum, and has been enabled thereby during those fifty years to amaas an enormous fortune amounting to several millions sterling. I am sure all thoughtful men will echo Mr. Goldie's senciments, and cry shame upon the proposer and supportP'S of such a wanton waste of public money and doubly wanton does this waste of money appear when hundreds of men are clamouring for work, and dire distress existing among many of them. It is to be hoped the electors will hold this thing in remembrance against those men should they ever again solicit their votes.

A public meeting of those interested in the formation of an Auckland Atheriaum will be held this evening at Robson's Rooms, at eight o'clock. His Worship the Mayor will preside. Some twenty-five gentlemen hae i already expressed their intention of cooperating in the matter. The necessity of having some society whore the leading political, social, and scientific questions of the day could be fully and fairly discussed is strongly felt both as giving intellectual training to our young men and of leading to the formation of public opinion. A meeting of policy-holders in the Government Life Aseurance Association was held last week, when sundry resolutions passed were forwarded to Mr. D. M. Luckie, the general manager, at Wellington. Yesterday he acknowledged receipt of the resolutions, and forwarded the following telegram to Mr. A. Devore, chairman of the meeting :— " Policy holders may send proxies for resolutions if they choose, the voting paper only for director. It is intended that any resolution at annual meeting will be again submitted to policyholders." Voting papers can be procured at the local Government Insurance Office, Lower Qaeeu-street, and those policyholders who are in favour of the resolutions passed at the late meeting—namely, that the control and management of the association should be transferred back to the Government, should send their proxies to Mr. Bell, Wellington. The latest opportunity for sending proxies will be by the Southern mail by to-morrow's steamer. The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Auckland Permanent Co-operative Building and In vestment Society was held last evening in the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms. Colonel Haultain (President) occupied the chair. The report showed that, after deducting working expenses, the net profit for the year amounted to £6255 Is, which, after crediting S per cent, per annum to investing shareholders (absorbing £3551 3s 81), leaves a balance of £2403 178 4i, which admits of a bonus of 4 per cent, per annum on all investors' shares of not less than twelve months' standing, and on all borrowers' shares which were current on April 1 of this year, besides providing amply for contingencies. The monotonous quietude of the annual meetings of this society was broken on this occasion by a division of opinion as to the action of the committee on certain matters. Mr. Cherry, who had been one of the most efficient members of the committee, almost from the outset of the society, declined to be again pat in nomination, and Mr. F. G. Ewington, being the only additional candidate, was elected to fill the vacancy. With these exceptions the old committee were re-elected. Great regret was expressed at Mr. Cherry's action, and a vote of thanks was accorded him for his past services. A detailed report will be found in another column.

The following Justices have been reported to the Government since May 7, 1886, as being absent on the days set down for their attendance at the Police Court:—Messrs. P. Austin, S. Browning, H. Byron, J, Dilworth, S. T. George, R. W. Hammond, A. S. Kissling, F. Lawry, D. H. Lusk, R. B. Lusk, G. B. Owen, W. Powell, J. Rogan, J. Ronaldeon, and E. M, Williams. This does not look as if we were going to have much of " Justices' justice." The Rev. J. S. Smalley, who was set apart by the last conference of the Weeleyan Cburch as general evangelist, commences his mission in this city on Friday evening next, in the Grafton Road (new) Church. Mr. Smalley is known as a talented and attractive preacher, with excellent address, who possesses tb e gift of illustration and uses it with powerful effect. For the past three years he laboured successfully in Dunedin, where he established a mission church. Mr. Smalley is accompanied by Mrs. Smalley, and Mrs. Donald. These ladies assist by holding meetings for women, as well as by Ringing. During the mission at Grafton Road (lasting for eleven days) all the sittings of the church will be free. Each evening this week preparatory meetings for prayer are held in the schoolroom for one hour. It is the earnest desire of the promoters of the mission to ecsure the co-operation of all classes of Christians in this evangelistic effort, /'There are various back slums in Auckland in which are tenements totally unfit for human habitation. Yet they are permitted to exist as eyeaores, and dangerous to public health. They manage these things hotter in Sydney, where whole rows of tenements are being condemned and pulled down by order of the Mayor, not even the fresh paint and renovation to pass muster at an official inspection, saving them from destruction. The public generally imagine that when an official is dispensed with in a Government department a saving has been affected. That was the impression with regard to the retirement of Dr. Hislop as Secretary of the Education Department, and the fulfilment of his duties by the Inspector-General of Schools. It appears, however, that he got the comfortable retiring allowance of £1810 7s 6d. Mr. gutter, M.H.K., is now about to move for all papers in connection with the affair.

Sir George Grey's " Polynesian Mythology and Ancient Traditional History of the New Zealand Race" is now advertised by Measra. Upton and Go. Wβ copy the following item from a Melbourne paper:—"Some interesting particulars have been received by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia regarding as occurrence off the coast of New Zealand, which shows the possibility of restoring life after apparent drowning. A boat containing Captr.in Ferguson and his six children, Air. and Mrs. A. Jackson and their two children, eleven all told, was upaet. Six of the party were apparently quite gone when they were brought on shore. Their bodies were limp, their faces blue, froth was coming from their mouths and noses, and they were neither moving nor uttering a sound. Mr. D. G. Stephens, who was present, and who understood Dr. Silvester's method of restoring life under such conditions seems to have set earnestly to work. Id some of the cases there was every appearance of death. No pulse could be detected, and the beat of the heart was imperceptible. Yet Mr. Stephens succeeded in restoring animation, which led to recovery. He forcibly opened the mouths of some of the unfortunate persons, and inserted a feather, when large quantities of water poured out. He raised the arms over the head, and, lowering them, firmly against the body, regulating "the movements by oounting time as in breathing. Two hours elapsed in one case ere animation was restored." News from Noumea states that the local Government has wired to France that it will welcome the thousand recidivistes, and bave everything prepared for their arrival.

A start has been made to dig oat the foundation for the new Epiphany Church, Newton. When the new church ia erected it will greatly improve the appearance of the locality. A block of handsome two-storey brick ehop« is just approaching completion on the north aide of the Karsngahape Road, oppotite the Naval Hotel, which has filled up an ugly gap in that thoroughfare. In two years over fifty shops have been built in this thorough, fare, so that all trade requirements may now be regarded as met tor sune time to come. The premises, corner of Queen and Victoriastreets, known as part of the Theatre fioyal buildings, have recently been leased by Messrs. Nelson, Moate, and Co., and have been most elaborately fitted up as a tea warehouse, a business to which the firm exclusively devotes itself. The interior fittings are of an elegant description, and the porcelain vases of Japanese manufacture are the finest ever imported, and may be regarded as works of art. It is six ye»rt since Messrs. Nelson, Moate, and Co. first established the business in ChriaU church, and now their branches and agencies are in every centre of population ia the colony. The principle on which the iirru goes is to confine themselves strictly to naturally flavoured teas, eschewing the artificially flavoured commodity, and to this they attribute a large amount of their commercial eucoess. The branches in Danedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland are the finest in the colony. TSe blending and buying is left to Mr. Nelson, whose ability as a professional tea blender and taster has been fully proved and tested by the increasing trade of the firm.

A general meeting of the Auckland braneh of the New Zealand Teachers' Institute will be held on Saturday next, at eleven o'clock a.m., at the Welleeley-street School. The object of it is to consider important subjects to be brought before the annual meeting to be held next month. A strange point has been raised in a case at Kaikoura, brought against Mr. McLean for not destroying the rabbits on his land. He urged in defence that clause 17 of the Larceny Act No. 2 made it an offenoe to kill rabbits, and that was sufficient reason for not destroying them, although the Rabbit Aot made it a penal offence not to do so. Fifty passengers have booked from Christchurch for the Kimberley goldfield per Triumph. It will be seen by advertisement in our advertising columns that the places of business of the Hebrew community will be closed to-day, being the celebration of the 1 entecost. In olden times it was also the harvest feast, but its greatest significance is now the commemoration of the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. The service to-day at the Synagogue commences at ten o'clock a.m., when a discourse appropriate to the d»y will be given by the Rabbi, the Rev. 8. Goldstein. The Ark has been beautifully decorated with flowers. A number of alterations and improvement! are now being effected at the Theatre Royal by the lessee, Mr. Abbott, wish a view of making it more suitable for ordinary entertainments, concerts, public meetings and ballroom purposes, now that It has been decided not to take out a license for the building as a theatre. The present stage is bein" put back 16 feet, so as to accommodate in the stall division 400 persons additional, and this division will be further enlaraed by taking 8 feet off the pit. This will give a spacious ballroom, when needed, between the stage and the rows of pillar* supporting the drees circle, 36 feet and 66 feet, with a promenade all round of 12 feet in width. There will be the usual orchestra stalls and staging for entertainment*, but, as already said, the building will not be used as a public theatre. The dress circle will also bo enlarged by eome 50 seats. One great improvement effected has been remodelling the ladies' dreeßing-room, and providing in addition the requisite conveniences. The total sitting accommodation is now reckoned equal to an audience of 2000 persons, which will make the hall the most commodious in town, and the moat suitable for public gatherings of all kiuds. The alterations are being carried out by Mr. E. L. Smith, and will cost about £500. They are expected to be finished in three weeke. All 'the interior will be re-painted, and re-decorated by Mr. John Henderson, the well-known decorator.

Owing to tae quietness of the building trade at the preseu* moment, especially as regards brick buildiogs, some of the brick manufactories have stopped for the winter season, in order to allow the accumulated etocke of bricks on hand to bo worked off. Mr. Oliver Mays is gazetted a member of the Mopnt Victoria and Devonport Domain Boards. The quarterly meeting oFthe Grocers' Association was held on Monday evening in the Masonic Hall, Karaugahape Road. The special bueinees was to consider whether or no to continue the association, owing to the small attendance at the members' meetings. The members expressed themselves bo well •atfsfied with the committee who hold regular meetings that they did not deem it of special importence to attend. The idea of discontinuing the assooiatian was unanii jusly rejected. Owing to the resignation of the president, Mr J. Kllyett, Mr. H. Hewin was unanimously elected to that position. The adoption of an amended rule relating to the number of the members of the committee enabled the election of the following additional members to be made: —Messrs. R.Neal, W. S. Whiteley, R. H. Stevenson, and W. Parker. The following applications for patents have been gazetted: — James Hopkins Stevens, Fielding, for a numbered label, which can be firmly and easily affixed to a single key, or bunch of keys, without the aid of a ring; George W. N. Hamilton, Victoria, electroplater, for an improved composition for cleaning wool, silver, and other goods; Isaac Selby, Dunedin,' carpenter, for an improved washboard for household use; James Coventry, Welling, ton, tinsmith, for an economical apparatus for warming water or other liquids by heat of a candle; Henry Allen, Chrietchurch, gentleman, for an invention for destroying rabbits; John Mcßedmond, Auckland, engineer, for fire extinguishing and other purposes, to be called Mcßedmond's patent hose-reel; J. W. Wilkinson, Christehurch, draper, for protecting door locks; W. Andrews and Arthur W. £eaven, Christchurch, engineers, for improvement in chaffcutters ; Walter L. Bayaton, Melbourne, patent agent, for an improved process of hardening balsams, resins, and resinous compounds or products, fats, oils, tar, pitch, and bituminous products (being , a communication by Albert Kissel, of Frankfort-on>the« Main, Germany.

The Whaingaroa recreation ground and thermal springs have been brought under the operation of the Public Domains Act, ISBI. The land dealt with is 226 acres 5 perches, being 86 of the pariah of Waipa. The first meeting of the Domain Board is fixed for the 28th instant, and the monthly meetings have to be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The following trips are for the future to be dropped from the time-table of the Newmarket tram service :—ln the morning the quarter-past eight trip from Auckland, and the quarter to nine trip from Newmarket. At night the eleven o'clock from Auckland and the quarter to twelve from Newmarket. On Monday and Saturday nights the two last named trips will, however, be run. A preliminary meeting of the St. Benedict's Mutual Improvement Sooiety was held last evening in the Athenaum, Newton The Rev. Father O'Gara, 0.5.8., occupied the cbair, and Mr. R. Mahoney acted as secretary. The rev. chairman stated that His Lordship Bishop Luck had expressed himself as highly gratified at the starting of the society, and had generously given a donation of £10 towards the funds. After the disposal of the business the meeting adjourned till Tuesday evening next. Another good attendance, particularly in the lower part of the house, greeted the performance of "In the Ranks " at Abbott's Opera House last night. The drama passed off most satisfactorily, and is to be : jpeated again this evening. Four New Caledonian escapees who landed near Rockhampton were handed over to a French warder to be returned to Noumea.

The Provincial District Hospital librarian thankfully acknowledges the receipt weekly of the Leader and dally of the New Zealand Herald; also copies of the Evening Newt and Ea»t Coast Busine«a Advertiser, weekly, and four entertaining books from Mr. G. P. Fierce, Kyber Pah Read, Auckland. In consequence of the Choral Hall being engaged' next Thursday, the nana! practice night of the Auckland Amateur Opera Club, it bis been decided to bold the practice on Saturday (this week), at half-put seven p.m. sharp. Those members who cannot attend, and have bad copies of the opera placed Id their charge, are requested to lead them without fail, so that the practice may not ruffer tor want of books.