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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7828, 23 December 1886, Page 4

The situation in Europe continues threatening. The relations between the various Great Powers gives cause for much uneasiness, and it is reported that Russia and Austria are making preparations for war in the spring. Affairs in Burmah are more satis* factory, and the country generally is more settled. The agitation in Ireland is still being carried on by tho Land League, although the vigorous action of the Government has greatly checked the operations of the Leaguers. Sir Thomas Douglas Forsyth, whose death is announced today, was born at Liverpool in 1827, and after a distinguished scholastic career, went out to India in 1848 in the service of the East India Company. He was appointed Assistant-Commissioner in the Punjab, and took an active part in the suppression of the Indian mutiny, and was in consequence made a C.B. He then became secretory to the Chief Commissioner of Oudh, and in 1859 Commissioner and Chief Judge in the Punjab. In 1873 he was entrusted with the hazardous task of negotiating a treaty with the ruler of Yarkund, in Eastern Turkestan, in which mission he was entirely successful. For this service he received the honour of knighthood. In 1874 be was appointed a member of the Legislative Council of India, and in 1875 was sent as envoy to the King of Burmah. The Herald will not be published on Saturday (Christmas Day), but morrow (Friday) it will consist of sixteen pages, and will contain all the features of the Saturday issue, besides a varied selection of reading specially appropriate to the Christmas season. An article, on alterations and improve" ments at the Auckland Tramway Company's depot, Wallis-street, Ponsonby, will be found in the. sixth page. Sir George Grey came to town yesterday, but we understand that he intends to return to the Kawau to-day if possible. He has bean busy for the last few weeks in packing up his books for conveyance to the Auckland Free Library, Fully 6000 volumes have been packed carefully in forty boxes, and there remains about 1500 more to be made ready. The steamship lonic, bearing the flag of Messrs. Shaw-Savill and Albion Company, came into harbour at about eleven o'clock, and dropped anchor oft the Queen-street Wharf, where she remained for about an hour, and was then berthed at the Railway Wharf, where the work of landing the passengers and their luggage was at once proceeded with, whilst the necessary gear was got in position preparatory to landing the Auckland portion of her cargo. Some disappointment was experienced at the lonic not having brought on to here her London mail. . This was transhipped at Hobart to the Union Company's s.s. Manapouri, due here on Monday next. The lonic brought with her 253 passengers, of which number 77 are for Auckland, 65 for Wellington, 59 for Canterbury, 61 for Dunedin, 9 for Napier, 4 for Nelson, 3 for Bluff, 2 for Picton, and 3 for New Plymouth. Those for Napier were sent on to their destination by the s,?. Mararoa, which left yesterday afternoon. The passage appears to have been a most enjoyable one, and the efforts of Captain Cameron and his officers to secure the comfort of their passengers appear to have given great satisfaction. The lonic has for this port about 312 tons of cargo, and amongst this is a quantity of plant for the new Calliope Dock, consisting of pipes, girders, plates, etc. To land these at the dock Mr. G. Niccol has obtained the contract from the Auckland Harbour Board. Amongst the lonic passengers is one gentleman who bag brought with him a large number of canaries, which are to be disposed of here. The ' feathery passengers have all arrived in tine condition. The lonio is to take in here a cargo of frozen mutton, butter, etc., also wool for the home market; and Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co., the ship's agents, are anxious to get the vessel away again on her voyage to Southern ports early tomorrow. In our shipping columns will be found the particulars of her passage, names of her passengers, etc, A deputation of property owners, in Eaststreei, Newton, waited upon the Mayor yesterday afternoon to endeavour to have the cutting in this street reduced, as the present depth of cutting greatly damaged the interests of residents in the street. After an explanation of the position of the matter, His Worship advised those present to get the consent of all property owners in the street to an amended cutting of five feet instead of nine, and to have the same ready for the meeting of the Council to be held to-night It was agreed to get this done, and no doubt the Council will authorise the amendment in the contract at once, so that the street may not be cut down to the intended depth. The managing committee of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association have recently been taking stock, and made a thorough investigation into their affairs. They find that financially the Association is not healthy. The aggregate debt which the Association is now responsible for is £3350. Of this sum the largest portion is secured upon mortgage on the Association's property at Green Lane, but there is of this sum no less than £300 which is a floating debt. Two years ago the Association had none of this floating debt, but last year a portion was accumulated, and this season the amount I was increased to that stated—£3oo. At a meeting of the committee of management held recently, it was considered that if steps could be taken to relieve the Association of their floating debt, there were hopes of the Association" pulling through ; but if this debt remained, it was feared that the Association would have to be wound up. This would be a great misfortune, and to avoid this a sub-committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. J. W. Wallace, J. Bainbridge, C. .itkin, Esam, and J. Phillipps, for the purpose of collecting subscriptions for ' the liquidation of the £390 of a floating debt. So far the response has been fairly satisfactory ; and it is to be hoped that all who take an interest in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, and who are able, will contribute their mite towards the extinguishment of this debt.

To show the lax way in which the property tax is assessed, we may state that a gentleman in this city received notice to pay the tax on property valued at £1000, which he appealed against, and it was allowed by the Board of Reviewers. In another case a property which had been sold and the claim allowed, is debited to the original owner. In both cases protest against payment has been lodged with the Commissioner.

Sometime ago^Mr"^r, *- - ..-^"r^rpublished a wo B rken\ttedt «' *****? The majority of those to whom I B ° rgeß '' for review poke of if in T rv V" ««« terms and not a few suggestld ?W T ° nrable the chapters in it shoufd beifiJiJlH - ! a separate form. Mr. Saunders h» 6 * '* npon the j advice thus tend ered "/ C ! e<l republished the chapter upon draueh"? ha " in a separate form under rhl a ™ u ght horses " The Perfect Bright Ho rße »"«?** o{ is somewhat enlarged and alte'rprt ,o pter with its first appearance in "SurT Pared and has been published an a » M! '" of thirty.two pages by Messrs. wffift' and Tomes, of ChriLX large amount of sensible advice g ven \ a those who may be entrusted with the bLJ° MB in of draught horses, as to what Hi" and what .to avoid. Mr. Saunders™™ mends gentler treatment to be rivm ?' young horses than they generally oat .o shows that patience must be exenLd L?* the horses are taught to know what tW trainer requires them to do. Patience m„ J also be exercised in teaching them the 1™ page they are expected to obey in '!?* future, and strongly condemns th» n ga J I the whip until the young animals have rL„ j taught what we want them to uodersS he pamphlet is well worthy of carSni I perusal by those to whom the training „ ■ young horses may be entrusted, and it i j published at a price which places it within | the reach of all. The publishers navels! 5 ! it in a very creditable form. BUed I ™ There seems to have been some misuser standing in the telegraphic correspondent relative to the. Auckland unemployed M Thompson, M.H.R., yesterday telegraphed to the Minister for Public Works, thanE him for the prompt attention paid to his re presentations, and also stati D that he had made no complaint as to delay in reply Th delay, it appears, arose through the Minis" ter's absence from Wellington. Two priests arrived by the lonic yester day, to commence a Maori mission, namelv" Fathers Becker and Madon, of St. Joseph's Missionary Society,- London. They made a tour of the suburbs yesterday, under the chaporonage of Bishop Luck, whose guests they are for the present. The experiments which Mr. Blaikie, p] M . terer, was about to carry out on the railway reclamation, to prove the non-inflammability of his patent plaster, have been postponed till after the holidays, at the request of the Mayor. The preliminary proceedings have been viewed with great interest by the insurance companies. A building has been erected by way of experiment on the reclamation. In the interior, on the east side, is Wilson's cement, on wire netting • on the west side English cement, on wood and wire; on south end is the late Mr. B. Keane's Whangarei cement, on wire netting. The interior of this erection will be filled with combustibles and set fire to, in order to test the plastering. Outside the erection is a recess 2 feet 6 inches in width and seven feet in height, whioh will also be filled up with combustibles, and thus give the wall a further test by fire, The Superintendent of the Fire Brigade states that if the new invention keeps a fire from spreading for only a quarter of an hour he is satisfied, as that space of time would allow the occupants to clear out the house and for the brigade to arrive. Mr. Blaikie,' on the other hand, claims that his plaster oa wire netting will hold about half an hour, in fact it is almost indestructible. There is reason to believe that the stream of tourist traffic is about to begin. No less than 23 left yesterday for the Lake Country, Colonel Bal ingall, of lowa, who returned from the Lake district the other day, and left for the South by the Hawea, states that it is very desirable that the Government should publish an authoritative and official statement as to there being no danger in visiting the volcano region. He states that tourists from the States are deterred from coming, owing to the conflicting statements published by different journals as to the condition of the Lake country. A service of song, entitled " Uncle Tom," was performed on Tuesday evening at St. Andrew's, under the conductorship of Mr. F. Earle, by the Sunday-school children. The Rev. A. Carrick presided, and Captain LeKoy read the connecting narrative. There was a large attendance, aud in addition to the service of song some Jubilee songs were sung with considerable effect. Admission was free, but the collection taken up amounted to £8, which was devoted to the school funds. ' The Cox's Creek Bridge embankment is now completed, and all that requires being done now is some fencing, to guard the road at the more dangerous parts of the cutting. There was a rumour last night that a respectable married woman, through domestic trouble, had taken a dose of "Rough on Rat?." The matter had not come under the cognisance of the police, and it is said en* deavours are being made to hush the matter up. A goodly number of the bushmen are arriving in town for the races. Sixty came down from Northern Wairoa by the as, Kina to Helensville yesterday, and thence to town by train. They have some £2000 to spend, but in the heyday of the timber industry the figure on the average would have been nearer £8000. The following applications for letters patent have been gazetted :Max Muret, Dunedin, for propelling boats or vessels ; D. Hutoheson, Melbourne, for an improved sheep-shearing machine; C. G. Patrick de Laval, M.A., Stockholm, engineer, for improvements in an apparatus for supporting and working vertically-mounted centrifugal machines, such as cream-separators, emulsors, &c, by hand power; T. Remus, Dresden, for improvements in the manufacture of leather boxes, and other articles of cardboard, wood, leather, and the like in clamps, or fittings for the corners and edges of the same, and an apparatus connected therewith ; M. Walker, George E. Walker, and Jean Baptiste Germenil Bormud, Longton, England, for a process of producing lithographic or zinoographic copies of photographic or other designs ; W. S. Bayston, Melbourne, for improvements in Pocket lock stitch sewing machine; George Rhodes, Auckland, for an improved method of generating gas in connection with Hooker's patent incandescent light; R. J. Shaw, Folkestone, England, for improvements in meat safes, which improvements are partly applicable to existing meat safes. The parties interested in promoting the Temperance settlement in the Raglan district discovered that the regulations under which they acted would deter them from receiving the same aid as Lundon's special settlers. They have now determined to take up the land under the provisions of the special settlement scheme, which entitles them to Government aid, and negotiations are now going on with Wellington with that object in view. The puias in the Raglan district have been found to be some fifteen in number, and of a temperature of from 99deg. to HOdeg. They are now under the control of the Domain Board, who are willing to lease them. The well-known hotel at the Kyber Pass junction (of which Mr. Henry Maiden is licensee) has recently received extensive additions and improvements, at a cost of £1000. On the ground floor has been added a spacious diningroom, kitchen, and other apartments ; while on the first floor are ten additional bedrooms, two sittingrooms, bathroom, etc., in order to provide suitably for the travelling public. On Monday night Mr. Maiden entertained some seventy of his friends in the diningroom, and on the following night the whole of the workmen and others, amounting to ninety. Mr. Searell was the architect, and Mr. Farley the contractor for the work.

As a farther inducement to subscribers to Mr. C. Rowe'sfuad for giving the.children at the Kohimarama School their annual treat, it has been decided that all subscribers of 2s 6d will receive a free passage by the steamer to and from Kohimarama, and in audition will also be entertained at tea there. It has been arranged that the treat will be given on the lath January next, the steamer starting from the wharf at one o'clock, returning from Kohimarama at seven P-™-There will be a number of sports, » Christmas tree, and to further enliven the proceedings, a band of mußic has been engaged. Mr. Rowe is still receiving subscriptions towards this laudable object at bis office at the Costomhouae. The epidemic of juvenile crime is still spreading. Yesterday two boys, bmmo Thomas Connop and Mark Goodman, were arrested on a charge of stealing a quantity 01 bones, the property of John K. bmitn. * appears that they stole the bones from the rear of the property, »nd offered .them for sale to the owner. He recognised them M having been steamed, and the boys were apprehended,

On' Thursday last a concert was held is the Public Hall, Avondale, in aid of St. .Jade's Church. The Rev. J. K. Davis took the chair, and a good programme was successfully oarried through, consisting of glees, speeches, songs, and instrumental music, soma of which received hearty encores. Archdeacon Dudley was present, and delivered a speech of a very interesting nature. The jocular manner in which the Rev. Mr. Calder delivered his speech amused the audience very much, especially when he suggested having open air concerts in Avondale. Mr. Hague merits the hearty thanks of all for his untiring efforts in organising the entertainment, and particularly for the successful way in whioh he conducted the glees. Two more lads were before the Police Court yesterday for thieving in the Ponsonby district. The Bench ordered the accused, on account of their youth, to be flogged with six strokes each of the birch rod by the police. It is to be hoped that this means will act as a deterrent to youthful crime, as of late there have been a very Urge number of cases before the Court. A requisition has been signed by a number of Ponsonby ratepayers, convening a meeting in the Ponsonby Hall this evening, at half-past seven, for the purpose of hearing the views of the candidates for a seat in the City Council. Messrs. Dufaur, Swales, and Elkin, the present candidates, are expected to address the ratepayers. In connection with the above contest, a meeting of the committee appointed to secure the return of Mr. Dufaur for the Ponsonby Ward was held yesterday. It having been suggested by Mr. Elkin's committee that either Mr. Elkin or Mr. Dufaur should retire, it was unanimously decided that as Mr. Dufaur had first publicly intimated his intention of contesting the seat in the Council, rendered vacant by the election of Mr. Devore as Mayor, he should not retire, but that the committee pledge themselves to use every endeavour to secure his return. A San Francisco paper by the last mail says :—" Maxwell, the condemned murderer of Preller, has lost the indifference that characterised him during his trial, ami is reported to be completely unmanned. He is no longer able to sleep, except for very brief periods, at long intervals, and is haunted by visions of the man for whose murder he has been condemned to die." Full particulars of the picnic to Motutapu on Monday next, under the auspices of the Grafton Read Church, will be found in the advertising columns. The Viotoria will leave the Ferry Company's Wharf at nine o'clock, and to prevent overcrowding, it will be seen that a second steamer has been engaged to be in reserve. As the price fixed is but 2*, and this includes tea (not eatables) at twelve o'clock and four, a large gathering is expected. Complaints are renewed of the pilfering of shrubs and flowers from the graves in the cemeteries. It is to be hoped that a severe example will be made of any of the offenders, if caught. The Midland Land and Railway Company of Western Australia, of which we have heard by telegram within the last few days, has been formed to take over the consession to Mr. John Waddington of the right to construct a railway on the land grant system from York to Gerald ton, Western Australia. Judgment was given in the Police Court yesterday morning in the bicycle case. The Resident Magistrate, after quoting decisions is the English Courts, held that a bicycle came within the meaning of a vehicle, and therefore was entitled to be treated with the rule of the road. A fine of 5« and costs, which amounted to £4 ISa in all, was imposed. By this decision it is expected that all bicycles will now be recognised as vehicles, and be liable to be proceeded against for riding on the footpaths. A presentation of a very handsome barometer has been made to Mr. A- McArthur, the principal of the Training College, who is leaving for Melbourne next week. It has bsen given by his late students, and bears the following inscription:—"A. McArthur, presented by a few friends, Auckland, New Zealand, December 22, ISS6." The woodwork is very chastely carved, and the barometer rests on a frame. The gift is a token of the high esteem that Mr. MeArthur is held in by his late pupils. The really admirable performance of the " Silver King" by the MaoMahon and Leitch Company was witnessed last night for the last time at the Opera House by a largely increased audience. To-night there will be a change of bill, when Dion Boucicault's charming comedy drama, in five acts, "Led Astray," will be produced. The cast is a powerful one, and the performance highly spoken of by the Southern papers. The management announce that the performances of '" Led Astray " will be limited to two nights, and on Boxing Night will be produced the grand revival of the " Lights o' London.' The company have lost none of their old-time popularity, which is rather enhanced, to judge by the hearty greeting accorded them each evening. Our Wade correspondent writes :— On Sunday last, immediately after the serj vice, the Rev. A. J. Hitchcock was presented with an address and two very valuable and handsomely-bound books by his friends at the Wade. The presentation was made on behalf of the people by the oldest settler in the district, Mr. C. de Jersey Grnt. The church was very crowded, as this was the last service Mr. Hitchcock is to take here, as he has resigned the charge of the district, which he has visited during the last three years, during which time he has made many friends and become very popular. In thanking the congregation for their unexpected present, Mr. Hitchcock referred to the good work done, and the assistance given him by Mr. Thomas Leigh, J. P., who for many years has acted as lay reader. The volumes are, Dean Stanley's "Christian Institutions," and Sonthgate's " Many Thoughts of Many Minds." During the period Mr. Hitchcock has had charge of the district a new church has been built, upon which scarcely any debt remains, and regular service is held every Bunday. . Amongst the many pleasure spots around our shores, the Tamaki stills retains its popularity, owing no doubt to the facilities its offers for landing, procuring water and shade, and for enjoying one's self by flood and field ad lib. The fine ferry steamer Britannia is advertised to convey the Tabernacle people to this spot, and no doubt will be well patronised. For those who enjoy boating, comfortable watermen's boats are provided free of charge, whilst bats, balls, etc., may be had for field games gratis. In this issue will be found full particulars. A. Christmas tree and sale of useful and fancy articles takes place to-day in the public hall at Devonport, to be opened by the Mayor (Mr. M. Niccol) at two p.m., in aid of the building funds, etc., of the Presbyterian Church, which will no doubt be visited by a large number of Presbyterians and other friends. la addition to the excellent and diligent catering of the ladies of the congregation, it is pleasing to notice that valuable contributions have been received from many home friends, and particularly from members of the congregation in Scotland of which the respected pastor was formerly minister. We would draw attention to the sale of pianos by Messrs. Tonks and Co. to-day at eleven o'clock. The pianos are all first-class Instruments by eminent makers, and will afford an opportunity to procure a really good piano at a low price. The same firm sell verandah sun blinds and cane ohairs at twelve o'clock. Special attractions to intending purchasers at St. Thomas' Snow Fair are Mr. K. Watkin's painting of " Waitakerei by Moonlight," the moonlight effects of which are most beautiful and realistic, and the large Rob Roy Canoe, lottery tickets being issued at 2s 6d each. Many excellent articles are to be found on the stalls, and a real treat for the youngsters is the large Christmas Tree, illuminated each evening. In the way of entertainments this evening the farce, "Twenty Minutes with a Tiger" will be repeated in the theatre, the drop scene—a good representation of an old English village street after a heavy fall of snow— at a quarter to nine prompt. The Carol Singers, or Waits, will sing another set of carols. This feature of the Fair cannot be too highly commended, reminding everyone most forcibly of a wintry Christmas in the old country ; and, lastly, the snapdragon bowl will be sent round, free for anyone to try their prowess in snatching Ohiistmas plums from the enveloping flames. The remainder of the goods, calico, etc., will be sold by auction to night, this being the last day of the Snow Fair. Every child will receive a gift from the Christmas tree. To-day at eleven o'clock. Messrs. E. and A. Isaacs will continue the sale of Japanese Art productions, consisting of richly embroidered scieens, costly basketware, valuable porcelainW'lre, curious toys, and rare vases. Mr. D. Thorpe has opened a Temperance Hotel at St. Heliers Bay, at which visitors will • cceive every comfort and accommodation. The city dust and refuse carts will not go round on the 25th, but on the 27th instead. "The Messiah" will be performed in the Bereslorditreet Onrush on Christmas Day.