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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7862, 3 February 1887, Page 4

The situation in Europe continues alarming. The tension between France and Germany is stated to be increasing, and the Austrian Parliament has been hastily summoned, in order to pass votes relating to military affairs. A panic has occurred on the Continental Bourses. Further particulars are published this morning of the Madras disaster, and the catastrophe at sea.

Nothing has yet been officially disclosed as to the tenders for the Kuiti contract of the North Island railway. It was current yesterday that one of the tenderers had put in a tender £10,000 lower than the sum named in our issue of yesterday, as the minimum. Among the visitors in town from the Lake Country is Mr. Blythe, district surveyor. He states that the Wairoa road is now fit for through traffic. isteos will now be taken to go on with the new Galatea road, which will form part of the road to Taupo and into Napier, and by which most of the tourists will go to these districts instead of by the Heme Gorge. It is anticipated steps will be taken to put up a house of accommodation on Government land, so as to avoid native complications, and matters be so arranged as to take tourists out by the Pareheru route, and bringing them back to Rotorua via the Ariki and Wairoa, where the boat service would be ready to receive them.

The police are still engaged in making inquiries into the antecedents of Rowland Maurice, the circumstances of whose mysterious death have been already related. Superintendent Thomson has communicated with the Canterbury police authorities with a view of fixing Maurice's identity, and ascertaining the whereabouts of the widow. We understand there will now be no inquest, as such a proceeding could lead to no satisfactory result, owing to the delay that has arisen through the reprehensible neglect of those concerned to acquaint the police with the facts at the time. There is not the slightest suspicion of foul play, so that all that would be gained by the inquest, at considerable expense and trouble, would be possibly the knowledge that Maurice had committed suicide by taking poison. He was buried on the 22nd ultimo, and decomposition must now be sufficiently advanced to prevent identification of the body, and that identification would be rendered still more difficult through the absence of the nameplate on the coffin. The story of Rowland Maurice is a very old one of downward degradation through a love of strong drink.

The Auckland College and Grammar School will reopen, after the holidays, on Tuesday next. The entrance examination for the new boys will commence at ten o'clock on Monday, and the school will resume duties at the usual hour on Tuesday morning.

The remaining interclub matches were continued on the Government House ground on Tuesday afternoon. The combined set —Government House v. Auckland—which was commenced at Devonport, resulted in favour of the Government House, the games ending 6 —3, 5—6, C—3. The gentlemen's doubles —Messrs. Barton and Carr (Government House) v. Dr. Cobbett and Mr. Morey (Auckland)was won rather easily by the former pair, the sets running 6—3, 6-2, 6—4. There was a very large attendance of visitors. The general impression was that the latter match would have been much closer. Government House and Parnell have thus tied for the cup, ami another match will have to be played off to decide the ownership of the trophy.

A few months ago, the Irish ladies of Auckland sent home for presentation to the Hon. W. K. Gladstone a magnificent hook of ferns, with silver mountings, in gratituda for his efforts in the cause of Ireland Yesterday morning Mrs. Duffy, of Hob«o n ", street, the secretary of the ladies' committee received an autograph letter from Mr' Gladstone, acknowledging the gift, ail( j which is dated from Hawarden Castle Cheater, December 11, 18S6. In the letter to Mrs. Daffy, the right hon. gentleman, referring to the gift, says : _ " I am not less struck by the feeling which has prompted it, than impressed by the taste which every part of it exhibits. Tjj e beautiful state of freshness in which the ferns have arrived is an apt symbol of the affectionate feeling which unites this country to all its possessions over sea, save one, and shows us how thought and sentiment pa 63 between communities of the globe Wit-iont losing any of their savour. 1 have said ' save one,' and to efface that one exception and so complete the lis"; has been with me for more than twenty years, an object of the highest price. The best of my public efforts have been devoted to it. <jf none of the«e do I repent, but rejoice to have a share in many acts of justice and prudence at various times in the last half-century, as well as in some which I cannot look back upon with equal satisfaction. I have now arrived at the last of. the series. Far from being dicouraged, I am deeply thankful for th - ) great progress the cause has made during later months at home ; lor the wide and warm sympathies of other lands, include ing markedly the colonies ; and for having enjoyed the support and co operation of a body of colleagues, than whom none are more experienced -in affairs of State, or stand higher in public estimation. But you do well to remind me in your address that there is One above us and them who ruies and overrules our poor counsel*, and to whom we may fearlessly commit a canse, alike bene, ficial to all the countries concerned ia it, and to all sects and classes of their people." It will be remembered that wheu a number of the members of the General Assembly forwarded an address to Mr. Glad, stone, some of them were rather chagrined that the address was only <*cknow. ledced by his private secret Thg Irish ladies of Auckland have been more fortunate, and have received the acknowledgment of their beautiful gift from his owa hand.

The Supreme Court, in its civil jurisdiction, was occupied all day yesterday ia hearing the disputed will case. Mr. W, J. Suiter, one of the executors named in the will of Susannah Harriet Fuller, applied far probate, but caveat being lodged the action nad to be brought in Cjurt, and was tried before a special jury The caveat was lodged by two daughters of the deceased, on the grounds that the deceased was not In sound mind when she made this will, and that undue influence was brought to bear on her by Mr. and Mrs. White, her son-in-law »nd daughter, in whose house she died. The evidence as to the mental state of the deceased was what principally occupied the Court yesterday, and in that respect it ap. psared to be beyond dispute. The plaintiffs' case is not yet closed, and will be continued this morning at ten o'clock.

The seamen's strike is so far ended by th Northern Company deciding to lay up for]th meantime the e.f. Gxenelg, and when she is put into commission again—on Saturiay next—a fresh crew will be shipped.' Tfci Union intend t > take no further action in the matter pending instructions from headquarters.

In connection with the estreating of wit« nesses' recognizances, in the case ot Anderson, at the late criminal sessions, ill. Boynton has communicated with the authorities at Wellington on behalf of Lliaa Plow, his sister-in-law, one of the witnesses, showing cause why the fine should not bs enforced. Anderson appears to be a "moral agriculturist" of the first order. Shortly after his discharge by the Supreme Court, a letter was received by us, with an anonymous signature, stating that the writer had just arrived from England with Auder. son's sister, in order to ascertain the whereabouts of that worthy, who had disappeared from the knowledge of his relatives. The writer stated that there was £12.000 held in trust in the Bank of England on Anderson's account, and he was desirous of getting a list of his debts, and finding out his place of abode. If the writer bad called at the police station he could easily have ascertained all about Anderson and where he was, bat he did not do so ; nor has he done so since Anderson was arrested on the second charge, and it is believed that the letter is simply a hoax.

A point of some importance to shareholders in goldmining companies was decided at the District Court, Thames, on Tuesday. Messrs, Brookfield, Coates, and Saunders applied to have their names removed from the list of contributors in the Coromandel Just in-Time G.M. Co., Coromandel (in liquidation), and the case had been partially beard on a previous occasion. His Honor said he had decided that the name of the former should be removed, and those of Messrs. Coates and Saunders retained. A similar application was made by Messrs. H. Harper, J. M. Geddes, H. Brown, and Chas. King from the list of contributories of the same company. .Mr. Miller appeared for the liquidator (Mr. F. A. White), and Mr. Lush for the applicants. Mr. Lush took objection to this Court continuing the winding-up proceedings in this company under the Act of 1572, upon the ground that the Act was abolished by that of ISS6, and clause? 152 and 153 of the latter Act were not sufficiently explicit to authorise His Honor to proceed with the winding-up. His Honor said that he bad previously considered this same point, but had not expressed an opinion on the ma'.terbecause it had not been directly brought before him, bat now that it was raised, he must decide it. He thought the Act of 1572 was absolutely repealed, and that sections J52 and 153 of the -ct of ISS6 were intended to enable only the Supreme Court to continue winding-up proceedings till completion, especially seeing that under the latter Act bistrice Courts had no jurisdiction unless given them by an Order-in-Council, which has not been done in respect of this Ccurt. He must therefore hold that he had no jurisdiction to continue these winding-up proceedings, and he would therefore dismiss the objections. At the request of Mr. Miller the application for a settlement of the list of contributories in the Tairua G.M. Co. was adjourned until the sth April.

So far the completion of the piling for Mr. Firth's mill has not had any perceptible effect on the reclamation sea wall or on the concrete buttresses. Experts, however, say that 600 piles cannot be driven down into the foundations without a given amount of displacement, and that that displacement mast be felt either landward or seaward, The wall and buttresses have stood the concussion of driving the piles remarkably well.

The " tent " ear vices of Mr. Daniels, at the Surrey Hills estate, still maintain their interest.

A much needed improvement has just been completed at the Ponsonby Public School, namely, the erection of a new six-foot fence round the playground, and which, when painted, will greatly improve the surroundings of the establishment.

A Katikati correspondent writes: — Quite a gloom has been thrown over ths entire settlement by the sad news of the death of Mr. W. H. Johnston, second son of the Rev. Canon Johnston, Hillside, which occurred at Nnvua, Fiji, on Tuesday, 11'® January. The deceased came to this colony in IS3O, and, casting in his lot with those living in Kat kati, spent a couple of yea" in this neighbourhood. During this period he won the good-will and esteem cf all who knew him, by his manly qualities and sterling worth, and when, in ISS2, he pro* claimed his intention of trying Fiji as a new field of labour, the announcement was received with universal regret. Soon *" er his arrival in that colony, he obtained employment in the Colonial Refining Compaq)' Rewa, and subsequently was engaged by 11 Taßraanian Company, JSavua, in w.no® service he was at the time of his death. J both of these companies was he big J thought of, being entrusted with imports 0 and responsible positions, and every pointed towards his having a bright a . successful career. The melanchoiy m - gence of his sad death came upon settlement with startling suddenness, , ca ' ing a profound feeling of srief to #1' " knew him. His sorrowing family, wn irreparable los* all deplore, have tse m sincere sympathy of the entire neigh hood in their bereavement, the sadness which is intensified by the fret that ' ' deceased was called away to his last far away from his friends ami home. , There have been some very »air bom hush this summer, so that the bush- ari • has a little encouragement in the uphil _ of subduing the forest.— Normanby co pondeat*

His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. Devore), accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr. P. A. Philips), paid a return official visit to the French warship Scorpion yesterday morning. The party was conveyed on board in one of the warship's boats, and were most courteously teceived by Commander De Chauliac and his officers. The Scorpion leaves to-day for Tahiti.

F. J. Carter, aged 17 (of the Auckland College and Grammar School), has obtained a Junior University scholarship. Eight scholarships, open to all persons between the ages ol 16 and 20, were competed for by 72 candidates, and 20 were competed for by 72 candidates. Carter was placed third. He has attended the school for four years, holding first a certificate of proficiency, and afterwards one of the foundation scholarships founded by the Board of Governors of the school. His elder brother obtained a University Scholarship and an Kntrance Scholarship at the Auckland University College last year, and his younger brother ft Senior District Scholarship.

i A special settlement scheme is being promoted by Mr. E. W. Brothers, of College Road, who has brought the matter under the notice of the Hon. Mr. Ballance. The land proposed for the settlement consists of the Hangawera. Te Awaroa, and Maungakihika blocks, 4500 acres in all, situated within three miles of Morrinsville, and having a frontage of about half a mile to the Piako River. It is proposed to have the land opened under the Village Special Settlement Association Act, with two alterations. One of these is that settlers should be allowed to take up 100 acres instead of 50, and they also ask for the same assistance afforded to settlers under clause 8 of the Village Homestead Act, that the Government should ad vance £20 to enable settlers to erect their houses, and also advance £2 10* per acre on land cleared. The matter has been represented to the Hon. Mr. Ballance, who has promised to give the application due consideration.

An arringemeut has been como to by the Shopkeepers of the Ponsonby district (54 in number) to close their shops on Wednesday evenings at six o'clock, in order to give their employes at least one free night in the week. It is understood that .Newton will come into the movement, Newton has hitherto been the greatest sinner in the matter of late shopping and long hours of business.

The Costley Boys' Institute has at present six inmates, four of vyiom are apprenticed out in the town. It is probable some ot the younger lads from Kohimarama will be brought up to the institution. The trustees, we understand, have a scheme on hand for still further utilising the Institute for the benefit of the poor but bright lads who find their way to the Industrial Schools. Work at the new Ponsonby reservoir is being vigorously pushed on. The northern embankment is now about up to its specified height. The section of wall built on the solid seems to be standing well, and to be successfully resisting all the strain put upon it. There were in the lock up last evening, One prisoner for drunkenness, James Durze for desertion from It.M.S. Nelson, on the sih January, ISS6 and William Wilkinson, for larceny of twelve flannel shirts, value C2 Ss, the property of G. W. Allen.

A singular circumstance happened last light at the police station. A man named Henry Gardiner, surrendered himself into the custody of the police, making confession that he had feloniously stolen a cheque, value £13 Is, at .Napier, in October, ISSS, the property of .T. Turner. It appears he picked up the cheque, cashed it, and appropriated the proceeds.

lis Sanitary Inspector reports one case of typhoid in Edinburgh-street, and another in eton-street, and two cases of measles In Durham-street.

The addresses to business men were continued yesterday forenoon by the Rev J. S. Hill, in the hall of the Insurance Company's Building, and the topic was "The Love of Christ.' These meetings are not so largely patronised by the business men as they should be.

There is a rather dangerous obstruction on the aide of the pavement near the premises of Mr. W. S. Jones, saddler, Queen-street, which has been the cause of more than one dangerous accident. It is a short pillar or Btand, with hooka for hitching )ior»fs, Bcarcely three feet in height. At night the light of the adjacent restaurant throws it into shadow, and its existence is not noticeable. The night before- last a respectable citizen fell over it in the dark, receiving severe injuries in the abdomen and groin, which prostrated him for some minutes.

There seems no prospect of the public petting a respite from the present hot weather, which tells severely upon mail and beast. It is said that for many years past, them has not been so long a stretch of beat known in Auckland. Some cases of sunstroke are reported from country districts, arising from persons incautiously exposing themselves to the full blaze of the tropical Bun.

In connection with the discussion which arose on Friday last at the Board of Education respecting the removal of tho V> e&t Mauku School, Mr. James Gallagher writes at some length. thinks Mr. Cdy has " been had" over the matter and not Mr. Goldip. He points out that when Mr. Goldie visited the district, he went over the ground with the representatives of the two parties to the dispute, that he got a copy of the map of the district, and on each farm wag marked the numherof children of school age, and in fact took every precaution to obtain a full knowledge of the subject before he reported to the Board on the matter. Mr. Gallagher considers Mr. Goldie's recommendation is right, and the only just decision that could have been come to.

On the 12th instant the annual regatta at Mercer will be held, the first event taking place at noon. There are nine events on the programme. There will be canoe races, and canoe races for women only, swimming contesta, greasy boom, foot races, and canoe hurdle races, etc. A cheap excursion train leaves Auckland on that day, to reach Mercer in time for the races. These races were a great success last year, and everything is now being doue to make them exceed any previous year.

Our Samoan correspondent writes :—Considerable inconvenience is caused to merchants io the delivery of consignment per s.b. Lubeck. On their consignee letter it is clearly stated that they can take delivery from the vefael's side, or, if they desire, the goods can bo taken to the agents and stored by them until required. The German firm will not permit them to get their goods except by the latter mode, and they are told that they cannot get them until the steamer has left. This is damaging to business, and prevents replies being sent to the consignors by the return mail. It is to be regretted thai some other line of steamers cannot see fit to take lip the growing trade in these Islands. The present one ib a German steamer, and it is managed probably upon German business principles, and these do not chime in with that of the colonies.

The contractor for the fittings of the Free Library has nearly completed his work. His Worship the Mayor and the Library Committee will shortly pay a visit of inspection to the building, in order to see what it neces Bary further to be done. Mr. Wade, the architect, will then get instructions to draw up the specification? for the final and complete contract for fittings. As soon as this Work is accomplished the transfer of the jooks in the present Free Public Library Will be undertaken.

Mr. Sohock has left at No. 12, Scheiff's buildings, Fort-street, a number of Japanese silk worm eggs, for distribution. The silk produced from these, when fed on the white mulberry leaves, is green and white in colour. Anyone wishing for them should apply early, if they wish to benefit by Mr. Shock's thoughtful consideration.

It will be seen by advertisement that the Northern Steamship Company announce another trip to Waiwera on Saturday afternoon, returninflfon Monday morning in time for busicess. A vi»n to the Hot Springs is sure to be enjoyable at the present time.

The monthly calendar for February of Mr. Heinrich Kohn, the well-known jeweller, is How issued. It contains much useful information to the travelling public.

The Auckland Time-table and North New Zealand Guide for February is to hand. The time-tables, by road, steamer, or rail, will be found in it in addition to other valuable information.