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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7975, 15 June 1887, Page 4

Oar cable despatches this morning give some interesting particulars in connection with the approaching Jubilee of Her Majesty. The Royal procession to Westminster Abbey will be an imposing pageant. The Queen's carriage will be preceded and followed by an escort of all the English princes, together with a large number of others related to Her Majesty; while the military display will be on a large and impressive scale. The news from Afghanistan is of a serious character. The revolt is assuming a grave aspect, and it is now doubtful whether the Ameer will be able to cope with it successfully. His prestige is said to be rapidly waning, and his downfall is looked for. The health of the German Emperor is improving. Some progress has been made with the Irish Bills in the Lords and Commons. The Times continues its exposure of Parnellism and crime. At the ordinary meeting of the Harbour Board held yesterday, several matters of importance were dealt with. Respecting the -question of the proposed Freeman's Bay reclamation, it was agreed that when the Board is in a position to proceed with the reclamation of Freeman's Bay, tenders be called for reclaiming the whole of the Buy for a lump sum—a method of dealing with the matter which would, as the engineer pointed out, afford scope for the development of the latent genius of the many inventors and others who are to the fore with suggestions for the carrying out of the work. A report of the meeting appears elsewhere. With regard to the illumination of the city on Jubilee night (Tuesday) the municipal authorities have left the matter in the hands of the citizens. Care has been taken in the issue of permits to see that no danger arises from the process. The Free Public Library building will be effectively lighted up in the interior, but no attempt at illumination otherwise, as since the recant fire in the Council Chamber the municipal authorities are somewhat apprehensive of danger from fire. The period of illumination is to be from half-past seven p.m. to ten p.m. Yesterday morning a narrow escape from drowning occurred to a little girl—Grace Andean —a daughter of Mr. John Endean. The little one was, with others, playing close to the intake in Mechanics' Bay, when she either slipped or wag accidentally pushed into the harbour. The accident was witnessed by a young lad—a son of Mr. McKelvill, contractor, St. George's Bay Road, Parnell — who, though only some seven years of age, without hesitation jumped into the water, and safely conveyed the child to the shore; and none too soon, for she was on the point of sinking. The child was taken to her parents' residence, suffering somewhat from her immersion. Mr. Eudean intends to suitably acknowledge the really plucky action of the brave little fellow who so camely went into the water to his daughter's help.

_____ The criminal sittings of the. Court were continued yesterday, jw® Shelly, who, on the previous day had pleach guilty to a charge of larceny, and a second charge of larceny from a dwelling, w * brought up for sentence. Evidence given as to his previous good character am? he was sentenced to six months' imnri ß n„ ment for each offence, the sentences to hi consecutive. James Lowndes, charged wlfu a violent assault on Charleß Streem by raf . taring bis jaw, was convicted, and Mntanca was deferred until to day, in order that evi dence as to character might be called Jo?' Duncan, a youth, was convicted of breaking and entering a gumdiggers' whare an! stealing some gum and a silver ring ■ and a the case was a bad one, exhibiting grosa i gratitude, prisoner was sentenced to twn years' imprisonment with bard labour Th Court then adjourned until ten o'clock tv,;! morning. ma The City Schools Committee held thai ordinary meeting yesterday evening when' amongst other matters, Mr. Pidler's r'enlv fal Mr. Harrison's report on standard examina° tions, syllabus, etc,, was submitted th committee adopting a lengthy recommends 8 tlon which appears in our report elsewhere' It was agreed, with respect to the Jubilee holidays, that tho schools be closed dnrir,„ the whole of next week. ® At the District Court yesterday, befom tt G. Seth Smith, Esq., District Judge th' case of Macarthy v. Newton Borough Concc'l came on for hearing, and occupied the whol» day. At a quarter-past five the jury J turned a verdict for plaintiff for £12 10' th' amount charged for preparing sections of'fiva streets. They held, however, that plaintiff was amply compensated for his wo'k on th water drainage scheme by § per cent, on the £4000. After deducting the amount paid ' into Court the amount to be paid bv tK Borough Counoll is £17 3s. 0 The s.s. Rotomahana arrived yesterdav morning from Sydney, with mails, passed gers, and cargo. She brought mail from London, via Brindisi, to the 6th of May, The Kotomahana, on her arrival at Duaedin is to be laid up for her periodical overhaul and cleaning. A special sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court was held at ten o'clock yesterday morning, for the purpose of revising the electors' roll for the Weiti and Takapuna Ridings for the County of Waitemata. Mr Seaman, on behalf of the Countv Council' applied to have the names of 130 persons' who had recently acquired property in the Takapuna Riding, added to the county roll and that the names of 42 persons, who had parted with their property in the same riding, might be struck off. The Chairman of the Council (Mr. Mays) stated that the Council were satisfied that the objections to the roll made by Mr. Seaman were valid and clear, and asked His Worship to accept the lists as a whole. His Worship made an order accordingly. The same process was gone , through with the roll of the Weiti Riding-20 persons being added, and 15 truck off. The Court adjourned till Friday to enable the alteration's to be made by the Council and then initialled by the Resident Magistrate. A rather curious incident transpired at the Supreme Court yesterday in reference to a charge of arson preferred against a Maori named Rehutai. .The foreman of the Grand Jury informed the Court that they were obliged to bring in no true bill, as the witnesses were not- before them to be examined, His Honor asked the Crown Prosecutor for an explanation. It transpired that three witnesses, who were in attendance, were not 'called, as their names were not on the bill, They were subpoenaed instead of the other witnesses whose names were endorsed on the bill, but who had not been subpoenaed, as their evidence was unimportant. His Honor directed Mr. Williamson to draw up a fresh indictment for the next criminal sessions, He thanked the Grand Jury for their services, and discharged them from further attendance. The Harbour Board have resolved to iliaminate their offices in Quay-street on the night of the Jubilee celebration ; and, as the buildings hold a commanding position fronting the harbour, it has been decided to place a light at each of the windows, which will, it is anticipated, give a very fine effect. In an ordinary report submitted at thS meeting of the City Schools Committee yesterday evening, Mr. Harrison, headteacher Beresford-Btreet School, stated that during the week ending June 11, the average daily absences from school, through various causes, had numbered 157 pupils. The Rotorua waterworks, which have for a year past been in process of construction, are about completed, and will shortly be handed over to the Government. They have been constructed under the supervision of I Mr. J. M. Malfroj', C.E., who was appointed 1 by the Government for that purpose, having j had extensive experience in this class of work on the West Coast. We notice in the last Gazette that he has applied for a patent for an automatic sewer-flushing tank.

The first meeting of the winter session of the Auckland Athenasum was held last night, when the Rev. C. M. Nelson occupied the chair. Mr. G. Peacocke read a paper on "Land Settlement and Publlo Works Policy." He considered the fostering of local industries of quite secondary importance compared with village settlements, and he deplored the crowding of people in the towns, the result of manufactures. Ha advocated the spending of borrowed money on special settlements, which was quite as legitimate as speeding it on railways. If the State could not make virgin land payable it was vain to expect small settlers to do so. They must boldly face the situation, and borrow further to do the rough preliminary work of settling the land. This would fructify past expenditure. Mr, Bell opposed further borrowing. If the special settling of land was the only hope of New Zealand the sooner they cleared out of New Zealand the better. All these fads were a source of great danger, and the sooner New Zealand washed its hands of them the better. Mr. Burton, Dr. Murray-Moore, and others spoke favourably of Mr. Feacocke's paper. A vote of thanks to the chairman and Mr. Peacocke terminated the proceedings.

A very neat presentation was made to Brother James Walker, R.W.M. of Lodge Wairoa, S.C., in the Metropolitan Club, Victoria-street, on Monday night. The circumstances out of which the presentation arose are these Early in May a number or Auckland Masonic brethren proceeded w Wairoa South to take part in a_cbnrcß service, at which the Rev. E. H. Gnll , delivered a Masonic address. Brother ker, the owner of the steamer W;a:itoa<, y which the brethren went to Wairoa a and returned, refused to accept any ra from them, and on their return to AucU ® they cast about for soma method of e3£ P r ing their thanks. The form adopted was the presentation of a handsome gold > bearing the Masonic insignia, with sui inscription. Brother Walker was by some of the brethren to the Metropo 1 , and there the presentation was male J Brother Deverell, on behalf of the o ' Brother Walker, who was entirely taten ; surprise, was hardly able to ex P r . e j® » gratitude for this handsome recognit what he looked upon as a very small serv c • The health of Brother Walker was heartily drunk by the brethren present, the i he , being proposed in suitable terms by Dr. Walker.

As there are now lots of men, a g as well as imported, employed by Mr. son, manager for Messrs. Anderson . - tractors for the Waititi section of tw . Trunk Railway through the King Cou it ia proposed to open a public lib y their use. The affair was started by • G. Berry, who is the landlady of boardinghouses at Waitfti, S^ VID ? gating ing's entertainment at her house : of dancing, singing, and recitationcompany were hospitably acknowledged their gratification sorib tog —considering the hard times-- in view, their shillings for the literary a A weekly reunion, accompa j JO t (j o gracefully handled 80U P'P, ' nr i ß jjing the ways and means adopted for . tencej aD d embryo conception into active sufficient as soon as it has acquired strength su to travel alone, it will be kp r en rolled dividual subscription from j public members. The institution, Governgood, will surely be assiited. t>j' tho meat whore principals re'» p al , jen . fifl broad principle of the secularly development of the people. affjir , I* connection with J ma^ which has caused so muih J® d . th »t th» the last few days, we tnders hou« e . Sanitary Inspector has . vis ' le<l eoim e» and has satisfied himsd MJjt the J? . shown in town of thf stuffing o f th« sample of \ the whole. *J® r tlie ma ttretf mattress has engaged .or p and stuff it With proper material.

The judges in the prize poem competition ja connection with the Temperance Jubilee Festival, to be in the Choral Hall next Monday—Rev. G. B. Monro and Mr. G. B. jjjllymade their award yesterday after a careful examination of the work of tho 33 competitors. The poems were all written under a nom de plume, the names of the authors being kept in sealed envelopes until the result was made known. The three poems of the greatest merit were those of "Lucius," "Leo," and "Gretha" respectively, and the final award of the judges was made in favour _of the first-named. Tho poem will be recited at the festival by the author, whose name has not yet transpired, or if that course is not practicable, by some one appointed by the committee. At the opening of the business at the Supreme Court yesterday, Mrs. Violet Kate JlcPhee, in rogard to whom a true bill on an indictment charging her with arson, was found by the grand jury, personally applied to His Honor to assign her counsel for her defence. She said she had not means to retain counsel. Her husband was away from Auckland, being a fireman on board the steamer Wairarapa, and sho was close to her confinement. His Honor informed her that he would telegraph, and see what could bo done. He at once wrote out and forwarded the telegram. Before the rising of the Court Mrs. McPhee again appeared before His Honor, who told her that since morning he had been informed that her husband was well able to obtain professional assistance, and had in fact'engaged Mr. O'Meagher. Mrs. McPhee informed His Honor that her hasband had refused to pay Mr. Brassey, and that in consequence be refused-to act. His Honor informed her that she had better get the two friends who were acting for her to engage Mr. O'Meagher irrespective of Mr. Brassey, There was on exhibition yesterday in the shop window of Messrs. Murray and Spencer, Queen-street, a piece of a peach tree turned and polished. It showed the mark where it had been budded many years ago, and the lines of the new wood made by the bud inserted, and the old stock were quite distinctly traced, both in tho oross aud longitudinal sections. At the weekly meeting of tho Pitt-street Mutual Improvement Society, held on Monday evening, Dr. Lawry favoured the society with one of his interesting medical talks, the subject chosen being "The. Ear." The lecture was much appreciated, the learned gentleman tracing clearly the formation and appearance of the ear, and some of the i diseases to which it is subject. A vote of ! thanks was passed to Dr. Lawry for his lecture. At a meeting of the merchants held yesterday at the Chamber of Commerce, it was resolved to close their places of business on Monday and Tuesday for special Jubilee holidays. Yesterday forenoon a workman named Murant, engaged at Mr. W. Hunt's brick kiln, Avondale, was somewhat severely bruised by the unexpected oollapse of the kiln, a number of the bricks striking him before he got clear of the falling mass. The weekly meeting of the St. John's Musical and Literary Society was held no Monday evening. The following items constituted the programme:—Reading, "Critics," Rev. C. H. Garland; piano duet, the Misses Witheford; song, "The Blind Girl to her Harp," Miss Warren; reading, "Women's Rights," Mr. John Gittos; recitation, "Pastor Knox's Address to his Parishioners," Mr. Alec Smith, who for a recall gave " The Labourer's Complaintsong. Miss Shepherd. for which she received an encore ; piano duet, the Misses Dickey ; reading. "My First and Last Play," Mr. Alec Russell song, "Sweet Chiming Bells," Miss Warren, who gave as an encore, "The old Cathedralrecitation, " Pat's Letter," Mr. Smith." Here again Mr. Smith was recalled, and gave (by request) "The Vagrant and his Dog." Song, "Thy Face," Miss Shepherd. A piano solo by Miss Witheford concluded the programme. The meeting was closed in the usual way. An Adelaide paper Btatea that the police Dave laid an information against the members of the LahandorfE family, under the Police Act, for attempting to impose upon Mountedconstable Shegog and other persons, by pretending to hold conversation with the spirit of a deceased person by means of mysterious knocking upon their leasehold premises, in the hundred of Moockra, in order to depreciate the value of land which, being held under lease from the Crown, had become liable to forfeiture. The following notices are from Lloyd's Weekly: — William George Cornish left Yorkshire with his wife in 1874 for New Zealand, living in 1881 in Waihi Road, near Geraldine, Canterbury, New Zealand. His parents have not heard of him since then. R. W. H. Dore, who left England in the year ISSI, by the vessel Cozco, for Australia, and was last heard of In June, ISS3, in New Zealand, is sought by his mother. In the case of conspiracy to accuse Dr. "Wright, of Sydney, of a crime, dealt with at the Metropolitan Quarter Sessions on the 27th ultimo, Mr. District Court Judge Wilkinson sentenced the prisoners John Smith and Richard Sidney Marjoram to fourteen years' penal servitude, and the female prisoner, Amy Thomas, to five years' penal servitude. A discovery of a strange character was made the other evening on the Burwood Wharf, Paramatta River. A constable noticed some articles of male attire lying on the wharf, and on raising the hat, found a Blip of paper, upon which was written in pencil the following announcement:—"l am tired of life ; I can't get no work, and got no money, and no drink, so I leave my wife to my friends, and I have finished with life for ever. Good-bye. (Signed) George Weldkn." A singular case of death from fear of a cat has occurred at Newcastle. At an inquest held on the body of Annie Taylor, who died suddenly on Monday, the 6th inßtant, the evidence showed that the deceased was a strong and healthy girl of 23 years of age, and a domestic servant. While she was in the shop of Mrs. Peacock, her employer, just after eating a hearty dinner, a diseased cat crawled into the shop, groaning horribly. The deceased was frightened, and ran upstairs into her bedroom, when she became unconscious. Medical aid was unavailing, and death ensued in less than three hours. A verdict was returned of "Death from paralysis of the brain, caused by sanguineous apoplexy, probably induced by fright." The Pal) Mall Gazette of May 6 contains No. IV. of the aeries of articles now appearing in that journal under the title of "The Reign of Terror in Tonga." To-night is the last occasion on which the tnneful and piquant fairy opera of "lolanthe" will be produced. Yesterday evening its performance at the Opera House was received with the usual demonstrations of popular favour. To-morrow night "Patience" will be produced, and will no doubt enjoy as successful a run as either of Ite predecessors. Acceptances for Winter Oats Handicap, | Flying Stakes, Steeplechase and Hurdle, and ! nominations for the other events of the Onehunga Racing Club's programme are due on Friday next at eipht p.m. The Foresters' flail, Karangahape Road, was crowded JaM, Sunday evening on the occasion of the usual Gospel Temperance meeting. Mr. Murray presided. A capital address on the Biblical and moral aspects of the liquor traffic was given by Mr. George Aldridge. During the meeting a duet was nicely rendered by two lady members of the choir. Thauma'a levee in Queen-street was again largely attended yesterday evening,, and the people were as usual much puzzled in attempting to account for the absence of the lower half of the lively, chatty woman who appeared before them. Max Rinkle's agreeable entertainment in the Agricultural Hall last night was again Well attended, and the various items of the performance were thoroughly appreciated and frequently applauded. The Rev. Father Kehoe is at present on a visit to Auckland. His musical talent did not long lie dormant oa his taking up his new duties at Te Kopuru, and he is director of a very strong Glee Club which he established shortly after his arrival there, and Which includes many trained voices. ' At the Auckland Institute Museum, this evening, an experimental lecture on applied mechanics will be given by Mr. W. I. Robinson, ths subject being " Deflection and Strength of iiectaiigular Beams." . ' The plan of the Y.M.C. A. hall for the lecture by Major Dane, on "America : As It Is," will be at Messrs. Kidd and Wlldman's this day, >here seats may be reserved, ■ The proceeds of we lecture are for the funds of tho Association.

The Auckland Weekly News occupied the position of the premier weekly journal of New Zealand. Its popularity in the town and country districts of tho North Island is attested by the large circulation which it enjoys, while in other parts of tho colony, in Australia, and the islands, and in America and England, it is widely known and read- As an advertising medium it thus possesses Advantages which no similar newspaper in tho colony can lay claim to. Its country news, supplied each week by a numerous staff of reliable correspondents, is complete and impartial. Considerable space is devoted to the practical work of the farm, and to all subjects relating to agriculture. This department of the News'is under the charge of a gentleman of great experience and knowledge of all matters connected with the cultivation of tho soil, and to render the information given as useful as possible, the subjects treated on are illustrated by skilfully-executed engravings. The sports of the field and turf are fully chronicled, and attention is devoted to the pleasant and interesting games of chess and draughts. As a family journal and general newspaper the News ranks equally high, and the greatest care is exercised to maintain the wholesome tone and character of its reading matter—nothing is offensive to good taste or cherished convictions being admitted to its columns. It contains a weekly history of the news of the world, and special contributions on a wide range of subjocts, from the facile pens of accomplished writers. Its serial tiles are of absorbing luterest, and are contributed by some of the foremost novelists of the day. A sermon by an eminent divine, and some well solocfced Sunday reading, is also published ouch week. The Jubilee grand fancy dress ball takes place at the City Hall on Tuesday next. We would remind intending visitors that they*should purchase tickets early, as there is beginning to be demand for the same, and in order that some knowledge of the 'number may be arrived at for the guidance of the caterer. The charge for each ticket includes refreshments during the evening. Attention is called to the sale of handsome overmantels and girandoles, which is to bo held by Messrs. Tonk.s and Co. to-day at 11 o'clock. Many of these overmantels are entirely new designs, and are very attractive in their painted panels and fretwork. By an inadvertence it was announced in a local in yesterday's issue that Dr. Murray Moore's lecture on "An Evening with Longfellow" was to be given Inst night, instoad of which it ought to have been the 28th. A fund is being raised by the Mount Hobson School Committee and Road Board of Kemnera to provide fireworks, etc., for the achool children on the Jubilee day. Subscriptions will be received by Mr. F. Larkins (McArthur and Co.), Queen-street. Mr. Gabriel Lewis will hold a large sale of English and colonial made furniture at his mart to-day, commencing at eleven o'clock. Mr. E Parsons, who is a candidate for the Grafton Ward, publishes an address to the electors, in our advertisement columns to-d*y. For St. Sepulchre's entertainment, on June 30, a first-class musical programme has been prepared. A meeting of the Auckland Political Financial Association will bo hold to-morrow evening, for the purpose of electing a committee. I The proprietor of the " Can't B Beat Cigar Divan " offers a prize of £5 to the competisor orrning the most words out of the sentence " Can't B Beat Tobacco-box." For conditions, see advertisement.