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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8061, 23 September 1887, Page 4

The case of City West calls for a eomewhat different application ol the principle from that which comes into operation in Ponsonby and City JSorth. For here the old member has failed to put in an appearance, being deterred from soliciting a renewal of confidence by a couticUob that his conduct in last Parliament generally, and especially his action last session, had met with complete condemnation from his constituents. The place thus vacated by Mr. Dargaville there are three aspirant* to; namely, Messrs. Morrison, bnera, and Goldie. On general questions they all occupy much the same platform, they all avow themselves in favour of protecting iocal industries, they all profess to ue decided Liberals, in the slack sense ,in which the terra is here used, and all declare their determination to insist t» rigid retrenchment in all department of the State. It is not, however, on these points that they should be by the electors with the view or a« termining which of the three candi dates should be chosen. These are ma ten on which candidates all over the colon, are saying pretty much the «"» thing. All are pronounced economists, and all are Liberals in their w»7Oa protection they may differ, ou*, whether or not, it matters nothing, because that is a question irnu really does not enter into the i' sent contest, and has been introduced into it by the Government under Wje pretences, and to divert attention fcoo the only matter which has beenref erl to the public. The only ttvr*™» ™

l>efore the country is whether the Stout- \ T o«el Ministry, whose general policy, B iul especially their financial policy, was condemned by the House, does or does not itill possess the confidence of the people J That is the question by which the claims o f all candidates must be tried, and to the expHcitne&B of their declarations on this point a *' '' e i r other qualifications, real or supposed, must be held subordinate. Judging the three candidates for City West by this standard, we find from their public utterances that there is no doubt about the positions of Messrs. Morrison and Shera. The former has flTO ved himself h supporter of the Government, and the latter has as dis tinctly declared himself in favour of the Opposition ; while the utterances of jlr. Goldio fire less explicit as to tho side i ie means definitely to take. Tlie electors will thus, in all probability, record their votes for the respective claimants according »a their sympathy with the positions thus indicated will incline thorn. Those who are in favour of the Stout-V,n->el Ministry remaining in power Fill, as a matter of course, give their support to Mr. Morrison , those who desire uncompromisingly that thoMmistry iihould be ejected from office will record their votes for Mr. Shera.; while those fhost 1 opposition to the Government is Qualified by other considerations will, as % rule, adhere to Mr. Goldio. It is, however, between the supporters of Mr. Slier; , , mid those of Mr. Goldio that the real Btruirgle will take, place ; and that it will r? a keen one is admitted by all. At present each -side is confident of victory ; bill the i'siio may be materially affected should Mr. Morrison's supporters, seeing the hopelessness of his chances, decide on riving their votes to one or other of th<> two chief competitors. In that event {he probability is that the balance of support would be determined in favour of Mr. Shera, in consequence of the greater jthnky that exists between Ilia supporters and those of Mr. Morrison. The result in any cast) will be awaited with much interest.

Our cable messages this morning state tiut the coroner's jury at the inquest on the fietime of the Exeter Theatre disaster appended to their verdict of accidental death .1 rnier censuring the authorities for granting a 1 ::'nse to the building ; also the architect c! the theatre. The scandal unearthed by the Pall Mail Gazette has been tact with a prompt and emphatic denial. The accusations, however, which that journal has inaile are of so grave a character, and, if untrue, involve consequences cf snch s serious nature, that 1: is impossible to believe that Mr. Stead has publiibed them without being in a position to completely substantiate them. The case cf Miss Selwyn is likely to become as notorious as that of the strange true story of Mr.', Langwortby. The telegraph and the press have converted the world irto a huge whispering gallery. '1 he Kustchuk incident ha* been settled. Bulgaria lias apologised, and Germany is satisfied. All's wall that eras well. Whether the frontier incident between France and Germany will have as satisfactory a termination remains to be seen. Lcrd LoftUß, it appears, succumbed to the common practice of livincr above his means. For thirty years his expenditure, he says, his always exceeded his income. The result i? an accumulation of debts to the tune of £50.000. As hi* lordship throughout that period has been chiefly noted for his stingi test ami parsimonious nabits, of which many amusing stories are told, this result is a little carious. There are seme men, however,who lead double lives.

Among the passengers from Sydney by the e.g. i'e Aunu was a well-known pioneer of the Thamas goldfields, Mr. Matthew Vaughan, who has returned once again to visit the scenes of his early digging experiences. Since he left these shores, a little over two yeara ago, he has met with fair succeas in the celebrated Broken Hill Compiuy, and other silver mines in tho Silverton District, New South Wales, and, as a result of his fortunate speculations, he journeyed to England on a visit to the Colonial Kx.iiLitioD. Ihe reported richness of the lite discoveries in the Upper lhruues and Wai k»-o districts has drawn him once more to this neighbourhood, and in conjunction with Dthers, he will visit Hnkutaia and the Waikato, to satisfy himself &$ to their ultimate value.

The ehareinarkef has exhibited but little change daring the last few days. There is a steady demand for Loan and Mercantile Company'o shares at 64-?. There is alno demand for insurance companies' shares at a Blight advance, Shares in timber companies are also well held.

The ordinary meeting of the Crown Lands Board waa held yesterday, v.hen * very large amount of business was gone through.

A painful accident occurred yesterday tr.orniug in YVak*field-street to a boy in the employ cf Messrs. Garrett Bros, He was lending a horse by a rope some two or three jards long up the stree:, when something itartled the animal, which reared and plunged, striking him heavily on the jaw and Deck with one of its fort-feet and infl cting a tasty wound. Th« boy was picked up and conveyed into Mr. Seuffert'e *hop, where his wounds were dressed by a Chinaman, wno lives in the neighbourhood. Dr. Lewis was also called in, and pronounced the treatment of the Celestial correct, at the sums rime ordering the boy to be sent home to bed.

Ia our obituary columns will bo found recorded the death of Mr. Frank Foley. De-

cfasi?d had b°en in delicate health fir some tme pan. He waa an M.M. oi tne Cosmopolitan Lodg-, 1717. E.C., London, of Which tis father and brothers, well known meichants of that city, were old inecnberi. The funeral will leave deceased's lite residence. Grey street, to-day at two o'clock, in enkr to proceed to the ivcrth Shore by the halfpast two p.m. boat. Brother Maeoca are invited to attend.

We are informed that Mr. J. H. Manner., the well known draper of Victoria-»treet, has instructed Lie solicitors, Messrs. Napier and Sbera, to institute an action for slander against Mr. David Goldie, one of the candidates for City West. Damages are to Dβ laid at £-2500. The alleged slander in Bald to have arisen in connection with a law case of Mr. Hannan's concerning the election of his private residence at Devonport a few months ago. Among those in town from Rotorua who have recently visited the volcanic region and the Waiotapu Valley is Mr. J. H. Taylor, the tourist guide. He states that the scene | of volcanic eruption at Rotomshana is fast filling up with water, ami that a lake will be formed larger than the old Rotomahana Lake, extending as far south *s lAaro, but at a lower level than formerly. There is very little thermal action at pree«nt, only a few ateam holes being visible. The se»t of most activity Is near Hape a-Toroa. Tarawera mountain is in good condition, walking being easy, as far an the first crater, and to tourista who do not care to make the round of the valley can. with little exertion, see the whole scene stretched out before them at that point. Mr. Taylor states that he has been able to make an arrangement with the Tubourangi of the Wairoa side of the Tarawera for transporting tourists by boat from Wairoa to Tarawera a: reasonable rites, and to abstain from any obstruction contingent on the boat s crews b'c'wj, chosen from that tribe. There is talk of Koine parties contemplating the erection of mi accommodation house a* the U'Aiocjpu Valley. At Whakarewarewa Home new fumarolea have broken out, dis chart-ing a white kind of mud. There are not many tourists in the Lake district at present, but the stream ie expected to sot in in November.

The architects, Mewrs. Mahoney *n& Sons, are still in communication With tlie Government relative to the reduced plans for the new Auckland Custom House, but so inr nothing definite has beeo determined. It ia scarcely likely thst anything will be done, eo near to the meeting of the uew Parliament, aud it IB just possible the whole thing tvill be relegated to it for decision.

It ii anticipated that serious difficulties Vill arise between the Germane and the Trench Marist m»s!ii>inarieß in Samoa if the former continu- •<-, [nr-.ae their present line of action, 'I! • '.jurists have 15 missionaries on the ielitr u:ons than half of which is largely under I ■<<• control. Dr.. Vidal, or the Marist .-.on, who has just arrived in Sydney from on hu way to France, Vfhere he will he consecrated Vicar Apostolio Of Fiji, save that he is In communication with the French Government with a view to having the interests of the mission protected,

At tho request of the membora of the Auckland Athenaeum, a leoture was given by Mr. Samuel Vaiie. at the Young Men's Christian Association Kootns last evening, upon "Oar Future Railway Policy." Mr. K. Hell occupied the chair. Mr. Vaile said the question in this colony was, " Are railways to be investments conducted upon business principles for the sake of mere money gain, or as a means of development, settlement, and improvement to the country ? " Ho considered that the railways belonged to the people, and that they should reap tho benefit of them. rie contended that by treating the users of railways more liberal than at present, the New Zealand lines would pay both directly and indireotly. He held that population and not distance should be the basis of charge. Mr. \ r.ile, then went into details of hie scheme, which ho illustrated by diagrams of the Auckland-Waikato and Hurunui-Bluff line. Mr. Peter Oliphant asked if Mr. Vailo's experience was oonnaed to Auckland or Now Zealand. He thought it a great anomaly that the greatest railway reformer of the age should be found in a little place like. Auckland. Mr. Vaile, in reply, said that hie scheme had be«n the oause of ten weeks debate at the late Parliament. The committee .consisted of Majur Atkinson, Messrs. Macandrow, O'Connor, Whyte, Richardson, Gore, Hatch and others, and they did not think it a "fad, :, as Mr. Oliphant had characterised it. Hβ real the report issued by this committee. Mr. OHpliant replied, advocating the sellim; of the railways. Mr. Vaile spoke of the advautage of the Government possessing the railways of a country, and Mr. Cranwell also upheld this view, and considered there was really very little competition among railway companies. Mr. G. White and others also spoke in favour of the scheme as laid down by .Mr. Vaile, and a vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting,

At a meeting held at the Lake Schoolhouse, last night, a deputation was elected to interview the Harbour Board, to see what assistance they were prepared to give to the proposed Shoal Hay channel and wharf. Captain Webster stated t'>nt ths» scheme Would not coat more than £6000.

The Mayor of Dunedin, at the request of tho City Council, li.-.s proclaimed a halfholiday for Monday next, the day of the general elections for tho colony. A oorres ponrient, " U.K.," wrilos to us on tho same subject. Hi? urges that His Worship the Mayor of Auckland should adopt a similar course, and thereby meet his wishes and that ui .1 largo number of electors whom he represents.

A very larce crowd assembled yesterday, at noon, at the auction mart of Messrs. K and A. Isaacs, Queen-street, owing to the published announcement that 1440 Waterbury watches would be disposed of by public auction, by order of H.M. Cuiitoms. The crowd, drawn together by the novelty and mystery surrounding the salt), extended out of the auction mart into Queenstreet, those present being of opinion that "time was money." At noon Mr. Alfred Isaacs commenced the sale. Mr. J. M. McLachlfui Lid up to Ss 6', but would only take a dozen. The cast*, containing 144, was therefore put up again, the highest bidder having tho option of taking the case or the lob at the samu figure. They were ultimately knocked down to Mr. Heather, representative of the Waterbury Company, at St 3d each. There were 10 cases, containing 144 watches in each case. The Customs autnoriCK-s were very reticent as to the reasons why they took action, but Mr. Esther, on inquiry, has given us the explanation. On the ,;oods being passed here, the Customs' authorities declined to accept the New York invoices as the declared value, owing to these goods having arrived via Sydney, where the depot is, and from whence they are distributed to the various colonies in the Australasian group. They hold that the wholesale value in Sydney should be the basis of value, as the goods did not come direct. Mr. Heather was agreeable to pay duty on the New York invoices, with the freight and other charges added, but the Customs authorities elected to proceed under a certain section of the Act which Kivds them power to take, goods at their declared value, with ten per cent, added. It does not appear that any difficulty would have arisen if the good had been shipped direct here from New Vork. Mr. Heather is of opinion that under all the circumstances the Government have acted snmewh.it harshly and over strictly. In a 1 probability he will bring the matter before the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

The. fortnightly meeting of the "Women's Christian Temperance Union was held yesterday aft , rue;.'!) at the Young Men'* Christian Association lloonis, Mrs. J. Brame presided. After the ueu.il routine bu.-iiie»s was transacted, Mrs. A. 0. Knight gave some account of her visit to ttie Lsavitt Home at Dunedin (founded during Mrs. Leavitt's visit t> this colony) and or the cookery classes carried oa at. mat institution.

The lady visitors of the Auckland Benevolent Society art now busily engaged in making the annual collection in their reepec» tive districts, and so far are meeting with encouragement. The charitably inclined would do well to bestow tneir alms through this channel, because it is recognised by the Government, which grants a subsidy, so that every donation and subscription is in reality doubled. The city and suburbs, being divided into districts (which we append for the information of the public), i* visited by the members of the ladies' committee, and every case in thoroughly investigated before tieinx relieved. Other noticeable features of the society are that it is thoroughly unsectariau, asking no questioss as to creed or race, but distributing help impartially in cages of proved distress. Again, it reaches cases thot would never come under the notice of the Relieving Officer, but which ere frequently fraught with its'. ■""" e actual suffering than thn- " mch » re relieved in -- «»umary way. Yet one other point 13 that there ore no paid officers and no expenses, 80 that the entire amount contributed to relieve want in directed to that end. The districts, into which Auckland »nd its surroundings are divided, follow the boundaries of the v&riou'i wards and boroughs, and are thne allotted : —City .North (Nob. 1 and 2), Mrs. Tebba and Mrs. Alca-i Davis ; City South (No. 1), Mrs. Koberton ; City South (No. 2). Mr*. Haines, assisted by Mias Cole; City East (Nob. 1 and 2), Mrs. Nelson ; Darnell, Mrs. Ashwell and Mrs. Challie ; Poosonby, Mr». Peacock , Newton (?»os. 1 and 2), Mrs. L. D. >athao and Miss Stevenson; Remaera, Newmarket, and Epsom, Mrs. Pritt, Mra. J. McCosh Clarke, and Mrs. Richards; North Shore, MibS Ashton. Mr?. David Nathan is president of the committee, and Mrs. Bright (Glenside, Symonds-street) is the hon. secretary. The society will be glad to recsive contributions, which will (by the addition of the Government subsidy) be I doubled, for the unfortunate Clark family I recently bnrned out at Swanson ; they will also undertake to forward any parcels of clothing forwarded to them for the samo family. The " A" Battery of Artillery held their usual weikly drill last evening at the Drillshed, under the command of Captain Geddis. At the conclusion or the parade Major Payne informed the company that ho had received notification from Major-General vVhitmore that a fourth gun hud been issued to the •' A " Battery, and that it was now in Auckland, and would be tit for use in a few days. This addition to their ordnance makes the "A" the only battery in New Zealand possessing four guna. The monotonous routine which frequently characterises the Police Court proceedings was somewhat relieved yesterday by trie conduct of Captain Kich, who was the defendant in a charge of challenging the complainant, Captain Sewell, to fight. The matter arose out of some- dispute which occurred at a meeting in Mr. F. iScherff's office, at which boob " gallant captains" were present. Captain So .veil did not vote on some question that was before the meeting exactly as Captain Kich wished, and the latter seems to have lost his tamper, and abused the former, end also challenged him to fight. On the others present int<irferia«, aud asking him to apologise, Captain Rich threw out dire threats of a shooting match at early morn, but Captain Sewell declined to take up the gauntlet. The accused in Court was very excited., and used some very derogatory terms towards the informant, and utterly scorned any hint at apology. Full details of the proceedings will be found in another column.

The farewell performance of Moore and Ashtoa'a popular minstrels took place last evening at the City Hall, before a large audience. The various items on the pro gramme were again received with applause and laughter— awry one of the performurs receiving a share of praise. Messrs. Bine; and Gallagher took part in a couple of sketches, and earned applause by their acting. The company proceeds to Xaranaki to-day.

A dramatic performance was given last evening at the Opera House by the Auckland Dramatic Society,in aid of the Kindergarten Jubilee School and Creohe. The audience was not ao large , as might have been rea»onably expected, considering the excellent cause for which it was given ; but this probably arose from the unfortunate difference of opinion which had arisen in the ranks of the Kindergarten ladies committee as to the desirability or otherwise of having the funds aided by dramatic performances. The performance was under the patronage of Hie Worship the Mayor (Mr. Devore), and other well known citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Devoro were present last evening. The piece selected was Oliver Goldsmith's well known comedy, " Bhe Stoops to Conquer." Where all did so well, it would be invidious to venture upon discriminating criticism. The ladies sustained their respective roles : — Miss Hardcaetle (Mrs. C Cooper), Miss Hardcastle (Miae Geraldine Hill) Mies Neville (Miss Oounor O'Brien) very creditably ; Mrs. Cooper was especially good. Of the gentlemen, Mr. C B. Waymouth gave a very fair reproduction of Charles Mariow, and was well supported by Mr. A. Forrest (George Hastings). Mr. J. F Montague as Hardcaetle, and Mr. J. A. Cooper ae Sir Charles Marlow, sustained their respective parts effectively. Mr. J.achlan McGowan as Tony Lumpkin brought out fully the gaucheries of th,at noted young man, and kopt the audience in a titter. Miss Burmingham as Pimple, and Mr. S. J. Ryan as Diggory fulfilled these subordinate parts creditably. At the close of the second act Mrs. Cooper and Mr. Waymouth wore called before tho curtain, aud some bouquets of flowers were thrown on the stage to tne lady ss a token of popular favour. The comedy will be repeated to-night, and will probably go better after the dith'culties incidental to a n'ret performance.

An interesting "Talk on Natural Hietory" was given yesterday afternoon by Professor Thomas at the Museum Buildings to the children of the public schools. There was a good attendance. This evening Professor Thomas will give a Natural History '• Talk" in the same place to tho general public, subject "Animal Humbugs."

There is scarcely a woek that tho constables on the city beats do not find the doors of business premises unlocked, and which have been left that way in the hurry of closing up. On Wednesday night Mr. Henry Tarling, an omnibue driver, founi the front door of the premises of Mr. Daltun, Victoria-street East, unlocked, and the place thus exposed to any m^,lit prowler. He acquainted Sergeant Lyons with the circumstances, who took steps to have the door properly secured.

The crusade made by the police against ofTi'tiders against the provisions of the C;ty by laws is resulting in somy considerable amount of fines finding their way to the Council's coffers, and a large batch of delinquents wero mulcted in various penalties yesterday morning.

Gas consumers are reminded that Tuesday, the 27th instant, is the last day on which full discount can be allowed,

Tenders for city work are celled for.

The monthly convocation of the Zealandift Royal Arch Chapter Nα. I'J7 S.C, will be held this evening.

Received from Detective Walker 5i subiicription in aid of Mr. Clark, who was burned out at Swanson.

We observe from our advertising column* that the Finnnoiul Reform Association inteud having a public meeting in Newmarket to-mor-row evening. Aβ the elections t»ke place on Monday, it is of importance that there »h*ll boa large attendance at thin meeting, to consider the great financial questions of the colony.

The last concert in connection with the winter cnir«e takes place in the lecture ball of the Y M.O.A. to night, vrhero an excellent pr.igr.imrue (eee our adrertiiement column*) will be porfotined by ladies und gentlemen well known for musical and literary talonts. Mr. Vincent K. Kice will act ne conductor, and Mr. G. P. Pierce will preside. It is hoped that h large audience will be present to enjoy the musical treat provided for them. Programme* cin be obtained at tho donr at one penny each.

It is not Mr. Mirtin jun., who performed the gahant net referred to in a local in yes r erd*y's issue, but hi» brother, Mr. James McDtToioU, a member of the Poceonby Volunteer Bdgudu. ________________