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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8064, 27 September 1887, Page 4

The condition of things in Ireland shows no signs of improvement. The National League have entered into an organised conspiracy to resist the law, and conflicts with the police are becoming of common occurrence. Another of these encounters is reported in our cable messages this morning. Fifteen persons are, said to have been seriously wounded. O'Brien, who was liberated on bail after bis conviction,

(pending the hearing of his appeal). made use of his liberty by attending » proclaimed meeting, and delivering a speech breathing defiance of the law. Another incident of a serious character has occurred on tAe Franco German frontier. A French officer has been shot at, and his gamekeeper killed by German keepers, and the matter ia now forming the subject of diplomatic action between the two Governments. Lord R, Churchill and Mr. John Morley have been delivering speeches on the political situation at home,,

In the sixth page will be found a biographical sketoh of Mr. Withy, the newly elected member for Newton, who hag defeated the Hon. J. A. Tole, Minister of Justice, after one of the most hardly fonght contests which has taken place during the present general election.

An accident happened on Saturday mo»n ing to a son of Mr. Davidson, of Gorman's Hill, Onehunga. He was attempting to get out of a milk cart being driven by his uncle, and fell on the hard scoria, one of the wheels partially passing over him. He miraculously escaped any serious injury. Dr. Wanstall dressed the wounds of the injured lad, who is expected to recover from the shock to bia system in a few days.

The poll for the Mount Eden special district water supply took place yesterday, advantage being taken of the general election to secure a good polling of ratepayers. Mr. J. Stickley acted as Returning Officer, and Mr,' E. Udy, Chairman of the Board, and Mr. R. Bridgeman, member of the Board, watched the proceedings. There was a total of 424 ratepayers on ths roll, representing 607 votes. The poll resulted : 424 votes in favour of water supply ; 12 against; informal votes 2, thus showing a large majority in favour of the watei supply.

The charge of perjury against Alexander Campbell, in connection with evidence given by him in relation to the part he took in the expulsion of Mrs. Ann Robertson from the Obinomutn Hotel, came op at the Supreme Court yesterday. It will be recollected that at the last session a mine was sprung on the prosecution when a flaw v,aß discovered in the indictment relative to the form of oath administered ♦,<» the prisoner, who, notwithstanding his Scotch name, is a Jew. Then the Crown Prosecutor entering a nolle prosequi, obtained leave to present an indictment to tho Grand Jury at the September session without having a commitment from the lowor Court, and yesterday','before the prisoner was called to plead, Mr. Earl, who has defended him throughout, sprung another unexpected mine, adducing arguments, strongly supported by logic and authorities, to show that the indictment wan bad, and must be quashal. His authorities were overwhelming, and the Court had little choice but to quash the indictment. Mr, Earl, in the manner in which he placed his case before the Court and supported it by authorities showed that he had devoted the utmost care to the intricacies and niceties of the case. With the question of whether or not Campbell is guilty of perjury we have now nothing to do, but he may deem himself particularly fortunate in having for his lawyer a gentleman who has been able to upset two indictments preferred against him for this charge.

There are two motions tabled for next meeting of the City Council. Councillor Phillippa gives notice of motion for the construction of drainage works in Grafton Ward, and Councillor Davies likewise, as regards drainage in Newton.

It is not known yet whether it will be necessary to amputate the foot of John Gardiner, who was injured on Saturday by being thrown from a brake. He is progress* ing lairly at the Hospital.

A correspondent "Query" asks how Dr. Girdler explains the outbreak of small-pox at Launceston or that of scarlet fever in London, and whether Auckland is not comparatively one of the healthiest cities in the colony ?

It is understood that the police intend to take proceedings against the lads who were chased down the harbour on Saturday, and who were suspeoted of being privy to the robbery en board the schooner Norah. Masters of vessels and others suffer so severely from the depredations of " water rats" that It is time their raids were cut short.

Yesterday afternoon a little boy named Henry Cowen, whose friends live at Newmarket, met with a painful accident near the Auckland railway crossing, Beach Road. He was attempting to jump upon a cart, behind, when his foot slipped, and got jammed between the dray and the wheel. Messrs. R. Glover and J. Waymouth, junr., wore passing in a cab in quest of voters, but they kindly stopped, put the lad in the vehicle and drove to the premises of Mr. Aickin, chemist, Dr. Cobbett was soon in attendance, and attended to tho boy's injuries, and recommended his removal to the Hospital, which was done by the police. The boy's leg is a good deal bruised, and It is feared the bone is injured.

The last of the cooking lectures fur the season will be given this evening at the 01.C.A. by the Rev. J. S. Hill. He proceeds South within a few days, visiting Napier, Wellington, and Christchurch.

The following is the report of the Salvation Army Prison Gate Brigade Home for the period ending September 26 :— No. of meals given, ISO; beds supplied, 57 ; persona admitted, 6 ; discharged, 5 ; still in home, 5. Donations received :Of meat, Messrs. Hulma, Hellaby, Baddeley, Knight, Garrett, Teasdale, and Walker ; bread, Mrs. Howie Philips, Crowe, Brown, Evans, Buchanan, and Philips, of Newton milk and butter, Auckland and Devonshire dairy, bacon from farmhouse; lefi-off clothing, Mesdamea Chamberlain and Watford. Requisites : Left-off clothing and potatoes. General remarks : Several men are seeking employment. Some poor families outside the Home have been assisted during the week.

The Rev. R. Dale, the celebrated Congregational minister, has arrived in Melbourne and prooeeds on to Sydney. It is not known whether he will come to Auckland direofc or go South about, but it is understood to be his intention to make a tour of the colony.

We notice that tenders will be received at the Public Works Office, Auckland, until noon of Thursday, the 27 th October, for the completion of the Ohinemuri contract (formation only) Hamilton-Grahamstown railway.

The ico-plants which have been planted on the embankment of the Ponsonby reservoir for the better protection of the earthwork appear to be thriving very well. The pine trees were cut down some months ago, as it was found the roots were loosening the embankment.

It is notified in our advertising columns that the declaration of the poll for Franklin South, Ponsonby, Auckland West and Auckland North will be made on Thursday next , and for Franklin North on Friday next. Describing a visit to the capital of the Riverina, a special correspondent of the Argus says :—One tall figure in grey, walking silently along, must needs arrest attention. More than six feet in height, thin, stooped somewhat,, hair and bsard fast changing through grey to white, clad in loosely fitting grey clothes, a great silk handkerchief twisted about his neck in the place of the usual linen collar. It is Mr. James Tyspn, whose possessions are estimated to be worth £5,000,000, who never married, and his whole life long ha*' not been known to drink a glass of intoxicating liquor or smoke a pipe of tobacco, or enjoy a merry moment, or waste a shilling or a farthing. He has done liberal things of late years. It is said that he gives largely to charities and churches. One of his latest gifts was of £200 to the Brisbane Cathedral Fund. It is rumoured, indeed it is true, that the bishop wrote back remonstrating. The gift was too small and inadequate to the donor's wealth. The donor replied, " Send back the cheque, and I will consider the matter."

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Victorian Woman's Suffrage Society, letters were read from Sir Henry Parkes, Sir Robert Stout, Or. Stirling, some members of the Victorian Parliament, and a number of citizens of Melbourne, all expressing sympathy with the cause.

There were only a few cues At the District Court yesterday, and all of them were confessed except one, that of Charles C. Brown v. Adelina M. Bradford, claim £21 lis 3d on a promissory note, in which judgment was given for plaintiff for the fall amoun. claimed with costs £4 16s,

Bis Worship the Mayor of Christchurch was not successful in obtaining the Quean's Bounty for Mrs. Chllds, who recently gave birth to triplets. Ho has headed a subscription list for the purpose of making up * small "purse" to be presented to her*.

A little incident occurred recently which Jlloiitrates the shrewdness of the Maori character. A solicitor, who had been praotilling in the North Island, amongst other clitrnts acted for a number of the dusky lords of the toil. In sending in hia bill he had to register tome 13 latter* so as to be able to make iffidavitof what is legally considered delivery. Some little time elapsed, and then the legal gentleman received from the Dead Letter office 12 of the missives containing his bill. One of the Maori gentlemen had opened his letter, and, finding it to be a bill, had— use a sporting phrase—'* given the office" to his friends, who unanimously declined the letters.

The discussion as to the unsafe condition of many of the places of public amusement in the colony still proceeds. in an article in the Christohurc.h Press some of the defects of the public buildings in Christchurch are pointed out. During the seasion of the Hugo Minstrels in Dunedin Mr. Hngo made arrangements with Superintendent Robertson, of the Dunedin Fire Brigade, to have two firemen in attendance every evening, specially told off to Bee that the exits from the theatre were kepi free from obstruction. The Otago Times tbi.3 refers to the same subject . — The Princess Theatre demands special attention owing to its extremely dangerous situation —an hotel at tho back and a clothing factory in front, either of which might be on firs. If the Provincial Hotel were in flames the only way of escape for the occupants c! the stalls and pit would be by way of the clothing factory into High■trcet, and it is imperatively necessary therefore that this exit should be available at a moment's notice. As regards the Choral Hall, it is doubtful if this building should be licensed at all for entertainments, owing to Us very faulty construction.

With reference to the coat of the ;emo7al ©f nightsoil by railway, it appears, from Information that has been received by the Town Clerk, that although it is collected by the contractors at the cost of the ratepayers, the removal by railway coats the Council £600 per annum, viz. : Nightsoil depot, £140 rent; railway charges and factory, £37-4 , receiving, £170; sundries, £16; total, £700; contribution by contractor, £100 ; balance, £600.

The Roman Catholics of the Oamam district hare contributed over £100 in cash towards the presentation fund to be pre' sented to Bishop Moraa shortly after his jreturn from Australia.

There was a large attendance last night at the amateur performance of "Gay Mannering" at the Opera House, in apito of the wretched weather. Owing to pressure on onr space caused by the elections, our criticism is held over till to-morrow. The cast of characters was as follows :—Colonel ManCeriog, Mr. H. A. Keeping; Henry Bertram, Mr. A. L. Edwards ; Dominie Sampson, Dr. F. W. E. Dawson ; Dirk Mattelaick, Mr. TV. H. Skinner; Gilbert Glossin, Mr. T. Charter; Bailie Mucklethrift, Mr. Spicer; Gabriel (a gipsy leader), Mr. T. Chambers ; Sebastian (a gipsy follower), Mr. James Woods ; Franco (a gipsy boy), Master Frederics; D&ndie Dinmont, Mr. Lschlan McGowan; Jock Jabos, Mr. R. Murray ; Farmer arrow, Mr. H. Rowbarts ; Farmer Flail, Mr. W. Henry ; Captain Neville, Mr. Charter; Sergeant Mcßae, Mr. J. C. Burrow; Meg Merrilies (her favourite character). Miss C. Halstead ; Julia ManBering, Mrs. C. Cooper; Lucy Bertram, Miss Uanaher ; Mrs. McCandlisb, Mrs. Dawion ; Flora (Lucy's maid), Mrs. Jan. Woods ; Flapy (a gipsy girl), Mrs. Morem. The results of the polling, so far as known, were announced at the end of the second act. Moat of the announcements were received quietly, tut when Mr. Withy was declared elected for Newton nearly the whole audience 2'neered enthusiastically. One man, however, Shouted out in a most savage voice, "It is false !" This display of feeling redoubled the cheering. The elections of Mr. Moss and Sir Maurice O'Rorke were also warmly cheered. By some mistake Sir Robert Stout Was announced as elected. This was promptly contradicted by some people standing at the door of the orchestra stall.", and in a moment the whols building resounded with tries of "Stout's out."

To-day at eleven sharp Mr. G. Lewis will tell by auction the ironmongery stock in the estate of Joseph Knott. There is a large parcel of good* well suited to the trade requirements, and all must be sold without reserve. Intending purchasers should be early to iuspeot the utock of shelf goods, as this will be the first department offered. The lots.»re numerous, and Should cause a good attendance.

We are vrfry pleased to welcome an old friend with a new face. The name of William Rattray, which has been a household word, indicative of honesty and fair dealing in the drapery trade for the past; 34 years, disappeared from our columns a short time ago. We are glad to welcome its return, and to draw the attention of oar readers to the announcement in our advertising columns that Mr. Rattray has commenced business as a land, estate, and commission agent.

THE GOLD fIND AT WAITOA. .♦-—-- We stated a few days ago that a portion of the stuff from Mr. Smith's land, brought down by Mr. Kelly and Mr. Murray, and obtained by them from the ground when they ■were accompanied by Csptain Steel, had been given to Mr. E. B. Whitaker for analysis. The following report has been made by Mr. Whitaker :-

"I beg to hand you the results of my examination of the sample of Waitoa sand, sanded by me to you for assay — ♦Assay— dwts. grs. Gold ... 17 23 Silver ... 1 15 Per ton of 22401b5.

The lumps sifted out from the finer material proved to be only the sand in a state of conglomeration. I therefore did not deem it necessary to make a beparate assay. By concentration, and subsequent amalgamation, I was unable to obtain sufficient metal to make a bullion assay I have, under the circumstances, for the purpose of arriving at an estimate of what the stuff is worth per ton, taken the gold at four pounds per ounce. Basing my calculation on a 15 percent, extraction, I find the drift, as represented by the sample, to be worth £2 13s lOd per ton of 2240 pounds. "Under the microscope the grains ot gold present sharp edges, and show no signs of wear, strengthening the opinion that the drift was deposited in its present position by other means than water. In conclusion, I Would point out the danger of attaching undue importance to tests taken from heaps of material without careful and systematic eampfing." The above analysis is confirmatory of those previously made. One point of interest is the appearance of the grains of gold under the microscope These present sharp edges, and show no signs of wear, so that in all probability the matter has been thrown put by volcanic action.