Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9015, 30 March 1888, Page 4

Telegraphic communication with V\ el lington was restored yesterday, but during the hurricane on the previous night one of the cables across Cook Straits snapped, and in consequence our cable messages and telegrams from the South Island have not come to hand.

The new Opera House at Wellington has been destroyed by fire. Incendiarism is snspected. It was opened in May last by Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove's Royal Comic Opera Company, and was acknowledged to be the finest theatre in the colony. The loss is estimated at £10,000 over and above the insurances, which amounted to £5000.

The gale on Wednesday did considerable damage at Wellington and Napier. At the former place it raged with unprecedented violence, and the railway line to Petone suffered severely through the waves washing away the formation. It is expected tha traffic will be suspended for two months.

The direct mail by the Ruapehu, with dates from London to February 10, was delivered in Auckland yeste rjlay morning, exactly nine days after the Suez mail, via Australia, had been delivered. Both mails were made up in London on the same evening, but the slower route was selected by the London Post Office authorities, acting under instructions from the New Zealand Government, for all correspondence not specially addressed via Brindisi. The San Francisco mail, which was despatched from London twelve days after the Ruapehu s mails, is due in Auckland to-day, an should therefore beat the direct service ) ten days. The direct Service now costs the colony about £25,000 per annum. The regular meeting of the City Council was held last night, and the: e was a large amount of business to disp )se of, but although most of the applicat ions were or a formal nature and reserved for the consideration of committees, the items led to several discussions, which. carried the business on to the regular hour of adjournmen . Tenders for a number of works were ieceived and accepted. The last business before the Council was that of the Domain Board. There was an objection to appointing a professioual cricketer at a chatge of £150 a-year, and it was decided to appoint a ground-man at a salary of i-i" per annum, and to advertise for applicant?. A good deal of correspondence took place between the applicants for the electric lighting of the city and the Council, but none of it served to forward the throw ing of the brilliancy of the ligb; through tne city, at least not yet. One of the mo.> extraordinary propositions »'as that from the Gas Company, asking if the Council would accept an offer from :he company >.o light the municipal offices by electricity. Tne valuer's report showed a considerable falling off of £31,000 in the annual value, or a deficit of £3100 in rates, and the Mayor pointed out that tiis was only a portion of the reduction of revenue, in o question of ways and meats lias now to be taken seriously into consideration. The District Court held its last sitting in Auckland yesterday, the iistitution having been abolished. All acticns set down for hearing in that Court, and outstanding a i s abolition, will be transfered to the K.Court. When the last cise had been decided yesterday, His Htfor Judge Smith laughingly suggested . tilt those present should put on mourning garb for the decease of an old friend.

Sir Henry Parkes tol< a deputation of unemployed that the gfiat danger to tins country, to the freedom >f every man in*. was the extent to whia the GovernfiWM was employing the pee pi.

The York newspapers contain intelligence of the death on January 20th last, of fir. William byte heart whose eldest son, «j r T. B. Whytchead, was formerly a jietnber of the New Zealand Herald Staff

It. lias been suggested that the City Council should invest in a set of American Jinrness for the hose reels of the Fire Brigade. Yesterday, as one of the reels Mas proceeding to the fire at Ponsonby, the >' hames " gave way and delayed the party. The harness after the American model for $re purposes is said to be remarkably simple Unci effective.

An interesting lecture on the subject of Eruptive Fevers" was delivered at the Foresters' Hall yesterday evening by Dr. Bakewell. There was a <*ood attendance. The Doctor, who wore his University gown, commenced his lecture with a description of the various fevers, including typhoid, and strongly denounced the inaction of the authorities in respect to tho filthy condition of some parts of the city. When he arrived in Auckland from the South, lie had intended to proceed to Sydney, but finding the conditions predisposing to disease to be so numerous here, he had decided to remain in Auckland. Typhoid fever might be caused by contamination of tho soil, which had been going oh for many years, and as a result of which, whenever rain fell, certain emanations arose from the soil, which were distinctly prejudicial to health. In colonial cities things were done in the most disgustingly blundering way, and night-soil was deposited near the source of a city's water supply, while cattle and pigs were kept in the fields adjoining. The chief characteristic of the Auckland municipal authorities was that of benevolence to the medical profession. The lecturer advised those lining the city water to boil it before drinking, and milk should also be boiled before being consumed. Defective sewers were fertile causes of typhoid fever. Measles, scarlatina, and small-pox were referred to, Dr. Bakewell denouncing the system of compulsory vaccination, whilst lie contended that the law of quarantine was not effectively carried out in these colonies. Dr. Bakewell announced that he intended to deliver lectures upon other medical subjects. On the motion of Mr. F. (i. Ewington, a vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer.

When the fire broke out yesterday at Fonsonbv, a number of the sailors from H.M.s. inger were in readiness to give their services if required. Fortunately their services were not needed, but the friendly spirit manifested is deserving of recognition all the same.

In the District Court yesterday, His Honor gave judgment in the case Garland v. E;irle, heard on Monday, in which Mr. Theo. Cooper appeared for the plaint-ill" and Mr. Cotter for defendant. His Honor reviewed the evidence, and held that an acrecment of service for twelve months had been established, that Mr. Garland had been discharged before the termination of the term, and the grounds alleged as reasons for the discharge were no justification for it. He therefore gave judgment for the plaintiff for £45, damages ; costs, £4 his.

In reference to the alleged encroachment on the Beach Road, Devonport, respecting which Mr. Napier has written to the Borough Council, we are informed that this is no new matter. Some nineteen years ago the local body brought an action in the Supreme Court in reference to this piece of land. It was withdrawn, and the line was then settled as it at present stands.

The polling for members of the Licensing Committee of the Lake Takapuna district takes place at the office of the Road Board to-morrow (Saturday). The question at issue is, license or no license for the hotel recently erected by Mr. Harrow.

The coroner's inquest into the fire at the North Shore, which originated in the premises of Mr. Geath, barber, has been adjourned to Friday, April 6th.

Yesterday Messrs. Mahoney and Sons, architects, accepted the tender of Mr. J. J. Holland (the second lowest) at .£4145 for the erection of the new Governor Browne Hotel. A start will be made at once.

On Wednesday, Blind Bob, the fiddler, Was remanded on a charge of drunkenness till yesterday, in order to see if he could be taken into the Refuge. It seems the authorities were unable to find room for him there, and he Mas fined £3 or seven days imprisonment without hard labour. It is needless to say that Blind Bob got a cheap ride in "the black Maria'' to Mount Eden.

Subscriptions to the amount, of about £30 ■have been received towards the purchase of Mr. Gifford's picture, " Auckland from the "Wharf," for presentation to the Art Gallery. Some £20 is still required, and subscriptions v. ill be received by Mr. Whitconibe. secretary of the Auckland Society of Arts, at their offices, Municipal Buildings.

About midnight on Wednesday. Detective Herbert arrested, in Victoria-street, a young man named Albert Octavius Stodart, who was charged with forgery of a promissory note. Stodart came back from Fiji some months ago, and had been working in the country at gumdigging. l He had been " wanted " for some time, and on Wednesday night he gave the detectives the opportunity they wanted, by coming into town to see Little Jack Sheppard,'' at the Opera House. He was brought up at the Police Court yesterday. Mr. O'M».-a--gher appeared for the prisoner, and a remand was granted, and hail allowed— 'himself in £50 and two sureties in £50, but not being forthcoming, accused was sent to gaol.

Five families, numbering '23 souls, says a Christchurch paper, have left for Auckland. It says :—"They will take the first steamer thence to Omapere, the Government granting free passages from Auckland. Several more families intend going up in the spring. The reports from the settlers have been very encouraging. A large number of orange trees will be planted shortly. They have had two crops of potatoes this season. The maize, kumaras, onions, and tomatoes are looking in splendid condition, and the vines are progressing. From now the business of the Christchurch Village Settlement Association will be conducted at the settlement at Waimamaku Valley, Hokianga Heads."

The burlesque opera of " Little Jack Sheppard" was repeated last evening to a good house, the audience manifesting their pleasure by repeated plaudits. It will be repeated this evening.

In a communication sent to us, Mr. 11. R. Shortland discusses the question whether the Crown or the riparian owners are entitled to Lake Takapuna, and he answers exactly to the contrary of Mr. Napier, and -says that the riparian owners are entitled. He writes :—The issue is, is Lake Takapuna a tidal or a fresh-water lake ? If it is a non-tidal lake it belongs to the riparian owners ; if it is a tidal hike, it belongs to the Crown only up to high-water-mark, and only to the Crown. My authorities are :—" Prima facie (said the ViceChancellor of England), the proprietor of each bank of a stream or lake is the proprietor of half the land covered by the stream." (" Wright v. Howard 1 Silo and Stre 190 ; Shaw, C.J., in Deerfield v. Arms, 17 Pick." The learned Judges have aid down " the right of the riparian owner to the stream is as sacred as other private property, and appropriations of any kind carry compensation." Small lakes, even tidal, not used for general purposes of commercial navigation, are not inter regalia, and are not on a par with navigable lakes such as Ontario and Michigan. (Authorities : 5, Wendell, 423 ; 13, Wendell, 355 ; 9, N. Hamp, 461; Bell's Principles of Law, 171 ; see Kent's and Blackstone's Commentaries on the Common Law, etc.) The riparian owners of Lake Takapuna are clearly entitled in law to the foundation of Lake Takapuna, ad jilum medium, together with a general and mutual usufruct in its waters, there being no actual ownership of water per se. I would not give my humble opinion unless as a pupil of a leading firm of lawyers at home, I had seen the matter investigated.

There was a good attendance at the Rink yesterday. In the afternoon a practice polo match, five a-side, was carried on with much spirit, and the match will take place on Monday afternoon. Owing to to-day being Good Friday the Rink will be closed, but on Saturday afternoon there will be the usual children's matinee, when children are admitted free.

The improvements projected at Potter's paddock, Epsom (Tramway Company's depdt) are being energetically carried out, in order to being available for the Onehunga races to be held there on the 7th April. The fencing is all finished, and the grandstand, capable of holding 1000 persona, advances towards completion.

On Wednesday forenoon a fierce gale blew in Avondale, causing considerable damage to the new extension of Messrs. Best and Co. 's Varnish Works. The roofing of corrugated iron was stripped, the chimney-stack blown down, and the new building partly wrecked. Hones were entertained that the Works as enlarged would be in full swing in a short time, but the mishap which has now occurred will delay matters.

Yesterday morning, before the ordinary business of the Resident Magistrate's Court, an expression of farewell from the members of tho Bar was tendered to Mr. H. G. SeMi Smith, R.M., prior to his departure on a visit to England. Mr. Smith leaves on Tuesday next for Wellington, where he joins the Rimutaka for London. During Mr. Smith's absence Dr. Giles, of Hokitika, will act in his stead.

A goodly number of ratepayers are joining the new Ratepayers' Association, and giving subscriptions towards the operations of tho Association. If its affairs are conducted judiciously, it has a wide field of usefulness before it.

Yesterday tho fourth annual meeting of the Northern River Steam Navigation Company was held at Mr. A. Buckland's office, Queen-street, there being present—Mr. A. Buckland (in the chair), Messrs. Thos. Morrill, L. D. Nathan, 11. F. Anderson, Captain John McKenzie, W. Lodder, .John King. On the motion of Mr. Thos. Morrin, seconded by Captain McKenzie, the report and balance sheet were adopted. The retiring directors, Messrs. Tlios. Morrin and L. D. Nathan were re-elected, and Mr. John Way mouth was re-elected auditor.

The election of the Parnell Licensing Committee failed partly because a sufficient. number had not been nominated, and partly because two were nominated by an unqualified person. The Minister of Justice, under date of the -Ist of March, has notified to Mr. J. H. Mullins that he is appointed by the Governor a member of the committee. The Governor has in point, of fact reappointed the old committee, and their fir«t meeting is fixed to take place at the Parnell Borough Council offices on Wednesday, 11 th April, at four p.m.

In the course of his sermon at Wesley Church, Wellington, last Sunday, the Rev. L. M. iutt drew the attention of his congregation to the necessity that exists in the present day for greater effort to promote social purity among the people. It was, ho admitted, a most -question to deal with, but when nearly every tobacconist's shop window in town was suggestive of obscenity. when many of the print shops daunted illustrated papers so vile that he wondered the police did not interfere, and when the streets were thronged to late hours with mere children, it was not right for the pulpits of Christendom to maintain absolute silence on the point.

The following paragraph from Melbourne " Table Talk" is interesting : —Mrs. Gordon Baillie gave it out hat she was the only child of the Earl of Moray, who disowned her because she married Mr. Knight-Aston, the operatic singer. She had by that-gentle-man four children, who, when they sang at the Exhibition at a bazaar last, year, were much admired. Mrs. Baillie also stated that she was a divorced woman, and that her present husband was Mr. Bromby Frost, a connection by marriage of Dr. Bromby. The latter statement, we have it oil the authority of Dr. Bromby, is correct. Mr. Bromby Frost, who looks like an octoroon, is a nephew of Mrs. Bromby, the wife of the late Bishop of Tasmania. Whilst in Melbourne Mrs. Baillie resided in Toorak Road, in a furnished house, for which she paid £7 rent a week. She also hired a carriage at £2 a day. Her expenditure for rent and carriage alone thus amounted to £"21 weekly. She kept six servants and "a private secretary."' Her grocer's bill was the largest of any family in the fashionable suburb of South Yarra, as it generally included dozens of bottles of "all sorts of strong drink. Her most favourite refreshment, however, was "brandy and soda."

There were in the lock-up last evening one man on a charge of drunkenness ; and Henry Thornton Rowe, mining surveyor at the Thames, who was arrested last evening at the Wnverley Hotel, by Detective Herbert, on a charge of indecent assault on his daughter, at the Thames, Emily Maud Rowe, being under the age of twelve years. Accused was arrested on information received from the Thames, and will in all probability be remanded to that district.

A joint meeting of the congregations of the Onehunga and Mangere Presbyterian Churches was held on Monday evening last at Onehunga. The Rev. I!. B. Monro [iresided, and explained the object of the meeting, viz., to proceed with a call to a minister, the charge having been vacant since the death of the Rev. James Bruce, IS months ago. On the motion of Mr. Joseph Hastie, jun., ic was unanimously agreed that the name of the Rev. Thomas Adams be inserted in the call. Mr. Adams has been supplying the charge for the past year with great acceptance, as was testified by every one present, about 70 signing the call when it was placed on the table for signature. It was further agreed that the stipend be £'_ ~ per annum with a manse. Messrs. Whyte and Dunwoodie, elders, and Messrs. Robertson, Massey, lnglis, and Barr, Managers, were appointed to appear before the Presbytery on Tuesday next, April 3, to support, the call.

The cheap fares to Whangarei have more than doubled the passenger traffic, and the question now arises whether it could not have been doubled by cheap fares at anytime during the past ten years. The most of the people believe that it could. If so, then everybody has been the loser—steamship company and all. One marked result has been produced by the increased traffic, and that is a constant stream of visitors from Auckland, who come to see the place or to see their friends. This must benefit Whangarei, because a percentage of these visitors will stay here altogether, and there is plenty of room for them if they go on land. \\ hat we want now is to utilise our coal, ironstone, limestone, and other productions, which exist in unlimited quantities. There is a prospect of the ironstone at Kamo being used shortly, but full particulars are not to hand at present.—[Own Correspondent.