Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9021, 6 April 1888, Page 5

The Queen, who is at present recruiting her health at Florence, is received with great enthusiasm by the populace when she ehoivs herself in public. It is the intention of Her Majesty to visib her son-m-Jaw, the Emperor of Germany. The programme of the new French Premier has not been received with general approval. The press and moderate Republicans are opposed to it. His proposals regarding the reform of the constitution had already led to the resignation of one of his colleagxtes. Russia is said to be preparing to blockade Bourgas; Germany is purchasing large quantities of bullion, while the new French Ministry is distrusted. The dtuation in Europe is thenjfore by no means satisfactory. Prince Fordinand is resolvod to stick to his post. In a proclamation which he has caused to be issued he announces that he will not abdicate. In replying to the American protest against the action of Germany in Samoa, Prince Bismarck states that the deposition of' Malietoa was necessary in the interests of German residents. It is feared that rioting will take place in Ireland on Sunday in consequence of a number of meetings fixed for that day having been proclaimed. In anticipation of disturbances the police will be reinforced. The M;*hdi threatens an invasion of Egypt. The Liberal Party according to Mr. John Morley is in a critical condition.

We understand that Messre. Dovore and Cooper have been acting for Mr. W. R. Wilson in regard to the purchase from Messrs. Firth and Clark of the New Find mine and battery. Mr. Dcvore went to Te Aroha on Friday last to satisfy himself as to the titles, and returned on Tuesday. Everything is now settled, and the transaction will be completed in a few days. The expert who is to bo sent over to inspect the mine and decide upon the method of treatment to be followed is expected in a few months.

The Hon. George Fisher, Minister of Education, was a passenger by the Wanaka yesterday from New Plymouth, and was accompanied by his private secretary, Mr. Aurelius Smith. Yesterday afternoon, in company with Mr. E. Withy, M.H.R. for Newton, he visited the Costley Training Institute, and was much pleased with his inspection of it. To-day, in the forenoon, he has arranged engagements with Sir Frederick Whitaker and His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Devore),and in the afternoon he will visit tho Kohimarama Industrial School, accompanied by Mr. David Goldie, M.H.R., one of the official visitors of the institution. It is probable that Mr. Fisher will visit) the Thames, a deputation t>f Upper Thames settlers being desirous of seeing him as Commissioner of Customs, with regard to their grievances respecting the Thames harbour limits. The Minis-

ter's stay in Auckland is not likely to exceed a week, and during that period ho purposes visiting, as opportunity serves, ' the various educational establishments of the city—primary and secondary. It is not the intention of Mr. Fisher, as stated In tome quarters, to visit the special settlements. One of the questions which , is likely to come before him for consideration is the building of a new industrial school on the reserve at Mount Eden, thus saving the rental paid at.Kohimarama. The difficulty of utilising the reserve hitherto has been the want of water, but, since the establishment of the Mount Eden Reservoir that difficulty has been overcome. The Hon. E. Mitchelson will receive three deputations to-day, one from the Trades and Labour Council in the forenoon, a second later in the day from the Waitemata County Council, and the third at three o'clock from the Chamber of Commerce re the North leland Trunk Railway. His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies gave judgment yesterday in a case instituted by Mrs. Kelly, residing in Scotland, against her husban i, residing in New Zealand, claiming judicial separation. The case was heard last month, and in the judgment delivered, Judge Gillies goes into the whole facts of the cas;e, and refuses the application made by the wife.

In giving decision in the case of King, Walker and Co. v. J. McCaul and Thornton, the new Resident Magistrate, Dr. Giles, declined to allow coats for witnesses In attendance but not subpoenaed. Mr. Mahony said it had always been the practice in that Court to do so, unless where counsel objected. Messrs. S. Hesketh »nd Cotter corroborated Mr. Mahony's statement, and pointed out inconvenience and expense which would accrue. His Worship said he would look into the matter, end reconsider his decision, after the reasons adduced. '

At the Police Court yesterday, Albert ©ctavius Stoddart was commit/ted for trial on a charge oi forgery of a promissory note. The prisoner is respectably-con-nected, but has given way to evil habits.

The tramway Company have almost completed the extensive improvements they have undertaken at their grounds, Potter's Paddock. The fencing is of a most substantial character—totara posts 6 by 6, covered with 10-feet corrugated iron, so that it will be impossible for the champion mean man to take an outside ticket to see the sports. As regards the grand-stand, which is only second to that at Ellerslie, it is fast approaching completion, and will be available for the Epsom races to-morrow. The company have also formed a racecourse, which is about three-quarters of a mile round, and there is no doubt that it will be the next best course to that of Ellerslie in the suburbs of Auckland. After to-morrow's races, the Company will finish off the football ■ match ground, so as tx> have it completed for the match against the English representatives. The Company have made arrangements with the Onehunga Racing Club to issue through tickets admitting to the course on the cars so as to save visitors trouble and Inconvenience at the course. Owing to the principal gate nob being completed, the company do not intend to permit public vehiclos like omnibuses on the ground, as they would have to cross the course, cutting up the ground. This will not affect cabs and light vehicles. The judge's box and two totalisators are being fixed up. We understand that the terms received as rental by the company from the Racing Club are 20 per cent on the gross receipts.

There were reported yesterday to the Sanitary Inspector two cases of scarlatina in O'Neill and Sumner streets, one case of typhoid in Curran-street, and a second in York-street. Singular to state, both patients ascribe their illness to chill and a fit of shivering—the one after bathing in the Freshwater Baths, and the other in the harbour at Ponsonby. Two oases are reported in Howe-street, one in Victoria Avenue, and one in Newmarket. Some of the medical men are reporting suburban cases to the City Council instead of to the local health authorities, it is supposed, feeling more sure of getting the nimble halfcrown from the Auckland Corporation for reporting cases than from the second-rate paunicipalities.

The Gazette notifies that pheasants and Calif ornian and Australian quail may be taken pr killed within the Auckland district, consisting of the Auckland Provincial District, ' fexeepting the counties of Cook, Tauranga, Botorua, Whakatane, East Taupo, and Wairoa, from the let day of May, 1888, to the 31st day of July, 1888, both inclusive (subject! nevertheless to the restrictions in the naid Acts mentioned). i There is reason to believe that the unfortunate man Bradfield, who was killed on the Epsom tramline, was run over by more 'vehicles than the tramcars. Between seven fend eight - o'clock several private traps Vent up the fcramway line where the body trf the man was subsequently found, and Tike tha tram'oar drivers, not one of the person* driving even , noticed the body of the man lying on the rails. ' The Takapuna ©lection assaulb case, Edwin Harrow it;' John McKay, is nob after all to afford amusement to the habitues pf the Police Court, the informant having *rithdrawn the charge. The step was a judicious one, aabhe public were more disposed to laugh &tr the litigants than with whom* ' '.■ 1,-- ■!-■ ." _: ~..' ■'■ "-•

It will be seen from our obituary column that another old colonist has passed away, in the person of Mr. William Farley Blake, who died yesterday at Hastings, Napier. He was a native of Weatmoath, Ireland, and by profession a surveyor, bub was better known in Auckland in connection with the timber industry. Deceased came to the colony about 45 years ago, and was a fellow-passenger with the late Mr. David Sheehan. lie leaves three sons and one daughter. The oldest son is Captain Richard Blake. Deceased was a relative Of Mr. James McCormack, of this city.

Yesterday morning Dr. Giles, of Hokitika, who will fulfil the duties of Resident Magistrate during the absence of Mr. Seth Smith in England, took hie seat on the bench at the K.M. Court for the first time. There was a number of the members of the bar present on the occasion. Upon the new magistrate taking his seat, Mr. Button, as one of the oldest legal practitioners in the colony, and as an old personal acquaintance of His Worship, offered a few words of welcome on behalf of the profession, lie bore testimony to the courtesy Dr. Giles had always shown to the profession as a Resident Magistrate, and the painstaking ability which he always manifested in investigating the cases brought before him. His Worship, in replying, expressed his gratification at the kindly words of welcome vouchsafed to him by Mr. Button on behalf of the Auckland bar. He was happy to say he had always maintained friendly relations with the legal gentlemen practising before him. Though feeling some diffidence in filling his present position as the successor of a gentleman of considerable ability, he was encouraged by their expression of goodfeeling, and from the fact that ho would have the assistftnee of the members of the bar in the discharge of his duties. The nominations for the Auckland No?th Licensing Committee were received yesterday, by Mr. S. Y. Collins, as follows : — Charles Edward Button, James William Carr, Joseph James Craig, John Edson, David Goldie, James Job Holland, James Poly blank King, Thomas Taylor Masefield, Joseph Newman, Jonathan Winks. The poll will be held on Monday, the 16th instant, in the premises recently occupied by Mr. Fenton, in Victoria-street, at the corner of the passage leading underneath the City Hall.

An interesting competitive concert was held at St. James' Hall yesterday evening, under the conductorship of Mr. W. H. Webbe. Mr. Webbe explained the reasons for holding these displays. He read approvingly articles from the Herald as to the establishment of a Chair of Music in the University College, and said that two people were here in Auckland who ought to have applied. Those who had no degrees should not have the right to apply. Had there not been men holding higher qualifications than he did he should nave applied for the position, but he considered that those who had no degrees should have no claim to the appointment. Mr. Webbe then went on to state that the London and Berlin Piano Company had placed in his hands £100 to give in payment of monthly lectures free to the public, and also once a week to employ teachers to give rudimentary instruction free. Tne whole of the first part of the programme was made competitive. There were four pianos and an organ on the stage. The first selection was "Fidelio," and then the competition pieces came on. The judges were the Very Rev. Dr. Egan, Mus. Doc, for singing, and Mr. George Clutsam for piano. The competition for the tenor song was taken from the "Requital" (Blumenthal), the competitors being Messrs. E. H. Edmonds and J. Ferriday. For the piano accompaniment Misses Campbell and Grablin competed. The prizes were awarded as follows :—Tenor song, E. H. Edmonds, his chief feature being distinctness. Mr. J. Ferriday was commended for expressiveness, although condemned for indistinctness in enunciation. In the piano solo, Miss F. Gilmer secured the award, beating Miss J. Taylor and Mr. W. L. Hunter. In the piano accompaniment there were only two competitors, and the award was made to Miss Grublin for her piano accompaniment to the " Requital." Mr. Bush's fine bass song, "The Raft," brought the finst part of the programme to a close. Tho second part of the programme consisted of a number of songs and musical selections, and the concert throughout was, although somewhat prolonged, very enjoyable.

A sale of work in connection with St. Barnabas' Church, Mount Eden, was opened at Waite's Hall yesterday afternoon, and remained open during the evening. The sale was largely attended, amongst those who took an active part in the proceedings being the Rev. T. JB. Sprott. An excellent assortment of plran and fancy work was offered for disposal, and the stalls were under the charge of Mesdames Heather, Cartwright, Puckey, Jourdain, and Green ; whilst Mesdames Sprott and Williams, and Misses Puckey (2) and Williams (2) presided over the refreshment tables, the art; stall being under the management of Mrs. Wyman and Misses Jourdain and Green. Two mysterious departments were those of the " post-office" and " magic well," which were the headquarters from which interesting missives were despatched to many of the audience, in most cases the fortunes of the receivers bting characteristically told, and merry jokes cracked at their expense. Mrs. Baddeley, Mrs. Duffus, and Misses Addison, Armstrong (3), Cooper, and Jourdain were the managers of these departments. A spelling bee for children, held in the evening, was won by Miss Dora Jourdain, and in a second spelling-bee, for lady and gentlemen competitors, Miss Crisp proved victorious, Mr. J. A. Connell being eecond, and Miss Havill third. The Rev. T. H. Sprott and Mr. J. H. Giles were the judges, and the contest caused great interest. During the day pianoforte selections were rendered by Misses Turner, Rice, Cooper, and Crawford. The sale is to be continued to-day in Mr. T. H. Webb's rooms, View Road.

The Fiji Times of March 17 has the following :—We learn that the management of the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand at Levuka will, at an early date, be centred in Suva, in place of Levuka as heretofore, and that the business of the company in Fiji will be superintended by the popular manager of the Fiji Trad'ig Company. We believe, however, that a Levuka agency will be kept in existence and that, for all practical purposes the pending change will only consist in the fact of the manager residing at Suva in place of Levuka. In connection with these changes a modicum of regret creeps in, in the fact that Mr. E. Ford, who has for the past few years conducted the affairs of the company in Fiji, will sever his connection with the colony. As a set-off, however, to the regrets at his departure, the friends of this gontleman will be able to console themselves with the knowledge that the colony will possess a warm friend wherever his future lot may be cast. Mr. Ford will take his departure from the colony about May next, and will join the Union Steamship Cotnpany'e service at the Bay of Islands.

A vocal and instrumental entertainment was given in St. Mary's Hall, Onehunga, last night, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the erection of an organ loft in the new church which is now in course of construction. The entertainment was under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor, and by eight o'clock the hall was fairly filled with a fashionable audience. The programme, which was a very attractive one, was opaned with the pianoforte piece, " Les Jolis Oieeaux," Misses Leahy, Cullen, Schnaur and Donovan, on two pianos, and was applauded. Then followed the eong, "Come into the Garden, Maud," by the Rev. Father Lenihan, which met with a most enthusiastic encore. The remainder of the items which were mostly applauded were gone through as follow-.—Song, "I Love the Verdant Hills," Mr. Haining; song, " Little Jim," Master Thompson; song, " Who's that Tapping at the Garden Gate," Miss Condon ; recitation, " Shamus O'Brien," Mr. Lawrence; song, " The Bridge," Mrs. Lyell ; song, " Good Company," Mr. T. Cullen; song, "Yβ Banks and Braes," Miss Cullen ; piano solo, "Isle of Beauty," Miss Hilda Worep. After a brief interval, the second part was gone through as follows :~Overture, "Carnival de Venice," Misses Leahy, Keehan, and Mulkere (2); song. '-The Anchor's Weighed," Mr. Massey ; recitation, " Nola Cosonan " Miss Frued ; song, " Beautiful Venice," Miss Brennan ; duet, " What are the Wild Waves Saying?" Miss Brenncn and Mr. Higgens; violin solo, "What to us in Silver Hair," Master Schnauer ; son*,', " Maid of Athens," Mr. T. Culten ; German song (in character), Mr. Haining; The entertainment concluded with the tableaux 41 Harvest," which looked very pretty.

By the steamer Tarawera, which, left for Melbourne yesterday, there were shipped eleven tons of quartz, consigned by the directors of the Paroquet mine to the Australian Smelting and Refining Co., Adelaide, for the purpose of treatment by improved processes. The following tests made at Messrs. Price and Co. s establishment, Thames, from two samples of ore from the same mine, appear to show a very rich clase of stuff: —Roasting process : Gold at the rate of 550z Bdwt lCgr to the ton; and silver at the rate of 5440z 16dwt Bgr per ton. Unroasted ore process': Gold at the rate of 760z 13dwt 15gr per ton; and silver at the rate of 610oz 4dwb 3gr per ton. An interesting discovery (says the Sydney Morning Herald) of a singular nature was made at Coogee, on March 27, by Mr. H. J. McCooey, whose name is well-known in scientific circles. Mr. McCooey was strolling in the neighbourhood of Coogee Bay, when he suddenly startled a large black snake (Pseudechis -porphyriacus) ana no less than 18 young ones. No sooner was the reptile startled than she made a strange hissing or gulping noise, and opened her mouth widely, into which her young glided with extraordinary rapidity and disappeared down her throat. Mr. McCooey instantly despatched the reptile, and on. dissecting her, killed thirteen of the young snakes, the remainder making their escape in the grass. Mr. McCooey's discovery sets at rest a question which has always been regarded by scientific men with scepticism, viz., whether or not snakes swallow their young in order to protect thorn.

Agriculturists in the northern districts will be glad to learn that Messrs. T. and S. Morrin and Co., of this city, have taken ap the agency for the Buckeye harvesting machinery, and that during the coming season these well-known machines will be obtainable from them. During the past two years the Buckeye has secured the South Australian Government Agricultural College award, beating all competitors; the Grand National Gold Medal of Victoria, and other important competitive prizes; and has been very favourably spoken of for lightness of draught, simplicity, and strength by the principal newspapers of this colony and elsewhere. The Lowdown has aroused considerable attention in Otago and Southland, and being only a twohorse machine, capable of cutting and binding on the stiffest hillsides and roughest cultivable ground, many thousands of acres which could not be cropped at a profit by the old system of back-delivery reaping and manual binding are now available and are being laid down for the first time. The light Buckeye mower secured the international prize m 1857, and has held its own against allcomers since that period, ite latest honours being the first award at the late Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition. Our readers will do well to look out for these machines, as the present low standard of grain values renders it necessary that the moat economic system of harvesting be resorted to.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of 10s from " A.D." for the Benevolent Society.