Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9024, 10 April 1888, Page 4

In our cablegrams this morning further reference will be found to the new crisis which has arisen in Europe over the betrothal of Prince Alexander and the Princess Victoria. The difference of opinion on this subject between Prince Bismarck and the Emperor Frederick is the common talk of Europe. In Germany the Empress is blamed for the present rupture, her dislike of Bismark being well-known. It is now thought to be probable that the match Will be postponed until, at least, the Bulgarian question is settled. In regard to this matter the Czar is now manifesting a more conciliatory spirit, but our telegrams make it clear that he is still insisting on the retirement of Prince Ferdinand. Should the latter remain firm in his resolution to stick to his position there is almost certain to be war.

The Hon. G. Fisher (Minister of Education) went down to Kohimarama Industrial School, yesterday forenoon, to adjust some matters in the institution. In the afternoon he visited Onehunga, and inspected , the Onehunga Public School, with which he was much pleased. To-day, in company with Mr. J. H. Upton (Chairman of the Board of Education), he will visit some of the city public schools.

The regular meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held last night. There were no special features of public interest, except perhaps the application of a Maori chief for permission to adopt a European child. A detailed report of the proceedings is published in another portion of the paper. " ~ " v. x

By the Waikato train this moraine tJ« Hon. E. Mitchelson (Native Minister) n ro ceeds to Otorohanga, being accompanied by his private secretary, Mr.- Bates ami the Under-Secretary for the Native Dei** ment, Mr. T. W. Lewis. The present J rangement is to reach Otorohanga to-dav coming back to-morrow to Te Awamutu' and by coach to Alexandra, holding a meet! ing with the Whatihoehoe ; on Thursday going to Oxford, and on to Eotorua, holding a meeting with the Rotorua natives. lb is probable that Mr. Mitchelson will go cm to Napier, via Taupo, and back by railwav to Wellington. *

At the Supreme' Court sitting in bank, ruptcy yesterday a question of great impor! tarice to commercial men was brought up i" regard to the bankruptcy of G. S. Jakinj and G. V. Jakins. G. V. Jakins had been trading as a grain merchant. His father took over the business, and traded as Jakins and Son. The Bank of New South Wales had a lien against the estates of father and son, and both became bankrupt. Th» Court was asked to rule whether the Bank was entitled to claim on the join(j estate, or whether the Official Assignee had power to create a third estate* by adminig. tering the estate of a firm which had nob been declared bankrupt. His Honor reserved his decision.

Notice has been given by Mr. Evans that) he will move, at the next meeting of the City Council, " That the engineer be in. structed to prepare plans and specifications for the drainage of Clarence-street and Pompallier Terrace in conjunction with tha gully at the foot of Sheehan-street." The premises of Mr. Lovett, draper, in Wellesley-street, were broken into on Saturday night. As he does not reside on the premises he was not aware of the incident until informed of it yesterday morning by one of the Tramway Company's employ The premises had first been attempted fro© the rear, where a pane of glass nearest the catch of the window was broken, but the window being otherwise secured, the butglars went round to the front, where one of the glass panels of the front door waa removed, as also the fanlight. Some os was taken from the till, and some clothing, but bundles of clothing were lying about, which the thieves decided at the last moment to abandon. No clue has yet been obtained to the perpetrators.

There still continues to be a fair attendance at the sample rooms of the Auckland Industrial Association. A quantity of nails have been received from a manufactory at) Heathcote, Canterbury. They are 20 per cent, under the imported article, and equal in quality. • A portion of the consignment) of this new colonial manufacture has been disposed of already.

Yesterday the hanging " committee of the Society of Arts Exhibition were busy fixing up the pictures sent in. The old dado used at the Art Gallery is bein<* utilised, and comes in very handily. There are from 200 to 300 pictures in, the larger proportion being oils. Among the principal exhibitors are Mrs. McCosh Clark, Mis 3 Stoddart (Christchurch), Messrs. Atkinson, Steele, Kenneth Watkin, Bloomfield, Drummond, Albin Martin, Aldis, Lindauer, Ball, Gibbs (2), Cooper (Christchurch). There will be a conversazione on Thursday evening at eight o'clock, and the Exhibition will be formally opened to the public on Friday at noon.

Retrenchment, like other things, apparently goes by favour— least, in connection with the Board of' Education. It will be recollected that some time ago it was resolved, among ' other economies, to reduce the salary of Mr. Inspector O'Sullivan by £100. As so much interest had been felt in securing a six months' term of notice to other servants of the Board, it was naturally expected by Mr. O'Sullivan that his twenty years of indefatigable service, during which he had literally built up the Auckland system of education, would have counted for something, and induced, at least, an equitable consideration of a claim to six months' instead of three months' notice in the reduction. But no ; the Inspector had not put himself about to win the .favour of the powers that be ; and we understand that the secretary has written to that gentleman conveying the refusal of the Board to entertain his claim. As Mr. O'Sullivan is retiring from the service of the Board in a few months, it seems rather hard treatment by the side of. some other instances of liberality of expenditure on the part of the Board. '

The anniversary soiree and public meeting of the Devonporb Wesleyan Church was held last evening in the church at North Shore. At half-past six o'clock fully two hundred persons sat down to a very tastefully arranged tea, provided and dispensed by Mesdames Edson, Mason, Tanfield, Jones, Henderson, Buddie, Lille wall, and Ovens. At about half-past seven the aftermeeting began, Mr. William Thorne presiding. The newly-appointed minister, Rev. J. Dukes, who was introduced to the congregation by Mr. J. Edson, the circuit steward, after expressing his gratitude at the hearty reception which had been accorded him, gave a short address upon the advantages of the itinerant system pursued by the Methodist- Church in regard to their ministry. Rev C. H. Garland, of Ponsonby, and Rev. E. Best, of Pitt-street, also addressed those present. At intervals during the proceedings, the church choir, under the leadership of Mr. Tanfield, rendered in excellent style the following programme of sacred music :—" Prepare \e The Way," "Hear the Angels, "The Wonderful Name," " Arise and Shine," " God Bless Our Pastor," " Open The Beautiful Gates." On the motion of Messrs. Jones and Woods, votes of thanks were accorded to the chairman, speakers, ladies, and choir, and the proceedings closed by the benediction being pronounced by the Rev. E. Best.

Professor Brown proposes to deliver t course of lectures on elementary science on Fridays, at eight o'clock p.m., in the Chemical Lecture Theatre, in Edenstreet. This course of lectures is primarily intended to meet, the requirements of teachers and others who wish to obtain the Dor E certificates of the Education Department, but the character of the lectures will be such as to afford an opportunity to the general public of becoming more familiar with the first principles of science. The first lecture will be given on Friday next, April 13, at eight p.m.

The Canterbury Press, in a leading article on the tariff proposed by the Protectionist Conference, says — The most! amusing part of the proposed tariff is that which deals with the farmers. Its framers were evidently conscious that they are seeking to lay a most serious burden on the shoulders of the agriculturists, and they have therefore had the effrontery to offer them an increase on their grain and dairy produce. The- duty on barley is to be Is 6d per 1001b; on maize, la; on malt, 3s per bushel; on beans and peas, Is 6d per 1001b; on wheat and other * kinds of grain, 2s per 1001b; on linseed, £3 per ton ; on flour, 2s per cwt; on potatoes, £1 per ton. What possible value would these duties, we would ask, be to the farmer ? The colony is a large exporter of all these articles, and therefore an import duty upon them will not affect the price obtained the thousandth part of a farthing. It only requires to be stated that the value of the above produce exported from the colony in 1886 exceeded the imports by over £700,000. The ' framers of the proposed tariff, in suggesting these duties on agricultural produce, must have a poor opinion of the intelligence of the agricultural community if they thought thai the farmers would be taken ip by such a transparent piece of humbug."

At the Police Court yesterday John David Grey, who recently attempted to commit! suicide at Parnell by cutting his throat, was brought up. He is an elderly man, and had rather an ill-omened appearance as he stood in the dock, with one eye only, and a bandage round his throat to cover the wound. Constable Hobson detailed in evidence the circumstances, of the affair, and

Dr. Mackellar described the man's condition and wounds. He considered great credit, was due to the constable in closing the wound and holding it closed, as otherwise the accused would have died from loss of blood. In answer to the Bench Gray said he had now no intention of putting an end to his existence. The magistrate said he did not see much good could be done by committing the accused for trial, after the objection urged against that course by some of the Judges of the Supreme Court. In' Bpector Broham said the course in the South was to deal with them summarily. Accused was bound over to keep the peace for twelve months, in his own surety of £20, and two sureties of £10 each. There were in the lockup last evening three prisoners on charges of drunkenness.

There is reason to believe that as the result of the Hon. E. Mitchelson's visit to the Waitakerei Falls, the Swanson route will be adopted. Something will also be done to the Waikomiti Road, but the Henderson Valley route is out of the running. A report on the road to the Waitakerei Falls has been made by Messrs. Beetham and Boylan and Lundon, civil engineers. From that report we gather the following facts There are three railway stations from which access can be obtained to the Falls, namely, Henderson, Swanson, .and Waitakerei, the distances being respectively 7 miles 3 chains, 5 miles 22 chains, and 4 miles 22 chains. The very heavy cost of constructing a road for wheeled traffic up the Henderson Spur will in addition to the distance render the route the least available of the three. From either of the other stations the route must reach the summit of the range on Snell's clearing, now in the occupation of Mr. E. Gibbons. Thence to the Falls the route will bo common to both. The engineers see no difficult in rounding the spur with a side cutting that intervenes between Snell's and ileikle's clearings, thence through Mr. Sisam's, and by a not at all difficult route of 2 miles 22 chains up the bank of the river on one side or the other to the foot of the lower falls, thence a bridle track can bo mode if required to the foot of the higher falls, a distance of about 10 chains. The route from Snell's clearing to Swanson or Waitakerei station is therefore all that has to be considered, and the engineers would have preferred the Waitakerei station were it not that they think the Swanson route the most available, and they then give at length the reasons in its favour in point of gradient and economy. The following is the concluding paragraph of the report : — "Another consideration that has weighed with us in our decision in favour of Swanson is the ease with which the main road may bo reached from that station compared with the road from Waitakerei, and this connection with the North Road is of importance when it is considered that many persons will prefer driving direct from Auckland. Again, the distance from Swanson to the North Road, 1 mile 60 chains, is level, whilst from Waitakerei station to the same point on the North Road, a distance of four miles, is over a very hilly country that will require considerable expenditure to make it fit for wheeled traffic."

On dit, that Mr. Downie Stewart, of Duncdin, has been communicated with, with a view to his becoming leader of the Opposition.

On Saturday last a football match was arranged to be played at Cambridge, between teams representing the town and country, but, owing to the absence of several of the players, it was postponed, and a scratch match was played in its stead. Porter and Steward captained the respective teams, and although both were shorthanded, a rather exciting match ensued. It resulted in a victory for the latter team by 10 points to 6. There is a good deal of interest taken in football in ie Waikato at present, and as Cambridge is well represented, there is every likelihood of some exciting matches being played during the coming season.

It will bo remembered that Mr. Farnall and other members of the Trades and Labour Council interviewed the Hon. E. Mitchelson (Minister of Public Works) the other day respecting the South Sea Island subsidised steam service, and the employment of Kanakas on the steamer as seamen and firemen. Mr. Mitchelson has written to Mr. Farnall stating that the subsidy is £1200 per annum, terminable on three months' notice on either side. He will lay the representations as to the employment of Kanakas on the steamer before the Hon. the Postmaster-General. On Saturday afternoon the Alpha and Gordon Second played a cricket match in the Domain. The former had lost four wickets for 270 runs when time was called. By the s.s. Gairloch, which left for New Plymouth yesterday, the racehorses Cinderella, Silence, and Tamora were shipped. The former was under the charge of E. Kelly, while George Wright attended the latter two. Mr. D. Twohill was also a passenger to New Plymouth. A correspondent, " Facts," writes as follows :—Replying to your correspondent, Mr. J. Waymouth, I may recall to his attention the refusal of Judge Gillies to grant an injunction to the City Council to restrain a tallow company who had established works within fifty yards of the Western Springs ponds, on the plea that the scoria formed a sufficient filter, that it was improbable any damage would be done to the water. If this is the case within a small distance are deposits miles distant likely to affect the present supply ? You will recollect the result of the Judge's decision was to compel the City Council to buy land at a cost of £10,000 ! The fact that the typhoid fever is almost confined to one district is the best evidence that it is not due to the water. With reference to the Nihotupu supply existing analyses will show that it is not as pure as the supply taken direct from the Western Springs. An incipient fire took place in Ponsonby Road early on Monday morning. As Detective McGrath, who had been on duty, was returning to his residence on Ponsonby Road (opposite Lee's block of unfinished buildings), he saw a cloud of smoke rising In the vicinity of his dwelling. On going to examine the affair he found that some not ashes had been thrown out by someone, and these had set fire to the fencing. He soon suppressed the fire with a bucket or two of water. The following educational statistics are very significant: The Government spends £12 per head on every pupil in the secondary schools, £7 for every child at native schools, and only £3 15s on each pupil in the public schools. The Art Gallery still continues to attract a fair proportion of visitors, from 100 to 200 attending yesterday. We are in receipt of a copy of Sharland's Trade Journal for the present month, and note that the all-engrossing subject of typhoid fever has there also received attention. Movements of interest amongst the profession and the trade during the past month are recorded, together with the usual monthly report of the state of the home market up to the very latest advices. Several pages are devoted to listing fully with prices a large consignment of surgical instruments and appliances, which this firm have just opened up, and of which inspection is invited. A notice is also given of the Hobbs' Antitannic Infusera very ingenious contrivance for the separation of tannin from tea at actual time of making. It is an articlo which should come into general use amongst tea drinkersthe nervous and dyspeptic in particular. To render the Journal of more interest, Messrs. Sharland invite correspondence on subjects of interest to the trade. There are at present about one hundred children attending the Jubilee Kindergarten School. The children are greatly improved in discipline, physique, and general health since the opening of the school. Dr. Bond regularly visits the school, and attends to any cases of sickness gratuitously. The Crdche is also becoming more appreciated by working mothers. There are generally some halfdozen babies being taken care of there, while the mothers are earning during the day a living by charing, washing, &c. A correspondent signing himself " Critic" writes:"ls it not possible for the premier city to set an example of theatrical patronage to the rest of New Zealand ? At present the company playing here intend leaving on Thursday next. If this happens, it is certain we shall not for some time to come have anything more than third-rate Shows at our Opera House. Surely Auckland is not so far behind everywhere else that it cannot appreciate a good article when it gets it. The company 13 certainly the best of its kind that has ever visited our shores, and it will be a lasting disgrace to Auckland if we allow it to terminate its season before the date it was as'first intended to. I venture to say that never before has such a galaxy of talent and beauty visited this town, and for our own enjoyment's sake' we should make an effort to show : Messrs. Brough and Boucicault that we are capable of appreciating a good article when it is presented to us. I hope that we shall not have to bear the ignominy of 'not being able, even in these bad times, to properly support a really good company when it visits our city." ! To-morrow from elevea a.m. to one p.m. has been fixed by Mr. J. C. Firth as the time for the public inspection of the First Eight Hours Roller Mills. He has issued a number of invitations to leading citizens.

" Dick" was repeated at the Opera House last night, and was received with as much enthusiasm as on its previous production, the encores and other signs of approbation being continuous. We regret to notice that the stay of this talented company in Auckland has been curtailed. They only play to-night and to-morrow night, and leave for the South on Thursday, so that those who have not yet seen them should not loso the opportunity of doing so. There will be held this evening the annual soiree of the Pitt-street Wesleyan Sunday School in connection with the anniversary services. Occasion will also be taken to make it a welcome to the Rev. E. Best, the successor of the Rev. H. Bull. A public meeting will be held at half-past seven, when the chair will be taken by Mr. T. Buddie, and addresses delivered by the Revs. E. Best, C. H. Garland, and other friends. Vocal music and recitations will be given by the scholars.

This evening a pattern in aid of St. Benedict's Church fund will bo opened in the new church building, East-street, which is now complete, so far at least as it is intended at present to proceed with the structure. A number of ladies and gentlemen were engaged yesterday in decorating the building, and otherwise preparing for the exhibition, which is to be opened this evening with a fancy dress procession, whilst special entertainments are to be held every evening, and at the close of the exhibition the oratorio " Elijah " is to be sung by a full choir. Applications for space for exhibits will be received up to noon to-day.

In our notico of the new block of buildings next Auckland Savings Bank, we omitted to mention that Mr. Dunne, of Grey-street, executed the whole of the decorations.

The following is the state of Her Majesty's prison, Auckland, for the week ending April 7th, ISBS: — On remand, 1 male; awaiting trial, 2 males ; boys, 3; penal servitude, 45. males, 3 females; hard labour, 102 males, 36 females ; imprisonment, 1 male ; default of bail, 17 males, '2 females ; received during the week, 21 males, 2 females ; discharged, 25 males, 4 females; total in prison, 171 males, 41 females.

Auctioneers are reminded that the time is lip for payment of the liccnse fees.

The quarterly general meeting: of the Chamber of Commerce will be held on Thursday next, at 3 p.m.

Tourists and travellers should call on Mr. W. Norrie at the tourists' shop, extreme top of Shortland-street, and inspect the largo stock of inlaid table tops, fancy cabinets and boxes, made from rare and picked pieces of New Zealand beautiful forest timbers. They are very cheap, and are greatly admired at home.

Owing to the steamer Rose Casey being laid up for cleaning she will not be able to run to Waiwera as usual to-day and Thursday next. Visitors can, however, reach that favourite health resort very comfortably by taking passage in Butler's coach, which leaves the North Shore at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and Friday.