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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9036, 20 April 1888, Page 5

Our cable messages this morning state that the condition of the German Emperor is critical, and that the worst is now considered imminent. In order to afford him relief in his breathing the tube in his windpipe has been enlarged. Notwithstanding bis serious condition, the Emperor has shown himself at the window of his bedroom, and has been greatly cheered by the crowds assembled outside the palace. The Boulanger agitation in Franco is increasing, and the executive have become so alarmed at the aspect of affairs that they have deemed it prudent to take precautionary measures against a popular outbreak. An article in the Moscow Gazette throws some light upon Russia's attitude with regard to France. Mr. Goschen, in a speech, greatly eulogised the efforts cf the colonies to provide for their own defence. The American foreign committee has reported against the fisheries Treaty.

The Wellington notes of our correspondent at the capital will be found on page tax. They contain a summary of the proposed new procedure rules in Parliament. Yesterday forenoon the Hon. G. Fisher, Minister of Education, took bis departure from Auckland for Wellington by the s. . Rotomahana. He was accompanied to the steamer by the Hon. W. Swanson, M.L.C., and a number of prominent citizens also assembled to see him off.

By the s.s. Rotomahana yesterday, 633 boxes of auriferous ore were shipjxid to Adelaide, for treatment at the smelting works there, by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company.

The regular meeting of the Crown Lands Board was held yesterday. There was a good deal of routine and general business transacted. One of the features of the meeting was an application from Mr. R. L. Garland. He purchased a block of land in Puni, near Drury, for cash in 1856, for £560 cash. It was supposed to contain 405 seres, but on surveying it he found it only contained 392 acres, and he at once applied to the then Superintendent of the Province. Dr. J. L. Campbell, for redress. He had then to proceed to England, expecting to return shortly, but was detained, and now, after an absence of 30 years, he asked the Board to redress his grievance. The Board, however, has no land in the vicinity, and they Have forwarded his application to the Government.

The Supreme Court banco sitting was occupied the whole of yesterday with an application for a rehearing of the case Rhodes v. Kerr. Mr. E. Hesketh appeared for the defendant in support of the application, and Mr. Theo. Cooper for the plaintiff. The case was heard before Mr. Justice Ward in October, and occupied the Court and jury for a whole week. The defendant in the action held the patent rights for Hooper's incandescent light, and sold the patent for the province of Auckland to the plaintiff, but the plaintiff alleged that he had bought on misrepresentations, and sought a rescission of the contract and damages. After a prolonged hearing, the jury found for the plaintiff, and judgment was given accordingly, and the defendant now seeks either for a reversal of the verdict or a new trial on the grounds that the jury had been wrongly directed by the Judge, that evidence had been improperly admitted, and that the verdict was against the weight of evidence. The evidence was voluminous. Mr. Justice Ward's notes of the case were before His Honor, but unfortunately he could not decipher them. Mr. Hesketh, however, placed his copy of the Judge's notes at the disposal of His Honor, and the case proceeded. Mr. Hesketh's opening of the case lasted up to the time for adjournment, and Mr. Theo. Cooper's reply will be taken this morning after the ordinary sitting in chambers.

A notice of Miss Amy Sherwin's career appears on our sixth page. To-night the "Australian Nightingale" gives her first concert in Abbott's Opera House, when no doubt there will be a large and fashionable audience to welcome the fair songstress, who was here some nine years ago. During her recent visit to her Tasmanian home, she met with a misadventure. While gathering ferns she accidentally poisoned one of her fingers, and did not pay much attention to it till on board the steamer on her passage to the Bluff, when the pain necessitating medical treatment, Dr. Coughtrey, of Dunedin, administered chloroform to her, and operated on the finger, which has been lanced several times. Some of the medical men advised her to give up her tour, but she has resolutely held to fulfilling her engagements, which says much for her pluck and resoluteness.

The Newmarket Borough Council held their usual meeting last night. The business was of an unimportant nature. There was one little incident, however, worthy of remark. Two members of the Borough Fire Brigade had resigned, and two others had been elected to fill their places, and the two latter attended and were solemnly •worn in as members of the brigade, Mr. Dinnison, as J.P., administering the oath In due form. The swearing-in of members of a fire-brigade is unusual, the selection of members being invariably left to the head of the brigade.

The pattern in aid of St, Benedict's Church has been closed, the total sum realised bein» £110. This evening the performance of Mendelssohn's grand oratorio, "Elijah," will be given in trie new church building (commencing at eight o'clock) by an efficient choir, with full orchestral accompaniment. Mr. T. Tallis Trimnell will act as conductor, the leader of the orchestra being Mr. C. Hemus. A rehearsal of the oratorio was held yesterday evening in the church, with the utmost possible success.

A respondent, "Practice," takes the liberty of doubting Mr. Wynn Williams' ruling that the by-law enforcing the registration of by-laws is ultra vires. There are other powers, however, besides those named by Mr. Williams.

The Gospel Temperance social meeting at the Temperance Hall, Albert-street, last evening was, as usual, well attended. Mr. VV. R. Cook conducted, and addresses were given by Mr. Madden and Mr. Crosher. Several songs and recitations were given by various friends, and two comic songs by Mrs. Lilly were especially well received and encored by the audience. Several pledges were taken at the close. ~ A recent issue of a German paper has the following :— " Here is a good illustration of what might be called the military instinct of the Hohenzollerns. Little five-year-old Prince William, grandson of Emperor Fritz, as promoted a short time ago to a special governess, and a special room in that part of the old Royal castle at Berlin, which is how occupied by his parents, and which is known as the ' Hohenzollern ' suite of l Partments. The little prince is very proud Y his promotion, as distinguishing him om ' the children,' as he calls his three younger brothers, and shortly after installation he moralised as follows on the new ■Ration : — ' For the present my governess pvea me lessons, but then I shall have to J*f? her, for of the military step she has I «o idea whatever.'"

Some time ago Mr. W. H. Clarke, of Parnell, outlined a scheme for settling people on the land, giving work to the unemployed, and at the same time increasing the revenue. He has forwarded the details of his scheme in a letter to the Minister for Lands (the Hon. Mr. Richardson).

At the Police Court yesterday, a case of depositing nightsoil upon premises in Upper Union-street, preferred against a man named Samuel Green, was dismissed on the technical ground that it had not been proved in evidence that the premises in question were not appointed by the corporation for the depositing of the matter, though it was afterwards pointed out that by the city regulations no nightman shall deposit nightsoil within the city of Auckland. During the hearing of the case, it was stated by one witness that complaints of a similar offence having repeatedly been committed upon Gordon's premises had been received, so that the case was evidently of a flagrant character.

The Victorian Year Book for ISS6-S7 shows that tho factories of that colony were last year employing in many cases fewer hands than during the previous year. Agricultural implement manufactories in 1885-6 employed 1023 persons, in ISS6-7 only 948 persons ; sheet iron and tin works in ISSS-6 employed Sl9 persons, in ISS6-7 only 770 persons : saddle and harness manufactories show a decrease of SI hands ; woollen factories, 76 hands; boot factories, 536 ; clothing factories, 1326. From the boot factories and the clothing factories of Victoria last year nearly 2000 persons were discharged. In biscuit factories, flour mills, jam and pickle factories there were also fewer persons employed last year than in the preceding one. Those employed in tanneries also had a rather hard time of it; for "236 of their number had to find work at some other occupation. Over 200 sawmillers were sent adrift, and there were about 100 fewer persons employed in brass and copper foundries. In the goldsmiths' business sixty-seven persons had to turn their attention to something else. In 18S6 Victoria imported from New South Wales goods of tho value of £4,350,871, and exported to New South Wales £2,624,713. From New Zealand Victoria received £745,12S worth of commodities, and exported to this colony only £281,309 in return.

The annual mooting of the Onohunga Land, Building, and Investment Society was hold in the society's office last night. There was a good attendance of members, Mr. C. V. Hill (vice-president) in the chair. The report showed a slight deficiency in the year's transactions. This amounted to £235 ISs 9d, but the sum of £114 Os lOd had been placed to the credit of the reserve fund, being the proceeds of lines and entrance fees collected during the year, which reduces the actual loss to £I'2l 17s lid. The business of the society had kept up very well, and compared favourably with that of former years, considering the present, depressed .state of the times. The chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and in doing so considered that, taking everything into consideration, they had every reason to be satisfied with their position. Mr. Shaldrick seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously. On the motion of Mr. W. Brierly, seconded by Mr. Murde, the retiring directors were re-elected. Mr. F. W. Brookfield moved, seconded by Mr. Hills, that Messrs Waymoufch and Son, and P. Clark be re-elected auditors, which was agreed to. Mr. Austin moved, seconded by Mr. Shaldrick, that the usual honorarium be paid the directors. Mr. Robb (a director) considered that after having a bad time during the year, and having to take £235 ISs 9d out of the reserve fund to make up the eight percent, interest, the directors could not do better than leave the amount (£SO) in the fund. Mr. Brookfield considered it unjust, on account of bad times, to say to the directors that they should work for a year without receiving a remuneration. He considered the amount should bo paid. The motion was carried unanimously. In moving a vote of thanks to the directors for past services, Mr. Brookfield said the thanks of the shareholders were due to Messrs. Robb and Hutchison, for preferring to do without the honorarium, as this society had not earned it during the year. Prior to closing the Chairman tendered an apology from Mr. R. C. Barstow (President) for non-attendance that evening, as he was away at Te Aroha, suffering from rheumatism. This, he remarked, was the first annual meeting that the President had been absent from. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

The very reprehensible practice of persons illegally cutting timber from Crown lands is, we understand, causing a large amount of uneasiness to country settlers, not only from the fact of the removal of the timber, but the danger attached. Representations have been made to the Lands Department requesting that this practice should be put down with a high hand.

"Prevention" writes:—"How can we expect to get the health of the city improved so long as offenders are fined 5s ? Such fines only encourage persons to set the law at defiance. Alad was charged with carrying pigs' slush and refuse in a milk cart and fined ss, because the magistrate was not aware of this offence having been brought before him here ; whereas it is not long since there was an exactly similar case against a butcher, well known to have been for a long time killing sheep and calves upon his premises, who was fined only a nominal penalty not long since. They can afford to pay such fines and laugh, and the game goes merrily on, detection being difficult and the punishment almost nil when they are found out. What is the use of Acts or by-laws so long as this state of affairs exists? Fine the offenders £10 and you will soon stop these practices."

At the scholars' soiree in connection with the Tabernacle Sunday-school anniversary there were some 600 children present. Mr. Spurgeon presided, and gave an address, as did Mr. F. Battley. Solos were given by Mrs. Spurgeon, Misse3 Battley, Hogg, and Clemens, and instrumental solos, readings, and recitations by the pupils.

The quarterly conference of the Anglican Sunday-school teachers in the Auckland district was held yesterday evening at St. Sepulchre's schoolroom, the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley presiding. There was a good attendance. A model lesson to a class of children present by Mr. F. G. Ewington, the subject being "St. Paul's Last Journey, from Miletus to Jerusalem." A discussion followed, the method of giving the lesson being criticised by the Revs. J. Bates, I. Richards, J. K. Davis, Archdeacon Dudley, Mr. J. Hammond (superintendent of St. Sepulchre's Sunday-school), and other teachers. The Rev. J. K. Davis read a Eaper on " The Sunday-school Teacher and [is Work," when he pointed out the necessity for a proper understanding of the duties, which should be entered on with good motives, whilst he urged teachers to carefully prepare their lessons, and advised them to study for examination.

The following pieces of land in the Auckland province have been set apart for the purposes stated: —Section 130, parish of Koheroa, containing 84 acres 3 roods, for a recreation ground; the town belt of the town of Alexandra East, containing 120 .acres, as a recreation ground ; the town belt of the town of Alexandra West, containing 320 acres, for a recreation ground; section 3, block XL, Tokatea survey district, containing 260 acres 1 rood 23 perches, for primary education.

In his speech to the deputation of the Auckland Political Financial Reform Association on the subject of the property tax, the Hon. Mr. Fisher said that the efforts of the association before the last elections had exercised an important influence on the composition of the House. He had seen the leaflets issued by the association everywhere, and he was told by Southern members that they had been widely distributed in their districts, and had had much effect.

Yesterday evening the Rev. J. A. Dowie delivered an address in the old Baptist Chapel, Wellesley - street, in connection with his faith-healing mission, on "Sanctification of Body, Soul, and Spirit," and Mrs. Dowie also gave an address. There was a fair attendance. To-night he lectures on " Mystery of Suffering," and will answer some difficulties and objections.

The following extraordinary but highly interesting information concerning °this colony appears in that well-known periodical, the Family Herald, under date February 11, 18SS: — " There are 197 ' towns ' in New Zealand, but 82 of them have less than 100 inhabitants, while Devonport, the most populous, has only 2650 inhabitants." " Our marine suburb " is looking up.

! The Christchurch Star, in a leading article on Sir George Grey's birthday, speaks thus:— Sir George Grey's birthday would be a day to mark in any town. His history—Governor of Cape Colony, twice, in the days when Governors were more than the signers of State documents and givers of State balls; Governor of South Australia, and explorer in the North of the Groat Dry Continent; Governor of this colony twice, in the most stormy days of its birth and childhood—such a man would be noticeable had he only slipped through the duties of his office. But that he never did. Sir George has always been a working, driving machine, but one that worked with friction. A man with almost every gift, he could never be effaced, and never be anything but conspicuous. That he has been, to the grief sometimes of his masters, sometimes to the good of those under his sway. For those reasons, for his powers of oratory, for the interest of his personality, his charm of manner, and his extended field of knowledge, Sir George's birthday, as aforesaid, would be an event in any town. But in Auckland it is doubly, trebly, a day to be remembered. There he has been Superintendent of the province ; there his graceful hospitality on his late island - home has won the hearts of the masses ; there his generosity has enriched the city with artistic and literary treasures beyond any other in the colony. No wonder the flags and bunting flew bright on Saturday. Many happy returns to him ; more presents to the Aucklanders !"

Very strong disapproval of the practice of endeavouring to obtain statements from prisoners, which is resorted to by the police on some occasions, was expressed by His Honor the Chief Justice during the hearing of the alleged child murder case in the Supreme Court, Wellington, a few days ago. During the course of his evidence Chief Detective Browne produced a piece of sewn linen which he had taken from the house whera Clara Fong Chong, tho female prisoner, had been living. It was shown that the sewing was extremely bad, and expert evidence was tendored by the prosecution to prove that some work which the accused had done while awaiting trial in the Terrace gaol bore a great similarity to the sewing on tho linen produced by Chief Detective Browne. The matron of the gaol was subjected to a very severe cross-examination by Mr. Jellicoe, who wished to know from her whether it; was usual to give prisoners awaiting trial work to do. She replied that she had told the accused to do the work under the direction of the governor of tho gaol. His Honor subsequently expressed the opinion that the work was given to the prisoner for the purpose of obtaining evidence, and he considered such a proceeding highly improper. There could be no doubt, His Honor proceeded, that it had been done so that it could be used against the prisoner for the purpose, in fact, of making evidence against herself. His Honor was not aware that the English Court had yet come to that. He went on to say that in some parts of New Zealand he had seen most startling attempts on the part of the police to extract statements from prisoners. He had not observed much of it here, although he believed that it was practised to a certain extent in this district.

The Art Exhibition was well attended last night. Quite a new feature in the miscellaneous exhibits at the Exhibition this year is the large number of decorated tambourines. In tins new feature of decoration for the home we find excellent specimens exhibited by Mrs. S. Jackson, Miss F. E. Richardson, Miss J. Corbett, and Miss A. Tisdall. There is not so large a display of panels as in past years ; in fact, the only representatives in this department aro the Misses C. C. and M. C. Firth, who each exhibit a very meritorious work. Miss Maud Vaile shows a very prettily-painted pair of vases, as does also Miss Holland and Miss H. Williams, Miss Firth being represented by a sintrle vase, on which she has very naturally painted a spray of the purple convolvulus. Mrs. W. G. Connolly shows a very handsome piece of poona painting on white velvet, and Mrs. Carl Seegner's fruitpiece, peaches, is a very careful and natural piece of painting. There are some very excellent bits of crystolium painting by Miss Alice L. Bews, Miss Cassie C. Bews, Miss E. Turner, and Mr. W. H. Kinsey. Miss McKellar exhibits a tabletop or panel, having a decorated design painted thereon in transparent colours on the polished wood. The design and workmanship is excellent, the centre is a very free treatment of Cupids and foliage, and the margin consists of a beautiful scroll design on a black ground. This style of decoration we consider to be much more appropriate for panel decoration than much of the flower paintings usually exhibited, most of these being mere painted botanical specimens, and having no conventionalism in their treatment. Miss H. J. Weaver and Miss F. E. Richardson exhibit folding screens, the former being painted after the Chinese and the latter floral in design. In the monochromes. Miss Maud Vaile has two very good portraits, being photo-enlargements worked up by hand. They are both very creditable specimens. M. Cohen exhibits a curiosity in pen-and-ink, being a Japanese idea of how an Englishman spends his Christmas in England. If the design is original, it shows considerable invention. Mr. M. Trenwith's "Clearing Mists"a bit of fancy—is a very effective bit of crayon drawing. Mr. J. C. Morton and Mr. H. G. Holland both exhibit specimens of enlargements from instantaneous photographs, the one by Mr. Morton, " The Coming Squall," being particularly good. Two frames of photos, of bits of English scenery, taken by Mr. H. B. Morton, are exhibited by that gentleman. The committee, with the object of increasing the number of prizes, have decided to postpone the drawing of the art union until Wednesday next.

Yesterday Ernest Hogg, butcher, Newton, filed a petition of insolvency.

The only prisoner in the lockup last evening wa3 a man named William Grant, for larceny of harness.

In another column, Mr. George McCaul, manufacturing plumber, Wellesley-street, opposite the new Library, notifies that he has for sale galvanised tanks (assorted), colonial ovens (all sizes), galvanised water pipes, copper boilers, jam, fruit, honey, and butter tins, spouting, downpipes, &c , and all the requisites required by the trade. In calling attention to the above Mr. McCaul begs to intimate that he is removing from the Thames, whore ho has been carrying on business since the opening, and is bringing all his plant to Auckland, when he will be in a better position than ever to do an extensive business.

The opening of the gymnasium of the Y.M.C.A. takes place this evening at eight o'clock. Professor Moss, the newly-ap-pointed physical instructor to the Association, will exhibit some of his extraordinary feats of strength, and assisted by friends will perform a number of exercises. Full particulars will bo found in our advertising columns.

The last of the Rev. E. A. Telfer's lectures will be delivered in the Newton Congregational Church, Edinburgh-street, to-morrow evening. His subject is one which he handles with great skill and humour — namely, '' Crotchetty Grumblers." No doubt many of Mr. Telfer's admirers will make an effort to hear for the last time the reverend gentleman discourse on this subject.

The Insurance Companies' offices will be closed on St. George's Day. A special union prayer-meeting will be held in St. George's Hall this evening, in connection with Pastor Muller's visit to this city.