Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9036, 24 April 1888, Page 4

The preservation of our domains and public reserves is a sacred duty imposed on every true citizen. From every side, at all times, and everywhere, there is a constant pressure on them, and unless they are vigilantly guarded they are piece by piece filched away, and the public and posterity will be le£ lamenting. The most insidious form in which this invasion is commonly made is when the appropriation is proposed to be made for some other public purpose, and it is plausibly argued that public property is nol malversed when it is used for a public purpose. Had it not been tor the strenuous and indignant resistance raised by this journal the Free Public Library would have been at this hour in the centre of Albert Park, and that charming and popular little public resort would have now been virtually non-existent. Now we would draw the public attention to another contemplated invasion of the public domains, in the expressed intention of the Devonport School Committee to take the requisite steps for having a portion ot the Victoria Domain obtained and fenced off as a playground for the district school. In the annual report the committee say that " your committee had hoped to secure the advantage <j' increased playground area for the children, by taking in and fencing an acre or so of the public domain ground adjacent, now necessarily trespassed ou by the scholars in their amusements. Legislative consent would be required to "secure this conversion of the la' 1" now vested in the Board, but your committee were prepared to take steps to secure such legal conversion, it the} had not been met with the opposition of the Domain Board." Anything more impudent than this we " au not read for many a day, and the com mittee have actually been instructs by the body of householders to press the suit. We have no doubt that it merely requires public attention to be direct* to the matter to seal the fate ot tab latest attempt to filch the public recreation grounds ; but we would draw w> attention of the Domain Board to tie quasi-claim that is based on *J Aground adjacent being now ?ucessany trespassed on by the scholars in tJ»u amusements," and to press on the vomain Board the immediate necessity w excluding the. scholars of the distn* school from such trespass, if such ciaaj is urged. There is not the least douov that further' use of the Domain as .• playground will sooner or later maintained as a ground on ™icn press such a claim, and the exceeding impudence of this • threatened at en » to wrest away the land by leg'siai authority should be perenipto "J put down. If the founders of theseihooi were so unwise as to place a pu" school in a position where it could u obtain a play-ground, that was at on their fault, and a misfortune ; but, in every other of the countless attewP made to filch away the public recreaW grounds, the firmest resistance niust given to any interference wi«> reserve of Flagstaff HUI, which wow of the most beautiful and intertjjjg recreation grounds to which the pcoP» of Auckland are accustomed to reson

Our cable messages this morning state that there.is an improvement in the condition of the German Emperor, and that his physicians are hopeful that tho present attack has been overcome. Her Majesty Queen Victoria is to moot tho Emperor of Austria on her way to Berlin, and the circumstance is being commented upon by the Austrian newspapers as an indication of the friendly and cordial feeling existing between England and that Dountry. The riots in Paris between tho students and the Boulangist party continue. Anticipating r. rising in Macedonia, in consequence of Russian intrigues there, tho Porte has despatched a body of troops to guard against contingencies. Russia will, it is stated, maintain a force of 800,000 men on tho Austrian and Gorman frontiers.

The Hon. George Fisher, telegraphs n9 follows to a friend in Auckland :—" I regTet that public business necessitated a somewhat hurried departure from Auckland. My regret would not have boon so great if I had had time to tell you how much I enjoyed myself, and how kind the peoplo of Auckland were."

It is stated that Sir George Grey is groatly annoyed, and justly so, over the robbery of books from his collection in the Free Public Library. The copy of Tennyson's "Enoch Arden" taken is of a rare edition. There is reason to believe that fcheee pilferings are not done by the ordinary run of petty thieves, who take a book to pawn it for a pint of beer, as those books are all stamped, and cannot therefore bo disposed of in this way; but that this sort of thing is done by a very different class, with n view to appropriating them to their own personal use. The former class of larcenies do not cut out descriptions of patents from scientific publications, recipes, engravings, etc. Some time ago a Sanscrit grammar was abstracted. After a little investigation by Mr. Shillington (the librarian) and Detective Walker, they got on a warm trail in high educational circle*. A warrant was applied for, but through powerful intervention, matters ended by ie grammar being mysteriously replaced In the library. Until soma alteration is made in the arrangements of the Free Library these larcenies will go on. It is divided into a series of recesses or alcoves admirably adapted for the purloining of books without being detected. The young Luly assistant doc* her very best in keeping u watchful eye over the readers, but. if she bad the eyes'of Argus, she would be unable to prevent those, larcenies, until tho readers are kept to the centre tables, and prohibited from removing books from the shelves,

The following motion has boon tabled by Mr. Da vies for next meeting of the City Council :—*'That this Council appoint a committee to confer with the Eden Terrace Highway Board in reference to the boundary sewer, viz., Basque Road Gully.' ,

At the Ponsonby householders' meeting last evening , , to elect a school committee, attention was drawn to the necessity of enlarging the Cox's Creek school, but the Chairman stated the figures for a ichool site were prohibitory. There were now 100 on the roll, with an average of 80. Mr. Boardman called attention to the necessity for practical technical education in the scucols. He would be glad to lee a lot of carpenters' tools, as well as a Email chemical laboratory attached to each School. Mechanical and architectural drawIng from models should al«o be taught, and would be of infinitely great-er use to lads In their future life than having thjir heads stuffed with a mass of dates as to when Certain kings were Born and when they died. Mr. J. H. Uptor, Chairman of the Board of Education, was present, and took part in the discussion.

An incipient fire took place on Sunday evening at a ten roomed house in Victoria Raid, Devonport, belonging to Duder Brothers, and occupied by Messrs. T. H. Brown, Clark and W. P. Shorney, a stonemason. Mr. G. H. Broughton, a commission agent, was passing along the thoroughfare about half-past nine o'clock, when he noticed a glare of fire under the Eteps to the verandah, and on going to look, he saw the stringers of the steps were oa fire. Ho at once gave the alarm, and the two inmates canio out, and with a lew buckets of water suppresed the fire. Berge-ant Gillies and Constable O'Brien, half-an-hour afterwards, examined the place, and the sergeant in hi.-i report to Inspector Broham, expresses tho contraction that the tire was accidental. Mr. Brown was at church, and returned to the house about half-past eight, and as there were some dry leaves under tho stairs, it is believed that the end of a match, dropped while smoking, led to the incipient lire. The two men had no insurance on their furniture or effects, but Messrs Duder Brothers had the house, which was valued at £500, insured in the Colonial for £350. Another incipient lire occurred in Ponsonby in the forenoon, on the premises of Mr. W. H. Smith, originating from a spark from tho chimney of an adjoining building, but through the exertion.? of a young man named Walter Cossur, who got on the roof, tho progress of the fire wag, stopped.

The business at the Police Court yesterday consisted in sentencing a batch of half-a-dozen drunkards to varying fine.! or terms of imprisonment. The case of John Dore, tor failing to comply with an order of the Iburt to contribute to the maintenance »f his wife and child wad further adjourned to the 23rd May. Tho arrears were £32 Ja. Joseph Clifford, for driving n hoise and cart on tho footpath was fined 10s and costs. Mr. Baddeley, R.M., was the presiding magistrate.

The Home Newa of March 9 contains the Eollowini/ :—" It is announced that Sir Dillon Bell, the Agent-General in London for New Zealand, is about to retire from his post for private reasons. It is believed that his place will be taken by Major Atkinson, the present Premier of that tolony.''

Tho Rev. Alexander Marshall, of Edinburgh, arrived in Melbourne by the Oceana to Uike charge of the Scots Church, CollinsBtreet, Melbourne. Just prior to his detiarture he was entertained at luncheon at he Gresham Club by a number of Australian colonists. The toast of the Rov. Mr. Marshall was proposed by the Hon. W. I'ampbell, who expressed his opinion that Ohe many good qualities possessed by their guest would be highly appreciated in Australia. Troubles would no doubt be enoountered, but tho proverbial caution of his race would, he thought, carry him triumphantly through. He was certain that Mr. Marshall would like the country to tvhich ho was going, which presented facilities for development far and away boyond what their most sanguine imagination a could grasp. In responding, Mr. Marshall said that he felt the wrench of parting with old associations somewhat keenly ; but, from ull ho had hoard, he knew he was going to a country in which be would meet with people every bit as warm-hearted and true as those he waa leaving behind, and amongst whom ho had spent all his life. He waa certain he would like Australia, and trusted that, his mi«sion thero would be successful in every sense.

Owing to the unfavourable weather yesterday there was not so good an attendance at the Art Exhibition in tho afternoon, bat it was better in the evening. To-day it reopens at noon till five, but will not bo open in tho evoning, owing to the Choral Society's practice.

Last evening the Ponsonby Choral Society had a practice in All Saint?' schoolroom, under the conductorship of Mr. Trimnell, of " Boadicca" and Stanford's " Revenge." It was the first practice with the orchestra, and was satisfactory. Tho concert takes place in about a fortnight's time.

"We beg to remind our renders interested in the Shop Hours Bill of the convention which will be held in Robson's Rooms this evening. One of tho reasons given why this Bill is asked for is, "That repeated efforts to reduce the hours by mutual agreement of tho trades have always failed of permanence by reason of some few breaking through the agreement, er other? commencing business failing to comply with it." The local committee liAve done a good deal of useful work ; they caused the proposed Bill to be circulated throughout tho length and breadth of tho aolony, they also by their canvassers waited Vpoh tho tradesmen of the city and suburbs to ascertain their views of tho question. t'o-night's convention should focus local Bcpport, and the mutual exchange of views Ciunot be otherwise than beneficial. A large and influential gathering ia expected.

The City Baths will be closed after eight o'clock a.m. to-day to visitors, to enablo the tethn to be cleaned.

Mr. l>. Wright, of Otago, commenced hia special services on Sabbath last very hopefully. In the afternoon thero was at the Onehunga Presbyterian Church quite a crowd of Sabbath-school scholars, as well as friends and teachers. Tho young people answered questions promptly, and the singing was bright and cheerful. They listened to the Evangelist's address with great attention. The evening service was so largely attended that tho church was crowded.in overy part. A numerous choir helped largely to make the gathering a success. The address was plain, earnest, and practical. The services are to be continued every evening except Saturday, and tho Wesleyans and Congregationalists aro oxpectod to co-operate. About forty waited to tho after mooting.

A few days ago afc the Muo-raboo-l-sfcreefc wharf, Geclong, a boy playfully crawled into a 12-inch earthenware pipe, and when half-way through ho got jammed. Several stalwart men vainly endeavoured to pull tho boy through the pipe, but his body refused to come out, cither feet or hoad first. It was proposed to break tho pipe in order to release the juvenile, but eventually by a little manoeuvring with the youngster's legs, he was hauled out, more frightened than hurt.

Twenty Australian natives writo from Melbourne to tho Imperionhobist Sydnoy Daily Telegraph to assure that journal that the aim of the Australian Natives' Association is tho establishment of a united Australian republic, willing to hold out tho hand of friendship to men and women of every clime and belonging to every religion, but, of course, not including inferior races. The name of the association is shortly to bo changed into, say, the Australian Democratic and Separation League.

The Ballarat Courier repeats tho story that when General Wong Ho was in Victoria, one of hi?? servants was detected in the act of stealing some silver ware from tho Government Housp jrturing the time the Commissioners won't lie guests of the Governor. In China the law is to behead the thief at oneo, but this could not be thought of in Victoria. Tho thief was therefore taken to China ; and a leading , Chinese resident of Ballarat has just received a letter from a relative in his native land, stating that the man was there tried for the offence, convicted, and beheaded by two officers attached to the Imperial suite in a court yard of the palace.

The following notice of motion has been tabled by Mr. Kidd :—"That the Engineer bo instructed to prepare specifications for a term of one, two, and three year* for tho cleaning, repairing, and maintaining the streets, lanes, and alloys of the city, also for cleansing sewers and watering streets."

It will bo seen from an advertisement elsewhere that Mr. John Jamieson (lato of Christchurch) has purchased the boot and shoe business of Mr. C. Westpfahl, Queenstreet, which will be continued as heretofore. The Christchurch Press of tho 19th instant contains an account of a farewell meeting, at which a number of tho Lin wood residents met to bid good-bye to him. Mr. H. Toomer, Chairman of tho Linwood Town Board, presided, and Mr. Loughrey, M.H.R, made tho presentation, and regretted his departure aa a loss to the district-. Tho presentation consisted of a handsome liqueur stand, suitably inscribed. Mr. Jamieson appropriately returned thanks. Mr. Loughrey proposed the health of Mr. Jamieson, which was heartily responded to. Mr. Jamieson was a member of tho Linwood Town Board, and had been 13 years connected with tho establishment of Messrs. Lightband, Allan, and Co. as manager of the boot department for a goodly portion of the time, and is now starting business on his own account.

A rifle match, officers and non-commis-sioned versus the rest of the company (Onehunga Rides), was fired on the Onehunga Range on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the men by 24 points. The conditions were seven shots each at '200 and 300 yards. Appended are the scores . —Officers : Lieutenant Leahy, 55 ; Corporal Tapp, 52 ; Lieutenant Lundon, f>2; Sergeant Wall, r>o : Sergeant Brown, 3S ; Captain Sir W. Wasteneys, 3S ; Sergeant Daly, 37 ; Sergeant Blakey, 35 ; Corporal Brennan, 33 ; Colour-Sergeant McGregor, 32 : total, 422. Privates : Private McCarthy, 53 ; Private Mitchell, 50 ; Private Black, 45 ; Private Grainor, 45 ; Private Brabant, 4-1 ; Private Harris, 43; Private Brown, 43; Private Farroll, 43 , Private Donovan, 43 ; Private Wall, 37 : total, 446. Majority for Privates, 24.

The Hawera Star gives an account of a presentation to Mr. Charles Laishley, who was in charge of the Hawera branch of the Union Bank during the past six years, and has now left to take charge of the bank's business in Blenheim. The presentation was from his friends in the town and district, and consisted of a purse of sovereigns, with which he was requested to purchase a souvenir, and also an illuminated address, in which reference was made to the many pleasant entertainments given by the Choral Society while under his energetic and capable direction. Mr. Laishley made an appropriate reply. Mr. R. H. Nolan, in a few remarks, spoke in high terms of Mr. Laishley as a business man, and during subsequent proceedings other speeches were delivered in the same strain. Mr. Laishley was also presented with a meerschaum pipe (gold-mounted) by some of the ladies of the Hawera Choral Society.

Here are two snake stories from Australia : —Recently Mrs. D. Houghton was lying in bed with her baby, in her cottage at Benayeo, when a mouse ran over the counterpane, followed by a krge black snake in hot pursuit. Tho young woman was rendered helpless by fear, bub her mother, an old colonist of the 1839 period, came to the rescue, and soon sent the serpent to St. Patrick. A few days ago a gentleman at Wollombi had a favourite parrot in a cage, which whistled after the fashion of caged bird. , !, and appeared to take the world easily, having a good digestion, aided by occasional doses of gravel. But one day the owner missed the parrot, and looking through the wires of the cage beheld a carpet snake comfortably coiled round at the bottom. The snake had crawled through the wires, swallowed the parrot, and finding egress with the parrot inside rather difficult, resigned itself to the force of circumstances, and took forty winks, till sent into a much longer slumber by the owner of poor Poll.

The Christchurch Press of April 20 says : —"A young gentleman who went from Canterbury lately to Broken Hill lias recently returned to Sydney, leaving the El Dorado with its silver mines, on tho ground of its being a perfect plague spot. He states men are dying off very quickly. They are buried often without coffins about three feet below the surface. There seemed to be no sanitary regulations whatever, as slush, .slops, and garbage are thrown about indiscriminately. The place is consequently a hot-bed of fever."

The usual free entertainment at the Temperance Hall was again crowded on Saturday evening, when a, very nice programme was given by the Auckland Total Abstinence Society aixl members of the Gem Lodge. Air. Robinson took the chair, and in a few appropriate remarks introduced the programme :—Overture, " The Caliph of Bagdad," Messrs. Borrow and Loe Brothers ; song, " Tho German Band," F. E. HnrriHon ; song, " Magpie's Secret," Miss Stephens ; trio, " That's the Way to Win the bay," Robinson family ; duet, " The Larboard Watch," Messrs. Jones and Ryan ; song, «• The Dear Old Song My Mother Sang," Mrs. Mills ; address, " Experiences," Mr. Hampton ; .selection, " Tho Georgina Galop," Messrs. Barrow and Lee Brothers ; song, "Grandmother's Chair" (encored), Mr. Harrison ; reading, Mr. Edwards; duet, " Tho Convent Bells," Miss Stephens and Miss Mitcham ; song, " The Blacksmith," Mr. Ryan. After the usual vote of thanks, tho president announced that next Saturday evening the popular cantata, "Esther," would be given by the Tabernacle Band of Hope choir.

A case of typhoid in Clifton Road has een reported to the Sanitary Inspector.

The attendance at the University classes is stated to be increasing, but the exact numbers will not be known until the end of the week.

A prohibition order has boon granted by Dr. Giles, R.M., in the case of James Hughes, Freeman's Bay, on the usual ground of excessive drinking. The ordor provides for the prohibition of the sale of drink to Hughes in nine licensing districts. •

Yesterday being; Sb. George's Day, was observed by tho oanka and some of the public companies, who closed their promises.

Mr. Mackenzie Wilson, referring to the statement made by Mr. Albin Martin that) "it is very essy to find fault, but no one has a measure to propose in placo of tho property tax," says tliafc several weeks ago ho proposed, in a letter to tho Herald, an I O U tax, whioh he thinks would bo sufficient.

The following nominations for the Lako Road Board were yesterday received by Mr. T. Seaman, Returning Officer for tho district: — Messrs. John Birch, Edwin Harrow, Win. McFethridge, and Samuel Willett. As the numbor of those proposed was equal to that of tho scats vacant, tho above gentlemon were, therefore, declared duly elected.

On Sunday afternoon, afc the Rov. J. A. Dowio's "testimony meeting." an elderly man, hailing from tho North Shore, said that he had been suffering from cancer in tho mouth, and on Sunday-week Inst was in a very critical condition, expecting to die. He stated that he had beon cured, and although previously unable to move his mouth or jaws from a growth inside, he opened his mouth and moved his jaws in the presence of the audience to show that the faith-healing business was a success. The sooner, after this, the rov. gentleman gives Sir Morell Mackenzie his dismissal, and takes tho Crown Prince in hand tho better.

A good story is told of a noble lord who was on hia way to Now Zealand. Finding it very close below in the cabin, the nobleman's party arranged that they should sleep in the social hall on dock. And of course with the generous consideration which marks the English aristocrat, they wanted the rest of the passengers to clear out of the hall at nino at night for thoir special convenience. And when tho plebeians refused, and resented tho request, his lordship was highly incensed. And who would doubt tho justice of his anger ?

Tho only occupants of tho lock-up last evening were a man for drunkenness, and Maurice Sheehan, arrested by Constable Hansen at midnight in an out-building in Government House grounds, and charged with vagrancy.

Proprietors of billiard-tables are reminded that renewal of their licenses is required to be obtained on or before the .'JOth inst.

The Columbia Skating Rink was well attended yesterday.

The schooners Fleetwing and Opotiki, and cutter Spitfire, are to be sold to-day at the Brunswick Mart, at twelve o'clock noon, by Messrs Is. Tonks and Co, The three vessels arc all well known, and should command attention. The inventory of each can be seen at the marts

His Grace Archbishop Redwood and His Lordship .Bishop Luck will be at the Opera House to-night to listen to Amy Sherwin's interpretation of tho Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria." ,

The lecture on " Constantinople, The Goal of Russia's Ambition," the laat of the course postponed some time sinco, will be given, as will bo seen by advertisement, by Major Dane on Saturday evening next at eight o'clock. This lecture will be an interesting one, and the hall of tho Young Men's Christian Association should be crowded.

The subject of the Rev. George Mttllcr's lecture this evening at the City Hall, at 7.'»0, will be "The Power of Pravcr." The man who has been preaching for 62 years, and has founded the Orphan Homes at Ashley Downs, Bristol, should be able to give some facts about the power of prayor worth hearing. There will be free admission, but a collection will be made to defray expenses. At 11 o'clock this forenoon he will meet the ministers of the city at the Tabernacle.

The following is the report of the Prison Gate Brigade Home (Captain Little in charge) for the period ending April 23: — Donations have been received of mwit from Messrs. C. Garrctt, H. Garrett, Baddeley, Hellaby, Huline, Hedger, Knight, Tyndall, Garrett, sen. ; bread, from Messrs. Brown, Parsons. Grubb, Ward and Co., Crowe, Toasdalc, Still well, Buchanan, Mrs. Philipp, Mrs. Howie, and "A Friond ;" vegetables, Mrs. Wallace, Onehunga; apples, Mrs. Kennedy, of Waikomiti ; potatoes, Mr. Aitken ; rish, Mr. Williams; tea, Mr. Earl; 10t», Messrs. Smith and Cauphey; clothing, Mr. Smith. Meals piven for trie fortnight, 342; beds, 117. There are 15 men in the Home. Requisites : Potatoes.