THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 1888.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9078, 12 June 1888, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 1888.

While every credit must be given to the Government for the very substantial sum of £233,000 already retrenched in the public expenditure, it is impossible to look upon the total aggregate of the revenue required without feeling that a vigorous effort should still be made to effect further reduction. Without questioning the ability of the colony to meet every demand that may be made on it as a consequence of the reckless extravagance of the past, there is something very startling in the thought that a sum of over four millions sterling must be raised, so as to stand fair with the public creditor, and at the same time to carry on the public services of the country, and it does not lessen the gravity of the position when we know that over a half of this is an inevitable charge that cannot be touched by retrenchment. Of this £1,838,539 are required to pay interest and sinking fund, a sum which exceeds by some £400,000 the total of our anticipated Customs revenue, even when swollen by the proceeds of the tariff now proposed to Parliament. Accustomed as we are to look to the Customhouse as the mainstay of our revenue, it is indeed a serious reflection that not only is the whole of its proceeds mortgaged to meet the demands arising from our borrowing policy, but that it must be supplemented to this end by so large a sum raised by various forms of more direct taxation. Probably there is nothing that shows in a more striking light the difference between promise and realisation in relation to the borrowing policy than a comparison between Customs revenue and interest at different periods. Ten years ago, when the interest with sinking fund was £1,225,129, the Customs revenue was £1,320,000, while now, after all the successive piling on of Customs duties from time to time, until we have reached the twenty and twenty -five per cents, ruling in the present tariff, the Customs revenue has been left behind by the interest and sinking fund to the extent of well - nigh half -amillion. And when, in addition to this, we think of the varieties of direct taxes that have been superadded, the property tax and others little less objectionable, burthens which the propounded of the borrowing policy never dreamt of, a stronger commentary on the deceitfulness of the promises made as to the results of borrowing in relieving taxation, or a more gruesome prospect than that presented to us if borrowing is to be continued, it is difficult to conceive.

However, those permanent charges are now beyond our power of interference, but their inflexibility should be a powerful argument why the colony should put pressure on the House of Representatives to further an unsparing retrenchment in departments of expenditure that are still within their reach. It is very well to preserve a cheerful attitude in taking on these burdens that aro proposed in the new tariff; but, disguise it as we may, the pressure of this increased taxation will be a heavy weight; and one that should not be imposed so long as there is a possibility of still cutting down the public expenditure ; and it is gratifying to see that there are some members in the House of Representatives who are still determined on pressing further retrenchment in the public, service. The fault that seems to have attended the Government scheme of retrenchment is that it has been directed to the lopping off in salaries, and to minor forms of retrenchment generally, instead of aiming at some large item of luxurious extravagance which may have grown to portentous magnitude in the days of our recklessness. In this relation we do not hesitate to say that our educational systems are an outrageous illustration of the extravagance which we cannot afford, and which in the present circumstances of the colony we are not warranted in attempting to continue on anything approaching to the present scale of expenditure. We are quite aware of the force of feeling which some entertain, or profess to entertain, on this subject, a feeling which is very largely owing to the all-pervading influence of a large body of people who are directly interested in the continuance of this extravagant system. We are aware of the persistence with which it is argued that this is a poor man's question, and that it is a duty to those who are not as able as others to pay for the education of their children, that the State in the interests of the common weal should provide education to all. But apart from the fact that it might be equally urged that the State should provide food for all, which is quite as necessary to build men and women up for the performance of the duties of good citizenship. As a matter of fact, it is not the people of humble means who are interested in keeping the education system proceeding on its present extravagant lines, but those who are well able to pay for the education of their own \ children. How many, for instance, of the children of the really poor require tuition for their children beyond the Fourth' Standard ? As a matter of fact the parents of such cannot afford to keep their children at school, so as to benefit by

the means of superior education and though as a matter of sentiment it would be pleasant to reflect that the child of the poorest man in the town may obtain the very highest education gratuitously at the expense of the State, they are only the extreme exceptions that are likely to ever avail themselves of such a privilege ; and it were much easier and less expensive to make provision for exceptions than to maintain an extravagant system for mere sentiment, which is mainly used by those who are well able to pay for the education of their children.

If the school age were raised to seven —below which it is cruelty and worse than folly to subject the young human being to the restraints of school, and irksome and unnatural pressure on the brain, and if free education ended with the Fourth Standard, persons of humble means would suffer no wrong; those desirous of keeping their children at school for further learning would be such as could pay for it, and the vote proposed for education, amounting to the enormous sum of £416,232, might be reduced by little short of £200,000. To the outcry which such a proposal will cause, and which is the outcome partly of sentiment and mainly of the allpervading influence of those interested in the maintenance of the educational system on the present scale, we would simply say that this is a monstrous extravagance which the State in present circumstances is not warranted in indulging ; and before the severity of increased taxation to the extent of nearly a quarter of a million is imposed on the people our educational system should bo reduced to dimensions commensurate with our means.

An attempt to make use of the Police Court for the purpose of obtaining evidence for proceedings in another Court was promptly met and repulsed by Mr. Baddeley yesterday. It seems that proceedings have been commenced in the Divorce Court against Emily Bertha Miller, who, it is alleged, some time ago left her husband's house. In the case before the Court yesterday, it was alleged that Mrs. Miller and a man named George Williams had imposed upon Mr. E. C. Meysey-Thompson, of Te Aroha, by representing themselves as husband and wife. On the case being called in Court, it appeared that the information had been laid by Mr. Hugh Shortland, who, so far as appears, had nothing whatever to do with the parties. Mr. Meysey-Thompson, who was in Court, and was the person alleged to have been deceived by the false pretence made, said that he made no complaint, and had _ not authorised any one to take proceedings. He had simply attended on the subpoena issued from the Court to him as a witness. Thus all parties were brought up at great inconvenience to themselves, but there was nobody to carry on the prosecution. Mr. Meysey-Thompson had not complained, and yet he was the person who, according to the summons, had been aggrieved. In the circumstances, nothing remained but to dismiss the information with full costs against Mr. Shortland, who had put the law in motion. That, however, may mean nothing, as Mr. Shortland may not be able to pay these costs. _ It seems to us that, in a case of this kind, where it is alleged that there has been a false pretence, injurious to a certain party, there should be some provision that either he or the police should lay the information. If this sort of thing were allowed to be carried on, almost every divorce case would be preceded by cases in the Police Court, where, at great expense to the public, evidence would be obtained for use at the Court. The persons accused in this case have a right to complain that an individual, who has no concern whatever with any false pretence that may have been used, should be able to drag them before the Police Court, at great cost to themselves, and probably at the loss of their situations. And those who were compelled to attend as witnesses, and are brought from distant parts, have certainly a grievance in being compelled to answer a subpcena, and then receiving an order for costs, which, in all probability, will be quite valueless.

An important speech has been delivered by the Emperor Francis Joseph on the European situation. His Majesty stated that on all sides the nations were increasing their fighting strength, and making preparations themselves for war, and that these measures tended to intensify the growing uncertainty as to tho continuance of peace. Thev also rendered it necessary that Austria should be in a position to meet any emergency. The proposals which the Government had submitted for increasing the national defences were intended not to provoke war but to preserve peace. The health of the German Emperor is again affording cause for uneasiness. His Majesty is experiencing a difficulty in swallowing his food.

Colonel King-Harman, whose death is announced to-day, was a well-known figure in tho House of Commons in more than a political sense, for he stood six feet high in his socks. After a long electioneering experience in Ireland he crossed the Channel, and in 18S6 was elected for Kent. In April of the following year he was appointed Under-Secretary for Ireland.

Marshal Leboeuf, whose death is announced by cable, was a prominent man in France during the reign of Louis Napoleon, but of late years has been very little heard of. He was born in 1809, and received his professional education in the Polytechnic School, and the School of Artillery at Metz. He attained the rank of Colonel in 1852, and served in the Crimean war at the head of the artillery. He also commanded the artillery during the Italian campaign in 1859. After various other services he became Minister of War in 1869, and occupied that office in M. Ollivier's administration. He was, therefore, one of the Ministors who entered into the war with Germany " with a light heart," and he was the man who assured the Emperor that the army was in a state of complete readiness, "to the last button of a soldier's garter." He was shut up in Metz with Baeaine, and was taken prisoner and' sent into Germany. After peace was signed he resided for some time in Switzerland, bub subsequently returned to France.

The death is announced of Sir Francis Hastings Charles Doyle, Bart. He was born on August 22, 1810, at Nunappleton, near Tadcaster, Yorkshire, being son of the first baronet. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, where he was a contemporary and friend of Mr. Gladstone, Sir T. D. Ackland, &c. Ha obtained a first-class in classics in 1831, and was called to the bar. He was appointed Receiver-General of Customs in 1846, a Commissioner of Customs in 1870, and Professor of Poetry at Oxford in 1867, being re-elected June 20th, 1872. . He ceased to bo Professor in 1877, on the expiration of the second term of five years' tenure of the chair. Together with the Professorship he held a fellowship of All Souls' College. He has published at different times a certain amount of poetry, some of whichdeservedly holds its place in the public memory. The fine ballad called " The Private of the Buffs," and the stirring description of the race for the St. Leger, are fit to be ranked among our minor classics. Sir F. Doyle has also published some of his Oxford lectures (1869), and, in 1886, an entertaining volume of " Reminiscences and Opinions."

We are sorry to learn thab Mr. Henry Ridings is seriously ill, and that faint hopes are entertained of bis recovery,

By the arrival .of .the outgoing m.-i steamer Mariposa, at San Francisco iS? ligence has reached us of the rescue bv iw vessel of the castaway crew and passenS of the wrecked ship Henry James ill ■ Palmyra Island. It will be Sfe" that on the arrival of the mail steatS Zealandm word was brought to Auckland that Captain Latimore, with 10 passengers and 15 seamen, had been left almost onth verge of starvation on the sterile isle ferred to, and that five of the crew h ,i made their way to Apia, whence th! schooner Vindex was at once sent with stores, etc., to rescue the party. Befor her arrival, however, the Mariposa h H sighted the signals of the castaways and taking them on board, had landed them « safety at Honolulu. w . The outgoing English mail via San Fran cisco will be dispatched at an earlier ho than usual, to enable the steamer to lea™ the harbour at two p.m. The mail « R.M. s.s. Zealandia will close on 18th instantfor newspapers, at half-nii eleven a.m., and letters at one p.m. in Herald Monthly Summary will' be nub! lished on Monday morning next.

His Royal Highness Landgraf FredemVi, Wilhelm Nicolaus Carl Yon Hesse, accom panied by Baron Von Hugo and Baron Von Stark, with their four attendants, arrived overland from Napier via Taupo and Roto rua last evening at 5.15 p.m., having spent, a very enjoyable time visiting the Hut Lake wonders. On their arrival they were m,* by Mr. Watkinson, who had made all arrangements for their stay here at Oram's Hotel. They leave to-day for Sydney per steamer Tarawera. 1

The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were opened at eleven o'clock jesterday morning, when His Honor charged the* Grand Jury. The first case was a charge of arson, preferred against two young men named Henry Smith and John Kelly. J{ Cotter appeared for the defence, and tha case lasted all day and until a late hour in the evening. The Grand Jury brought in true bills in all the indictments laid before them, except that charging Henry Thornton Rowe with attempting to carnally know a child under 12 years of age. To this indictment the Grand Jury returned no true bill, and the accused was discharged from custody. The Grand Jury having completed their duties were thanked for their services and discharged. The Court stands adjourned until ten o'clock this morning.

A rather sudden death took place yesterday morning in Ponsonby under the following circumstances : —A boy named Percy Thomas Sharpe, aged 7£ years, living with his parents in Ryle-street, was taken with convulsions about half-past nine on Sunday evening, and died at half-past six on Monday morning. The boy on Sunday was in the best of health, seemingly. He was cheerful and in good spirits. He attended St. Stephen's Sunday-school on Sunday afternoon, and the Primitive Methodist Church, at the corner of Franklin Road, in the evening. After church he came home, had his supper, and went to bed. The boy's father, Mr. Thomas Sharpe, also retired early. About half-past nine the boy began to cry out, and his parents at once proceeded to his bed, but only to find him attacked with convulsions, which continued in spite of all that could be done, and soon he lost consciousness, and so remained till death relieved him. Dr. F. T. Bayntun, of Wellington-street, was called in, and administered restoratives, but was unable to save him. The boy was very healthy and hearty, and Dr. Bayntun is of opinion that! the convulsions were caused by an over loaded stomach, which, causing a suddei determination of blood to the head, brought on the fits. A certificate will be given by Dr. Bayntun, so that there will be nob I quest.

A somewhat dangerous accident occurred in the football match University v. the Gordon Second on Saturday to Mr. Percy Kings well, who was playing for the University team. It appears that in the coursa of the play Mr. Kingswell charged one of the backs, head downwards, and received a severe shock. He was unconscious for some time, and was taken off the ground to the Hospital, but was taken home without entering tho institution for examination. Subsequently he was examined by Dr. Lewis, who pronounced the injury to be concussion of the brain. From inquiries we have made wo understand that Mr. Kingswell is progressing favourably towards recovery.

In another column will be found a notification by the German Government, under the hand of the Consul in Auckland, Mr. Hermann Brown, in regard to vessels visiting the Marshall Group of Islands, of which some time since the Germans assumed a Protectorate. The port of Jaluit is declared the sole port of entry, and all merchant vessels bound for any port of th( group have to enter first the port of Jaluit), and to report to the German Commissioner. Severe penalties will be imposed for any infraction of the decree issued by Germany

We are informed on good authority thai) a considerable number of the bricks that) have been used in the new Customhouse building are of inferior quality, such as should not have been used in an important! public building.

The case of alleged imposition upon Mr. E. C. M. Thompson, of Shaftesbury, near Te Aroha, in which Mr. George Williams and Mrs. Emily Bertha Miller were the defendants, and which was before tho Police Court yesterday morning, collapsed rather suddenly. Mr. Napier, who appeared for the defendants, discovered thai the information was laid by an unqualified and unauthorised person, one Hugh Shortland, and on making this discovery quashed the case on the above objection. Mr. Thompson was present, and declared ha only came there because summoned to do so, and neither had any complaint against the defendants nor authorised others to make any. Our readers will remember the defendants were charged with " imposing" 011 Mr. Thompson, and obtaining employment on his farm by stating they were man and wife. _ Th® result of the matter was that Sir imam Wasteneys, who appeared to prosecute, withdrew the case, and added he was sorry to be mixed up with it. The Resident) Magistrate (Mr. Baddeley) expressed himself that it was a most extraordinary way of using the machinery •of the Court, ana gave full costs against Mr. Shortland. These amounted to £10 10s altogether. Mr. Napier stated, in his opinion, the whole object of laying the complaint was to extract evidence to be used in a divorce case pending in the Supreme Court.

A man named Daniel Tidey was charged at the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. Bad deley, Resident Magistrate, with stealing £1 10s 8d in money, and 13s worth oi groceries, from one James Patterson Sinclair, storekeeper, Swanson, on September 2of last year. It seems that Tidey was an employee of Sinclair's, and on tha day was employed to carry groceries to tna gumdiggers in the district, which he exchanged for gum, also buying what gu they had, and paying for it It was alle £®~ that he pretended to have a transact! with a man named Hardy, who had no existence On his return the 1111 alleged he had received from Hardy wj» missing. The evidence was, however, J no meana clear as to this, and »ivuiff ~ the benefit of the doubt, Mr. Baddeley dismissed the case.

The Earl of Seafield, whoso death is announced by cable message to-day. « the ninth Scottish Earl of that title, b Bat in the House of Lords as Baron Sibrain sney. His family name was James <Jgu Grant, and he succeeded to the title on death of the previous earl, in 1884. it be remembered that on his accession to earldom, his eldest son, who thus bee; Viscount Reidhaven, was living at Oaniar » pursuing the humble calling of a b. ; Since taking the courtesy title J* Reidhaven has remained at ual » and . at two elections has , unS p to fully contested that seat m {** ment, on the first occasion being op . by' Mr. Shrimski, and later by Mr. He now succeeds to the earldom „ family estate, which is one of the larfe in the United Kingdom, comprising Wq{ acres, bringing in an estimated over £78,227. The forests, which extend 41,371 acres, were valued in 1 ba £1,211,130 for the timber al ,°" e " vie id Barony of Strathspey is its £50,000 a-year in thirty years time estate in 18S4 wore stated to be ts , From bum-bailiff to a pe«e and possession of such estates in foury* a very startling transition.—

The arrangements for the funeral of the late Mr. W. R. Waddel were under the direction of Mr. N. McCulsky, and were carried out with great success. The carriages were from the establishment of Mr. W. Crowther, who despatched vehicles to various parts of the city early in the afternoon, in order that the mourners might bo conveyed to the late residence of the deceased in time to follow in the procession.

Possibly for the first time in the history of the Police Court, the old blue bag, which ja so familiar in the Courts in Westminster Hall and at home, was seen under the counsels' table at the morning session of the Police Court, yesterday. It bore the letters, " W.W." and was, we believe, tho property of Sir William Wasteneys, who had two cases before the Resident Magistrate. Old customs seem to cling to the English lawyer, let him go where ho may.

Mr. Duncan Wright, from Otago, commenced a week's mission •at St. David's last Sunday, under most favourable circumstances. Tho attendance at both services was largo. His sermon in the morning was addressed to young men, and in the evening ho took as his subject "Revivals." Tho meetings will be held each evening this week, Saturday excepted, and will commence at 7.30. •

There was a case of "welshing" before the Police Court yesterday morning, in which a man named Cha„. Hy. Win. North was charged with making a book at Filerslie races and then refusing, to pay the bets he lost. The technical charge was having no visible lawful means of support. Tho prisoner told a plausible story, that he was not running away, but that one of the races had broken him, and ho was in search of a friend to borrow money to pay a couple of bets unpaid. The police gave him a bad character, but on his promising to leave the town, Mr: Baddeley gave him a chance by adjourning the case for a few days.

This excerpt from an English paper of March 31 last shows how great is their conductors' knowledge of colonial affairs : — " Tho richest man in New Zealand is John Jones, who commenced life as an oarsman on a ferry. Ho is a native, is now resident nt Dunedin, and amassed his millions by steamboat building. This is one more proof of the facilities for industrious men to rise from poverty at the antipodes."

The Committee of the Auckland Industrial Association held a meeting yesterday afternoon, in the Assoccition's rooms, Wyndham-street, to - make arrangements for" the public meeting . on Wednesday evening, to discuss the tariff question. Mr. George Fraser presided, and the various matters to bo brought before the public meeting were gone into and arrange

The following letter has been forwarded to us by Mr. T. B. Hannaford: —"I have this morning received a letter from Tasmania that if the New Zealand Government gives me the order for the first" Hannaford Light,' that Tasmania will give mo the order for the second, and Lord Brassey will give me the order for the third up to any number. Now, is the ' Hannaford Light' industry going to be kicked out of New Zealand waters ?"

The Rev. Jas. Patterson, of St. John's Presbyterian Church (who is well-known In Auckland), has just returned to Wellington from a three months' holiday tour in Australia. In the course of a sermon last Sunday, he expressed his opinion that the extraordinary growth of Melbourne at the present time was attributable to causes similar to those which produced such an inflated prosperity in this colony a. few years ago, and in conversing with thoughtful men in Victoria, he had found that they vere under the impression that a great reaction would set in there at no distant date, which would prostrate the colony in difficulties similar to those which exist in this colony at the present time. Ho spoke with confidence of the great future which was in store for New Zealand, and contrasted the beauty of its green hills and fields with the parched plains of the colonies he had just seen.

We learn from a table of returns recently published at Foochow that Australian and New Zealand bound steamers carried more than one-half the quantity of tho 1887-S season's teas that the whole of Europe absorbed, and more than four times the quantity taken by the United States. The actual figures were : Europe, 46 million pounds ; Australia and New Zealand, 24 millions ; America, 5 millions. ■

We have to acknowledge the receipt of the first copy of the MUdura Cultivator, which is published by Messrs. Chaftey Brothers, in connection with the irrigation colony in Victoria. It bears date May 19, is well got up, and contains a considerable amount of general reading of an interesting character. A few weeks ago we gave an account of this district obtained during an interview with Mr. C. Chaffey while on his way to America. It appears that the colony is in a thriving condition, and the land is taken up as soon as it is ready for cultivation.

The following paragraph appears in the Melbourne letter of the Lyttelton Times : — "A new plan is to be sprung upon the confiding authorities by the Chinese, so my informant tells me, but luckily, from information cleverly gained, the attempt will be abortive. There is no poll tax on Chinese women, simply from the fact that none have come to this country, nor are thought likely to. Strange to say, however, many of tho Chinese now resident here have sent home for their wives and daughters, suddenly struck with the consciousness of_ their domestic isolation. These will come in duo course with little doubt, but more than half of them will be men in disguise. Once landed, the women can be shipped home again or kept, just as it may bo arranged. When one thinks of the beardless, emasculated face of the average Chinaman, the ingeniousness of the plan is apparent, but happily—if it should be attempted—the authorities know enough to render it abortare."

The Wanganui Herald says : —An enterprising settler, who has taken the lead in matters of local importance on many occasions in Wanganui, has made a proposal which deserves the attention of a colonising Government. It is - a scheme which we think i 3 highly calculated to open up our back country, and lead to the settlement of the Crown lands adjoining the Wanganui River. The Waimarino block consists of nearly 400,000 acres of land; but, by the ordinary methods of settlement, it will not be occupied for a generation. The proposal is to take up a lock of 40,000 acres in the Waimarino block, form an association of forty members, consisting mainly of the sons of settlers, each to occupy a run of about 1000 acres. We shall not give more definite information at present, for there is an obstacle which has yet to be overcome, and with respect to which the member for Wanganui is making representation to the Government.

Tho nautical drama, "Borealin, or the Seaman's Star," waft performed at the Opera House last night, for the benefit of the Ladies' Benevolent Society. Large patronage had been promised by public bodies and others, but the house by no means bore out these . promises, and, amongst all the public institutions, the Fire Brigade was the only one fully represented. The members of tho Society and their friends -were largely absent. The entertainment was a" very pleasing one. The scenic effects, especially prepared by Mr. Thornton, were artistic. The stormy Beacoust, the wreck, and the working of tho rocket life-saving apparatus are excellent; the old mill scene, with the moving waterwheel, gives a good deal of life to the necond and fourth acta ; and the beautiful transparency of tho aurora borealis is a fcplendid production, creditablo to the artist and realistic in the extreme. So far as the play is concerned, \yo may say that the characters were fairly filled in. Mr. Alexander, as Silas, sustained one of the leading characters very creditably indeed. He might have been a little loss melodramatic, but he kept carefully to his star "Duty." Mr. Thornton played Ru Darrell very effectively, and Mr. Herman made a good deal of the old man part. Joe Engleside and Mrs. A. Anderson played well up to him as the scolding wife. Miss Esdaile played the role of Hetty with a good deal of character, but the real artistic work of the representation was that of Miss Daisy Thornton as Keziah, the servant girl. It is a good comedy part, and she made herself at home in it. She is a born comedienne. Every movement of hers is funny ; and in the third act, her contribution of a Bailor's hornpipe to the general entertainment was applauded and encored. The performance as a whole passed off satisfactorily, and the only matter for regret is that Ww attendance was not larger.

Some forty years ago, says a Wairarapa paper, Sir George Grey, accompanied by Bishop Abraham of Wellington, and another gentleman, paid a visit to this district, and being prevented by the flooded state of the rivers from proceeding on their journey, they put up at Mr. Donald's at the Manaia for the night. The custom there in those ancient days was to demand of each traveller stopping the night tint he should grind a peck of wheat into flour before proceeding on their journey. Sir George and the worthy Bishop took their turn at the handmill, which, it is needless to say, was a very primitive one, and completed their allotted task. This old-fash-ioned relic is still in existence, and the present, owner has promised to send it as a curiosity to the forthcoming exhibition.

The voting for the election of three directors to fill the vacant seats at tho Board of the Australian Mutual Provident Society resulted as follows :Thomas Littlejohn, "32,587; James Thomson, 27,032; R. J. King, 22.356; A. W. Weeks, 21.854 ; A. H. Iv. Maxwell, 20,514; Alexander Wilson, 15.557 ; W. P. Manning, 10,725 ; Frederick Leo, 8607 ; William Briggs, 507S ; H. J. Spier, 3504. There were two vacancies caused by tho retirement of Mr. Littlejohn and tho death of Mr., George Knox, and another director had to be elected in accordanco with the provisions of by-law 10. Messrs. Littlejohn, James Thomson, and R. J. King were therefore elected.

Tho Wellington Press, in noticing tho death of Judge Halse, says:"Mr. Halse, who has made himself widely and universally respected wherever he has been, especially in the Government service, was 69 years of age. He was one of the oldest identities of the colony, having arrived at Now Plymouth by the Emily Thompson early in the year IS4I. Soon after his arrival he joined tho police force in the Taranaki district, in which ho served for many years with great honour and credit to himself. On the ISth June, 1846, he entered the service of tho New Zealand Government in the Native Department. He was appointed Commissioner of Nativo Reserves at New Plymouth on the 2nd April, 1858, and on the 23rd November, 1859, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and Resident Magistrate at Auckland. In this capacity he served until ISG2, when he was appointed to the office of Assistant UnderSecretary of the Native Department. He held his office until his retirement from the service eighteen years afterwards. In July, 1875, ho was appointed Judge of tho Native Lands Court, and he finally retired from the service on the Ist October, ISSO, on a well-earned pension, after the long period of 35 years' service. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow and ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom are well known in this city, to mourn the loss of one of the most gouial and good-hearted men, both officially and socially, in the colony."

The Rev. J. S. Hill has been conducting a mission in Dunedin in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association. It has excited considerable interest. The Dunedin Star, in noticing the addresses, says :—" Mr. Hill has a graphic power of illustration, and his points several times drew forth the applause of his hearers. His stories are mainly of his own experience, and he uses the incidents of misery and degradation which he has witnessed in the streets, gaols, and hospitals with much effect. His training as a medical student, and his keen observation of men and things, specially qualify him for dealing with such a subject. He mentioned that he was presidentof the Auckland Football Union, and the audience gave emphatic expression to their approval when he said that on the Auckland football field swearing was strictly prohibited."

A man named William Noble was arrested on Saturday by Detective Hughes, and brought before Air. Baddeley, R.M., yesterday, charged with playing " three-card monte," at Ellerslie. Mr. Cotter appeared for the accused, and on his application a remand till Wednesday was granted.

We are informed that the bonus which will be announced at to-night's meeting of the Auckland Permanent Co-operative Building and Investment Society will he at th» rate of one per cent, per annum, and not three per cent, as was inadvertently stated in our issue yesterday.

Several persons from the Wairarapa (says the Wellington Post) who recently left for California in the hope of bettering themselves, have written to their friends giving a most deplorable account of the place and of the difficulty of finding employment. Amongst these is Mr. T. Wrigley, whose letters are very doleful. Many of our readers will recollect Mrs. Anna C. Cooke, who made some stir in spiritualistic circles when on a visit here some time ago. She is now resident at Los Angelos, and we have been favoured with the perusal of a letter from her to a well-known Wellington settler, who had written indicating a desire to go to the States. Mrs. Cooke says :—" I was sorry to hear of your thinking of quitting your home for Los Angelos, which with San Diego and other southern counties are on the wane. There is more sickness in Los Angelos to-day than any other place we know of. They, as yet, have no sewers, and the stench is intolerable. It would not be a safe thing for you to depend on the newspapers. The country is full of landsharks and boomers."

Sunday last was the second anniversary of the greatest event in the history of New Zealand—the eruption at Tarawera. It occurred on the 10th of June, 1886.

In our advertising columns will be seen the details of some four thousand acres of agricultural and pastoral lands to be sold at Wellington by Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co., on behalf of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company. This block, from its sheltered position, is specially adapted for stock-raising and for agricultural purposes. The terms offered are such as should meet the requirements of a large class of buyers, viz., ten per cent, cash, and the balance can remain for seven years at five per cent interest. Those requiring lithographic plans should communicate with Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co., auctioneers, Wellington.

The " Canadian Medicine Man " advertises in another column. His teeth-drawing capapacitics are said to be great, and he undertakes to cure all sorts of diseases in a few minutes.

T!i Paris Blacking Factory, Freeman's Bay, is turning out an excellent article. The quality of the blacking is good, it is easy to use, makes a good polish, ana is quite equal to English importations.

A new departure, and we should judge a useful one to the public, has just been commenced by Mr. Osmond, the land agent. Finding the demand in excess of the supply, a canvasser is now employed obtaining particulars of all the properties to let, and these are advertised free of cost besides receiving publicity in other ways.