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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9082, 16 June 1888, Page 4

There is no mistaking the sad significance of our Berlin cable despatches. The German Emperor is slowly dying. All hojte has been abandoned, and the Priuce of Wales has been informod that death is imminent. Berlin is wrapped in sorrow, and al! the theatres have been closed. His Majesty is said to have been attacked with lockjaw, and to have been seized with convulsive fite, which succeed each other in quick succession. He is, however, conscious, and is resigned to his fate. The news of Stanley, which we public this morning, is of an alarming character. Reports come from the Congo that tho intrepid explorer has been attacked by hostile tribes, and that after the battle, the result of which is not stated, his followers deserted him, while Tippoo, the powerful Arab slave dealer, who baa promised to befriend him, proved false at the critical moment, ana declined to fulfil his pledges. It is feared that tho worst has yefc to be known ; but as Stanley was a man of masterful character, indomitable courage, and fertile resources, there is the possibility that he may yet be in a position to succeed in his mission. In a special supplement to this days Herald will be found the opening chapters of the new and thrilling serial story, fr 0 " 1 the fascinating pen of Mr. W. Clark Russell, the famous novelist, which is to be publish 0 " in the Hkrald, appearing every WedneS») until concluded. " The Death Ship l ' founded upon one of tho mo&t weird aw popular i - omances of the eea, and Willi * venture to predict, be found to equal in brilliancy of imagination and thruUßß narrative the most widely read of the wurw of Rider Haggard. The Herald Monthly Summary, r transmission via San Francisco, per h.M-*- ' Zealandia, will be published on M°na»y next. As the newspaper mail will close half-past twelve p.m. on Monday, oiw should be sent in early to the publisnms office, Queen-street. The sharemarket yesterday was bntf* than it has been for some days, and m» ness was done ab satisfactory pricesll number of stocks and mines. 0 . newsof good indications in the Cambria n» caused ihares to be somewhat in deniaao, and sales wero effected at from /« *« 8s 6d, prices closing firm ab from as 8a 6d.

At the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, yesterday, Nicholas Hand, Henry Arthur, and Alfred William Oacknoll •were convicted of assault with robbery. Hand, the ringleader, -was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment, and the other two to nine months' imprisonment each. Robert Foster, alias George McKay, pleaded guilty to uttering a worthless cheque, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. The Court then adjourned to ten o'clock this rnorning, when the charge of forging and uttering against John Phillips and Frank Walton will be taken. The prisoners will be defended by Mr. O'Mengher.

The mail steamer Zealandia, which takes the outward mail for America and Europe, is expected to arrive here from Sydney on Monday afternoon. She will proceed on her voyage to Honolulu and San Francisco the same day.

In reference to the comparison between the railway t raffle returns in the month of April in this year and last, we may noto one or two particulars that should fairly be kept in mind, and which to some extent accounts for the largo falling- off in the month (£'23,305). In April of 18S7 there xrere 30 days, while in April of ISSS there were 2S days. (The average takings may be estimated at £1000 per day). Again, in ]SS7 there was a good holiday traffic not in ISSS, as on the Thursday before Good Friday, and on Good Friday and Saturday tho bulk of tho Easter long-distance pasponger traffic is carried.

Intimation was received in town yesterrlav of the- death of Mrs. Frank Colb'eck, at Ffthi. This information was received by Mr. Arthur Colbeck. son of Captain Colbcek, and brother of the bereaved husband, that Mrs. Colbeck died at eight o'clock on the previous evening. The news came ■with a sudden shock, for Mr. Arthur Colbeck had only loft Pahi two days previously, and Mr?. Colbeek was then in perfect health. Mrs. Colbeck, whose maiden name was FlorA Macdonald, arrived in Auckland from the We?t Indies four or five months aero, bo be married to Mr. Frank Colbeck, to whom she had become engaged in Jamaica- They were married in Auckland, and proceeded to Captain Colbeck's farm at Pahi, where they have resided ever since. Mr. Arthur Colbcek left for Helensville last evening, and Captain H. F. Anderson made arrangements for one of the Northern river steamers to take him on from Helensville at ■even o'clock last night.

Tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company's usual interim dividend, at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, for six months ending 30th June, will be payable at the company's office on the 2nd proximo. Farmers who are manufacturing their own butt-er, and supplying: the market, are oomplaining bitterly of the manner in which they are treated by the retailers and consumer?, and of the quotations given for their butter. They complain that although they supply the market with butter equal, if not superior, to that supplied by the companies* furnishing the Anchor and Shell brands, yet their butter is quoted 3d pier lb lower in the ma,rket. The two brands referred to are quoted at Is 3d, and the farmers' butter at only 18, and this they consider very unfair. Several farmers spoke to us on the subject yesterday. They did not know where the blame was to be laid, but they felt that they were treated very unfairly. One West Tamaki farmer, who has made butter a specialty, is a case in point At the lost Agricultural Show he secured three first prizes for fresh corned and salt butter, and for successive year? he has been a prominent prizetaker, yet his butter is only quoted Is in the market against Is 3d for the favoured brands. Another farmer from the same district, who has been furnishing a steady supply of SO to lOOlbs of butter weekly to one grocer, complains of the same unfair treatment, as no possible fault can be found with his butter. The grocers, however, insist on an increased profit from farmers' butter, and it is said that they retail at Is 3d what they purchase for If. We are Informed that the Grocers' Association have arbitrarily fixed the price of the butter, allowing 3d per lb extra for the company's butter, but this is a very serious matter for eonsumers, as they have to pay a greater charge for the Anchor and Shell brands, with which they .are supplied by their grocers, than they should do for butter of equally good quality supplied by the farmers. The farmers naturally feel that they are unjustly treated ; and we should nuggest to them that they should make a joint representation to the Grocers' Association on the subject.

The following cases, under the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, are set down for hearing immediately after the civil causes are completed at the Supreme Court:—John Wratt, petitioner, v. Fanny Elizabeth Wratt, respondent, and William Coward, co-respondent, for dissolution of marriage ; John David McLean, petitioner, Elizabeth Gardner McLean, respondent, and Fredk. Iredale, co-respondent. This is a petition from New Plymouth to have a decree nisi made absolute. Thomas Mace James Humphrey?, petitioner ; Kosina Ann Mace Humphreys, respondent; and John Kerr, Frank Matron, and Charles Fallen, 00-respondents. The action is for dissolution of marriage on the grounds of the respondent's aduk-ery with the co-respondents. Ivo appearance has been entered by the repondent or co-re=pon dents.

Arthur St. George Forbes, licensee of the Commercial Hotel, Te Awaimitu, has made isis sworn statement before the Official Assigr.ee. He took the hotel in June, 1887. Failing to meet one of the promissory notes for the lease of the hotel, the bailiffs were put in. His liabilities are £629 4s lOd, and assets—stock-in-trade, £60 ; book debts, £74 17b lid (estimated to produce £50); total, £110. He also estimated balance of lease to be worth £100.

Councillor Davies has given notice of the following motion : —" That the engineer be instructed to report to the Streets' Committee at their next sitting the approximate length, in chains, of all the formed end principal streets of the city, and to class them as first, second, and third class stroete, and that, the committee report to this Council how much light would be required in the different classes of streets."

Mr. Duncan Wright has just brought to ft clopo a, iwries of evangelistic services in St. David's Church. The meetings have been well attended during the week. Lost wening Mr. Wright addressed a largo and appreciative audience on John v. 24. We understand he intends holding meetings next we«k at Ellerslie and Epsom.

Lost evening -was no exception to the generality of Friday nights in regard to the •everal rinks in the city, all of which were well patronised. The weekly reunion at the Columbia Rink attracted a closely packed attendance.

The annual concert and dramatic entertainment in connection with the St. George's Rowing Club in announced to take place in the Parnell Hall, on Friday evening next. An excellent programme has boon prepared, including a comedietta entitled "lei on Parle Fjancais," by membors of the Auckland Amateur Dramatic Society. Among those who have promised to assist, tho names of Mrs. Cooper, Miss Buckland, Messrs. A. L. Edwards, W. Martin, P. Hamerton, and A. Bartley appear, and should be a guarantee of a musical treat. Messrs. 0. B. Waymouth and E. P. Hudeon will contribute comic and character sketches, while the Grafton Orpheus Club will render several fjleee. Tho fnll programme will appear in Friday's Herald. At the Police Court yesterday morninS there was considerable contention between Sergeant-Major Pratt, who appeared to prosecute a man named Emanuel Oliver, charged with illegally pawning a gold watch, and Mr. Isapier, counsel for the prieoner, as to the question of bail. Mr. Napier contended that bail was a matter of right, not of grace. Sergeant-Major Pratt, on the other hand, argued ib lay entirely in the discretion of the Bench, and objected to bail on the ground that it would defeat the ends of justice. In support of his contention he put Detective Herbert in the box, who testified that within an hour two new informations would be l*id against the prisoner for like offences. The police evidently desired to obtain information as to other offenceu, and feared if tho prisoner was released he would manage, by redeeming, &c, to cover up these suspected offences. The Bench decided not to grant bail, and remanded the caae till Tuesday next.

At a meeting of the shareholders in the Original Marototo Gold Mining Company held yesterday it was decided that the company bo wound up, and that Mr. D. G. idacDonnell be appointed liquidator. It may interest commercial and business men to know that Kelly's Commercial ■Directory has been added to the Library.

Rather an adroit case of pockot-picking occurred yesterday in the crowd who wore watching the sayings and doings of tho female doctor on the vacant allotment next the Waverley Hotel. The wife of a working man was in the thick of the crowd. She had with her two one-pound notes, which she had put in a handkerchief, tied up, and then put the handkerchief in her pocket. W T hile she was in the crowd the handkerchief was taken out of h .• pocket, unloosed, the notes taken out, and then the handkerchief carefully restored to the pocket. Auckland is progressing in the science of pocket-picking, and nothing better than the above could have been expected in London.

The case of arson of a hay-shed at Kohimarama school -was before the Police Court yesterday morning. The police were not prepared to go on with the case, as the principal witness, Mr. Hogan, was ill, and could not be present. Mr. Earl, for the accused, Alexander Duncan, pleaded that the boy had already been incarcerated in prison for a week for an offence ho had not committed, and opposed the granting of a remand, stating he would produce evidence that would undoubtedly prove the boy's innocence. Ho said ho was only arrested on suspicion, and mado a strong plea on his client's behalf, that the stigma of prison would tend to ruin him, and gave his word that the boy would appear and answer the charge if the police went on with the case, which he had doubts of their doing. Eventually the Bench liberated the boy upon his own recognisance of £20 to appear on Monday next to answer the charge.

The Diorama of Europe and tho Colonies was exhibited in Ponsonby Hall last evening, to a well-filled house.

In the lock-up last evening there was but one person, a man named George Stephens, for neglecting to obey a recent order of tho Court to provide for the support of his wife.

Detective Herbert has been engaged in the case of Emanuel Oliver, who was yesterday morning charged with illegally pawning a gold watch, and who was remanded till next week, with tho result that the detective has obtained close on fifty other watches, all believed to have been illegally pawned. We understand that the prisoner will be charged with a number of new cases.

The blowing: of the whistle of the s.s. Clansman yesterday afternoon, just prior to her departure for Russell, caused a " bolt" on the wharf. Two horses harnossed to a cab belonging to Mr. Armitage, and in the care of a man named Pooley, took fright and bolted towards the city. They headed up the wharf, and continued up Queen-street till stopped near the Tnistle Hotel. While the accident created considerable consternation, strange to say no damage was done and no one was hurt.

The opening of St. Mary's Church as a pro-Cathedral, with its extensive additions and appointments, has occupied a good deal of attention of late, and reference has been made by Archdeacon Dudley and other? to the early struggles and history of St. Mary's Church. It is not generally known that Colonel Matson, late of the sSth Regiment, was the originator of the movement, and it was his first subscription that went towards the purchase of the site from the late Bishop ratteson. The debt on the church was paid off by means of a baza-ar promoted by Mrs. Matson, who is still a resident in Parnell. That was a gala clay, and there were no fewer than four military bands in attendance. These, as Archdeacon Dudley said, were the days of small things, but it is well to remember thoso who took such an active part in tho promotion of Church matters in those days, and who helped to make- the small things grow large.

The gift auction at St. Matthew's Schoolroom was well attended during yesterday afternoon and evening. In the evening, in addition to the ordinary business, a very agreeable performance was introduced. Mrs. Wright Paiiir " Angels at tho Window," Master Keesing gave a recitation from " Richard III.," and, in response to an encore, sang "Sarah's Sunday Out." The duet, "Fondest, Dearest," by Mr. Edmonds and Mrs. Wright, was .ilso a feature. A sale of some of the effects was held, Mr..Evans officiating as auctioneer; but there is n'largc stock of good 3 still in reserve, and thoso who attend to-night's sale may have the chance of procuring good bargains. The sale will continue to-day, and close to-night.

The privileges in connection with the Winter Meeting of the Onehunga Racing Club were yesterday offered for sale by Messrs. Tonks and Co., and found purchasers as follows :—Publicans' booth, £20, Mr. Adams; Good Templar booth, 30s, Mrs. Mooney ; cards, £10, Mr. Beaumont. The rights to the gate money were passed in at £60.

"Argus" •writes: —"I learn it on the best authority that the rinks are coining money, and Amy Sherwin carried away hundreds of pound.*. A performance got up for the benefit of the Ladies' Benevolent Society lately was a failure, and hardly a member of the committee sold a ticket. 13 this to our credit?"

The case of stealing two bottles of spirits from, and breaking out of, the Thistlo Hotel, against William Anderson Crombie, was before the Police Court yesterday, but remanded on the application of Mr. Jsapier, who appeared for the prisoner. The same bail, two sureties of £23 each, was enlarged. A man named Luke Webber was also faned 03 and costs for allowing a horse to stray in Grey-street on the 7th inst.

The skating rink at Onehunga has proved very successful so far.

On Thursday evening a largely attended and successful social soiree was held in the Franklin Road Primitive Methodist Church. An excellent tea was provided, presided over by Meadames Chambers and Maynird. After tea, a sale nf goods was largely patronised. The stalls were under the care of Mrs. Ward and Miss Chambers, assisted by others.

We would draw attention to an announcement in another column of n, large shipment of several new and special lines in boots find shoes, recently imported by Mr. Thomas Ellison, at whose shop they may be obtained at reasonable prices.

At Ewbank Cottage, Gnndry-streot, Miss Smith will be happy to fit and supply ladies with corsets, bandages, &c.,of superior make.

The half-yearly and annual balance-sheets and statements of accounts of the city of Auckland are now open for inspection to any interested person, at the City Council offices.

The programme of the winter courso of lectures at the Young Men's Christian Association Booms, appears in e.xt>\nso in our advertising columns. The price of season tickets has been reduced to 4s double and 2s 6d single.

Residents at Otahuhu and adjacent stations are notified that the late train on Wednesdays has been discontinued.

Patrons of Johnny's 'bus, between the Three Lamps and Uirion Bank corner, will be glad to learn that he is now on his own account, having leased the Imis from tho Tramway Company. He truste that his old friends, and now ones, too, will not forget him in their sojournings to town and back.

Much annoyance having been experienced by many of Smith cind Caughcy's oustomers, who have mistaken the clothing shop (without name appearing) recently opened next door to their Queen-stroet establishment m belonging to them. In justice to their customers and themselves they aro compelled to draw public attention to the fact that there is no connection whatever, and that they have only one entrance in Queen-street. — [Advt.]

It will l>e seen by advertisement that Messrs. W. J. Hunter and Co. aro to sell the stock on the farm of Mr. H. J. Pearson, Golbourne, Hautapu, Waikato, on the 25th inst. Mr. Pearson having leased his farm, is disposing of the stock, etc. As j>a,rt of the stock, there are 222 purebred Lincoln ewes, which are thrifty, healthy, and good woolproducers. Lost year, it is stated, the clip averaged lllbs w6ol per head, and the ewes gave an increase in lambs of 125 per cent. A large quantity of farm implements, steamengine, etc., will be offered for sale at the same time. The sale deserves the attention of all who are desiring an increase to their stock or farming appliances.

Meter water consumers are notified that if rates due on the Ist instant are unpaid by noon to-day, the water will be cut off on Monday morning. Publicans, hotelkeepers, holders of wholesale and packet beer, wine and spirit licensee, are reminded that licenses now require to be taken out. The latter before the 30th instant. Iβ Messrs. J. and J. Dickey's window will be eeen a lamp burning, the oil used being the celebrated " Palace ' brand of Kerosene oil, which gives a pure bright light, superior to any other we have seen.