Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9095, 2 July 1888, Page 4

By the snapping of two wires at the boitonVof the ocean, the Australian colonies have been suddenly isolated from the greab world beyond the seas, almost as completely as if they had been transplanted by the wand of the magician to the heart of Africa. Iα these days, to be cui, off from all telagraphic communication with London, and all that is included in chat word, is a matter of very serious concern. The commercial and monetary interests of tho colonies are now so vast, and so closely bound up with the great markets of the world that a temporary interruption, however brief, of the means of rapid communication with -the most remote centres of trade and commerce is inevitably attended with inconvenience, disorganisation, anxiety, and not infrequently loss. To the general public the interruption is a source of irritation and disappointment, as it deprives them of the luxury of maintaining touch with affaire in the old country and other pares of the world, and keeping themselves informed, day by day, of what is happening in the teeming capitals of Europe, where questions of peace and war are finally settled, and tho fate of nations decided. Everyone misses the- cable news from his daily new*. paper. Ib is the first thing he looks for. Compared with it how small, and tamo, and parochial our own little affairs seem ! The question of cable communication between the colonies and the rest of the world is thus one in which every person in Australasia must take a keen interest, and it is not improbable that the present double break will direct public attention more than anything else to'the importance of encouraging and assisting the scheme ior laying a new cable between Canada and her sister colonies in these seas. By the terms of their agreement with Australia the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company are bound tc maintain two cablee iu efficient working order betweeu Port Darwin and Banjoewangie. It is notorious, however, that thin condition has not been complied with in t,he manner expected and stipulated. One of the oables is an old one, and is of very little use. Iα! deed it has before now been alleged that) it was practically unworkable. But bo that as it may, it, as well as the other, has gone, and cannot new be worked even if it* condition were good. Ifc will be noticed that the official explanation of the simultaneous breaking , of both cables—ona afc a sr.ot 100 miles from Java, the other 500 miles from Port Darwin—ia that) an eruption must) have occurred. This, cf course, is the most reasonable theory to account for the sudden breakage. Bub it, is noi, apparently, sufficient to satisfy the martial people of Melbourne. In the Victorian capital it is believed that war has broken oufc, that the snapping of the cables is the work of an enomy. Naturally there is, in consequence, great excitement; naturally also the authorities have telegraphed to Admiral Fairfax to ask him, we suppose, if he has heard anything, or what they should do, or what he is going to do. What they should do, of course, is U> keep cool. But wa are more concerned with the action ol the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, and it is some satisfaction to know that they are in a position to at once commence the work of repairing the cables.

News has been received from Kharioum that Slaten Bey and Lupton Bey, two Austrian officers, who were in tfce Soudan when Hf*ks Pasha's ill-fated expedition was annihilated, are now prisoners in that city, as well as other Europeans. They are being treated with great indignity and cruelty. Ifc is stated that the power of the Mahdi has greatly decreased, and thats many of the tribes ; would be glad of an opportunity cf deserting him, and joining the friendly Arabs. A force of five hundred Egyptian troops would, our cable message sayn, suffice to rescue tbe prisoners. The licensing clauses in the Local Government Bill have be6n rejected in the House of Commons by large majorities.

Thi; July civil sittings of the Supreme Court will commence this morning at 11 o'clock. There is only one jury case on the list, that of Mrs. Kneebone v. the Kapanga Gold Mining Company (Coromandel), a claim for £1000 damages. It will be recollected that Frank Kneebone was accidentally killed in ohis company's mine, and the prosent action is to recover damages on the ground that the accident was the result of negligence on the part of the defendant's servants. It will be necessary for the jurors summoned to be promptly in attendance. A very successful coursing meeting was held on Saturday at Plumpton Park, Papatoetoe. There were three events, namely, an all-aged stake, a Derby, and an Oaks. The hares were in much better form than at the Queen's Birthday meeting, and some really good Fsport was afforded, while the conduct of the meeting was very satisfactory.

It appears not to be generally known that members of the Legislature are entitled, at a fixed price, to ha've as many copies of any of their speeches as they may require, printed at the Government Printing Office from the Hansard type. This privilege is largely taken advantage of. The Hon. Mr. Fisher's speech recently circulated was printed under this arrangement, and, of course, duly paid for by him. Intimation has been given that the city gas lamps will be extinguished after midnight on and after the Ist July. We do not like to oppose even a whimper to the roar for retrenchment, but is this not carrying economy into a department which should* be the last to be touched ? We have been able to boaat hitherto that Auckland was a better-lighted city than Wellington, where our legislators can scarcely find their way home after concluding their" legislative labours. No doubt all decent people (except newspaper people) ought to be in bed by midnight, but then lighted streets are wanted to keep in restraint people who are not decent. Even the respectable have sometimes to be abroad after tweh'eo'clock, and now that the public-houses are few and far between, the darkness will be complete. A few burglaries, to which the dark streets will give encouragement, will cost the community more than a twelve months' suddlv of gas. y

A great many friends and acquaintances of Mr. J. J. Holland, the well-known builder, were astonished at the appearance which he presented in town on Saturday. His head was bound up in a black cloth, outside of which his fVc& appeared much bruised and the skin abrased. His hands wer« also severely cut and bruised. When asked by a Herald reporter what was the matter with him, he replied regretfully, " Well, I have tried my best out of your way, but I suppose I mttst tell you, especially a3 numbera have asked me whether I had been to the Canadian doctors to have tumours extracted." Mr. Holland then explained that on Tuesday last he was riding to the works at the Governor Browoe Hotel, when his pony put Ins foot in a hole and fell, rolling over him. He was picked up by two of the men on the works, and taken into the office, where his wounds were washed, and he was about to proceed to Dr. Dawson to cot them dressed, when ho found that he had lost the use of his nether limbs, and was unable to stand. He was quite conscious, and feared he was paralysed, but after a time this feeling wore off, and he wa.« able with assistance to proceed to Dr. Dawson's. The doctor found that he was very severely cut and bruised about the head and face, more especially on the right side. The left wrist was also much lacerated, and the back of the rio-h» hand was skinned. He has since been under medical treatment, and was confined to his bed until Friday, but he is now progressing favourably, although he still feels very stiff and sore.

A correspondent complains that on Wednesday last the two o'clock boat to the .North Shore did not reach the wharf here till nine minutes past. The half-past twi boat waa also seven tainutea late.

The following is a copy of a communication which has been forwarded to the Minister of Education by the Executive Committee of the Auckland Scripture Gift Association :—" Auckland, 30th June, 1888. To the Honourable the Minister of Education, Department, Wellington. Sir, — This Association would respectfully present to your consideration the following proposition, viz. : That on iihe receipt of a capitation fee of 20s per annum from the Education .Department, this Association will, in its New Testament day schools (two years established), undertake the instruction of, and tho providing of school accommodation for, 000 children—more'or less—in the city and suburbs cf Auckland, between the ages of six and seven years, free, and to the entio satisfaction of the parents of tho same. The school-books used aro Nelson's • Re&ders,' &c. The schools named aro maintained purely unsectarian, and are guaranteed to be continued thus.—Siptned, on behalf of Executive Committee, S. Rout, agent. &c, Auckland Scripture Gift Association. References: I). Goldie, M.H.R. ; Thos. Peacock, M.H.R. ; Ed. Withy, M.H.R."

The Auckland Financial Reform Association dee patched the following telegram to Mr. R. Monk, M.H.R., on Saturday;— "Financial Reform Association heartily thank you and other members who voted for your motion last night. Committee meet Monday morning, 9 o'clock, to reply to the Premier's statement. — J. M. Mc- • IiACHLAX, Chairman."

The annual Foreign Mission services were held in the Pitt-street and Ponsonby Wesleyan Churches yesterday, large congregations being present. At the former church the Rev. Josiah Ward, of Gisborne, preached in the morning, taking for his text the the words, " What is my life?" (L Samuel, xviii., IS). The Rev. Georgo Brown, general secretary of the Australasian Foreign Missions, occupied the pulpit in the evening, and delivered a very interesting address on mission work in the South Sea Islands. The collections at Pittstreet Church amounted to £lo ISs. The Rev. E. Best preached at Ponsonby Church in the morning, and the Rev. C. H. Garland in the evening, in aid of the Missions. The annual missionary meeting will be held in Pifct-streefe Church on Wednesday evening next, when an address will be delivered by the Rey. George Brown, and Mr. C. C. McMillan will occupy the chair.

We hear (says the Christchurch Telegraph) the New Zealand Shipping Company have sold two of their sailing ships in London—viz., tho Waikato and Wanganui. The former is 1(21 tons register, and was built Lα S'.mderlaad in 1874. and the latter was built in Glasgow in 1877, and is 1077 tons register. The purchase price in each case •was £ft 10s per ton, and the purchaser of the Wanganui was Captain John Leslie, late owner of the May Queen.

Mr. D. McLeod, of Waipn, writes as follows :—The enclosed obituary, from the Weekly Globe, Toronto, of Mny 18, will be interesting to all your Nova Scotian readers, most of wnom knew, arid all had heard of, "Tormaid Boxair," i.e., "Norman Boxer." His great age is remarkable enough to deserve notice. The above-mentioned place, where he lived, ia in Gape Breton, province of Nova Scotia:—"Norman McDonald, ' Boxair,' of Slios a Bhrochain, North Side Big Bras d'Or, Victoria County, U.S., died on Monday last, at the great age of 110 years. He served under Wellington, In the battle of Waterloo, when he was about 37 years of age. He was born in the fsle of Harris, Scotland, in about; the year 1778, and emigrated to this country in 1833, when he was in his 55th year. He waa a very active man, and has beer, able, until the past two or three years, to assist a little with the work on the farm."

• A meeting of the Auckland Institute is %o be held m the Museum Buildings this evening at eight o'clock, when several interesting papers will be read. Mr. T. F. Chee<*man is to give an account of the capSure o" a specimen of the shy albatross nijar Auckland. Only iwo specimens have boen previously found in New Zealand. Mr. Keischek is to read a paper on " The Hal rite and Home of the Wandering Albatrofis," based, on observations made during his recent visit to the Auckland and other Islands to the south of New Zealand. Carefully prepared specimens of these magnificent birds, in all stages of plumage, will be exhibited. The meeting will close with a paper by the Rev. Mr. Tebbs on "Poor Relief," which will probably prove interesting to those who have to do with our present system of charitable aid. The Maori carvings deposited in the Museum by Captain Mair will bo exhibited for the first iime to the meeting, and should attract some attention.

The anniversary of the Newton Congregational Church, Edinburgh - street, was celebrated yesterday by special sermons morning and evening. The attendances on both occasions were good, and the collections liberal. In the morning the Rev. Scott West, preached from St. John's Gospel, xix., 30, "It is finished." The subject of the sermon was the life and works of Christ. In the evening the minister of the church, the Rev. H. J. Lewis, preached from Ephesians vi., 10, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." The rev. gentleman spoke rary seriously of the attitude of indifference eonae Christians took up by professing to follow Christ and at the same time remaining outeide the churches. Thia conduct ■was folly, and a cause of great weakness to the Church. To-morrow a soiree in connection with the anniversary will be held in the church, when papers will be read on " The Devotional Service" and "The Relationship of the Church to the Amusements of the People."

The Auckland Poultry Association have received a good number of entries, but on .Saturday it was decided to extend the time for receiving entries for one week, closing on Saturday next. This arrangement has bcsn made owing to the fact that a number of additional special prizes have been given and have not yet been allotted. This will be done at once, and the committee will receive entries any day this? week. Mr. Mowbray, Industrial Association Rooms ; Wynd-fcam-Btreet, is secretary.

The Jubilee Minstrels gave another very enjoyable entertainment on Saturday evening, at the Opera House, and had a very good house. Every item on the progi ammo ■we* warmly received, and in almost every instance redemanded. The ladies' dresses are tasteful and becoming, and the manner in which the interest is sustained from first to last is very pleasing. A complete change of programme is announced for this ovening ; and, to add to its attractions, Mr. Neville Thornton has painted a splemdid interior or drawing-room scene for the new bill-of-fare. The' entertainment) furnished by Miss Amy Yaughan and those associated ■with her is very good, and fully deserves the patronage of these who can appreciate one of the best classes of variety entertainment.

Phere was a large attendance at the entertainment given by the Blondinette Minetrels at the City Hall on Saturday evening. A nuraber of new features were Introduced, but the performance was prolonged beyond the usual limit, and considerBiderable time traa lost in the interval, ■which was extended to nearly half-an-hour. During the evening Mips Smithson offered ten sovereigns for sale by Dutch auction, arid they were quickly bought at a slight discount upon their value. The feature of the evening, however, was the first appearance of the Siiitera " Lothairdo" (Lullah and Stella), two trapeze performers, whoso feats in the air evoked loud applause.

A bush grows in the interior of Australia, iays the Eureka Times, called by the colonists " native hops," which some day must come into prominent notice owing to its medicinal virtues, fte well as tho fact. that the blossoms have all fche qualities of common hops in an intensified degree. The habitat of this valuable plant i* between the Darling and LachUn Rivers, and it spreads over an area of about 250,000 square miles. Each bush yields on an average about five pounds of hops, which hang in clusters all around the outeide of the bush for about focr months in tho year, and are fit for plucking during all that period. lho shepherds use them for fermenting bread ; the breweries also nee them in the fermentation of beer ; and as a tonic bittern they are unequalled by any known vegetable production. They thrive beet upon sandy soil J are not liable to any disease; very little caro is required in their cultivation, as the bush IS very hardy, and the leafage is graceful and evergreen. The yield por acre is more than double that of co trim on hops ; «:o pol.s are required ; and the picking is a comparatively easy and spoedy proceeding.

On Saturday evening Messrs. E. and A. Aldis' art union of pictures was drawn at the Victoria Arcade, by a committee appointed from a number of subscribers present. The reeuit appears in our advertisement columns.

Says the Napier Herald :—Here is an item which should set us wondering whether the colony is suffering from lack of Protection or of industry and foresight. The koromiko plant is a native of New Zealand, and a specific in the treatment of dysentery and allied disorders. In spite of this we are actually importing from America medical preparations of tho herb. The question is, should there be heavy additional duties placed on koromiko preparations, or should we decide that as a people we suffer from a form of laziness which no amount of Protection will cure ?

The rinks on Saturday were all again well patronised. At the Columbia, Professor YVynian gave another of his clever exhibitions of fancy, trick, and burlesque skating.

A meeting of the committee of the Auckland Financial Reform Association is to bo held this morning at half-past nine at 316, Victoria Arcade, to consider the Premier's statement about the cost of the public- departments.

By advertisement elsewhere it will be seen that Mr. A. Faravel, No. 5, Victoria Arcade, Queen-street, has been appointed solo agent for the sale of the Canadian Doctors' medicines Purchasers of these medicines from him will receive a ticket entitling them to a free consultation and examination at the Canadian Doctors' office in Albert-street., There is to be a grand fancy dress carnival at the Eureka Skating Rink on Wednesday. In another column Mr. Gabriel Lewis announces the sale by auction of the whole of the furniture and offects of Oram's Hotel. The sale will extend over two days, beginning on Wednesday at 11 o'clock.