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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9178, 6 October 1888, Page 5

Our cablegrams this morning state that n great drought prevails in India, and that a famine is anticipated. Warbrick's team of Mew Zealand footballers have played their first match in England. Their opponents were a strong team, representing Surrey. The natives won the march, and their play created a very favourable impression. It is stated that Mr. Gladstone is preparing his public correspondence for publication. Considering Mr. Gladstones long connection with English politics, and his intimate relations with the men who in conjunction with himself have done so much to shape the course of English historv during the last half century, the book * ought to be one of engrossing interest. The report of tho Bank of New Zealand Committee has had as favourable an effect in London as it has had in the colonies. The Metropolitanpress —including even the Standard, which has long been conspicuous for its bitter and too frequently prejudiced attacks on .New Cealand financial institutions—unite in commending the new departure of the Bank in joldly facing its difficulties, and, to use the phraseology employed, " taking the bull by the horns." In the course of a speech at Inverness, Lord Hartington. adopting the criticism of Mr. Chamberlain, declared that Mr. Gladstone's whole aim was to brine discredit on the administration of the law in Ireland, and he might have ndded, in the words of a well-known quotation, that his motive for so doing was "to malign his opponents and glorify himself." Lord" Knutsford has made a statement to the effect that the British protectorate over the Hervey group was established at the request of the New Zealand Government. The New Zealand Government, however, deny that they ever made any such request. * It is probable that the cablegram has been mutilated in course of transmission. The Church Congress at present assembled at Manchester appears to be devoting a good deal of attention to colonial affairs. The meeting of the Bank of Australasia seems to have been a somewhat stormy one. owing principally to the action of the directors in granting a pension to the family of the late manager in Victoria, who was killed in the Windsor railway accident. A motion rescinding the grant was carried by a large majority.

" Truth," says the old adage, "is stranger than fiction." This is very forcibly borne out by the stories of criminal life as told by ex-Inspector Meiklejohn, for many years one of the most trusted, as he was one of the ablest detectives connected with Scot-land-yard, that world-famed repository of the secrets of the darker side of life in London, its tragedies, its mysteries, and its crimes. We commence to-day the publication of these stories which will be found as interesting as a novel, although but a faithful record of actual facts which came under the personal observation of Detective Meiklejohn in the course of his professional duties. He drives a very graphicaccount of a number of the most daring crimes which he was successful in unravelling. while his thrilling narrative of the desperate character of their perpetrators, their resources and methods, and the skill, courage, and ingenuity necessary to cope with these "offenders against law and society, afford a vivid insight into the workings of modern criminals, and the wondrous machinery which is employed to secure their detection and punishment. On Saturday, the '20th inst., will be published the opening chapters of a new story by that favourite and popular authoress, Mrs. George Sheldon. It is entitled, "Witch Hazel; or, the Secret of the Locket." The plot is very carefully conceived, and is very cleverly concealed from the reader until the appropriate moment, while the incidents are full of adventure, and the situations arranged with great dramatic skill.

The Herald Monthly Summary for transmission per R.M. s.s. Alameda, via San Francisco, will be published on Monday morning next. The newspaper mail closes at half-past eleven a.m. on that day. There was a good demand for Bank of New Zealand shares on the Exchange yesterday. On the previous day they were quoted, buyers at £7 3Os; yesterday there was a strong demand at £8 10s, but there were no sellers at that price. It is evident that there is a complete feeling of confidence as to the stock of the Bank throughout the colony. The proposed closing of the Queen's Reloubt School gave rise to a lengthy and mimated discussion at the Board of Educalion meeting yesterday, on a proposal by Mr. Goldie to rescind a former resolution ordering the closing of the school. This school has often been the subject of disoute in the Board, and it is manifest •hat there is a strong local feeling on the object. The result of the discussion, however, was that Mr. Goldie's motion was negatived, but there was a clear underStanding also that the I'okeno Hill School should be also closed, and the Pokeno Valley School removed to a more central site and enlarged, so as to have a strong central school, instead of three weak ones. proceedings are of considerable interest to country districts, and the report, jiven in another column at some length, will ifford an indication of the feeling of the tJoard on the subject. Another matter of great interest was nought up at the Board of Education reeting yesterday in the series of proposals tjy Mr. Cooper, relative to the staff and salaries of teachers. This matter was debated at length some months ago, but was allowed to stand ovjr, pending the return from Wellington of Messrs. Goldie, Moat, and Monk (M. H.R.'»), who are members of the Board. The renewed debate was opened by Mr. Cooper yesterday when speaking in support of his resolutions, and was adjourned until next meeting, owing to the lateness of the hour, and the absence of some of the members. A singular application for a writ of injunction came before Mr. Justice Gillies in chambers yesterday. It appears that soma time ago the Opera House was let to an amateur company for a charitable performance on the 11th instant. In the meantime Professor Anderson came along, and engaged the place for a season ; but His Honor ruled that it was. not a case in which an injunction could issue. If anything, it was a breach of agreement to let the building, and the. remedy was provided in an action for damages. It transpired that the understanding is that when the Opera House is let on an occasion of this sort for one night, that if in the meantime a company comes along who takes the house for a season, the first engagement lapses. It is •well that this should be known, as it) may tend to prevent future mistakes. The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the Point Resolution land purchase held its first sitting yesterday at the Harbour Board offices, when Messrs. Thomas Mackay and W. S. Cochrane were examined. The inquiry then adjourned until Monday, in order to permit cf the land being inspected •by the Commissioners, Dr. Giles and Col. Roberts. It is probable that on Monday some of the members of the General Trust Board will give evidence.

Yesterday forenoon the clipper ship Wairoa, of the New Zealand Shipping Company's fleet, arrived from London after a good passage of 94 days. She brought a large general cargo worth £22,000, and also a dozen saloon passengers, anions whom were Mr. and Mrs. T. Varnom and family, who return to Auckland after a sojourn of about two years in the old country.

During: the week Constable Hasletfc, of Onehunga, with a party of about 30 men, has been out searching for the missing man Rudolph Hitter, who disappeared so mysteriously about three weeks ago. The party started at Onehunga anil worked their way through the scrub, carefully searching the gullies as far as the Whan Blockhouse, but could find no traco of Ritter. Constable Haslett is of opinion that nothing has happened to Ritter on the north side of the river, and that further search is unnecessary.

The report and balance-shceb of the South British Insurance Company was issued yesterday. It recommends the payment, of a dividend at the rate of S per cent, per annum, less interim dividend. Commissioner Gudgeon, accompanied by Inspector Broham, yesterday paid a visit to Helensville to inspect the police station there, returning to town in the evening.

It is stated that the amount expended on charitable aid in the city is slightly increased. The explanation is that the various benevolent agencies, owing to a diminution in their funds, are shunting some of the cases they have hitherto attended to on to the Charitable Aid Board. In some respects his is not to be regretted, as there has been in the past a great deal of misdirected energy and zeal, to say nothing of money, through the overlapping of the efforts of the various charitable agencies. ,

A woman yesterday, in Freeman's Bay, jumped over the breastwork into some two or three feet of water. If her intentions were of a suicidal character, t hey were defeated, as she was speedily fished out by Constable Clark. During her voluntary bath, she commenced reading a Prayerbook, and performed other antics. She gave her name as Maloney, and was brought before the Police Court yesterday, on a charge of lunacy, and remanded for medical treatment.

Tho recent rains have greatly improved the appearance of the grounds at Albert Pork. They are now in excellent condition, and a popular resort with those desirous of getting fresh air, and a beautiful view of tho town, harbour, and surrounding scenery.

A curious application from Otahuhu came before the Board of Education yesterday. It appeared from the letter that when the new committee came into office there was a small balance of £1 9s, and the late secretary and treasurer, when applied to for it, informed them that the late chairman had it. When the latter was applied to by letter for the money they received no answer, but one of the members was verbally told that he had not the money. They asked the Board's advice as to what they should do, and were informed that it was not a matter in which the Board could interfere, and it was for the committee to take such steps as they thought proper to recover the money. In our obituary column is recorded the death of Mr. J. J. Play ford, who was a well-known resident of Auckland, having lived in this city for about '27 years. He came to Sydney in 180 S. Mr. Playford was an old parishioner cf St. Patrick's Cathedral, and in the early days he had charge of the church choir for some years. There is considerable dullness in the building trade, and the architects are lamenting greatly. The Governor Browne and Masonic Hotels, which have employed numbers of men, are approaching completion: while the Catholic Presbytery, Lower Hobsonstreet, is finished. It is expected that with the approaching summer there will be a revival in this branch of trade, as the low figures for building materials and for labour are likely to be taken advantage of by those desiring of utilising vacant allotments. The Technical School Committee have received a communication from Mr. J. A. Pond, stating that he will take a class for agiicultural chemistry, on condition that there are at least, twelve pupils. Six names have already been given in, and any others desirous of joining are requested to communicate with the secretary, Mr. Batty, I'onsonby Road. Considerable progress is being made with the Newton waterworks contract. Several streets have been already completed, and the mains are placed on the Ponsonby and Richmond Roads, ready for laying down. Mr. Archibald, the contractor, is much pleased at the lair manner in which he has been treated by the Newton Borough in the matter of the variation of weight in the mains. The health of the city is stated to be very good at present, the extensive drainage works constructed of late years having removed some of the plague-spots of the city.

At a meeting of officers of the Auckland Fire Brigade last night an offer from Mr. W. F. Wilson, who has organised a strong amateur dramatic company, to give a benefit performance in aid of the sick and accident fund, was -considered. Mr. Wilson was himself present by invitation of the superintendent. The offer was to give the whole of the net proceeds of a performance, to be held in the Opera House on the '26th inst., in aid o? the fund, on the understanding that the Brigade would take an interest in the dispo: \1 of tickets, etc. The offer was thankfully accepted, and the secretary of the Brigade was instructed to write to the City Council, the underwriters, and the volunteer officers, asking for their patronage on the occasion. A similar offer, made to the visitors of the Kohimararr.a Industrial School, of a performance on the 25th instant, in aid of the fund for providing a, steam launch on similar terms, has also been accepted. Mr. Wilson, who it may be recollected was stage manager and coach at the recent production of the " Pirates of Penzance " at the Opera House, has had a great deal of experience in affairs of this sort, and has collected an admirable support. The drama selected is " Lost in London," Watts-Phillips' chef d'reuvre,which was produced some time ago with great success under Mr. Wilson's management. Some time ago the Brush Factory of Mr. Harbutt was moved out to the suburbs. It has been found somewhat inconvenient for trade purposes, and he is at present transferring the machinery to the old Brush Factory which he hadyearsagoin Victoria-street east. This industry has proved a remunerative one, and Mr. Harbutt is kept busy with orders. Some time ago he received from his son in California a new fruit evaporator. which is likely when adopted by orchardists desirous of preserving fruit to be of great service to them. Last season he preserved a quantity of apples with it, which are now open for inspection, but the machine is equally useful as regards other fruits. Some of the machines constructed from the model have been shipped South and to Australia.

A well-attended meeting of the Auckland Yacht Club was held last evening, in the Waitemata Hotel, for the nomination of officers to be elected at the annual meeting of the Club, on Friday next. Mr. G. Cozens presided, and the following names were submitted : Commodore, Mr. T. Henderson ; vice-commodores, Messrs. A. Buchanan and VV. Jones ; treasurer, Mr. G. Cozens ; secretary, Mr. W. Lind ; assistant-secretary, Mr. W. McCormick ; auditors, Messrs. F. J. Sanderson and 0. B. Waymouth ; committee, Messrs. F. Cramond, C. Gibbs, R. Reynolds, VV. Jones, J. Duder, H. Wilson, J. Wiseman, W. V. BindonftO. B. Waymouth, J. Kinsey, A. Buchanan, H. E. Whitaker; measurers, Messrs. G. Goldie and G. Niccol ; handicappers, Messrs. Reynolds and Phillipson. Mr. Sanderson gave notice that at the annual meeting he would move to the effect that the dividing of the committee into two sections, for large and small yachts, be abolished ; while Mr. Wiseman also notified that he would propose to have the handicapping done by a committee of four, instead of as at present. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. In view of the intended departure of Dr. Leger Erson for Australia, the sympathisers in this city with the Home Rule movement in Ireland propose to x entertain him at a farewell banquet at the Imperial Hotel, in recognition of his services in furtherance of the cause. It is expected that Sir George Grey will be present. Captain Edwin advised yesterday at 11.55 a.m. :—"North to west and southwest heavy gale with rain within twelve hours. Glass will further fall."

It is gratifying to find, notwithstanding the fiasco at the fire at the Telegraph Buildings yesterday morning, that in some of our public buildings the fire apparatus is kept iri readiness in a simple but effective fashion. Superintendent Hughes states that at tho Opera House, the Foresters' Hall, &c., the firo hose is kept on a drum, the consequence is that it can be readily reeled off, and the water pressure applied promptly without any danger of bursting the hose.

Among those who have recently returned from Australia is Pastor A. G. Daniells, having been occupied during tho last few months in visiting his co-religionists in Sydney and Melbourne. Among other important church business in which Mr. Daniells assisted while there was the organising of an Australian Conference, and he returns to Auckland for a few weeks only, after which he will leave again shortly to labour in other districts.

The contractor for the Onehunga waterworks, Mr. Briefly, is making progress with his work. The defects at the reservoir are being made good, and it is expected the whole contract will be completed within a week.

There appears to be some ignorance on the part of those who write upon railway matters, especially respecting the running of trains to some of the suburban stations. In a letter which appeared in our co r respondence columns the other day Mr. H. M. Shepherd implied that only three trains a week went trom Auckland to theManu.rewa station ; and on a subsequent day Mr. S. Yaile apparently adopted the same view respecting the train supply to that district. Mr. Hudson, the general manager, desires us to correct this erroneous impression, and has informed us that there are three trains daily from Auckland to Manurewa, and four trains thence to Auckland, instead of three trains a week. Mr. Hudson thinks those who criticize the railway management should make themselves acquainted with the facts of the case before they express their views on the subject.

The Pukuning.i Highway Board aro now making' some improvements in the thoroughfares of the district. They have just accepted a tender for cutting and tilling about "20 chains of a road leading off opposite Udy's Road towards the oldest house in the district. The tender is for £65, and the engineers of the Board, Messrs. \V. F. Hammond and Son, estimato that some three thousand yards of earth will have to be removed. It is to be hoped that this example will be imitated by other local bodies, as it is sea reel}' likely that road improvements could be effected so cheaply as at the present time, owing to the glutted state of the labour market.

We have to acknowledge from the secretaries of the Melbourne Temperance Convention, ISSS, receipt of a copy of the programme of the International Temperance Convention to be held in Melbourne during November next, from the I'Jth to the '2.lth. Among those expected to be present from Auckland are Sir William Fox and Mr. David Goldie, M.H.R. The papers to bo read are : —Section 1. : Historical paper, " The Temperance Movement in Australasia," by Mr. .1. W. Meaden, Victoria, Section 11. : Political paper, " Australasian Temperance Legislation," Mr. John Vale, Victoria. Section 111. : Religious paper, " Religion and Temperance," Rev. Joseph Walker, Queensland. Section IV. : Women's work, paper by Mrs. M. M. Love, President W.C.I. U., Victoria. Section V. : Physiological and Medical paper, " The Pysiological Effect anil .Medical Uses of Alcohol," lion. S. J. Macganey, M.L.C., M.1)., South Australia. Section VI.. "Temperance Work Among the Young," paper by Mr. W. J. Macdermott, secretary Auckland Band of Hope Union. Section VII. : Social paper, " Social and Moral Aspect of the Temperance Question," Mr. R. Sera pie, New South Wales. Section VIII. : Economic paper, "Temperance Economics," by Mr. Jas. Mirams, M.L.A., Victoria. Section IX. : "The Attitude of the Australian Natives with Regard to the Temperance Movement," by Mr. S. Mauger, Victoria. One of the features of the Convention will be an exhibition of temperance journalistic literature, giving specimen copies of all the leading temperance publications of the world. It is also proposed to issue a Convention Memorial Volume, containing the papers read in the various sections, the letters of the most distinguished correspondents, and full reports of the discussions, to which will be added the early history of the movement in Australasia, illustrated by portraits of the leading temoerance reformers.

A correspondent, " Mango," states that whilst rambling: through the Art Gallery, and whilst being considerably entertained in studying the many beautiful paintings on view, he was struck most forcibly with the paucity of exhibits representing NewZealand life and scenery, and particularly so in there being one solitary picture representative of the wonders of the Hot Lake district. He goes on to say:— " Now paintings of New Zealand scenery and Maori life are greatly admired by all lovers of art, and surely in our own Art Gallery we should have a decent exhibition of paintings essentially descriptive of the beauties and wonders of our own province, of which thousands in our city are at present ignorant. I venture to say that if more paintings descriptive of the Hot Lakes landscape were on exhibition in the different art galleries of the colony, our stream of visitors would, "be considerably swelled to the great benefit of our Governmental coffers. Of course, it is very nice and proper and conservative to go in for and rave over copies of the old masters, but let us not forgot ourselves in the meantime. Hang up the beauties of the old world, and go on acquiring copy, copy, copy ; but let us not forget that the old masters never lived in a country so truly an artist's as our own, and for this reason let our artists drop their prejudices and build up a national art school of our own—a school embracing the technicalities of the art, although founded on new world principles."

A most successful recital of sacred music was given yesterday evening at St. Alban's Church, Mount Roskill Road. There was a large attendance. The programme was an excellent one. Solos were rendered by Miss C. Mackay and Messrs. Martin, G. Shirley, T. Charter, E. Hosking, and W. L. F. Chambers, whilst Miss Davis and Mr. Martin a duet, "Love Divine, all Love Excelling," and an unaccompanied quartette, "The Chapel," was contributed by Messrs. Martin, Rice, G. Harker, and Charter. The choir rendered a part song, "The Morning Prayer," and also the following:—"ln the Beginning was the Word," "The Radiant Morn," and "God Hath Appointed a Day." The quartette to the latter was pleasingly sung by Miss Bleazard, Mrs. Pierce, and Messrs. Hosking and G. Harker. A number of boys sang a hymn, " Daily, Daily, Sing the Praises," In the course of the evening Archdeacon Dudley delivered a short address. There was a crowded attendance lost evening at the Columbia Rink. This afternoon will be the usual matinee for children, including a boys' skating race. On Monday night the rink employes' benefit will take place, when, including some f>ncy and trick bicycle riding, by Master Bernard Harrison, there will be the following events :—A ladies' and gentlemen's race, nigger race, and a costume polo match. A social in aid of the funds of the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, will be held in the Ponsonby Hall on Tuesday evening next, when it is expected there will be a large attendance. In another column Professor Carl Schmitt announces the date of the performance of his cantata, "Art and Mind." The rehearsals have been most satisfactory, and both vocalists and instrumentalists are working their best to do justice to the composition. As the cantata is too short to fill an evening, a most attractive miscellaneous part, both orchestral and vocal, has been selected. We look forward with interest to the performance of a work of which both libretto and music have been written by local men. The full programme will appear in a later issue.

J. B. Gilfillan and Co. announce that Mr. Giliillan will be leaving for London on October 30, and that consignments to them of gum, wool, flax, etc., for sale in London will have his personal attention. Mr. Edmund Bell may be expected to give the Bible-reading at the meeting, this evening, in the Young Men's Christian Association Lecture Hall, commencing at 7.30. The now celebrated J A, Beehive, Cow, Star, Fern, and other choice brands of fresh butter can be obtained at the London Dairy Co.'s Depots, Victoria-street and Mount Eden Road.