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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9182, 11 October 1888, Page 4

The South British Insurance Company is not an institution whose affairs will get on to a wrong line through the shareholders not taking an interest in its concerns, and refraining from speaking their minds at the annual meetings. They inaugurated a new era some years ago, and recent occurrences have all a. tendency to encourage shareholders to canvass freely the affairs of any company in which they are interested. Any mischief which may lie done (or which may be supposed to be possible) will be far more than compensated by the benefit of free criticism, even if very much of that criticism be unjust and unfair. The South British has had its trial, and has come out of it successfully, and with the natural purilication of the process. The directors confess that they had expected to have had a better account to give of the half-year's business, but as it is they are able to declare a dividend, and to show that the finances of the company are in a sound and substantial condition. The chief criticism was that of Mr. Ralph Keesing, who objected that the item "agents' commission, salaries, and other expenses, £51,333 19s 3d," was altogether too great. No doubt it is a large sum, when contrasted with the amount to be divided amongst the shareholders. But it is largely induced by the causes which have made insurance business a very poorly-paying one during the last few years. There lias been competition of rates, and there has also been a competition in salaries, rendered necessary by endeavouring to get and to keep the best and most suitable men—the men who would extend business, and who would take care not to launch the company into excessive risks. But when the abnormal state of affairs which has of late years prevailed in insurance business has quite passed away, it may fairly be anticipated that directors may be able to reduce the large proportion of expenses, and to increase the proportion devoted to dividends. As to the remarks made by Mr. Nelson, contrasting the state of affairs under the present and the former manager, we do not think that any weight can be attached to them. The state of affairs has been very different; and those acts of policy which turned out badly, and which in these late years have restricted the dividends, were measures resolved on by the directors, and for which the general manager was not responsible. The present general manager appears to be judicious and careful, and thoroughly competent to guide the extended operations of the company. The South British has got off the "down grade,"- and may "confidently look forward to period of prosperity.'

The Parnellites are determined to heckle the Times to its heart's content. Mr. Camphell. who is or was private secretary to Mr. Parnell, has commenced an action for libel against that journal, for alleging that he wrote some of the letters which arc supposed to connect the leader of the Irish party with the blacker phases which have marked the course of the agitation in Ireland. Why Mr. Campbell should have waited until now before attempting to refute the statements of the Times is, to say the least, inexplicable, seeing that the libel of which he complains was originally published many months ago. His action, howf jv. is no doubt part of the concerted policy of the Fftrnellites to hamper the Times by a series of libel actions, in order to make it the more d i IT - cult and expensive tor it to substantiate its case. Mr. Campbell is a quiet, commonplace young man, whose only distinction is that In! writes to Mr. Parncll's dictation. Bloodhounds have been tried in the London murder cases, but without success. Mr. Smith, the First Lord of the Treasury, anticipates a satisfactory settlement of the Fisheries question after the, American presidential election. New Zealand Bank shares in London, which declined in consequence of the recent report regarding the position of the Bank, are recovering, and are now quoted at £11. Cable communication with Europe is again interrupted.

The shareholders of the South British Insurance Company held their ordinary general meeting yesterday, when a dividend of 8 per cent, per annum was declared. Captain Daldy and Mr. T. Morrin were appointed directors, and Messrs. A. Boardman and J. F. Clarke auditors.

The special general meeting of shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand, to confirm the action of the previous meeting, will be held to-day at two p.m.

We understand that Mr. David Goldie, M.H. R.. has received a communication from the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. E. Mitchelson) announcing his intention of putting a stop to the operations of the stonebreakcrs, as soon as sufficient metal is broken to supply requirements — the largest order being of '2000 yards, for the Waitemata County Council, for the aikomiti Cemetery "Road onwards. When that order is completed the men must go out. some distance from Auckland.

Notwithstanding the want of success attending the efforts to discover the missing German. Rudolf Hitter, volunteer parties are ver out. The shore line on both sides oftheManukau Harbour has been searched, but no trace has yet been found. As Mr. Bitter was in no monetary difficulties, the mvstery attending his disappearance appears unsolvable. A notification appears in our advertising columns, from the German Consul, Mr. Hermann Brown, to the effect that after this date only £10 reward will he given for the finding of the body. The former reward of £00 is therefore withdrawn.

The charitable relief returns for the past month show a slight increase. There were receiving aid in September, in Auckland and suburbs, 311 adults and 409 children : in out-districts, 104 adults and 175 children. The number of new cases in Auckland and suburbs was 0- adults and To children; in out-districts, 4 adults and 14 children. Total for September, in Auckland and suburbs. 373 adults and 454 children : in out-districts. HIS adults and IS9 children. Expenditure for rations, £100 IDs 8d ; number of rations, 10.603 ; tickets to out-patients to Hospital, -6: ditto to dispensary. '29 : number of railway passes, 79, of which 3- were to relief works at Swanson.

Some time ago Mr. D. Goldie presented a petition to the City Council respecting the old men employed at stonebreaking at Mount Eden, whose services were to be dispensed with. Mr. J. C. Firth has also through the Press made a strong appeal on their behalf. It is understood that the Finance Committee, to whom the petition was remitted for consideration, have recommended that they be kept on, and that .'is 3d ver yard be offered for the metal, being 3d per yard above what the Government are paying the men on the relief works.

An old colonist lias passed away in the person of Mr. William Sansom, father of Mr. Thomas Sansom, of Water view, Avondale. Deceased arrived here from Sydney nearly half a century ago, under engagement to Messrs. Kinghorne and Abercrombie, to work the Great Barrier copper mines. He was there for over a year, and then took up his residence in Auckland, where he has since remained. Deceased was SO years of age at the time of his death, and had resided during his declining years with his son, and at whose home he ultimately died.

A curious case of alleged larceny as a bailee occupied the attention of the Police Magistrate for the better part of the afternoon yesterday. The accused was a respec-table-looking man named Joseph Lee, and the prosecutor, Mr. Sandall, butcher, of Symonds-street. Mr. Hugh Campbell appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. Tnco. Cooper for the defence. After the evidence for the prosecution had been taken, Mr. Cooper addressed the Bench for the accused, and held that • there was no charge to answer, but he had plenty of rebutting evidence if necessary. His Worship thought the evidence was not of such a character as that a jury would convict, and dismissed the case. The accused was discharged. A detailed report will be found elsewhere.

A household robbery in Liverpool-street, which occurred during the absence of the occupants, has been reported to, the police, but. hey are reticent as to the matter, pending investigations.

The city annual subscriptions towards the funds of the Auckland Scripture Gift Association are now due, and a notice regarding them appear.? in our advertising columns. The three main objects of the Association's work are as follows :—(1) The encouragement of a knowledge of Scripture among school children ; (2) the general circulation of literature throughout the province, and (3) the establishing of infant day-schools in which the Scriptures are taught. Somewhere about 3000 Scripture lessons are issued annually to school children. Healthy literature is circulated by the Association both by sea and land, arid amongst all classes of persons. Special attention is given in supplying isolated country parts, and the Society has now over 50 small "loan" libraries, which are kept in constant circulation. These are placed in the care of responsible persons for three, four, or six months. The infant day schools in connection with the Association have now worked satisfactorily for nearly two years. The number of schools now open is eleven, with i total of 400 children on the roll. Daily instruction in the Scriptures is given, and considerable attention to the singing of pomilar hymns ; at the same time due attention is paid to secular knowledge. The junior division ranges from four to six years of age, and the higher division from six to nine years. As a number of the children have been in lengthy attendance at these schools, it would seem that the parents are in favour of them.

The pamphlet, issued by the Mount Cook Hermitage Company, describing the route from Timaru to that hotel on the slope of Mount Cook, has come to hand. It is practically the same as previous issues of this little guide to travellers, the time-table, however, being corrected for the present season. The way to reach the Hermitage is from Timaru by rail to Fairlie Creek, and after that by stage coach a distance of 96 miles. On reaching the Hermitage the traveller is between Mounts Cook and Sefton, and is in the midst of some of the principal glaciers which have their origin in that elevated mountain range. The pamphlet i 3 distributed gratuitously. In Mr. Way mouth's letter, read on Tuesday before the commission of inquiry into the Point Resolution land case, "17 per cent, per annum " should have been pubplished as " £17 er annum."

A meeting of the committee of the Auckland Bowling Club was held yesterday afternoon. Present: Mr. W. Tait (in the chair), Messrs. J. Kirk wood, J. Winks, W. Gorrie, J Billirigtoti, P. Oliphant, W. C. Mirtin, and R. Cameron (hon. secretary). It was decided to open the season on Saturday afternoon, '20th instant, at half-past two o'clock. An application was made to lease a portion of the Club grounds for tennis purposes, but consideration of same was deferred, the applicants meantime to be informed that the committee would prefer to lease the whole of the tennis courts. A match committee, consisting of Messrs. J. kirk wood, P. Oliphant, and J. Billington, was appointed to arrange all matches lor ensuing season.

A varied and valuable cargo of New Zealand products is being taken to London by the ship Crusader, which is to sail for the "world's metropolis" to-day. The chief item is 5302 cases kauri gum, worth £19,105, the value of the total cargo amounting to over £25,000.

As showing how the Public Works expenditure is being tapered off, the amount expended during the past live months does not exceed £•-'OO,OOO, a figure which makes a strong contrast to the large sums spent in t.hat°perioil by previous administrations. Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Sarah Ryan, a young widow, made an application to the Resident Magistrate, Mr. Seth Smith, to have her son, a pleasant-looking little fellow of some seven years of age, committed to the Industrial School, on the ground that she could not control him. s"he magistrate did not seem particularly impressed with the application, and asked in what way was the lad beyond control, and the mother replied that he was not punctual in returning from school, occasionally misbehaved himself, and had had a little difficulty with another little boy in the street. Mr. Smith intimated that he did not see his way clear, under such circumstances, to commit the boy, and asked Mrs. Ryan if she had applied to thcCharit able Aid Board in the matter. She replied in the negative. It appears that she has two younger children, who were to be handed over to the care of their grandmother, and that it was Mrs. Ryan's intention to place the boy in the Industrial School, preparatory to leaving to-day for Wellington, where she has obtained a situation. Her husband was accidentally killed in the bush, near Helensville, some four months ago, when a subscription was raised for the widow and family. It. is not yet. known what action the Charitable Aid Board will take in the matter.

Settlement is slowly but steadily progressing along the Avondale-Manukau Tvoad and the districts adjacent. There are two blocks of Crown land there, which it is understood is to be cut up by Government into live-acre sections, for small settlers, at the suggestion of the Highway Board. Some ot the settlers intend going in for fruit culture, as the land is considered better adapted for that than anything else.

Yesterday morning Constable Foreman brought clown a prisoner, Charles Chester, for whom warrants were out for disobeying the order of the Court to contribute towards the support of his wife and son.

A Biographical Handbook to the Art Gallery and Mackelvie collections, which has been in preparation for some time, will, we learn, be published either next week or at the commencement of the week following. The Handbook, which is a very complete one, containing biographical notices of the artists represented in our collections, and descriptions of the pictures, as well as a valuable historical sketch of schools of art, with chronological tables of the mostnoted masters of each, and other matter, will cover some 120 pages. All visitors to the Gallery and Museum will rind this book indispensable, and published as it will be at one shilling, it will command a large circulation. All advertisements should be at once sent in to the publishers, Messrs. Wilsons and Ilorton, Wyndham-street.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from the author of " Jeems Rave : His Adventures and Opinions. Third series," printed at the Bailie office, Exchange Square, Glasgow. The adventures of Jeems are written in the Scottish dialect, arid as a strong vein of humour runs through the whole of them, many of his adventures are inexpressibly funny. Jeems is very free in giving his opinion upon things in general, and not unfrequently those opinions are more direct and pointed than diplomatic. All the subjects touched upon, he invariably sees the humorous side, and to those familiar with the Scottish tongue, his sketches afford cheery and pleasant reading. Among the sketches in the present series. Jeems describes "A New , i ear Party." his visit to the " Paisley Races,"' " An Election Meeting," " Celebrating the Jubilee," "A School Examination." "A Christmas Box," "The Marine Exhibition,' etc. The sketches are illustrated by sixteen page illustrations by J. E. Christie, and are equally full of humour as is the letterpress portion of the work.

We have never before in Waikato, says the Waikato Times, seen anything like the amount of blossom on pear trees such as has been produced this spring. Mr. G. Hcuson, of Cambridge, has a number of small trees, that a week ago looked like balls of snow, and after a storm of wind and rain the ground about them was completely covered with the white petals. This should betoken a good crop, for if one in every hundred fructifies, it will be quite as many as the trees can caary.

The Southerners are doing their best to get a share of the tourist traffic which has hitherto gone to the Lake Country, directed to the Alpine regions of the Middle Island. Mr. C. Huddlestone, the manager of the Mount Cook Hermitage, has recently left for Melbourne, on business connected with the tourist traffic to Mount Cook. Nowadays the journey to Mount Cook can be accomplished with ease. Tourists take the train from Timaru to Fairlie Creek, and from that point two days' coaching lands them at the Hermitage, which is situate quite close to the lateral moraine of the great Mueller glacier, under the southern spur of Mount Cook. The ice-clad slopes of Mount Sefton are half-a-mile distant from the Hermitage. Since the Rev. Mr. Green's ascent of Mount Cook the mountain has been remarkably free from snow, but this year the fall of snow is the heaviest for twenty years. The Otago people are doing their best to open up the famous Sutherland Falls to the tourists of New Zealand. Regarding the Sutherland Falls, it may be mentioned that they have only been seen by four men, namely: Messrs. Donald Sutherland, the hermit of Milford Sound ; his mate, Mackay ; Mr. S. H. Morton, artist, Invercargill; and Mr. W. P. Hart, photographer, also of Invercargill. The fall was discovered by Sutherland and his mate, on November 10, 18S0. They estimated its height at between 4000 and 5000 feet, though they did not get nearer than within two mdes of it. and the bottom was hidden from their view. About two years afterwards, Messrs. Morton and Hart made an attempt to get to the fall, but they found the travelling very rough, and their provisions failing and bad weather coming on, they were unable to get a nearer view of it than Sutherland. Mr. Hart, however, took a photograph on March 9, 1883, and named it the " Sutherland Waterfall." Mr. Hart estimated the height of the fall at about 4.100 feet, and its volume five times that of the Bowen Fall, which is of no inconsiderable size, and has hitherto been considered the highest fall in New Zealand. Men have been employed for some time past cutting a track to the fall, so that before long tourists will be able to proceed thither. The approximate distance" are :— From the Bowen Waterfall to the head of Milford Sound, two miles by boat; thence through the bush, two miles on foot; thence across Lake Ada, six miles by boat; and up the river, above the head of Lake Ada, two miles by boat ; then again, along a bush track about eight, or ten miles on foot to the Sutherland Fall—2o miles in all, or about a day's journey. The highest waterfall in the world is believed to be one in the Pyrenees Mountains, which is 1300 feet high, but contains only a small volume of water

At the Choral Hall yesterday evening Byron's three-act comedy, " Partners for Life," was performed under the auspices of the Eden and Epsom Lawn Tennis Club. In order to permit of the successful production of the piece, a proscenium and side scenes, with the usual stage mountings, were in position, and formed an effective display. There was a large attendance. The comedy was excellently played, and the various characters were represented with fidelity and spirit, the cast being as follows : —Horace Mervyn, Mr. E. Mahony ; Tom Gilioy, Mr. H. B. Lusk ; Muggles, Mr. J. Dawson ; Ernest, Mr. J. W. Hall; Sir Archibald Dreli ncourt, Mr. C. I'urchas ; Major Bilitter, Goppinger, Mr. J. Sykes ; Emily Mervyn, Miss Addison ; Fanny Smith, Mrs. Sowerby; Miss Priscilla, Miss Spiers; Darbyshire, Miss Sowerby. An orchestra was in attendance, and during the intervals they played selections of music very acceptably.

There is a fair attendance at the Gymnasium of the Young Men's Christian Association, where a number of young men are attaining proficiency in athletic exercises, under the tuition of Mr. Moss. Mr. Moss is a good lifter of heavy weights, lining 1501b with ease. The committee of the Association have offered a number of silver medals for competition by the pupils, a nd these will be competed tor during the present month.

The Commissioner of Police, Major Gudgeon, left yesterday for Waikato, with a view of inspecting the police stations of the district. Inspector Broham also left by Waikato train, his destination being Te Aroha, in order to take a course of the baths. He unfortunately contracted rheumatism, through exposure while on duty in the South some years ago, and has never been able to get rid of it. It is hoped that a week's stay at the Te Aroha baths will prove beneficial to him.

The people of Townsville, Northern Queensland, are utterly dissatisfied with the Government tariff proposals, and a large and enthusiastic meeting resolved : — " That this meeting is convinced that as no system of taxation could be devised suitable alike to the North and South, there is no remedy for the Northern grievances that now exist, short of territorial separation."

In this colony, says a correspondent writing to the Sydney Morning Herald, we want miners, agriculturists, mechanics— not Latinists, nor even French and Germanists, nor indeed dilletantis of any kind. Put the bread and butter into the man's mouth, and the refinement will come in due time. And it is the duty, and only duty, of our University to bend to the requirements of the colony which supports it.

The annual meeting of Auckland Tattersail's Club is to be held on Thursday, 25th October.

Mr. J. S. Buckland will take the place of Mr. A. Buckland, junr., at the cattle and horse sales of A. Buckland and Sons, until the return of Mr. A. Buckland from his present trip. This will not interfere with the Waikato sales of Mr. J. S. Buckland, as he has made special arrangements for carrying these on without interruption.

There was a fair attendance lust night at the Opera House to witness the performance of Professor Anderson, the Wizard of the North. The feats of legerdemain were very cleverly done, as also the exhibitions of clairvoyance by Mdlle. de La Cour. The spiritualistic seances, the table-turning operations, and the cabinet trick, with spiritualistic manifestations, caused great amusement, and were greatly applauded. Miss Jargerine performed some feats on the trapeze with a graceful ease which secured her the plaudits of the spectators. A fresh programme is prepared for this evening.

Our Raglan correspondent writes as follows :—On Wednesday evening a Blue Ribbon entertainment was held in the Wesleyan Church, at which a goodly number assembled Rev. G. Stephenson occupied the chair. The following is the programme and comments thereanent. The choir, ' hymn (Sankey) No. 196; prayer by the chairman; choir, hymn 1, Christian Choir: Rev. G. ■Stephenson gave a reading, " How to Hear a Deacon," which was well received: choir, hymn (Sankey) No. 393; Mr. J. F. Turner gave a reading on " Moderation," for which he received a, round of applause; Rev. G. Stephenson, song, " I Have Found a Friend," was well sung; recitation, Mr. E. Wallis, " The September Gale," one of 0. W. Holme's humorous ones. This recitation reminded one of the present windy season ; it was fairly rendered. Song, " Father, Dear Father, Come Home," Mr. Charles Moon, who was in tine voice, far surpassing his usual form, sang with expression and pathos, the major and minor passages being well marked. Choir, hymn (Sankey) 396; speech by Mr. Pcgler given with his usual iluency. dropping gentle reminders to one and all; duet. Miss Wallis and Mr. E. Wallis, " What are the Wild Waves Saying This was apparently sting somewhat slow, but, taking into consideration the difference of instruments, it was easily accounted for ; the manipulation on the harmonium is very different to that of a piano. Miss Wallis sung in her usual sweet voice ; Mr. E. Wallis made a very fair Paul. Choir, No. 4 Temperance Mission Book, "Who is a Brave Man? Prayer by Rev. G. Stephenson brought the meeting to a close, at which four young men stepped out and donned the bit o' blue. Miss Wallis, with her usual urbanity, presided at the harmonium.

In another column will be found a notification that E. M. Hallett and Co., No. 190, Queen-street, have been appointed sole agents lor the North Island for the Werthcim high arm sewing machine. Their new premises will be opened on Tuesday next, with a large stock of every variety of the machines.

It will be seen from an advertisement, that this afternoon the Devonport Ferry Co.'s steamers will run to H.M.s. Diamond. As the Diamond is likely to sail for England at any moment, this may be the last opportunity of visiting this fine vessel, and no doubt many will avail themselves of this chance.

The plans of the reserved Heats for the first three of Miss Von Finkelstcin's tableau lectures, will be opened this morning at .Messrs. Kidd and VVildman's. Instead of issuing course tickets, a concession of which, perhaps, not more than a few dozen people would avail themselves, the management have decided to charge popular prices of admission to all parts of the theatre.

A meeting of the friends of and sympathisers with Mr. .Tames Champion, will be held in Waite's Hall, Mount Eden, this evening at eight o'clock.

Messrs. G. W. Binney and Sons will hold an extensive sale of modern and antique Japanese art productions at their mart today, commencing at eleven a.m.

Tuesday next being the 27th anniversary of the onening of the Bank of New Zealand, will be held as a special holiday at all the offices of the Bank.