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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9240, 18 December 1888, Page 4

The natives at Suakim discredit the report of the capture of Emin Bey and Stanley by the Mahdi. Is is certainly suspicious that the Mahdi should have sent no more convincing proof of his assertion pan a, cartridge and the copy of a letter. If Emm and Stanley are prisoners in his hands he might have sent a letter from each 01 them announcing their capture. The excitement in Paris in connection with tno collapse of the Panama Canal Company is increasing. The Bouiangist journalists are violently attacking the Chamber or Deputies for rejecting the Relief Bill, and are making political capital out of the business It is feared that serious trouble may yetarirf. Events in Servia are said to be shaping wi something of a portentious character, ino position of the rebels at Suakim is stated to be a strong one. Firing continues, ine rebels on the Zanzibar coast are increasing, and are plundering the country along tne shore line. Mr. Gladstone, in his address at Limehouse, declared himself in favour 01 triennial parliaments and free State education. The boring operations afc the Western Springs have demonstrated that a considerable body of water, ample for all requirements of the city, is flowing through tne scoria to the sea. The work of impounding this surplus water and utilising it at tne Western Springs is a matter of engineering.

In the sixth page will be found some information as to the various Homes for Women established in Auckland during tho last fifteen years ; also details of a scheme to utilise certain trust funds which will be placed before Mr. Justice Gillies early next month for his consideration and decision. A meeting of the Auckland University College Council, which was to have taken place yesterday, lapsed for want of a quorum. A report, which was to have been submitted, shows that, in respect of tho Sinclair Scholarship, there has been no appointment this year. The Gillies Scholarship, for one year, has been awarded to Miss Jaiie D. Grant, who has already kept two years' terms. Some of those present at the inquest yesterday at the morgue, adjacent to the District Hospital, subsequently complained bitterly of the sanitary arrangements. Tho inquest is held in one room, and is simply separated from the morgue by a partition. As the morgue is scarcely ever without a body in it, the peculiar odour attachable to the apartment was distinctly perceptible in the jury-room. As the building is sheltered by pines, the atmosphere is always close, and there is little chance for a health-giving breeze to dispense its blessings. The Cambridge local examinations held in Auckland were commenced yesterday at the Grammar Sehooi building, and eon- | ducted by the Rev. C. M. Nelson, M.A. \ There were 24 candidates—in the senior classes two girls, and in the junior classes i 10 boys and 12 girls. Thirteen entered for the subject of religious knowledge, and each of these candidates was examined in the Gospel of St. Mark, and one of the following subjects: Catechism, Old Testa■nent, or the Act*. One of the committee, Mr. Upton, attended during the day, .\hile Mrs. Young supervised the work of the girls. Our Waiapu correspondent, after referring to the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Pook ana child at Waipiro, thus refers to the four Maoris first arrested on suspicion of having committed the foul deed:—"The four poor Maori lads who have been in custody at Port Awanui, wero taken up by the police solely because they travelled that way late on the night of the tragedy. They were all good fellows, and two of them had their names during the current year on the school rolls of KawakaM'a and Rangitukia. They are all of the family of the Hon. Mokena Kohere, late M. L.C. Two of them are his sons, one his son-in-law, and the fourth their near relation and close companion. The young fellows were in ■a <*\ plight and great state of distress, weeping bitterly at the foul nature of the ;charge hanging (albeit unjustly) over them, but when one of the bloodstained and presumably actual murderers was taken up, they really danced for joy. The rigour of their imprisonment was somewhat relaxed, and they were allowed to go outside and converse with their friends. I have just heard one of their female relations and schoolfellows give an account of these prisoners 'on the hill,' where the Port Awanui lock -up is placed. The girl took quite a practical view of their confinement, winding up with the remark, ' They have plenty of good wholesome food given them, and that is more than we outsiders have at present.' It may interest some of his fellow-legislators to be told that the hon. gentleman above named is now quite in his dotage. ' Legislation' seems to have taken possession of his superannuated brain, and he may be seen Wiinderinc about the highways and byways of Waiapu Valley with a Blue Book under his Him upon some aimless quest. He still retains the manners of politeness, which he imbibed at the Empire City of Woodentown, and puts some of us less ceremonious Europeans to the blush in this respect." Captain Ross.~"of the Salvation Army, who was conducting the street service last Saturday evening, states that the paragraph in our yesterday's paper on the matter was erroneous, as it stated that the police had requested him to remove before the accident occurred. He says that, the Army procession passed Mr. Douglas aE the corner of Albert and Victoria-streets. Mr. Douglas was then sitting in his cart, and the horse was quite quiet, and made no sign of restiveness. Captain Ross next saw him urging his horse down Victoria-street at a rapid pace. Ha passed the Army in Vic-toria-street, and turned into Queen-street, still urging his horse, and then the accident occurred. At that time the Army procession Was marching down Victoria - street towards Queen-street. The accident occurred in Queen-street before they halted. When they stopped at the corner of Victoria • street and commenced service Sergeant Kiely requested them to move, as he feared that another accident might occur. Captain Ross thereupon moved in about five minutes after. He states that whenever he sees a horse restive from the playing of the band he stops the music. A meeting of the Bench of Magistrates under the Slaughterhouse Act, 1577, was held yesterday at the Resident Magistrate's Court, for the purpose of hearing applications. The Bench consisted of Dr. Giles, R.M., Messrs. S. Y. Collins and J. MeLachlan, J.P.'s. The following licenses were granted : —New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company, for a slaughterhouse situated at St. Ann's bridge, Otahuhu ; George Hulme, for one situated on the road to Panmure ; Enoch Wood, for one situated in the highway district of Mount Roskill: Albert Wood, for a slaughterhouse in the Mount Albert Highway dis- , trict. The Inspector of Slaughterhouses wa? present, and reported that the slaughter houses had been well kept during the past year, and that no complaints had been preferred. The Gospel Temperance Tent Mission was continued last evening in the tent at the corner of Custom-street. There was a good attendance. Owing to the unavoidable absence of Dr. Knight, Mr. J. T. | Garlick presided. The Rev. R. S. West j taid he felt persuaded that unless the drink j traffic was suppressed the colony would be a failure, and the workhouse would succeed the gin palace. The Rev. H. W. J. Miller next, and said his experience as a Christian minister was that the great mass of human misery arose from intemperance. Mr. E. Wood followed, and urged those engaged in this work to try and sympathise with the fallen. Mr. W. R. Cook added a few words, and made an earnest appeal to the young men. Sixteen pledges were taken. The meeting this evening will be presided over by Mr. W\ C. McDowell, 8.A., and the speakers will be the Rev. J. K. Davis, Rev. J. D. Gilmore, Mr. T. E. Corkill. The Ponsonby Wesleyan choir will contribute the musical selections. The London Daily Chronicle, in noticing Mr. P. W. Barlow's book, " Kaipara, or Experience of a Settler in North New Zealand," speaks of it as follows :—" A realistic narrative, written with simple earnestness, and embodying a large amount of useful information. Besides passing through a period of depression, the colony (we are toldj is suffering as well from too much government, both local and general. It, however, still possesses plenty of vitality, and only wants time, and men earnest for its pod at the head of affairs, to nurse it into a vigorous and flourishing condition." A very successful concert in aid of the funds, of the Mount Hobson Public school was held yesterday evening, in the Mount Hobson Hall, Mr. Shera presiding. The audience was a large one. Misses Henderson opened the entertainment with a pianoforte duet. Mr. C. Baker sang " Romany Lass," whilst Miss Dallas rendered " Little Mountain Maid," this being one of the best numbers of the programme. Miss Dallas also sang "The Blind Girl's Dream," with sweet effect. A march, from "Norma," was played as a violin and piano duet by Misses Harrison. Scene 1, act 4, of " Midsummer Night's Dream," was performed by Mr. Chambers and a number of school children and this was followed by the song, "I Know a Bank," rendered by Mrs. and Misses Bell. Mr. W. Bruce sang " The Flying Dutchman," and a comic selection entitled "The Biff Tom Cat," and Mr. Chambers rendered"" Across the Far Blue Hills, Marie," whilst Miss N. Blades contributed " White Wings," and a flute solo was played by Mr. N. Bell. "The Student's Frolics," by Miss Bell, was well received, and Master A. Hould sang "The Old Cathedral" and " Tit-Willow " with much acceptance. The " See-saw " waltz in character by the children, was very pretty ; it was arranged by Miss Gertrude Harden. A duet, " The Sleigh Race," was contributed by Misses Herbert and Barnett, and an instrumental trio (piano, violin, and flute) by Mrs. Bell, and Messrs. Airey and Bell. Songs were also rendered by Messrs. Bilker and W. Chambers, and the enter Uinment closed with the singing of the national anthem. Votes of thanks were given to bae performers.

The Inspector of Weights and Measures, bergeant Gamble, is about to inspect the various weighbridges in his district, the heavy weights " requiring supervision as well as the light weights. In response to an application, the Wellington authorities have forwarded two tons of standard weights for the purpose of testing the weighbridges. An application was made yesterday, before Dr. Giles, R M., at the Resident Magistrate's Court, under the Public Works Act, ISS2, for closing a road through the property of Mr. Charles Canning, Remuera. Mr. J. Douglas, of Vaile and Douglas, appeared for the applicant, and narrated the particulars on which the application was based. As there was no opposition, the application was granted. Larrikinism in various forms still goes on at the Free Public Library. For two successive Saturday evenings, at the same hour (half-past seven), the tap of the filter at the entrance to the Library has been drawn out by force, placed in the chained mug, and the water left to flood the matting, and percolate through the ceiling over the vestibule below, to the danger of dislodging the plaster on to the heads of pedestrians. There is renson to believe that on the first occasion the incident was an act of larrikinism on the part of two young girls ; on the last occasion the perpetrators got clear away. Matter?, have been tolerably bad in the men's division, as regards the lavatories, <fec, but in the division set apart for females they have been little better. The soap dishes have been broken, the towels thrown into the lavatory basins, or on to the floor, anywhere but placed on the rack. Beneath the deep there is a lower deep, and the fact that the cleaner has added to her varied duties the obliteration of obscene inscriptions and suggestive pencil sketches on the plastered walls, goes to show that the institution is patronised by others than "the sweer. girl graduate." A gentleman who has recently arrived from the mother country, and been on the management of a public library, with its lending branch, sa}> that the City Council has not even yet commenced its troubles with the Free Library. Their experiences will begin with the lending branch. Half-a-dozen of the unemployed have been despatched to the Waiuikerei relief works by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board within the last few days, having been furnished with free railway passes. They will receive either 4s or 4s tid per day. A dozen applications have been received for stonebreaking. The sterling merits of Gaylord and Silbou's Company are apparently beginning to be recognised, for they were greeted last night by a larger audience than for some evenings past. The programme was slightly varied last evening, and a new farcical pantomime, entitled the "Rendezvous,' , was introduced. The various acts went as smoothly and successfully as ever, end were accorded the usual warm reception. In order to impart a degree of freshness to the oratorio of the "Messiah," and secure a larger attendance of performing members before the general exodus at this season of the year, the Choral Society have determined to produce this work on Friday evening next, at eight o'clock. The solos have been divided amongst the following ladies and gentlemen :—Miss Ross, Mrs. Geddis, Mrs. A. Taylor, Mrs. Burgess, Mr. Martin, Mr. Worrall, and Mr. Abel. It will be noted that the final rehearsal takes place this evening, at the usual hour. The usual Suiiviay afternoon performance, will be held on Sunday next, the 23rd inst. The doors will be open at a quarter past two ; performance to begin sharp at three p.m. The weekly meeting of the Auckland Regatta Committee was held last evening in the Waitemata Hotel. There was a good attendance, and -Mr. A. H. Nathan occupied the chair. The Secretary read a letter from the Auckland Racing Club, which stated that that body heartily approved of any arrangements that would prevent a race meeting clashing with the Regatta by being held on the same day. The allotment of prize money to the various races was then proceeded with, and occasioned a somewhat lengthy discussion. In the end, however, the apportionment agreed upon gave an increase to nearly all the events, save the Champion Whaleboat, which was reduced to £70, with a £10 second prize. At the City Hall, last night, a concert and dance was giveu by the Waitemata Boating Club, in aid of the funds of the club. The attendance was very poor, but the various songs were well rendered, and received hearty applause. The programme was as follows :—Pianoforte solo, Irish airs, Mr. A. Bartley; sons and jig, "The Jolly Irishman,"' Mr. E. O'Hare ; song, " True to the Last," Mr. D. Menzies ; song, " No, Sir," Miss T. Hargrave; song, " The Wicket Gate," Mr. George ; song (comic), "When You Come to Think of It," Mr. Havelock Birdsall. This last was encored, as also was a song by Mr. S. Teague. "Fiddle and I" was execellently rendered by Miss Walker, and was followed by the comic song, "The Ghost of Benjamin Bins," by Mr. C. E. W T hite. The next item was a Highland fling, by Mr. A. Christie, which was honoured with an encore. Mr. D. Menzies then pang " The Wolf," after which Mr. Havelock Birdsall gave the comic song, " He's All Right When You Know Him," winning an encore. Miss T. Hargrave was similarly favoured for her rendering of " Who's That Tappin"." The concert concluded with a song, " Marpkisa," by Mr. W. H. George. The hall was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up till an early hour of the morning. Yesterday evening the Victoria and Hobson Rifle corps were inspected in the Drill-shed by Colonel Hume and put through a variety of manoeuvres, which were executed with great steadiness. At the conclusion of the parade, the whole of the officers of the Auckland Garrison adjourned to Robson's Rooms, where a farewell mess dinner was tendered to Colonel Hume. At nine p.m. about 40 guests sat down to an excellent repast, which was laid in Host Robson's best style. When the variety of viands provided had been done full justice to the toast of Her Majesty the Queen was drunk with musical honours. The remainder of the evening was devoted to social enjoyment, and some excellent songs were rendered by the gentlemen present. The party broke up shortly after eleven o'clock. The following scores were made at district firin" by the Hamilton volunteers :• Corporal Tristram, 100 yards, 31 ; 200 yards, 13; 300 yards, 10. Volunteer Tristram, 31, 15, 11; .'I Andrew, 19, f>, 8 ; F. Hammond, 26, 14, 11; Collier, 27, 12, 15. Messrs. Buckland and Sons notify that the sale of wool advertised for to-morrow has been postponed until Friday next, at two p.m. Lake Takapuna: Charming suburban residence, having lake,sea, and harbour scenery of unsurpassed beauty ; 2.'i acres of first-class land, laid out ill orchards, garden, and paddocks, frontages to main road and Lake Takapuna. Magnificent property in a rapidly rising suburb for sale by public auction, at Arthur and Buddie's salerooms to-day, at twelve o'clock noon. Attention is called to the sale of property situated at Katikati. to be held on Friday next by Messrs. B. Tonka and Co. The property is sold by order of the trustees in the estate of Mr. T. Macky, and is therefore for positive sale. At the Christmas breakfast meeting in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, the Rev. J. S. Hill may be expected to deliver the address. The tickets for the breakfast are procurable from members of the committee and at the Rooms. The railway arrangements for the Christmas and New Year holidays will be found in our advertising columns. Unless meter water supply accounts are paid by Thursday at the City Council offices supplies will be out off without further notice. The Auckland Brokers' Association will close from Saturday, the 22nd inst., to Wednesday, 2nd January, both days inclusive.