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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9254, 7 January 1889, Page 4

In reply to a deputation which waited upon the Premier in reference to the importance of placing the- principal British porta in a state of defence, Lord Salisbury made a significant allusion to the existing state of affairs in Europe. While deprecating anything like panic His Lordship said that in view of what was at present transpiring in the world it was a matter of national importance that the defences of the various ports should be placed upon an adequate footing, and he promised to bring th© matter before the notice of Parliament. What appears to be a fraud of an extraordinary character has come to light. The Friend's Electric Sugar Company was formed some time ago, and ite shares were quoted at over £100. Doubts, however, began to arise of the bona-fides of the enterprise, which were not allayed by the report that Mrs. Friends, the widow of the inventor of the new and wonderful process for treating sugar, had disappeared. The factory in New York was accordingly entered, when it was dis covered that the invention was a pure myth. The result of this exposure was to bring down the shares • with a tremendous rush, and they are now being offered at thirty shillings. The Bonapartists and Loyalists are supporting General Boulanger for the Paris election, which is causing great) incitement in the city. Pressure of news, caused by the arrival of the mail, compels us to hold over several letters to the editor. The mails to hand by the R.M.s.s. Mariposa bear London dates up to December 1, New York December 6, and San Francisco December 16. Lieut. -General Cunliffe, of the Imperial Army, came to Auckland by the Mariposa, and will tour the colony. Among the passengers who passed through Auckland by the mail -steamer on Saturday was the Hon. J. P. Lesesne, the new American Consul-General for Melbourne., vice General Morgan, resigned. Mr. J. H. Pounds, jun., son of Mr. J. H. Pounds, formerly manager of the Union Bank of this city, also was a through passenger, and renewed • acquaintance with many of his old classmates at the Auckland College and Grammar School. The January civil sittings of the Supreme Court will commence at ten o'clock this morning. There are three cases set down for hearing, and it i 3 necessary that witnesses and others interested should be in attendance at the hour named. Among the through passengers to Australia by the Mariposa was Mr. R. J. Creighton, the well-known New Zealand journalist, who for the last twelve or thirteen years has been pursuing his calling under the Stars and Stripes, barring a residence of a few years in the Hawaian Islands, where, in addition to the exercise of his duties in journalism, he occupied the distinguished position of a Minister of the Crown. Mr. Creighton during his brief stay in the city was surrounded by a circle of his old iriends and admirers, with whom lie fought his battles over again, his geniality of disposition and bonhommie not being in the least impaired by lapse of time. It is understood that Mr. Creighton's mission to the colonies is in connection with the trans-American mail service, and after two or three months' stay at the antipodes, he returns by way of New Zealand to the United States. Among the changes in the Public Works Department, the whole of the offices of District Engineers are closed. Mr. Hales, District Engineer, Auckland, has closed up his department, and leaves this morning for Porotorau, being appointed to the charge of the northern section of the North Island Trunk Railway. He will not be stationed there, but simply make periodical visits of inspection.

Among the passengers by the mail steamer Mariposa was Lieutenant Hawley, of U.S.s. Nipsic now at Apia, arrived from Samoa. His visit is ostensibly for the benofit of his health, but he has cabled to Washington the tidings of the renewed strife at Samoa between the Germans and the natives. He will remain here awaiting instructions, but will probably rofcura to Samoa on the first opportunity. Lieutenant Hawley states that America's interest in the group is veiy little, the ten years' lease of Pangopango Harbour as a coaling station having expired last February. A new coaling station has been fixed on at the Sandwich Islands, which is moro suitable for the American Navy. Further than protecting the interests of her citizens in Samoa, the United States are not much concerned in the group. Lieutenant Hnwloy speaks in eugolistic terms of Captain Pelley of H.M.s. Lizard, whose energy and force of character while stationed at Samoa rendered him popular alike with the American and British residents.

The Under - Secretary for the Public Works Department (Mr. C. Y. O'Connor) has succeeded in settling tho outstanding matters between the Government and the directors of the Rotorua Railway Company. The basis of settlement is mutual compromise. Mr. O'Connor leaves this morning for Helensville en routo for Kaihu Valley, in order to settle some land matters in connection with that railway, also to settle the terminus for the present of the Heiensville northwards railway.

We understand that Mr. Shannon, who?e appointment (at a salary of £SOO a year), to advise the Government in connection with the imposition of Customs duties, created so much sensation, is now in Auckland. Mr. Shannon's name has not appeared in any recent passenger list, so wo presume it is desired that his presence here shall be kept a secret, in order that ho may have an opportunity of detecting any fraudulent transactions on the part of Auckland merchants in regard to their invoices and the Customs duties. It will be remembered that- it has been statod that Mr. Shannon, before his appointment, went round the colony, and was instrumental in detecting several systematic attempts at defrauding the revenue. would advise the Government, if they uro going to continue Mr. Shannon in office to aid the Customs officers; in tho carrying out of the tariff, not to place him in the position of a detective, going secretly about from port to port, acting as a spy upon merchants, most of whom, at all events, conduct their business in an honest manner. To send Mr. Shannon about in this manner is somewhat degrading to the Government, and must be hurtful to the feelings of all merchants who conduct their business honestly.

A case of some importance is to bo brought, before Mr. Justice Gillies at the Supreme Court to-day. It is an action brought, by Mr. Earl" and others against Heta te Hara, on aboriginal native, for specific performance of an agreement to lease. From what we can gather the plaintiffs were lessees of certain land from Te Hara, and they claim that in their deed there was a clause entitling them to a renewal of this lease, and they claim a renewed lease under that clause. The defence, we understand, is that defendant was unaware that such a clause existed in the lease, and that it had not been properly explained to him at the time ho executed it. The case is of importance, as the land contains the deposits of cinnabar, which have been sold to a Sydney company.

A singular accident occurred yesterday on the Queen-street Wharf. A light " sunshade," curried by a lady caught tire, probably through a spark from the cigar of a passing smoker, and in a short time the parasol was destroyed, whilst the fiarnes extended to the lady's dress. Two gentlemen, however, beat out the fire, and provented further damage.

We record to-day amongst the obituary •notices the death of Master William Chisholm Wilson, aged 14, second son of Mr. J. L. Wilson, of Remuera, which has occurred under sudden and melancholy circumstances. Deceased was a strong active lad, and competed at the school sports on the 21st ultimo, taking part in several of the events. He then went on a yachting expedition, and after being away for a week, was brought to town on Monday last, as lie did not feel -well. Nothing much appeared the matter with him till Thursday, when he took to his bed, and medical aid was called in. The doctors pronounced him to be suffering from acute diabetes, causing great waste of the system. Nothing that could be done was effective, and so rapid was the progress of the disease that he died yesterday morning. Whether his illne*s3 was caused by over-exertion at the school sports is not known.

The consideration of the "scheme" for transferring the non-denominational funds of the Women's Home and Reformatory to the Parnell Home, would, according to the time indicated in the advertisement, lead to its being brought under the consideration of the Supreme Court to-morrow, but it is understood that Mr. Hesketh ha 3 to go to Waikato to-day on business, and that the matter is not likely, it is rumoured, to come before the Court till Tuesday week. Several affidavits will be filed against the scheme. It is stated no less "than five legal firms are being instructed in connection with this contested business. Mr. William Thorne, solicitor to the Mount Roskill Home (non-denominational), 4 and who was one of its directors, is convening a meeting of the directors to consider the situation, and to take steps to oppose the proposed diversion of the trust. The Baptist authorities are reported as moving to vindicate the action of the Rev. P. H. Cornford, and to maintain his protest. The matter was brought before the Wesleyan ministers' meeting recently, by the Rev. E. Best, chairman of the district, and the Rev. R. Bavin, who took a deep interest in the Mount Roskill Home, is also investigating the circumstances of the trust. As the issue which has been raised affects a general charitable trust made for the benefit of all the citizens, and the successful carrying out of which would lead to a reduction of charitable taxation, the matter is one which concerns the Charitable Aid Board, and within its purview. It i≤ understood the subject is engaging the attention of its members, and will probably be discussed at to-night's meeting, in order to prevent the trust funds slipping away from the citizens. His Worship the Mayor, as representing all classes and creeds, is also the guardian of this undenominational trust in the interest of the city, and the matter is already engaging his attention, in order, if necessary, to protect tho interests of the citizens generally. One proposal contemplated is that the funds should be vested in the Public Trustee, to protect them from the covetous grasp of any denomination till such time as a well-defined scheme can be submitted for working the trust, according to its intention— undenomi'nationally, and for tho benefit of all classes and creeds in the city. Mr. Philip Herapath, one of the trustees, who, after some reluctance, signed the proposed " scheme," states that if the public will now take up the carrying out *of a non-denomi-national Home, as originally intended, with energy and spirit, he is prepared even now, at the eleventh hour, to withdraw his adhesion to the " scheme " and tho diversion of the trust.

On Friday lost Mr. B. C. Roberts, of tho v-ity Club Hotel, received as a present from Waiuku a pair of full grown swans, and he offered them to tho Mayor for presentation to thb city, but His Worship, possibly feellnS that there might be a difficulty in placing tho birds advantageously, could not then entertain the offer. On the suggestion ot Mr. Taylor, of Brown, Campbell and L-0., Mγ. Roberts decided to liberate the birds at Lake Takapuna, and on Saturday wternoon he conveyed them to their destination. He was joined at the Takapuna •f ke Hotel by Messrs. E. Harrow, V. S. \y. g, Fenton, and others, and " e birds, on regaining their liberty, took gracefully to the water. A hope was exPressed that the Acclimatisation Society and the local authorities would take steps 5° prevent the birds being disturbed or aestr °yed, more especially as Mr. Roberts h-u tllat h . e ex P ecfcec * to receive others ft'mch could join these pioneers from the Eame source, and thus add to the interest and beauty of the district. Mr. Harrow, who has taken a great interest in stocking tne lake with fish, and in other ways adding to the popularity of the district aa a place w public resort, is a member of tho Acclimatisation Society, and he has undertaken to bring the matter under the notice of the council of the society ab their next monthly meeting, and on behalf of the district he thanked Mr. Roberts for his ftandgome. gift.

At the inquest at Mosgiel on the child drowned in a pool of water, it was stated that one Peters, who, though not duly qualified to give medical advice, was asked to attend when the child was taken out of tho water, but declined. In reply to a question by a juror the Coroner said there was nothing criminal in a medical man refusing to attend a case; it was only a moral duty. He was no more bound to sell his advice or knowledge any more than a lawyer.

Last week Mounted Constable- Kelly went to the Waitakerei Lakes, West Coast, in order to investigate the circumstances connected with tho finding of some human bones near the beach. From all that could bo gathered, there is reason to believo that tho bones are belonging to some Maori burying place, and exposed by the action of tho wind. Some bones wore found in a cave adjacent, which favours this theory. There wero in the lockup last evening two persons on charges of drunkenness ; Horace Lewis Wooll.two charges of larceny ; William Letter, larceny "of £6, property of John Nelson ; William Benjamin, vagrancy; John Morlcy, Henry Cook, Alexander Jackson, for breach of Foroign Seamen's Act, by refusing to go to sea "in Swedish barque Orskar ; and G. A. Donovan, arrested at Mercury Bay on two charges of larceny as a bailee of roller skates.

The evangelistic service at tho City Hall last night was conducted by the Rev. J. S. Hill. Mr. Brakenrig presided.

In the paragraph in " Local Gossip" en Saturday about tho row at New Plymouth, tho parties concerned gob mixed up in a manner which requires to bo set right. It was Father Costello who was stated to have urged O'Donnell to give Gallagher " a good hammering." Father Casndy is the parish priest, and was absent from the house at tho time. Tho row took place in Father CasBidy's house, not in Gallagher's. The lastnamed came into the house and threatened his wife, which was tho cause of the row. It is proposed to hold a public conversazione on the evening of Tuesday, the 15th inst., to welcome Bishop Cowie on his return from England. Musical selections will be given during the evening. Tho proceeds will be in aid of the Home Mission. The man Michael McDermott concerned in the Swanson-street tragedy hud his injured eye taken out at ttio Hospital yesterday. The operation was successfully performed, and he is progressing favourably.

On > c "'"urday forenoon a small boy named Munro had a narrow escape from drowning. With several other youngsters ho was engaged fishing otF the Queen-streob Wharf, near the stern of the barque Xatal Queen, when he suddenly overbalanced and fell into the water. Mr. F. Baxter, the second mate of the barque, however, promptly plunged in with all his clothes on, and rescued tho lad. Mr. Baxter deserves credit for his plucky action. On Saturday evening Mr. Phil Robinson, sometime war correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, gave his lecture, "On the Warpath," in tho Choral Hall, to n largo and appreciative audience. Among thoso present were Admiral Fairfax, Captain Hammil, Lieutenant Erskine, and other officers of the squadron. Sir George Groy presided, and in a few graceful sentences introduced the lecturer, who was, he said, known to them botli as a writer and as a war correspondent. Mr. Robinson, on coming forward, received a cordial reception ac the hands of the audience. After a humorous description of the process of natural selection with regard to war correspondents, he proceeded co describe the opening chapter of the Afghan campaign of 1878-79, tho engagement of Ali Musjid, and his own personal experiences on finding himself for tho first time under fire. Then succeeded a brief reference to the Soudan campaign, and a graphic description of the surprise of " General McNeill's zareeba," which led to heavy loss by the British, and the massacre of crowds of fugitives by the Arabs up to the gates of Suakiin. A hasty glanco was given at the Egyptian campaign, and a descriptive sketch of the battle of Tel-el-Khebir, and the cavalry raid on Cairo, which made General Wolseley master of the situation. The lecture closed with a

reference to the Zululand campaign and tho battle of Isandlilwana. The story of his own visit to the battlefield two months afterwards, where half the bravo 24th lay still unburied, was told effectively, as also the sad episode of the death of the Prince Imperial. The lecturer made no pretensions to oratorical display and effect, the lecture being simply scrappy reminiscences of his personal adventures in various campaigns, recounted in a chatty, conversational way. The audience warmly cheered the lecturer at the close, and Mr. Robinson has every reason to be satisfied with his reception at the hands of the Auckland public.

The usual entertainment in connection with the Auckland Total Abstinence

Society was held last Saturday. There was a crowded attendance to witness the excellent performance by the Templar sailor friends from H.M. ships Opal and Calliope. Mr. E. Tremain occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings with a short address on "The Evils of Strong Drink." The programme was gone through in a very creditable manner. The following contributed the items :—Messrs. Smith and

Burdet (H.M.S. Calliope), Balsden, McCoy, Hindel, Walter, Snell, Ferguson, Whitten, Neady, Campbell, Chubb. The programme concluded with the chorus "Good Night: All's Well." A vote of thanks was accorded to the singers. The programme, if the squadron is in port, will be provided next Saturday night by friends from H.M.S. Orlando.

A man named Thomas O'Brien has been brought to town from Dargavillo on a charge of lunacy, with a view to his admission to the Asylum.

Among the inmates of the lock-up last evening was a prisoner named Pelham Litton Hollis, who is en route for Mount Eden in default of bail in a case of threatening language to his wife, heard at Waitoa.

The citizens' address to His Excellency the Governor will be available for signature at the Free Public Library up to one o'clock to-day.

A United Christian Conference will be held to-night in the lecture hall of the Y.M.C.A. The Rev. R. Bavin will preside. Addresses will be given by the Revs. T. Adams and E. Best, and there will be a united communion service.

The Jungfrau Kapelle were present at St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday evenin" - , and several instrumental selections. The church was densely crowded. Before vespers they played tho overture to " Nabuchodonosor " (Verdi), and they next contributed Lefeburo Wely's setting of "Ave Maria," -with an organ accompaniment by Mr. Bernard, the Cathedral organist. A number of particular excellence was the offertory piece, Sullivan's " Lost Chord," played as a cornet solo by Herr Karl Seebold, with organ, flute, and violin obligato. Herr Seebold produced a magnificent tone from the instrument. As a sortie, the "Gloria" from Mozart's great composition, the " Twelfth Mass," was rendored by the Kapelle, Mr. Bernard again playing the organ. This was a splendid item, rendered with brilliancy and finish, the fortissimo effects being of singular power and beauty. The music rendered by the cathedral choir was also excellent, Rossi's grand "Magnificat" being sung with sublime effect, whilst Bellini's trio, " O Salutaris," was excellently sung by Misses Mcllhone and C. Knight, and the Rev. Dr. Egan. Professor Seebold warmly congratulated the choir conductor, Dr. Egan, upon the proficiency of the choir, and commented upon tho musical taste of the people of Auckland, as amply shown during the stay of the Kapelle in this city.

The following is said to be the origin of the discovery of butterine :—The eminent chemist, Mege-Mourie, of Paris, was looking- at two cows in a field; he knew that one of the cows gave double the quantity of milk that the other cow did. He saw that the cow giving the least milk was getting fat, while tho cow that was giving the most milk was getting lean; and that proved to him that the fat which composed the butter was being laid in the tissues of tho fat cow, and being given off from the tissues of the lean cow. He said : "If I can discover a scientific process by which I can separate that butter from the fat cow, then 1 shall be able to assist tho natural process of making butter." He succeeded in discovering a process by which this wholesome butter fat can be separated, and hence the origin of butterine-

The English Mechanic has the following : —" The survey ship Egeria, Captain P. Aldrich, R.N., has during a recent sounding cruise and search for reported banks to the south of the Friendly Islands, obtained two very deep soundings of 4295 fathoms and 4430 fathoms, equal to about five English Jinilos, the latter in latitude 24dog 37min S., longitude 175deg Bmin W., tho about twelve miles to the southward. These dopths are more than 1000 fathoms greater than any before obtained in the southern hemisphere, and are only surpassed, so far as is yet known, in three spots in tho world, one of 4655 fathoms off the north-east coast of Japan, found by tho United States steamship Tuscarora : one of 4475 fathoms south of tho Ladrono Islands, by the Challenger ; and one of 4581 fathoms north of Porto .Rico, by the United States ship Blako. Captain Aldrich's soundings wore obtained with a Lucas sounding machine and galvanised wiro. The deeper one occupied three hours, and was obtained in a considerably confused sea, a specimen of tho bottom being brought up. Temperature at tho bottom, 33*7 dog Fahr." Yesterday being the Feast of tho Epiphany, special services wore held at tho church of that name, Newton. By good authorities the French wheat crop has been estimated at 89,000,000 hectolitres. Tho season previous it reached 117,000,000, tho average for ten years being at tho rate of 103,000,000. It is an established fact that fowls with animal food thrive better—tho number of eggs being increased, which adds largely to the breeder's profit. Chicks hatched out of eggs laid by birds fed a reasonablo amount of animal food aro far stronger than those fed entirely on grain. It is the feed and care which keep tho birds hoalthy, and make thorn productivo of eggs ; and from only well-cared-for breeding stock can we expect to raise strong and healthy progeny. People—particularly amateurs— overlook when they complain that the birds they purchased of that "reliable fancier" do not lay as that breeder claimed they would. Then, if tho eggs hatch, tho chicks are too weak to live. Give tho samo care to the thoroughbred fowls that you would to any other line-bred stock, and they can i be tried and not found wanting. Tho Jungfrau Kapolle Company or Swiss Mountain singers gavo two performances at the Opera House on Saturday, the first being a matinoo, which was attended by a largo number of delighted children, and the second, the usual evening entertainment. This was attended by His Excellency the Governor, who was accompanied by his A.D.C., Captain Medley, and his YV or ship the Mayor, and Mr. L. D. Nathan, President of the Racing Club, and Mrs. L. 1). Nathan wore also present with His Excellency. The entertainment was an artistic success, tho performance of tho varied and interesting programme affording such keen satisfaction that a great many of tho items wero encored. The selections which received the most marked demonstrations of favour were the descriptive piece, " Tho Forge in tho Forest," which was encored, the solos on tho 'cello zither, with harp accompaniment, the remembrances of Scotland, tho descriptive pioce, "The British Patrol," the kettledrum solo, " Imitation of a Battle Scene," and Madame Seebold's song, " The Woodnyinphs' Call," all of which wero encored and applauded. A new programme is arranged r'or this evening, which will comprise a number of novelties not hitherto performed by the company in Auckland. We would again remind our readers of the sale of the Bartley estate, Northcote, to-day, at cloven o'clock, by Messrs. Arthur and Buddie, auctioneers. This ulibrds a good opportunity to bona fide investors. Tenders are invited elsewhere for Kaukapakapa station (railway) buildings. The usual meeting of the Harbour Board will be held at their oilices, to-morrow, at half-past two p.m. Telephone subscribers are reminded that subscriptions are overdue, and of their seven days' grace expiring to-day. Subscribers who do not pay by then will find themselves " cut off" to-morrow (Tuesday) inorniug. The New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company (Limited; has now entered on the retail butchery business. See business advertisement in this paper with list of current prices. We notice, as Christinas approaches, many of our leading tradesmen aro making tempting displays of new goods suitable for the season, prominent amongst whom are Boylan, Tanfield, and Co., whose windows always command a large amount of attention, but which are rendered unusually attractive at the present time by their magnificent display of new and choice articles in fancy glassware, china, etc., many of which are admirably suited for presentation to friend during the Christmas and New Year seasons