Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9258, 11 January 1889, Page 5

Our cable messages this morning contain intelligence of two shocking crimes, in England and America. In the former case, an artist iu Surrey enticed his sweetheart into his study, and after outraging the unfortunate young woman he strangled her to death. In the other case, a man who had a grudge against three others blew up the house in which they were with dynamite, killing all the occupants. The Morier affair continues to attract attention. The widow of the old Emperor denies that her counsellor ever divulged secret military information to Sir R. Morier, but the official press, inspired by Bismarck, not content with this denial, insinuate that the Empress Victoria could throw some light upon the matter if she chose to speak. Representations have been made by Germany to the American Government, at Washington, respecting the action of the United States Consul at Apia, and Captain Leary, of the warship Adams, who are accused of instigating the Samoans to resist tho '-Germans. The direct liner Tainui, of the Shaw Savill and Albion Company's line arrived at Hobarc yesterday. Among her passengers for Auckland are Bishop and Mrs. Cowie, and their numerous friends are taking eiepa to give them a hearty welcome on their arrival after a sojourn in the old Country of gbout a year. At a meeting of the City Council last evening it was resolved to advertise the Library rate as usual. Mr. Davies asked whether the Council could not dispense with this rate, during these hard times. The Mr. Crowther said he was about to suggest Mayor suggested that they should have a try at something bigger than that the rate should he increased. He noticed that they had a chess and draughts room in the Library now. The Mayor remarked that no additional expense was incurred. The report of the committee in respect to the lending library would be submitted in the course of a week, and alterations affecting the chess and draughts room would probably then be recommended. The meeting of the Crown Lands Board which was to have been held yesterday, is postponed till to-day. The "Minister of Lands, the Hon. Mr. Richardson, has returned from his trip North, and intended to remain in Auckland for a few days, but on receipt of a telegram requiring hie attendance at the Cabinet in Wellington, he left hurriedly yesterday, catching the Gairloch at Onehunga. Mr. S. Percy Smith, Commissioner of Lands, accompanied the Minister to Onehunga, as they bad to confer on certain matters, and hence "tne postponement of the meeting. A sample of a splendid hard white building stone, from the Mount Somers' quarry, has been shown us, and from the appearance of the specimen should be much in demand among builders and architects. The stone is a trifle harder than Oamaru stone, but is worked with ease both with saw and chisel, while its extreme whiteness produces a handsome effect in finishing work. This stone is in high favour with Melbourne architects, and one of the handsomest buildings in Collins-street is built In a great measure with the product of the Mount Somera' quarries, while the new exchange to be erected in the Victorian metropolis will contain no less than 2000 tons of this material. At the main entrance of the Centennial Exhibition is a handsome fountain surmounted with a sculptured figure which ha 3 attracted a great deal of attention, and the quality of the stone has Caused much favourable comment from experts. The local agents for this " colonial production" are Messrs. C. F. James and Co. Rain commenced to fall on Wednesday afternoon, and continued till last evening, when there were signs of clearing. It will do much good. An amateur dramatic performance was Riven last evening in St. Matthew's Schoolin aid of the funds of the Auckland "fcnevolent Society. There was a good The performance commenced '"}' special request) with the amusing COl »edietta, " The Quiet Family." There } Va ? an interlude, consisting of songs, recitations, & C-j concluding with Morton's laughable farce of "Betsy Baker." The pieces were played with great spirit, the several characters being well represented, ■yie orchestra was very efficient. A very Peasant evening-, was spent, and the Benevolent Society must be substantially beneMr. Sydney Taiwhanga's wife made application to the Charitable Aid Board yesterday for money for maintenance. She stated that she could not get work, and that the Magistrate had decided, when she sued her husband for maintenance, that the ■β-ct did not apply to an aboriginal native, ana that no obligations lay on Sydney, although Mr. Seth Smith had made an order Borne time since. The members of the isoard, however, declined to give Mrs. Taiwbangi any aid. She says she is determined to sue her husband for a divorce, on we grounds of cruelty, desertion, etc. A coroner's inquest was held by Mr. D. ctni?? nald ' j -JP-. on the body of the little nf -D-u orsma n, who was found drowned at J.iha Creek, Waitakerei. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally drowned." Stable Kelly represented the police.

To-day the 43rd anniversary of the capture of Ruapekapeka Pa, in the Northern war. During the period when the sSth were in garrison here, the day was always commemorated with sports in the Albert Barracks. The English force before the pa consisted of 1173 Europeans and 450 natives. Of the former there were the 58th, under Colonel Wynyard, detachment of 99th, Royal Artillery, East India Company's Artillery, and volunteers from Auckland, under Captain Atkyns. The naval force consisted of 280 seamen and 33 officers, from H.M.'s Castor, North Star, Racehorse, and H.E.I.C.'s Elphinstone, while the leading native chiefs among our allies wero Tamati Waka Nane, Mohi Tauhi, Eruera Patuone. In the Free Library, is the diary of Major Ridge, of H.M. sSth Regiment. He thus refers to tho capture of the pa :—"Anxious glasses wero turned on tho pa-, more to see if the enemy were still in it. Being Sunday, we thought nothing would be done ; however, about ten o'clock, wo saw some of our Maoris stealthily creeping into the breach, and looking cautiously round thorn, beckoning to us to follow them, thinking the pa was evacuated. Many soldiers and sailors ran off from camp without arms and ammunition. Colonel Wynyard ordered out tho inlying picquct, and took it down himself, ordering mo to guard the camp. Colonel Despard, who was in the stockade at the time, ordered 50 men, under Captain Denny, from tho advanced battery, and 50 more from tho stockade, to advance into the pa, but no sooner had they got inside than they were received by a volley from tho opposite side of it. It appears the enomy, possibly thinking wo would not molest them on a Sunday had assembled on tho far side to be out of tho way of tho firo of shot and shell from the guns, and somo wero at prayers when our natives entered, one of whom incautiously rung tho bell they had in the pa, which gave them the alarm. Our natives turned and ran, immediately they wero fired on ; but our men, being determined to keep possession, pushed on to the far side, and a very hot engagement ensued. The enemy fought most desperately and gallantly to regain the pa, but were driven into the woods with loss. Our men could not be kept within tho fences, and many a bravo fellow fell in foolishly running out and exposing himself in the wood, from which they at last drove the enemy, leaving seven of their dead behind them. Had our men taken cover the loss would have been trifling. As it was there were 12 killed and 29 wounded." At the meeting of tho Charitable Aid Board yesterday, one of the new members, Colonel Dawson, pointed out that they were spending £1000 a-year for children in Industrial Schools. This sum, he thought, could be reduced by 25 per cent. Tho Board were paying the Government 13d α-dny for keeping children, while the Board were keeping- adults at 9d per diem. The secretary said the Parnell Orphan Home were taking children at £10 a year, while at the Catholic Orphanage the charge was the regulation one of Is a-day. It was thought a good saving could be made. Colonel Dawson thought that the local bodies might aid in reducing the charitable expenditure. He desired to know who \vere getting rations in his district as a member of his Road Board had said he bad had a mortgage of £300 to £400 on the property of a recipient of public charity. Tho secretary said that was not so, but he believed a lady had been in the Refuge who had had a mortgage of that amount on her property. It was pointed out to Colonel Dawson that the local bodies always favoured their own applicants, and that though cases were strongly recommended by them, their own inspecting officer, on going to the country, had been able to reduce charitable aid by 50 per cent, at YVaiuku, Howick, Panmure, and Otahuhu. The Onehungans had proved too much for him, although he was prepared to reduce the relief there by one-half if backed up. The clergy are the greatest sinners ; they pass over people to the Board with little or no investigation into the cases. Only yesterday a clergyman interested himself in a case, but was rather staggered to find that the lady, in addition to receiving aid from the Church, was getting free rations from the Board, and that her son was costing the Board £20 a-year. Ifc came like a revelation to him. Auother alleged caso is sa,id to be that of a laly on the ration list, whose husband has within the last few weeks received £200 to £300. Colonel Dawson is but a young member at the Board, but he feels that he scarcely yet understands charitable relief. The acoustic properties of the Police Court are so wretched that the justices who are obliged to preside there are perfectly bewildered. Unless the answers of witnesses are reiterated by the prosecuting officer or counsel, they have no means of hearing the answers to questions, and as for the unfortunates in the dock, the only thing they know of their case is when the considerate constable informs them of their sentence, for what is said for or against them they cannot hear. Now some of the justices— in fact all of them—are dissatisfied with this state of affairs, and they have applied to Dr. Giles, R.M., on the subject, with a view to having some improvement effected, and now, on a requisition, Dr. Giles convenes a meeting of the justices for two o'clock to-day to discuss the matter. " A Refugee " writes : "Sir, —A publican or other sinner is growling at the good attendance in tho chess-room in the Free Library. Now, at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms they have both ches3 and draughts, and no complaints thereat. Your growler, perhaps, docs not know that Mr. Pierce, of the New Zealand Insurance Company, presented a couple of draughtboards and chess-tables, with men, and Messrs. Garlick and Cranwell gave the two other draughtboards, and good ones to boot. The only objection to the cheesroom is the presence of one or two dirty-looking loafers, who appear to make that place their home. No doubt if they had money they would prefer the publichouse; but the next best thing for them is the chessroom a3 a refuge, although they do smell rather strong. With that exception the room is Al, and nothing to growl at." The concluding meeting of the United Christian Conference was held last evening in the lecture hall, Y.M.C.A. There was an excellent attendance. The Rev. J. A. Taylor, Graf ton Road Wesleyan Church, presided, and conducted the devotional exercises. The subject was " The Conditions of True Service." After prayer by Mr. Hemery, the Rev. J. S. Hill delivered the first address, basing his remarks on John xii. 3, "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment." This was an illustration ot true service, not philanthropic effort, but direct work for the Lord Jesus himself. The first condition of all true service wus, it must bo " voluntary. '' 2. Sonship. The great need of the church was an overpowering love for souls— enthusiasm, courage, and the power of the Holy Spirit. 3. Preparation. 4. Obedience. 5. Abiding in Christ. 0. B,eadiness. Under each heading the rev. gentleman gave deeply instructive teaching, and concluded by saying, "Keep your eyo fixed on the Lord Jesus, obey and trust, never doubt. The Rev. J. D. Gilmore followed with an address on " Being filled with the Spirit," and brought various portions of Scripture to elucidate the subject. It was a truth occupying much attention at present. Mr. Gilmore's address was a practical one. The audience listened attentively to the addresses, and the conference was brought to a close by singing the hymn, "To the Work," arid the Benediction by the Chairman. The Auckland Amateur Swimming Club had a special general meeting in the Young Men's Christian Association rooms last night. Eight new members were elected, making the membership 42. Numerous entries were received for the various events to come off on the 19th, the handicaps for which will be published in the Herald of Tuesday next. In reference to the proposal to hold the Jubilee Exhibition of New Zealand, Mr. John Lamb has drawn our attention to the fact that little risk is incurred in holding such Exhibition. For the late Exhibition in the city of Glasgow, the guarantee was £300,000. This Exhibition is now closed, and leaves a profit of £50,000, which is to be invested as a fund for the promotion of technical education. The sale of the Rayenhill estate, Birkenhead, at Messrs. Arthur and Buddie's auction mart, yesterday, did not eventuate. Although the allotments were moderately valued, there was not a single bid. It wus unfortunate that the day proved wet

At the ordinary meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society on Wednesday evening, afc tho Catholic Institute, a handsome gold cross was presented by tho executive of the district to Brother T. H. White, in recognition of his numerous services during his long connection with the Order, he having filled many important offices in the Society. Tho presentation was made by Brother P. Kearney, district president, the othor officers of the district being also present, whilst there was a larcjo attendanco of members. Brother White briefly r<sSponded. Ono of the most extraordinary ophthalmic cases that have been heard of in the colony was brought under our notice yesterday by a gentleman from the Bay of Islands, now in Auckland, and on communicating with the medical gentleman who has the case in hand we find that the statement made to our reporter is accurate and correct. Tho affair occurred at Okaihu, Bay of Islands, and may shortly bo described as follows :— In May last a settler named McMullen was engaged cross-cutting a kauri log. The staging on which he stood gave way, and he fell on to a stump, a projecting branch of which entered his eye. He was treated by a local medical man, who applied lotions to reduce the inflammation, and a small splinter of wood was extracted, but no permanent relief was obtained, and tho face around the eye swelled to an abnormal extent. In September lost McMullen tried to resumo work, but was unable to continue, and on tho advice of some friends he came to Auckland and consulted an ophthalmic specialist. The surroundings of the eye were then swollen enormously and the inflammation was acute. Indeed, the eye itself was covered, there being only a very minute halo through which tho doctor could insert a probe. Upon probing under the eye tho doctor made a most extraordinary, discovery, for underneath tho eye, in the cavity ho found a large piece of wood, and when, by means of an operation this was removed it was found to be hii inch and a-half in length, and the thickness of a man's little finger. It is needless to say that during the time this huge foreign substance had Deen in tho man's head he suffered intonso pain. Indeed, tho wonder is, that ho has survived, but now that it is removed tho inflammation has been reduced, and the eye, being apparently uninjured, he is now able to see with ib, although, of course, he is not yet permitted to remove the bandages. Mr. Phil Robinson intends to leave Auckland to-day by tho Wanaka for New Plymouth, and thence to Wellington. From that place ho goes to Australia, and will finally leavo Melbourne- for England. The general desiro with all business men at tho present time is to get away from tho dust and heat of tho city, and an excellent opportunity of doing so without neglecting their business is afforded by the excursion trips of the Rose Casey to Waiwera, from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning. Tickets may be obtained as advertised in our shipping columns to cover the cost of . the whole trip, at a moderate price. The other day a poor man, who had lost a child, applied to ;i magistrate for a free order for a grave, being too poor to pay, and he brought a certificate from a clergyman to that effect, remarking that ho had paid his last half crown to the secretary of the church to ensure prayers being said at tho grave, as if he had not done that ho believed no clergyman would have attended. Our informant asks Is there no organisation by which the clergy can attend for poor persons without having to pay afeo? If not there ought to be. In cases where men dig graves, they require to be paid at somebody's cost. Why not have the clergyman's travelling fee paid from the Church or other available fund in such cases ? Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son have shown us a new folder issued by tho Government for the Otago lakes. It is got up in a highly ornamental style, and contains tbo announcement that Thomas Cook and Sou issue tickets to all places mentioned therein, and to all points of interest in New Zealand. We learn that the firm have agreed to seud these to their agents all over the world for distribution to all people visiting their offices, with a view to thoroughly advertising the colony, as they agreed to do. We understand from this same firm that, tho tourist season has now quite set in. A great many people have visited their Auckland office during the week ; and, among others, Mnjor-General Cunliffe and Messrs. P. and B. Bevan, connections of tho well-known banking firm, of Barclay, Bevan, and Co. are touring to the Hot Lakes and through New Zealand on their tickets. There is likely to bo a revival of the building trade through several tolerably heavy jobs coming out shortly. First is a new three-storied hotel on the corner of Victoria-street East and High-street (the new Greyhound) for Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co.; and extensive additions to the Waitemata Hotel. There were in the lock-up last evening, a man for drunkenness, and a seaman for assault. By the Mararoa, the Juugfrau Kapelle Company left yesterday for Napier, where they open for a short season. The insurance companies doing business in Auckland havo decided to give their employees a grand picnic on Saturday week, the spot chosen being Motutapu. The annual picnic of the Kopuru school took place on New Year's Day, in one of Mr. M. Cobbald's paddocks. The weather was all that could be desired. The committee, consisting of Messrs. Andrews, Cartwright. M. Cobbald, Leabourne, Little, Hardy, and Seymour, were determined that this affair should be in no wise inferior to its predecessors. The subscriptions, as was to be expected, were less than last year, owin'' to the dull times. Miss Molloy and Miss Mitchell had kindly canvassed the district, and had been promised £11. To supplement this, one committeomau gave all the milk and butter, another all the cake, another all the lollies, another all tho tea, sugar, and ham, another all the beef, and thus everything was in as groat abundance as heretofore. A large tent had been erected on the shady side of a fine piece of bush. All tho usual games were indulged in, the dull times having had, apparently, no effect on the capacity of the people for enjoyment. Visitors from all parts of the river were present, notwithstanding the counter attractions of races on the sea-beach. All were made equally welcome, and no child or visitor was made to feel that it was an interloper. All children that were present joined in the races, and the numerous prizes were distributed impartially. Mr. Hardy had charge of the races, and some of the handicaps were wonderful, and caused great amusement, little toddlers coming in at the head of the throng. Nearly all, however, went away with prizes. Everybody acted as waiter. The Kopuru band was present, and helped to make things go with a swing. The day's proceedings were wound up with a dance in the hall.

Licenses expiring on the 31st instant, to sell and store kerosene, &c, must be renewed before that date. A final notico is given to wator consumers.