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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9261, 15 January 1889, Page 5

The Samoan question seems likely to lead to a dangerous state of friction between Germany and America. Already the diplomatic relations of the two Powers have assumed a bitterness which is producing, as our cable messages this morning inform us, intense excitement in official circles. What the outcome will be it is, of course, impossible to say, but in the present temper of the two Powers it is by no means improbable that serious mischief may ensue. Germany, however, is not the only nation that American finds herself involved with just now in diplomatic wrangling. The Spanish Republicans are manifesting an active disposition to resist the action of the United States in regard to foreign Powers and the Panama Canal, as an infringement of their national rights. Whether anything will come of it remains to be seen, but the American Government show their appreciation of the situation by ordering three cruisers to proceed to the Gulf of Darien. On the Continent of Europe the outlook is once more becoming darkened by military rumours and preparations. Russia, it is stated, is largely increasing her army, and strengthening her forces on the Turkestan frontier. At the same time comes news of renewed Russian intrigues in Affghanistan. All these circumstances point—if the experiences of the past are to be relied upon— not to military operations in Central Asia of any moment, but of an aggressive forward movement in South-Eastern Europe.

Mr. Justice Gillies was occupied the whole cf yesterday in the bankruptcy sittings of the Supreme Court, in order to clear off large arrears of business which had accumulated during his absence in the South, and the other business of the Court and Chambers since his return. The principal cases yesterday were two, in which it was sought to put in force the penal clauses of the Bankruptcy Act. In one case Robert Stevenson, grocer and butcher, Newton Road, was called for his public examination, and as ib was shown that he had not kept reasonable books showing the state of his business transactions, His Honor said he felt bound to sentence him to four months' imprisonment, with hard labour. The other case was that of a bankrupt named John Roberts, a grocer, who carried on business in Ponsonby. The case was of a similar nature to the previous one, but it was not completed when the Court rose. There is also a case set down for hearing—a claim that a certain deed of assignment made by Graves Aickin, in favour of the Bank of New Zealand, should be declared void as against the Official Assignee, but we understand Mr. Justice Gillies, on account of hi 3 close connection with the Bank, is disinclined to take the hearing of this application. A detailed report of the proceedings appears in another column.

We understand that Mr. P. L. Dignan has been temporarily appointed to the management of the Auckland branch of the .Bank of New Zealand, relieving Mr. C. G. Andrews, who will meanwhile join the inspector's department.

Mr. Alfred Shepherd, of Karangahake, Ohinemuri, who some short time since met ■with such a severe accident that his life was despaired of, is at present in Auckland, and his numerous friends here and in the Thames district will be pleased to learn that he has greatly improved in health and strength since his arrival in Auckland. Mr. Shepherd's injuries were of the most dangerous character, and his recovery is nearly miraculous. Particulars of the accident were furnished by our correspondent at the time of its occurrence, but the details were necessarily limited, as Mr. Shepherd was not in a position to furnish them being unconscious. It appears that Mr. Shepherd had been attending the funeral of a friend at the cemetery near Paeroa, and on returning home to Karangahake, a distance of about four miles, his horse shied at an open bag of lime, which presented a weird appearance in the twilight, and Mr. Shepherd, a heavy man, was thrown, falling on his head and shoulders. He was picked up in an insensible condition, and taken home. Dr. Cooper was called in, and saw that the case was a very serious one of concussion of the braiD, and other dangerous symptoms exhibited themselves. Extra medical assistance was sent for to the Thames, and the case was pronounced hopeless, it being stated that the patient would not probably live four hours. For sixteen days Mr. Shepherd remained unconscious and delirious, and during that time l)r. Cooper never left his house, and was constantly in attendance on his patient. Consciousness gradually set in, and now, by unremitting attention, aided by a robust constitution, he is not only perfectly conscious, but able to transact his ordinary business, but with the exception of a feeling of feebleness and occasional dizziness, he is in as good health as ever he was. The change of air has had a wonderfully beneficial effect on him, and this he has taken on the advice of Dr. Cooper, of whom he speaks in terms of the highest praise. Dr. Cooper, it will be remembered, was formerly house surgeon at the Auckland Hospital. He subsequently took a private practice at Dargaville, and from thence he removed to the Ohinemuri district.

The annual picnic of the members of the kuaid of Honour (St. Patrick's Cathedral) took place yesterday at Lind's gardens, jNorthcote, and proved most enjoyable. ""• Egan, Fathers Hackett and Lenihan, and about seventy others, including the members of the Christian Doctrine Society, were present. The usual games, etc., were held, and an excellent entertainment followed in the hall in the evening, Dr. Egan contributing a large portion of the programme.

•Notwithstanding the recent accident on ~l e . tramway line, there is scarcely a day in men children do not have a narrow escape ot being run over on the tramway line. p such case occurred on the Karangabape £«? ur° ! ! Saturday, when nothing but the wii essof the driver prevented a little waaier of two years of age being knocked •wits at ,t. corner - The carelessness of parw m thl 3 respect is simply astounding.

We understand that Mr. Percy Smith, who has just been promoted to th 6 responsible position of Surveyor-General in succession to Mr. McKerrow, will leave for Wellington to assume his new duties early next month. During his brief tenure of office as Crown Lands Commissioner he has fulfilled the duties ably and efficiently, and acquired the confidence of the country settlers by the promptitude of his administration, and the perfect impartiality which characterised his relations with them. In that respect his departure will be viewed ! with regrot, and it will be difficult to find a suitable successor possessing all the qualities with which he is endowed—a thorough knowledge of the lands and roads system of the province, a good administrator and a man of unimpeachable integrity. He has loyally and zealously aided the Minister of Lands in his endeavours to promote country settlement on the new lines now laid down, and wo congratulate him on the wellmerited promotion now bestowed upon him. It is not settled yet who will succeed Mr. Smith as Crown Lands Commissioner, and the matter is not likely to be determined until he has reached Wellington. The Crown Lands Department is at present exceptionally busy, through the numerous applications pouring in for land, but though It thereby entails additional work on the officials, all are gratified from the chief downwards at the turn affairs have taken, and the new era of prosperity which appears to be dawning upon the province.

It is gratifying to find that in the present season of festivities the children of the Kohimarama Training School will not bo neglected, for active measures are now being token to promote the annual picnic, which has hitherto proved an oasis in the lives of these children, whose only home is the Industrial School. A number of gentlemen havo taken the matter in hand, and one of these yesterday started to raise subscriptions for the purpose. In the course of an hour he returned with a good record of £11 10s. It is true it included his own generous subscription of £5, the remainder being collected from his personal friends, and he, with no inconsiderable amount of satisfaction, lodged the money with Mr. Alfred Kidd, of the Commercial Hotel. We may add that Mr. Kidd, who is one of the official visitors of tho Home, Mr. Wildman, bookseller, and Mr. Charles Rowe, of H.Ms. Customs, the originator of those treats, will receive donations in money or kind to conduce to the success of this picnic. It will be gratifying to the waifs in the Industrial Home to find that they are not pariahs, and that there are people who remember them and contribute to their pleasure. It will encourage them to look forward to their entry into the busy world, and show that in spite of the high pressure of the business of everyday life they have not been forgotten. We hope the funds will enable the promoters to provide the children with a treat which will be a source of pleasurable remembrance to them for many months to come. The success achieved by the gentleman referred to shows that ib onty requires a little energy to ensure the success of the movement.

Chief Detective Browne has obtained a fortnight's leave of absence to visit Wellington, on private business. His transfer to Auckland was made so suddenly that he had not time to attend to his own private affairs before leaving, and it is for the purpose of winding them up that he now visits Wellington.

During the late New Year holiday season a considerable number of tourists visited Te Aroha, the cheap railway fares being a great inducement. The baths were largely patronised. Complaints have been made by some of the residents of Lichfield that the cheap fares did not apply to that line, so that tourists had no inducement to visit Taupo and the Lake district via Atiamuri.

Owing to the numerous cases occuring in which drunken men, who sustain injuries, have to be removed to the Hospital, the police authorities are determined where possible to obtain an order from the court that the costs be defrayed by the patient, in addition to the ordinary fine for the offence of drunkenness.

! Applications are coming in from country settlers from various quarters to Messrs. King, Walker, and Co., for further supplies of the Californian sand-binding plant, of which they have distributed specimens. The firm expect a further supply by the incoming mail steamer, which will be available for distribution. Mr. King proceeds to Melbourne to open a branch agency of the firm..

Mr. Henry Goodacre, evangelist, from Melbourne, is at present on a visit to this city. He came by the last 'Frisco mail steamer from Sydney, en route for America, but stayed over a trip in order to renew his acquaintance with old friends made during his previous stay in Auckland some 16 years ago.

Nearly the whole of the 2000 volumes intended for the lending branch of the Free Public Library have arrived to hand. The librarian (Mr. Shillington) is proceeding with the preparation of the catalogue, which will be a work of some time. No decision has yet been arrived at as to the conditions on which the books are to be

lent out; but, unless the conditions are stringent, the Corporation will not be long till it has had its experiences.

A largely-attended social meeting of the friend 3 and adherents of the Ncrthcote Presbyterian Church was held at the Gladstone Hall on Wednesday evening. After a bountiful tea, the meeting, under the presidency of the Rev. R. Soraerville, proceeded to the election of a Managing Committee. The following gentlemen were elected : —Messrs. Smale, Lowe, Jack, McPhail, Campbell, Geddes, Tugby, Robinson, Hamilton, Marshall, McKay, Willows (treasurer), and Rushbrook (secretary). An influential committee of ladies to work on behalf of the Building Fund was appointed viz., Mesdames Ralston (secretary), Willows, Marshall, Lowe, Piggott, Smale, Smith, McKay, and Tugby, Misses Hall (treasurer), Hawes, and McPhail. Since commencing services at the Hall, the attendance and interest taken in the cause has been most satisfactory and gratifying to the missionary, Mr. Marshall, and the promoters of the movement. The children

attending Sunday-school and their friends to the number of about 50 were entertained the same day at the beautiful picnic grounds of Mr. Hawes, kindly granted for the occasion by the proprietor, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and did justice to the good things provided for their benefit. The Feilding Star has the following :— A valuable historical document is in the

possession of Mr. Baker, Clerk to the Court, Feilding. We understand it is the intention of Mr. Baker to send it to the

Auckland Museum as a voucher of the true and intrinsic value of the body of a NewZealand slave taken in war, who was intended to be killed and eaten on the Bay, but was rescued by purchase by Mr. Baker's father, "in the good old times." " This is to certify that I, Te Potai, do give up and renounce for ever all claims to Tahi, my slave, to Mr. Charles Baker, in consideration in the payment duly delivered in kind as undernamed, being two blankets. In witness whereof I have hereby affixed my mark, this 17th day of December, 1831, Te Potai (his mark), witness Thomas Chapman (Church Mission), John Hobbs (Wesleyan Mission.

Complaints are made that the chess room of the Free Public Library, instead of being a place of recreation after the labours of the day, is becoming to a large extent a rendezvous of loafers, who idle about there the whole day long. That is bad enough, but some of these idlers are not over sweet either in their persons or clothing.

Our Te Arai correspondent writes :—"lt is with great regret that I have to announce the death of Mrs. Henderson, of North Albertland. She was the second daughter of Mr. E. Percy, and leaves a husband and eight children, whose ages range from 13 years to six weeks. The funeral took place on Monday, the 7th inst. The deceased was ill but eight days."

. We understand that) Mr. F. Q-. Ewington, in the event of the Mount Roskul Home Trust being_ revived, is prepared to give again a transfer of the premises, which fell into his possession, to the trustees, if desired. Since taking possession of tho premises he has expended from £50 to £60 on them, but as an earnest of his desire to aid the work, would be prepared to let matters go on the original basis. Mr. Ewington was one of the directors of the late Home, and, wo learn, would be prepared to aid in placing it again upon a satisfactory and business footing. The property, though thus open to offer, is on the market.

The valuation lists for the city of Auckland for the years 1889-90 are now open for inspection at the municipal buildings, and objections must be left at tho Assessment Court, municipal buildings, on or before 13th February, addressed to the Assessment Court, and a copy of the objection with the Town Clerk not less than six days before the sitting of the Court.

The well-known artist, Mr. E. W. Payton, has we learn, taken the special prize for etching and for landscape in oils at South Kensington. The whole of the first edition of his work, entitled " Round About New Zealand," illustrated from his own sketches, was at once taken up by the trade.

In the South, recognised anglers have the privilege of travelling on the railways at a reduced rate. Saturday fare tickets are issued for localities in which trout streams exist, but it is only when the anglers who hold a licence are on a purely fishing excursion that tickets at the reduced price are issued to them.

A very curious coincidence happened on January 2, at tho Christchurch Money Order Office. It is the custom in connection with money orders to issue from No. 1 up to No. 10,000, and then to commence at No. 1 again. On January 2 businoss was resumed for the new year, and the first order issued was No. 18S9, corresponding with the year.

A Wanganui paper states : — "We understand that Mr. C. D. Ward has already been asked, in the event of the Ministry not appointing him to the vacancy on the Supreme Court Bench, to stand for several of the Southern electorates at tho next general election. Should ho consent to do so, it is not unlikely that he would contest a seat now returning one of tho present Ministers."

Tenders were received yesterday for the erection of the Wharf Hotel, Coromandel, as follows:—A. Chalmers, £280; Hurst anil Moody, £305 : Ruggand Rhodes, £305 ISsod; J. T. Council, £309: Marshall, £310; J. Fury, £.318: C. Rhodes. £319: McLeod, £323: G. Handcock, £332; E. Mills, £335; James, £343; J. Thompson, £349 ; Pollard, £370; McGregor, £400.

Messrs. Hunter and Nolan announce that their annual sheep fair will be held on Thursday, February 7.