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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9320, 25 March 1889, Page 4

Otru Wellington correspondent forwards some particulars -respecting prevalent reports at Wellington as to differences in the Cabinet, Such reports always cause greater stir in Wellington than in any other part of the colony, and often" enough it is found that rumours which become current there, rest upon but slender foundation. We have no doubt, -however, that the present information is quite within the truth, and that there has beeia Berious disagreement in the Cabinet as to proposed "prosecutions for breaches of the Customs Act that have been discovered by the Customs expert, and as to prosecutions for attempted evasions of payment of beer duty by certain brewers in Wellington. We' have no idea, however, that these differences of opinion will be sufficient of themselves to cause anything a disruption in the Cabinet, although they must inevitably weaken it. No Ministry can work in harmony or perform their functions satisfactorily in the House, or as administrators, if the members are suspicious of each other, and believe that intrigues are going on, and that cabals are being formed within the Cabinet. When the present Government was formed the Premier gave great offence to many of his old supporters by his choice of colleagues in some cases. It is supposed that Sir H. Atkinson finds that his position lias in some degree been weakened, and it is thought that he is not averse to breaking up the present Cabinet, with the view to a re-formation of a party supporting a Ministry somewhat differently constituted from the present, Whether the difference in the Cabinet at present reported has any wide basis, or is simply a disagreement as to details, we cannot say. It is, however, somewhat remarkable that one of the Ministers, on a difference arising between himself and certain of his colleagues in Wellington, should come to Auckland to consult another Minister, the Attorney-General, who gives an opinion as to the strictly legal aspect of the question in dispute, and also.as a Minister, expresses his sympathy with one side or the other, but, so far as we can ascertain, the division in the Cabinet is very much a matterot personal feeling, and is likely to remain in abeyance, and not to come to any crisis till Parliament mept?-.

In a despatch to the newly-appointed German Consul at Apia Prince BismarcK repudiates the high-handed proceedings™ Dr. Knappe in Samoa, and states that he acted without authority in declaring war, proclaiming martial law, and endeavouring Co secure the annexation of Samoa to Germany. A Berlin newspaper states that the Samoan Conference has been adjourned to May. The object of Count Herbert Bismarck's visit to England is exciting some curiosity. It is now reported that he will interview Lord Salisbury on the Samoan question. Count Peter Schuvalotf, the Russian diplomatist, is dead. lj»e conduct of Sir Richard Webster, the Attorney - General, in the Parnell Inquiry, was brought under review in the House of Commons by Sir Wm. Harcourt, who complained that althougn Pigott's evidence was known to be untrustworthy, the witness was kept back to the last, in order to prejudice Mr. Parnell. on Richard, in reply, stated that; a letter i-e----ceived from Pigott five days before he was called, in which he said he would break down under cross-examination, was at once handed to Mr. Parnell's counsel. The Attorney-General also admitted that he had written the apology published by the Times in regard to the letters, and said that in bis opinion it was ample. The Minister of Education (the Hon. George Fisher) will probably leave by tram at noon to-day. Among the passengers by the s.B. Aonngi from London, and which arrived at Wellington yesterday, was the Rev; Charles Spurgeon, pastor of the Baptat Church, Greenwich, and twin brother of the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon, of this city A reception soiree will bo given to him at the Auckland Tabernacle on Thursday evening, at which several of the city ministers Will give addresses.

Among the outward-bound passengers by the mail steamer Alameda to-day for • Europe, via San Francisco, -will be Mr. T. 1 peacock, who has always been a ■ £rm and consistent supporter of the present mail service via America. Mr. Peawill now have an opportunity of fully , acquainting himself with all the possibilities 0 the route as a passenger and mail lino, jlr. Peacock intends also to visit the wellknown mining regions of Colorado, where jje will seo in operation the best methods and systems in the world for smelting refractory ores. The native meeting at Orakei has boon postponed from to-day to Wednesday next, iyhc natives are gradually coming into town to attend the meeting- Among others we notice Mita Rene Taui, Te Hemom Tauhia, Eru Nehua,Titore, and others of the northern tribes. Tawhiao and several of the Waikato tribes are on their way, as are Hoani Taipua, M. H. R., Major &epa Te Rangihurinui, Ngarongomate, a nd others of the West Coast tribes, Major Ropata Wabawaha of Ngatiporou, Major Pohiha Taranui of Te Arawa, Petera l'ukuatua of Ngatiwhakaue, Te Rangikahekc of Ngatimngiwewehi, Wirihana Te Aroterang: of Ngatitiata, Rewi Maniapoto, Major Te tVheoro, and others too numerous to mention are also to be in attendance, having been all invited to attend. The JJative Minister (the Hon. E. Mitchelsoi) had postponed his visit to the Thames to see the natives assembled there, respecting the Pinko block case, owing to the native meeting beingjixed for to-day, and telegraphed to them that ho would positively proceed to the Thames on Tuesday. He will consequently be unable to attend the Orakei meeting, as he must keep good faith with the Thames natives, and he goes out to-day to Orakei to have a that with Paora Tuhaere, to explain masters. It appears that the Piako block affair has been "hung up" for 15 years, anc that £18,000 of Government money has beei sunk in it, yet the Government has not succeeded in getting a clear title. Thsre are three tribes interested in the blo;k, one of which has not received any potion of the advances. The matter is therefore too important to bo further delayed. Mr. Mitclielson expects to be back in Auckland again about Thursday. "arious schemes have been suggested for deecting the offenders who pilfer books at th Free Public Library. Mr. Albert Peter, of Mount Eden, has a little plan wich he thinks would be successful, and gives it as follows '' As a precautionary masure to guard against the purloining of boks, &c., from the Library, permit me to sirgest the placing of mirrors of a suitable se" in advantageous positions. Parties vio go there for the purpose of reading v?rks only, would be in a position to see e times what was going on around them. Cie librarian, from his place, may be more pie to detect any party who was acting gainst the rules of the institution. It is as if merchants and tradesmen transited business there, wheu cash and securiies were handed over. In that case lirrors would be objectionable." Another orrespondent, writing on the same subjet, says that the only method to prevent he books being stolen is to adopt the plan 1 vogue in the large public libraries in Inglnnd. Under this system, readers are ot allowed to take books from the shelves, 'hey must apply to the librarian or his ssistants lor any book they may require, nd must return them when done with. In jnnection with this, there is a ticket ,-stem, about which our correspondent is ot quite clear, but which is no doubt well nown to Mr. Shillington, who would be ole to put it into operation. To prevent '.sitors taking books without leave, the aelves could be barred in a similar way 0 that now adopted with the volumes of 'uneh. At the meeting of the Board of Education m Friday week, Mr. Luke caused a good teal of amusement by reading an extract from the examination paper for teachers I for class E. Last Friday Mr. Goldie I thought the fun had not been quite exhausted, and brought up the matter again md read some of the "conundrums," as hey were termed, propounded, amid much fcerriment. Mr. Lennox said the questions ?ere simply puzzles, and catch questions. Ihe best of the joke was that in one eximination paper, prepared some time ago, 1 question in arithmetic was put down, which torn the terras of it, it was impossible to work out. Mr. Luke said the examination oaper to which he had called attention, was >ne of the most absurd he had ever jeen. Mr. Goldie drew attention to the fact that they were spending large sums to stuff /eachers with puzzles, like those he had quoted. - The chairman retorted that they were spending some thousands a year in paying salaries to teachers who were aot able to master such puzzles. Mr. soldie wanted to know what was the use of asking young girls, pupil teachers, as to the meaning of the phrases, " Hobson's choice," " white elephant," "winning one's spurs," " carrying coals to Newcastle," and " burying the hatchet." Could they give an answer ? The chairman, amid roars of laughter, replied, " Well, if they can't answer them, they can't, that's all," and urged that the remainder of the examination papers contained some useful questions. It may be remarked however, that if the phrases quoted are in any sense »f the word puzzles to teachers their acquaintance with English literature must be of a very elementary character.

In a recent issue we called attention to the dangerous practice indulged in by some larrikins in throwing stones over the City Freshwater Bath, which fall into the opening of the roofing to the danger of life and limb. One boy has already got struck on the leg. The pieces of road metal thrown in were varied the other day by the half of a broken bottle. Within the last few days the gang have given the baths a rest, being occupied in smashing in the windows of an unoccupied house on the opposite side of the street. Constable Cargill yesterday got information as to the alleged leader of the gang, and he will be attended to in due course. An inquest on the remains of George Clone, a prisoner who died at Mount Eden Gaol on Friday (as stated in the Herald of the following day) was held at the prison on Saturday morning before Mr. R. C. Bars Dr. Philson had made a post mortem examination of the body, and in his evidence he attributed death to excessive heart disease, the vital organs being greatly enlarged. Mr. Res ton, governor of the gaol, deposed that Clune had previously been sentenced to six months' imprisonment for larceny, and during both periods of imprisonment he had been continuously under the doctor's care. A verdict of •' Death from natural causes" was returned. Another fine young man has fallen a victim to typhoid during the past week, namely, the eldest son of Dr. Beale, of Pondonby. Ho was engaged in his profession as a surveyor in the \Vaikato when he took ill, probably from drinking bad water, and was brought down to Auckland to have the medical attention of. his father. The young man, who, from his fine physique, bade fair for long life, never rallied, bub gradually got worse, and died on Saturday last, deceased was buried yesterday at Purewa Cemetery, near St. John's College, the funeral being largely attended. The Rev. W. Calder, of. All Saints' Ponsonby, read the burial service. At ten o'clock this morning a deputation of the Board of Education is to wait on the Hon. Mr. Fisher, Minister of Education, at the Northern Club, to discuss the question of distribution of the education vote for the year. The usual Saturday evening entertainment in connection with the Auckland Total Abstinence Society was held in the Temperance Hall last Saturday. _ The hall was crowded to the doors to witness the excellent performance by the Good Templars from Hor Majesty's ships now in port. Mr. Haly, an officer of H.M.s. Orlando, occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings with an address on " Templary; its Strides in Her Majesty's Navy." The following programme was gone through : — Song, "True Till Death," Mr. George; recitation, "The Last Shot," Mr. Tinny; Bong, "Look Not Upon the 'Wine," Mrs. Nixon (Wellington) ; song, Three Jolly Sailor Boys," Mr. Haly ; song " Two Hundred Years Ago," Mr. George; recitation, "The British Tars." Nearly every item . was encored. Miss Tremain and Mr. Haly played the pianoforte accompaniments. An officer of H.M.s. Orlando delivered an earnest address on '' Temperance, the Stepping Stone to a Higher Life." On the motion of Mr. Tremain, a vote of thanks was accorded to the men-of-warsmen, who will take part in next Saturday evening's entertainment. The meeting closed with the National Anthem.

With reference to Justice Gillies, remarks from the Bench on Friday as to the Salvation Army in the colony not being " a corporate body," Commissioner Howard in an interview with one of our reporters, gave the following explanatory information : He says the statement is true in faofe, though somewhat inaccurate in strict principle, seeing that they are recognised by the Registrar-General and a license to marry given to their leading officers. In Victoria the organisation is registered under the Suecessorv Trust Act, and it is under that Act they get the subsidy of £1000 a-year from the Victorian Government for their General Rescue and Prison Gate Bri-

giulo work. There is no similar Act in force in New Zealand under which they could register, and one of tho objects of Commissioner Howard's visit to England was to have a Bill drawn up to be submitted to tho various colonial Legislatures, and it is even now in tho hands ot the Australian lawyers, awaiting a favourable opportunity for introduction in the respective Parliaments. This Bill is intended to facilitate the holding of the various properties of tho Army, the succession of trusteos, and the due administration of the properties according to the triiste, but ab present in the colonies where no Act as above referred to is in force, a declaration of trust is specially prepared, and consequently thoro is no difficulty experienced in the holding of property, or the same passing into the hands of successive trustees, when such is necessary, either by death or change of chief officer in each district. During the past six years tho Army lias acquired freehold properties in the Australasian colonies to the value of £96,000, on which there are liabilities to the extent of one-third. All this large amount of property is secured to the Salvation Army by a declaration of trust.

On the occasion of Mr. Robert Barlow's birthday celebration at Mangere, there was a probability of tho commissariat running short, notwithstanding the liberal and varied supply. Recognising this, a messenger was scut to Onehunga, instructing .Mr. Neilson to send over " another pig" with all possible despatch. The messenger reached Mr. Neilson about half-past two p.m. At that time the pig was alivo and sprightly, but by three o'clock his carcase, weighing about llOlbs, was on its way to Mangere. In the meantime a " coppor Maori " was prepared for its reception, and by half-past six it was placed (roasted ' whole, and beautifully cooked) on the din- ' ner-table, and was highly appreciated by the large and mixed gathering. On Saturday Constable Wild, of Hamil- i ton, brought down by train from Waikato a prisoner named Geo. Coyle, of Huntly, who had been sentenced at Ngaruawahia by Capt. Jackson, R.M., to a term of imprisonment ( in default of payment of a fine for assault. It seems he was fined 10s, but the costs amounted to £5 lis, so he preferred to take it out in gaol. Constable Wild takes back to-day by train as prisoner a man named Malay, who has been arrested here for wife desertion at the Waharoa settlement, Matamata. It seems he was one of the pioneer settlers, but cleared away recently from his family, who remain on the section, and a warrant has been out for his arrest. He will be brought before the Bench at Te Aroha. Efforts are beine made to open a public reading room at Rotorua. A meeting of the residents who feel an interest in the matter has been held, and a committee appointed to give the enterprise a start. Material and moral support have been promised, and good hopes are entertained that the movement will be successful. On Sunday next the Ponsonby Naval Artillery will muster in full dress with the Garrison Band, for the purpose of unveiling the monument which the company has erected in the Symonds-street Cemetery in memory of their late captain, James Bruce Morpeth. Other corps will bo invited to be present, and will no doubt attend in largo numbers. It is probable that the ceremony will be performed by Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd, the officer commanding the district. The local watchmakers and jewellers following the example set by the other tradesmen of the city, held their first annual picnic on Saturday last. The point d'appui was that favourite resort of holiday makers Home Bay, Motutapu, and at nine a.m. the p.s. Alexandra started for that spot with about 150 persons of both sexes on board. The rendezvous was reached after a pleasant run of about an hour, and the party dispersed on shore to enjoy themselves. In this endeavour they succeeded, and the sports and races which were organised were gone into with great zest. The steamer brought the party safely back about nightfall. On Saturday afternoon a largo number of persons proceeded to the North Shore to witness the first football practice of the season. About thirty members of the Ponsonby and Pirate Clubs assembled at the Recreation Ground and played a scratch game, in which the form of the players, particularly several new aspirants to fame in the Rugby field, was eagerly canvassed by the spectators. Considering that it was the first practice of the year tho play was fast throughout. One of the most enjoyable excursions and picnics of the season took place on Friday. : Following the prevailing custom, the people of Waiheke Island arranged to hold their annual picnic, and chartered the s.s. Planet, which loft the Queen-street Wharf at six a.m., calling at Putiki, Merwick's, McLeod's, Cowes, and Man-o'-war Bays to bring on board the excursionists from tho various parts of the island. The place chosen for the picnic Messrs. Campbell and Brown's, Sandspit Island— very suitable for the purpose. The refreshments were supplied by the ladies of Waiheke, and very great credit is due to them for the varied and ample spread provided. Rambles round the island, dancing, singing, and various amusements were entered into with a zest that showed the party thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Great credit is due to the ladies and the committee, Messrs. Jenkins, Ashwin, and Phillips, for the efficient manner in which the arrangements were carried out, and the general wish was that such pleasant reunions would occur oftener. Mr. Martin, owner of the Planet, and Mr. Marrefct, master, were unremitting in their attention and care for the comfort and convenience of the party. The anniversary services of the Beresfordstreet Congregational Church were held yesterday. The Rev. R. Bavin preached in the morning from Daniel ii. 32, " And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupt with flatteries, but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits." In the evening the Rev. J. Chew took the service, his text being Exodus iv. 14, "And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses." There were good congregations at each service, and the collections were liberal. The usual soiree takes place on Tuesday week. At about eight o'clock last night a glare in the sky indicated a fire of some sort having broken out in the direction of Ellerslie. We subsequently ascertained that the fire occurred in a three-roomed cottage owned and occupied by Michael Finnerty, and situated about a mile outside Patimure. The cottage was burnt to the ground. It was uninsured, and there has been no theory sot up to account for the origin of the fire. The Fisk Jubilee Singers appeared with their usual success on Saturday evening. An excellent programme was submitted, one of the best numbers being a chorus, " Jingle, Bells," written in four parts, and performed in galop time, the ringing sound of the voices and the accompaniment having a very pleasing effect. The chorus was composed by Mr. C. H. White, and it opens in the key of C minor, which eventually is changed to that of F minor, the original clef being resumed in the closing bars. A portion of this selection was repeated in compliance with the demand of the audience. Tho following further subscriptions have been received for William Skelton, armourer's mate of H.M.S Lizard, who was injured—and thereby lost his leg—whilst ! endeavouring to chock the spread of fire in Victoria-street, in January last. At Herald . Office :— W. C., 2s 6d ; A. D. 8., 2s 6d ; J. 8., 2s 6d. Dr.. Wilkins has collected the following additional sums : Mrs. Fairfax, £1 ; John Gordon, 2s 6d ; G. C. Stan well, ' 2s 6d; Mr. Bull, ss; Mr. Porter, 2s 6d; Mrs. Harrison, 2s 6d; Messrs. George Brothers, ss; Mrs. George, 10s; Mrs. Sharpe, ss; Mr. J. J. Holland, ss; Mr. T. ! Mahony, 10s ; Mr. Donald Ross, ss; Mr. ' Green, 5s ; Mr. Pain, 5s ; Mr. Lawson, 5s ; i Mr. Kirkwood, ss; Mr. Gorrie, 5s ; Mr. Denniston, 5s ; Rev. S. W. Baker, ss; Mr. Cameron, 23 6d ; Mr. McDermofct, 5a ; Mr.. James Frater, 5s ; Sir William Fox, 10s.