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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9378, 30 May 1889, Page 4

A serious hitch has occurred at the Samoan Conference, which is likely to protract its sittings. Differences of opinion exist among the delegates on the questions submitted to them, although no indication is afforded of their character or extent, The position of the Imperial family in Russia is nob an enviable one. Danger confronts them on every side. The police have just discovered the existence of a number of secret societies whose mission appears to be the destruction of the members of the reigning House. Russia, apparently,; is honeycombed with conspiracies. Such a condition of affairs bodes i" for the country and its ruler. The report is current that the Clan-na-Gael Society has ordered the assassination of five of its members accused of treachery. Already one of them has met his fate. Major Le Caron is among the condemned. He knew the risk he ran in volunteering the evidence which he gave before the Parnell-Times Commission, and bravely faced it. He is now a marked man, and will in all probability fall a victim to the knife or bullet of the assassin. But the astounding part ot the whole business is that no prominent Home Rule'r condemns these tactics, which are ostentatiously adopted in the interests of '' the cause." No one can believe that these murderous methods can in any way further the interests of the Irish agitation, yet they are not openly condemned by the leaders ot that agitation. The relations between Italy and Germany, so far as they can be regulated by the respective sovereigns or these countries, are at present of a .f 1 . 08 cordial nature, King Humbert describing the two nations as being like the memoert of one family. On the other hand, there appears to be considerable tension between Italy and France.

Mr. J. Sharp, of Melbourne, chairman of tho Kauri Timber Company, is no *'° Auckland, and will remain here for a tew clays. Our Wellington correspondent writes :- lb was rumoured that the New Zealand Times had changed hands, and that aa> Fisher, M.H.R., was one of the new proprietors. Upon inquiry, I find that initiations are in progress for the tiansW the paper, but it is not true that Mr. 1® has anything to do with the proposed w proprietary. I have heard upon g authority that negotiations have so tar* vanced that a change of proprietor) » management is a probable event wit-m short period of time. The ordinary sitting of the R- M -£ C jJ, will not begin to-day until two p.m., /* th 6 Giles will be engaged this morning■ in Channel collision inquiry, which 1= w " sumed at 10 a.m. The Harbour Board at its late origj meeting, in reference to the tnre» . claim for damages from Mr. J. / ' °. in regard to the Hobson-street Brag* A clined to recognise any tsßpoimmmsuggestion was made to the r iso " w , eie h. duel the charge for the use of the bridge from 6d to 3d per loau, but i not entertained. An anonymous i had been written to the Board ney, signed "A British Subject, r d mending the Board to be can*". beware of so-called German use your energies more m heI PJ n ? * gffa y in ships and countrymen to carry w rt . the Pacific." The Board cl "J eCC ted ceive the letter. Mr. Qowjjgfte* weighmaster at a salary ot * for dump . The question of giving fad ties w «P on ing wool and flax at this port <*™ ton , the application of Mr. U • , d for who asked that an allotmenfc be >U* refej the purpose. It was de««» and the whole question to the. wo Tariff Committee.

It is understi that Colonel Shephed intends to holdrther inquiry into tie charges made %i S t some of the menjif corps under his © ma nd, in " the Mercjr Hotel incident." tther evidence isundtrstood to be forthming concerning te appropriation of th« ftr of brandy, and fte real appropriator. •, is to be hoped tjit nothing will be left,done to secure a All and fair investigatio with a view of jxpclling from the rats of the volmper force men who may a proved guiljf of unsoldiorly conduct. I It would scorn that iere is still apod demand for Crown land for bona fi<jsebtlement. Yesterday ammber of syions were thrown open for section and ( applications were receivecfor IS seftons. They were situate in latakanajhrish, Rodney County, Paremoimo Pari* Waitcranta County. As all applicafns received on same day arc tgardedf simultaneous, the ballot will ha to dale who will be the fortunate selecors, I I The Board of Reviewers sat- yesflay and disposed of the balance of options to property tax valuations fa Pons*.' 'Ward and the whole of those sent injbm the Eden Terrace highway district. Imparatively few appellants appeared support of the Eden Terrace objections,! in almost every instance in -which tiippcals wore supported substantial roduqjis were allowed. 1

The licensing prosecution in*ted by the police against Win. Easdof of the Rising Sun Hotel, was dismissedteterday at the Police Court. It wasjbwn in evidence that if an hotel chant hands within 21 days of the quarterly feting of the licensing committee a factory temporary transfer is not obtaifie. An arrangement has been made (th the licensing committee so that ih|l days required by the Act to procure a{manent transfer can be given, the coifttee to adjourn their quarterly meeting/allow of its being obtained. We undesfnd that as the outcome of this ease, irfiries are being conducted further afieldpnd that there are likely to be some iuvtn developments in the Law Courts. / An appeal of a rather une*cted character was brought befce t>' Board of Reviewers yesterday aft/ ttf objections had all been disposed of. Mi-Ralph Keesing had been for some tie j attendance, and when he arose the Jardof Reviewers naturally thought it waor.'ho purpose of appealing against the lustion of some property in Eden Terrs. Mr. Keesing, however, soon undeceii them. He said he had to ask leave t<ddress the Board not. in reference to a appeal he had to make that day, biin regard to one which he might, have) make. He observed that the Board d fixed on Saturday to hear objection from the South Ward, and he wishedie Press representatives to take notice what ha had to say, for he found this matter was becoming too general, e was an Israelite, and had a great objeon to attend to business on the Sabba day, and would not do so even if it inlved thousands ; but he should think theublic authorities

should bear'in mind tb citizens of his persuasion should not bulled on to break their Sabbath. There seed to be too much of that feeling of " Nevmind the Jews,'' but he would say, " Do rid the Jews," and this was a point on whiclie felt strongly. Of course he was aware fct this often arose from want of thought, id he therefore drew the attention of 10 Board to it. There Mere live other dayn the week on which business of this chicter might be be transacted. He was ve particular himself, and even if some of 3 co-religionists were lax he did not wish sem to become wore so. He would remi them that he had been largely instrumt.al in getting the market day altered fronaturday to Friday, as when the market w held on Saturday many of their young mewere kept employed at the marts, and hwould ask the Board to assist hi the utter, for ho thought his co-religionists sjuld be considered. The chairman, MrS. Y. Collins, said there were two roasons.'hy Saturday hail been fixed on. One washat Saturday was one of the days on wch the R.M. Court would most probablye at their disposal, and the other was tb the Commissioner Mas anxious that try should get through with the business, it they would alter the day for the SoutrWarcl to the following Tuesday. Mr. ieesing said it was not for his own sake peroually that he moved, for Ins objections cold be taken at time the Board would fix, bit there were millions of Christians rho lov>d their Sabbath, and the Israelites also wished to keep their Sabbath. The Chairnin said the Board .had decided M fix the baring of the South Ward objections for the fllowing Tuesday. Mr. Keesiag thanked th Board for their consideration. j

List night the police arrested linan in Queen-street, in s state of drunfenness, whose clothes were all wet. Theponjecture was that he had tumbled o'er the wharf into the harbour, but manged to get, out again. He declined, howler, to afford any information on the .iibjecb. The police took him to the lock-up, 1 where he was given bknkets till such time as his clothes could be dried. !

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance L/r.ior was held yesterday afternoon, at the Yiung Men's Christian Association, Mrs. Schaekenberg (president) presided. A letter was read from Miss Ackermann with reference to her mission in the South, and expressing satisfaction with her reception and its results, lb notified, also, that she had estab lished a lecture bureau in the South, ant suggested the appointment of a national organiser. She would endeavour to send l good capable lccturess along to New Zealand, and it would be for the various branches to see that the work was selfsupporting. A letter was read, which had been received, calling attention, in the interests of social purity, to the suggestive photographs, prints, etc., displayed in the windows of certain traders, and recommending that certain City Councillors should be interviewed with the view of the Corporation taking some measures to suppress the practice. The letter was referred to a committee. At next fortnightly meeting thi President, who attended the annual conven tion of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, at Wellington, will deliver at address on the labours of the Convention and the progress of the work of the Unioi i in the South.

There was no public business at the Offi cial Assignee's yesterday. A meeting of creditors in the estate of Mr. T. B. Hill was to have been held at half-past two p.m., but it lapsed. It is understood thai this bankruptcy will shortly be annulled, as there are ample assets in the estate to pay 20* in the £, and the difficulties which existed have been settled. Mr. Hill's wife is the largest creditor, and under the Married Women's Property Act she cannon claim until all the other creditors have been satisfied.

ihe colours of the Newton branch of the Salvation Army were presented yesterday "«Hng at the Excelsior' Hall by Maor «oite to the. presiding officers, Captain Alston a, : Lieut, Pod more.

■The Commissioners for tho Auckland • ° r "' licensing district visited the hotels in that portion of the. city yesterday, as iey , are to hold the annual meeting on Monday. " -

A trial of Mr. D. McAndrew's method of destroying rabbits by means of poisoned PPes has been made under the superintendence of the Crown lands bailiff for the inf ?"§ district. The test was upon rabbit j", '!" d on the coast near -Bar-won us- .Several furrows were ploughed ' l ™ unpoisoned fruit laid in them. The run wa S ten during the night. On the Rowing nioht slices of apples over which .strychnine had been shaken were 27fi xfy In tne furrows > "d next morning '0 rabbits were found lying close to the Eapf° WS " This result was considered satisfy as the land had been twice this v c »son laid down with poisoned fruit; and aim Rraßß ' which fcbe rabbits prefer to 'n°H any description of food is fairly UD "nuant.

for* i Kew Zealand bowlers are looking f 'ward with interest to the expected visit Tim an Australian team. The Lyttelton W,° f tho 23rd instant, says:-- The (Mr vi bowlers, whose representative ehur ';" l K omer Passed through Christin « V" Tuesday, will come from clubs Ball ♦ ey » Melbourne . Sandhurst, and them ere will be seme twenty of Dlrni and , the are to be accompanied by a record er and a reort '> in order to The t • - V ° WayS fclle results of the tour. t eivni /R. to be an unofficial one, and the will « no lP la y in a«y tournaments, bub coahne themselves to Club matches."

!In connection with the proposal of a syndicate to erect a market, baths, and a 1 library, the Dunedin City Council have passed a resolution affirming the desirability of utilising the Triangle for the market, and that a local Bill should bo introduced in Parliament. Tho " O " Battery of Artillery held their weekly parade for inspection, at the Drillshed, last night. Captain James was in command, and Lieutenant* Reid and Allom were also on parade, and there was a good muster of 45, exclusive of officers. Some of the recruits were taken out for squad drill, under Lieutenant Allom, and the company was put through a course of company drill under the new regulations, by Captain James. Owing to tho presence of novices in the ranks, there were some blunders, but on the whole the battery made a very creditable show. A mooting of the Wesleyan Foroign Missionary Society was held last evening at St. John's Wesleyan Church, Ponsonby. There was a good attendance. Mr. Thos. Buddie presided, and made a few introductory remarks. Daniel Tomokait, the native teacher from Duke of York Island, then gave an address, in which he narrated the progress of tho mission work as within his personal experience, and contrasted the dark days of heathenism with the freedom and liberty now enjoyed under the reign of Christianity. He then sang some hymns in the native language. The Rev. Mr. Rooney then addressed the meeting to the same effect, pointing out the vast changes which had occurred in New Britain and New Ireland among the natives socially, morally, and religiously through missionary labours. Wherever missionary influence dominated, there life and property became safe, and they pioneered the way for commerce. Those islands were under German rule, and the Gorman authorities appreciated the advantages of security to traders and trade, and gave the missionaries special privileges, so that the work would not bo interfered with. There were other islands adjacent, which it was desirable to occupy, but want of funds prevented an extension of mission work, and until these means were provided they conld not incur further liabilities. Rev. E. Best moved, and Rev. J. 11. Simmonds seconded, a cordial vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr. Rooney for his interesting address. That gentleman had proved himself a worthy representative of the denomination in tho mission field, and also of missionary enterprise. He had reason to know that Mr. Rooney was engaged in collecting data concerning the history of the natives of these islands and of their language, a work which would be valued and appreciated by the scientists of the Old World. The proceedings closed with the Benediction. The secretary of the Auckland Tabernacle Baptist Church (Mr. S. H. Matthews) received a number of telegrams yesterday from the South, expressive of surprise and regret at the resignation of Pastor Thos. Spurgeon, and the prospect of his services being lost to the Now Zealand Baptist Church. The Melbourne syndicate which are cooperating with Messrs. S. Jagger and Cruickshank in improving tho Waiwera Hotel property, are losing no time in having the necessary arrangements carried out. Mr. Mills, of Messrs. Oakden and Addi-

son —a large firm of Melbourne architectshas been sent over to take surveys, lay off the Waiwera estate, draw up plans for a new hotel and for a wharf. These improvements are certain to greatly popularise Waiwera as a watering-place.

At a meeting of the Hospital Board held on Tuesday evening at the Hospital, 59 applications were received for the office of clerk of works for the new Refuge and Nurses Homo, at a salary of £3 a week. The applications were reduced to 14, viz. : —Messrs. R. Webster, S. Partridge, J. Breadon, Chas. Laver, W. Pringle, S. Clarke, W. Forrest, S. M. Horepath, G. Mullinger, P. Austin, G. Harden, and R. W. Ellis. The first ballot resulted as follows : —B. Clarke, 5 ; G. Harden, 5 ; P. Austin, 4 ; R. W. Ellis, 5 ; G. Mullinger, 1 ; and W. Forrest, 2. The second ballot left candidates as follows :—Clarke, 4 ; Harden,

3; Ellis, 1; and the final result was

S. Clarke, 5 ; 0. Harden, 3. Mr. Clarke was therefore appointed to commence work on the Ist of June. The Board then

proceeded to select the most appropriate position on the Hospital grounds for the Nurses Home, and the site selected was that opposite to and on a line with Park Avenue, about a chain from the fence and a chain and a-half from the western boundary of the grounds.

Our Hokianga correspondent writes : —A grand concert in aid of the trust funds of the Wesleyan Church was held in the County Hall, Rawene, on May 17, when the following programme was satisfactorily crone through :Trio, Miss A. M. J.

Bryes (piano), Messrs. J. R. Triphook and F. Puckey; vocal duet, " Wind and the the Harp," Misses L. and K. Martin ; song, "Nothing Succeeds Like Success," Mr. Triphook ; part song, "Minstrel Boy," company ; violin solo, " Auld Robin Gray," Mr. R. McKay ; song, " Midshipmite," Mr. E. Dugmore ; song, "The Gauntlet," Mr. Joughin. An interval then took place. Part song, "The Harp That Odco," company ; comic song. "I Did It," Mr. Menzies; vocal duet, " Beautiful and Bright," Misses Martin; violin solo, Mr. McKay song, "Freshening Breeze," Mr. Joughin ; vocal duet, "Sailor's Sighs," Messrs. Joughin and Puckey ; song, " Four Jolly Smiths," Mr. Ingham Stephens; song, "Apart," Miss Kitty Martin; song, " Queenie," Mr. Dugmore ; "God Save the Queen." Notwithstanding the inclement state of the weather, people came from all parts of the district to listen to a real musical treat. " Queenie" was a gem in the hands of Mr. Dugmore, and deserved an encore. Miss Kitty Martin's rendering of "Apart" was artistic, and aho was deservedly encored ; but, in my opinion, the best piece of the evening was the duet, " Sailor's Sighs," by Messrs. Joughin and F. Puckey. The singing of the National Anthem brought one of the most enjoyable evening's entertainment we have hud in Hokianga to a close.

Writing in the Fortnightly Review, on " Australia in 1883," Lord Carnarvon says he was greatly impressed with the vitality exhibited by the Roman Catholic Church in the colonies, as shown in their numerous churches and schools. He say*3 : —" Believing, as I do, that to the vast proportion of men, in the future as in the past, faith is a moral necessity, and that scepticism is the unfortunate privilege of wealth and limited intelligence, I can only admire tho large and statesmanlike wisdom with which the Roman Catholic Church has from the first sought to prepare on an adequate scale for the future needs of the new world."

The Gymnasium in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association was opened last night by an excellent athletic entertainment by Professor Carrollo, assisted by his pupils. There was a large attendance of spectators, all the available room being occupied. Before the proceedings commenced, Mr. C. VV. Hemery stated that the committee of the Young Men's Christian Association had been fortunate enough to secure the services of Professor Carrollo as instructor for the Gymnasium, which would be open two nights in each week, and they hoped that under the Professor's skilled direction it would have a prosperous career. Professor Carrollo briefly explained that owing to all his winter engagements having been concluded before he had been appointed by the committee, he would be able only to be personally present on Wednesday evenings, but that on Mondays the work would be efficiently carried on under the supervision of Mr. 1. W. Edwards. The athletic exorcises were begun with dumb-bell work in squad to music, after which an interesting bout with the singlesticks took place between Messrs. Edwards and McGregor. Some very clever feats were performed on the bar by the Professor and his pupils, which were followed by work upon the German vaulting horse, Roman rings, and parallels. Exercises with Indian clubs to music, and an amusing duel with quarterstaffs, were also included in the programme. The audience were much pleased with fcbo exhibition afforded them, and testified their appreciation by hearty applause. With so complete a set of apparatus and a popular instructor, the Young Men's Christian Association Gymnasium will no doubt become a favourite resort for young men during the winter months.

Now that new offices have been erected at the weighbridge, Queen-street Wharf, by the Harbour Board, that body is removing the old buildings known as the weigh office, police office, and watermen's house. They are to be disposed of by auction to-morrow at the office of the Board, for immediate removal.

In Nature, a scientific journal, published in London, Dr. Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A., F.R.S., London, thus expresses his opinion on a plan for the extermination of rabbits, adopted by a New South Wales colonist: —" Mr. W. Rodier, of Tambua, Cobar, New South Wales, has forwarded to the London Zoological Society a printed sheet containing, as it appears to me, by far the best suggestion yet made for the extermination of rabbits—a subject to which my attention has been repeatedly called by various correspondents in the Australian colonies, where, as is well known, the damage done by these animals is enormous. Mr. Rodier states that his plan has been in operation at his station in New South Wales for about eight months, 'with tho utmost possible success,' and has cleared the country of rabbits. It is a very simple plan. Ferrets and nets are used in the usual way to capture the rabbits, but while all the females taken are destroyed, the males are turned out again uninjured. Tho results of this mode of operation are that the male rabbits, as soon as they begin to predominate in numbers, persecute fcho females with their attentions, and prevent them from breeding. They also kill the young rabbits that happen to be born, and even, as Mr. Rodier asserts, when thoy largely predominate in numbers, ' worry the remaining does to death.' This is all strictly in accordance with what we know takes place under similar circumstances in the case of other animals, so that we can readily believe it to be likely to happen. The ordinary mode of trapping, as Mr. Rodier points out, is more likely to increase the number of rabbits than to diminish them. For reasons, which he clearly explains, more buck rabbits are always killed by tho trappers than does. Thus the does predominate in numbers, and a few bucks boing sufficient for a large number of does, are perpetually breeding and increasing the stock. The plan advocated by Mr. Rodier is so simple and easy that I cannot doubt it will bo.widely followed when known. No disease that might otherwise cause injury is introduced ; no other noxious animal is proposed to be imported, but advantage is taken of the well-known natural laws which regulate the increase of life to effect in this instance a salutary decrease."

There was a good attendance at tho Columbia Rink last evening. This evening the final heat in the two-mile walking match will take place between S. Goodman (scratch), winner of the second heat, and E. Cockfield (150 yards start), winner of the first heat. A good deal of interest is taken in the event, as Goodman has been on the track for many years. Tho Zealandia Rink was also woll patronised yesterday. To-morrow evening, a '200 yards foot race will be run in heats for the medal.

To-night, at the Society of Arts room, Free Public Library, Mr. E. 801 l will deliver a lecture on " Homoculture." The subject should attract a large audience, and elicit an interesting discussion.

The annual public meeting of the Young Men's Christian Association will be hold to-morrow evening, in the rooms of the institution. Mr. Thomas Buddie will preside. Addresses will bo delivered by the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon, the Rev. Mr. Robertson, of Ponsonby, recently from Scotland, and the Rev. Mr. Lewis, whoso topic will be, " The Tltree G's." The addresses will be interspersed by choice instrumental and vocal selections.

A Bill will be presented by Colonel Whitmore next session constituting the Waiapu riding a separate county.

The D'Orsay Ogden Co. substituted the well-known farcical comedy " The Mother-in-law" for "Jo" last night, and the characters in it were admirably sustained. It is not necessary to describe the plot. It is the usual one of a young husband of club proclivities having married a wife with a mother and allowing the latter to command his household. The incidents and surroundings are familiar to all playgoers. Mr. Ogden appeared at his best as a low comedian in the role of Horace Greenfield, the hen-pecked husband, and his business was perfect in the part. Miss Helen Fergus was essentially characteristic as Xantippe, and Mr. Barry Marschel made a good deal of the part of Timothy Roundabout Roisterer. Miss Fleta Mainland is an admirable impersonation of the mother-in-law, and really sustained the masculine idea of this much-abused relative. Miss Melrose as Mrs. Greenfield, Miss Parnwell as Polly Pickle, Mr. Harry Power as the gardener Lurry, and the other roles were well sustained, and the comedy excited a good deal of laughter.

Mr. C. Blomfield has removed his studio for the winter months to his residence, Wood-street, Ponsonby, where his fine collection of paintings are on view.

A grand pianoforte recital and concert will take place in St. Matthew's Schoolroom, to-morrow evening, by Mr. J. C. Sutherland, assisted by a number of our leading musicians.

A special concert will take place by the Burns Club this evening, in the Masonic Hall, Newton.

A complimentary benefit will be given to-morrow evening, at the Catholic Institute, to Miss Swan, through the medium of a vocal and instrumental concert, followed by the laughable Irish comedy, "The Limerick Boy."

Pastor Daniells will deliver a lecture this evening on the " Physiological Aspect of the Temperance Question." Working men and their wives cordially invited to attend.

A Foreign Missionary Meeting will be held at the Lower R,emuera Mission Hall on Friday evening. Particulars in advertisement.

Mr. Thornes, land agent, Queen-street, reports the sale of another cottage on the system of part cash and the balance by weekly instalments. This system of sale has been so successful that he has more buyers than he has properties which he can offer in this way, and it shows a very praiseworthy determination among a section of the working men to become their own landlords when terms are made easy for them.

Mr. F. G. Ewington, official visitor of the Lunatic Asylum, acknowledges with thanks a large parcel of illustrated papers and magazines, sent to him by Mr. Scaly, of Parnell, for the patients at the Asylum, and ho states that further contributions of such things will be very acceptable now the winter has come.