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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9435, 5 August 1889, Page 4

.. I A decisivSngagement has taken place in the Soudan,fctwcen the Dervishes and the Anglo-Egypln force under Colonel Grenfell. The ftyier mustered in great force but after a cljpsrato resistance were completely routeflwith great loss, fifteen hundred being kftd, among them being their chief and a ni|bor of leading emirs. 0 The loss on the Brteh side was fifty. The German Emperorjlias arrived in England where an officiiireception on a great scale has been arrived in his honour. Hi.? stay, howevefi is to be limited, a he. leaves forfGermany on Thursday arriving in Beln in time to meet the Emperor of Aijtria, who is to pay hire another visit in ie German capital. Lord Rosebery is urgit the Government to convene a conferendof colonial delegates on the somewhat lionary subject of I m . perial federation|mt Lord Salisbury declines on the gjmnd that unless the Government were'ta formulate a practicable programme ich a meeting would only give rise to fise hopes. It is obviously absurd to talliof Imperial federation while among the cbnies themselves there is so great a lack of|inity. We have just now the spectacle | Victoria, which is fond of posing in thi role of leader in the federal cause, carryW 0 n a commercial war with her neighbors, and as the Argus points out, assuming |e role of the apostle of Australian dissensi|. While the colonies continue to be ths split up into discordant parts, the pispects of Imperial federation must remaitromote. The situation in Crete and ill the Balkan Peninsula is being watchedby the Porte with considerable anxiety, a-:l, as a precautionary measure, the Turlsh reserves have been called out. i There are two officers! the British army at present in Auckland, fheir object simply being colonial travel. |One is our old friend Colonel Carre, 1 A., formerly of Mercer's Battery, and wb served throughout the Waikato catnpafn. The other is Captain Scott, of the Serf; Greys. Colonel Carre sees consitlerablehhange in Auckland since his previos visit. Then, 1863, the Maori rebel! came as neat St. John's Redoubt, ajfew miles past Otahuhu, on the souk of Auckland, and to ran era, a few tries from Ho wick, on the east, where the Tnst children Were massacred. " The .line if the Maungatawliiri" was a phrase then frequently in the mouths of Aucklanders, aid of Waikato we held nothing more than Mas co\ered by the guns of the redoubts and the rifles of tie troops. The monitor Pioneer ihen ploughed the waters of the Waikati, occasionally getting a, reminder from tip Maori earthworks. All is changed, aid the gallant colonel will scarcely be Sable to find the traces of the entrenchnsnts where his chief, the lamented Captain Mercer, was mortally wounded, and mfc a soldier's death. Colonel Carre is Elated to Dr. Temple, who was surgeon if the battery, and who at the peril of his lfe crossed the line of fire to the ditch of tie pa to attend to the dying captain, and/remained with him. We are glad to learn ihat he is still hale and hearty, Colonel Carre having seen him only a few weeks ajo. Lieutenant Pickard, who led one forljrn hope of the battle at Rangiriri, died sorte time ago in England, but Lieutenant' Rait still survives, having now attained high rank in the service. ; Mr. H. C. Brewer, Resristrar of the Supreme Court, having received authority to act as President of thi Court of Compensation in respect of the claim of Paora Tuhaere for compensation for land at Orakei taken for defence purposes, the Court sat on Saturday morning, in the Supreme Court Chambers, the two assessors, Messrs. R. C. Bars tow ind R. C. Carr, being present. Mr. Hesketh, instructed by Mr. Dufaur, appeared for the claimant, and Mr. Button for the Government. The award of the Court, as agreed upon between the parties, was then given, namely, that the respondent pay to the claimant the sum of £1500, each party to pay his own costs, and the assessors to be allowed £S Ss each.

The .Minister of Justice has received a report from Mr. H. W. Northcroft. R.M., dated Thames, 12bh July, on the EayresWilliams' case, which caused so much controversy at the Thames recently, and it is now in the hands of the Ministers for their consideration. The material passages are the following :—" I have the honour to inform you that I was at Te Aroha when the case was heard, and did nob return till some" days afterwards. I have nothing, therefore, on which to base a report, except the notes of the evidence on the case taken and signed by the Justices, copy of which I forward herewith, together with clipping's from the two local papers, giving what purports to be a report of the evidence at greater length. From reading these I»m of opinion that the, defendant should have been convicted of an assault ; bub 'reading, a bald statement of any evidence taken in a narrative form, especially -in cases of assault, where so much feeling enters, and hearing a viva voce statement of the same, often leads to different conclusions. N" one can judge the whole of the evidence bj merely reading it. The demeanour of a witness is an important element in deciding us to his or her credibility, and only those who actually hear the evidence can judge correctly as to its value." The Thames Advertiser thus comments on the report-:^ " In an ordinary assault case the addenda to the opinion may be applicable, but in the particular case under review in our opinion it is nob so. The woman was summoned for assault upon a child handed over by a public institution .to her care. There was no feeling on the part of him, who instituted the prosecution,, he is a public'ofncer and was performing what he rightly deemed a public duty. It is impossible to attribute to Dr. Williams that he was actuated by feeling. Out object in again alluding to the subject i: that such a gross miscarriage of justice, which we emphatically assert has take" place, shall not be hushed up, and those who have perpetrated it remain in a position which will enable them to be in' B ' chievous in the future. We demand in the name of the public that the names of the two justices who sat on the case shall be removed from the roll, and we further remind the Mayor that the holding ot « public meeting to deal with the case wflj only delayed till Mr. North croft's repon had been considered by the Government This was dated the 12th July, there na. therefore been ample time for the Government to strike the names of the two J off the roll for gross incompetence, .-i" inference, therefore, is that they have nu such intention. The meeting must men fore be held, and public opinion brought w bear in order to compel the performance v what is, a manifest duty." The Eight Hours' Roller. Flour Mill has again'got into working order. • Uurl "?. past week the electriS lighting machinery has been overhauled- by Mr. Crosher, ew .-. trician, so as to be available for wort"'* the mill at night. ' •

Amon<* tho passengers by the incoming 'Frisco mail steamer will be Mr. Richard Toad ft lecturer of the United Kingdom Alliance, and under engagement to the New Zealand Alliance for this colony. Tho fifcv Hall has been taken for a week's mission, and thereafter ho will proceed to the South. He is said to be a true son of the people, and gifted with a native eloquence which goes straight home to an English audience.

We are informed that the late Mr. T. Williams, sailmaker, though generally known and spoken of as "Captain" Williams, was never in actual command of a vessel, though lie had frequently owned vessel?, and in this way was interested in the coastal trade. After leaving America lie served his apprenticeship as a sailmaker on board the H.M.s. Ringdove, after which lie came to Auckland and carried on business for many years successfully. All his family are now grown up and married, save one about 13 years of age, and a stepdaughter.

The annual dinner o? the Old Boys of the Dunedin High School was hold in that city on Saturday evening, and 'was attended by about HO persons. Dr. Belcher presided, and read apologies frOJn Dr. Stuart and Mr. John Roberts (who was to.have replied to the'toast of "The Exhibition"), Dr. Wall, and Mr. H. D. Bell, of Wellington. The toast of "Tho School" was proposed by Mr. C. Kettle, who traced tho history of the school, from its foundation to tho present day. Dr. Belcher responded to tho toast. Mr. 0. Thompson proposod "Absent Old Boys," and Mr. J. F. Eraser responded. " The Exhibition" was proposed by Mr. E. Stellin. and the toast was, in tho absence of Mr. Roberts, acknowledged by Dr. Belcher, who said he was sure the Exhibition would be a success financially, and predicted that it would be a success socially and commercially. He was able to say, from tho connection he had with the Exhibition, that every provision had been made for amusement*, as the best talent in Australia, in all branches of amusement, dramatic and otherwiso, had been secured. ■ Mr. D. Mills proposed Science and Literature," and Professor Parker and Mr*. A. Wilson (rector of the Girls' High School) responded. Tho other toasts were unimportant.

At the evening service at the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church last night there was not standing room for the crowds drawn thither through the announcement that the Payne Family were to take part in the musical part of the service. Forms and chairs were brought into requisition, as far as they would go, .to accommodate the people, and the "overflow" had to stand throughout the service. The following was the musical programme :—Organ solo. Professor Lambert; anthem, "I-Am Alpha and Omega" (solo by Miss Blackburn), choir; " He Shall Feed His Flock," Payne Family: "Cantate Domine " (Jackson). choir ; " Love at Home," " Vesper Hymn,'' and " Stealing Away to Jesus" were also rendered by the Payne Family with great taste and efficiency. -At the close of the service Professor Lambert played as a voluntary a selection from " The Messiah." The Rev. E. Best conducted the usual service.

There was a large gathering of Christian workers and others, representing nearly every church in Auckland, in the Young Men's Christian Association, on Saturday evening, when the Rev. J. S. Hill delivered a lucid and deeply instructive address on the subject, " The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: What is it V The rev. gentleman also gave an evangelistic address in the City Hall, last night, at the evening service.

The usual meeting of the Harbour Board takes, place to-morrow (Tuesday) afternoon, at their offices, the business being to receive tenders for stanchions, chains, -brickwork, ko., for caisson chamber, Calliope Dock. Mr. Niccol has given notice of the following motion :—" That the name of Mr. <). Macf.\riane be placed on the Finance and Legal Committee."

There was an alarm of fire given last evening by the Parnell firebell about 9 o'clock, but it proved to be a false alarm, or at all events a trivial one. The source cf trouble was a foul chimney in Cracroft?treet. Captain Field, of the Salvage Corps, got as far as Constitution Hill, but turned back on ascertaining the real state of affairs.

The new water mains for the- salt water service are now being laid down in Queenstreet, preparatory to being placed in position. There is a good deal of difference of opinion as to the use .of salt water in the streets, some of the tradesmen and shopkeepers asserting that their wares will be injured thereby. The balance of opinion is said to be in favour of the practice. In the event of a dry season, the saving of fresh water in this service, and also at the City Baths, towards meeting the demands of the city domestic consumption will be considerable. The City Council having obtained permission from the trustees of the Jewish Cemetery, Symonds-streefc, intend to erect a tank at the corner of the cemetery for the purpose of storing saltwater to be u?ed in laying the dust in the streets.

Whilst at Kihikihi a few days ago Professor Lio Medo made a phrenological examination of the head of Te Kooti, who submitted with great suavity to the process cf having his "bumps "felt. The examination showed that Te Kooti is not such a bad fellow after all. The phrenologist says he is a clear and far-reaching thinker, and a great critic; that he has mechanical and inventive talent, acute comprehension, sarcasm, acquisitiveness, strong cautiousness—a store of good qualities, in fact, and that his character is versatile, whilst secretiveness is a conspicuous feature, making him guarded, threwd, and politic. Me isn't altogether an angel, however, for he shows the signs of '.otnbativeness and destructiveness, and has a warm temper. The animal impulses are strong in him. Professor Lio Medo was good enough to point out that there is a hump on Te Kooti's back after the fashion of that of Richard 111., and that his right shoulder is higher than his left.

The usual weekly meeting of the Mount Albert Musical and Literary Society was held at Ferndale on' Friday evening, at which about 70 members were present. Nearly two hours were enjoyably spent discussing the lives and writings of Lord Macaulay and Hood. Miss Priestly opened with a short but carefully-prepared paper on Macaulay and his writings, after which several members read in excellent style selections from the works of the same distinguished author. Miss Cox followed with a good paper on the life of Hood, and -Miss Astley on Hood's writings, giving at. the same time numerous selections from his best prose and poetical works. A lively discussion followed the reading of these papers. At intervals songs were rendered by Messrs. Astley and Warren, and a violin and pianoforte duet by Master and Miss Lixon, which was loudly applauded. It was announced that in the chess tournament Mr. Edward Schnackenberg had carried off the first prize, and Mr. Battersby (president of the club) the second. On behalf of the Chess Club, Mr. Battersby presented to Mrs. Garlick a handsome inkstand as a small expression of the members' appreciation of much kindness received by them at her hands. Mr. Oarlick suitably responded on Mrs. Garlick's behalf, and assured the members that it afforded Mrs. '■arlick and himself much pleasure to provide accommodation for the club meetings, and otherwise do what they could to make the club a success.

About ten o'clock on Saturday night the offices of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, at Oamaru, were found to be on fire, but. the fire brigade promptly turning out, the building was not much damaged, the fire only charring the woodwork of the office in which it took place. Some of the papers in the ollice were destroyed, but they are not supposed to be of much value. No one had been in the office since five o'clock, and the origin 's unknown.

1 •The Salvation Army caught a " big fish " lest evening at their service, in the Albertstreet Barracks, a policeman going up to *- he " penitent form." Ami rule the Army nave not been able to got the members of the force further than the outside door, to kee P. an eye to the hoodlums. To-morrow evening the army intend holding " a Parliament ' at the Barracks, whatever that m .ay mean, but ib is to be hoped that they Ullnotbe up to any stonewalling tricks f the other indecorous practices of the weab. Palaver at Wellington. Sir. Wil»am box, it is Btated i 3 t0 preside and Keep order. - *•

Lately in some of the colonies a new departure has been made in giving good conduct prisoners the opportunity of labouring on public works, greater liberty, and some concessions as to gratuity money, tobacco, etc. lb is said the result is diminished prison expenditure, an increased amount of work from the prisoners, and a greater per centoge of cases of reform through the ameliorating influences brought to boar upon the prisoners. It is urged that something of the kind should be attempted in this colony, and that a certain number of the prisoners, instead of being kept eternally at Stonebreaking, might be usefully engaged on the Thames Goldfiolds, in tho way in which tho " unemployed" were to be utilised in mining work. At prosont a number of thorn are engaged at tho harbour fortifications, and another batch at the building of the now gaol. With regard to the firstnamed works there are different opinions us to its value, while as to the second, it is declared that the new gaol is being built on the old system—a plan which is now obsolete in England. Punishment, rather than reform, seems the object kept in view, as if topreventany correspondence with friends and the humanising effect it would have upon the prisoner, the privilege is encumbered with unnecessary restrictions. Every letter after being perused by the Gaoler (a very necessary proceeding) is then placed in an envelope, marked " On Her Majesty's Service," and superscribed by tho Gaoler. This is how tho practice operates. A young man in gaol sent a letter to his sister, a governess, in Auckland. Tho family in which sho resided happened to see the letter addressed and superscribed, and she lost her situation in consequence. Another prisoner lias a brother an officer in the Indian army. lie cannot write to him, because such a letter being laid on the mess-table would be injurious to his prospects. lb is contondod that the Gaoler having satisfied himself there is nothing clandestine in the correspondence should let it pass on in the usual way as other correspondence.

A presentation of a marble clock ho? been made to Mr. J. B. West, of the Frozen Meat and Storage Company, by the employees, on the occasion of his leaving the service of the company, after many years' connection with it. He has also received a complimentary letter, signed by the heads of the different/tlepartments, expressing the high estimation in which he was held by his. Co-workers, and containing their best, wishes for his future welfare.

In reference to the " Sweating" system a correspondent writes : —" Notwithstanding all that lias appeared in your columns, the general public have no idea of the extent to which it prevails and under what disadvantage upright tradesmen are placed. Young women are kept for twelve months by some firms without receiving any wages, and at the end of the year when they might fairly expect at least further employment at some small remuneration, they ate told their services are not required as others are ready to take their places. I have been informed by a respectable tailor that coats can be made for Is and trousers at 3d per pair. How can respectable journeymen keep their families in even necessaries under these circumstances? I know one respectable man who never tastes drink, and he is unable to go to church for lack of suitable clothing, and his children cannot attend school on Sunday as they have no boots. The remedy siuel3 T lies in the hands of those who so thoughtlessly insist, on going to the cheapest place without giving a single thought to the evil they are perpetuating."

• The Poultry Show was kept open all day on Saturday up" to 10 o'clock, and throughout the whole day, but more especially in the afternoon and evening, there was a steady concourse of visitors to the show, and all admired not only the admirable character of the exhibits but the excellence of the arrangements of the show, and the president, officers, and committee certainly deserve every credit for the manner in which they have promoted and carried out the best poultry show ever held in Auckland. ' Mr. Morris's brass baud played during the day, and were no doubt the means of attracting a number of visitors. A considerable number of the exhibits were disposed of at prices fixed by the owners. The show finally closed at 10 o'clock, the band playing the National Anthem, and a number of the exhibits were removed, but the balance were, left in charge of Mr. Ryland, the caretaker appointed by the committee, and will be removed this morning.

The annual meeting of the Auckland West Kindergarten will be held at the Howe-street institution (the old Industrial School) to-morrow. The advertisement does not give the hour of meeting through some inadvertence. All those who take an interest In this work are invited to attend. The Auckland West Kindergarten, like the sister institution the Jubilee Kindergarten, has been doing a useful work among the children of the poor in the western suburbs. It is gratifying to find that a number of ladies have devoted a good deal of time and labour to this enterprise, and in obtaining the requisite funds.

About two years ago Miss Newcombe, of the Baptist Zenana Mission, in ' India, visited Auckland, and delivered a series of interesting lectures on India. This lady has returned to the colonies in search of health, and intends giving further lectures here and in other parts of the colony before returning to India. She may be expected in Auckland in a few days.

Yesterday afternoon the Rev. J. S. Hill gave an address on "Christian Socialism" in the lecture hall of the Y.M.C.A. There was a largo attendance. During the course of his address the lecturer made some severe comments on what he termed our "godless system of national education," whereby the Bible was rigidly excluded from our schools, but the filthiest selections from the classics insisted upon as lessons for our youth of both sexes.

One of our social reformers intends giving a lecture on " The Administration of Justice," — first subject being 'Justices' Justice," —a topic which would require several lectures to do it justice. He has been making inquiries respecting "The Secret Court," " The Open Court," and other funny specimens of justice as administered by " the Great Unpaid."

At the Police Court on Saturday William Webber was charged with deserting his daughter. Dr. Giles, after hearing the evidence, held that the defendant had not deserted his wife and child, and dismissed the case. He suggested that the case should be brought under another section of the Destitute Persons Relief Act.

The monthly meeting of Lodge Ara takes place this evening at the Freemasons' Hall.

An interim dividend of 3d per share is now payable in the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company.

Mr. A. Aitken will hold a huge sale of prime poultry, pigeons, canaries, etc., at his mart to-day at eleven a.m.

The medical superintendent of the Asylum desires to acknowledge the receipt of a number of illustrated periodicals through Mr. Ewington for the use of the patients.

The half-yearly meeting of shareholders in the Bay of"lslands Coal Company is -to be held this afternoon at half-past two, at the office of the company, 75, Queen-street.

The annual conversazione of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church will take place in the Choral Hall on Thursday evening, when addresses and musical selections will be given.

The prima baiitono of Sinionsen's Opera Company, from the famous schools of Milan, notifies that he is prepared to receive a few pupils in voice production and singing during his stay in Auckland.

The Auckland Furniture Company, whose head-quarters are in Wcllcsley-street East, have just opened a branch establishment in Furchas's Buildings, Karangahapc Road, under the management of Mr. Peter Austin, and have stocked it with the most attractive display of locally-manufactured furniture of all descriptions.

The well-known bicyclist, Professor liollinson, has been engaged by the proprietor of the Columbia Rink to give two special performances next Wednesday and Thursday evenings. He will be assisted by the local juvenile bicycle rider, Master Bernard Harrison. The two 'cyclists are to perform a number of feats that will outdo any ever seen in New Zealand.

A grand concert will be given by Mrs. Revitt on the 15th inst., assisted by her pupils and some of the best professional talent. The names of Mrs. Kilgour, Miss Buckland, Messrs. Shroff, Hookey, Birdsall, and Montague appear in the list of performers. As it is now nearly three years since Mrs. Revitt's last concert, no doubt her numerous patrons will give her a hearty reoeption. • , • ,