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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8273, 4 June 1890, Page 4

We learn, that the substance of the report made by the members of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into and report on the position of the Kaihu Valley Railway, was that the line would not pay working expenses. The chairman of the directors (Mr. R. C. Barstow) has answered this report in a memorial to the Premier and the member's of the Executive Council. Mr. Bars-tow points out that he had brought under the notice of the Government two grievances by which the company had been materially injured, namely, the including in the Crown grant to the company part of the Tutamoe block and cutting off a portion of Waipoua block. On the latter block stands a large proportion of the kauri forest, the acquisition of which was the very object of the construction of the railway, and the cause which induced persons to invest. We are informed by Mr. Bai-stow that the directors objected to this change, and have never done anything with the Crown grant. The second grievance is that after the railway had been completed for sixteen and a-half miles, the Kai-iwi block (Crown land) thus made accessible, was cut up and allotments therein sold by the Government on deferred payments at less than half the price tixed by the Crown for the sale of the Kaihu endowments for cash. By this action on the part of the Government, these endowments were rendered unsaleable, and the completion of the line by the company made impossible, since the company depended on the proceeds of the sales of these lands for the purpose of providing the necessary funds, these being the only sources remaining to the company by which the money could be obtained. The answer to the second of these representations would no doubt be, that the Government in fixing a price for the land handed over to the company could not pledge themselves to maintain the same price for land all around if that price was prohibitory of settle ment. As a matter of fact, Mr. McKerrow says that the land assigned to the company is much more valuable than that sold in the neighbourhood of the line, owing to the timber on the company's land. In their report the Commissioners state :—"The estimates of the quantities of kauri timber relied on when the project was introduced are greatly in excess of what actually existed in the forests, and that even this amount has been seriously diminished by recent bush res." Mr. Barstow, in his reply, says that no kauri timber on the land has been destroyed by tire during the last seven years, except some few outlying trees of no value. The Commissioners also stated in their report that the traffic from other sources than timber was " comparatively insignificant. 1 ' Mr. Barstow says that the Commissioners, in estimating the expenditure, charged many expenses which would not recur to the same extent, and also the maintenance for the first four months, which was costly, as is generally the case in connection with all new lines. Mr. Barstow compiles a table which shows that the passengers for February, March, and April numbered 4677 ; the receipts, £223 3s 7d; goods, £579 2s ] the goods receipts, £196 2s 6d ; sundries and .parcels, £19 19s lid ; total, receipts, £439 lis. Mr. Barstow shows a balance to credit over working expenses of £52 5s Bd. Of course this is a small return for the £90,000 which the line has cost, but still it must be remembered that no kauri timber has yet been hauled out, and that was expected to be the principal revenue-producing item. Mr. Barstow concludes his memorial by pointing out that the Commissioners did not inquire into several particulars which they ought to have reported upon, and did not take any evidence from him or from others who could have given information. The Government are not at all likely to recognise any claim which the company have upon them in respect to the ; selling of land or otherwise. There have been many instances where the • Government have sold land for higher prices than they are now selling, and have thereby effectually prevented ■ those first purchasers from obtaining ' unearned increment," in fact, have ruined them. But no claim for com- , pensation has ever been recognised. The Commissioners report that the 1 security given to the Government for 1 the £50,000 of guaranteed debentures ; was totally insufficient, and Parliament • ought to institute an inquiry as to how . the Government came to accept that insufficient security. The House of Representatives will say that all they did was to give the Government leave to guarantee the debentures if they . could get ample and sufficient security. Ministers seem to have accepted any ! security that was offered, and never to • have made any inquiry as to whether i it was sufficient or not till now, when , all the money is spent, and when there only remains to them a useless piece of L unfinished railway. The Government 1 will lose not only the £50,000 guaranteed, but the whole of the lands handed ' over to the company, which have been I j mortgaged to the contractor.

Our cable messages this morning state | that the French Government intend to brim* I in*a Bill legalising ten hoars as the day's | work. The clause in the Licensing Bill providing for compensation for licenses refused is meeting with strong opposition, and in consequence it is likely to be withdrawn. It is said that Count Herbert Bismarck is likely to marry a daughter of Lady Dudley. The British Government deny that additional warships have been ordered to Newfoundland, while both they and the French Government disclaim all knowledge of French troops having been landed at St. George's Bay. We publish to-day the first of a series of articles, entitled "Our Troubles; the Causes and the Remedy," in which articles Br. Laishley diagnoses our disease and prescribes the cure. They will be found replete with thoughtful matter. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were continued yesterday. John Whittingham, a young man of 21 years of age, who on the previous day had pleaded guilty to two charges of forcing and uttering cheques, and one of obtaining money by false pretences, was brought up for sentence. He obtained an excellent character from the witnesses called, and taking this into consideration, His Honor dealt leniently with the prisoner, sentencing him to six months' imprisonment for each offence, the sentences to rnn concurrently. Paul Aubrey was arraigned on a charge of maliciously injuring a punt, the property of the Raglan County Council. The accused, a half-caste, would not speak English, and Mr. Hammond was sworn in as interpreter. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and as his counsel, Mr. Dufaur, was not present, His Honor considerately allowed the case to stand over till ten o'clock this morning, and admitted the prisoner to bail in tho meantime. The greater part of the day, up to eight o'clock at night, was occupied in hearing a charge of eheepstealing against three men named Irving (father and two sons) resident at Waitangi, Bay of Islands. The evidence wa3 entirely circumstantial. The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty in each case, and the prisoners were discharged. The Court adjourned at eight o'clock until ten o'clock this morning when the charge against Aubrey will be proceeded with. It is reported that the natives at a Maori settlement on the Waikato River, below Mercer, have during the last few days been attacked with an epidemic which has resulted in the death of 17 of them. There is not yet any certainty as to whether the complaint is la grippe. An inquest was held 011 Monday at the I Avondale Lunatic Asylum, on the remains of Louise Holmwood, a patient ten years ' old, who died there on Saturday last. A verdict was returned thatdeath was the result of epileptic fits. The deceased was for a long time subject to these fits, and was also a cripple. A Maori patient named Tera Hupa also died at the Asylum on Sunday, from congestion of the lungs, and at the inquest a verdict was returned that death had been caused by that complaint. The deceased was a man of about 50 years of age. On Monday afternoon, about half way to Te Puni mill, Port Albert, towards which himself and a companion were walking, a man named John Millar fell down and died instantly. He had for some time been practising in the district as a photographer, and latterly had been gum-digging. On Saturday a letter arrived from his mother in England, who is said to be well-off, inquiring as to his whereabouts. Yesterday Mr. David Christie Murray visited the Art Gallery and Public Library , in company with Sir George Grey and Mr. W. Wildmao The eminent novelist was greatly interested in the trea- ' sures of the Grey collection. Mr. Shillington escorted the party through the Library. A new paper called The Thames Sentinel and Miners' Journal has been issued at the Thames by Mr. W. Wood, jun. In the first article the editor states :—" It is intended that the Thames Sentinel and Miners' Journal shall be issued free during the first week of each month, and that its mission be, not to uphold any particular party or vaunt its own glory, but to carry, as it were, a ray of sunshine into the hearts and homes of the residents of the Thames. Ever and qivays will the Sentinel be on the side of fajf and honest dealing, aiming rather to ' live and let live 1 than to cultivate the too-frequently apparent principle of ' never mind who sinks so that we swim.'" The usual meeting of the Progressive League was held on Monday night-, and a brisk discussion took place on the subject , of "Technical Education." Mr. A. J. | Bridgewater delivered the opening address. [ After defining what was meant by technical education, the opener made reference to the various Acts passed in Great Britain to further technical instruction in connectiou ' with the ordinary schools. He thought ; something of the kind was required in New • Zealand, and that one or two subjects at ■ present taught might give place with advantage to something of more practical service. Most of the members contributed to the discussions which followed. Mr. West thought the knowledge of the right use of ordinary tools was of more import--1 ance than some of the subjects in the prei sent curriculum, and that a workshop would be of great practical benefit, 1 especially to the country schools. Messrs. McCarthy and C. T. Renshaw spoke simi--1 larlv in favour of technical education. A proper system would afford more scope for youths to find out their particular bent, and consequently in the various trades and professions there would be less of what is commonly known as " the square man in the round hole." Messrs. A. Withy, Parkinson Creeth, and White, sriso spoke, more or less, in favour of the benefits likely to be derived from technical instruction. After the opener had replied, it was unanimously 1 resolved to continue the discussion. The Town Clerk (Mr. P. A. Philips) has received a circular from Bordeaux, which is one of the richest specimen-! of " English as it is spoke," that we have seen for a long time. The circular is from Maurice Ducot, Bordeaux, and is addressed "To the clerks of the firm, P. A. Philips and Co., Auckland, New Zealand." The circular itself is as follows :—" Great succ&s of the Universal Exhibition of Paris, 1889. ' Tour Eiffel.' I send free per registered mail, in exchange of 1500 used postage stamps (old or modern), from your land, a splendid reproduction of the 'Tour Eiffel.' She his of copper or nickel (according to your choice) and his height is of om. 50 centimetres. Agents wanted for the sale of this article wellappreciated in all parts of the world. Good conditions avec offered." Yesterday Miss Reeve, the conductor of the Auckland Ladies' Orchestra, and her sister, Miss Josephine Reeve, were the recipients of presentations from the other members of that body, as they are about to leave Auckland forChristchurch to-morrow. The ceremony took place in the Choral Hall, and all the ladies comprising the orchestra were present, The gift to Miss Reeve was a handsome cabinet of New Zealand woods, whilst Miss J. Reeve received a gold brooch. Miss Lucy Harrison > made the presentations in a neat speech. Both the recipients replied with grateful ■ expressions for the uniform kindness shown them, and with the best wishes for the » future welfare of the Young Ladies' Orchestra. The choir of the Devonport Presbyterian Church held a social gathering yesterday I evening, in the schoolroom adjoining the I church, to welcome home the leader of the ; choir, Mrs. Robert Mitchell, who has just ' returned from a visit to Australia. An ex--5 cellent musical programme was contributed. ' Vocal items were given by Mrs. McCorquo- • dale, Mrs. Gray, Misses Hume, Murchie, i and Nicoll, and Messrs. C. E. Paget and " McCorquodale. Mr. J. L. Bennett, the ; church organist, acted as accompanist, t Tea and refreshments were distributed, ana r a very enjoyable and harmonious evening I- was spent. The proceedings closed with e the singing of "Auld Lang Syne. 1 schoolroom was tastefully decorated for• t r occasion. Owing to illness, the Rev. J. 5 Hill, the pastor, was unable to be present. T Our attention has been drawn to tho ; dilapidated state of some of the ornamental shade trees in Vincent-street. Some of the } trees are nearly destroyed for want of a r little attention ; and we hope, now that 1 attention is drawn to the matter, the city 5 authorities will cause something to be done E to preserve the trees and prevent further b damage. A subscription of £20 was sent yesterda} I to the Mayor of Sydney by Messrs. WirUi i Brothers in aid of the fund for alleviating the distress in the Boorke district.

The many friends of Thomas Barron, an Did and respected waterman here, and also well-known as an enterprising prospector, will be glad to learn that his bravery in jumping off the wharf and saving the fife of a little girl named Ethel Thomas in November last, has been rewarded by tho Royal Humane Society of Australasia awarding him a honorary certificate of merit. This will be presented publicly some time during tho current month. Messrs. Cook and Sons arc always adding to the attractiveness of the several tourist routes which they conduct, with such success. They have now arranged a tour through a large portion of Western Persia, which includes a tour through a portion of Russian territory before reaching the Persian border. The route is from Constantinople to Batoum on the Black Sea ; thence by rail to Baku, the great petroleum centre ; thence by steamer on the Caspian to Enzelli, where the tourist touches Persian soil, and from this town the tourist goes to Teheran, the capital of the Empire, to Ispihan, and Other cities in Persia until Bushire on the Persian Gulf is reached. The route arranged for gives about 2000 miles of horse and carriage travelling in this old but littleknown country in the present da}. An American paper has the following :—- " It is not generally known that thieo of "DcQuincev's family are still alive, one son and two daughters. The surviving son is P. F. HcQuiucey, who won distinction in the English Army during the Indian mutiny." Our contemporary might have added' that the son is a resident in Auckland, and is Sergeant at-Arms in the i\ew Zealand House of Representatives. At the midday adjournment of tho Supreme Court, Mr. Edward Fairburne, who hud been summoned to servo on the Grand Jury, but was absent when called on, appeared before His Honor to explain his absence. He said that he was in the Government service, and on that ground, as well as on the ground of being over age, the whole matter had slipped his memory. He had no intention of showing disrespect to the Court. His Honor remitted the fine, but told Mr. Fairburne that if he desired to be exempt on the ground that he was over age, he should get his name erased from the jury list. The Wanganui Herald states that it hears on first-class authority that Sir Julius Yogel will shortly arrive in the colony to take up the editorship of tho New Zealand Times. Sir George Grey is taking a great interest in the production of Mr. Christie Murray's play, " Chums," and ho yesterday accompanied the author through the Domain, and procured permission for the selection of suit-able foliage for the scenery. Sir George will be present at the initial performance of the play to-night, if his health permits. Yesterday Mr. Christie Murray presented to Sir George Grey the manuscript of " The Chums." It will probably be added to Sir George Grey 's large bequest to the Auckland Public Library. The Resident Magistrate at Timaru hasdecided that a station manager in the absence of an agreement is entitled to three months' notice, or pay, on dismissal. Tho plaintiff had been paid £120 a-year and found, and sued also for three months' board, but this was disallowed. Wirth's Circus at the Columbia Rink was bkfsed with its usual good fortune last rvght in the shape of a crowded house. The performance went off very successfully, and the various feats were loudly applauded. There will be a matinee performance on Saturday afternoon. At the Opera House last night "The Candidate" was revived by the Saint Maur Dramatic Company. It was a really capital performance of this amusing comedy. The house, however, was only a moderate one, the public evidently bent on saving their money for Mr. Christie Murray's play of '• Chums." Opera-goers are reminded that the box plan for the first night of the season will be opened at ten a.m. to-day at Wild man's. Dorothy is the opera selected for the first performance. The prominent author Rider Haggard has recently taken out a policy of assurance for £5000 in the Equitable Life Assurance of the United States. A lecture on the " Islands of the Pacific" is to be delivered by Mr. J. T. Arundel on Friday, at the .M.C.A. Rooms. The anniversary soiree of St. John's W esleyan Church, Ponsonby, is to be held this evening.