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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8374, 30 September 1890, Page 4

A correspondent, referring to the article in yesterday's paper on the prospect tHat many years will elapse before the Vinds of the Upper Waipa Valley, throWh which a railway has been made, wil be available for settlement, coincide with our view. He says that blocks with large numbers of owners are virtually locked up for ever, for if, while the 900 signatures are being acquired, some c c the grantees die, which is quite certain to be the case, a sitting of the Native Lands Court must be held to appoint successors, and the work of obtaining signatures must begin de novo. Our correspondent, who has considerable experience on the subject, says that the natives will not sell to the Government, as they think the Government should not d ibble in native lands. One reason of their objection is because the Government appoint the Lands Court Judges. We are convinced that this questior will have to be closely looked into at an early date. It is an enormous loss to the colony that the line should run for some sixty or seventy miles through land which gives no traffic. At the present rate in thirty years the district will still be a wilderness ; and the money of the colony, spent on the railway, will still be giving no return. The only possible way to expedite the matter is by the Government withdrawing the proclamation. They cannot go 011 maintaining a system which simply keeps things as they are.

Sydney is gaining an unenviable reputation in connection with the present strikes as the scene of lawlessness and disorder. Yesterday a party of free labourers were attacked by a number of strikers, when one of the former, with the view of intimidating the assailants, drew a revolver and fired a shot over their heads. This action, how ever, had only the effect of exasperating the unionists, who terribly maltreated the. free labourers, the police being powerless to prevent the disturbance. With this solitary exception strike matters in Australia are quiet, and, in all probability, had the/New South Wales Government from the first shown a determination tt do their duty as a Government in the maintenance of law and order, the scenes which have occurred in Sydney would never have taken place. Our cable messages from England state that the unions ar« no longer endeavouring to coerce unwilling members to subscribe to the support of the Australian strikers, and it can scarcely have escaped observation that little or nothing is now mentioned concerning the liberal contributions which the English workmen were so confidently expected to forward to the colonies. It is now becoming apparent that the strikers must not look to England for financial support. The Hon Mr. Mitchelson was busy all day yesterday at the Minister's rooms in the Customs buildings. He was literally besieged with visitors, who came on various errandssome with grievances, others on business, and others on matters political. There were no deputations, however, of public interest, Mr. Mitchelson will be a' the Minister's rooms again to-day. The funeral of the late Mr. Barstow will take place to-morrow, leaving his late residence, Stonecroft, for St. Mark's, Remuera, at- four p.m. It has been postponed to that date to enable deceased's son, who is managing the Kaihu Railway, to reach Auckland in time to ,bo present at tho funeral.

fv..i/.rdav afternoon, white some non- / • n men were being paid at the Union r°mDany'6 office, a couple of union men iin One of the first-named men, it ' bad only seceded from the r mners' Un-'on that day, and some hot nrds ensued, which ended in a scuffle, but V began it is not quite clear. The nonlion man says he was hit on the ear by a L union an, while the latter as stoutly de--hre* that the knock lie got on the side of the head was decidedly free labour. Sergb. jlcMahon and Constable Rowles were promptly on the spot, but there was no need for their services, as both the combat ants left before their arrival. The admirable arrangements which Inspector r o!iiiin has made on the wharf for maintaining order and preventing anything like personal assaults or intimidation, have proved very effective. The Auckland police rti: ;horities have the proud record that this j. the only port from Auckland to Invercar* pill, where the law has been fully vindicated, complete protection afforded to every man in the pursuit of his calling ' and disorder and violence of any kind prevented. Even the larrikin element of the population, which has pUyed so prominent a part in the labour troubles in the South, has never been able to manifest itself here. It is to be expected t!ut the Government will recognise, as the .■vmnumity will recognise, the valuable services Inspector Broham has rendered during the present juncture, which is expressed in his phrase at the outset, now historic—" The police know their duty, , ami they mean to do it."

The Registrar of Friendly Societies, Mr, E. Mason, has arrived in Auckland, in order to make inquiry into the allegations preferred against a defunct Burial Society, ami to ascertain the circumstances under which it was formed and carried on.

A coroner's inquest was held yesterday morning at Buck's Hotel, Lower Hobsonstreet, before Dr. Philsou and a jury of six, on the body of William Godfrey, who lost his life on the 14th September by falling from a hulk alongside the mail steamer Zealand ia. Deceased was a seaman on board the Arawata, and was about 30 years of age. At the time of the acci- i dent he was engaged in bringing coal | to the Zealandia. He was passing from the hulk Senator to the John Knox, which was alongside, when he slipped and fell between the two boats. Ernest William Mair sprang in after him, but his attempt to save him was unsuccessful, and the body was not recovered till Saturday last, off Freeman's Bay. The evidence of John W hittingham, Constable Macky, Edward M untile, Robert Sopwith, and Ernest William Mair was taken, and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death from drowning." A rider was added to the effect " that it was an error of judgment on the part of the mate in not throwing a rope immediately on hearing the cry, the man having been struggling in the water for some rive minutes, only one man making Any attempt to save him." °

Over a week ago the secretary of the Federated Butchers' Union interviewed Mr. If. Bins ted (of the firm of Messrs. H. and J. Binsted Bros.J butchers,) with reference to the pay of their assistant. It may be mentioned that the firm are not members of the Master Butchers' Union, and .Mr. Binsted, after some conversation with Mr. Bust (which appears to have been courteous enough on both sides), demurred to stating anything about his business, and denied the right of the secretary of the Federated Butchers' Uuion to ask him any questions, as he did not recognise him in an official capacity. The interviewed ended. Subsequently Mr. Binsted got the following letter :— "Federated Butchers' Union, 30, Coo tubes' Arcade, September 17, 18£K). Messrs. H. and J. Binsted. Dear sirs, —As the committee of the above union have determined that the wages of your employee, Mr. Morris, should be 30s per week (he to find himself), I have been instructed to write and ask that you pay him the above amount per week as from Monday next, September '22. IS9O,- but should you be mutually inclined to make arrangements re board and lodging equal to above rate of pay so much the better, as the members of the union »re most reluctant to take extreme measures in any case, but they are firmly resolved not to allow any of their number to work below their published scale of pay • »c- I ceptecl by the master butchers. Trusting I to receive a favourable and early reply. —I am, etc., F. R. Bust, secretary." Mr. Binsted had some conversation with the assistant, which resulted in his terminating the engagement, and employing another union man, on terms satisfactory to employer and employed. On Saturday Mr. Binsted was informed that a circular or notification had been sent round the labour unions, intimating that the firm had acted hostile to unionism, and requesting members to remember that fact. Mr. Binsted hay not yet ascertained who has circulated the notice, or under what authority it has been issued, but he is making the necessary enquiries.

At the Bankruptcy sittings of the Supremo Court, yesterday, His Honor Mr. Justice Conolly announced that on Monday next, in addition to the bankruptcy business he would also sit in Chambers and in Banco in order to clear off business before be left for the South, to preside at the New Plymouth sittings and the Court of Appeal, as he would be absent about a month. He would take Chamber business at ten o'clock, Bankruptcy at eleven, and Banco immediately after.

The usual meeting of the Grammar School Board was held yesterday afternoon at the Victoria Arcade, Sir Maurice O'Rorke being in the chair, and all the members being present. The business transacted was ot no public interest. A letter was received from the City Council announcing that the Council could not consent to forego tho rates on the Grammar School buildings. The finances of the Board are in a satisfactory position. After passing accounts to the amount of £363 7s, there remains a credit balance in the bank of £496.

At the Church meeting of the members of the Tabernacle last evening, we understand, notice of motion was given that a special Church meeting be convened to consider a motion to the effect that the Church has no confidence in the pastor a« pastor of that Church. Pastor Birch, who presided, ruled tho notice of motion to be out of order, and held that they were bound by the vote in his favour of the previous Church meeting. He invited them to ts3t legally the correctness of his ruling. One of the Church officers entered his protest againut the ruling. The matter now remains in statu quo.

Yesterday a man engaged in begging made the mistake of soliciting Detective Ede in Wel'esley-street in his vocation. The officer, who was aware that a wellknown citizen was anxious to see a oneeyed beggar, took him to the police station, and finally charged him- with begging, which is a breach of the Police Offences Act. The accused gave his name as Peter Keenan, but from papers in his possession he was finally charged as Peter Keighly. During the present week the Railway Commissioners will resume the regular cervices on most of the Southern lines, the traffic having gradually improved till it is little below the volume before the strike. Business on the Wellington lines is also increasing sufficient to justify an early resumption of the full service.

We learn from Kawakawa that the coal miners have had a meeting, and manifest a desire to return to work, but are prevented by agitators. An endeavour has been made to get the engine-men out, but they are not likely to come out.

At the Oamaru Resident Magistrate's Court, Andrew Ingram, charged with wife desertion in January last, was yesoerday remanded to the Supreme Court at; Timaru next week. Accused was extradited from New South Wales.

Some time ago Captain Whitney established a cartridge factory at Mount Eden, from which ammunition is supplied to the Colonial forces. He also entered into a contract with the Victorian Government to establish a cartridge factory near Melbourne in order to supply the volunteer ! forces of that colony with ammunition. We j are glad to learn that the first trial of the | ammunition in Victoria has been highly satisfactory. The importance of these establishments in the scheme of colonial defence cannot be overrated, for in time of war a constant supply of ammunition within the resources of each colony is of the *»snest importance. ' J

_ The following patents have been applied for Richard Hornsby and Sons (Limited), of Grantham, England, for improvements in harvesting machines. Jeremy Taylor Marsh, of Kensington, England, Lieute-nant-Colonel, Royal Engineers, and Thomas oeavule Truss, of Forest Gate, Essex, for improvements in rotary propellers for the propulsion of vessels, also applicable for producing current® of air for ail purposes. The Bethol Electric Medical Baths Company (Limited), of Melbourne, for improved method of, and apparatus for, administering electricity to the human body. Christopher Burton, of Wellington, engineer, and Wilson Littlejohn, of the same place, watchmaker, for improvements in surveyors' measuring band cases. Thomas Alva Edison, of New Jersey, electrician, for improvements in photographs. William Alexander McKay, of Wellington, photographer, for McKay's segment door carrier. Henry Femvick, of Waikari, Canterbury, for an improved grass-stripping machine. Frederick William Hudson, of Sydney, for improved refrigerating chest or chamber. Charles Arthur Barrett and Alfred Barrett, both of London, for an improved automatic or coin-freed dynamometer or muscularpower testing machine.

The Otago Daily Times, in an article on " Unionism," has the following - —" The union of each separate trade is a close corporation, careful of the privileges of its members, but denying to non-unionists of the same trade the right to earn their broad. A striking instance of this selfish and antisocial spirit occurred at the last meeting of the Dunedin Building Trades' Union, here a proposal that an unemployed unionist labourer of one trade should be permitted to take work, if ho could get it, in another, failed to find favour, and was withdrawn."

Messrs. Anthony Sellars and Co., of Christchurch, advertise in the local paper to the effect that as the explanation of the article in the Trade and Labour Chronicle is satisfactory, Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs withdraw the writ against them.

It appears that the Young Men's Christian Association have a grievanoe, like Mr. Aldridge's people, about the Salvation Army Band, inasmuch as their week night service and Sunday afternoon service are similarly disturbed by the beating of drums in the vicinity of their building. The late president. of the Association (the Rer. J. S. Hill) felt very strongly on the matter, and by a strange fatality during his valedictory address at the \ oung Men's Christian Association Rooms, before leaving for England, the Army band went past, partly drowning his utterances. He stopped to say, " That is the sort of thing we have had to suffer for years past!" The Young Men's Christian Association people are hoping to have their grievance rectified at the same time that redress is afforded to Mr. Aldridge.

The members of the wholesale and retail trade are invited to attend a meeting of Licensed Victualler* at Hobson's Rooms, to-day, at eight p.m., on matters of importance.

A telegraph messenger boy at Fetone, Wellington, named Barlow, was arrested on a charge of stealing £63 from the post office safe. He took the money in the absence of the postmaster, and tried to ride off on the horse, but was detected.

A boy named John Wi'son, was accidentally injured yesterday at the Waitemata Sawmills, by being struck in the abdomen by a billet of wood. He was token to the Hospital, where lie remains in a precarious condition.

The Howick and Pakuranga Band of Hope held their second annual (and which was also their monthly) meeting in the new hall, Pakuranga, on the 24th September, Mr. Hugh K. Gilmore presiding. Hoyle's hymn No. 211 being sung, and prayer engaged in by the chairman, the following programme was then proceeded with :— Recitation, " Strikes," Miss Mary Beeby ; song, "The Old Rustic Bridge by the Mill," Miss Eva White ; dialogue, " Keeping School," Misses Jessie and Lucy Roberta, Lucretia Pye, Mary Beeby, Charlotte Paton, and Sarah Hutchinson ; recitation, "The Drink Fiend," Master Annesley Hickson; vocal duet, "Sea of Glass," Misses Roberts and Bate ; recitation, " The Level Crossing," Miss Laura Roberts ; song, "The Irish Emigrant," Mr. George Bell; dialogue, " Drink's Doings," Misses Charlotte and Sarah Hutchinson, Edith Roberts, and Mabel Lindsay, Messrs. Tom Hutchinson, Reuben Crawshaw, and William T. Gilmore; piano solo, "La Chatelaine," Miss Minnie Bates; recitation, "The Voiceless Chimes," Miss Fanny Hat tawny ; hymn No. 53 ; dialogue, " Yield Not to Temptation," Misses Helen Lindsay and Laura Roberts, Messrs. George Bell, Tom Hutchinson, Matthews, and K. Gilmour; Benediction. During the evening the secretary's, registrar's, and treasurer's reports wero read, from which it appears this Band of Hope is in a most flourishing position. They have held twelve public ireetings durthe year, three of which have been visits from others Bands of Hope, and have themselves visited three in return. Had a picnic last summer, and their second industrial exhibition in March last. There have been 20 pledges taken during the year, and have now 134 active or attending members on the roll. The financial statement shows also good work. The piano bought by them for £24 two years ago is now paid for in full. The chairman called an after meeting for the election of office-bearers for the ensuing year, and desired the members to elect a superintendent in his place as he was about to leave the district, Sir William Fox was re-elected president; Mr. E. C. Carr, vicepresident: and Messrs. James and George Bell, W. D. Hattaway, and Thomas White, joint superintendents. There was a large meeting, and the hall most tastefully decorated. From the registrar's report the average attendance at public meetings during the year was 155.

The Wild West Show continues to maintain its popularity. There was another big audience last night, and their appreciation of the various items on the programme was, as usual, very marked. This afternoon there is to be a special afternoon performance at half-past two, for the benefit of children and families living at a distance. The charge for admission of children wiil beto the pit 6d, and Is to all other parts. Prices for adults will be the same as usual. In the evening the company will give their farewell performance, ana to-morrow at noon will sail by the Janet Niccol. for Gisborne, where they are to open on Friday.

Our Otahuhu correspondent writes : —A concert and dance was held in the Otahuhu Public Hail on Friday, September 26, for the purpose of defraying expenses incurred in improving the public school grounds. There was a crowded attendance. Among the most pleasing features of the entertainment were the songs, " Star of Peace," "See-saw," and "The Farmer," by the schoolchildren, each of which received a well-merited encore. The children were very prettily dressed, and their singing and acting reflected great credit on the teachers. The following was the programme presented Song, " Star of Peace," senior scholars ; song, " Queen of the Earth," Mr. J. Mitchell; song, "Love's Request," Miss M. Ryan; violin solo, Miss M. Harding; song, "They all love Jack," Mr. Wallace ; song, " Bouqueterie," Miss Harper; song, "Friar of Orders Grey," Mr. McCallum ; song, Where the Bee Sucks," Miss K. Huxtable ; piano duet, "Home, Sweet Home," Mrs. Mitchell and Miss Day; song, "See-saw," school children ; action song, " The Farmer," junior scholars; song, "Death of Nelson," Mr. McCallum ; duet, "The Wind and the Harp," Misses F. S. Harding and McKenzie ; song, " Apart," Miss Harper ; song, "Simon the Cellarer," Mr. J. Mitchell; song "Love was Once a Little Boy," Miss K. Huxtable; song (comic), " The Wild, Wild West Show, Mr. H. Harrison ; song (in character), " Gipsy's Warning," Misses Gillespie, M. Warren, and Mr. Wallace. The accompaniments were played by Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Swears, and Miss Harding. A pleasant dance brought the entertainment to a close. A word of praise is due to the ladies' committee for the success of the entertainment.

To-morrow Messrs. Wilson and Clayton, auctioneers, will sell at their mart, Queenstreet, two allotments with buildings thereon in Wellington-street (city). This is an investment well worth the attention of speculators. Messrs. Wilson and Clayton, auctioneers, &c., will sell by auction to-day, at eleven a.m., at Mr. Cheyne's residence, at corner of Victoria Avenue and Valley Road, Mount Eden, the whole of his superior household furniture and effects, iron-frame piano, builder's plant, cow in full milk, and about 30 fowls.