THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1890.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8423, 26 November 1890, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1890.

We have long urged in these columns the development of wine-growing; for whether our Island can or cannot yield what may be termed the fine wines of commerce, the industry, even if the wine should not reach that highest level, might still prove exceedingly remunerative. Some very encouraging information on the subject is furnished by the letter in Saturday's Herald's supplement, from Mr. Aitken Connell, concerning what lie saw and learned at the Wanganui vineyard of Mr. Joseph Soler. The proprietor, a vigneron of experience from Spainone of the famous wine countries —has been engaged in his Wanganui enterprise for twenty-five years. He considers the climate of his present locality slightly inferior to that of South Australia for ripening, but superior for fermentation. He states that out of twenty-five years he experienced only two bad seasons, when the grapes did not fully ripen, the freedom from hailstorms being a great cause, lie takes from two and a-half acres—including less than aquarter of an acre under glass—about twenty tons of grapes yearly, making therefrom eighty quarter - casks of wine. Mr. Connell saw in his cellars some three hundred quartercasks of wine, varying from one to ten years old, and at the latter age the value is about ten shillings the gallon. " The wine consisted mostly of port, sherry, and muscat, but he also manufactures hock, claret, and even champagne." Prize medals were taken for those wines at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London, and at the Melbourne Centennial, and at the several New Zealand Exhibitions, and our informant adds that until he tasted them, he did not believe it possible to produce such wines in New Zealand. This is encouraging evidence of the success of the manufacture ; but it is always a pity if a vintage be of superior quality not to put it forward on its own merits and under the local name, instead of naming it in imitation of other wines, and especially when so widely dissimilar as in the above list. In putting wine as well as other things on the market, a good original proves in the end immensely more valuable than any imitation. In new countries it is easy to slide into the mistake because of the ditliculty of finding or starting a market for what has not yet acquired a reputation. The Cap'; colony affords a practical example. Some Huguenot emigrants from the south of France, accompanying the larger body of Dutch settlers, carried the vine to the Cape of Good Hope, and with the quickened commerce of a later time, the vinedressers thereabouts began to export to the English market, and thought it would best recommend their unknown vintages tojjrepare them in imitation of the wines most esteemed by the British palate. Thus sprang up the well-known supply of Cape Madeiras, Cape sherries, Cape hocks, <tc. As matter of fact, that colony has some excellent vintages, which, if their own merits were relied on, would have made their way in the great markets;

but when at last the exporters tried this plan, the established repute of the Cape for imitation wines proved an obstacle to appreciation and liiHi prices for the genuine article. Iho English wine market has a varied history, and sometimes with peculiar circumstances that tended to cull up what are more or less artificial wines. After the Norman conquest, and especially after the Plantagenets acquired the throne, the vintages of Gascony and Guienne abounded in England. That, tort, wits the period when the Crusades and the mercantile eminence of the Venetians made a much frequented p;« h between the Eastern side of the Mediterranean and North-west Europe and then, besides the above-mentioned light wines of France, there went to England the full bodied Malmsey or Malvoisieof the Morea and of the Island of Crete;, then known as Candia from its chief town. After the discovery of America, everything Spanish was 'long in fashion—costume, manners, Ac., and, among other things, Spanish vintages. In that Tudor period what were most drunk at English tables were the Canary wine and the fine ones of Andulasia—the sack loved by PalstafF, the "Sec," signifying "dry" wine. They were doubtless banished by the wars )vith Spain interrupting tlx* trade; and the clarets of France again appeared in England, and long held the chief place. In the early part of the hist century there was hardly a wayside inn in Great' Britain and Ireland which had not claret in the wood. It was in fashionable" and popular use. But France was then England's enemy, and Portugal was her ally, and the British Government determined to keep out French vintages and let Portuguese in duty free. To reconcile the always conservative country gentlemen to the change in their wine cup, it was diplomatically suggested to the Portuguese merchants to give more potency to their export, and the production of Port wine Was the consequence. Portnamed from Oporto, where it is prepared and shipped—has been often styled rather a liqueur than a wine. The Portuguese themselves do not use it, and we believe the export is still confined to English markets. It has great nutritive properties, especially serviceable to people with thin blood, and as its merits are well understood, it will always continue in vogue. But when it came into England to take the place of claret, it could not be drunk without harm in the same quantity as that light wine, and hence the prevalence of gout that characterised those three-bottle days. Moreover, the national taste was thus vitiated, and in the rage for "fortification" even the light French wines were dealt with by the process known in Bordeaux as travail a I' Anqlane. During the last forty years there has been, a complete reaction in England against the practice of "fortification," but the reader must not confound that practice with the moderate and vary admixture of spirits, without which wines cannot bear a voyage or any transport in bulk. Yet the vigneron is not here permitted to extract the spirit as lie is elsewhere. The revelation»of a first-class wine here would be of more importance than the discovery of a new goldfield, but in any ease the enterprise at Wanganui clearly proves that the production and manufacture of wine would easily grow into a great New Zealand industry, employing, as Mr. Connell justly says, hundreds of thousands of persons, if it were not for the monstrous anomaly that it is actually opposed by our Legislative policy, instead of being heartily encouraged, as such enterprise is in Australia.

It is announced in our cable messages this morning that Mr. Parnell has resigned the leadership of the Irish party on the advice of Mr. Gladstone, and that ho has nominated Mr. Justin McCarthy as his successor, who is probably better known as a novelist than as a politician. A singularly placid-looking person, of slight figure and medium height, who wears his wavy hair thrown from off a white expansive brow, and who peers through his spectacles in a half amused, half-benevolent fashion. There are three of him, and after his manner, lie is handsome. A refined man in every respect —as author, political writer, and parliamentary orator. Since he wrote " Waterdale Neighbours," a delightful story, he has produced novels imbued with unfailing charm, and has given the world a "History of Our Own Times," * which, while being accurate, is as alluring as one of his own romances. He was editor of the Morning Star, which has long since disappeared from the journalistic firmament, and went out to Jamaica as its special correspondent to ascertain the truth about Governor Eyre. He now writes, or did write, leaders for the Daily News. In Parliament lie speaks often and well in a polished diction that is just flavoured with a touch of the brogue. He is a busy and prolific man, yet not absent from the salons, and seldom misses the first night of a new piece at a leading theatre. Such is tho man who is to succeed to the leadership of the Irish party. His success in such a role is doubtful. He was not born to lead He is, however, honest and respectable, and the Irish party just now stand in need of honesty and respectability. Mr. William Beckett, a well-known member of Parliament and banker, has been killed on the railway. A forecast of the Queen's Speech has been published. It is a very tame document, and is understood to foreshadow an early dissolution.

At, about two o'clock yesterday the screw cruiser Curacoa, Captain Robert W. Stopford, the successor in the Australian squadran to the well-known Opal, arrived from the South. The Curacoa is to make a short stay here, and will leave next week for the Bay of Islands, returning again before leaving for Lyttelton, where she is to spend Christmas. A full description of the vessel, in regard to equipment, appearance, etc., as well as the list of her officers, will be found in our shipping news.

Mr. A. H. Phelps died at Norfolk Island on the 29th of last month, after a short illness of a few days. He was well known as as evangelist in this city, and was greatly respected by a large number of friends.

The choir of the Gospel Temperance Mission gavo lasc evening in the Public Hall, Onehunga, the service of song, ".Ruin and Rescue." There was an excellent/ attendance. The choir consisted of 50 voices, under the conductorship of Mr. J. L. Innes, Rev. \V. J. Miller presided. Pastor Birch read the connective readings. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the choir for visiting Onehunga, and a hope expressed they would do so again at some future date.

The election of a mayor for the borough of Newmarket is to take place to-day, and the event is exciting a good deal of local interest. The candidates are Mr. George Kent., who is at present the senior member of the Borough Council, and Mr. F. (!. Clayton, who was recently elected a member of that body. A mayor has also to be elected to-day for the borough of Devonport. The candidates are Mr. Oliver Mays and Mr. E. W. Alison, and the election is creating a good deal of local interest.

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the South British Insurance Company will be-held to-day, at eleven a.m., when the following resolution will bo proposed: — That the capital of the company, which now consists of £'2,000,000, divided into 100,000 shares of £20 each, be reduced to £1,900,000, divided into 100,000 shares of £1!) each, and that such reduction be ollcctcd by cancelling paid capital, which has been lost or is unrepresented by available assets, to the extent of £1 per share upon each of the G4,6'28 shares which have been issued and are now outstanding, and by reducing the nominal amount of all the shares in the company's capital from £20 to £10 per share."

It will be seen from our advertising columns that the Northern River Steam Navigation Company have reduced their fares by the steamers Minnie Casey and Ivina, plying between llelensville and the various Kaipara settlements.

We "have to hand Cook's _ Australian Travellers' Gazette and Tourists Advertiser for November, giving all *'' ie information as to the various tours for tho corning seasftn. The following passage will be of interest to some readers: —■" We have received application for membership in a party to leave Australia in January, on a tour to India and Ceylon. _ India and Ceylon are both seen at their beet in the spring of the year. Australians intending to visit Europe this coming season should not foil to visit tho many interesting cities of interest in India. Important changes in tho Continental train service have recently been made, by which a saving of six hours is effected between Homo and London by the Mont Cenis route, and ten hours by the St. Gothard route. What is, however, of more importance to the majority of Australian travellers is tho improved service between Brindisi and London by tho mail route. Hitherto mails and passengers have been conveyed by the same train, and the sleeping car accommodation has necessarily beon limited, but the mails will henceforth he conveyed by a separate train, which will bo known as the Peninsular express, consisting of sleeping cars, capable of carrying fifty passengers, and a restaurant car only. This train will convey first-class passengers only."

The combined choirs of the Grafton Road and Newmarket Wosleyan Churches rendered in a very pleasant manner Root's fine cantata, entitled "Cloud and Sunshine," in the Grafton Road Church last night. Tho building was about half filled. The piece is descriptive of the sufferings of the children of Israel in their captivity, and of their delivery "out of the land of Egypt, and out of the house of bondage," concluding with a stirring note of triumph and thanksgiving. The choir was numerically strong, and the various portions of the cantata were well given, showing that considerable time and care had been devoted to its preparation, a fact which the audience was not slow to recognise. Before tho gathering dispersed a hearty vote of hanks was given to Miss Clayton, who presided at the organ ; Mr. Catling, who acted as conductor ; and to the choir, for i heir kind and efficient services during tho evening.

The J übilee services to be held in the Pittstreet Wesleynn Church, to-day, possess more than ordinary interest. They coinmence with a fellowship meeting at eleven o'clock. In the afternoon, at three o'clock, the Rev. Alexander Reid will preach the jubilee sermon. There are few ministers in active work now who know more of the progress of the colony during the last fifty years than Mr. Reid, who has exercised an influence for good with both Maoris and Europeans. Tea will be provided in the school-room from half-past five to half-past 'six o'clock. In the evening the public meeting will be held in the church, commencing at seven o'clock, when addresses will be given by the Revs. A. Reid, W. (dittos, and W. Morley, Messrs. R. Hobbs, and T. Buddie.

Our Mareretu correspondent writes : —I am pleased to be able to report that Muster James McCarroll, son of Mr. .John McCarroll, who met with a serious accident about a fortnight ago, through his horse failing with him, is progressing favourably. He will, in the course of a week or two, be able to get about again.

A subsidised telephone station has been opened at, Orewa, which is now becoming a public resort in the summer time for seabathing and picnic purtie. This will prove a great public convenience. The telephone line from Drury to Ararirnu. seven miles in length, approaches completion.

A very successful limelight entertainment was given in the schoolroom, Lichfield, on Saturday evening, in aid of the library, before ail appreciative audience. The face* of the newly-elected councillors and several settlers and friends from the neighbourhood being conspicuous. Messrs. Burr and Hardy merited the thanks of those present for the deserving manner in which the programme was carried out, both gentlemen being well known in the district , one for his natural wit and enlivening company, the other for his genial qualities, and as patentee of the redoubtable darner."

The wonderful natural phenomena of the Hot Lake district have never been so faithfully rendered as in the - beautiful realistic painting just executed by lierr Kahler, the well-known Get man artist, and now on view at Jackson's late auction mart, opposite Morrin ami Co.'s. "The Champagne Pool, Wairakei," was recently placed on view in the Art Gallery, and was quite a surprise to those who saw it. The splendid effects of colour here depicted are so rich and harmonious that many observers could scarcely believe that such chromatic combinations were the result of nature's chemistry, very carefully studied and accurately reproduced by the patience and skill of the artist. " Great Wairakei" is ix companion picture, and presents a complement, and yet a contrast, to the "Champagne Pool." The sombre tints of brown and grey form a fitting setting to the geyser effect so faithfully rendered in the centre. The wild, weird wonder of this scene is the remittent explosive geyser which at regular intervals surges within its basin, and with violent, convulsive effort, lifts its boiling; mass into the form of a dome, from which bursts forth dazzling founts of dashing spray. The moment of activity has been chosen by the artist, and is painted with remarkable power and realistic effect. Behind the fountain, and through the curling clouds of steam, the rich and varied greens and browns of the overhanging rock are admirably painted. The grand painting of the White Terrace is the most successful attempt yet made to reproduce the dazzling beauty of that fair scene, which is now so hopelessly lost to us. The part selected by the artist is the front of that magnificent overhanging wall which formed the division between the upper and lower parts of the Terrace. The draped lines of fleecy fringes, with their stalactitic pendants, rudely broken away, are represented with vigour and boldness. The deep blue pools of the foreground—a shade too deep for this part of the Terrace—are painted with smoothness and transparency, while the delicate outlines which mark the pradual elevations into separate and distinct " mirrors of sapphire" are traced with a firmness and delicacy, and produce the true effect so well remembered by visitors The perspective of the whole picture when seen from a distance is very real, and as the picture " grows upon" the observer, the character of the scene is found to be so ably preserved that it completely recalls the experience of those who gazed at that wonderful structure. *

Recently ho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board communicated with the InspectorGeneral of Hospitals as to the desirability of taking some steps to make the Koch specific available in the colony. The Board has received intelligence from Dr. Macgregor that the Premier has instructed the Agent-General to make inquiry about Koch's consumptive treatment.

As showing the benefits derivable from holding Agricultural Shows, some of the Auckland manufacturers who displayed particular exhibits from the local industries have been favoured with a number of orders in consequence. Like advertising, competition at such public exhibitions is sure to pay in the long run.

The first ordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Kuaotunu Quartz-Crushing Company, Limited, was held yesterday at the ofllces of Mr. \V. R. Cook, -street. Mr. .]. M. Alexander presided. There was a largo attendance. The following gentlemen were appointed directors :—Messrs. J. M. Alexander, 11. Brett, J. Hardie, \Y. Ilellaby, and K. Sandetnann.

There have been several prosecutions this year in connection with the celebration of the Gunpowder Conspiracy with smoke, ilame, and noise. \ esterday morning at the Police Court a prominent citizen, Mr. Gilbert Ron tree, was charged with setting oil' fireworks in Ponsonby to the danger of Mr. Field, the well-known printer, who was driving home in company with three •females about seven o'clock on the evening of the 10th instant. It appears that the continual explosions of fireworks by the members of Mr. Mountree's family so frightened Mr. Field's horse that, in spite of every precaution the trap was capsized and considerably damaged. Mr. Rountree contended that Mr. Field upset his trap through want of care in turning round, and that the accident would not have occurred if the trap had been supplied with lights. In addition to this ho himself had not let ofF the crackers. Dr. Giles ex- ' pressed surprise at the defence sot up, and : considered the ease to be clearly proved. A ! fine of 40s and costs was inflicted on the de- > fendant 1;

Mr. DeForest has increased the attractions of his exhibition at the Arcade by the addition of three very tine large paintings just executed to the order of Mr. Hunter Brown, of Hawke's Bay. The largest canvas (48 by "><i inches) represent/- iV, To Ringa Falls, a remarkable break on the Wairoa River. Instead of the mass of water falling into the centre of the picture as usually seen in sketches and photographs of cascades, the artist lias secured an excellent composition from ground just above the fall, bringing into perspective the deep gorge of the river, with its turbulent stream "deepening into silence." Seamed and broken dill's on either hide, surmounted with dense bush, lead the eye to the pictures!|ue hills which compose the distance, find give a faithful picture of a truly romantic scene, which may be fairly considered as one of the best efforts of the artist's numerous studies. There are also two large and very attractive pictures of Waikatemuana, the scene of the encampment of the colonial forces when in pursuit of the Urewcra. One is a morning scene ; the soft mist just disclosing the distant hills affords scope for the delicacy of treatment so much admired in this artist's work. "A Sheltered Bay 'Neath .Jutting Crags" is the principal topic of the picture, and the whole is treated with a perfect harmony of colour, just enough life being represented to redeem the solitude and make the stillness more profound. The companion picture is an artistic study of natural effect ; the fading lights of evening are seen touching up the distant hills and casting into deep shadow a group of natives who have just landed from a canoe "wearied at the close of day." Ohiringa, a prominent bluff rising 1000 feet above the level of the lake, forms a conspicuous object in the centre of the picture, giving a bold grandeur to the scene. The surface of the lake is beautifully painted, and expresses in its clear transparent depths the calm and peace of eventide.

The annual meeting of the Waitemata County Council, for the election of a chairman, will be held at noon to-day, at the offices, Palmcrston Buildings, and the ordinary meeting for the transaction of business, which under other circumstances would take place on Friday, will be held at one o'clock.

Sir William Fox, in a pamphlet to hand, published at the Herald Office, entitled, "Compensation : A memorandum on the question whether it is due to the publican on the refusal to renew his license," deals with the matters involved therein. After reciting the history of the colonial law which has never recognised any right to compensation for refusal to renew licenses, lie takes up in succession the pleas offered on behalf of the licensee, and contends that they are either indefensible, misleading, or inaccurately stated. He asserts that we are spending five times the amount on beer that we spend on brains—that is, on national education—and that if every adult in the colony would give the cost of a quarter of a glass of beer a-day, it would defray the whole cost of the national education system, and nearly half as much more.

Last night the four infantry companies of the local garrison, the City Guards, Victoria, Newton and Royal Irish Rifles, had a good muster in the Drill-shed, and went through bayonet drill, the Garrison Band being also in attendance. On Saturday the " A" Battery of Artillery will proceed with their nine-pounder licld-piece to the Takapuna Battery, and there go through their annual shot and shell practice, while the "0" Battery will practice with their 64-ponnders at Fort Resolution.

Last night a public meeting was held in the Devonport Wesleyan Church, in connection with the Jubilee of Methodism. There was a good attendance, and Mr. J. Edson occupied the chair. The Rev. Alex. Reid delivered an earnest address, in which he described the progress of Methodism in New Zealand during the past fifty years, concluding by expressing his gratitude at the fact that the Church was at the present day as full of zeal and vigorous life as it was then, and that the power of the simple doctrine of the Gospel, as laid down by the great founder, John Wesley, was ill as great an agent as ever towards man's salvation. Mr. J. 1.. Wilson followed, with some interesting reminiscences of the early days of Methodism in Auckland, referring in leeling terms to the good old pioneers and missionaries, of whom the majority had now gone to their rest. Amid all the changes, however, the Church had not changed, and he hoped its power for good would continue, for God's love and man's need always remained unaltered. After the Chairman had explained that owing to the position in which the Devonport congregation stood financially, which was against their making any great contribution to the proposed fund for commemorating the Jubilee, the Rev. W. Morley, the secretary of the Jubilee Thanksgiving Fund, proceeded to explain in a stirring address the object of the recent conference. These aims were, briefly, to express their gratitude to God for his goodness to Methodism during the past f>o years in New Zealand, and to endeavour to deepen the spiritual life in the Church. The speaker showed the great progress made by Methodists during recent years, and exhorted those present to cultivate an intelligent attachment to their Church, and also to assist in providing a fitting thanksgiving memorial. Subscription cards were handed round to those present. At intervals several hymns were sung by all present, and a light refreshment of tea, coffee, fruit, etc., was handed round.

In connection with the Tauranga regatta, to be held on Saturday next, the Northern Steamship Company's s.s. Clansman will run an excursion trip, leaving Auckland for Tauranga on Friday evening at five o'clock. Return saloon tickets will be issued for £1 10s, available for a week, The Artillery Band has been engaged.

The Library Committee of the City Council and the members of the Advisory Committee met on Monday night, and after going through lists, decided upon the purchase of several hundred volumes. Most of these are works suitable for the lending library, to keep it supplied with the latest and best works in fiction and other departments.

A popular promenade concert will take place this evening on the Queen-street Wharf. If the weather prove favourable it should be a great success. Impey's Band will play the following programme during (he evening :—March, " The Gallant Soldier," Hare ; overture, Spring," Hermann; valse, " Carina," 0. Boeder; selection, " Lurline," Wallace; gavotte, "Golden Gleam," Ripley; valse, "The Dream," F. Morell ; selection, Martha," Flotow ; schottische, "Betsy," Hartman; "God Save the Queen."

To-day is the last day of the great clearance sale of Mr. T. K. Carter's stock of pictures, musical instruments, Are. Bargains may be expected, for the stock is being sold absolutely without reserve.

The Christmas tree in aid of St. Patrick's Presbytery opens at the Catholic Institute, on Thursday next, at three o'clock. Bishop Luck presides at the opening.

At Mr. T. M. Jackson's mart yesterday, The following properties at Onehunga were sold bv auction Allotment Clairmonfcstreet, 33 feet wide, with cottage, for £90; 1-acre section, with dwelling, for £170.

Dr. Wallis invites those willing to become members of his election committee to meet him, not in St. James's Hall, as previously announced, but in Robson's Rooms, this evening, at eight o'clock.

Tenders invited by H.M. Customs, Auckland, for lifeboat for Hiuemoa.