THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1891.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8475, 28 January 1891, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1891.

The most conspicuous feature about the speech with which His Excellency opened the new Parliament under the new Government is its brevity. It is very short, and it says very little. We have been accustomed to speeches of about four times the length, but which also said little.

Before dealing with the words of the speech, we may say that we do not think the new Ministers need fear that any section of the House will be supported by the country in any factious Opposition. The electors generally are not strong partisans. They are by no means in good humour with the party which has lately been in power. When the general election was concluded, it was clear that the Atkinson party had not such a majority as would enable them to carry on the Government. The Premier and his immediate adherents made professions that they were able to do so. It is now plain that all this, and a great deal of what has been said and done for sometime, was not sincere, but part of a complicated scheme to hoodwink the country till an office of ease and high emolument could be secured for Sir Harry Atkinson. This the country cannot soon forget. For ourselves, we may say that it is exceedingly likely we shall be opposed to some of the most important measures of the new Ministry, judging from what these gentlemen have advocated as private members. But if we do find ourselves opposed to them, it will simply be on their measures. As was expected, Ministers do not intend this session to do anything beyond getting fixed in their places, and ascertaining how they stand in regard to support in Parliament. A new session will then be held in April, when Ministers will be prepared with the measures which they now refer to. The Opposition, it is believed, will be against this on the ground that two sessions in one year ought to be avoided if possible, and that the Ministry ought to be able to proceed to business after an adjournment of a fortnight. Our opinion is that this would be sufficient. New legislation on several important subjects is dimly foreshadowed in the speech, but we believe the country would be quite content to wait. The financial year ends in March, and very accurate estimates could in a few days be made as to the revenue and expenditure up to that date. If Mr. Ballance is satisfied that Sir Harry Atkinson's estimate will be realised, and that wo shall have, at the end of the year, a surplus of somewhere about £150,000, he could at once introduce a Bill for a substantial reduction of the property tax, to take effect after the close of the financial year. The announcement of such a reduction would do very much to popularise the Ministry in quarters where at present it is not strong. Moreover, we feel quite certain that the announcement that a reduction of the property tax by Jd in the pound, or even £d, would at the present time cause no loss of revenue. There would at once

be so great an influx of capital into the colony, and such an increase in the value of property, that in all probability the revenue would rise instead of fall. Surely it is the very height or absurdity in any country to maintain a tax which absolutely dimi-

nishes revenue. It is only now, when the country has recovered somewhat of its wonted elasticity, that this argument could be used. Formerly we could not be sure that if we parted with any revenue at all, we should have enough to pay the imperative demands of London for interest 011 the debt. Now, with a certain surplus it is good policy to reduce taxation, even although for a few months we were to lose something. As for any large legislative changes, such as are hinted at in the speech, the colony would quite contentedly wait. However, we suppose that it is of no use to maintain this view. The Government are powerful enough to carry what they want. On such a matter they will be secure of the aid of every waverer, because a short

adjournment would mean one payment to members for the year, while a prorogation and a meeting in April will mean two payments. If Sir Harry Atkinson had resigned immediately at the conclusion of the general election, Mr. Ballance would have been sent for, and it would, of course, have been anticipated that when the House met a policy would have been prepared. That would have obviated the necessity for two sessions in the one year. But then Sir Harry Atkinson could not have been provided for by the Speakership of the Legislative Council. We shall have to submit to two sessions on that account.

The statement made in the speech with regard to finance is a specimen of hazy and mystifying English, and there can be no question that these qualities are imported with deliberate intent. Ministers, we are told, "propose to make an exhaustive inquiry into the financial condition of the colony, in order to submit proposals which they believe will be satisfactory, framed with due regard to economy, and with such reduction of the expenditure as the position of the country demands without impairing the efficiency of the public service. - This sentence has an air of burlesque about it. The condition of the finances of the colony was never so plain as it is at present, .as we are not complicated with any large loans or financial transactions in the ' London market. The departments could easily be examined to see if any further savings could be made, because they are not now so swollen as they were some years ago. But, of course, an "exhaustive inquiry" demands time and a second session. The next subject referred to is a Land Bill, which also demands " careful consideration." The present Lands Act has worked exceedingly well, as is proved by the fact that under it settlement is being rapidly extended, and the very best class of settlement too. Extensive tracts of country are not being monopolised, but small areas are being taken up in large numbers by hardworking men, who are enabled to devote all their means to fencing and stocking their holdings. Mr. Ballance will find that it is good policy to let well alone. We cannot assume that he means to bring in a Bill providing for land nationalisation, and for the seizure for the State of the 1 " unearned increment." If he attempts that . he will find himself in trouble. The statement as to the new measure is cautious enough, for it is only " to remedy the defects proved to exist in the present state of the law." The proposed establishment of a department of agriculture will meet with general approval, but some other "department," such as Public Works or Native Affairs, ought first to be extinguished. The Government have hitherto done somewhat in the way of spreading information about improved methods of preparing agricultural products for exportation. The new department may systematise and extend this and kindred work.

The danger which lies before the Ballance Administration is, that it may allow itself to be pushed on too far by the extreme adherents of the party. It has a splendid chance, and we hope will make good use of it. The new Ministry come into office at a time when the colony is shaking itself free from the nightmare of depression that has for so long rested upon it. We can look forward confidently to a large surplus instead of a large deficit in our finances. The exports for last year show a substantial increase even on the phenomenal figures of the previous year. The imports are also commencing to inreaso, showing that not so much of the surplus is necessary to liquidate pressing claims. Ministers have only to deal wisely with any opportunity which arises for the reduction of taxation, to take care that the cost of .Government does not increase, to guide affairs with a steady hand, and to abstain from fanciful and experimental legislation. They have only to do this to secure for themselves a good term of office, to make New Zealand a prosperous place, and to earn fame for themselves as wise administrators.

The intention of His Excellency and Lady Onslow to spend a portion of the summer at Auckland has been interfered with by the untimely meeting of Parliament. However, there will be an early prorogation, so that His Excellency will be free to leave Wellington. It is his intention, we are now informed, to pay a visit to the Arawa tribes shortly after the prorogation. The territory of the Arawas extends from Maketu, on the East Coast, in a strip of country back to Taupo, including Rotorua and the whole of the Hot Springs district. His Excellency, after visiting the native settlements in this extensive district, will come on to Auckland, where he will make a brief stay; and then, before Parliament assembles, he will make a tour of the Westland mining district. Lord and Lady Onslow will probably be in Auckland about the middle of February.

Our cable messages this morning state that a most destructive blizzard has ravaged part of America, doing damage to the extent of a million. The railway men on striko in Scotland are committing serious outrages. Germany has decided to give England moral support in her dispute with Portugal respecting the Zambesi and Shire districts. Lord (Jarrington read a paper on Australia at the Colonial Institute, an interesting summary of which appears in our cable columns.

Another old identity has passed away in the person of Mrs. M. Smith, relict of the late Mr. Benjamin Smith, of the Traveller's Rest Hotel, Southern Wairoa. She arrived in the colony in the year 1841, and has resided for 30 years at Wairoa South, and for the last eight years in Ponsonby. She leaves five sons three daughters and thirtyone grandchildren to mourn their loss.

| Among the tourists going to the Lake Country to-day are the Hon. Charles Goodchap, M.L.A. of New South Wales, and i party (5), and the Hon. Mr. Perkins, M.L.A., Melbourne, and party (5), and are booked through Hayr and Co., tourist agents. Mr. James Angus, M.1.C.E., managing railway engineer of New South Wales railways, also intended to have done the Lakes during his visit to New Zealand, but time did not permit, and he left yesterday for Sydney by the s.s. Mararoa. By the s.s. Te Anau, which is expected here this forenoon, the New South Wales representatives who are to uphold the honour of Australia at the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association's Championship meeting, on February 6 and 7, are expected to arrive here. The team comprises : W. T. Macpherson, E. E. Comer, A. E. Sefton, R. J. White, while Mr. H. Schwartzkoff will accompany them as manager. It is expected that several of the Southern competitors will arrive at the Manukau by the s.s. Wanaka. Both parties will, if practicable, be met at the vessel by officers of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, and welcomed in proper style.

Yesterday afternoon, at a meeting of delegates of the Auckland Employers' Association, a committee was appointed to confer with the Knights of Labour and the Trade and Labour Council with a view to forming a Board of Conciliation for Auckland to settle trade disputes. The representatives of the Employers' Association will be Messrs. J. F. Churton (vicepresident), A. H. Nathan, Arthur Wright (president of the Master Tailors' Association), and F. G. Ewington (secretary). Mr. Ewington is to arrange for an evening meeting on Thursday, February 5, if convenient to the representatives of labour. A charge of double-voting at the recent elections, preferred against Chas. Double, at the Police Court yesterday, was withdrawn. The prosecution stated that they had told the defendant not to attend the Court, and had no evidence to adduce. *The case was accordingly struck out.' Robert Ralph, proprietor of "the Huntly coal mine, was fined 20s and costs for having 80 sheep unbranded at Remuera. Albert Smith was fined 20s and costs for rescuing certain cattle that had been seized for the purpose of being impounded. The City Schools Committee held its ordinary fortnightly meeting last night. After a quantity of details had been attended to, circulars were read from Messrs. James Muir, Alexander Grant, J. H. Upton, and J. W. Carr respectively, each requesting nomination for membership of the Board of Education. After some discussion, the committee resolved to nomi-

nate Messrs. Upton and Carr. The Board of Education forwarded for distribution

junior scholarship certificates to Frank Davie?, Wellesley-street School, and Caroline S. V. Baa ton, Wellesley-street School; a certificate of proficiency (entitling holder to three years' free tuition at Grammar School) to Susannah M. Airey, Beresfordstreet School; and certificate of proficiency alone to May B. Robertson and Harry P. R. Foster, Wellesley-street School. An application from Mr. W. I. Robinson for the use of the Wellesley-street School rooms on certain evenings for technical classes, was deferred till next meeting, when Mr. Robinson was invited to attend and explain his requirements. The Auckland yacht Maritana was on Monday night sold to six Wellingtonians for a good price. Subsequently an offer was received from a Lyttelton man of a much better price, but Mr. Bindon and crew had left, and if he has absolutely concluded the bargain, it will, of coarse, have to stand. His Excellency the Governor's son was christened under the name of Victor Alexander Herbert Huia. The first two are by command of the Queen, the third is a family name, and the fourth is complimentary to the colony.

A correspondent writes as follows:— " Mangapai district, and that of Maungakaramea, which have been for nearly twelve months unvisited by a Presbyterian minister, were visited by the Rev. Mr. McCallum, of North Shore, who conducted a series of religious meetings, which were well attended and much appreciated by the Presbyterian settlers and those of other denominations. On Sunday last the little church at Mangapai was filled by an attentive congregation, when the Lord's supper was administered to over twenty communicants, the Rev. Mr. McCallum officiating, by arrangement with the minister at WaJpu, who was to have visited this district at the same time. The services were of an im-

pressive character, and the stirring addresses, which were of an earnest and Catholic spirit, will nob soon be forgotten by those who heard them." The well-known omnibus and cab proprietor of Parnell, Mr. James Martin, who has just recovered from a very severe illness, gave a dinner last night at the Windsor Castle Hotel to all his employes and a few personal friends in recognition of the loyal manner in which his workmen had attended to their duties daring his indisposition. A splendid spread was provided by the host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart. Ample justice having been done to the good things provided, one of the senior employes proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs. Martin, remarking that it gave them Jill present much pleasure and gratification at seeing their considerate employer fully restored to health, and once more about attending to his business. The speaker sincerely wished that the cordial relations which always existed between Mr. Martin and his servants would long continue. The toast was drunk in bumpers, winding up with " He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Mr. Martin in reply made a neat speech, dwelling particularly on the fact that his anxiety during his illness was considerably lessened, knowing as he did the faithful and loyal workmen with whom he was associated. He also tendered on behalf of Mrs. Martin a cordial return for the compliment paid her, and took this opportunity of proposing success and all good wishes for the prosperity of his men, their wives, and bairns. This toast was duly honoured and warmly cheered. After other toasts had been drunk songs and recitations went the rounds, music enlivened the evening's harmony, and towards the "small hours" the party broke up well-pleased and satisfied that such social evenings between masters and men must conduce considerably to the contentment and well-beintr of both. &

There was a large attendance of the public on the wharf 011 the occasion of the Mararoa's departure for Sydney last evening. Miss Janet Achurch and the members of her dramatic company were amongst the outward passengers, and their numerous Auckland friends had assembled in force to bid them farewell, while Mr. Frank Bradley, the talented organist, who sailed by the Mararoa, also received a good " send off" from quite a coterie of admirers.

The funeral of the late James J. Conway, the well-known athlete, took placo yesterday afternoon, and was very largely attended, fully 400 persons on foot following the remains to the grave, besides a number in carriages ; prominent amongst the former being the members of the Ponsonby Football Club and Waitemata Boating Club who to the number of about 80 preceded the hearse. The interment took place in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Symonds-street, the service both in St. Benedict's Church and at the grave being performed by Rev. Father Wissel. Last week Mr, F. Wright, the wellknown Auckland artist, returned to Auckland from a sketching tour in Taranaki. He has obtained a number of sketches, bub was greatly hindered in his tour by bad weather. For days he could nob get a chance of sketching Mount Egmont, bub at last succeeded. Mr. Charles Blomfield, another Auckland artist, has gone South on a similar mission. He is making an extended sketching tour of Nelson province and Westland. He intends doing the journey from Nelson to Westport on foot, taking sketches of all the more interesting points. Thence from Greymouth to Hokitika he intends to visit Lake Brunner and the surrounding district, the Western side of Mount Cook, the Francis Joseph Glacier, and also the West Coast Road, Bealey, and Otira Gorge. All that country is new to Mr. Blomfield ; and some of it, the Brunner district, for instance, where the scenery is said to be very fine, has never been reproduced on canvas.

Two lads, Thomas W. .Chatfield and Ernest Chabfield, were arrested yesterday by Constables Foreman and Finnerty on a charge of larceny of lemons and apples, value 4s, the property of Mr. Mason, Ponsonby. They were subsequently bailed out.

Our Ijucus ureoK corresnnn-i writes of the death of Mr. \V P m « th of Dairy Flat : lb is with feeling o f. "»«< have to record the decease of Mr t^ 0 * 5 •which occurred at his resident nl- l!s °n. is T r", day ' the 20th inS^tW Mr. Wilson was well known both I n ° 0n ' the country districts, and also in a , M e «" and was held in high respect and i? H all who knew him on account of ? em b J. and unassuming disposition. The ] flu ' s gentleman was born in the parii darren, County Cavan, Ireland 7u' 8 May, 1821, and was consequently ft (39th year of his age at the tiL . th « death. Mr. Wilson, together withV hij and family, arrived in New Zeal-inr?'? wife good ship Telegraph, landing in Ai.r'u 0,8 in the year 1863. .Immediately 0 * ■ d he was engaged as storeman by Mr*^ 1 Sommerville, who at that time was' ing on an extensive grocery bu«in n ? fr? ' Auckland. Here Mr. Wilson reSffl , ln three years, only leaving Mr. Sommerviii. employ to commence farming on his nu , 11 count at Dairy Flat. For the last m," of a century he has resided continuon,! t€r the district, working hard and m un f ii'" to subdue the native vegetation and y plant it with English grasses, and how?" he has succeeded is attested by the farm the farm on which he has worked so l is the largest and has the greatest numK° of acres laid down in grass of anv in a district. Mr. Wilson also took a keen • terest in all local matters of interest to It district. He was for many years am ber of the Pukeatua Road Board, the Da'"' Flat School Committee, and Local Li C lry ing Commissioners, and only retired fro' these offices when compelled to d 0 so l 3 failing health and advancing years, "p' the last eighteen months or two years I]' Wilson has been a great sufferer, butt' bore up under it all with singular resign' tion and true Christian fortitude, nVon ever having heard a murmur or complain! from him the whole time. The deceased gentleman leaves a wife and grown ! family, consisting of two sons and i o l daughters, two of whom (Mrs. Thorn,, Kelly and Mrs. George Vaughan) married, to mourn their loss. The funeral took place on Thursday, the 22nd instant and was very largely attended, there beioU over 50 horsemen, besides traps and those on foot. The funeral cortege left Mr. %Vitson : a | late residence for the Albany (Lucas' Creek) ! Cemetery at one p.m., the interment latin? place at three o'clock. At the grave, the funeral service was conducted by the Rev Mr. Cross, Church of England clergyman and thus was laid to rest one of theoldesj pioneer settlers of the district, wlo has done good yeoman service for the and of his adoption. j Yesterday morning about half-past two an inmate of the Costley Home, John Brinkman, « German, aged 52, and jbout 5 feet 7 inches in height, wandered way from the institution evidently in a stae of mental derangement. He was weari ? a pair of white mole trousers, black j-vtst and black felt hat. Was suffering roni paralysis of the head and right arm, and incoherency of speech. Any inform! ion respecting his whereabouts should be «t to the police or the manager of the imitation. Prebendary Eardley Wilmot, in a se non delivered recently in .England on the ealing of the infirm man at the Pool o: Bethesda, told us he had just heard frcn a friend in the East of the discovery o this said Pool at Jerusalem, with its five porta. That in sinking down the explorers ame upon a church, Sc. Mark's, which chrch was built over the spot in the sixth cenury, That on the walls were paintings descri live of the Pool, with its five porches, arl of the infirm waiting to be healed, an tie angel troubling the Pool. And in siting down further that they came upon thaPool itself, with its five porches. .In sjith'j " Dictionary of the Bible" there is (pool mentioned, named Birket-Israil, whia has been supposed to have been the pol bat the " Speaker's Commentary" says ifdoes not answer to the conditions of the ml, as also this pool is nob mentioned by an] Jewish writer. Messrs. Vaile and Sons, the laid and estate agents, have removed into/lower Queen-street, to the premises flnnerly occupied by the Standard Insurant Company, which will be more central am convenient than their former premise. The building has been refitted as a fit-clay land and real estate auction mart, nd the upper storey subdivided into slices of offices. The firm have now every facility and accommodation in their new premises for their business, and from their ctotrality and proximity to the leading mercantile institutions, banks, shipping, and railway station, will be easily accessibly to the public. The alterations have cost over £200.;

The step taken by the nev Defence Minister in suspending tempoarily the regulation respecting the shifting of policemen from one station to another,has given great satisfaction to the Auckhnd police force, the members of which hive had a very fair experience of transfer?. Down South the number of changes has been much more numerous.

The other day a man named John Austen and two women were arrested o» a charge of assaulting a Frenchman mmed John Swaanenbeck, in a house in Chancery-lane. The accused were remanded. Yesterday Swaanenbeck was arrested by Detective Ede, on board the ship Machriianish, sailing for London, on which he had, it is said, shipped. The arrest was made on the ground that he was a material witness, and that it was probable he would not attend the Court to give evidence unless compelled to do so, as he had shipped on board the Machrihanish, which was leaving port. "Solicitor" writes in reference to a

recent Police Court case, in which the Resident Magistrate spoke strongly respecting the conduct of counsel. He says"l remember, some years ago, when Sit George Grey, first introduced his measure for the repeal of the Law Practitioners Act, in a letter which I addressed to you, pointing out possible evils which would certainly arise if those or similar measures became law, but in my worst anticipations I never imagined that the level to which we are now approaching would be reached. As one who claims to see some difference between right and wrong, I now tell Mr. Shortland publicly that if, when he lays down what any lawyer would have done, he means any respectable lawyer, lie utters what the Bench has properly designated a gross slander against a large body of the profession, and the sooner he appreciates the truth of this the better. I notice that it is not the first occasion upon which Dr. Giles has had to speak strongly from tho Bench of late, and I hope that, with bS* usual firmness and impartiality, he will continue to administer such sound rebukes as will expose disgraceful conduct in its proper light.

Last evening there was a good attendance at the City Hall to listen to Mr. E T. Smith's recital of some of the best passages of Gough's orations, etc. At the outset he recited G. R. Sims' celebrated poem, " Ostler Joe," in so effective a maimer that it at [once placed him en rapport with his audience. The various illustrations selected were of such a character—pathetic, dramatic, and humourous—as to elicit arid test the varied powers of the elocutionist- " The Council in Pandemonium," an "The Pitman's Practicable Address " were capitally given and were greatly applaudedThis evening he "farewells" in the city, and he will give poetic recitals, the programme of which is in our advertising column?, which will include " The Concert at R— (by request). There will be solos ana choruses by the choir. The committee hare with praiseworthy liberality, owing to the success of the season, determined to make the body of the hall free, only making a charge for the dress circle, so that those who desire to get into the hall would do well to take time by the forelock. The ticket office at the hall for the dress circle will be open throughout the day. Several parties from the suburban and country districts have been in town with a view 01 arranging for a visit of Mr. Smith to their localities to give retitals, inasmuch as he only goes to country districts by arrangement. It has been definitely settled tha he will pay a visit to Onehunga. The Bay of Plenty Times has the following —A memorial to the Union Steamship Company, praying that the steamers trac - ing up and down the East Coast may can at at least once a week each w»y» has been drawn up, and signed by ncar'y every merchant and storekeeper in 'l aU ' ranga. The memorialists pledge themselves to support the Union Company, provided they comply with the request, by importing and exporting all their goods by company's steamers, and also by travelling in them, if the rates are no higher than those charged by the Northern St-ean 33 "- Company.

The other day we referred to the locust ,i ~a in Australia and also m Cyprus, «nd he danger of such pests being tmpori into this colony through importation of TV The Newcastle Herald (N.S.W.) in n article on the subject says _ that the ft ,, ne of locusts recently experienced in vfrtoria and South Australia, re.ll- ,i description of a similar Egypr„i nlfU'iie. At Bridgewater-on-Lodden L e inhabitants shovelled them into " 1D and burned them, the stench ■in-' fearful. Shops, and the doors and widows of private houses were closed to movent the entrance of the pest, while the ) -ecM lay against the fences and walls in in " ,^ e three" feet deep, the orchards were denuded of leaves, and the fields of herbage. Ti iese statements show that Australia is f., c .'to face with a danger scarcely inferior to that of the rabbit pest. The Newcastle llor-dd 'Toes on to say : " Mr. French, the (Jiivernment Entomologist, has forwarded J, Mr. McLean, the Victorian Secretary for V'riculture, a report, in which ho states thai the present flight of locusts is only" an 'r!y hatching, and" that the main body has, unfortunately, yet to make its appearance. Xh.it otlieial "warns the public against being lulled into a false security by imagining the danger is past, when, as a matter of fact, it- lias scarcely begun. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. The loss to the farmers and orchard-growers already cxpe--ieneed is a sufficiently serious one to bear, without the prospect of having the pastoral industry ruined, owing to the destruction of the grass by one of the worst insect enemies which man has had to face. A calamity of tins kind would at once strike at the root of Australian prosperity, necessitate the adoption of fresh modes of taxation, and cause an important revolution in the people's occupations throughout the length and breadth of the land. We have been preparing ourselves, by the erection of forts and batteries, against the attacks rf any possible enemy ; and here is one which, however lie may have been brought here, is, like federation, in the air, but, unfortunately, does not remain there." A description is given of the remedial measures adopted in Cyprus by the British Government, and in Algeria by the French Government.

Yesterday the lion, secretary of the Auckland "Liberal Association forwarded the following telegram to the Premier, under instructions from the Association : — '•The Auckland Liberal Association offers hearty congratulations to the Liberal Ministry upon their accession to office, and expresses an earnest, hope that no time vail bo unnecessarily lost in passing a Land Tax Act-."

A correspondent, Mr. John Squirrell, of Shaftesbury, Te Aroha, has forwarded a lengthy communication, in which he propounds his " little plan" for settling Home Ku'e and the Irish difficulty. We give a passage from his detailed scheme: —"Let there be a mutual Imperial guarantee, the British Isle? guaranteeing the integrity of the colonies, and the colonies guaranteeing the integrity of the British Isles. If the Iri-h leader: knew that the Colonial Empire had absolutely determined that there should be nc diminution of the territory of the British lead quarters, they would give up making any further attempt, either open or disguised, to obtain separation, and the Iris people would in the end become proud to form a part of that great Empire, to vhose building up and mainceT;anee so nanv eminent Irishmen have contributed, both in peace and war. As to Hone Rule, once the danger of separation is absolutely done away with, the Irish cou.l have as much Home Rule in the shape of oeal self-government as they required, and the English would be only too glad to get Irish local questions out, of the Imperial Parliament. Let the population of the colonies agree to the proposal cf a mutual Imperial guarantee, and let tleir determination be ratified dv their respective Parliaments, and there ivoul.l be an end for ever of the main diffi:alty in the vay of the settlement of the Iri-h question. If the Irish leaders only want local self-government and not separation they will rilly to this proposal, but if they oppose it, and fight against it, they would" reveal t.ieir ultimate purpose, and must then run up their true colours. As to the land question, it must be settled by itself: there is the same problem there as here, namely, how to place the largest jwssible number of the people on a portion ci land of their own, in a manner consistent with the principles of common honesty."

We have to acknowledge receipt of a Christmas t and New Year card conveying the New x . <»ar's greetings from the editors and staffs of the Brisbane Courier, the Observer, and Queenslander, to the editor and staff of the New Zealand Herald. The kindly feeling manifested by our Australian brethren we cordially reciprocate.

There has been submitted to the Invercargill Borough Council, and published in the local press, a return showing the results of the operations of gasworks in New Zealand. It was compiled by Mr. Scandrett, the town clerk. Figures concerning 17 gasworks are included, that number representing the cities and towns in the colony which have these indispensable adjuncts to civilisation. Of the 17 gasworks included in the return only seven are owned by the corporations. The Otago Daily Times, commenting on the return, says: "The first noticeable feature is the comparative largeness of the output at the Auckland works and the the individual consumption, and it may be further noted that Dunedin has the smallest number of individual consumers, but stands at the top of the list in respect of the average quantity consumed. The average individual consumption in Duncdin is, omitting odd figures, 31,000 feet, in Christchurch 28,000 feet, in Wellington -1,000 feet, and .n Auckland 21,000 feet. Unfortunately, we are not furnished with details showing the relative numbers of manufacturers and strictly private consumers in the different towns; but even allowing for the undeniably large extent to which gas is used in Dunedin as a motor, the conclusion is inevitable that there is in Auckland a far greater number who use gas in their private houses. In the matter of street, lighting, Dunedin is more liberally supplied than Auckland and Christchurch, and at less cost. There are more street lamps, they are kept burning for a longer period, and at less cost per hour, the respective figures being—Auckland, 13.9s per annum ; Christchurch, 1-s per annum ; and Dunedin, 10.2s per annum. At the price at which the as is supplied, it is evident that the low price in Auck- __ land is largely due to the more general private consumption there. Butthesmallness of the individual consumption in Auckland points to large household use, and this is where Dunedin comes short.'"' .

The Auckland Choral Society resume practice next Tuesday evening, when Haydn's "Creation" will be rehearsed. The committee have arranged to start attain the weekly orchestral rehearsals on Friday evening?, the first meeting being on Friday .veiling, February 6. Herr Tutschka has been appointed leader of the orchestra.

The annual meeting of the Hauraki Gold Mining Company will be held at the company's office, to-day, at half-past two p.m.

The Church of Christ picnic will take place at St. Heliers on Regatta Day, the ferry steamer Britannia having been engaged.

The s.s. Vivid will make an excursion trip to Riverhead on Regatta Day, leaving the wharf at ten a.m., calling at Hellyer's \\ harf, Hobsonville, and intermediate stopping places.

A grand concert and ball will be held in the Public Hall, Wairoa, under the auspices of the Waiioa Rifles, on Friday next.

Programmes for the Auckland Regatta will he sold in Queen-street this afternoon.

'Ruses will start from opposite the Railway cation, Queen-street, for the sale at the star Tannery, this day, at twenty-five minutes past ten a.m.

We would call the attention of those interested to the sale to-day, at eleven o'clock, by Messrs. Arthur and Buddie, at their mart, City Market, by public auction, of the New Zealand Stud and Pedigree Stock Company's estate, Otahuhu, known as Sylvia Park. This estate, which is being sold under instructions from the liquidator, consists of ■)'-2 acres of rich volcanic land, in first-class pasture, subdivided into convenient-sized paddocks, well watered at all seasons, and having extensive frontage to the Great S°uth and Panmure Roads, and also to the ■lamaki river. There are erected on the estate good dwelling-house, cottages, splendid stables, and other buildings. Such another opportunity is not likely to be presented of acquiring a. valuable estate for some time to come.