Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8528, 31 March 1891, Page 4

The civil war in Chili still continues in favour of the rebels. They have captured Chanaral, a town on the coast, and so far appear to be having the best of it. President Balmaceda, however, is evidently a man of strong determination, and shows no sign of deserting his post. As an indication of this, ifc may be noted that while in the throes of an internecine war he has deemed it prudent to dismiss fifteen judges. What the result of the struggle will be it is difficult to prognosticate. The little colony of Newfoundland—it is only about 317 miles long and 316 miles broad, while its population is not two hundred thousand—is likely to cause some trouble. Apart from its irritation at what it deems Imperial coercion, its American proclivities have caused Canada to make representations to the Imperial Government and it is scarcely likely that Lord Salisbury can pass them over without some diplomatic action. The Newfoundlanders evidently imagine that they have a serious grievance against the mother country, and it is to be hoped that steps will be taken to conciliate them before an open rupture takes place. It is stated that an agitation is on foot in Italy against that country taking part in the Chicago Exhibition, as a retaliation for the lynching of a number of Sicilians in New Orleans. One, however, can hardly believe that the Italian Government could lend itself to so petty a movement. There would be an end to international relations wero they to be influenced by individual acts of violence, or the illegal and unauthorised exhibition on the part of frenzied partizans of trop de zele. The Pope is anxious to obtain a greater hold over the Irish Nationalist party than he possesses at present. That is said to be his motive for desiring an interview with Archbishop Walsh, who has so prominently identified himself with the extreme Irish section. The pronounced opposition of the V' Scan to what is magniloquently described asthenationalaspirations ef the Irish people, has undoubtedly greatly tended to weaken the power of Rome in Ireland, where the spectacle is of daily occurrence of priests openly disobeying the injunctions of the Pope in regard to political matters. His Holiness, however, can only win back the Nationalists by siding with them, a contingency which is not likely to take place. j The rival Irish parties are still at loggerheads. Notwithstanding the Boulogne conferences, there is intense bitterness between the Parnellites and the McCarthyites. This hostile feeling found full vent at a village near Sligo, where the two factions met. The Parnellite?, who are not particular as to their methods of silencingan opponent, took to the congenial pastime of pelting the amiable McCarthy and his followers with stones. This form of argument proving too forcible and striking for the novelist and his friends, and police bayonets being no protection against volleys of road metal, the McCarthyites sought safety in flight, bub not before one of them had been severely wounded by a missile thrown by a cowardly assailant. The Irish politician's lot at present (save and excepting he be a Parnell-cum Mrs. O'Shea partisan) is not a happy one, and one cannot help feeling moved at the spectacle of a disinterested band of Irish patriots being pelted with a shower of stones in their gallant efforcs to free the finest "pisantry" under the eun from the Saxon bondage, all because they refuse to wink at the flagrant breach of the code of morality by one who was formerly their leader, and who refuses to abdicate that position although he is besmeared by the filth of the Divorce Court. Among the passengers by the s.s. Takapuna yesterday forenoon for New Plymouth was the Hon. J. G. Ward, PostmasterGeneral. In the early morning he paid a visit to the District Hospital, and was received by Dr. Collins, the medical superintendent, and Dr. Stevens, the house surgeon. He was shown over the wards, and expressed himself very much pleased with what he saw. Mr. Ward, accompanied by his private secretary, afterwards drove to the top of Mount Eden to have a bird's-eye view oi Auckland and the surrounding country. At the Auckland railway station Mr. Ward was seen off by Messrs. F. Lawry, Thomas Thompson, J. M. Shera, M.H.R.'s., and Mr. E. Withy. Among those who arrived here by the R.M.s. Alatneda from San Francisco was Mr. Berozheimer, one of the principal partners in the celebrated Eagle Pencil Company of America, and who is now on a business and pleasure trip round the world. Hβ is at present staying at the Star Hotel. His company employs about four thousand hands, and possesses large cedar forests in Florida, and gigantic factories in New York, where millions of pencils are turned out annually. The Eagle Pencil made its first appearance in 1860, and soon became known throughout the States, despite many obstacles, as a pencil of the best quality, always reliable, and very moderate in price. The aim of the company from the outset has been to place before the public psncils so faithfully made that once used they would always be desired afterwards, and this policy has been eminently successful, the company now having agencies in all the principal countries of the world. The Otahuhu and Onehunga Corps of the Salvation Army, went on an excursion yesterday to the Huia, on tho Manukau Harbour.

Fw Ur K S !? kerS ■«*"* Adically to C their heads, and scramble, fight; «5 struggle to get on or off the boat, w£ with quiet and order they would eaVe Tim? and increase their own comfort and that otherpeople. Last evening at St. Helt? when the Eagle arrived, there was the uS stampede to get on board, and an eldVrfi married lady, a resident of Pitt-street iZ pushed bodily over a box, hurting herl, badly. She was taken on board and pWj in the cabin. Ib was feared at first L[Z was broken but on Dr. Purchas examining the limb he found that not to be the cat and the leg was only badly bruised. ' A rumour was in circulation yesterthv that a young woman, residing in CoIWp Road, named Lowe, had accidental poisoned herself. On making inquiring evening from the girl's parents, our re porter was given the explanation of the cut cumstancee which led to the rumour h appears that Miss Lowe has been for 80m ! days suffering from severe headache arising from nervous excitement over the boor makers , strike, as she was apprehensive of being thrown out of work. Sirs Lo W ° J somewhat of a nurse, and treats her own children for any ordinary ailments and consequently has a number of lotion and medicine bottles in the house. On Sundav morning, about nine o'clock, Miss Low* who intended going to the morning , erv J at All Saints , , went to one of the bottles to take something to ease the pain in her head, and by misadventure took some laudanum out of a laudanum bottl- A few minutes afterwards she said to h*r mother, I believe I have taken some of the laudanum." Mr. Lowe was at once in formed, and he got the assistance of his neighbour, Mr Rew, the grocer, who promptly went for Dr. Knight, who came as soon as possible. It appears there was only 6d worth of laudanum in the phial in the first instance, and Mr?. Lowe had used it twice for various purposes, consequently the girl was more frightened than hurt. Lγ Knight did not consider her in any danger' and she is now all right. ° ' There is said to be further trouble over the signing of the Pastor's testimonial. A secretary of one of the city organisations has, ib seems, signed it officially on behalf of the society. Some members of the committee, it is said, repudiate his action, and whilst admitting his right to sign individually intend to take steps to have the signature erased, or a protest made against" hia action in committing the society without being authorised to do so. A gentleman informs us that his name is appended to the address—that he never signed it or authorised anyone to sign it for him— and he also intends to take steps to have the signature erased. The official canvassers are still scouring the rural districts in quest of signatures. A fair number'of out settlers are appending their autograph?, bub are rather weak on " the shilling contribution " solicited to defray expenses. The injured native, Wharekere Poheroa, was discharged yesterday from the District Hospital and sent back to Rotorua, a3 requested by his father. As the native is suffering from blood-poisoning, the issue of the case, owing to the peculiar circumstances surrounding ib, will be watched with interest.

Notwithstanding the frequent accidents, both to bathers and to persbns on horseback riding along the beaches of the harbour through broken glass, the practice of making targets of bottles and shattering them on the beaches still goes on. At St. Heliers yesterday afternoon a number of lads were so engaged on the beach, strewing it with broken glass within a few yards of the fooreshore. The danger to the scores of little children running about on the sands was of no consequence to these youthful hoodlums, who in default of a chance of breaking windows or stoning birds, were obliged to smash something. Vandalism seems to be contagious, for one party of picnickers went into a plantation and lib their fire under the first fallen tree they found, leaving the tree smouldering away there when they left the grounds. The artificial geysers constructed by Mr. Malfroy at the Rotorua Government sanatorium have attracted very considerable attention, and the novelty of the idea has provoked inquiry from many parts of the world. Mr. Malfroy has recently been asked by the Scientific American to forward full particulars of his artificial geysers for publication in that journal. The drawing of debentures, five to be paid off, out of the sinking fund, as provided by the Act, in connection with the Auckland Public Buildings Loan, took place yesterday at the office of Mr. Edward Parker Watkis, agent for the Public Trustee. The following are the numbers of the debentures which were drawn :—l, 142, '210, 83, and 227. The drawing took place in the presence of Messrs. Dignan and W. J . Hill. In reference to the military sports we may mention that although Dr. Walker's name does not appear iu the published lisb his services as judge were called into requisition to such an extent that his time was fully occupied throughout the day. Hβ officiated as judge in most of the flat races and mounted competitions, and was assisted by Dr. Carolan, who was also requisitioned for the occasion. A rifle match has been arranged between teams picked from the Squadron now in port and the local Martini-Henry Rifle Club. The match comes off on Saturday next on the Mount Eden Range, the conditions being seven shots each at '200, 500, and 600 yards, one sighting shot allowed at) each range. A drag will be in waiting for the Squadron team at the wharf at a quarter-past one p.m. The following is the Club team :—Messrs. Doughty, Hay, Henderson, F. V. Kelly, McCallum, _osborne, Parslow, Taylor, Tobin, and Webster. Emergencies: Greenshields, Ansell, Nutt, and McCarthy. . ■ No little excitement (says the Northern Luminary) is now taking place in Kawakawa, owing to the natives bringing in and selling about 25 tons of gum. Representatives of large Auckland firms have been here endeavouring to obtain a share of the parcel, bub it was ultimately secured by Mr. G. W. S. Patterson, who purchased the whole lot for the American market. The natives have been digging for months previous, for the purpose of raising funds wherewith to give a fitting reception to King Tawhiao and his adherents, who are expected to visit Waiomio at an early date. Great preparations are being made by the natives at Waiomio for the occasion. They are now erecting a large brick oven on the ground, to facilitate the supply of bread, etc., for such a large gathering. It wa3 a matter of general remark yesterday, that Auckland must have " turned the corner," from the large number of people taking part in excursions, either by sea or land. There must have been fully ten thousand pleasuring by water, and five thousand by land, or a fourth of the whole population of Auckland and suburbs. The working classes took their families with them, and the world might be sought over for a people looking happier, better fed, and better clothed. At an inquest at Wellington re the death of an infant in the house of Mrs. Dean, evidence was taken to the effect that an infant six weeks old was brought from Caversham on the 9th instant. It then had a cold, and gob gradually worse. Medicine was given, and ib died. In the house she had eleven children, from six weeks to two and a-half years, and two eleven and fifteen years, with herself and her husband. They occupied a house 12 by 14, with a lean-to. The medical evidence showed that death was naturally caused by inflammation of the valve of the heart and congestion of the lunge ; and a verdict was given accordingly, with a rider that the premises wero entirely inadequate for the purpose for which they were used, the coroner being asked to lay the suggestion before th<s proper authorities. The Milford Sound correspondent of tho Southland Times sarcastically remarks that the road from the Sound to the Balloon Saddle, now in the hands of convict labour, will, it is anticipated, be completed for horse and other traffic on the 3rd Feb., 2000 A A). " The prisoners know they are masters ot fche situation. To swim across the Arthur river and take possession of Sutherland s boats is now a common occurrence, inia has been done more than once, and in taco, one of the boats the prisoners have liaa away these last two weeks, and despite the repeated warnings of Sutherland, it seema only to be winked at. Ib is yet a riddlo what the prisoners wore senb hero to do.

The Northern Luminary says A letter, received by a gentlemen of Kawakawa, from Mr. J. Trounson, announces that be and Mr. Nimmo, had intended to come through from Kamo, right along the line of route of the proposed * through rail* way,' but for want of time could get no further than the coal fields of Hikurangi. Mr. Nimmo was highly pleased with the seams now being operated upon, and expressed his opinion that the railway should be extended to Kawakawa without unnecessary delay. Sir. Nimmo is seeking for {rood investments for a large syndicate in England, and is quite satisfied that this extension (joining the two porta) would bo a most lucrative speculation, and of immense benefit to the North Auckland districts. Mr. Trounson, continuing, says : Mr. Nimmo will make all enquiries when in Auckland with referonce to concessions the Government would be likely to make for the benefit of the promoters of such an undertaking. It is to be hoped, for the satisfactory progress of this portion of the colony, that arrangements may be arrived at between Mr. Nimmo and tho Government whereby the scheme may bo carried out, and all tho barren waste land about Towni and Hukerenui be made to belch forth the great treasure of mineral now so calmly sleeping undisturbed within its bowels, the surface having contributed already during tho past 30 years, many thousands of pounds, by disgorging its deposits of kauri gum. Mr. Trounson is very desirous of seeing this railway an established fact, and is using nil the influence he possesses in that direction, and we sincerely hope that his labours in our interestwill be rewarded with the success he anticipates."

It says much for the growth of habits of temperance among the people, that notwithstanding the thousands travelling yesterday, by sea and land, iunketting, there was not a single person taken into custody by the police for drunkenness. Tho London Daily Graphic of 28th of January last, contains an account of the presentation of the "Founder's Jewel," of the Albert Victor .Masonic Lodge at York to tho Duke of Clarenco and Avondale. The Duke, who is an honorary member of tho Lodtre, was one of the petitioners for its warrant. He was entertained at luncheon by tho members of the Lodge, in the (Freemasons' Hall, St. Saviour Gate, York, and subsequently the ceremony of presentation took place. Among the brethren of tho Order present were the Master of the Lodge, Sir. T. B. Whytehead (formerly on the staff of the Nkw Zealand Herald), Grand Swordbearer of England, and his Wardens. In the evening the Duke was present at a banquet given by the Lord Mayor of York, in the State Room of the Mansion House. Mr. Whytehead is also secretary to tho Dean ind Chapter of \ork Minster.

A Whancarei Heads correspondent sends as the following :—Tho morning of St. Patrick's Day saw tho members of this little community early astir. The manager of the Northern S. S. Co. having most courteously placed the p.s. Enterprise at our disposal, a visit to that Eden of orehnrdists, Mangapai, had been arranged. The embarkation of excursionists commenced soon after eight o'clock, and by nine a festive crowd, laden with luncheon baskets nnd other trappings necessary to picnickers stood upon the vessel's deck. Waking the echoes about old Manaia, with one or two resounding and syren-like whistles by way of parting salutations, we stood away for I'arua Bay, where many well • known settlers with their children joined vis. Our next stoppage was at the Limestone Island, where we were afforded the opportunity of carrying away with us one or two more good friends." We had not followed the sinuous course of the Mangapai river long when, amid sudden and unlooked-for rain, which caused some of us to become a little downhearted, the wharf was reached. By the time the vessel had been made fast, the shower, happily, was nearly over, and after a few minutes' delay, most of the party were to be seen wending their way to Mr. Millar's paddocks, where their good and thoughtful owner, seemingly aware of our coming, had lighted fires, and with unstinting hand heaped up apples from his splendid orchard for the delectation of the juvenile members of the Expedition. Luncheon having been discussed, some strolled away to view the orchards of the district, while other remained for the cricket match which had been arranged to be played with the members of the Mangapai Club. Towards sundown the steamer's whistle warned those Still afield that it was time to be thinking of returning home, and soon after, all being Eafely aboard, amid deafening cheers for Mr. Millar and the good people of Mangapai, the Northern S.S. Co., and Captain McLeod, of the Enterprise, we cast loose from the wharf. Our return journey was accomplished without noteworthy incident, and all reached home well pleased with the day's outing.

The Lyttelton Times states that a Government officer residing not a hundred miles from Lyttelton, had no sooner received intimation from the Government that he was to retire than he received news that he had been left a legacy, the interest of which will be more than enough to keep him in luxury the whole of his life. The said officer is now rejoicing that ho will receive £400 compensation for the loss of un office which, under the new order of things, he would have resigned. The old and usually safe adage, "delays are dangerous," does not in this case apply.

From some cause, no election for a licensing committee has yet been held abTuakau, but from no fault of the ratepayers, who feel aggrieved at being deprived of their privilege, particularly asunder the amended Act committees hold office for three years. The chairman of the Pukekohe East Road Board should have moved in the matter, but not having done so last month, is now of opinion that the appointment rests with the Governor ; but, after all, perhaps it is nob too late, as I notice that no elections have yet taken place in Auckland. —[Own Correspondent.]

The Rev. J. J. Mather delivered a lecture in the schoolhouse, Mullet Point, on the 24th March. The subject was, "My Tour to the Old Country and What I Saw." The attendance was nob so good as might have been expected. The rev. gentleman, with the aid of the magic lantern, exhibited about fifty scenes of different places of interest. The first was a view of Auckland from the harbour. He began his lecture by dilating on the beauty of this Corinth of the South, the magnificent harbour, and Bylvan retreats of the North Shore. The next were views of Sydney and Melbourne, the lecturer giving a clear and concise account of the rise, rapid increase, and prosperity of these sister colonies. Then followed a view of Ceylon, with a graphic description of this beautiful isle, the lecturer quoting Heber's well-known lines, •* Every prospect pleases, and only man is vile." Scene followed scene in quick succession, the lecturer giving vivid and lucid descriptions of each place as they passed in review. The lasb were views of the exterior and interior of the London Tabernacle, also a portrait of its venerable pastor, C. H. Spurgeon. It was throughout a most able and instructive lecture, and listened to with the utmost attention. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Mather for coming so far to entertain his Mullet Point friends.—[Own Correspondent.]

A San Francisco paper has the following : —"The last stone of the great dry dock at Mare Island lias been laid. It is the largest granite dock in the world, and capable of accommodating the biggest ships planned for the new navy, with room to spare. It is in every way superior to the British Government dock at Esquimalt. Of late years the tendency is toward building timber dry docks, as they are much cheaper and quicker of construction, but the Mare Island work will last for generations. It is one gigantic, solid block of concrete faced with granite.

" Not for fifty times its weight in gold," Baid a very large dealer in fruit lately, " could I get a peach at this time of j'ear in London." But now the merchant must withdraw his assertion, for in February (says a London paper) no less than throe dozen peaches were on sale at a well-known Piccadilly shop —an event absolutely unprecedented, which probably astonished the trade more than the public. They were despatched from the Cape to aprotninent buyer, and arrived in perfectly sound condition, being packed one by one in the cotton-wool-lined compartments of a strong deal box. Moreover, they wore large and of fine flavour, and, it is needless to say, were disposed of immediately at a price which it is unnecessary to mention.