THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTH BUN CROSS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1891.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8670, 12 September 1891, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTH BUN CROSS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1891.

Any patriotic New Zealanclor must feel grieved at many tilings attaching to tho present session of Parliament. The House has been guilty of many sins of omission and of commission. But in nothing have we been so much disappointed as that all the proposals for a reform of the native land system have been abandoned, and in that matter the session will close upon a complete blank. There was fair promise at the beginning of the session. The present Ministry were pledged to put the crooked straight, to cleanse the Augean stable of native land administration, and to make native lands available for settlement. Mr. Cadman was made Minister of Native Affairs, and everything was hoped from his straightforward his knowledge of the natives, and of the administration of native lands. Mr. ftees was clothed with all the authority and power of a Royal Commission, and was sent on a roving commission all over the country to question and cross-quostion native chiefs, old settlers, surveyors, pakeha Maories, «tc. Mr. llees was known to be somewhat wild and restive, and there were harnessed with him two tame and well-broken steeds, Mr. James Carroll and Mr. Thomas Mackay. Mr. Carroll took things easy, and allowed Mr. Hees to do the prancing and galloping. lie still survives, but Mr. Mackay unfortunately died before he could conclude his separate report. The result was one of the biggest blue-books New Zealand has ever had, and that is saying a good deal. We have never yet S'iieil the mail who could say he had read that book. The cost of that commission must have been something phenomenal. From that commission nothing resulted in the way of legislation. ;Mr. Cadman brought in a bill of his own, '.which we suppose embodied the results of the experience of the present Chief Judge of the Native Land Court. It was a very good Bill, so far, and smoothed the present system of working considerably. It did almost nothing, however, in the way of. making native hinds easily available for settle- .

; inent. But even that is to bo dr&S ' . and at the find of the session we a?'. to be "As you were." It is an ift b< ■ and complete collapse. . •' %'c This is 110 matter of second-rate iivcc portance. It is the question of queS tions for New Zealand at the present time. The House spends a lot of time, and loses an immensity of temper over a Land Act, while the Minister for, Lands has very little Crown land left to be dealt with. Ten times as much land as he has could be obtained from' the natives, and still they would have enough.for their wants. But it cannot be got at. because the legislation of years lias surrounded it with such a maze of legal intricacies that nobody can get through it. If to-motrow a really good Act wore passed, which would enable natives to soil land as freely' as Europeans can sell land, the colony would go ahead with a bound, in spite of income tax and land tax and labour Bills, and all the injurious brood of Bills which have lately endeavoured to struggle into being. But once again, in respect of native lands, at the end of a session everybody throws up his hands, and abandons himself to the gospel of despair. We always like to be able to propose a remedy for any evil Which we point out, and we think that this time we have an effective idea. Its effectiveness is, indeed, only equalled by its simplicity.- It requires no change of Ministry. We might have to wait a }ong time before that took place, and the work ought to be done at once. Our proposal is, that Mr. John McKenzie, the present Minister of Lands, should be made Native Minister. His qualifications for the office are manifold, and we may enumerate a few. First, he knows nothing at all about the subject, and does not pretend to know anything. Some might think this a disqualifica- ! tion, but we can easily remove that ! impression. The rule is, we admit, that it is well to set a man to deal with things he knows something about. But Maori affairs are quite different from anything else. When a man commences to study the subject of native lands and native titles he gets involved in a labyrinth of sophistry that so powerfully infects his mental vision that he can never afterwards see straight. He hesitates; he advances and retires. He yields at one part and another. lie consults natives. They talk and talk, and the session runs away, and at last they find that they cannot agree. Then the well-informed Native Minister concludes that nothing can be done. Again, in addition to the grand qualification of knowing nothing on the subject, Mr. McKenzie would be able to indulge unrestrained in a favourite habit of his. He likes to throw about accusations of underhand dealing and corruption. The awkwardness of this when he is speaking of other subjects of Government administration is, chat he is apt to be .snapped up, to have to withdraw, and to create unhappy and unfortunate scenes. But when speaking of native.land transactions he might indulge in accusations far and wide, and nobody would dare to call him in question. That privilege would make the office of Native Minister dear to Mr. McKenzie's heart. Thirdly, the knot of native hind concerns is so intricate that it can never be untied. Mr. Cad man has tried to untie it in a very quiet and patient manner. Even Mr. Bees has thought that he could apply legal ingenuity to its solution. But it is a Gordian knot which must be cut. Mr. McKenzie would see that at once, and he would call for "the sabre of my sires," a huge claymore, and he would hew the knot in pieces. The present Ministers and all the politicians of New Zealand may rest assured that this subject, incomparably the most important that they could concern themselves with, will never be settled so long as it is solemnly relegated at the beginning of a session to a few persons who consider themselves experts in an occult science. They may rush about the country, they may spend weeks in committee rooms con-

suiting on. the subject, but in the end the time for prorogation will come, and nothing will bo done. Jf there is a strong man in the Ministry, not very scrupulous how lie knocks people out of his wny, let him have charge of it, with an understanding that he shall be indemnified for anything illegal he may do.

T.ie Legislative Council is showing considerable spirit in dealing with the Bills sent up to them from the House of Representatives, and in all probability the session will bo prolonged by a contest between the Houses. In the Electoral Bill the House of Representatives abolished the necessity for a six months' residence, making' the required residence only one month. This amounted to practically abolishing any necessity for showing residence at all. The Council have altered the Bill so as to go back to the old provision, which was only right and proper. The House abolished every qualification arising from the possession of freehold or leasehold property, so as to carry out the principle of the absolute equality of the race. But the Council have adopted a new clause, restoring the freehold qualification, and giving also a leasehold qualification to vote. There was also a clause in the Bill as sent up debarring a person from registering in more than one district, but this has been struck out by the Council by a majority of 18 to 5. _ At this point, the Colonial Secretary intervened, saying that this was striking at the principle of one-man-one-vote. .In the Factories Bill, the Council have also made considerable amendments. They inserted a* clause that the Bill should not apply to any factory or workroom which may be under the control of the Railway Commissioners. This is very objectionable to a number of the labour members, whose strong desire it is to deal with the Railway Commissioners. It was also penal to employ a boy under 15, unless lie could show that'he had passed the fourth standard examination. This the Council changed. And it will be seen that last night the Council decided to insist'' on its amendments. The Council have 'also thrown out the Workman's Lien Bill. At the present time, a conflict between the Houses is a somewhat serious matter. The Government will no doubt represent that the rejection and alteration of so many important measures, sanctioned by large majorities of the representatives of the people, fresh from a general election, proves that the Council is not in harmony with the country, and has been made hostile to the present Administration by the batch of appointments made by the Atkinson Ministry just before it left office. The Premier will claim that this gives him a right to call'a number of his friends to the Council in order to

t through his Bills. As. a general ..when disagreement takes p£ twee.. the Houses, compromise! a ! me to, -after some haggW lytw, U( - mmittee*. But in this'install tfi 11 be more than ordinary diflicnlK. Ie Council have rejected absolutely me of the Bills of the Labour ln ,;' y ill as the Shop Hours Bill „11 J' jrknien;.-> Lion Bill, and » , l? vived tins session. This will , ' ,°" committee of the House Ks hbli wilf. to t , ;l compromise. The. re- u i"c of jobably be that most of the ]>■, , this'i abou 1 r party will 1,, los( . fo r endear' a . - !li; *'* r - Glance will memW&JH V l . »umber of , lftw | next set-? to th e Council before

Our cat , „ ~r; a di-asL'ro™ e ;;, n " e? , tlu ? ln ,? rn ' n " report resulting ,»> *»•'■ .Salvi, and tl.e hundreds of lives of (error etf"?" ° f f , tv ''° clUe '- A r e i Kn population Vnuin^t th « ine aicmtioi , E „ n , continue l . c . l uss.a Issat1ssat o, to be ; collecting a £''?• • the Black Ser very dtatw&J S !" are to hand of , , cverily of Russia. 1 rii)Cyi ( . ululc j. is »»ne in become reconcq to the K:n(,,, or ° at l likely to he at; n a p o \ W;[ . ij f', * German politics. v Xcv.- iroat, \V ;i f to ' '» or U millions has een placed on the if' don market. ; 1 . ne 1/1:111 The Financial W of J, ;n j... leading article on 10 fin.nici position -« Aew /enland, wluci(t sua;ik< jf , °, f and satisfactory. • 1 as -ouna The Crown cases , n the d nimd Court were concluded vest«d ;tv v.li. WilnJ . Donovan who were it robbmfrom the person of ahold mat named Hill of a purse and £47 10s were c ,vi c £" , second count of rec-ivinjr .e pron»',tt knowing it to be stole). Th W L I,' 2 sentenced to: twelve mouths "iri».-nn. .villi hard labour. The lib S'™ ™ then taken, J. L. Kelly and [. J. Bin if proprietors, editor, and pu! ■!.«; of t ,i Observer . newspaper; were licted on '_ charge of publishing a crimin ibc-l a.niugh or bland, solicitor. V - ;prc " ''J expected- to be able*to cot ;cl his ot n case but in this reject , mind Ma " speedily disabused by the 1 Tied iud-e who said his application sh cl that he was densely ignorant of the idimeiits of Ins profession. After Win. he evidence the jury returned a verdict ( not cuiltv and the deiendants wire di*c i"e r l 0 T1» case against Hugh Siiortlan of criminal libel on a young unnamed .vomanwvm then taken. In tins case t, defendant was allowed to appear, on hi, own behalf The case for the p.osecut n had not closed when the Gourtrose, a 1 the defen danfc was by directioi of li o ,. ur " detained m custody. Tlb hearii of the ca :c will be resumed .at tei o'clocLtliH morning. j

Mr. Bryce has telegnphed tin following reply to the requisite forvarlecl to him by the electors of the Yaikato eectond •- "I am deeply sensibleof the naimer ny late constituents-'; are tanding-by me, hit - it is useless to stands I should not ftel able to re-enter the Hose while the sure is uncancelled." . i The following additinal particular* Sn cerning the sudden clath of .Mrs. James Reyburn, jun., of Wngarei, are from the Northern .Advocate ol Wednesday lastj- " W lmngarei was castin a most oppressive gloom last Monday, bytiie sudden do;>tiiW Mrs. James Reyburn;jun., under <■:reiii>. stances very sad and panful. The dweasld lady was only married ei»ht months urY and the wedding was umo^t' ait-pii-ious out the bride and bridcjrroim h.ivimV u[i in the place, and beirj popular'"with all classes, a large crow,)of people attended v the hymeneal ceremony and poured in upon I the bride quite a !::.-»*« of presents. On Sunday last the -''.deceased lady was out with Mr. Buekhurst driving,' and «s apparently in the test of health mi spirits, and during dm foienooti she toli her mother, Mrs. Rust, that .-lie fe't splendid. But about seven p. 111, the deceased lady was seized with lnbou pains, and shortly afterwards she hail i convulsive fit, and tliougl: Dr. Bell win early in attendance and did all that medical science could suggest, ofi,e fit succeeded; another. A still-born child was born, and the deceased gradually stink and expired before eight a.m. next iuorning, having remained in a comatose state throughout : the night. She was just 23 years of «, and was a general favourite. The &b----niunity w»is quite shocked when theterriily sad news was known, and the expressions of regret and sorrow were universal throughout the district. It is needless \ add that Mr. James Reyburn and the de\ ceased's relatives have the deep andsincerei sympathy of the community in their\ terribly sad affliction." An inquest was held yesterday into the circumstances connected with the death of

Robert Eiliott Bull, whoso body was fpund oil Thursday in a well at the Salvation Army Prison Gate Brigade's Home, I'numure. rotn the evidence it appeared that the manager of the Home had left the body on the surface of the water while he came

to Auckland and informed the police, liis explanation being thai, he did not consider the available rope strong enough to haul it out, When Constable Walker.■■arrived on the scene, however, he got the body out with the ropes he found on the premise-'. The manager also stated that he had no legal power over the inmates of the. Home, and these facts led the jury to add a rider to their verdict to the effect that greatei powers of supervision should be granted, and that the 'manager ought to have had the body removed from the well in soon as it was discovered. The verdict was that • the deceased had committed suicide while of unsound mind.

The cases set down for hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court, yesterday, constituted a most formidable list, and those whose business required their attendance at the Court had visions of an unusually prolonged sitting. Even in staid, methodical, and decorous judicial proceedings, however, it is the unexpected that most frequently happens. No sooner had business been entered upon than the cases began to scurry away before the Magisterial breath like thistle-down before 4 summer breeze, and in about an hour's time they had all, for the time beingat any rate, been wafted completely away. The list comprised 23 cases, and of these 14 were adjourned, one had been paid, and five were struck.- out. The remaining three were heard, one being dismissed, while in the other two orders were made, as follows :-r; George Patterson v. Sidney Woods, claim £4 ss, order for payment in four weeks, in default ono month's imprisonment; 111 • S. Whitley v. Frederick Wells and John Wells, £33 Gs 2d, order for payment >» monthly instalments of 30*. The arrangements for sending a rifle team to represent Auckland at the forthcoming meetings to be held in New South j and Victoria, are being actively pushed ahead, and there is little doubt of the concert being attended with anything other than success. His Worship the -.May ol warmly approves of the proposal, and has promised any assistance in his power, while the various foreign Consuls have agreed to attend in their diplomatic uniforms. 310.of our leading vocalists have been sccuict. together with the Auckland Orchestra Union, so that the concert bids fair to be success. It may be stated here that. t> representative of the American firm « 10 passed on to Sydney by the Alameda, w offered a £2.3 trophy to the New e "\ al u team at the intercolonial competitioi. From information received by the 10 ' secretary, Mr. Montgomery, it appears 11. several shooting representatives from in", din and Wellington intend to proem Sydney. It is understood that there » be no difficulty in securing free passes the New Zealand reps, on the railway r , ! Sydney to Molbourne should they pt oo ' to tlio latter city to attend the IC^ 01 i. competition. Victoria, unlike New Wales, throws every event open lor <- petition by the world. The Waiuku Cavalry Volunteers i' l * recently elected Mr. A. W. ' m '^ ncV captain of the company to .fill tho vac, 5 caused by the resignation of Captain • lin. They have lost none of their ev»' corps, and teams are now in competition' the purpose of selecting two or three «-■_ of five each to go to Wellington to con ( at the military sports to be held thea■ 9tli of November, the Queen hi Tho sports and tournaments will bo . to those held hi Potter's Paddock last j and the previous year. In these c . tions the Waiuku Cavalry were rei • a successful, winning tjio Governors c l a number of other prizes.

m regard to the death of Mr. Win, F. „ It whoso funeral takes place to-day at i - n'rlook at the Symonds-streeb Ccmol'irC ° Mr K. 'J. Duncan telegraphed the tel -' <\ 4ir George Grey, and he yesterday nCff u.S the' following reply Thanks 1 telegram; re-ret greatly to hear of f 1 ! 1 , t |, (J. (iKiiv. Mr. Scott is an old W-i'onii identity, and was always a great lmirci' ot sir George Grey's policy. He {"' four 60118 and two daughters, all n up. o;ie 90tl ' w ' lo res ' u ' e3 at the '"r! l> inrr« i* oxpected to-day in time to >nl (lie funeral. Another son resides #tl \'.,niiM- and there are two others in Ausj;', The cldojfc daughter, Mrs. W. F. 'r-i Mi resides with her husband in MelI it no! Hiul the youngest daughter, Miss •,,ti was the only member of the family ?ft to attend on the old man in his last ill- !- -Hid she devoted herself to him so "l°r'ely that hot- health has suffered severely.

-['he instrument-room of tho Telegraph nilii-o was recently the scene of a very •• toasting ceremony, the occasion being • \,resontntion of an illuminated address !,'',ri Ida fellow olficers to Mr. W. C. iT-iniia'ls, who, on account of continued mi health, has felt compelled to resign his l ', .ointment in tho Postal Telegraph De- '' -anient after a service of more than 19 '.''lirs during the greater portion of which I', his tilled the position of Senior Operator in 1110 Auckland olfice. In making tho .filiation, Mr. Furby, tho Ollicer-in-r'ian r e, warmly eulogised the servicos of tV retiring oilicer, and assured linn of the Ctcini and good wishes of the staff. Mr. ■jyinoiids (the only son of the late Judge s'vinonds) is widely known as a gentlen'.nlv and obliging oflicor, and it is to be Jpcj that his health may speedily imi,! ovf. The address, which bears tho auto.'ri;i'>li? of tho whole of tho Auckland rnph staff, is in Mr. Slater's best s vie.

The Auckland Choral Society give thoir four;' l performance of the season on Tues;:iv evening next as por advertisement. 'j'ilo subject" on this occasion will bo Neils \\ tiado's' "Crusaders." This work was ....riVrmed by tho Society about seven |',mU and met with a very hearty recop;K,.| ,iii"that occasion. Additional interest will he lent to the present production as j t . is the first appcaranco of Miss Alice Kimaier in cantata. The soloists aro : Mi-V Kimnier, mezzo-soprano Mr. G. Keiil, tenor; Mr. 11. Brett, bass. Mr. C. ij lU !„'on had been cast for the part of '• peter the Hermit," but owing to a severe a;! ' u-k of quinsey Imd been compelled to ii'i.in ion the part at the last moment. The :«ovk beiiii.' very short tho second part will la' introduced with ft selection by the iyrche.-lia.

At the quarterly meeting of tho Tama lei West Licensing Committee, held on the j,,,h instant, at the Pantnuro Road Board IMiiee, present, all the committee, with tiiiir 'clerk, Mr. Seaman, Mr. Ehrenfried ,'V"behalf of tho Pantnuro Hotel, Mr. Cotter as representing the proprietors of tie Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, and Constable Walker, inspector for tiio district. A ; :er confirming the minutes of the.)tine nwiing. and receiving a favourable police jv-mrt "respecting tho three hotels in the district, certificates were granted for the removal of tho Panmuro Hotel license to a p'Jw ami spacious building erected on the ;axe property, and of the Duke of Kdinbu'rs!i Hotel to a newly erected and comKGiiiou." building on allotment. 62 of Section •„>, Pan mure township, to be henceforth taiwn as the Star and Garter Hotel.

An Australian paper states that in the early days of Western Australia there was V -Ay one shorthand reporter in the colony, awl lie fell into evil ways and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Before the lenience, expired the annual session of the Leiri-laturc commenced, and there was no one to report the proceedings. .The Executive decided to remit the remainder of the sentence on condition that th® erring retrier would Hansard them. He rose to tho occasion, and refused to leave prison unless a substantial honorarium was granted him, and he got it.

The dairy companies of the North Island have decided to form an Association similar to that in the South Island, with the ob;cctof rtrcnethening the hands of the prolines-.-, and enabling them to get better refunis S lot* their produce. .At «i meeting in Wellington yesterday the following comwnies P were * represented : — Harborough, Tarntalii, Daleiield, Grey town, Wanyanui, Opuna-Ue, Paten, .Wood and Gisborne. It was decided to work in conjunction with the Southern Association.

The numerous friends in Auckland of Mr. Tom Sullivan, the sculler, will be pleased to learn that ho is not to doprirt a,':iin without giving an exhibition of hi.? •kill in a wager-boat. A gala has been arranged under the auspices of the Auckland Rowing Association, to take place at Lake Tabipuna on the 20 th instant, and a nice little programme, including a couple of tour-oared races, has been drawn up. iuilivan will race all local scullers in ,wager-boat's, and a valuable trophy will be i;ivcn to the amateur who beats the other oeal competitors. If the weather be fine an enjoyable outing should take place.

The general interest felt in the forthcoming performances of "Princess Ida," by the Amateur Opera Club, is manifested by the ready bale the tickets are commandins;, la our amusement column to-day we publish the full programme with cast. The name* promise well as to the musical j'Wiion of (lie opera. The chorus number '■) voices, and will be supported by a strong orchestra, as usual under the baton of Herr Carl Sehmirt. The scenery for the three " has boon painted especially by Mr. Nfcrillo Thornton, the scenic artist, and '■■il'jcts great credit both on himself and the club'. A specialty is to bo introduced into the third act of the opera in the form of an Amazonian march by the ladies of the ciioni J, nil of whom appear in armour and tnn-id with battle-axes; this will bo a feature in the performance. Amongst both I'l'ineijiais and chorus there will be nearly -W dresses used, which for the most part have been locally manufactured. The Management have spared no efforts to provide an attractive programme, "and deserve to achieve the success they anticipate.

We have to hand a brocln re entitled " hays of tho Federation of Greater Britain," which is published at the Fair Trade . Otlices, Cockspur-strect, Charing lro.«, S.W. The author, Ben Elmy," state-? these lays were published from time to time during tho past nine months in the pages of Fair Trade. As a collection they ''renew dedicated to all who have at heart tha closer union in bonds of mutual adjutage, fidelity, and esteem of tho mother country with her colonies and dependencies, « one worthy and inseparable federation '-f Greater Britain. Tho lays comprise "The Union," "Federate!" "Christmas '•reeling to the Colonics," "A New Year's Menage!, 1891 "Britons Hold your Own !" "The Australasian Convention," &c. Tho doting piece is in rnemoriam of Sir John Maedonuld, the Canadian Premier, who i' claimed as " the first and noble martyr of our federation cause." These lays havo 11 thoroughly patriotic ring about them. !'erlnin.-j the be«t of them is "Greater Britain when Federated."

This afternoon, at two o'clock, the Nowtaarket- Camellia Show will bo opened in Hie Public Hall there, with every certainty 3f it being a real success. Over a hundred JMtries for competition have been received, l 'il the committee anticipate receiving ' further number. To provide against lr confusion arising from this source '""y have widely provided a spare upon which to stage these late -ntrio.-. tiood competition in all classes M'iy he regarded'' as assured. In the Jitter of cut flowers there arc over forty bouquets, wreaths, and crosses, which s "o'tltl form a prominent feature in the exhibition. Three pots cyclamens, grown 7 **''■. W, Coldie, have been placed at ,e disposal of the committee for anil tin; proceeds are to be devoted to form a fund for prizes for cyclamens iiftxt year. There will also be an exhibition of grapes grown by Mr. Cheeseman, *luch Will certainly have few competitors. „ 5 nine o'clock in the evening the cut loweis, etc., will bo sold by auction, so •iafc there will he presented an opportunity 0i the visitors becoming possessed of the Sowers they fancied. Vn A Now Plymouth telegram says:—A j°'! n 8 -m named Bell, working at ( | a Ulu > who has been missing for two / s ' turned up yesterday morning. He ports being thrown from his horse on the K?" on Wednesday, and remembers rol'g until ho found himself at sea on a log. , e leumincd on the log till ib floated near le land aud then swam ashore.

We have received several pamphlets in connection with the Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the Colonies, and India, transmitted by direction of U.K.H. the President and the Executive Council.

One of the papers contains a list of the permanent government body and executive staff of tho Imperial Institute, as approved by Royal warrant. Next is the report of the lata organising committee, relating to the provision of financos, site for buildings, charter and constitution, dissemination cf the objects of the Institute, and school of modern Oriental studies. A third paper gives a' schedule of the preliminary allotment of space for display of the permanent collections in the Institute. The BritishAustralasian section, ground floor, contains a floor space of 9900 square feet; wall space, 4480 feet; hanging space, *2116 feet. On tho upper floor are spaco for expansion. In. Colonial and Indian sections,

22,072 squaro feet ; wall space, 17,800. In addition there are two largo spaces with total areas of almost 100,000 squaro feet at present not built upon, also available for expansion of apace provided for tho colonies. Attached is a lithographed plan, also view of tho Institute, the main building of which is now near completion. The central tower, the side towers, and, the exhibition galleries in rear of tho main building are in process of construction. Length of frontage, over 680 feet; height of central tower, near 300 feet, and height of east ami west towers, 176 feot. A memorandum states that " Tho space at present allotted in tho Imperial Institute to individual colonies is necessarily small, when compared with individual courts at tho Colonial and Indian Exhibition, and the same remarks applies to the space allotted to the Indian Empire, the total available space being comparatively limited ; but it must be borne in mind, with respect to the difference in space available, that the characters of collections which will be housed at the Imperial Institute are very different from those which constituted the special exhibition in question. Moreover, a very largo proportion of tho spaces allotted to many of the colonies and to India, in tho Colonial and Indian Exhibition, was occupied by objects which it has never been contemplated to display at tho Institute, and which would be altogether out of character with the economic and industrial collections which are being prepared for it. A considerable proportion of additional space has, however, been reserved for the purpose of extending the accommodation required by individual colonies in proportion as their respective collections become increased in extent." Yesterday, about one o'clock, an accident occurred at the saleyards of Messrs. Hunter and Nolan, auctioneers, Durham-street West. Tho yards are being extended, and alterations effected. A number of bricklayers are building up a brick front, and are working on tho second storey, having tho bricks hoisted up from the yard in a barrow to a platform, or staging, on tho first storey by means of a pulley and rope attached to a horse. On tho staging the bricklayers had also the usual materials and tools for their work. By some moans or other one of the barrows out of use fell through an opening, and in its descent struck a workman, Thomas Chappell, on tho head, while John Rook, who happened to be in the yard, accidentally got a severe scalp wound. Rook was at tirst unconscious, but on coming to, both tho injured men were taken to Mr. J. P. King's, chemist, where Dr. Roberton attended to their injuries. Rook, who is a gardener, was taken to Kingsland, where he resides. Chappell, with the exception of a cut or two about the head, is not seriously injured. The affair was purely accidental, and no blame was attachable to tho contractors. Considerable surprise was manifested, howover, by passers by that the municipal authorities, havo taken no steps to protect the public from accident while the front wall is being built. There is no hoarding erected, and streams of men, women, and children pass along the pavement while the bricklayers overhead are laying the bricks. The fall of a brick on tho head of some passing City Councillor will probably lead to precautionary measures being taken.

The secretary of tho Board of Education received ft telegram yesterday from Mr. L. Vickcrs, chairman of the Wade School Committee, stating that Miss Bischofl", teacher at tho Wade school, died suddenly that morning. She has been in the 5 service of the Board for twenty years; her father is a resident of the Waiuku district.

The Executive Committee of the Auckland Board of Education met yesterday afternoon. Present: —Messrs. Udy (chairman), Mair, Moat, and Luke. The committee recommended that the following tenders be accepted :—Furniture, Watts ; gymnastic apparatus, Kauri Timber Company ; clocks, Atkinson ; Venetian blinds, Watts school maps, Patterson and Coo ; office stationery, Chapman ; printing, W. McCullough ; coal and firewood, J. and J. Craig , scoria ash, J. and J. Craig.

There was almost a clean sheet at the Police Court yesterday morning, the only case that caruo before the presiding Justices —Messrs. Baber and Tizard — being a charge against a lad named Stanley Vaile of having driven a spring cart without a light in Symonds street on the night of the 28th August. The defendant admitted the offence, and was fined 5s and costs 7a, the Bench reprimanding him for having in the first instance given a false namo to the police.

A meeting of volunteers was held in the orderly room of the I'onsonby Navals last evening to consider if some steps could nob be taken to procure Martini-Henry ammunition at a less cost than that at which it is at present supplied by the Government. There was a fair attendance, and Captain Robertson (Newton Rifles) presided. Aftor a lob of desultory discussion a sub-commib-tee, consisting of the captains of the various corps, and one representative from each, was appointed to make full enquiries, and report at a future meeting.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. J. _ R. Cox, M.P. for County Clare, paid a visit to the Marist Brothers' school, in Wellingtonstreet, on which occasion the pupils presented to him the following address, which was read by Master Maguiro "ToJ. R. Cox, Esq., M.P.,We, tho pupils of the Marist Brothers' School, tender you a hearty welcome on the occasion of your visit to Auckland. We fervently hope that your mission on behalf of the poor, unfortunate victims of landlordism in Ireland

may meet with the success which such a sacred cause deserves. Wo hope that the day is not far distant when a united Irish Parliamentary party, aided by tho Liberals of England and Scotland, may obtain from the British Government ' Home Rule for Ireland.' And again wishing you every success in your rnisssion,— We remain, yours faithfully, Tim Pupils of the Marist Brotuhus' School." In reply, Mr. Cox thanked the young people for their kind wishes for the welfare of Ireland, and pro mised to give them a limelight entertainment on his return from tho South. -■

In the Panmure Public Hall, on Thursday night, an entertainment of an interesting and enjoyable nature was given, the Rev. J. Haselden reading" Enoch Arden," and exhibiting a number of magic lantern views to illustrate the theme. Views representing incidents in tho life of Christ were also shown, as well as others of a miscellaneous description. The proceeds are to be equally divided between the Panmure Holy Trinity Sunday-school and tho Home Mission. Tho announcement made at the Orchestral Union's concert on Thursday nighb, that the committee had decided to tender a benefit concert to the widow of the late Mr. Thomas G. Sibbin on Thursday next, was received by tho large audience with vociferous applause. The Union is to be heartily commended for its prompt and liberal-action. A performance undertaken by such an influential organisation in so meritorious a cause must undoubtedly draw a crowded house. An interesting ceremony took place last evening, at Host Ternahan's, when Mr. J. J. Shaldrick was presented with a valuable gold albert, in recognition of his services in tho Onehunga Borough. Mr. Kbenezer Earle occupied the chair, and in a few wellchosen remarks handed the gift to the cuest. Mr. Shaldrick, in accepting, thanked the donors for their very valuable gift, and stated that ibwas a great surprise to him to receive ib, saying he had tried to do his duty, and would in future try to merit the esteem thus shown him.

Mr. J. Jackson, timber merchant, of Timnru, fell down the hatch of the ship Zealandia yesterday morning at that port, and was considerably bruised; and had his left arm broken. .

A new music studio hagbeen fitted up, and decorated with workjpf art, flowers, flags, etc., by Mr. W. lipett, teacher of music, in the Victoria Aride. The piano is a magnificent one, by Hike. The studio will be thrown open fcß inspection this evening to the public f}m seven to halfCast nino p.m., when Mi Impett, as will e seen by adverbisetnot elsewhere, will give a piatiofore recital, agisted by several musical friends. V The Gazette contains notacations of land open for sale or selection in' arious ports of Auckland and Taranaki. \ j At the regular monthly nee tine of the Tauranga County Council or Tuesday, September 1, the chairman ;Mr. Jonathan Brown) spoke in strong tepJS against the increase of the honorarium, C. wages, of our M.II.R.'a, and on his inotia having been put to the meeting it \vas;2arned unanimously, and a copy of the notion! was ordered to be sent to our 'two members (Colonel Eraser and Mr. Villiarj Kelly). At a special meetiu'.' of the ame Ujtly, conveiled for the purpose of reeivii'i tho report and finally adopting the'baljice-sheet tor the year, Captain Macinitiun.il moving the adoption of the report audbalacc-sheet, congratulated the Council oil living reduced the amounts due by the fcuncil on the debts of the Waimapu Road Board and To Puna Road Board to the Bale of New Zealand to the sum of £10-1 7/9 d. Hie amount of-debt taken over by tlj I'auranga County when these Road Birds were merged in the county in 1880 fas : Yyaimiipu, £-21.14 Gs Sd ; and Pup, £747 3s 10.1; and the interest paid briiigilbe amount up to £4295 12a 3d now paid by he county to date. Captain Macmillau fuiJier stated that, as the Government had deJled to pay no longer rates on the native laijs, the time had come when European and nati proprietors should bo equally ratfl. l-he report and balance-sheet were iianimous.y adopted.— [Katikati Corresponds.]

The annual general meetingpf the City Rowing Club will be held oil VVednesday evening at the Young Men's liristiau Association Rooms. Attention is called to the sic of photographic stock importers' busiuss of Messrs. A. B. Brootnhilll and Co., -eland-street, notified elsewhere. j A meeting of the Aucklaruttnstitute will be held in the Museum BuiMngs, Princesstroct, on Monday, when Mr. Ames Stewart, C.E., will give a popular lecture, illustrated with limelight transparenrfcs, on "The Rotorua Railway and Districtf' A meeting of the committel of the Eight Hours Demonstration will hi held in the Trade Assembly Rooms, UiipeiQueen-strcet, oil Monday evening next, wliel delegates of unions are requested to attend! The fifth dance of " Ponsotby at Home" on Friday evening next. A conference in connection mil tho Auckland Presbytery will be helq in St. James' Church on Tuesday " The duty of the Church to the vonig without the Church." Mr. Eugster willopen the Conference. j The annual general meeting of the St. George's Rowing Club will (Vie held in the Russell-street Schoolroom, IVvnell, on Thursday next. I The sacred cantata (Root's) " The Christian Graces," will be given on' Wednesday evening, in the Alexandre-street Primitive Methodist Church.

;6f the City j Wednesday fliristian As-

The ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the' South British Insurance Company will be held at the head otlice of the company, Queen-street, Auckland, on Wednesday, October 14. , , The monthly meeting of the Mancere Farmers' Club will be held in the Public Hall, Mangere, on Monday evening, at halfpast seven, when Mr. K. V\ Burton will read a paper on " Difl'erentiil Taxation." Discussion is invited.

Mr. T. Harle Giles, of tie Educational Chambers, Auckland, advertises for the assistance of a junior clerk, in connection with which certain educational tdvantages are attached, and set forth in at advertisement in another column.

The Rev. Thomas Spurgcon will give his farewell lecture on Thursday evening next, lit half-past seven, on the " Book of Books,' "The Conquest of the Congo," and " Buttle in Bengal, the proceeds being for the Baptist Home and Foreign Missions. It will be illustrated by limelight views. Judging from the patronage that the new Wyndhair.-street hot and cold baths have received during the few days that they have been opened, we should think the proprietors ought to be well satisfied. There is no doubt that they deserve public patronage, as the baths are got up in first-class stylo, are beautifully clean, and well kept in every way. People coming in from country districts will find these baths a great convenience.

Miss Amy Vaughan's Amazons will appear at the City Hull to-night, iu a . comploLo change of programme, including, among virions novelties, a new rural tirst part, entitled, " Harvest Home." The stage will represent a harvest scene with the reapers and gleaners at work. A new descriptive military dramatic scene, " The Pardon Came Too Late," will be produced for the first time upon any stage, and will be illustrated by battlefield, limelight, and pyrotechnic effects. New songs, dances, and specialities will fill the remainder of what promises to be an excellent programme. The treasurer of the Women's Home, Parnell, begs to acknowledge the following gifts received in August:—Mr. .John Fairburn, £1; Colonel Haultrin, £1; Rev. T. 11. and Mrs. Snrott, £1 Is: Mrs. Fox, 5s ; Rev. P. S. Smallfield, £1; Mrs. Gordon Tisdall, £1. A ton of coke -from Mr. .J. M. Hay, and bag of .pumpkins from Archdeacon Maunsell. Any contributions, however small, in money, clothing, or household requisites, will be thankfully received by members of the committee, Archdeacon Dudley, Rev. G. H. Preston, Mr. H. 13. Sealy, Mrs. Cowie, Mrs. Kenderdine, Mrs. Kinder, or by the matron, Mrs. Moss, May Cottage, Parnell, to whom orders for washing and needlework can be sent. The Home "is entirely dependent on voluntary subscriptions and the work of the inmates." It has been carried on for more than seven years, and any woman desirous of returning to virtuous living is received irrespective of creed.

The usual ecclesiastical notices will be found in the eighth page. The anniversary services of the .Newmarket Wesleyan Church will be held to-morrow, when the Rev. J). McNicoll will preach in the morning, and the Rev. S. J. Serpell in the afternoon and evening. The choir will give special selections. A soiree '"will be held on Tuesday. At the after meeting Mr. J. L. Wilson will preside, and addresses will be given by the Revs. B. L. Thomas and S. J. Serpell. The anniversary services of the Union-street Wesleyan Sunday-school take place to-morrow, when the Rev. E. Neilsen. Scandinavian missionary, will preach in the morning ; in the afternoon. at three, the Rev. 1). McNicoll; evening, Mr. W. Beaumont. Special hymns will be sung, Miss Neilsen accompanying on the harp. " The Future" will be the subject of Mr. W. R. Vines' address at the Sunday afternoon meeting, in tho Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, at 3 o'clock. The evangelistic Sunday evening service, held in the City Hall, commences at 8 p.m. All are invited.