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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8698, 15 October 1891, Page 4

Affairs on the Continent of Europe are assuming a more peaceful aspect, Al. though the Powers are increasing their armaments, and exercising their troops each of them professes to animated by one sole desire— the preservation of peace M. de Giers, the' Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is at present in Pari? in the course of an interview stated that no importance need be attached to the military movements in Russia, and that the Czai was restraining the Russian war party. The famine in- Russia is' not abating, and outrages in the stricken districts are rife. According to the correspondent of the London Standard the coloured delegates at the Methodist (Ecumenical Congress in America are not permitted to take their meals at the same restaurant as the white delegates. it would seem from this that the universal brotherhood of man, even in the Churches is as far off as ever. The premier of Quebec fearing assassination has applied for police protection. By the capsizing of a boat on the River Scheldt ten persons were drowned. The rival Home Rule parties in Ireland have not found reconciliation at the grave of their former chief. They are more antagonistic than ever. The spectacle, although no doubt thoroughly Hibernian' is by no means edifying. Anyone who U not an Irishman .would have expected thai with the death of the man who had led to the disruption of the Irish party, the two sections would have become reunited, and once again have acted harmoniously for the common end they have in view. The old wrangling, however, goes on more intensified aii'i embittered than ever, a state of things which must have a disastrous effect apon the Hon;e Rule cause.

Captain Francis R. Webb, who for many years past has acted as senior partner and iranagerof the firm of Arnold, Cheney, and I Co., gum merchants, and who has foi seTeral years officiated temporarily as American Consul in this city, is now %bout to return to his home in the United Suites, but before doing so he proposes to donate to the Art Gallery of Auckland a very valuable picture. Captain Webb writes to the Town Clerk as follows Sir lam the owner of an oil painting of Tokate-v Goldfield, executed by E. A. Gifford, Esq., gold medallist of the Royal Academy, which I shall be pleased to present to the city for the Art Gallery, as a token of my gratitude for the many kindnesses for which I am indebted to the citizens during my ten years' residence here ; if the honourable Mayor and councillors will kindly accept it prior to my departure early in November prox. —I am, etc., Francis R. Webb."

The shareholders of the South British • Insurance Company held their annual meeting yesterday, when the report (declaring a dividend of 10 per cent) and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr. W. S. Wilson was reelected a director, whilst Mr. K. A. Cart* was appointed to the other vacant Feat on the Board. The retiring auditors, Messrs. J. Way mouth and J. F. Clarke, were reappointed. During the proceedings considerable discussion of an irrelevant and somewhat personal character took place. The Parnell Borough Council are very anxious to find out the identity of some person who has been interfering with th< waterworks. The method adopted shows that) it is not the work of the ordinary larrikin, and that in fact a skilled man must have accomplished the work of removing the screws governing the fireplugs and the other arrangements of the valves. A reward of £5 is offered for the evidence necessary to convict the miscreant. Captain Edward Wheeler, now command ing "the Union Company's fine steamer Manapouri, was for several years a constant trader from Auckland to Sydney. He arrived here in the s.s. Lord Ashley, as chief officer, in September, 1858, and in the fol lowing year was promoted to the command, and for nearly four years was principally engaged running between this port and Sydney, and subsequently in the interprovlncial trade. Afterwards, he was in command of the s.s. Prince Alfred, which vessel maintained regular communication between New South Wales and New Zealand for upwards of two years, after which he became master of the s.s. 1 Phoebe for some four years, at one tinjje sailing under the " Circulai .Taw" flag,'when finally the Hon. John Martin became sole owner. We believe he ' commanded other steamers, but those we have mentioned he was identified with by the commercial and travelling portion of the community. On the iormation of the Union Steamship Company he naturally joined the service of this extensive and flourishing company, and was despatched home in April, 1876, to bring out the s.s. Hawed, which he accomplished in one of the shortest trips made up to that time. There are few if any men who have been more popular on the coast of New Zealand than Captain Wheeler, and this was shown on his leaving Wellington in 1876, when an illuminated address was presented to him, together with a purse of nearly 100 sovereigns, subscribed by the merchants and some of his friends then living in Wellington. With the exception of Captain Kennedy, who was master of the <*■*• Wongawonga in 1857, we suppose that In is now the oldest master mariner in charge of a steamer in New Zealand. His cured has been an exceedingly fortunate one forhis several owners, as he has never m«' with any mishap, and we are informed that the vessels under his charge ha>v cost less for damages than any others. This is saying a good deal for a shipmaster of nearly 34 years standing. At the sunn time, there are few men whp have made more numerous friendships amongst the thousands who have travelled with him than Captain Edward Wheeler. I'orovei 12 years he has been captain of the s.s. Wakatipu, but as thi". uteamer has lately been laid up for repairs and new boilers, lie has had charge of the Manapouri. -A gen tieman - who was a passenger recently with him to Australia, made a calculation which proved that Captain Wheeler had during the past 34 years steamed over 1,200,000 miles. To many old Auckland residents, and aI?C travellers in the South, in Australia, andic many other parts of the world, these re' ininisences of a long and successful eftrcei we doubt nob will be road with pleasure, and will rocull many agreeable recollections of one who may be justly termed a useful public servant. > Jndgment was given by Dr. Giles at the R.M. Court yesterday, in the case of Alfred Porter v. Lewis Moses, This was a claim for £34 Is, for alterations made by the P' ,un ' tiff to defendant's house, tho defendant claiming that the work had not been satisfactorily done.r Judgment was given lot the plaintiff for £11 lis (3d, with costs, t" 17». Mr.'Mahony appeared for the plain" tiff, and Mr, E. W. Burton for the defendant. - • ■ " - ' ''

a reauisition to Mr. Crowther requesting • A Slow himself to be nominated lor u m Mayoralty, Appears in °» advertising ,h as also that gentleman's reply Opting the requisition. A telegram was received yesterday by i. Auckland police authorities from Conitablo Abrums, stating that the enquiry at Sknra in the Thomas case was still pro:eodintf. _ ' L Puntain Homo, formerly Arms of tho House of Representatives, has arrived at Wellington horn Sydney on hir way to Auckland.

u the Police Court yesterday morning, r>r Olios fined Francis O'Dowd, licensee of he Caledonian Hotel, 40s and costs for sellno- liquor after hours. He thought that lominnl ponaitios should not be inflicted in mch cases, considering the difficulty in ibtatninjr convictions. A man named"Hans \nilerson, a wniuan on board the barquen•inc Jessie, was sentenced to a mouth's imorisonmont for threatening to stab an officer mil one of the crew with a knife. The ac•used was under the influence of drink at t|,B time. Hr. Giles pointed out that the drawing of knives in such quarrels was a «e"ioiis matter. Such actions sometimes resulted in very grave injuries being inflicted, and oven in the taking of life. A well-attended meeting of the Pakurnngft Hunt Club was held at the A.R.C. rooms,' yesterday, for the purpose of arranging for » wind-up of tho season. It was a creed to hold a ball at a date to bo fixed, and tho tickets were arranged at £1 la for n double ticket, 10s 6d for a single ticket, A committee was appointed to promote the project, and tho meeting was adjourned until Friday. Mr. Hill, tho Collector of Customs, has received information that an Order-in-Council, to come into forco on the 2'2nd instant, has been made prohibiting the exportation from the colony of rock, shore, drift, or mangrove oysters, or by whatever namo they may to locally known.

At the next meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council, to be held at Birkenhead this evening at seven p.m., the Mayor, at the request of His Excellency the Governor, will present Mr. Thomas Francis Nieholls, the mute of the Birkenhead ferry steamer, with the bronze medal of Iho Royal Humana Society of Australasia as a mark of admiration of his conduct in rescuing Charles I'ollsen from drowning in the WaiUmiata Harbour on April 21, 1890.

It is stated that Messrs. Reynolds and Co., propose to erect freezing works in the Wailiiito, probably near Frank ton Junction.

A trouble which has been .brewing between Andrew Reeves, sheep farmer, Tologa Bay, and the native.", culminated last week, when the Maoris took possession of a large part of Reeves' run, driving his sheep off (iml setting up fences around his woolsiieds to prevent him working his sheep. Mr. Keoves is unable to take proceedings to eject the natives, owing to the Act passed last session suspending all litigation, and ho is put to great loss by being prevented from working his sheep. The natives of ..Tologa Buy have also taken possession of a six-roomed house and largo orchard and 60 acres of land, occupied by Henry Williams, who also claims to be an owner in the ■ AVhnrekaka block. The position the Maoris take up is that some of them, not having disposed of their shares in the block, and their interests never having been defined, they, as part owners of the soil, have a perfect right to " squat" where they please. The quarterly communication of tho Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand was held for the first time iu Christchurch on Tuesday evening. The K. W.U. M. Brother 11. Thomson presided, and there were present officers from the North and South islands and a large number of visiting brethren, A considerable amount of routine business was transacted, including consideration of tho proposed constitution. A vote of sympathy was accorded to Brother E. T. Gillon, G.J.W., whose serious illness prevented his attendance.

An entertainment was given last evening in the "Helping Hand Mission Hall," to the children attending the Sundayschool. The building was crowded to excess. Mr. W. 11. Smith presided. A number of musical selections were sung by the children, after which Mr. H. H. Smith gave a panoramic! and limelight exhibition, showing about '200 views of English and American scenery, views in Auckland, the Lake Country, and of the Southern Lakes and Alpine scenery, and also some comic slides, which greatly delighted the children. As each child left the building (there were about 400 children present), it was presented with a prepared {jacket of cake and fruit, Mrs. Parkinson having the catering. 1 hiring the evening Mr. Smith, in behalf of Mrs. Macdonald, presented Mr. Gallot, a lumper on the wharf, who belongs to the mission, with Cassell's Family Bible, elegantly bound, in recognition of his services in aiding in her rescue from drowning, four years ago, at the Queen-street wharf. Mrs. Macdonald was then a stewardess on hoard one of the direct steamers, and had been spending the evening at Mr. Smith's residence. In returning to the ship, owing to the darkness of the night, she mi«sed her footing on the gangway, and fell into the harbour. Mr. Gallot witnessed the accident, gave the alarm, and assisted in lowering the boat to her rescue. Owing to Mrs. Macdonald having to go on to England at once with the steamer, she had no opportunity of fittingly acknowledging her indebtedness to the man who had been instrumental in saving her life. Having returned to the colony, and being now stewardess on board the ss. Manapouri, at present in harbour, she took the opportunity last evening to make the presentation. Mr. Gallot, unfortunately, was confined to bed through indisposition, and unable to be present to receive tho handsome gift intended for him, bub Mrs. Gallot received it on his behalf. The gathering of the evening was a very pleasant one, but for one temporary annoyance. The hood-, lums from far and near, scenting cake arid fruit, congregated around the hall. They first pulled down a temporary gate at tho side to effect an entrance at the back, but being foiled in that, came back to the front, where they whiled away the time " barracking," using insulting epithets to passers-by, and pelting them. Three expeditions of teachers sallied forth in succession during the night in search of a policeman, bub each returned with the disheartening report that none could be fountj. ■

A most enjoyablo and successful gather.ing was held last night in the Mount Eden Baptist Church in commemoration of the anniversary of the Sunday-school. There was a very large audience, the available accommodation being taxed to tho uttermost. The pastor, the . Rev. G. J). Cox, presided, and after a few introductory remarks of an encouraging nature, called upon the secretary to read tho annual report and balance-sheet. According to tho report the number of.scholars on tho roll way 150, against 123 last year, showing a clear gain of 27 for the year. The average attendance had been 100. Seven of tho Bcholarii had become church members, and two hud been accepted as teachers. The total number of teachers was 21, with an avorago attendance of 20. Talcing all things into consideration the school was in a flourishing condition, and a good work was undoubtedly being done, The outlook for tho future was most hopeful. The balancesheet showed tho receipts for tho year to liiivejieen £31 IDs 3d, and the expenditure pi 7s 2d, leaving a balance of £7 12a 3d 111 li'ind. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted, after which the Rev. C. «< Bceeroft gave a very earnest and instructive address, specially adapted to j,'>« requirements of teachers, upon ounday-sehool work. At intervals dur"'i,'; 'lie evening a numbor of choice musical selections were rendered in excellent stylo by the members of the church choir, assisted by other friends, hie program mo was as follows ;—Chorus, 'Shoulder to Shoulder," choir pianoforte ®p'°, .Mi Colgrove ; anthem, " Beautiful "olden (Tate," choir ; song, Miss Herde ; tccitiUion, "The Burial of Mones," Mr. carry ; duet, Misses Phillips and Dewar ; p )lo > Miss Colgi'ove; chorus, " By tha beautiful Gate choir ; chorus, " Awake, Awake," choir ; violin and pianoforte duet, ' '" 1 Heath and Mr. Jenkins. An interval allowed for in the programme, during *'>ich the teachers handed round among he audience some fruit and other light re'c.slimentH, which were duly appreciated. . 10 gathering dispersed about half-past "no, after the benediction had been said. I >e splendid piano, : kindly lent free of laigH *•' Messrs. .Hoffmann and Sons, con--1 "ted-in a gnat measure to the success l "e musical portion of the programme, f

The Hon. W. P. Reeves bus proceeded North from Tologa Bay. His business is on a general inspection of the district on behalf of the Cabinet. The native .echoois and land will bo inspected, and he will visit the Maoris of Waiapu district who are stricken with the typhoid fever epidemic.' The Minister at the same time is endeavouring to make hirasolf acquainted with the grievances and native land difficulties which now prevail along the coast. \ A telegram from Wellington says the Waihora, from Sydney, brings 182 passengers for all ports.

•' The Mikado" was repeated with customary success at the Opera House last night beforo another large audience, who were liberal in their applause, and appeared to greatly enjoy the performance. The popular opera is to be produced again to-night.

The usual entertainment of the Burns Club will be held at the Masonic Hall, Nuwton, this evening, at eight. The annual meeting of the Otahuhu Public Hall Company (Limited), will be held on Thursday, the"29th instant, at eight p.m. Tenders are invited by the Public Works Department for additions to the Sunnyside Asylum, Christchurch. \ The Surveyor-General invites tenders for the construction of eleven miles of East Road, Stratford, towards Mangaroa. The rehearsal for the Diocesan Choral Association Festival takes place this evening at St. Sepulchre's, at half-past seven. The Judge's Bay Amateur Regatta will bo held on Saturday, December 12. The preliminary programme will be found in our advertising columns. Tins evening the farewell concert of f the Auckland Lawn Tennis Club will be given in the Mount Hobson Hall, Remuera, at naifpast seven. A bumper house is anticipated. Buyers of drapery, etc., will do well by attending the sale now being held by Mr. R. Arthur, auctioneer, at the temporary pre-? mises of Mr. W. R. Bridgman, Queen-street. During the two days' safes many have procured wood bargains. Thero is Still a wellassorted lot to sell. The sale commences at 11 o'clock to-day. See advertisement.