THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHREN CROSS. FRIDAY JULY 15, 1892.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8931, 15 July 1892, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHREN CROSS. FRIDAY JULY 15, 1892.

We think that there is fair ground of complaint against the Premier for his reticence in respect to the modifications he intends to make in the Taxation Act of last session. The subject was discussed in the House at considerable length last night. The matter arose in this way: A few weeks ago, the Premier was interviewed by a reporter of the New Zealand Herald, and the question was put, " Is it your intention to bring in a Bill to relieve English debenture-holders of double taxation V The answer of the Premier was, "Yes, I propose to bring in such a measure, to relieve debenture-holders who have money on mortgage —that is to say, that they will pay on their mortgages, but nothing in the shape of income tax upon their debentures" This statement, upon a matter of great importance, has been circulated over

New Zealand and in England, and no doubt in the latter place it has tended to improve the feeling respecting the colony, and the new taxation. The Agent-General in London has made statements to a similar effect, based, no doubt, upon information which ha has received from the Government of the colony. It is quite natural that the Premier should be asked in the House to give precise information as to the new measure. The mail for England, via San Francisco, is leaving, and it is of great importance that the proposed modifications of the Taxation Act should be sent there as soon as possible. But the Premier now say.? that " lie could not vouch for the accuracy of newspaper reports." He is not asked to do that. But if the report is not accurate (we firmly believe that it is accurate) he ought to say what is the truth of the matter. He is specifically asked whether it is true that he said so-and-so, and to this question he surely can say ye 3or no. All he does say is, that the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill is now in the hands of the law officers, and as soon as it is prepared he would submit it to the House. It may be true that the Bill is still in the hands of the law officers, but the Colonial Treasurer must know quite well what instructions he has given, and what principles are to be embodied in the Bill. What Mr. Dailance's purpose may be in withholding the information we cannot say, but we are quite sure that he is acting in a manner hurtful to the interests of the colony, not to mention the discourtesy to the House.

The English cablegrams give further details of the elections. In Scotland thgreatest interest appears to have centred i , the Midlothian election, which has been well fought out between .Mr. Gladstone and Colonel Wauchop. In Ireland Mr. \Y. Redmond defeated at East Cl3re by 400 votes Mr. J. R. Cox, the delegate of the McCarthy party, who visited Auckland some time ago. Mr. Fitzgerald, of Galway, and Mr. John Burns purpose visiting the Continent to discuss laboui problems with the labour representatives oi the French and German Legislatures. M. Pardon, ex-Governor of New Caledonia, half hints that France would be disposed to stop sending recidivistes to New Caledonia, if England allowed her a free La-. i with regard to the New Hebrides. Toa Silver Bill has been rejected by the American Senate.

Our Australian cablegrams state that a bank manager has been arrested on a charge of embezzlement, and that some develop ements are anticipated. The Newcastle miners have voted £1000 in aid of the Broken Hill miners.

It will be seen by a cable message that the New Zealand athletes were present at the athletic meeting at Manchester on the 13th. Mr. Batger was successful in winning the Quarter-mile Hurdles from scratch in 59 4-55., Mr. P. Wood being third. An interesting account of the trip home and the first period of the stay of our athletics in England will be found in a communication in another column.

The following particulars concerning St. John's, the capital of the colony of Newfoundland, and the scene of the late calamitous lire, are furnished by Mr.Thomas H. Martin, of this city, who formerly resided there for a period of twelve years. He says : — " St. John's, at the time of my residence there, contained about 30,000 inhabitants, a number, no doubt, considerably augmented since then. It stands on two sides of a small landlocked harbour, near the eastern point of the island. The chief business premises and about ninetenths of its people occupy the north side. The form of the chief part of the city somewhat resembles that of Wellington, in having a long water frontage without much depth. Every merchant there has his own wharf, or wharves, with stores adjoining, and formerly his oil vats. At the time of my first acquaintance with the place, as a boy of thirteen, it was rising from its ruins. Prior to the year 1846 the city was constructed exclusively of wood, but on the 9th of June of that year, during a heavy gale, a fire broke out in the workshop of a cabinetmaker, a short distance from the main thoroughfare. The fire spread rapidly. Unfortunately it occurred when the merchants vats were full of oil, the products of the spring seal fishery, and when the vats became involved all human efforts proved ineffectual, and the city was swept from its western to its eastern end. The main parts of the city were then rebuilt with substantial brick and stone stores and dwellings. The oil vats, lam told, have disappeared from the north part of the city, and are now to be found only on the south side, so tint in the fire which, after an interval of 46 years, has again destroyed the city, no abnormal feature can have presented itself. This fire has happened at a season when the men are to a great extent absent on the Labrador and coast fisheries, so that the position of their wives and children will be aggravated. I suggest that a committee be at once formed under the auspices ot our worthy Mayor for thepurpose of sending relief.""

The splendid mail steamer Monowni. Captain M. Carey, arrived in harbour last night from San Francisco, Honolulu, and Samoa, bringing the English and American mails. The steamer is fairly pitroniscai with passengers for here and Australia. The voyage has been a pleasant one throughout, and has occupied IS days '_V hours, but would have been accomplish?' in less time had not the weather been unfavourable after leaving Samoa. Amongst the through passengers are the Hon. Mr. Musgrave, who is returning to Australia after a visit to Australia and the States, and Miss Emily Soldene, of operatic fame, who will be remembered as having visited the colonies some years ago. The Monown: resumes her voyage to Sydney at fou; o'clock this morning.

The mails brought by the mail steamer Monowni last night were of the following dates : London, June 11; New York, Juue 18 ; San Francisco, .June 24 ; Honolulu, June 30; Apia, July 8.

It may be of interest to many of eut readers to know 'that the Bishop of Tasmania was expected here in a day or two to assist in the work among the islands, but Bishop Cowie has received word to the effect that he has been prevented, and will not reach Auckland until about the end oi the present month, when he is expected to come in the Orlando.

The New Zealand Shipping Company's fine steamer Kaikoura, Captain W. G. Crutchley, R.IS.R., anchored off Rangitoto Reef last evening, from London, after a passage (including all stoppages) of 44 days 5 hours 41 minutes. The steamer was boarded by Dr. Lewis (Health Officer) who, after due inquiry, gave a clean bill of health, and the steamer will berth at the Queen-street Wharf early this morning to discharge her cargo, and will leave for the South to-morrow evening. The voyage has been an uneventful one, and the health of the passengers has been good. Capetown and Hobarb were called at on the way. Amongst the passengers landed at Hobart were those of the steamer Port Douglas, recently wrecked at St. Vincent, particulars of which have been published in our columns. The Kaikoura brings a number of passengers for here ana the South, and 2466 tons of general cargo, 759 tons of which are for here.

Mr. Hermann Brown, who is leaving Auckland for a visit to the Fatherland, me with an unexpected surprise yesterday, H thought he had run the gauntlet of friendl; greetings, but one remained for him whicl he will no doubt bear in memory, Mr. Brown was invited by his friends, members of the Auckland Club, to meet them yesterday afternoon. The health of the departing euesfc and a parting wish for his future prosperity and happiness was warmly drunk before the final good-byes were saic to this old and respected citizen of Auckland. Tlte Mayor (Mr. W. Crowtherfexpresses himself as* somewhat disappointed at th« result of the labours of the Municipal Conference at Wellington, which consisted for the most part in revising the business of the previous Conference.

A man war, found lug last evening in a temi-conscious state i May-street, with a cut over the temple. Constable Browne took him to the static and thence to the Hospital, as he was mule to give his name or answer questions, e appeared to have fallen on the p&vemfc and got stunned, and was, apparently, mder the influence of liquor. Dr. Sommedlle examined him, and found that he hadot suffered fracture of the skull, as was a first feared, and he will, probably, be righln a day two. A man named B. Kijht was killed by a fall of earth while worlng at St. Martin's Brickworks, Opawa.

The dead body of ayoung man named Arthur Todd, who hasjbeen missing from Featherstone, was fout! in a flooded creek. It is believed that som friends of the debased live at Rangiors

While Mr. Albert s Q.uesne and Mr. Cumining, a commeral traveller, were driving to Cambridge om Hamilton in a two-horse vehicle the;met with an accident. A chain which ecured the pale of the conveyance broi, and the horses bolted, smashing the uggy and injuring Mr. LeQuesne's knee id Mr. Cumming's ribs and wrist.

There are now aboiv 480 applicants on •he list for the Olmra fecial Settlements. Associations are also ting formed of men ivho will band togeth - to take up land elsewhere, if a suitab; block should be ivailable.

It is stated that the lew Auckland shirt log is now complete, and is to be ?ent to the local manfacturers for their consideration. The lofprovides for a »ood average worker earnia from 17s to £1 Is ner week.

There was on view jvterday at the premise? of Mr. J. Fisher.mtcher, the carcase Tk a pig of pure Berks breed, which had been bred in England nd reared and fed on the ship Timaru. I turned the scale at SS7 pounds, and quite i number of people had a look at the porke.

The Commissioner ofTaxes Department, Mr. Crombie, has witten to the Town Clerk stating that h has sent to the Colonial Treasury a vouher for the payment Df £112 10s, balance of subsidy due to the Auckland City Councilfor IS9I-2, payable under the Local Bdies Finance and Powers Act and sectio. S of the Appropriation Act, 1890.

The Hoods in the tpotiki district are subsiding. A landslip wrecked the house of a settler named Kmp on Wednesday night, but the inmatei escaped almost unhurt.

Yesterday a wilow romsn, a Mrs. Sturgeon, was admitted t> the Hospital from the Bombay Settlenent—having fallen down some stops at tar house, and broken an arm and a let;.

The ordinary meetinf of the Newmarket Borough Council was held last night. There were present : M;ssrs. Kent (Mayor), Angus, Wliyman, .vdgerley, Randall, Stone, and L-ixon Omiplaints as to the stare of the footpath n Park Road were referred to the Streets Committee, with power to act. James Wood sent in an application for increased payment in connection with the contact? for the removal o* stone in Osborne-stnet, as more had to be done than he hac anticipated. The matter was deferred till next meeting. The bank balances to cate were as follow : —General account (ir.), £6'2 lis Id; waterworks account or.), £133 19s 41; interest account (or.), lis lid : sinking fund account (cr.), :'ao. The balancesheet for the boroiig! for the half-year ended 31st March, IS'"2, was laid before the Council, having ben returned from Wellington duly auditel and found correct. It was adopted by the Council. The Council decided, to place a crossing at the boundary between Parnill and Newmarket on the Manukau Read, provided the Boiough of Parnell was prepared to defray half the cost. On the motion of the Mayor, it was resolved, '• That the School Committee be given permission to plane a cumber of trees on the reserve."

At the City Hall last night Mr. Snazelle Save his final performance to a large audience. The programme submitted was of a miscellaneous nature, comprising several of Mr. Snazelle's best items, and was listened to with hearty appreciation by those present. Mr. Snazelle and partyleave to-day by the s.s."Ovalau to Fiji on a holiday trip.

Mr. Alexander, writing to the Wirth Brothers, circus proprietors, from Sydney, announces that everything has been satisfactorily arranged in connection with the show, and that it will arrive in Auckland by the Wairarapa on Tuesday next. Mr. Alexander says th.it it is the best company be has ever had the pleasure of engaging. He has four Arabs, seven Japs, and three first European performers, and combined with the present company it would make the largest and bast combination they had yet,

The usual fortnightly social of the Caledonian Society took place last evening in the Foresters'' Hal!. Mr. J. Stewart occupied the chair. There was a good attendance. An excellent programme was gone through with great acceptance :—Pianoforte solo, "The Drummer's March," Mr. England ; piano and violin selection, "Blumenlied" and " The Pirates of Penzance ;" " Huntingtower" (by request), Mrs. I ottingham and Mr. .1. Stewart; song, "Tine to the Last," Mr. Menzies : song. •' Happy Dreamland," Mrs. Cottingham : song. " Ye Banks and Braes," and " Kiliarncy," Miss Bain ; song, "HereUpon My Vessel's Deck," Mr. Harris; " The Last Rose of Summer," Mrs. Leers; comic song, "Comin" Through the Dye," Mr. Boulter (encored) : humorous sketch, "The Glutton," .Mr. and Mrs. Anderson; recitations, " Nola Koztno," Mr. Bell, and "We are Pretty," Miss Bell ; '• Auld Lang Syne."

In these days of rapid transit between London and the colonies, it has become neees.-ary for the large soft goods houses to keep themselves fully in touch both with the London and colonial markets. Although Messrs Win. McArthur and Co. have a large ami efficient stall' of buyers in London, they (re sending another of their department men to London (Mr. Alex. Knight) to supplement the buyers' experience with the local knowledge possessed by colonial men. Messrs. Win. -McArthur and Co., are thus securing for their customers every advantage possible in styles and prices. Another of Messrs. Win. McArthur and Co.'s department men is now returning from London by the Mono wai, and passing on to Sydney. His special knowledge consists of dresses and prints; while Mr. Knight's forte is silks, mantles, costumes, etc. The firm will thus doubtless be able to show the trade magnificent value in the coining season with their display of dresses and prints selected by the local man, as the goods opening up in August are his selection. Mr. Kuight leaves for London today.

The farewell MadameGoldenstedt will take place to-night at the Opera House. The performance is a very varied and attractive one, and should ensure a bumper house. Madame Goldenstcdt is down for three numbers, and will be assisted by the well-known Truda Brothers, and Miss Cowern and Mr. A. L. Edwards will contribute some vocal items. The duet, "Sainted Mother," from " Maritana," will be given bv Madame Golrlenstedt and Miss Staunton, and a pianoforte duet by Miss Adams and .Mr. Towsey. Mr. Sna/elle, who leaves for Fiji by the Ovalau to-day, with his usual consideration and liberality, has kindly offered should the strainer be detained, to appear at Madame Goldenstedt's concert in the Opera House in which case he will sing " Alia Stella Confidente" and recite one of his amusing ai.decdotes.

The treasurer of the Women's Home, Varnell, begs to acknowledge the following *11 ascriptions received during the month of ■June Mrs. Henry Williams, £1 ; Mrs. IV -v, ss; Mr. C. J. Hutchinson, £1 : Mrs. '•Vyatt-U'atling, £1; Mrs. Paton, Epsom, I'R .Any contributions, however small, in money, clothes, or household requisites, will he thankfully received by members of the Committee :—Archdeacon Dudley, Rev. G. Mac.M array, Mrs. Cowie, Mrs. Kenderdine, Mrs. Kinder, or by the Matron, Mrs. M 0 .3 May _ Cottage, Parnell, to whom orders for washing can be sent. The Home is dependant on voluntary contributions and the work of the inmates.

, he world-famed Barlow will appear at tiie Opera "use for a short season, commencing on Saturday evening next. The consecration and installation of the 'micers of the Auckland Provincial Royal Arch Chapter, New Zealand Constitution, will take place in the Masonic Hall, Princesstreet, this evening, at 7.30. A meeting of the Auckland Tailoresses' union will be held this evening, at 7.30. J"e Rev. J. Chew will preside, and Miss Morrison, Rev. J. Berry, mid Mr. Jennings will address the meeting. There will be * fresh appointment of officers 'and committee.

Those interested in the Auckland Co. operative Butchery are reminded that the siiatc list closes to-day. No applications for shares will be received later than half-past 'our clock p.m.