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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8955, 12 August 1892, Page 4

Oar cable messages this mor#g show that the Irish members are chajg under Mr. Gladstone's policy of mast« vagueness respecting his Home Rule oposals, and his intentions generally in spect of Ireland. He is accused by them evasion, and is threatened with the lojof votes unless he agrees to an au turn session to inquire into the case of the evict} tenants. It is, to say the least of it, nnfxtraordinary state of things, to find th< tatesman whose impending return to wer was hailed by his Irish allies wit: so much enthusiasm and rejoicing, a ady distrusted by these same supportei It is no wonder that the London Stand; I believes that when Mr. Gladstone meets arliament with definite proposals he w have no majority left. The situation i Central Asia has assumed a new phase. The Rus ians are ejecting the Chinese frc Kashg.ir, and are also said to be mo ig southwardly the direction of JAfghai tan. The condition of things in that cou :ry is very critical. The Ameer is stated Ibe powerless to suppress the rebellio and it is probable that we shall hear bef< a long thab he has appealed to the Indian "iceroy for assistance. • The Russian press in view of this contingency, is already deiuncingthe right of England to occupy .'ghanistan. The Salisbury Ministry, howev, is still in offace and our foreign policy in te East has not yet begfun to be again dicta -d from St. Petersburg. A severe earthquse has been experienced in parts of German, but little damage appears to have been dob. The war between France and Dahomey is been resumed. The tribes in the Upper (jngo are in a state of revolt. The deaths f>m cholera in Russia average two thouand daily. The annual meeting of the Bak of New Zealand has been held in Loiion. The chairman, in his speech, stated thA the business of the institution was in a rosperous and healthy condition. By the fonversion of the Estates Company's debentures, an operation which was about to ie accomplished, a lower rate of interestiwould be paid upon them. Sir J. Fergussck and Mr. H. Fison were re-elected directory The mail steamer Alameda mL be expected to arrive from San Francis(>, Honolulu, and Apia this morning, having left the former port with the English and Anerican mails on July 22. The mail steamy Monowai, which left Sydney on Mondayjast, is due here this evening, and will leave for Apiii, Honolulu, and San Francis<b, tomorrow afternoon, at two o'clock, ttking the English and American mails. The Union S.S. Company's steamer, Mahinajua, is waiting at Onehunga for the Alamda'a mails, and will leave for the South immediately after the mail steamer reaches here. The s.s. Takapu&a left Wellington f« Taranaki and the Manukau last evening, with the outward mails from the South foi the Monowai, and is expected at the Manu kau to-morrow morning.

, Th« sharemarket yesterday was somewhat depressed, more especially in the leading mining stocks, Alburnia and Hazelbank, quotations in both being lower than on the previous day. " New Alburnias sold at from 4s to 4s sd, closing with sellers at 4s 6d, no buyers offering. Hazelbanks sold at from 4s 4d to 4s 6d, closing with buyers at 4s 4d and sellers at 4s sd. May Queens held a good position, sales being effected at 3s lid, while sellers ask 4s. Victorias came into the market with something of a rush, without out any specially accounted for reason, and had quite a brisk market, sales ranging from lOd to Is Id, closing with buyers at lid and sellers at Is. Some transactions in Silvertons are reported at 2s lid, sellers asking 3s, and Owera sales were effected at 2s Id in the forenoon and 2s 3d subsequently. In general stocks Standard Insurance shares were sold at 16s 6d, and buyers' closing offers were 16s 4d.

The public presentation of diplomas to the year's graduates of the Auckland University College will take place at the University Buildings, Parliament street, next Friday afternoon. The Chancellor of the University has requested Sir Maurice O'Rorke to make the presentations, and speeches will be delivered by the Professors and others. The undergraduates have resolved to make the " capping caremony" aS attractive as possible, and are rehearsing a number of songs, which they intend to sing in the intervals between the speeches. At a meeting of the creditors of Mr. John Buchanan, merchant, held yesterday, an offer from the bankrupt of 6s in the £ for the estate was accepted. The resolution, however, requires confirmation at another meeting by a majority of creditors representing three-fourths of the value of the total liabilities. Among the passengers by the R.M.s. Monowai, from Sydney, will be the Rev. John Paton, D.D., of the New Hebrides. He is expected to address a meeting in St. James' Hall, this evening, under the auspices of the Presbytery of Auckland, on mission work in the New Hebrides Group. Dr. I'aton is an eloquent speaker, and an authority on the Kanaka labour traffic. A collection will be taken up on behalf of the New Hebrides Mission.

The ordinary meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council was held last night. There were present: Messrs. Kent (Mayor), Whyman, Stone, Angus, Edgerley, Laxon, and Heron. The Mayor moved, "That this Council views with regret the frequent changes of the local constable which have taken place in this Borough fot the past few years, and that in future it would be desirable if that officer was permitted to stay * for some time after he had made himself acquainted with the Borough and its necessities. A copy of this resolution to be sent to the Minister of Justice through Inspector Broham." The motion was carried. All ths members of the Council expressed their regret in being called upon to part with such an efficient and conscientious officer as Constable Dunne had proved himself to be, and thought that these continual changes wore by no means beneficial to' the interests of the Borough. The bank balances to date were as follow : —General account (Dr.) £39 6s sd, waterworks account (Cr.) £166 8sl0d; interest account (Cr.) £17 Os 2d. sinking fund account (Cr.) £80.

Our Wellington correspondent writes : — *« With regard to the vegetable contract recently given to Chinese in Auckland by the Union Steamship Company, Mr. Jas. Mills, the member for Port Chalmers and managing director of the company, informs me that the only reason is that the person who had held the contract did not give entire satisfaction lately. A comparison of bis prices and those of the new contractor shows, however, that the rates of the Chinese are somewhat higher, and that, the new contract will cost the company about £200 a year more than the previous one. The prices for vegetables in Auckland are higher than at. Port Chalmers or Lyttelton on account of the greater demand."

On the occasion of the marriage of Mr. George Basire, senior officer of the goods department of the Auckland railway station, to Miss Fleming, the employees who were more directly brought into relation with Mr. Basire testified their good feelings towards him by presenting him on the eve of iiis wedding with a very handsome souvenir, consisting of plate and cutlery. On the principal piece of plate Mr. C. M. Page, jeweller, had inscribed the words, "Presented to Mr. George Basire by employees of Auckland section N.Z. Railways, August 2, li>92."' The engraving was artistic and elaborate. The presentation was made in the goods shed by Mr. P. A. Duncan, on behalf of about 100 subscribers, and it was suitably acknowledged by Mr. Basire.

On view yesterday at Mr. Phillipps' painter's shop, -street, were the challenge cup and modal won by Messrs. Reid Brothers, of Motutapu, at the Taranaki Poultry Association's meeting for the best bird in the show. The cup is a large one, suitably chased, and bears an appropriate inscription, and the medal, which is about the size of a florin-, is also inscribed.

There is evidently an intention, on behalf of the advanced Masonic brethren, to make the Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand a success, and several very handsome presentations of furniture were received at the Mark meeting bald on Wednesday night. One was a warden's wicket, very elegantly constructed, which was presented by Brother Thomas. W.M.M., and another was a present from Brother A. Kidd, M.E.C., of three perfectly finished marble blocks of the Mark Masters' degree, and each bearing the inscription in gold letters, A.P C., indented in the stones.

One of the boys committed to the Kohimaramara Training School some years ago, and who has been employed some time on a farm, has sot together about £100, which Mr. Hogan has paid over to him. Many such instances take place every year, but not to the same extent. There are a number of applicants at present for boys ranging between 13 and 15 years, but owing to the few sent to the institution during the past year tbe wishes of those interested could not be complied with.

In Auckland there seems to be no difficulty in enforcing the truant clauses of the Education Act, as the truant officer is appointed by the several committees, but in the south, in some districts, he is unable to take any action until each case has been submitted and approved by the school committee. He is thus continually hampered in his duty. One committee proved a notable exception. They had instituted prosecutions in several cases, and when they came on for hearing, found it was necessary to duly appoint the truant officer as their" clerk. " The committee held an impromptu meeting at the Police Court, and appointed the truant officer in due form, thus getting over the objections which bad been set up.

The work of setting up the exhibits in the show cases of the new annexe of the Museum is progressing slowly but satisfactorily. A good deal of labour is involved in the work of the transfer of the exhibits from the main building, and in classifying them in accordance with the new arrangements which have been determined upon. No doubt when the work is completed, there will be a formal opening of the annexe, either by a conversazione or in some other fashion.

Complaints have been made of a man who appears to follow women and young girls of an evening in the western suburbs, and who acts in the most extraordinary manner, which would lead to the belief that he is a crank. All of the females who have encountered him have been too affrighted to give a very •-good description of his appearance, "more especially as he keeps his features well in shadow by pulling his hat down over his brow. The police are in hopes of yet making his acquaintance, though so far they have been unsuccessful.

Notwithstanding the danger to the public through persons driving too rapidly round street corners, this class of offence still maintains its bad pre-eminence. Yesterday a batch of offenders were fined and mulcted in costs, but the punishment seems to make no impression upon careless drivers. Three lives were sacrificed before the city by-law relating to the matter came into existence, and a city councillor will have to bo run over and killed before it is stringently enforced, and the penalties made deterrent.

The dead body of a man which was found in an outhouse in the Domain on Wednesday morning still remains unidentified. An inquest was held yesterday at Gieeson's Hotel, Lower Hobson street, before Dr. Philson, coroner, and a jury of six, but very few new facts were elicited. Evidence ■was given with reference to the finding of the body by Robert Ambrose Miles, Constable Hobson, and James Cartmill. It appears that a great many people had visited the body, but no one had identified it, so as to throw light upon his name or occupation. Mr. Clarkson, one of the ranger's assistants, had seen the roan continually wandering about in the Domain during the last two years. He last saw him about a week ago. Dr. Ernest Roberton, who made a pod mortem examination, deposed that the body was badly nourished, and that the legs were swollen from dropsy. He had been suffering from heart disease and disease of the liver, and this, in conjunction with the exposure, probably caused his death. A verdict of " Found dead" was returned.

With reference to our announcement of Mr. I). McKellar's appointment to the'Collectorship at Wellington instead of Christchurch, we have further to add that Mr. Patten, who has been acting at Christchurch as collector, will retain the position there, and Mr. W. Sibbald, lately actinglanding surveyor at Wellington, has been promoted to the position of landing surveyor at this port.

The ordinary weekly parade of the " A " Battery was held at the Drill-shed last night. Captain Geddes and Lieut. O'Brien being in command. There was a moderate muster of the battery. Two gun detachments were put in action, and the movements were executed with considerable precision. Sergeant-Major Bush, of the Permanent Force, was present as inspector and instructor.

The second production of H. Byron's charming comedy of " Our Boys," by the Dobson-Kennedy Company, at the Opera House, yesterday evening, was a thorough success, and the audience were most enthusiastic. The piece was well mounted and well acted, and went off without a hitch. Mr. Collet Dobson gave a fine rendering of the character of Sir Geoffrey Champneys, Bart,, and Mr. J. J. Kennedy displayed a great amount of histrionic ability in his representation of Perkyn Middlewick (the butter-man). Miss Idrene Thornton as Mary Melrose and Miss Lily Hill as Violet Melrose both took their ports with credit. To-night Lord Lytton's romantic drama the Lady of Lyons," is to be produced. The company have new scenery for this play.

The attendance at Wirth Brothers' circus was again large last night, and the capital programme, presented for the first time on the previous evening, earned the unqualified praise of all. The 3bdouin Arab troupe were again highly successful, and the marvellous juggling feats of the Japanese performers astonished while they pleased the spectators. The equestrian and other acts were all cleverly and expertly executed, Miss Marbles Wirth particularly distinguishing herself, and in every respect the evening's entertainment -was worthy of the approbation with which it was received. A matinee performance will be given to-day, to which Messrs. Wirth have generously invited the inmates of all charitabie institutions in and around Auckland.