Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8959, 17 August 1892, Page 4

One of the most important bills of the session is now at last before the House —the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bill. One thing there is to be said about it, namely, that the changes it makes on the Act passed last year might all have been made then, if the Government had listened to the intelligent criticism passed on their measure. But with their majority they forced the Bill through as it stood, and sent it abroad to the world as what they were determined to carry into effect. The Act of last session enacted that persons in England who had lent money on debentures to be invested in the colony should be called on to pay income tax to the colony. There was also a provision that the companies issuing the debentures in England should be regarded, for the purposes of the collection of the tax, as agents, and that the money should be collected from them. From the first we pointed out how mischievous this proposal was, and how greatly it would injure our reputation in England. The Amendment Bill repeals this provision, so that, on this point the Ministry have confessed that the Opposition were right and that they were wrong. And what is to be said of members of the House who supported Ministers in keeping this provision in the Bill ? They must have known that they were doing wrong. They are now convicted of having been —we will not say "servile followers of the Ministry," because that has been ruled to be unparliamentary, but very obedient followers. Each one might, perhaps, sing,—

I always voted at ray party's call, And never thought of thinking for myself at all. However, the provision is now repealed, and we must be thankful. The provision with reference to the exemption to be allowed to each partner in a firm, is also important and equitable. In the Act as it at present stands, if there are three partners in a firm, although they might have no other income than from the partnership business, only one exemption of £300 was allowed. This is now to be altered. Land and mortgages belonging to Friendly Societies are exempted from taxation, and an exemption is also accorded to Savings Banks. There is some danger in creating exemptions of this character, because .some Friendly Societies and Savings Banks are just as able to pay taxation as individual capitalists who lend money on mortgage, or other companies which do this kind of business.

When the Imperial Parliament assembles to-morrow Mr. Gladstone will probably be able to announce the formation of bis Ministry. Ac present there is soma uncertainty as to whether Lord Rosebery will accept a seat in the Cabinet. The labour members are opposed to the inclusion of Mr. John Morley in the Ministry, on the round of his antagonism to the eight ours system. The London press publishes lists of the probable Ministers. It is to be noted that the Russian journal, the Novoe Vrernya, hopes that Mr. Gladstone will regard foreign matters —that is Russia's aggressive policy in the Eaufc —as of secondary importance. The situation on the Ruaso-Afghan frontier is described by the Calcutta correspondent of the London Times as critical, a serious collision between the Russians and Afghans being anticipated. The visit of M. Stambuloff, the Bulgarian Premier, to the Sultan of Turkey was, it appears, made at the request of His Majesty, who treated him in princely style, and promised that he would recognise Prince Ferdinand at the proper time. M. Stambuloff . showed the Sultan the documents iucriminating Russia in the recently-discovered plot to assassinate the Prince. They prove that the plot was sugfested to the Foreign Office at St. Petersburg y the Russian Minister at Bucharest, who

proposed to effect bis pappose -by means of a revolutionary committee or the use of dynamite. M. Hitrovo, however, was well aware of the feeling of his superiors before he made this diabolical proposal, as he had been previously informed from St. Petersburg that the Prince .was regarded as beyond the pale of all laws, and that he was at liberty to select his own tools for "removing" him. The Ruffian Government has received these daraa». ing revelations with silence. Further labour troubles, accompanied with violence and murder, are reported from America. The switchmen on some of the railways have gone out on strike, demanding higher wages. They attempted to defcil a .train but happily without success Aid fired on two others. The military baire had to be called out to restore order, ■In Tennessee the miners at Tracy City row -in nvolt against the employment of convict laborers, and forcibly deported them from the city, killing several in the process. In the event of Home Rule being rejected, the Ir»jh societies in America threaten to use physical force.

The Union S.S. Company's steamer Waihora, which arrived from Sydney yesterdaj morning, is the last of the vessels arriving from Australia which will have to undergo inspection at the hands of the Health Officer, Dr. Lewis having been officially informed by the New Zealand Colonial Secretary that as smallpox has now been stamped out in Sydney, there will be no farther need of inspecting the vessels arriving from there. A new journal has been issued in London with the title of " The Australian Mail ana New Zealand Chronicle." We make the following quotation from the introductory article : — " Despite the varied interests involved in the financial and commercial relations between England and the Australasian Colonies, there is uo paper published in London which makes it a speciality to give its readers a synopsis of the latest financial, commercial, and industrial intelligence from those colonies promptly on the arrival of each incoming mail. Previous publications have either taken up wider ground, or in attempting to cater for the requirements of colonial and home readers combined, have naturally failed to give that prominence to news coming from the colonies, with which, as its title implies, it is the mission of The Australian Mail to supply its constituents. The conductors hope to appeal not only to the constantly increasing body of colonial visitors to England, to whom it is of essential interest to keep in touch with business affairs at the antipodes, but to the still larger class in this country who are interested as investors in the prosperity of the colonies. It is remarkable to notice the lack of knowledge which constantly prevails, . even amongst those actively engaged in Australasian commerce, as to occurrences in the colonies affecting their special interests, but which it would be unreasonable to expect ordinary correspondence to cover, however carefully and intelligently conducted. It is hoped, therefore, that the condensed data which it will be the object of The Australian Mail to put before its readers will be found of advantage as a convenient means of assimilating the pith of the news from the principal Australasian centres. Another and very important feature will be the compilation and presentation in a concise form of the currant news of the city, as it affects Anglo-Australasian business in its constantly expanding ramifications." The Inspector of Mines, Mr. Wilson, left last evening for the Thames. In the course of his tour North he visited the Hikurangi coalfield. Owing to the bad state of the roads nothing is being done to develope the workings further than getting out a few tons for local use. At the Kamo ooal mine the management has succeeded in overcoming the difficulties which arose through a " creep" in the mine. The workings are all well timbered, and the men are again working on the coal. Mr. Wilson went over toNgunguru and had a look at the outcrop of coal there which i.» about to be worked. He states the borings have developed a seam of coal of some six to seven feet in thickness, and bore holes are being put it at various places in the block to ascertain and prove the coalbearing area. Mr. Wilson states that the coal will be easily won, owing to there being no drainage difficulties, and the tramway of a mile and a-quarter will run to the river bank, where vessels of six feet draught will be able to load up from four hoppers to be constructed to contain fifty tons coal each. It is stated that all that is needed to improve the navigation of the Ngunguru River is the blasting away of a small piece of sind bar at present used as a ford, and that Aen the Northern Co.'s s.s. Waiotahi could go up to the hoppers and load. Mr. Wilson has taken samples of the Ngunguru coal with him to the Thames, and he has suggested to those interested in the development of the coalfield that they should get out 20 or 30 tons of coal and have it tested by some of the steamship companies on their steamers as being a much more reliable and decisive test as to the commercial value of the coal than can be afforded by the analytical testa of a laboratory.

The jump in New Moanataiari shares was decidedly the feature of the sharemarket yesterday. Closing sales on the previous afternoon were 6s 6d, but they opened yesterday morning with & steady demand, and sales took place in the forenoon at 7s 6d, 88, and 8s 3d. In the afternoon they came back somewhat, the hist sales quoted being 7s 4d, buyers offering 7s 3d and sellers asking 7s Bd. New Alburnias were sold at 4s Bd, but the demand was not sustained, and while sellers now ask 4s 6d buyers only offer 4s. Cambrias were quitted at Is lOd and Is 9d, and sellers offer at the former price. Hazelbanks were in good demand, sales fluctuating between 4s 4d and 4s Id, buyers offering 4s and sellers asking 4s 'id at the close of the market. Victorias changed hands at lid and Is, with sellers at the latter price, and Oweras fetched 3s Id, with sellers at a penny higher. Red Mercurys (Kuaotunu) were sold at 2s and 23 2d, sellers offering at the latter price. There was no business transacted in general stocks, but there are buyers of Bank of New Zealand old shares at £4 15s, National Insurance at 16s, South British at 30s (3d, and Gisborne Gas at 21s 6d.

Colonel Fox, commandant of the New Zealand forces, has lost no time since his arrival in Auckland on Monday night in commencing the inspection of the defences of this part of the colony. Accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Goring, the officer in command, Colonel Fox yesterday visited the forts at Takapunaand the North Head, and inspected the defence forces—permanent artillery and torpedo corps—and he also inspected the men's quarters, etc. Tonight he begins his inspection of the volunteer corps, .commencing with the Auckland Engineers. Thi3 company is now in good strength. Excuses have been made foi some time past that for want of uniforms the mustering strength of the company was materially decreased, but now that the company have been able to obtain the new uniforms imported from England, which were detained by the Customs authorities, they will no doubt be able to make a good and conspicuous parade this evening. In supporting the petition for the erection of a crane at the Birkenhead Wharf, at yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. YVitheford referred to what he described as a beautiful instance of the self-reliant character of New Zealanders. This was the case of the owner of the express at Birkenhead, who had the misfortune some years ago to have both legs cut, off at the Mercury Bay Sawmill, and who has, notwithstanding his great physical disadvantages, obtained a cart and done all the public carting from the ferry steamers. Mr. Witheford had a visit from a member of the New South Wales Legislature, who wished to know how it was New Zealanders held their ground, and kept the colony in a prosperous state, though there was a mere handful of people in the conntry. * The reply was eloquent. Mr. Witheford pointed to the expressman, and said : " When a New Zealnnder gets both legs cut off, he has a pair of wooden ones made, buys a cart, and works all day lifting sacks of bonedust, etc., into his vehicle, and delivering the same. He does not join a street procession, begging for alms, but goes bravely to work to support his family."

The centenary of the Baptist Foreign Missionary Society will be celebrated shortly in Auckland. There will be gatherings of the Sunday-school children of the denomination. Every Sunday - school scholar will receive a medal as a souvenir of the historical event. The medals are on the way oat from home.

I""" ii ' ' aw The Inspector of Factories, Mr. Hubert Ferguson, received a telegram yesterday informing him of the death of Bis eon Hubert, a lad of 16, who was washed overboard on • the -voyage of the barque Samoa, from Lyttelton to Falmouth. The deceased, who wa» reared at Lyttelton, had a strong desire to so to sea, and when Mr. Ferguson was transferred to Auckland as Inspector of Factories, he agreed to let him go on a trial trip under charge of. Captain Korff. The lad was bright and promising, and Mr, Ferguson's numerous friends in Auckland and the South, will extend their sympathy to him and Mrs. Ferguson in their bereavement.

Yesterday afternoon the officials of H.M. Customs assembled in the collectorVroom, in the Customhouse, for the purpose of making a presentation and bidding farewell to Mr. Dugald McKellur, who is proceeding to Wellington to take up the position of Collector of Customs at that port, after a long period of service in the Department at Auckland. ' Mr. Alexander Rose, the Collector, occupied the chair, and almost everyone connected with the Customs' Department here was present. In making the presentation, Mr. Rose said that he had,, been requested by his brother officers to ask Mr. McKellar to meet them that afternoon to say farewell, and to enubla each one to have an opportunity of shaking hands with him prior to his departure for Wellington. The occasion of his departure, the speaker said, was a cause of mingled pleasure and regret; but the pleasure, perhaps, outweighed the regret, inasmuch as Mr. McKellar was receiving a well-merited though loug-deferred promotion. Mr. Rose said that he had very great pleasure in handing to Mr. McKel* lar & small presentation, to beep as a memeuto of his long residence hero, and of the good feeling: and goodwill of each member of the Customs Department. Mr. McKellar suitably acknowledged the presentation and the expression of esteem which had been evinced by those present. Mr. Hill (the late collector), Mr. Bulford (chief clerk), Mr. Sibbald (Mr. McKellar'a successor): and Mr. Parker (the searcher), all spoke, bearing testimony to the sentiments which were entertained for Mr. McKellar in the service. At: the conclusion of the presentation those assemblod sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," followed by throe cheers for Mr. and Mrs. McKellar and family. On leaving all the officers shook hands with Mr. McKellar, many thanking him in a quiet manner for his j kindness to them in a variety of ways. The presentation made was a handsome set of dessert knives and forks in a case and a set of silver table and dessert spoons.

The funeral of the late Mr. Daniel Lynch took place yesterday forenoon. The cortege left the deceased's residence for the Church of the Sacred Heart, Ponsonby, where a requiem mass was rendered, the Fathers Gillan and Downey officiating. There were about nine carriages, the first containing the chief mourners, namely, deceased's son (Mr. Daniel Lynch) and his two brothers-in-law, Mr. M.ingan (Ponsonby) and J. McLaughlin (Mangere). There were a number of old friends of deceased present, among them the Hon. J. A. Tole. The Rav. Father Downey conducted the burial service at the Symond-street. cemetery.

Complaints are again rife as to robbery of shrubs and flowers from graves in the cemeteries. Some persons have gates in tbe grave enclosures, so as to admit of entry to plant flowers or shrubs or clean the graves of weed?, etc. There have been several cases of Lite iti which the gates have been wrenched on one side or pulled out altogether, the flowers taken, and the shrubs pulled up by the roots. It is known that young girls and lads are the principal offenders in this respect.

The regular monthly meeting of the Masonic Lodge St. Andrew, No. 8, New Zealand Constitution, was held last evening at. Freemasons' Hall, Princes Ktreet, the R.W.M., Brother T. Thomas, presiding. There was a large attendance el krtthren of th« Lodge and visitors, and the business was of more than usual interest as it included affiliations, initiations, pissing, and raising. The ceremonies were impressively conducted by the R.W.M., assisted by several P.M. "a.

After considerable delay and negotiations matters have so far advanced that a conference will take place in a day or two at the Chamber of Commerce, between the Auckland Tailoresses' Union and the manufacturers. Owing to the exertions of Miss Morrison, secretary of the Federated Tailoresses' Union, the membership of tbe local Union has been largely increased. It is hoped that an amicable adjustment of matters will be the result of the conference.

It has always been a matter of surprise that in a harbour like Auckland there has not been a ferry-boat provided specially adapted for taking vehicles, stock, etc., across from one side of the harbour to the other, the ferry-boat being, in fact, a temporary bridge for vehicular traffic. At Hobart they have got such a ferry service, and a recent visitor to that port thus describe? it: —At one wharf wo saw the ferry-boat arrive from a settlement two and a-half miles across the bay. It was a most amusing sight. '1 here were spring-carts and wood carts, brick carts and farm drays, all loaded up, and with horses harnessed to them, and a drove of bullocks with stockdriver, horse, and dogs, besides foot passengers. Tim caravan came alongside tha wharf, when the gangway was put down, and they all came on shore in the foregoing order."

An inquest wis held at Gleeson'a Hotel yesterday afternoon, in conection with the finding of the dead body of a man in the Auckland harbour on Sunday morning. Dr. Philson, the coroner, presided. Mr. H. Davis was chosen foreman of the jury, and Constables Macky and McDonnell represented the police. The body had been previously identified by Mr. David Russell, postmaster, Taupaki, and also by Mr. G. Wood, of the Park Boardinghouse, Victoriastreet, as being that of George King, a gumdigger, residing at Taupaki. Peter Oisen, Lilian Moore, David Russell, and Constable McDonnell gave evidence, but nothing was elicited to show how the deceased got into the water. The jury returned a verdict of " Found drowned."

We have received from Mr. Richard Marsh, a long letter criticising an article we recently published by Mr. J l . G. Ewington, on the condition aud administration of the Auckland Lunatic Asylum. Mr. Marsh complains of ill-usage by warders, of monotony of diet, of the condition of the exercise yard, etc. Mr. Marsh must remember that he speaks of a state of affairs existing eleven years ago, and we know that some of the evils of which he complains have been remedied since.

Our Parua correspondent writes : —Since last I wrote you, deith has ouce more paid us « visit, and removed from our midst another old and familiar face. On Monday, the Bth instant, Mrs. Faulkner, of Taranui, passed away, at the age of 72, after a long, lingering illness, borne throughoutjwith the utmost Christian fortitude. Although she lay on her last bed for about IS months, I am told that a murmur was never heard to cross her lips, but to express pity for those whose duty it was to wait upon her. She was interred in Parua Cemetery on Wednesday, the 10th August, where close on 100 friends assembled to pay their last tribute of respect to our departed friend. She leaves behind a husband and two married daughters. The Rev. Mr. Jones, of Waipu, officiated at the grave. Thus our cherished circle narrows, fining ,vi their work Is d<|no. Bidding us who linser follor, Beck'ning homewards oue by one. In the afternoon Mr. Jones held & religious service in the Public Hall. Thera was a fair congregation. The rev. gentleman based his remarks on the words contained in Ecclesiastes, 7, i., "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth." Prom these words he delivered a very plain and practical discourse, using all his power to impress on his hearers the absolute necessity of a true and Christian life, in order to secure the much to be desired end, which, according to the words of the text, is better than the beginning. ' In the case P. McCarthy v. the Onehunga Corporation, in which the evidence was taken at Onehunga on Wednesday last, it was agreed that counsel's addresses and arguments should be heard by Mr. Bishop, R.M., in Auckland yesterday. Through the illness of Mr. Napier (tha plaintiff's counsel), however, an adjournment till Tuesday next was granted with the consent of the defendant's solicitor, Mr. J. P. Campbell. Mr. W. Kelly, who has been seriously all, is again in his place in the House,

, A letter Appeared recently in the Wellington Evening Post over the signature of Mr. W. Mitchell, a gentleman well known in journalistic circles, and as a member of the Hansard etaff, in which he draws attention to the fact that the jubilee of Mr. Thomas Allen Reed's connection with phonography takes place this year. Mr. Reed is generally regarded as the most expert and experienced of,living phonographers, ana ths idea that some tribute should be paid to him this year by hie brethren of the " winged art" originated with the inventor of phonography, Air. Isaac Pitman. Subjoined to Mr. Mitchell's letter is one written to the Christian World by Mr. Pitman, in which the services rendered by Mr. Reed generally to th* public by accurately recording many important public utterances, and particularly to the cause of phonography—and appeals to all for contributions to the testimonial. Mr. Mitchell heartily commeads the idea, and hopes the numerous phonographers in this colony will not be behind those in other places in manifesting their practical sympathy with the movement. Perhaps the Auckland Phonographic Association will take the matter up.

The charges of selling adulterated milk, brought against Mary Ann Brown, Thos. Aspden, James Aspden, and Mary Jessop, were again brought under the notice of Dr. Giles, at the Police Court, yesterday morning. They were further adjourned until the 23rd inst.

Among the prizes offered for competition at the forthcoming show of the Auckland Provincial Agricultural Association, is a handsome silver tea urn, by Messrs. T. and S. Morrin and Co., and which is on view in the show window of their establishment, Queen-street. The only condition attached to the gift is that the competition for it must bo exclusively confined to the ladies. At the Opera House last night the DobsonKennedy Company repeated " Little Lord Fauntleroy" to an audience which was deeply sympathetic and heartily appreciative, the principal performers being called before the curiain at the close of each act. As on the previous evening the play was excellently staged and in their various parts the actors acquitted themselves admirably. Of course the honours of the evening fell to little Ruby Kennedy for her clever and charming impersonation of the youthful lord, but the principal adult members of the company were also eminently successful. Miss Thornton, Miss Hill, and Messrs. Dobson, Kennedy, and Norton playing with all their aocustomed ability. To-night a double bill will be presented consisting of "Sweethearts" and 41 His Last Legs." The former is a romantic comedy in two acts and is one of the prettiest little things in dramatic literature, while in the latter Mr. Kennedy is a famous and a capital O'Callaghan. This bill is for one night only, a fact which ought to be particularly noted by the public, and which ought to attract a very large audience.

The performance of VVirth Brothers' circus at the Agricultural Hall yesterday evening was well attended, and the audience were unstinted in their applause. Miss Marizles Wirth, for her clever riding and skilful feats on horseback, gained many tributes of admiration. The other attractive features on the programme all passed off successfully, and the concluding sketch, " Dick Turpin's Ride to York," fairly carried the house by storm. To-night will be the last time of this performance, as tomorrow night a complete change will be produced, which will include all the best acts of which the company i* capable.

A public meeting will be held this evening in Alexandra-street Primitive Methodist Church respecting a mission to the gumdiggera. The monthly meeting of the Ara Lodsre, N.Z.C., will be held at the Masonic Hall this evening.