THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1892.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8987, 19 September 1892, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1892.

« Africa, arida nutrix leonum, which during the greater part of the existence of the present generation, lias, over the far larger proportion of its extent, been a terra incognita to the world at large, and even to geographers, now seems about to take its part in the general progress which marks the present epoch, and to contribute its untold riches to the common stock. Gold, precious stones, ivory and timber, have always constituted the most promising and attractive articles of the stock-in-trade of the Dark Continent, if we except its native populations, which, owing to their weakness and submissive character, have for long ages furnished to the stronger and more capable races of mankind the servile labour which by the advance of civilisation and from other causes had become no longer procurable among themselves. Against this system of slavery, out of which arose a most lucrative traffic, England has waged a righteous war for many years, but notwithstanding all her efforts, seconded latterly by other European Powers, it has been found impossible to put a stop to it entirely. Indeed, late reports from Mr. Mack ay, missionary at Uganda, go to show that the inland trade still flourishes vigorously, no less than 4000 slaves, the result of Uganda slave raids, being sent yearly to the coast. The continuance of the trade has been due to the difficulty of preventing the capture or the purchase of the Africans in their villages by the Arabs engaged in carrying on the business. The unfortunate captives thus enslaved are sent to the dep6ts on the coast, where they are employed on the plantations or shipped to foreign countries. It is, therefore, evident that in order to go to the root of the matter a stop must be put to the capture of the slaves in their own country, but while Africa was yet for the Africans such an achievement remained an impossibility. Now, however, that European influence has penetrated the domain of the roan-stealers, has given courage to the peoples heretofore the victims of a cruel greed, and further, is ready to defend them from future depredations, the beginning of the end may be said to be already in view, and it only requires the penetration of the country by roads and by railways to put a final termination to such aggressions. In that view.it is encouraging to learn that £20,000 has been voted by the Imperial Parliament for the survey of a line of railway from Mombasa, on the coast, to Lake Victoria Nyanza—a distance of 550 miles. This line would pass entirely within the sphere of British influence. Captain McDonald, U.E., the special surveyor selected by the British Government, reports that 350 miles have been already surveyed, the line presenting no difficulties, the ruling gradient being 1 in G6, and estimated cost of construction £3000 per mile. How so favourable a report may influence the present Parliament remains to be seen ; but, unfortunately, the scheme has already incurred the opposition of Mr. Gladstone and his friends, which augurs badly for the probability of such a line being constructed. Probably, there would be not much difficulty in throwing doubt over the estimates of profit arrived at by the promoters, and if considerations of gain ought to determine its construction, then the opponents of the line might have a good case ; but, as the present object of opening up the country by that means is rather philanthropic than commercial, the plea for immediate profit is beside the question, and it might be well replied that, given a rich country and a teeming population, the line must pay in time. Moreover, it must be kept in mind, while arguing this matter, that by cutting off the supply of slaves to the market at Peraba, an island opposite to Mombasa, which would be the certain consequence of a line from the interior to the latter port, the services of the cruisers stationed there at a cost of something like £150,000 a-year might be dis-_ pensed with. Another consequence of the construction of this railroad would be the opening of the great, inland sea of Victoria to steam navigation, which again would be a necessary preliminary to an extension of the line to the Albert Lake, upon which and upon the Nile there would soon be a steam service connecting with the East Coast at Mombasa.

Although the cost of this undertaking must preclude its easy completion or even its immediate commencement, there are many reasons for pushing it forward. To begin with, there is the general sentiment throughout the Empire against slavery and the slave trade. Now it is obvious that no more effectual means for the destruction of that traffic could be adopted than the opening up of the country in which such nefarious practices are carried on. It would strike the evil at the root, and shortly extirpate it; surely a better means of combating thetradethan by interrupting slave vessels at sea. But, as already stated, this is a very costly process, besides being ineffective, a view of the case which is not likely to be lost sight of in discussing the pros and cons of this' subject. Again, it is not to be supposed that 'he East African Company, which is mainly concerned in utilising the resources of this part of the continent, will rest inactive in pushing forward a consummation necessary to the advancement of their interests, which are identical with those of all other capitalists who may become competitors for a share in the opening trade. Once more it will be the object of Egypt to regain effective possession of her equatorial provinces, an acquisition which is much more probable with English influence paramount at the sources of the Nile, than while hostile forces shall maintain their immoral system of rule in the Soudan.

But while the centre and eastern coasts of Africa are thus likely .to be submitted to a regime of law and order under European impulses, on the western coast of this barbarous quarter of the globe great changes are in course of progress. France and Belgium are* making what appear to be successful endeavours to introduce a settled state of things among populations living constantly in fear of each other. The immense territories claimed by those civilising Powers seem to indicate rather the measure of their ambition than of their capacity for good. France for the last two hundred years has claimed an interest in African soil, with Egypt her relations are already historical, and it is greatly owing to her jealousy of English influence in that country that site exhibits such exuberant energy in African occupation. With the feesimple of an undefined Algeria, with the effective control of Tripoli, she is evidently prepared to annex a goodly slice of the crumbling Empire of Morocco;" one of the most fertile countries under the sun, and for most part easy of cultivation. In the present temper of the French nation with England, it may be difficult for the latter to arrive at a modus vivmdi in Morocco with the Gallic.Cock, but English interests there mako it a matter of necessity to hold her ground, and above all things to retain her hold upon the city of Tetuan and the adjoining district, a position rendered necessary by the wants of Gibraltar even in times of peace.

Looking to the southern portion of Africa, there the most vigorous advances towards the interior are being made, and as the conquests of newterritory achieved in that part of the continent rest upon the permanent basis of an ancient European occupation, there is a greater probability of immediate success in the objects aimed at there than elsewhere. At present the operations in search of gold are throwing ulterior aims into the background which is not to be "wondered at when we keep in mind that the gold-bearing regions of Mashonaland and Matebeleland, to which our pioneers have access, cover an extent of 125,000 miles, and that the present season is a most favourable one both for digging and prospecting. The drawbacks to settlement in that quarter have been the fear of hostility on the part of the Matabele, and the want of an easy outlet. It is gratifying to find that both those objections are in process of mitigation or removal, the first by the friendly attitude of Lo Benguela, chief of the Matebele, the latter through the agency of improved routes, which are mending daily.

Amongst the despatches from the Secretary of State to the Governor of New Zealand laid upon the table of the House of Representatives is one which it may be necessary to draw attention to, as there are a great many persons in the community who look forward to being some day members of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Since the institution of the Order it has been one of the statutes that persons admitted into the Order must make arrangements for the return on their decease of the insignia and badges received by them. Every person therefore who became a Knight or a Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George had to leave it as a sacred charge to his heirs and executors to see that the beautiful gewgaws which he was privileged to wear were sent back to England immediately after his funeral. The authorities at home do not seem to have been quite sure that this would be attended to unless they made some authority responsible, and therefore the Governor of the colony in which these Knights and Commanders resided had to see that the insignia were sent back. What the object of the sending back was, we do not know. It may have been that the intention was, to maintain a record, or perhaps that the things, with a little alteration might be issued to future Knights, to the profit of some one. However, the obligation to return was felt as a grievance. The Knights and Commanders wanted to be able to hand these beautiful articles down as.heirlooms. To the wives of these gentlemen this obligation to return the ornaments was the fly in the ointment, embittering the exultation they felt at the honour conferred on their husbands. We have heard of one who took a fond look at the decorations every day, and who always closed the case with a sigh in thinking that her first duty after burying her husband, would be to send these ornaments away never to feast her eyes upon them again. However, all these sorrows are of the past, for the Secretary of State for the Colonies sends out new statutes of the Order which state that it is not necessary to return the insignia on the death of a member, and that all a Governor has to do is to notify the death of any member for record in the Chancery of the Order. But in the event of any member ceasing to hold his rank or place as a member of the Order, which wo presume he would do on becoming insolvent or being convicted of any infamous offence, the insignia must be returned.

Although the death-rate in Hamburg from cholera still continues high2l3 deaths were recorded on Friday,—it is considered by the authorities that the epidemic has passed its worst stage, and the military doctors who were sent to the scene of the outbreak are now returning to their respective districts, while the theatres are being reopened. The quarantined passengers at New York by the Normania have been released, but as a precautionary measure it was deemed prudent to afford them military protection. The epidemic appears to be on the increase at Naples, where the daily number of deaths now amounts to ten. The Russian troops on the Pruth have been attacked by the plague. The political situation in Europe at the present time wears on the whole a pacific appearance. The report that a secret alliance had been or was about to be entered into by France and Russia is now declared to be untrue. In a speech President Carnot declared that the country was desirous of peace. The relations between France and Italy are improving. Carlism is increasing in Spain, and the Spanish Government have appealed to the Pope 'to enjoin the Catholics to remain loyal to the present dynasty. ' The Afghan question is beginning to look less serious. Colonel Yanoff has retired to Russian territory, and. the Ameer of Afghanistan has intimated his willingness to meet Lord Roberts at Jellalabad next month. During the run on the Birkbeck Bank a million and a-half was withdrawn. The re-deposits, however, have since amounted to a quarter of a- million. Great satisfaction is felt in financial circles in London at the abandonment of the proposal to insist upon foreign insurance companies doing business in New Zealand depositing a large amount in cash as security. The French Consul at Tangiers has gone to Fez on a mission to the Sultan, and has been received with great eclat.

A tragic murder was committed in w e j. lingbon yesterday morning. A number of sea. men belonging to ships in port had a quarrel on Saturday night. They had been drinkia* and were probably more or less under the influence of liquor. -They separated, how. ever, without doing any serious mischief Yesterday morning somo of them again met when the quarrel was renewed. Blows wore struck, and one of the men, the chief officer of an American barque, drew a revolver and tired. One of the shots pierced the heart of a seaman who was endeavouring 0 prevent bloodshed, killing him on the spot His murderer, however, does not appear to have been horrified at the crime he had committed. He at once started in pursuit, of , another of the party against whom he seems to have had "a grudge. More shots were fired, and the wonder is that a second murder wag not the result. As it was, one man was M seriously wounded that he had to be taken to the hospital. The murderer was arrested by the police on duty at the wharf with great promptness and courage, and another man who seems to-have encouraged him to shoot was also taken into custody. Both men claim to be American citizens. The dreadful occurrence is another ill us ! tration of the evil which so often arises from the pernicious habit ' of carrying fire arms.

There is a prospect of a good New Zealand rifle team going to Australia to the Intercolonial rifle meetings. It is intended to send four or five men from Auckland, who will leave here on the 4th pro*. Arrangements have been made for the collection of funds to defray the expense of sending the team over; the idea is (if funds admit), to give each man £12. Canvassing for public "subscriptions will commence in the city to-day.; The other centres of the colony are .'sending a team to Sydney. The original propoßr.l was to send a team also to Melbourne, but that has been abandoned owing to th< limited number of matches open for compe tition.

Shortly after noon yesterday as Mr. J. B. Graham, insurance agent, was going up Swanson-street he noticed smoke issuing from between the residence of Mr. Christopher Smith, a gum-sorter, and Quigley's cooperage. He gave the alarm, and the tirebells rang out. A detachment of the Fire Brigade, under . Superintendent Hughes, and the Salvage Corps, under Captain Field, proceeded to the scene. They found smoke still issuing out between the buildings, but on tearing away the lining-board* of the cooperage no fire was to be found, and the smoke suddenly ceased. On inquiry, and examination of the premises, it was found that roast meat was being cooked in a colonial'oven at Mr. Smith's premises, the fire being placed above and below the oven. Owing to the defective state of the hearth the draught had taken the smoke through the flooring, and it was finding vent between the two buildings, and the sudden ceasing of the smoke arose through the fire beneath the oven having been removed to the top of the oven when no longer needed below. The supposed fire therefore turned out to be a false alarm, but Mr. Smith's dinner has been a rather expensive .business to the city. .

Among the passengers by the Union S.S. Cn.'s steamer Takapuna, which arrived in the Manukau from the South yesterday morning, was Archdeacon Dudley, who has been on a visit to Christchurch.

There was an incipient fire yesterday morning at eight o'clock at the residence of Mrs." John Kelly,- Carlton Gore Road. At that hour she noticed the roof of her house smoking, and gave the alarm to Captain Wilson of the Fire Brigade, who came with some of his men and extinguished it with a few buckets of water.. Mrs. Kelly states that she was using light wood, and believes that a spark flew out of the chimney and set tire to the roof. 'About a foot square of the shingles was burnt away.

On Saturday a telegram was received by Inspector Broham from Constable Hutchinson, of Mercer, relative to the supposed drowning of a Maori named "Huapiri, 70 years of age, at Meremere, on the previou? day. It is presumed that his canoe go) adrift, as it was found floating on the Waikato River, and that he had attempted tc swim after it. His - clothes were found lying on the bank of the river, but the search for the body has been so far unsuccessful.

A meeting of the Auckland Institute will be held in the Museum Buildings this evening, when Professor Thomas will give a popular lecture, entitled, "An Army of Defenders, an account of Metchnikoff s discoveries concerning the power of resistance against disease." Metchnikoff is the director of the famous Pasteur Institute in Paris, and the lecturer proposes to deal with some of his later researches and speculations, which have attracted much attention in the medical and scientific world. There are present in the human blood myriads of cells, which have the power of moving from part to part, and of attacking foreign bodies, such as bacteria, etc. These cells are much like some of the lower forms of life, and Metchnikoff has shown that we have much to learn from them and from other lowly organised beings of the power of resistance to disease and of the nature of inflammation. The lecture will be fully illustrated, and should attract a large audience.

It will be seen elsewhere that Mr.. W, T. Murray, of Ponsonby, an ex-school teacher, and formerly a member of the Avondale School Committee, announces himself as a candidate for the vacancy in the Board of Education caused bythe resignation of Mr. J. L. Kelly. He states that he will shortly place his views on educational matters before the School Committees of the province.

Judging from the entries received, the handicap pigeon match for the silver cup presented by Messrs. Hancock and Co., ought to prove a most interesting and successful competition. The match will come off at the Star and Garter Hotel, Panmure, on the afternoon of the Ist October.

The annual meeting of the members of the Hebrew community took place yesterday morning, ot the Synagogue chambers, Princes-street, Mr. L. I). Nathan (president! in the chair. The annual report by the chairman, together with the balance-sheet of the hon. treasurer (Mr. I. Phillips), were read and adopted, and considered satisfactory. The minister's re-engagement for a specific time was confirmed. Votes of thanks were accorded to the choir-master, Mr. Harry Keesing, and the ladies of the choir, also to the Burial Committee. It was resolved to present an .illuminated address to Mr. H. N. Goldwater, the retiring hon. secretary, for his valuable and willing services rendered for many years. The president, treasurer, and committee were re-elected (Mr. M. Goldwater being substituted in the latter for Mr. B. Keesing), and Messrs. Baume and S. Jbabhari were appointed auditors. The Burial Committee and assistant minister were re-appointed. On the motion of Mr. F. Baume, it was resolved to send a letter of sympathy to the relations of the late Captain Mayer, who was killed in a duel, a martyr to Judaism, in resisting wanton insults to his race. A cordial vote of thanks to the chairman and retiring officers closed the proceedings.

A handsome marble monument, with suitable iron railings, has been placed by the natives of the Qrakei settlement over the grave of their deceased chief, Paora Tuhaere, of Orakei. It is in the form of a cross, in the Gothic style, and nine feet in height. The work was carried out by MrVV.. Thomas. The monument bears the following inscription:—"Paora Tuhaere, chief of the Ngatiwhatua, died at Okahu, Orakei, Auckland, 12th March, 1892, aged 68." Reference is also made to his influence not only amongst the Maoris, but the Europeans.

A meeting of parishioners of St. Patrick 3 Cathedral Parish was held yesterday after the eleven o'clock Mass to make arrangements for the reception of the Right Rev. Dr. Luck, Roman Catholic Bishop °* Auckland, who may possibly arrive by the incoming 'Frisco mail-boat onthe 7th prox. It is intended to raise a fund to provide a new episcopal palace at Ponsonby, the present building being sadly unfit for the purpose. The different parishes are contributing to this fund, which it is understood will supplement an amount already in hand. Father Hacketb , mentioned yesterday that persons in debt were nob expected to contribute to this or any. otter church fund, as it was a principle of Catholic 'theology that debts should be paid in preference to any callsof generosity or charity. The sum of £61 13s w« received at the meeting.

<"''-,':■ )'■■■ ■ ■ W mmm*i**mfmm~m*mmm; i j ——— The Wanganui Chnnicle says of the illustrated catalogue of the Auckland Furniture Company :—" Tie booklet, which we have received, is got u) in excellent style. It is the work of the Auikland Herald, and certainly is one of the hindsomest things of its kind ever produced ii the colony. The illustrations are most skilfully executed, and equal any seen in tie catalogues of the large warehouses of Greifc Britain." The Loyal Ho wick lodge of the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows held its quarterly meeting on Saturday night last, in the hall at Howick. additional interest was added to its procedings by the attendance of Brother ,'lark, Provincial Grand Master of the Auckland district, accompanied by Deputy Grand Master Gow, and Grand Master McLeod, of the Good Intent Lodge. They were most cordially welcomed bj their Howick brethren. Grand Master Clark addressed the meeting at considerable length, pointing the advantages of bebnging to a society which is distinguished throughout the British Empire for its stability. He advocated the maintenance inits integrity of the sound and equitable system of sick benefits which had been so lonj a distinguishing feature of the Manchester Unity. He also referred to the benefits accruing to members of Friendly Societies in general through the exertions cf the delegates to the Friendly Societies Conference. The Conference has been instrumental in arranging for an interchange of medical benefits for members of Friendly Societies wio may remove into a district where there h no branch of their own particular society They may under this arrangement obtah the services of the medical officer of any other benefit society in the place. The Conference has also secured concessions from the Government in the case of invalided members of Friendly Societies who may desin to avail themselves of the advantages of rtsidence at the Rotorua sanatorium. Grand Master Clark's address was well receive? by the assembled brethren. Deputy-Granl Master Gow then briefly addressed the Lodge. At the termination of the meethg an adjournment was made to the hotel, where an excellent supper, served in the host's best style, was provided by the brethrei in honour of the district officers' visit. After supper, some capital songs were rendered. The proceedings terminated at eleven o'clock with the world's national anthem, "Auld Lang Syne when the visitors returned to town after spending a most enjoyable evening. An inquiry into the condition of agriculture in the United States, with particular reference to low prices, aas been ordered by the Senate. It is to be conducted by the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, which is empowered to form sub-com-mittees and examine wLuesses at home and other countries which compete with America in the world's matkets for agricultural produce. Among ihe points to be inquired into are the past, present, and prospective acreage of the principal crops, the adaptation of soil to lifferent descriptions of produce, the exhaustion of soils, and the practicability and cost of their fertilisation, irrigation, climatic conditions, average yield cf crops foi the last thirty years, methods of cultivation and mechanical appliances, produetioa and consumption, exportation and importation, obstacles to free movement and consumption, methods of marketing and inspection, fictitious dealings in staple products, the sale and letting values of land, the cost of plant and machinery, the cost of transportation and storing, the charges of factors and profits of other middlemen, differences of quality in products, average prices since 1860, the effect of prices upon area of cultivation, the depression of prices by natural or artificial causes, and the effect of fluctuations in the value of silver upon the prices of agricultural products. One particular point of inquiry, upon which great stress is laid, is whether the Reports of the Department of Agriculture on the distribution and consumption ot farm products contribute to the depression of prices, whether any proper Governmental purpose is subserved by such publications, and whether they should be continued. This point was, no doubt, suggested by speculators who like to keep things dark. Another question raised is whether it will soon be necessary to devote the additions of area to the production of grain, instead of to the cotton crop. The probability of the consumption of grain in the United States overtaking the supply is also to be investigated. Among the marketing conditions which will be investigated by the commit tee, the operations of great syndicates •ftmch control 'he distribution of meat aud other commodities will, no doubt, receive special, attention. — [London Correspondent.] On Saturday the sale of work in aid of the fund for building a Salvation Army Barracks at Newton, was continued.. A fair business was done, and the fund has been increased by £"20 through the efforts of the friends and others. There were in the lock-up last evening no less than seven persons on charges of drunkenness, and two women, Helena Wright and Mary Sullivan, on charges of using obscene language. The monthly meeting of Lodge St. Andrew, N.Z.C., will be held at the Masonic Hall, Princes-street, to-morrow evening. The annual meeting of the City Rowing Club will be held on Wednesday evening in the Clubroom, Railway Terminus Hotel. Mr. J. Galbraith notifies that he gives private lessons in shorthand, and that he makes verbatim reports of all descriptions.