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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9100, 18 January 1893, Page 4

Considerable excitement) has been caused in Cairo by the action of the Khedive in dismissing the Premier, f It is believed that France and Russia instigated the step, while the appointment of Fakri as Premier is stated, by the London Tim&s to be an open defiance of British authority. The London Daily News says that Britishofficials in England will nob recognise the new Ministry. The situation in France continues unsettled, but the Paris correspondent of the London Times says that the issue of notes by the Bank of France is

regarded as a hsalthy sign. The woathei in America and Europe is intensely cold, and a hard frost prevails. A dreadful crime is reported from Delaware, a son having murdered his father, mother, and sister, The triple murderer afterwards attempted to commit suicide, and inflicted such severe injuries on himself that he is not expected to reoover. A company has been formed in Canada for the purpose of constructing » canal from Lake Erie to New "York. Ii connection with the trial of the person* accused of poisoning free labourers at th< Homestead Works, evidence has been giv«r by an informer that ho was engaged to mb poison in the soup and tea intended for th< men, and that three other cooks assisted Accordiug to a London Journal, the betro thai of the Duke of York to the Princess Ma] will be formally announced at an earl] date. The mate of the barque Annu Stafford, a man named Seel, has been ar rested, and charged with manslaughter o a negro whom he struck in the rigging causing him to fall to the deck, the unfor tunate man receiving injuries from which he shot tly afterwards died. Seel is believec to be the person of the same name who was charged with murder in connection wit! the shooting of a - sailor at Wellington ; short time ago, and who was acquitted.

The New Zealand and Australasian S.S. Company's steamer Miowera arrived from Sydney early this morning, after a passage of three days 10 hours 52 minutes. The vessel has thus succeeded in establishing a record for the voyage, notwithstanding the fact that she hati not been docked since she was built, and did not have the best of coal The mails were nob despatched from Sydney by the Miowera, having been placed on board the Rotomahana. Mr. James Huddarb, managing director of the Mew Zealand and Australasian S.S. Com* pany, is a passenger by the Miowera. The Countess of Kintore was a passenger by the Mararoa, which arrived at the Bluff, from Melbourne, yesterday.

A short time back there was published a London cablegram stating that Sir Ambrose Shea, Governor of the Bahama Islands, was likely to be successor to Sir John B. Thurston as Governor of Fiji. On a Herald representative enquiring as to the accuracy of the statement, Sir John replied that so far as he was aware the rumour wail without foundation.

Yesterday the Hen. A. J. Caclman re* ceived the following telegram from Mi', Sheridan, of the Native Department, from Otorohonsra, with reference to the damage on the railway line in the King Country by floods,from theheavy rain on Monday night: —" Train nob yet in from Kuiti. Doubtful whether wo can get away from here before the afternoon." Mr. Wilkinson, native land agent, also telegraphed to the Native Minister Big flood in the Waipa River. Line carried away by Otorohanga. Train from Kuiti cannot get here until the line is repaired, which will take some hours." On inquiring at the office of the district railway manager, our representative was informed that the railway authorities were unable to say when the line would be repaired. The line at a point above Otorohanga was under water, and until the flood fell the line could not be repaired. A man had waded half a mile with the mails, and gob into a canoe and brought the mails on to Otorohanga, where they were to be forwarded as speedily as possible. It appears that some damage to the railway has also taken place at the Rukuhia Swamp, near Ohaupo. The rainfall in the King Country has been very heavy. A sitting of the Native Lands Court was held ab the Government Buildings, Customstreet, yesterday, before Judge Spencer Von Sturmer, and Tuba Tamati, the assessor. The following business was transacted :—l. The partition of the Orakei block was adjourned to Helensvilie. 2. A partition wa,s made of the Waitakaruru No. 3 block. 3. Hen are gar una Kaihau was appointed t;rue>tee for Tohi Kumikumi Ponui and Mimiha Pooui in the Onewhero block. 4. A succession order was made in favour of Mere Paora Tuhaere, Kihirini Reweti, Paora Keweti, Te Puna Reweti, and Te Kune Reweti, for the interest ol Paora Tuhaere in the Orakei block.

The inquiry into the charges against Mr. John King was continued yesterday before Dr. Giles, sitting as a Royal Commission, Mr. J. P. Campbell and Mr. Russell, Jan., appeared for Mr. King. Mr. W. R. E. Browne, late Registrar-General, was crossexamined at some length, bub it appeared that he never had reason to find fault with the nature of Mr. King's work, and only objected to him as an expensive officer. The testimony of the other witnesses was only remarkable for the utter forgetfulness displayed and the surprise evinced by them when confronted with their signatures to vouchers and authorities to draw money coming to them. The proceedingh stand adjourned until half-past ten o'clock this morning.

Our Waipu correspondent writes Death has overtaken one of our most highly-esteemed residents. Mrs. Jessie Jacob, the wife of Captain J. Jacob, of Fernhill, breathed her lost at two p.m. on the 15th January. The deceased lady has for a considerable time been afflicted with cancer in the breast, and about nine months ago an operation was performed, which temporarily stayed the progress of the disease, bub did nob eradicate it. During the last few months, the unfortunate lady suffered intense pain, and while many loving friends will mourn her death, a feeling of satisfaction pervades their minds in reflecting that (she end for her was rest from pain.

During Mr. Cadman's visit to the Auckland Gaol on Monday afternoon he was approached by Wm. Powell, who is now undergoing sentence, and asked to use his influence to mitigate his punishment. Hugh Shortlamd also had a large number of grievances against the gaol officials and the management generally.

At the Police Court, yesterday morning, before Mr. 11. W. Bishop, R.M., Henry McMurr-iv was charged with stealing a gold wiuch-ehain and pendant, of the value of £8, the property of James Hay. The evidence adduced showed that the prisoner stole the chain from defendant's room in the Railway Terminus boardinghouse, Jermyn-street, and afterwards sold it to Mr. Maude, jeweller, Karangahape Road, for £4. The prisoner was committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court.

It is the intention of the Rev. Father Gillan to build a school in a central rite in the Ponsonby parish, of which he has charge. The new school will replace thai known as St. Joseph's, in New-street, and will be conducted by the Siefcers of Mercy.

The members of the Newton Schools Committee met for their monthly meeting, in the Newton East School, on Monday evening last Present: Mr. J. M. White (chairman), Messrs. W. J. Macdermott, T. McMaster, H. Thompson, T. H. Martyn, and T. W. Freeman. Apologies were received for the unavoidable absence of Mr. G. Knight and Mr. J. D. Govv. Miss Clara G. Berry wrote resigning her position as assistant teacher at the Newton Easi School, and Miss Gertrude Berry, as pupil teacher at the Newton West Sohool, owing to their departure from Auckland. Thfl Board of Education informed the committee that a tender had been accepted for tarring and sanding Newton East School playground. INewton West Sub-Committee reported that the cottage was being removed from the school ground, and tbab the shelter-shed, now being erected, was nearly finished. The sub-committee were requested to have some of the trees removed, and other necessary improvements made. It was decided to inform the secretary of the Society of Arts that the committee were oi; opinion that June would be a more suitable month than December for the holding of the annual examinations of the schools in drawing, it being difficult, owing to December being a busy time with many on account of the approaching holidays, for members of committee to attend the schools as they would wish to do, ana supervise the drawing; also that, as toe examination of the schools in the standards takes place in the month of August, it oniv gave pupils four months' instruction ana practice in di-awing in the new standards. . At the Opera House last night " Hearts and Homes" was produced for the second time by the Dampier Dramatic Company. There was a fairly good attendance, and cne whole piece went off with the .utmost smoothness, all the characters being won sustained. The applause was yerv hearty and continuous. Thi« evening "TheGreeo Lanes of England" will be P^ QC *£ .when Miss illy Dampier, the £ l ° a ™ Australian actress, will make J»J" appearance before an Auckland aucuenc*

A deputation from the Women's Franchise League, consisting of Mrs. W. 0. Daldy (president) Mrs. W. Rattray (a vicepresident), and Mesdames Kitson and Duffy waited upon the Hon. A. J. Cadman in reference to the franchise question. The members of the deputation had a fcnoral conversation with the Minister, 'hey Inquired as to the probability of the female franchiso being accorded next session, owing to the late additions to the Legislative Council. Mr. Cadman stated he could not say how the gentlemen recently appointed to the Upper House would view the matter, but the Female Franchise Bill would be introduced next session by the Government. The deputation asked Mr. Cadman to use his influence with the other members of the Cabinet to support the movement to accord the franchise to women.

A grand complimentary benefit is to be fiven this evening, at the City Hall, to Mr. Lucblan MoGowan, the Mayor of Auckland, the members of the City Council, and the president and members of the Caledonian Society, affording their patronage. A most excellent programme has been arranged. The comedy of "A Capital Match "' will first be played ; "My Turn Next," one of the roost amusing farcical comedies ever written, will take up the later portion of the evening, while sandwiched between a programme of high-class music will be rendered by ladies and gentlemen who have kindly tendered their services.

There recently died at Bundaberg HosJital (0)a mining experts named Captain ames Bray Pasco*, aged 74. His was once a name to conjure by in the financial circles of London, Adelaide, and Melbourne in the early history of copper, lead, and tin mining in tho colony. He was a favourite Methodist local preacher, popular lecturer, etc, and at one time very wealthy, but the other day was glad to welcome the shelter of tho above hospital. Such are the vicissitudes of mining.

The music-loving public of Auokland will be pleased to learn that Madame Steinhauer Bahnson has decided to give a second concern in the City Hall on Tuesday next, prior to her departure for the South. The performers include Mr. T. M. Jackson and the same company whose selections afforded such a delightful programme upon the last occasion, with the addition of Miss Katherine Hardy, of Melbourne, who has been a pupil of three years' standing with Madame Bahnson, and who assisted at the concerts given upon the occasion of Madame's previous visit to this city.

The monthly meeting of Lodge St. Andrew, No. 8, N.Z.C., was held last night at Freemasons' Hall, Brother Guthrie, W.M., f>resiriing. The business consisted of the nitiation of one candidate, and the transaction of ordinary lodge business. There was a large attendance of members and a few visitors from other lodges.

The Broken Hill Proprietory Company's last half-yearly report and balance-sheet is to hand, and wo note that during this period 73,973 tons of ore were treated for 963 tons bullion, and 2,310,2050z of silver. Since its formation the company has distributed to shareholders in bonuses, divi donda, and the allotment of shares, no less than £6,312,000. A significant feature in the report is tho Btatemont that under the contract system the company is making as large an output of ore as at any time in the past, although the mine is 500 men short of the number employed underground when the strike took place.

It is said that) at San Jose, California, a fabric finer and stronger than wool or cotton has been obtained from ramie—a plant that owing to difficulties of treatment has not yet come into gonoral commercial use. At the San Jose woollen mill the fibre was practically tested, by being put through the same processes used for making cloth. The following particulars are of interest:— The ramie went through the machines, was twisted into thread, and then a thread of wool and a thread of ramie were twisted together. Being put on the loom the machine was started, and in a few minutes the cloth began slowly to unroll. The fabric resultant from the process was a closelywoven piece of cloth, strong and durable. Holding it up to the light one could not see through it. Tho colour of the cloth was a bluish-jrrey, the wool supplying the dark and the ramie fibre the light portion. Ramie is much stronger than wool, is fortyone times stronger than cotton, and more nearly approaches silk in this respect than any other material used in the manufacture of cloth. Thus it is evident that a fabric made of a mixture of wool and ramie is far superior to a cotton and wool mixture. The fibre, whtn ready for the railla, is in bunches about five feet long, of a creamy white colour, and has a lustre like silk. It can be dyed any colour and still retain its lustre, s.nd hence can be used in the manufacture of silk mixed cloth, making a fabric just as good in every way but far cheaper than if silk wero used. It will have the effect when it comes into general use of cheapening all textiles of this character, while giving a fabric better looks and wearing qualities. One of the big points claimed for ramie is the ease with which it can be produced and the consequent big profit to the producer. Ramie is nothing more nor less than a weed, and grows and increases with the prolificness for which weeds are noted. The plant does nob need a rich soil; in fact, it seems to thrive best in a soil in which nothing else will grow, and is especially valuable on this account. It is claimed that three crops a year can be secured, and that at the least calculation a profit of £40 an acre will pour into the pockets of tho ramie cultivator. The field will not have to be replanted for twenty years, for the plants will grow and produce good fibre for that length of time.