THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1893.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9178, 19 April 1893, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1893.

The time for the meeting of Parliament is drawing near, and in many respects the next session should be very interesting. It will be the precursor of an appeal to the country. It will be interesting also because new elements have been introduced to disport themselves in the Legislative Council. Parliament and the people of the colony will be treated to an objectlesson as to whether the Council has been improved and the constitution strengthened, or whether, on the contrary, such a breach has been made in one of its bulwarks as will necessitate the reconstruction of the Council on an entirely fresh basis. Evidence sufficient also may be manifested for the country to judge whether or not the representation and protection of minorities has entirely gone. We have held, and still do hold, that the result of the Government's appeal to Downing-street has been to destroy the independence of our Upper Chamber, as it has enabled the Government for the time being to over-awe the Council by threats of the free use of the right of unlimited nomination to that body, which it considers Lord llipon has conceded it. Unfortunately, what is undoubtedly a most grave and fundamental constitutional question, and one which should have been approached from a historical, philosophical, and constitutional standpoint, has been made the mere football of party politics. Mr. Froude, in his sketch of the life of Cassar, truly observes that "The popular leader of the hour sees some present difficulty or present opportunity of distinction. lie deals with each question as it arises, leaving future consequences to those who are to come after him." In the House and out of it Ministers to a man have asserted, and that very often in a manner flippant, and without any apparent proper appreciation of the greatness of the question, that their action, and the decision of the Colonial Office, were in every respect what they should have been, and were, in fact, in the best interests of the Colony and its Government. Opposition leaders and speakers have been equally pronounced in their condemnation of the Government's actions, and the result of the appeal to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Of all the opinions expressed, however, there is none to which we are inclined to allow the same weight as to that of Sir George Grey. As the leader of the Old Liberals —we have not heard that Sir George has yet announced his attachment to the New Liberalism of Sir It. Stout, or to the Dunedin propaganda—and as one specially versed in questions of a constitutional character, and holding an independent position in the House, we recognise that his utterances on this question, while those of a high authority, are not subject to the suspicion of party bias or passion. In his place in Parliament we find that Sir George strongly denounced both the action of the Government, and the intervention of Downing - street. We had hoped that Sir George would have felt himself strong enough to address the people of Auckland, and through them the people of the colony, on this most important subject, as they have already been regaled with the views of the Hon. Mr. Reeves and Sir It. Stout in support of the procedure Sir George Grey lias so emphatically disapproved of. Possibly he may yet feel himself able to do so. But, as we before remarked, tho question must be brought a little nearer home to the understanding of the people, upon the assembling of Parliament. While the subject of an Upper Chamber is before us, we find it also engrossing the attention of Mr. Gladstone in connection with his Homo Rule Bill, and at the same time receiving attention in Victoria. When introducing his measure, and arguing in favour of a. second Chamber in the Parliament he would give to Ireland, Mr. Gladstone said;—" The question, of course, arises, shall there bo any Legislative Council at all?" He answered himself thus:—"Wehavedecided so far as wo arc concerned, that there ought to be a Legislative Council, and upon these two grounds— of all, the ground of general experience, for looking out over the world, and looking out over the whole circumference of the British Empire, experience I do not think recommends, or perhaps warrants, our resorting without a great necessity or some strong and peculiar recommendation, to tho system of a single Chamber." Curiously enough in their report of last December on Legislative Council Reform, which advocated an elective Upper Chamber, the Chamber of the National Association used similar language. I "Speaking generally," the report runs, I " the constitutions of the Parliaments

of the world bear-sufficient testimony to the benefits to bo derived frot i the bi-cameral system." Mr. Glads,one a second ground for the creation of a Legislative Council, which is one that has a very important bearing on the subject we are discussing, was stated in these words:-" So far from finding any such necessity or recommendation, we look to a Legislative Council as on the contrary affording us the fairest, the most constitutional, and the most unexceptionable method of redeeming the pledge, if it be a pledge, which we have given to meet the expectation which we have repeatedly held out, that we would if we could give to the minority some means of vocal expression, and of securing a fair, full, and liberal consideration for their views." Coming from the leader of the Liberal party in England, wo consider these statements, and his further statements which we shall quote, very important contributions to the discussion which has taken place, and must still take place, upon the effect of the intervention of the Colonial Office in our affairs. Mr. Gladstone then proceeds to ask himself whether his Legislative Council shall be nominated or elected, and replies :—" Then we come to this conclusion : A nominated Council is a weak Council. If such a Council attempted to make itself in any manner troublesome, it being at one troublesome and weak, would probably enjoy but a very short term of existence. We therefore propose an Elective Council, believing that to be the only form in which wo can give any great force or vitality to the institution." In 1880 the Legislative Council in Victoria, which is elective, after years of fighting emerged from the attacks made upon it stronger than ever, and better equipped for the country's service At the present time the continual attacks on that body indicate a similar conflict. Commenting on the past conflict and the present symptoms, the Melbourne Argus says:—"The ideal Council of the old Radicals was the Chamber in New Zealand, which can be packed with stipendiaries at any time to carry any measure the Government of the day may introduce." If these estimates by Mr. Gladstone and the Argus of the constitutional value, or rather the constitutional worthlessness, of our nominated Council as a barrier against passing passion, and a protection to minorities, are correct estimates—and we believe they are—with how much more force do they apply if the Council has been rendered, not only weaker by the result of the appeal to Downingstreet, but has been made in fact the mere recording Chamber for the edicts of the Government of the day, which wo contend it has. We therefore look forward with considerable curiosity to the lessons to be learnt from next session.

There has been a good deal of writing lately about keeping in good order the graves of those who fell in the war. The question has been raised whether the colonial Government is in any way pledged on the subject. The Government, it seems, in some cases, has kept these graves in order. A pledge was given in respect to those who fell at Nukumaru, which has been carried out, and the same thing has been done at Ohaeawai. At Horokiwi Valley, the settlers have taken the matter in hand. The graves of the marines and sailors who fell in tho colonial wars have been looked after by the captains of the ships of war who have been on the station, but Captain Hunter-Blair, who recently visited Rangiriri, has stated that the graves of the soldiers buried there are entirely dilapidated, unfenced, and the memorial tablets which had been erected are falling into decay. The state of affairs at Taurangais the worst of all. In the cemetery there are buried the men who fell at the Gate Pa and To llanga. They were interred close to the edge of a cliff overlooking the harbour, and, as the cliff is undefended, the sea has been eating it away, and there is a danger that the remains will tumble into the water. Some years ago several trustees, all old Imperial officers, were appointed to look after the cemetery. The appointments were made by the Government, and it was expected that funfls would bo provided to prevent the cemetery being gradually washed away. The trustees endeavoured to get the Government to do something, but, at length, were so disgusted with their failure, that they resigned. Some time ago the Government paid £31 12s 6d for repairs of the fences; but the UnderSecretary of Defence then wrote, stating that, in future, all work of this kind must be paid for by the local bodies. We think this work of attending to the graves in all parts of the North Island is one which the Government might formally take upon itself. These men died in a colonial war. In many cases they died in actual defence of the settlements. We do not suppose that the whole cost would amount to more than £200 per annum, and surely that could be spared, even if we had not a surplus. If preferred, arrangements might bo made with local bodies, who would have the work done under supervision. Travellers visiting the colony generally go to the places which have been the scenes of battles, and they will think better of us if they see that we hold in grateful remembrance the memories of those who died in our service.

The news which wo publish to-day from Belgium is of a serious character. The labour riots have assumed a very alarming aspect. Desperate fighting between tho military and the strikers has occurred at several places, and a number of lives have been lost. Tho cause of the turmoil is somewhat obscure. It appears to be in some way connected with political reform. Tho Government arc showing a disposition to concede tho reforms demanded by the strikers, as the only means of allaying tho agitation. The shipping dispute in England, which threatened to become national, is for the present suspended, pending an endeavour to effect a settlement by amicable means. lb is stated that the basis of the proposed agreement provides for unionists and non-unionists working together. It is doubtful, however, if tho unionists will consent to such an arrangement. A petition in favour of Homo Rule from tho Corporation of Dublin was presented by tho Lord Mayor of that city at the bar of the House of Commons. It was immediately followed by a huge pile of petitions against Home Rule, including one signed by ten members of the Dublin City Council. The Now York Herald publishes a despatch from its Honolulu corres dent, stating that forty thousand natives are opposed to annexation to the United States, and that only two thousand approve of the proposal. The Canadian Government is urging the Australian colonies to join in the proposed Vancouver service. Tho natives who obstructed the surveyors in the Urewera Country, and who were sentenced to a term of imprisonment in Mount Eden Gaol, wore released yesterday, and left for Tauranga by the Northern S.S. Co.'a steamer Waiotahi hist night.

Yesterday afternoon Sir Patriot 5' S (Attoriioy-Genorid) arrived from lh»tV Country, accompanied by his private* •■' tary, Mr. Govetb, and is staying at It*** Hotel. A. Sir Patrick ha, not yet 2? fc II Excellency the Governor, his SS-ft BS are as yet undetermined. It i„ prob *?| e iit( \ will remain in Auckland a few du then proceed to Wellington 0 «tV' s°* ! ■ meeting of tho Cabinet., which is to b k » ' immediately on his return i 0 6 . °*H i Scott's case. Sir Patrick may rot '■■ '" Wellington by the 9,8. Hinemo.i a , £? * in attendance upon His Excel "*! £"'■ Governor, but this will in all liUeli'i j" l ' U' settled to-day. * 100 «bi ! In the course of a brief intervi . Mr. W. J. Napier, who ha. ju«, * *'« from a trip to Wellington, that tteßt , informed a Hmuu> reporter that W hil *' Wellington lie had a long interview '! the Premier on political subject! 1., course of which it transpired that a Premier and Ministers were confident 7* large .majority at the forthcoming i, en ?!" ; 4t election, and that the Liberal eieot IP committees were making thorough art* --& incuts for the campaign. Mr. Nupi,.. "**< m that the Premier is quite confident tlmVj ill will be able to meet Parliament atl( jr| ' thinks it probable that the Hon. w. r! will shortly be in Auckland and'ph ® • public address. KT « • B The Executive Committee of the Bo.^ s ' ■ of Education took a new departure y'eiS' - day, by holding their mooting i n theft?! noon. It has been arranged that th ! Executive Committee meeting! •hall « future, bo notified and open to thajjJfH but that committeo meetings dealing*!!} detail matters, such as teachers !■ or complaints against teacher*, sh»|l t* private. At the meeting yesterday »J* were present Mr. It. Udy (in tin'Jfig*, Messrs. Cooper, Grant, Luke, ij a j' jj Wilding. Tlio head teachers' roporu'w . ■ received irnd dealt with in detail. At»nrf '"' of £19, for roofing a building at MwJJJj was accepted. Other detail iUauSjS considered. In tho afternoon, it> !?*'.• mittco, the Board went into tlio Wolfflß| tion of a salary scheme, but nothing definif, was arrived at. The senior city member, Mr. J, *i'.Srj Shera, has received the promised lett«wH the Minister of Lands (.'lon. J. McKen^tS| in reply to his telegram as to (pj&j'v'. settlements having to advance feeaftfTj veys, and pointing out that this isabuj settlement. Mr. McKcnzio state* that&' question of finding money for BUrveyijV special settlement blocks is not one *L concerns Auckland alone—that an then associations are being formed all over 4 colony the cost of their surveys woi absorb the whole annual rate, leaving other surveys wholly unprovided for, J ; points out tho experience of the Gores ment is that although a large number bona fide settlers are in these association, they are not without a certain numberj speculators. The Government hare I*' guard against a large area of country bet, thrown on their hands after going tot» trouble and expense of surveys, as tj. " applicants are not bound to take opt* sections, and the survey fee not & bo charged is simply an earnest ctheir bona fidts. Mr. McKensie ca."' eludes as follows?—"Wo have also hi/' 1 considerable amount of trouble from A&§§| ciations in the past, in so much aaths',' demand that their surveys be madeatona, each Association expecting that their part cular block should be the first undertake; 1 ... Now, to overtake this year a fair propwtia I of the survey work required on the blocfa of Associations formed lust year, wooli '■■■ pimply mean a special staff of surrey;).-,' which certainly could not be paid ontc'' land fund. Considering that we (;heti''\ land without rent for the first twoyeany, \ is surely not too much to ask that ».■ Associations should provide for their <mff> surveys. I hope that, after this explanation, you will see the question in a difwrtsSj light." b The following letter has been sent to tin B Premier by the Council of the Hating Association (Auckland section)"fiir,- I At a meeting of the Council of the Nata I Association (Auckland section), held os H April 14), I was instructed to respectftl; f|i ask you, if there are any regulations ifiet I ing tho conduct of civil servants lifts- I nection with political meetings, a tb»a I active participation in party politics;■«?« if not, whether there are any gen<>.r I directions given to civil servants V thereto.— have, &c, John HASTiE,SfI» tary." $? | A notice has appeared in the 'Rami stating that the Auckland City ComdK intend to confirm the amended Cemetajjp By laws, and notifying that the by-kir are open to inspection at the City Counts offices. As usual, very few citizens ttV/. the trouble to respond to the appeal, p»fv ferring to let matters go on, and then may • an outcry when it is too late. AmongottajP curious regulations which are to be put a force is one relating to the fees to be paidfi! digging graves, the tariff ranging according,,. to the denomination of the deceased. hi'; Protestants, the fee is, under 12, 10a} ore"'.. 12, 15s; Jews and Roman Catholics, unite!"'', 12, 5s ; over 12, 10s. What connect* ; ' there is between the creed of the decent* and the price for digging his or her pan j is not very clear, but the City Dm cil have discovered it. It is explalwij that the additional figure for Protesttttofi " is to pay for a chaplain who will be appoint* ; by the City Council, whereas the Jevod Catholics will find their own chaplain But there are many Protestant*, aniios:|sections of Protestants, who will notaocfp the service of the City Council's chapta.; but have their own clergyman. Accori.si to the above regulations, all such pen* will be compelled to pay a chaplain'sfcl although they dispense with his service*. | ■ A considerable amount of time tt||j occupied at tho Police Court yesterday, "' fore Dr. Giles, in dealing with a chuff against four Rotnuera lads for maimia ducks. One of the lads was also charpJ with assaulting tho owner of the tail" Two of the defendants were dismissed,s'the others were fined in a small amountJ , Dr. Giles thought that the case was limp? . one of skylarking. Several other cs* were also dealt with. The serious cbarp against Edward Latimer Clarke, forunU*l| ful conduct towards a little girl, •* '';■'■ further adjourned until Tuesday next. fn A Waiuku settler named McDonald>»' brought down yesterday by Special Con- ;. stable Parker, on a charge of being of u»«| sound mind. McDonald's conduct bees* so extraordinary and dangerous ""MH deputation of settlers waited "I*" 1 ™ constable soliciting him to take step-'• arrest McDonald. ' He was brought new . Dr. Giles, R.M., and sent to the Asyloa* ■ a. remand warrant. | The following is the completed 1W I nominations for the Managing t'omcj ',' of tho Amalgamated Teachers' Unie**. Educational Institute (the election T take place on May 13) :—President, IP* !v Armstrong, Bonge, Heriot, and Ste**' ■ vice presidents, Messrs. Carter, bipK and Webber; secretary, Messrs. IJ, « C, Jones and A. Edwards; treasurer, J«v I W. Clark ; unofficial members, Mrs- 81 "* 1,.; Misses Cleveland and Udy, Me«- *Jj ■-. strong, Bruford, Haines, lloriot, | Leonard, Mcintosh, Mellsop, Ohlw". «*• Stewart, Thwaites, Warren, U'hitham. , The first action in which Mr. Ojj! Fisher's Book Purchasers Protection A" . last session was brought into reul! ' w t was heard a few days ago &tGiAff\, Messrs. Campbell and Maude, "•"ji tI M man named Campbell, canvasser for » j • Trasher and Graham, of Wellington. *% Mr. E. Wilkinson for £'J 10s, for an enWI and coloured photograph. Mr. fak appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Jon fec! defendant. It was claimed by the oit , dant that the photo, was not accorflWK | sample, and Mr. Jones pointed out W» Book Purchasers Protection Act or . session had not been complied wittli, ,fe order form did not. show tho li *L(i ■ curred, nor was a duplicate order g Judgment was given for defendant. , ■ The statement of receipts and * x f^!t h(|| ture of the Auckland Domain J"'?. j 4 ]J if past year show tho receipts to be W ■ and the bank overdraft to be *« '* 0, ■ but it was reduced by cash in 1»»" U| ty ■ In 1891 tho deficit was £489 5« * JU, R(in 1 principal items in the revenue «*• 0; of reserves, £137 ; routs of gardens. rC O, .. cricket ground fees, £233 ; ground £15 °- „ OUk* ' # The Government, writes our " ■ correspondent, has completed J;; De th« I | from Mr. Todd of an allotment fro"« » & ■ Great South Road, and nearly oppo» „ * Public School, Otahuhu, for the P u '^ eo ia building a police station and court' that township.

' 5= :"" . „ fafcat i the other day that a party ASKS-"ta" had gone up / the of e hn Jays to look at the land in the S?S block and came back somewhat ohur a block, an of the members of the di party, who accompanied the Hon. < ? P I Snail, states that so far as ho can icitain the last party only went as far M uoint where the original explorers got *?!,sbv onaa-onga (the Maori nobble). He ' 1 ; ♦~ that the holiday-makers should have "*I from 12 to 20 miles further into the Era Valley and block, ami they would r"", oU nd cause to alter their opinions. 11 is stated that a meeting of the Ohura intending settlers will be held shortly, when no doubt those conflicting statements will bo investigated. In regard to the proposed memorial to the late 'Mr. J. MoNicol, the proposition has been received with ft good deal of favour in Auckland. The family have declined an offer to erect a monument on his grave, desiring to make it » family memorial. In regard to the Waikato memorial, it is now BUggo« fcec l that a useful form for it to take would be the building of a wing to the Waikato Hospital, bo be known as the McNiool wing. This would nob only prove a lasting monument of tho esteem in which the lato Mr. McNicol was held, bub it would be a suitable commemoration of one who was so closely identified with the VVaikato district as a whole. Tho idea of oreoting a monument in some form to Mr. Jlclsiool was warmly taken up in the city yesterday, but if it is to bo a success the project, whatever lb may be, must bo settled at once. The meeting of the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Association on Monday evening, being the nearest evening of meeting to the 23rd April, was, in accordance with the usual custom, devoted to reading, music, and recitations from the works of Shakspere. Mr. Luke read a paper on the " Story of the Life of Shakspere. MissLukoread scenes from "Henry V."; Mrs. Armstrong and Miss Gillespie sang the duet, " As It Fell Upon a Day;" Mr. C. Macdonald, with on efficient chorus, sang from the »*Tempest," "Full-Fathom Five;" and Mr. Hall gave a reading. The majority of those present criticised .very freely Mr. Luke's paper, and the readings. A very pleasant evening was spent. On the motion of Mr. Hunter, a hearty vote of thanks was carried by acclamation bo all who had contributed items in tho ovening's programme.. ■ In yesterday's issue we narrated the ventures of Mr. Pullman, a recent arrival from California, in endeavouring to get a lOOacre section of Crown lands ', in tho Hortb, and which ho failed to get, after three months trouble. Ha states that; his experience is nOb singular—that another Csllfornlan arrived hero from Los Angeles, with his wife, daughter and two sons, about four months ago, and, after endeavouring to gob a suitable section of Government land for his family, gave' up the struggle and i returned to California by last mail ' steamer. The meeting called bo complete the necessary stops for ' the formation of a society for tho prevention of cruelty to women and children, which was bo have been held at the Y.M.C.A. last night, lapsed. Owing to the heavy downpour only two or three put in an appearance. "Ratepayer" writes, pointing out that thesame person ought nob to occupy the positions of Mayor and chairman of tho Harbour Board. Mr. J. 0. McLeod, who is well known in Auckland, recently celebrated his ninetyfirst birthday, having been born on April 7, 1802. Mi. McLeod.is now resident in Opotiki. He remembers distinctly the news ot the Waterloo victory reaching Scotland, and runny other stirring events, which to the rising generation roads almost like ancient history. Mr. McLeod is halo and hearty, and looks good enough for another twenty years to come. Apropos of the disputes as to the directorate of the New Zealand Times, the following letter appear* in the Wellington Post:—"Sir: 1 observe that the Minister of Education, at the recent meeting of the Now Zealand Times Company, regretted the company's want of capital, and expressed a hope that the friends of the Party would come forward and further Subscribe. I find, on iaapootian the regis tev of shareholder*, that the interest of the HUtufctty In the concern is as follows :— Minister of.Education, 190 shares ; Minister of Lands, 50 shares; Minister of Public Works, SO shares; Premier, 100 shares ; Minister of Justice,-nil; Colonial Secretary, nil ; Native Minister, nil ; Postmaster(Jonsrui, 100 shares ; in all 490 shares. Tho shares are £1 shares, and 15s only has been subscribed, so that the Ministry have sub scribed between them £307 10s ; and if we allow them interest at £10 per cent per annum on their outlay, the net cost to Ministers of running a Ministerial organ to bolster up their actions is under 15s a week, whilst on the other hand the Minister of Education draws a salary as chairman and managing director of £200 per annum. How long will Liberals suffer themselves tobe used as tools and bled to keep in otfico men who are only abusing the cause of Liberalism The JS'gunguru coal mine is now being worked, the tramway being completed, and everything in readiness. The steam launch used by the Kohimarama institution was purchased by the syndicate, and is to be smployed in towing barges or vessels when* loaded at the terminus of the tramway down to Ngunguru. The Spitfire has jone up to load 60 tons of ccal for the use if the Northern Steamship Company, so that the coal will shortly bo in general use. In addition to the nominations for the Auckland City Schools Committee published yesterday the following have been received. The lists, however, cannot be considered by any means complete as other gentlemen may be nominated at the various meetings of householders to bo held on Monday next; —Ponsonby : Dr. Knight, Messrs Devore, Hughes, Patterson, Swales, Wright, Bell, Maxwell, Blomtield, and Shaw. Ten nominations for nine seats. Keinueru : Thomas Buddie, James H. M. Carpenter, David Boosie Cruickshank, William Dinnim, John R. (hey, J. M. Lennox, Win. J. barker, Ralph I'ickmere, and John M. Shera. The chairman of the Mount Eden School Committee has received the following nominations :—Messrs. G. A. Buttle, W. H. Cooper, W. Colo, W. T. R. Lady, W. Gray, a. Gray, T. Hanson, E. J. Harvey, ".'A. R. Ryan, and H. H.Seabrook. Yesterday a man named W. David Hunter was arrested on two charges of weeny, first of a silver watch and chain, v»lue27s Gd, the property of Arthur Jas. Heighten, and second of a silver watch 8m chain, valuo £5 123 6d, property of »2* S?"*9 monthly meeting of the 2:*s° J.** 0 " Committee was hold in the kit th" 'T School on Monday evening •J.' ''""following member* being in at ten(j ?'i L mm - •'• M. White (chairman), ,: Anl (treasurer), T. McMuster, H. £™«1*», J. i), Cow, T. 11. Martyn, A J? 1 "■»», and T. W. Freeman. Mr. A. . Lwod wrote, expressing a desire to start iwf k T; h ° ° l ,n ono of tho rooms of the "iJw Last School, and asked the comMm » ?' mi <'» bo bo allowed the uso of tonll- m roomß for tliab purpose. The Ration was granted. Mr. Coates, head ward i ft the Newton East School, forterk- ? f monthly report, copy of guar- »»,,.. rutur " B . and quarterly report of tho JWWfc ml pupil touchers. *Tho comlaS ~ cimßwJ tho question of teachers' the T' i £ ,omo timo blink written to aw?. filing attention to what the lOheS deemed to bo unjust to the factor" >-, flr assistants, that was the flMh . teachers in similar positions to tho Kitaf lv nt ' °' fche Newton E,lsfc and hii/ho, i . 8t Bcl, ools being in receipt of »i£l ! lar l ' 08th,UI th «m. This was condfclrUi » ° o»dedly unfair, and it was reoW t " L ex P WM this to tll « Board, and to ioCi ' > firHt assistants of the followin ° salaries increased. The upon 1k K nomln atiotH for election to servo httveh.. co,nmitt eo for the ensuing year -AW." 7 ce ! ve ' 1 by the chairman, namely J. £ "' *'• M White, T. McMaster. W. fcWyww, H.Thompson, J. 1). Cow, "in V tv V &> WiUl T. W. Free(Eden TV. Y llc 2. ck ' and John Jenkins »re ? mS raCe >', he first eight of these Mr ( ? ,e " lb . e « Of the present committee. *«e L ,■?, Woul(l havo boen nominated UiaidTu* ' a l «" ,,lent householder, but it withdraw. " U tl ,8 Dot tllo . c,lB he,,co lliß «e far. , he nomination of a candi*Mteld« °" the B(,ard ° Education * teld over for tho incoming committee.

On Friday last the Public School children at Otahuhu had a picnio on the estate of Mr. W. Mclaughlin, Papaboetoe. Over 400 children were taken in nine conveyances, together with the teachers, commitbee, and several of the parents. The band was present, and enlivened the proceedings by music. A large number of games, etc., were indulged in, and at the close, tho prizes wore distributed, and all returned happy at having spent a very pleasant picnic. With reference to the statement of a Tauranga correspondent, published in Tuesday! Herald, wo are informed that a tablot was erected many years ago to the memory of tho Rev. J. H. Bumby by »ho members of the Wesloyan Mission in this colony. The tablet was first erected in bho High-street Church, and afterwards reerected in the lower school-room of the Pitt-street Church. On tho enlargement of Pitt-street Church tho tablet was renovated and placed with the one to tho memory of tho Rev. John Skevington in a prominent part of the lecture-hall. The anniversary soiree of the Tabernacle Sunday-school took place last evoning, the tea tables being presided over by the ladies of tho congregation. At the after public meeting the Rev. James Blaikie presided, being supported by the Rev. O. D. Cox and Mr. Enoch Wood. The Secretary (Mr. W. Baker) read bho report, which referred to the death of one teacher, Mr. G. Davis, and four scholars. Twelve new teachers had joined during the year, and the roll of scholars was 395. Twelve scholars and four teachers have joined the church during tho yoar. The children had collected £36 7s 2Jd. Tho Temperance Society had a membership of 257, and the Christian Endeavour Society was also doing good work. As to the finances, the report of the treasurer (Mr. Spedding, jun.) showed the year's receipts to be £64 14s id, which, after defraying expenses, left a credit balance of £15 9s. The amount given to the Missionary Society was £4 15s more than in any previous year. Interesting addresses were given by the chairman, Mr. Enoch Wood, and tho Rev. G. D. Cox, on phases of Sunday-school work. The choir rendered oho special (■acred selections given on Sunday, Mr. H. Wells presiding at the organ and Miss Brame at the piano. The report made reference to the valuable services rendered i by Mr. A. Shalders in training the children in the pieces, and in acting as choir conductor at the anniversary services. At a meeting of the commit tee of the Auckland Yacht Club held last evening, in connection with the recent sealed handicap race for yachts under 3 tons rating, it was resolved, "That owing to an oversight in the wording of a resolution carried on February 22, 1893, by the special committee, the Oloriana be not disqualified for carrying a topsail." Tho prize accordingly will be paid over to the owners of the Gloriana. Tho Northern Advocate states that Mr. George Patterson, of Kaikohe, who goes to the Chicago Exhibition in September, has sent forward a collection of kauri gum, consisting of 2000 pieces (including Captain Farquhar's collection). The whole collection cost upwards of £800, and in addition to this Mr. Patterson has written a pamphlet descriptive of gum, its occurrence and uses, and has had taken by Mr. Low, photographer, upwards of 200 views of gum life, etc., from which a selection is to be made to illustrate the pamphlet. We much regret to learn that Mr. John Fairburn, J.P., of Otahuhu, is lying dangerously ill of heart disease. Mr. Fairburn, who is being attended by Dr. Erson, of Onehunga, is a very old settler, and is much respected and highly esteemed by all who know him. Deep sympathy is felt for his wife and family. We have to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of Modern Medicine for February, a magazine devoted to making known the cures effected by the use of Count Mattel's medicines, in which it is stated that cancer is being cured by the use of these medicines. The Southland Education Board at their meeting lo.ib week decided to terminate the engagements of two teachers In consequence of irregularities in their method of keeping attendance registers, and because of falsifying the entries therein. A cricket'* match will be played in the Domain this afternoon between City C.C. and Onohunga C.C. The following will represent Onehunga :—Beavers (2), Neill, Gould, Mosolen, Caldow, Fellows (2), Hunt, Lyoll, Whyto. Play commences at two o'clock sharp. The members of the Dairymen's 0.0. close the season this afternoon, when they play the return match, Country v. Town Dairymen, in the Domain Cricket Ground. After the match, the teams with their friends dine together at a quarter to seven p.m. in Robson's Rooms, the dinner to be followed by a smoke concert. Brooklyn is much stirred up over the report that Dr. Talmage, pastor of the Tabernacle, contemplates resigning because of the financial troubles of his trust. A lump sum of £4800 will be due presently, and unless the congregation provides for the same Talmage contemplates letting some other shepherd take up his work. For the last three years he has worked hard to build up his church, and his net personal income, in excess of his contributions, has been less than £120. Flesh and blood, the doctor says, can't live on such an allowance. He has received many outside offers and could do much better financially by lecturing. A committee of the flock are endeavouring to avert the calamity of Talmage's withdrawal, and a syndicate of New'iork managers are preparing to turn the Tabernacle into a music-hall if worst comes to worst. The monthly meeting of Lodge Ara will bo held at the Freemasons' Hall, this evening. The final lecture of the course on " Theo sophy " will be delivered in the Choral Hall by Miss Lilian Edger, M.A., on Sunday afternoon next. An interim dividend of 6tl per share lias been declared in the Union Oil, Soap, and Candle Company, which will be payable to shareholders on Friday next. An advertisement appears in another column calling for tenders, returnable on May lObh, for new offices for the New Zealand Herald and Auckland Weekly News. The Tokatea licensed holding, Coromandel, with all the plant, machinery, rock drill, etc., will be sold to-day by Mr. R. C. Carr, at his mart, Queen-street, at eleven o'clock, by order of the Official Liquidator. A sale of good English furniture will take place to-day, at eleven o'clock, at the residence of Mrs. Levinsohn, Symonds-street, by Gabriel Lewis and Co.