THE New Zealand herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1893.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9257, 20 July 1893, Page 4

THE New Zealand herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1893.

The '. Ministry are no.v being culled to account in regard to two matters in which Auckland has a special interest. These are that they have no Native Minister, and tint there is no representative of Auckland in the Cabinet. In regard to the first of these point-. the Premier, in answer to a question from Mr. Kolleston, stated on Tue-,i:iv i that he hoped to be able, before the J debate on the Financial Statem-ei; was concluded, to inform the Hon-;" as to j the intentions of the Government. Last ' night, Mr. Seddon mad" the promised explanation, and a most u:i- itNtactory one it is. The Government, he said, were .still of opinion that lie Native Department should be abolished. If they have been of that opinion, j why did they virtually have two ; Native Ministers, in the persons of Messrs. Cadman and Carroll ? Mr. Seddon then went on to say, that in the meantime Mr. Carroll would "look ! i after" native legislation but would not ■ have a portfolio. This is merely play ing upon words. In the speech with which the session was inaugurated, the Government stated that the chief pur- j pose of the session would be to mike native lands available for settlement and subject to taxation. No progress has been made in that direction yet. And now we are told that this, the most important subject for the country at the present time, is to be, left to a gentleman who is not a Minister — at all events one who does not hold a portfolio. Mr. Carroll i-, it seems, to take charge of the native legislation. We have every respect for Mr. Carroll, but we do not think he is the man titted for the work. Leaving it to him means its abandonment by the Government. Meantime, the three or four Bills on the subject now before the House are being translated into Maori, and the concluding Native Bill, to complete the policy of the Ministry, will be introduced "in a day or two." We have every disposition on this matter to aid the Government to the utmost. We should be glad to see even one step taken in advance. But we are afraid that the time is already past, and that another session will close with a record of "nothing done." The House has now been sitting about a month, and members will soon be getting impatient and be eager to be back in their districts. The Government measures respecting native lands, dealing as they must, do with a vast variety of complicated interests, will of necessity require very careful consideration. There would have been some chance if they had been introduced at the very beginning of the session, and had been energetically handled. As it is, nothing short of a miracle- can avail to pass into law satisfactory measures in the present session. These lulls certainly ougiit to have been before the House at an early period. All through the recess Ministers had declared that they would deal with this question for a final settlement, and they even stated the bases of their action. They have been guilty of neglect on a most, important point That Auckland .should not be represented in the Cabinet is also a question of great importance to us. It has not been adequately represented in the past, and we are now deprived of what we had. An examination of the amounts spent on roads and bridges shows that we have been placed at a disadvantage. Every day questions come before' the Cabinet in which the interests of districts are brought up. We are quite conscious that it may be said that we are somewhat to blame for having no representative in the Cabinet, and that if amongst those of our representatives who support the Ministry, there was any man of power and capacity he would be included in

the Cabinet. But the principle of district representation in the Government has been recognised, and the Ministers and ourselves must make the best of the position.

In regard to the appoint of the Hon. Mr. Montgomery to a seat in the Executive Council to aid Sir P. Buckley in the Upper House, we hive only to say that it further strengthens the Southern influence in the Cabinet, when it was the Northern influence which ought to have been reinforced. Mr. Montgomery will add very little to the power of the Ministry in any way.

Wi: publish in another column a letter from Bishop Luck to the Minister for Education, which shows that he is not disposed to accept the refusal made to his request by the Board of Education. The request was made under section OS of the Education Act, which runs thus :

—" Whero the teacher or managers of | any private school desire to have their school inspected by an inspector, such teacher or managers may apply to the Board to authorise .such inspection, and the same, when authorised, shall be conducted in like manner as the inspection of public schools.'' The question arises at once: Does the clause compel the Education Board to inspect when requested to do so by "the teacher or managers of any private school,' 1 or is the matter left in the option of the members of the Board 1 We have not the slightest doubt that every Board in the country would decline to undertake such a duty in the case of Human Catholic schools, unless imposed on them by the Act. They are naturally desirous to maintain the public school system as against private schools, especially private schools instituted by a denomination hostile to the system. They are also unwilling to incur the extra expense which an inspection would entail, though that would be trifling. One or two of the members advised Bishop Luck to close his schools, and send the children to the public schools, a piece of advice which they might as well have kept to themselves. But there is no doubt that the main reason why they declined was that they considered that to undertake such a task would be a dangerous recognition of denominationalism. Mr. Cooper, whose opinion is of course on such a subject entitled to great weight, slated in a note to his fellowmembers that in his opinion it was left in the discretion of the Board whether i or not such a request should be com- j plied with. If that is the case, there is an end of it, because even the Minister for Education could not compel the Boards to undertake the inspection if such isuot laid down for them as adutyin the Act. Bishop Luck speaks of certain private schools which enjoy the benefit of inspection by the publicschool inspectors. If so. then the Bishop has a claim, as a precedent had been established. The Act should be made clear, and our own opinion is that the held of action of the public school inspectors should be confined to these schools. It will be interesting to see what answer wi'l be given by the Minister for Education.

The French Government are evidently determined to proceed with their "spirited foreign policy" in Siatn at all hazard*. Their "patience"' is, they say, exhausted,

and unless the Siamese make due reparation coercive measures will be taken on land—in other words, France will declare war against Siam. As for the attitude of England, the Gladstone Government have been asked to explain the meaning of British gunboats being despatched to Siamese waters, and in a spirit of becoming meekness have assured the bellicose Republic that the step has only been tuken for the purpose of affording the subjects of Queen Victoria protection, and is in no way intended as an interference with France's freedom of action. All this the Chamber of Deputies heard from the lips of the Foreign Minister, and cheered vociferously. There is apparently only one concession which the French (Government have agreed to make to English susceptibilities. Bangkok is not to be bombarded without due notice. This is the French version. The English version is a trirle different. The action of France is naturally exciting very keen interest in England, and the Government have been questioned, on the subject in Parliament. In reply to an interpellation in the Hou-e of Lords, the Foreign Secretary (Lord Rosebery) stated that the Government were fully sensible of the great importance of the independence and integrity of Si mi, which, he hied, France ha 1 promised to respect. But it is not easily understood how France can wage war against her weak neighbour in the East, an I at the same time respect its independence and integrity. Tiie evidence at the courtmartial on the loss of the Victoria continues to point to Admiral Tryon being to blame for the collision. Indeed, one witness, stated that after the collision the Admiral exclaimed "it is ail my fault." A erreat lire has occurred in London, doing damage to the extent of two millions. Tiiree more American banks have suspended payment.

Sir George Grey i« stated to be slightly improving. He was able to be up on Tuesday for a little, and to be on the verandah of his residence.

The present political campaign, between Mr. \Y. L. Ree-s and Mr. A. J. L'adman, w.»s definitely opened last night, when Mr. Kees addressed the electors of the City of Auckland in St. James' Hall. The large building was crowded to its utmost capacity. Generally speaking, Mr. Kees may be said to have carried the meeting with him, though there were at time*, indications of dissent. The meeting wa* of a very orderly character, the only disturbing element being a few jocular interjections from a handful of youths at the back of the hall. A resolution endorsing the position assumed by Mr. Rees was carried by an overwhelming majority, though a considerable number of those present refrained from voting.

The people in the Northern districts are unfortunate in the roads they have, not only in the condition of the roads themselves, bat the unwise .selection of road-lines made in the old provincial days. This is especially the case with what is known as the Groat North Road. Much money has been spent upon it in purveying and otherwise, but much of the lino is impracticable an I likely ever to remain so. The Matakana Road Board are trying to remedy this .state of things in a .small way, ami are having the following petition to Parliament largely signed by those interested in the district :—" To the Honourable the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives of the colony of Now Zealand, in "Parliament assembled,—The humble petition of the undersigned settlers and others dirocbly interested in the selection, formation, and maintenance of the most direct line of road obtainable as a. main North Road between Warkworth and Whangarei humbly shewoth : 1. That in the opinion of H. Monro Wilson, who in intimately acquainted with the country north of Auckland, in hi.-) capacity as surveyor arid engineer, and in the opinion of many others who arc intimate with the country, the most) direct line of road between Warkworth and Whangarei is via Whangaripa Valley and Waipu Gorge. '2. That at present, this part of the North is without any well-defined main north road, and your petitioners therefore pray that your honourable House will cause a survey of the route indicated forthwith, and a sum of money appropriated towards its construction. Your petitioners therefore pray that your honourable House will take the foregoing statement into your favourable consideration, and grant your petitioners such relief as to your honourable House may seem meet."

The regular parade of the Engineer Volunteers was held yesterday evening, at thu drill-shod, Major Anderson being in command. There was a moderate attendance, and the company was put through a course of knotting and splicing drill by instructors of the permanent corps.

,r, some time pant Hi* Worship th» • * (Mr. '.V. Crow Ihtsr) has been in « worthy desire to enter ir;i. o 80 with the owner of t\, Single in front of the Municipal , fy*, co aa to remove an eyesore '[''Unity of the Art Gallery and K r . t iu ''Library. During the l;i-t t»-u y ( ,,'. ( " 1 ® ffcment has lain desolate, the er »_ whiljop for kerosene and jam ting, o-| r '"-'~nci dilapidated notice board'!', n( trenci : n to dangerous pit-hole* here b>, | therelpuj,}, the public taking away tr.« voicat| o . un f Gr garden purposes. rli< \\ or-i),i >vas de'droii* of seeing the hwi fence«Hj evc iie»J, and planted with '-htubs and rlo% ) (.Q that the municipal buihlng,' might I/3 something like appropriately a ep.'.oe where could be plfc t ,| meniori:i ? the three citizen* v.h > |^ T{ blessed xv-illl their benefit>jfi,i lt that very Sir George Grey, M\ ,J. *

Mackelvie o ,] Mr. Copley. Sure timi ago the Cii.Council were uiilinpto gi^ £•250 for *p 0 the frontage, ejirmenciri" .it nothing iLorne-*trect an wining out •_'") feel at C%j r g.street, clearit? the main entrance of t» Municipal buildngs, Tin,, offer was i; entertained. Utterly Hi. Worship tii Mayor has b-:-«- wii".i:,jr to negotiate eit for « lease 4an annual rental with apurcha*ing date, or for an out-and-out trchase of thejeehold, but the financial )ropi«Al tn^'H' 1 him of £•200 a year rental, or £-T'J for the freehold, (dairy pbiced thepatter beyond further Onsideration fan his point of view a* a bu-it>--- n». so that he ha? come t) the conclula that the city must pcrfcrce endure & "tens prerented daily before the Connl -.dicers for some time longer. Of courset- laud could taken undei the Public Vfy.a Act, by giving cotnpeo'ation, but Mil is a strong oojection to corporate bodies (taking land unless a strong public neces-4 exiets for so doing. However desirable Initrht bete have the land to carry out the!' jeet above stated, it is not an urgent lb'.in noessity, consequently the public »■' be content to have their hopes deleri till a more convenient sea'on. ?

An enthusiastic meeting l« hell en Tuesday evening in the <:•::.-' 11 all, when a committee was iorr..ef_j arrange for the vi-it of the Rev. L. Ml-itt. Mr. Isilt is expected to arrive onVeine*day, August 2nd,and will o-i .. uenta series c. ( lectures 0:1 the Sunday follow*. It wa.« decide 1 to arrange f r a procei/n, general reception meeting, and vane sub-com-mittees were appointed to arpze all detail.*, and to report to adjourit meeting next Tuesday. j

The audacity of the predatol u&ng now operating hi the city and eubjb- is reach. ingaclin ix. On Tuesday #rnoon they ran through Mr. Janice (Jn.iy't residence, Itetnuera, took a em ilfarn of money and some jewellery and cV<e 1 off 'ores pi te, which was ufftrwardyur.-'l ['lamed behind a fence in the garden/1 seem" that a member of the Judge's fairy was down in the stable, and on returr.fc' to the residence noticed the door of k sister's be.iroom, which opened on thakrandah, open On going to ascertain theause he notice ! that the room had been verhau'.ei an i: seaiched, and he went frin thence to tin) dining-room, where someblate was foun i to be mis-ing. On a eearchßing madei; wa« found that 17*. 61 andsome jewei.try had been taken from Mfc Conollv's benroom, and certain articli of plate from the bedroom. The plat«wa?, as already stated, found in a sack tehind a fence in the garden, the thief ojthieves having, apparently, been disturbti during their operations. The police authorities were horrified on learning thatidings that tie light-tinkered gentry haC commenced to rob the very Judge hirasen and Chief letective Grace was despatched to Remuea to make investigations, bit, so far, he his not succeeded in discoverhg the perpetrator of this impudent robberj

The Auckhnd municipal Accounts for tie year and half-year ending Jl.=t March, 18$, show a considerable increase 111 expendture on the st-cets, to the extent of £2OCO, an increase ■«" genital revenue of £50). The debit balance on general account slide a reduction of C4OOO, 'lie debit balance now standing at £6124. In March, ISS7, die city had overrun the constable by £32,000. Of late years eatfj successive Mayor has done his best to alter this stare of affairs, and Mayor Crowther has tint been the least successful of them.

The libol om, Ward v. Smith, which ha« occupied the Judge of the Supreme Court and a special jury ior the last three day, was concluded yesteidav, the jury returning a verdict for the plaintiff for £-0.

The Mount Albert district Board have just completed a work which forms a decide'! improvement t» the New North Road where it is crossed by the Kaipara railway line. The road at this point was formerly crooked, narrow, uneven, and very much below the level of the railway, which all combine to pteventthe approach of train* being observed by those u«ing the road ; for this reason numerous accident* have occurred at thi- crossing, to the danger of life, the terror of the travelling public, and the destruction of much valuable proporty. The road has now for a considerable distance on each side of the railway been formed to its full width, made straight throughout, and level with the railway. The old stone wall* which formerly prevented the approach of trains being seen, have been removed and replaced by open wooden railing* painted white, and the drainage also thoroughly provided for. The works have been executed in a substantial manner by Mr. Knight, contractor, under the supervision of Mr. Boylan, the district engineer, and should prove a decided public benefit.

A correspondent, a resident of Kat ikati, forwards a complaint against the postal authorities as to irregularities in the delivery of trie Auckland mail* in 'lie Katikrti district. He goes on to say, "If the delay in our receipt of the Auckland mails were due to the state of the roads, this might be excused, as they are in a bad condition, owing to continuous rains, but this is not so, for the Thames-Taui antra coaches arrive safely twice a-week, proprietors, drivers, and hor.-es doing their duty well and punctually, but they sometimes bring no Auckland mail-bags. Is it not. possible to forward the Katikati - Tauranga mail so that it. will be in time for the coach leaving the Thames at six a.m. on Mondays, and Thursday* (?) As now arranged, we in Katikati do not receive Wednesday morning's Auckland letters (when the boat is late) until the following Monday evening and Saturday : and letters are delayed until Thursday evening." Our correspondent give* a per sonal illustrative instance. On inquiring at the Auckland Post-office, we find that the Katikati mails are always despatched to the Thames per steamer in ample time to catch the Thames coach, so that, the fault does not lie in Auckland. Our corre spondent had better forward his grievance to the Postmaster, Thames, the Thames being an independent postal district, and no doubt that orocei will be able to give him a satisfactory explanation.

The annual meeting of the Christian Endeavour Society of the l'onsoiiby Baptist Church was held on Tuesday evening. The report showed that i'll 14s 9.V.1 had been spent in relieving the poor ; 5016 tracts had been distributed, and the sick visiting committee hud done good work. Their late president (Rev. J. 1). Gilmore) had presented the Society with HO volumes, and they heartily welcomed their new president (Rev. A. H. Collins). A photographic group of all the members of the Society and an address was presented to Mr. J. Graham as a mark of his leadership of the first Christian Endeavour Society in New Zealand.

The twelfth of the series of weekly popular concerts, was given at the City Hall last evening. There was a very large attendance, many of the audience having to be content with standing room. The opening selections by the orchestra were efficiently rendered, and were much appreciated. Mr. A. J. Tapper was in fine voice. His two numbers " Tom Bowling," and " The Death of Nelson," were given in good style. Mr. Arthur Towsey contributed a grand organ solo. Miss Harvey sang very tastefully " Dear Heart,." and " Let Me Dream Again. Mrs. Kilgour was well received in her two songs, Beautiful May," and "Song of Sixpence." The Bogie Man," by Mr. L. Dix, evoked considerable applause. Herr Valdemar Unmack gave two song*, " The Two Grenadiers," and "Comrades," both being favourably received. Miss Jessie Glover's recitation, "The Appointment, was very nicoly given. Undoubtedly two of the best items of the evening were the " Dulcizitherophone solo," by Professor N. Over, and the violin solo by Herr Zimmerman, both gentlemen being enthußi*atic*hy encored.

It-, hbeon decided by the Victorian Govern"* that the Crown shall not for the pr< nt undertake the prosecution of Sir Mhew Davies and Mr. Millidgo, j, 0 w i recently committed for trial by the Old Jury for alleged conspiracy. Followg the precedent laid down in the Balfoccase, which was tried some eight year* ;o, and in which a true bill was found-' a grand jury, the prosecutor will he 1010 conduct the proceedings, and at the eiof the trial reasonable costs will bo allow by the Crown. Sir Matthew Daviihas been released on his own recognisjvns of £100.

Innnection with the suggestion that tho late mentable naval catastrophe was duo to a*udden derangement, of the mental facuics of the admiral in command, it may not>>e inappropriate (says tho Post) to rolp the fact that a former Governor of thicolony was once afflicted in a similar Wa He was in command of a man-of-war lyi- offQuconstown, when ii: the dead of niit he ordered the officer* to beat to nuters, and open the with shot and •Id on the town. Mis officers, however, iilrehonded the situation, and the captain V> placed under restraint, and we believe, warned for some years in seclusion, though he afterwards gained his flag, ~!' attained a high scientific position. A»ther naval commander, also formerly wi known on this station, lost his mental eqlibrium afterwards dining tho Chinese wt although, unfortunately, the fact was nodi-covered until too late to avert a semis disaster resulting from his conduct.

e would again remind those interested tin Mr. W. S. Allen, of Pinko, will deliver bhiovoning an address on current political qui ions in the lecture hall of the National Aweiation.

Jonday last was tho anniversary of the er/igomont of Koheroa, during the V'tkato campaign. The Uth Regiment, «hch was composed of young recruits for he most part, became rather unsteady at >ne part of the fight, it being their first ixperience of being brought faro to face With Mamies armed with loig-handled tomahawks, tieiieral Cameron taking off his cap called upon the young soldiers to follow him and led them to the charge with simply his riding whip in his haul. On the saniti day Captain Kings escort (of tho Royal Irish) was attacked in an ambuscade at Shepherd's Hush, and several men killed, and Ensign Bieknell wounded in the neck. Though they had onlj left Aucklan 1 the previous day, and were totally unacquainted with the countr* and Maori mode« of warfare, they stood their ground, and repulsed the native rebels. One of the ISti, on lauding from the troopship, had a presentiment that he won'.i, be killed in the first engagement, an 1 mentioned the matter to his comrades. He was one of the first men shot, in the skirmish at Shepherd's lush. Captain Ring, wl:o commanded the wort, was himself kill; 1 at the siege of Jrakau.

The girl, Edith ('anion, who swallowed match heads, and the fit! Florence Parker, who took "rough-on-r.tts,"are now regarded as out of danger .it 'he District Hospital, and arc steadily improving.

At noon yesterday, at Otahuhu, Mr. A. ". Sbaekell."Re! timing Officer, received the following nominations for one vacancy on the Otrthuhu Roil Board :—Mo.-srs. J. '.ItAdy, I. Plumley. Owen McGee, Thomas Stringer.

Our Pokeno correspondent writes :—A •oung man named ( luiiles Wood, while nit in search of gum or Mr. H. Melville's iroperty, reports rinding a human skeleton n the "cavity of a kauri tree. The bones vera quite bare, and no vestige or clothing r;is to be found. This strantre discovery kas naturally caused considerable comment imoiu; the settlers as to its identity. The matter ha- been reported to the police, and due i ivestigation will no doubt follow.

I'll- honorary secretary of the Benevolent. Society into -n- us th.it Mrs. Pritt, who made Btroi.il efforts to save the Society from di? solution, has received £5 from a gentlemen at Kerauem, wlio says he will ,'iv" jlj ore it the public will subscribe I*so. - J s the organisation is in need of fun Is, we commend this matter to the charitably disposed.

There were in the loct-up last overling three persons on charges pf drunkenness, one of them, Frank I've, a'country settler, was further charged nidi being drunk while in charge of a d-»y with two horses. When arretted lie w.s much concerned ab-uit the I-- of a gold pin, winch he ,s;■.-(.• 1 was in his tie whes ha set out in the morriig, but winch tie police could not rind oi his being searched.

Tte Wellington Io?t says:—"lt has beet noticed that so iar this session Lady Uiagow, win» was a regular attendant at ho debated ot hut session litis not upperedin the House. The reason is said to be that List year the Government House pn-ty had the use of a small gallery. This jjllery has now been extended and approHate I to the use of Legislative Councillors, -hilt- the Government Housa patty, if they .'tend now, would reqi.ire to separate, the allies Koin'-C into the gallery reserved for Ministers' wives, and the gentlemen elsewhere."

Last evening the Rev. George Xieoll. of the China Inland Mi-don, deliver-! 1 an inteiestinj.' adlre-s on " Work in China," in the Pon- i,by LLtptist SeWl-room. There was a l; *>i attendance. The Uev. A. il Collins presi led.

We understand that already preliminary arrangements are being ma le for the celebrating in October the next, anniversary of the 01 1 Colonist-.' reunion. Death is making sad havoc this winter anions the old pioneers of settlement. Since the formation of the Old Colmists' Photographic Shield by Mr. II .una, no less than live of those whose portraits appear in the shield have passe 1 away.