Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9335, 19 October 1893, Page 4

In the Tasmanian Assembly the Premier has stated that if the Government were not allowed £20,000 or £30,000 to scop the colony from drifting into financial difficulties, a dissolution must take place. The cable between Queensland and New Caledonia has been opened for the transmission of messages. Premium has been paid to re-insure the Miowera, but Mr. Huddart is sanguine of her safety. Great anxiety is felt in regard to the Matabele trouble. Marshal McMahon, the great French soldier, and M. Gounod, the eminent composer, are dead. A mob of miners on strike in Lancashire attacked free labourers who were at work preventing the flooding of a colliery. Many of the latter were severely handled, and the police, who came to the rescue, were repulsed. The Australian cricketers have beaten the Canadians. The President of Brazil has agreed to withdraw from certain positions in Rio de Janeiro if foreign powers will stop further bombardment.

We learn from Wellington that the s.s. Hinemoa will bring up to Auckland the servants of Lord Glasgow's household, the horses and baggage, about a fortnight hence. The younger sons of Lord Glasgow will stay at Government House, while the vice-regal party, with the rest of the family, go on a month's cruise to the islands of the Raratongan group. -

Dr. Laishley and Mr. E. W. Burton were passengers by the steamer yesterday from •Wellington, where they had been attending the Court of Appeal.

H.M.s. Curagoa will shortly visit this port. Haifa-dozen polo ponies are being shipped at Sydney for this port for the use of the officers on the arrival of the vessel at Auckland. His Excellency the Governor we understand has given them permission to use.the Government House stables for the accommodation of the ponies. Among the visitors in town is Mr. Hursthouse, C.IC, Road Surveyor, who has been supervising the road works between . the Porotorau tunnel, and the Ongaruhe Valley. He is en route for New Plymouth in order to see to a rotten bridge over the Waitara River ah Tikorangi, the Mokau punt, and some road work in the Mokau district.

In yesterday's paper wo stated that the Law Society had communicated with the Minister for Justice, stating that they thought a barrister should be appointed Resident Magistrate at Auckland in succession to Dr. Giles. We understand that an answer has been sent to the Law Society, stating that the appointment of Mr. Northcrofb, from the Thames, had already been made. Mr. Northcroft has had a stirring career, having served in the colonial forces in the campaigns against the rebel Maoris. He joined in Taranaki at the outset of the war of 1860, and took a prominent part, although then quite young, •in the defence of the district. He went to Wanganui with the Taranaki military settlers, and took part in the engagements incident to guerilla warfare, and rose to be sub-inspector of the Armed Constabulary, and received a commission as captain of militia. During his 16 years of military life he had been in 50 engagements. In the West Coast campaign of 1866 he performed many acts of gallantry, which are recorded in "The Defenders of New Zealand," by Lieutenant Gudgeon. After the native campaigns he was made Resident Magistrate of the Waikato district, which position he held for some time. He was also at Taupo. Latterly he has been Resident Magistrate at the Thames and Goldfields Warden.

It is rumoured that a general and special meeting of the brewing, wine and spirit, and the liquor trade generally, will be held next week, with a view of the trade selecting the candidates to be supported at the general election. The selection will not be confined to the city of Auckland election, bub is to embrace the suburban and Country electorates.

A paper has been issued by the Government, containing memoranda explanatory of the Land and Income Assessment Acta, Amendment Act, 1893. It sets forward briefly and clearly the changes made in the law by the Act of last session. « H i,

We learn that Mr. Oarlihj, of Woodville has written to the Secretary of the New Zealand Political Reform Association (Mr. H. R. Jury), givinga number of supgMtioris which he has forwarded to the Knights of Labour in Christchurch in regard to native lands:—l. That private land dealings between natives and Europeans should cease. 2. That the native lands nob required for native occupation should be converted into Crown lands, and roaded and opened for settlement with other Crown lands, by loan if necessary. 3. As an alternative Bug. gestion that Sir Robert Stout's proposal be adopted, and native lands only disposed of through the Crown Lands Department on terms, area and settlement conditions, etc., similar to' those which apply to Crown lands. 4. That the present proclamation systemshould cease,as being a dangerous abuse; and (5) that it should be made a criminal offence for anyone occupying the position of Native Minister, whose duty it is to acquire lands for the Crown, or a member of the Legislature to engage in native land transactions.

It will be seen from our obituary column that Mr. A. E„ Bird ("Sir Launcelot"), sporting writer, has died at the comparatively early age of 32, after an illness of two months, of consumption. He leaves a wife and children. Deceased was formerly sporting writer on the Canterbury Times and Weekly Press, and latterly of the Auckland Sporting Review. Mr.vßird was regarded as one of the most talented writers on turf matters in the colonies, and his untimely decease is regretted by his sporting confreres. The funeral takes place to-day, the cortege leaving the Auckland Ferry Tee at half-past two for Purewa. An inquest was held, yesterday, at Rawene, on the body of S. H. Godden, one of the victims of the late boating accident in Hokianga Harbour. An open verdict was returned. A search party is out Igoking for Constable Hogg's body, but so far has been unsuccessful ia recovering it.

So far as is at present known, the present Mayor of Parnell, Mr. John McCabe, is likely to be returned to office unopposed. It is a compliment which he well deserves. During his two terms in the Mayoral office he has performed his duties in a most conscientious and praiseworthy manner, and has given general satisfaction to the burgesses.

The usual meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, was held yesterday afternoon, at the Young Men's Christian Association. A good deal oi routine business was done. Owing tc recent accessions of new members, and increased interest taken in temperance reform, the meetings wilt be he'd weekly instead of fortnightly in future, It is contemplated also to get suitable "speaters to give short addresses on topics of tht day for the education of the women' ii the " burning questions." Reference wis also made at the meeting to the Worlds Convention cf the Women's Christian Tenperance £Tnion, now being hold in Chicago. j

The City Engineers hell their weekly drill at the Drill shed last .light under the command of Major Anderson. There was an excellent attendance, slowing that the members are manifesting a great deal ot interest in the course of instruction now being imparted to them by the non-com-missioned officers of the Permanent Force. The squad for engineering drill, knotting and splicing, and the use of ropes generally in engineering work, was unusually large, and there was also a god attendance of the squad for signalling irill. In both a. fair amount of proficiensy was shown. After a lecture the company fell in, and was put through a course of instruction in independent and volley firing by Major Anderson. There was also a good muster of the younger members of the Ponsonby Naval Artillery recruit drill under P.O. Spinley, who was assisted by SergeantMajor Scully of the staff. The sitting of the Police Court yesterday occupied the whole of the, day. Two offenders for drunkenness were mulcted in the usual penalty. Arthur Lloyd, a resident of Waikomiti, was chargod with having used threatening language -.owards William Appleton. The hearing of the case occupied two hours, and the case was dismissed. The remainder of the day was taken up with the hearing of the charges against James Ferguson Morrison of alleged forgery and false pretences. The accused was committed for .trial on all the charges, bail being allowed, in his own recognisances £20, and two sureties of £10 each. Dr. Giles, R.M., presided. " • "' The annual soiree in connection with the Newmarket Wesleyan Church took place last evening. There was a large attendance. Tea was served at half-past six, the well-set tables being ably presided over by Mesdames Hamblin, French, Adlington, Gilmore, Frost, Mulvey, and Hogg. At the after meeting Mr. J. L. Wilson presided. The reports submitted by the secretary (Mr. H. W. Young) showed all branches of work in connection with the church to be in a very sound condition. The report of the treasurer stated that th« receipts of the trust fund of the church for the year were £43 5s 2d, and the expenditure £44 13s 4d. The present debt on the church was £310 12s 6d, of which £250 was on mortgage, and the balance, £60 12s 6d, was due to the loan fund. During the evening three anthems were rendered by the choir. Miss Stone sang "Angels Ever Bright and Fair," and Mr. E. Young gave " Nazereth." Addresses were also given by the Kevß. Mr. Best and Mr. Serpell. The catering of Mr. G. Kent, of Newmarket, was of the best.

The art union gathering in respect to the beautiful sets of flower pictures prepared and painted by Mrs. G. B. Hetley took place last nighb at St. Sepulchre's Schoolroom. The function was made most attractive. The pictures, 100 of which were prizes, were placed around the walls, the principal pictures occupying the main hall; others, handsomely framed, being displayed in the wings of the chancel. Th< artistic beauty, delicacy of colouring, and tracery and truth to nature observable in all, from the smallest sketch to the largest picture, betokened careful study and artistic genius devoted to the study of flowers. Apart from what may be called the principal prizes— the framed pictures were two features which attracted great attention. One of these was quite a gallery of studies of New Zealand wild flowers, and another a similar display ol New South Wales flora. Musical selections were given during the evening, and the drawing was carried out in the usual manner. The attendance was no., large, but a very considerable number of f'ekets was disposed of.

. The vast audience which crowded the City Hall in every pare last night demonstrates unmistakably that the People's Wednesday Might Concerts, under th« management of Mr. John Fuller, are far from losing their popularity. The programme was a first-class and well-selected one, comprising songs and instrumental selections, by some of Auckland's most popular singers and musicians. Mr. Fuller made a fine impression by his singing of the " Death of Nelson," and was equally successful in his rendering of "Tell Me, Mary, How to Woo Thee." He also sang " Love and War" with Mr. A. S. Reid, and "The Moon has Raised" with Mr. Percy Dufaur, both of which items were well received. In his rendering of " The Skipper's Flag" and' " Will-o'-the Wisp" Mr. Percy Dufaur was heard to great advantage, and was heartily applauded, and Miss Clarice Brabazon's pianoforte pieces gave the greatest satisfaction. The other singers were Miss Nita Garton, Miss Katis Fitzpatrick, and Mr. A. S. Reid, all of whom received well-merited applause for their contributions ; while the recitations of Mr. A. Smith were of an unusually high order of merit. The concert as a whole was a brilliant success.

For some time pass Mr. Monty Brown, well known as a theatrical agent and manager for " stars," has been in Auckland, .making preparations for the New Zealand tour of Miss Dargon, whose name is well known as a tragedienne and elocutionist. The lady named arrived in Auckland by the s.s. Tarawera, and is at present staying at the Grand Hotel. Miss Dargon will g»' B two performances in the Opera House on the 26th and 27th instant, but she has generously offered to give a third, in aid ol the Irish National Federation. At the lecture given by Mr. McAlister on Monday, oyer which the Hon. J. A. Tole presided, Mr. Monty Brown, on behalf of Mi« Dargon, presented a subscription of £2 2s to the fund, and he also on her behalf offered to give the entertainment for the same object. " i V\' : \ . The "working bee" at Birkenhead in connection with the repairs necessitated by the recent Birkenhead i landslip has been very successful, and substantial aid »»• been afforded in widening the road.