THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1893.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9394, 28 December 1893, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1893.

We are sorry that Mr. Wright, one of the representatives of the Ponsonby Ward in the City Council, has seen fit to resign his position as a protest against the increases of salary made at the last meeting. The increases were as follow :— The valuer was raised from £175 to £200 ; the city engineer from £350 to £400 ; the assistant librarians at the Free Library from £52 to £75 ; the attendant at the Art Gallery from £50 to £75. Th© total of the increases was thus £146, not a very large amount. We need not express any opinion about the changes. At one time the city engineer had £600 a-year, and when a storm of retrenchment came he was reduced to £350. There is certainly not much doing in the way of new works and contracts ; we have to be content with simply keeping the streets in repair. But certainly a man who is a skilled engineer, having charge of all works in the city, ought to be worth £400 a year. In regard to the assistant librarians at the Art Gallery, it must be kept in mind by members of the City Council that the Municipal rates do not bear the burden of their salaries. The time of these ladies is occupied in great part in attending to the lending department of the library, from which a considerable amount is derived in subscriptions. As for the Free Library itself, it must be kepi in mind that the rate is aided by a much larger amount derived from the Costley fund. The Free Library altogether is a very small burden on the city funds, and we may mention that the salaries paid in connection with it are not nearly so large as those paid at Wellington, where they have no such assistance as our Council derives from the Costley fund. But in any case, even if all the increases agreed to had been quite iildefensible, we do not see that Mr Wright was called upon to resign. If he made his protest at the meeting, and voted against the increases, he did his duty. If he finds that an extravagant spirit is gaining ground amongst the Councillors, he should remain in, in order to check that spirit whenever possible. The only effect of his resignation will be to entail another election upon the citizens, which is in itself a cause of some expense.

Probably few people will care about being troubled much with political matters till we are fairly into the new year, and even then not much will be said till we are much nearer the next session of Parliament. There is no question that the general election accepted the legislation of the present Government, and there is no disposition on the part of any party or individuals to attempt to go back upon it. But that is a different affair to having all the members pledged to support the Seddon Government in all that it has proposed, and to all the acts of administration that are now threatened. At the beginning of next session those who are disposed to be thorough-going Government supporters will find themselves in a somewhat different position from that which they occupied last session, and so consequently, will the members who are not willing to : follow Ministers wherever they may ! choose to go. We understand that some correspondence lias taken place between members who are likely to be opposed to the Government, and that it is the intention not to attempt to formulate any programme for the present, but to I wait till the House meets, It is believed j that a considerable number of members | who stood as Liberals will not be content to follow Mr. Seddon in the measures which the Government are likely to take up. There will probably be a strenuous opposition in regard to the scheme proposed of borrowing money in London to be lent out again to persons in the colony. It is felt that , that would be a dangerous power to give t© any Government, and that in especial the present Administration S would use it for strictly party or personal purposes. The money would be so much added to the liabilities of the colony. The transaction would amount to this, that those who wanted money for their enterprises would obtain it by virtually pledging the credit of those who did not want it. If the Government obtained, say, a million in this way, it would be equivalent to entrusting them with that sum to do what they liked with. They would have it far more uncontrolled than ordinary loan funds, which are spent according to the schedule of an Act of Paliament. But money borrowed to be lent out to private individuals would simply be at the discretion of the Ministry. The colony could not possibly gain from the transaction, and it might seriously lose. It would be extremely difficult for the colony to recover the money in case of default. If, say, £1000 were lent to a Ministerial supporter, and it were found that he could not repay, of course the colony would have to bear the loss. But neither on this nor on any other subject, has an.v definite agreement been come to. We understand that it is expected that Mr. George Hutchison, who was elected for Patea by a large majority, and who has proved himself one of the ablest men in the House, will take an active part in opposition to the objectionable and dangerous points of Mr. Seddon's policy.

The remarks made by the Hon. Mr. Mclntyre, one of the Victorian Ministers, who visited New Zealand a few days ago, ought to be exceedingly encouraging in regard to the project of testing the deep levels in this colony. Mr. Mclntyre, we may mention, has long been connected with mining in Victoria, and has held interests in the Bendigo district for a considerable time. He said that as a general rule, " Wherever rich deposits of gold had been found on the surface in Bendigo, even richer deposits had been found at the deep levels." To get at these rich deposits, however, a considerable depth of barren rock had to be gone through. Mr. Mclntyre said that where gold in large quantities, such as had been procured in the Caledonian near the surface, existed, " there was sure to be wealth down below." At Bendigo there were 3500 to 4000 miners, and £80,000 of gold was produced monthly, nearly all from the deep levels. This very satisfactory result has been reached by a combination of Government aid and private enterprise, and ought to encourage similar action here. There is good reason for thinking that in our case we should not have to penetrate through such a deptli of barren rock as they have had to do in Victoria. At the greatest depths to which sinking had been carried at the Thames, the reefs still carried gold, and at any time the rich deposits of the upper levels might again be encountered. It is evident that some step must be taken in regard to the Thames, if the field is to be kept alive, because each year shows a considerable falling off. Ln 1891, the yield was 23,8670z 5 valued at £95,069, while in 1892 it was 19,8800z, valued at £79,318, showing a falling off of £15,751. During 1893, the falling oft* in the returns from the Thames proper lias continued. The total produce from the whole district shows a considerable increase, but this is owing to the large increase from the workings in the Upper Thames. We presume that before the House meets, the Government will have obtained a report from a skilled and disinterested person, familiar with the details of the deep sinking operations in Victoria and Queensland, and that those interested in the Thames will be prepared with a scheme on their account. These deep levels must be tested, and it is well that this should be done now. If the field were virtually abandoned, and the works completely closed up, a generation might elapse before systematic operations could be resumed. All parties interested ought to endeavour to obviate that.

The Anarchists are displaying great activity. It is believed from what has occurred on Atlantic steamers that they are attempting to destroy the great liners plying between Liverpool and New York. The perpetrators of the outrage ab Barcelona have been discovered. Socialist riots are reported from Amsterdam while in Sicily there have been serious and fatal conflicts between the mob and the police. According to the latest reports -South Africa the Matabeles hare been thoroughly subjugated, and King Lobengula is a hopeless fugitive. There is great anxiety as to the safety of the detachmeub under Captain Wilson which was reported to have been defeated by the natives. The attitude of the natives in the neighbourhood of Massowah has become so threatening that Italy has decided to send military reinforcements to the locality. The clanger to which England is exposed by being an isolated power is called attention to by Sir Charles Dilke, who points oub thai; a hostile coalition may be formed in Europe against England in which case her position would be exceedingly critical. The reported capture of Rio de Janeiro is denied by the Brazilian Legation in London. The Pope is apparently anxious to acb as a mediator in European affairs, and is using all his influence to preserve peace. He is sincerely desirous of averting the longexpected war, and occupying the unique position that he does, he is probably better able than any man living bo acb as a pacific mediator. Bub we have no hope that the Pope will be able to accomplish the end he has in view.

The Herald Monthly Summary, for transmission by the next outward San Francisco mail, will be published tomorrow (Friday) Those desirous of forwarding the summary to their friends in. Europe, America, etc., will have ample time to do so, as the newspaper mail closes on Saturday next, afc halfpasb eleven a.m., up bo which hour orders for mailing the summary will also be received at the Publishing: Office, Queen-street. This mail will be due ia London, on Wednesday, 31sb January.

Th 4 Auckland Racing Club's Samtasr Meeting oqromencedat Elleralieon Tuesday, and as usual attracted a very large attendance, iver 6000 persons being present. The wjnneiof the Cup was once again supplied by Major George, whose three-year-old colt, Ptgasas, moat unexpectedly got home first, '.The victory of Major George's colours was received with much enthusiasm. A full report of the meeting appears in another part of this issue.

During the trotting and pony races M Potter's Piddook yesterday a large number of connaissieurs and experts took the opportunity of inspecting the 16 thoroughbred trotting horses brought over by Mr. S. Hordern, of Sydnsy, for sale. They are, no doubt,' grandly proportioned animals, the. picture of - health and symmetry, and their sale by Messrs. Hunter and Nolan ab Potter's Paddock tomorrow will no doubb attract a large amount of attention. They are by splendid sire}, and now that trotting has taken a fast hMd in New Zealand as one of the most popular styles of racing, the importation of such stock must prove to be of interest io all concerned in the I promotion of this class of sports.

A very old subscriber writes as follows :— "In sending for the usual number of your Christmas supplement to the Weekl* News for sending home, allow me to co ngratu late you upoi, the admirable manner in which you have gob it up. I consider it; in fact a marvellous sixpenny worth— picture by Watkin alone, is worth far more than the money aid is a splendid specimen of the lithographer's art."

At the Ellerslie Station platform, at the close of the day's races on Boxing Day, there was a great rush for the trains, and a lot of reckless crushing and pushing of women about; in the crowd, without the slightest excuse for such conduct. When the police had let as many as they thought would till the first train get through the barrier to the platform they closed the exits. Th a " those inside, in rear of the crowd in the roadway, commenced to press those in front against the barriers, amongst whom were a number of women. A somewhat similar struggle took place on the platform, one woman had her purse, and another woman her satchel torn from her in the melee, and both were picked up by the police on the platform. Some rushed the guard's van, so that he could not use the brake. He vainly endeavoured to get any of them to go out, and at last appealed to the police. Their request to the people to come out was equally disregarded, accompanied by a good deal of insulting language, so Sergeant Gamble forcibly ejected as many as were needed to vacate the van so that the guard could get at and have elbow room sufficient to use the bra'te. A little self-restraint and a less exhibition of reckless selfishness would have enabled everybody at the races to gee home com ('ortably and safely.

Yesterday forenoon Mr. W. I. Robinson, drawing master, was riding past the Mount Eden and Epsom Club's tennis green, when a cyclist going along the road on hia bicycle appeared to startle the horse, and Mr. Kobinson got thrown from the animal, and lay for some time unconscious, besides it is stated having some of his fingers dislocated. He was taken to the Hospital on recovering consciousness for treatment. On inquiring at the Hospital last night, our reporter was informed by the official on duty that she did not know what Mr. Robinson's injuries were, and was unable to ascertain them, but on further investigation she found he had left the Hospieal.

A boy named Richard Nicholls, sou of Mr. William Nicholls, milkman, Otahihu, gob his leg broken on Tuesday ever.ing, while on horseback, by coming into collision with a 'bus in the Kyber Pass Road. The following are the particulars: — Young Nicholls had been sent to Auckland in the morning on business by his father, with strict injunctions to be home that evening. He was riding down the Kyber Pass about seven p.m., when in the crowd of vehicles corning from the Ellerslie races he came into collision with a 'bus. The 'bus struck the lad on the leg, breaking it above the ankle, and knocking him off the horse. He was taken first to Dr. Girdler's residence, where his injuries were 'attended to, and then removed bo the Hospital in a trap by Mr. James Patterson, of Kingsland, who also took charge of the lad's horse till it was claimed. No intimation of the accident, the police authorities state, was given them from the Hospital by the officials, or to Constable Hinton, of Eden Terrace, though both police stations are on the telephone system, when they could have telephoned to theOtahuhu police station, and relieved the anxiety of Mr. Nicholls at the non-return of his son home. The first they knew of the accident was yesterday afternoon from "the man in the street," and Constable Hinton was then despatched to make enquiries.

The ordinary meeting of the Newton Borough Council was held last evening, when there were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. T. English), and Messrs. Shackelford, McMaster, Porter, Devouporfc, Webley, Donald, and Warnock. An application for the renewal of their slaughterhouse licenses was received from Messrs. R. and W. Hellaby, for their premises at Richmond. The Council granted the renewal. Permission was given to Mr. J. B. Somerset to fence in portion of the Surrey Hills Estate, provided that four gates, as shown in the plan, were erected, and thab the other side of Tennyson - street was fenced ; the work to be done to the satisfaction of the Council. Some discussion took place regarding unlicensed plumbers being employed to connect any house with the water main, a complaint having been received from the town clerk thab Mr. Whisker, of Newmarket, had committed a breach of the by-laws by connecting a house in Princeps-streeb. lb was decided to request Mr. Whisker to take out a license, and failing to do so, thab legal proceedings be taken. Mr. R. Salmon was granted a slaughterhouse license on payment of the aum of £12 10s.

A very plucky rescue from drowning was effected at Onehunga on Christmas morning by Mr. A. Hunt, who at considerable risk to himself jumped off the Mangere Bridge into a big current, and picked out a lad named Bray who had fallen in. The boy had sunk from view, when Mr. Hunt came upon the scene, but without pausing to divest himself of any of his clothing, that gentleman plunged in, and succeeded in bringing the lad to land. The bystanders thought the Humane Society should take some notice of this gallant act.

The quarterly meeting of the New Zealand Educational Institute will be held tomorrow ab 10.30 a.m. ab the Y.MC.A. Rooms. The s.s. Invincible has been engaged for an excursion round the islands of the gulf, to start ab two o'clock in the afbernoon. „

At the Onehunga Police Court yesberday, Catherine Morton, a girl of fourteen years of age, was charged with breaking into the shop of Mary Holt Moody, and stealing therefrom one lace collar,, valued at Is 6d, on Christmas morning. The father was present in Court, and admitted his child's guilt. Mr. Bush, R.M., cautioned the girl and discharged her, remarking at the same time that her father should make reparation.

A special meeting of the Board of Education was held on Wednesday morning, for the purpose of holding an inquiry and takiug evidence with regard to the charges made by the assistant teacher of the Devenporb school against Mr. Alfred Benge, headmaster, in connection with the late standard examinations. There was a. full attendance of members. Mr. Thomas Cotter appeared "on behalf of Mr!" Benge, and Mr. Hugh Campbell for Mr. Johnson Selby. Mr. Cotter asked for an adjournment an account of his client being unable to bo present owing to ill-health. A doctor's certificate was handed in to the Board. After a shorb discussion, the Board decided to adjourn the inquiry until the '25th January.

Mr. T. Allen, of Mount Albert, who has been on a trip to Europe, was a passenger by the -Wairarapa last evening, having arrived in Australia by the Arcadia. Mr. Allen has been absent for aboub nine months.

The date of entry for the Auckland Swimming Club Championship Meeting has been exbended to Saturday nexb, and entries for the 75 yards handicap for public schools boys and secondary school pupils are also receivable on same date, at) the Albert-street baths.

Yesterday Mr. Donald Robs received a letter from Captain McKenzie, of the brigantine Eillan Donan, from Noumea, statin? that while discharging her cargo of coal from Newcastle at that port, the boatswain, George Hansen, was instantly killed by falling into the hold of the vessel. #o one was on deck at the time, the crew being at dinner, and it is surmised that the accident was caused by Hansen receiving a sunstroke.

It will be seen from our obituary column that Mr. John Lees, the son of the late Mr. Thomas Lees, one of the first settlers of Hamilton, Waikato, has passed away at the early age of 23, of consumption, at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. Herbert Rose, Victoria Avenue, Mount Eden. His illness was a lengthy one, and borne with resignation. Deceased's remains were conveyed on Wednesday by rail to Hamilton to be. interred in the Hamilton cemetery, where some of the other members of the family have found a last resting place.

Yesterday Mr. .7, Galbraith, son of Captain Galbraith, chief pilot at Lyttelton, was married to Mis? Ferguson, daughter of Mr. Ferguson, Inspector of Factories, Auckland. Mr. Galbraith is connected with the shipping department, Lyttelton. and in consequence the s.s. Mamari and the ship Waitnngi, now in port, displayed their bunting in honour of the event. Mr. and Mrs. Galbraith leave to-day for Lyttelton.

The Government are calling for fresh tenders for the purchase of the s.s. Stella. Printed particulars are lying in the longroom, shipping office, and other offices of the Customs, the Collector of Customs having full information on hand for enquirers.

The business at the Police Court yesterday morning was speedily despatched. The first offenders for drunkenness were dismissed with a caution. Two charges of a similar nature against two men, at present inmates of the Hospital, were further adjourned. Mr. E. F. Rich presided.

A deputation of ratepayers waited yesterday upon Mr. K. Tuuehope, plumber, Franklin Road, to ask him to stand for the Boat in the Ponsonby ward rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. C. S. V\ right. Mr. Tudahope acceded to their request.

Yesterday a gumdigger named Francis Smith, reported at the Auckland police Station thai while gumditrging on the previous day up Hellyer's Creek, and half-a-mile in the bush, he found some human remains, apparently the decaying skeleton of a man. The remains appeared to have been where found for some considerable time. '1 he water police go up in their boat to morrow to investigate the circumstances, and bring the remains to town.

At the church of the Sacred Heart, Ponsonby, the services on Christmas Day were at 7.30, S. and 10 a.m., Father Gillan being the celebrant at each mass. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr. W. Baxter, performed Guilmant's Mass with full orchestral accompaniment, Miss Tolo presiding ac the organ. The decorations were very beautiful this year. Three arches worked in evergreens were erected in the front of the sanctuary. The words li Et Vtrbuni Carum Factum Est " were tastefully worked in white letters on red silk, which was draped across the large centre arch ; while in the two smaller arches were the words of the Christmas hymn, " Vcnite Adonmas." The arches, lettering, etc., were designed and worked by Sir. R. Mahoney. assisted by Mr. P. Harkins and others. The- interior of the sanctuary (which was very effective) was decorated.by Miss To'.e, assisted by -Miss Darby. In the evening during the procession of the Blessed Sacrament the sanctuary presented a most beautiful appearance.

Our Clevedon correspondent writes : — On Wednesday, the "JOth December, at one p.m., a wedding was solemnised at the residence of Mr. Hugh Sutherland, of this place. The bride was Miss Jessie Ferguson Sutherland, the eldest, daughter of Mr. U. Sutherland. The bridegroom was Mr. John Matheson, the only son of Mr. James Matheson. one of the pioneer settlers of this district. The bridesmaids were the two sisters of the bride, Misses Mary and Annie Sutherland, who were dressed—the one in cream and the other in blue. The groomsman was Mr. James Wilson. The bride looked very protry 'attired in ivorycoloured cashmere, trimmed with silver braid, and wreath and veil to match. The Rev. Thomas Norrie performed the marriage service in a most impressive manner. Afier the service the; guests, over 60 in number, adjourned to one of the out-, buildings, which was very nicely decorated with flag:) and evergreens, and appropriate mottoes for the occasion, and a sumptuous wedding breakfast was partaken of, and the usual toasts proposed and responded to. At four p.m. the happy couple left for their honeymoon, amidst the usual showers of rice "from their friends. At night there was an excellent dance, at which the numerous guests enjoyed themselves.— [Own Correspondent.]

Our Whakapiran (Pahi East) correspondent writes :—lt is with regret I have to record a rather serious accident which befell one of our must highly-respected and widely-known settlers, Mr. H. McMurdo. It appears Mr. McMurdo was superintending the erection of a wire and paling fence, when, having occasion to handle some wire, he by some mischance strained his back severely, and had to be assisted to his residence, where he was speedily attended to by Dr. Mountaine, who hopes, with care, to have hint about again in a week or two. Mr. McMm-do has the sympathy of a very large number of friends and acquaintances in his trouble, which all hope will be of short duration.

It is pleasing to find that the poor and needy are not, forgotten at this time of festivity. The Helping Hand Mission have distributed quite a quantity of creature comforts to our less fortunate neighbours, while the sunshine committee of the Y.P.S.C.E. entertained to a good dinner of roast beef, plum pudding, etc., EOine eighty poor folks. They desire to thank all who bo kindly assisted them by gifts, etc., including Messrs. Parkinson, Knight, liellaby, Lewis, Aspinall, Sty<:h, and London and Auckland dairies. The tent mission services conducted by the Helping Hand Mission the last two holiday seasons are to be held this year as usual, and will commence this evening. Various well known ministers and laymen are to speak, while a strong choir will lead the singing. These meetings have been productive of much good in the past, and successful gatherings are anticipated. Country folk are specially invited.

The Melbourne Argus of December 11, has the following :—" An opinion exists in both Melbourne and Sydney that the time has now arrived at which a reduction in bank rates might reasonably be expected. And, indeed, ho far as discounts arc in question, a reduction is really in progress, notwithstanding official quotations. For instance, first-class mercantile paper, having not more than three months to run, haa been done at 6 per cent., although it is hardly necessary to add that this rate would not be conceded for the bulk of the (taper usually offered for discount. The banks are steadily improving their position so far as available resources are concerned, and they are really in want of safe outlets for the employment of money. Their opportunities are circumscribed. There is no room for the employment of money for mortgage purposes while the intrinsic value of real property continue to be uncertain, and the business of advancing upon Stock Exchange securities is dead. There is only mercantile business left in which to reemploy banking funds, and this business does not furnish half the outlet in the way of trading overdrafts and discounts that it did three or four years ago. Hence, with the lock-up of banking liabilities occasioned by the re-constructions, and with the absolute disappearance of unrest regarding the banks which did not reconstruct, insufficient opportunities are offering themselves to the banks. In short, the banks are finding themselves over-capitalised. Up to a certain point some competition for good- business may be expected, and when the field is exhausted the banks will find it to their advantage to release more of the locked-np deposits in order to save themselves interest, for it would be wasteful to pay for the use of large funds which cannot be profitably used. The whole question of the release of deposits is, however, mainly one for the banks themselves, and they will doubtless prefer to act with deliberation. But the outlook is that before long not only will bank rates become easier, but that progress will be made in the direction of releasing a portion of the funds locked up in consequence of the events of April and May last." "