OUR LETTER HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10036, 24 January 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR LETTER HOME.

THE pause in business a,ul m alknd of labour and enterprise winch take ; ace in the colonies in consequence the Christmas holidays, is much me emphatic and prolonged than in England These holidays occur here a the middle of summer, when everybody for a rest from labour, and far picnics, and country excursions II whole population sets itself eagerly or Enjoyment, and little is done in the way of absolute work till the hew Year has fairly commenced All*oik is stormed in the mines, timoei felling in the forests is suspended, At of the men empg* ft these occupations £"> tliun selves a week in town for lecie ioVand enjoyment. Dunn, the Wdays, Auckland was especially bribk. Theyear. especially the latter half of it, ha S Ln a Wl one for the working classes. A large number of men have been employed the goldhelds, while the timber trade has been very busy. A large amount of retail business was done ... town, owing to the number of strangers present. Altogether this part of the colony at all events, has commenced the year 1896 under very fair auspices, and with the prospect of prosperity. , . , The chief interest during the month has been fixed, not upon our concerns in the colouies but upon the startling news which we have received day bv day by the cable. The difference with the United States about Venezuela, the threatening aspect of the Eastern question, the occurrences in the Transvaal, with the position taken up by the Emperor of Germany, have all conspired to direct our attention rather to the position of the Empire. We are unanimous in our sympathy with Great Britain, and we rejoice to believe that its destinies are in the hands of competent men, who, without braggadocio are determined to maintain the position and the lights of the Empire. Deep regret was felt throughout New Zealand that our Premier did not join in the telegram tient to England in respect to the attitude of Great Britain. Mr. ISeddon has publicly expressed himself to the same effect as the telegram sent by the Premier of New South Wales, and at a meeting held in Auckland to establish a branch of the Navy League, a resolution was passed, commending the position which Lord Salisbury has taken up. Mr. Seddon has made a public statement to the effect that our defences are complete and efficient. All the principal ports are defended by efficient batteries manned by competent artillerymen, while torpedos are sunk in the channels. There is also at each place a torpedo corps with boats and all the necessary apparatus for effective working. This is backed by a volunteer force of considerable numbers and efficiency. His Excellency the Governor has spent the holiday season in making a tour of the colony, during which he has been cordially received both by the Maoris and Europeans. He left Wellington with Lady Glasgow and family in the Hiuemoa, and after calling at the Manukau, and making a short visit to Auckland, they went on to Hokianga. Some stay was made there and in the neighbouring districts, which are of great interest as having been the scene of the earliest labours of the Christian missions, and also of the first conflicts between British troops and the Maoris. His Excellency then came on to Auckland, and after a few days, stay left again for Tauranga. Here he landed, and made an examination of the site of the fight at the Gate Pa. He was conducted over this by an old native, who was one of the defenders of the pa against General Cameron and his forces, and who, on that occasion was the hero of an incident which has passed into history. Colonel Booth, of the 43rd Regiment, who led the assault, was severely wounded, and fell inside the Maori fortifications. The assaulting party was repulsed with great slaughter, but the pa remained surrounded by our troops. Colonel Booth lay in great agony from thirst caused by loss of blood, and one of the natives, at the peril of his life, crept through between our.sentries and obtained at a small stream a calabash full of water for the wounded officer. When the troops entered the pa in the morning they found Colonel Booth still alive, with the water beside him, and having been made as comfortable as possible by the natives. He had his watch and all his valuables upon him. The incidentformed the subject of a picture issued with the Christmas number of the Auckland Weekly News. After leaving Tauranga, His Excellency went on to the South, and is now making a tour of the Otago lakes. He is to open the session of the Australasian Medical Conference, which is this year to sit at Dunedin.

Ministers have held various Cabinet meetings at Wellington. It has already been stated that Sir Patrick Buckley hid been appointed to .he vacancy on the bench caused by the death of Mr. Justice Richmond. During the month, Mr. W. P. Reeves, Minister of Labour, has been formally appointed as AgentGeneral, in succession to Sir Westby Perceval. Mr. Reeves is now on his way to London, having represented the colony in Australia at a conference held to give a decision on the part of the Australian colonies as to the route of the Pacific cable" The Hon. Mr. Cadman, Minister of Mines, has spent the holidays in the North, and is now on a visit to thegoldiields district. The decision of the Hon. E. Blake, the arbitrator in the Midland Railway case, was given on December 30, and is •wholly in favour of the colony. This judgment of an impartial arbitrator, after having the whole case fully and ably placed before him, has given great satisfaction in the colony, as there has been something like an attempt made in England to represent the company as having been grossly wronged, and in fact defrauded, by the Government of New Zealand. It was made to appear as if the company had been induced to go into the undertaking for the construction of the railway by misrepresentation that the Government had endeavoured to be sharp with them at all points; that the Government had committed several gross breaches of faith, and at last had seized the railway, and finally prevented the company from having any chance of getting out of the undertaking without great loss. The language used at some of the meetings of the company in London was most abusive, and was calculated to do the colony considerable -harm. All the representations made were readily enough believed. The colony has no good name to spare. Our reputation has been » good deal shaken of late, by statements wade in London, and by the vagaries °f our Socialistic legislation. But in regard to the Midland Railway our conscience is clear. We • have been foolish from the first, and the colony '•as lost enormously by the project. «ut we have not behaved unfairly or unjustly. The company is, by Mr. Makes award, not entitled to any damages, the seizure of the line was justified, the company have been guilty of un•reasonable delay, and there has been a wiltul breach oi contract on the Dart of Ue company. We m Qn j y s j y

we liopo there will be no further litigation or arbitration proceedings. Ministers ought to do their utmost to obviate these. They should recollect that loss to the company means loss to shareholders who subscribed their money in good faith, and who are not to blame even for the mistakes of their directors, and certainly not for the circumstances which have caused the project to turn out badly. It should be remembered, too, that many of the shareholders of the Midland Railway Company are otherwise interested in the colony. Both parties ought now to seek for the best possible arrangement in the circumstances. Mr. Salt, the chairman of the company, lias, in an interview with a reporter of the New Zealand Herald, raised the questiou of the position of the debenture-holders with regard to the Government. We can only say that we hope such an arrangement will be come to as will obviate further loss or waste of money in litigation. The Cable Conference which met at Sydney, and at which all the colonies were represented, was for the purpose of appointing two representatives to a Conference to be held at London, and at which the Imperial Government, Canada, and these colonies will be represented, and which will determine all things connected with the Pacific cable. It was agreed that the AgentsGenerals for Victoria and New bouth Wales should represent the colonies of Australasia, and that the route of the cable should be from Vancouver to Fanning Island, then to Fiji, then to Norfolk Island, where it should fork, one branch going to Brisbane (Queensland), and the other touching the northern point of New Zealand. There were several routes proposed, all having certain recommendations. It lias from the first been considered of great importance that the line should not touch land except on British territory, and recent events have made it evident that that condition was imperative. The advantages of such an arrangement are great in every way. In case of war, for instauce, the likelihood is, that the other cable, going through many different countries, would be interrupted at some point. With a Pacific cable, Great Britain would be able to maintain communication with this part of the world, while foreign powers would be cut of! This would give England an absolutely overwhelming advantage n case of any warlike operations. At a meeting held in the offices of the Harbour Board it was resolved to form a branch of the Navy League. We know that it is public sentiment and the public voice that dominates questions of this sort, and we know that there is at this hour a singular sensitiveness in home circles, including the governing circles, as to the sentiments ruling in the colonies. We feel confident that that little incident in Melbourne, in which in an hour of Imperial crisis the street crowd made the German band play "Rule Britannia," has flashed through millions of hearts at home and set them tingling at the thought of the loyalty of the colonies and their readiness to do or die with England. And we feel sure that that message from the Premier of New South Wales to Lord Salisbury j commending and thanking him in the name of the Australian colonies for his firmness in maintaining the interests of the Empire, has stirred manly British feeling from one end of the Kingdom to the other. And we feel just as confident. that nothing could more graphically show to the people of the Mother Country, governing or governed, our sense of the oneness of our fates and fortunes with their own, than the knowledge that we are forming leagues in concert with the Navy League at home, under the conviction that the destinies of the whole British people depend upon the maintenance of the command of the sea. That this will stimulate the movement to press forward the building of warships, there can be no doubt; while, apart from this, the movement will act on our Government so as to prevent any more falling into indifference regarding our own defences, as our share in the defensive operations of the Empire. Anything that can stimulate the patriotic and national aud loyal spirit of the community, is at this hour the duty of every good man. When we know that it is the command of the sea that has given to the British Empire its extraordinary expansion, that has opened the oceans aud shores of the globe to our commerce, that has given us the Australasian colonies unpressed auywhere by the foot of foreign ruler, that lias made South Africa British instead of French or Dutch, that has set the English tongue and British influences to go on conquering and to conquer, that has wholly given its standing and stability to the British Empire, while without it, or through its defeat, "the whole fabric of Empire, and with that the prosperity of all classes of our people will vanish like a palace in a dream"—no one that values what we have and what we are, should hold aside from anything that may contribute to the maintenance of the British power at sea.- The Navy League in keeping the navy question vividly before the minds of _ all can render invaluable service to this end. The despatch of Mr. Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, in regard to British trade with the colonies, was received by last mail, and has been published in every newspaper. Mr. Chamberlain lias no idea, we believe, of attempting to get American and German goods excluded from colonial markets by any fiscal expedient, involving differential duties. That would be a difficult thing to manage, even if the colonies were willing to make the necessary changes in their tariffs. It has been suggested in England that the scope of the inquiry should be extended so as to include an account of the quantity of colonial produce taken by those foreign countries which most largely supply us. Mr. Chamberlain lias not, however, taken steps iu this direction, and probably he will be able to obtain the information otherwise. Where foreign countries take colonial products in any quantity, it is only natural to expect that in the mere course of convenient trade we should take their manufactures to a corresponding extent. Trade always makes an effort to became exchange of products. For instance, we understand that Germany takes considerable quantities of our wool, kauri gum, and other productions, levying no duty upon them. Our total export of kauri gum last year was 7995 tons, and of this we shipped direct to America 4184 tons, or considerably more than half. Mr. Chamberlain's effort is to see precisely how the trade stands. It is believed that British manufacturers have in many " lines" lost the colonial markets because they have not adapted themselves to colonial requirements. British manufacturers must be alert, and must keep themselves in touch with the colonies. When the cable message was received stating that Mr. Chamberlain intended to issue this despatch, one of our staff went through some of the wholesale warehouses in Auckland, and satisfied himself that the preference given to American and German goods in. several departments was due to the greater excellence, and especially -to the greater■ adaptability of fci9^Sß r ßvticl#i: twJ?, j

Within the last few years American and German manufacturers have taken greater pains to suit the colonial markets than have Home manufacturers.

We have received from Mr. Lyon, of Messrs. Garlick and Lyon, the statistics showing the production and export of kauri gum for 1895. The figures are as follow :— lons. Stock in Auckland, Jan. 1,1895.., 1053 Twelve months' production ,» 7336 8389 Shipped to Europe.., „ ,„ 2927 Shipped to America ■„ ,„ 4362 -- 7289 Stock in Auckland Dec. 31,1895 1100 Probable value of shipments (£54 per ton), £393,600. The corresponding figures for the year 1894 were ;- Tons. Stock in Auckland, Jan. 1 '„", 1403 Twelve months' production „, 7645 9048 Shipped to Europe... ,'., „, 3811 Shipped to America ... ,„ 4184 — 7995 Stock in Auckland, Dee. 31,1894 1053 The Customs returns give the value in 1891 as £4810s, so that the total value would be £369,760. The value of the shipments made during 1895 was greater than in 1894, arising from the higher price of the article (£54 as against £4810s), but the amount exported was less during 1895 by 706 tons. The smaller production last year arises, we understand, from the larger amount of work on the goldfields, and otherwise having taken a number of men oft the gumfields. The export for the past year is very satisfactory, the falling off being from the above cause, and not from exhaustion of the sources of supply, although that must come in course of time. The following figures show the amount of gum exported during the past ten years :— 'Inns. Tons. 1886... ;„ 4,921 1891... ~. 8.388 1887... „. 6,790 1892... ... 5.705 18S8 8,482 1893 8.317 1889 7,519 1894... ... 8,388 1890... „. 7,438 1895 7,289 At the annual meeting of the share holders of the New Zealand Insurance Company held on Jan. 8, the directors had again a very satisfactory report to present. The dividend is maintained, and the company has been strengthened generally. The chairman, Dr. Campbell, stated that there had been an increase in the premium income, although there had been also.au increase in losses. There had been a reduction in the expenses, and the investments were now yielding an increased return. The chairman also referred to a subject which has caused a considerable amount of discussion lately, namely, the tariff for fire insurance adopted by the companies carrying on business in these colonies. The rates charged in New Zealand for a considerable time have been too low to satisfactorily cover the risks. This is proved by the fact stated by Dr. Campbell that "if the welfare of the company had depended upon the results of the business in New Zealand, the balance-sheet presented to-day would have been a disappointing one to the shareholders." A tariff was agreed upon by the representatives of twenty-four companies who met in Melbourne lately. The complaints that have lately been made about the new tariff have arisen from two causes—first, because insurers had become accustomed to charges which wen; really not remunerative to the companies, and second, because the new tariff no doubt had in it certain anomalies which make the*harges press hardly and severely in certain cases. This last cause ought to be rectified, and as intimated by Dr. Campbell, at a meeting to be held in Wellington shortly, relief will be given where the new tariff is inequitable and presses unduly. Feeling reference was appropriately made by the chairman to the death of Mr. Warwick Weston, who has been the chief executive officer of the company since the death of Mr. G. P. Pierce, and who for a number of years before that was inspector. The details of our goldfield news will be found elsewhere. There is now very little excitement in the sharemarket, the collapse of the mining market in London having destroyed the prospect for a time of getting capital from abroad for the development of new mining areas. But as respects those mines which have been got into working order, everything is as promising sis could be expected. The returns of gold from the crushings are well maintained and even increased. On several mines, large additions are being made to the crushing machinery, and new batteries will be in operation before the end of the half-year. We fully expect that the year 1896 will show a large increase in the yield of gold. And it may be expected that confidence in London in gold mining will be revived, especially in gold mining in a British colony, and that capital will be forthcoming to open up new ground, and to develop the many promising reefs which have lately been discovered on the Thames Peninsula.

At Christmas and New Year a large amount of racing takes place all over the colony, and one of the principal gatherings of that nature is that held under the auspices of the Auckland Placing Club, which annually extends over three days. Beautiful weather prevailed, and the attendance of the public broke all previous records. The principal event was the Auckland Cup, in connection with which a great surprise was brought off, Anita, a four-year-old mare owned by the gentlemen who race under the name of" Mr. R. Burke," winning from Mr. L. D. Nathan's St. Hippo. The Great Northern Derby, which furnished one of the best races that we have seen for years, was won by Fabulist, which, it is interesting to narrate, was nominated by a lady, Mrs. Wm. Duncan. The winner was bred by the Messrs. Nathan, and when sold as a yearling was secured for the paltry sum of 25 guineas. Auckland being the leading centro for the breeding of high-class horses, great interest is always centred in the yearlings which Mr. T. Morrin annually sends up for sale at his estate at Wellington Park. This year the Auckland studmaster submitted 35 lots, which realised 3940 guineas, or an average of 112£ guineas. Though no sensational prices were paid for any of the lots, several went to high figures. The highest priced lot was a fine bay colt got by St. Leger from Sapphire, which was secured by Mr. T. H. Lowry, of Napier, for 510 guineas, A colt by Castor from Carbine's sister Lady Walmsley "realised 400 guineas; and a colt by the same sire from Necklace brought 300 guineas. St. Lege,r and Castor, for whose progeny there was the greatest competition, are both Eng-lish-bred horses, and the former is re-' garded as the champion sire of the colony. H.M.s. Katoomba returned from Napier on December 29, and has been docked and extensively overhauled since then. The Goldfinch arrived from the South on the 3rd inst., and is now in Calliope Dock, overhauling. The flagship Orlando left Sydney on January 2nd for .Tasmania, accompanied by the Ringarooraa, Wallaroo. Rapid, Royalist, Pylades, : Lizard, and .KirtWi ■ left..Pqrt

Jackson in double division as though going out to action. The Orlando led one squadron and the Ringarooma the other. It was the intention of Admiral Bridge to exercise the ships at sea, as in actual warfare, which it was expected would take a couple of weeks. The squadron were then to rendezvous at Norfolk Bay, Tasmania, where the Dart aud Karrakatta would join them. After a short stay in Tasmanian waters the Orlando and several of the other ships are to come on to New Zealand, visiting the various ports. The surveying ship Penguin arrived at Wellington from the Islands on the 9th. After leaving Tonga the ship was engaged in taking soundings, and obtained bottom at depths varying from 5022 fathoms to 5155 fathoms. The latter sounding was obtained in latitude 30"27 south, longitude 17639 west. Bed clay was brought up at the greatest depths. It took two and a-half hours to obtain the 5155 fathoms'soundings,and three and ahalf hours to haul the wire on board again by hand. From Wellington the Penguin has proceeded to the Bluff, taking soundings en route. From the latter port she goes to Hobart, taking a line of soundings on the run across. The surveying ship Waterwitch, afterundergoing an overhaul at Sydney, proceeded to Hobart to meet the flagship. The German warship Bussard was at Apia at last advices. The French war cruiser Scorff is overhauling at Sydney, and comes on to New Zealand shortly.

The Rev. C. H. Yatman, the wellknown New York evangelist, has, during the past three weeks been conducting a united mission in this city. His meetings have been largely attended, and his addresses have been given to all classes— business men, the general public, to women on " Woman and her Special Work," and to children. They have proved very helpful to many, and the fruits of his mission, it is stated, have been solid and assuring, and likely to, lead to strengthening the membership of the various city churches. Each successive week the mission has increased in interest and usefulness, the attendance has become larger, and the results more pronounced. The clergy have accorded Mr. Yatman hearty co-operation and sympathy. The mission has not yet closed. Mr; Yatman is a forcible and impressive speaker, and his various public utterances on social questions have been well received. Next week he leaves Auckland for Sydney and Melbourne, and thence proceeds on an extensive mission tour in South Africa before returning to the United States,