The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3688, 28 July 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1886.

The latest Wellington rumour with regard to the district railways scandal is that Sir George Grey, being dissatisfied ivith tbo result of the committee's investigation and with the decision of the Honse, has determined to take the matter into a court of law. We have ascertained from what we believe to be a trustworthy source that Sir George has taken a legal opinion and baa been advised that Mr Steward, by receiving commission on the debentures sold to tbe Government, brought himself within the meahea of the Disqualification Act, 1878. It was stated, just after the report was brought up, that that point had been very eagerly debated by the committee, and that a majority bad come to the conclusion that Major Steward was protected by tho exemptions contained m the 3rd subsection of section 10 of the act. The opening words of the section, read m connection with the subsection just mentioned, provide that " nothing contained m this act m respect of contractors shall be construed to apply or extend to any of the persons or contracts hereinafter mentioned: — • * • * Contracts for the loan of money, or securities given for the payment of money only." But before dealing further with that part of the question, let us see what Major Steward has exposed himself to, supposing it to be shown that he has committed a breach of the Disqualification Act. Section 4 provides that " all contractors and Civil Servants are and shall be incapable of being summoned to or of holding a seat m the Legislative Council, or of being elected as or of sitting or voting as a member of the House of Representatives." In tbe interpretation clause a contractor is defined as " a person who, either by himself, or directly or indirectly by or with others, but not as a member of a joint-Btock company or any incorporated body, is interested m the execution or enjoyment of any contract or agreement entered into with Her Majesty, or with any officer or department of the General Government, or with any. person or persona for or on account of the public service . of New Zealand, under which any public. money above the sum of fifty pounds is payable directly o.r indirectly to such person m one financial year." It ia contended that Major Steward was a contractor as thus defined, because he was directly interested m the agreement under which the district railways debentures were sold to the Government — interested, that is to say, to the extent of his commission, which, according to his own showing, largely exceeded £50 m one . year. It does not appear that the fact that the commission was not

payable by the Government would .affect the case at all. Tbe penal provision of the act is m the latter part of section 4, and is as follows: — "Any member of the Legislative Council, or of the House of Representatives, offending against the provision of this section [that is sitting or voting as a member of the legislature whilst a contractor], or of section 3 of this act, shall cease to be a member of the Legislative Council or House of Representatives, as the case may be, and shall alao, if he offends knowingly and wilfully, be liable to a penalty of £50 a day for every day he sits or votes m tbe Legislative Council, or House of Representatives, as the case may be." In addition to any j other defence, it might perhaps be contended for Major Steward that he did not knowingly and wilfully offend, aB, m his opinion, the taking of the I commission did not give him such an interest m a Government, contract as would make him liable to the pains and penalties of the act. But there would still remain the provision by which he would cease to be a member of the House of Representatives. We presume that the questions would bave to be raised m the Supreme Court. With regard to tbe decision of tbe committee it may be observed that it would be difficult to find a tribunal worse qualified to prononnce an impartial judgment on a case of alleged disqualification. Political bias could not possibly be entirely excluded from its deliberations ; and, after all, the questions to be decided are purely legal ones. One thing is quite certain, and that is that it was out of the power of tbe committee or of the House to give Major Steward protection against a decision of tbe Supreme Court. The 7th section provides that " any penalty prescribed by this act may be sued for by any person m any court of competent jurisdiction ; and no person Bhall be liable to any forfeiture or penalty inflicted under this act, unless proceedings shall be taken for the recovery thereof within twelve months after such forfeiture or penalty has been incurred." It may be asked why should Sir George Grey be so bitter against Major Steward and so bent upon seeing the district railways scandal sifted to tbe bottom ? If the rest of tbe House, both Government supporters aud Opposition, are contented to let tbe affair drop, why should he stand out and J take advice as to the utility of going into a court of law ? We do not believe that Sir George Grey has any bitterness, either personal or political, against Major Steward. In politics they agree on a great many subjects, and the one has often given support to I the Parliamentary efforts of the other. Major Steward is not of Sir George Grey's following, yet they both profess ! to be ardent admirers of liberal principles. But there is another and more important member of the House against whom Sir George Grey entertains deep and abiding political detestation and contempt. • Nothing would give him more pleasure than to be able to strike an effective blow at Sir Julius Yogel, and Sir George Grey may not unnaturally think that a successful attack on Major Steward m connection with the district railways scandal would greatly injure tbe political position of the Colonial Treasurer m the eyes of the country. If Major Steward were to lose hie seat for the part he took m the arrangements for the sale of the district railway debentures to tbe Government, might not the event tend to the political discredit of Sir Julius Yogel who effected the purchase through the agency of the member for Waimate ? There is no reason for supposing that any facts would be elicited showing that Sir Julius Yogel had committed a breach of the Disqualification Act ; but the purpose would be served if it were proved that the district railways transaction lost one of the negotiators his seat m Parliament, and that the other, both m bis evidence before tbe committee and m his place m the House, had expressed the opinion that there was nothing to object to m conduct which led to such a result. It is quite possible that Sir George Grey may be advised that be has no case to proceed on, but we are satisfied that the prevalent rumour is correct to the extent tbat be has taken a legal opinion as to Major Steward's position.

Tho Resident Magistrate will sit at tho Courthouse on August 6th, to hear all applications or amendments of tho Geraldine. county electoral roll. Tho Gerald ine School Committee meet tonight, when m all probability the question of a successor to Mr Hughes m tho mastership of the school frill be discussed and eottled. Wo remind lovers of cyoling that a meeting to form a club m Timaru will be held at the Ship Hotel this evening. Tho proposed club should receive very hoarly support, and eventually turn out a great success. The Temuka District High School Cadets appeared m public m their now uniforms for the first time yesterday. The uniform is neat and attractive; glengarry cap, with the volunteer badge, scarlet tunic and dark blue trousers with narrow scarlet stripo. The uniforms fit remarkably well, and reflect very favourably on their makers, Messrs Hallenstein Bros, of Dunedin. Tho Roy. E. 1). Cecil, of Temuka, delivered a leoturo m the Congregational Church, North street, last evening, to a fairlylarge and attend vo audience. The Bey. J. Fostor oooupicJ the chair. The reverend lecturer choso for his subject " Spiritualism and Mesmerism," and treated it at considerable length. A resumo of the lecture, when delivered at Tomuka a week or two ago, has already appeared m our columns. The choir, duriDg the evening, eang several anthems, which considerably added to the enjoyment of all present. After passing a hearty vote of thanks to the rev. lecturer for bis interesting and entertaining lecture the audience dispersed, after having spent a very pleasant evening. A special parado m drill order of tho'O Battery was held a* their headquarters, High street, last evening. There wero on parado 83 officers and men, the whole heing under command of Lieut. Jackson. After being put through tho manual exercises m the shed, the battery was marched out and exercised m battalion and skirmishing drill m the main street. The night was a very dark one, and the men could not be exercised ■with aa much advantage to themselves as their officers desired. They, however, worked Tory smartly, and should give a good account of themselves at the daylight parade which, we understand, is to be held to-morrow. The bayonet squad for the aasault-at-arms next month m the new drill-shed, were after the I parade, practised m the shed.

Tho Geraldine Riflej wore inspected by Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey on Tuesday evening. Forty-eight rank and file, under Lieutenants Ward and Pearpoint, were on parade. The men were put through their facings by Sergeant-Major Jones to tho entire satisfaction of the inspecting officer. The congregation of the Presbyterian Church, Temuka, met on Monday evening, and passsd resolutions expressing regret at the continued ill-health of tho Rev. Mr Mackintosh, which has rendered nccesanry his resigning tho charge of tho congregation. No definite action who taken as to appointing a successor to Mr Mackintosh. The Timaru Amateur Minstrels are announced to make their first public appearance on tho 10th of Atiguet. The minstrels, we learn, have amoDg their number many members of the City Band, and the instrumental pieces at the entertainment are, thorefore, likely to bo well rendered. The programme decided on is a very good one, the usual chair business being followed by stump speeches on the leading questions of the day, and the sidesplitting fares " Waiination gratis." Tho Theatre Royal has already been engaged, and tickets are being disposed of rapidly. Mr Powell, of Temuka, carrier, had a stable totally destroyed by fire yesterday morning. It appears that Mr Powell had visited the stable the previous evening at about nine o'clooi, and left everything right. About half -past one m tho morning his man was awakened by the barking of the dog, and looking out of the window saw the' Btable m a blaze. He had only time to save a few articles when the roof fell m, and m a few minutes tho whole building was m ashes. Tho stable, which was originally a fourroomed cottage, was insured for £50 m tho Standard oflico. Mr Powell estimates his loss at about £20 over the amount of the insurance, a set of harness and a quantity of horse feed having been destroyed. The election of a Town Board for the newly constituted town district of Arowhenua is fixed for tho twenty-first of August. Mr W. Wills has been gazetted as returning officer for the first election and a poll will be taken (if necessary) at Mr Edward Lee's store, Arowhenua. The first meeting of the new board will be held on the 24th day of August at the same place at half-p&at seven m the evening. The nomination of candidates will, we understand, be received by Mr Wills at noon on the previous Saturday. The boundaries of tho district are as follow : — On tho North by the North Town Belt, on the South by High street, on the Eaat by Murray street, on the west by Whitcombe street ; m all about one square milo. Our readers will no doubt remember that at and after the time the ship Duke of Sutherland Bank off Timaru, certain tradesmen and other residents of Timaru made claims upon tho ownors of tho wrecked vessel. These claims tho owners declined to recognise, de3pite tho fact that they were bond fide, and as a result the claims wero put m the hands of Messrs Boss, Sims and Co. for recovery. These gentlemen lost no time m placing all particulars before their London solicitors, who have, we learn, successfully fought these cases out m London. This welcome intelligence was received by the local brokers and commission agents named yesterday, per tho San Francisco mail. A pleasing feature occurred last Sabbath evening at the Wai-iti Sabbath-school, by a presentation to Mrs McTntosh, on the eve of her departure from the district. The teachers and children of the Sunday-school determined they would not lot their esteemed and valued friend leave their midst without some substantial mark of their appreciation of her valuable services m connection with tho Bchool. Mi3s Fraser presented Mrs Mclntosh with a very handsome album as a souvenir of her labours among them, and exprestod regret at parting with such a valuable acquisition to the Sunday school, and the district generally. Tho address accompanying the present was couched m the following words : — " We beg your acceptance of thia album from a few of your attached friends m connection with the Wai-iti Sabbath school, and m general appreciation of your many excollent qualities, your amiable disposition, and sincere friendship. We very much regret your departure from amongst us, bat rejoice that your removal to a wider sphere of duty will make your many estimable qualities more generally appreciated." A very successful entertainment was given m the church, Barnard street, last evening, by the members of the Primitive Methodist Band of Hope. The church was well filled by an enthusiastic audience, over two hundred persons being present. The chair was occupied by the Bey. Mr Dean, who, after prayer, opened the proceedings by giving a most interesting address. The programme was a varied one, and consisted of recitations, dialoguos and addresses. Recitations were given by Misses Maud Packman and Julia Werry, Masters Leonard Packman, Charles Cunningham and Mr Hedges; and addresses by Messrs Moore and Leggott. Tho dialogues wero entitled " The red nose," " What they mean to be," "Dorothy Kane's visit," and "Cure for indigestion." The recitations and dialogues were very well rendered, and called forth no small amount of applause, and the addresses wore attentively listened to. At intervals during tho evening molodie* were pleasingly sung by the Band of Hopo Choir, Miss Dean accompanying each on the harmonium. Altogether a most pleasant evening was spent. It has been found that the caissons that were built for the foro and main hatches of the ship Lyttelton are unsuitable m some respects. Tho one put m place on Sunday last got adrift on Monday evening, and when it was brought ashore the bottom-edge planks wero seen to be more or less smashed up. Thi3 caisson will be repaired with new and strong six inch planks along tho edgo named, and will thon bo braced firmly every way. When taken off to the ship again it will be forced into position on the main hatch by means of heavy spars, which will bo secured by a "Spanish windlass" to keep everything firmly fixed. Tho caisson for tho foro hatch has been laid aside, and we learn that this hatch will bo pooled with concrete. AH the pumping will then be done at the main hatch, flexible pipes being led from tho foremast staging to the top of the caisson. . Yesterday there was a pretty heavy S.E. Bwel rolling into tho harbour, but the staging and engines wore far out of reach of its effects, and no damage was done to any of the gear. The work is proving very todious and costly, and it will be three or four days yet before everything will bo m readiness for pumping,— that is provided all goes well. At tho usual weekly sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, J. S. Beswick, Esq., R.M., and H. J. LeCren, Esq., J.P., presided. John Scott and Peter Kennedy were charged with being drunk m the Mala South Eoad on Monday laßt. Scott

was fined 10i ; m default 48 hours' imprisonment, nnd Kennedy 5s j m default 24 hours' imprisonment, with hard labour. Judgment was given by default m the following civil cases :— Wado and Shea v. W. Armstrong, claim 14s 6d ; J. Lukey v. W. Allen, claim 15s ; Bank of New Zealand v. Cook, claim £60 15s. Canterbury Farmers' Co-operativo Association v. D. Cullcn— Claim £9 18s 6d. Mr Raymond appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr Hamereley for the defendant. The principal evidence had been taken by commission at Hokitika and Wellington, and after hearing Geo. Shirtcliffe, manager of tho plaintiff Association, and legal argument, tho bench gave judgment for defendant. J. Lukoy v. J. Hammond — Claim £1 15 b. Mr Hamersley appeared for defendant, and plaintiff conducted his case m person. After hearing some evidence, the case was adjourned for fourteen days. The court rose at 12.30. An ordinary meeting of the Timaru High School Board of Governors was held at thoir offices, Main Boad, Timaru, yesterday morning. Present — The Yen. Archdeacon Harper (chairman), and Messrs Elworthy, Balfour, Sims, Jackson and Goldsmith. The chairman read apologies from Messrs Jno. Talbot and J. H. Suiter, applying for leave of absence from tho meeting. Tho latter gentleman, who wrote from Wellington, asked that consideration of the question of the teaching staff bo held over till his return from the eeaj of government— probably the 3rd August. The "apologies were received, and Mr Suiter's request acceded to. Tho rector wrote withdrawing his application for leave of absence, and this matter then dropped. From the rector's usual report it was shown that there wero 57 boys and 53 girls on the roll. He had nothing of importance to report; the school work was progressing satisfactorily. In conclusion he asked that as the school cadets were to be on parade for the first time to-morrow afternoon, with Governors' consent he would give the pupils a half-holiday. The report was adopted nem con, and on the motion of Mr Elworthy, seconded by Mr Jackson, it was resolved — "That a special meeting bo called for tho last Tuesday m August for the purpose of fully considering the teaching staff and other important inattera." — Carried. Mr B utter forwarded a note Btating that the sum of £250 had been placed by the Colonial Treasurer to the board's credit. After looking into their finances the board found that this sum would bring them out about square. After passing salaries' accounts amounting to £170 6s 8d the meeting terminated. Mr Edward Stanley, the New South Wale* Government veterinarian, has published a report upon the recent mysterious outbreak among the horses at Coonong station. He attributes the diseaso to tho consumption o£ ensilage iv an unwholesome condition. The silo pit being two miles from the station, and three and a half miles from the place where the works are going on, it was necessary that a three or four days' supply should be brought from it twice a week, instead of being fresh every day as it ought to be. If kept over three days it became whitened with a fungus-like mould, rot! en and foul. A return has been presented showing the cost of the census enumeration m 1881 and 1886. The totals are as follows :— ln 1881, £8089; m 18S6, £9590. Following is the cost of enumeration m the Canterbury district : — Amuri, Ashley, Cheviot, m 1681 £218, m 1886 £231; Selwyn, Akaroa and Ashbuiton, m 1881 £1000, m 1886 £i) 67; Mackenzie, Geraldine and Waimate £303 and £290 respectively. Owing to the great number of criminal cases m which French barristers have pleaded for their clients alcoholic dementia, all the Prefects m France have been instructed to report on the effects of drunkenness m inciting to crime m their several departments, and the Minister of War has ordered an inquiry into the action of liquor m reducing the height and debilitating young men, 60 aa to render them unfit for military service. For some years past Messrs Denny and Co., Clyde shipbuilders, have given premiums to those of their men who made improvements of any kind. The Carron Iron Company now follow suit, and any of their hands inventing any improvement that is patent-able receives a substantial reward. Such treatment of the men haß already been productive of the happiest results. Referring to the speech of the Duke of Cambridge at the Mansion-Houee on Saturday, the Times says : — " Ab an industrial and trading nation we should loee infinitely more by conscription than we should save by the reduction it would enable us to make m our soldiers' pay. Fortunately, too, although our regular army is not large if we judge it by a Continental standard, we have a reserve forco outside adequate m number to the work for which it has been raised. Our Volunteers aye our second or third line for homo defence. They have done their part of the work for which they have presented themselves. It is the duty of tho country to give them what they need to supplement their personal services, and to render them as effective as they can be made." The World has the following : — "The old porter at Somerset House died lost week For many years this situation had been filled by old soldiers who had braved ' the battle and the breeze.' The dead men's predecessor was a veteran who rode with Cardigan m the Balaclava charge m the ranks of the Jlili Hussar?, while tho one before him was a unit m Pir Colin's ' thin red line ' each with breast nblaze with medals. Well, on the last bolder of tho office being appointed some three or four years ago, one of the elerki coming to office one morning observing no medals on Iho porter, and his somewhat obese" proportions, said 'So you aro tho new man r" ' Yes, sir.' ' Were you ercr m the service ?' ' Yes, sir.' ' What regiment ?' 'Mr Shaw Lcfovrc's coachman.' " This is " Tho etory of Lefevre" with a vengeance ! Tho Auckland Bell sny3 :— " A foolish, panic prevnils at present amongst moneyed men, «ho will not look at land either as puroliasrrs or lender 3. It seems to be forgotten that tho hind is truly the source of all wealth, and if it cannot be brought into pro 6 tableuse even money itself will prove worthless. If land is at a discount, trade must be narrowed m every direction and the depression deepened. We have no such fear, however. We feel confident that tho corner-is being turned, and that land next spring will., bring a fair price. The octopuses must,} however, do their work with the thousand er " two unfortunates who are m arrears TKoso* who cannot pull up will be sacrificed m the. meantime 'I.he moro'g tho pity. It is cad to sco a numbor of useful Bottlers knocked down and smothered. In colonial life things often take a quick change, and wo can give this comfort to the etrugglers : ',While there's life there's hope. Do not lose heart, and " keep tho grip as long as you can.' We might ' add, ' Do not be afraid, but support remedial 1 measures with all your strength,' "

On the 19th instant the Attorney-General of Victoria gave his decision as to the contested application for a patent made by Frank Hebden, of Chri*tchurch, New Zealand, for improvements m telephone transmitters. Mr Hebdcn's application came before the Attorney-General on July 12tb, when the grant of a patent was opposed by Masters and Draper, on the ground that Hebden's invention was identical with a telephone transmitter known as " Hunning's." A report was called for upon the question from a scientific expert, and this has just been received, being adverse to Mr Hebden. His application for a patent was thorefore refused. The following paragraph from The Colonies and India will show how history is manufactured :— " The visit of Tawhiao, the • Maori King,', to England a couple of years ago will bo fresh m the minds of our readers. Bearing m mind the fact that the grievances of this chi«f threatened at one time to cause considerable unpleasantness m the colony, it is satisfactory to find that tho New Zealand Government have come to a final settlement with the Maoris on the land question m the King Country. Tawhiao, it seems, is a party to the arrangement now made, and has, m consequence, accepted a seat m the Legislative Council of the colony." The imposition of 5 per cent ad valorem duties by the New South Wales Parliament (says the Australasian) is very seriously affecting the trade of Victoria with that colony m reference to soft goods and boots and shoes. Returns compiled by the Collector of Customs for the months of April and May indicate that daring that period there was a reduction of fully one-third m the value of goods exported to New South Wales as compared with the value of articles sent there during corresponding months m 1885. The warehouse men are therefore urging that the Commissioner of Trade and Customs should arrange that they shall get the full amount of drawback, and every facility m carrying on their business. It is also found that the N.B.W. merchants are now so favourably handicapped, that m several instances Victorian merchants have had to withdraw travellers from the Biverina and outlying districts. A still more serious matter is the fact that the Sydney warehousemen are competing very successfully against Victoria m the Tasmanian and Queensland markets. The drawback system is found to work very clumsily, and as Sydney is almost a free port, the merchants there have not the same trouble and exponse as the Victorian. Tho position is regarded by Mr Walker m a very serious light, and he believes that it will force itself upon the attention of the public m such a way that Parliament will ultimately be called upon to cope with it. The Inanffahua Times, m its roport of the last meeting of the local council, contained the following comical little item : — " Letter read from G. Escott, asking for the loan of £25 to enable him to proceed to Kimberley, and offering m return to take the blue ribbon and to Bend back a voluminous report of the new El Dorado — Application refused." American ingenuity is only equalled by American good taste. Of the latter quality a characteristic illustration is afforded by the hotel keeper at Niagara Falls, who has secured the services of Mrs Webb, the widow of tho professional swimmer who attempted to swim the rapids, to|stand just opposite the spot where her husband was drowned, and offer for sale photographs of the lamented deceased. The Americans appear to have an odd notion of the powers of the Prince of Wales. It appears that an Am* iean prize fighter is anxious to meet the champion English pugilist; but he will only do so if a guarantee is given that tho contest will not he interfered with by the police. To get an assurance as to this the Prince of Wa'es has been approached, and we are gravely told that " the expectation is that the Prince of Wales will affix his sealto the letter, thuß miming fair play ; and it is even believed that he will become one of the spectators. " All this, of course, is pure nonsense. It is amusing, however, to think that people suppose the Prince of Wales to be capable of cancelling " by the affix of his seal, the powers of the police, who very properly put down fighting, whether prize or otherwise, whenever they can. In showing, during a recent lecture on ** Quartz Beefs," how quartz got into the reefs, Professor Black said that crevices were formed m the ordinary rocks through shrinkage or volcanic action, and the miners of the Xake district had told him of one of these clefts, which was of great depth, existing m Mount Pisa. It was only some four or five feet wide, but the miners were afraid to jump over it because the dark depths below frightened them. Sometimes they hurled into it great boulders, and, listening for the sound, they could hear the rock bounding and rattling and thundering away down below them, the sounds getting fainter and fainter, till by and bye it died away altogether m such a manner that they were convinced it had died — not because the stone had reached the bottom, but because it had not got so far down that the sound could not be returned to them. The 11 men charged with tho murder' of their official chief, Bull Bureta, have been committed for trial (writes the Fiji correspondent of the Sydney Horning Herald). The criminal practice introduced into Fiji by Sir John Gorrie permits the accused to snake a statement, if he wishes to do so, at the close of the case for the prosecution. At this point, therefore, Macui, the actual murderer, confessed to the crime, bnt declared that be was only the instrument of the general . conspiracy m which the others were all engaged. The other prisoners dany the conspiracy alleged by Macui, and explain their connection with him to have followed their dread of bis power as a sorcerer. Tbe whole history of the case, according to the tsle they tell, is a record of the strength m whi/:h old superstitions still prevail, and of the incongruous existence, side by side with it, m tbe native mind of their more recently amrnerl Christianity. In one instance it is on evidence that the pasty first went to prayers, and then directly proceeded to take part m (be mper•titioai practices to which they evidently attached an equal if not a greater degree of importance. The Hong Kong papers bring details of an outrage on a medical missionary at Kwai Ping. At this town the Bcv. A. A. Fulton resides, with his wife and daughter and sister, the Bister being engaged m medical work, and having charge of a small hospital. The local mandarin had gone off with his suite to call on the returning Delimitation Commissioners, and some soldiers and students took advantage of tho mandarin's absence to make an attack on the hospital. Mr Fulton ■went off to the yamen, followed by a yelling mob, who pelted him with Btonei, to beg the magistrate s protection ; but he found the magistrate gone, and his secretary refused to allow him to return to the hospital, telling him that he would certainly be killed. Meanwhile the mob took the three patients out ■who were m the hospital, and burnt it down, and then proceeded to set fire to Mr Fulton's house, m which were his wife, sister,- and daughter. ■ The ladies escaped to the river side, bnt the mob refused to allow' them, to get into a boat, but fortunately confined their violence to foul language and threats. For sin hour and a half the two ladies and the little child sat there, surrounded by a crowd of yelling savages, when help came from the yame"n, to which they were escorted. All their possessions were burnt or stolen, and they saved nothing but their lives and the clothes they were wearing. When news of the outrage came to Canton by wire, the viceroy was asked by the American consul to allow a steam-launch to go up to Kwai Ping with some clothes and food for Mr Fulton and his family ; and the favour was refused. The Hong Kong papers do not speak f irv gently of this refuial,

A private letter from a London pressman, Bpeaking of Mrs Langtry's Paulino Descbapelles, eayß: — "She has carefully studied her art, and has become an excellent actre»s. j Her Toice is clear and resonant, and her enunciation is as pure as could be desired. Her dresses, beautifully cut m the fashion of the Directory period, became her figure well. 'For her own person, it beggared all description,' as Bhakespeare says of Cleopatra; and she disdained the extrinsic aid of gold and lustrous gems, Bare one large diamond worn m a very simple setting m one or two scenes only. Charles Coghlan's was about the worst Claude Molnotte I havo ever seen, and that is saving a great deal. The latest " burning question " m Sydney is I r Creed's Cremation Bill. In reference to this the Daily Telegraph of June 30 says : — " Sentiment, always a great power m all tke affairs of life, is never more powerful than m mutters appertaining to death. At such a time tbo sentiments are all-predominant, and they take control of things into their own charge. The man that would calmy bequeath his own body to cremation or to dissection, would hesitate to deal with the body of a dead friend or loved one m any other way than that consecrated by usage, and by the practice of his forefathers, from time immemorial. So on the whole, harmless and unobjectional as is Dr Creed's Bill, we think that it is likely to give that legislator quite a new insight into the might of the passive and conservative forces of society, before he succeeds m carrying it into law. On the night of the Tarowera eruption the Haszard family had m their cash-box, among other moneys, a half sovereign lying on the top of four half-crowns. During the storm which burst over their devoted residence, the building was struck by lightning. On digging out the effect* the working party handed over the cash-box to the friends of the Hoezard family. Mr. J. P. Morpeth, of Ponsonby, at whoso house Mrs Uaszard has been staying, has now m his possession the sovereign and four half-crowns, which fores a perfect curiosity. The lightning appears to have fused the coins together, and m some mysterious way, though the face of the halfsovereign is not defaced, the gold appears to havo been driven through the centre of each of tbe half-crowns, as each m the centre is coloured the size of a shilling as if with gold. As a souvenir of the Tarawera eruption, it is one of tbe most remarkable that has yet been exhibited. A Sheffield workman, who has spent (en years m New Zealand, has addressed some words to his countrymen m England. He Bays the American tools are fast driving the English out of colonial markets ; and, diligently inquiring after the reason, he was told by the workrxen that American tools a r e lighter, handier, and better finished. He asks Sheffield workmen a few plain questions, " Are there not among you," he soys, " men who are able to make an axe as good as an American can ? " He thinks it is because they have never tried, and adds, " that there is not an axe of English mako sold m the Colonies at the present time." Then as to the shovels. When he came to the Colonies ten years ago, a number of English shovels made by a firm near Birmingham were sold ; not one is now to be seen m the country. They were made of rotten material that would not last any time, and ho had seen English shorthandle navvy's shovels selling at ss, and American at 7s, and yet tbe American were preferred at the higher price. " The American shovel," he says, " is lighter and is better material." If Sheffield wants to maintain ita position as the leading edge tool makers m the world, he warns Sheffield men that they must not fall into the errors of the Geneva watchmakers, and try to make too cheap, but always take care to put m good material and good workmanship. Ho makes special reference to forks for manure. "The English forks," he says, " are too heavy, with Bquare prongs, while tbe Americans have much lighter prongs, of an oval shape, and made with the very best steel." Carpenters prefer English augers, which are better able to stand the hard wood. Ho warns English workmen against strike?, telling them that while they and their employers are quarrelling the foreigner steps m and steals their trade. New Zealandars are anxious to give preference to English goods, because England is their market. America does not take their grain or their meat, and New Zealanders do not want American hardwares. They are trying to get a tariff put upon goods imported from America, and to increase the use of English goods, as England is their only customer. The Wanganui Herald says : — A letter received by a Wanganui lady from h«r ion who is now residing near Taupo, describes his adventure on the night of tbe Tarawera eruptions. He writes as follows : It is about 34 miles from here to Taupo, and about sixteen miles as the bird would fly to where the eruption took place. On the night of the eruption I was sleeping m what is called a wliarepuni, it was a place built m the earth, the roof was covered with long grass and on top there were about 2 or 3 tons of earth to make it warm when the snow and frost are about. I was roused by the first shock, and looking at my watch I saw it was a quarterpast two m the morning. The mountain was rocking like a ship at sea, but I thought it was all right, and was only an earthqnake. I could hear the crash of the dead trees falling, and when I romembcred that I had three tons of earth over my head I thought it was time to get out. I found that the door was jammed anil I and mv dog entombed. Look* ing around I found an old spade, and putting my watch m my pocket, burst open the door, as I did so the end of tho place fell m with a crash. When I got out I could see smoke and fire as it rushed across the Paeroa mountain, and hear the roar of the stones and mud as they were being thrown up, sounding like a heavy discharge of artillery. Tbe fire looked like serpents rushing through the air, and the whole was a wonderfully grand sight. The place was'rocking till daylight, and I feel so many earthquakes now that lam getting quite used to them. I see smoke is coming out of Tongariro, and if it should blow up there will be a great deal of damage done. Scott's Emulsion of Pure Cod Liver Oil with Hypophosphites acts both as food and medicine. It notonly gives flesh and strength by virtue of its own nutritious properties, but create* an appetite for food that builds up the wasted body. Bead the following : — " Hcott's Krnuldion is, m my opinion, an excellent ami valuable compound. I have given it to cmvnimptivg patients, and have been fl«iighte<! with the result* obtained. It is pfe**anf, to tbe taste, »nd can bo borne by the 1 rno*t t^TfUtire stomich. — B. A. Bodway, M.D., I Batter KtiowU), Darlington, England." Any | chemist ettn stipply it, (4)