OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXII, 31 May 1902, Page 1099

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE MAORI MEETING AT WAAHI, WAIKATO. THE WAIKATO’S GRIEVANCES. DISCUSSION WITH NATIVE MINISTER. The Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister, had his long-looked-for conference with the Waikato Maoris last week at Waahl, the settlement of Mahuta. and his people* on the west bank of the Waikato below Hnntly. The Minister's object in meeting the Waikatos was to endeavour to get them to fall’into line with the other native tribes of this Island, accept the new native land legislation, and hand their surplus lands over to the Council for administration. Mr Carrail, however, had a very difficult task in this part of the country, for the Waikato people, headed by Mahuta and Henare Kaihau, M.H.R., have raised much opposition to the new order of things, more particularly as regards the boundary of their Council District under the Lands Administration Act. The gazetted boundary cuts off Waikato from the Rohepotae or King Country, which latter is in the district known as the NgatimamapotoNgatituwharetoa, extending down from the Waip«a to Lake Taupo and Taumaranui. About five hundred Maoris of the Waikato and allied tribes were assemled at Waahi, and they gave the Native Minister and party a hospitable welcome. The meeting lasted two days. The Native Minster deserves congratulation on the result so far of hia negotiations. Although matters have not yet quite reached a final stage, Mr Carroll acccomplished a great deal in inducing the gathering of the tribes at Waahi to allow the matters in dispute to be settled between him and Mahuta jointly. Those who know the characteristic Maori fashion of discussing everything in tribal meetings will appreciate the diplomacy and tact displayed by Mr. Carroll, resulting in the people agreeing that Mahuta alone should act for them. One of the results of Mr. Carroll’s negotiations is that he has been promised by Mahuta that the natives of Waikato will accept the new Government legislation, and will proceed to elect their Council under the Lands Administration Act, so that any lands not needed for the people’s actual occupation may be handed over to the Council for administration, with a view to European settlement, an I the rest set apart for the use of the Maori owners for foodcultivation, villages, etc. THE EXPORT OF NEW ZEALAND POULTRY. The question, so frequently asked, “Do poultry pay?” can be answered in the unqualified affirmative by those who have taken advantage of the facilities which the Government have brought nothin the reach of all. In another fuart of thia issue we give some pictures of the Government

Poultry Depot in Auckland, where birds are received and prepared for export. Similar depots exist in all the other centres of the colony and some are on a much larger scale than the Auckland one. At the Christchurch depot, for instance, fourteen hands have of late been constantly employed. Altogether with the establishment of this department a very bright future has opened out for the poultry farmers of New Zealand, and it is anticipated that the industry will quickly assume large proportions. Already in one year it has developed enormously. At the Christchurch degot, just referred to, the number of poultry prepared for export has risen from 742 for April, 1901, to 10,185 for April, 1902. Unfortunately, at this moment the delay in securing steamer communication with South Africa has seriously interfered with operations. One Auckland agent has close on 6000 birds in the freezer waiting shipment, and others ore in a like predicament. It should be explained for the benefit of poultry raisers that the Government undertake to receive birds at any of their depots, and at a charge of Tourpence a head, which covers carriage to the depot, to prepare them for export. The department does not undertake the shipping, etc., of the fowls, but there are agents in all our towns prepared to do that. It is hard to fix the average price obtained for good poultry, such as black and buff Orpingtons, which are considered the best for the foreign market, but six shillings a pair nett is not above the mark. WELLINGTON TERRACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. DIAMOND JUBILEE. The diamond jubilee services in connection with the above church were held on April 27. To commemorate the auspicious occasion the building was specially decorated. All across the front of the organ appeared the word “Jubilee” in large white letters on crimson ground, surmounted by representation of a diamond, the word “Sixty,” similarly constructed, being placed in front of the pulpit. The principal pillars were draped halfway up in white, around which were twined wreaths of ivy Interspersed with chrysanthemums, etc. The walls and windows throughout were tastefully decorated with flowers, nikau palms, etc., wreaths of evergreens and flowers stretched across from pillar to pillar—white toi toi, interspersed with n.any-coloured flowers, and evergreens showed up prominently around the pulpit; indeed the decorations taken as a whole we're of a most effective character. The morning service was conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. Reed Glasson, who took for his subject “The Church’s One Foundation”; “Thou Art Peter, and Upon This Rock Will I Build My Church” (Mat. xvi. 18). The speaker enlarged on the many ways in which even the young could accomplish great things by hearty and united effort, and how it lies in the power of even little children to do much towards making those around them happy. In the evening the church was again well filled, the service being conducted by Rev. B. L. Thomas (of Newtown Congregational Church), who based his remarks on Deut. viii. 2: “Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years.” In connection with the diamond jubilee of the Terrace Congregational Church it is interesting to recall some facts relative to its formation. The present church, on Wellington Terrace, was formally opened on May 26, 1888, by the late Rev. Dr. W. H. West (its then pdstor), assisted by the late Rev. W. J. Habens, Revs. E. D. Cecil, J. K. Elliott, and J. Dumbell. The’ cost of the land, church, etc., and fittings, as they then were, being some £5500; and in a little more than a year after its opening thanksgiving services were held to commemorate the extinction of debt in connection therewith. It may be added, all seats in the church are free. With respect to the earlier history of Congregationalism in Wellington, it may be stated that amongst the arrivals in 1842 was Mr. Jonas Wood-

ward, who, although actively engaged ir. business pursuits, took a most active part in Christian work, and was the founder of the first Congregational Church established in New Zealand. Mr. Woodward conducted h'is first service in the Mechanics’ Institute, then situated in Charlotte-street. On June 14. the five friends with wnom the movement originated formed themselves into a church, and started a Sunday-school, Mr. Woodward being appointed its first pastor. The progress of the new church was steady, and a further advance made by the erection of a brick building in the neighbourhood of Murphy-street, for their use. In 1848, however, severe earthquakes rendered this edifice unsafe, and it was decided to erect a church in Woodwardstreet (so named after the Mr. Woodward here, referred to). This church was opened for public worship in the year 1849. Later on a much larger church was erected on the site last referred to, which did duty for a number of years, prior to the erection of the present fine building on Wellington Terrace. In 1887 the second Wellington Congregational Church—that of Courtenay Place —was opened, a number of members from the mother church being transferred to form its nucleus, and within the past few years a further extension has been made by the erection of the Newtown Congregational Church, Constable-street. A CIRCUS “AT HOME.” The popular pastime of snap-shot-ting has a multitude of charms, but surely not the least of these are the exciting vicissitudes and incidents incidental thereto, which endow it with many of the characteristics of a sport. Having witnessed many varieties of snap-shotting the writer hereof gives the palm for excitement to firing off at the performing animals of a menagerie and circus. The presence of Wirth Bros.’ Circus in Auckland gave an opportunity of attempting such, and together with the “Graphic” photographer the writer spent a day this week endeavouring to obtain characteristic pictures of the performing tigers, bears, elephants, etc., etc. The difficulties in the way were sufficient to discourage most folk, but tine proprietors' patience and foresight were equal to that of the snapshottist, so, as will be seen on pages 1088 and 1089, some unique results were obtained, the first thing to do was to get the large circular cage in which the tigers perform erected in the open, for, of course, the interior of the tent was too dark for absolutely instantaneous work. This naturally attracted the attention of such of the juvenile portion of the population of Freeman’s Bay as had “wagged it” from school, and a goodly audience assembled for the free show. With them they brought dogs. These immediately proved a disturbing element. “Caesar” was to do his trick with the clown and Dummy, and rehearsed the scene with great canine circumspection. But suddenly there appeared a dog whose case seemed to “Caesar” to require instant investigation, and he rushed off to conduct the interview on the usual doggy principles. After some trouble he was captured and brought back, but his mind was unsettled. Other dogs arrived, and there seemed a chance for a canine korero, i-are enough in the life of a circus dog, tied up in a tent all day. Persuasion, petting and patience at last won the day. “Caesar” pulled, the clown struggled, and Dummy danced frantically. But there was no sun, and to fire when there was no bright light would have been useless. There was nothing for it but to smother one’s temper, appease “Caesar.” who was rapidly becoming irritated, and wait for the sun to pop out. The most embarrasing interest continued to be taken in the proceedings by the children, who evidently were firmly convinced we did not know our business. “Let fly now, mister, while they’re a-goin' it,” yelled a chorus of youngsters, and seeing no effort made they chorussed, “Yah, yer calls yerselves photographers, do yer! Why don’t yer take the pore dawg when he’s a-doin’ of his best. You’re slower than a church,

you are.** But suddenly out coms* the sun, the comedy is again set going, “Caesar” warming to hie work like a “good *un,” as one of our critics remarks, and in a twinkling the picture is taken. Then esnie the tigers. They, too, were disturbed at performing in the open, and the sight of the plump dogs made their mouths water. "If old Pasha takes a fancy to one of those plump dogs for his lunch," says Mr Wirth, genially, “he'll get it, take my word.” It was obvious the dogs must be driven off, as the tigers became increasingly restless, snarling and snapping at their trainer as they never do in the circus. Wherefore stones were in demand, and we pelted every dog off the place. Then commenced a most exciting scene, indescribable on paper. The tigers were docile enough to start with, but, of course, were kept waiting before and after their tricks in a manner which seriously affected their temper. Whenever they were in correct position there was no sun, and as sure as the sun came out one or other of the tigers would change its position so as to spoil the picture. Attempt after attempt was made, till the nerves of all save the trainer began to get a bit on edge. Then a tiger got tangled up in the harness and had to be extricated —a dangerous and difficult task with the other two roaming alxiut at large and in very evil tempers. But the deftness of Mons. Raogoul is equal to his amazing patience. Nothing ruffled him, nothing seemed to make him cross; he was firmness and coolness and good nature personified. First of all we took them on a see-saw, then in the chariot, then with the Professor riding, etc., etc. Of the success of the results our readers can judge; but they can have no possible conception of the pains lavished in securing the same. Another difficult shot was to secure Dummy in mid-air, after his leap when playing see-saw with an elephant, though even more so were the boxing ponies. Their movements wete so wonderfully quick, and it was so difficult to know where they would be at the exact moment best to take the photo. The snaps of these are amongst the most difficult ever taken. THE OLD WEIR BRIDGE. KILLARNEY. The Lake of Killamey. one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, and a great resort of tourists to “the ould counthree,” has. according to the cabled news, just been the scene of a sad drowning fatality, in which nine tourists and four boatmen were drowned during a gale. THE BUCHANAN CUI’ This magnificent cup of sterling silver, standing 3 feet high, has been presented by Mr James Buchanan, the well known distiller of Glasgow, to No. 1 Battalion. Auckland (Lady Ranfurly’s Own). It is to be fired for by members of the battalion on terms to be arranged by the officers.