News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 4, 16 May 1884, Page 9

News of the Week.

irai&A*.

Battjbdat.

Monday.

Tuesday.

Wednesday.

The following regulation is gazetted :— " Any person taking salmon trout or other introduced salmonidte or whitefish in or from any river, creek, stream, water-course, water-race, lake, pond, or estuary within the Provincial District of Otago, without the authority of his Excellency the Governor, or other lawful authority previously obtained, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £50, to be recovered in the matrner provided by ' The Salmon and Trout Act. 18B7.' " A man named Thomas Symons was killed on Tuesday at Palmerston North by a falling tree while felling timber at Kairanga. Deceased was an elderly m an, and had been long resident there. The small rush which has set in at Nelson Creek is considered to be merely a patch. There are a great many idle mea about Greymouth, and a very dull winter is anticipated. Sir George Grey addressed a crowded meeting at Lyttelton last night, and received a unanimous vote of thanks. He expressed a wist to secure for every youth in the Colony an equal chance of entering the Civil Service, and to have the advantages of higher education brought within the reach of all. At a meeting of Directors of the Prospecting Co., at Wanganui, yesterday, a letter was read from the prospecting party at Tuhua to the effect that they had arrived within sight of the Tuhua lands, and were waiting the arrival of Ngatia to enable them to go through. A resolution was passed to urge the Native Minister to use his influence with Ngatia, Tamate, and other chiefs on behalf of the party, as they were going up in compliance with the request of the Natives. It was also decided to request the Minister of Mines to grant a pound-for-pound subsidy to the Company to enable prospecting operations to be carried go. Major Ropata was presented at Gisborne yesterday with a num.eroußly-Bigned letter expressing the feelings of the residents in regard to Mb past services, aud the injustice done him by the Government ia reducing his allowances by two-thirds, also hoping that Parliament would rectify the matter. The old chief in a brief reply quoted the Maori proverb of a dog fed by its master as long as it could limp, but being kuocked on the head when no longer of use. He said he had for years expected to be sent to arrest Te Koeti, but whatever the Government might do, he and those under his influence would remain steadfast and loyal. He was received with great enthusiasm, and was visibly affected. It is stated that when the division of the Costley C3tate & made, the share of each of the bodies participating in the legacy will be about £12,-000. A large portion of the money id at present on fixed deposit, drawing interest. Henry Ding, a busbman, was accJdently killed by being jambed between two logs in tUe bush .at Mangakahua. The British King took from here far England 71,6701 b, cheese, valued at £1479. Intelligence has been received that the steamship State of Florida, trading between Glasgow and America, which is several days overdue, came into collision with a barque in the Atlantic, and sank almost immediately. Of the" 167 souls ou board only 44 wtre rescued by the barque or saved in the steamer's boats. The Oriental Bank Corporation, which suspended payment on the 3rd*lhsi)., was compelled to adopt this course in consequejo.be of the rapid and unexpected withdrawals of deposits at its Eastern branches. The examination which has been already made of the available assets show that the depositors will probably receive 17s 6d in the pound, and in the meanwhile the liquidator will undertake the management of the Company's estates ia Mauritius.

A report was made to the Auckland police that between 10 and half-past 11 o'clock on Thursday night someone was firing from the beach, near the foot of College Hill, in the direction of a blbck of buildings lying along the gaily. One resident's bouse was repeatedly struck by bullets, and the windows of an adjacent house in course of erection were riddled with bullets. The police are investigating the matter. Daniel O'Neill, fireman on board the Kawatiri, at Westport, fell off the gangway on Thursday night and was drowned. He was drunk at the time, as was his companion, who was therefore unable to render any assistance. The Oriental Bank are indebted to the Victorian Government for £195,000 on loan account, £185,000 on fixed deposit, £14,000 on current account, and £30,000 in drafts. Mr. Service has written, to the Associated Banks contending that they ate all jointly liable for any deficiency in the public account that may arise by the failure of the Oriental Bank, but no reply to his letter has yet been returned. The catalogue at Thnrsday's wool auctions comprised II.QPO bales. The tone of the sale was firm ; combing wools and crossbreds were in good demand ; faulty descriptions dull. Since the opening of the sales 94,400 bales have been catalogued, and 8,600 withdrawn. Lord Derby has privately condemned the Recidiviste Bill as an , infamous scheme, and states that any attempt to deport criminals to New Caledonia-must be stopped. At the Crystal Palace Exhibition Mr. Gladstone was hissed for the delay which has taken place with reference to the relief of Khartoum. • \ News is to hand of a disastrous explosion which occurred at' the factory of Nobel's Explosive Company at Stevenson, Ayrshire. Ten girls employed in the works were killed. Other employees were more or less seriously injured. The Cape Ministry have resigned. General Gordon has succeeded in cutting a trercb^bstween the, palace of Khartoum and the position where the rebellious portioa oIL the inhabitants are situated-. ' **-*

M. Blowitz, the Paris correspondent of the Londo* Times, writes that if the Australian colonies are not clamorous in regard to the Becidiviste question, the wisdom of the French Senate and the costliness of the rehemo will probably prevent the measure from being brought into active operation.

Sir Julius Vogel has expressed his willingness to stand for the Bast Coast conttituency if there is a general desire that he should do so. He says that be has no intention of remaining permanently in New Zealand, but the present position of the Colony is such that he feels he might be able to do some seivice in Parliament during the next few months. Probably the principal of Mr. S. Locke's supporters will induce him to retire in favour of Sir Julius and wait till the general election. Mr. A. P. O'Callaghan addressed his constituents on Saturday night at Lincoln, and announced his intention of voting againßt the Government on a want-of-confidence motion, though generally agreeing with their policj. They had lost his support because of the grain tariff, which is unjust and unconstitutional. Mr. O'Callaehan was awarded a vote of thanks. An extensive fire occurred at Upper Opukongaro, about seven miles from Wanganui, on Saturday night, the residence of Mr. Spencer Peel being burnt to the ground. Nothing was saved except a valuable diamond in a gold bracelet, which wa9 afterward recovered from the debris and a gun which cost 60 guineas at Home. The origin of the fire is not known, as Mr. and Mrs. Peel were absent for the evening, having taken every precaution before leaving The insurances were in the Colonial for £700— £200 being on the house, £300 on furniture, and £200 on the other contents. The loss on the contents is estimated to be much above the insurances. Anotfijpr disastrous fire occurred at Invercargill on Saturday morning, tfhen the premises known as the Leviathan Gift Depot in Dee street, occupied by L. Rodgers and Co., booksellers and fancy goods warehousemen, were destroyed. The building was of brick, and bad on one side the Imperial Hotel, and on the other Hayes' chemist shop, both of brick. The alarm was given shortly before 2 a.m. by the nightwatchman, who observed a glare in the studio of Nicholas and Dougall, photographers, who occupied the rear portion of the upper storey. Within a comparatively short time some members of the new Brigade and some of the old ones had arrived, but it was a matter of difficulty to get a good supply of water on to the place where the fire was. In half an hour from the starting of the fire the flames had made their way through the floor into Rodger s warehouse below, from which people had been carrying out goods until driven away by the smoke. The interior of this shop was speedily a mass of flames. The stock was also removed from Hayes' and the Imperial Hotel, both of which were for a time in great danger. The means taken, however, were successful in confining the fire to the building in which it originated, although tho efforts made were to some extent neutralised by the want of a " rose " on the suction-pipe in the case of one of the engines, causing it to bring up gravel and so interfere with the pumps. The flames burst out very suddenly, and it is surmised that some of the chemicals in the photographic studio must have exploded. Men are still working at the pumps to drown out the smouldering ruins. The rear wall and upper part of the front are alone standing. A good deal of Rodgers' and Hayes' stocks was removed, but from their perishable na:ure they were greatly damage. It is announced that the Turkish Government are willing to adhere to the proposed European Conference provided that the whole Egyptian question is discussed. The Porte urges that the Conference should meet at Stamboul. The latest news received from Pekin states that the Imperial Chinese Council has condemned the proposal submitted by Li Hung Changr, Secretary of State, in favour of the immediate conclusion with France. Mr. Heaton, of Sydney, urges the formation iv London of an anti-Recidiviste Society. Intelligence is to hand from Zululand that a serious rising of tribes has occurred there, and Mr. OsborDC, British Resident, has asked the Imperial authorities for immediate military assistance. In the House of Commons Mr. Gladstone stated that Egyptian finances would form the basis upon which the Conference would be held, but that this would not preclude any Power from arising other questions. Egan and D*ly, the dynamiters who were arrested three weeks ago at Birkennead and Birmingham, have been committed for trial. The Egyptian commanders at Dongola and Korosko, towns on the Nile to the north of Berber, have tent communications to the authorities, in which they express themselves as anxious for the safety of these towns. The Government have accordingly ordered reinforcements to be sent to strengthen the garrisons of both places. Dispatches have been received from the Governor of Dongola announcing that the country to the southward of Debbeh is in open rebellion, and that Khartoum is completely invested by rebels. The messengers whom he had despatched to the latter place have been unable to reach it. It is reported that Lord Wolseley will, in October next lead a force of 10,000 men to the relief of Khartoum.

By an Order-in-Council, dated 18th October, 1881, the time during which it is prohibited to buy, catch, or kill seals was extended frcm the Ist of November, 1881, to the Ist of June, 1884. It has now been decided by the Government to extend the time for two years longer. A memorial to the Governor praying him to proclaim the King country as a district in which liquor may not be cold has been almost unanimously signed by the Kingites. All the leading chiefs have signed it. Barry and M'Donncll, who had been prospecting for gold at Tuhua arid were arrested by the Natives, have arrived at Auckland. They state that after their capture by the Natives their specimens were taken away from them. The Natives then brought them over

to the valley of the Waipa, where, after a conference with Wahanui, they were allowed to depart, and came on to Auckland. They «ay there is no doubt that rich reefs exist at Tuhua. Three attempts to fire buildings in Invercargill have been made within three days. The culprit in the case of the South Public School is said to have been a boy of nine years, who had been told That he would get holidays if the school were bnrnt, so he went under the building and put a match to some rubbish. He was severely chastised yesterday. Toe second case was the Presbyterian Mission Hall, at Bast Invercargill. It was found on fire between the lining and the wall. A hole had been cut wiih a knife through the weatherboards, and it is supposed the boy had dropped a match in there. The fire was extinguished without much damaere. On Monday night an attempt was made to fire the premises of Mr. Ashley, carpenter, in Don street. Material had been piled against a side door and fired. The door was burned half way up, and a quantity of Baltic timber stacked adjoining was badly charred. Two men passing got water, and extinguished the fire which would speedily have consumed half a block, as there was no watei on the street. A serious renewal of the fire in Dee street ocenrred on Sunday evening about eight o'clock, the cause being the burning joists in the party wall abutting on those of the adjoining buiMing, which was set fire to on the upper floor of Mr. Hayes (the chemist's), who had returned his stock to the shop after the first fire on Saturday morning. The building, which was also occupied by Messrs. Macpherson and Prentice, grocers, was entirely ruined, and has been partly pulled down for safety. This second disaster will also increase the cost of renewing Rodgers and Co. 's premises as the walls are now wrecked. Great excitement prevails over the incendiarism scare and the frequency of fires. A meeting of the principal residents of Gisborne was held yesterday morning, when the feeling expressed was that all the candidates should give way to Sir Julias Vogel. It was decided to call a public meeting to see what the public think of the matter. Messrs. Locke and Gannon were present, and expressed their willingness to stand aside if Mr. Rees agrees to do so. Mr. Rees left for Auckland on Sunday, and is being telegraphed to on the subject. A greatpublic meeting was held last night to consider the question of Julius vogel's candidature, Sir Julius sent a long and most interesting address on the condition of the Colony, which was read at the meeting. In it he goes minutely into the present depression and its causes. He asserts that the main cause is the uncertainty and disquietude caused to property owners during the past few years by the various taxes and proposals for taxes, so that confidence in the value of property has much decreased. As a remedy he would abolish the property-tax, believing that some other taxation is desirable, which shall not have Buch disastrous indirect effects. Amongst other subjects, he asserts his belief that, in the matter of education, an equally good articU could be got at much less cost. In telegraphed replies to inquiries re Native matters. Sir Julius says : " I have not closely followed the Native land policy alterations. Before leaving I favoured a bill by which the Government were to act as agent 9 for the sale of Native lands, charging a commission. How far this is practicable now I can't say. Ido not think, in good faith, the Government can resume the old pre-emptive right. lam strongly of opinion that the Natives should be treated honourably and justly, it the same time it may fairly be questioned whether they should not in Borne shape contribute to the cost of railways which, passing through their lands, make them of great value. The question is involved in considerable difficulty. lam profoundly anxious to see the North Island settled, as it is capable of supporting an immense populaiijn. The whole Colony is interested ia promoting such settlement." The latest intelligence from the Soudan has caused much alarm here. It is to the effect that the Mahdi has ordered Osman Digma, a leading rebel chief in Eastern Soudan, to attack and capture Dongola, and thence advance into Upper Eorypt. Nothing is yet known regar Jiog the force that Osrnan Digma has now at his command. The Tinws publishes a telegram frjm a spjci.il correspondent announcing that a treaty has been concluded at Tientsing between France and China for the cessation of hostilities and the settlement of the Tonquin difficulty. By the terms of the treaty it is agreed that China shall recognise a French protectorate over Tonquin and Anam, with the existing frontiers ; that the towns of Kuangba', Quangtung, and Yunnan, shall be opened to international trade. It is also agreed that the French Government shall waive its claim to a war indemnity. Telegrams from Tonquin state that numerous skirmishes have of late taken place between the French troops and a large force of the Anamese pirates, culminating in a battle which extended over four days. The French were ultimately victorious, and their loss was inconsiderable. It ia believed that the natives suffered heavily. It has transpired that the Porte consented to forego its demand that the projected Conference on Egyptian affairs should take place at Constantinople, and agreed to the proposal that the delegates should meet in London. The Governments if the several Australian Colonies have sent by telegraph to the Imperial Government an Identical Note protesting against the action of France, and urging the Imperial Government to use continuous and vigorous efforts to prevent the carrying out of the French proposals regarding recidivistes. Deposit notes of the Oriental Bank are Belling for 13s 6d in the pound.

Mr. Rees, in an interview with a Star reporter, stated that he would oppose Sir Julius Vogel for the Bast Coast seat at all hatards. He will be an uncompromising opponent of the Government. A meetiDg Attended by 700 persons, the Mayor presiding, was held at Gisborne on Monday uight. The meeting was almost unanimously in favour of Sir Julius, only about ten of those present dissenting. Mr. Gannon, one of the candidates, took the lead in advocating Sir J. Vogel's candidature, and proposed a resolution that the rest should Bland aside, which was carried with three cheers for Sir Julius. George Whitmore was ameng the •ptakere, and he pointed out that

Fi'iYS* 61 ld + w , ndfll! ?ervice in London in getting a loan for the district. Mr. Locke and Mr. Gannon are willing to retire. News has been received from Dongola, stating that a serious panto has occurred among the inhabitant* of the town and in the neighbourhood in consequence of the expectation that an attack will •hortly be made upon the town by the rebels under Osman Dieoa. . AI Lo *l Det ! > / •?*• ****** to the Governors of the various colonies stating that it the colonies will vote a certain sum towards the expenses, the Queen will assume authority over the coast of New Guinea. The intelligence that the treaty of peace has been concluded between France and China is now fully confirmed. Telegrams from Natal state that a party of malcontent Zulus recently made a determined attack upon Mr. Osborne, the British. Resident Commissioner. The latter, with the aid of an escort and a number of friendly natives, repulsed the rebels with heavy loss. Intertribal quarrels in Zululand are reported to have assumed a serious phase. •i j n th ? ** OUBe ?* Commons on Monday Sir Michael Hicks-Beach introduced his motion censuring the Government for the delay which has occurred in the arrangements for rescuing General Gordon and the garrison of Khartoum. The mover made a lengthy speech, to which Mr. Gladstone replied, and said that the Government would not embark on a mission to reconquer the Soudan, as they have a duty towards the nation as well as towards General Gordon. Steps would be taken to assist the latter if he were proved to be in datiger. It was, however, necessary to consider the season and climate of the Soud*n before despatching troops, The debate still continues. '* Thubsdat. A deputation, consisting of the Hon. Mr. Chamberlin, Mesas, T. B. Hill, C. O. Davis, and A. Cox (secretary of the Gospel Tempwance Mission), waited upon the Governor yesterday with the Native petition re the King Country being proclaimed against the liquor traffic. The Governor promised that the petition should have due consideration. The petition is signed by Wakanui, Rewi, and other influential chiefs. An inquiry was held yesterday into the origin of the fire which destroyed the Theatre Royal, Provincial Hotel, and other buildings at Invercargill three weeks ago. Evidence was taken at considerable length, and the jury, after deliberation, returned a verdict " That the theatre was wilfully and feloniously set on fire by some person unknown. ,A suspicion has existed that a man named Luke O'Brien, who has been prowling about town for some weeks in a vagrant fashion, might be implicated in several fires that have occurred. He was convicted of the theft of liquor from the hotel while is vas on fire, and was again found guilty of stealing the coat in which he had placed the liquor, and also of stealing photos, from an album in the Supreme Court Hotel. He was seen by several parties at and before the time of the fire in its vicinity, and was the first to ring the bell. He was brought up at the inquest, identified, and examined. Bis statements were at variance with those of other witnesses, hut the man is said to be weak minded. The Coroner therefore said tliat his statements one way or the other were not to be relied on. Stephens avows that the new Fenian organisation intend to embarrass England through her Colonies. The French Government insist on the exclusive possession of the trading facilities to the southern ports of China. The division on Sir M. Hicks-Beach's motion censuring the Government with regard to their Egyptian policy, took place in the House of Commons yesterday, and it was defeated. Two hundred and seventy-five members, including the Parnellite party, supported the motion. Those who voted with the Government number 303. The Times states that the result of the division does not represent the universal conviction of the country. It is reported that Osman Digma has defeated the friendly natives in the neighbourhood of Souakim. It is reported that Majorgeneral Gordon made an attempt to escape from Khartoum, but was compelled to return to the city. The Mahdi has directed Ws leiutenant to capture Dongola and then march on Cairo.