News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 5, 23 May 1884, Page 9

News of th e Week.

Tuesday.

Wednesday.

Thursday.

Fbiday.

The following appears in the New Zealand Herald in leply to an inquiry of Sir J. Vogel, by the editor, as to his political intentions : — -" In reply to your telegram, I. have no intention of staying beyond a few months, and no intention to form a distinct party. I came here without a thought of entering politics, but observing" the existing difficulties I thought my long experience in New Zealand might be of some use in suggesting remedies and consolidating parties ; hence, without a desire to obtrude myself or revive old partisan feelings, I accepted the invitation, of the East Coast, which was entirely spontaneous and unsolicited by me." The Dunedin Morning Herald says :— " Miss Dargon gave the first of two entertainments at Invercargill on Wednesday night. A local paper says of the attendance ' the circle was not fully occupied, but there was no room to spare in the other parts of the house.' o/SS? 1 S Theatre » in which Miss Dargon appearei, is said to have had 2000 within its walls on the occasion of Sir George Grey's visit, so that the audience which patronised Miss Dargon must have been a very large one indeed: Mr. Smail, a member of a firm of engineers at Gisborne, has had one of his legs completely smashed by an engine falling on it. The Daily Times says :— " Mr. Henry James Johnson, who has been acting as editor of the recently-started Forbury News, died very suddenly yesterday morning. He left his home, at the corner of Union and King streets, Dunedin, at about half-past nine o'clock on Wednesday evening, telling bis wife that he would return shortly. After waiting in vain for him a long time, she retired to bed, and the next morning found her husband's dead body upon the doorstep at the rear of the house. Death is pronounced to have resulted from apoplexy. The deceased was 35 years of age, and had not long been resident in the Colony. In spite of an unfortunate failing to which he sometames yielded, he was possessed of a considerable amount of literary ability : and a series of Pulpit Pictures contributed by him, under the non de plume of « Pilgrim. 1 to this journal shortly after his arrival will be favourably remembered." A point of some considerable interest to publicans in general has been raised by Owen Humphreys, landlord of the British Hotel, Auckland, who has refused on principle to allow the City North Committee to inspect his house. Mr. Hnmphreys replied, on the committee visiting the premises, tbat on principle he could not allow them to do so. The inspection provided for by the Act having already been ma-Je by the police, no provision was made by law for an inspection by the committee, hence his refusal. The committee aid not persist in their intention, but retired. Lord Derby's despatch to the Governors of the colonies is of a confidential nature ; but it is believed that he proposes a scheme for the control of the Pacific Islands by the Grown, pending federation. Negotiations regarding the forthcoming International Conference on the Egyptian Question are still proceeding. The Egyptian Government, in furtherance of its claim to a voice in the deliberations, proposed to appoint Nubar Pasha,, President of the Egyptian Council of Ministers, as its representative, but the British Government objected to the Egyptian Premier attending the Conference. It is reported that in a revolt in Arabia 300 Turks have been massacred. It has transpired that in couseqnence of the threatened advance northwards of Osman Digma and tlie followers of the Mahdi, and with a view of allaying the consternation which has been thereby caused, the Egyptian Government recently decided to despatch a portion of the Egyptian force now stationed at Assouan to Wody Haifa, an important military position at the second cataract on the Nile. The Imperial Government, however, vetoed the proposed despatch . A serious panic has occurred on the Stock Exchange and in commercial circles of New York in consequence of further failures of prominent business houses. Among the firms which have become insolvent is a private bank doing business on a large scale. Saturday. A reported case of poisoning at TJrral, near Eakaia, is confirmed. It appears that a party— seven in number— left Tiverton on Thursday on a. shooting expedition, and beEore starting were supplied with a bottle of whisky by Mr. Mason. On reaching Urral they stopped to have a drink, and immediately after were all seized with convulsions. One of the party who was not sa bad as the others, drove off to Ashburton for a doctor, and in the meantime three settlers in the vicinity administered emetics. When Dr. Ross arrived from Ashburton one of the men, Thomas Fahey, was dead, but the others were soon out of danger. It seems that a jug which had contained strychnine, and had not been washed out, was used by Mr. Ma^on for the purpose of pounng the whisky into the bottle. Had the men reached their destination before partaking of the whisky, they would most probably have all died, as they would have been too far away to obtain assistance. The Governor has received the following telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies : «It is her Majesty's wish that the celebration of her birthday should be deferred for one month. Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint the 28th June for the United Kingdom." The Governor notifies that the usual birthday levee has been postponed in accordance with this request, Prince Bismarck has formally notified to the British and Portuguese Ministers that the German Government cannot agree to recognise the treaty which in February last was concluded between England and Portugal regarding the Congo district, on the West African coast, as applying to German subjects -who may be residents in the territory referred to in the treaty. In consequence of the hostile attitude of the Arab tribes and increasing fears of an attack being made upon Dongola by Osman uigma, the Governor of that town has sent urgent appeals for reinlorcements. The Government have therefore authorised him t:>

withdraw his garrison from Dongola, and abandon the town if he considers it unable to resist attack, stating that it is. impossible tostrengthen the garrison by reinforcements at the present time. The military guard at the Birmingham Gaol has been increased, so as to prevent any attempted rescue of the Fenian piisoners confined there. This step has been taken in consequence of reports received by the authorities that the friends of the prisoners would probably make an effort to rescue them. M. Ferry, the French Premier, has expressed his. indignation at Prince Bismarck's accusation that he is conniving at the betrayal of the military secrets of Germany.

Monday.

At the inquest on the man Fahey fit Rakaia, Mr. John Mason, the hotelkeeper, by advice of his lawyer, refused to' give evidence, but other witnesses showed that he hati acknowledged havui^ mixed strychnine with vinegar in the jusr some time ago for the purpose of killing rats or birds, and that subsequently he had thrown the contents of the jug away, but had not washed it out ; and that when taking the whisky from a jar to put it in tan bottle he usei the same jug. The medical evidence was to the effect that if vinegar wasweak it would not dissolve crystals of strychuine, which would adhere to the jug, but strong spirit would at ouce dissolve them. The opinion of the men who drank the whisky was at first that Mason had played a practical joke. The jury returned an open verdict. Mr. J. C. Wason intends standing for Ashburton, rendered vacant by the resignation oe Mr. E. G. Wiight. He addressed the electors at Chertsey on Friday night. He is in favour of local railway boards and against land nationalisation aud perpetual leases. He received a vote of thanks. A cheque fc.r £92 133 was presented on Saturday, at Greyraouth, to the wife of Sergeant O'Grariy as a mark of sympathy with them in their losses by the late fire. A man named James, aged 70. formerly dark of works, was found dead in bed at Auckland in the house in which he lived alone. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict that the deceased died from the effects of burns accidentally received a fortnight ago, and tbat death was accelerated by neglect to obtain medical aid for him. He was formerly of the We>t Coast. A serious accident occurred to a good-train on the "VVaikato line on Saturday. The following are the particulars so far as knowa :— The train left Auckland at 6.20 a ni., and on turning one of the curves near Puhekohe a cow was seen drinking from a mill stream alongside the railway. As the train approached the cow made a bound oa to the line, and before the diiver could stop the train the engine was thrown off the line, carrying with it a couple of emptytrucks. The driver, Leonard K-san, succeeded in jumping off on che right-hand side. In falling he struck his head against a sleeper, but was not, however, s°riously hurt. The stoker, J. Robertson, had alsoa miraculous escape ; he fell with the engine headlong into the swamp, but, strange to say, suffered no injury. A report was circulated in town that Mr. Fisher, butcher, ami Mr. Hornsby, ironmonger, who were passengers by the train, had been seriously hurt, but the traffic manager states that the report is false. It appears that Mr. Hornsby was thrown from one en<l of a carriage to the other twice. He was badly shaken, though not otherwise hurt. Mr. Fisher was also knocked about a good deal, and received one or two cuts on hisface. A young man named Giey had a very narrow escape ; he was riding on the platform, and was thrown a distance of more than 20 yard?, falling rather heavily. The passenger-trains were delayed for half an hour at Mercer in consequence of the accident. In the House of Lords on Friday, EaTl Granville announced that the Government had received a telegram from Cairo stating that refugees from Berber and Korosko, who arrived at Ass man, on the Egyptian border, report tbat General Gordon was well when last advices were despatched from Khartoum, and that he made somesorties with the Egyptian garrison, and had. on each occasion successfully attacked the rebels. It is reported that the Government hare now decided to make preparations for the despatch of an expedition, to the Soudan to relieve General Gordon It is further stated that the troops will start as soon as the Nile has risen sufficiently to permit the passage of small steamers, No official announcement has yet been made. The Governor of Dongola declined to accept the permissisn granted him to withdraw the garrison and abandon the townIn consequence of further representations by the Egyptian Government. England has now consented to tbe despatch of Egyptian troops to Wady Haifa and Korosko, on the Nubian frontier. The Governor of Dongola is reported to be disloyal, aad Pascher has been captured. Arrived cargoes of wheat have sold in the London market at from 40s to 41s. Good greasy merino wool has improved in piice, but the finest is unaltered. Crossbred is firm, buffaulty and superior wools are weake-. One hundred and eighty-three thousand bales have been catalogued, and 14,700 withdrawn. An autumn session of Parliament will be held iE the House of Lords rejects the bill for extension of the franchise. Lord Boaebeny, at Earl Granville'a request, has postponed th& recidiviste debate in the House of Lords. The French government appear greatly irritated at the action of the Australian colonies in the matter. The Royal Geographical Society have presented to Sir F. D. Bell the gold medal awarded to Professor Von Haast, of Christchurch, for his explorations of the New Zealand Alps, The Duke of Marl borough has agreed to accept the sum of £107,000 in commutation of the peqsion of £4000 a year which has been paid to himself and previous holders of the title since the battle of Blenheim. The Bundesrath has voted an annual subsidy of four million marks for a line of German mail steamers to Australia and the East. Intelligence is 10 hand from Herat (Afghanistan) that the Turcomans resident ihere have foimally rendered their submission to Russia. The latest news from Zululand announces ..that an engagement has taken place, near the boarder, between the'Basutos and the friendly tribes, in which the latter were defeated, and Mr. Osborne, resident commissioner, has consequently been compelled to retreat.

The Daily Time* says.— News from Melbourne states tbat it has transpired that the object of Michael Davitt's visit to Australia is to induce the Colonies to subscribe to the Irish Payment of Members Fund, initiated by Mr. Pnrnell. Some American States have promised each to support an Irish member in the House of Commons, and it is hoped that the Australian Colonies will act in the same spirit. Another case of acciiifrital pois wing has oocure*) at Christchurcb. A man named Foster purchased some beer at the Cnrlton Hotel, the beer being put into a bottle provided by the barman. After partaking of the beer Foster became very ill, and for some days was in a critical state. He is not abie to get about, and will probably recover moderate health, but will always be more or less a sufferer. It appears that the bottle in which the beer was put bad previously contained oxalic acid, and had been obtained in the usual way from a dealer in old bottles. The Government received a telegram yesterday evening from Colonel Boberts, at Opunake, stating that 320 Natives, headed by Titokowaru, arrived at the Opunaka bridge yesterday en route to the monthly meeting at Parihaka, and were turned back, 'iitokowaru said : " What are the roads made for ? The Government said they were for the Europeans and Maoris, and that there was to be one law for both races. Now to day you stop the Maori. Now be sure and not to hide my words from the Government.'" After delivering these few words Titokowaru, accompanied by the other Natives, returned to Oeo, a small settlement not far distant from Opunake. Mr. Fitagerald, Commissioner of Audit, has adjusted the accounts between Wanganui and Waitotara counties. Both assets and liabilitiesyire to be divided in proportion to the rateable value. One of the liaßUities slated by the Wanganni county was that of bridge maintenance for 20 years, a clause in the bill making the maintenance an equal charge on the county, borough, and Harbour Board. The Commissioner doubted his power to make an award on the rateable value for 20 years, but said he would take legral advice. The WaMtipu Mail says : —There is no doubt that the Invincible Co. 8 mine is only in its infancy, and that it will every year become more valuable as it widens out. A deputation of settlers has waited on the Hon. Mr. Mitchelson re damage to property on Kaipara line through sparks from railway locomotives. It appears it arises from the use of local coal ; but the use of Newcastle is too expensive for adoption. Mr. Mitchelson promised t o see what could be done to remedy the evil complained of. The piles for the deep-water wharf at Oamaru have been placed in position, and the wharf is expected to be ready for large Home ships in a month or so. The damage resulting from the Pukekohe railway accident is estimated at £1000. Nine trucks were more or less damaged. A derrick is being erected to heist the locomotive engine out of the 8 warn p. The Dunstan Times says :— News from tie quartz reefs on the Old Man Bange are not so satisfactory as could be wished. White's Company are still sinking their underlie sbaffc between the walls of the reef.^ The Advance Company, after being driven out of their fchaft at 70f fc., by an inflow of water, have commenced another shaft close on to Wookey and Gavan's boundary, and in the line of tbeir reef which sill continues to look well. This claim is undoubtedly the best on the range, and should turn out a fortune to the lucky owners. Mr. J. A. Chapman^ Dunedin. reports for week ending 17th May :— Welcome Co. during the week reduced about 75 tons of quartz, which yielded 106002. of amalgram.— Keep-it-Dark Co. obtained 2580z. of amalgam from about 180 tons of stone.— Globe Co.: 122 oz. of amalgam.— Golden Treasure Co. expect to start a crashing in two or three weeks from date.— United Alpine Co : The tnbuters obtained 414 oz. of amalgam from the last washing-up. Mr. Osborne, resident commissioner at the Cape, is appealing to John Dunn for troops to assist in repelling the Usutus. The inhabitants of Ekowe are fortifying that district. M. Ferry has announced tbat he proposes to largely curtail the powers of the French Senate. Intelligence lias reached f! a iro that the Arab rebels near Abu. bamed have captured M. Cuzzi, the English agent at Berber, who was fleeing northwards. It. now transpires tbat it is the Turcoman tribes on the Afghan frontier who have tendered their submifsion to Bussia, and not the tribes at Herat, as stated in late telegrams from St. Petersburg.

Earl Bosebery states that if the Australian Colonies are prevented from excluding the recidivisms from landing O n the Pacific islands, the feelings of the colonists, if aroused, will be one of danger to union with England. 5 Several members of the House of Commons have signed a memorial in favour of the release of the Tiohborne claimant, and urging that the man Cresswell, who is at present confiued in the Lunatic Asylum at Parranoatta, New South Wales, and who is alleged to be identical with Arthur Orton, should be brought to London. The French Government bare acquired the right of pre-emption over Mr. Stanley's Congo Company. In the House of Lords Earl Bosebery has announced thai he had decided to postpone his jmotion regarding tUe;recidiviste question. His Lordship further stated that he did not intend to protest against the French erecting prisons, but againrt, the setting of the worst classes of criminals at liberty in the vicinity of the Colonies. Telegrams received from Souakim state that the rebels in the neighbourhood are again assuming a hostile attitude, and during several hours continuous firing upon the town was maintained. A body of sailors at length landed from the British war-vessels lying off the town, and the Arabs then fled. The fdllowors of the Mahdi have captured 1000 head of cattle in the neighbourhood of Souakim, and have pillasred the magazine^ Abulhamid. The rebels are now advancing on Korosko. The English Government are arrangin" for the purchase of 1000 camels for service in Egypt.

In the House of Commons the Premier has made a statement regarding the projected conference of European Power* upon the Egyptian question. The Government, Mr. Gladstone said, adhere to the basis upon which the Conference was to he held ss originally announced. Parleying is still proceeding on the subject with France, and as soon as an agreement had been come to with that Power concerning the question under consideration, the other European Powers would be consulted. • , Aikinson addressed a meeting at the Thames on Monday nigni. There was, considering the heavy rain which fell dnring the day and for some hours before the meeting, a large attendance. His speech was largely devoted to an examination into the Native land question in the Colony, and a statement of the Government intentions regarding the same during he coming session^ He explained ab length hia reasons for opposing a land and income tax. and he thought a property tax sufficient to meet the c^e of New Zta arid. He treate I the matter of deficit in nearly the sam«* language as he has used regarding it in his other addresses in oth r parts of the Colony, and attributed the depression to the fall in t-be price of our main products, and to the reduction of public loan expenditure ; but looked upon the depression as only temporary. He would not be a party to financial separation, and took the proposal to really mean the stoppage of the carrying out of the Public Works policy in the North Island, He believed the idea absurd and impossible, and scouted the thought of Mr. Montgomery being able to prove it possible or expedient. He recommended the electors in picking their new representatives to be guided rather by the good character of the man than by the party be allied himself to. The speech also covered a number of other subjects formerly dealt with by him. The several lodges of Friendly Societies in Auckland have received an intimation from the Government that their request for payment to secretaries for filling in annual forms as to sickness, experiences, and cards of membership has been granted. The Mount Ida Chronicle speaks of Sir George Grey's address ab Dunedin as •• one of the most foolish, inconsequent, and twaddling speeches ever heard within the Colony." l'he Dunstan Tunes 6ays that "any other than himself who should venture to talk such utter twaddle as he delivered himself of on Saturday night* would very properly be hooted from the platform."

The Imperial Government has invited tenders for engines to propel 30 river launches which it is understood will be usad for conveying troops up the river Nile. There are also other signs in connection with the transport service which indicate that, active preparations are being made for the early despatch of an expedition of British troops into the Soudan. •In the House of Commons, the Franchise Beforoa Bill has been again under discussion. During the debate an amendment excluding Irish electorates from the operation of the bill was rejected by a large majority. The Dutch Parliament has declined to interfere with the Boer occupation of Zululand. Information from the Cape has been received that the rebel Zulus are now threatening Natal. A large and influential meeting, held at Brisbane, has adopted resolutions against the French recidiviste proposals. Eatly yesterday morning the bouse occupied by the Rev. Samuel Slocombe, at Chrsstchurch, was destroyed by fire, and the church had a narrow escape. The building was insured for £400, and the furniture for £200. A petition signed by 350 Boman Catholics, at Blenheim, praying for an amendment of the Education Act, was handed yesterday to Mr. Dodson, M.H.8., for presentation. A slight shock of earthquake was felt in Wanganui last night about half-past 7, accompanied by a loud rumbling noise. The party of prospectors, sent up by the Wanganui Prospecting Company have returned to town, not being allowed to go on to the country which they went. up to test. The party were very well •treated by the Natives, but .Wahanui objected to their going into Tahua territory, the proper ownership of which is disputed, and they returned to town. Wahanui accompanied them down as far as Utipu, and he will come on and confer with Major Kemp on the subject. A man, named Peter Bailey, was found dead on a bye-road near Maxwelltown (about 15 miles from Wanganui; last evening. He had been working at Maxwelltown Hotel, and the previous evening took bis swag and left. Nothing more was seen of him till to-day, when his body was found. The particulars to hand of the affair are very meagre, and nothing is known as to whether marks of violence are perceptible.