Untitled

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 19, 29 August 1884, Page 11

been taken from hu head in the interval. An inquest will probably be held. There is is a itory going round the lobbies (says the Wellington correspondent of the Daily Times) in reference to Mr. Thomson's interview with Sir George Grey, which is certainly very good, and is solemnly averred to have the farther merit of being true. Mr. Thomson was accompanied by Mr. Wakefield, and the interview is said to have been of the briefest character. Directly the hon. member for Clntha appeared, and before he had time to say a word, Sir George is reported to have said, " Good morning, Mr. Thomson. I've no doubt you will form a very good Ministry. Good morning, Mr. Thomson." There the «' interview" absolutely ended, and it is generally agreed that, supposing the yarn to be true, never was such delicate business transacted in such an expeditious manner. * The Bruce Herald reports the death of Mr. John Tobin, fellmonger, of Kaitangata, who was drowned by falling into the river on Monday evening. He went to his home with a companion about 9 o'clock, and sent his friend into the house to light the lamp. Having done to, the other party, not seeing him about, went to the township and made enquiries. Not finding him at either of the hotels, he went home. Next morning the body of Tobin was found in the river. The bank if about 20 yards from his house, and he had evidently fallen in almost directly after he had left his friend to light the candle. He had evidently made an effort to recover himself, as when the boiy was found the hands were full of grass from the river bank~7 which he had no doubt clutched in the endeavour to save himself. Mr. Tobin has been resident in Eaitangata for the last 11 years, and was held in high esteem by his frieuds and neighbours. An inquiry into the accident to the Ringarooma was held at Lyttelton yesterday afternoon before Mr. J. Olliver, ' R.M., and Captains Saunders and M'lntyre, nautical assessors. Voluminous evidence was taken, showing that when the ship struck she was going four or five knots, and should, by reckoning, have been 20 miles to the south and a little easterly of her real position. She was so close to land that a biscuit could have been throwa ashore, but the fog was bo thick that the land could not be seen till a gust of wind slightly lifted the fog. After she struck soundings were not taken, as the captain had no doubt of his position. There was scarcely any wind, and no broken water, only a swell. The captain had at times experienced an indraught enrrent setting in shore off Banks Peninsula. The compasses were all right. No grog had been used by the officers or crew the night before the accideot. It is reported that New South Wales will place a five-million loan in the market in the autumn. v Dr. Nachtigal has annexed Paquena and territory to the southward of the Orange River. Five thousand British troops, under the command of General Earle, are expected to reach Don?ola on December 6, en route to Khartoum, to the relief of General Gordon. The Chinese Government has forbidden the evacuation of Langson. Intelligence is to band from Pekin that the flag at the French Embassy of that city has been lowered, and that the protection of French subjects resident there has been confided to the Russian Legation. In consequence of the definite refusal of the Chinese Government to accept the French ultimatum, all hopes of averting war have been abandoned, and diplomatic relations with China were formally interrupted to-day, when M. Ferry forwarded his passports to Hi Fong Pao, the Chinese Ambassador. Instructions have been sent to Admiral Courbet to take steps to obtain reparation from China on account of the Lang-son affair withont further delay, and it is expected that active hostilities will at once be commenced by the French war-vessels in Chinese waters. Telegrams to hand from the Transvaal state that the Republican Executive has issued a proclamation at Pretoria announcing the creation of a Boer Republic in Zululand, and its refusal to further recognise the independence of native Zulu chieftians. Monday. Sir George Grey (says the correspondent of the Otago Daily Times) is preserving great reticence as to his intentions, Out there is no- doubt he is still hoping to be able to form a Ministry. He has ! had a long interview with the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, but with what result has not transpired. It is not thought at all likely, however, that he will get auy assistance from that quarter beyond friendly counsel. There is a rumour current that, failing the co-operation of older politicians, Sir George will try a Ministry of "young bloods," and various aspiring young members are mentioned as likely to be honoured with' an invitation to joiu him. Sir George Grey is said to be particularly deniroua of forming a Ministry of some kind, and that it should be afforded an opportunity of banging down a policy, as he has several measures which be considers of great importance, and is anxious to submit. It is said, however, that they are nol of a very practical character. A general impression still prevails either that Sir George will uot be able to form a Ministry at all, or that, if he does, it will k>a opposed at the earliest possible moment and defeated. A decision was given in the Bingarooma inquiry; on Saturday. The Court found that the Ringarooma bad steered the usual course till about 20 miles off the Peninsula. There the set of the current had carried her nearer the laud than was supposed, though the lead might have been heaved oftener ; yet when the vessel struck everything was done by the cay tain to ensure the safety of the vessel and passengers, 'the discipline of the crew seemed admirable. They would direct that the certificates of the captain and officers be returned. They would not direct the costs to be given against the captain. t>at-sfactory headway (says the Mount Ida Chronicle) is bring made with the construction of the Government head-race to Spec Gully. Nearly two miles have been completed, and there is every probability that a large quantity of water will be used for mining purposes in Spec during the approaching season. There is some talk of an attempt being made to work some of the terraces on the east side of Main Gully, where, it is asserted, wages from £2 to £5 per week could be made, if water were available at a reasonable price

Many miners in the district who have been working unpayable ground for some time past are on the look-out for new El Doradoes, and the signs betoken that during the coming season mining matters will be more than ordinarily active. The Thames Advertiser reports the following extraordinary case : — A woman named Mrs. Freeman, who resides somewhere in the vicinity of Waio-Karaka Flat, labours under a singular hallucination, respecting which she has for a lpng time been the cause of annoyance to the police and court authorities. The burden -of her complaint is that a number of boys are in the habit of invading her house at all hours and " holding heated irons to her face and body," and that she is in continual fear that they will do her some injury or destroy her property. Though her statement does not carry the least probability, the police have at various times made enquiries in order to ascertain for themselves whether the woman had any ground for complaint, but hare come to the conclusion that shi is the victim of monomania. As, however, sh6 is perfectly harmless, it is not considered necessary that she should be placed under restraint. The Wellingtoa Post criticises Mr. Hatch as follows :— " The new membir for Invercargill had not uttered a dozen sentences when it became evident that he was au unmitigated bore, with every promise of developing into a Parliamentary nuisance of the Beai and Speight type. His assurance appears as unbounded as his wit is poor. The House has rarely, if ever, before been condemned to listen to such an exnibition of pretentious volubility from a new member as Mr. Hatch treated ie to last night." It is a very hippy thing (writes the Lyttelton Times) that Mr. Thomson has dropped out of sight. His delight at the assumption of bis high task was about his sole qualification. No doubt there are plenty of men in the douse who would have been proud to serve even with Mr.' Thomson a* Premier, but the Opposition has given all aspirants a lesson which they take to heart. Iv a House capable of refusing a fair trial to a good policy, ambition is shy of vaulting up into high places for the mere pleasure of becoming the butt for the shafts of ridicnle with the certainty of speedy catastrophe. Probably Mr. Thomson's seconder, the illustrious Mr. Hatch, who objected to the now out-going Government because he wanted the interests of triple morality looked after, and gambling put down, would have been delighted to take office. He would revel in the novel portfolio of Minister of Morality, and would not object to Bee a portfolio of Agriculture created, for his eye when it is not on morality, is altogether directed to the agricultural and pastoral interest, more particularly the latter. Mr. Hatch knows more about making sheep dips than he knows about making speeches or doing the business of any portfolio of morality or any other. As one of those colts for whosa advancement he expressed such a tendfer solicitude, unhappily he cannot be stayed from making speeches, and dips he will continue to make as long as it suits him. The probability is that Mr. Thomson took an early opportunity of snuffing out the pretensions of Mr. Hatch. The certainty is that all the gentlemen h<j interviewed so industriously took an early opportunity of snuffing put the pretensions of Mr. Thomson. It is a good thing for the country ; it is also a good thing for Mr. Thomson. The member for Clutha is not the kind of man to have greatness thrust on him. Had that great difficulty been got over, he would have found himself claiming that fair trial which he denied to his predecessors, and he would have found himself getting it too — getting, that is to say, coals of fire heaped on his benevolent bub mistaken head. He would also have been compelled to enter into the very kind of combination which he so bitterly criticised in that speech, which our Welliugcoa correspondent seems. to thiuk was written by " the other old woman." Mr. Thomson's collapse has saved the country much waste of time, and himself much bitterness of heart-burning, lie his returned to the privacy foe which he is so eminently fitted. No doubt it has been a bitter pill for Mr. l Thomson to swallow. It is easy to imagine him beginning his descent upon the lobbies with jaunty air, and accosting each several leader with swiftly.increasing sense of disappointment. .But we will throw a veil over the sufferings of this much ill-used person. Much interest (says the Mount Ida Clwonicle) is being displayed in reefing matters at Uough Ridge and Ctorpeutiue. At the latter place.several parties will, so sjou as spring appears, commeuce prospecting ; and Turnbuli and party will, presumably, endeavour to have their new find, which lately yielded four ounce* per ton, tested to depths lower tuan it has yet attained. It is expected that the stone will increase both in quality and quantity as it descends.— I Rough Ridge, however, is the principal centre of attraction ju»t now. A company is forming for working one of the main lines of reefs there, and it is intended that operations shall be commenced shortlyin a thoroughly efficient and systematic manner. Ireland won the JSlcho Shield rifle match at Wimbledon. The scores were : Ireland, 1583 ; Scotland, 1476 ; England, 1474. A telegram despatched from Foochow states that Admiral Courbet boidbarded the Chinese ar a eual near that town for three hours, aud entirely destroyed it, together with seven Chinese guuboata which were sunk by the lire of the French ships. Two other gunboats escaped. The European residents of Foochow have not been molested, although great excitement prevails among the native pop* ulation. Three Russian ironclads have been despatched to reinforce the Russiau fket now cruising off the Chinese coast. Opium-smoking has increased to such an extent in New York that the authorities confess their inability to prevent it by law. Mr. Parnell deeming it uot prudent to leave Ireland at the present time, the Irish National party will be represented at the conference of the Jrish National League of America, to beheld in Boston on August 13, by Messrs. Thos. S. Sixton aud John B. Redmond, who goes on to Australia to lecture. The plague has made its appearance at Kara and other stations in the Caucasus. Eight hundred persons died at Bedra during May. Russia and Germany have adopted a treaty against the anarchists. In future Russians will not be allowed to reside in Germany without the permission of the German Government. Great precautions were taken at Warwick on July 29 to ensure order in the trial of Daly, Egan, and M'Donnell, suspected dynamiters. Strong barriers were erected to protect the approaches to and from

the Court, and constables armed with revolvers were placed on guard at all tbe public buildings. M'Donnell pleaded guilty to the charge of treason and felony. Thereupon the other charges against him were withdrawn. Daly and Egan, also pleaded guilty. Despatches from Toulon to August 1 cay there had only been two deaths from cholera at that date. Thirty-two cases were in the Bona Reconira Hospital, and 93 in the St. Mandria. The Legion of Honour gave & festival in honour of tie Mayor, and tbe people felt indignant over the matter, as they considered it an unbecoming display at this time of misery. Another death from cholera had occurred at Mountfort. Eleven deaths between noon and 7 p.m. were reported from Marseilles on August 1. The fugitives were returning to the cities in increased numbers. The cities are becoming more animated, and the shops are re-opening. The present condition of the epidemic is that it ia decreasing at certain points, but extending in area. The municipal authorities of Toulon have excited indignation by refusing to allow a procession of women on the streets ; they desired to offer prayers for the cessation of the scourge. Despite the attempt of the French scientists to minimise as much as possible the panic on the Continent, it is now admitted that tbe German expert, Dr. Koch, was justified in the horrible predictions which alarmed all Europe. Cases are reported in Brignoles, Aries, and the environs of Paris. On July 20 the Marseilles Chamber of Commerce voted 10,000 francs for the relief of the sufferers. The cholera still continues to spread in the northwest of Italy, and several cases are now reported at Milan, Turin, and Genoa. It is announced that Major>General Earle will command the Anglo-Egyptian expedition which it is proposed to despatch by tbe Nile route to Khartoum in October. The British troops attached to the expedition will number 5300. A party of capitalists is negotiating for the purchase of a large tract of land in Utah, between 100,000 and 200,000 acres. It is to be applied to the purpose of founding a self-supporting Irish Catholic colony. By this means it is thought the Mormonists will be gradually moralised. The catalogue of the present wool sales comprises 115,861 bales of which 7000 were withdrawn. The competition among Foreign buyers was more marked than hitherto. Good combing merinos and crossbred s have increased a half-penny over the closing rates of last sales. Faulty merinos and inferior crossbreds have a downward tendency. TUESDAY. An imposing procession, consisting of the effigies of Messrs. Ross, Thomson, Gillies, and Pyke, M.H.R's., borne on a lorry and escorted by some two or three thousand people, paraded Dunedin last evening halting at the reclaimed ground, where the images of the offending membeis were first gibbeted and then burnt. — The cause was the vote given against the Stout-Vogel combination by the gentlemen in question. The Rev. Father Devoy (says the Greymouth Argus), Roman Catholic priest, who for some little time back has been engaged in the work of collecting money in aid of St. Patrick's College now being erected at Wellington, has received instructions from Bishop Redwood to proceed to Timaru with the least possible delay, for the purpose of relieving the Key. Gather McGuinness, whose health has completely broken down. The rev. gentleman was formerly in charge of this district and was removed to Timaru on account of the very poor health he had here, and with the hope that the change would prove beneficial, which uufoitunately has not been tbe case. All his old congregation and very many others of the various congregations of Greymouth will i egret to learn that the rev. gentleman's health has declined so much. In consequence of the mandate of his Bishop, Father Devoy will have to put aside for the present all idea of canvassing Reefton for subscriptions for St. Patrick's College, but he will visit Bruimerton to-morrow and the South Beach on Monday. Father Devoy expresses great satisfaction at the success of his mission so far, and the generous way in which the appeal ia aid of the Oo'lege has been responded to. Up to the present he hir collected £350, £250 of which was donated by fewer than half a dozen persons. Some mote very rich specimens were brought to Ros from the reefs on Saturday night. A trial crushing will be made iv three weeks. The amateur dramatic entertainment at the Oddfellows Hall. Stafford, last night (says the Kumara Times of the 19th inst)., ia aid of tbe Catholic Church at Stafford, proved a great success. The Kumara amateurs and the St. Patrick's Brass Band went down by special coach yesterday afternoon. They were accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Devoy, Carew, and Walshe. On arriving at Goldsborough the Band alighted and walked through the town playing selections, and did the same at Stafford. The hall was crowded during the performance. Tbe secateurs and band returned home at about two o'clock this moroing, being piloted by the skilful jehu Angus Cameron. Sir H. Parkes is a through passenger by the mail boat. While in America he saw the president of the Pacific Steamship Company and Mr. Jay Gould, the American " railroad kiog," and advocated the establishing of a 32 days' service between Liverpool and Sydney via San Francisco and Auckland^ which service he believed would be contributed to by all tbe Australian Colonies except South Australia. The Timaru Herald writes :—*' The whole country will be extremely interested to see what Sir George Grey will make of his opportunity. He seems to us to be in a precious fix. He must do one of tbe two things : He must either lorm a ministry and meet the House and propound a policy, in which case he is sure to be turned out of office by an enormous majority on the first division ; or he must admit his inability to form a Ministry, which would be tantamount to the extinction of the • Great Liberal' party, or at Jeast to the destruction of all Sir George Grey's mighty pretensions to the leadership of vast masses of his fellow-men. He must fail in one direction or the other, and as soon as he has failed the way will be clear for others, and Parliament may then get to work without further delay.

Tbe general impression (says the correspondent of the Daily Time*) teems to be thai Sir George Grey will relinquish the task, nnd that then Major Atkinson will be sent for. There are some mem* ben, I find, who argue that Major Atkinson, having resigned at the commencement of the session and thus .acknowleged that he could not command a majority in tbe House, is in the same position as tbe other leaders who have been tried ineffectually, and cannot be sent for now ; and they suggest that some member of the Upper House — say the Hod. G. M'Lean or tbe Hon. G. M. Waterhouse— should be tried. I fancy, however, it will be found that there are plenty of English precedents which would justify the Governor, after trying other possible leaders in the Lower House, in reverting to the hon. member for Egmont. It is to be remembered that it does not necessarily follow that the latter is to come back with the same Ministry as that which returned from the late election. Some sort of coalition seems to be imperatively demanded now when all other means of effecting a settlement hare failed, and I think there is little doubt a very short time will now elapse before we see the member for Egmont at tbe head of one. A boy, named George Woods, died on Sunday at Mataura from the effects of an accident that happened to him a week ago. He was riding a horse from M'Gibbon and Son's stables, and in turning the corner of the street fell off, sustaining injuries to his head which rendered him unconscious, in which condition he remained till he died. **■ It is a somewhat remarkable fact (says the Wellington Post) that until Mr. Stoat assumed the office Otago had never furnished tne Colony with a Premier. Still more remarkable is it that the first Otago Premier should be the most short-lived of the race, and he should have owed his defeat to the votes of Otago members. Eleven of these voted against the Ministry on the no-confidence amendment. These eleven, however, not onjy voted against an Otago Premier, but they actually also voted against a Ministry of wh'cb Mr- Macandrew was a member. A few years ago such a vote would have meant early political txtinction to those who ventured to give it. Evidently the name of Mr. Macandrew has now, even in Otago, ceased to be one to conjure by, as it U9ed to be, and the Otago members are now actuated by some other, let ub hope higher, motive than mere local and provincial feeling. What the motive is remains to be seen. A few years ago such a Ministry as that just turned out would have been entirely to the mind of Otago, and would have re* ceived almost unanimous support in that pirt of the Colony. The change is a most remarkable one, and we quite agree with our contemporary, the Star, in thinking that both in the formation of the late Ministry and in the circumstances attending ihe great hostility displayed towards it in unexpected quarters, there is more than meets the eye. Perhaps time will throw some light on the facts of tbe case. The cholera epidemic is rapidly spreading in Italy, and military cordons are being drawn round the infected districts. Sixty-three deaths occurred on Sunday. Several of the " lovincibles " who were expelled from the colonies some little time ago are Hying in Banda Oriental (Uruguay;; South Am°rica. The New Zealand Land Corporation will pay their creditors in full ; also returning £5 on paid-up shares. Sir Stafford Northcote and Lord Carnarvon have addressed over 100,000 Tories at Wakefield. The Austrian Government will shortly despatch four cruisers round the world to seek for an openiug-up of trade. Ona of the vessels will visit Australia and the Pacific. Particulars of tbe action at Foochow show that nine French warships disabled 11 Chinese transport vessels in seven minutes. The French refused to accept a surrender, and continued the shelling for honrs. Two Chinese gunboats and the batteries stationed at the arsenal vainly attempted to reply. The French Admiral also bombarded the forts and villages in ihe neighbourhood of Foochow. The Times' special correspondent telegraphs denouncing the whole affair as a sickeniDg massaeiv. 'Ihe French loss was six killed. They also had one of their "gunboats injured and a torpedo boat sunk. On Sunday the French shelled the barracks at Quantan, to which the Cainose offered noiesistance. F.ve cases of smallpox have been reported to the Sydney health authorities, who have ordered the patients to be removed to the quarantine station. The cases were discovered at the Orient Hotel, George street. Three of the sufferers are in a bad condition. Owing to the neglect of the proprietor of the hotel to report the matter to the authorities, a prosecution is to be instituted against him. Wednesday. Mr. Bracken delivered a lecture at the Hokitika Theatre on Monday evening to an enthusiastic, audience. A large right whale, expected to yield 10 tons of oil, valued at £260, was captured in Tory Channel on Sunday afternoon. It is the first right whale captured in these waters for 13 years. In the House of Representatives yesterday, Major Atkinson said the Governor had been pleased to read for him, and asked him if be thought he could undertake 1o form a Ministry. He asked for a short time to enable him to consult with his friends. He was not in a position to make any definite statement. He was, however, fully alive to the importance of having this interruption to the business of the country brought to a close at the earliest possible period. He hoped to-morrow to be in a position to state something satisfactory. Tbe present was a time when he would strongly counsel them to lay minor differences aside, and unite together in bringing the present state of things to a conclusion. He had great hopes of being able td do something satisfactory by to-morrow ; but at all events, they could rely upon this one thing— he was alive to the fact that what was to be done must be done quickly. The House rose at 3.24 till 7.30 today. Colonel Leckie died at Wellington on Monday night from liver complaint. His death was accelerated through a shock received by a fire breaking out on bis premises some little time ago. Deceased was

60 years of age. He was a colonel in the 39th Foot Regiment, on full pay, and served throughout a portion of the Crimean War, being present at the storming of Sebsstopol, in which lie took an active part. He served in Canada and various parts of India, and was an intimate friend of " Chinese " Gordon. He leaves a wife and grown up family. The Swiss settlers at Helvetia, a special settlement, purpose establishing a condensed milk industry. Messrs. Federlie and MuTphy, from Christchurcb, have purchased 6500 acres of land at Hokianga for a special settlement for subtropical industries. Fifty families are to be introduced yearly for three years. The executors of the Costley estate claimed 6 per cent., amounting to £5000, for their services In Chambers yesterday, Judge Gillies allowed them only £1000. The Napier Telegraph tells the. following good story of Mr. J. W. Thomson : — A friend, who was also a member of the House, was telling him of the improvements that had been affected in the Parliament Buildings, especially in the lavatory department. "Ye can noo," said he, " wash your bans' in camfort." " Aye aye," replied Mr. Thomson, " but dinna ye think that a' these things will demoralise the members ?" The smallpox patients at tbe Sydney quarantine station are reported to be progressing favourably. A case of smallpox is reported to have octurred at East Maitland. Every precaution has been taken to prevent the spread of tbe disease. , "* * a Intelligence is to hand that tbe French ironclads engaged the Chinese forts at tbe mouth of Foochow River on Monday. After two hours' cannonading the ships retired. In consequence of tbe active hostilities, much excitement now prevails among the native population, and a strong anti-European feeling is manifest. The ill-feeling is especially intense at the treaty ports, and the position of the European residents is one of considerable danger. Thubsday. A gentleman in Christchurch writing to the New Zealand Times, says :—: — "In explanation of tbe eupport which the Stout Administration received from the two hotel-keepers in Christchurch referrred to in your paper, I learnt from one of them that Mr. Stout has promised certain concessions to the trade — compensation for loss of license and nominated licensing committees being amongst tbe things promised. The same gentleman informed me that the trade has taken the precaution of getting these promises in writing." Nothing is definitely Bettled about the new Ministry. Negotiaions are still being carried on. Major Atkinson is in communication with Mr. Ormond, who is at present in Napier, and is awaiting a reply to a telegram sent. The increase in the number of sheep in Poverty Bay for the past year is over 25,000, The lambing is progressing satisfactorily. Colonel Williams, a director of the Indian Remount operations, is a passenger by the Tarawera from Sydney. He proceeds South to visit the horse-breeding establishments of Southern provinces, and to make arrangements for a supply of horses from New Zealand for the Indian service. In the House of representatives yesterday evening after some formal business had beeu transacted. Major Atkinson said that he was not yet in a position to state definitely the names of the gentlemen he proposed to form a new Government. He might, however, say that negotiations were in progress, and he expected these would be completed so as to enable them to be submitted to the Governor, and Ministers to take their seats to-morrow evening. Mr. Stout then moved that the House be adjourned until 7.30 to-night, which .was agreed to. The House rose at 7.35 p.ra A five-roomed cottage near Hardy street, Kelson, was discovered on fire at 5 yesterday evening, but the flames were soon extinguished It was then found that the occupant, who -was well known and esteemed, especially in musical circles (Mrs. Scaife, sen.), had been burnt to death. Mrs. Scaife lived by herself, and was not seen later than 3 o'clock, when, a visitor left. As her remains were found between tbe fireplace and the door of the sitting-room, it is surmised that her dress came in contact with the grate, and that she endeavoured to escape, but fell, and that the fire then spread to the building. The City Council has received a communication from Mr. Kit*o, agent for some large English capitalists, stating that it is probable the necessary funds can be found for the construction of a line from Gisborne to Opotiki if sufficient Crown land can be obtained along the route. The line would pass through some fine country as well as some magnificent timbered land. The Melbourne police have discovered a gang of French burglars and coiners, who have been carrying on operations in tbe city. One man has already been arrested, and tbe capture of the others is expected to be effected shortly. The French Press generally in their leading articles angrily resent the criticisms of the English papers on tbe French bombardment of tbe Foochow arsenal, which they have described as merciless in its character. General Lord Wolseley will leave for Egypt almost immediately, and on arrival assume supreme command of tbe British troops in that country.