News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 26, 17 October 1884, Page 11

News of the Week.

Friday.

Ik the House of Representatives yesterday, replying to Mr. Pearson, the Hon. Mr. Stout said Government would be quite willing to appoint an unpaid commissioner to inquire into the individual cases of the unemployed. To enable him to speak to the question, Mr. Seddon moved the adjournment. He maintained that an unpaid commissioner would not meet the requirements of the ease. It would be only wealthy men who could afford to do the work for nothing. ~% , th V eßulfc w <> u ld be that great injustice wonld be done. Mr. O Callaghan said there could be no doubt but that great hardships were being endured. The wages offered by Government— 4s 6d per day— was not sufficient for the exigencies of the case. The Hon. Mr. Stout said that Government would do its best to meet the requirements of the case. If a paid commissioner was necessary, then that would be done. The men who refused 4a 6d per day had been offered piecework, and some of those who accepted made as much as 10s per day. It was only ihe useless class of men who were complaining— On the motion of Mr. Brown the Gold Duties Abolition Bill'was reported, read a third time and passed.— Sir George Grey moved the second 'reading of the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State Bill. The object of this measure was to provide a Parliamentary undersecretary who, unlike that of the Old Country, was to be unfettered by the permanent undersecretary . The permanent undersecretary should simply occupy, the position of a head clerk. The proposal i would have the effect of training a cla«s of mea in the duties of affairs of the State in a manner in which they coull not be otherwise educated. By that means they would bring a knowledge of affairs of the country to bear upon their deliberations which would be of great service to Parliament. Again, the Civil Service was becoming an isolated class, and to a great extent an irresponsible class. The Parliamentary undersecretary would be a man coming from the ranks,of the people, and as such he would feel the responsibility of office; as well as the responsibility he held to the public. Question put that the bill be now read a second time— ayes, 25 ; noes,- 33. The Cambridge railway was formally opened on Tuesday. Very favourable accounts have come to hand from the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, Gisborne. No. 3 bore is down 180 ft., and is now passing through a hard, close-grained flagstone, said to be nsually found above and between oil-sands. It is a ightly porouu, permitting gas and a small quantity of oil to rise. Fathers Ahem and Sauzeau, while returning from Wallingford to Waipawa on Wednesday, were thrown out of a trap through the horse Bhying. Father Ahera was bruised, and Father Sauzeau's lee was broken. It seems to me (Wellington correspondent of the Zyttelton Tirn£s) that the session will last a good deal longer than appeared likely a few days back. Many members are becoming anxious to get back to their-.business and their homes, but much still requires to be done here, and it looks more than likely that they will perforce have to remain into November to clear off everything comfortably and properly. Government are partly responsible for this, showing none of that indecent haste, as it has been called, to force through estimates and their own measures, to which ere now we have been accustomed. The Times announces that the Imperial Cabinet has definitely decided to adopt stringent measures to put a stop to the encroachments on territory in Bechuanaland by the Boers, and to prevent the continuance of the present lawless treatment of the natives in that district. Further fighting has taken place in Tonquin, and the French have everywhere proved victorious. They are now advancing on the Chinese position on the frontier. A Hamburg firm has contracted to supply the German Navy with coal at New Britain and the Marshall Islands. •The Standard publishes the following as the Government scheme of redistribution :— The bill assigns to English counties 231 members boroughs 229 members. Wales : Counties 18 members, boroughs 12 members. Scotland : Counties 36 members, boroughs 32. Irish Couuties, two members for each, and ad boroughs whose populations are under 10,000 will hi merged into the counties. The city of London will be represented by one member to every 80,000 inhabitants. A camel corps, composed of Canadians, have started up the Nile for Khartoum. Several Arab sheiks between Snendy and Khartoum have arrived at Ambukal, on the Nile, and tendered their submission to the commander of the British force stationed there. Osman Digua has retired from Soualtim and abandoned his attack upon the town. The neighbourhood is now free from hostile Arabs. News, however, has been received from the inland districts of Northern Nubia, stating that Oaman. Digna is now harassing the friendly tribes, and has -massacred a large number of women and child rev belonging to them One of the chief events of the week in Dunedin took place yesterday, when the marriage of Mr. King, of Tapanui, to Miss Hill eldest daughter of Mr. Charles Hill, of the Kaikorai Valley, was solemnised in St. Joseph's Church, His Lordship the Bishop, assisted by the Key. Father Purton, 0.5.8., officiating, and afterwards acting as celebrant of the nuptial Mass.— The bride, who had for some years taken a leading part in the choir of the church, was given away by her uiicle. Mr. Kdward Carroll, of Mornington, and was attended by three bridesmaids,— the Misßes. Mary Hill, Martin, and Nettleton, and three tiny train-beareis— the Misses Fagan (2) and Purton, her dress being a magnificant creme marveux trimmed with satin and broche, and those of the bridesmaids, creme and pale blue satin. At the conclusion of the ceremony which exclusive of the wedding gues's, had attracted a large number of people to the church, Mr. C. Waud, the late organist, played Mendelssohn's " Wedding March."

Satubdat.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, replying to Mr. Dargaville, the Hob. B. Stoat sjud Goverameafc would consider

during the recess the defence of the principal seaport towns in the Colony ; but they would not pledge themselves as to what further action might be taken.-The Hon. Sir J. Vogel moved the second read, ing of the West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway Bills In support of the motion he urged the vast extent of mineral resources with which the districts in question abounded. These were to a great extent left dormant in oqnsequence of the great difficulty and expense incurred by parties prospecting the country. The prices of rations alone were far in excess of those paid in any other district in the Colony, and on that account alone the land was, practically speakine, locked up. With railway communication this dearth would be ereatly alienated, and the resources of the place have a fair chance of development. In years past the West Coast of this Island had been more an appendage of Australia then it was of this Colony. Railway communication would obviate that difficulty, and placo it in its proper position in relation to the rest of the Colony. It had been alleged tbat this measure was part of the borrowing scheme of the Government. That, however, he believed, upon more careful consideration they would see was not the case. The bill, as they knew it, simply provided for a company taking up this work. The debate was adjourned to Monday. The Tapanui Courier reports something new ia the hunting line • A great treat is in store for the sporting people of this district on Saturday afternoon, when the hounds will be thrown off immediately after the close of the Farmers' Club meeting, at 4 p. m . Mr. J Taeaart will arrive with the hounds to-morrow, and should sufficient inducement offer, a second run will take place on Monday. The red coats intend to turn out in full force, and we understand that several of the fair sex mean to be "in the hunt." The meeting will take place on the racecourse, and the admission to the course will be Is to defray expenses. The drag-line over which the hunt will take place will ba in view of the grand stand.

At the meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerca the following proceedings took place in relation to the Parliamentary Committee's report on the North Island Trunk Railway :— Mr Bree said what in hia opinion they should go in for now was a branch line toTaranaki. Mr. MMillau said they should stand out for the line via Stratford, and fight it onS and instruct their members that it was essential to their city and their traie that that should be the line adopted. Mr. Vaile moved that the Chamber should pomote a large public mass meeting, and put on a determined face aga'nst this central route. He would be in favour of doing without the railway rather than have this route, for he wai convinced they would be better without any railway at all tbanvthij central railway. Auckland should have a say in ths selection of the route, and they should set their faces against the Southern members deciding for them iv favour of the central line. Mr. L. D. Nathan quite concurred with Mr. Vaile. The late- Ministry, he reminded them, had always promised to support the line to Stratford, and let Auckland members now back them up in the position that what they would have was this or nothing. Mr, M'Millan reminded them that the votes of Auckland members had prevented this route being adopted. After some further discussion the resolution to call a public meeting was adopted. Intelligence has been received from Pitcaira Island that Elizabath Young, the last of the first generation, died recently, aged 95 years. She was the third child born on the island, and was the daughter of Mills, the gunner's mate of the Bounty. Another smart shock of earthquake was experienced yerterdtv at Christchurch. J A young man named Edward Organ was missed at Oamaru, about a week ago, and it was surmised that he had fallen into the creek that runs through the town. This surmise turned out to be correct, for his body was found in the creek on Thursday night. An inquest was held, when a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. A man named William M'Cracken was found dead in hi 9 hut at Forest Hill, near Winton, on Thursday night. He had been dead ; apparently some days. No foul play is suspected, but an inquest ! will probably be held. Another fire occurred in Dee Street, Inveicargill, yesterday morning. The alarm was given at 5.15 a.m., when the shop of Mr. W Brown, draper, was observed to be on fire. The Brigade were early in attendance, but this part of the block consisted of six woodea tenements, and nothing could be done with the appliances in use to save them. The flames spread rapidly, and only stopped- in their process when the corner of the block was reached. The following buildings were destroyed :— W. Brown, draper ; Moody, fishmonger; Bteans, hairdresser ; Crawford, boarding-house ; Biordan. fruiterer : and Tomlinson, saddler. The brick warehonse of Sargood, Bon, and Ewen, to the rear of the wooden houses, was in danger for a time, but was saved through the pulling down of the intermediate structures. No stock was saved from Brown's, but a good deal was saved from the rtther places. The shop in which the fire broke out was next to the brick premises destroyed some months ago, and now being rebuilt. In ad Ution to the buildings named, the branch shop ot H. August wa* also destroyed. The following are the insurances :— Brown and Moody s Bhops (owned by J Kingsland and Sons), £200 in the Colonial, £100 in the Liverpool and London and Globe, £100 in the Boyal, arid £100 in the Victoria ; Brown's stock £150 in tbe South British and 100 in the Hanseatic. There was nothing on Moody's ttock. Steans' and Crawford's buildings (owned by O. Freeman), £400 in the Liverpool and London and Globe ; Steans' stock, £100 in the Colonial : Crawford's furniture, £100 in the Hanseatic, and £120 in the Liverpool and London and Globe; Riordan'a and Tomlinson's buildings, £250 in the Australian Mercantile Union (£l5O of which is reinsured), and Equitable, £200 ; Riordan'e stock, £50 in the Hanseatic ; Tomlinson's stock; £200 in the Australian Mercantile Union, and £200 in the Fire Insurance Association • H August's buildings, £100 in the North British, and his furniture £50 » the Standard and £50 in the Union. The total insurances amount to «2570. Additional insurances : Steang 1 stock, £160 in the London and Lancashire ; August's building, £200 in the same office.

■

. „ Yesterday morning a fire broke out in the upper part of the building occupied by Messrs. A. and J. Macfarlane in Maelaggan St., Dnnedm, but having been noticed in time by Sergeant Slattery, was extinguished before much damage had been done. Later intelligence from Formosa shows that the report of the occupation of Tamaui by Admiral Lespes was incorrect. The town is still in the possession, of the Chinese troops, and the French bombardment has continued daily. The local forces ara strongly entrenched in the neighbourhood of Tamsui, and all efforts to dislodge them as yet have proved unavailing. Dispatches have been Teceived from fonqmn stating that an engagement has taken place betweem a lorce of Chinese, numbering 6000 men, and the French troops, under General Negrier, at Kep. The action lasted for five honrs, when the Chinese fled, having suffered heavily from the French fire. General Negner lost 21 men killed and 50 wounded, and was himself wounded slightly. The Chinese have been defeated at Loo Chung by the French. Their loss is estimated at 1000, while that of the French was only 25. The French authorities are boarding English merchant steamers both at Amoy and Formosa. The Standard explains that the Redistribution scheme published by them was only one of several that is at present before the Cabinet. Commodore Erskine has been instructed to proclaim a British protectorate over the southern shores of New Guinea and the islands immediately adjacent. This step has been taken in accordance with Mr. Gladstone's reply to the question asked on the subject by Sir William Macartbur in the House of Commons on tbe 11th of August It is currently reported that a conference on matters relating to the Congo will be held in Berlin in November. An important conference, attended by numerous British and Colonial representatives has sat to consider the situation of affairs in South Africa. Among the principal speakers were Sir William Macarthur and the Right Hon. W. E. Forster, both of whom strongly urged that the Imperial Government should take steps to enforce the provisions of the convention concluded with the Transvaal Republic in 1881. A cyclone of unusual force passed over tbe island of Sicily, and did an enormous amount of damage. Its effects were felt most severely at Latonia, a town on the east coast, and hundreds of the inhabitants are said to have been killed or wounded.

Monday.

The Invercargill iVfenw says "• — "Through the frequency and extent of the fireß in Invercargill certain Insurance companies have decided, we are informed, to abolish their agencies here at once. This deaision should act as a farther incentive to the citizens to provide improved means for coping with the destroying element. Fewer agencies means less competition and decreased competition probably signifies higher rates, or greater difficulty to get insurance at any price for property in dangerous situations. Representatives from the Australian Mercantile Company, Mr. Hannah, agent ; the Unite i Company, Mr. Perkins, agent ; and the Standard, Mr. J. G. Ward, agent ; are now in Invercargill for the purpose of investigating claims in connection with the late fire ; and it is reported that at least one of these offices has decided to cease business altogether in this town. The Onion Company resolved some time ago to take no more risks here, and other Companies have talked about the possibility of their withdrawing. Should the movement extend any further among the insurance companies the look out is a very blue one indeed. Were it to become general, a few weeks hence the hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of property in this large town would be absolutely uninsured. And it would be of no use to think of recourse to the remedy sometimes suggested as a check to excessive insurance rateß— a local company. Considering tbe risk such an institution would have to run, its charges would of necessity have to be enormous." — And this was written before last week's fire. Mr. Cussen has come into Kihikihi from the King country, the triangulation survey having been completed connecting the Taupo country with Kihikihi, the starting point. Next week Mr. Cussen will proceed to Mokau district to carry out triangulation survey there. Thomas Kliver, a Norwegian, 26 years of age, a single man, wa3 drowned on Saturday afternoon in the lagoon at the South Spit, Hokiiika. The body is supposed to have been washed into the river and out seawards. He formerly sailed out of Dunedin, and arrived here in the Elibank Castle. Three years ago deceased was working for Maher, contractor for the protective works on South Beach. An Auckland paper says a good story is told by old identities at Wellington, at the expense of Mr. Dick, whose Parliamentary career has been brought to such a sudden termination. The story runs that in the old days of Provincialism a scare existed in Otago in consequence of the rapid spread of thistles, and their extermination was prayed for on all hands. Mr. Dick was then Provincial Secretary, and impressed with the necessity of suppressing the evil, he introduced a measure having that object in view. There was, however, strong opposition to the Bill on the part of some of the "canny " Scots, so with the object of convincing the sceptical few of the rapid growth of thistles, Mr. Dick had two placed in flower pots and took them to the Council Chamber. He was first, there, and had arrranged the potted thistles on either side of him when Mr. Fulton, now member for Taieri, strolled in. Immediately afterwards tbe sound of many feet indicated the approach of the members, and Fulton, affecting anxiety, exclaimed, " Quick, quick ; put away your thistles ; tbe Councillors are coming." " Why ? " Mr. Dick innocently enquired. " Well." Mr. Fulton rejoined, "if they see them they will think you haven't finished your lunch yet 1 " The fourth annual meeting of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association was held yesterday. The profit for the year was £408. Tbe working capital now amounts to £8269, being an increase of £500 during the year. The sum of £893, being & per cent, discount on last year's purchases, has been placed to the credit of individual shareholders. The bad debts incurred during the year amounted to £258. The bank overdraft is £2821. No dividend was declared. ' ■ '

I understand (writes the Wellington correspondent of the Lui' -' teloK Times) that an idea has got abroad in Ohristchurch that the Westport and Greymouth Harbour Bills have fallen through. This is not the case, and they now stand upoa the order-paper among the orders of the day for committal. What happened m reference to them was this : The bills were introduced in the first instance as general public bills ; the Speaker ruled that in his opinion they were local bills, and could not be proceeded with. The Government then moved for a suspension of the Standing Orders relative to local bills, so that they might be proceeded with all the same as general public bills, To Buspend the Standing Order it is requisite that two-thirds of the members should be present. Upon that particular occasion there were not enough members in the House, and in case there should not be enough the next day the Government introduced a bill covering both harbour.*, and making the matter a general public bill, which could be gone on with as usual. Subsequently the Standißg Orders were suspended. Both bills passed the second reading.and as there was then no necessity for what may be termed the " bogus bill," which had been introduced in case of accidents, this was discharged from the order paper. Hence the error which has arisen with regard to this matter. I may say further that they have been referred to a Select Committee, and will be committed in the form in which that Select Committee has left them. Tne borrrowing powers have been largely Bhorn, and the Government guarantee is also very hardly dealt with ; in fact, if much mora mutilatiou goe3 on, there will be cause to sing, with Lady Jane, " Little will be left of me in the coming by-and-bye." The Thames Star, of October 1, gives the following particulars concerniag the New Prince Imperial mine. — The shaft will be down ' 80ft. below No. 6 level by the end of the week, and as soon as the guides have been placed in position a start will be made to cut out the No. 7 level chamber, which will be 70ft. below No. 6. At the latter level the winza to connect with No. 7 is down about 15 ft. The country continues of a very favourable class for gold, and the leader is also of a fair size, especially in the western end, where there is a foot wide of good looking quartz showing. A clay seam appears to have somewhat disturbed the lode in the eastern ead,,but it is making solid again under it. Tbe minerals visible are excellent, and so long as the present class of country continues there need ba no fear of the reef not proving auriferous. In the stopes, work is being continued as usual, and payable grade dirt is coming to hand, A few rounds of stone were secured from the footwall leader yesterday afternoon, gold being left showing. Not more than three stopes have been carried up to the break, but at the winze the last but one has just been commenced, though both these latter stopes will be higher than usual. At No. 5 level, a winze is being sunk 130 ft. east of the crosscut to determine the true course of the lead. It is down 12ft. and tbe reef is a fine solid body of stone 16 inches wide. As soon as this winze is down abont 40ft., supposing the reef to maintain its sizs, the manager will resume driving east at No. 6 level. The other workings in the mine are being continued as usual. The English and German Governments are now discussing the question of the appointment of a mixed commission to adjudicate on the conflicting claims of English and German subjects at Angra Pequena. The German Government invite the Powers interested to send delegates to a conference to be held in Berlin ia November next to consider the best means to secure the freedom of commerce on the Congo and Niger Rivers. Telegrams have been received from Dongola with, de.ails of the treacherous massacre of Colonel Stewart's party by the Arab 3at Wady-sl-Homar. The news states that the whole jnrty were not killed, but that the lives of 14 of them were spared by the Arabs, who hold them prisoners. General Lord Wolseley has ordered the Mudir's troops at Merawi, a town 39 miles below the fourth cataract of tbe Nile, to rescue or ransom the prisoners. Two explosions of dynamite occurred outside Parliament Buildings at Quebec on Saturday. The edifice was considerably damaged, and several workmen who were in the neighbourhood were injured. Nothing is yet known as to the cause of the explosions. The announcement that a British protectorate is to be forthwith established over a portion |of New Guinea is now fully confirmed. Commodore'Erßkine has been ordered to proclaim a protectorate over the southern coasts of the i&land eastward of the 141 st degree of longitude, as well as over the islands adjacent to tbe coast. The British Government have, however, decided that for the present settlement in the territory and islands shall be prohibited.

Tuesday.

In the House of Representatives yesterday Mr. Dowuie Stewart and the Hon. Mr. Stout presented a petition Irom residents in Otago in favour of the Bible in Schoals.— Mr. Holmes presented a petition from the Freethought Society of Ohristcburch protesting against the passing of any blasphemy laws in New Zealand, seeing that there is no State religion in the Colony.— The Hon. Mr. Stont m*de the following statement as to the order of business. The Government looked upon the following as policy bills, and would push them forward at once, in anticipation of the delivery of the Public Works Statement and the passing of the Estimates : — East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway Bill, District Railways Leasing and Purchasing Bill, Government Insurance Association Bill, and the West Coast Harbour Bills. They would push these on at once and get them to the Upper House, so as to avoid a practice that had hitherto gained ground— viz., of important measures of this kind going to the Legislative Council at the closing hours of the session. There were other bills, but Government would reserve its statement respecting them until a future date.— Mr. Wakefield resumed the debate on the second reading of the East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway Bill. The motion for tbe second reading was put — ayes, 39 ; uoes, 12. On the motion that the bill be no 3 read a second time, the Hod. Sir J. Vogel said that tbe Public Works Statement was not peitinent to this question. Their aim was to get these measures forward to the Council, so that they might have time to consider them during the time the House was engaged on th u

fublic Works Statement and the balance of the Estimates- He quoted from Mr. Wakefield's hustings speeches to show that the provisions of the bill were precisely those he advocated on that occasion, despite his attitude towards tbe bill now. As regarded the 50 per cent, of land proposed by the bill, they would bs ready to have that proposal discussed in Committee. It was quite consistent to do away with the Bailway Construction Act and yet take advantage of some of the less objectionable provisions of that measure, as they now proposed doing. The bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed the following day. Mr. Ptour, Premier of New Zealand, has informed Mr. Service (says tbe Argtit) that his Government cannot concur in the proposal -that they should contribute towards the re-surveying of Bass and Banks Straits, as suggested by the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce and the Merchant Shipping and Underwriters' Association. They consider that according to the custom which has prevailed among the Australasian Colonies it is the duty of Victoria and Tasmania to bear the cost of the work, but, in concluding, Mr. Stout says :— " I trust you will not regard this reply as evincing disinclination on the part of New Zealand to share in all snch united action on the part of these Colonies as may affect matters in which they are jointly concerned." In another communication Mr. Stout says that bis Government has considered Mr. Griffith's bill to prevent the influx of French criminals into tbe Colonies, and thinks that it would be better to allow the matter to Btand over until federation is achieved. Charles Hall was drowned at Whangaroa while rafting timber. John Stratford, an old settler, died at Wellington on Sunday, aged 79. He arrived in the ship Cuba in 1838, and was the first iona fide settler who stepped ashore in Port Nicholson. A number of employees connected with this journal (says the Dunedin Herald) met on Saturday evening for the purpose of premating a handsome gold locket to Mr. W. A. W. Wathen, late chief reporter of thie journal, who is about to proceed to Australia en route for England. Mr. H. E. Muir, on behalf of the companionship, spoke of Mr. Wathen's long connection with the Press of this city, aad to the esteem in which he was held by a large number of friends throughout the Province, and concluded by hoping that those present might have the pleasure of seeing the recipient at some future date. Mr. Wathen referred to the kind relations that had existed between himself and his co-workers and hoped to again meet and labour amongst those from whom he was now separating. The Mount Ida Chronicle states that Mr. Coroner Hickson held aa inquest on the body of a child named Elliot George, aged two rears (a son of Mr. Walter George), at Little Kyebnrn, on Saturday last. The evidence went to show that the child bad fallen into a dock pond a foot deep. No one saw him fall into the water, and when he was found he was lying on his back with his hands raised in the air. The top of his head was dry when the body was taken from the pond. An attempt was made to secure re-animation. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that there was no evidence to show how the deceased got into the waterhole in which he was found, and that there was not sufficient testimony to prove whether he had died from drowning or from fright. Three of our townspeople took a trip to the Biverton beach on Thursday (cays the Southland Neivs), but while there had an adventure which considerably marred their anticipated enjoyment. Two ©f them (ladies) took a stroll into the scrub, while the other lighted a fire, presumably for picnic purposes. In their ramble the ladies came to an empty hut, around which several small cans, containing what to them, was a curious stuff, were lying. Each lady put a piece of the phosphorus, for phosphorus it was, in her dress pocket, "and returned to their companion at the fire. It was then noticed that one of their dresses was smoking, and the others, thinking a spark from the fire was causing tbe trouble, endeavoured to put it ont with their handp. But the phosphorus ignited and ran over their hands, burning them very severely. The only injury sustained by the laiy whose dress caught was tbe loss of that article and her jacket. The party immediately returned to town, when the two sufferers had their painful injuries treated by a medical man. The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes as follows : — The aspect of the political horizon, lately so calm and unclouded, has suddenly and unexpectedly changed. A complication has arisen which may end in nothing ont of the way or result in a very serious conflict. The first decided sign of the political disturbance was made apparent to-day, when a meeting convened by Mr. Mitchelson, at which Mr. Rolleston took a prominent part, was held, principally to consider the East and West Coast Bailway Bill. About 25 members were present, including one or two, it is said, who have supported the present Government. No definite resolution was passed, but it is understood a strong feeling was expressed against allowing what may be called the Public Works bills of the Government—such as the Bast and West Coast Railway Bill, the West Coast Harbour Bills, and the District Railways Bill— to pass until the Public Works Statement has been brought down. The Government apparently got wind of this meeting, and determined to take time by the forelock by holding a Cabinet meeting. The order-paper was rearranged so as to make the East and West Coast Railway Bill and the District Railways Bill the first business on the paper. And in •rder that there might be no mistake upon the matter, the Premier, before proceeding with the orders of the day, made a Ministerial statement to-night, in which be stated plainly that there were certain policy bills which the Government were desirous of pushing on as rapidly as possible before the Public Works Statement or the Estimates were gone on with. He especially enumerated the District Railways Bill, East and West Coast and Nelson Railway Bill, Government Insurance Bill, and West Coast Harbour Bills. In this way the challenge was fairly thrown down by Mr. Stout, and it remains to be seen how it will be taken up by the Opposition. The steamer Massighera, which was despatched in advance up the Nile with a cargo of cables and other gear to be used by the boats in making the passage of the cataracts with the troops, has arrived at Dongola. It is reported that two large armies of rebels are marching on that own,

Canada offers the Cape Government men and money if the Imperial Government refuses to assist them in stopping aggressions by the Boers. Information from Cape Town states that the Government have annexed the Transkei.

The damage done to the Parliamentary Buildings in Quebec by the recent explosion of dynamite is so serious that fully half of the buildings will have to be rebuilt. The French fleet has been prevented from entering Tamsui on account of torpedoes having been laid across the entrance to the harbour, and in consequence of this they have blockaded the port. The Powers have accepted the invitation of the German Government to hold a conference in Berlin fer the purpose of discussing matters relating to the settlement of the Congo. The Marquis of Salisbury and Lord Keleo state that it is unlikely the Lords will recede from the position taken up by them in regard to the Franchise Bill. They consider that neither portion of the proposed reforms will be operative or have any legal effect if passed separately. The redistribution scheme published by the Standard utterly effaces the representation of the rural population. The Marquis of Hartington has admitted that the scheme published by that paper was drafted by a committee of the Cabinet.

Wednesday.

la the House oE representatives yesterday, Keplying to Mr* Guinness, the Hod. Mr. Stoat said £20,000 would he required to make the track from Barry town, Grey county, towards Brighton, and Government did not sea its way to undertake that cost. — On the motion of Mr. Bevan, the Hokitika Steam-tug Bill was introduced' and read a first time. — On the motion of the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, the District Railways Leasing and Purchasing Bill was reported, and on the motion for its third reading, Mr. J. W. Thomson and Mr. Rolleston spoke against the bill. The Hon. Sir J. Vogel, in reply, said that not only would this bill not entail any burden on the public, but it would be a relief to existing burdens. In reality the bill bad been received with great favour by the House. Government was bound to see this matter satisfactorily settled. The public funds were largely invested as a security, and on that account alone they were bound to do all they could to put the concern on a satisfactory footing. It could not be 9aid that the shareholders would come well out of their works ; on the other hand, the ratepayers would come well out. The House divided — ayes, 41 ; noes, 21. — On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Richardson, the Public Works Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. — The Hon. Mr. Stout moved the second read* ing of the Land Act Amendment (No. 2) Bill. Farmers in certain parts of the country, with holdings of from 200 to 300 acres, experienced great inconvenience from having no place on which to run their stock. This bill was meant to provide for that want by allowing these men to secure small runs in the adjoining hill country. The motion for the second reading was carried. In Committee, the Westport Harbour Bill was considered and reported with the amendments made by the Select Committee on the bill. In Committee on the Greymouth Harbour Board Bill, in replying to a proposal made by Mr. Guinness, the Hon. Sir J. Vogel said that Government had determined to stand by the amendments recommended by the Select Committee. Mr. Guinness said in that case he would offer no objection to these amendments. In clause 8 the borrowing powers were made £150,000 instead of £100,000, the amount fixed by the Committee. The bill was reported with amendments.— In Committee on the Government Insurance Bill, Sir G. Grey appealed to the Government to report progress with the view of allowing the bill to remain over till next session, so as to give the Colony an opportunity for considering the whole subject. The Hon. Mr. Stout said that the matter had been before the Colony for the last year, and the whole subject must have been before the public mind. Sir G. Grey replied that it was unfair to the country and the policy-holders to push it through. It created an altogether new department, which could not have been contemplated. In further debate, the Hon. Mr. Stout said that if they allowed reasonable progress to be made, then he would agree to progress being reported. Sir Gt. Grey said that he was determined that the bill should not proceed, and rather than allow it to be proceeded with he would talk all night. The Hon. Mr. Stout Baid there was no wish to unduly rush the bill. He positively refused to withdraw the bill, and if necessary would ask the Government supporters to remain all night. The motion for reporting progress was put. — ayeg, 9 ; noes, 37. Clause 4 was passed, when the Hon. Mr, Stout moved to report progress, which was agreed to. The plague of rats reported by telegraph from Nelson has been experienced also at Picton, where a late visitor (says a Wanganui paper) stated he had killed nearly a hundred whilst out for an afternoon stroll, attended by three fox terriers. The rats are quite a distinct breed from those infesting this and other waterside towns, being a much smaller animal, with almost black skins. They seem to be identical with the indigenous animal which has long Bince been supposed to be extinct in many parts of the Colony, owing, it is said, to the hostility of the Norwegian invader, whose depredations in this town and district are at times most annoying. The rats at Picton seem to come down from the hills, and are said to do so only when very severe weather is experienced, being probably starred out by their ordinary food supplies getting covered up by snow. They do not affect the houses of the settlers, but content themselves in the fields, where they do a lot of damage to young crops, the succulent tops of which they seem very partial to. Thomas Henry died at Kaikora on Monday as he was being conveyed to Waipukurau Hospital to receive medical attendance. He had been found in Oreo Bush, and being iv a thoroughly exhausted state was taken to the Patangata Hotel, the proprietor of which communicated with the police at Waipawa. He was brought to Kaikora, but died at the railway-station while waiting for the train from Napier. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon, when the jury returned a verdict of " Death from exposure and starvation, accelerated by drink." Deceased had been frequently before the local Court for drunkenness, and some two or three months ago was remanded for medical examination on a charge of lunacy, but was afterwards dismissed,

There was a warm debate in the House this (yesterday) afternoon on the third raading of the Distriot Railways Bill (says the Welling* ton correspondent of the Daily Kates). Accusations of jobbery were freely exchanged . Mr. Roilegtoa declared that it was a job on the part of the Government. Mr. Stout rejoined that if so, the Government of which the hon. member forGeraldine was a member in 1879 proposed an even greater job in regard to the same railways. Mr. Thomson, of Clutha, who also strongly opposed the bill, was fiercely attacked by Mr. Seddon, who dragged up the Oatlin's River on tract to the hon. member's detriment, and also accused him of having taken steps to get the motion for the appointment of a committee of inquiry expunged from the orler-paper. Mr. Thomson explained that he knew nothing of the cont ract. being let until he was told it had been done The Speaker and Mr. Holmes both absolved him from the other charge in regard to the motion, whereupon Mr. Seddou withdrew his accimti»n, and the hon. msmber came out of the embroglio with flying colours. Mr. Brv«e protetsed against charges of thte kind being introduced into debate, and against the tv quoque style of argument which has lately been adopted in the House. Sir Julius Vogel replied on the debate, and a division was taken on the third reading, having been called f>r by Mr. J. W. Thomson. The result was a large majority in favour of the bill, the number being— ayes, 40 ; nos3, 21. Two bo 7S, named Arthur Hands and O1O 1 Howies, inmates of the KohjmiraTia Training School, narrowly escaped death by eating tutu berries. Their heads became swollen, and they had to be kept walk* ing to prevent them going into a state of coma, Charles Rrahdock, employed at Oropi Biw mills, fell down a well while in an epileptic fit on Monday, and was drowned. The Waipana Mail, of the 10th in9t says :—": — " We regret to have to record a very rnrious accident which occurred on Wednesday evening. The Rev. Fathers Ahem and Sauzeau weri returning from inspecting the new church at Wallingford, when on coming to the cattiDg, some drain tileß, which had been placed on the bank since morning, caused the horse to shy and it swerved awiy and went over the precipice Borne 30 or 40 feet. Just as the trap was going over I- tbe bank, both gentlemen jumped out, Father Ahem escaping with a few braises, bnt Father Sauzeau fell heavily, and on trying to rise, it was found that his leg was broken. Some horsemen who had just passed them, returned to their assistance and a spring cart being got, a bed was placed in it and Father Sauzeau was brought on to Waipawa, where he now lies, Dr. Reed having set the limb. Although suffering great pain all night, we hope to hear to-day that he is progressing favourably. The cart, or rather its remains, lies still on the river bank, and the horse escaped without any known injury. The practice of leaving tools, barrows and materials on the upper side of a road is a reprehensible one, yet anything but unfreqoent. Labour supplies the following : — The New Zealand Loan find Mercantile Agency Company is in possession of 347 i square miles of land in Qaeensland. Our readers will no doubt be interested in knowing how much land is held by other monetary institntions in the same colony. The New Zealand and Australian Land Company holds 2,061f square miles, or 1,319,280 acres. The Bank of New South Wales 18,052 square miles, or 11,043,680 acres. The commercial Bank, 7,829 square miles. The Scottish Australian Investment, 6,265 sqnare milee. Making a grand total of 68,112 square miles or 43,592,210 acres. The English Government have agreed to a proposal from the German Government that a conference of delegates of Powers, interested should be held at Barlin next month to consider the beat means to secure freedom of commerce on the Congo and Niger Bivers. The meat by the Tongariro is now selling in Lmdon at 6£ I ti 7d per lb. and the projects of the market appaar capital for all arrivals before Christmas. Arrangements were made for a Conservative meeting at Birmingham on Monday evening, and Sir Stafford North -ote and Lord Randolph Churchill were present with the object of delivering addreises bat owing to the organised opposition of the Birmingham Liberals, the meeting ended in serious disufder. The Liberals had gathered in strong aumbera at the meeting, and refused to allow the speakers a hearing, and the disturbance increased until violence was used on both sides. Many of those present were injured before the rioters coul i be dispersed. Sir Stafford Northcote and Lord Churchill narrowly escaped being mobbed and maltreated Rumours have reached {Cairo to the effect that Colonel Stewart was not killed at Wady-el-Homar, but is a prisoner in the hands of <the Arabs. The steamer Massighera, which was despatched in advance up the Nile with a cargo of cables and other gear to be used by the boats in making the passage of the cataracts with the troops, has arrived at Dongola. Mr. Romily, Deputy High Commissioner in the Western Pacific, will take temporary charge of New Guinea until the arrival of MajorGeneral Scratchley. With respect to New Guinea, the British Government hope, with the Queen's prerogative and the Foreign Jurisdiction Act, to be able to create a competent jurisdiction. They also desire to treat the Colonies as a consulting-c jmmittee on matter j relating to that island. The Nor A Deutsche Zeitung (North German Gazette) is of opinion that the limited protectorate established by England over New Guiuea will result in the agreement of Germany. It also expects that further agreements in regard to other portions of the Pacific where English and German interests clash will be made. News is to hand that 600 French troops at Tarnsui were led into an ambuscade, when 20 of their number were killed and beheaded. The remainder managed to return to their ships in safety. The French have promised not to molest Shanghai if their countrymen are not molested. Eight Nihilists, including Vera Fillpava, who were arrested for being concerned in various Nihilistic plots, have been sentenced to death.

Thursday.

la the House of Representatives yesterday, on the motion for going into Committee on the Bart and West Coast (Middle Island)

[ and Nelson Railway Bill, Mr. Bolleston objected to the bill. After reiterating many of the objections already stated, he made an attaok upon the Treasurer. He said Sir J. Vogcl had taken advantage of his position years ago to get himself made Agent-general, and then at a critical moment in the Colony's history he had preferred a large claim for remuneration for duties discharged at the time ha was engaged as Agent-general. That was not the class of man they could trust implicitly to at a time like this. Sir J. Vogel had, after a lengthened absence from the Colony, again made his appearance in their midst. The first thing he told them was that they bad been dozing in his absence, but now that he bad returned they were to resume their former activity, and that the Colony was henceforth to progress not by slow and sure degrees, but by leaps and bounds. la this they could discern the old recklessness to which they owed their - difficulties, and he hoped they would pause before they again gave themselves over to the influence of that same spirit. The motion for committal was put, and carried on tbe voices. In committee, progress was made up to clause 4. On clause 5, Mr. Fergus moved that progress be reported— ayes, 14 ; noes, 35. The motion was lost. - Intelligence has been received that on the Bth inst. a considerable French force was landed at Tamsui, in Formosa; and that a severe engagement with the Chinese ensued, in which the 'French suffered heavy loss, besides being compelled to withdraw and retire to their ships in the port. An offical yellow-book, issued at Paris, suow3 that Franca and Germany have agreed to propose to the projected conference that the Congo and Niger Rivers should be treated like the River Danube is. The French Government decided that the Reoidiviste Bill should be discussed at the next pitting of the Chamber, but this was resisted and a motion passe 1 deciding to await M. Levicles* report as to tbe suitability of Cayenne for, the deportation of criminals before proceeding with the measme. It was contended that the present haste in the matter was uncivil to England, although it might appear pleasing to Germany. Intelligence to band from Suakim states that the inhabitants «f Ama'-a have joined Osman Dtgna. England is urging that the dealings of the Conference to be held in Berlin sbould be limited tc tbe unoccupied African territory,