News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 29, 7 November 1884, Page 11

News of the Week.

Friday.

By the mail eteamer (says the N.Z Freeman's Journal) a young Aucklander came back to the shores of his native land, after SS eigbt or nine years. We allude to the Rev. Father W^HamSnL^ third son of Mr. B. Mahoney architect, of %££s£. *£££ Mahoney was accompanied by Mr. Thomas Mahoney, his elder brother, who has been on a holiday tour in the old country The rev. gentleman was met on his arrival by his father and a number of friends, among whom we noticed Mr. P. Darby. Oar reader* -S remember that a son of Mr. Darby's went Home with Father Maboney vritfi the intention of joining the priesthood, but after a year's study, changed his mmd and entered the medical Drofession We understand he is practising in the North of Ireland and is likely to make a name in his profession worthy of an Aucklander Father Mahoney studied at Orcutt College, and after completing his studies there, was ordained priest about six months ago by the Rieht R*v Bishop of Hsely, who presides over the flock of the diocese of Birmingham. Father Mahoney is the second Aucklander who hi entered the priesthood. Father O'Reilly, the genial and ene^getS paßtor of the Thames, being the first. At 10 o'clock on Sunday Father Mahoney celebrated his first Mass in Auckland at the Con ventual Church, at St. Mary's, Ponsonby. There was a large congregation present to hear Mass and receive his blessing The Rev Father delivered a short and impressive address, which was attentively listened to by the faithful. After Mass all went round to bid him welcome, and to renew his acquaintance. A practice of interfering with the politics of the country from the pulpit appears to be springing up in the colony (says the Wellington Post). Only a week or two ago we heard of the Rev. Mr Reid 7 s denunciation of the Kawhia trip, taken by members. of the House because the trip extended over a Sunday. Last evening the Rev Mr Coffey, at St. Mark's, also referred to the small sympathy members of the present Parliament evidently felt for the proper observance of the babbatb, and sought strongly to impress his hearers with the enormity of voting for such mea at the elections. The rev gentleman was also pleased to allude to the sympathy given by *• paragraph writers " of the Press to the legislators referred to upon the occasion of Mr. Reid's denunciation of them, which sympathy he of course, thought very much misplaced. ' In the House of Representativ3B yesterday the Hon Sir J Vo'el moved that the House go into committee to consider the following resolution :->« That the difficulties surrounding the railways constructed under the District Railways Aci, and the hardships to wnich the ratepayers are subjected m connection therewith, are such that this House considers the Government should seize a favourable opportunity to enter into agreements to acquire the said lines by lease and purchase, such agreements to be subjest to the ratification of Parliament, and to contain a provision thac until -Parliament has had an opportunity of giving such ratification, all proceedings against ratepayers shall be stopped." Major Atkinson suggested that the Government should make a statement before going into Committee on a matter of such importance. The Hon. bir J. Vogel understood the House was going into Committee for the purpose of debating the Resolution. The motion was agreed to. After some discussion and several amendments, the Hon. Mr. Stout moved the following •— " That the Government be requested to come to the best arrangement they can with the district railway companies, with the view of the acquisition of the lines by the Colony, such arrangement being subject to the ratification of Parliament." The amendment was nut, and carried on a division.— Ayea, 49 ; noes, 24. The Wellington correspondent or the Lytielton Times writes as follows :— " Great interest is being taken, both inside the House and outside, in Wahanui's appearance at! the bar of the House. He is a pleasant, intelligent as well as dignified old party, and in a sort of way makes an impression upon all who happen to be brought into contact withbim. Like all other Natives wuen they have business on hand, he is not very communicative, and, moreover is inclined to talk in somewhat puzzling metaphor. In conversation this morning he politely evaded lelling me what line he was going to take when at the bar of the Hou-,e. He admitted tnat he had scarcely read through the flew Bill. All the same he had caught si°-ut, as he put It " of its great teeth and tail with a big stiug in it," so that apparently Mr. Ballance's measure does not altogether please him. Prom what he afterwards said, I feel inclined to look for a general setiiog forth of the desires of the King country Natives and their grievance? Peihaps he will even ask for " Home Rule," as his colleagues Tawhiao and Maj jr Te Wheoro have been practically doing from Lord Derby. It is a tnousaad pities Wahanui did not accompany them. What he might not have accomplished with the aid of a few enthusiastic ladies I should be afraid to say, for " really, you know, he is such a very vice old gentleman." *

A project i 3 on foot (says the Cromwell Argxut) to erect a goldmining dredge on the Kawarau River, and a meeting of those willing to form a company with this object is couveced to be held to-morrow afternoon. Due promoters have already met with liberal promises of suppoit, and there is no doubt the affair will eventuate in success We believe it is intended to build the dredge at the Gorge and thence work down the river. Peisons of lengthened experience in river mining are sanguine that the venture will prove a most profitable one, and the results of dredging at Alexandra, and in the vicinity of Beaumont, afford strong grounds for anticipating excellent returns on the Kawarau 8 Mr. Audrew Dalziel, one of the most experienced dredgers in Otago, is one of the promoters, and this fact of itself will no doubt, give confidence to investois. We hope to see the movement meet with hearty support, as success in the present instance will certainly lead to the putting of other machines on the Kawarau and Clutha rivers, and in all probability bring about a much-needed revival in mining enterprise,

a t,i n6n 6 / 0^ oE c °mmons on Wednesday the Hon. Evelyn Ashley, Uader-secretary for the Colonies, replying to questions, stated that General Smythe, commander of the British forces in South Africa, had been instructed to refuse to recognise the claim of the Sw a ni?T rn T nt -, t0 protecfc Mont 3i °a. the paramount chief of Bechuanaland, a temtory over which British authority is to be t^.U H^l^ topUatothe mUrdererß ° f B ' thell » «* e tif le T-L Onß , O u de P uties to the German Reichstag, just ground! 6 ° 3t> wMIe the Socialißt s have gained Late intelligence from Tonquin shows that the French troops are suffering severely from the effects of the climate. A large proportion 2^££2S£ take the fi3ldi aad the number oa «» JS?SfS Gw« I rnml g w tS fi! neral lar1 ar ? Urg i n « LorilD3rbyto P reß 3 the French

SATURDAY.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, replying to Mr 2S^*tf fi e^ WifeW ifc i 8 th V Qtention «* the Government to pTace a ■££ p ?e? c Rstlmates for the formation of the Crookston section of the Waipahi-Roxburgh railway line the Hon. Mr KS&f §a^ itWOuW QOt be ne ° eß3ar r t°Vcea sum oa The J™A fOt tbe PyP°ae. -Replying to Mr. G. F. Richardson, as to whether Government will, during the recess, cause a preliminary survey to be made of the Seaward Bush railway-line from^rTS toMataura, and thence to its ultimate junction with tho Catlin's Biver railway, and a report to be prepared for the information of .thia SS °l^ xteai and character of the agricultural and forest landa which will be rendered accessible by the line, tue Hon. Mr. rIS! 0 ? *% 5? Waß QOfc P re P ared t0 S l ™ the promise required.Replymg to Mr. Duncan, as to whether the Government will durin* wJ*T?l' T S ? i BUrVe7 t0 be made of the JiQe of railway up the K?L2 t fl e lake and a report of the quality and quantity of the land to be settled upon on each side of such route, and whether the same facilities would be extended to a company to form such a line as are now given^to the East and West Coast Railway Company the Hon. Mr. Richardson said the Department would not oe able to prepare the information required. It a flying survey would be sufficient, Govei mnent would not object to it. Replying to Mr. O'Oonor, as to whether the Government will have the sit , for the bridge over the Bailer, at Lvell, selecte i aud specifications prepared before next itTTt Sh 5 0Ul cMIVc Ml V chard9^ promised to comply with the request.-The Hon bir J. Yogel moved the second reading of the Coasohdated btock Bill. He said the object of the Bill was explained ia the Financial Statement. The bill had been framed to give immedate relief to the Consolidated Revenue. The motion for the second reading was put, and carried on a division— ayes, 48 : noes, 15. Tne passage of the Harbour Bill was celebrated at Westport by general rejoicing yesterday. The streets were lined with bunting, and congratulatory telegrams were seat to the members for the district by all the local bodies. , At the first annual maetiag of the Auckland Apple F.irm C>m oany no dividend was declared. A balance of £1256 wa* carried forward. Ihe report was encouraging. 47,000 trees were planted la*t year, aud are strong and healthy. Messrs. Billington, Peacock (&&&), and Connell were re-elected directors. A banquet by Pi essman and othecs is to be given to Mr. Thomaa Bracken, at Auckland, on Monday. The Kast and West Coast Railway Bill (says the Lyttelton Times) has run the gauntlet of both Houses, and is now out of purgatory. That it should have escaped with a whole skin' was not to be expected ; neither men nor measures can well do that after running the gauntlet. The Bill hid to f ice heavy blows, and did receive one or two severe stripes. Nevertheless it is still to all ia- . tents and purposes the maas ure which was introduced by the Government into the Lower House. With one exception, its essential parts have come out of the ordeal intact. The exception is clause 5. The question asked is -Is thia excision likely to damn the whole scheme iv the eyes of English capitalists. On the whole we think not and we say this advisedly, despite the words of warning used by tbe premier at the hnal consideration of the Bill ia the Lower House. When the Company has finished the construction of the line, we trust that it will find something better to do with it than to hand ib over to toe Government to be worked by the Colony. For reasons which have repeatedly been urged ia these columns, we believe that the paying capabilities of a West Coast Railway have bean greatly under- rated. It is not a little curious that the Upper House, whose treatment ot the Bill was so dreaded, really did more good than harm to the measure. It is true the Lords struck out clause 5 but they also restored the much more necessary freedom of choice of route. Ihere is plenty of time for the Oolony to reconsider the rejection of the arrangement for the taking over and working of the railway when made by th 3 Governmeat. The line can be maUe without any such proviso. But ie is possible that the restriction of the route to Arthur s Pass might have killed th« whole scheme. At any rate, as we pointed out in a. former article, it was a device to bring about that result. There are toose who state that the amount of available Und contiguous to the Lewis Pass route is double proportionately to the amount to be secured in the Arthur's Pass country. Ihe distance to be traversed in the one case is so very little longer than the other -eleven miles is the excess— thac it will not weigh with the public much on the score of convenience. The choice ia exactly one of those things which the constructors should be left to make ; luckily, this is to be done.

The debate on the Address-in-Reply to tha Speech from the Ihrone was continued in the House of Uommoasou Wednesday uight when Lord Randolph Churchill moved an amendment censuring Mr. Chamberlain for his action in connection with the riotg that occurred

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at Birmingham on the 14th inst. A long and animated debate enBued, and resulted in the rejection of the amendment by a maioritv of 36 votes. i * A battalion of the Boyal Irish Begiment, the first battalion of the Boyal West Kent Bngiment, and the first battalion of the Gordon Highlanders will ascend the Nile next week for Khartoum.

Monday.

In the House of Bepresentatives yesterd ay the motion was put that Wahauui be heard at the bar of the House, and Bgrevd to. Wahanui then entered the chamber aud addi eased the House. He said it was his great desire to speak ou behalf of hs people that brought him before the House. These were the two objects for which he was ihere : the firet was in order to explain his sentiments ; the second, that he might look on the works done in the House. The first subject on which he wished to speak concerned the ancestral lands of himself and his people ; the second, the action of the Native Land Committee with respect to those lands. No white man's foot had. yet trod upon those lands, and no European had any authority over them. He would ask the House to devise a law for administering those lands. The late Native Minister bad told him that his ideas on the subject were good. He had seen the proposed Native Lands Settlement Bill. He found it had great sharks' teeth from the head to the mouth. There was also a stiug in its tail. He hoped the House would consider his words. Let not the House be carried away with the desire to obtain land, but let them do what was just and Tight. Since be bad seen the bill he asked whether the Minister 'Would allow him to amend certain provisions. At present there was so embarrassment with regard to his land, but he was actuated by fear. The recent visit of Tawhiao to England was in reference to the disposal of his land by the House. He (Wahanui) therefore asked the' House to pass just laws with regard to his land. He also hoped the House would carry out the laws of that great lady who lives in England — he meant the Queen. He hoped some of the clauses in the till would not be earned, as they appeared to be framed without due consideration. He wanted the authoiity over his lands to be vested in their own committees. Another request he had to make was that the sale of spirits to Natives should be stopped, as it was a great evil. He only desired to add that ho hoped the House would pass just laws affecting him and his people. — The Hon. Mr. Ballance moved the second reading of the Native Lands Settlement Bill. The motion was carried. — The Hon. Bir J. Vogel moved the second reading cf the Property Tax Bill. As hon. members were aware, the bill bad to be renewed from year to year. The bill simply proposed to reduce the tax by one-half. Major Atkinson protested against the reduction of the tax, us it would be in the interests of a certain class. Under ordinary circumstances he should have been glad to congratulate the House, but he could not do so in the present case. Mr. Montgomery was torry he could not support the bill. He thought it was a very wrong principle to meet our liabilities by further borrowing. He would ask the Treasurer whether he was doing a wise thing to let it go forth to the world that he could not meet their liabilities without borrowing money to do it, and at the same time they were going to reduce taxation. The principle was vicious, and should not be tolerated. Sir G. Grey said he should vote against the bill. If the Treasurer wished to reduce taxation he should have taken it off the necessaries of life. It was taking the tax off the wioug people, and the principle was unsound. Mr. Bollesion would vote against the bill. He said they had had a marvellous financial speech during the sessioH, and their engagements were proposed to be met by a series of finessing of a character that was not at all encouraging. They had begun the year with a deficiency of £150,000, and yet they were told by the Minister of Public Works that he would so conduct his depaitment as to leave a large surplus. He intended voting against every financial measure of the present Government. Mr. Macandrew thought the Government did not go far enough. He should like to ccc the whole of the tax taken off. He differed altogether from those who asserted that the reductioa of the tax relieved the rich. He had no objection to borrowing to any amonnt if they could keep it within the Colony. The House divided uu the second reading of the bill — ayes, 40 ; noes, 21.

Mrs. Maurice Kelly, of Wade, Auckland, who arrived in this Colony in 1841, is dead. Her husband is in his 97th year. Ihe Dunstan Times has the following :— On the Old Man Bange, Steele and Co. are pushing on with their water race from the Gorge Creek when the weather permits. Mr. Kemp has extended Mb water race to White Spur, and has now water available for hire. The reef in White's tunnel was slightly pinched last week, and is hardly so thick as formerly. Mervyn and Gavan have let a contract to drive 200 f t; the price is stated at 11s 6d per foot, the claim owners to find the necessary timber. Most of the other claims on the Bange will start work next month, so that the Bange will be pretty busy during the summer. The Great Western Company at Butcher's Gully Saddle have got some payable stone at the depth of about 8 feet. They are at present idle waiting for timber. The reef they have struck is at present about 18 inches thick ; it is well defined and running through solid country. The rumours which have been in circulation regarding Earl Granville's attempt to mediate between France and China are daily gaining ground) bat have not yet received any official confirmation. A serious outbreak of cholera has occurred at Nantes, and 15 fatal cases are reported. Intelligence to hand from Wady Haifa states that the Canadians have arrived there, and are now parsing 50 boats daily over the Becond cataract, and the trcops are proceeding up the Nile with the utmost despatch. Telegrams have been received from Sir E. W. Wilson, head of the Intelligence Department, attached to Lord Wolseley's staff, stating that he has received a report which he believes to be true, to the effect that the Mahdi's forces attacked General Gordon opposite Khartoum,and were repulsed with heavy loss. The Chinese aie massing large bodies of troops at Shanghai and Fekin, with a view to the prosecution of active hostilities against the French.

The Blackstone Hill correspondent of the Mount. Ida Chronicle, writes as follows : — A rush, on a Btnall scale, took place a few days ago to the old diggings at German Hill, about 16 miles down Ida Valley. It appears there is a large extent of excellent sluicing ground there, but no water is available. A few parties have set in to tunnel the ground, which consists of quartz wash covered with immense bouldcrsof conglomerate, or " clinkers," as thpyare commonly called, and which were left as "bottom "in the early days. There are very extensive deposits of this nature all over the district which will doubtless, he brought under the operations of the miner eventually — that is, if the settlers, in purchasing land, do not block the only outlet for tailings, a consummation which is gradually being achieved, lam sorry to remark. When the water-supply is set free in one place by the exhaustion of the alluvial drifts, it can be taken to another, and the hidden wealth of the otherwise useless country extracted. Government by this time ought to be aware of this fact, and, in surveying lands for settlement near auriferous grcund, should set aside areas for tailings and tail-races. The miners cannot always be on the alert to prevent improper or injudicious alienation. In reference to the subject of breeding that delicious fresh-water fish, the perch, Mr. Smart, of Sydenham, supplies us (Lyttelton Times) with some interesting information. About two and a half years ago he placed in his fishpond — a sheet of water of four acres— thirty-six perch. They have increased and multiplied in a wonderful way, Mr. Smart being now able to number his stock by thousands. They ;grow rapidly, afford good sport with the rod and line, and prove to be perfect for the table. Probably the marked success of this experiment is due to the fact that the fish were placed in still water instead of a running stream. The pond, it may be added, contains a goodly number of trout. A naval artillery company has been formed at Oamaru, and so many applications were received for enrolment that the m ajority of the corps had to be balloted for. Over 150 applications were received. Mr. D. N. Bobinson, of the New Zealand Shipping Company, has been elected captain. Parleying' in connection with Pacific affairs is awaiting replies from Sydney on the subject.

Tuesday.

A curious little incident reaches us (Posi) from Gore Bay, the scene of the wreck of the Lastingham. A few days ago Messrs. Jenkins and France paid a visit to the wreck. While Mr. France was on the cliff over the spot where the vessel lies, be heard the faint mew of a cat. At first he could not see any animal likely to be responsible for the familiar sound, but on his calling " Puss, puss," a large grey, hungry-looking cat came running towards him. It is very tame, and from the way it "ehimu" up to everyone divers are of opinion that it must be the Laatingham's " fo'lksle cat." There is a general desire to take possession of the newly discovered memento of the catastrophe— we assure our readers no pun was intended — but Mr. France considers he has a preferential claim unless the company can establish a better right. Should they think of doing so, it will be interesting to see under what category they will claim the animal, whether as cargo, ship's stores, fittings, or live stock. A most successful members' ball was given in the main corridor of Parliament Buildings yestarday evening.' Over 600 invitations were issued. Amongst those present were his Excellency the Governor, Miss* Jervois, and Major Cautley. There were nearly all the members of both Houses of Parliament present, and a large number of leading citizens. The ball was one, of the best given in Wellington for some time past. The hop gradens at Mr. Tanner's Kiverslea estate are beginning to look green (says the Hastings correspondent of the N apier telegraph) and the children of the district are already looking forward to the hop-picking. This indu.-try promises before long to become one of great importance to the district. Mr. Tanner (who never does things by halves) was so satisfied with his last year's experience in this line this year greatly enlarged his plantaMon and has now 33 acres in hops, last year bad 10£ acres, which Mr. Whibley (to whom I am indebted for my information) informs me paid over thirty per cent, on the outlay. This year 22£ acres more been planted. There are 16£ acres planted with Kent foldings, 9£ with golden grape, 4£ witu late Bumfords, 1 with Colgate's late sort.. 1 with Whibley's early goldings, and £ acre with Hinhams early Jones. The different sorts are planted so that they will not all be fit for picking at the same time, but come on in rotation. There are 30,000 hills, and no less than 42,000 poles are in use. The laying out of the ground , planting sets, preparing poles, &c, has given employment to a large number of persons, and necessitated a large expenditure of money. lam sure all will be glad to hear of it turning out a big success, and returning a handsome percentage on the outlay. The Coromandel Mail says :— Things are looking decidedly better in this miue (Kapanga). Some very nice specimens have been got in the stopes, and there is every probability that more will be got now, as they are working below the old shots of gold which formerly turned out so well. The manager has also made a very important discovery lately in iron pyrites. He Hods that patches occur through the reefs, some 50 pounds tested having yielded over 6 ounces of gold. Large quantities of this mineral have been thrown away at various times, for although gold was kuown to exist in- it the cost of extraction was found to be too great. Captain Argall has extracted the gold by a different process, which will leave a margin of profit. A disastrous panic took place at the Star Theatre, Glasgow, during a performance on Friday. Several workmen who had formerly been employed at the theatre and discharged raised a cry of fire, causing the audience to rise en masse and rushed- to the doors. A terrible scene ensued, and after the building had been cleared it, was discovered that 14 people had been killed, and 14 were more or less severely injured, some of them being in a critical condition. The police succeeded in arresting the men who caused the panic. The Times considers that the temporary delay taking place in regard to Federation is neither surprising nor lamentable. It also

holds the opinion that the New Guinea and New Caledonia difficulty is altogether too slender a basis for such a Federal movement on the part of the colonies, and furthermore, it would be premature of them to consent to support such a scheme without seeing their way clear to continue it with utility to themselves. The fact that the foundation-stone of a new convent and convent school was to be laid at Pukekohe on Sunday, Oct. 19 (says the Auckland Weekly News) excited a great deal of attention, not only in the neighbourhood in which the ceremony took place, but in settlements within a radius of twenty miles, and in Auckland also, where a large amount of practical sympathy had been shown towards the movement. The church grounds, about five acres in extent, are withm a short distance of the centre of the settlement, in a commanduig position, on the top of a gentle slope from the railway line, and facing one of the main district roads. On it have quite recently been erected a handsome church well adapted to the requirements of the congregation. On one side of the church is a well-built presbytery occupied by the the Rev. Father Costello, the energetic priest, and, on the other facias the same road, is a Catholic hall, 50 feet x 35 feet, This w not yet quite finished, and is not lined, but it was turned to useful service yesterday as a dining-room for the large number of guests assembled. The blocks and platea of the convent building are already laid some distance at the rear of the church. The building is to be plain, but suitable, and measures 80 feet in length by 38 feet in width, the studs 14 feet in height, and the roof of galvanized iron. Its form is that of a double cross. At one end will be the select school, 20 feet by 38 feet, at the other end will be the domitories, etc., a space of equal dimensions, and the body of the building, 25 feet m width, with verandahs on each side, will have a - 1 sir feet in width running through, and the spaces on each side mil be divided into four rooms. The design was prepared and the building IB bteing constructed, by Mr. Goodwin, a local builder, and a member of the church committee. As already stated there was a large attendance. A special train, which left tKSi^Pm ? ° clock ' bought up the Very Eev. Father Walter Macdonald and about 120 visitors. The settlers ia the neighbonrhood mustered in good force, and amongst those present were visitors from Mercer, Pokeno, Waiuku, Waipipi, and other districts. telegram posted at the Corner to-day (says the Thames Star) conveyed to the public the welcome intelligence that another haul of picked stone and specimens-this time 401bs-had been obtained in »WS» W S "n^ 23^ leve1 ' Can^ria, and a good show of gold innlinJlli'i A * ,? c X^ c of m * TJ Bit, matters in the winze were %*%? • Z ' f, ttd lfc Beems ' Edging from present results, as if the opinions frequently expressed as to the richness of this piece of ground were about to be verified. The winze is about 15ft. deep and 2Sw» V£ l t' IB }Z ing flat « is oTer 3ffc - wide in the west endf and rSf. Vf'fe t vatu a th u c east ' a sfcron * bod y of solid q uartz - The specimens hitherto have been found in the east end, in about ISin. of the fSKTSJ the lode ' thoU S fa the precious metal is seen freely m dabs m the footwall portion. The whole reef is remarkable tM. ™&T? l°t .mm. mm c eral ifc contain °> aQd the gold is mixed with Klf « ♦ ' # 1S a f avourabl e indication, and one which portends SnLti* ° U ? Wll i ormh . better thaa h looks - The *01bs bagged this SSSi. 1 ?i, 0fB^ dq ? lU i ly ' a P ork!oaof ifc being obtained from the J?om a nJnf 6 "I?* 9 (where gold is sUII lowing), and the remainder 2Erf£ nt on the west side, about 2ft. above the bottom, where yesterday's haul was bagged. Good gold is still showing here. PreJKSrtSf ™ nowbein e mad etorigthe windlass, and when that is Thpr«r«^o ? g ? r *u IU b " avea cban <*of continuing the east drive. Vhl VJLi 2-^ m the . Wlnze of the P inch which o^utred in the drive. contX* d » ve «^win ab O ut 37 feet from the crosscut; the reef 2SSL i ° W ?° ld freel y> and on the footwall are a number of SnnJ^J ' *S? Bho . Wm . g fche P recious metal when brok c«. The leading en, « £SSSiSffi!fS££SKSg O b atba m ,p,epared to a™kc£- L 1 ? enc^ hasbeen received from Khartoum through a noted £So *d tt£^"P" 4 " *» l «t««e end of September the greater cSonSy^JT 11 -^ 6 were Verting; and that General Sward* sjX ked^ th 2000 soldiers and refugees, and steamed which onmAiS \ Z succeeded in sinking several of the vessels, <Sv !*£££! « f ? barred , *]"? P asßa S e of the ri ™- to Berber. The Stewart on L^ sue , c< * ded in P assin g "Pward was that with Colonel SSh the Test o ? 4«°fl vi^ subse 2 u f ntl y wrecked. General Gordon, where tW™. n Otl J la> | v ,. cceeded ** retreating as far as Shendy teleJrVm S •°? t^ ed^ y tbe rebels> The Khedive has sent a fchi * news - General

Wednesday.

TTnJ« S? *? 0US ~ of Representatives yesterday, replying to Mr. 2nd now-! ? tb «. Go 7ernn»ent will take steps to set aside blocks of HokianL »^ w g m 00 aCres ' situated in the Ba y of Islaad SS?m fl S^?° ngO . nm u dlstrict8 ' forHi e hland crofters, on similar Ae?iß77 ».^ 0118 *? these embodied in section 31, "Waste Lands arSnntJL* Amendment Act 1884, and whether they will take Th« ln w U^ a number of the said crofters to occupy the said blocks. i.Pn?*^ * B * lla ° c * said lfc w °u^ be as well to wait till the expert SSSffhST^ m * he T South Island before taking any further CafholL i dlrectl 2 n -- M f • J : O, Brown presented a petition from the Son system T*% P ro £ Btin ? against the injustice of the educaSSr KISS^ 8 ???' B £ Jl Vo & el moved *fe committal of the SZtSS^ £** ?£• , Mr< Holmea Protested against the immieraSSS&StaS.'n 6 ? 11^ °V h % eround «>ere being so many unemployed m the Colony. Mr. Guinness objected that the lines of

railway mentioned in the schedule had not been specified. Mr.Grigg said the vote for immigration was a very necessary provision. He strongly defended the vote. Dr. Newman was opposed to the immigration vote, except as regarded nominated immigrants. Sir G. Grey was opposed to the vote. He hoped the House would remove the item altogether. The Hon. Sir J. Vogsl said that out of the £30,000 on the schedule £17,000 was for actual liabilities. -The Government felt bouud to carry out the agreements made with the nominated immigrants. It was proposed only to introduce a desirable class of immigrants. It was also proposed to bring out as an experiment half-a-dozen Highland crofters. He thought it was to be regretted that a larger amount for immigration could not be voted. It was very desirable to encourage population to the Colony, although perhaps the present time was not the most suitable. He looked forward, however, to a more prosperous time, when a much larger stream of immigration would be required than was at present provided for. The House went into Committee on the bill, and the whole of the clauses were passed with slight amendment. The members of the congregation of St. Mary's (says the Napier Telegraph) Me united in their expression of regret at learning that Father Cassidy has been appointed to the New Plymouth district. A brilliant preacher, and- unremitting in attention to the duties of his cure, Father Cassidy has endeared himself to everyone of his coreligionists, aud will take away with him the respect and good wishes of all those who had pleasure of his acquaintance outside the Catholic O'aurch. Father Cassidy leaves for New Plymouth next week.

A boy name William Ansley, aged 14, was drowned yesterday afternoon in the Wanganui River at Arawamoho. He had gone to bathe, and is supposed to have taken cramp. The body was recoveied within an hoar of the occurrence.

Bishop Luck writes from England that he intends to bring out with him four Benedictine fathers and perhaps two or three secular clergy.

By recent legislation the life of the telegraph operators in this Colony has been rendered anything but a happy or desirable one (says the Wellington Evening Press). The imposition of another hour's work a day upon a class of men whose occupation is, under the best of circumstances, a great mental strain, and the closest of ties, and whose daily working time was sufficiently long under former regulations, is one of the worst political acts of the present session. When it is remembered that the individuals who are affected by this arbitrary infliction are young men, to whom a fair amount of relaxation from work is as much a necessity to their health and the proper performance of their duties, as light, air, regular habits, and regular diet, it will be understood what a great evil has been committed. . . . The Government and the House have, in this their last dealing with the telegiaph operators, been guilty of an infringement of the dictates of humanity and justice, which may fairly be recorded on the same page as the endeavour to '• boycott " the " strikers," by damaging their chances in the neighboring colonies. That transaction remains as an indelible stain upon its perpetrators and the administration of the day, and this last one will reflect almost as discreditably upon the present Government. Even at this eleventh hour, however, the evil can be abated, if it is only as regards these country stations, and we trust the House and the Commissioner of Telegraphs will see to it before the session closes.

At an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Auckland Tobacco Company, the following resolutions were carried unanimously :—" That the capital of the Company be increased to £25,000 by the issue of 2000 new shares of £1 each ; that the stock-in-trade, machinery, and other property of the New Zealand Tobacco-growing and Manufacturing Company should, if possible, be purchased by the Auckland Tobacco Company for such price and on such terms as the directors shall deem right and expedient. Lord Derby proposes that the colonies shall appoint a council to advise and assist Major Scratchley in the control of the affairs of New Guinea. He also asks that the colonies should double the subsidy ; and the Admiralty advise the purchasing of a steamer for the use of the High Commissioner. In the House of Lords on Monday Lord Granville took occasion to deny tbe statement current that the Khedive had wired to the Queea that Khartoum had fallen and that Gordon had been made prisoner. The report to that effect is now generally disbelieved. Intelligence has been received that the Mahdi is gathering his forces around Khartoum, and has summoned General Gordon to surrender*

Thubsday.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, the Hon. Mr. Stout moved the second leading of the Civil List Act Amendment Bill. He said it was intended to provide for the appointment of an extra Minister, who would have charge of the Mines Department. He referred to the importance of the mining industry, which required to be looked after mote carefully than had hitherto been the case. The Government thought it would be advisable to have the Department under the charge of one Minister, who would devote the whole of his time to the office. If the House desired to see the mining industry more fully developed, they would support the proposal now brought forwaid. He would not take up further time at this stage of the session, but simply move the second reading of the bill. Captain Sutter objected to the proposal to appoint an extra Minister. He said there waa no necessity whatever for it. He thought too much importance altogether was given to the goldfields. For his part he considered the Colony would be better off if there was not a gold digger in the Colony. Mr. Barron moved* the adjournment of the debate for a fortnight. He thought by that time the Government might be able to make some adjustment of tbe Ministerial portfolios. Mr. Lerestam and Mr. Peacock supported the adjournment of the debate. Sir G. Grey said if tbe bill got into Committee he should move to substitute two under secretaries for the proposed Minister. The Hon. Sir J. Vogel defended the proposal to appoint an extra Minister, on the ground of the state of the public business demanding it. The Government would be prepared to consider the question of appointing two under secretaries instead of a Minister if it was the wish of the House. If the adjournment foi a fortaight were carried,

it would mean shelving the motion altogether. Mr. Duncan hoped the House would vote for tbe amendment. He saw no reason for the appointment of an extra Minister. The motion was lost on the voices. A banquet by Pressmen and others was given at Auckland on Tuesday evening to Mr. Thomas Bracken, the well-known poet and journalist. Fifty gentlemen were present. Mr. William Berry presided. Apologies were received and read from Sir F. Whitaker, Mr. Mr. Mitchelson (M.H.R.), Dr. Campbell, Mr. Wm. Swanson, and Mr. J. M. Shera. Amongst those present were the Mayor of Auckland, Consul Griffin, Mr. Aickin (chairman of the Harbour Board), etc. The toast of the evening was received with great enthusiasm. Mr. Bracken gave two recitations. Mr. Mitchelson in his note of apology expressed regret that Mr. Bracken was not now in Parliament, and hoped to see him there again, although they belonged to different parties. Yesterday morning Michael Patrick M'Carthy, seaman of the H. J. Libby, who was committed to gaol by the Resident Magistrate afcLyttelton, was brought before Mr.i Justice Johnston at Christchurch on a writ of habeas corpus. Mr. Weston and Mr. Joyce appeared for the prisoner ; Mr. Harper appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of- the American Consul. The Magistrate wan unrepresented. After reading the affidavits giving the history of the case, his Honor said the form of commitment was bad. The Magistrate had seen that he had no jurisdiction, and no conviction had taken place. The Magistrate was detaining the prisoner in custody till the American Consul could intervene, but the warrant of commitment alleged that the man had been convicted. The adjudication was bad, as the man bad not been adjudicated on for his offence. Prisoner was entitled to be discharged, but it was to be understood that this does not interfere with the Consul's right to apply for extradition in proper form, or prevent the captain of tne ship moving again in this matter if he pleased. Prisoner was then discharged. The outbreak of the cholera at Nantes is assuming serious dimensions, and, despite the precautions w hich have been taken by the authorities, the disease continues to spread rapidly. Lord Derby has stated that the New Guinea and Pacific decision is final ; but he admits that the protectorate means annexation. The ex-Empress Eugenic met with an accident whereby she sustained a slight fracture of the leg. Major Kitchener telegraphs that information has reached him that General Gordon has refused the Mahdi's summons to surrender, and that the Mahdi has since withdrawn from Khartoum, and announced his intention of making no further attack on the place for two months. Lord Wolseley offers to withdraw the English troops from the Soudan on the condition that General Gordon is granted a free and safe passage from Khartoum.