News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 14, 24 July 1885, Page 9

News of the Week.

Fbidat. -~ i In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. Boss moved vik second reading of the Otago Haibour Board Leasing Bill. Agreed to.— Mr. Holmes mov€d the second reading of the Christchurch Market Reserves Bill. Agreed to.— Mr. Hatch moved the second reading o f the Inveroargill Loan consolidating Bill. Agreed to*— Mr. Downie Hte Wart moved the second read : ng of the Dunedin Cattle Market Reserve Leasing Bill. ~ Agreed to.— Mr. Ormond moved the second reading of the Napier Harbour Poard empowering Bill. Agreed to.—Mr, Downie Stewart moved the second reading of the Bible Reading in School* Bill. He Said the bill was introduced for the purpose of giving tffect to a very widespread desire that the Bible should be recognised in the public schools of the Colony. If they looked to the countries where civilisation was highest and art and science most extensively known, it would be found that it was in those countries where the Bible was a text-book. He contended that the present education system proved that no man has any moral or religious nature. The Catholics were strongly against that system, the Episcopalians were almost wholly opposed to it, and the Presbyterians wi re also going in the same direction. He thonght if the Bible were read extensively in the schools it would not mean the destruction of the present system. He further contended that no person desirous of local option in education could consistently vote against the bill. The motion for second readirg was then put, and lost on a division by 18 to 50.— Mr. Fergus resumed the debate on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill. The motion for the second reading was put, and carried on the voces. A company has been formed to acquire the rights and interest held under agreement at Auckland by a syndicate with. La Monte for his gold-smelting process, under the title of the Smelting Com* pany, with a capital of £60,000. A youtig man named James Fisher was seriously .injured in the Seawardtßasa', Southland, yesterday. He was employed as a bullocks driver at Tapper* mill, and while hauling out a log it rolled off against a fcaphng, which in turn pinned Fieher against the tree he was passing at the time. He was brought to the hospital, where he was found to have sustained injuries to the lower pare of the body of a serious character. The Most Rev. Dr. Moran, Archbishop of Sydney, arrived at Borne yesterday. All the Powers with the exception of Russia asseut to England issuing an Egyptian loan. This is reported as a triumph for the Marquis of Salisbury. In the House of Commons on Wednesday night Lord Randolph Churchill, Secretary for ludia, announced that the Government were in receipt of a report from Colonel Bidgeway, in charge of the Afghan Bout dary Commission, to the effect) that the Bussian forces ia the vicinity of the Zulfikar Pass were being considerably increased. Russia claims what practically amounts to the command of the Pass, and the Czar offers to refer the matter of the frontier to a commission, but the Marquis of Salisbury has declined to accede to this. Three tbonsand Russian troops are now in the vicinity of the Pass. The Boundary Commission has removed to Herat at the request of the Afghan authorities, in order to direct the works being carried out for the defence of that place. Satubday. In the House of Representatives yesterday the Hon. J. A. Tole moved the second reading of the St. Mary's Convent Property Leases Bill. Agreed to.—Mr. Wilson moved the second reading of " The, Napier Gas Company Act 1874 " Amendment Bill. Agreed to.— The Hon. J. Bailance moved the second reading of the Land Bill. He said a great necessity had existed for the consolidation of the land laws of the Colcny, and there had been no such measure introduced since 1877. He would have wished to bring down a more comprehensive measure dealing with the prices of land and other matter, but he thought there would be no chance of passing it this session. The second reading of the bill was then put and agreed to on the voices. — The Hon. R. Stout moved the second reading of the Stamp Act Amendment Bill, and briefly explained its provisions. Mr. Downie Stewart said the bill would have an oppressive effect by adding 50 per cent, in stamp duty on dealings with land. The motion for the second reading was agreed to.— The Hon. R. Stout moved the second reading of the Deceased Persi na Estates Duties Act Amendment Bill, which he 6aid increased the duties on the estates of deceased persons. Agreed to. General Komaroff states that he was not aware that the Consul's clerk who was flogged by the Russians at Kesk was in the British service. Colonel Stanley, secretary for the Colonies, favours the establish* ment of an emigration bureau for affording information regarding the Colonies to intending emigrants. Colonel Stanley will consult with the Agents-general on the subject shortly. Monday. The Wellington correspondent of the Daily Tinieg wires as follows : — All day long there have been rumours of dissension in the Cabinet. It may be that this is only a revival of the old rumours, but from what I can gather things are tending towards a change. 1 do not think that any differences there may be are on any special measure. I fancy Messrs. Stout and Ballance have got the idea that Sir Julius Yogel is slowly— perhaps I might Bay rapidly — becoming a source of weakness rather than of strength, and that the time is coming when they can afford to throw him over. Their notion is that Messrs. Montgomery, M* J. S. Mackenzie, Barron, Pyke, and a number of others who have been driven away from them might be again incorporated with the party. I think, too, that if Sir Julius Yogel gets his petition money he would himself gladly retire from New Zealand politics, for he can hardly help recognising that be has

failed in the main points of which he had raised the expectations of the country. Messrs. Stout and Ballance would then try and stand by themselves (they believe they can), and if they failed they would let Major Atkinson have his trial, believing that at present he could not stand for a week, when with Messrs. Macandrew and Montgomery they would come in again. Their chief difficulty is with the Canterbury Vogelities, who do not so much care for Sir Julius Vogel as they dislike Stout and others. Piobably a portfolio would be offered to Mr. Leonard Harper or some other Canterbury member of the party. A finance of some radical kind is now considered almost certain before the end of the session, but Mr. Stout will certainly try to keep office. Under any circumstances there is not the slightest necessity to take account of Sir George Orey. His opposition is considered better than his support, and his influence has not only died away in the House, but is thought to be warning m the country, even in the North. . The half-yearly meeting of the Union Gold-tnining Company was held at Arrowtown on the 29th ult. (says the Dunstan Times). There were 6,600 shares represented. Mr. Henry B. Smith was voted to the chair. The report was most encouraging, as from a recent visit of one of the principal shareholders to the mine for the purpose of making a rough survey of the lines o£ reef, it showed that both Whites and M'Kenna's reefs ran through the company's claim. JL>nnng the past six months a cross-cut tunnel had been driven 200 ft oy contract, but a considerable distance would still remain to drive' prior to striking White's line. Prospects of an excellent character had been obtained at ends of the lease. It was recommended to proceed with tunnelling in the spring. The Karaka district, at the Thames (says the Auckland Herald), appears likely to come to the front before long. For many years a few have always manifested a strong faith in the future of this district as a gold-producer, bat hitherto the resnlts obtained have been somewhat discouraging. Recently the workings in the Old Lord Nelson claim have been examined, and the reefs which pas« through that b:ock of ground. Samples of stone have been brought to Auckland and tested at the Bank of New Zealand, which hive shown a richness of gold little dreamed of. One trial gave a return at the rate of 30oz. to the ton of stone, and a subsequent one gave a similar result. On another trial being made with a larger quantity of stone, a yield at the rate of 50oz. per ton was obtained? These results are very encouraging, and should give fresh hopes to those interested in Thames mining properties. The Agent-General for New South Wales, Sir Saul Samuel, announced on Saturday that his Government has decided to abandon the projected loan for the present, owing to the uncertainty as to whether peace would be maintained. t A£ eputat j°.?> headed b y tte Right Hon. Robert Fowler, M.P., Lord Mayor of London, waited upon Lord George Hamilton, First Lord of the Admiralty, on Friday. His Lordship stated, in reply to the question put by the deputation, that the Government had decided to reclaesify ironclads, and discard those which were ineffiwent. He further stated that the Government would co-operate with the various colonies in the work of defending their principal towns. The British Government have adopted a scheme of defence for the colonial commercial ports to aid the loyal efforts in this direction made by the Volunteers. The English Government will furnish the guns necessary for the fortification of such ports. The motion tabled by Mr. Parnell demanding an inquiry into the recent convictions for mnrder in Ireland has been negatived, during the debate on it the Earl of Carnarvon, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, said the Government would be quite willing to consider any memorials that might be presented to them on the subject. The Government have introduced the Irish Land Purchase Bill, which proposes the advance of money at the rate of 4. per cent., repayable in 49 years, to tenants who may desire to purchase their It is announced that the Russian Government have put forward a claim to occupy a position commanding the Zulfikar Pass. It is also announced that Russia now wishes the delimitation inquiry to take place on the Afghan frontier, and not in London. The Journal \ ac ht. Petersbourg, in an article on the movements of the Russian I troops in the vicinity of Zulfikar Pass, states that they are of an un- j important character, and adds that Russia will do nothing likely to compromise the present negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the frontier question. Tuesday. t A seam of coal one foot thick has been discovered at Wharekawa, opposite Grahamstown. A farther trial by borings is beine made in the area of the coal. The expedition which has been fitted out by the German Government to scientifically explore New Guinea will be under the command of an ex-officer of the army. j Cholera is again increasing in Madrid. The Russian Press generally regard the Russian movement as due to fears of an Afghan attack on the part of General Komaroff, who, it is stated, is completing preparations for assuming the defensive without occupying the defiles commanding the Zulfikar Pass. The Standard expresses its belief that Russia is to receive Maruchak m return for waiving her claims to the Zulfikar Pass. Wednesday. In the Legislative Council yesterday the Hon. J. B. Richmond moved the second reading of the Employment of Females Amendment Bill, The bill was thrown out by 21 to 14.— 1n the House of Representatives, replying to Mr. Turnbull, what steps have been taken to remedy the defects in the building at the Seacliff Asylum pointed out by the Inspector of Lunatic Asylums in his report of his visits on the 28th November, 1884, and on the 2nd, 3rd, 4tb, and sth May 1885, the Hon. B. Richardson said Mr. Blair having been in the district he had called on him for a report, from which he gathered that the state of things described in the report did not exist.—The following bills were introduced :— " A bill to amend the " The River Boards Act 1884 " (the Hon. Mr. Stout) ; a bill to amend «• The Life

Assurance Policies Act Bill 1884 (Sir Julius Vogel) ; a bill to give absolution of the House of Representatives agreed to on the 9th July, 1885, imposing certain customs duties (Sir J. Vocel). ■1 he Hon. Mr. Stout made his education statement.— The Hon J .Banana moved the second reading of the Wbitmore Enabling Bill He explained the reasons which induced the Government to "introduce the Bill and said that the offer was made to Bir G. Whitmore in consequence of an officer whom the Government had applied to in Canada refusing to accept the appointment. There being also at the tame a strong probability of war breaking out, the Government felt tney could not do better than offer the position to Sir G. Whitmore. He believed Sir G. Whitmore to be thorougby well qualified for the appointment, having seen several years' service in t^e field, and being also a member of the Legislature of many years' standing. The appointment was also necessary in consequence of a competent head bemg required for the Volunteer force. Hs thought the Government could not have made a better selection. Great reductions are being made in the Auckland railway workshops. About 50 hands have been discharged during the past few The panic that was caused in Ireland by the suspension of the Munster bank is now on the wane. The Government will not assist the bank in any way. The cholera epidemic ia Spain is increasing in violence, aad deaths are again becoming numerous. One thousand nine hundred M^d^feST'* 1 t0 tte Banifcary anfch °rities on Sunday, of which xxr iJ h /? annoanc ement we have to make of the death of the Rev. »h- v rr I ®?' min «ter of the First Chuwjh (says the Daily Times), wnicn took place aboufrmidnight on Monday evening, will be received with regret by our readers. The rev. gentleman only arrived in the colony in December last, having been selected by the commission appointed by the First Church Kirk Session to secure a pastor after tfce death of the Rbv. Lindsay Mackie. He was inducted to the £lrst Church i by the Presbytery on January 11. Before coming to Dunedin he had charge of St. Mark's Free Church, Glasgow, where he had a large congregation, and previous to that he was minister in one of the Aberdeen churches, wtiere he also had a large congregation. The deceased was 51 years of age. and leaves a widow, two daughters, and five sons. His illness was a long one, and his demiß3 was not at the end unexpected. Though only a comparatively short time in Dnnedin he had made many and warm friends, and was greatly esteemed both by his congregation and outside of it.

Thubsday. In the House of Representatives yesterday, the following bills were introduced :— a bill to amend the law relating to contempt of court (Sir G, .Grey) ; A bill (2) in amendment of the adulteration prevention (Mr. Beetham): the Licensing Act 1881 Amendment Bill ♦i7 *' al * ' a , to P rovide for the encouragement of schools other than State schools (Mr. Pyke). It is expected that the Earl of Carnarvon will take an early opportunity of considering the memorials relative to the release of several Irish prisoners. The Times, commenting on the matter, condemns the action of Lord Salisbury in truckling to Mr. Parnell. in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Lord Randolph Churchill Secretary of State for India, gave an official denial to. the statemei: recently made by the Standard newspaper to the effect tha", Maruchak had been ceded to Russia in exchange for the Zulfikar Pass.