News of the Week.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 15, 31 July 1885, Page 9

News of the Week.

Friday.

In the House of Representatives yesterday Mr. Bradshaw moved the second reading of the Bight Hours Bill. The bill, he explained, provided that eight houra should he a day's work and 48 hours a week's work. It also provided that in cases where there was a special contract in writing the hours could be extended. The motion for the second reading was lost on division by 21 to 34.

A meeting of the guarantors of the West Coast railway was held at Christchurch yesterday. There were 54 gentlemen present, representing all the mercantile and industrial interests of Canterbury. The Hon. C. C, Bowen presided. The Chairman said that after full consideration, the committee thought the present offer a reasonable one, and tbe proposals of the Government in the matter fair and politic. He compared the feeling of the meeting in connection with the railway to the feeling in Canterbury when the tunnel to Lyttelton waß proposed for construction ; the tunnel was barely completed when it was admitted on all hands to be the making of the province, and he was convinced that this railway was as important to the welfare of the province, and of the whole Colony, as that tunnel then was to the welfare of Canterbury, and thia would be acknowledged by everyone as soon as the work was completed. As to the terms, the guarantee required was a burden which the improved value of property ought gladly to bear. It would be to the interest of the company to get the lands set apart for it settled as soon as possible, and this settlement would enhance the value of the now valueless alternate blocks held by the Government. — The largest and most enthusiastic meeting ever held in Nelson took place last night, relative to the proposed railway. Although only notified late in the afternoon, the ball was crowded. Mr. J. H. Cooklwas in the chair. Mr, Sclanders moved a resolution — " That this meeting, whilst protesting against the principle involved in specially taxing this district for the construction of the main trunk railway passing through it— a railway, moreover, to the construction of which the Colony has been pledged for many years — nevertheless, cordially approves of the guarantee as proposed by the Government to be given for tbe construction of the East and West Coast and Nelson r ailway , believing that the value of the work to the Colony and the district will far exceed the price to be paid for it." The resolution was carried unanimously, amidst applause.

Sir Charles Gavan Duffy has written to the Earl of Carnarvon, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, approving of his Irish policy.

Dr. Ferran, of Valencia, who was recently prohibited by the Spanish Government from continuiog inoculation with cholera v rus as a preventive against cholera until the Board of Health had expressed its opinion on the subject, has now resumed it in the province of Aragon. A messenger arrived at Assouan on Tuesday from Gal-Ra, bringing news that the Mahdi died of smallpox on the 29th of June. A Cabinet Council was held on Tuesday at which the fresh proposals made by Russia respecting the Zulfikar Pass were considered. The result of the discussion has not yet transpired. It is reported that the Russian Government has obtained authority to occupy temporarily the Island of Quelpaert, off the Corean coast.

Saturday.

In the House of Representatives yesterday the following bills were introduced : — Tbe Gold-mining Districts Act 1873 Amendment Bill (Hon. Mr. Larnach) ; The Shipping and Seamen's Act 1877 Amendment Bill (Hon. Mr. Larnach) ; The Middle Island Half-caste Grants Bill (Hon. Mr. Ballaace; ; The Rating Act Amendment Bill, No. 2 (The Hon. Mr. Tole) ; a bill to provide for the limitation of votes at any election of members for the House of Representatives (Sir George Grey) ; The Pawnbrokers Act 1868 Amendment Bill (Mr. W. D. Stewart).

A special meeting of the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday to consider the West Coast railway question. There was the largest attendance of members ever seen at a meeting of the chamber, over 50 being present. The following resolutions were passed unanimously, and ordered to be telegraphed to the Government:—" That this chamber desire to express their satisfaction at the announcement that the contractors are now prepared to proce ed with the construction of the East and West Coast and Nelson lines of railway." " That this chamber are of opinion that the conditions named by the contractors and the proposal of the Colonial Treasurer as to the method of providing the required guarantee of an annual sum of not exceeding £97,000 are acceptable to the members of this chamber." That this chamber feel assured that the districts interested will without hesitation accept the proposed responsibility in view of the material benefits to be gained by the construction of thia railway." The first instalment of the public petition, bearing 1000 names, was sent off last night. The number of signatures to the petition has been largely increased to-day. The Mayor has called a public meeting for Monday night to consider the subject. At a meeting of the City Council of Nelson last night the following resolution was carried unanimously .— " That this Council entirely agrees with the proposals of the Government on the subject of the Nelson and East and West Co ist railways, and that the resolution be telegraphed to the Government."

A London cablegram in the Melbourne Age states that the situation with Russia is regarded a 9 moat critical, and it is believed that tbe object of General Alikhanoff on the Afghan frontier is to try to provoke war with Great Britain. A deadlock has occurred in the negotiations which were proceeding between the British and Russian Governments with regard to the occupation ef Zulfikar Pass. The outlook is regarded as so serious that a panic has occurred on the London Stock Exchange and on the Paris Bourse.

Monday.

The Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times writes as follows : —A very important piece of intelligence has just reached

fiho^V ng £ ow .. th t Wesfc Coaßt railw «7 Is thought of in practical ffifr \* J?' **$* Kenn « d * of Greymouth, the well-knownpro-pnetor of the coal mines, has written to Sir Julius Vogel, stating drTiL^nr ß^ 16 *? 111 - 688 *?^ 7 the rallway *50,000 a year fof 2£2S JSiSJSf JSSSa 1 " very important ' especially a - 9 a /-«»,-^r mCetlng cit i zens was h eld at Auckland on Saturday night S ?{?p i Mr * Jobn S - he - ehan - Acom «>ittee representing all parts tLSL 00^ 1 contai . nin f the names of many members of the iassttosssr to xeport further as to tbe form that the It is rumoured that Mr. Rolling Dagget, Minister to Hawaii is «£ £ secret mission to Washington,^ 8 ? proposal to tie United te * to Pnwhase tbe Sandwich Islands. lac Bombay Gazette states that the Ameer has eranted his sanction for the cantonment of 10,000 British troops a? cfndahar A day has been set apart in the United States for national sssat*?-^ of - Genemi Grant - The i«aJ. wmSssss A^gSTI 1S ymg m Btate ' wiU be in terred atNew Yorkon f a ™?* c ?!? rtß from E^sa hop-growing districts give a very unfavourable account of the prospects of the new crop. 1 be cholera epidemic continues to increase in virulence in Spain, and is rapidly extending its way northward in the country P Tuesday. *n*Jt e8^ 8r kk a * ten S d - by . nearly 3000 P eM °°s, convened by the mayor, was held m Chnstchurch last night to consider the West Coast railway proposals. The following resolutions were unaniJSShKffS. 1"*1 "* ? h& t W6 J ih t PJ°P ecr y-owners, ratepayers, and residents of Chnstchurch and suburbs, in public meeting^isembled, hereby desire to express our great satisfaction at the prospect of an early commencement being made in the construction of the Bast ana West Coast railway, and also to declare in the strongest manner our hearty approval of the proposals of the Government for tbe carrying into effect of the provisional contract now before Parliament, including the additional guarantee of £97,000 now asked for, and that his Worship the Mayor be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the Government." "That this meeting, as resin.he <***& °* Selwyn, desires the hearty co-operation of Mr. Wakefield, as their county member, in passing the West Coast BailHI^LSSL^u a g a . measnre bearing greatly on the welfare of hig constituents."--^ petition favourable to the railway proposals has received 500 signatures at Ashburton.- A large public meeting was heW last evening at Greymoutb. The Mayor was in the chair. The toilowing resolution was carried unanimously :— " That this meeting agrees with the proposals of the Government on the subject of the 2? wS rchto . £*"* and Nelson railway, and that this resolution be telegraphed to the Government." The principal speakers were Messrs. Kennedy, Pelrie^Sheedy.andWickes. , The meeting was very enthusiastic.— An enthusiastic public meeting was held at Hokitika last evening. The Mayor was in the chair. A resolution was moved by the County Chairman—" That this meeting desires to express its approval of the success that has attended the efforts of the East and west Ooastand Nelson railway delegates in London, and respectfully •urges the Government to endeavour to meet the proposals of intending contractors, and to take euch steps as will enable this great work to be at once undertaken," and was carried unanimously. The speakers, among whom were the Mayors of Ross and Hokitika, expressed confidence that there would be little, if any, call for a guarantee, as the traffic, assisted by the valuable mineral country through which the line passes, would soon give far more than 2* per cent. The West Coast was quite willing to pay its share of guarantee it required.

Ihe West port Coal Company have resumed the work of sinking their new shaft at the Wallsend mine which had been discontinued some time. For some time past work has been going on in the shape of manufacturing concrete blocks for facing the shaft ; and also rearranging the plant and fixing new pumps. To-day three shifts of men were put on to continue sinking the new shaft to completion, tae only intermission being on Sunday. Two smart shocks of earthquake were felt in Wellington at 7 42 on Sunday night. Shocks were also experienced at places in the west coast of both Islands as well as at Blenheim, Ohristchurch and Ashburton,

* iJn hh en cc f ho l eraepidemic is assuming an alarming fatality. Upwards of 1000 deaths occur daily. On June 27, Mr. Balfour made an address which attracted profound attentionfrom the fact that he expressed a not less pronounced ■wish than Mr. Chamberlain to see Ireland governed by equal laws ■with England, and to see all expectional legislation against the Irish people for ever abolished. Lord Hill, M.P. for Downe and Comp-troller-general, said in a speech on July 1 that the Coercion Act was unnecessary, and the present Land Act for Ireland a failure: but that be would support the Land Purchase Act which the Liberal Government had proposed, Despatches from London of June 22nd say there is a growing fear m well-informed circles that trouble is looming in Afghanistan Russia is contiuually picking up little, occurrences here and there on the border of the disputed territory and making them matter of complaint, seemingly for the purpose of enlarging her grievances and keeping them before the eyes of Europe. Bussian officials now come forward with a strong protest against the fortifying of Herat and massing of troops by the Ameer, asserting that this display of military vigour by Afghanistan at the present moment is uncalled for, and has the appearance of a direct menace towards Kussia. A mild warning is also conveyed to the Ameer that he atfd his officers should exercise a little judgment in regard to their military manoeuvres, and should not try the temper of the Russian troops in the disputed territory too severely, as did the Afghan commander at Penjdeh rectntly. TMb series of bickerings on the part of Russia io to obtain an excuse for a quarrel with the Afghans.

elections which took place during the preceding week to fill vacMes SKSL 7 t£ 6 £ h ™& ia the Min^7 hayl 'rather -Btarse?lfS Jnii? }£ - 168 ? ore tkan held their own ii special pollings, and have increased their majority in such hotly-conteated boroughs as Wakefield and Woodstock. Liberals? election agents in y nf P ft r n° VmCeß S - e ? d it cmr^ ia S re P°^, and'arenofSs? sure of any easy victory m the comma elections. Labourers appear tobe ind^erentabouttaklngadvantale of theenlwged franchise Hl uS"**™'! fr ° m the Liberal intereßt « Timea having been hSdk sss^sssar tha • ever ander thß^^w

Wednesday. . v In the House of Representatives yesterday, the following bills MrC^TV" l^ ° teg ? 2 0Ck A< * 1883 AmendmS!S g (Hon? Mr. Larnach) ; Inspection of Factories Bill (Mr. BradshawV The Tauranga Harbour Board Bill (Sir G. Grey) ; The Newmarket Reserves Act 1878 Amendment Bill (Mr. Mo BS )._The Hon *f Am«n? 88 ° nn + m«m «^ d S e ? eco , n ? readiQ g o* the Public Works Act Amendment BiU. He explained that the bill was brought in in SS v « nee . of th « r ?<*«t probability of the outbreak of wSr, and its object was to authorise the Government to take land in various par^s of the country for the erection of fortifications. Agreed to T m n t?^ nun . d red and fifty Natives have assembled to stop the contractor of the Rotorua railway from proceeding to lay thl permanent way. alleging that they have not been compensated for the reserve taken. They are building a barricade across the line. T A direct line of sailing vessels between Hamburg and Auckland has been established. The first vessel, the Levuka, of 636 tons, left Hamburg on July 15, with an assorted cargo of Austrian and Germafa goods. Ihe vessels, for the present, are to return borne by way r <if the islands, loading with copra. , * y t ™ A o me6ti S Bf B°S % me Rulers held in Dablin on J «ne 16, Mr. T. D. Sullivan, M.P for Westmeath, presiding, it was paid the course of action towards the Conservative Cabinet would be the same'aji towards the Liberals, the former refused the Home Rule policy Mr. Sullivan considered coercion now impossible f«"^.. m«in? aca c f err i° 8 *? Mr - O QaQlb erlaitt's charge that" 30;000 soldiers are maintained in Ireland to support British rule, the London Times at June 17 asks him if he will be ready to acquiesce if Ireland She? to separate, when the restraining force is removed, and warns' him against_ trifling for party purposes with the gravest Imperial interests, • .- 1S P;°PO aed » tt Dublin to start a fund to meet the expense of inducting the Rev Dr. Walsh to tbe Archbishopric. The Catholic bishops of Ireland, in session at Maynooth, on July 3, protested against the exclusion of Catholics from educational rr O nd=^ the Governmeat Byst - <* —-a «aa A 'S* B ? ai^bly at Hyde Park, on Sonday, June, 28, was addressed .by Michael Davitt, as follows:-" We Irish ! deniaTd nothing less than the right to manage our own affairs as Canada and Australia manage theirs. As long as that right is denied to us, or its exercise abridged, Ireland will remain a obstacle -to British leeislation, and a menace to the stability of England's power " These utterances were vehemently cheered by the crowd, almost wholly composed of Englishmen. ■ J H, r-H 01 ?? P*atflßP * at f lB £ ? eW Z ? a knd hops have been received in London during the fortnight (says the oorrrespondent of the Evening Star). and were placed on the market at prices ranging from A3 to £3 5s §22 r iosto*S BmaDiallParCelßfetCh &2 16S t0 £3 3S ' and Australianu stralian

Thubsdat,

* wif? -T* o£ ,? e P resent atives yesterday Mr. Pyke introduced a bill to provide for the encouragement of schools other than State schools. Sir Julius Vogel gave notice that on Tuesday he would move — lhat a select committee be appointed to consider the question of the construction of tbe East and West Coast and Nelson railways and to make a recommendation regarding the same, with power to call for persons and papers, three to form a quorum, and report within 10 days, such committee to consist of Major Atkinson, Messrs. Cowan, J&'b^JSß^P o"*™'0 "*™' MeQteith > Mitcbelson ' f» TTT T v 6 Ma r y ° r i° f TL? brißt( S l^ Bb received telegrams yesterday from Sir Julius Vogel, Messrs. Kolleston, and Wakefield, replying to the resolutions of the public meeting on Monday last re the last and West Coast and Nelson railways. Mr. Wakefield says, inter alia "I am grieved and ashamed at the reckless disregard of the public welfare which is shown in Christchurch forthe sole object of cettine an immediate expenditure of money." The Mayor telegraphed back • -Surprised you consider propolis profligate when, unless misrepre-" sented, you proposed similar scheme in speech to your constituents July, loot. '

Dr. Moran, Archbishop of Sydney, has been made a cardinal. The Government are in receipt of a dispatch from Brigadiergeneral Grenfell, commanding the Egyptian army, in which he states S^A^T 3oß^ haß arrive(3 ** Cairo with intelligence that the Mahd! has been succeeded by the Khalifa Abdoolah. In the House of Commons the Hon. R. Bourke, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, announced in reply to a question that her Majesty's Government are taking steps to relieve the beleaguered garrison of Kassala.