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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3871, 13 December 1883, Page 2

politicians. Tho adjourned meeting of the Napiei Licensing Commissioners takes place tomorrow. At the R.M. Court this morning, before Captain Preece, R.M., Eliza G-oodyear, on remand charged with lunacy, was discharged, the medical evidence not supporting the charge. A ready-money business is not always conducted on cash principles. Anungs other liabilities in the estate of Murdocl Mackenzie figures a sum of £30 odd owhi£ to the " Reaely-money Store." The Napier Fire Brigade will meet this evening for manual and hose drill, and alsc for practice with what is known as tin jumping sheet. Tho drill will take place a( the usual time at the Fire Brigade station. The sitting of the Native Lands Court was resumed this morning, when tho taking of evidence was commenced, witnesses being called by Mr Sbcehan to show the respective value of tho nine shares, and also to the position on the block of tho shares. The first meeting of creditors in tho estate of Murdoch Mackenzie was held at Woodvillo on Tuosday. Tho attendance wae large, and included creditors from Napier, Auckland, and Wanganui. The following gentlemen wore electod creditors' trustees : Messrs John Banbury, D. Chamier, and B, B. Johnson. At Messrs Banner and Liddle's first wool sale of the season this afternoon at theit Spit stores 497 bales wore catalogued, boing the largest quantity over before offered in Napier. The attendance of buyers waf large, competition was brisk, and tho prices realised for the lots sold up to tho time oi our going- to press were reported by telephone to bo satisfactory. The Rev. D. Sidey acknowledges witl thanks tho receipt of tho following sums or behalf of tho Shirriffs family relief fund :— Through Mr T. Crosse: Mr T. Crosse, £1 2s ;Mr O'Hagan, 10s ; Mr 0. Turner, 5s ; Mr Fawcett, ss; Mr Ingulden, ss; Mi Sheddan, ss; Mr Joseph Cook, ss; Mt Taylor, ss; Mr Caldwell, 5s ;Mr T. Lambert, 10s; Mr W. M'Kenzie, 10s. Also, a Friend from the country, £h. The lecture on " Memory " was repeated at tho Methodist Church last night by tho Rev. E. O. Perry, tho Rev. Do Berdt Hovell in tho chair. Tho subject wr« treated in an able manner by the lecturer, who displayed some striking examples of his powers of memory. A voto of thanks to Mr Perry for his interesting lecture was proposed by Mr P. Bear, and carried by acclamation. Tho usual vote of thanks to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close. In consequence of the inclemency of tno weather during last month the cup match between the Wairoa and Napier Cricket Clubs had to be postponed from time to time, till now the shearing season has compelled a further postponement. In order that next Saturday afternoon shall be occupied, it. has been arrangeel that a scratch match shall be played between two elevens of the Napier Club. The match will bo played on the recreation ground, commencing at 2 p.m. Tho "Messiah" rehearsal by the Musical Society was not so well attended as might be expected last night, but tho practice nevertheless was a most successful one. Aa tho practices will necessarily bo shortly brought to a close, owing to the near approach of tho date for giving the oratorio, a good attendance at future rohoarsals is absolutely necessary. Thero will be a practice this evening for tho orchestra and soloists, and on next Wednesday night for the orchestra and chorus. Telegraph communication between Wood» villo and Napier is somewhat roundabout. To send a message from Woodvillo a person has to telephone to Palmerston, from there it is telephoned to Foxtou, from thero it is repeated by telegraph through Wellington, and so it comes on to Napier. Jjfc sometimes happens that curious mistakes occur in these repetitions. Tho other day a gentleman sent a message beginning "Sco Mr and tell him," &c. The message arrived, " See Mr and nail him," and Mr was "nailed" accordingly. j^

The Protestant Alliance Friendly Society held their quarterly meeting last night in, the lodge-room, Carlyle street. The following officers were appointed :—W.M., Bro. J. J. Morley (re-elected) ; CM., Bro. B. Watson ; Chaplain, Bro. E. Symonds ; Secretary, Bro. E. Mellon (re-elected); Treasurer, Bro. C. E. Stevens; 5.T5., Bro. "W. J. M'Kearnan ; J. E., Bro. W. Willis; O.Gr., Bro. Brown. It was afterwards roported by the secretary that the funds of the society were in a flourishing' condition, and that some more money was now available for investment. .

In our report of the proceedings of tho Chamber of Commerce it will bo seen that a resolution was moved by Mr E. W. Knowles, and carried, instructing tho secretary to prepare a full statement of tho subjects that have been brought beforo tho Government from time to time, and which have failed to receive Scitisfactory attention. The object of tho resolution is to place this statement bofore the Premier at his forthcoming visit to Napier. One reason for tho little attention shown to the representation of our wants is, perhaps, owing to our public bodies failing to take every caro that local grievances shall be properly formulated.

Referring to tho different mombers of tho Intercolonial Conference, which has boon recently sitting in Sydney, the Otag* Daily Times says :—," If Mr Dalloy is tm orator aud student of tbo Convention, M,r

Berry is the tribune, Major Atkinson tho financier, Mr Whitaker the coolest and best mannered, Mr Service the administrator, Mr Bray tho best manager of a House, and Mr Griffiths the most vituperative. The ablest all-round man is either Mr Servico or MrGiblin, though with the electors Mr Berry easily bears off the palm. As a pair wo would place Mr Service and Mr Berry, dividing the honors with Major Atkinson and Mr Whitaker."

Last August Mr Sutton, M.H.R., Mr Tanner, and others, waited upon the Minister of Public Works at Wellington in reference to the Napier railway station and other matters in connection with railway facilities. The Hon. W. Johnston replied that £600 should be spent in improving the ■tation, and generally the deputation believed they had good reason to be satisfied with tho result of their interview. Since then, however, not a penny piece has been spent on improving the miserable apology of a station that we have at Napier, and •with a view to jogiriny the memory of the Government Mr Tanner, in the Chamber of Commerce yestordny, brought the subject tip again.

We were present last evening at a rehearsal of Gilbert and Sullivan's operatic cantata "Trial by Jury," which is to bo produced at the Theatre "Royal under the supervision of Mr G. Garry, and were agreeably surprised to find that such good progress had been made by tho lady arid gontlemen amateurs who intend taking part in it. We believe it is intended that the performance shall take place about the end of next week, and no doubt by that time everything will be in readiness for a successful representation of this popular operetta. In a future issue we shall give a description of the argument of the cantata. We are requested to state that a full rehearsal •will take place to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock

Those visiting the Arcadian Grovo should not forget the side shows, for which, however, a separate charge is made. Perhaps tho most interesting part of the entire exhibition is the side show of Mr Gillies. The patience and industry of the gentleman are exemplified in a number of exhibits, from Kenilworth Castle—known _to all readers of romance—faithfully depicted in cork, the Great Eastern exhibited as a model, the wonderful cigar boat which eteams and steers either way, to tho model steam engine of to-day, which can be seen in miniature, accurately modelled, and working with a trucuess which cannot be surpassed by tho marine engine of ono thousand horse power. That one individual in his leisure should be able to accomplish so much is in itself a moral lesson to tho young of our community, which will not fail to be brought home to them as a result of their visiting this portion of the exhibition.

Tho habitue of tho Theatre who happened to drop in to-day " promiscuously " would be sorely puzzled at the metamorphosis which has been made in its general appearance, and even its very name—theatre— eounds commonplace, and ho it has been changed to something which at any rate Bounds better—Arcadian Grove. The stage obscured by a mass of green foliage, towards the centre a playing fountain has been erected, and in tho back a swing boat is accommodated and accommodating. Above the stage, stretching across the theatre, is a mass of bunting, nnd rows of Chinese lanterns, and the hall itself contains no fewer than five Christmas trees, four of ■which are borno down with loads of toys, while tho grand tree in the centre eeems to contain everything that could be either dreamt or thought of. Smaller shrubs aro utilized for filing corners and to aid as illuminators, wax candles being found in every branch. A nower stall and aids to inner comforts have not been forgotten, and at ? o'clock, when business commenced, wJ-cn all the windows wore darkened, and tho illumination was at its height the. HCene waa brilliant in tho extreme. Tnis evening Mr Gilpin personates Santa while Mr Davics " struts his hour" ' l 9 Father Christmas. This afternoon a»d ovening thero will be singing by thp children, while to-morrow evening the Garrison Band will give their valuable Assistance. Viewed either from the stago or from the dress circle the spectacle is alike magnificent, and tho exhibition, while it lasts, is certain to bo well patronised.

A meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held at their rooms yesterday afternoon. Present : Messrs Kinross (President, in the chair), Tanner, Lyndon, McVay, Neal, and E. W. Knowles. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from Mr D. Macullum re matters pertaining to railway progress in the Seventy-mile Bush waa read, and it was stated that receipt of same had been acknowledged by the secretary. The secretary rend the copy of a letter which had been sent to thejblou. tho Colonial Treasurer re entries being passed at the Custom House at Napier and returns made showing only £46 as exports of tho last quarter, whilst wool, tallow, preserved meats, &c., had been sent away amounting to £39,821, which should have appeared to the credit of this port, but no reply had been received. A resolution was passed that the secretary prepare a statement of the subjects on wliich representations had from time to time been made to the heads of departments by the Chamber, and no satisfactory replies obtained, the statement to be prepared in readiness to be laid beforo tho Premier on his promised visit about the end of the year. It was resolved that a further representation be mado by the secretary to the Hon. tho Minister for Public Works, seeing that notwithstanding numerous representations having been mado of tho inadequate accommodation lit the Napier railway station, and after repeated promises nothing has yet been done, and to ask what were the intentions of the Government in this matter. It was ro3olved, on Mr Tanner's motion, that the hour of mooting be altered to 2 p.m. instead of 3. A letter was read from a Minister at Berlin asking if tho Chamber would kindly forward any information available of matters concerning the district, and it ■was resolved that a copy of last annual report bo sent. A letter was road from Mr Menzies resigning his position as secretary to the Chamber. The resignation was accepted, general regret being expressed by the committee. Several small accounts were passed for payment, and the committee adjourned.

Tho Englishman Logan, who was sentsnced at Catiton to seven years' penal servitude for shooting one Chinese dead and ■wounding another, is an officer of the outdoor staff of the Chinese Customs. _ He resided with some of his colleagues in a district of Canton called Homin, where also aro various establishments for " firing" and otherwise preparing , tea for tho European market. Logan and some of Ids companions returned to their residence early one morning, when some coolies were lounging on their doorstop waiting for employment, and roughly ordered tho Chinese to get out of tho way, and then began to belabour them with sticks and whips. Tho well known cry of "Have life," "Save life," arose among the Chinese; other coolies, who were also waiting for work, joined in the fray, which soon turned against tho original aggressors. Logan now appears to have rushed into the house and brought out a loaded rifle. At tho sight of this weapon the crowd dispersed in all directions ; but the unfortunate man seems by this time to have lost all control of himself. Ho fired and killed a boy 12 years of age, the bullet passing through his body, and wounding a man who was standing by.

When Professor Haselmayer was in Now Zealand, a few years ago, he was called as a ■witness in a lawsuit, and was cross-examined by little Weston, tho tiniest bit of legal learning in the colony, and one of tho smartest, who thought he saw his way to take a "rise" out of the prof essor. Weston, however, succeeded "tho wrong way up" thus—Lawyer: -"You are a conjuror, are yottiiot?" Professor: "Yes, Ido a lcetlo bit of conjuring now and then." Lawyer : "Well, now, Professor, show us a trick or two." (Laughter.) Professor: "Veil, this is not exactly the place; besides, I makes a schargc. But I vill oblige you this yon time If you vill dake off your vig, and get your loarned vriond, as you gall him, to grease your head veil, I vill don dry to swallow you whole; and afterwards you vill be a goot lcedloboy, and not drubblo mo any more." (Roars of laughter.) "Silencom the Court!" Collapse of littlo < Weston. Exit of Professor bowing and smiling.

Tho Swollendam Enterprise reports that a little girl aged three years, the daughter of a cari-ier named Booi, was playing with somo children, ■when an ostrich came running , towards them, whereupon her plnyTnates ran off, leaving the littlo one behind. She got bo alarmed that she went into convulsions, and expired almost immediately. Tiw dstriok wai perfectly hawaless.

The Americans are dissatisfied with the postal arrangements between England and the States, and therefore propose to start a daily mail with a penny postage. Earl Carnarvon, besides purchasing a quantity of land in Sydney and suburbs, is at the head of a syndicate who have acquired extensive tracts of land in Western Australia. In future no license will bo issued to recruit for labor in the Pacific unless it is shown that the vessel carries no firearms or ammunition beyond what is actually needed for the ship's use. In some cases 25s a week, with board and lodging, and wine and beer, in the harvest field, aro reported to have been given during the present hay harvest in South Australia. There is a great dearth of good agricultural laborers there. Father J. E. Tenison-Woods, the well-k-:own savant, who was reported to have perished during the recent carthciuakcs at Cracatoa, in the Straits of Sunda, has written to friends in Adelaide apprising them of his safety.

The North 0-tago Times has boon informed that Mr R. T. Booth, the great temperance lecturer and initiator of the Blue Ribbon movement, sailed for Melbourne direct by the Orient on November 28, and will poceed thence to New Zealand.

The Prince of Wales' birthday was celebrated in Melbourne in tho usual manner by excursions, but in the afternoon torrents of rain came on drenching the pleasureseekers, and flooding the low lying parts of the town. A woman was washed away in attempting to cross Elizabeth street, and was only rescued with difficulty. A cab and horse were washed yards, the cab being smashed.

A Southern paper says that at a recent wedding in South Canterbury, the bride expectant was so painfully anxious that everything should go well—the breakfast be nicely arranged, the ilowcrs set out tn advantage, &c—that she gravely suggested that she would remain at homo herself to superintend things. It was not until some one had imiuirod who was to take her place at the altar, that the young_ lady saw the extreme ludicrousness of the situation.

The climax of the remarkable season we have been passing through for the last three months, says tho Lyttultoii Times, may be said to have come this week. Tuesday night was extremely cold, especially just before sunset; but last night tho temperature foil almost to freezing point. In Kimgiora and Ashburton it was actually cold enough to produce ico. Frost in December is indeed a phenomenon to bo remembered. Tho gardens have, of course, suffered—in some cases severely.

Writing upon the question of the discharge of men from the Otago Central Bail way works, the Press says:—" The new Minister of Public Works has plunged into hot water at the very outset of his official career. Ho could not have had a more eifective lesson as to the difficulties he is likely to have to encounter, if he means to do his duty as a colonial public man, than tho dispute which has arisen over the dischargo of the ' unemployed' from the Ilindon section of the Otago Central Railway."

The Wangauui Herald says :—A settler informs us that aconite is a certain remedy for milk fever in cows. A number of settlers have tried it, and the result is immediate and satisfactory. A single dose of half an ounce of the strong tincture of aconite in half a pint of water is all that is required. The milk fever is a disease that attacks cows immediately after calving. The symptoms are, they lo.so tho use of their limbs and cannot stand. It is generally cows in high condition that are liable to tho attack.

"iEgles" writes in tho Australasian: — "In a Kentish newspaper I read that by Sir George Hainpsou, Part., and a full bench of magistrates, John Mercer was arraigned for killing two rabbits in a warren. For this heinous offence he was fined £2 8s Gd costs, and doubtless received a severe lecture for his crime. Oh ! men of Kent, why not transport yourself to a fair land where thoy will bestow lurr/csne upon you for the killing of the rabbits, and obtain the blessings of the landowners, and you may keep the skins and the carcase .'" The London correspondent of the Melbourne Argus writes:—"While disposed to view tho frozen meat trade favorably, the most experienced .salesmen discountenance the idea that an unlimited market c.".:i bo found for Australian and New Zealand mutton. They consider that for some time to como 2000 sheep a week could bo absorbed all the year round at prices which, though much below those obtained for English and Scotch mutton, would prove remunerative. If large supplies are sent, they may be disposed of, but the price will suffer."

Mr G. Watson, the well known Christchurch cricketer, writes to the Auckland Star :—" A report of the cricket of all New Zealand is a want which ought to bo supplied, as tending to nationalise our cricket. Isolation is tho cause of New Zealand being behind Australia. Our provincial teams seldom contain more than two or three men with any pretensions to first class honors. By sending two or threo of the best from each, wo might form a thirteen worth playing against the next English or Australian team that comes round. At present, our feeble eightcens aro easily beaten in detail." Nature indulged in some curious freaks in the Sandhurst district lately. At Fletcher's Creek, Marong , , a mare produced a foal which had but three legs. In the head there was a mouth, but no cye.s or nostrils, and only one ear ; but out of that sprouted four little ears, and tho head was reversed, turning up instead of down. Tho animal was alive when foaled, but soon died. At Eaglchawk a cat gavo birth to a kitten, having in its head five fully developed mouths, and when one mouth moved the four others did likewise. The manymouthed kitten was drowned by the owners.

A correspondent of the North Otago Times, referring to the timidity exhibited by the new Minister for Public Works when approached by anything in the shape of a deputation, says:—"This may wear off in course of time, when Mr Mitohelson may become as hardened as Major Atkinson. I believe, though, that but for the interposition of the member for the town (Mr Shrimfiki) on several occasions during his visit to Oamaru, Mr Mitchelson's want of courage, or whatever it may bo called, might have led him into hypothecating on the spot the next million loan had he been asked to do so."

Hicks Pasha, the commander of the Egyptian army of tho Soudan, was (says an old comrade)*, a colonel on 11. M. Bengal Staff Corps. He entered the Indian army on 25th July, 18-I 'J ; served throughout the Sutlcj campaign, and was present with the 6th Bengal Native Infantry -when it mutinied at Allahabad in June, 1857. Tic commanded a detachment of Irregular Cavalry during the operations in tho vicinity of Allahabad, and afterwards served as a volunteer in the brave little band known as Havclook's Volunteer Cavalry, who, like their brethren in arms, the Bengal Yeoman Cavalry, rendered such important services throughout the mutiny in India in 1807-58. Archibald Forbes, the author of a very interesting article upon " Atlantic Steam Navigation," published in the Sydney Morning Herald, thus speaks of our local Union Steam Shipping Company:—l have not yet seen an Atlantic liner whose stateroom accommodation is equal in completeness, prettiness, and comfort to that which the Australasian voyager will find on some of the best of the Union Company of New Zealand's steamers—the Wairarapa, for instance, or the Manapouri. Spring mattresses, electric lights, smart and sedulous attendance, perfect cleanliness of linen, airiness, and ample daylight these latter afford. I do not know the Atlantic steamer on which are combined all the advantages I have enumerated.

Tho Otage Daily Times consoles itself for the extreme hardship of being governed from Wellington by the fact that nearly all tho secretaries and permanent heads of departments, who are supposed to rule tho Government that rules the country, are from Otago. Thus—Dr. Hislop, the Secretary of Education; Mr M'Kerrow, Secretary of Lands and Mines ; Dr. Lemon, chief of tho Telegraph Department; Mr Sperry, Property Tax Commissioner; Dr. Hector, director of tho Geological Survey; Mr Seed, Scerctary of Customs; Mr E. Fox, the Premier's privato secretary; and now Mr O'Connor, the newly-appointed Secretary of tho Public Works Department, are all Otago men. Tliore are others occupying subordinate positions. Persons whose avocations are sednctary and confino them indoors, are especially in need of some wholesome stimulant; we therefore confidently offer them that worldrenowned tonic, Wow'e's Scmuwa.— [Apvx.]