VILLAGE SETTLEMENT. Auckland, May 22.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 373, 1 June 1889, Page 3

VILLAGE SETTLEMENT. Auckland, May 22.

The following questions were asked by Mr Jchn Lundon and answered by Mr Thomas Thompson ab the conclusion of the address delivered in the Temperance Hall last evening :— (1) Do you remember a caucus of the Auckland members, held in the 'general committee-room of the House of Parliament last session to receive a petition brought by me from the Mayor of Auckland, Mr A. E. Devore, and one hundred and five heads ot families to Parliament, praying that the village settlement scheme be resuscitated ? —Yes. (2) Was either the member for the Bay of Islands, Richard Hobbp, or the member for Marsden, Kobert Thompson, present at that caucus ? — Neither were prebent, so far as Mr Thompson knew. (3) Do you remember that petition com ing before the Public Petitions Committee of which you are Chairman ? - Yes. (4) Was either Richard Hobbs or Robert Thompson a member of that Committee ?—? — No. (5) Was the evidence I gave before that Committee in favour of or opposed to the prayer of the petitioners ?— ln favour of the petitioners. (6) Is it true, as stated by the Minister of Lands and 11. Thompson on the occasion of the former's visit to the Northern districts in January last, that I, in my evidence, said that the village settlers we>e 2ictupers ? — You used the words "scum of Auckland," but nob in the sense implied in the question. (7) Is it true, as stated by Robert Thompson at his meeting ab DaiKaville on May 11th, us reported by himself in the "Northern Advocate," that it was through his influence that the Minister of Lands was induced to visit the Northern village settlemen ta ? Or (8) Was the visit not promised by the Premier to a deputation from the caucus consisting of Mr Moss, Col. Fvaser and yourself, in reply to the petition, and was nob the promise reiteiated by the Premier on the floor of the House? — The Premier was induced to visit the North because of a promise made by the Premier to a deputation consisting of himself (Mr Thompson), Mr Moss, and Col. Fiasor.

A rumour is current in the best circles at Home and abioad that the Queen of England has embraced the Roman Catholic religion. It is, however, no new report (writes the Home correspondent of the South Australian Chronicle), for some years back it was said Caidinal Newman had succeeded in proselytising her Majesty. In support of this statement we are told the Queen's frequent absences from England during Lent are accounted for by the necessity imposed by the Romish Church of every member taking the sacrament on Easter Day. This is imperative among Romanists in all countries. The ceremony could certainly nofc be accomplished in England ; the dread of publicity and scandal, and also injury to the prestige oi royalty, would be too Kreafc. \\ c are told moreover that the secret of her Majesty's attachment to the Empress Eugenie lies in the religious sympathy which binds them together. The Empress is decidedly the Queen's mental inferior. To her Majesty's serious temper and reserved manner the childish dependence and naivete of speech of Eugenie presents a strong contrast-. The rumour anent the Queen's perversion has been eagerly seized abroad., Tho latest absurdity set afloat is that her Majesty's proposed visit to Madrid refers to a secret pilgrimage to Our Lady of Atocha, to whom Queen Christina attributes relea&e from all the perils by which she has been and is beset. ,

Boycotting seems to have become less common in Ireland than formerly. Judge Gibson, of County Limerick, recently said to the Grand Jury that in one form of oriine particularly there was a very marked improvement, and that was boycotting. He was informed there was no case of total boycotting, and only one case of partial boycotting in the county. In the year 1887 there were 111 cases of total boycotting and 218 of partial boycotting. In the corresponding period of March, 1888, there were only 4 cases of complete boycotting and 24 of partial. The complete boycotting had now utterly disappeared, and he was assured that there was only one case of partial boycotting in the county Stanley, the famous baritone, has arrived at Adelaide, where a public reception was given to him by the Mayor, in the Town Hall, last week. Representatives of the various musical societies were • present, and there was a large attendance of the general public. Mr J. C. Bray, the Chief Justice, and Mr Armbruster offered appropriate congratulations. Mr Santley said that it was not until recently that he conceived the idea of coming to Australia, but now he would like to take the trip once a year. He came in search of heal h, and if, in his professional capacity, he could make the people feel as if they would like to see him back again, he would be a happy man.