OUR NEWS LETTER.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 209, 4 August 1893, Page 3

OUR NEWS LETTER.

The Methodist says, —•“ Every Methodist in the House of Commons has voted in favour of Home Rule. Mr Shepherd Allen, an ex-member, now settled in New Zealand, was moderately hostile to the measure through fear of Rouen (sin. But his son, Mr 'Win . Allen, who is the youngest member of the Parliament, is an enthusiastic Home Ruler.” The amount realised for the sale of the late Sir William Fox’s leasehold residence in Svrnond street, Auckland, may be accepted as a very fair indication of returning prosperity. Biddingstarted at £IOOO, quickly running up) to 111420 at which figure, it was knocked down to Mr Edmiston of the New Zealand Insurance Company. It is stated that some prominent Auckland Catholics, who send their children to the State public schools, will meet shortly to consider the contingency of their children being debarred attendance at the Roman Catholic Sunday Schools because they do not attend during- the week. The new barracks of the Salvation Army in Ponsonby road was opened with all military honours at three o’clock on Saturday afternoon. The entire work of construction has been done by the members of the Army in a way that, reflects the highest credit upon their s\ orkmn.nsh : p. Nominations for the purchase of the Ngaire block, a tract of unoccupied native land of 7,500 acres within a mile of the Eltham railway station, Taranaki, and close to the Maugamina block has almost been completed by the Cover; - jnent. This land, which belonged to the late

Hone Pifcama, I. owned by that chief’s daughters. Mr Caverhill was lessee of the block, but the Government leased it from him. praying a rental of £'2oo a year. While the land is locked up, settlement in the district is checked, and as the Government found it impossible to make necessary roads unless this block were acquired its purchase was resolved upon. The price is 10s per acre, and the land is reported to he excellent. Robert, Wallnth, the Taranaki highwayman, charged with firing- at. and woundii g Harold Thomson with intent (o kill, was brought up at the police court, New Plymouth. "Wallace was also charged with presenting a loaded revolver at Mrs Cottier, and demanding money. Over twenty-six witnesses will be examined. The Court was crowded, five hundred persons being present.

The verdict entered in the enquiry a.s to the loss of the warship) Victoria, attributed the disaster entirely to the turning signal issued by Vice-Admiral Tryon, and acquits the Hon. Captain Bourke and other survivors of any blame. The court-martial in acquitting the survivors, regretted that Rear-Admiral Markham had omitted to demand an explanation of the order issued by Admiral Tryon, but declared it would be fatal to the best interests of the service to say that he was to blame for obeying the order of the Admiral who was on the spot. | Mr Heaton has given notice to ask if it is practicable to appoint a Governor General for Australia at a salary of £IO,OOO, instead of separate Governors for each colony : also, if the Government will suggest to the colonies that it is desirable to abolish Agents-General in favour of one commission for all. Mr Heaton also intends to call attention to Chief Justice Way’s willingness to act as Governor of South Australia, at a salary cf -£2,000, instead of £5,000. The China correspondent of the ‘ Standard ’ wires that the Chinese have decided to oppose the French advance beyond deg. 21, and will charter troops in the event of urgency. The 4 Standard’s ’ Peris correspondent telegraphs that the French Foreign Minister has informed the British Ambassador that Franco has assented to a compromise in connection with the Siam difficulty. A telegram from Bangkok states that the blockade began on Wednesday. Neutral ships were ordered to leave three days before. The blockade embraces the Bay of Bangkok and the entire coast. The Horne Rule Bill passed through Committee of the House of- Commons on Thursday July 27th, amidst a scene of great uproar, which has been described as a lasting disgrace to the House of Commons. Bad and fierce language was freely used, blows were struck, clothing torn, and members were knocked down and trodden on. The Bill is to be reported on Monday, August 7tli. The Auckland Knights of Labour having telegraphed to the Dn.novirke branch of the Order, asking- for the opiinion of the people on the spot with regard to the merits of the issues between Messrs Ca.dman and Rees, the secretary of the Auckland Knights of Labour received a reply from Danevirke stating that “Mr Cadman’s notion in counsel ion with, (lie Uinutaoroa block was everything that was honest and just; recommends the Auckland Knights of Labour to , extend him their support.”