Affair. — The -moved on behalf of Mr Trust Board I Synod the terms made by them Resolution has changed hereby a nd become the pro- thereby." - Mr \fi bee *Jned that the Government Hoton e 9?wl for defence purposes, and d the value as U t» ken ,T 4e Government Valuator. a made up of the present, worth Jii».« l Sl?venrshenceat6per cent, and Tins money was foTCfrustßow-U, and that was all P« idt , /about tho matter. They had they kß ?*j! W ith the subsequent action of > ng ,«ent In Ms ° wn opinion the tl« GoTer !fwereaeckledly wrongin acting G° vern f7 The matter was then allowed to jstheyhad. a« d ~ &<s■'"" . «mAcaiKG Conference.— The » a letter from the Arch- Canterbury, dated September, m .°w expressed a hope that much * flnfi result from the approaching joqd ffouw , fib session would open « oW ft then adjoined for tea. . .... was read for the third «*" JtlSd Archdeacon Muunsell time and Fp ierce were re-elected diocesan O&WV' 1 ' Cemetery Board's report and the necessary alterations sff&assr Tl,e v " m - W Boar f jKsr Board.-The Synod G fw7Committee to continue its con ? Hon ef the above Board's report. A vl by Mr .Uawliugs regretting that tot complied with the * ffof the General Synod of 1871 to direction the nefc amnia j income of School Trust property in thjS So the managers of the Orphan tfas lost on the voices. A Whitley, urging the «! Trust Board to take early steps Siwng the site of old St. Paul's of the same for * Set Sroved site, was carried after $£$£ 3 the words, "and the vestry •fpaulV' after the words "General l!%™mL r —TheSynod resumed and the 3sf was agreed to and the report

PfteoaAS , Church Site.-Mr Rice flt«That arrangement forthe transfer iSteofSt. Thomas' Church and School the parishioners of St. Mat &at a special meeting hell on May S lk be adopted by the Synod; y tkttle site shall remain vested in the !Lnt trustees until such time as St Cew'3 parish is able to pay the bonded tttforwWch the trustees hold the site as Lity, St Uatthew'e being requested to .iceverv effort to discharge their liability The site to be trans- Lj to the General Trust Board on the Zi trusts, directly the bonded debt is «id oEf-Colonel Haultain seconded the jofionandifc was carried. CWdichiw of Statutes.-The Rev. C. X Nelson, Col. HaulteJn and Mr H. G. Smith were appointed as Committee to note the changes made in the statutes of tlu jtaod during.the.present session, and jjieethaHhey arfe inserted in their proper tjiKs'inthe digest, and that all necessary anfflcal and other corrections are made a tie printed .copies, and to report to the piakVMSoon 89 they conveniently can of the present session. to Animals. — Archdeacon lis ffoved* "That this Synod heartily ppaftises with the object and work of feSociety for the Prevention of Cruelty to funds, and commends it to the attention sJsnpporfc of the clergy and laity of the tee-'f-Agreed to. fATJiKSTOF.SfP'KNDS. —Mr Edward \. ii kiot«l,.V'Tiiat a committee be ap pfed to sit during the recess, and to re trttothe Synod &b its next session, as to fete it is desirable that the stipends of uthe clergy in the;tliocese should be paid tascenlipl fund, to which all contribu te from/..,,th0 various parishes mi parocilini districts shall be paid, ud if so to formulate" a scheme for giving- Mto this " proposal; such commit jtt to consist of Archdeacons Maunsell, Mey^aijdWillis, Messrs Batger, Speight, tptois;ihiitbbtnbver." Agreed to. toAi School Inspector.—A vote of blsyas unanimously passed to the Rev. f.&SjnaDfield for bis services as inspector Gsday-school?. fapcffliL. Statistics.—lt was resolved fiitde statisticsi for 1886 of the various Jciiaand parochial district. , ? be printed witlsptßceedipgs of the Synod. ffran J 3 Home.—Archdeacon Dudley Mrri,j!lbat tliis Synod grant as a do atioi tothe Women's Home Committee M the amount they may bo able to collect efie ontstanding debts owing to the sagas of tho' 'Church Gazette. , " .Jjeedta. Wis.Schools.—Standing order No. b»u suspended, in order that the Rev. *Mjll might give notice of motion upon iffisjeet trbich'bas been under the con fwatibaoj the Synod, viz., Bible-reading nSchoolfw."'..; Se Synod then adjourned until seven j . E ! M %"H r hen it will be prorogued on

A RAILWAY SMASH

JASBOW. ESCAPE.

iBAIGESCUS CROSSING AT NEWMARKET.

"WHttghtkre proved a fatal acciaen fc the railway crossing & l*iiitket ;:Tfr o carts belonging' to fc CmT^hank 1 of Mechanics' Bay, were Aβ Eμ Then the Helensville train along. Owing to tho sifcua *Jp**««Bing,--no. lights, could b e of the two carts,and the to be of any scrvice ' got across into tho second »t tq pieces. The driver had ?**¥* ** he jumped from suffered some severe VS-W.hie shoulder and arm. WJ*^® 1 to clear itself of the train ffbruck the cart, and nDffi fered..: The accident oc l en T scr^T*^ o'clock, and was fej , tho . Newmarket Borough ! J^&? rt the evening/ %&&ft Teßolution waß passed/: L f e? Kk mlle t0 fche MiniS  'SiT , attention to and the lad occurred at ft."

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

I PANTOMIME. "Wok Whittir.gton and a* the: Pronounced effe cfc- It is «* * ■■—* w

Wi ifeeh..!!* , eM at tevinssohn'e SW- VicS' lo ? fc evening, Mr A. ollrK. , ft genoral meeting i $***lb» Qbtain a » estimato of

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[FROM OUH SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington - , this day, Private Members' Day.

The Premier stated in the House before it rose this morning that the Government intended to take Wednesday (private members' day) for public business. Mr Seddon and Sir George Grey made strong protests, aud the latter declared private bills were of more importance than Govern ment bills. The Premier said he was en tirely in the hands of the House, and if they desired to transact private business on Wednesday he would acquiesce. He was also quite willing they should sit after Christmas if the House desired it. The Loan Proposals. In my Thursday morning's message I ad vised you that tho Otugo members were op posed to the loan proposals of the Govern ment, and that action was likely to bo taken with a view to limiting the present loan to a sum sufficient to meet the de ficiency bills in circulation. Pres sure has been brought to bear on Mr Scobie McKenzie to induce him to move in that direction, and late yesterday after noon 1 learned from him that he was un decided what to do yet, and probably would not decide till he speaks. To quote his own language, he says: "From the hour the Financial Statement was de livered I did not like the loan pro posals, which seem to me utterly to fail in so far as concerns grappling with the borrowing, and I regard even retrenchment as of secondary consideration to that. My desire, therefore, is to move such an amendment as the Government could fairly and properly accept, which would, in fact, help them out of a diffi cult)'. The amendment would be in the direction of suggesting, as a means of winding up the Public Works policy, that the consideration of all the railways under construction should be relegated to a com mittee, with a view of selecting such as in a pecuniary sense are worthy of completion, limiting the expenditure on them to half a-million." Education Reserves for Settlement. The question of utilising education re serves for land settlement purposes was under consideration in the House yes terday evening. Major Steward moved the second readingof a bill to rendersueh reserves available for settlement, and in speaking to the question said the areas thus set apart amount in extent to nearly a million and a quarter acres. The bodies who adminis tered those reserves were not specially interested in land settlement. He" would be only too glad to give way if tho Government would move in the same direction by a bill of their own. The Minister for Lands said it was more than probable that Govern ment would make similar provision in their new land bill. The bill under discussion was referred to the Waste Lands Com mittee. Tho Midland Hallway. The Midland Railway Committee (of whom Captain Russell has been chosen chairman) are considering the proposed amendments in the contract. Several alterations have been made with a view to providing against compensation claims, care being taken at the same time not to prejudice the Company in raising the three millions necessary to enable them to com plete the work. Contagious Diseases Act Sir George Grey movod the second read ing of his bill to repeal the Contagi ous Diseases Act in earlier part of last evening's sitting, and naturally enough there was an immediate clearance of the crowded ladies' gallery. Sir George Grey spoke very briefly on the subject, and Dr. Hodgkinson, who seconded the bill, held that the Act sapped the very foundation of morality. Mr Fulton also supported tho repeal of the Act, and Sir George Grey, in his reply, said that it was a verbatim copy of the Imperial Repeal Act. No one spoke against the bill, and it was rather a surprise when the op ponents of the bill had the voices. A divi sion was at once called, with the result thnfc the Contagious Diseases Act llepeal Bill was thrown out by 52 to 26. Tho Late Wi Tako Ncatatn. The Legislative Council adjourned yester day without having transacted any business out of respect to the memory of the late Hon. Wi Tako Ngatata. Speaking in support of tho motion for adjournment, Dr. Grace ex pressed unbounded admiration for the intellectual qualities of late member, who at one time held the balance ot power between, the Maori King and tho British Queen, but happily used his influ ence in favour of the Europeans. In this, as in other matters, he showed the greatest perspicuity, and the speaker had no hesita tion in declaring that in the death of Wi Tako the Queen had lost ono of the most loyal of her native subjects. North Island Railway. I mentioned on Monday last that the Government intended to stop work on the North Island 'Railway for a time, and in the interval to construct a road from Tara naki to the line at a cost of £50,000. Tho "Post" referred to the matter last evening, and in the course of its remarks says : "Any scheme of the kind will deserve the strongest possible resist ance. Such a road is not in the least re quired, and there are scores of much more necessary roads in different parts of the colony which there is no probabiity of making. The diversion of portions of the railway loan in the manner proposed would "be most unjustifiable, and a, distinct breach of faith, as the loan has been most solemnly dedicated to the con struction of the railway only, and has been ' ear - marked' in the most dis tinct manner. To throw away £50,000 on an unnecessary road merely as a sop to Taranaki and Auckland, and for the purpose of purchasing the political support of those places, is one of the most politically immoral proposals . that any Government could possibly make." Reduction of Gold Duty. The West Coast and Otago goldfield members secured a victory last evening bY carrying the second reading of Mr Seddon's bill, providing for the reduction of gold duty at the rate of 6d per ounce, by 39 to 34 votes. The principal opposition was offered by Auckland members, but the bill was not discussed. The bill contained a clause making the operation of the. measure optional. i-ii^ii. 1 , A New Industry. Mr Pearson has been urging on the atten tion of the Government the desirability of obtaining information respecting the manu facture of preserved potatoes and of starch from potatoes or damaged or other grain whether such industriee could be -profat. ably introduced in the colony, and whether they will consider the ; advisability of offer-,, mo- a bonus for the encouragement of these industries. Mr Pearson has been assured that the Government recognise the import ance of tho suggestion, and will give it their consideration. • Tapu Homestead . Settlement. The differences that have lately arisen between the mining rand agricultural com munities at Tapu are being brought under the notice of Government, It appears that about seven years ago the land ,m_; that district was set apart for Homestead Settle ment purposes, and was freely taken up. 1 he settlers complied with the conditions, and the Waste Lands Board granted many of them certificates that they were entitled to the freehold of their sections, but the,titles were not made complete. Mr Cadman has received a letter from some of the settlers complaining that the Warden § is allowing miners, not only to peg out claims on their

homesteads, bufc also to cut timber. On Mr Cadinan's representation, the Minister of Mines has decided that if the local bodies will take the responsibility of resuming the land out of the hands of the Government, they can give settlers titles to their hold ings. Mr Cadman has written to the Go vernment pointing out that this condition will practically drive away from the minds of the mining population all ideas of becom ing bona Mi settlers on the goldiields. Tnames Railway Bridge. Mr Cadman is urging the Government to give effect to the promise of the late Premier to provide sufficient temporary planking to make the Thames Railway Bridge over the Kaueranga River cafe for foot traffic, and also provide a hand rail. He states the coßt of the work would only amount to about £30, while the bridge would be used by 300 or 400; people daily. School of Minos. The authorities of tho Coroiriandel School of Mines have applied to the Government for the use of one of several available vacant allotments, on which to erect a suitable building; but a difficulty arises from tho fact that the school, not being a body cor porate, cannot hold property. Mr Cadman has written to the Government, suggesting they should hand an allotment over to the County Council to be held in trust, and that the School of Mines should be allowed to occupy it until otherwise required. Cororuandal County Elections. About seventy ratepayers in Coromandel County have forwurded a requisition to Mr Cadman, asking him co reconsider his de termination not to again oiler himself for a seat in (he County Council. He, however, iiuds it impossible to comply with the re quest. Novel Retrenchment Proposal. Government decline to accept a sugges' tion by Mr O'Connor that in connection with their proposed retrenchment measures they should consider a scheme under which the Minister's house*in Tinakori Road may be come gubernatorial residence, and" the present Government House utilized as a musuem or other public institute, and surrounding street frontage disposed of for building purposes. It may not be out of place to say that ths values of pro perty in Wellington are so high, and eligible building sites so scarce, that these front ages, which are very extensive and abut on a main business street, would by this sale add a very large amount to the revenue of the country. Dr. Hodgkinson and tho Premier. There was a smart passage at arms be tween Major Atkinson and Dr. Hodgkinson during the debate on the elective Governor question last night. Major Atkinson was eulogising our form of administration in comparison with that of the Yankees, when lie was questioned by Hodgkinson. Atkinson made a sharp retort, and asked for some proof of the superiority of the American system. The doctor was on his feet! in a moment, and amidst roars of laughter said we hod 34 millions of debt, and if America had had tho hon. gentlemen on the Treasury benches to manage her affaire she would have had three thousand millions of debt. Atkinson replied that if we were foolish enough to sell our assets we could got out of debt to-morrow. There were big companies who would bo glad to buy over the ailways for what they cost. (No, no.) Dr. Hodgkinson : "lam exceedingly glad to hear it, and I shall move that they be sold." Atkinson rejoined that he could not understand the hon. gen tleman supporting.the principle of an elec tive Governor, but if he did succeed in sel ling our railways he would come back in the following session determined to buy them back again at double the price for which he sold them. San Francisco Hall Service. The important question of the continu ance of thy mail subsidy was brought up in the House yesterday afternoon by Mr Ward, who asked the intention of the Government upon the expiry of tho present contract. Ho said he had pledged himself to secure the aboli tion of tho subsidy, and asserted in reply to the contention that the line was self supporting, that the proceeds from this mail service would iucrease the revenue of the direct service, without adding to the ex penditure. At all events he thought that if the subsidy were given at all.it should be by America. Major Atkinson in his reply said the matter had been under considera tion, but tho Government had not como to any conclusion that was likely to effect the discontinuance of.the subsidy. It was a great mistake to sujpwe that wo were likely to save much by auch an action, and from the knowledge at his disposal he might, say that it would not be more than two to four thousand. The whole matter would, how ever, come before members this session, as the House would be asked to continue the subsidy. Deputation to the Minister or Works. The deputation appointed at the meeting in relation to the North Island Trunk Rail way route waited on the Minister of Works this afternoon and asked him to stop works at the Marton end where the present contract terminates and at Auckland to continue the contract as far as tho , tunnel and in the meantime to have a commission appointed to get survey of intervening country. The Minis ter of Works said the question w.as one for the consideration of the Cabinet, and he promised to bring it before them. Petitions. The petitions from the tobacconists of Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington praying that license fee be charged for the sale of tobacco and cigars, has been referred to the Government for consideration. The petition of Dorothy S. McCaul for compen sation for damage to her property by sparks' from" an engine has been recom mended to the favourable consideration of the Government. District Courts Amendment BIIL This bill, introduced by the Colonial Secretary, gives the same power to District Courts as now granted to Resident Magis trate and Supreme Courts with respect to taking of evidence. The other provisions are of minor importance. Miscellaneous Jottings. It is almost certain that the present financial debate will develop into a no con fidence one. Wellington members are angry at the re quest of the Auckland and Taranaki mem bers that railway works should be stopped at the Marton end. ( . Mr Moat is asking Government to introduce . a bill this session dealing with the truck system. ' "' « , ' Government have been adv*sed by their law officers that they have power to exclude children under six years from schools with out special leajwlatibn. Sir George T&if slated Major Atkinson warmly last night. Petitions Committee decline to make any recommendation on the petition of H. Bar ber.who is Bwkia* in this way to secure dis charge from Auckland Asylum. . ' . Government intend to assist Schools of Mines at the Themes and Reefton only. Major Steward intends to ask Government if they will bring in a bill this session to give i effect to the resolutions of the Municipal Conference. , . :.'{■ Sir George Grey's speech on the elective Governor question* was the ablest oratorical display of the session. _ •■•■;■■ _,„ Wahganui and Oamaru Harbour Bills passed through committee yesterday after noon. ~ j.i. The Legislative Council adjourned their sitting yesterday out of respect to Hon. Wi Tapo Ngatata, a iate member.; 'Mr Scobie McKenzie is expected to move an amendments objecting to the excessive loan proposals of the Government, *

NORTH ISLAND RAILWAY.

NEW PROPOSAL FOR SHORTENING

THE ROUTE,

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.]

Wellington, this day. The agitation for the adoption of the Strat ford Route in the construction of the North Island Main Trunk Railway has had the effect of bringing forward a new proposal for shortening the route. It is contained in a letter forwarded from Mokau* to Sir George Grey by R. Donkin, C. E. The writer proposes that the Government should first complete the Central to Taumaranui, and then branch off to connect -with the line al ready constructed at or near Waitara, thus connecting Auckland and Wellington by way of Taranaki. Mr Donkin goes on to say in his letter :—" The Central Railway from Tauinaranui to Marton could be finished at some future time. The distance from Taumaranui to Waitara (60 miles) could bo completed for £6,000 per milo, in cluding rails, rolling stock, etc., there being no engineering difficulties whatever. If the line from Stratford was connected at Taumaranui it would be eighty miles ong — twenty miles more than by Waitara. Mr Holmes's estimate for this line was £7,000 per mile, a difference of £200,000 in favour of Waitara, and only about four miles further round to get to Wellington, and it would only be about twenty-live miles more by Waitara to Mar ton ihan the central line, but tho difference between New Plymouth and Auckland would be forty-eight miles in favour of the line I suggest by Waitara, and against the Stratford route, as it is expected the junc tion would not be at Stratford, but. two miles south of Ngaire, so that to got to Auckland from New Plymouth by that route you must go 28 miles south before turning. The line being twenty miles longer than by Waitara makes the 48 miles. This, would be a great drawback to any settlers in the interior, for if this line from Stratford was adopted, all goods and passengers to and from Auckland and the interior, must travel over 48 miles more than by Waitara, and of course must pay for so doing. There would also be twenty miles more railway to con struct and keep in repair, for even perhaps if Government are not prepared to make the line, I suggest a company could be formed for doing so. I shall be glad to give any information in my power."

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING.

At?out noon on the Prince of Wales' Birth day what might have developed into a fatal double drowning case occurred a' Shelly Beach. It appears that a party o young ladies, including Misses Trail and Hedges, who reside in Wellington street, went in to bath at the further sido of the rock running out from the point at Shelly Beach. Thie spot is rather dangerous, as the rock shelves rapidly. The consequence was that the young ladies soon got out of their depth, and the twiet of the tide round the poinfc was quickly carrying them still further out. Ihe one nearest land was hauled out by her companions. Tho cries of the other two, Misses Trail and Hedges, attracted the attention of a lad, \vho quickly ran to their assistance. With commendable courage he plunged into the water and at tempted to rescue the ladies. Unfortun ately his namo was not obtainable, other wise it would have been mentioned. His bravery very nearly cost him his life, for he was being dragged under when as sistance arrived in the shape of a man, Mr Manson, who seeing tho danger ous predicament of the three, went in and succeeded in landing them all in safety Great credit is due both to the lad and to Mr Mauson for' their prompt actions in going to tho rescue of the ladies.

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

(FROM OVR OWM CORRESPONDENT.)

Thames, this day. The Btkutaia Leases.

Mr Humphreys has applied to the Warden for an injunction restraining Mcßrinn and others from working the Prospectors' claim, Maritoto, pending the appeal shortly to como before tho Supremo Court at the in stance of Mr Snsll. The matter will come before the Warden's Court on Monday.

CAMBRIA. — the fortnightly cleaning up yesterday produced 2200zs lOdwts gold, from 231 loads of dirt and 301bs of speci mens.

Saxon. —201bs ot picked stone were ob tained yesterday from the third stope hill ward of the rise in No. 4 level, and 101 bs from the leading stope on No. 3 level.

Coromaxdel, this day.

Royal Oak.— Since last report there has been none of the reef taken down on the run. In squaring up the rise outside of the cross lead the reef has become much larger than usual, having from 9 inches to one foot of solid stone, and well defined. A change for the better has also appeared in the cross lead which cut through the main one the same as it did when the specimens were found. For the weok the Tribute has got about 201bs of picked stone rising on the branch lead of No. 3.—Peter Reid.

The Broken Hill Silver Mine.

The Broken Hill Silver mine, South Aus tralia, is now the richest silver mine in the world. The return of bullion for the third week of October —and it was considered a poor one—was 139 tons lOcwt lqr 121bs, valued at £31 Us 4d per ton. manager of the mine estimates that there is 700,000 tons of 32 ounce ore "in eight," representing 22.400,0000z5. of silver.winch at the market value of the metal means more than £4,070,000 sterling. If the adjoining mines yield in proportion to their present es timated value.and the Broken Hill proper is as productive as there is every reason for believing it will be, £10,000,000 at the current "prices of silver would fall short of expressing the value of the ores in the claims as originally held by tho Broken Hill Company. The fortunes of a property of such magnitude are a matter of national interest.

POLICE COURT-THIS DAY.

(Before Mr H. Wilding, J. P.)

Drunkenness. — John Carey was fined 5s and costs, and Henry Barstow 10s and costs. > . :_! :' .. Obscene Language.—Annie Mcbarrou was charged with drunkenness and with using obscene language in Lower Albert street yesterday afternoon.—Constable 1. Donovan stated in evidence that the prisoner made use of disgusting language in the hearing ot passers by.—Sentenced to tbreo months , imprisonment with hard labour. Rogue and Vagabond.—John Thakaburv was charged with drunkenness and with being a rogue and a vagabond.—He pleaded guilty and was ordered 12 months im prißonment with hard labour. Maintenance.—Charles Wm. Langstone was chareed With failing to obey a mainte nance to pay 10s per week for each of _his four children. Defendant had paid part of the amount due viz., £30, into Court and the case was adjourned till the 18th mat.

ALLEGED BLACK MAILING.

EXTRAORDINARY DECEPTION.

SEQUEL TO AN AFFILIATION CASE

A most extraordinary case in which a woman named Brown is charged with levying blackmail, is now occupying the attention of the police. The woman's name is Ellen Frances Brown, and she resides in Richmond Road, Pon. sonby, in a four-roomed cottage owned by Mrs Baker. She is a woman apparently about 45 years of age, of small stature, and by no means beautiful. She professed to gain her living by hand-sewing, and her neighbours say that she was a very clever needlewoman. There appears to be some doubt in the minds of the residents of the locality as to whether Ellen Brown, as she called herself, was a married or a single woman, but at all events it came to pass that a very few weeks ago Miss Brown ap peared on the scene with a baby giri in her arms. Wanted a Father. She stated that she had given birth to a child, and that a man, named George Richard Pooley was the father, and subse quently she summoned Mr Pooley to appear before the Police Court to show cause why he had " failed to contribute towards the support of his illegitimate female child, under 14 years of age, whereof Ellen Frances Brown was the mother." The case came up for hearing on Monday last, when Mr H. C. Baddeley was the presiding magistrate. Mr Theo. Cooper appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Hudson Williamson for the defend ant. Mr Cooper, in his opening stute ment, said that the case was one of a somewhat singular character, inasmuch as it would be denied by the defence that the prosecutrix ever gave birth to the child re ferred to. At the request of Mr William son all witnesses were ordered out of Court, and thereupon five mothers, with four babies in arms, walked into an ante-room to wait being called upon to give evidence. Ellen Frances Brown, in giving evidence, swore positively that the child she had in Court, an infant about two months old, was her own, and that the defendant, Pooley, was the father. Pooley, she stated, fre quently visited her, and she now sued him for maintenance of the infant. In course of examination Mr Williamson cautioned the woman against adhering to this statement, and hinted that the matter would not end with the present proceedings, but Brown stuck to her state ment in a most determined manner. Evi dence was also given by witnesses, but the facts deposed to were not of a character fit to be published and were omitted from the newspaper reports. After a large amount of evidence had been taken the case was ad journed for seven days in order that medical evidence might be procured, Mr Cooper stating that if his client offered any objec tion to a certain proposal which he made he would have nothing more to do with the case.

Extraordinary Disclosures. In the meantime Miss Brown's neighbours had been discussing the case, and some singular facts were brought to light. It was boldly asserted that the complainant had never given birth to the child in ques tion, and Pooley, who, it should be stated, right through denied the charge brought against him, at once took the matter up. Owing to some statements made by the accused Brown to afriend in strict confidence, it came to be whispered about that the child had been obtained from the Fallen Women's Home at Parnell. Inquiries were made at that institution, and Miss Hill, the matron, furnished some informa tion which threw considerable light on tho whole proceeding. How the ISnby was Obtained. Miss Hill stated that on fche ofch of Sep tember last a person calling herself Mrs Marshall came to the homo. She was well dressed, and represented herself as a widow woman in well-to-do circumstances. A friend of hers in the Waikato desired, she said, to adopt a baby, and she was pre pared to tako charge of the child at once. Mrs "Marshall" did not ap pear to be very particular respecting the infants, excepting as to age, and 'she was given charge of a baby apparently a few weeks old. Misa Hill, on learning that the baby had been obtained, under false pretences, at once communicated with In spector Shearman, and Constable Graham, stationed at Ponsonby, was told off to make the necessary inquiries. The constable accompanied Miss Hill- to the residence of the woman Brown, in Richmond Road, and at once identified the accused as the woman whorepresentedherself as "Mrs Mar shall," and the baby as the child given into her keeping on sth September.

The Woman Arrested- In consequence of the serious character of the charges preferred against the accused, and admissions made by her, Constable Graham at once took Brown into cus tody, and lodged her in the police station shortly after 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Miss Hill stated in the presence of the accused that the woman Brown got the infant child which she still held in her arms from the Parnell Home some weeks ago, and the accused asserted that she was con fined of a child which was dead born in in September last. Before the Court At the Police Court this morning, bofor e Mr H. Wilding, J. P., Ellen Frances Brown appeared in the dock. She was charged with a breach of the Police Offences Act, 1884, with' endeavouring to impose upon a private individual, to wit, George Richard Pooley, by a false repre sentation with a view to obtain money, at Auckland on the 19th of October, 1887. Sergeant Gamble, who represented the police, stated that this was a case which had arisen out of another prosecution in which the defendant was now on remand. The present prisoner had previously charged a person named George R. Pooley with being the putative father of an illegitimate child of which she stated she was the mother. This was sworn to by the present prisoner in Court on Monday last. In the mean time it had been ascertained that the child in question was a child that had been pro cured from the Orphan Home at Parnell. The accused had been endeavouring to ob tain money from Pooley by means of false pretences, viz., by asserting that he was the father of the child. It was on this charge that she had been arrested. As she would have to appear before the Court in connection with the other case, he now asked that she be remanded till Monday next. The application was granted, and, no request having been made for bail, the accused remained in the custody of the police. ..

Jack Hall, the Australian boxer, has come to Auckland by the mail boat. C. D. Spreckles, the " Sugar King " and owner of the steamers Alameda and Mari posa, came as far as Honolulu in the mail steamer, and is expected to come on here by next steamer. Mr W. J. Suiter, Mayor of Newmarket, expects to leave the colony on a visit to Ireland in February next, on private busi nesSi In consequence of his intention he has declined re-nomination for themayoralty of Newmarket, and will retire from all the other public bodies with which he is con> nested,

ARRIVAL OF THE MARIPOSA WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL (VIA SAN FRANCISCO).

The 11.M.5.5. Mariposa, Captain H. M. Hayward, arrived at 1.30 this afternoon. She left San Francisco on October 22nd, at 6.52 a.m., arrived at Honolulu October 28th at 6.12 a.m., and left again October 29th at 10.55 a.m., and arrived off Tutuila on November sth at 0.22 p.m. ; detained landing mails 26 minutes, and arrived in Auckland as above. Experi enced fine weather through entire voyage. October 22nd at 3 p.m., Miss G. I. Alli son, cabin passenger, for Auckland, died of heart disease and was buried at sea, October 23rd, at 10 a.m. Detained in San Francisco, 16 hours waiting arrival of mail. Time: San Francisco to Honolulu 6 days 11 hrs. 40 mm. ; Honolulu to Auckland 12 days 31 mm. Detention : 17 hrs. 9min. Passengers for Auckland : Thos. Allison, wife, and 2 children, J. Hampton and wife, J. McLean and wife, Misses Campbell (2), F. 0. Mason, E. T. Firth, C. Leed, wife, and 2 children, Hon. J. Forrest and wife, W. J. Tabutean, W. C. Cottelland wife, P. Herapath and wife, H. Holmes, and 16 steerage

A TURBULENT MOB.

The Unemployed Riots in

London.

On October 14th the unemployed persons who frequent Trafalgar Square, formed in a body and marched to the Mansion House, where they demanded an interview with the Lord Mayor. He declined to hold any con versation with the mob or its representatives. The crowd insisted upon an interview, but were again refused, when they openly denounced the Lord Mayor, after which they started back to Trafalgar Square. They stopped at the office of the " Stan dard" newspaper, hooting and jeering. The police attempted to move the crowd, but were resisted aud driven back. Return ing to the charge, they seized their black banner and a number of black flags. The mob then scattered, but shortly after rallied. The leader's shouted, " Men, assert your rights," and the mob rushed upon the police, and succeeded in forcing them back, and in recapturing the black banner. The police charged again, when the turbulents broke and run in every direction. On the 17th, the workmen attacked the police on the' Strand. They were dispersed, but massed again in Trafalgar Square, where "the leaders made speeches. The police again charged, and a general fight ensued ; several policemen were hurt, and twenty arrests were made. One of the speakers at Trafalgar Square advocated the killing of the American Minister Philps, in order to "give heart to their Chicago brethren," in endeavoring to save the lives of the condemned anarchists there, and also suggested the assassination of President Cleveland. The fighting was renewed on the 18th. A number of the un employed met at Hyde Park to make a demonstration. The police fearing the mob would pillage the shops in the vicinity, closed the gate?, and a sharp conflict ensued. Many of the crowd were thrown down and trampled upon. On the 20th, a number of Socialists and of the unemployed gathered in Hyde Park. One of. the speakers unrolled and waved a red flag, crying, " The Glorious Commune !" A. section of the mob there upon stampeded. Scores of persons in the crowd were thrown " down and trampled upon. A depntation from the crowd made a visit to tho Home Office, and had a talk with one of the attaches. After the interview was concluded the police charged the mob, but were met with resistance, but dispersed them after a short and sharp con flict. Many persons were injured, and a number of arreste made.

The Great Paris Scandal.

The Cafiarel-Limonzin case in Paris is a great scandal. Edmund Yates in his account of it says, " Madame Limonzin is a vulgar adventuress, 41 years old, hump backed, a creature with small piercing eyes. Last year she lived in the Boulevard Bon Marche with a companion who called her self the Comtesse de Boissiere, Barronne de Beauregard,£or Marquisie de Clemenceau, and wbose real name is Henriette de Boissy, a cocotte of commercial type. Madame Liin onzini also has a husband, an adventurer, of a smaller calibre. The latter carried on the business of an influence agency for the benefit of persons desiring employment in the Ministries, promotions, Government contracts, etc. In reality, Mme. Limonzin and the Comtesse passed their time writing to politicians, notably to Thibaudin and Boulanger. The letters contained flattery, threats, calutrnies, offers of service, and propositions of a compromising character, and both Thibaudin and Boulanger finally warned the trio through the police to cease their manoeu vring. Then Limonzin and the "Comtesse" quarrelled, and the former removed to a gorgeous suite of rooms in the Avenue Wagram, where she continued her agency, and entered into relations with General Caffarel. an officer who was ovei whelmed with debts, and had no longer any sense of honour or decency. The "Comtesse" de nounced her former accomplice to the police. Then followed complaints from various sources, and at length the police proceeded to watch Mme. Limonzin. Thedetective sent to entrap Mine. Lemonzin was taken by her to the Minister of War and introduced to Caffarel, to whom the detective handed a sum of money, in return for which it was understood he would receive the Cross of the Legion of Honour. , This surprising dis covery brought matters to a crisis. The Minister of War, in the presence of Rouvier interrogated Caffarel, who confessed. Time was then given him to blow hie brains out, but be did not have the courage to take advantage of this supreme privilege. He was sent to prison with Mme. Limonzin. The case will.be s. formidable washing of dirty linen in facts, and the personages in volved, and even the son-in-law of President Grevy—M. Daniel Wilson—is involved in many of Mme. Limonzin's tripotages. Madame Ratazzi was arrested on a charge of having been implicated in the affair. Letters, from Generals Saussier and Bou langer were found in Limonzin's appart ment, but they were satisfactorily ex plained. The French Minister of War urged the severe punishment of Caffarel and nis accomplices. Madame Cortenil, another agent for the distribution of decorations, had also been arrested. Caffarel is prostrated in prison. He avers innocence in the face of ni3 signature on the forged papers found in Limonzin'e house. The connection of Mr. Daniel Wilson with this affair, will, it is thought, compel his father-in-law, Grfevy, fco resign the Presidency. The Council-General appointed to try Gen. Caffarel pronounced him guilty of habitual dishonourable conduct, decided to place him on the retired list of the army, and deprived of his Legion of Honour decoration. Hie pension of 8000 francs for 39 years' service in the army was also reduced to 4800 fraDOS. Boulanger was relieved of his command and arrested on Oct. 13 by order of the Minister of War for reported objectionable language in relation to the affair, He will ho under restraint for thirty days, Madame Limon etn had Admitted that the charges against

Wtlaort, Gi'ejr's apn'in;laWi as io his eonnedj ; tion with the'daffarel mallei! are false, aha were hmde in the hope the affair waukl be hushed up* .! , There is quite a flutter among the Freneli Canadians Over tiiU tflati'. Beyeral are , ' Wearing decorations which, ib is openly ohargod, Were purohased from friends of General Boulnnger. Furthet , reference is' made to the " groat scandal" in dispatches of October 18. There was a rumour thai; Caffarel hod been released, and the charges against Wilson (Gravy's son-<in4»WJ J grow , more numerous. < The Rudioal (Journals demand the nomination of a civilian as . Minister of War,' and the creation of a Chief of Staff. " L 6 Petit Journal "'demands, that the" President immediately intervene in the Wileon case. Lz Matin states that Grevy refuses to Bign the order dismissing Caffarel from the army, ie Qavlois says judicial inquiry has proved Caflarel not guilty. Boulanger has received thousands of sympathetic missives from all parts of France.

It is officially announced, according to a Paris dispatch on the afternoon of October , 20, that General Caffarel has been removed from bis poet of Chief of Staff in the War: Office, and that hia name has been struck from the army list. Ho will receive a yearly pension of 8000 francs. The Council of the Legion of Honor has recommended that his name be struck from the list o£ members of the Legion, and that he be de-. prived from wearing any decoration of the order. "Le Paris " attacks M. Wilson, virtually charging him when he was director, of the printing office at Digon, with black-1 mailing financial officials throughout the provinces. The French War Office having disposed of the Caffarel matter, he and others impli cated in ' the sale of decorations, will be handed over to the Correctional police. Caffarel has been lodged in the Conciergerie.

THE MURDER OF BISHOP.

Life.

Mrs Mary Yon, charged with murder for shooting George Wesley Bishop, a New Zealander, on board the steamship *' Ala meda," on the Ist July last, just as he was about to depart for New Zealand, was found guilty on October 3rd, before Judge Toohy. The Jury's verdict was:—" We find the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree and tix the penalty at imprisonment for life. We further, find the prior con viction." The convicted woman was ap parently unmoved by the announcement of the verdict. Throughout the trial she has been, to all appearance, perfectly cool, and when her fate was announced she showed no surprise or mental excitement. What her feelings were, is indicated by a remark she made in the City Prison, previous to the verdict when she declared she would never suffer imprisonmentforlife. "Before I would submit to that," she said, " I will kill my cellmate, and they would then hang me for murder. Sentence was pronounced October Bth.

Bishop's body, which was embalmed and has been lying in a vault of the Laurel Hill Cemetery, of San Francisco, will be returned to his friends in New Zealand, by the Steam ship Mariposa. sailing on the 21et October, the return is made at the request Messrs Napier and Shera, of Auckland, solicitors' for James Rae, executor of Bishop's will. The murderess was sentenced on October 18th, and sent to States, prison for the term of her natural life. She seemed no way concerned,; and when the judge had finished his remarks, said "Thank you," and calmly resumed her seat.

IRISH MATTERS.

At the trial of the men for the raid on , farmer Sexton's house, where Wheleha* Wai murdered, Gallin&iij an informer,testi fied that he planneditf-iu' order to deliver his companions over to the police, and that all his by the Government. '.'"■' J Thi JTenian fraternity .in' London, Paris, and New York, have been profoundly moved by these disclosures, and are beginning to believe that the Govern ment can checkmate them at every turn. The prisoners were committed for trial on the Bth, and the populace cheered them as they were led back to gaol. J. M. Healy, M.P., spoke at a Longford meeting on Oct. 9th. The platform fell, and the Government reporter was injured. Healy chaffed him while he was suffering on his first trial of a plank bed. In his speech the Irish M.P. said there would soon be no moie landlords left in Ireland, and he hoped the mortgages of Lord Granard would not leave him a braes farthing to bless himself with. Thirty-eight horses belonging to the hunting stud of Capt. Halloway (says a Dublin dispatch of the 10th Oct.) have been maliciously poisoned. Ten had died.

An immense meeting- under the auspices of the League was held on Sunday, the Bth, at the confluence of the Suir and Barrow rivers, Ireland. The police had no know ledge of the meeting. Major Saunderson, the Orange leader and M.P., made a speech in Belfast on October 17th, and spoke in high praise of the policy of the Chamberlain and his followers. Be said the Government was not worth its salt unless it set the Parnellites to oakum pick ing in Kilmainham Jail.

An immense meeting was held in the Roundroom, Dublin, October 11, to protest against the prosecutions directed by. the Government against the press. The London Daily News' Dublin corres pondent writes October 11, that he has received information from an influential quarter that the Government will, within a fortnight, suppress the League of National ists.

Continued on Page Eight.

RACING FERRY STEAMERS.

ACTION OF THE AUTHORITIES

A letter has been forwarded to the 'ffar bour Board complaining' of the dunge incurred by the close running of the ferry steamers, Victoria and Eagle, on the 9th inst. In consequence of the letter, the Harbour-maeter, Captain Burgess, is in stituting inquiries, and his report will bo read at the next meeting of the Harbour Board, when the whole ailair will come up for discussion and some action will in all probability be taken by the authorities. "Indignant"writes us a letter on the subject, in which he tries to throw all blame for the dangerous position of the steamers upon one of the captains, while he completely exonerates the other. Pending the result of the Harbour Board's consider ation of the matter, we think it inadvisable to discuss the merits of the dispute at pres ent.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &o, To-nlghti

Abbptt'a Opera House—Pantomime, 8. k Y.M.O.A Rooms-ConTcreazione and Sale ot Work, 3 to 10 p.m. Robson'e Rooms—Auokland Political Mnanolal Reform Ansooißtion, 8. St George'e Hall—Meeting of Ratepayera in Sussex and Surrey Wards, Newton, 7,30. Meeting of Devonport Householders,: re Fire Brigade. 7.30; Imperial Hotel—Meeting of Auckland Bowing Club, 8.

Bota of Jtutioee »? Police Courn, November 13-JMessre H, P, Andereon and J, Baber, ■ ' •. s , ' : •,

AWttfov 9»|e« To-mowow, Arthur; and Pttddle, Cart, eto,, 10,50! ppmer<rf WellesleyandSyinoind*.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11. 188T*

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