LETTER FROM THE POPE.

,<S m™

(SPECIAL.)

(SPECIAL.)

London, July 2G. , p nn fl has written to Monsignor The,l Peel Tindaro, referring at pOTt« the efforts made to effect a ftfns says that papal liberty^ H"sHoll r td territorial sovereignty ?||&»ntee. The Pope is ]S SJat the influence of the church fi in the colonies.

(SPECiAE. )

COERCION IN IRELAND.

London, July 26. Government are taking steps to maintain order in IrdlancL^

THE LAND LEAGUE TACTICS.

It is not thought that the operation f the sixth section of the Crimes Act "i nte ndedtosuppie 3S theNt lonal aue but it is feared that the sec- prove inoperative in any way .ounst the League, owing to their tain' resolved to alter its name and Institution, and bring it under the rotation of the Trades Unions and Lefit Societies Act.

THE JUBILEE NAVAL REVIEW.

London", July 20. The Jubilee review of the fleet at Snithead being over, the ships have 1 dispersed. Opportunity was taken Jthe gathering of the fleet to execute Ueuvres of practical service to the whole Davy. The manoeuvres were in tended to show how the coast line is protected, and the attack of an imegm [ry enemy was repelled.

FALL IN SUGAR.

Sngar is declining, and is now quoted M-

VOLUNTEER TROUBLES.

The Devonport Navals Again

Various matters in connection' with the Devonport Navals have been receiving consideration at the hands of Major General Sir George Whitmore for some ojnsiderable time past, but_ without my satisfactory solution of their difficulties. He result was that a special parade of the Company was'called for last evening at the Devonport Hall. There were over thirty men on parade, and there were present Colonel Whitmore, Colonel Lyon, Captain (mnandent Leßoy, Captain Hitchens, [xfoin Hulse, Adjutant Oerrard, Lieuten m Faulkner. Major-General Whitmore pile to his company at some length messing regret that so_ much difaace of opinion had arisen be fteen some of them and their cap bin. He was asked to allow the company to disband but decline to do fo. Owing to the opposition shewn ledecided to give the men permission to resign and Captain Fen ton permission to re form the company of 42 men before the end ofthe present month. The captain's sup sapporters and the opposing section irenow exerting themselves in the direc tion indicated, and the result will be latched for with interest.

DULL TIMES IN MELBOURNE.

(bt telegraph—own correspondent. )

Duxedin, this day.

As further evidence of the overcrowded state of the labour market in these colonies, I have been permitted to copy the following etact from a private letter received by a Banedin resident from Melbourne last teek:-" You have no idea of the difficulty of getting anything to do in Melbourne. Ttereis an immense amount of work going ™, it is true, but the crowds of people who Jave rushed in from all the other colonies ™'c quite swamped the place with ™our. Some of the buildings going "P we of a splendid character. You W form some idea of this when | tell yon that the scaffolding alone «t the additions to -the Post-office has <«toverL6,ooo, and that for the additions to Parliament House over L 4,000. The new coffee palace will be a most magni leent place, and there are numbers w large _ hotels in course of erection. | have tried a good deal to get into some ™ng, but it has been no use. The papers we laid hold of as soon as published, and' if ""Jftinp is advertised there is a crowd at the appointed time. Those who mm an °p™on say there ari3 °ver Jjw carpenters out of work, and every «to occupation seems as bad in propor tion,

PLEASING MEMORIAL OF A TEACHER.

(W mEGKAPH-FBESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, this day. TOwroxs have been provided by J 8* of thelate Mr T. J. Barnicoat, 8.A., various parts of the .colony for the pur-. S^.^Wisliing .a.memorial annual «*&Vif of L 5 for the besfc English aw p f { Wellington college, where he was ■"■wfftw some years.

A WANGANUI BANKRUPTCY.

' EY CORIiESPO-N-DENT.)

' Alam ?• Wasganxji, this day.. of tof"* Of the "editors in the estate tired t *****' yesterday. it wasvre {» ih °, pl'°Ceed t0 realise on estate, t» i the debtor ofrered lOs i.n <WrT SOme of tlie lai'ffest credi %c£" edtolisten to.'.With regard tyHarconrfc <™d Com- ",' for Ll-700' which the Rising &«7°.' a.le gal opinion was read ? tbe mo! ;on cK nf d ib • Wfts resolved « ' Anderson (Clark and Hood, of T?'' E, e.cond «l by Mr Young *4T' f Dunedi °) that the proof be re-

VAt the R w r WE"^fiTox, this day..

SIR G. M. O'RORKE AT ONE HUNGA.

A large number of electors of Manukau mustered at the Onehunga Public Hall last evening, to receive from Sir G. M. O'Rorke, M.H.R., an account of his stewardship. Dr. Scott (Mayor of the Onehunga Munici pality) was voted to the chair.

The Chairman, in. introducing Sir Maurice, said that the quietude of political matters in Onehunga—so different from the interest in other constituencies —was proof of the fact that the peopleuiOnehunga were thoroughly satisfied with their representative. Sir Maurice,who received a most cordial reception,said the reason he had postponed his meeting at Onehunga was because it had been called on the same clay as the English mail was leaving, and he had unexpectedly some important business to transact. As he had to postpone his meeting there,he postponed his other meet ings, as he desired from the long connection that had existed between himself and the people of Onehunga to address them first. After alluding to the changes in the boundaries of the district he proceeded to say that the dissolution of Parliament no doubt had not come on them unexpectedly, and had not an adverse vote been carried against the Government the Parliament would have dissolved in August. Ho thought the Government had been entitled to ask for a dissolution, as they had come into power in a House elected under their opponents. But he did not think it right that they should have been granted an un conditional dissolution, which he gathered from statements that had been made in the Legislative Council by the Colonial Secretary and the Hon. Mr Rey nolds, when the Representation Act was under discussion. These statements meant that if an unconditional dissolution had not been granted by the Government, these elections would have taken place under the Act passed six years ago, and the people of the North Island would have been defrauded of three members. In the critical state that the country stood, with increased taxation threatened,commercial depression, and the people dissatisfied, he thought the Government should have taken a loftier view than they did, and compelled the gentlemen who had defeated them to give the country an outline of their policy, if they had one. The people had been deprived of an opportunity of learning from the gentle men who defeated the Government what they proposed to do to remedy the exist ing state of affah's. If the Government had acted.justly, the country would have had the policies to decide between, and not as now only the question—have you con fidence in the scheme of finances proposed by the Government, or have you not '! When he looked around that House he thought he could see written in every line of every countenance in the meeting the condemnation of the taxation proposed, by the Ministers. There was expressed in their faces a condemnation of any pro posal to increase the burdens of the people at the present juncture. While it was the duty of the people to condemn the policy proposed, he was not one to gloat over the fallen Ministry. He disliked the policy, but he liked the men. He liked the leader of the Government who was en titled to their highest respect, and believed that he would be returned to power yet again to mould the policy of the country. Next to the-Premier he put Mr. Ballance, a gentleman of large heart and sym pathetic nature, and who had unfurled the flag "the land for the people," land for the landless, and he was not going to pull down that flag. (Cheers.) Of the Minister of Public Works, he said that he was an excellent administrator. Then they had a' Treasurer who was a bold finan cier. He (the speaker) tHd not know at what he would stop. He often taunted his opponents — detractors he called them — that when their names had disappeared in oblivion Kis would be known in the history of .the colony. The Minister of Mines was much esteemed by the miners, and hisfriend, Mr Tole, was on his trial in an adjoining dis trict, and he would not say more of him than that he was a painstaking gentleman, and gave due attention to all matters brought under his notice. Coming again to speak of the Representation Bill, he gave credit to Stout for honestly endeavouring to pass the bill in 1886, but he had been treacherously thwarted by his own colleagues. He felt grieved that a gentle man like Stout should on that occasion have been so discomfited. ■ Stout then, however, had the'power of calling on his colleagues to place their resignation in his hands, and his decision to leave the matter an open ques tion was a travesty. Coming to speak of protection and free trade, he said the people striving to promote the indus tries of the colony should have a rea^ so nable protection, and hoped that, taking advantage of the example set by America and Victoria, we would carefully consider the all-important matter and en courage our local industries. He believed if we did not do thiswe woulddeprive ourun employed of a chance of getting work,and also provide our youths with opportunities for leaving the colony. On the question of retrenchment, he said it was impossible that the colony could continue its present rate of expenditure. When this question arose, the eye was first turned to the salaries of Civil servants,, and he thought that retrenchment should first commence there. He did not think that the colony of New Zealand would be content to be governed by unknown persons, and the people would demand as their Governor a man of mark from the Im perial service. He therefore did not think that the, salary of the Governor should be less than L 5,000. Of course they, had an undoubted right to reduce the: salary, but so long as Her Majesty, sent a thoroughly competent man, so long should we continue to pay the present rate of salary. When an unpopular man was sent, then would be the proper time to cut down . the. emoluments of the office. Re garding education, he said that it had been said if they excluded children from 5 to 7 years of age, a saving of L 70,000 would be effected. If necessary to retrenchment pur poses, he would reluctantly consent to this, but he would not agree to the dispensing with the sth and 6th Standards. He som(T times was taunted with having increased the cost of higher education in the colony, but he said that if Auckland had had her just clue, instead of L 4,000 per annum, they should have had double that amount for University education. He had given his best attention to the question of taxa tion, and he had come to the conclusion that the fairest method of taxation was to tax persons according to their means; and. he was surprised to' see that some people - were ■ trying to secure the abolition of the property-tax and the substitution of a tax on land. He con sidered that Mr > Ballance went the right way of dealing with the question of" the unemployed when rhe had said to them, "Hero is land for you and here is assistance to go upon it.". Though at first sight there was .rather'a feel ing against Mr Ballance's scheme, people were now looking steadily at it, and could see it was the best means of dealing with the matter. He commended the grow in"- feeling in favour of the right of pre emption by the Crown respecting the pur chase of native lands. He was in the Par liament 25 years ago, and had opposed the change. Coming, to speak of local matters, he said he had introduced the bills dealing with the water supply and the much-vexed question of the cemetery.and if it had not been for the hasty prorogation he believed that both these measures' would now. have been law. In conclusion he thanked the audience for their kind reception;. ':He often wished that he could do more than he had done, but ho had not the

power, but if he had ten times the power he could not repay what the people of Onehunga had done for him, and when he came to give an account of his steward ship he could not feel but humbled when he contemplated how little he had done to repay their goodness. When, in the course of events, the time came for the severing of the bonds that had existed between them for a quarter of a century, he hoped that it would not be in the rough struggle of an election, but by his own retirement. (Cheers.)

In answer to questions, Sir Maurice said he did not think it would be desirable to abolish the cumulative vote in school committee elections. He was in favour of thorough retrenchment, but certainly not of reducing teachers' salaries by one half, and he certainly would not seek such from those teachers who were fortunate enough to have school buildings to reside in. He was not in favour of sell ing the railways, though he was not at allsatistied with the existing management of the railways. He would like to hear Mr Vaile's system precisely explained be fore definitely saying whether he would believe in giving it a trial. He believed that the cost of governing the colony could and must be reduced. He thought it would be an extreme measure to reduce the number of members of the House to 40, as it would practically disfranchise a very large portion of the colony. He did not think the cost of the Governor's salary tod large. He was not afraid to touch the educational system. He clid not say that it was not susceptible of {improve ment. They should court inquiry into its working, and see if improvements could be effected in it. Whilst approving of put ting the people on the land, he said that the village settler should have the option of converting his leasehold into a freehold. Regarding the maintenance of the Auck land and. Onehunga road, he thought that the cost of maintenance sfiould fall on the property - owners having frontage to the road, instead of the persons travelling along it. Ho was not in favour of abolishing the weather depart ment. When the Manukau Harbour Bill was dropped the Minister gave a distinct assurance that the harbour charges should be assimilated to those of Auckland. This, he had heard, was denied. He considered shippers here were put to great incon venience, and would make inquiries before proceeding again to Wellington, if he had the fortune to be returned.

Mr J. D. Jackson moved a vote of thanks to Sir Maurice for his address, and confi dence in him as their representative. Though not agreeing with everything Sir Maurice had said, they had a member who was able to give an intelligent reason for the faith that was in him. He said that Sir Maurice would eontintie to be their representative until tho connection was voluntarily dissolved by Sir Maurice.. him self.

Mr Sullivan seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Sir Mam-ice returned thanks, and the meeting dissolved.

ELECTION NOTES.

Endeavours are being made to induce a strong local man to stand for Eden, and Mr Richard Udy is spoken of as one who would be likely to command considerable support. Mr Udy is Chairman of the Mount Eden Highway District.and also.a member of the Board of Education. We are given to understand that a third candidate will as suredly be brought out should Mr Udy de cline nomination.

No date has yet been fixed for the issue of the writs for the General Elections but they are expected to be issued within a month.

Many of Mr Morrison's committee being desirous of hearing Mr J."M^ Shera's address to-night, the usual meeting of Mr Morrison's committee has been postponed until Friday evening.

Sir G. Maurice O'Rorke speaks at the Newmarket, Hall this evening, Mr E. Mitchelson at Mount Albert Hall, Mr J. M. Shera at. St. James's Hall, and Mr F. Lawry at Pannmre.

Mr A. Colbeck, one of the candidates for Rodney, addressed the electors of Puhoi at the schoolhouse on Monday night, and received a vote of confidence.

Mr Samuel Vaile is to address the electors of Auckland North at the Temperance Hall, to-morrow (Thursday) evening. Referrring to the Premier's remarks last night on the railways, Mr Vaile writes : —" lam to hold a meeting at the Temperance Hall to-mor row evening. I will then deal with the Premier's remarks re railway administra tion, and will undertake to show that;Mr Richardson's management has been tho most costly and inefficient we have ever had."

Private advices from high Opposition source states that Major Atkinson's return is considered safe, while Mr Bryce's chances are not thought to be so good.

It will be observed from advertisement in another column, that a preliminary meeting of gentlemen desirous of joining the "Young New Zealand Democratic Asso ciation," will be held on Tuesday evening next, the 2nd August, at 8 p.m. in the V.M.C.A. Lecture Hall. We believe that the candidates for Eden had yesterday a long conference with Sir George Grey, and it is understood that Sir George Grey has agreed to. lend his countenance to the " Young New Zealand Democratic Associa tion " recognising, the importance of the movement, and will support it heartily.

Mr Gill, one of the , candidates for Tau ranga seat, addressed the electors on the 15th inst. at the Temperance Hall, Tau ranga, and received a hearty vote of thanks from a large audience. In the course of some personal remarks, the candidate stated that he had lived in Tauranga from 1864 to 1871, and bore his share of the burdens in those days; it was his official duties that car ried him away from Tauranga, else he should never have left it. He had now returned after 24 years in the Government service. When he began it was on the lowest rung of the ladder, and he had left it with many friends. He was only now carrying out the determination of a lifetime—a final home in Tauranga. /

Marsden.

A correspondent writes : " Those who know, have been very much disguisted with the manner in which Mr Dargaville's poli tical meetings have been reported, evidently by himself or by his partumns. In justice to Mr Thompson, who has hitherto carried on the contest as a gentleman should do, I forward a true and scrictly correct version of some of the Northern Wairoa, Marsden electorate meetings." Our correspondent then described the re sults', of the various meetings. He says at Arapohue, where a vote of confidence received only eight votes, an amendment for thanks only was carried by twenty votes to eight. F. Bradley, esq.,iJ. P., occupied the chair. At the Flax Mill he received a nattering. vote, but it was moved by Mr Raynes, of Dargaville township, and sup ported by several others from the same place. Mr Thompson, the Opposition candidate, who hails from Whangarei, and who ex pecteaMuit little support on the Wairoa, has been agreeably surprised.' He ,held a meeting at Arapohue on Friday, Mr Brad ley in the. chair; His audience was as large as that whicli met to hear Mr Darga vilje. He received a vote of confi dence, no amendment being proposed. The majority present agreed to support him. Mr Thompsori fyeld a" meeting at Maropiu on Saturday afternoon. Over twenty elec tors met him, the notice given of meeting

being short, and the population scattered. Mr George Lowrie was voted to the chair. Mr Utting moved and Mr Trent seconded " That this meeting has every confidence in Mr Thompson, andpledges itself to support him." An amendment|was moved by Mr Stehr and seconded by Mr Wil liams, both of Dargaville township, twenty miles distant, for thanks only. The Chair man took exception to two residents of Dargaville moving an amendment, and advised that tho matter be left to dwellers near Maropiu, The amendment was lost, and the vote of confidence carried by twelve votes to four, three of the latter being members of the Dargaville committee, and not resident at Maropiu.

Educational Reform.

(by telegraph, —own correspondent)

Wanganui, this day,

In a leading article the " Herald " goes into the question of the proposed Education Reform, and shows that if the school age were raised from five to seven years, and free education abolished above tho fourth standard, the Wanganui Education Board would then be unable to carry on, as it would lose L 5,700 per annum, or one third of its capitation allowance. The re sult of raising the school age would be that the large schools, which nave in past virtually supported the small ones, would hardly be able to support themselves, and as most of the country schools have only oneteacher, no saving can be made in them unless it is proposed to reduce their salaries which now. are lower than in any other colony. The effect of charging fees for the fifth and sixth standards, it urges, would be a great reduction in the number of those who avail themselves of these classes, while the fees would not compensate the board for the loss otherwise made. It points out that retrenchment is not possible in the way indicated, and that if it is attempted in this way the question really resolves it self into this:—Whether or not there should be free education at all. It con cludes by asking those who make the sug gestion of such a change, how, with the aid of the denominational schools, whioh they suggest, any saving will be made at all.

WFXT.TNfiTON. this day.

The Famous Auckland Compact.

Mr McLean, one of the Thorndon candi dates, in his address the other evening al luded to the celebrated Auckland Compact of 1879, and twitted the Atkinson Govern ment with having bought over four Auck land members at a cost to the colony of half a-inillion, adding that the Premier(Sir Tohn Hall) had in hie pocket a written agreement to spend half-a-million in Auckland, if necessary. The statement is being repub lished, and evidently relied upon. The " Evening Press" takes occasion to contra dict it, and gives the following version of the transaction :—"The truth is Sir John Hall never had the document in his posses sion at all. It was simply a slip of paper containing a memorandum of two points on which the Auckland members wished to be satisfied before committing them selves to support the Government. One was that the education system should not be interfered with; the other was that an account of public works expenditure in proportion to population and taxation in the several provincial dis .tricts should be made up in order to show whether, or not Auckland had received her fair share. To this memorandum Sir John Hall had put his initials, and Mr Swanson had retained it for the satisfaction of those with whom he was acting. So much for the nature of the 'agreement,' the sole necessity for which lay in the fact that gross misrepresentation had been made in Auck land as to the intention of the Government on the education question, and as to the past distribution of loan expenditure. The Hall Ministry faithfully kept their promise. They upheld the education system in tact ; they also had an account made up showing the expenditure on public works in proportion to population and taxation in the several provincial districts. That account, however, proved that AucJjUaid had received her fair share, and that being so, the Government claimed and obtained the local support of the Auckland members in their policy of retrenchment by accession of the four Auckland members to the Government party, instead of costing the colony half a-million, did not cost the colony a farthing, but on the contrary, saved the colony an immense sum of money by enabling the Hall Ministry to put a stop to the ruinous expenditure which had already brought the colony to the verge of bankruptcy."

Opposition Majority Predicted

It is said that some opponents of the Go vernment have been forecasting the proba bilities in the coming elections, and reckon upon a possible majority of 14 votes, and after making allowance for doubtful seats, amongst which they place that of Major Atkinson, they confidently anticipate a majority of 9. (by telegraph—own correspondent. ) Dunedin, Tuesday. Dr. Fitchett addressed the electors of Dunedin Central this evening, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. He an nounced himself as a Protectionist and Government supporter. MrR. L. Stanford contests Taieri; Mr Thos. Begg will probably stand for Penin sula.

The bankrupt James Warren who was sentenced by Mr Justice Ward on Tuesday to a month's imprisonment, was liberated from jail to-day. This ' step was taken in consequence of the strong representations made by Mr Hugh Campbell to the Minis ter of Justice of the very serious state of Mrs Warren's health and the fact that Warren himself had come up to town in connection with his wife's health. In the light of these circumstances Mr Tole con sulted with the judge, and with his ac quiescence recommended the Governor to order Warren's liberation which has ac cordingly been done.

The Public . Trustee notifies that the creditors in the estate of the late R. Jessop, must forward their claims at once,that they may participate in the estate, and all out standing accounts owing to the estate must be paid immediately, or they will be handed to the Court for recovery.

Last night Professor Carrollo, assisted by eight of his pupils.gavean exhibition in Mrs Law's private schoolroom Remuera. Tho affair passed off well, all the events being well received. by a .good appreciative audience. The. Professor 'forms a ladies' class in the above next Saturday morning at 12 o'clock.

Samuel Cochrane Son sold this day at their rooms, Queen Street, 2& acres land at Onehunga for £23 also 84 acres land at the Wade for 9s 6d an acre.

The special subjects Mr J. Aitken Connel will deal with to-morrow evening at One hunga will be Land Settlement and Village Settlement Expenditure, also Retrench ment,

James Floyd was brought to the Hospital last night from Otaki suffering from; inter nal injuries sustained'by a tree falling on him, while bush falling. ' •

A soiree and concert take place to-mor row (Thursday) evening at St. Peter'B Pres byterian Church, Surrey Hills. The tables will be presided ovei by the ladies of the congregetion, and the concert will be under the direction: of the organist), Mr J. F. Bennett. The programme will be found in oar advertising oolumna.

SUPREME COURT.

In Banco.

(Before Mr Justice Ward.) Appeal Case.

Richard Richards v. P. Sheehan.— This was an appeal against a decision given by Mr H. Stratford, R.M., at the Thames under the Licensing Act. The appellant is licensee of the Governor Brown Hotel Owen-street, Thames, and was charged by Constable Patrick Sheehan with having on the 29th of May committed a breach of the Licensing Actby keepingthehotelopen after hours, and also with allowing drunkenness upon the premises. The case was heard on the 3rd of June, when Mr Stratford in flicted a fine of LlO for the first offence and L 5 for the second. The appeal was against the fine of Llo.—Mr Baume appeared on behalf of the appellant, and Mr Hudson Williamson for the respondent. —Mr Williamson eaid he did not consider that the case was properly before the Court, as the question of law was not set out in any ■way, and could only be gathered by infer ence. From what he could gather, the question was whether the magistrate was right in deciding that the house was open after hours. It was also incomplete because neither the license nor a copy of the license was before the Court. — His Honor agreed that the license or a copy of it should be before the Court. — Mr Baumo applied to have costs allowed the applicant, seeing that tho R.M. had not properly stated the case.—His Honor said that he could not grant such an ap plication.—The case was sent back for amendment, copy of license and other in formation being required. In Bankruptcy. In the matter of the bankruptcy of Henry Albert Holland Hitchens, Mr Alex ander, on behalf of the creditors, made an application to have bankruptcy proceed ings revived.—Mr Theo. (Cooper appeared on behalf of the bankrupt.-Mr Alexander said that his friend had set up the defence that his client did not believe that he was in debted to those particularcreditorsby whom the application was made. —Mr Cooper said that the only ground for opposing the application was that it had been taken for the purpose of stifling an action. He sub mitted that the Court had the same discre tion in this case as if it were an application to adjudge the defendant a bankrupt. In this case the circumstances were some what peculiar. In 1884 Mr Hitchens was adjudicated a bankrupt, and afterwards made a composition with his creditors of 5s in the L. The deed was duly filed before Mr Justice Gillies, and the amount was to be paid within 12 months. Messrs F. Winter and P. Lannigan, the present applicants, were creditors under that composition ; still, for two years they made no applications to en force their claims nor to obtain their share of the composition nor P. N's., and the matter remained in abeyance until 1887, when Mr Hitchens brought an action against Mr F. Winter for accounts due to him by virtue of the assignment of his own estate from the Official Assignee. These proceedings were then instituted with a view to stive that action, which was against the funda mental principles of the law. The defence filed was that the goods sold by Mr Winter had been given to nim, not in trust, but on behalf of himself, and Mr P. Lannighan's share of tho composition. The bank rupt admitted having received L 220 from Mr Winter, but contended that Mr Winter had already received and sold goods that had more than liqui dated all tlie claims of Mr Lannigan and Mr Winter, and the actions to recover the balance would come before His Honor next Monday.—Mr Alexander, in reply, submitted that the cases cited by his friend did not apply to a revival of the bankruptcy. He considered the action of Mr Hitchens most impudent He first offers a composition to his cre'd'i" tors, and as soon as it is received, he gets his bankruptcy annulled, and then brings an action to recover money from a person to whom a balance of L 147 was still alleged to be due.—His Honor said that the Official Assignee must have settled previous claims, before assigning the estate back to Mr Hitchens. —Mr Alexander said that the bankruptcy was a stop to the state ment that these people werenotcreditors. He thought that as a matter of law the appli cants were entitled, to what they asked.— His Honor said however necessary it might be at times to act under the 179 th section Of the Act, he thought that in a case like this the ends of justice would be met by allowing it .to stand over until after the case was heard on Monday. It might sub sequently be brought forward, and one judgment could stand against the other.

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(by telegraph—own correspondent,)

Wellington, this day. It is claimed as a testimony to the facilities afforded by the port of Wellington for the discharge of cargo that 740 tons of merchan dise were landed from the s.s. Woosunga in nine hours. Auckland Help to Striking Bootmakers. The Wellington Operative Bootmakers' Society has received about L4O from kin dred societies in Auckland and Dunedin towards the maintenance of men on strike at Potter's factory, and has received a vote of thanks in acknowledgment of the donors' generosity.

' The Government (according to the "Post" have thrown open the New Zealand ports to allow the "Midland. Railway Company to import everything it requires altogether free of duty. There might not be any ob jection to the Company importing per manent way and rolling stock free or duty, but the concession granted is said to extend far beyond this.' Carts, drays, harness, tools —in fact, everything the Company wants, whether it can be produced in the colony or not, is to be allowed to be imported free, and neither local producers, manu facturers, nor importers are to be allowed a chance.

The immigration Department have re ceived by the direct mail just to hand an intimation from the Agent-General to the effect that he intends sending the next1 batch of nominated Government immigrants by the s.s, Arawa, which left Plymouth on the 16th inst., Dunedin being the first port of call.

A Wellington country " yokel" was vic timised last night to the extent of 30s by means of the old three-card game. _. In view of the frequent burglaries which have lately occurred in Wellington, the city police force has been increased by half a-dozen men.

At 10.30 o'clock this morning an appli cation was made to Mr Justice Ward in Chambers under the Lunatics Act, 1882, by five inmates of the Avondale Lunatic Asylum to be discharged from that Institu tion. Under sections 179 and 180 a judge may entertain such applications, and summon witnesses to give evidence in the matter, and if he find that any ap plicant is fit to be discharged shall at once order his immediate liberation. Dr. Haines was in attendance to give evidence. An in mate named John Simmons was liberated on .the order of the judge, while Mrs Shives, Henry Barber, and William Taylor, were sent back to the institution. I It. J. Feltus was offered his discharge if his feivtkdb wt proparW * <*fe* Mt*.&*#»

LODGE EDEN INSTALLATION.

The installation of officers of Lodge Eden, 1,530, E.C., took place last night in the Masonic Hall, Karangahape Road. There was a large attendance of brethren pre sent, and among those who occupied seats on the dais were D.D.G.M. Lodder ; Past Masters J. Hanna, La Roche, Esam, J. P. Clark, Cooper, Carlaw, Dr. Walker, and Fowley. In addition there were also the fol lowing Worshipful Masters present : E. Aueur(Lodge Waitemata),Kemp(Reniuera), Farquhar Macrae (St. Andrew's), Traf ford (United Service), and the Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan. Lodge St. Andrew attended in large numbers, and were admitted as a lodge. Bro. Jones, the retiring W.M., opened the Lodge, and after some routine business was transacted, vacated the chair in favour of D.D.G.M. Lodder, who efficiently performed the duties of Installing Master. The W.M. elect, Bro. A. Hedley, was presented by Bros. Past Masters Warren and Carlaw, and after the attendant ceremonies, was duly seated in the chair of King Solomon. Bro. Hedley then invested his officers as follows:— J. C. Dickenson, S.W. ; F. Warren, J.W. ; Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan,Chaplain ; G. P. Cox, Treasurer; J. Warren, Secretary; G. Hardy, S.D. ; S. Jickell,J.D.; VV. C. Dickson, I.G. ; W. Johnson, tyler; W. L. Prime, organist. The working tools were presented to the newly-installed Master by Bros. Clark and Cooper, and Bro. Easam effectively de livered the charge to the W.M. and Wardens. Bro. La Roche acted as Director of Ceremonies during the even ing, and just before closing Bro. Lodder offered his congratulations to the officers and Lodge, and made some remarks with regard to the good of Freemasonry. An apology was given for the absence of Bro P.M. Kitt through illness. The Lodge was then duly closed, and the hall cleared for the "social." Between 40 and 50 couples took part in the dancing, Messrs Warren and Morrison acting as Masters of Ceremonies.

SPORTING NEWS.

By the s.s. Hauroto, which leftChristchurch yesterday, the Hon. W. Robinson's horses —Thunderbolt, Disowned, Silver Prince and Enfilade—were shipped to Sydney. Messrs G. Cutts, R. Derritt, and F. Cochrane were also passengers. Mr Milne's Mirella also went over by the same steamer.

MINING NEWS.

(by telegraph—own correspondent. )

Thames, this day.

_ Cambria. — The footwall leader in the rise from "No. 3 level was broken down yesterday, when 121bs of picked stone were obtained. ■ Another small leader was cut to-day in the crosscut at No. 3 level. Good dabs of gold are seen in the quartz.

Caledonian.—Some of the trial parcels of quartz are shaping for Boz lOdwt per load. The clcaning-up takes place on Thursday.

Prince Imperial.—-Colours of gold were again seen yesterday when breaking down the reef in the winze.

VOLUNTEER NOTES.

Artillery Shooting: Match

The match between the A and 0 Batteries of Artillery came off on Saturday at the Mount Eden Range, and resulted in a vic tory for the latter by 16 points. For the winners Sergeant Beale6s, Gunner Allom 59, and Gunner Beale 56 were the three highest scorers', th'e'fcotal score of the ten men being 467. For the A. Battery Gunner Payne 67 points, Corporal Parslow 64, and Gunner Woolley 55 were the three highest scorers, the total number being 450. The final competition for the 0 Battery challenge cup also took place. It resulted in a vic tory for Sergeant Hodgkinson, who scored 199 points, Sergeant Allan being next with 196 points. Rifle Range A meeting of the Rifle Range Committee was held on Monday night, when it was de cided that a deputation should wait upon Major-General Sir George Whitmore to get further steps taken to render the range absolutely safe. It was also decided to suggest that a roadway should be formed beneath the range for the public use.

SPECIAL SETTLEMENTS AT WANGANUI.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Waxganui, this day. A Special Settlement Association is to be formed here to take up land in the Waimarino block, lately purchased by the Government from the natives. The land is said to vary in quality, but some of it is exceptionally good. Mr Ballance, at a meeting in the suburbs, indicated that village settlements would be given a trial in this district shortly.

NATIVE MATTERS.

New Proposals for Education

and Charitable Relief.

(BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wanganui, this day. The "Herald" to-night says the Native Minister intends to bring before the natives a plan by which in future the education of native children will be provided for out of the Commission Fund, and, what is of almost equal importance, a new proposal will be made for relieving destitute natives by charitable aid boards. At present, these boards do not recognise it as an obligation to relieve distress among natives, the work being performed by the Native Department. As no control can be exercised by the Department, and to ad minister a system of charity efficiently it is necessary to have full information before it, and it must also be recognised that a large quantity of land in the hands of the natives should be made to bear a portion of charge for charitable aid and for education, it is the intention of the Native Minister to set aside out of all reserves hereafter made, in certain places to be defined out of reserves already exist ing, one fourth of proceeds for the education of native children, and one eighth for charitable aid. The idea is that in the case of the Charitable Aid Fund it should be distributed to different wards in proportion to the number of natives in their respective districts. The proceeds of the education fund would go in reduction of the amount now appropriated for the education of aboriginal natives.

THAMES NEWS.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.)

Thames, this day. At a meeting of the Borough Council yes terdal, a proposal to borrow L 3,500 under the Loans to Local Bodies Act was carried, and a special rate of eleven farthings in the pound sDruck, but it was stated that the Council did not intend to collect it. The meeting was rather lively, recrimination being freely indulged in between Mr Major bud Cr. McAudrewa.

POLICE COURT-THIS DAY.

(Before Messrs J. Newman and L. D

Nathan, Justices.) * ' DRUNKENNESS.-J. J. Brock, charged with this oflence, was remanded for medical treatment. James Kirk was fined 5s and Andrew Williamson 10s and costs. Larceny.—William Normer was charged with stealing four sheets of corrugated iron, of the value of 20s, the property of John Horton, and also with stealing 50 vines, value L 25, the property of Richard Bibby. • —To the first charge the prisoner pleaded guilty ; to the second, it being an indict able oftence, he was not asked to plead. The evidence of Richard Bibby, J. Smale and Sergeant Gillies was taken, and from it it appeared that the prisoner, after the arrest, had admitted the larceny of the ' vines.—ln cross-examination by the pro secutor, prisoner sought to show that the vines were not worth more than 6s per dozen but the prosecutor maintained that the vines were worth fully L 25, and that the damage done to his property was Lso.— On the first charge, prisoner was sentenced : to one month's imprisonment with hai-d, labour.—On the second charge, he was committed for trial. -.•/< (Before a. G. Seth Smith, R.M.) Perjury.—The charge of perjury agains* the Ohinemuri natives concerned in the recent rape trial .Crown v. Wight, was pro ceeded Avith to-day in the R.M. Court-room and the case for the" prosecution finished.

THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Local Contracts for Ironwork.

(by telegraph—own correspondent.) j

Wellington, this day. Mr S. Brown, contractor for the Midland railway, writes contradicting a statement) as to the alleged extraordinary con cession to the company in the. matter of duty on imported goods. He states that outside of such kinds of railway plant and material as are duty free, nothing has been imported. Harness had been made in the colony, traps in Christchurch, drays and waggons in Greymouth ; girders for bridges are to be made in the colony, the con tractors being allowed to import their own materials.

HARBOUR BOARD.

At the meetingof the Harbour Boardyes'ter dayafternoon an announcement was received from the Chamber of Commerce of the ap pointment of Mr A. H. Nathan as repre sentative of the Chamber of the Board. The Marine Department wrote approving of the plans of No. 2 jetty, but suggesting several improvements to stiffen the struc ture. The Lyttelton Harbour Board wrote offering for sale their dredging plant, -which had cost L 32,000, and which they valued now at L 14,000. A memorial was received from the leading merchants asking thab goods declared by order of the Customs be free of storage until released by them. Re ferred to Works and Tariff Committee. A letter was received from Mr P. Oliphant, urging the Board to provide a jetty at the terminus of Shelly Beach Road. If this were done he had the authority of the Ferry Company to state that they would run a service of at least 12 trips per diem. The Works and Tariff Committee submitted a report recommending that Mr Scott, dredge-master, have sole control and management of the dredger, with power to discharge and engage em ploye's, except engineers, who shall .not,ba discharged except by approval of the Board, It also recommended that watermen's. license fees be not reduced) and that tenders. be called for goods-shed on eastern T of Queen-street Wharf. The Finance Com mittee recommended the passing of L 1,254 11s 4d general account, L 2,041 for Calliope Dock and L 683 for ferry jetty. With reference to the request of the de putation of leaseholders, heard at last meet ins: in support of a proposal that the Board's leases be brought under the pro vision of the Public Bodies Leaseholds Act, the Committee recommended that the Acb be not brought into operation. A communi cation was received from Philip A. Weston, of Golbrookdale Ironworks, Shropshire, forwarding tenders for dock machinery—Re ferred to Dock Committee. Captain McKenzie moved, " That the Boai'd invite tenders for the receiving and carting of goods on all the Auckland wharves for a term of three years, with the exception of timber and coal, tenderers to state the rate per ton for cartage, including receiving for a radius of half a mile, one mile and a half, and two miles." His object, he said, was to facilitate the discharge of goods from vessels. Mr Nathan seconded the motion jrrojorma. Mr Phillipps thought ib would be. neces sary to pass a by-law compelling importers to employ the carters. He spoke against the motion, ' pointing out that ib would create a monopoly, and. would nob be a satisfactory change. Mi- Clark, though not agreeing with the motion, thought it a step in the right direc tion. He had always contended thab the Board should become receivers and deliverers. The motion, however, interfered unnecessarily with the employment of carters in letting the carting to one person. He moved, "That the whole question of receiving and carting cargo be referred to a committee of the Board." Mr- Nathan said that the question of receiving-cargo from vessels and delivering it to drays on the wharf had been before the Chamber of Commerce for some time past. He opposed Capt. McKenzie's motion. Mr Henderson and the Chairman were in favour of the adoption of the system pursued in this re spect at Wellington. Eventually Mr Clark's amendment was carried. The second clause to Capt. McKenzie's resolution was not put to the meeting.

Sir Robert Stout left by this morning's steamer for the Thames. He will deliver an address there this evening, and return to morrow.

COMING EVENTS.

Meetings, &c., To-night.

Abbott's Opera House — Professor Herbert, Prestidigitateur and Illusionist, 8. Bell's Buildings, Wyndham-street — Industrial

Association's Exhibition, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 7 to 10 p.m Flat Bush School-room—Address by Mr W. F, Buckland to Electors of Franklin North, 7.30 Newmarket Public Hall—Address by Sir G. M. O'Rorko to Electors of Manulcau, 8 St. James's Church-Evangelistic Service, 7.30 Opposite MoArthur's, Queen-street—" Hunyadi" and Gipsy Queen, open daily Paninure Hall —Address by Mr F. La wry to Electors of Franklin North, 7.30 Mauku Public Hall — Address to Electors of Franklin South, by Mr J. Jenkins, 7.30 V.M.C.A. Rooms—Elocution C.ass, 7.30 Waite's" Hall, Mount Eden—Mount Eden Public

Library, 7.30 Mount Albert. Hall—Mr E. Mitchelson and tho

Electors of Eden, 8 Pitt-street Wesleyan Church — Gospel Temper ance Mission, 7.30 St. James's Hall—Mr J. M. Shera and. Eleotora

of Auckland City West, 8. Choral Hall-Skating Rink, .7.30 to 10

Auction Sales To-morrow.

Arthur and Buddie, Victoria-street—Household Furniture and Effects, Cart, Harness, Horse, etc., 11 B. Tonka & Co.—Chinaware, Crockery, Painta, etc., 11 , i S. Cochrane and Son—Property, oto,, U - F. J. Jonos—lronmongery, Cutlery, Hardware, Brassfoundry, Oils, eto., 11 D. F. Evans—Furniture, Tools, etc, H -i ..■■.■■..<■ .■■»-..,; ■ ■ : i .

Kota of Justices, at Police Court.

July 28-Mobsvb B. Pwaons.anfl. 'J\ JPwwk,

5

•i-jajßi' Au u*HiAJ*u in *ah inia* STAR, WEDNESDAY, JULY 2<r I88<« .j^r^