In our cable messages this morning will be found further reports of the speeches delivered at the Imperial Conference, expressive of the views of the Australian delegate? on the subjects under discussion, together with the opinions of Lord Granville and Mr. Stanhope. A telegraphic summary of news by the Suez mail, transmitted from Albany, will be found on page six. Fall particulars of the Easter encampment and Bhamfight, together with a plan of the scene of operations, will be found on page six. The Hon. the Premier (Sir Robert Stout) left yesterday by the Waihora via the East Coast instead of by the Gairloch via the West Coast as arranged. Several members of the Legislature and other leading citizens went to the railway station to see the Premier off, and the delusion was kept up that he was going by the Gairloch from the fact that the ministerial reserved carriage was attached to the train. It was not till the train moved out of the station that it transpired the sailing of the Gairloch had been postponed, and that the Premier had ma de arrangements to go by the Waihora. -It wanted then only five minutes till the Waihora would cast off from the wharf cd her voyage South, but before the disappointed legislators and citizens could reach the end of the wharf the Waihora had moved off, and they were debarred the opportunity of paying their personal respects. Sir Robert Stout was accompanied by Lady Stout, his secretary (Mr. Leckie), and Dr. Macgregor (Inspector-General of Hospitals and Asylums). It is understood that the reason the Premier was in such hot haste to get to Wellington is that it is his intention to proceed to Dunedin next week.

The usual meeting of the City Council ■was held yesterday evening, and a consider able amount of ordinary business was transacted. The Free Library will be closed to the public to-day and on Easter Monday.

A Maori was drowned in Lake Rotokauri on Wednesday while crossing In a canop with potatoes, The natives say he was drawn under by a taniwha, as the man was 'a good swimmer, and called out that something was coming over him and he could not save himself. A handsomely-bound volume of carvings and sculptures of Worcester Cathedral has just been presented to Auckland Free Library by Mr. K. Aldis, artist. The contents are all photos, collected by Mr. Aldis. Daring his stay in Auckland, the Premier paid a visit to Sir Frederick Wtiitaker, who iB now somewhat recovering from his late indisposition. It is stated that the Premier, as the result of the deputation's interview with him on Wednesday, has departed from the usual course of demanding guarantees ; and has instructed Superintendent Thomson to take out extradition papers and take all steps necessary for Forwood's arrest to answer the weighty charges preferred against him.

An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders of the Auckland Agricultural and Mercantile Company (Limited) was held yesterday at the offices of the company, for the purpose of considering the adoption of certain resolutions. There were 19 shareholders present, and by proxy holding 665 shares. Mr, A, Heather, one of the liquidators, was voted to the chair. He explained the reason for calling the meeting— viz. :—The liquidators were advised by the company's solicitors (Messrs. Devore and Cooper) that, as liquidators under the Companies Act, they had no authority to compound a debt due to or by the company; and, having done so in two instances, they now sought to have their actions sanctioned, and also sought the power to compound or compromise the debts of certain debtors, a list of which was submitted. Two resolutions as requested were unanimously passed by the shareholders. Immediately after the termination of this meeting, an ordinary general meeting of shareholders was held in the same place. ■Mr. A, Heather presided. The chairman explained the reason for calling the meeting. Mr. A. Dewar, the co-liquidator, read the liquidators' report, which stated that much uneasiness prevailed among creditors at the time taken to collect the assets of the company, and although there was a considerable amount in bills in the liquidators' hands, ,these would not "tie available for paying off mortgages on shipping and making a dividend among creditors. The liquidators recommended a call of five shillings per share to be sanctioned by shareholders, this sum to be devoted to paying dividend and to pay off part of the mortgage of shipping. Resolutions were passed unanimously recommending the liquidators to make a call and to devote the proceeds as recommended in their report. ■ The Newmarket Fire Brigade had a pub« lie trial of the water supply and their new 'fire extinguishing appliances on Wednesday Slight. The Brigade turned out with their 'hose-reel and proceeded to the top of the ,Kyber Pass. In the meantime a couple of bonfires were lighted in the reserve and the alarm sounded. The Brigade rattled down to the scene in a very short space of time, ran out their hose, fixed on the hydrants, and tad & good head of water playing round the flames in a few moments. The hose was then taken up the street and the water directed on to the Royal George Hotel, Newmarket H,!l, :md other high buildings In the bni - i:-.' The experiments weromost '•atisfac' y 'Hi-? ratepayers now consider that tb- v •' w-ll protected against an outbreak u.' . , and look for a reduction in ,jnauu>- ' ... «yiiUEa*. ■ a. J

[ The ladies who have consented to aid Mrs. Dudley Ward in her philanthropic project for establishing a Kindergarten school for the benefit of young neglected children, were out yesterday canvaßing to raise the amount desired, namely, £300. Mrs. G. E. Lilly has consented to act as hon. secretary pro tern. It is Mrs. Ward's intention, as soon as practicable, to start in connection with each Kindergarten a creche, in which the infants of those mothers who have to go out to earn their living will be cared for till their return. .But perhaps it is as well to describe the latter project in the language of Mrs. Ward to our representative : There are many mothers in this city who plead as an excuse for not working, and for drawing Government rations, that they can do nothing for themselves while hampered with their babies. The creshe will relieve them of the latter difficulty, as their children will be well taken care of during the day for a nominal sum, while away earning their livelihood. It is intended to hire large rooms in certain localities, and place a matron in charge. When the babies are brought to the cieuhe in the morning, they are bathed and their olothee changed for those of the creche, which are again given up in the evening. The children are placed in a space enclosed with railings, where, with toys, they can amuse themselves all day long, and are besides carefully tended and cared for at the branch statious by lady volunteers. Such is an outline of the working of the proposed creche, and the institution should prove a groat boon to poor mothers who desire to see their children properly cared for while they are straggling to earn a precarious livelihood.

Last night Burnand's laughable comedy, "Bstsy," was produced to » good house, and it is almost superfluous to add, Messrs, Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove's Company achieved another triumph. The audience were kept in a simmer of laughter from tho rising of the curtain to its fall, and everyone present seemed to enjoy themselves greatly. To-day being Good Friday, tho company will not perform to-night. The Rev. Father Kehoe, who for some time past has been connected with the parish of St. Patrick's, leaves to-morrow for Helensville, to the charge of which district lie lias l-esu appointed, this step having been found necessary in consequence of the rev. gentleman's failing health. During his residence in the city Father Kehoe has endeared himself to a wide circle of acquaintances, his ijeuial and unaffected manner gaining him many friends ; and his departure will be much regretted. Tho Guard of Honour and League of the Crops Societies, of which he was the spiritual director, presented suitable testimonials to him yesterday evening. Father Kelioo will be succeeded by the Rev. Father Hacketfc, who comes from Helensville to take charge of the cathodral parish.

In regard to the Mayor's proposal that the Jubilee celebration for Auckland should :akethe form of a fund to purchase pictures for the Art Gallery, a correspondent writes : —"I am glad to see that you approve of the Mayor's suggestion, re Jubilee collection for the Art Gallery ; but I will go a step further than you, and suggest that means should be taken to induce those who are in possession of valuable paintings to present them as a Jubilee gift to the Art Gallery. I have reason to believe that there are many very valuable works of art in the possession of private persons in the province—persons, ■vho, in many cases, can ill afford to give money, but who would be most willing to give or loan their paintings if they were only asked." Something might be made of the above idea. A short time ago some very excellent paintings were shown belonging to private persons, who had brought them from England. In some cases possessors of such works of art might be inclined to present them to the city, when they would be hung in the Gallery for the enjoyment of all. Where the owners were not disposed to part with them, they might still be shown, and they would be safer in the Art Gallery than in the houses of the owners, A large audience assembled in the Agricultural Hall last evening to witness the series of boxing contests which were to take place there as a benefit to W. Murphy, the wellknown light-weight champion boxer. In the course of some remarks during the performance, Murphy alluded to the fact that he was never beaten during his recent visit to Australia, though some of the Sydney journals gave Mitchell, the English lightweight, the credit of doing so. He offered to meet Mitchell any time during his approaching visit to New Zealand, or anyone of his own weight. Among many boxing men present, were R. Mathews, champion of New Zealand, who officiated as time- ; keeper. Chas. Taylor, the famous lightweight of America, who seconded Dempsey in his famous fight with Cleary, and is himself the hero of many game contests. Mathews and a local man named Clune were the fiist to put on the gloves, but, although the latter was very plucky, the champion could not refrain from hitting hard, and Cluno retired after the first round. Dawson and Saxon then had a friendly set-to, which was a very pleasing, bout both showing a good deal of science. An amusing exhibition was given iiy two lads, which afforded the audience much merriment. Murphy then came into the ring and had several rounds with Saxon. The latter, although shaping well, was evidently over-matched Murphy plainly holding back and never once hitting hard. His form and style were greatly admired by the audience, and he shows considerable improvement from his trip across the water. He is to meet Taylor on Saturday night to arrange a match, after which the latter proceeds to Australia.

[ After four years' desertion of his family, Captain Lawrie, formerly harbour maater at Aratapu, returned to the settlement yesterday, and committed a murderous assault upon ills wife by striking her a severe blow with an iron bar on the head, rendering her unconscious. Constable Scott, of Aratapu, telegraphed yesterday to Superintendent Thomson that Captain Lawrie had been arrested, placed in the lock-up. He will be brought before the Justices on Monday next. Jhe doctor does not consider Mrs. Lawrie's wound dangerous. She is doing very well at present and will be able to appear on Monday. Last evening, in the ante room of tho Choral Hall, the Rev. John Alexander Dowie, of the Free Christian Tabernacle, Fitzroy, addressed a meotiog of Christian workers on the objects of his faith-healing mission. The room was full of members of the various Churches, and several clergymen were also 'in the audience. The proceedings com menced with devotional exercises; after which Mr. Dowie made explanations as to his work. The object of the mission was to glorify God, and its lending principle, 'Christ over all." All disease was the result of sin, of a violation of Nature's laws ; and it was not the desire of the Almighty that anyone should suffer from disease. At the same time it was ridiculous for men to expect to be healed, or to be kept in health, while they smoked dirty black pipes, injuring themselves with nicotine juice, or poured distilled damnation down their throats, and trash and dirt of that description. He then referred to his early ministerial career aa minister of the Congregational Church, Now town, Sydney, being succeeded by the Rev. J. T. Warlow Davis, formerly of Auckland, of bis acquiring the gift of healing, and narrated several eases, both In Sydney and Melbourne, where cures had been so effected. Mr. Dowie then gave a description of Free Church Tabernacle and its work, and subsequently of hia mission to New Zealand. Since landing at Invercargill, he and Mrs, Dowie had addressed audiences of 85,000 in the aggregate, 250 of whom professed a change of heart, and 400 professed to be healed. He was glad to find that the Press of Auckland was somewhat different to that elsewhere, and that it was principally in the hands of good men. During his mission, since its establishment, he had seen everything done which was done in apostolic times, save curing leprosy and raising from the dead. All he aeked was that the friends should wait, be patient, and then judge. If his work was of man, it would come to naught, but if of God, it would stand. He denounced Milner Stephen as a semi-impostor, and also specialist quacks who were constantly preying upon the credulity of the people. Mr. Dowie received an attentive hearing throughout. Mr. Boynton was appointed treasurer of the mission, and Mr. Porter one of the stewards. Mr. Dowie stated that in this city was one patient healed of consumption, who had belonged to his Church in Victoria ; in Nelson, another; and in Victoria, a third—all parties well known in Auckland. The proceedings ended with singing the hymn, " She Only Touched the Hem of Bis Garment," followed by the Benediction. The mission commences at half-past six to morrow evening, in the Choral s*)}.'