COMMERCIAL.

The markets during the week have been dull. Further large sales of brandies have been made at full rates, and 170 hhds of MarteH's shipped to London under instructions. Sugars are dull, and at a decline. Rum is m improved demand. Kerosine is very dull, trade sales have been made at Is 4£d. Wheat is m good enquiry at 6s 6d to 6s Bd. Oats are m fair demand, milling 5s Bd. New Zealand 4 per cent, debentures, sellers, £88; New Zealand Bank, £17 15s. Sydney. The Tartar sailed on Saturdry, June 6. The Macgregor has completed her repairs, and leaves on Juno 25, via New Zealand. Admiral Ribout, who arrived by the mail, has proceeded to New Caledonia to inquire into the escape of Rochefort. The Bathurst residents have presented Bishop Quinn with 1500 guineas prior to his proceeding to Europe. The steamers Balclutha and Lady Young collided, and the latter was cut to the water's edge. Madame Goddard will arrive from Singapore at the end of this month. The proposed release of Gardner, the bushranger, by the Governor, formed the subject of debate m the Assembly, and has been condemned at a public meeting. A private expedition is fitting out to search for the Leichardt relics, Adelaide. Two want of confidence motions have been tabled against the Government, to come on this week. 456 miles of the overland line have been poled with iron poles, and a similar extent is under order. ■ » Wellington-, Monday Evening. Arrived from Mamikau, p.s. Luna, last night. Passengers — Lady Fergusson, Captain and Mrs Fergusson, Rev Mr Hare and suite. His Excellency is on board his yacht, which the Luna towed out of the Mannkau. He goes to Nelson, where he makes a 3hort stay. The s.s. Phoebe arrived yesterday from the South. The ship Golden Sea sailed yesterday for Lyttelton. In a shipping case, heard m the Resident Magistrate's Court, respecting damage done to the barque Anne Melhuish by the ship Golden Sea while m charge of Pilot Anderson, the question of liability turned upon the legal status of the pilot. He had been examined as to his competency by the Harbormaster and Captain Johnston, and was appointed under the Superintendent's hand to act as Harbor Pilot. The Bench, however, held that the document produced was not a license according to the requirements of the Act, and that, m consequence of the non-possession of a certificate of competency, the pilot and the captain of the Golden Sea were liable at common law for the damage done. A verdict was given accordingly. A survey was held this morning upon the barque Chevert by Harbormaster Holliday and Captain M'lntyre, as to her seaworthiness. They found that her masts are very bad, and decided that she must be fresh caulked and repaired here before going south. The job will probably take a fortnight, as some difficulty has occurred m getting either a crew to work aboard or go to sea m her, they all having been paid off. In consequence of some editorial comments m the Evening Post on Mr Dransfield, former Mayor of the city of Wellington, the W.M. of the Pacific Masonic Lodge writes to Mr E. T. Gillon, editor of the Post, requesting that m consequence of his personal attack on Brother Dransfield, he would not attend the banquet to be held m the Masonic Hall on June 24, as his presence would mar the enjoyment of the evening. Mr Gillon publishes the correspondence, and m his reply stigmatises the letter as a piece of gross impertinence, and subversive of the principles of Masonry. Ho declines to be responsible to any association for what appears m the columns of the Post. He says he will forward a statement of the whole case to the Grand Lodge of England to show how Masonry has been prostituted m the matter. Tuesday Evening. The Government have agreed to a suggestion made by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce that the Chambers of Commerce or other public bodies may have shipping intelligence telegraphed at the usual Press rates, but Chambers of Commerce or other public bodies which may obtain the privilege will appoint their own agent m each port. The Municipal Council last night carried on the voices a motion that m future the Mayor of the city be elected by the ratepayers direct and not by the Council, and that the necessary alteration m the law be made for carrying it into effect. Auckland, Monday Evening. By fire at Opotiki on Saturday evening, the following places were destroyed : — Thompson's Wharf Hotel ; Faheys, storekeeper ; Young, storekeeper. Insurances — New Zealand, £1660 ; National, £250. As Mr Comiskie, partner of Mr Cassius, of Hokitika, was driving with his wife, they were both thrown down an embankment thiriy feet m height. Mr Comiskie fractured his left ankle and received a wound on bis temple; his wife was \inhurt. Tuesday Evening. The Prince Albert cleared to-day for Lyttelton •with timber and part of her original cargo of kerosine per American barque Florence. The London correspondent of the Star states that the immigrants per Lochawe sailed from London on April 6 for Auckland, and that they are the finest class that has left England lately. A little difference regarding the price has arisen between the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Agent-General. The Herald's correspondent telegraphs that Te Wheor,o. is still at Waitomo interviewing Tawhiao and Manuhiri, and that he is informed that a message is being sent by wire through Te Wheoro to the Governor. The Hau Haua say these railways through the country will be the downfall of kingism, and now blame the Europeans who told them, how to make them. They say they have been made perfect fools by these pakehas, and have been severe sufferers by losing Waikato

and other lands. It is now with the King party to live peaceably with, them if the matter can be arranged with the Government. Sale 3, Albion, 60s ; Caledonian, 2155. Buyers, Standard, 12s 6d ; Caledonian, 205s ; City London, 26s 6d ; Beach, los. Sellers, South British, 50s: Freedom, 100s ; Whau, 955. Nelson, Monday Evening. Arrived, this morning, the yacht Blanche with his Excellency theGovernor. Tuesday Evening. The Govemer is the guest of Mr Dodson, the Mayor. He held a levee to-day, and attends a public ball to-morrow. Christchurch, Tuesday Evening. In the Provincial Council to-night Mr Webb presented a petition from the town Council and 232 residents m Lyttelton, praying for the establishment of an hospital m that town. Dr Turnbull presented a petition signed by 500, praying that the Cnristchurch station be not removed except to a central position m the city. The Hon. Mr Buckley moved — " That the Superintendent be requested to place £450 on the estimates to provide for the appointment of a permanent Secretary for Education." Mr Kennaway seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Montgomery said that the Government would support the motion on the understading that it be brought into operation when the services of a perfectly competent gentleman could be obtained, such secretary to be appointed after consultation with the Board of Education. Mr Jebson opposed the motion on the ground that it would be better to appoint a -Minister of Education. A discussion on the subject is now going on. Dctnedin, Monday Evening. A gas explosion occurred this morning early at Mr Edmonds' (sailmaker) private house, m Maitland street. Part of the roof and the end of the house was blown out. Mr Edmonds was slightly burnt. The explosion was caused by his taking a candle into the room to ascertain the reason of the smell of gas. The damage done is considerable. Tuesday Evening. Some 60 or 70 families still remain at the Caversham immigration barracks without employment. While no engagements have been effected at Caversham or the central barracks for several days, all immigrants sent to the branch depots are now engaged. Resident Magistkate's Court, Timabu. — At this Court, yesterday, before H. Belfield and F. Archer, Esqs., J.Pa, Albert Smith was charged with having two unregistered dogs over three months old m his possession, and was fined £2 and 13s 2d expenses. ( Popular Entebtainments. — Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the entertainment which was to have been held on Monday evening was postponed until next Monday. We understand that the entertainment will take place at the date now fixed, even if it rains cats and dogs, and as an extraordinarily brilliant display of talent is promised for the occasion, it is to be hoped that there will be a large attendance, whatever the weather may be like. We heai of vocal and pianoforte duets, songs from the most admired local amateurs of both sexes, recitations of a very refined description, and all_ kinds of attractions. Great exertions are being made to ensure success for this entertainment, and we trust that the public will aid m establishing amusements of a character which may fairly be said emollire mores nee sinere esseferos. Political. — Mr Philips, Mayor of Auckland, has declined to contest the vacant seat m Parliament for Waitemata, and Major Stoney announces himself a candidate. Mr Philips will be no loss ; Major Stoney a great gain. He is a good settler and a gentleman, a class by a large admixture of which the House of Representatives would benefit. Several papers which ought to know better, call the district;, for which we hope to see Major Stoney elected, Waimate, but it really is Waitemata, the native name of the inlet on the shore of which Auckland stands. Mysterious Disappearance. —On Tuesday evening last, John Treanor, a farmer at Kakahu, on returning with his waggon and team from Timaru, stayed at Mr Glasson's &rowhenua hotel for a few minutes, and while there his horses started on. Upon going into the riverbed, one of the horses fell down. With the assistance of Messrß Frew and Orton the horses were loosed and the one that was down extricated, when it was found that he was seriously ripped. Ireanor started on to Temuka with the cripple, and asked Frew to take the other horses and put them m his paddock. The night being very dark Frew could not find the horses, and returned to Temuka to inform Treanor that they were not to be found. On his arrival the horse Treanor started with was found following Quinn's waggon, but nothing could be seen or heard of Treauor, and, strange to say, nothing has been heard of him up to the present time, although his partner Godsel, together with some of his men and the police, have been searching m every direction. Theatrical. — The Gi'if Dramatic Company, who have been playing with success m Invercargill lately, make their first appearance m Timaru to-morrow evening. The star of the troupo is Miss Rosa Towers, who is spoken of as a highly talented young lady, and many of the other performers are said to possess considerable ability. The piece to be performed on the opening night is the " Waif of the Streets," Miss Towers taking the character of Miggs. Opening the Museum on Sunday. — The opening of the Museum for threo hours on Sundays, was tried for tho first time on Sunday last, and from the large attendance of visitors the experiment must be regarded as a success; altogethei'i there were fully 3000 visitors present. At one time the crowd was so large that many persons were unable to obtain admission, and inside the building it was almost impossible to move about, but although the crush was so great, the utmost order prevailed. A large number of the visitors were people from the country districts, many of whom had never had the opportunity of attending the Museum before; Scholarships. — At the meeting of the Board of Education on Monday, the report of the examiners (Rev. W. J. Habens and Mr J. 0. Veel) at the recent competition for scholarships was read. There were ten provincial scholarships and two given by Mr Geo. Gonld, the number of candidates being seventy-five. On the recommeudution of the examiners, the Board awarded the scholarships as follows : — Class A, under 11 yeara of age, two provincial scholarships, B. Cohen, Lincoln Road School, 421 marks ; J. P. Grossman, Kaiapoi School, 419 marks ; J. T. Partridge, Christ's College, being only three marks behind Grossman, the Board decided to give him a special prize, most probably m the form of books. Class B, under 12 years, three provincial scholarships, F. Wake, Kaiapoi School, 364 marks ; G. W. Rogers, Melville House (Mr Cook's) School^ 334 marks ; David Nairn, Lincoln Road School, 322 marks. Class C, under 13 years of age, three provincial scholarships, A. G-. Atack, Melville House - (Mr Cook's) School, 365 murks ; J. H. Deamer, Christ's College, 335 marks ; W. Sword, Riccarton School, 317 marks. Mr Gould's two scholarships, J. F. Hartlandj Christ's College, 311 marks ; W. J. Alexander, Lower Heathcote School, 285 marks. Class D, under 14 years of age, two provincial scholarships, A. R. Barclay, Christ's College, 377 marks ; J. Inneß, Melville House (Mr Cook's) 5ch001,'344 marks. We regret to find that the boys from Timaru did not make a very good show — Exley m Class B making 156, and Lough and Bilton m Class 0, 187 and 179 respectively. In Class D the son of the Rev, Geo. Barclay, of Christ's College, and lately a pupil m the Timaru school, [secured a scholarship, obtaining the highest number of marks m tie class — 377,

Timabu Building Society. — The mem bers of this society are reminded that theii monthly payments are due this evening. SECEETiRy *ob Education. — The Hon Mr Buckley tabled a motiou for yesterdaj evening to the effect that a sum of £450 bf placed upon the supplementary estimates foi tho appointment of a Permanent Secretary foi Education. Temuka School Committee. — A special meetiug of tho above committee web held a) the Royal Hotel on Monday last; Present — Messrs Wilson (m the chair), Franks, Blythe, and "Watts. A letter was read from Messrs Perry and Perry, solicitors, Timaru, stating that Mr Edward Eayner had iastructed them to apply to the chairman of the Temuka School Committee for the sum of £15 16s lid, being the unpaid balance of his last quarter's salary, estimated at £200 per annum; also asking for an aDswer within a week from the present date. A letter was read from Mr Hayhurat, resigning as a member of tho committee. Proposed by Mr Wattß, seconded by Mr Blythe, and carried—" That the resolution passed at a meeting held on June Ist last, relative to Mr Rayner's salary, be strictly adhered to ; and that Messrs Perry aud Perry be informed of the same." The proposition referred to was as follows : — " That the committee is of opinion that Mr Eayner has received the full amount of salary that he is entitled to." Mr Hayhurst's resignation was accepted, and it was decided not to take steps to fill the vacancy until the next monthly meeting. The meeting then terminated. TiifAnu School Committee. — A meeting of this Committee was held on Monday evening last. Present— Messrs Chisholm (chairman), Sutter, Tate, Jackson, Cliff, Hamilton, Fyfe, and Dr Hammond. — The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed, the Clerk of Works' report was read, stating that the contractor had received another voucher on account of school building. It was | resolved — •" That certificate number 11 be paid to the contractor." — A letter was read from the Board of Education, stating that the departure from tho contract for school building, with refevence to allowing the contractor 90 per cent, of the money due could not be sanctioned. Another letter was read from the Board, acknowledging receipt of one from the Committee forwarding list of requirements, and stating that the Board would recommend the Government to place on the estimates £1200 for a master's house, the inhabitants of the district contributing one sixth ; also, that £175 had been allowed for school steps, £50 for a tank, £500 for school furniture, and £250 for fencing, tho inhabitants also contributing one sixth of these amounts. The Chairman said that it would be observed that tho Board had recommended the Government to place the £1200 on the estimates, but that the other amounts had been sanctioned by the Board. — The Building Committee's report was read, which stated that the tank had been commenced, and recommended that there should be no alteration of the verandah without it waß found to darken the windows, and that glass windows should be put m the doors of the front porchoa and master's room. — A letter was read from the contractor, offering to complete the tank lor £50 and steps for £175. Mr Hamilton proposed, Mr Fyfe seconded, and it was resolved — " That Mr Wilson's tender for steps and tank be accepted, two pumps of No. 3 size to be used instead of one No. 4." — A report from the head master was read, stating that the school was examined by Mr Restell and Mr Hammond on Monday and Tuesday, the Bth and 9fch of June, the attendance at the time being — 200 boys, 179 girls. The verbal report of the inspectors was satisfactory considering the inadequancy of the staff, owing to tho recent re-olassificatioa of the school consequent on tho division of the sexes. It would he some weeks before the official report would be received. He would again urge upon the Commitleo the necessity of obtaining a sufficient staff of teachers, otherwise he could not be responsible for the proper working of the sohool. Three teachers were required for the boys school, and two for the girls. — The Chairman said that although the Inspector would not report for several weeks, it was understood that two of the girls at the school proved themselves qualified for the posts of teachers, and recommended the Committee to appoint teachers at once. Applications for the posl s of teachers were read from Minnie Bowles and L. Kippenberger. Mr Jackson proposed, Mr Hamilton seconded, and it was carried — " That the Chairman be requested to advertise for teachers, to commence duties after the winter vacation — an assistant master and two male pupil teachers, and an assistant mistress and two female pupil teachers. It was decided that the applications of Misses Bowles and Kippenberger should come m m the proper manner, m answer to the advertisement. — Mr Sutter proposed, Mr Tate seconded, and it was resolved — " That the Chairman correspond with tho Committees of the schools of Lyttelton, Kaiapoi and Christchurch, to join, this Committee m asking the Government to provide m their new Education Bill that the Committees of these schools shall be elected for throe years, three members to retire by rotation, instead of as now, elected every year." — A letter was read from Mr Wilson, undertaking to prepare plans and specifications for schoolmaster's residence, on the understanding that if they were not approved by the Committee and the Board, he should make no chnrge for them. — An account amounting to £16 was passed for payment, and the meeting terminated. Waimate Public School. — Prom the Lyttelton Times we learn that at the meeting of the Board of Education on Monday a letter wbb read from Mr John Manchester, intimating that he had been elected chairman of the Waimato committee, and that he would be willing to act if the Board allowed £10 or £12 per annum for a paid secretary to conduct the correspondence. The Board decided to allow £12 for the current year. A letter was read from the Waimate committee, stating that they were of opinion that the time had arrived for a thoroughly trained master being appointed to the district school ; also, pointing out that certain additional maps were required for the school, and applying for a grant for planting purposes. The Inspector, m reply to the Chairman, said a master had arrived from England by the Northampton, and there was another on board the Atrato. The secretary was instructed to inform the committee that the Board will endeavor to find an efficient head master for the school on the present master obtaining another appointment. The application for maps and a sum of £15 for planting, were granted to the conunittee en the usual terms. Immigrants. —Fifty immigrants from the Atrato— single men and women — will arrive at Tiniaru to-morrow by the Comerang, and will be open to engagement at the barracks on the same day. We learn also that the Immigration Officer yesterday received a telegram asking whether he could provide for a certain number of single women from the Northampton, and we understand that his reply was m the affirmative as regards that class, but deprecated the transmission hither of any more families for the present. So great is the scarcity of honseroom at Timaru that immigrants are paying rent for accommodation provided by the Government and urgently needed for new arrivals. After using up all the halls and public rooms, Mr LeCren will be driven, quite probably, to occupy the churches, or finally to billet his protigSs on the inhabitants. Three or four huudred emaciated strangers are not stowed away m an already over-crowded little town like Timaru, without exertion and ingenuity. But we are glaH to learn that there is not likely to be any difficulty about finding employment. Babbit Skiks. — A Wellington contemporary says, " among things not generally known it may be mentioned that during the March quarter of this year, as many as 23,412 rabbit skiuß were exported from Wellington, their value being £641. The only other port from which similar exports were Bhipped was the Bluff, but there the number was only 500, value £10." All the skins were originally collected m the Marlborough province.

Newspapers.— The Canadian MontMi makes the following thonghtful remarks ai to the qualifications of newspaper editors '• — The first and prime requisite iv »n editor it political intelligence. This is distinct from political information. It bears the same relation to politics as artistic perception does to art, which is very different, 1 need not say, from acquaintance with the history ol painting, its technicalities and cant. Political intelligence is that faculty which enables a man to see events and politics m just relative importance to the times m which he lives, to feel with accuracy the popular pulse, to know what is practicable and what not, to nictly appraise the effect that will be produced by any given step, and even by the tone m which it iv discussed ; it is antithetic alike of the small intelligence of sharp men who judge every question with off-hand dogmatism, from the standpoint of a narrow experience and defective sympathy, and of th.9 wild haste with which strong minds, wanting m penetrating insight, mistake transitory phenomena for manifestations of enduring force. Even genius, as was seen m the case of Dickens and the Daily News, will not make up for the want of this strong, sobering gift ; and where men of great reputation iv literature and as political thinkers have taken the editorship of a paper, it has been proved, by lamentable failure, how impossible it is to dispense with this rare faculty. Discomfiture and loss have followed so unerringly and speedily the appointment of specialists to edit newspapers, that it has passed into a commonplace that to choose a man who should resort for inspiration, not to those great practical questions m which the. foundations of States are laid, but to doctrinaire dreamiags or dilettuntism, is to foredoom the journalistic venture before it is born. Of course it follows that, m order to preserve journalistic individuality, the editor, so far as the conduct of the paper is concerned., must sink his own. Nothing is more dangerous to j newspaper success than to allow small personal passions to interfere with its management. Notwithstanding what has been said about the importance of the editorial columns, a newspaper is above everything else a newspaper. All the news of the paßt twenty-four hours should be found within its pages. To lag behind, to allow oneself to be anticipated, is fatal ; and to exclude news on the ground of private pique, or permit private friendship to flood the columns with matter of doubtful interest, and to the exclusion of news, is equally suicidal. The public soon see whether a paper is making, without looking to the right hand or the left, for a mark held well m view, or whether it is subordinate to the whims of an irrepressible egotism — whether it is, m fact, an organ of opinion and news, or only a cage where Borne lively squirrel disports m the happy but delusive conviction that the world has nothing to do but to contemplate and admire his movements. There never has boon a journalistic success under any conditions which would test principles of management, but it will be found, on examining the steps by which largo circulation and great influence have been attained, that personal passions have been kept aside, while the policy of the paper has flown on strong and unrqturning, m accordance with definite views which may have been — from the point of view of political philosophy — wise or unwise, but which m immediate purpose and ultimate aim wore unmistakable. An American periodical views the vies of newspapers from qnite a different point. Scribner's Montldy says : — Too low an estimate is apt to be set on the domestic value of newspapers. After reading them, and putting ourßelveß, through their agency, m mental correspondence with the world, thoy are thrown aside and forgotten. But to suppose their usefulness bounded by their news columns and the waste-bag is a thriftless mistake. In the first place, there are the household recipes, to be found m stray corners, often excellent, and deserving a refuge on the fly-leaf of the family cook-book. Then come the pretty verses, the strange and droll storieß, the brief biographies and reminiscences which, if pasted m a scrap-book, are a source of never-endiug pleasure, not only to those who do not care for richer intellectual food, but to those who have only odd tniuutes for reading. Notwithstanding the squibs jocular journalists have penned on the use of newspapers for bed-clothing, we know from experience that these are not to be despised. They may not be us comfortable as your blankets, but certainly they keep out the cold. Two thicknesses of papers are better than a pair of blankets, and m the case of persons who dislike the weight of many bed-olothes, they are invaluable. A spread made of a double layer of papers between a covering of calico or chintz, is desirable m every household. The papers should be tacked together with thread, and also basted to the coveriug to keep them from slipping. An objection has been made on account of the rustling, but if soft papers be chosen the noise will not be annoying, especially should the spread be laid between a blanket and the counterpane. As a protection to plants against cold, both m and out of doors, nothing is better. If newspapers are pinned up over night at a window between pots and glass, the flowers will not only not be frozen, but will not even get chilled, as they are so liable to be at this season. In the same way, if taken to cover garden-beds, on the frosty nights of early autumn, they will allow the plants to remain safely outdoors some time later than is common. One of the oddest services to put our journals to is the keeping of ice m summer. An ingenious housekeeper recently discovered that her daily lump of ice would last nearly twice as long when wrapped m newspapers, and placed m any kind of covered box, as when trusted solely to a refrigerator. This is very convenient, since it is possible to have the best and cheapest refrigerator constantly at hand. To polish all kinds of glass after washing, except table glass, no cloth or flannel is half bo good as a newspaper ; and for a baker's dozen of other uses, quite foreign to its primal purpose, it is without a rival. A Pußiiio Benefactob. — The Daily Tehgraph says : — Science has lost a devoted son, and mankind a true benefactor,, m Dr Neil Arnott, who died on the 4th March at the ripe I age of eighty-six. Born m what has been called the pre-scientific period, he became, half a century ago, a pioneer who led the way into that boundless field of physical research now so eagerly cultivated on every hand. It is forty-seven years since he published his " Elements of Physics," a book which has made a tour of the -world m all the principal languages of civilisation. Fresh editions have only added to its wealth of information the fruits of ceaseless study. Practical inquiry for the benefit of his fellow-creatures was the aim of a prolonged life, and he won many victories m his contest with disease and pain. We need only mention the Arnott Stove — which scoured him the Run»ford Medal from the Royal Society — the inestimable water-bed, the devices for waiming and ventilation which have done so much for us all. It is recorded to Mb honor that he would not take out a patent.for any invention, but handed over the results of his eager study as free gifts to the whole of his fellow-men. Such generosity deserves the amplest recognition, yet hundreds who have profited by his labers have lived and died ignorant even of their benefactor's name. Another characteristic of the benevolent student, inventor, and physician was his readiness to promote the higher education by donations tolearned bodies like the Scotch and London Universities. So that be not only showed the way m days when leaders were rarer than they are now, he not only aided the advance by his writings, but he gave of his limited means, and laid a basis for the advancement of others. As a physician he bore a high character among his professional brethren, and many will remember with gratitude his uniform gentleness and kmdness, as well as his sound advice. Beginning his medical career almost with the century, always active m thonght or deed, he leaves behind a reputation. for well-doing, and a solid claim j to national gratitude, which have fallen to the lot of few. Dr Arnott was a Physician Extraordinary to the Queen, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and member of the Legion of Honor. Scotland may well be proud of one who has exhibited so conspicuously the : noblest characteristics of her gifted children.