The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1889.

Auckland Star, Issue 111, 11 May 1889, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1889.

Tor tho catios ihnt lacks asaintance,

Tor the wrong that nacds rssistaace, For the future in U;o distance, £j\i the good that we can do.

The publication of a genuine Sunday newspaper, upon the American plan, in London, has evoked a very strong

feeling, and the controversy which is

being waged over it embraces not merely the religious, but also the social aspect of Sunday labour. Earnest addresses from working men's as-

sociations have been sent to the proprietor of the New York " Herald " urging him to abandon the Sunday issue of his London paper, but it is not at all probable that he will concern himself very much about what working men think so long as the thing pays ; and so the question whether heavier loads may be laid upon the honest toiler. whether another of his few remaining privileges may be filched, and his lot made harder, in order that men of the stamp of James Gordon Bennett may grow vvealtl ir.x, is apparently to be left to the sordid arbitrament of selfishness and greed, instead of being determintd by high religious, moral and social considerations. That Bennett will make money by compelling his men to w;rk seven days instead of six goes without saying, and that in a great city like London the Sunday piper will find plenty of advertisers and readers who are heedless of the methods by which their business or pleasure is served, is equally obvious. The only method, therefore, by which an end can be put to this daring attempt to break down the institution of one day in seven for rest is for the masses of the people to rise up in force and declare that no Yankee speculator shall be allowed to determine for the woiking men of England this momentous question; that the sacred right of every man to one day in seven upon which he may rest from his labours shall be protected by the powerful arm of the law.

If it were necessary to impress upon workers the serious character of the assault which' capital is making upon their privileges in the encroachments that are from time to time made upon the Sunday day of rest, the present condition r.t labour in German} 7, which is compelling the intervention of the State, would furnish an. example and warning that ought to rally together the industrial army like a bugle call in a war of liberty. The inquiry instituted by the Imperial Government of Germany into the extent to which Sunday labour is practised in that country has lately been concluded. Its results have been embodied in an aaie report by Mr Millar, the American Consul at Leipsic. From this we learn that in the thirty Prussian administrative districts from which the answers were most detailed, the inquiries extended to 500,156 establishments of all kinds with 1,582,591 hands. Of these 288,939 establishments, or 5775 per cent., and 668,027 (42*25 per cent) hands work on Sunday. That is to say, that to such a degree has Sunday labour encroached upon the time of tha poorly-paid German workmen that in more than half of the establishments employing labour in Prussia Sunday labour is carried on, and nearly half of the working population are deprived of th^ir day of rest.

It has been frequently asserted that Sunday labour in Germany is confined almost exclusively to shops, transportation and callings connected with the ministering of pleasure to others. This assertion the official figures absolutely disprove. It is true that the percentages are higher in the latter class than in workshops, but it is nevertheless aiso true. that^Vf P£S.-ce.»t^neatly half)

of the purely industrial establish, ments aud sW P« cent, of the work people have Sunday labour In handicrafts 47 "i P=r cent' of tl6! f the lishments and 41* P« cent, jf he work people toil on throughout tne r e ven§ays Pofthe T kforabaresub c sistence. The condition of the slave in the worst days was better than the lot of these people. No wonder that Germany is a hot-bed of Socialism, and that the Government feel impelled to move for the amelioration of .the condition of the masses in bondage. Consul Millar, remarking upon ttie state of affairs disclosed in these reurns, says: "It should be observed that they only refer to the usual Sunday work which occurs more or less regularly. In the-broader sense, of any kind of work that is ever done on bunday, it is probable that there are scarcely any houses where some work is not done from time to time. He general condition of the German- workL population and the regard or their welfare shown by those who are making money out of _ tne labour of the industrial classes is in keeping with the disregard of their physical condition shown in their excessive hours of toil. Consul Falkenbach, of Berlin, reporting on this subject, observes that there is an increase in the number of juvenile workers, and that, too, in callings which are injurious to health. That " the number oi benevolent institutions in Berlin is strangely small in proportion to the size of the place." " the churches in Berlin are tew and far between, and by no means largely or regularly attended/ " Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the proletariat looks to itself to help itself, and that the majority of the .vorking classes are the supporters oi the social democratic party." These are lessons that ought to be taken to heart by the workers oi every class. The protection of the day of rest is really in their hands; and if they are wise they will regard every encroachment upon the rest of another fellow labourer as a menace to their own, and will combine to resist it.

The probability of the establishment of a line of mail steamers between Canada and these colonies appears to be growing stronger as each day passes. We are now Stormed by cable that the British Government has agreed to contribute a subsidy of £75,000 to Canada towards the Atlantic service in connection with the through route to China and Australia. It is intended the steamers on the line to the latter shall have a minimum speed of fifteen knots. It has not yet been decided at what ports they shall call, but the terminus will be Sydney. It will now be interesting to watch the development of the competition in this matter which is almost certain to take place between Canada and the United States, and there is but little doubt that the result will be in the increase of Australasian trade with the American Continent.

There appears to be a disposition among3 b the farmers in the South to hold their wheat back in the hops of obtaining even higher prices than are now offering, not" withstanding the warning that America will yet be an important factor insu2>plying the 'deficiency in the recent Australian harvest;?. The advices from San Francisco by the recent mail place U3 in a position to show the exact amount of wheat that, up to April sth,.had been sonD or was engaged to be sent from California to Australia. In addition to four cargoes by the mail steamers, either already sent or under engagement, we have advices of four sailing ships chartered to load wheat for these colonies. The cargoes by the mail steamers average 800 tons each, amounting altogether to 3,200 tons. The ships whose registered tonnage averages a little over 1,400, will carry together 7,000 tons, or a total of 10,200 tons of wheat. Some of the Southern papers profess to believe that the amount of wheat being sent from America will make no appreciable difference in Australia, and that prices will continue to rise, but the old adage of the bird ia the hand applies very forcibly to this case.

The tendency of sugar is decidedly upwards. To-day the local Company intimates a further advance in price of 10s per ton for all grades of the Company's sugars. This Is the third advance within a very short period, and the quotations for sugar are nov/ 80s per ton higher than they were live weeks ago.

Sir F. Whitaker arrived afc Wellington from Auckland last night to take part in Cabinet discussions.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands at Christchurch hafi taken cognisance of the considerable amount of phormium tenax taken without authority from Crown Lands. Rangers have received instructions to report any case of the kind that comes under their notice, as it is a breach of the covenant to deal with any ilax on lands leased from the Government without obtaining the necessary authority. In one case it is reported th-vt a bargain had been made for ilax which was on grouud not even leased. The department heard it in time to prevent this unlawful profit being made. An old man named William Burns was arrested yesterday afternoon by Constable Russell. He was found walking about Lower Queen-street without boots, and was attracting a crowd by his antics. The man is 75 years of age. He said that if he was not "run in" he would commit suicide. Russell took him to the orace of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, but the officials refused to have anything to do with him, as ho had exhausted their patience. He has been several times admitted to the Refuge, but would not remain in that institution.' Under the circumstances there was no option but to Jock the man up as a vagrant. Burns appeared at the Police Court this morning, before Dr. Giles, R.M.. when JVlr Strathern, visiting officer of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, stated 'that the man was refused admission to the Refuge on account of his drunken habits. His Worship sentenced the prisoner to six months' imprisonment wifch hard labour as a rogue and vagabond.

Nelson people have been agitating to secure the commencement of the Midland Railway ab their end without delay. The Premier has been several times appealed to, and has replied stating :—" The Government will most certainly expect the Company to fulfil the contract, and to push on with the work at the Belgrove end as well as at Springfield. The Government look upon both works as equally important. Mr Scott informs me that the difficulty at Belgrove is that tbo line has not been definitely located, whereas at the Springfield end the line has been fixed and the survey all but completed. He says that he is advised that Mr Wilson, the Company's engineer in charge, will leave London directly details of the arrangements of the Company are completed, and that he will then proceed to fix the line with the Government engineers. The Nelson people may rest assured thab their interests will not be ne^teat** «*{ tb.e Government/,"

pjoach the Education Board. m fri-,,, Auckland correspondent of a 6OUin . r' rtf f |T P me)l who went to take SrSS^craTwestport have returned here. I had it from a passenger by one o£ the steamers that a worse- ■? i j w- he had never come behaved lot he J tM ZTvncLA* foThis fdlow-pai \eiy " - o f w hora were actually SSTto go S?to.t «d preferred walking the decka at night. Of course I don'fc w»b £ InfS that Sll were bad, but the majority, by their disgraceful conduct and biasphemy, should certainly have been put m irons." - T A meeting of directors of the New Zealand Stud Company was yeatorday, when Major George was elected to the dual position of chairman of directors and managing director, and a vacant seat on the Boaid was filled by the appointment of Mr A G Horton. Mr George Cutts is expected to arrive here shortly to take over the managership of Sylvia Park. Last Saturday a man named Timothy Hayes was fined at the Police Court for takin" city water without having first paid for the use of the same. He was allowed a week's time in which to pay the fane. Hayes appeared at the Police Court this morning and asked to be allowed still fa* ther time in which to raise the amount. This was refused by the R.M., and, m default'of distraint, Hayes will have to accept the alternative of imprisonment. At the meeting of the Board of Education yesterday it was resolved thnb the election of Mr Wilding, who lives outside the Point Chevalier district, but had been elected on the school committee, was null and void. Mr Knight, the next on the poll, was appointed to the vacant position.

The announcement that the Rev. Mr Warner would deliver a lecture on "Love, Courtship and Marriage," ab the Helping Hand Mission Hall, Freeman's Bay, attracted a crowded audience there last evening but the lecture was not exactly on the orthodox lines. Mr Warner chose for his text a verse from Ephesians, and in his exposition gave some sound advice. He warned young ladies against making a clutch at the first young man who put up his finger to them, and suggested that it was preferable to be "auntie" to some other woman's children, as thousands of good women were, than to be dragged down by an uncongenial union. The rev. gentleman deprecated early marriages, and advised the young folks to allow their muscles and tissues to grow and strengthen before they adventured upon the cares and responsibilities of married life. He did nob believe that marriage was a failure, and in making this observation spoke from personal experience extending over foroy years. The Mr Pheney to whom the Auckland Society's competitive silver medal for the best work in competition has been awarded, was formerly in the office of Messrs 01 liner and Grierson, of Christchurch, and is nephew to Mr W. K. Mitchell} of that city. The art union in connectiom with the Society of Arts' Exhibition in the Choral Hall took place last evening. The drawing was done by Miss May Holland and Miss Maggie Bell. The number of subscribers was 129, and the money to be divided £64 10s, apportioned as follows : —First prize, £15 ; second, £10 ; third, £7 10s ; four prizes of £5 each ; two prizes of £4 each ; one prize of £2 10s, and one of 30s. The result of the drawing was as follows : -No. 495, Mr J. Marshall, £15: No. 220, Mrs W. I. Taylor, £10 ; No. 494, Rev. S. W. Baker, £7 10s ; No. 828, Mr H. S. Andrews, £5 ; No. 497, Mr John Owen, £5; No. 209, Mrs Macfcechnio, £5 ; JSio. 262, Mr J. Batger, £5; No. 670, Mr J. Marshall, £4 ; No. 243, Mrs L. D. Nathan, £4: No. 806, Mr J. R. Hanna, £2 10s ; No. 280, Mr G. W. Binney, £1 10s.

At the invitation of the Tuakau Football Clab, a football team from H.M.s. Dart, now in harbour, will proceed to Tuakau next Saturday morning to play the local team. Several of the officers are also expected to accompany the team, and tho settlers of Tuakau, as v/ell as the Club itself, intend giving the visitors a-hearty reception.

The Grafton Gymnasium Club hold thek' annual concert next Wednesday ■evening in the Parnell Hall. A varied and interestingprogramme has been prepared, the leading amateurs in Auckland Raving promised their services, and as the members of the Club have during the week been rapidly getting rid of tickets for the concert, there should be a very large attendance. Mr James Mills, in his interview with the representative of the " Sydney Morning Herald," made the following statement with regard to his company :—The fleet consists of 45 steamers, the M araroa, Ma.iapouri, and Wairarapa being the finest ships of their size afloat. The aggregate tonnage is 38,500 tons, arid the combined strength of their engines 36,000 horsepower. Last year the ships steamed 1,490,000 miles, burned 140,000 tons of coal, of which fully one-half was quarried in JN rew South Wales, and carried as cargo 70,000 tons of coal, all of which came from INewcastle. Their employees afloat number 1372, of which 304 were navigating officers and engineers, 684 seamen and firemen, and 384 stewards and cooks. All these people were Europeans, and very many of them Australian born,' a number in all departments being natives of iMew South Wales. As the years go by, and the younger men displace the elders, the proportion of Australians perceptibly increases. Then there is the staff ashore, 150 hands at least busy with books and figures, and an army of mechanics and labourers defendant upon the company. £250,000 sterling, represents the annual wages list, and 1000 tons of meat, equal to 33,000 sheep of 601b each, is the annual consumption of meat on board the Union Company's ships.

Hugo's Minstrels were favoured with a good house last evening, considering the unfavourable state of the \v<sather. The sixth programme of the season was given for the last time, and the various items were very well received. This afternoon the minstrels gave a matinee performance, which proved a great attraction to the young folks, amongst those present being sixty children belonging to the Parnell Orphanage and Native School, who had been invited to be present. There will be an entire change of programme, theseventh, ab the Opera House to-night, introducing • The Swinging Beauties," and a big shoe competition, for the winner of which Mr iiugo has obtained a handsome medal in the form of a silver star, with gold centre, and the figure of a step dancer engraved thereon. The medal was on view in Partridge's window to-day. On Monday evening Mr and Mrs Chas. Hugo taice a complimentary benefit and, on this occasion also, there will be a change-of programme. Wednesday night's performance will conclude the season, and on Thursday the company will leave for Wellington, where they are billed to open on Monday, the 20bh insfc.

Mr Noel Rtc:;, the local manager of the fewitchback Railway, has kindly invited tl & boys of the Kohimarama Training School to have some rides on the Switchback. Mr A. Kidd has accepted the invitation on behalf of the boys, who will avail themselves of. the offer during next week.

His Excellency the Governor and par byreturned to Wellington from their shooting trip in the Wairarapa last night. They got no deer, but had excellent sport in the way of wild pigs, ducks, etc.

An imporbanb action between the Bank of Australia and tho Patea Building Society, in which the first-named claimed £1,229 6s 6d, ha 3 just concluded at Wanganui, ana His Honor has reserved judgment. It was stated that the subject of dispute was v. cash credit bond. The execution and claim weve admitted, but the defence set certain lecal objections. Hia Honor raised the poinb the defendant Society wore sued as jointly and severally responsible, and Mr Fitzherberb, counsel for plaintiff, claimed that he sued in both capacities, but the question was nob Mettled. Mr Barnicoab, counsel for defendant, said the defence ' was'really that the bond was obtained under misrepresentation to the sureties. When this bond was signed in 18S3, the Bank had a bond, but apparently wanted something bc-tter. One of the then bondsmen (J. Dixon) was bankrupt; another was bankrupt (one Hayward). One had leib tha colony. Mr Norman, the bank manager, had this inducement; to get some more solvent gentlemen on the bond, and it seemed impossible that they j would have signed the bond, had they known what they were doing. Only one of the signatories had £2,000 of interest in the Society, the others being only nominally interested. At a meeting of the directors Mr Norman produced the bond, which he represented would nob make them personally liable. The jury answered the questions raised separately, generally upholding the pleadings of the defence, and Hit Honor reserved judgment. The recent rain has awakened many citizens to the fact that footpaths winch are nob asphalted require attention. If two days' rain makes paths ankle deep in mud, complaints will sadly ii: crease before the winter is over. .! is to be hoped that the ward ..emeu will inspect various side streets and report on the state of the footpath?, in order that n coating of scoria may be applied before the winter fairly sets in. On the 29th of April Constable Hob&on found a man named Hugh Smith sleeping under a tree in Parnell. ih- took him into arrest, and as the man appeared imbecile ha was sent to the Hospital. Later on ho appeared afc the Police Court, when ho wad charged wit's no! having sufficient means of support, lie pleaded guilty, and stated that he had a wife and two children, bub they iiad left him, Dr. Giles, R.M., objected bo send the man to gaol, and remanded the case in order , that he might bo medically examined. Smith again appeared in the cluck this morning, when Sergeant - Major Pratt handed in a certificate from Dr. Philson, which was to the effect fclw.it the man was afflicted with imbecility, and was therefore incapacitated from work and ought to be sent to the Old Men's Refuge. SergeanfcMajor Pratt said that the Hospita} and Charitable Aid Board were prepared to admit the man to the Refuge, and the ease was withdraw;). Smith is quite a young man. England is nob content to remain beaten by America in yachting. Lord Dunraven has issued a challenge for America's Cup, and the race will probably take place at New York in October next. Loal Dunraven is building a new yacht, sixty feet long, at Southampton. It will probably be launched early in iviay, and is described as a beauty. The cutter lias a seventy foot lead line with an extreme breadth of sixteen feet. The frame is of s;:eci ; the floorings, top and sides are planked with teak, and the bottom is planked with American elm. The yacht is designed aa a keel cutter, bub a slot in the keel and steel floorIng aredesignedfora centre board if required, and she will be raced as a keel cutter or a centreboard, whichever proves the faster after the trial races. Her bow will be the same as that of the Thistle, but her stern is much narrower. General Payne, tha owner of the Volunteer, that beat the Thistle, states that his business will prevent him from entering the Volunteer or building a new boat. Tho New York Yacht Club will attend to the challenge. Tho American j yachtsmen did not expect.a challenge this year, and have been caught napping;. If they have nob time to build a. new yacht, they must pub out one of their best one?, which will be selected from the Volunteer, Titania, Katrina, Shamrock, Bedouin, Puritan, and Mayflower.

Last evening the anmial presentation of prizes to the children attending St. Sepulchre's Anglican Sunday-school took place in the schoolroom, Symonds-sbreet, the Yen. Archdeacon Dudley presiding. Despite the very unpleasant weather there was an excellent * attendance, young ladies predominating amongst the audience and recipients of prizes. A'ter devotional exercises the Chairman briefly addressed the meeting. Mr T. Charter sang "Four Jolly Smiths," and a band of juvenile choristers rendered a unique "whistling chorus." The list of prizes, 12-1 in all, for attendance, good conduct and proficiency in Scripture knowledge, was read, after which the choir sang with effect the pretty part song "The Bol's." The Chairman then made, on bahalf of the officers and teachers of the school; a presentation of three valuable works by Canon Farrar to Mr and Mrs 0. Nicholson, or. the occasion of their marriage, in memory of many years of fellowship in Sunday-school work. After a reading by Mr G. P. Pierce, the prizes were handed by the Chairman to the successful competitors, amidst applause. Mr Cecil Dudley played a pianoforte solo, and Miss Kisslingl sang *' Fiddle and I," her faithful rendition being greatly appreciated. The proceedings closed with the singing of ths chorus " Good-night " by the choir, and the Ooxology by all present.

The Auckland Naval Aitillery assembled for drill and inspection at the Drill-shed last evening under Lieut-Commander Parker, Lieutenants Smith iu>d Garrard. there being a muster of about 70, all toid. After inspection the men were put through a course of drill in the new formations, and were congratulated by Lieut-Com-mander Parker on the ready manner in which they had fallen intb the new formations. Three new members were proposed and two elected. Lieutenant Smith v/as elected one of the auditors of the Company, and Lieutenant Gerrard to represent tho corps on the Band Committee. Dr. Walker presented to Petty Officer Smith the Company." medal, won Jour times, and a silver cup, presented by himself and won three times. He congratulated the winner on his repeated victories, and tho Company on having such a good marksman.

That times avo improving is evidenced fay a slightly renewed demand for landed property. One v. oil-authenticated case has come under cur notice. A few weeks ago a settler—who some nine years ago took up 100 acres of land about 15 milos from Auckland and planted an orchard—was offered £1,500 cash down for his [dace by a visitor who wished to settle. Although, the price was a good one considering tho recent state of the land market, still the owner was so satisfied with the future prospects of this) place that he declined to sell. In the first instance the land only cost £150, but a four-rooiucd house has been erected, jorna \2 or 15 acres fenced and gob under cultivation, ar.d several thousand fruit tree* planted. No doubt the owner considered that a.s the trees were just coming into bearing- the harvest time was at hand". It is gratifying to find that some of our settlers are free from despondency.

The annual business meeting of th Auckland Band of Hope Union will be held next' Monday evening in Alexandra-street Schoolroom. •

Charles Dunfoy was called at the Police Court this morning to answor to the charge of having failed to provide for the support of his wife and four children. As "the defendant waa in Napier and had written asking- for time, tho case was adjourned by the R.M., Dr. Giles. Some time ago, a man named John Knapman was ordered by the KM., Dr. Giles, I to contribute towards the support of his j wife and family. Since that time arrears ! bo the extent of £23 have accumulated, and at length the wife has taken action to enforce payment. The case was cal«*jjd at the | Police Court this morning, bub as^Esre was no proof of the service of the summons, the | case was adjourned. j _ A case came up for hearing at the R.M. | j Court late on Thursday afternoon, in which j the claim was for £2 10s alleged to be duo to plaintiff for services rendered to defendant's family as a nurse. Dr. Giles. R.M., was on the bench. The plaintiff was Mrs Jane Kennedy, and the defendant J. titokes. Mr Clendon appeared for the defence and plaintiff conducted her own case. Af.ter hearing evidence His Worship gave judgment for plaintiff for the. amount claimed | with costs 6s. j Last weak three females residing at the I hou&s of Mr. Shinnock, near Albany, New South Wales, were stuck up by a man armed with a rovoiver, and robbed of £2,000. It appears that a man drove up to the house, and after presenting a revolver at a female servant, demanded admission to the house. Pie then bailed two other women up in a room, and took £2,000 from a bag. Constables from Narrandarra and Coolamon police stations wore quickly despatched to search for the robber, and make further inquiries. The total amount of the money abstracted from the house was £2,C00 in gold, I7s in silver, and a farthing. The property stolen was placed in a black morocco bag. An illuminated address will be presented to Mr G. f.eahy on Monday night next by the Fountain of Friendship* Lodge of Oddfellows. This address has been given to Mr i Leahy by the lodge, in recognition oil his twenty-two years' .service- a.^ one of ita trustees. _ Ibhas beer, executed by Mr W. Gulliver in hia best stylo, the framo-work tiort-inn having been artistically done by MrT. E. Carter. Is will be on view tonight in Mr Finch's shop window, stationer, Queen-streec, Do tails of ruilway traffic o;i the Govornincut 1in.58 throughout the colony for Iho [Vail financial year :ire now available, and show that there were carried 3,132,802 passengers, or 309,047 fewr than in the previous your. Parcels, etc., numbered 393,706, or almost exactly the sanio as i;i the previous year (593,728). 919,319 live stock were conveyed, being 29,862 rower i than in the year before. There w.is al;-o a j decrease of 5,944 tons in the wool carristi (78,202 Ions), bus in grain and minerals there were large increases of 89,005 (tnd 86,549 -tons respectively ; and there were smaller increases in merchandise, timber, firewood, chaf!, etc. The totn! goods tr.-iilic for the year amounted to 1,920,430 tons, or 154,669 in excess of last year's figures. There were increases in all branches of railway revenue, excepting passengers, parcels, and luggage. The total cost of the railways open up to the Slsb March | was £15.35tf,978 : the net profits for the year arc therefore at the rate of very nearly 2£ per cent. A concert will be given in the Foresters' Hall, Knrnngahape Road, on Thur-duy °.p.c! Friday, 16th and 17fcti May, in aid of the funds of t!:e Auckland West Kindergarten. Among those who have given their assistance are Mesdamcs Judson, Edger and Ciutsam, Miss Calvert, Messrs Tallis Trimneil, T. M. Jackson, O. Taylor, Hartwei!, F. Ciutsam, Lieutenant Sommerviile, W. Bruce, Cook, and a largo company of ladies and gentlemen, who will vary the pro- ■ gramme with some beautiful tableaux vivants. On the second evening tho Or- ■ pheus Glee Club and other trienda have j kindly offered their service?. . The fifth meeting of the session of the Mount Albert Mutual Improvement As sooiation was held af. 3?orndule las!, evening. when, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, nearly tdxty members were present. Two new member? were elected

and two more nominated. A printed syllabus for the 6th .session was placed in the hands of the members. After a pianoforte solo by Miss Schnackenberg, the President, called on ?\iiss Battlsy to read a paper in favour of " Tea Drinkinj," and Mr Cftu^hey for his in reply. Bclh these papers were carefully prepared and very well received, eliciting a very lively discussion, in which the following members took part, viz.. Mrs Harbutt, the Rev. Dr. Hooper and Messrs Sprang, Fftrley, Wilding, Rees, Cox, S. Karbuctand H. W. Wilding. Tho I'resident then put the question to the vote, when a largo majority declared themselves in favour of "Tea Drinking." During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Astloy and Wilding.

The members of the Gem of Auckland Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held their regular weekly meeting in the Alexandra-street Hall last night, Bro. A. Sanford, junior, Chief Templar, in the chair. Four now members were initiated. Sister Mills and JBro. Jus. Preston were appointed to meet delegar.es froai the other lodges to arrange for giving a return entertainment to the Vanguard Lodge (H.M.S. Dart). The reports of the various officers for the past quarter were i*ead, showing that tha Lodge is in a good position, both as regards members and finance. The following officers for the new term were then installed by Bro. Jas. Preston, D.G.0.T., desisted by Bro. J. Frond, as 1.M., and Bro. J. Molloy as D.I.M. :—Bro. Smith, C.T. ; Sis. Ryder, V.T. ; Bro. Jno. Preston, Secretary ; Bro. Thorly, F. Secretary ; Sis, Mills, Treasurer; Sis. Fre?ton, .C. ; Sis. Cummins, M. ; Sis. Harrison, 1.6. ; Bro. Stevens, O.G. : Sis. Lamb, A.S. ; Sis. M. Harrison, D.M. ; Bio. Sanford, P.C.T. Shore addresses were given by tha new officers, and there being still some bitae to spare, songs were given by Bro. Mclntyre (Star), JSro. Masson (Gem), Bra. Bncklaud . (Vanguard), Sis. H'owell (Gem) and a recitation by Bro. Jno. Preston. j

Mr Henry Dyer continued his address on the " Church of God " in St. George's Hall last night, but owing to the weather tho

attendance was not .so largo as uSual, but tlir.se who went were fully repaid, as the subject was treated in a very able manner. Mr Dyer's address on Tuesday next on the " Anti-christ" will be the last week night one, as he leaves for England by the first San Francisco mail steamer.

The Charitable Aid Board have accepted the tender of Messrs Sarlick and Cranwell for iron bedstead.?, woven wire mattresses, blankets and counterpanes for the Auckland Hospital.

Acceptances and general entries for the Auckland Coursing Club pony meeting close next Wednesday. Entries for the Maiden Plate will aUo be received to that date, as duly announced in the printed conditions.

Messrs "Wilson and Clayton announce a sale of superior household furniture, etc., v.l the residence of Mrs W. Palmar, Pittstreet, opposite top of Vinceut-screet, on Monday. Special attention is called to ax beautiful water colours by K. Watkins.

It is gratifying to loam that Messrs By croft and Co., of the City Flour Mills', are making, arrangements for a regular supply of locally-grown wheat, from which they are now manufacturing Hour by a combined process. This will no doubt be good new? to farmers, who have hitherto had cause for complaint on account of the large quantity of wheat imported from the South, and it is also pleasing to note that there is an increasing demand for locallygrown wheat for supply of the flour market.

3 • Very few transactions took place on i 'Change to-day. In Cambrias business j was done at 3s Id to 3s 2d, and in Saxon > shares afc 10s. 1 The Committee of the Young Men's Christ tian Association are desirous of adding new books to their library, and on Friday even- . ing nexfc a grand limelight exhibition will ,j bs given by the Rev. .3. S. Hill in the City ; ] Hall to aid the object. Admission by , ticket to the body of the hall will be free, and to the dress circle Is. Queensland has followed the example of ; New Zealand in removing; her railways from i political control. A cable message from i Brisbane states that Mr Mathieson, of the Glasgow and South-Western Railway Comj pany, has beeu appointed Chief Cornmisi sioner of Queensland Eailways. Mr Gray, , Under-Secretary, and Mr Johnston, Engineer of the eastern division of the Great Eastern Railway Company, have received the subordinate places on the Board. A meeting of creditors in the estate of Gtorfja Thomas was held at the office of the Ollieial Assignee to-day. There were present: I The debtor and his solicitor, and the following creditors: iMes^rs Hobart (Bunk of New Zealand), Smith, senr., Smith, junr., Dowden, Otto, J. Thomas, and W, Thomas. The Oi'licial Assignee stated that the amount insisted on in order to effect a comprise was to be not less than 6s, and that as this condition was nob complied with he had instructed an auctioneer to selltheesstate early next week. The meeting then ter- | minuted. ° I\Jr Wakefield, whose marvellous escape we narrated in our last issue, is getting on finely. He passed a <,'ood nio;ht, and .Dr. Lindsay was quite satisfied with his state this morninff. No internal injuries havo been sustained and the fractured elbow will soon be well a.*;ain, but the doctors think it will always be stiff. Mr Edward Kanlan, the ex-champion sculler of the world, has accepted an invitaj tion to visit the shed of the City Rowing Club this afternoon and pivo the members some wrinkle-; in the art of rowing. A special meeting of the Amateur ilowi;j;^ Association is to bo held on Monday afternoon afc half-past five for tho purpose of considering what steps will bo taken to make Mr Hanlan's proposed exhibition ;>. success. The Cor/i----mittoa of the Asaoeiation li.--.ye been niakj ing sonio tirrangements, The tia.li; is not fixed yet, but it will probably be next iJEiiurday afternoon on Luke Takapuna. The Dcvonporc .Ferry Company liavu arranged to transport passonyora to the Lake, return tickets to c>ir,z a shilling. There will bo no diilioulty in landing, a attire being provided, and boats lima done away with. A four-oared tstvin;; test crew, picked by thu Rowing Association, sviii be matched a<r-un.*t Mr Ho-nlan in an outrider, and he will afterwards give a solo exhibition of his sculling powers. A couple or races for local boatinjr men may also be arranged, so that the public will be provided* with a couple of hours' j^ood sport. All arrangements v ill" be made at the moebinjj on Monci&y, and they will no doubt be satisfactory. "I'off," in the Wellington '-Press" is severe on the letter recently issued by Sirß. Scout, in which he declined to re-enter the " inner area" of politics for the present. Ke says: By Jove, isn't it fun to have Stout whining over Liberalism ! Sobbing over the kind and snuffling over the want, of enthusiasm of the younj* New Zealander. Ah, " The land is yoing from us !'' Was ever any such humbuy as this heard? The man who gave 2,000,C00 acres at one shot to an English Company, stock, leek and barrel, mines, forests and minerals ! A Swede named Charles Holies, in the employ of Messrs Peeie and Thompson, Upper Pitt-street, met with a nasty accident yesterday. He was lifting' a pot of boiling water oil' tl^e tire, when the handle being hot he dropped it on the floor. The water splashed up, scalding him over arms and head. Re wus taken t.o tluj Hospital, where l)r 801 l attended to his injuries, which are not of a serious nature, ilollcs is a single man. The steady falling of the rain yesterday I looked as if it was going to continue for some Lime longer, but this morning the cloud lifted, the rain ceased, and the sun comintf out i:i all his jjlory soon dried up the rain-sodden roads. Tho total rainfall around Auckland since it coimn.enc.-Qd on Thursday amounts to about 2h incises , which equals -250 toi:s ot w liter per acre. Those tig urea show that a tremendous amount fell, and if anyone was to work out how many tons fall on .the County ol Eden ho would be rather surprised* fit the big t.;; s 'ure.-". The rain was badly wanted, and vili be of great benefit to tiie country districts. In the i Waikato it fell for thirty hours without ceasing', much to the satisfaction of the farmers, in- has done much nood everywhere, but as here, tho weather is now clearing up. Messrs!). Thompson and F. Bennett, of Tairua, Thames, who drew Carbine in Atiaiu Bede's consultation on the Sydney Geld Cup, have beeu notified by cable that they are entitled to £790. A well-attended special general meeting of the Auckland Yacht Club was held at the Harbour Board oiiiee last evening. Tho business was to consider tiie best means of winding up the season. It has been usual to have a large yacht race but there seemed no particular desire for one this year. A picnic was suggested, but the weather is too cold to allow of that being1 carried out. After some discussion it v.*as resolved to hold the funds in hand some £12, until next year, and to wind up tho season with evolutions next Saturday. The question of dividing the yachts into tour divisions was brought up. There has always been some dissatisfaction as to the present' classification and it was suggested that for the purpose of racing both the port and starboard divisions should be subdivided intoclass-es Aand B. Eventually the whole matter was left over for the Committee for next year to deal with.

Senior-constable "Roche has been arrested in Brisbane for being illegalty on the premises of Dr. Gibson. The doctor found the constable in his house at 4 o'clock in the morning in uniform, but without boots or cap, which were found on the verandah, lie seized Roche, and detained him until a police sergeant was sent for. Roche's boxes were afterwards searched, and a quantity of ladies' clothing: was found which was stolen some months ago, so that it is pretty evident that he has been carrying on a burglarious career.

The usual meeting cf the Star of Newton' 1.0. G.T. No. 4. Lodge, was held last evening in the Protestant Hall. Bro. Ferguson, C.T., occupied the chair. The reports of oiiicers were read and adopted, showing that during the last quarter five sisters and eleven brothers joined the lodge, making a total of 56 members in good standing. The officers nrere then installed for the ensuingl quarter by Bro. White, D.G-.C.T., assisted by Bro. Preston, I.M, and Bro. Pino, D.1.M., as follows: — P.C.T., Bro. Ferguson ; C.T., Bro. Melntyrc ; V.T., Sir;. Edmonds^ Secretary, Bro. Cook; A.S., Bro. White ; F.S., Bro. Lightfoot ; Treasurer. Sister Liglitfoofc, .sen.; 0., Sister Cann ; M., Bro. Honaen ; D.M., Bis C. Lightfoot; 1.G., Bro. Prciid ; 0.G., Bro. Adams. A vote of thanks was given to tho officers who officiated at the installation.

The choir of St. James's Church are rehearsing the sacred cantata, " Jo3«ah," and considerable proficiency has already been attained by the intending performers. We believe it. is proposed to produce the cantata on Thursday evening next, under tho conductorship of Mr W. E. Baxter. A concert will form the second parb of the programme,

In V Lloyd's Weekly London Newspaper " the following missing friends in New Zealand are inquired for -.—Thomas Bolland, lefb London for Auckland about 1863. His aged parents last heard of him five years ago. Emma Dousing, sailed wibh her husband from Gravesend for Auckland in 1858. Her brother and sister ask. Matthew Faulkner, lefb homo 1864, and was heard of at Wynstead, Auckland in 1868. His mother inquires Charles Anderson and bis wife Hannah, I went to New Zealand 14 years ago. About seven years since the mother heard they lived at Musselburgh, Dunediti. Alice King (wee Ryan), was ab Tetxmka, Canterbury, in 18S4, when her mother and brother last heard of her. Edward Lacy, sailed to Wellington in the Golden Sea 16 years ago. His sister asks. Nicholas Reble (24 years old) was last heard: of ab Reefton. His mother inquires. Thomas Weeks, last wrote from Christchurch two years and a-half ago, and is now believed to be in the North Island. His mother is anxious. Emily Victoria West, Last heard of ab Wellington, 1875. Her mother inquires. Edmund Perry went IS7I or 1872 to Chrisfcchurch, and was at the Bush Hotel. His brother asks. Oliver Robinson, formerly of Barrow-in-Furness, went to New Zealand with his family 20 years age. His mother asks. William Strother, supposed to be in New Zealand. His mother begs for new 3. Frank It. Brind (baker), who was ab Napier in November, 1874, is sought by his parents. George Saunders, who last wrote from Otay;o. His sister inquires. James atid Sarah Tarry (or Torrey) who left Midland, Kent, for New Zealand, 1872. Her brothers ask. George Tribe (lefb home 16 years ago) was heard of at Port Chalmers in 1875. His mother enquires. The switchback railway, which is now in first-class working order on the reclaimed land near Firth's Mill, is likely bo prove an immense source of amusement to all who can appreciate the very enlivening effects of its numerous ups and downs. The general manager, Mr Noel E. Ruck, has taken special pains to make the switchback popular, and no doubb the small charge of threepence for a return ticket will prqvo a big draw. The switchback is run with very comfortabio cars on double lines, iu\d the motion is both novel and pleasant. The safety of the ; concern ■is undoubted, safety linos and safety wheels being used, and neither on this nor any other switchback run by the proprietors has an accident ever happened. The cars go by their own impetus over rises and falls varying in height, and tho trip is invariably performed without the slightest hitch. The cars run daily from 12 to 6 and 7 to 10 p.m.

Anniversary services in connection with St. Peter's Sunday-school will be held in the church, Murray Hills, to-morrow. Rev. Mr McCallum will preach in the morning. The afternoon service will be conducted by the Rev. Mr Robertson, who has arrived from Scotland during- the week ; and the evening service will be conducted by the Rev. Mr Macnicol. The annual soiree will be held in the church on Wednesday evening. Next Tuesday evening a debate is to take place between members of the Tabernacle and Beresford-street Improvement Societies. The subject is an opportune one, viz., " Is the Continuance of the Atkinson Ministry Desirable '!" The debate is to be held in the Tabernacle schoolroom, commencing at 7.30 o'clock. The Rev. J. Chew will preside. Excursions to St. Helier's Bay and the islands around Mobuihi have been arranged by the Devonport Ferry Company for tomorrow. k Having recently imported additional machinery and a well-selected consignment of material, I am prepared to undertake paper-ruling and book-binding in all its branches?. Magazines and music bound in any style. —R. S. Abel, Highstreet. —! Aijvt.]