LABOUR DEMONSTRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 172, 23 July 1890, Page 4

LABOUR DEMONSTRATION.

Oub London news conveys the intimation that a great labour demonstration was made on June 7bh in Hyde Park, and ib was cs _ timated that 40,000 Unionists took part in it, and there were 200,000 spectators.

We have also before us a curious literary production called " The Pioneer," published in London on April 26th, 1834, which appears to be devoted to a monster labour demonstration thab waa held in London on April 21st, 1834. A picture occupies the first page, the description given underneath being: " The procession consisted of 50,000 Unionists, was between Bix and seven miles in length, and it is estimated that no leas than 400,000 persons were assembled on the occasion."

The picture represents a huge mass of men arrayed in battalions like regiments of soldiers, and all dressed in the garb of the period, long : tailed coats and knee breeches and gaiters. That demonstration in 1834 appears somehow td throw entirely in the shade the demonstration of June last Hyde Park.

Nob only were the Unionists in the former case more numerous by 10,000 persons, but bhe onlookers were 400,000 instead of 200,000, the number mentioned in our reporb. The arbicle in the old paper referred to commences thus : " Lasb Monday was a day in Britain's history which will be long remembered ; for labour pub its hat upon its head and walked towards bhe throne. Bub wherefore did its footsteps shake the judgmenb seat? And why did warrior, put their bucklers on awaiting ibs approach ? It 3 heavy tread made statesmen tremblo, and as ib shook ibs locks ferocious scribes grew tremulous. Law held ibs jaws aghast, and showed its teeth, bub offered not to bite. Doubt, wonder and suspense made many hearts uneasy, and far and near an anxious people awaited tho result. No brawls disturbed the greab assembly. No force was needed to provoke good discipline. The peaceful hum which rose to heaven was all the melody the crowd gave ear to. A rockeb bo denote the movement whizzed on high. Then came the horsemen, and nexb the gallant leaders of the Union. Now followed in a car the mighty scroll, which bore the prayers for kingly justice and royal clemency for six of our devoted brethren. O, God of Heaven, who guidebh man's progression. There is a meaning in all this which wo cannob unriddle.

"Our good chaplain was following the car, and truly ie appeared bo augur good, and gave a purer spirib to our Union to see a minister of peace load on the friendly host. The worthy doctor looked extremely well, for he was dressed in full canonicals and wore the red badge of a Doctor of Divinity, which corresponded with the Union ribbon, and gave a grace and comeliness to him and moral dignity to the procession."

There is something touchingly simple in this description. Taking tbo times into consideration and the general lack of education, it seems truly marvellous bhab such a mass of men, evidently determined to gain their ends, should nob have stepped over the traces at some period ot their onward march. Whether the presence of the priest with his flaming canonicals kept them peaceable is nob bold us, bub when they arrived ab the throne the petition was refused, as " bhe authorities wibh highbred courtesy refused to take the bulky documonb within their keeping, unless presented by a smaller company, and under more convenient circumstances."

The petitioa to His Majesty was on account of six Dorchester labourers, who "in one of Your Majesty's Courts of Judicature ab Dorchester had been then and there convicted of having administered to other agricultural labourers a certain oath nob required or sanctioned by law, and who have been in consequence sentenced to a punishment of seven years' transportation." On the petition being refused, bhey separated quietly without tumult, and its ultimate fate and the fats of the six Dorchester labourers is nob chroaicled.

lb will'be seen from this, however, that unionism is nob so recenb a growth as some people are apt to imagine, nor has ib made the progress which one might have anticipated. If in 1834, half a century ago, such perfect order, and discipline, and organisation was displayed, one would have thought that in these days bhe organisation of labour should be almosb perfect, and absolutely irresistible. Bub as the pious writer of the article we quoted devoutly ejaculates, we can also say, "Oh, God of Heaven I who guideth man's progression, there is a moaning in all this which we may not unriddle."

An American reporter belonging to the St. Louia " Globe-Democrat" newspaper on June 11th got away with a nice little yarn, purporting to be an interview with one Father Lawrence lately returned from missionary labours in New Zealand. The alleged Father Lawrence told of Maoris tearing their children limb from limb, of bheir having tortured him by pulling off his toenails, and of other remarkable occurrences too good to be true. Whether Father Liwrence was an impostor or the raporter evolved him out of his own brain ib is hard for us in New Zealand to tell; bub some vory sbeady-going people have accepted the reporter's story as true, and boiled over with indignation thab any missionary should tell such lies about the colony. It appears, however, that no such person as Father Lawrence was ever engaged in missionary work in this country, as anyone reading the newspaper sbory might havo seen at a glance, The wrath wasted ou him should have been reserved for bhe imposbor or the inventive reporter. Ib is possible thab someone in America is trying to carry on the Clampetb-Sullivan game.

Yesterday a post mortem examination of the body of the unfortunate James Andrews was made in the Auckland Morgue. Dr. Roberton, who made the examination, characterises tho morgue as far and away the worst he has ever seen, and a disgrace to those having control of it. All the ordinary facilities "for a post mortem are conspicuous by their absence, not even soap being found. There is ono basin and an old bucket covered with dust—like the whole of the interior of the building. There is an old towel which ha. not been washed for a very long time. The construction of the building is very bad. There are several windows quite unprovided with blinds, and overlooked by bhe road, so that yesterday Dr. Roberton had to disperse a small crowd of morbidly curious youths from the window. The possibility of such an occurrence affords evidence of indecent callousness existing in bhe breasts of those responsible, and oi total carelessness of the feelings of relatives of persons who have to be placed in tho building. Dr. Roberson's adds one more to the list of similar complaints.

The charge againsb Mr John Elliott of stealing a coat, heard at the Police Court on Monday, was one of the mosb extraordinary cases ever broughb into our local courts, and shows whab may happen to a respectable man even in the present enlightened days. It was clearly proved on the evidence of the prosecution itself bhab the coat was found by Mr Elliott lying in the middle of the footpath in Wellesley-street. Ib was shown thab no attempt whatever at concealment was made, and it was also proved that Mr Elliobb wenb after a dray, which was ahead, believing,,the coat had dropped from it, with the intention of restoring it. The owner stated in evidence that having had the coat returned to him he had no clesiro whatever to prosecute, yet in spite of all this and the Tact, manifest to any person of ordinary common sense, thab there was no shadow of ground for suspecting any. felonious intenb, Mr Elliott was arrested. «* The justices of course insbantly dismissed the case, bub this is poor satisfaction to a respectable man for the annoyance he has been put to by this trumpery charge, and Mr Elliotb.is now considering whether he ought not to. take further steps in the matter.

Mr J. D. Connolly, United States Consul, has received cable advices from Washington, directing him to sand word to the captain of the American warship Mohican, at Samoa, to proceed from thence to Honolulu, instead of coming on to Auckland as was before intended. " ■

"Inana" continues to draw visitors, all of whom leave the exhibition with a pleased smile and the intention to recommend their friends to pay a visit. Certainly no one leaves disappointed. Ib is almosb worth a shilling to hear the conjectures ventured by visitors as to •" how she does it."

A large number of bhe brethren of the Masonic craft attended tho meeting of Lodge Eden, 1530, of the English Constitution, last evening, in the Masonic Hall, Karangahape Road. Shortly after bhe opening of the Lodge in the first degree, the following were admitted :—The District Grand Master (Bro. G. Graham) and his officers ; the W.M. (Bro. E. Davies) and officers of Lodge Prince of Wales, E.C; the W.M. (Bro. C. Grey) and officers of Lodge Waitemata, E.C. ; bhe W.M. (Bro. W. B. Walker) and officers of Lodge Remuera, E.C. ; and representatives of Lodge Ara, Lodge Ponsonby, and Lodge Polynesia. Bro. Major Pirie presided ab bhe organ, an efficienb choir being present. P.M. Bro. Leers acted as Director of Ceremonies. The charge to the newly-elected Master was ably delivered by P.M. Bro. G. Hardy, the charge to bhe officers by Bro. Davies, j W.M. of Lodge Prince of Wales ; and the charge to the brethren by P.M. Bro. Clark. The working tools of a M.M. were presented by P.M. Bro. Windsor, that of F.C. by P.M. Bro. Clark, and thab of E.A. by Bro. Davies. The whole of the ceremony was splendidly gone through, the following ! officers being duly installed :—Bro. J. C. Dickenson,' W.M.; H. Robinson, S.W. ; W. S. Williams, J.W. ; G. P. Cox, Treasurer (re - elected); M. S. Laurie, Secretary ; W. J. Wright, S.D.; P. Crowe, J.D. ; T. Phil.ob, D.C. ; W*. Johnsbon, I.G. ; J. Boiia-ill, S.S.; C. A. Fawcebb, J.S.; J. Moore, Tyler. During bhe ceremony the following musical numbers were rendered : — Hymns, " Hail Eternal," •' Spirib of Power," "Sancbus;" chanb, "O, Praise God;" hymn, "Hail, Masonry;" anthems, "Genius of Masonry," "O, May Our Hearts," and the chant, " Behold How Good." Eighteen Past Masters were on the dais. Ab the close of the ceremony the brethren adjourned to the supper-room, where ample refreshments had been provided. An interesting and able article upon the " Products and Resources of New Zealand," by Consul Connolly, of Auckland, appears in a recent issue of the United States Consular reports, occupying fifteen pages of that publication. Mr Connolly, like his predecessors, has become an enthusiastic admirer of New Zealand, and believes implicitly in the greatness of its future. He writes : "Ib is impossible bo appreciate, or havo any adequate conception of, New Zealand's preponderating worth over the other 'colonies of Australasia' except by comparison. The wonderful productiveness of her soil is, in many respects, perhaps unequalled by any in the world. I know of no country that will yield as many bushels of wheat, oabs, and barley to the acre without the assistance of artificial means as can bhe soil of New Zealand. The colony is rich in all kinds of minerals, which so far have nob been properly developed. The climate is- mild, equable, and invigorating, and there are various other natural advantages of which the counbry is abundantly possessed. Ib is surprising more is nob known abroad of the numerous natural hob springs and lakes of New Zealand. lam confident if bhe healthrestoring properties of these natural springs were generally known it would result in abtracting people from all quarters of the globe. Ido not know whose duty ib is to cause a more widely diffused knowledge of the natural advantages of the colony in this respect, bub, wherever the responsibility rests, ib would certainly seem to have been considerably neglected." The Hon. J. Whites final end was brought aboub by a cold he contracted, his illness lasting a fortnight. Deceased was a native of New South Wales, having been born ab Sbroud, near Porb Sbephens, on July 19th, 1828, so thab he was 61 years of age. He received his education at King's i School, Par ram .tta, at which institution.he epenb four years of his life under-the guidance of the late Rev. Roberb ForrestHe was afberwards placed under bhe tutorship of the Rev. Mr McGregor, of West Maibland, with whom he remained for a similar period. Here his education was suddenly terminated owing to the death of his father, who had owned the estates of Edenglassio ; Timor, a property on the Isis; and Boorrooma, situated on the Barwon River, about 40 miles below the junction of the Namoi. When 16 years of ago Mr White assumed the management of the estates, taking up his residence ab Edenglassie. He took up the Narran Lake run about five years afterwards. His next investment was in Belltrees, which he purchased several years later* from Mr W. C. Wen .worth. . This was a large freehold estate on the Upper Hunter, and to it lie afterwards added the Waverley Estate, ■ which was adjoining. Everyone of these . stations was fully sbocked, and the quality' of the Belltrees wool became well known, j Other estates were afterwards added to hia possessions, including Martindale, Merton,' Dalowinbon, and Segenboo. Mr Wbibe j was returned to Parliament for the Upper | Hunter in 1866, and represented bhab con-1 stituency for three years. In 1869 he re-1 signed his seat, and left the colony for a | European tour, which extended over several i years. He returned in 1873, and pur-1 chased Cranbrook, Rose Bay, where he re-1 sided at intervals for the remainder [ of his life. In 1874 ho was nomi-1 nated to the Upper House, and held j his seat ever since. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow, bub no family, i The body was enclosed in an oaken chest, which was embellished with silver mount-1 ings, one of which bore the inscription, : which was as follows :—-" The Honorable ! Jame3 White ; died July 13th, 1890; aged 62 years." Altogether something like 20 floral | emblems were sent, including one of remarkable beauty forwarded by the Governor and Lady Carrington, and attached to, which was a card inscribed " With the sincere sympathy of Lord and Lady Carrington, as a mark of respect and regard." A man named Daniel Geary was charged at the Police Court yesterday under the Destitute Persons Acb, wibh having failed to comply with an order of bhe Court that he should contribute towards the supporb of his children in Sb. Mary's Industrial School. Mr C. E. Matthews appeared for the defendant. Evidence was given by the defendant and his wife to show that he was unable to comply with the order. Michael Hall fern also deposed that defendant had been ill for about three months. Dr. Giles, R.M., said that from the evidence the defendant had never shown the slightest wish or desire to assist in the maintenance of his children. He would therefore be willing to commib defendanb for one month's hard labour when applied for. Sergeanb-Major Pratt asked that it be granted forth wibh, to which His Worship agreed. Mr Matthews hero offered on behalf of defendant thab 5s per week should be contributed, bub Dr. Giles said tbab was a matter for arrangemenb in bhe future. The Thames Harbour Board held a special meeting last nighb in reference to the Harbour Board Bill, now before Parliament. The Kauri Timber Company were represented by Mr Dufaur, who urged that when the matter of levying wharf age dues on timber was again under consideration of bhe members, every encouragement should be given bo the timber industry. The Board promised to comply with his request as far aa possible. The Riljta&s approved, ■ with one or two unimpomntlSftarations. Here issorae news for clipped \ from a brillianb New Yorkpfper : " Auckland, New Zealand, is a lively town. It is situated by the crater of a volcano thab may break out at any moment, bub that doesn't trouble the Aucklanders. They are going to floor it with cement and make a water reservoir with it. Then if the volcano so far forgets itself as to belch, ib will be drowned oub before ib can geb its second wind. The new reservoir will be looked after by the fire and water committer,"

The Onehunga Borough Council met on Monday nighb. A reporb from Mr Boylan, engineer to the borough, re the placing a flood gate in Alfred-street, to prevent bhe bide from inundating several acres of land, partly the property of the borough and partly private property, was read. It was agreed to do the work if the private owners will pay half the cost of the said works. A plan of road works to connect Onehunga with Mounb *"' Roskill district was submitted. The Mayor read the following telegram from Sir M. O'Rorke:—" Might I suggest planting some trees this season bo ornament ihe cemetery reserve." The cash statement showed a credit balance of £850. Sundry accounts for aboub £30 were passed for payment. Cr. Jackson moved upom nobice thab "In order to satisfy any doubt that may still exist as to the danger of contaminating the water supply by opening the cemebery, ib is desirable to obtain professional . opinion on the question, and therefore it is resolved to ask Mr James Sbewarb, C.E., and Mr J. A. Pond to make bhe necessary examinations and reporb." The Mayor ruled the motion oub of order. Upon being asked for a reason, he said bhe motion was unnecessary, aa plenty of opinions had been already given. The motion was therefore ruled out of order. We are informed that the number of visibors bo Messrs L. D. Nathan's free tearoom during this month has been 1,862. Many ladies are expressing wishes to the firm to make a charge, as bhey are loth to visibbhe very attractive and cosy little resort in the Arcade more than once, thinking that it is abusing their liberality. Messrs Nathan and Co., however, only say, "Come as often as you like, and bring your sisters, your cousins, and your aunts, and tell your friends what you think aboub our teas." ; Ib was a bold amffjlucky thing in the shape of generous advertising to invite the fair sex to a beautifully decorated room, and to give the cups of well-made tea to all and sundry, but the rapid increase of sales of standard teas, we understand, well justifies the confidence Messrs Nathan felt in the success of their novel experiment. The Commibbee of the Auckland Rugby Union will meet this afternoon to elect a selection committee to pick teams to practise for the coming match wibh the Taranaki represenbativas on Saturday, August 9th. It is moat likely that the ordinary Senior Cup matches will be postponed next Saturday to allow of a practice match being played. There are only two Saturdays remaining, and our players will have to be all alive to geb in proper form for the meeting with the hardy men of Mount Egmonb. A 1-ie New York paper remarks in its religious columns:—" A New Zealand idol, 250 years old, 6 inches long, cut out of; jade, and uglier than a catfish, has been; caught trying to sneak into this country, through the New York custom-house wibh-' out paying duty. The New Zealand god that tries to come here and set up his foreign religion must be taught the firsb thing what his duty is and promptly pay" ib." "Some day we'll wander back again." Such it the comforting refrain Wirth Brobhers and their great circus are singing; bo; the disconsolate boys and girls of Auck- ( land. Ever since Whit-Monday the public of this city have had a constant succession of changos of programme. Each novelty has appeared more interesbing than the lasb, but probably if some of the old items were repeated we should protiounce them better bhan ever. The farewell-performance last night was in every way worthy of the grand season the brothers have had' in Auckland. The house, or rather the rink; was crammed. Mr J. Wirth returned thanks to our townsmen for the very liberal patronage extended to their circus, and announced that they would re-open ia Auckland with the Wild West Show, in* about a month's time. :i We are informed tbab Mr J. Tonspo Garlick has retired from the presidency of, the Gospel Temperance Mission. The. matter was discussed ab a meeting of the General Council held yesterday, and a da- : putation consisting of Sir Wm. For, Messrs A. C. Caughey and C. G. Hill, were ap-> pointed to interview him on the subject of his resignation. It is understood that the resignation is connected with a difference which has risen wibh the Secretary, who demurs to give hia services to the Society's work on Sunday. " 'Tis a far cry to Otahuhu " for a dance, bub those Aucklanders who. ventured out) last nighb were well repaid. The .dance was a most successful one from every point, of view. The Masonic Hail has a capital floor, and the committee had worked to.' such good purpose that ib could nob well have been in better order. The music waa provided by each of the committee ladies in turn and Mrs Howard, who was inde-, fatigable in good-natured endeavours to make bhe young folk enjoy 'themselves. Needless to say, she was eminently successful. The sibbing-oub accommodation'is bhe only point • that mighb be improved ab Otaiiuhu. There was always a fearful rush for bhe few good places, and the majoriby had bo be conbenb wibh standing up during the intervals. There was a very large and cheery 'bus-load from Auckland, and the long drive back waa enlivened wibh song to an extent which must have made the inhabitants of the villages en route think that the asylum had broken loose. Last night Mr F. G. Ewington gave tha firsb of bhe new series of homely talks to young men at the Young Men's Christian Association Buildings on " Elements in tha Formation of Character." In the discourse he showed from natural and political'his- - tory, from biography and science, that men a"re always forming, or having formed for ' them by bheir environment' good or bad connections. He attached great importance to libtle things, and illustrated thab point by an allusion to the acorn and the rivers which issue from small springs. He showed that often one word, ono acb, one acquaintanceship, one book, one letter had a great deal to do in forming character. He thought that in quietness and conficlence isone'ssbrength.andshowedthatthegreatesb forces of nabure are the most Bilent, say gravitation, beab, dew, and growbh, as was seen in mighty forests, where gigantic brees silenbly climbed heavenwards. He also showed thab Darwin, McCheyne, Sb. Paul and others had grown strong in quiet' retirement. Mr Ewington impressed on'the young men the necessity for kind interest in each other, and for resolution and integrity in fighting life's battle. The value of a good character was, he said, acknowledged,all the world over to be better than rubies, as they would find when they soughb Eosibions of trusb. Mr Ewington has a indly and confidential style of speaking, which appeals strongly to his listeners. Ho puts plain facts into interesting garb withoub detracting from their importance, and when he hits at some abuse, vice, or foolishneas, it cornea straight from the shoulder. Mrs Jane Patterson, who died last week at Panmure, was one of the oldest and mosb highly-esteemed residents of thab disbricb. The old lady leaves a Jong issue. She had 8 children of her own/ 52 grandchildren, and 25 greab grandchildren—Bs in all. « The creditors of Mr A. E. Braithwai.6 * have been offered a composition and have, accepted the same. They have also agreed '■< that his bankruptcy shall be annulled. Ib frill be remembered that Mr Braichwaite's /difficulties arose from his backing a bill for - D. F. Evans. The -gentlemen's entertainment at the .-j Arch Hill Wesleyan school-room takea . . place to-morrow evening and promises to be a great success. Musical selections from ; ; bhe harp and obher popular instruments will be given, also solos, choruses, recita- .< tions, etc., by the young men connected with the church and school, >'- ■.

[ The Onehunga Borough Council met on i Monday night. A reporb from Mr Boylan, engineer to the borough, re the placing a flood gate in Alfred-street, to prevent the tide from inundating several acres of land, parbly the property of the borough and partly private property, was read. It was agreed to do the work if the private owners will pay half the cost of the said works. A plan of road works to connect Onehunga with Mounb *"' Roskill district was submitted. The Mayor read the following telegram from Sir M. O'Rorke:—" Might I Buggesb planting some trees this season bo ornament ihe cemetery reserve." The cash statement showed a credit balance of £850. Sundry accounts for aboub £30 were passed for payment. Cr. Jackson moved upom nobice thab "In order to satisfy any doubt that may still exist as to the danger of cosibaminabing the water supply by opening the cemebery, ib is desirable to obtain professional . opinion on the question, and therefore it is resolved to ask Mr James Sbewarb, C.E., and Mr J. A. Pond to make bhe necessary examinations and reporb." The Mayor ruled the motion oub of order. Upon being asked for a reason, he said the motion was unnecessary, aa plenty of opinions had been already given. The motion was therefore ruled out of order.

Yesterday the Harbour Board referred to the Works and Tariff Committee a letter signed by anumber of leading importers of Auckland, asking that importers mighb in future be exempted from storage charges on ail cargo placed in tho wharf examination shed for the purpose of being gauged or inspected by the officers of H.M. Customs.

" Richard III." was played for the second time last evening, Mr Miln as before in the title role. The performance was very successful,. Mr Miln's acting being splendid right through the piece. The minor parts were all very well taken too, and right through the play applause was frequent and unstinted. The attendance last evening was nob good, bub the heartiness of the applause almost made up to the company for lack of numbers. This evening Mr Miln produces tho powerful play " Othello," and all interested irt the" fortunes of tho passionate Moor and his Dasdemona would do well to sec Mr Miln in the character. These Shaksperian revivals are most interesting and valuable from an educational point of view, for most colonials know Shakspere only by tbe reading, even if they know that. It is a valuable lesson for them to see the characters go through the mimic life on the stage.

Last Saturday the Tuakau footballers with a pretty strong team visited the Kohunga native .etblemenb some miles down the river and played a game wibh the natives. The ground was nob very good, and the latter were able to score a victory. After the match at which every native in the settlement, was present cheering and laughing, the visitors were most hospitably entertained in the village hall. After the banquet a dance was held and tho Tuakau men returned home on Sunday afternoon. The Maoris gavo them a " real good time," and the Tuakau foobballers will nob in a hurry forget their kindness.

In consequence of a communication from the Board of Trade as to tho alleg-ation that the French warship Duquesne touched a shoal or rock in Rangiboto Channel, some considerable time back while outward bound, the Auckland Harbour Board havo instructed the Harbour-master to hold an inquiry into the whole circumstances.

; The Harbour Board yesterday referred to the Works and Tariff Committee of the Board a" numerously-signed petition from Birkenhead and Northcote residents, calling for some very necessary repairs and improvements in the present Northcote ferry tee at the Queen-street Wharf. The present steps at the tee are vory dangerous and inconvenient.

The Anti-Poverty Society have resolved to publish a monthly organ for the ventilation of their views. The first number has now made its appearance, and bears the title of "Justice." It opens with a poem by the Rev. E. H. Gulliver, and contains come excellent verses on " The Brotherhood of Man," by M. Desmond. The articles are chiefly devoted to the exposition and advocacy of the single-tax principles, and are.evidently from the pen of a gentleman who has contributed freely to the daily press from time to time ripon the same subject. "Justice" will, no doubt, fulfil the mission which ib sets before it in its "Salutatory" article. *'We shall," the editor .tates, "strive to spread information on the great questions •which Henry George has brought up for discussion before the civilised world."

Tha usual meeting of the Tabernacle Literary Society was held lasb evening. Mr F. M. Hay occupied the chair. There i was a fair attendance. The evening was ' devoted to elocution. Mr R. R. H. Potter recited " Sebastian ;" Mr F. W. Gaze, •« The Leper ;" Mr Turley, " The Battle of Balaclava," and Mr F. H. Hill gave a reading entitled " King Robert of Sicily." The programme for the session promises to be jtn extremely, interesting one.

At the Harbour Board meeting yesterday a letter was read from Mr J. R. Browne, draw; g attention to his invention for the construction of breakwaters. It caved piledriving, as all the material was simply thrown in from above, and gradually grew up in a homogeneous mass like a coral reef, while the cost would be'only abouc one-fifth that of all breakwaters constructed under the presenb system. The mabter was referred to the Foreman of Works to report as to utility and cost.

On the motion of the Chairman at tho Harbour Board meeting yesterday it was resolved, "Thab the Works and Tariff Committee be directed to report upon the question of amending the by-laws in reference to Calliope Dock dues, harbourmasters' fees, storage charges, and such other matters as may require revision."

At four o'clock this afternoon the new Mission Hall of the Sailors' Home was to be formally opened. A short service will be held in the Hall, in which His Lordship Bishop Cowie (president of the Home), the Revs. R. F. Macnicol, W. Lee, Pastor Birch, Captain Logan (s.s. Manapouri), and Mr J. T. Arundel will take part. Ab 8 o'clock this evening, after tea at half-past nix, a social gathering will be held in the Hall. Bishop Cowie will preside. Short addresses will be given, and a firstclass musical programme. will be gone through. Aucklanders interested in the work amongsb sailors are invited to attend

, Lasb evening, ab Sb. Thomas' Schoolroom, a capibal entertainment was given by wellknown amateurs." The programme opened with a sextette by the orchestra and was well executed, as also wsis their concluding selection. Miss Wilkins contributed a song in a very pleasing manner. The Mieses Hamilton played a pianoforte duet, which was well received. A vocal duet by Messrs Worrall and Ferriday was one of the best items. Mr Birdsall completely convulsed the audience wibh his songs and had to respond to an encore. An Indian club exhibition was very cleverly performed by Mr H. Bailey. Undoubtedly, tho gem of the evening was Mrs Michaels' song, which was sung in a most pleasing manner and called forth an encore. Miss Harris and Mr Simpson's duet? was well received, albhough the lady was indisposed. Mr Tapper was in food voice, and his J rendering of "My weetheart When a Boy" was excellent, and in response to an encore he sang "Mary of Argyle." Mr Worrall sang the wellknown song y The Eriar of Orders Grey " in a most acceptable manner. Afteran interval the laughable farce of " Pipkins' Rustic Retreat " was played, in which tbe characters were as follows :—Mr Brittle Pipkins (Mr A. E. Manning), Salvator Rosa Robinson (Mr A. E. Dunningham), Shandy Gaff (Mr J. Watts), Mary Maria (Miss Robinson), Florinda (Miss Hould), and Betsy Perks (Miss Seymour).

The inaugural meeting of the Pitt-strret Mutual Improvement and Recreation Sociebv was held lasb week, a good number being present. Mr T. MpMaster was in*the chair, and read an interesting reporb of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the .faret society of this kind tbab was startfld in Ballarat, of .which he was a member. Readings were given by Messrs Crabtree, Watts, and Craig, also a recibabion by Mr H. Wills.

Gas and coke consumers are reminded that Friday nexb is the last day upon which any discount can be allowed on tbeir accounbs.