OUR HOME LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1896, Page 5

OUR HOME LETTER.

AUCKLAND. N.Z,,

January 23, 1596,

Keen interest has been taken hero

A3 elsewhere, in the various disputes which have caused renewed activity in connection with the British Navy, and th.s firm stand taken by the British Government, both in relation to the Transvaal and Venezuela questions, has been unanimously lauded. One resul t of the war scare in Auckland was the formation oi a branch of the Navy L-eague. We have no doubt that colo. nists will almost unanimously sympathise with any movement having as its object the strengthening of that branch cf the Imperial defences which is essential to our protection against England's enemies. It is from the warships and armed cruisers of foreign powers with which England may become involved in war that we have most to fear. But exception may very well be taken by the British taxpayer to pressure exercised by the colonies upon the Home Government in the direction of increasing his burdens for our benefit. He may reasonably ask whether colonial enthusiasm for increased naval expenditure will go to the extent of providing a substantial annual contribution' towards the cost. We confes s that we are not convinced that the colonies ought to do anything of the kipd. Englishmen and the colonies necessarily look at this question from widely different standpoints. The over - taxed Englishman sees the gteat and growing wealth of the colonies, and the magnitude of their public revenues, and asks why if a bigger navy is required for the defence of these distant countries, the people concerned should not give a substantial contribution towards the cost. This question was officially formulated some years ago, when a request was made for an increase in the Australian squadron, and its justice was so far recognised that an agreement was entered into between the several colonies of Australasia and the Imperial Government, under which five fast cruisers and two torpedo boats were provided for the protection of the floating trade of Australasian waters, upon the colonies guaranteeing for ten years interest at the rate of 5 per cent, on the prime cost, but not exceeding .£35,000 per annum, and a sum not exceeding towards annual maintenance, or a total of £120,000 a year. The proportions payable by the several colonies ?re adjusted on a population basis; New Zealand's share is a little more than £20,000 per annum. This agreement has not escaped hostile criticism and opposition. Two of the colonies held back for a while, and the whole agreement was in jeopardy, Nor is the opposition either captious or entirely selfish ; much may be said in rebuttal of John Bull's apparently reasonable claim. In the first place, the colonies have no voice in administering the monies they contribute ; in the second, they are not consulted in the declaration of war ; and in the third, although the colonies would receive some protection from the Australian squadron if war were decided, the chief defences of the great seaports would rest upon the shore batteries and land forces, for which the colonies are put to an enormous outlay. The English navy must be large because vessels of the British mercantile marine, which need protection, are found in every sea. It is more for the protection of British commerce than British possessions that a larger navy is necessary. Few people are really aware how heavy the military expenditure of the colonies is. In 1892 the expenditure on defences in Australasian colonies was £903,311, thus divided: —Military (ordinary expenditure), £"568,074; naval, £220,216 ; for expenditure on fortifications, £119,021; New Zealand's expenditure for that year was £73,122 ; for the current year votes were passed to the amount of £64,419. From public works loans there has been expended in New Zealand upon defence works, up to March, 1595, lhe sum of £429,719. So that it cannot be said that the burden of providing against the contingencies of virar falls entirely upon the British taxpayer, while colonists escape scot free. We do not agree with those who believe that the colcroies have no real interest in the causes of dispute which imperil the peace of Europe, or that we might get rid of all military obligations simply by casting loose from the Mother Country and setting up little republics of our own. In New Guinea, in Samoa, and the New Hebrides, we have examples of a large number of questions which have brought foreign troubles very close to our shores. But we very much doubt whether, but for the aegis of England, these troubles would not have come much closer. It

is improbable that the whole continent of Australia would have been leu peaceably in the undisputed possession of the handful of settlers located along its southern and eastern seaboards, but for the protection ot the British Navy ; and New Zealand is a tempting bait for any powerful maritime nation on the look-out for colonies. Apart from this, we are proportionately as much interested in the Suez Canal and the maintenence of British supremacy in the East as Great Britain is. Our vessels, our merchants, and our large mercantile companies trade there. We cannot in these days cut ourselves off from the rest of the world and declare ourselves to be entirely unconcerned in its mighty movement? We are living members of a great body, and while contributing to its splendid proportions, still derive much 'of our vitality from its central heart.

His Excellency the Governor. Lady Glasgow and suite have completed a tour 01 the North Island, including a visit to the Coromandel goldfields, where Lord Glasgow took great interest in the work that is in progress. Two of the Governor's daughters donned oilskins and went down the shaft of the Kapanga mine. His Excellency is now on a visit to Lake VVakatipu. Parliament is not expected to meet until about May or June, and in the meantime the Governor intends to make himself thoroughly acquainted with various parts of the colony not hitherto visited, and renew his acquaintance with scenes he had previously found attractive.

The news of the wreck of the fine ship Halcione at Wellington Heads, as reported in another column, early on the morning of January 9th. was received with general expressions of sincere regret, the vessel and her worthy skipper (Captain Boorman), as well as several of her officers, being well-known at almost every port in New Zealand. The casualty, it seems, was caused by a sudden change of wind when the vessel was in a dangerous locality, and the Magisterial inquiry resulted in the captain and officers being exonerated from blame.

During the month a team of New South Wales cricketers have paid New Zealand a visit and played five matches, out of which they won three, against Otago, Christchurch and Wellington, had one drawn game in Auckland and were defeated in a wellcontested game against a New Zealand team. This tour has' done much to cause an increase of interest in the game, and it is hoped ere long that the New Zealandcrs will be afforded another opportunity of distinguishing themselves in a return visit to Australia.

In sympathy with the London market, mining investments have lor the past couple of months been restricted, and the business done has been confined to a limited number of what are at present considered tbe best properties. Many new mines are now being worked energetic ally, aud capital has been subscribed for the development of stili further areas. So far, really encouraging results have been obtained, and providing capital is available to carry on the very large number of ventures so generously entered upon by colonial investors, there is little doubt as to the ultimate result. The introduction of more outside capital just now would give things an immense impetus, and relieve local holders, many of whom are in their eagerness to get rich already completely loaded with, mining stock.

A calm, eloquent and judicial exposition of the case for and against Home Rule for Ireland, was delivered delivered by the Hon. E. Blake, M.P., Q.C., in St. James's Hall, on January io, before a large audience. Mr Blake approached the subject not as a partizan intoxicated by inhaling an atmosphere electric with local excitement. The points which especially impressed us in Mr Blake's address were: —1. His graphic review of the origin and grounds of Irish discontent. 2. His convincing demonstration that while many of the wrongs of the past have been grudgingly righted, Ireland has still real grievances; that in loca! affairs it is the minority who rule, and who rule so unjustly that colonists would not tolerate such a state of things for 24 hours. 3. That Home Rule provides a constitutional nnd well tried solution lor the problem. Mr Blake's illustrations from the history of Canada were especially to the point in this connection, and his answers to the bogies which are continually raised about the danger to religious liberty, the security to property, and the unity of the Empire were most effective.

The Hon. W. P. Reeves, who loft Wellington by the Wakabipu on January 10th, en route for England, during the lasb few days received letters and tolograms of congratulation and good wishes from leading men of all coloura in politics, and from prominsnb men outsido politics, in all parba of the colony. It is gratifying to find tho "Sydnoy Daily Telegraph commanding the appointment of the Hon. Mr Reeves as Agent-General for tho colony. Hero any commendation or tho reverse of the Government's choice is euro to be open to suspicion as the result of party prejudice. Bub when a leading Australian journal thab ia far removed from bho somewhab distorting influences of our politics declare? its conviction of Mr Reeves' ability bo do credib to his colony in London, wo take ib for granted thab it means exacbly whab ib says. The journal makes ibs estimate with a full appreciation of tha importance oi bhe dubiea of tho office, and a clear knowledge of the class of man besb qualified bo fill it. lb recognises in Mr Reevos bhe necessary qualities for the position, and shares with us the belief thab he will prove himself acceptable both to tho colony and to those at Homo with whom his office will bring him in contact. Mr Reeves goes with our heartiesb wishes for his success in his new sphere of duby. As we remarked on a previous occasion when discussing bis appoinbment, he is going bo take bhe place of a man who baa distinguished himself while

policy.

lin offi>° hy n.ivor-flagging energy and J c'libhusiuatiu solicitude tor the welfare of tha colony, lb would certainly baa difficult task tor anyone to fill the office of Agenb General more adequately than Sir Wesbby Perceval has done. Bub Mr Reeves has the advantage ot the retiring AgenbGeDoral in one or two respects. He may nob be hia superior in energy and business aptitude, bub tho very facb bhab be has been residing in bhe colony up bo the bime ot hia going Home, and bhat he haa occupied a position hero which made him intimately conversanb wibh bhe needs of all classes of bhe communiby, ia a guarantee that he will be more in touch wibh the colony when he gebs bo London than his predecessor can bo after having been away some bime trom New Zealand. Ib ia likely, too, thab Mr Reeves will nob enter into tho office under exactly the same circumstances as those did who were before him. Here, as in all bhe obher Auabralian colonies, bhere has labely been evinced a desire to widen tho scope of the AgenbGeneralship and bo make it minister more to bhe commercial advancement ot the colony bhan it haa hitherto been expecbed to do. What practical alberations are to be mado in the administration of the office wo do nob know, but Mr Reeves has assumed control of it at a critical bime—a time when alterations of some kind are certain to be mado in the direction we have indicated. Id must greatly depend on him how far these change*, when bhey are made, will bo successful. In view of this ib is very clear bhab though Mr Reeves' duties in London may be mora onerous than thoso of former Agents-General, the opportunities presented to him for benefiting bhe colony and distinguishing himself will be vasbly groater. Tho circumstance thab he bakes bhe office when Mr Chamberlain is inaugurating a new colonial policy should be much in his favour. The Secrotary for the Colonios is enthusiastic in his schemes for bbc strengthening of those commercial ties which bind the colonies bo the Mother Country, nnd during his tenancy of tho Colonial Office we may look to sco great changes effected which will be beneficial to Australasia. Mr Hooves will do woll to cooperate with Mr Chamberlain in everything thab is likely to further bho interests of Now Zetland and the colonies generally. Ho haa passed from the arona of New Zoaland politics for a time. He has been a prominent figure there, chiefly on aecourtb of his close identification wibh bhe labour movement. As Minister of Labour, as a Minister who gave bo the greab labour problems of the day his doopesb and most exclusive study, and endeavoured, bo tho besb of his ability, to legislate for the benefit of bhe working classes of bhe colony, he will long bo remembered.

The porbfolio of Labour, which has made many an enemy for the Minister, is, we understaud, to pass into bhe hands of the Premier. Wo are extremely glad to see ib in such good keeping. Ib io undoubtedly bhe mosb ticklish porbfolio bhab could be held by a Minister in bhe*e days, and ft! our judgmenb of Mr Reeves, we ehould bear this fact in mind. The position of Minister of Labour is no bed of roses. Ib is fraught with pitfalls without number, and it requires a very clear, strong head to steer a safe, middle course. Ib may be thab the Minister ot Labour with his nervous, pootic temperament) was nob quite fitted to occupy it. He was, perhaps, a little apt to cherish visionary ideals thab could not be realised by erring humanity at this stage of the world's history. But he was undoubtedly a conscientious and sincor*) worker, and the wisdom of many of the measures ho pub on bhe Sbabuto Book will become more and moro apparentas time goes on. The Premier takes up the work whero Mr Reeves laid ib down, and with it he takes up all the honour and all the odium attaching bo the position. Thero is no littlo amount of odium from certain quarters, bub we ferusb much to Mr Seddon's pleasing personality and good common sense bo remove a greab deal of ib. Judging from a speech he delivered in Hamilton when he was last in the Waikato, wo imagine thab Mr Seddon's labour policy will nob ba aggressively progressive. He told his audience bhen that for somo time io coma the Governmenb intended not to aim ab any now labour legislation except whero ib wa3 clearly required. The next few yoars would bo devoted to tho proving of tho measures which have already passed into lav/, and to the amending of them wherever thoy wero not found to be satisfactory. This was hi 3 opinion, which, of course, so long as he did nob actually hold the porbfolio of Labour, he was-ot quite Leo to insist on being carried inbo practice As Minister of Labour, we may fully expect to sco an embodimenb of his views in his

The Midland Railway arbitration case resulted iv an awaid entirely in ravour of tho Governmenb. From_ the very oubset, we regarded ib at quite ii-conceivable that bho Midland Railway Company could substantiate its claims against the colony. Tho Company had ho notoriously failed to carry oub the undertaking which ib had conbracted for ; had come ao repeabedly to bhe Government) for concessions, and had finally intimated definitely its abandonment of the Nelson section of tho work, while demanding a subsidy in cash in-st-sad of land, as agreed upon undor the contract, for the uncompleted section between Christchurch and the West Coast, thab we were puzzled to know on what grounds any claim waa made. Apparently, however, bhe Company's representatives entered upon the proof of their claim for a million raid a-half sterling with a light heart. If thia wa< genuine, and not assumed, the award of Mr Blake. M.P., Q.C., musb havo grrsatly astonished the Company's solicitor when ho lifted ib on Dec. 30th. Nob only has fche arbitrator found thab the Company bsis no claim for damages with respect to tranwici.ioux under the contract while the Company retained possession of the lino, but ho further decide* that thore bad been such wilful breaches of the contract on the parb of i.ho Company thab the seizure o'/ iho lino by tho Government, wan justified. With regard «o the ell'ecb of thia seizure it must, be borne in mind thab the Company do not thereby lose their interest in the property ; bhoy can recover it ab any time within 'twelve months by re-paying the amount, expended by the Government upon the line. No doubt, some amicabie arrangement will be come bo by which bhe debenture holders will geb a fair consideration for bhe value of the work acbually dono. Thore could be no more complete vindication of bhe action of the Governmenb with respeeb bo this line than ia contained in Mr Blake's award. The arbitration was forced on by the Company againsb the wi3h of the Government, who were of opinion that the matter was one for the Supreme Courb to deal with. Mr Blake, therefore, came to the colony certainly without any prejudice in favour of bha Government. Then again bhe Governmenb arbitrabor, Sir Charles Lilloy, dissented from bho Company's arbitrator Sir Bruce Burnside, and also fiom the umpire Mr Blako, wibh regard to the legal right of the arbitrators to doal wibh the Company'B claim for damages on account of the Beizure of the line. The umpire believing thab this question came within the legal powers of bhe arbitrators, proceeded to adjudicate upon it ab the requesb of the Company, despite tho opposition of counsel for the Crown. His finding, adverse to the Company, after a mosb painsbaking invesbigabion, is therefore bhe more notable. The finding of a man so eminently qualified bo sifb evidence, and so conspicuously impartial, as Mr Blake is, will furnish the besb anewer to bhose who have besmirched the good name of the colony in connection wibh ibs dealings wibh tbe Midland Railway I Company.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Insurance Company, was held on the Bth of January, when a very satisfactory report and balance-sheet were presented. During the year that is past bhere has been an increase in the income derived from premiums, meaning an extension of business, and although the losses are also larger than |usual, thab ibem, as bhe Chairman pointed out, is a shifting-quanbity. One year ib may be heavy, the nexb year light; and the fairest way bo deal wibh it is to strike an average over a series of years. The undoubted revival in.trade which has been experienced throughout tho colony, and was a feature of the Christmas holidays, is further apparent in the increase of income derived by the company from bheir investmenbs, and will enable the directors to make further substantial provision for tho improvement of the Company's position. These matters are of course chiefly of interesb to the sha»eholdera of the company, though in so far as they indicate an improvement in trade they concern all classes of tho community. Of more general interest, however, are the Chairman's remarks regarding the fire insurance rates. That compebition which has beon regarded — somewhab erroneously we think —as tho soul of business, led tbo insurance componies here to adopt a policy of under cutting. The same policy is adopted by merchants and storekeepers bo a large exbent, but the nature ot insurance allowed tho practice to be grossly abused when onco it was admibted. Tho result was bhab risks were being taken by bhe companies aba rabe that would never pay. This bhe companies were bound in bho long run to recognise, and bhey determined bo adopt a uniform tariff, which came into operation in October lasb. In many quarbors bhis arrangement has provoked a good deal of hosbile cribicism. and there is undoubtedly ground for dissatisfaction' in certain cases. We think ib will be in their own interests as well as for tho benefit of the public if tho companies seriously consider whether they cannot make a substantial reduction all round.

'Nob very long ago we were congratulating ourselves on the immunity which we enjoy ' from severe droughts, and comparing tho : position of bhe New Zealand farmer wibh that of his brother in Australia, much to the disadvantage of the latter. Recent cable messages from the obher side havo furnished us with addibional cause for self-congratu-lation on the score of tho singularly oquablo meteorological conditions under which we live. Reading of tho fearful beab which is being exporioncod in Now Soubh Wales at tiiis bime, one cannot repress a sense of satisfaction thab our insular posibion ensures us against, such high temperatures as our i;oighbours have to endure. When contrasting the New Zealand settler wibh tho Australian, who is a proy to terrible waber famines, we never had any doubb as to which of bhe bwo had the besb of it. We somebimes quosbionod, however, bho relative desiiability of the lob of dwellers in New Zealand towns and of dwellers in Australian cities. Thero is much more \ life and go in tho latter. Business is probably brisker, whether ib is more profitable or nob, and the means of rocreation are much moro numerous. Bub when one reads of bhe bhermomeber being over 108 degrees in tho shade in Sydnoy it takes itway very considerably from bhe attractiveness of tho place and makes one think that after all our own quiot little cities are bebter places to live in than the gay capital of New South Wales. In Auckland we speak of tho heat being oppressive when the mercury rises over 80 degrees, and should it happen to touch 84 dogre«s, which is looked on as extraordinary, wo bogin to think seriously of giving up work altogether and lying down benor.th bhe shade of a tree where bhe breeze can cool our blood. W hab shall we thon say of a climate whero the thermometer attains the terrible altitude of 108, as it did on Jan. 13 in Sydnoy, and there ia no cool bnwzo to temper it? To a New Zealander lifo under such conditions, not to speak of work, would seem almost unbearable. To rise after a close, feverish night and to go down town to business with the thermometer at 958 in the shade, as it was at half pasb eighb in Sydney in the morning, is more bhan white men can endure. . lt» Sydney they nbtemptod to labour, in epite of tho terrible temperature, with the result thab a greab many persons succumbed to sunstroke, and numbers of horses dropped dead ab their work in the etreeta. The presenb high temperaturea — which ib io sinceroly to bo hoped havo reached alimib — have been experienced fur some little time back in Sydney and Now South W;'.lcs. On January 6th, the heat waa 105.2 degrees, or greutor than that •felt on any occasion since January 13;.h, 1870. lb was only a little less than tho heat registered on January 5.1863, when tho thermometer stood ab 100.9. But the record, of tho 6th inst. has been completely outdono in Sydnoy by tho hout of tho 13th, -ivhen, as wo said, JOS.o degrees was touched by tho mercury. This is close on what has been looked on us tho maximum for New South Wales, 109 doeroos, which was attained on the last day of January, 1835. Bub bhab terrible albibude has itself been surpassed in some districts during tho prevalence of the present hoab wave. Ab Babranald, 111 degrees of hoab have been reported within tho la3b fortnight, ab Bourke 112.3 degrees, and at Wilcannia 11? degree*. Ten deaths occurred in en day ab Bourke, where bhe heob must bo truly terrible. Deaths wero also reported from or.ffter localities, making a terrible total of between 50 and 100 lives lost by eu«>sbroke. It is seldom or never so hob in New Zealand that) mon are greatly handicapped in bheii work. In cur oquablo elimabe bho hoab which the poor Now .South Welshman aro panting under ia unknown. Surely thoso of bhem who have bean horo musb dwoll with longing thoughts on bheir visit, and wish amid that awful hoab bhab thoy wore breathing bhe air of Mmviland and fclv the fresh brotzo from the Pacific cooling bheir brows. Sir Georgo Uroy, writing to tho Speaker of bho House of Representatives from London, November 13th, acknowledges the receipt of tho resolution passed by the House on his rotiremenb from the Auckland seat. Sir Georgo goes on DO say :—" It is impossible for mo to express in adequate language my- feelings upon receiving such a record of lifelong servico wibhoub feeling deeply moved. Tho resulbs named aa having been obtained by my services aro a record of whab has been achieved by men and officers sorving tho British Empire for long periods of time in a manner which reflects the highest honour upon them. I believe thab h!sbory will record the vast difficulties which havo been overcome by those who, in a civil or milibary capaciby, rneb bhem as they arose. Ib is wibh greab pain bhab I now separate myself from'bhose to whom I owe so much. Age and infirmiby compel mo to do ho, bub I return mosb grateful thanks to the Parliament of New Zealand for fche invaluable assistance which ib has extended to me through so many years, and for tho parting complimenb which it has paid me." Everything points to a keen contest for bhe Christchurch seat rendered vacant by Mr Reeves' nppoinbmenb to bhe AgenbUoneralsbio. Three candidabes are prominency in fche field, viz. Mr R. M. Taylor (Independent Liberal), Mr Thomas Taylor (Prohibifcionisfc and Progressive Liberal), and Mr Charles Lewis (Conservabive); and by presenb appearances ib is " anybody's Beat." Oil was struck by tbe Petroleum Company ab Mofcurea, Taranaki, on Jan. 20bh aba depth of 929fb. The first indication wee an explosion. Oil rose 600fb in the fcxsra. B»e experb expects bbab when the bore is-Olear of debris, oil will flow freely.

During Christmas and New Year holidays fifty bhousand more passengers were carried on the Government railways than were carried in the corresponding period of the previous year, but, owing to cheap excursion rates, tho revenue from fares was £2,000 less. In spite of bhese concessions bhe railway revenue is fully up to the estimate.

The railway revenue for fche colony for bhe monbh ended December 7th was £90.207 11b and the expenditure £56,424 19a 4d, fche percentage of revenue being 67.60. On tho Auckland section the revenue was £9,617 4s Id and the expenditure £6,500 ss. The largest quota of fche revenue for the month came from the Hurunuißluff secbion, £49,383 lis Bd, bhe expenditure on this section beißg £30.900 8a Bd.

The vital statistics of the colony for bhe month of December ahow that the bofcal deaths in the City of Auckland and five surrounding boroughs for the month wore 32, and tho births 87, bhe perconbage of deaths to 1,000 of bhe population being 0.75. In Wellington and suburbs there were 98 births and 30 deaths;' in Chnabchurch and suburbs 82 birbhs and 28 deabhs, and in Dunedin atid suburbs, 77 birbhs and 37 deaths. The lowosb death rate was in Chriatchurch, 0.06 to the 1.000 of population, and tbe highest was Wellington, 0.77.

The following is the statement of accounts in connection with the floral leto held lasb month, which showed a balance of £254 16b 4d in aid of the Auckland Ladies Benevolenb Society : — Recoipts :—Donations : Sundry, £2 6a ; fourth form Grammar School girls, 10a ; cash from gates, refreshment aballs, derby and grandstande, etc., £309 3a 2d ; total, £311 19a 2d. Expendibure —Tramway Company for use of grounde, etc., and ahare of proceeds salo of bram tickebs, £34 ; sundry expenses, £23 2s lOd ; balaMCO, £254 16s 4d ; total, £311 19s 2d.

Stops are now to bo baken by bho New Zealand Governmenb and some of bhe Australian colonies boerecb a lighthouse on one of tho islands lying to the south of New Zealand, where a light is much needed. Victoria haa now agreed to contribubo to bhe coßb, and the Governmenb steamer Hinemoa will leave Wellington towards tho end of the month for tho Snares and tho Auckland Islands, with Mr Hales, of bhe Public Works Department, and Captain Allman, tho nautical adviser to the Government, on board, in order to select, a suitable site for a lighthouse. The cost will bo borne by the colonies interested.

An important deciaion waa given by Judge Wilson in the Rotorua Land Court on Jau. 21 in re tho Whakarewarewa blocks in bhe Thermal Springs district. The courb awarded aboub tivo-Bixths of the whole area to tho Governmenb. Interests in tho block to the extent of about 58 acres remaiu in the hands of tho Tuhourangi tribe, thia native reserve beiug close to tho Goyser Hotel. Tho portion acquired by tha Governmenb includes all the geysers ab bhe back of bhe hotel, also the spout bath. The Government intend bo form drives round bho Bights. Ib is expected when tha Governmenb acquire all thia property the toll levied will bo meroly nominal.

The second wool salo of the season was hold yesterday in the exchange, in Meaara Hosketh and Aibken's premises,' Queenatroeb. Close on 3,000 balea were catalogued by the Loan and Mercantile Company, Messrs Buckland and Sone, Hunter and Nolan, G. W Binney and Son, the four firms selling. Thero was a large abtendence of buyer*, among those bidding being Messrs Murg&troyd, Price, Colbeck, Hesketh, Campbell, Slator, Parker, Hellaby, Donald, VVarnock and Sutherland. In spite of tho good abtendauco, excepb for certain lines whicb wore wanted, the bidding was dull, and an easier tone was manifest than prevailed ab the December sale, this being especially noticeable in heavy long wools, which were distinctly |d per lb lower bhan ab bho firsb bale oi tho season. Tho general quality oi the wool offered was good. The Loan and Mercantile Agency were the first to sell, the manager, Mr S. Clarke Johnson, officiating a* auctioneer. Their catalogue comprised 833 balea, a fair proportion of which was sold, and what waa passed will probably b8 sold privately. The sale for tho most part was dull, and prices wero perhaps a shade under those realised at tho December pale. The mosb important clipofl'oied by tho Loan Company waa that of Mr J. Taylor, of Cambridge, comprising 87 balea crossbred wool, bhe loading lots of which realised S^d, a price which during this sale was got for Hovoral other lota of crossbred wool. Prices ranged about as follows:—Crossbred, 6;|d to Bid ; longwool, 6|d to Sd ; lambs, 6£d to l_d \ pieces, 4^d to 6ti. M r Buckland, on behalf of hia firm, was the next te sell. Their catalogue consisted of 824 baloa, moat of which sold ab aboub the samo values as at L'ecembei's sale, with bhe exception of heavy longwools, which wero easier. Somo bales of crossbrod wool brought S^d, and one bale of lambs' wool sold at S^d. The range of prices waa aboub aa follows : Crosabrtkf, b[\d to S|d ; longwool, 6;^d to 8d ; lambs, bhd to l\d ; pieces, 4d to 6d. JMeasrs Hunter and Nolnn'a waa bho third sale, and Mr J. P. A. Philson acbod as aucbioneer. The catalogue comprised 604 bales, all of which, with the exception of 9 lota, were sold under the hammer. The sale was like those which preceded, rather dull, most wools being easier, selling in many cases £ below December value. The range of pricea waa a follows :—Crossbred, 6hd to B£d ; longwool, 5Ad to 8d ; lambs, 6£d to 7^d ; pieces, 3d to 5d ; and lock*, lid to Z_.i.

Mr Gillman, chemist of Onehunga, claims to havo discovered a method of releasing the fibre it; tho flax leaf from the fleshy substance in which ib ia enclosed. The advantages he clairna for his process aro as follow :—l. Less co.se of production. 2. Can bo completed (with exception of drying):, in four hours. ii. Will only take about f>i bona of greet; flax for one tun of dressed. 4. Tho fibre is elastic, can ba turned out perfect, and the full length of the loaf. 5. Much stronger than by presenb process. 6. Can bo turned out with proper appliances equal in colour and superior in fibre to the general run of blenched flax, thus Baying the timo, trouble, and cost of bleaching. Mr Passmore, of tho Fibre Company's mill in Stanley-street, and Mr Charlos Heaketh, have reported favourably on samples. The Government some time ago offered a bonus of £250 for tha production of some appliance for utilising tho waste that occura in flax dressing, and Mr Gillman, bhereforo, submitted his process to tho Secretary of the Agricultural Department. Mr Gillman bas received a letter from the Department stating that nothing can bo dono in bho way of considering the applications for the flax bonus till 31t't> March, 1897, tho time mentioned in tho " Gazette" notice, and asking for a sample of the flax as prepared by Mr Gillman.

New Zealand has on many occasions had good cause to be proud of her sons in many lands, and in various walks of life. They generally manage to give a good account of themselves they go, whether ib be in work or in play. Some people hold that ib is chiefly in play thab our boys distinguish themselves, bub bho records of the Home colleges and the number of successful business men this small community has produced, tell another tale. When we consider our small populabion, as compared with thab Now South Wales or Victoria, ib is Romewhab surprising to find New Zealanders standing so high in the cor-.tests ab Lancaster Park recently. Ib f,hmvs very clearly that those young mm wlwe litaha were made or nurtured in Mscriiwnd have a fiae amount of strength, polity and |

staying' power. The meeting was in every respect a moat successiul one and a great deal of interest was manifested by fcae public ib the contests.