NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2522, 4 September 1873, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

; * - We regret to have to record the death yesterday of Mr Reginald Cobb, the managing agent here of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency. Mr Cobb has been for some years connected with mercantile matters here, having previously to accepting the post he held at the time of his death, been a partner in the firm of Cobb and Sawtell. He was also a member of the Diocesan Synod, at which he was appointed Church Property Trustee, a member of the Diocesan committee on religious education, lay reader for the parish of Heathcote, vestryman of St Luke's, and member of school committee of the same parish. His death will be regretted by a large circle of friends here.

We understand that a number of the electors of the Heathcote district have expressed a wish that Mr Montgomery should offer himself as a candidate for the eeat vacant in the Provincial Council by the resignation of Mr A. Duncan. We are glad to learn that there is every probability of their wishes being acceded to, and that Mr Montgomery will place his valuable services at th'e" disposal of the electors of the district.

We learn that it is intended to considerably improve the church at Woodend. At a meeting recently held it was decided to ascertain what amount could be raised for this object by private and voluntary subscriptions. Should the amount so obtained be insufficient then a special effort may be made iv another way.

We regret to have to record that on Saturday night last Mr R. Wilkin, the lessee of the northern portion of Hagley Park, lost sheep to the value of about £100, worried by dogs. The matter for regret is that these were cross-bred sheep of great "value. Mr B. Garforth lost valuable sheep through a like cause on the same night in the southern i portion of the park. We can only hope that the owners of these dogs may be made known through the medium of the Resident Magistrate's Court.

On Tuesday T. Ball arid, "W. Tinkler were capsized out of a buggy at the Junction of the Woodend and Rangiora road, near! Con way's- White Crane Hotel. Both were' hurt, but the latter more seriously. The buggy was also damaged.

The Provincial Auditor held a' Court of Enquiry, at the Road Board Office, Rangiora, yesterday, to consider the allegations made against the Mandeville and Rangiora Road Board in spending the ratepayers , money in constructing a culvert on a road not dedicated to the Superintendent. A number of ratepayers attended, and explained the. nature of their complaints: and in reply, Mr Blackett (Chairman of the Board) gave the reasons of the Board for spending the money as they had done. He, however, admitted that the Board has spent money on a road not yet dedicated to the Superintendent, but stated that the deeds were in course of preparation. "We believe the majority of the ratepayers will look forward with sincere anxiety for the result of the investigation.

The business before the TJoard of Education has latterly increased so much, that even with a sitting of three or four hours weekly, it is found impossible to overtake it. Yesterday an adjourned meeting was held, when Mr Farr, the architect of the Normal school, submitted estimates of cost for a building on the proposed plan of, wood end iroD, and timber solely. After a very lengthened discussion, the Board resolved to call for tenders for the erection of the Kilmore street front in stone; and also for alternative tenders foe an additional two feet in the height of the room. A<good deal of detail business was got and the Board adjourned until Monday next, at 3 p.m.

Tho following was the state of her Ma. ieltytell&ol.during the mouth of August :— Lyltelton-T*For trial at the Supreme Court 8; utadwtfofng hard labor, 79; imprison! xnent, 6 r debtors, 4 ; total, 97. Discharges, tried at the Supreme Court, 1 ; tried before the Magistrate, 19 ; debtors, 1; total, 21. Chrietcnuich—Undergoing hard labor, 47 ; imprisonment, 3 ; total, 50. Dischargee tried before the Magistrate, 20. Timaru-! Undergoing hard labor, 9 ; imprisonment, 1 ; total, 10. Discharges, tried before the gistrates 2. The '• West Coaet Times" of September 1 reports —"A meetingo£ the directors of the Kauieri Lake Water Race Company was held last Saturday evening at tho Cafe" de Paria Mr Cassius in the chair. A letter wasreaii from Mr Macphcrsou. of Chraetchurch, reporting the sale of between 400 and 500 shar» in the company, and stating that a telegram having been received announcing the final assent of the Government to the subsidisitig the race, tho 2000 shares would be quickly taken up. A telegram was read from Itr Bonar, stating that a letter had been for. warded from the Goverment to the Warden ol the Kanieri district, announcing officially the approval of the race. The directors decided to invite tenders for the construction of the race forthwith. The meeting was theu adjourned." The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of St Patrick's Church, Killinchy, aud of consecrating the churchyard was performed by the Right Rev the Primate, assisted by the Rev J. K. Willmer, deaconcurate of the district, on Tuesday, the 2nd iustaut. The weather was somewhat threatening ; a sharp shower fell during the vice in the echoolroom, consequently hie Lordship very considerately delivered lu*s charge to the congregation iv the schoolroom, instead of waiting until they arrived on the ground. Evening prayers having been read in the schoolroom by the Rev J. K. Willing his Lordship delivered a short and most impressive address to those assembled ; at the conclusion of which the congregation walked in procession to the site of the new chtirch, hea,ded by tho choir eingiug the, 385 th Hymn, "Onwards Christiana March!" -On arriving at the site, a bottle containing copies of the " Press" an 3 v Lyttelton Times," together with an inscription yraa deposited in the appointed place. Thca His Lordship having read the epecial prayen appointed for the ceremony, proceeded to lay the corner-stone of the church, after which the ceremony of consecrating ihe churchyard was performed, and the concluded. A collection amounting tojsl 5s 4d was made in aid of the building fund of the church. The following is a copy ttft the inscription deposited :—" In the Name and to the Glory of the f Bternal and Afttfo able Trinity, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, and in memory of St Fatrfejt, this stone is laid the 2nd day of SeptetaW, Anno Domini, 1873, being the xxxvil.jekr of the reign of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. Sir James Ferguson, Governor ; William Rolleston, Superintendent;' Henry John Chitty Harper, D.D., Primate; John Kidd Willmer, Deacon Curate , fe Ceoil Augustus Fitzroy, David ing committee; Allen church, buildere." '•'-< *■• .•'«■■> - ; No one -who takei the trouble to visit tiie^

farms of the various breeders and junpprse#|j of draught horses will fail to be struck by tha vast improvement noticeable in this cIABB ofi: < stock, when compared with our sires of afew years'back; at the present time a bad sire is all but a rarity, and there are to bo found plenty who -would do no discredit to the old country. Mr James Walls has, we understand, sojd bis W& , known horse, Sir Colin" Cajapbell,".io Mr King, of Timaru, the pacer a good one, but Mr Walla has t*fr' young imported colte which will show during the present season, and a handeontei eon of Sir Colin, for which he has refused: a large price. It is to be regretted ttrit ; ■ Sir Colin is leaving this parfc of the province,, as he has gut better stock than any other horse here, and as an instance of the ap- ;f j preciation in which his stock are held we I may mention that Mr Walls sold a | colt got by Sir Colin, not twenty !

months old, for £130. There are also some

very fine animals on the farms around Chtistchurch, amongst which we may tootd Mr Boag's excellent stud of mares, and a : good up-standing horse, Prince Charlie, (im« > ported). Mr Holly has some good well worth looking at, and three colts. Mr L. Markey's imported howfi. Messenger, will shortly visit Christchuffi r .i and we hear he is in grand form. ThisflwrfWman has another shipment- in the OhaflMwti ; which will be an addition to our , etooTc. ] We have also to record the sale of another I

of our draught sires, the pure T bred Clyde**

dale horse Baronet, having been purebSP | by Mr John Walker, of Wanganui. Lajt- | year, when Mr Walker bought thettwP- | known horse Lofty, perhaps the best hone I of his breed that ever stood in the province! 1

his place was filled by Baronejj;. , Ba|dpgj|tf . now four years old ; he Was Scotland to Melbourne by Mr tycQo&f£|ga£i the same ship with Bantin Eobin G'osteoM for £1200), and thefe purchased andW&Jf™ here by Mr John MeKellar. Hie pedigree is most undeniable, being by Lofty, who gained the Highland Society's first prize in 18^ it dam Darling, who gained the first prize it Glasgow as a three-year-old. He is fir* » brother to the first prize-taker at the Higt- | land Society's show held in Perth 1871.' At I our show last year he was only '* the famous imported horse Prince Cfes**** ' Mr Walker is to be congratulated 0D <f having secured thi< animal, übich be | takes to Wanganui in the Taranaki to-*T. £ Mr talker also takes with him the imports ' g Shetland pony entire General Nntt, formerly g the property of Mr Fisher, imported by Mr* ,- Wm Boag, and as this gentleman t possesses a breed of very diminutive jww«| ", we may hope to get a more plentiful enjw of a class of horse much enquired fo'i TJ f>""* , small ponies adapted for children. Qpiw' silver, the well-known trotting j, are glad to hear, arrived safely ■* *" <?■' Walker's stables, Watfgenai..,■ y h A good sum has been subscribed for fe Native School Treat, at St. Siphon's school » Kaiapoi, which takes place to-day, by W . p persons interested in the sr.ccese of j |j institution. The proceedings , the examination will be interesting inaS p as the Maori students have been educa fe under the present Government school sjs || and in the English language. After || and entertainment, in the evening, p requested to state that one or t*o P""^' |,- have proffered their vehicles to | strangers to. the Eaiapoi station in titt the late train. &#

svom oar Timani 'cit&anges we learn tha ... .. Qcgf was held on Saturday last, at th< •TetsDO Ferry Accommodation House, on tin Lfrcf James Crawford, which was fouhd ii JSaetnsnriver-bed, on the 23rd ult. Fronc . tie evidence it appeared that he had been drinking previously to his death. The following verdict was returned by the jury :— «Tbat the said James Crawford, on a certain between the fourteenth and twenty-third days of August, one thonsand eight hnndred and seventy-three, by and in consequence of excessive drinking, and not from hurt, injury, or violence, done or com'tted to tne sa Crawford, to the knowledge of the said jurors, died." fhe following information regarding the Inangabna reefs, is supplied by the " Herald" of August 27: dividend of 3s 6d per £1 gtfip ispreaenfcing a sum of £700 per full ebare was made payable yesterday in the golden Fleece at the company's office, EeeftOD. .JJe.totel amount available for this dividenH(was £4200. Tenders are invited by the Independent Company, Adam Smith's line, for sinking a shaft in order to intersect the valuable reef which, according to present indications, continues from the Wealth of Nations and Energetic into this company's ground.' Interests in this claim, which were valueless a few weeks ago, are now eagerly inquired after. Anderson's batteries will cominenceoperations on stone from their own mine to-daf* Since the Invincible Company cleaned up their batteries the machinery bare been undergoing sundry trifling repairsjbeljax machinery is also idle owing to the jjmecauee. At the Fiery Cross and Just-in-Ijine claims operations are directed to rais--jflgatone. In the former claim they have opened out a considerable distance north and south ia the main drive without disclosing any fault in the reef, its width at this level averaging about three and a half feet. Quartz raised on Saturday last was exceptionally good, but the quality of the stone has been so often -described it aesris almost superfluous to mention it at ail. In fact, both claims appear to share about equally in this respect. However) the public will be better informed as to the Taloeof the stone after it has been operated upon for a while by ten 6cwt stampers. At tie latter claim work is being vigoronsly pished ahead. They are now opening out north and south in the lowest level, and the contractors have made a start to extend the main tunnel another oOffc.-. Also, the conrtmctioßof the incline tramway from the main receiving-paddock to the machine alexias been commenced. The water-race and flaming are now entirely out of hand.

A corespondent wfites to the " Westlanc Begieter'' as follows, with reference to th( maintenance of the Chr istchurch road :—Mi ?<£& promised to; give the sum. pj £1500 to Weetland to keep this jroad ii repair,, being; amount saved by delivering the-mails at the Bluff instead of Hokitika I thank, sir, if the money expended in building breakwaters, and other protective works in the river beds-that the.iioad skirts, had been spent in forming new portions of the ftmatiihe higher levels—as the County GoVernment are doing now—the cost oi keeping,, the road, in repair would have been considerably less than it is at present, Why,not spend this money' iin forming the ioaS'Jrotnj the Upper Crossing, Arahura, to meet the road tobei made to the Blue Spur, and by.ibatineans avoid the risk- of the Aniara river washing away a mile or two of to .settiers, &c> There canJjijiiSJi doubt .this is the proper course iWjoMflhoßld have taken. TheD, again, ftwwfidp be the means of opening up the Aiakm Flat, which ultimately, will become the mainstay of Hdkitika; there being no-two'opinions amongst practical miners Mquiiaied with the district! as to its being auriferous. Ihe " Timarn Herald " Bays—We are sorry to tarn that the late flood washed away earcral portions of the railway line <tia the Washdyke fiat, amounting in all to about fivejehaine. ....'. ■ lfce ordinary monthly meeting of the Philosophical Institute was held last evening «t the Literary Institute buildings. Present —Mr Inglis (in the chair), the Beys Fraser and Stack, and Messrs Carruthers, Wright, IpedajvMaskell and Wakefield. Mr D. S. Montague was elected a new member., Dr Haast read a paper entitled " Memoir on Harpagornis, Part IL, containing Descrip- ' boa otkEelvis of Harpagornis Moorei and ; Assimilis." He desired to mention that from I &» possession of a few bones he had become I eavinced of the existence or a large I of prey, coeval with the extinct j -Bos, Since then further excavations had I light many more bones, belonging [ to two distinct species. He described the ! pehic bones appertaining to the subject of I kifrlectore, and laid before the meeting these | [ foaea, together with others .of recent species, I t<a comparison, the comparison showing, the enormous size of the extinct birds of prey. After entering into a description of the Peenliar anatomical features of-his subject, fte learned doctor then went to show that fte. 'discovery of the present bone? only eadened and strengthened his conclusions , as to tfee existence of a gigantic harrier in New Zealand. The President called the attention «£ the members present to the role, relating *o tiie election of office bearers'(which he Reread), and intimated that the election *oold take place in November next. The meeting then adjourned. The comedietta of "The Swiss Swains" Preceded the burlesque last evening. The Apiece does not call for any remark, save 10 »£ that the rendering by Miss Stephen- *>& of the incidental music was if possible successful than on the previous occasion. Hie burlesque, thanks to the capital singing , <£ Miss Andrews, and Mr Towers' good as Count Bodolpho, passed off %Mj. Mr Bromley as Amina still finds difficulty in epeakiug the and we should infinitely prefer the little bit of operatic music inci*atal to the part omitted altogether %Q sung in several different keys, but,of O6nr«; this is a matter of opinion. Miss *asrews sang, "I think I have seen you , capitally, and* being encored, sang with great spirit and effect. She ■** the honor of a double encore accorded and came forward to bow her acknowledgements, but the audience would' not 7"**feerto go on with her part until she a hornpipe, which she did well. Miss again committed the mistake of !3|g£"i?g. as Alessio with bare shoulders, her make-up altogether for the part say the least of it, peculiar. ToJPttow evening the sensation drama, " The fonft \kH? WiU ** P l^ £or Mr Bur "

The Rev James Bailer will deliver s lecture this evening at the Waltham Wesleyan Ciuirch. The subject chosen by the Eev. lecturer is one upon which a good deal can be said, viz, "Woman." The Eev A. F. Douglas has unavoidably been compelled to postpone the delivery of his lecture at Kaiapoi, intended to have been delivered this week. Captain Baldwin, one of the directors of the National Insurance Company, recently started in Dunedin, has beer on a flying v lS it here to receive applications for shares. During his stay, which only lasted two days Captain Baldwin received applications for a large number of shares, nearly 15,000. He left yesterday by the Paterson for the Northern provinces. Mr Prosser, who is also one of the directors, will remain in Christchurch for a few days longer to receive applications, the list closing here at an early date, and in, Dunedin on the 9th inst.

1 From Auckland we learn that the CoUierMcGowan company were doing a very good business there. Mr Hoskins has created quite a sensation in Dunedin by his production of W. S. Gilbert's Fairy Comedy of "The Palace of Mirth," which has been placed npon the stage splendidly. The Dunedin papers speak of the production of this piece as inaugurating a new ear in matters theatrical in New Zealand. Mr Hoskins will open here, with a very strong company, about the first week in October, the principal novelties in his repertoire being "The Palace of Truth," "Pygmalion and Galatea," "The Wicked World," " Cyril's Success," and " Daisy Farm." all of which have had a very successful run both in London and Melbourne. The monthly meeting of the * Kangiora Literary Institute was held on Tuesday evening last. Fourteen members were present ; Mr C. Merton, president, in the chair. The resignation of Mr D. S; Montague as treasurer was received with regret, and on the motion of Mr Boyd, seconded by Mr Johnston, Mr E. Good was elected treasurer. The secretary reported a donation from Mrs Ellis of three years monthly numbers of " St Paul's Magazine," and was requested to thank that lady on behalf of the committee, and it was subsequently agreed that they should be bound. It was reported that the Government had voted £100 for books. A committee, including Messrs Merton, Cunningham, Good, Johnston, and Braddell, were appointed to apply for the amount of the grant. The President reported, that the musical class averaged about fifty members at each weekly rehear-

sal on Friday evenings. It was resolved

that a concert to be given by the singing class take place on Thursday, the 11th. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Merton for

:he energy displayed in conducting the sing.

*ng class. On the motion of Mr T. Boyd,

seconded by Mr Keir, it was decided that

the president be empowered to get a piano

for the institute on the most favorabje terms,

and that the proceeds of entertainments be

devoted towards paying for the same. The

meeting then adjourned,

We understand that a numerously signed requisition has been presented to his Worship the Mayor of Lyttelton, asking him to call, at an early date, a public meeting of the ratepayers for the purpose' of hearing the opinion of the'various candidates nominatefffor seats in the Council.

A special meeting of the Bricklayers' Society will be held on Saturday evening at the Foresters' Hall, to consider the best means of celebrating the first anniversary of the society.

A new' theory of earthquakes, says the " Newcastle Pilot " of August 2nd, "is just propounded. Arid while scientific men are said to be favorably disposed towards it, they are disinclined as the medical faculty to commit themselves to a decided expression of opinion. Modern science in selfdefence had need be like the oracles of old time, somewhat ambiguous. Only one thing holds good till another upsets it. It has its fashions, as physic has its change of watering places. The generation of gases in vast underground caverns of the earth, and their upheaval of its crust in the endeavour to escape, has been generally received as the popular explanation of earthquakes. The shivering motion was accepted somewhat on the principle of water in a ciecular bowl whose sudden disturbance gives rise to the vessel's undulatory movement. Mr Mailer, however, says our idea is all wrongThat earthquakes are rather owing to the gradual cooling process going on in the earth's more central parts, and rending its crust by contraction, from time to time. And to leave us no vestige, of old idea, he further tells us how eruptions and volcanoes are not the result of upheavals but of subsidence. And this with the plains of Mexico on record —with mount Jorulls and its hundred petty " solfataras," that might lead us to question his assertion. But really in these scientific days one is so bandied about from pillar to post, that it is safer to believe nothing long; or perhaps believe a little of everything, and much of nothing. We pick up our knowledge as dogs drink at the Nile—take a lap and pass on. The teachings of youth are " pooh poohed " in manhood ; while their substitutes come in their turn to be discarded for the confidential asserted novelties of a latter day.

"Land and Water" says:—"Mr Lamont's beautiful steam yacht Diana, which has been chartered by Mr Benjamin Smith, of London, for a voyage of exploration in the Northern Seas, left Dundee on Saturday. The yacht is manned by a crew of twenty, and although there is a sailing master, Mr Smith will have complete control. The first point of rendevous will be Cobbe's Bay, on the northwest of Spitzbergen, where Mr Smith expects to meet his own sailing yacht, the Samson, which was despatched from Hall with stores on the Ist of May, under the command of Captain Walker, for many years connected with the Dundee whaling fleet. The Diana is provisioned for a year, but the object contemplated is expected to be realised in about six months. Should any unforeseen serious accident befall the Diana, the exploring party will make their way to the Sa nson, which will be left at a known point."

Mr Charles Eeade is gathering raaterial for a new novel, to be founded on the grievances which Mr Plimsoll so zealously champions. The novel will be based on facts gleaned by the author from personal interviews he had with English mariners.

The " Argus" writes that the medical faculty in Europe evidently regard the introduction of the various chemical preparations of the Eucalyptus into modern pharmacy not even second in importance to the discovery of quinine. Professor Gubler, one of the most distinguished physicians in France, has published an excellent memoir on the subject in the " Journal de Pharmacie et de Chimie." Wherever the bluegum has been planted in France, Corsica, Algeria, and Spain, it has obtained the title of the Fever Tree, on account of its wonderful properties aa a febrifuge. It has been found in Valencia, Cadiz, Soville, and Gordova, that the administration of a strong infusion in violent cases of intermittent fever has been efficacious where all other remedies have failed. M. Ahumada, a Spanish practitioner, writes —*' Its results are marvellous; and lam overwhelmed with applications for leaves with which I am unable to comply, as my own trees hare been stripped bare."

The German papers tell a'story of the disgraceful sale in the Czech country of young girls for exportation to Moldavia and ports of Asia. They arc purchased by dealers at from 7to 10 due-its a piece. Soino 143 of these victims were hiu-ly arrested at one of the boundary custom houses, but the traffickers generally manage to get them through the others unmolested.

One of the most stupendous feate of newspaper enterprise that ever occurred, must, says an exchange, be credited to the " New York Herald " in connection with the Vienna Exhibition. Rather thau be defeated by their energetic rival the " Tribune," the manager of the " Herald" pave orders to their correspondent, Mr Edmund Yatee, to " spare no expense." He carried out his instructions. The " Tribune," in order to steal a march on the " Herald," telegraphed to Queenstown, so that " the copy ,? could go on by boat. Mr Yates telegraphed right through, and the charge for the message amounted to the nice little sum of 2000 guineas. The Tanranga correspondent of the Auckland " Herald " gives the following account of strange atmospheric phenomena :— "I think it will surprise many readers of the " Herald," as it did your correspondent, that, notwithstanding differences of latitnde and variety of exposure, in which last feature the Bay of Plenty is peculiarly favored by protection from southerly and westerly winds, on August 15th, at ten o'clock in the morning, Tauranga was the coldest telegraph station inNew Zealand, the thermometer in the shade recording only 31deg, while Auckland was 60degand Port Chalmers 39deg. It is of course generally known that altitude more than latitude secures a difference of climate, every variety being found in the Andes and Himalaya mountains ; but places on the sea coast are mostly on a uniform level, rendering the difference with regard to Tauranga the more remarkable. A few comparisons of previous meteorological tables afforded the information that in six instances the mean temperature of Auckland was Gl deg 1 mm, in Tauranga 46 deg 3 mm. and at Port Chalmers (Otago) 40 deg 1 mm. Neither the variety of latitude or altitude, or exposure or cold winds, will sufficiently account for the low record at Tauranga. a place not more than two degrees south of Auckland, and comparatively shut in from winds blowing from the Arctic Seas." We ("New Zealand Herald") were told of an instance which occurred a short time ago in Dunedin, which shows that our Victorian friends can teach us a lesson in sharpness ; it would appear that a gentlemen in the habit of travelling, belonging to the sister colony, bought a draught entire for £150 —he immediately put it up by auction at Melbourne, and bought it himself for £360 ; the next idea was to ship the horse to Dunedin, where he showed his receipt, and thereby managed to get £500 for the animal. Not so bad

An amusing story, suggested by recent ravages of white ants, is told by a correspondent of the " China Mail" : " Some years ago, when Bencoolen was a portion of our Indian Empire, a deficit occurred in the treasury of the place. An official investigation followed, and the result of the inquiry elicited the following information, namely, ' that the white ants bad got into the strong room, and eaten up the dollars.' This was deemed satisfactory, and the matter was allowed to drop."

Another example of the carelessness with which firearms are handled is given by the " Ballarat Courier." A man had sent a brace of pistols to one of the Ballarat auction marts to be sold, and while a visitor was handling one of them, having first put a cap OQ the nipple, the contents of the barrel exploded, and sent a ball flying through the ceiling. If the muzzle had been depressed, the consequences would probably have been fatal, as two or three persons were standing by the manipulator of the weapon.

The following report of a meeting held to form a Jockey Club at Tauranga is from the " New Zealand Herald " of August 25 :—- On Thursday evening last a public meeting, called by Mr Eoger Hill, was held in th Masonic Hotel, to take steps for securing the site for a racecourse, set apart for the purpose, beyond the Gate pa, previous races having been held on unoccupied land beyond the quarter acres, until that site was cut up into blocks, and afterwards, by special permission in the Government paddock adjoining T Papa. Captain NoTris was voted to the chair

and about twenty gentlemen were present The Chairman recommended that the lan

should be secured for the district, whethe used for a racecourse or otherwise. Mr Hill

observed that the land had already been given, and it only remained that trustees should be

appointed to take over the grant, which, in a month's time it would be too late to do, as the opportunity would then be lost. Mr

Samuels, as one of the original Jockey Club, which no longer existed, narrated the cor-

respondence which had taken place with Dγ Pollen on the subject, by which he was in-

formed, that the land would be given over to

trustees appointed. Mr Edgecombe considered that something should be done to

secure the land in question, which ought not to be lost to the community. He proposed that a committee be at

once formed to collect subscriptions, and form a new Jockey Club. Mr F. George said that the question was one of vital interest to the district, and not a merely sporting question. The late Jockey Club had been to blame for neglect. He was satisfied that it had been the object of some members of the late Jockey Club to allow the matter to lapse, and, in fact, to get the land for themselves.

He said Mr Chadwick had been well aware

that it was necessary within the year to secure the land. All possible property that could be got for the district ought to be secured, otherwise it would be cut up and sold. He seconded the resolution. The

Chairman confirmed Mr George's statement that there had been an intention to absorb

the land which ought to have been secured

for the public of Tauranga. Messrs Ellis, Norris, Edgecumbe, Hill, Anderson, Hannon, Morrison, Asher, Penny, George, and Bidois were elected a committee. After a vote of thanks to Mr Hill for calling the meeting, and to the chairman for presiding the meeting terminated.

A new Robinson Crusoe has, says the "Pall Mall Gazette," lately been discorered on St. George's Island, one of the South Shetland Islands, situate about ten days' sail to the southward of Cape Horn in latitude 64. In the year 1871 the schooner Franklin, Captain Holmes, left New London, United States, for the seal fishery in these Islands, arriving at her destination after a voyage of four months. The following day the captain ordered a boat's crew of five men, under the orders of James King, boat-steerer, to proceed to the shore and commence killing seals at Winden Island, off which place the vessel was anchored. In the boat were placed provisions for seven days, and a big for each of the men, with which to kill the seals by hitting them on the head. Captain Holme's instructions were " kill all you can, and we will be back for you within a wetk." The Franklin then sailed away, and the men commenced slaughtering all the seals they could find, and so successful were they that at the expiration of the tifth day they had killed'and skinned 4000 seals, which they piled on the rocks. The seal crop being exhausted, the men resolved, with their remaining provisions, to set oat for St. George's Island, which is situated in the vicinity, where they could find more seals. They accordingly departed, leaving behind .them a small piece of board, on which was chalked, "We have left for St. George's Island; call for us there." When the Franklin returned at the end of the week, the pile of sealskins was found, and also the notice board. She accordingly proceeded to St. George's Island in quest of the missing men, and cruised about the island for several days, but could see nothing of the boat or the men, who were at last abandoned to their fate, and the Franklin returned home, no boat having been sent ashore on account of the breakers and the ice which had already formed. The men were supposed to be dead, but in August last year anew London sailing fleet

left for tbe South Shetland Islands, and it was mutually agreed among the captains that they would endeavor to discover some trace?, of the lost men. When the barque Nile ai-rived at St. George's Iskuul. the captain ami a number of his men went ashore to make a search for the remains of King and his companions. Walking along the beach for some distance, they were surprised to find a small hut from which projected a stovepipe. In the corner of the hut was a man with a long red beard and matted hair fast asleep. He was clothed in sealskins, with sandals on his feet, and, on being awakened, turned out to be King, the so.c survivor of the party. It seems that they found the hut and the stove on the island, and lived for pome time on pelican flesh, burning seal blubber iv the stove. One had died of cold, three others attempted to get back to Winden Island, and are supposed to have perished ; and King alone returned to the Nile. Such at least is the story we are told about the New Robonson Crusoe. A mysterious affair at Lake Wakatip is described by a contemporary—On the 19th instant two men named James Ronnie and James Reid left Queenstown in a boat for the purpose of returning to Mavora station, where they were both employed. Two days afterwards it was reported to the police that Rennie had reached the station alone, and on board the steamer Antrim. Rennie stated that when Reid and himself left Queenstown they were both the worse for drink, and tbe boat was leaking very much. After proceeding about four miles, Reid proposed that they should open one of two bottles of brandy which they had on Board. Rennie objected to this proposal, and the bottle was not touched. There was a great deal of water in the boat by this time, aud Reid took a bucket to bail her out. He missed his balance while doing so, and fell overboard. Rennie succeeded in getting him aboard ; but as the backet had gone over with Reid they had no means of bailing the water. Then they resolved to run her ashore, in order to get rid of the water by capsizing her. Bnriuic states that when he jumped ashore, Reid pushed the f boat off at once, and paying no heed to his remonstrances, headed up the Lake. Rennie lost eight of the boat, and then had to make the best of his way out of the bush. After i wandering about for some time he discovered a deserted tent at the Seven Mile Beach, in which he slept for the remainder of the night. He then returned to Queenstown just in time to catch the steamer Antrim. Diligent search has been made for the missing man, but no trace of him has been discovered. The mast and sail of the boat were picked up on the 21st inst, between Queenstown and Kingston. Reid is a single man, and is said to be a cousin of Mr John Reid, late of Dunedin

The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Bowing Club, says the '< Southern Cross," of the 21st August, was held at the Club-room, Thames Hotel, last evening. The president of the Club (G. 7on der Heyde, Esq.) in the chair. There was a good attendance of members. The Secretary read the following report:—" Annual report, August 20, 1873.—The committee, in presenting their annual report and balancesheet, have to congratulate the members of the club upon the present satisfactory position of the club's affairs. It will be in the remembrance of the members that when this club took over the property and liabilities of the old Rowing Club, affairs were in anything but a flourishing position. Heavy liabilities had been incurred, and further ex-

penses had to be made by the necessity of having to remove the boat-shed from its position at the foot of Short-street, to the allotment given us on the Breakwater by the Harbor Board. The removal of the shed was completed at a cost of £39 10s. Some further outlay will have to be made to make good the approach from the shed to low-

water mark. Since the clo"se of last season the Treasurer of the club, with one or two members of the committee, have had several

interviews with the principal creditors of the club, viz., Messrs J. Copland, J. .and D. Oxley, J. Clare, and others, and those gentlemen, in a most generous manner,

agreed to give to the club clean receipts for their accounts. The club, with the exception of two or three small accounts, is thus enabled to commence the new season free of

debt. The committee would wish the club

to pass special votes of thanks to those

gentlemen mentioned above, for their libe

rality, and proof of their good wishes for

the future success of the club

From the

Treasurer's report it will be seen that the

debts owing by the club amount to £13

will be the business of the meeting to elect

officers for the ensuing season, viz., president, captain, hon. treasurer, and secretary, and a committee of seven members in the

room of those who now,retire—(Signed), G, Yon der Heyde, Chairman." The trea-

surer read the balance-sheet and statemen

of assets and liabilities. The balance-sheet

showed the receipts to be £75 6s sd, and the expenses £78 2s, leaving a balance due to the treasurer of £2 15s 7d. The liabilities amounted to £12 15s 9d, whilst the available assets amounted to J5119, thus leaving a balance in favor of assets of £106 4s sd. The report and balance-sheet, on the motion of the chairman, were adopted. Mr R. Grattan tendered to the club a cheque for the sum of £12 15s 7d, for the purpose of paying off the remaining liabilities of the club. The gift was received with cheers. The chairman proposed, that Messrs R. Grattan, J. Copland, J. and D. Oxley, and J. Clare be elected life members of the Club, for so generously coming forward and relieving the Club of ail its liabilities. The motion was seconded, and carried unanimously. The election of officers was next proceeded with, and resulted as follows —President, G. Yon der Heyde, Esq (reelected) ; vice-president, G. Thome, jun, Esq (re-elected) ; captain, pro tern, Mr B. Provo ; treasurer, Mr J. Dacre (re-elected) : secretary, Mr H. J. Ellis (re-elected). Committee—Messrs G. H. Fletcher, D. Oxley, H. Brett, R. Grattan, T. Henderson, jun, J. Marshall, E. J. Ellis. Auditors—Mr W. Cumming and Mr G. Henderson. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.

the treasurer of £2 15s 7d