Evening Post. MONDAY, JULY 10, 1893 THE COMMANDANT'S REPORT.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 8, 10 July 1893, Page 2

Evening Post. MONDAY, JULY 10, 1893

THE COMMANDANT'S REPORT.

— « As Colonol Fox ha 3ci (ticised the volunteers, - so his criticism has. beon criticised in the * press of the colony. The primary difference between the two sets of criticism appears to be this— that Colonol Fox knew his subjoct thoroughly, while his critics aro very imfeotly informed regarding theirs. Most of '* the criticisms we have met with have been founded on tho telegrams, which, of course, s have only given the outlines nud particularly , "spicy" bits of his criticism. Few of his critics seem to have read his report in full, yet a careful perusal of it from beginning to end is absolutely necessary to form an intelligent conception of tho true character ot the scheme which it formulates for the defence of tho colony. As Colonel Fox says, that sohome must be treated as a whole, each part being necessarily depondont on the others, jt is complete as it stands, bnt will not bear dismemberment or . curtailment. Most of the half-informed critiJ cisms we have mot with insist strongly on , two points. The first is that Colonel Fox l r has not made sufficient allowances for tho ' volnntcors as volunteers, but has jud^od thorn by the standard of regular troops. Nothing could bo more untrue. Colonel Fox shows boyond doubt that tho standard ho has sot up is that of the efficient volunteer. It is not an unduly hixh standard. Colonol 1 Fox seems to have met many corps in the oolony which fairly came np to the standard. It is petfeotly evident, from first to last. ' that Colonel Fox is too good a soldier, and > too keen a judgo of ciroumstanoos, to expect from volunteers tho efficiency of regulars. He is content with a very moderate amount of efficiency, and oven from the officers doeß . not demaud more than a fair knowledge of company work and the ability to give the , correot orders in an intelligible How neoessary this is all old volunteors will admit, and even the non-combatant public must have laughed to sco the confusion sometimes caused on volunteer parade grounds by wrong orders being given, or right orders given in such a manner that they were misunderstood. In action, mistakes of this kind would be no laughing matter. Below a standard of reasonable volunteer efficiency Colonel Fox was not called upon to make ft&T ** ftllnwAnfiaa " Ha warn liynnivhf nnf

from Home, and entrusted with the work of inspection, not to gloze over palpable deficiencies destructive of military efficiency of e\en tlio lowest order, but to tell the colony whether or not it possessed a fairly effectrve system of defence, and whether it was getting a commensurate, return in form cf security for tlio large sum it \v.is annually expending under tho heud of dclonoo This duty Colonol Fox Ims performed faithfully, fearlessly, and well. If the result la not altogether satisfactory, tho fault is not his. He has told us the truth, and placed before us the real condition of our forces and our ccfrnrcs. Unpleasant thoueh tho revelation ot the truth may bo, we should bo thankful for, and endeavour to profit by, this knowledge. Tho second princip.il objection is th.il Colonel Fox has not taken into just account the admirable sorvico dono by New Zealand volunteers in the field in days that havo gone by. Tho reply is that Colonel Fox was not required to take anything of tho kind into consideration in forming an cst imato of the present nsef nl ness of the Volunteer Force, and would not have been justified in doing so. Tho Volunteers of the present day aro, with all respect to them be it said, a very different force, composedof a very different class of men, from the Volunteers of the past. They are not, probably, deficient in spirit, but they aro decidedly inferior in discipline and training for their special work. Volunteering in tho old days »as not playing at soliliors. It wa3 being soldiers, and fighting sidc-hy-si<!o with soldiers- at least in tho North Isluntl. Colonel Fox had i-> deal with Iho Foico as ho found it, not with a force of which it wa3 the dpscondant. Ho had also to bear this in mind— that tho object for which a Volunteer Force is noeos.-ary is now altogethor different from what it was. Tho Volunteers will novor again, happily, bo required to face an internal savago foe. If they aro over called upon it will be to faco a civilised invader. Tho conditions of warfare will bo altogethor changed from those of old, and a different degreo of organisation and ofßcinney will bo require 1 to inr.ke tho force useful. Colonel Fox has pioporly looked at the volunteers from tho standpoint of what thoy may be required to do, and bhould, if they are of any use, bo prepared to do. There are some other minor points on which wo have heaid exception taken to tho Commandant's report. One is that tho fortifications buying been designed by Sir William Jjoivois, a mililuiy oflieor of acknowledged emiuunco, Colonel Foxi« piosumptuons in condemning tin m ■he reply i- obvious. Sir William Jfuvors mcrelj gave goi.eral advico Ho was not responsible for the details of construction, the defects of which Colonol Fox points out. 'I ho science of military dofenco is a progressive one. Kvon Biuco Sir William Jervois's time it has mado advances. It is constantly doing this to keep pace with the rapid progression in tlio science ot attack. Then as tj tho big guim S\ hen thoy woro ordored they were bclie\ed by tlio highest authorities at Home to he of tlio best and nunest type. Further cxpeii<mco at Home, however, convinced those very authorities that guns of that typo woro not safe to use. Hence Colonel Fox advises that thoy should be sent Home to be streughtfned as guns of similar type thero havo been. It is I urluer alleged that Colonel Fox's estimate of Iho defences and Volunteers ia not to bo relied on, because it differs from that formed or declared by otlier inspectors. No other officer ever made such a thorouch and exhaustive examination. Perhaps it is not too much to say that no otlier inspecting officer was so well qualified to form a general opinion upon the whole subject or enjoredasfnll an opportunit\ fordoing so. Colonol Fox is a m,m of wide military knowlcdgo and experience. Ho is thoroughly up to dato in regard to every brunch of tlio service, aud his qualifications are vouched for by the highest inilitiiy authorities in England by whom he was specially solected for the taak of which ho has now performed the first part. It is absurd to attempt to impugn his qualifications. Ho has given the colony thorosultof his carefni nnd matured opinion upon onr Defence and forces, arrived at after exhaustive enquiry, and tho colony will havo itself to blame if it docs not profit by his candour and advico.

Poor Mr. Eolloston ! He bas no doubt in bis time borne a fail' proportion of the Hiings and arrows of outrageous fortune, but wo doubt if lio was ever beforo so humiliated as to be inado the objost of pity by tbo New Zealand Times. After this we should think ho would erladly welcome the political extinction with which ho is threatened by his pitying judge Life — political Ufa— can surely have few attractions for anyone pitied by the Government organ. Mr. Bolleston is to bo inado tho victim of his own temerity in having' the iinpertinciico to stick his nose into, tho Government printing, and to question the propriety of tho ch.ngcs winch the organ under Ministerial management chooses to charge tho Government for advertising ; or, to put it another way, the price which tho Govovnment chooses to pay tlio organ largely owned by Ministers und managed by one of them, for tho limited circulation it gives the Government adverliiments. Such impertinent curiosity, of oourse, well merits tho lato which ii to follow it, but Mr. Rolleston might ha\o booii " wiped ont " without being subjected to tho indignity of pity. The exhibition of '■yuipathy might have beon left to a misguided public, soino of whom will pos-ibly eouthi'io to think, even after tho extinction process is completed — which will probably be somo timo henco— that the name of William Kolleston | will continue to bo honourably remembered in New Zealand history as that of a true Liberal, and a man who has sorved bis country well, both in Parliament and in, tho Cabinet, long after Mr. William Pembor Beeves lives in the memory of tho peoplo only in tho record of ihe mischief ho has done and the greater mischief ho haa atj tempted to do, to tho injury of tho country and to tbc degradation of tho Liberal nuuio and cause.

In connection with the suggestion that the lato lamentable naval catastrophe was duo to a suddou derangement of the mental facultio3 of tlio Adniiial in command, it may uofc be inappropriate to relate the fact that aform6r Governor of this colony was onca afflicted in a similar ;vay. He was in commar.d of v man-of-war lying off Queenstowu, when in the dead of night he oidered the officers to bent to quartora, and open fire with shot and shell on tho to.vn. His officers, howover, approhended the situation, and tlio captain was placed under restraint, and, wo believe, remained for some years in seelupion, although he afterwards gained his flag, and attained a high scientific position Another naval eomm.inder, a\no formerly well known on this tsii.ioj;, lost his mental equilibrium afterwards dnring tun Chinoso war, although, unfortunately, the ftcfc waa not discovered until too late to avert v, seiioys disaster resulting from his conduct.

If the man who makes two blades of grans grow where only one prow before is entitled to be accounted a benefactor of bis race, what a debt of gratitude ioea not New Zea. land owe to the patriotic statesman wht> lias introduced Beveral now varieties of potatoes to the oolong! Raleigh gained undying fame from baying brought a single description of the tuber to Europo, but Minis-ter M'Kenzio lias colipsed this feat by bringing several new kinds to .New Zealand. It ia a great achievement, and oven worthy to be recorded in the Financial statement. Iv old times the deeds of heroes and pablio benefactors were written in letters of gold. Now they are recorded in State Papers. By the way, this is the second occasion on which the potato has figured as n. factor in the financial policy of this colony. It will probably be remembered that the lato Mr. James Macandrew, in the early days of the frozen meat trade, wniing eloquont and sanguine, as was his wont when dwelling on Mow Zealand's future, pointed out that the day might possibly come when this colony would be able to send frozen potatoes Home. The quostion now naturally arises whether any ot Mr M'Kunzio's new kinds of potato wilt stand frost It' not, there is Eometbicg yet for future statesmen to do— to ftnd and introduce a species of potato which will permit of its being frozen for export.

Particulars of tbo inter-colonial — New Zenl'ind v. Kow Sonth Wales— football match, and of sundry local matches, and a nows-lotter from Woodville, will be found on Ilia fourth page. The attendanoo at the Public Library yesterday <vas larger than on' tho previous Sunday. The nnmbor of visitors was 335. 200 of whom were men, and 80 women, the romaindcr being children. Mr. Vincent Claridsio, the first Secrotary of tho Wellington Working Men's Club, writes to romiad ns that oho Club was originally established in a five-roomed hou3e in Taranaki-place, every room being u'-eil for club purposes. The library was l.borally endowed with books by the lion. Air. Mantell, M.L.C., and others bought l>y means of donations from Messrs. Climio, T. 0. WilHams, T. ICobboll. Goo. Hnnt v r, and others After that the Club was located in Mannersstreet, where its club-houso was destroyed in the grout Opera House firo. Then tho premises at M'J>oweH's corner, above tho Jivenjnp Post publishing office, were secured, from which tho Club moved to tho quarters lately vacatad. The remains of tho lato Mr. Bulford, formerly sergeant in the Polioo Office, were interred at Karori on Saturday afternoon, tho Masonic burial service being performed at tbo grave by Rev. Jjro. lioan, Grand Chaplain, and also Senior Warden of the Leinstor Lotl^o, No. 4 1, of which deceased was a Past Master. Tho Lcinatcr Lodge was duly opened in the Maaonio Hall by tho W.M., Bro. Wills, and, tho Masters, offi.ooi'B, and brethren of the St. Andrews, Waterloo, and l'aeifiq Lodges haviu<r been rceeivqd, a prqoesßion was formed, numbering upwards of 50 brethren. Tho procession marched to Wordsworth* Btreet, where it met the hearso and other mourners Thero wcro a large number of other mourners in addition to tbo Masons, Mr. Bulford having had many friends in 'Wellington, aud being deeply regretted. A parade of the Boys' Brigade was held yesterday morning. The lads, looking very nice in their natty sailor's dross, mustered at tho Institute at 10 o'olook, and marched to Sfc Paul*, where a Bermon on " Heroism" was preached by tho Eev. T H. Sprott. Tbo boys, who were under Lient. Armstrong, wcro played to and from church by Jupp's Band. Yesterday morning Solomn High Mass was colebratod in the Buckle-street ohuroh in connootion with the re-opening of St. Patriok's College after the mid-winter vaoation. The celebrant was the Itev Father Perrien, who was assisted by the Rev. Father Hickson (deacon) and the Rev. Father O' Sullivan (sub-deaaon). Mr. J. Kearsley acted as conductor of the choir. An able sermon was preached in the evening by the Very Roy. Father Qinivty, of Christoharoh, who has mat nnishod a very sucoes«ful mission in Wellington. Tho Provincial Farmers' Co • operative Association has altered its name to the New Zealand Farmers' Dairy Union (Limited). Its branch creameries will be at Eaironga, Bunnythorpe, Pohangina, Rangjtikei Road, Woodrille, Eket»hun», K&iwaiwju, and Huat.ivnll

Tho follow ing are the latest subscriptions to the Ballance Memorial : —Terrace Gaol ofliemlg- P. S Garvoy, 10a tid ; B. Coneys, ss; A G. Millinston, 3s; D. fleardon, "R. Guorgo, H. IS. Richards, M. Meelian, VV. A. Kiddiek, J. Coyle, J. Scanlon, S. H. Spiers. R Mulroouoy, J. L. Lacoy, G. Shaw, N. Mlsen, C. Woyburne, E. Murphy, and A. Barry, 2s Gd each j W. J. Kofety and M. Dennehy, 2s each ; G.S. and W.F.H.. 2s Gd eaoh ; W.8.M.,23 ; H.M. and S.N., £t each ; G. Yon Schoon, £1 Is ; Taylorville State School children, 5s 2d ; Bulls ditto, 5s 2d ; Dobson ditto, ss. Already acknowledged, £203 -is ; total, £209 7a 4d. On S'atnrday another old Wellingtonian patscd away, namoly, Mrs. Sarah Bidmead, ol Eh/aboth-street, who arrived in tho colony by tho ship London in 1542. For about 40 years tho deceased lady and her husband lived on a farm on the rorirnaroad, and both weio very well known and highly rospected in this district. She leaves a hus>baud (83 years of age), six sons and daughters, 21 grandchildren, and about twelvo great-grandchildren. Mrs. Charles Willoston, of Broughain-stroet, is one of the daughters. Deceased was laid to rest in tho Knrori Cemetery this morning. Tho Chief Justice leaves for Wanganui to-morrow in order to dispose of eoruo civil bubincas left over from last Bitting. His Honour will bo absent about a week. Tbo first annunl con»ecrat'on meeting in couiioclk.n with the nenly-formed Christian Kndeavour Union was held yesterday morning nt the Wesley Church" and w.is vory interesting. '1 ho *Uov. C. liallastou occupied tlw chai-, and tho following societies were represented : — Taranaki - stroot Wcsleyan, 'i'horndon Congregational and Wosloymi, and the Vivian • street Baptist. To-night tho first convention will be held in tho Wesley Schoolroom, when tho Boy. J. J. Lewis will take tho chair. ( A copy of Wright's Poultry Book, purchased tor 30s, has been taken away from the Pnbli ■ Library. On Thursday evening a man obtainod permission from one of the officials to tako tho volume into the maga-7iue-room, but neither he nor the book has been seen sinco. Tho book has the Library stamp in soreuil placofl. Four drunkaids wore dealt with at the Magistrate's Court to-day by A[r. Martin, KM. One first offender was fined 5s or 24 hours, whilbt John Ruston, who did not appear, was fined 20s or four days' imprisonment; and John Campbell iviv ordorod to pay a fiuo of 10s, or undergo 24 hours' incarceration. Mary Cox was sent to gaol for ecvoii days, in default of pajing a fine of 40s. The local Orangemen hold their nnnnal church parade yesterday morning, and marched from tho Foresters' Hall to the United Methodist Free Church, Courtenayplaco. whero a powerful sermon was preached by Bro. the tlev. A. Peters from Philipnians, i. 17. The anniversary social gathering will be held in tho Rechabite Ha.ll. The application of G. W. Smart for the renewal of his pawnbroker's licence, was granted to-doy by Mr. Martin, K.M. In tho Courteuay-placo Congregational Clmrch lust evening tho Bey. Mr. Powell preached a funeral sermon upon the life of tho lato Mrs. Lewis, wife of Mr. A. M. Lewis, who passed away a week ago. The pieachor took for his text the 56th and 57th verses of tho 15th chapter of Ist Corinthians, preauhmg a touching sermon, daring which he referred to the deceased's early and onthu«iastio connection with the church, both in this city and in Nelson, where, as orpranict, hho rendered valuablo help. Af tho cloao of tho servico tho organist. Mr. T. Forsyth, played a funeral march on the organ, Mrs. Lowis having been a member of (ho choir The train arrangements for the United Hunt Club's Stcoplcchn&c Meeting on Wednesday nro advertised. The annual social gathering of tho Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Journalists was held hi the Masonic Hull on Saturday evening, and passed off in a most successful manner. There was a largo amongst those present being pr<"-s-men from other parts of the colony who are attending flic session. Mr. E. T. Gillon, as Chairman of the Branch, opened tho proceedings by welcoming tho guests, and an excellent programme was then gone through. 1 lancing wns indulged in for soveral hour?. Mr. F. Gardner supplying capital music, and in the intervals the following items were given: — Pianofoito solo, Miss M. Gillon; song. " A Fair Young Curate," Mr. L. Conpland ; recitation, " Mary Queen of Scots," air. G. Lnkin ; song, "Sailing." Mr. T. Morrison j violin selection, Mr I). L. Luxford ; comic specialty, " Tho Agriealtural Show," Mr. If. M'lConzio; recitation, "How We Beat tho Favourite," Mr. M. F. Marks; song, Braga's " iSerenade," Mi-u Murdoch ; recitation (original), '" Timothy Twaddle," Mr. R. C. Harding; song, "Mistress Mine," Mr. R. A. Lonehnnn. All tho recitations were particularly good, and were loudly applauded. Mr L. C. Woolcott acted as Director of Coremoiiiea. Refreshments Tere supplied by Mr. and Mrs. Erith. The gathering was acknowledged to have been a success in every respect. .Just as fio p.s. Manapouri was on tho joint of sailing on Saturday, an intending passenger lell «.n the dock. Two of his ribs wiro found by Dr. Cabill to havo been fractured, and he was bent to the Hospital. An adjourned mooting of tho Wellington creditors of Mary C. Kennedy, draper, Westport, was hold to-day. Tho meeting allowed the debtor's sister £20 for wages. 'The meeting adjourned sine die. The spectacle of a man supplicating a Ma'jistiato to issuo n. prohibition order against him is an unusual one. Such a scene was witnessed to-day in the Magistrate's Court, when a man named Alexander Bullock appeared befuro >lr. Martin, H M., charged ■with having been drunk. The accused wa3 alniobt palsied from tho effects of drink, and, w ith tears in his eyes, ho not only pleaded Guilty, but al»o asked his Worship to issno a prohibition order agaiust him. Mr. Martin, R.M., imposed a Mnall fine, and willingly granted tho application for tho order. Some timo ago the directors of the Wellington Co operative Bus Company decided to iucraaee their plant, and with that object ordered six w,v 'buses from Cousins and Atkin, Auukland. 'i'»o of !<ho number were brought down by tho Talnne jogterday morning, and were lauded on the Queen's Wharf this morning. Aoeoininodation and comfort have been carofnlly studied by tho builders. Tho workmanship is first-class, and eery attention has been paid to details, 'llio from; part affords seating-room for nine persons, and tho inside foraliou*. ten persons. Tho seata are nicely cushioned, and tho wholo appearance of the carriages is very pleas-ing. They aro certainly a wonderful improvement on those now in use. Tbo Board of Exauiinors undor tho Mining Act and tho Coal Mines Aot mot this mornjug, Sir James Hector presiding. For firstclass mino managers' certificates H. J?a,ltrid«re, <?f the Thames, and F: Flmagan, of Rcofton, siicee&sfnllv passed their ex- i aminations. For enginc-drivjsra' certificates those who pissed were :— F H. Wilson, i D. BJaekadder, A. J. Elliston, Jas. Dunstan, A. Alien, and A. Palmer. John Gibson passed as a first-olass inine. manager under the Coal Mines Act. Mr. Murdoch, tho contractor for the erection of Messrs. Brisooe, Mac Soil, 4- Co.'s warehouse on tho reclaimed land, is experiencing considerable difficulty in layingf the foundations, owing to tho influx of sea- water. Mr. Murdoch is now trying the experiment of sending down a diver to clear away the di'bi is at the bottom of the trenches, and if tho result js satistao ory there will be no necessity to nse {the centrifugal pumps to keep down the water while the cqnoreto is hejng laid. ' For the Pojmorston North Courthouse, eighteen competitive dosigus ha-ye been received, and have been referred to iUossrs. Blow (UptjerrSecrctary to the Public Works Department), Halea (Kngineer-in-Cbiof), Ifasoljon (Under-Secralary of tho Justice Department), and CVnpbell (Government Architect). The designs aro for a buildhi" to 00 t £1500. Mr. C. H. Bradbury delivored a lecture on Saturday evening in tho Hccbabite Hall, on " Rousneau and his Scheme." The chair was taken by tho Hon. W. P. Beeves. 'Jho lecturer traced tho progress of Socialism from ibe time when tho Barons won their great charter from King John. Socialism was ever growing, and ijiroiifrh tho lifo and writings of Roue.s> an it had received an impetus which had never since been checked. The peroration of whaf was a most interesting discourse! cousiilcd of a nanegyrja on JUousseau's life and its rusulls. Oii the motion of tho Chairman, votes of tliankn were given to tho looturer and the chairman. Last Friday evening a concert and dance was held in the Whiteman's Valley sclioolhonso. oogs woro rendorod by the Misses Chaotham. wauoon, and iifessrs Clicetlmm (2), Devine, amWVoo.ls (2). Miss G. Dunne also gave a recitation, and tho school children two glees. At the conclusion of tliQ concert the Chairman (Mr. J. Wood) thanked tho performers, and also complimented the Bohool-teaohor (Miss Dunne) on tho efficiency of her pnpils. The floor was then cleared for dancing, which was indulged in until tho small hours. The Gosppl Temperance meetings at the Opera Honso yesterday, under the auspices of tho Diroot Veto Conyenfipjj, ward well attended, the audience in tbe eyeninp being particularly largo. The Roy. E. Walker, Organising Secretary of tho Novr Zealand Alliance, occupied the chair at the (if tornoon meeting, and addresses were given by Mrs. Lodgo (Christehureh), Mr. A. C. Broad (Dunedin), and Mr. H. Field (New Zealand Alliance). Several hymns wore sung, Mr. Wright being at the organ. Tbe Rev. C. E. Ward prodded in the evening, and made a. touching reference to the death of the late Sir Wm, Fox. Addresses werp also given by Mra. Squires and Mr E, Taylor, botbpf Sy4enham, »nd Mr. Bracken's poem, 'Vilest Fiend of All," was rocited by Mr. ~D. Gain. The accompaniments to leveral hymns were played by Miss Billman. Mr. Blllman acted as oondnctor. Tbe organ wag lent by Mr. F. J. Pinnoy. The ladies who for the past weolc hivvo laboured so assiduously in aid of tho proposed Convalescent Borne, are to be congratulated upon tho result of their efforts, whioh will be something like £550 net. On Saturday night Thomas' Hall was again crowded, and brisk buninesa was done by tho stall-holdorß. Subsequently Messrs Hnybittlo and nniugham disposed of a lot of remnanta »fc an alarming sacrifice, and to-morrow the balance of the goods will be disposed of by Mr. H&ybittle in Thomas' auotion mart. ■ - Mr. - Edward Buokorid?e, formerly proprietor of Bevorad Wairarapa hotels, has pnrohased, through Messrs. Dwan Bros , Mrs. Smith's interest in the Queen's Hotel, Lambton-qnay. Messrs. Dwan Bros, also report that Air. Albert White, late of Wellington, has leased from Mr. D. Toohill the Universal Hotel, Eketohuna. The postponed conversazione of the Wellington Hduoational Institute will tie held on the 4th August in Thomas' Hall. Par'Knnlnri will ha AnW •^varfjanil

Tbe Blips in the Manawatu Gorge were cleared yesterday, and tbo trains are tunning as usual to-day. The W&irarapa lino in also oloar. Judgmont for plaintiffs was given in tlie Magistrate's Court to-day by Mr. Martin, K.M. : -J. Hunter v. M. K. M'Carthy, G3 bd ; Bowerman Bros. v. K. Rogers, J3 63 Gd; same' v. J. Vechir, £7 63 Cii ; same v. H. E. Cotter, £2 15a ; same v. H. Roberts, £8 14s Gd ; J. Lawlor v. S. M'Alistor, £1 ; J. Evoritt v J. J. 1 aylor, £2 ; Binpr, Harris, and Co. v. A MCtelland, .£4l 14i; M. H. M'Carthy v J. Hunter, claim .£5O, judgment for .£35 jK. Butler v. J. Tamold, £7 15s lOd. Ballinger Bros, hare obtained tbe contract for rc-paiuting of and repairs to tbe Hutt Courthouse. Tbe lecture " To Great Britain and back in 1892," by Mr Randcrsrn, which was postponed owing to last week's storm, will bo given to-night in Nowtown Wesleyan Church, at 7 30, anil to-morrow evening, at the same hour, in Taranaki-street Wpsleyan Sahool. Tbo members of tbo Wellington "Working Men's Clnb are invited to a sooial gathering to be held in tho club's social hall to-night. ThH evening's inset is n price-list ls-.nerl hy Wai nock, Kully A; Aclkiu, wlio«o snlc will coutinue for tlic whole month of July at least. Tlio Helpinjr Huuil Evnn.v-ahsts are advertisod to jyive their popnlnrlanteni-lectnie.eDlit led "Social Ke cue Work 111 Auckland," at the Pttouo Wn«loyan Church to-mglit. Exch invoß Bpeak well of tho good noi k done by the Helping Hand mission. U< k or<ro Thomas & Co. will Hell to-morrow, unclaimed eoodi. Fiancis Suley & Co. will sell to-morrow, furniltuc, &c. W. P. SUortt will sell to-morrow, furniture, ic. Ijacry & Co. will sell to-morrow, fruit, to.