Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1894.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 51, 29 August 1894, Page 2

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1894.

INSTRUCTIVE CANDOUR. ? Mr. Glyn, the late Chairman of the Bank of New Zealand, is a very able man. He occupies a position almost, if not quite, in the front rank of financial magnates in the world's great money mart. When the Bank of Now Zealand got into difficulties under its Auckland management he came to the rescue. If it kept its eye on him he would pull it through. In pursuance of this intention ho visited the colony and enquired into things for himself. If we are not mistaken, he expreEsed himself, or was represented as expressing himself, very guardedly in favour of the Land and Taxation policies of the Government, -which pestilential Opposition papers wore denouncing as tending to accentuate depression by driving capital out of the colony. At least, the words he was represented as uttering in the colony and after his retnrn to England were, if we remember rightly, so construed by Ministerial organs, and much capital was manufactured therefrom. Mr. Glyn, however, is a diplomatist as well as a financier. He evidently knows when to hold his tongue, as well as when to speak. It wonld be very interesting to know fully what his thonghts were after he completed his tour in the colony. The cable yesterday gave us a clue, and his practioal action throws further light on the subject. Mr. Glyn was not favourably impressed with the policy of the Government. He at once grasped the faot that the Ministerial policy was acting injuriously on the welfare of the colony, precisoly as the Opposition papers aaid it was. tie waa too prudent a man, however, to announce that opinion while burdened with the responsibilities of the Bank of New Zealand. It was his interest rather to cement than to shake confidence in the colony, and although he must have returned to London quite convinced that under the existing state of things the Assets Company was a millstone round the neck of the Bank of New Zealand, dragging it down with irresistible force, he was much too politic a man to proclaim this conclusion to the world. There was nothing in his manner to lead the publio to believe that he held any such opinion. On the contrary, at the meeting of the Bank not long ago his air was hopefnl, and decidedly confident. But even then it would seem that the sohonw waa being worked out to transform the Bank into a Government institution, and to transfer to the colony its liabilities and responsibilities. This has now been accomplished. Mr. Gltn was enabled on Monday last to gleefully inform tho shareholders that the Bank was now " practically a Government institution." He was good enough to add that he did not think the Government would lose by the transaction. That opinion may be taken for what it is worth. Evidently the shareholders would have lost if the Government had not come to their relief. Being relieved of further care or responsibility for the institution, Mr. Glyn was enabled, while patting the Government on the back for what he termed its prompt and statesmanlike action, to speak his mind a little freely about the Ministerial policy which had brought abont the crisis This he unequivocally oondemned. The Land and Taxation policies of the Government, he said, had " stopped estate sales." This is exactly what we and others have said all along. The policy of the Government has destroyed confidence, shaken faith, killed enterprise, driven capital away, and put a stop to all investment and speculation. Mr. Glyn admits that such has been its effect as regards the Assets estates and the Bank of New Zealand. The same conrse must have produced' similar effects in many other directions, and it amply accounts for the depression which exists so widely and is so severely felt. The Bank of New Zealand has, by astute management and skillful diplomacy, managed to get out of its troubles by transferring them to the Government, whose policy has brought them about. Other sufferers can command no such relief. They have to bear the consequences of tie evil policy of the Government, even though they may have fought against it. A more practical and emphatic condemnation nf the policy of the Government than Mr. Glyn'b remarks convey could not well be imagined, and the unfortunate general public of the colony have not only to bear tho ordinary and natural evil results of that policy as affecting themselves, bat they have now to bear also the results whioh that policy de- . volved on the shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand, a responsibility whjoh those shareholders have very cleverly managed to transfer to the taxpayers of the oolony. The latter have more than their own share of the evil thus thrust upon them. As the Government this session is porsisting in and carrying to still further extremes the policy which has already produced such disastrous effeots, it ia evident that tho taxpayers have by no means reached tbe full measnre of their troubles yet. There iB probably worse iv store for them, and the fact of the Bank of New Zealand having become "practically a Government institution " will, we fear, deßpite Mr. Glyn's hopeful and politic antioipations, yet tend seriously to increase the financial difficulties of the colony, and to intensify the present most deplorable depression. '

The Public Petitions Committee has onoe more recommended that some employment should be found for Lieut.-Colonel M'Donriell, N.Z.C. It is a public scandal and a disgrace to tho colony that snch a recommendation should now be necessary. No man ever fought more gallantly for New Zealand than Lieut. -Colonel M'Donnell did. No man ever incurred greater personal risk to do service to his adopted land. Few men have rendered the colony better service than he has done, and having given the best years of his life to its servioe in the field, it is a national disgrace that in the deoline of life he should be left unprovided for. There have been many opportunities for providing suitably for him, but he is more soldier than courtier, and wo suppose he has failed to ingratiate himself with successive Ministers by not being sufficiently subservient. His knowledge of Maori is equal to that of any other man in the colony, and when temporarily employed by the late Mr. Ballance in land purchase transactions he was most successful. He has been repeatedly promised employment, and recommended for it by Parliamentary Committees, Sir George Grey, Generals Cameron and Chute, and many others, and yet he is still out in the cold. Had the Government appointed him Sergeant-at-Arms the House would have had an honourable and efficient officer in every way fitted for the proper performance of his duties. It would have been an appointment as creditable to House and Ministry as the one made was discreditable to both. However, there are plenty of other offices for whioh Lieut. -Colonel M'Donnell possesses exceptional qualifications, owing to bis knowledge of tho native language and of native affairs generally. We sincerely hope that tho Government will give immediate effect to the recommendation now made by the Committee which has had Lieut. -Colonol M'Donnell's petition before it.

When Sir Harry Atkinson, in a Quixotic spirit, introduced his proposal for tho reduction of Ministerial salaries we stood almost alone amongst the papers of the colony in protesting against the change. The Skinflints, however, were in the ascendant, and Liberals and Conservatives alike were inclined to pander to the ignorant and unreasoning roar for retrenchment which had frightened both. So the reduction was carried, and the country has suffered by it. as it always must suffer when economy degenerates into meanness. The pay now given to Ministers is altogether out of proportion to tho work required. . The matter must not be looked at in a personal point of view. We may think that tho present Ministers would be dear at any price, but that does not affeot the principle at stake. No matter who the Ministers may be, when Parliament places them in the position it should also provide for their adequate remuneration. The question is not who the Ministers are, but what they are. If they are entrusted with Ministerial duties, they should be remunerated in accordance with the dignity of the offices they hold. The good old general principle that the labourer is worthy of his hire cannot eafely be departed from in modern days, and especially in regard to public employment. The present salaries of Ministers are disoreditably low. The oolony should be ashamed to ask men to devote their time and ability to its governireiit at such a prioe. We believe that both the House and the aonntry have now come to ace the unwisdom of the Atkinsonian redaction. Mr. Mitohelson, who was one of those who origin&lly proposed it, has already recanted and admitted the error of his ways. The position taken up by the Premier on the position is a proper and dignified one. He admits the inadequacy of the salaries, bnt says it is, for the House to move in the matter, not for those who would benefit by the increase to approaoh the House cap in hand asking for more pay. We hope the House will take the initiative, and that an Address to the Governor will be moved asking that better provision may be made for the .salaries of his Responsible Advisers Wo also agree with those who last nifrht urged that the salary of the Agent-General is too low. The colony cannot afford to have its Agent-General placed at a disadvantage as compared with the representatives of other colonies. It is so at present in the matter of social functions. Sir Westby Perceval is privately a rich man, but he very properly does not feel himself called on to spend hia own money in keeping up his offioial position in regard to social matters. He does not do so. His official living ia regulated etriotly in accordance with hia official salary, and if this sometimes causes New Zealand to look mean alongside other colonies, tbe fault rests with the colony, not with the Agent-General. The office Bhould have snob a salary attached to it as would enable the ccenpant, even if a poor man, to keep np the position as other Agent-Generals do. We do not at all agree with Mr. Bell that the office of Financial Adviser to the AgentGeneral in London should be abolished, although we object to Sir Penroae Jnlj-an drawing the .£4OO a year. The office is a very useful one. The Agent-General may not always be well np in finance. New men will

constantly have to be appointed, who will arrive in London utterly ignorant of the technique of the Stock Exchange and money market. The Agent-General will always require expert advice when conducting the financial business of the colony, and the sum of •f?°oa year is a mere trifle to pay for it. In SirFenrose Julyan's case it is merely a retaining fee. Whenever he has done anything he has been paid by liberal commissions. He ia now a very old man, and has retired^ from active business, financial and otherwise. He lives a long way from London, and only comes up occasionally to have a chat with the Agent-General. As one of the Crown Agents. Sir Penrose Julyan did remarkably well out of this colony. He has really no claim upon it. He lias been paid liberally for all he has done. But there is_ in London a man quite as competent as Sir Penroß6 Julyan to act as the Mentor of the Agent-General on the Stock Exchange or in the money market, and who has strong claims on the colony. That man is Sir Julius Vogel, and instead of paying this £400 a year to Sir Penrose Julyan, who is a very rich man and does not want it, we Bhould like to see it paid to Sir Julius Vogel, who is in every way as well qualified to perform the duties, who resides upon the spot, who knows everything about New Zealand finance, and who is a poor man, to whom the salary would form a most acceptable recognition of his services to New Zealand. The Government would do a gracious and a kindly act by putting Sir Julius Vogel in Sir Penrose Jnlyan's place. Without cost to itself the colony might thus recognise Sir Julius Vogel'B services and the claims he has upon it.

Reports of yesterday's proceedings in Parliament, and of Mr. W. Higginbottom's address to the Newtown ratepayers, will be found on the fourth page. A number of letters to (he Editor are unavoidably held over. Our readers will do well to remember that Friday is the last day of grrace for the payment of Land-tax. After that 10 per cent, will bo added. The Press_ Association sends us the following: — It is explained in reference to Mr. Glyn's cabled statement as to the earnings of the Bank of New Zealand Estates Company — that the company had never made more than 1J per cent, per annum, and thiß year had made nothing— that he means after providing .£82,500 interest at 5J per cent, on J61, 500,000 of debentures. A largo English mail will come to hand by the Waihora, due here to-morrow from Sydney. Captain Edwin advises us that hard gales, generally from the northward, with rain, may be expected in most parts of the country between noon on the 2nd and midnight on the 3rd prox. A great many people will learn with sincere regret that Mr. John E. Coker died this morning- at his residence, New Brighton, near Christchurch, where he has resided for some time past. Few men were better known in the colony than Mr. Coker, and whereever he was known he was liked. He played many parts on life's stage, and had in his youth seen much of the world while following a sea life. He was a very early resident in Canterbury, and like most of tbe old colonists pursued a variety of avocations at different times. But it was as a hotelkeeper that Mr. Coker made his mark. At the old Commercial in Christchuroh. the Occidental in Wellington, and the founder of the hotel which bears his name in the Cathedral City, Mr. Coker nfforded the public an object lesßon in regard to the bußiress. As Mine Host he was in his element, and he always managed the houses in an exemplary manner. Enterprising, liberal, genial, aud kind-hearted, possessed of a fund of anecdote and world- wide experience, ho commanded the respect and regard of all with whom he was brought into contact. He was thoroughly straight and honourable in every relation of life. fc ; ome few years ago a serious attack of illness compelled him to retire from tho management of Coker's Hotel, Christchurch, and on his recovery be visited tho Old Country. Since his return he ha 3 made one or two efforts to again go into business, but his health was not equal to the strain, and he has latterly resided at New Brighton, where on Sunday morning he was seized with an attack of paralysis. He expired early this morning. Mr. Coker was twice married. Ho leaves a widow and two grownup daughters, one of whom — Mrs. L. P. Blundell — resides in this city. The following is a copy of an extraordinary letter which was handed to the Benevolent Tiustecs yesterday in connection with the case of a child who was said to be destitute : — " My name is , and I am a destitute person, my father having married my mother for her money, spent it all, ordered me into the world against my wish, and now has left both to starve. My mother has taken places in service to support me, but, having gone through so much worry and starvation, her health has completely broken down, and she is now obliged to leave them one after another. She left her last on Wodnesday with 10s, 8s of which she paid to for my keep, and I beg to hand you her last 2s and myself into the bargain. My mother is sleeping behind the door of the , waiting, like Micawber, 'for something to turn up.' She has hardly any clothes, and only what food people are kind enough to give her. There i 8 someone outside doing ' Miriam ' for me, who will be very pleased to take her back to Mrs. who is very kind to me. lam qnite happy and well cared-for with, her, or to anyone else yon will appoint to have the custody of me, or I shall be quite pleased to remain with you, as I have every reason to believe that you are fond of children. In conclusion, for my mother's sake, who ha a parted with everything but her ' Scotch pride,' I would beg of you to su press my name in the papers. Sho is worrying her heart out as to what is to become of me. She caros nothing about herself, and has no idea I am applying to yon for aid, as she has said she will allow us both to starve before she will apply to the Benovolent Institution for rolief , bat as lam only 2£ I am not yet eduoated up to those refined feelings, and I am not at all particular as to who feeds me so long as I am fed." The Trustees decided that they could not do anything in the matter until enquiries had been made about the mother. A Petone correspondent writes : — Kindly allow me space sufficient to ask the Bugby Union Committee if "Jaoky" Baumber is not to have a show as half-back against the New South Welshmen. He is, I hear, able and willing to play. " Comparisons are odious," bnt every footballer knows that as half-back there is no one in the distriot to touch him. Being a Petone man tells against him, of conrse, but prejudice should be put aside, and the best men chosen. I hope the committee will grant him the place which is his by merit. The Education Board to-day received 18 applications for the position of first assistant teacher at the Mount Cook School, rendered vacant by the appointment of Mr. Thomas to a country school. The applications were considered by the Board in committee, and the position was given to the applicant who had been longest in the Board's service and had the necessary qualifications, whose name will not be divulged until it has been submitted to the Sohool Committee for approval. Mr. F. J Moss, British Eesident at Raretonga, sends us a copy of the Act " to establish a British currency" just passed by the Parliament of the Cook Islands. It empowers the Chief of the Government to proclaim that the coinage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland shall be the only legal tender in the Cook Islands — silver up to £5, and copper up to Is. Government notes can be issued up to -82000, and any person may obtain them as. advances secured upon the deposit of Chilian or other dollars, at the rate of 2s on eaoh dollar, the coin to be exported for sale on account of the depositors. All obligations of the Government existing when the change to British currency is made, are to be estimated at 3s to the dollar. The late Mr. George Tnrnbull, who died in Dunedin yesterday, was formerly a resident of Wellington, having lived here up to 1863. He was born in Peebles, Scotland, and left London in 1857 for the purpose of starting in business in Wellington in partnership with Mr. Walter Tnrnbull, whom he had known intimately in his native town. Mr. Walter Tnrnbnll came out in the John M' Vicar soon afterwards, bringing with him a large quantity of goods, and he and the deceased gentleman established themselves in Upper Willis-street as merchants and commission agents, under the stylo of W. and Of. Turnbull, removing soon afterwards to premises which they had erected close to whore the Empire Hotel now stands. On the outbreak of the goldfields-in Otago the firm opened in Dunedin, under the style of Turnbull, Bvng, & Co Mr. Geo. 'lurnbull, in 18G3, removed to tbe Southern town, and the business was carried on nnder the name of W. &G. Turnbull. The partnership having expired by effluxion of time, Mr. Geo. Turnbull retained the Dunedin business, and Mr. Walter Turnbull was loft with the Wellington property. About five years ago the decoased retired from commercial life, and for some time before his death he was unable to move about, owing to paralysis. He was married in Wellington over 30 years ago to Miss Hutcheson, and he is survived by her and a family o£ three — two daughters and a eon, the latter being connected with the Wellington branch of Messrs. Butterworth's business. A public meeting in connection with the Wellington Christian Endeavour Union was hold in St. John's Schoolroom last evening, for the purpose of bidding farewell to Miss Blakeley, who has for some time been engaged in the Helping Hand Mission in Auokland, and who has thrown in her lot with the Chinese Inland Mission. The President of the Wellington Union (Rev. E. J. Murray) was in the chair. Miss Blakeley, who is a fluent speaker, delivered an address, and the Revs. C. Dallaston and T. B. Hallowes, and Mr. 0. E Button, M.H.R., also spoke. Special hymns were Bung. Miss Blakeley leaves for the South, en route for China, this afternoon. A number of Petone people attracted by the reports to hand from Coolgaruio met in the office of Messrs. B. Motbos & Co. last evening, to consider a proposal to form a syndicate for the purpose of sending two prospectors to the new Eldorado. Mr. G. London presided, and submitted a draft prospectus, by which it ia proposed to raise the sum of .£2OO in shares of £1 oach. After discussion the meeting was adjourned till next Saturday evening, when if sufficient support is offered a committee will be appointed to carry out details, the list of intending subsoriberß to be open in the meantime at the office of E. Mothes & Co. A sale of work has been held in the "Webb-Btreet Primitive Methodibt Church during the past two days, in aid of the parsonage f nrnishing fund. The tables were presided over by Meadames Guy, Baker, lbbotson, S. P. Luke, and Fetheriok, and Miasea Wallis and Trim. The proceeds have been fairly satisfactory. Mr. K. D. Webb was the only candidate nominated for the extraordinary vacancy in the_ Petone Borough Council caused by the resignation of Councillor Price, one of the representatives of West Ward, and is therefore declared eleoted.

Argument was heard before the Chief Justice in the Banco Conrt this morning in connection with a case in which A. R. Donglas sued the Longburn Freezing Co. for .£IOO as damages for alleged wrongful dismissal from the position of engineer. The suit was heard in the Magistrate's Court at Palmerston North, and the plaintiff was nonsuited, thus enabling him to bring the claim on again if additional evidence is available. The company now appealed against the decision of the Magistrate on the ground that judgment should have been entered up for it. Mr. Skerrett appeared for the company, Mr. A. Southey Baker, of Palmerston North, being for the respondent. His Honour dismissed the appeal, with costs (^lO 10s). Major Mair has furnished the Rangitikei Advocate with the following information regarding Tawhiao's sonH : — Tawhiao's eldest Eon, Tu-Tawhiao, who was a bright and able young man, fell a victim to the drink curse, and died a few years back. Two sons are living, Te Pouku and Te Ngehe, both of whom are steady, quiet young fellows, but altogether unfitted to take up any important position. Probably an attempt to keep np the kingßhip will be made, bnt is not likely to lost long, and the almost certain result will be the abolition of the form and the breaking down of the " king " notion altogether. Dr. Pollen has presented his report on his recent examination of the Eovs Institute ambulance class. He is highly gratified with the progress made by the lads, and the intelligent manner in which they answered the questions set. Nine boys passed out of twelve who attended the lectures. The examiner highly compliments J. Mackie, who took first place, on bis theoretical and practical knowledge ; while W. M. Hardman, M. Scott, E. Burns, and W. Tobin, who came next, were so equal in merit that he had difficulty in placing them. The Official Assitrnee (Mr. Jas. Ashoroft) returned yesterday from an official visit to Napier, Palmerston North, and Manukau. The Charitable Aid Committee of tho Petone Borough Council has decided to employ any men out of work at pick and shovel work on the streets, aa directed by the Engineer, under control of the Foreman. The wages are to be 5s per day. Each applicants ia to obtain a certificate from two members of the Charitable Aid Committee, applying in the first instance to the Mayor, Mr. R. C. Kirk. The fee payable to Mr. T. S. Lambert, one of the arbitrators in tho case of Meyer v. Nees, a claim in connection with the erection of the defendant's warehouse, has been fixed by the Chief Justice at £36, while the fee of the umpire (Mr. D. Mahony) has been fixed at £15 15s. The applicants for relief from the Benevolent Trustees yesterday included a pale-faced young woman who stated that she and her husband and two children were absolutely starving. She was married in England eight years ago. Her husband, on coming to Wellington, secured a position as a horsedriver, but for seven or eight weeks he had been laid up in tho Hospital, and he was now at home, unable to do anything. There was no bedding, no fuel, and no food in the house, and they were unable to pay the rent. The woman, who is apparently not more than 25 years of age, was so weak that she could hardly crawl in and out of the room. Tho Trustees decided to supply the man and his wife and children with food and clothing, and also arrange for their accommodation. The monthly meeting of the Melroje Borough Counoil last evening was attended by the Mayor (Mr. E. Mowatt) and Councillors Baylis, Collins, Fairhurst, Key, Browne, Webb, Fear, and Brunskill. A letter was read from Mr. C. Lamberg, offering to supply the Council with metal for the Kilbirnie-road at 7s 6d per cubic yard. The offer was declined. The repairing of the road was left in the hands of the Inspector of Works. The report of the Public Works Committee (already published) was adopted. The Charitable Aid Committee recommended that the passages to Hobart of a widow and her children should bo paid. This was agreed to. Tho ;*ecretary reported that a batch of summonses bad been issued for tho recovery of a portion of last year's rates. About £120 was Btill in atrear from previous yeara, and the usual notices to burgesses in arrear had been issned. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon John Lane was ordered to pay 7s costs in a case in which he was proceeded against by the Corporation Inspector (ilr. J.Doyle), for permitting stable manuro to accumulate on his premises. Mr. Bunny, for the defence, admitted the facts, but submitted that tho Council should provide a depot where livery stable keepers might place the rubbish. Mary Ann Bethel and Lucy Tinney were each fined ss, with 7s costs, for having unregistered dogs in their possession. The Amalgamated Society of Carpentors and Joiners held its usual fortnightly meeting last right inSichards' Rooms, Cubastreet, Bro. Maitland (President), in the ohair. The resignation of Bro. Hales as delegate to the Eight Hourß Demonstration Committee was accepted, and Bro. Bishop was elected to fill the vacancy. It was reported that Bro. Sydenham had been re-elected organiser for the Anstralasian colonies. Mr. J. C. Martin, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court to-day, and sentenced Julia Maddison and James Goldie, who wore charged with habitual drunkenness, to three months' hard labour. Eliza Watters, an elderly woman, was obarged with having been drunk yesterday, and also with having stolen a pair of shoes, the property of A. Lindsay, bootmaker. Evidence was given to the effect that the accused had hitherto borne an irreproachable character. The theft waa regarded by his Worship as the result of drunkenness, and a fine of 10s was imposed. John Goldridge pleaded Guilty to a charge of throwing tobacco to a gang of prisoners in Upper Willis-streot yesterday afternoon, as they were being marched from the Mount Cook Prison to the Terrace Gaol, bnt Not Gnilty to that of using obsocno language whon being arrested. Tho prisoner was convicted ot obscenity, and Bent to gaol for three months' hard labour on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent. H. Goodward, alias Graham, was convicted of using bad language to two women in Cuba-street. His Worship remarked that he did not desire to baulk tho evident intention of the acoused to reform his past life — he having steered dear of trouble ior the past three years — and therefore he would not send him to gaol. Accused was remanded till Friday, so that he might obtain sureties for his good behaviour. The members of the Petone Rifle Club and their friends held a very enjoyable sooial gathering in the local Masonic Hall last evening. About 30 couples were present, and danoing was indulged in to capital music provided by Mr. and Miss Finch. Tho burlesque of " Aladdin " was repeated at the Opera House hist evening. The songs of Miss Florrie St. Clair and Mr. T. C. Callaghan were well received, as were also the tumbling feats of the Connor Bros. " Aladdin " will be staged again this evening, and to-morrow night an entire change of programme will be given. Alluding to the gentleman who is to make his first appearance here at a special popular concert in the Skating Rink on sth September, a Southern paper Bays :—": — " Mr. W. Farquhar Young waß ihe warmest favourite with the audience, his contributions being 1 A Hundred Fathoms Deep ' and 'In Cellar Cool.' For the last-named he was encored no less than four times." Mr. W. M'Gill, of Taranaki - street, announces to the Te Aro ratepayers that at the request of many of their number he has deoided to be a oandidate for the vacant aeat in the City Council. His Excellency the Governor has granted his patronage to the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society for thoir coming performances of " The Mikado." The northern portion of the lecture hall in the Technical Sohool has been temporarily sot apart by the Education Board for the wood-carving class recently established. Tho Chairman of the Board stated at today's mooting that the class would be selfsupporting. A chess match, Married v. Single, is to take place this evening in the Working Men's Club's sooial hall. The respective captains will most likely be Messrs. Cross and Barnes. Mr. R. B. Willi»ms' lecture will be delivered in the Terrace Congregational Schoolroom on Thursday, 6th September, and not to-morrow evening, as previously announced. The Rev. J. Watson, of New Guinea, is announced to lecture on " New Guinea and its People " in the Petone Wesleyan Church to-morrow evening. The leotnre will be illustrated by means of the magic lantern. Those interested in the formation of a swimming club are reminded of the meeting to be held this evening in the Ballance Hall, Manners-street. The ohair will be taken by Dr. Chappie. We romind onr readers that Mr. Parker's concert will be held this evening, at Thomas' Hall.