THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1878.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5065, 9 February 1878, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1878.

Our latest telegram from Europe conveys intelligence of tlio most startling, as it is the most unexpected, event of the whole ■war. The Russians, disregarding the warnings of England, have by rapid and forced marches and combined movements of troops, seized Constantinople, and now occupy the capital. How this has been effected without fighting, whether by the golden key, which Russia knows so well how to use, and how it should have occurred after an armistice had been signed, and hostilities suspended, is one of those things which are inexplicable, except by the peculiarities of the Russian code of honour. We cannot reconcile the events if this last one is absolutely correct; unless, indeed, this occupation of Constantinople has been one of the secret articles of the separate treaty relating to the conditions of peace, which it was stated the other day ' the Porte had signed. Now, if ever England's words and her care of " British interests," mean anything, we ought to hear of war being declared. But what shall be said of a British Ministry which allowed itself to be thusbefooledbypromises? Monthsago, we predicted that England's action, if still delayed, would be too late ; and the words seem now prophetic ; otherwise we. are on the eve of the greatest war Europe has yet witnessed. In June lastPrinceGortschakoff assured Lord Derby that Constantinople would not be occupied by Russia, yet now the Russian eagle floats over the Mosque of St. Sophia. The Russian troops must have marched from Rodosto, whicli is on the Sea of Marmora, about midway between Gallipoli and Constantinople, with a celerity which has left England's diplomacy far behind and taken Europe by surprise.

A crßious and somewhat characteristic letter is given in our columns this morning from the pen of j\lr. Carletou. He is usually severely logical when he writes ; that is, if you accept his premises, he will draw conclusions which seem to end in forcible demonstration. Sometimes, however, his premises not only do not include all the propositions in the case, but on occasions appear intentionally to exclude some, and it is necessary to watch that no material omission occurs. Mr. Carleton's letter is couched in that pleasant off-hand sort of style wliich modestly implies that of course the writer is perfectly right, and everyone else who differs from him utterly wrong. He makes statements too of the slap-dash haphazard sort, which must arise from a lack of perfect acquaintance with the fact. For example, Mr. Carleton says that he learns " nothing or next to nothing from the columns of the Herald about the political crisis in Victoria." His customary shrewdness must have deserted Mr. Carleton tosorneextent, for he dogmatises rather too much. Day by day, as circumstances arise in Victoria, our telegrams told the story, and we have more than once " improved the occasion," as Mr. Carleton puts it. We have not obscured the facts with the strong and partizan opinions which have been expressed by tlio Melbourne papers, for these are ranged in two ranks like hostile armies, and, after exhausting one-sided arguments, descend in a fashion we regret to see, to the weapons of personal abuse of the leading opponents on both sides.

Sir. Carleton belongs to the old school of politicians. He is an arrant Conservative of the good old Tory school, and may be said now, in view of the present advanced condition of colonial politics to have gravitated into something like a colonial " Carleton Club" of one member, somewhat soured by the fact that he finds himself standing in the position of the solitary primal integer. If aged politicians do not keep up with the advanco of thought, they are left far behind. For weal or woe, the wave of democracy is advancing, and he who does not choose to rise on its crest, and give the aid experience can supply in guiding the ship of the State with judicious care, will be left dry on the barren islands of obsolete notions, or swept into that political oblivion into which most men who have tilled a prominent position, very unwillingly descend. But these philosophers of theold school frequently miscalculate the results of great changes in the political status of a nation. When the last Reform Bill passed the British House of Commons, Thomas Carlyle, the aged sage, alarmed old Conservatives by announcing that England had " shot Is iagara." Yet, what followed ? Why, instead of that extension of the franchise increasing the power of the Liberals or Radicals, it consolidated and strengthened the power of the Conservatives, and they hold office to this day. Lord Beaconsiield, with the wisdom of Irs ancient race, knew how to sail witli the stream ; and if Niagara has been shot in Britain, at least the Chelsea philosopher has seen the country and the Ministry so far subduing its old warlike feeling as to follow, perhaps too long, his own and Mr. Gladstone's dictates, and allow patent breaches of treaties, to support which, years ago, England would quickly have llown to arms to maintain her promises and vindicate and conserve her own interests. What down-hill race are we rnnnjug now in New Zealand 1 Is it a down-hill race to seek to equalise the burden of taxation ? But for the Reform Bill of 1532, would it have been possible for the British House of Commons, constituted as it had previously been, to have passed the Act which levied a succession duty on all real property, descending to heirs or successors, which for centuries in most cases had been exceptionally exempted ; while movable property was made to bear more than its full share of legacy and residuary duty. We are no advocates for that manhood suffrage of which so much talk is made. We do not believe that such a suffrage pure and simple will at present pjiss into laiv in New Zealand. For all useful purposes the franchiso we possess now is a liberal one, and at the furthest a moderate scheme for a lodger franchise, with, say, a year's previous residence and a strict system of registration, to prevent the manifold electoral frauds, personations, and false registrations, ia all that Parliament will be disposed to agree to. We have as little liking as Mr. Carleton for anything that deserves the name of mob-oratory ; but as education advances, men will be able more fully than now to..distinguish between the vulgar demagogue and the honest politician, who while desirous of improving the condition of the people, is yet not afraid to tell them political truths which may be unpalatable to the mass for the momeut, but which are at times necessary to be told. .

Mr. Carleton occasionally tells . unpalatable truths ; but sometimes he professes seeming Liberalism, which covers a severe Conservatism. For example—he once advocated for New Zealand that very thing which is causing all the present trouble in "Victoria, an elective Upper Chamber. Short-sighted people thought this was a mistaken proposal leading to a wider democracy, Mr. Carletou knowing well that it was not so, but he did not undeceive those who thought otherwise. He saw with the eye of his own peculiar political faith

that an elective Upper House would curb and seize a portion of the powers which the Lower, and really representative Chamber, has always had, and would introduce a powerful conservative element productive of warfare between the two Houses, and creating separate interests and separate classes of representative members. Out of this sprang the deadlock in Victoria, and the payment of members has been the bone of contention. Perhaps it will be "news" to Mr. Carleton to know that the leading Australian journals—prominently the i-giui and Australasian—and the party these papers represent, have turned their backs on themselves _ within the last few years on this very question of payment of members. In 1874 Sir James McCulloch and his party were in power, and were staunchly supported by the A rgus. On that occasion Sir James McCulloch spoke as follows, and his sentiments were echoed byfthe leading Melbourne journals : —

With regard to the fact that in England the mere honour of a seat in the House of Commons is sufficient to attract the* best intellect of the country without fee or reward, we must remember that we have no class in this country analogous to that which exists at home. . . . As a matter of _ fact_ those who have amassed sufficient wealth in this colony to render them perfectly independent in their circumstances, and free from any pressing calls on their time, are not such as we should care to see in preponderating numbers in the Assembly. . . . As a rule, wealth without education is by no means an unmixed blessing to its possessor. or those with whom be comes in contact. Too often it depraves his nature, narrows his sympathies, and warps bis judgment. No doubt there were plenty of aspirants (prior to the payment of members), but there were plenty of scandals connected with their conduct. Everyone must remember with regret the disgraceful tales which were at one time current concerning this member and that, how that some were plundering the people through the Land Office—(cheers) —and others robbing the country with the connivance of the Mining department. These scoundrels, of course, ought not to have been in Parliament, for in the absence of payment thoy could only live by swindling and corrupt practices generally. Part of the language is strong, but it cannot be denied that as regards payment of members, the first sentence we have quoted, is not unjust. Take the majority of the members of our own House of Representatives elected by the votes of the people. It was for a while the fashion to accuse them of seeking election for the sake of the honorarium. There may be a very few who save a little money out of the sum allowed for their attendance in Parliament, but these are few indeed. If they live like gentlemen who are representing the public, and are not sordid, it will indeed be but a small balance that remains, and in many cases the balance is on the wrong side. On he other hand, abolish the honorarium, and how many men intellectually, able and willing honestly to serve the public in the character of legislators— too, who have made their mark in politics and attained high and honourable positions, would have been debarredfrom ever thinking of entering political life because the} - could not afford the time and cost which their absence from home and business would entail if no honorarium were allowed ? The choice of the electors would be limited to a narrow circle which it will be admitted, does not contain all the political talent and intellectual capacity in the country. As for "scoundrels" of the rank Sir James McCulloch refers to, surely the judgment of constituencies, and the vigorous exposures of the Press, will prove sufficient to checkmate any of this class who may get into Parliament like wolves in sheeps' clothing. But, limit the choice to only the class who have' means and leisure, and we venture to say the colony would lose by the transaction.

As regards tlio action of Mr. Berry in Victoria, in the wholesale dismissal of public servants, that we have more than once said was a grave mistake, because it was a forgetting of the Duke of Wellington's maxim, that " Her Majesty's Government must be carried on," and it would have been wiser and more just to those in the service, who had every right to fair consideration, to have maintained them in office and not thrown them off for no fault of their own. Bat there were no appropriations to provide for their salaries, and to pay the men for the work would have been one of those breaches of public law which Mr. Carleton seems to condemn. Still, it has been argued that the Lower House can vote and pay money3withoutthe'consentof theother Chamber. Regarding news, it happens curiously enough that our late telegrams from Melbourne, received and published yesterday morning, meet Mr. Carleton's somewhat querulous objections. In these the news was given that th» Assembly (that is, the Lower Chamber, which has the power of the purse strings) had voted by a majority of more than two to one in favour of paying the money voted to the Government servants and the members, without the intervention of the opposing Upper House ; that the most of the civil servants are to be reinstated, and that there was a probability that the Council, fearing lest . its powers should slip away altogether, is preparing to take up and pass the Payment of Members Bill—though, at the same time, by an illogical process »protesting against their own act. There is an expectation", too. that the Berry Ministry will receive a telegram from London, intimating the approval of the Home authorities of the action they have taken. We shall see ; but if Mr. Oarleton can "learn nothing" from these and similar telegrams which we have from time to time published, showing the situation in Victoria, we can only regret the decadence of that perspicacious observation which used to distinguish the erudite and classical hermit of Salona.

The Counties Act not being in force in the County of Eden, the Great North and South Koads, which •were provincial roads and excluded from the high tray districts, are now under the control of the General Government. The General Government have recognised their position by having let the tolls at the various gates, and are receiving their receipts. They have not, however, spent any money in the repairs required. Consequently not only the roads but the bridges are becoming very dangerous. On the 19th inst., Mr. John Bollard, Chair, man of the Whau Road District, wrote to the Chairman of the County of Eden, Mr, A. K. Taylor, as follows:— "I have the honour to respectfully draw your attention to the dangerous condition of the Whau P>ridge, on the Great North Ilond. This bridge, as you are aware, is across the Whau Crec-k, which forms the boundary line between the Counties of Eden and Waitemata. Its length i? about 200 feet. Presuming the centre to be the boundary, you will observe that 100 feet of it 3 length is within the County of Eden. About 25 planks, comprising the flooring of a portion of the bridge within the last-named County, are rotten, and a portion of two are gone, leaving dangerous holes. In addition to other traffic— such as heavily-laden timber drays—a passenger coach, sometimes drawn by four horses, "crosses the bridge four times daily. Unless something is done immediately I am certain a serious accident will occur, which, if. not accompanied by loss of life, will surely end in an action for damages against the governing body. I also beg to state that Oakley's Creek Bridge, on theUreat Xorth Uoad, is inadangeronsstate." Mr. Taylor forwarded the above letter to the General Government Agent at Auckland, stating that as the Counties Act was not in force in the Couuty of Eden, he had no other alternative but to forward it to the Geuei al Government, who had the custody of the tolls received for repairs to roads in the county. Major Green's reply is "bitter brief," as follows " I have the honour to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 23rd January, that the Under-Secretary of Public? Works Btates tljat all roads and

bridges are in the charge of Road Boards and counties, and Government have nothing to do with the matter." Major Green wisely declines to attempt to strengthen his position by any reason. He merely informs Mr. Taylor, in the most honest and simple-minded manner possible, that the TJpder-Secretary of Public Works says so-antfso, and leaves it to be assumed that a statement from such a quarter cannot be gainsayed or questioned. The pnzzle •will, however, remain, and Major Green may make op his mind that he will be asked again to solve it, or, at least, that his decisive and oracular response will not prevent the Government from hearing of the matter again. The settlers who daily risk their necks in crossing a broken bridge, and who, when they escape destruction, are immediately stuck up by a toll-collector, and forced to pay money which ought .to be expended on the repair of the bridge, but which is not so expended, will not easily be convinced that the General Government, which pockets the money, " has nothing to do with the matter."

"Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad." If it were not that the names of some of the ex-Premier's near relations and intimate friends are given in our telegrams from Taranaki, including that of Mr. Richmond Hursthouse, member for Motneka, in the district of Nelson, —as being those of the persons concerned in a foolish attack on the triumphal arch at New Pljrmouth, we should have said that the inmates of some lunatic asylum had broken loose, and were out playing " high jinks" In the starlight. The moon is not at the fnll, but the Atkinson snri has set, and his party doomed to everlasting disgrace in Taranaki. Imagine Mr. Decimns Atkinson (Phoebus, what a name!) the brother of the Premier and his cousin the honourable and asinine member for Motneka, Mr. Richmond Hursthouse, sallying forth at the head of a score of fools to attack the decorations provided by the burgesses in honour of the Premier of the colony and his colleagues in the Ministry, seeking to demolish it, and succeeding—in demolishing for ever their own reputations, and blowing to the winds the last rags of the party, of the animus of whose followers this senseless and mischievous freak is the latest melancholy outcome. Fancy the member for Motukea astride the structure like a wild arch-angel, daring the police to apprehend him, because he was a member of Parliament—a fact which made his condnot all the more disgracefuL The whole thing is " too ridiculous," but what a blow to Major Atkinson, who may well pray to bo delivered from the idiotic folly of his immediate friends and relations. This is playing into Sir George Grey's hands with a vengeance, and the actors will, as they deserve, be to-day the laughing-stock of the whole colony. And serve them right.

There is now a chance of the Young Men's Christian Association of Auckland emerging from the difficulties which have for so long a time surrounded it, and becoming an instrument of much benefit to the community. As our readers are aware, Dr. Somerville delivered a lecture lately at the Choral Hal] on its behalf, and, at the conclusion, the handsome sum of £500 was subscribed, on condition that the debt should be removed within twelve months. The committee being anxious to secure the whole Bam for the Association, are about raking a strong effort to do so, and thus save the society from the loss of the conditionally-promised £600. They ought to experience little trouble in raising the required sum, and when the debt is wiped off the rooms of the Association will be improved, the library will be increased, and attractive reading-rooms provided. The institution never ought to have been allowed to fall into its present position, and certainly the opportunity to resuscitate it ought not to ba lost. Mrs. CoolahaD, of Pollen-street, Shortland, widow of the late Hugh Coolahan, who condacts one of the oldest established bakery and confectionery businesses on the Thames, intimates that she is compelled through failing health to relinquish her trade. Mary O'Brien, who wa3 only liberated from gaol yesterday morning, after undergoing the customary penalty in default of payment of a fine for having been drunk, was again arrested yesterday afternoon, and will be charged this morning with having been drunk and disorderly in Queen-street, and with making use of obscene language. It has been decided that the torchlight procession, to celebrate the anniversary of the Auckland Fire Brigade, shall take place on the 22nd instant, and preparations are now in progress for making the display a good one. All the details are not yet decided on, but the celebration is to conclude with a banquet amongst the members of the Brigade and their friends. The Thames County Council have resolved that new poppet leg 3 be erected at the works of the Pumning Association, at a cost not excelling £200. A report from a subcommittee of the Council states : " Your committee congratulate the Council on having been enabled to maintain the important works of the United Pumping Association for twelve mnnths ended the Ist February instant, the time being one-half of the Council's engagement with the Government for j limping. The north and south crosscuts have proceeded with vigour, and several large reefs have been intersected. The Council have zealously endeavoured to assist the various companies in developing at low levels the resources of their mines, and must express both surprise and regret at the apathy displayed by them in refusing to prospect and test the value of the reefs which have been cut in the drives."

As everything connected with the historical claims of Greece t) be regarded as the heir-at-law of the old Byzantine Empire is of interest at the present moment, owing to her rouent action in and Crete, we reprint the following interesting inscription referring to the death of one of the descendants of the last of the Greek Emperors who reigned at Constantinople. It was copied from a brass tablet in the little parish church of Llandulp, Wales, by an Auckland gentleman, while travelling in England, duriDg the summer of 1575. The inscription, which is in • old English characters, runs as follows :—" Here lyeth the body of Theodoro Paleologus, of Pesaro, in Italye, descended from ye imperial lyno of ye last Christian Emperors of Greece—being sonne of Camillo, ye sonue of Prosper, thesonne of Thomas, second brother to Con stan tiue Paleologus, the Stli of that name, and last of ye lyne yt ravned in Constantinople, until subdued by the Turks, who married with Mary, daughter of William Balls, of Hadleye, in Suffolke, and had issue live children—Theodoro, John, Ferdinandi*, Maria, and Dorothy—and departed tliis life at Clyfton, ye 2lst of January, 163(i." It appears that ou the Greeks re gaining their independence from Turkey in 1529, they sent a delegate from the Committee of National Independence to England, for the purpose of investigating the matter, and in order to ascertain whether any descendants of Theodoro PaleoW.us still survived. The inquiry proved fruitless, as, so far as could be ascertained, the line was extinct. Referring to the withdrawal of the protection of the Armed Constabulary at Kihikihi, the local correspondent of our Waikato contemporary says:—lt is well known that the settlers of this township and neighbourhood have suffered much during the last twelve months by the action of the late Government withdrawing suddenly all semblance of protection from Kihikihi, and thus throwing the frontier opeu to the plunder of idle and disorderly natives, who have flocked thither from Waiuku, Mercer, and parts CDntiguous. One gentleman, lam told, has had recently as many as 150 sheep stolen from his paddocks at night by natives. Another industrious resident here, who is ploughing some land near Kihikihi, has had two double sets of harness stolen from him within the past month. The man is almost sure that he can see, near him, right across the river, over the way, the natives using and ploughing with the stolen harness. He hopes that, if the late Government gets into office again, and that if Mr. Bowen, the father of the new Education Act, should bccome Minister of Justice, he will not be compelled to send his children to school until the following, under the head of " Political Economy," is expunged from the Standard National School Book.—"The office of a Government is to afford protection, that is, to secure the persons and property of the people from violence and fraud."

The Presbyterian Church at Cambridge is to be formally opened to-morrow. The Rev. Mr. Evans is to be inducted by the Rev. Thomas Norrie of Papakara. On Tuesday evening a soiree is to be held in the Public Hall.

A meeting of the chairmen of the Newmarket, Epsom, Mount Eden, Mount Boskill, Onehunga, and One-tree Hill Highway Boards have petitioned the Colonial Government to remove the toll-bar at Newmarket.

The s.s. Hero took away yesterday three boxes of gold, containing 47410z5. 4dwta. 2grs. Of this quantity the National Bank of New Zealand shipped 32550z5., of the value of £9629. The Bank of Australasia's box contained 1486J0Z3., valued at £5262.

A pleasiDg fact in connection with 'the meeting held at the Insurance Buildings yesterday re the disposal of the money refunded out of the amount collected in Auckland for the Indian Famine Relief Fond, was that not a single application was made by any subscriber to have his contribution or any portion of it returned. That the money had been contributed for a charitable purpose was recognised, and also that when it wasnot required for the special purpose for which it was collected its diversion to other charities was cheerfully admitted. The mode of distribution agreed upon, and which will be found elsewhere in the report of the proceedings at the meeting, will, we are sure, meet the wishes of the subscribers generally.

The Auckland butchers seem to have been somewhat taken by surprise by the statement made at one of the deputations who waited upon the Premier and Native and Defence Minister, that the Newmarket Slaughter-house is soon to be closed. Arrangements were made yesterday for opposing this decision, as the butchers considerit would be greatly to their disadvantage to have this place closed. It has been decided to hold a meeting during the incoming week to consider this question, and to adopt a petitioD to the Government requesting that the present Slaughter-house at Newmarket Bhall not be closed until such time as another one is erected in the same neighbourhood. The day is not yet fixed when the meeting will be held, but this information will be conveyed in an advertisement in the course of a day or two.

The Tradesmen's Athletic Club met at the Charlemont Hotel last evening, for the purpose of paying the prizes which were won at the race meeting held at Ellerslie, on the 29th January (Anniversary day). Although owing to the wet weather which prevailed on that day the attendance was not large, and the sources of profit to the funds of the Club were in consequence diminished, every liability was provided for and all the prizes paid. At the termination of these proceedings the members sat down to a spread, and passed a very pleasant evening together, numerous songs," &c., serving to add to the enjoyment and happiness of the company. We may add that during the evening the subject of forming a football club in connection with the Athletic Clnb was mooted, and so warmly received that it will doubtless be carried into effect.

One more word or two abait the elections of Education Boards, and the voting of Committees. A correspondent informs ns that it is the intention of a number of Committees to vote for only two, or three, or four candidates. This, if they choose," they are perfectly entitled to do; but, in doing so, they must remember that each candidate they name can count no more than one vote from one Committee. It is an error to suppose that a Committee can apportion nine votes equally among three candidates by giving three to each, or that, by plumping for one man, they can give him nine votes. No such thing is permissible by law. It matters not whether a Committee put the names of nine men, or that of only one candidate on its list as sent to the Board, the nine receives only one vote each, and the solitary one can receive no more. Therefore, Committees should consider twice before throwing away their votes by a process which is, perhaps erroneously, termed plumping, but which cannot increase the votes they give for any particular person so plumped for. A correspondent, signing "No Pedlington," writes with reference to the proposal that the Mayor of Parnell should have a salary. His letter is too long to give entire, but we give some passages :—" It was understood when the district was first made a borough that the post of mayor would be honorary without a salary, unless that in the course of time, from endowments (which, by-the-by, have yet to be got) to the borough a sufficient income should arise which, bj lessening the amount of rates on the burgesses, would entitle the then mayor to receive an honorarium, not a salary, as a quid pro quo for his services during the term of his mayoralty. In conclusion, if Mayor Melton and Returning Officer Dr. Home feel that they cannot afford their services without salary from the borough, let them resign their appointments, for we have men still left, who, with the wish for the true advancement of the Borough of Parnell, are yet patriotic enough to give their time and services gratis, uninfluenced by the loud tones of the Pedlington spirit or the soft wooings of the yellow lucre."

[ At a recent meeting of the Waterworks Committee, held at the Council Chambers, some important business was discussed, aud disposed of. It was agreed that plans, specifications, and estimates of cost of laying mains iu all portions of the city not yet provided, should be at once prepared and submitted to the City Council. Reports from the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, and from the Turncock, were read, in regard to the allege.l defect in the pressure of water available at Karangahape Koad during the recent lire in Newton- It was agreed to get the Fire Brigade to test the pressure at the point indicated, in order to ascertain, if possible, the cause of the defect referred to. Au application was received from the committee appointed at the meeting recently held in the Newton Hall for a supply of water for lire purposes, but the consideration of the application was postponed, in order that further information might be procured as to the terms upon which it would be desirable to comply with it—that is to say, *hat size hose the Newton 'Brigade wouid use, and whether the water should be paid for by the hour, or by a small annnal rate.

The annual meeting of members of St. Peter's Church, Hamilton, took place on Wednesday evening, and brought together the largest meeting of the sort that bas ever been held in Hamilton. The Rev. Mr. Calder occupied the chair. His Worship the Mayor, the people's churchwarden, read the acconnts, which were very satisfactory, the receipts amounting to £366 4s 6d, and the expenditure to £306 7s Id ou the church account. The building fund had been heavily drawn on during the year, principally through much-needed additions to the parsonage, and the total indebtedness of the parish now was £541 14s 6d. This, however, will probably be rednced now that t.he church is in good order, and the district is increasing in extent. The roll of commnuicants numbered 120, and the Sunday-school was very largely attended. Advantage was taken of the occasion to present to the organist, Miss \ialeu, a handsome gold watch and chain, on behalf of the parishioners, for her kindness in so long and ably presiding at the harmonium. The watch was subscribed for in small sums by nearly every member of the church.—[Correspondent.] The improvements iu connection with the Pitt street Wes'eyau Church are fa.st approaching completion. The temporary galleries have been entirely removed, aud in their place bas been erected a handsome and substantial structure which adds greatly to the interior appearance of the building. This addition will give further sitting accommodation for about 200 worshippers. Another great improvement has also been effected 'by substituting for the pulpit with its attendant sounding-board a handsome rostrum capable of accommodating several persons, aud the whole of the pews iu the body of the church have been cleaned and re-varnished. But the main feature in all these improvements, and in fact the cause which led to their being carried out, is the erection of a splendid new organ, built by the celebrated firm of Counacher and Co., of lluddersfield, Yorkshire, which wa3 imported several months since for the use of the congregation worshipping in the church. The erection of this instrument has been in the hands of Mr. Culpan ami his son for the last mouth, and it is expocteti that it will be ready iu a few days for the opening public recital. All the improvements above noted, have a considerable sum of money, and the trustees au*l those connected with them deserve credit for the way i u which they have been carried out;

' u Th ® Thme ? Cofomandpi have been endeavouring Australian players to for a one day's match. Tha »<* ever, have declined the offer eters ' ho*. As they leave by the steamed v the ®- Monday was the only day outl , T ne *%. ' day they are to attend a p £ ' by hia Worship ?°, given Mr. Emerson, one of 4i,x . r the Piako mine, weaidot^ level to see a comoimon 0!1 vf"l* U ho - 6 and, after staying soms time alone in the ca-je. Vvhi'm parties working at some ' th* ot!, « the cage down. The oniVwas attw but, the cage S eiig light, u •guides, 0 f; 19 knockeriKCe to stop, cage through the bite bv~ jun-.ir This he effected, bat not till some it' ' ■ ,t " more of slack rope bad-rile 1 *t: « ,fGC if •When it fell through that data-i--. r!, cagewaa thrown out on the timbtCan? • 0 thence fell into the cage a»iin. *h„ Ir . o:n to., the surface it wafcdTs injured, and he waa;eonveyed to hia w'J mgs, and Dr. Payne feat for. H<j~rerih& that the small bone sf his bg near ths-anSS - was broken, _ and th»t lis to ■ bruised on his back and' arms. Tho'eati-i----of the mishap seaward "sqstimbers pressing the «mP«r the shaft not aDoßifeafiom for the ae«« ~ Vj pass freely. *«»»«&•■•*).. . r *»> ■. , occurred, the out arid re- * placed by others. The -working of this highway, from No. 3 to No. 8 leveli, needs the greatest care and attention, the number of men employed being large, besides the traffic in quartz, timbers, and mullock.— Thames Advertiser.

Thursday's Thames Advertiser has the following paragraph:—"We are requested to state that there is no truth in the report circulated yesterday that a man named Ower had brutally ill-treated and kicked his wife, breaking her leg. Dr. Payne, it appears, was called to attend the poor woman, ana she informed him that her husband and herself were ' skylarking" together, and on running out on to the verandah she slipped and fell heavily, with her.leg straining, and suffered a comminuted fracture below the knee. Dr. Payne was attending a patient only a few doorß;away from the scene of the ascident, the beach, Shortland, at the time, and was promptly on the spot. We learn that the couple do not bear the best character for sobriety,—and from inquiry made on the spot there is too much reason to fear that they had been quarreling and that the injury was the result of the husband's violence. Constable J. W. Day, on making inquiries, was informed by the woman that the injury was caused by a kick from her hnsband. The sufferer was removed to the Hoapi Sal last evening, where she is likely to remain for many weeks to come."

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA: "AIDA." Verdi's new opera was produced last, night to a house crammed in every, pkrt.- There has been no such audience on an ordinary night since the theatre has been open. - The success of this performance was so pronouricd that the principal artists had to come to the front of the stage after the jinale to euch act to bow their acknowledgments of enthusiastic plaudits again and again repeated. The mise en sane was as original and splendid as the music was brilliant and extraordinary. \Y hoever Had the charge of the stage management deserves a measure of applause, which we consider it our duty to accord to him on behalf of the general public. " Aida " was written at the request of the Khedive of Egypt for the occasion of the recent opening of the Grand Theatre at Cairo. The structure of the dramutic plot and libretto was entrusted to the eminent Italian poet Giorlouzoui. It was prescribed that the action of the drama should be derived from some episode of Egyptian history. The opening act is laid in Memphis, and the remaining acts atThebes, "in the time of the Pharaobs."The dramatispersonce are : The King of Egypt, Signor Tessada (basso); Amneriß, his daughter, Signora Venosta (contralto) Radames, captain of the guards, Signor Camero (tenor); Bamphis, high priest of the temple, Signor Cesari (basso assolnto); Amonasro, King of Ethiopia, Signor Gambetti (baritone); Aida, daughter of Amonasro and slave of Amneris, Signora Guadagnini (soprano). The royal lineage of Aida is kept a secret for State reasons, and although a captive through the fortune of war, she is beloved of Radames, and reciprocates his passion. Radames is beloved of the Princess Amneris, but isoallomito her regard. War again breaks onti and Hadames is entrusted with the command of the army despatched against the father of the beautifnl slave, who is terrified by the prohable consequence to herfamilyandconntry. The jealousy of the two women forms the underplot. Amonasro, who has been taken a prisoner but spared, implores his daughter that she shall obtain the route to be taken by Radames in the next campaign. This she does, but the interview in which the disclosure is made is overheard by Amneris and the priest. Both are thrown into a dungeon under the temple, and condemned to be buried alive. The first scene is the chief apartment of the King's palace, with the statue of Ftha, an Egyptian deity, in the centre ; the second is the " Palace of Palm Treesthe third, a view on the River Nile; and fourth, a . double interior showing the dungeon where the lovers are entombed with the temple overhead occupied by the chorus of priests and attendants and the statue of the god. : The stage management embraces sacred processions and a most effective mime of diminutive black slaves, who are marshalled with great effect, and put through a variety of Hrill movements, making the scene in which they are introduced most picturesque and animated. The overture is an andante movement of undulating sound very much- in th> character of Wagner's manner, its purpose being rather: to dispose the mind ta the theme than to afford any indication of its development. The recitative between the king, high priest, the new-made- general, relates to the conduct of the war. Aida and Amneris enter as the two first with the chorus retire, and there is a striking duetto and also a terzetto, the one immediately following the other ; both of them sung with great effect and received with loud applause. But the scena, " Ritorna vincitor," between Aida and Radames, awakened the spirit of the piece, Signora Guadagnini singing with a tire and brilliancy that, afforded one of the finest examples of the combined effect of acting and vocalisation that could bs seen or heard anywhere. The next great scene was the consecration of the new commander in the temple of Ftha, with chorus of priests and priestesses, the magnificent basso of Signor Cesari singing, "Mortal diletto ai Numi," and the solemn "Noi t'invochiamo," with chorus, which ends the first act. The second act opens with a cavatina, by Amneris, "Ah ! vieni amorjmio." effectively sung by Signora Venosta. The finale and sestetto to this act is one of the grandest effects of operatic music that could be conceived. The Engineer Band had the honour of assisting, and acquitted themselves under Mr. Impey very creditably. The scene of the third act represents the banks of the Nile, and in this act is exhibited the struggle of Aida between her love of Radames, and her love of her country. The beautiful air, "0, patria mio," is in Verdi's best manner, and it was magnificently sang, and loudly applauded. In the duetto with Amonazo, Signora Guadagnini displayed her rare fluency of ccinlabile Wv ■ " not in our memory anything tiner was. The fourth act is chiefly v. i- * the death of the lovers- This music is » long, low, undulating wail, almost monotonous were it not °for the ohoru*, ws>'«; seri-e3 for a mournful aceomjjacisnect,, the Princess Amneris, in the tecsplc, being the chief mourner, surrounded by insiwJ of honour. This is somewhat in of Wagner, and its effect is something singularly enthralling, although the scaiitioa is not altogether a pleasant one. JM shun 3inks into a diminishing pianissimo, nfctisound is heard, and Aida is s«® aci; }> Radames bending over her vrhue eurta' 3 drops. . We have been enabled in this aocfc? to j; l * - the barest outline of this opet'o- Th tro a loud and unanimous call u-r the donnD, who received a compliment 01 bouquets in addition to ronm! Jitter applause. We venture to thnt 1,0 witH any pretence to* musics! calis? s » hesitate to allow that this ltdy > s '°. L ' accomplished vocalist he has hesrii IU V '~ city. Her reception last nigh: u,UIJ the character of an ovation. _ . The opera for this evening is ' 1 Lucia Lammermoor." '