OUR HOME LETTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5801, 21 June 1880, Page 2

OUR HOME LETTER.

During the past month few events of any importance have occurred in the S&ny. On the 28th of May the second session of the present Parliament of New Zealand was opened at Wellington. It was opened by His Excellency the Governor reading the Speech which is published in another column. The discussion noon the Address-in-Reply was brief and unimportant. Many of the legislative reforms promised in His Excellency s Address have since been submitted to either House of Parliament, and not a few of them are likely to provoke a good deal of discussion. Prominent among these measures are the bills regulating the relations of the native to their = European fellow-settlers, seven in number, the Licensing Bill, and a Bill which has been introduced by tlie Attorney-General to put down the various forms of gambling. The final passage or disposal of these Bills will be rather protracted, because many interests are there-

by affected. . For several -weeks past the threatening I attitude of the fanatical natives on the West Coast, under the leadership of Te Whiti has become much more satisfactory. ' Apparently convinced of the hopelessness of successfully opposing by force the formation of roads through their district, and seeing that loud-mouthed bouncing or their utterance of prophetic intimations had no retarding effect upon the onward march of the road-making parties, they have accepted the inevitable, and now show a very friendly attitude. It is to be hoped that the most strained portion of our relations with the Maoris has passed, and that for the future they will aid, instead of thwarting, the advancement of the material interests of trie Colony.

That a great change is gradually being effected in the Maori mind is very evident to all attentive observers. They are acute enough to see that year they are becoming a relatively more insignificant portion of the whole population. Every year finds them decreasing in numbers, while the annual increase of the European population is about 13,000 births in excess of deaths, over and above the accessions to our population from, over the seas. Whether it be from these reflections, or some other cause, the conduct of the Maoris at the Native Lands Court now being held at Cambridge is different from any previous experience. Instead of quarrelling over the decisions of the Court as to the lawful ownership of certain blocks of land, they arrange and discuss among themselves the names that ahall be inserted in the memorial of ownership. This is a decided advance upon the past, 'though it tends to protract the sittings of the Court. Tawhiao, the socalled Maori King, has had agents at the Court to watch the investigations, and hitherto the reports of these agents have been highly creditable to the impartiality and justice of the European judges hearing the cases. Let us hope that this is the beginning of the end of that isolation in which a large section of the Maori people have lived since the close of the Waikato war, some seventeen years ago.

On the Bth inst. the Colonial Treasurer delivered his Financial Statement, a full telegraphic report of which we publish in another column. It is clear and explicit, but disgusting. Disgusting, because it shows how inconceivable has been the mismanp gement of the finances for some years, the sacrifices that have been, made, and those that are still necessary. Of the five million loan but some £800,000 remain available, and it appears that it was placed in the market at so miserable a figure as 87£. But we will not follow the Treasurer through his maze of figures referring to the past. What is of far more practical interest is the course he proposes to take in the future, and the means by which he intends to accomplish it. It appears that were the Property Tax left untouched, it would be just possible that increased taxation might be avoided, if he were content to have a small balance on the wrong side, and dispense with that balance in hand which should be available to meet contingencies. But whilst determining to retail the Property Tax he has conceded the exemption of personal property, by which he expects to lose £40,000. To meet this he has to propose additional taxation, vrhich includes a beer tax. He suggests an excise duty of sixpence per gallon on colonial beer, and a similar increase on imported beer, and cider and perry. From these he anticipates a revenue of £80,000 • for the year to collect that amount, and from an addition to the succession duties, he expects £10,000, or £90,000 in all. The deficiency in the revenue being £8700, as compared with expenditure— the first being and the latter £3,198,700—and the loss to accrue from the alteration in the property tax £40,000, the balance of revenue over expenditure from the increased taxation will be £41,000 in round numbers. It iriust be admitted that having regard to the remission which is made, the increased taxation is not very formidable— really only £50,000. That no worse result has ensued is due to consider able retrenchment, which includes 5 per cent, on the salaries of all civil servants and 20 per cent, on those of Ministers themselves, and to the expectation of a considerable increase of nett revenue from railways, consequent on a diminution of working expenses and increased freight charges. As regards the Civil Service, however, it isproposedthoroughly to overhaul it after the rising of Parliament. Subsidies to local bodies are to

cease. The corporate bodies of towns are, however, to have the right of rating all Government property, including land, and the equivalent -will not induce a feeling of exliiliration. The county municipal bodies of course fare much better, and will have no great reason to complain of the footing on which they are to be placed. In connection, with the new principle, however, which is to be introduced, the twenty per cent, of the land fund now allocated for local purposes is to cease. The rate to be levied on Native , land is to lie sixpence on the rateable value, and one shilling on Crown lands. Retrenchment has been begun, not finished, and it may be anticipated that as regards the Civil Service, on which a reduction of only -£50,0C0 is now effected — a ridiculously inadequate sum—and in other respects there will be additional large savings. The cry for retrenchment will not cease with the Financial Statement, which shows only the more clearlv the necessity of its being incessantly persisted in. As regards the pa3t, the Statement is as lugubrious as it well could be, as respects the present it is not very agreeable, but concerning ano distant future it is very . reassuring. With anything like a good system and efficient control of management of our railway system it was impossible that there could be so enormous a disparity betireen gross and nett revenue. It would appear from the report which the Civil Service Commission is likely to make to Parliament that the reality exceeds all expectations. According to a telegram from our special correspondent at Wellington, Mr. Conyera, the manager in the South, and Tvlr. "Lawson in the North, will have to rebut a most formidable indictment ; and he " hints at some very serious charges to Jbe brought against the former. So far as can be gathered of the nature of the report, it will depict a most disgraceful state of affairs : reckless extravagance ; stores going to destruction; a large salary paid to a station-master at Nolson, who has just two trains to deal with daily ; waste of money consequent on the use of engines of different descriptions ; no competition practically for the supply of sleepers; one of the Railway Com- • missioners a railway contractor, and other grave matters ; including large loss on the .work done in the workshops, the products coating much more than they could be

purchased for. We are in no way surprised. We have, on more than one occasion, insisted that there were multitudinous screws loose in this direction, and the Government would have done well to accept our suggestion. Before the Government succeeds in getting the railways straight, it will require the best energies of ii man combining large experience with thorough independence and considerable administrative skill. Wc believe that it is possible to effect a remarkable change with regard to the railways, and to mitigate to a great extent the burden they at present impose on the consolidated revenue. It is not a pleasant thing to say, but it seems that wherever the probe is used with regard to the administration it discloses something rotten. The Commission reports 11,000 persons employed in the public service. It is clear the Government and Parliament, to whose tender mercies the colony has been handed over, have run mad. in other things besides loans and public expenditure generally. . Strong opposition is now being shown by the people in all parts of the colony to the enforcement of the Property Tax, of one penny per £1 on all property, real and personal, on all possessions above £500 in value. Meetings have been held in all the important centres of population upon the subject, and resolutions have been passed condemning the tax, on various grounds, and expressing favour for the Land ax - In Auckland two meetings have been held, called specially to consider the measure. One of those was a special meeting >f the Chamber of Commerce, and the other a public meeting of the citizens called by the Mayor on a requisition being presented to him. At both these meetings the tax was strongly condemned, not only on account of its oppressiveness, but on account of its inquisitorial character in respect to personal property which however, is now to be exempt. In the House of Representatives, Sir George Grey tabled a motion to bring in a Bill to repeal this tax. The Government intimated their intention to accept such a motion as one of want-of-confience, and it was rejected on a division of 41 to 29 rotes. Sir George Grey then, by arrangement, tabled a formal motion of want-of-coufidence, condemning the financial proposals of the Government in their entirety. The debate began on Thurslay evening, and at present is being continued. The motion will probably be defeated. At a caucus of the Opposition members, Sir George Grey virtually assumed the leadership of the party again, in place of Mr. Macandrew, as the Ministry had intimated that tliev received his motion as a direct want of confidence one. For several months past a Royal Commission has been collecting evidence respecting the different branches of the Civil Service. The report was presented to Parliament on Friday last, and a very full summary published in our issue of Saturday last. The document is a lengthy one, although the investigation is admittedly defective, on account of the insufficient time at the disposal of the Commission; but sufficient has been learned to show that the Civil Service is in a deplorable condition. The Commissioners have expressed opinions which there is no mistaking, and clearly indicate that the whole service needs thorough | revision. Indeed, they recommend that it be completely re-organised, and that all Departments be conducted with the same system and care for economy which private persons woald exercise with their own business. The army of 11,000 Civil Servants is likely to be considerably reduced on account of the disclosures made. The feeling evoked by the publication of the report is already strong, and is likely to increase as the report is meditated upon. The duty of the Government is plain. However unpleasant it may be to apply the piuning knife unsparingly, there is no help for it; and the public will not willingly submit to inincreased taxation while such an enormous and usele s Civil Service expenditure is continued whichjthe Commissioners' report discloses. The mining industry is steadily reviving, and several of the mines at the

Thames which have been, idle for several years are again yielding gold, and considerable speculation is taking place. ECCLESIASTICAL. At a meeting held after divine service, conducted by the Rev. D. Bruce, at Mangawai, on May 23, it was resolved that a subcommittee be appointed to act in conjunction with the Kaiwaka Presbyterian Committee, viz., Messrs. Wilson, Hogan, and Mirehouse, with power to add to their number. It was also intimated by the Rev. Mr. Bruce that divine service will he held at Mangawai at least one Sunday in each month.—A meeting of the sub-committee was held on the 24th inst. Present; Rev. D. Bruce (chairman), Messrs. T>. Balderston (chairman Kaiwaka Church Committee), Wilson, Hogan, and Mirehouse ; also, Mr. A. Smith, whose name was added. Mr. Mirehouse was appointed secretary to sab-committee. # Mr. P. Wilson offered oae acre of land as a site for a church in connection with the Presbyterian church of New Zealand, which was accepted, and the thanks of the meeting accorded to Mr. Wilson for his generous gift. Trustees we-e duly appointed for the aforesaid piece of land. Resolved: "That the house situated at Te Arai, belonging to the chnrcb, and at present unoccupied, be utilised for providing church accommodation for this place." Mr. ffogaa was deputed to act in conjunction with the Rev. D. Bruce and Mr. Balderston, for valuing the timber, &c. Mr. Charles Hogau was appointed chairman, and Mr. Pearson Wilson treasurer to sub-committee. After an inspection of the above-named house, it was finally purchased, and will be removed to the church site at as early a date as possible.

On Sunday morning, May 30th, the Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Cowie) preached to a large congregation, in St. Peter's in the Forest, Bombay. At the close of the service the annual meeting of parishoners took place, for the Durpose of electing a committee, &c., for the present year. The Bight Rev. the Bishop presided. The minutes of the last meeting, which were read and confirmed, showed that subscriptions and collections, amounting to £60 17s 3d, had been paid for the year 1879. The Chairman then appointed Mr. R. Proud, Minister's Warden, and Mr. C. W. Andrews was unanimously elected the People's Warden. The following gentlemen were duly elected a committee : — Messrs. T. Jackson, R.M., F. ForJe, J.P. ; W. K. Cornthwaite; W. Sawyer, senior ; S. Stratford, J. P. ; T. Masefield, J. Evans, W. Sawyer, jun., R. S. White, and A. Ua?zard. The Rev. D. Bruce, of Auckland, arrived at Waiuku on the 12th June, by mail coach from Pukekobe, and was met by several members of the Waiuku Presbyterian Church Committee. The Rov. gentleman preached on Sabbath morning at the usnal place and usual hour. After service, a member of the church drove Mr. Bruce to Kohekohe, a distance of about ten miles, where he preached, and then returned by the same conveyance to Waiuku, arriving about G p.m, the tame evening, when a meeting was held in the church for the purpose of making arrangements for the better carrying out of the church work generally, such as hav- [ ing a resident minister at Waiuku, dividing the district, and having more services in the district. A great deal of very useful information was got from Mr. Bruce regarding church matters. A vote of thanks was givon to him for his kindly visit at this unfavourable season of the year. The anniverfary services of the Ponsonby Wesley an Sunday-school took |>laco on 13th June. 'ilio L'.ev. W. Morley preached iu the morning, a«d ttie Rev. Mr. Dewabury in the evening. The building was crowded. The ltev, \V. Gifctos, of Kaipara, delivered an address to ttio children in the afternoon. Collections amounted to £9 4a 5J,d.

MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS,

On Friday eveniog, May 21, the completion of the new school, Te Kopuru, was oolebrated by a tea-meeting, entertainment, and dance- At 5 o cl'jclc between fifty or sixty children had congregated, and wore regaled with tea, cake, &c. Many visitors were present from the different settlements on the river, and after the wants of the children had been attended to, about one hundred adults sat dowa to tea, provided by Mr. G. Howard, the well-known caterer, and presided over by Meadames Matthews, Lmdley Baker, Andrews, Williams, Stannaway, and

Gow, assisted by Misses Seaborne, Hutcbinson, and Andrews. The intellectual enter' tainment opened by tho ohildren Binging the National Anthem, followed by a drama | adopted from one of Miss Keating's dramas for young people entitled "The Kauri Bush Conspiracy," under the direction of Mr. Lindley, ■ and was performed very successfully by his school pupils. Mr. Andrews, chairman of the school committee, in the opening speech, spoke highly of the liberal education provided by the Government, and was strongly in favour of the compulsory clauses being strictly enforced in this district. TheKev. F. T. Baker gave an interesting addresß on the progress of education in the district. Mr. Matthews gave a short address on secular versus religious education. Mr. R. A. Dargaville congratulated those present on possessing a teacher so specially qualified as Mr. Lindley, a remark which, elicited much applause. After some other musical pieces, dancing was commenced, ana enjoyed for several hours, thus ending a very pleasant evening's amusement. The good people of Huntly turned out loyally, and almost to a man, on the Queen s Birthday, to attend a soiree and concert, g?t up for the purpose of commemorating the event. The soiree was held in the schoolroom, which was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flowers. The tables wore presided over by Mesdamea bcboheld, Henry, G. Muir, Sampson, and Pickett, who were busily ocoupiedia attending -o the wants of both adults and children. Mr. Henry, as chairman, explained that the soiree and concert were quite an impromptu affair, and, therefore, might be found lacking in some interesting features. He then announced that any balance accruing would be handed over to the committee of the local library. The gentlemen who took part in the concert were Messrs. Morrison, Schofield, Hetheriogton, Schoheld, jun., Sampson, Underwood, and Foarce. The entertainment was a mixture ot the Queen." After the concert many stayed behind to trip it on the light fantastic toe, accompanied by able instrumentalists. The 17 th anniversary of tlio leaving Knglaud of the first Albertland settlers was celebrated on Saturday, May -9th, at the Wharehine School room. The room was crowded in the evening. Tea was succeeded by music, speeches and recitations, lhe children's singing gave much pleasure, as also did that of their elders. The violin of Mr. Armitage "discoursed sweet music, and the harmonium was ably handled by Mrs. Cutforth. The speeches were judiciously brief. The Rev. W. Gittos was chairman —an office for which his kindly manner well qaalilies him. I'he speakers were—the Chairman, Messrs. Steventoo, ShepherJ, Witliaford and Cutler. Mr J. Smith gave a Shakesperian reading ; Mrs. Morgan and Masters Stevens and W. Marcroft recited; and Mesdames Plummer, .Armitage and Cutforth, and Messrs. Plummer, T. Marcroft and Cutforth, contributed to the vocal music. Altogether the evening was very pleasantly spent, the teatables betokening fcbat the days of hardship had departed from the settlement. On 26fch May, Sergeant-major Mason, ot the Auckland Police, was entertained at a banquet given in his honour by a numUr of citizeus, owing to his approaching departure for Lyttelton, where he will in future b3 stationed. The gathering took place at the Imperial Caf<s, and the catering of Host Hales give every satisfaction. A number of the constabulary off duty were also present to testify their respect to their late sergeantmajor. Mr. Tliomis Ellison presided as chairman, having on his right Mr. Mason. After the usual loyal toasts had been proposed and responded to, the chairman ca'led upou the company to charge their glisses, for the toast of the evening. "The Health of Sergeaot-Mnjor Mason." He had kuown that officer for many years, both in bis public capacity and as a citizen, and. had found him to be active and impartial in the discbarge of his public dutie3, and upright lu private life. Those present, he felt assured, wished him a prosperous future, and that every blessing might: attend him aud his family in hi* row Bphere of duty. He had great pleasures proposing "The Bealth of Sergeant-major Mason." The toa9t was drunk, accompanied by the singiug of " He's a jolly good fellow, and three cheers. Mr. Mason, in respond* ing, thanked the chairman for the kind terms in which he bad proposed the toast, and the company for the way in which they had received it. He regretted his departure from Auckland. He had always endeavoured to do his duty faithfully, but so to fulfil it as not to give, as far as possible, any offence. If he had inadvertently, or by error of judgment, given offence to anyone, e could only, in bidding farewell, express is regret for it. The toasts of "The Press " aud "The Ho3t " (Mr. Hales) were duly honoured and responded to. The rest of the evening was devoted to harmony, towards which Messrs. Hitchens, Greenaway, Jones, Hughes, and other gentlemen contributed. The ball given by the bachelors ot Rodney took place on Thursday, the 3rd June, at the Mahurangi Public Hall. The ball was a complete success, which was entirely owing to the energy of the committee, consisting of Messrs Niocol, T. Warin, Sankey, G. Warin, Southgate, and G. Darroch. The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion. A pleasing variety of evergreens charmed the eye on all sides, more especially the beautiful arch over the stage, which was formed of the young branches of the karaka, and was artistically arranged. There was also a profusion oE banners and flags interspersed throughout the .building. The ball was opened about 9 o'clock. The band was a most efficient one. The music throughout was everything that could be desired. Refreshments were provided by Mr. Such in a first class style, his large marquee being again called into requisition. In this the supper tables were laid. Nothing was wanting that could be supplied. On 'he completion of the programme the party broke up at about 4 a.m. The opening meet of the season of the Pakuranga Hunt Club was held on Saturday, June 5, at the Scottish Church, Papatoitoi ; but owing to the fact that no announcement to that effect had been made, and a rumour hiving gained currency that the dogs had not returned from Waikato, the attendance was comparatively small. The formal opening or gathering which has hitherto marked the commencement of the season, and which was held during previous years at the hospitable residence of the master of the houndß, Mr. W. McLaughlin, of Papatoitoi, was dispensed with this year. The weather on Saturday was fine and pleasant, and the scent lay well. The puck, 23 in all, under the control of Mr. Joe Roberts, the huntsman, were in good form, and seemed to be all the better for their Waikato excursion. Mr. McLaughlin, master of the houud3, was present, but there were comparatively few of the prominent members of the club, and only a limited number of recognised horses. There were few ladies in attendance. Amongst those present at the meet were Messrs. McLaughlan, Tonks, Stephens, Yonge, Caultou, McGee, Kitchen, juu., and Mrs. Thorpe, and Miss McGee. The Rev. Mr. Smeaton having intimated a wish to give a lecture on ' • The life and time of Thomas Hood" iu the Chapel, Wado township, on the 27 th May, it wai proposed to diversify the entertainment with inutic, songs, &c. The weather being Hue a very good number put in an appearance, over titty settlers and their familits beiug present Major Stoney was called upon to preside. Mr. Smeaton then commence l ! his lecture, and in a most pleasing manner entered into a!l the stirring events of the poet's life and times, interspersed with several quotations from his most admired poetical pieces, which were much applauded. The Chaiiman, in a few appropriate terms, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Smeaton, aud thu3 concluded a most pleasing evening's entertainment. Thesecond exhibition of the Norfolk Island Horticultural Society was held ot Longridge, on the grounds of Mr. Thos. Buffott, on 21st April, under rather favourable auspices ; and the committee may again congratulate themsolres on having secured auother genuine success. As usual, tlie day was observed as a j»unural holiday and a general picnic, the attendance, with but few exceptions, being general. As the ladies were upon their mettle, the culinary department was, ot course, attended to ; and, although not on the prizo list, there was no deterioration in this part of the exhibition. The agricultural exhibits wore good, and abovo the average. Mr. T. Rossitor led the van, closely followed by the magistrate (Mr. P. M. Nobbs), " tho Mission," tho Messrs. Buffotts, Nobbs, Dwight, Allen, aud others, were all good and creditable. The Sweet and Early Rose Potatoes wero very fino, so also was tho oceans of bananas, corn, rock and water melons, pumpkins, 'tomatoes, coffee oranges, pineapples, &c , that were shown. Mr. Jioasiter a colleotion of fruit, containing seventeen different kinds, tropioal and sub tropioal, would havo graced any show. Among them we noticed the diminutive Eugenia myrlifolia, also fine specimens of the mango (Many if era indica), and the Uhinos« dato plum (Dyospiros kal-i), almost

equal in bizo and flavour to the frnit ill its native habitat: Being autumn," and every.-, tbiog in the "sear and yellow leaf, the flowers were not so good, but a marked improvement in the sohool - girl's noseg&ys was observable. Flowering plantsin pots, arid ferns, were hardly worth' looking at. After the judges had finished their arduons duties, the President (Mr. Codrington), in a liumeuroiu speech, read over the list of prize-takers, when the hoD., Treasurer (Dr. Herbert Metcalfe), in a neat speech, went into ways and means and other tilings problematic. There was a nice | balance-sheet to carry forward, he said ; so we opine the society is flourishing. Then came the eating part, afterwards promenading, spice 1 with a little dancing to " Young Norfolk Island's" band. Late in theafternoon the anthem was played, finishing what may be called one of the island "red letter' days. Prizes Sweet potatoes : Ist, Reuben Christian ; 2nd, " Mission 3rd, Benjamin Christian. liish potatoes: Ist, Johnstone Nobbs; 2nd, John Buffett. Corn : Ist, Ward Buffott; 2nd, 'William Rossiter; 3rd, " Mission Bananas : Ist, T. Rossiter ; 2nd, Edward Buffett. Water-melons ; Forty Bnffett; 2 nd, Alfred Nobbs. Rock-melons: Josiah | Adams. Pumpkins: Ist, Alfred Nobbs; 2nd, Fletcher Nobbs. Cucumbers: T. Rossiter. Pine-apples : Ist, Stephen Chris- | tian ; 2nd, James Quintal. Oranges : Benjamin Christian. Tomatoes; Dr. Metcalfe. Coffee : D. Buffett. Fruit (c lllejtion): Thos. Ronaifcer. Hats—(woven): Mrs. James Quintal; hats—(sinnet) : Mrs. F. Young. Baskets : Mrs. James Quintal. Flowering Plants in Pots : Ist, Mrs. F. M. Nobbs; 2nd, Mrs. Captain Bates. Ferns: Mrs. Young. Nosegays : lat, Mrs. Captain Bates; 2nd, Mrs. Captain Bongard. School Children's Prizes. —Guavas : Ist, G-. Nobbs ; 2nd, Greena Christian; 3rd, G. Buffett; 4tb, B. Bates. Water-melons: Ist, G. Buffett ; 2nd, G. Young. JSosegays : Janet Nobbs. , ■ | On Thursday, the 20th May, a lecture waa delivered before the Mangap&i Mutual | Improvement Society; by the Wev. Christopher Abernethy, of Whangarei. The subject was " The Sabbath," and was listened to with great attention by a large audienoe, the building in which the meeting was held being quite full. The music by the ladies was exceedingly good, and added greatly to the pleasure of the evening. On the 21st and 22nd of May the Aratapu Minstrels delighted fair audiences with their wit and humour, giving sundry local bits and allusions, which are always appreciated. Clog and golden shoe dances were well done, and gave great satisfaction, and th* burlesque at the close appropriately concluded a capital entertainment, in which Messrs. Avery, Topp, Wilson, Murphy, Piper, Brown, Pivott, and other local amateurs, took a highly creditable pait. An entertainment, in aid of the Repairs Fund for the Holy Trinity Church, Otahuhu, was held in the Public Hall, Otahuhu, on the 24th of May. The inclement state of the weather, unfortunately for the financial success of the gathering, debarred numbers of people from attending. The building wai, however, fairly filled. The first portion of the programme consisted of musical selections, as follows : — Pianoforte solo, "Fenalla," Miss C. White; quartette, "Dawn of Day," Misses Keinpthorne and E. Fairburn, Messrs. H. Gilßllan, jun., and Cn. McMurdo ; comic song, " Complaints," MoMurdo, song, "In the Gloaming," Miss Kempthorne; song, "Never more," Mr. Gilfillan ; glee, " Onward to Battle ; song, " Didst thou but know," Mr. Hamlin ; song, "The Tar's Farewell," Mr. J. P. Stodarfc; comic song, "The Frenchman," Mr. McMurdo. All the above pieces were done full jttstice to, those by Mr. Hamlin, Mr. Stodart, and Mr. McMurdo, and also the glee, being re-demanded. The second portion of the entertainment consisted of scenes from "The Heir-at-Law." The chai racters being fairly represented by local amateurs. We should mention that at the commencement of the first part of the programme the " National Anthem"' was sung. The day being the Queen's Birthday, the innovation seemed very appropriate and fitting. The customary dance brought the amusement to a close. The anniversary soiree of the (Ponsonby Westeyan Sunday-school took place on June 15, at the Ponsonby Hall. There was an excellent attendance. The trays were provided by friends connected with the Sun-day-scliool. After ample justice had been done to the good things provided, the hall was cleared for the public meeting. Mr. W. Thorne was called to the chair, and made a brief introductory speech, after which. Mr. F. B. Winstone (secretary) read the annual report. From that dooument it appears that there are on the roll at present 9L boys and S4 girls: total, 177. Male teachers, 12; female, 8. One scholar had died during the year. Removals of scholars and new ones balauced each other, but the average attendance was increased. The balance-sheet of the treasurer (Mr. B. dittos) waa also read as followß :—Balance from previous year, £11 15s; proceeds of collections, entertainments, &c., during the year, £21 12s lld : total receipts, £33 7s lid. Expended on school requisites, £34 6s lid: leaving a balance due to the treasurer of 19s. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. Morley, G. Bond, W. Gittos (of Kaipara), J. Robertson (M.A.), and H. It. Dawsbury. A musical entertainment took place in the Public Hall, Wairoa, on May 24, in aid of purchasing a piano for the hall. Mrs. James Whyte was the originator of the scheme, and deserves credit for the way it was got up. Mr. James Bell officiated as chairman, and, in his humorous way, fulfilled that office with satisfaction to all. The performers were —Mrs. James B. Hay, Misses Norrie, Cummins, and McFarlane. Mr. Clifton, from Auckland, also sang.' Mrs. James Whyte sang some very effective pieces. Mr. D. J. Scott could not sing on account of a severe cold, so therefore did not appear on the platform. The greatest praise is due to the above-named ladies and gentlemen for the way they rendered the pieces allotted to them. The concert was a p-iccess in a money point of view as well as in the singing. There was a dance after the concert. The Queen's Birthday passed very quietly at ICawjkawa. The demand for coal continues so great that a holiday could not be given to the hands, and as everthing here is ruled by the mine, the stores did not close. Iu the evening the bachelors gave a ball in the Public Hall, at which a large number of couples were present, and honoured Her Majesty with innocent recreation. At a meeting of the farmers, held at Opotiki, on Wednesday evening, June 2nd, the Opotiki Farmers' Club was established, having for its objects the advancement of the agricultural and pastoral interests of the district, and the promotion of such other objects as legitimately come within the province of a farmers' club. The meeting was well attended, and twenty-three members were enrolled. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee for the ensuing year : —Dr. Reid, President; W. Gow, Vice-President; E. P. Dumerque, Secretary and Treasurer, and Messrs. Glynn and Lewis. The Club will meet monthly, when papers on farming subjects will be read and discussed. A'j a fully-attended meeting of the brewers held oil Juno 14, in Messrs. Mowbray's office, 42, Quecn-slreet, it was moved by Mr. Watson, and seconde:! by Mr. Jaggar, " i'bat, in the opinion of this meeting, a tax of threepence per gallon, instead of sixpence, as proposed, on colouial beer would yield the Government a sufficient amount; and that

this opinion be conveyed to Mr. Swan3on, M. U.K., and communicated to the newspapers throughout .New Zealand." The resolution wa3 passed, after which the meeting separated. PRESENTATIONS. After a service of seventeen years as a warder in the Auckland Gaol, Mr. John Dunn has retired from the service of the public. He had become the oldest employe iu the gaol, and was for many years senior warder. As an acknowledgment of the cordiality of feeling which existed between himself and his fellow oflicers, the retirement was taken advantage of to present him with a splendid black marble eight-day clock, which bore the following inscription: — " Presented to Senior Warder John Dunn, on his resignation, by the governors and officers, on the Ist June, 1550." Mr. Duun formerly belonged to the 58th Regiment, so long quartered in New Zealand. He came to Tasmania in 1845, in charge of prisoners, amongst them being the lata Mr. John Martin, M.P. for Meath, and others who have subsequently taken an active part in public life. Of course, these prisoners were political In the Bay of Islands district, and other places in New Zealand, Mr. Dunn was engaged with the sSth in the various brushes with the natives in the early days of colonial life, and was discharged with a pension when the regiment returned to England, in 185 S. On June 15, a public meeting was held in the church, Mangapai, to enable the settlers to bid farewell to Mr. Hewlett, who ia leaving this neighbourhood. Tho churchwardens of the Maungaknramea church and tha schcol-

master of . that district were present, also settlers from Ruaragni and Waikiekie, bnt owing to the wretched Btate of the' roads, the journey was difficult for those who came, and quite hindered many who wished to be present. .Mr. Bel], J.P., and the Rev. Mr. Abernethy were prevented from coming, but Mr. Robert Revburn very ably represented Whaogarei, and did good service in enlivening the meeting. .An address was presented to Mr. Hewlett, and the meeting generally , was very cordial. A very pleasing ceremony took place in the Whangarei Presbyterian Church on the 3lst May, viz., the presentation of a very handsome album to Miss T. M. Rust. Miss Rust has been a valuable member of the church choir ever since its formation', and, being about to leave owing to her approaching marriage, the choir took this method of showing their esteem for herself, and appreciation of her past services. Several friends of the choir and bride-elect were present, and the presentation was made by the Rev. Mr. Mcintosh. Miss Rust carries with her to her new home the hearty good wishes of all who know her. INQOESTS AND ACCIDENTS. On Sunday, 23rd of May, a man named Carston, in the'employ of the Timber Company, at Whangaroa, was on his way to Kaeo with his wife and family, when the boat struck on a snag at the mouth of the river. A plank was stove in, and the occupants were in great danger, but fortunately were not far from the shore. They managed by bailing out to keep the boat afloat until they reached terra firma. A distressing accident took place at Huntly on the 25th May, about 3 p.m. A little boy named Frank Jackson, 10 years of age, was amusing himself in a boat belonging to the Waikato Coal Company, which was moored to the wharf, when all of a sudden he fell backwards into the water, and has not been seen since, notwithstanding that several efforts have besn made to recover the body. It is expected that the body will be found floating in a few days. At 11 a.m. on May 26, a man named Robert Thompson, night porter at the Albert Hotel, was engaged cleaning the windows of the first floor. While so employed he thought- . lessly stepped back on the verandah, and placing his foot on one of the large panes of glaiS in the verandah roof, he tumbled 1 through to the aßphalt footpath beneath, falling a distance of about eighteen feet. He was promptly picked up, and Mr. Kitchen, proprietor of the hotel, at once Bent for medical assistance. Dr. Goldsbro arrived and dressed the cuts which he had received on his hand, wrist, and head. The cuts were slight, although that on the wrist was dangerously close to an artery. Thompson of course was considerably shaken, and complained of pains in his sides. It is not thought that any bones are broken, and a short time afterwards he was sufficiently recovered to eat a hearty dinner. Towards evening, however, he experienced giddiness in the head, and appeared to be feverish, so Mr. Kitchen had him conveyed to the hospital in a cab. It is now thought that some of bis ribs have been broken, but we are glad to learn that there is no fear entertained that the consequences will be very serious. His "escape, considering the height from which he fell, and the circumstances of the fall, is little less than miraculous. Mr. .Nicol, who for some time past had been a source of considerable anxiety to his family and friends, took passage in the schooner Gael, Captain Urquhart, about two mouths ago to Samoa, intending there to seek for employment. In this he was not successful. On the Gael leaving Samoa, about the Bth May, for Fiji, Mr. Nicol again took passage, with the intention of looking for employment in Levuka. When tho schooner put to sea Captain Urquhart discovered that his passenger was suffering very badly from delirium tremens, and it became necessary to keep a watch over him, and put him under partial restraint. In carrying this out he was every evening "placed in irons until the following morning. He then became a source of much trouble to those on board, as ha waß continually alleging that he had committed a great forgery, and he feared that one Sergeant Martin would come after him in the police boat. This idea beeame so firmly impressed upon him that he was constantly on the look-out for fear they should come upon him unawares. On the evening of Monday, the 16th May, whilst the Gael was some dis. tauco off the Island of Taviuni, one of the Fiji Group, a heavy squall sprung up, necessitating sail being shortened. Mcol, who was not then ironed, gave a hand at the peak halyard, whilst the men went forward to stow the head sails. All being made snug, Captain Urquhart went below, having previously given instructions to the crew to put the irons on the passenger for the night. He was shortly after apprised of tho fact that Nicol could not be found, and it became apparent that, taking advantage of the darkness which had come on, and the men being occupied, he had sprung overboard. No traoe could be found of him, though search was made. On arrival, tho following Tuesday, at Levuka, Captain Urquhart reported the occurrence to the authorities, and has written the sad intelligence to his family. He will forward the effects of the deceased to Auckland by the first opportunity. Mr. Nicol leaves a wife and family to mourn his untimely death. A coroner's inquest was held at Cambridge on the 26th of May, before Dr. Waddington, coroner, and a jurj, of which Mr. Forest was foreman, on the body of Mr, Richard Selby, the 1 third son of Mr. William Selby. Mr. Thomas Wolls was the principal witness. He deposed that he was a storekeeper at Cambridge. He was out Bhooting yesterday with deceased, and when in the Rome paddock, returning, deceased having taken a wide round, he heard his gun fired twice, at the interval of half a minute. After the second shot he heard two cooees, and thought the children were calling. The deceased not coming, he looked, and did not see him, but saw his dog standing in tho same place. He walked over, and found the deceased lying dead on his face. He turned him over, and found a largo wound in the left breast. He then fetched the father, who was working near, and carried the body home. Deceased was all day in his usual good spirit;. The verdict of tho jury was, "Accidental death." It is suppoaod the deceased had fired, and droppiugthepun, trailed it whilst following the bird shot, and that tho hammer had caught in a thistle.

The cutter Gipsy, which arrived on the 23rd of May from the Great Barrier, brought up the body of one of her crow, named John Simons, aged about 31 yean, who died there suddenly. The deceased had just finished assisting to load the vessel about 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, and went below to change his clothes, when he was seized with a feeling of faintness. He

sat down, but expired in a few minutes. Simons had previously been in good health, and the event was quite unexpected. The deceased man has a brother resident at the Thames. An inquest was hold ou May 25, before Dr. Philson aud a respectable jury, when, after hearing the evidence adduced, the jury returned a verdict of, death from apoplexy.

A somewhat sudden death occurred at Tologa Bay, on May 24, of which I forward particulars, as the cleceasrd, Georgi Molloy, being an old soldier, was pretty sure to been known about Auckland. He had been living amongst the Maoris at Waipari for six months past, tailoring. Tho chiefs had bought a large supply of tweeds, &c , &c., fov Molloy to mako them clothes. George Molloy was aged between 50 and 60 years, short stature, grey hair and whiskers, erect and soldier-like in carriage. He served in the Imperial Army at the Crimea and India. Seven months ago he cams from Wairarapa with a -Maori chief, named Manihera, as tailor, and was master- tailor in the service. He arrived at Tologa Bay from Waipari on the 12th May, suffering from bronchitis, in order that he might see a medical man. Ulti inately congestion of the lunga Bet in, and he diod on the 24th May rather sud-

denly. An inquest was held and a verdict returned, *' Died from natural causes." The deceased man's relatives and friends will be glad to know that he received every necessary attention and comfort at the house of Mr. Har y Trimmer, the Ferry Hotel, Tologa Bay, and that Dr. Scott was assiduous in hi 3 attention and medical carc of the sufferer. He was a Roman Catholic.

—|Own Correspondent, Whakatane.] A correspondent writes from Matakaua : — "A terrible death occurred to a Maori by the name of Dick, on Tuesday, Juno 1, in Omaha. On the Saturday previous, he, with a number of other natives, camo to Matakana with a quantity of gum, which they sold to Mr. William Fenton. They were, with one or t - .vo exceptions, tho worse for liquor. Dick was the worse for liquor when he left Matakan i, and took a bottle of rum away with him. When they arrived at the Omaha, on the Saturday night, they started card-playing, which was kept up till Sunday night, when Dick was noticed to be, as they say, ■porangi, or mad. He was then taken home by two of the natives. When he arrived home he ran after his wife and children with an axe, but they all escaped

without any injury. On the Monday some of tho natives went to see him ; they found him as bad or nearly so as when they left him the previous day. They went away and came back on Tuesday evening, but he was co better. They again left him, after taking all the axes and tomahawks away they could find. At about 12 o'clock that night they saw a fire in the direction of his whare, and they (the Maoris) hastened to the spot, and found his whare oa fire, and in the ruins the unfortunate victim, with his arms and legs burnt off. There was also a charred rope round his neck. The natives think that he must have first set fire to the whare and then bung himself. 'J hat the out-door sports of the pupils I attending our public schools require to be I oarefuliy supervised is evident from a! most painful and distressing incident t which occurred a few weeks since. At the Church of England Grammar School, Parnell, the boys have been accustomed to play a well-known rough and-lumble game, in which one lad places his back against a post, the second, in a stooping position, places his head against che stomach of the drat, and the others then mount in succes sion upon the back of the stooping boy, until the whole fall in a heap to the ground. Among those engaged in playing was a sou of Dr. Goldsbro', of Parnell, a fine and amiable young lad of great promise, aged sixteen : and it is believed, from what subsequently transpired, that a short time ago he received some severe internal injuries, in taking a I part in one of these gameu. The unfortunate youth was confined to his bed for a few days, and died on the 24th of May. A child, belonging to Mr. John Seroby, Te Awamatu, was badly injured on June 7. The father was away at work, and tha mother washing, the boiler having been p!aced over a fire outside the house. The lid was off, and two of the children were playing close by. While the mother's back was turned, the one child, it seems, gave the other a push, and the latter (a little boy of three yearß of age) fell, putting out both hands to save himself, but, falling over the boiler, badly scalded both arms. Fortunately the mother heard the screams of both, and arrived in time to save further injury.

A sad accident happened on June 8, to a Jittle girl aged 12 years, the daughter of a settler named Green, now completing a contract for cutting timber at Holconu', for the Piako Land Association. The little girl, with a younger sister, went into the bush yesterday, taking with them a tomahawk, with which the youngest commenced cutting at a cabbage tree for the purpose of felling it, and not noticing that her sister's arm was partly round the tree, struck her with the axe, cutting off the first and second fingers of the right band, and cutting through the bone of the third finger, all of which had to ba amputated. She was brought to Dr. W. Sandes' surgery in Hamilton, and placed under chloroform, and the operation performed. She remains here for a few weeks to be under Dr. Sandes' skilful care and kindly attention.

A. somewhat unaccountable case of suicide occurred on the night oE June 5 or morning of June 6, the victim, being a Swede named Gurtz, who for some time past has been lodging at the Governor Browne Hotel, Hobson-street. It appears that at an earlyhour on Sunday morning, before daylight, a Maori sailor, on board the cutter Gipsy, was going down Nelson-street to his boat which lay off the reclamation. On comitig down the steps from Nelson-street by the gas works, he observed some object apparently suspended to the handrail of the step". He struck a light to ascertain what tihe object was, and then saw that it was a man, apparently quite dead, hung by tha neck from the handrail. He at once went in search of a constable, and finding Constable Gordon on one of the beats, he acquainted him with what he liad observed. The constable proceeded to the place with the Maori, and found tha man hanging as described. One foot rested on the Bteps, and the other swung clear of them. The rope was quite new, and a noose had been worked on it by a splice. The constable out the body down, but the man was quite dead, cold, and rigid, and had evidently been dead for several hours. He was taken to the morgue, where he was identified by Mr. Dunningham, one of the proprietors of the Governor Browne Hotel. Deceased was a man about 45 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, and of heavy build, weighing about 14 stone. &.bout two months ago he, in company with a mate of his named Mcßirnie, arrived from Sydney. They were supposed to be diggers. They took up lodgings at the Governor Browne Hotel, and after remaining for a few days proceeded to the Whangarei gumfields. Their success not being as good as they hoped, they returned to Auckland, and Boon afterwards Mcßirnie left for Sydney, Gurtz remaining behind. Ha was of an ordinarily cheirful disposition, but had once or twice complained of the difficulty of finding employment. He was not in any way addicted to drink, never having been seen while in the hotel to bs under its influence, and he was not destitute. When the body wa3 cut down and searched, tho police found the address of the Governor Browne Hotel, and about £1 in money. A coroner's inquest into the cause of death was held at the Freeman's Hotel, Freeman's Bay, on June 7, before Dr. Philson, coroner, but beyond the facts above stated, nothing further was elicited. The jury, after a nhort deliberation, returned a verdict to the following effect: — " That the deceased met h : 3 death by hanging by tha neck, the act being his own ; but what his state of mind was at the time tha jury has no evidence to show."

A correspondent writing from Tairua, on the 15th instant, says:—" A sad accident happened on Friday last. While towing out the schooner Opotiki, timber laden for Auckland, the whaleboat upset with seven men in her. Five were picked up by the schooner. One, after a severe struggle, swam ashore; but the coxswain, James Wilson, who was well accustomed to his duty, was seen to go down but never come up again ; it ia supposed he received a blow from his oar. He leaves a wife and two children, two and three year 3 old respectively, who are unprovided for. This sad event has cast a great gloom over our little community. Captain Stephens, of the schooner Elsinore, the same night took the five men off from the Opotiki at the Hole-in-the-Wall, and brought thera on here the next morning, thus allaying the suspense that prevailed, as the man who was picked up knew very little about them. All efforts to find the body have been fruitless. Many volunteers searched the coast, especially on Sunday, but without success, the scarf «f the deceased only having been picked up." Subscriptions for the widowjand children will be received at the Herald publishing office, Queen-street, which will be acknowledgei, and forwarded to Tairua.

A coroner's inquest took place on June 18, on the body of an elderly man named James Hill, found dead on that morning, on the roadway, in the vicinity of the Queen's Hotel, Kybir Pass. The jury returned a verdict to the effect, that the deceased died through continued inteuiperauce. accelerated by exposure. On June 7, just at dusk, as Mr. R. Gwynne and &Ir. H. Kelly were returning from Hariis's farm, about eix miles from Hamilton, where they had been shooting in a one-horse bugjy, the horse fell, smashing both shaft*, and throwing both gentlemen pietty heavily out. Luckily neither was hurt.

A seaman, belonging to the s.s. lona, fell overboard when she was leaving the Russell wharf oo June 1. He was unable to swim. A life-buoy was thrown to him. Mr. W. Irving plunged in to his assistance, and he was rescued, none the worse for his ducking.

An accident occurred on June 10, opposite St. Mary's Church, Parnell, which resulted in the destruction of a valuable carriage horse belonging to Mr. W. Crowther, the omnibus proprietor. Mr. Crowther valued his horse at thirty guineas. The body of Francis Jackson, the little boy drowned in the Waikato a short time since, was found at Taupiri on June 7, aud an inquest was held on June S, at the Coal Mines Hotel, before B. C. Baale, Esq., coroner, when a verdict of "Accidental death by drowning " was returned. An accident, which 13 expected to prove fatal, occurred at tiie Pake on Thursday, Juno 10, to ail influential native named Holiepa te IJauhihi. FIRES. The house of Mr. Cumming, Hamilton, had a narrow escape from fire on May 21, which, but for its fortunately being discovered in ticne, would have been a Bad episode in connection with the late theatrical excitement. For weeks past the members of the Comus Club have been welcome gaests at Rosemont on the occasions of the several rehearsals; indeed, but for Mr. and Mrs. Cumming'a gonial assistance the affair would never have been so successfully carried out as it wa«. There was a dress rehearsal in. the Oddfellows' Hall on the 20th of May, and the lady amateurs bad been dressing at the honae of Mr. Cumming. It seems that the candles had been left alight on the dressing-

table when the party left, and the servantß had : neglected to 'extinguish them. One stood close to the window curtain, and a sudden draught from an open door must have caused the curtain aud flame to come together. A servant girl, going into the room to replenish the fire, found the curtains and window-blind in a blaze. The fare had nearly taken hold of the woodwork of the ceiling, and a portion of- clothes_ on tho bed alongside was on fifS. The girl gave the alarm, and one of the brewery .bands was quickly on the spot. The baby which was sleeping quietly in its' cot, within three yards of the flames, was carried out, cot and all, and the fire extinguished, water being readily procurable. . Early on May 30, a firo was observed m Kyber Pass Road, and in a short time the city aud suburban fire-bells rang out their alarms. The fire occurred in a block of wooden buildings owned by Mrs. Outhwaite, and situated near the Kyber Pass railway bridge, in close proximity to Mr. Seccombe's brewery, from which they were divided only by the narrow street known as Owen's Road, which leads up by the rifle range to Mount Eden, and on which there is a toll-bar. A crowd speedily collected after the alarm was rung, and the Fire Brigade (under Superintendent Hugbo»), the Salvage Corps (under Captain Butler), and the police force (under Superintendent Thomson) were speedily on tho spot; but by this time the whole block was a burning mass, and was bnrnb to the ground, the efforts of the Fire Brigade and Salvage Corps being entirely directed to saving the toll-house and the board containing the table of rates, in which tbey wore successful, as a liberal supply of water was available from Mr. Seccombe's, and the Salvage Corps hand-engine was brought into play. The main block of "buildings was two storeys high, divided into three tenements. That to the extreme east, at the corner of Kyber Pass and Owen Koads, was tenanted by Edward Lavery. It was the newesS portion of tho building, and was in sound condition, containing seven rooms and an outhouse. Adjoining that was a tenement of four rooms and a shop, occupied by John Irvine and his family. Mr. Irvine carried on a baker's business in the premises, and at the rear of the building were the bakehouse, containing tw*.ovens, and a stable and cartshed. The third tenement was slso a fourroomed building. It was recently occupied by Mr. G-. P. Gorman and his family. The next was a detached three-roomed cottage, separated about eighteen inches from the main building, and occupied by a man named r.dward English, his wife, and throe children, and a Mr. Joseph Young, brother-io-law to Euglish, and his wife, Mrs. Young. The four houies,- with the bakehouse and stables, were entirely destroyed. Mr. Irvine succeeded in saving a portion of his effect*, and the horse, trap, and harne3s, and Mr. Lavery saved nearly all his eff-cts. English was uninsured, and estimates his loss at £30. Irvine was insured in the Colonial office for

£50, and thinks his damage will be covered

by that amount, while Mr. Lavery sets down his loss at the moderate estimate of

£3 10s. The block of buildings was insured in the New Zealand office for £350. The fire had burnt itself out by 3.30 a.m. Mr. Seccombe and hi* employees, besides giving all the water required, acted most energetically throughout, and very hospitably supplied the firemen with beer during their labours.

Mr. William McKenzie, of Central Waipu, has had the misfortune to lose bis barn, which was burned to the ground on the 13th of June. He lost his year's crop of maize and hay; besides harness, two casks of beef, fowls, plough, &c. No clue has been obtained as to the origin of the fire. The building was uninsured. VOLUNTEERING. We observethatthe volunteers of Auckland are about to enter early on the business of the proposed grand review to be held on the 9th of November, the anniversary of the birthday of H. R.H. the Prince of Walts. This, it is confidently expected, will be the best review ever held in the colony, for our local volunteer forces will be joined on the occasion by their Thames brethren-inarms, as well as by the Waikato Cavalry and Infantry, the Waiuku and Pukekohe volunteers, and by tho3e of other country districts, and there will probably be fully 2000 men on parade. A meeting of the Cambridge troop of Waikato Volunteer Cavalry was hold on the 12th of June. Captain Kuuciman was in the chair. There was a majority of members of the troop present. The most important matter brought forward for consideration was the desirableness of forming the several Waikato troops into a regiment. The proposition was unanimously agreed to, and Captain -Rancimm and Lieutenant Fisher were appointed delegates to meet delegates from the other troop?, and to take the necessary steps for the formation of a regiment of Waikato Cavalry Voluateers.

The Pukekohe Rifle Volunteers held _their monthly inspection parade on the 12 th Jane, when a goodly number mustered, under the command of Lieutenants Wiley and Chilmau. The drill instructor, Sergeant-Major Mowbray, was present; and Major Withers was the inspecting officer. MASONIC. 1 he regular quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge of England, E.C., was held on June 2, in the lodge-roum, New Zealand Insurance Buildings. Brother Lodder, D.D.G.M., presided, and there wa? a good attendance of Grand Lodge officers, and representatives of various Lodges. The proceedings were of more than usual interest, for in addition to the routine business of the communication two petitions were received for new lodges under the constitution. One of those was from Ka-.vakawa. In this instance the D.D.G.M. granted the necessary authority. The second was froir Te Awamutu. The consideration of the litter was deferred, or rather it was referred to the Deputy District Grand Master, who will apply for certain further information required. A very interesting letter was received from the D.G.M., Brother G. S. Graham, who is at present in London, and who acknowledged the courtesy and consideration with which he had been received

and treated by the Grand Lodge, and the members of the craft generally. He intimated that he would be detained about five mouths in London. OBITUARY. Mr. Roderick McKay, sen., one of the Waipu pioneer settlers, died on 22nd May, after an illness of three years, at the advanced age of 81 years. Sir. McKay, when quite a young man, left his native country, Kossliire, Scotland, and settled in Cape Breton, .Nova for the space of 31 years. In ISSI he left America with his family for South Australia, and ultimately, in 1555, he left Australia, and settled in this district. The deceased gentleman was one of whom any settlement . might well be proud. Although he was determinedly industrious, yet he always kept his mind well informed on all questions that engaged public attention. He always liberally contributed to all objects of a charitable nature, and, although rather neglectful of his own personal comfort, yet he was extremely solicitous as to the comfort and well-being of his family and friends. When Mr. McKay ume here at first the land was under its original forest, and I can safely say that no other man di<l so much individually as he to make the settlement what it now is. The funeral took plice oa the 24th, and was attended by fully 200 people—a very large number, considering that the day was disgreeably Wet and cold. The relict of one of the oldest and most respected of old Auckland settlers passed away ou Juno 2. Mrs. Kunciman, the widow of the late Mr. Thomas Runoiman, of Drury, died at the residence of her son, Captain Jame3 Runciman, at Marsh Meadows, near Hamilton. He and his brother, Mr. John Runciman, aro well-known Waikato settlers, holding responsible public positions in the district, anil generally esteemed. Mrs. Kunciman, was with her husband settled afc \VbaD£*arei when Heke'a war broke out, and tliey were driven away from there to Auckland. They came to the colony in 1539. She died at the age of S2 years. The remains of the late Mrs. Runciman passed through Hamilton on 4th June, to be taken to Drury by the mid-day train. Following the hearse was the mourning carriage, containing her two sons, Captain James Runciman and Mr. John Kunciraan, and her son-in-law, Mr. Rhodes. Tea other carriages followed, containing many of our leading citizens and settlers, and a large number of horsemen followed after, amongst whom were the Revs. W. Calder, of Hamilton, and W. Evans, of Cambridge. In our obituary column will be noticed the decease of a noted chief of Taou, who has just died at Reweti, Kaipara. Ho was a very active coadjutor with Paora Tuhiere, of Orakei, in promoting the proceedings of the Orakei Native Parliament. His people are very dark over the sad event, and are "ranging to holda tangi, for which purpose the Natives of his tribe are rather in 7 from their various settlements,

In our obituary column will be noticed the decease of an old Auckland resident M, James Carson, of Ponsonby. He am. i* Auckland in 1842, and resided at Kaw.n upwards of thirty years ago, while the copper lodes were being worked- aft*, wards lio moved to Mercury Bay, and afte wards to Coromandel, where he 'endured all the hardships incident to those who borp , share m the early colonisation of the provinL Mr. Carson who was of an active habit of lite, had only been ailing for a few weeks and passed away on June 7, in his sixtv-fifth year, his eldest son, Mr. Gilbert Carson proprietor of the Wcmganui ChronkU arriving from Wanganui in time to have melancholy satisafctiou of seeing his W hours. Mt

One of our oldest and most respected tiers, Mr. John By croft, paa3ed away on Jun» 12, at the age of 63. He arrived here in 184? shortly after the foundation of the eolonv and was one of tha first millers to comment bußiness here, having in 1845 erected a i windmill at Epsom. For the past four or five years he has been out of business havino retired. About three weeks ago he visited his son s new mill, and was very much in terested in the various details. The com plaint, which ultimately caused hia death' seized him about three months ago while partaking of dinner; he could not s'wallow anything solid, and for the past fortnight of his existence only liquids. Mr. Bycroft had only been confined to his bed for ken davs Drs. Moore and Purcbas did all that medical skill could suggest for his relief, but iu vain He leaves a widow, sis sons, and ons daughter to mourn their loss.

Mr. Robert Kelly, of Puriri, Thames, died very suddenly on the sth of June. He was out shooting with his brother-in-law Mr Thomas Fenton, and appeared to ba in good health. After they had been out a short time, deceased suddenly called out • "Oh Tom !" and fell down dead. The cause of his death was heart disease, from which ha had been suffering for some time past. The funeral took place this afternoon, and wa* largely attended. Mr. Kelly has long been connected with the Thames aud Coromandel and was greatly respected. ' . Quits a gloom was thrown over Hamilton on Jnne 9, by the death of the eldest son of Mr. Charles Laishley, manager of the Union Bank of Australia there. Mr. and Mrs. Laishley have the sympathy of everyone here in the untimely fat 9 of their little boy after a short but severe illness. LAW. His Honor Mr. Justice Richmond has been absent in southern parts of the North Island during the past month, holding the circuit Courts. The reports received do not affjrd any cases of a very peculiar kind or remarkable public interest. Tha District Court ha 3 been sitting, but no new legal question has arisen which, should attract professional or public attention. The bankruptcy law is acknowledged on all sides to be defective, and a meeting of the legal profession (the District Law Society) has met to discuss the question. The meeting originated in a aeries of questions submitted by the Government, which questions arose out of certain suggestions made by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. A Commission has been ap-

pointed by the Government, to whom the Society ia to report. Mr. Justice Richmond ia expected in town on the 23rd instant. DRAMA. The principal theatrical event has been the appearance oE Mr. Fairclough in the Shakeaperian drama, and, contrary to expectations, he waa singularly successful. He played to good houses for a fortnight, and had for his benefit one of the largest houses ever seen in the present theatre. The next

event, but musical rather than dramatic, was the concerts of Madame Camilla TJrso at the theatre. Her performances here have been also a great success. Madame Urao leaves by the outgoing mail. MISCELLANEOUS. A week or two ago our Whangarei Heads correspondent informed us that that the Bellevue estate, formerly the property of Mr. Allan McDonald, had. been sold. This estate, which comprises some 10,000 acres, has been purchased by Mr. Fitzgibboa Louch, one of the ICatikati Bettlers. Mr. Louch intends to form a special settlement 1 on this property, which is situated oa the Marsden side of the Whangarei Heads, not '• far from the township ot Mangapii. The " block is thus well Bituated for connection t with Auckland, for several steamers touch > there weekly. In our advertising columns • will be found a notice from Mr. Louch, in > which he details his future intentions in !■ respect to this property. People are to be " brought out from home to settle upon it, and r those now here may become purchasers at a oertain price. A township, to be called Allandale, is to be laid out, in which the r usual reservations for pnblic purposes will fce , made. The Great North Road, now in 2 course of construction, passes through the - Bellevue estate. The land upon the estate r generally is kindly and fertile. a Intelligence has been received by cablegram that Her Majesty has been pleased to confer upon Mr. O'Rorke, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the dignity of B knighthood in the order of St. Michael and St. George. The new English Adminiatration have done a graceful and fitting act in r thus honouring, as is customary, the Speaker j of the House of Representatives. Sir G. M. O'Rorke has proved himself one of the moat » efficient, impartial, and courteous Speakers ' that has ever presided over its deliberations. B His predecessors, who also received the honour of knighthood, were Messrs. C. I Ol.ffor.l, D. Munro, F. D. 8.-11, and W. g Fitzherbert. ■We can only tender our con- > gratulations to the newly made knight, and express the hope that he may live long to a, wear the well merited title, which Her * Majesty has been graciously pleased to » bestow upon him. j The monthly meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held on Juce 7, in the Museum building. It was resolved to write to the Southern societies for a j supply of trout ova, and £75 was voted for the purpose. The chairman (Mr. James j Burtt) made a statement, which will, if we mistake not, be received with general satisfaction. The Maoris in the Uppsr Thames e are unanimous in reporting the appearance of a fish, which they say "is very like a mullet in form, but the flesh of it is pink, and it will not take bait, so the means we take to capture a it is to shoot it with a rifle." This is, > probably, the increase of the salmon de- - posited in these waters by Mr. Firth at L various times.

A murderous assault was committ d upcn Mr. Campbell, solicitor, Thame?, on June 10, as lie was returning home about 9 o'clock p.m. Mr. Campbell baa excited a good deal of animosity, by informing against certain miners who were working without micers' rights. Last night some one followed him as 11-j was going home, aad when near his residence struck him a heavy blow on the head with a heavy stick or a blunt instrument, cutting his forehead very severely. One or two geut'.emen hearing his crie3 ran to his assistance, and the miscreant escaped in the darkness. Mr. Campbtll was conveyed to Dr. Payne's, and his wonnte were dressed. No clue has as yet been obtained as to who was the perpetrator of the out«age. On May 28, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Ashtoa celebrated at their residence, -North Sbore, their " golden wedding." it being the fiftieth anniversary of their union. The memorable event was kept up witli becoming festivities, and a large number of their friends and acquaintances took occasion to tender their congratulations. In the evening over a hundred young peop'e, who have not yet entered even upon the "silver" stage, festively celebrated the pleasing event, a 5 the residence of Mr. and Sirs. Ashton.

Some time between Saturday night, Jane 5, and Monday, June 7, an entrance was into Messrs. J. Cosgravean«l C'o.'s tvarehouse. Queen-street. The offender confined his depredations to stealing abont £10 in cash, which, was in the clerk's otfice. The safe was not meddled with, nor are there aay goods missing. The theft was discovered about 10 a. m. oa June 7 ; but although the detective force was activelyat work, they have up to the present not been able to obtain any definite clue to the identity of the thief.