Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6821, 27 September 1883, Page 4

Our cablegrams this morning state that thenegotiations now going on between 'France. and China for a settlement of the Annamite question are still proceeding, no agreement having been arrived at. The Chinese Govern, ment are willing.that France shocld annex that portion of Annam lying to tho south of. the Red River, but the j4 nca Ministry claim a right to the whole of the delta of the Song Koi. The Londm Daily News publishes a telegram from jfe, Natal correspondent to the effect that Cetewayo has announced his willingness to surrender himself to tho British authorities The king has no duubt an idea that by placing himself once more in the hands of the English they will again assist him in obtain. mg his regal rights, which bis subjects seem. so unwilling to recognise. The inquiry into. the sinking of the steamer Austral still cantinaes. The evidence so far disposes of the supposition that'the capsizing of the vessel was due to faulty construction, and paintsto neglect on the part of the officers as the cause of the accident. The state of Ireland is again becoming serious. We have had no reason assigned for this deplorable condition of things, but it will probably be found that an agitation, set on. foot by the National League or some kindred organisation equally destructive of public peace and social order in 1. eland, is at the bottom of the present outbreak of lawlessness. In Tipperarrfive towns have been gazetted as "disturbed districts," and the police force has been largely increased to preserve the public peace In Tyrone a conflict between Parnellires and Orangemen is threatened, and the necessary precautions have been taken by theanthori. ties to avert rioting. It is stated thata mad Irishman fired a revolver in the British Con. sulate in New York, but happily no one was injured by the dangerous freak of theltuatic who was, at once arrested. ' His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies sat in banco yesterday and disposed of several applfca.. turns in bankruptcy. There were ko or three applications on the business paper relating to.matters of general interest, bnt the hearing of which was deferred and the' reasons assigned by counsel engaged The proceedings are reported in another cfllnmn. William A. Hunt and Susan Robinm (debtor*) were discharged. In the estate of ...James Walter Waller, a deed of arrangement was declared completely executed, ' X of the City Schools Commits ''■Jw t£ J e , 3terda y evening. It appears ft™ ■% *%T offliD g » nuisance to ,tleCity East School in: various wavs. It was resolved to cover the louvre openings in Mr r °£Z lth ™^ ettiD S to keep then, out. Mr. Carr, the Chairman, explained the financial position of 'the . committee. ■ The other business related chiefly to the appointment and removals of teachers. The proceedings are reported in another colamn. the C % Council this evening, Mr Philhpps is to move "That this : Council take mto consideration the maaner m which the Surrey Hills estate abutting upon the c.ty boundaries is laid out. there being no reserves for recreation or breathing spaces, or any public conveniences for. either edueahonal or religious purposes. This Council pledges itself to oppose thfafc tnct being added to the city unless due provision is made for the above purposes "'

; V-'.Tfae Chief Judge of the Native Unto' ■'»■' JK H lr ' cd ° nald . nas returned from. .the South, and is at present iir.i>wn. 1 back when Te Whis ' .turned : from his travels in the South Island t, Pari- £ -&J^ e , oc fP led three days with.ade.crip:f. ..tion of what he had seen on his travel* His ;,: compatriots listened attentively, as con- >, .the dead, to life; but at one point of his i ; mentioned tnat he had seen the white--5 men aake snow. Oh ! yes, they said, so can ? rt V WB Mount Eemont, at. ..the ; top.*-,Tes,- the prophet replied, but the , .Then his, frienas... thought that the prophet was puing it up "too mountainous ," and. ,;■ broadly hinted that he was telling a big lie. .Such is We! They could appTeciaib the i, compulsory resurrection business, but not' i' that. '■ . '! ;* The' District Court and a jury of four were' >■;. occupied the whole of yesterday (secW day), ;■ with, the ca=e bf,£Sias v. J. an d A; McLfo d, i: recover. £ 100 for trespass and ;, that the Waitoki Creek was navigable; that , the damage to the bank was caused by trees felled into it at the instance of the plaintiff ? : that .the:.dama K e-claimed was excessive, . ;:Counsel.addressed the Court on either side. -His Honor will sum up the. evidence this morning as half-past nine. £,Hibernicon" entertainment at the &W 6 Disht Was a repetiLof ■«£'s"? the P rece(J i«g evening, and Wa3 ?? S°°» «■ could g 'have i^n^ P t; ted l- eonsiderin S the number of coun er attractions. The lower portion of'nhSL ?™, WeU fil!ed > and the dress c.rcle was fairly attended. Many of the ».ugs first part of the pro™* were rendered with great spirit ST* ■mrf ?, m " SI ?2 aad interesting. The second £' ' he , tn P f ™ New York through IreSin't howe / er - <*>* feature of the enter- '• *m * he Clever combination of amusing incidents, appropriate songs, and , kee P the audience 'fully interested to the close of the performance. im P° r t?»t Point was raised betoiethe Supreme Court yesterday, affecting th. trust of certain property left for repf, I 0 p S- r .P° 3es ' "'*. the Congregational ' H,3hstl ' e,;t - The truces *ish tosell the property ~... order to build a church io Mount E-.en with the proceeds. His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies suggested to the counsel engaged in support of thepetiboa whether, the trust had not failed in this case (there being now no coDgregation), and" Ihnn?T 0p f ty ' for waut of a «•<«" 'y«J trust, in» if X ™ *° tbe h<?it: -at-)aw. The heart =Vf^ e ""SMwot was adjourned to the.. next sitting m banco. ■.■:■.-■'■ Pireßngadesat To Arab* acd Waiorosgo"

e.v William Fox recently delivered a i at Sandon on the Blue Ribbon Army, of which he mentioned was 2f" Marphy * America. The lecturer ¥ ~.\£th the drink traffic in hia nsual i ea \™t Jvle. He said he had been at trenchant ascertaining what considerable «ou between Poston and was spent m £ that ther(j we m f^ 6 - 13 ' iore-he could not call them dnnking snops splei ,did arrangements hote lt«nbnc accommodation, whilst all th'at the paWicans wanted was the money for ■ i^nk-and striking a low average, he i U r r «ThV was within the mark in stating average turnover for each house was 2SmnaV That meant an annual Sx_ £150,000 in this district, sunk, rtKoit, just as if it had been placed j™ maelstrom in the sea. It was no wonder, therefore, that the people were poor-as poor na rats It had been said, aud said to himself that there were many respectable "Publicans. He didn't believe it—it could not be. He knew a case where a young man who was " down in hia luck" took a unblic house with the idea of retrieving his fortune, saying that he would be a blacksuard for two or three years, and then, retire on the money he made, and live the life of a gentleman. He was still a publican and still a blackguard.

Messrs. Price Brothers, engineers at the ■Thames, are at present engaged building a iandy locomotive engine for the tramway laid down at. Waiorongomai, Te Aroba, to Mnnect the mines with the battery. The motive power will be supplied by a horizontal, geared engine, supplied with ample boiler-room ; and it will be of considerably more power than the ordinary tramway locomotives.

There was considerable interest manifested yesterday in a sale of farm property at Waitakerei, which was held at Mr. R. C. Greenwood's mart, Queen-street. The first lot offered wa3 24 acres of unimproved land, but described as being well situated near the church, school, and lailway station. Bidding started at £2 and ndvanced to £1 per acre, at which price it was bought by Mr. James Simpson. Cantwell's farm, 141 acres, situated near the falls, and with a homestead erected on it, was then offered. Bidding commenced at £1 an acre, or £141 for the lot, and went up to £410, at which price it was knocked down to Mr. Lennox.

Those o£ our readers who have to travel between the city and Parnell will be glad to learn that the City Council officials are taking preliminary step 3 to make the footpath of Strand-road, from the foot of Constitution Hill to the railway bridge, asphalt-d and formed. The lines are now being taken for laying down a wooden kerb. A portion of the footpath, from the hill past the* Maori hostelry, will have to be raised, it being at present so low that the water lodges on it. The Parnell Borough Council on the completion of this work may be induced to lay an asphalt footpath along the Alpha-road, as far as the Exchange Hotel. This would connect with the portion of the Manukauroad footpath, which is at present asphalted as far as Bishop's Court, and thus form a continuous footpath through Parnell. We believe some steps are at length about to be taken also in regard to the open drain in Stanley-street. Now that Grafton-road is sn integral part of tho city, one of the principal obstructions to the carrying out of this work is removed, and it is to be hoped that before the summer sets in the great nuisance and danger arising from this open drain will be removed.

Mr. Thompson, who was arrested at the North Shore on the strength of two warrants—one J3sued from Hawera and the other from New Plymouth, on charges of embezzlement and robbery—was brought tip at the Police Conrt yesterday, and discharged, the police having satisfied themselves that he was not the man they wanted. He had the misfortunato answer the description of and bear the surname of the man for whom the warrants were issued, besides which he had been in the districts, Inglewood and Normanby, where the alleged offences were committed. It is greatly to be regretted that Mr. Thompson should hsive been put to i;he annoyance and inconvenience arising from the mistake, but .the magistrates, while deploring that the mistake occurred; exonerated the police from all blame in the matter.

Mr. J. S. Wilson, of Wellington, ha 3 successfully passed the examination in dental surgery required by the Der.tists Act, 1881. Mr. Wilson is the first New Zealand candidate that has yet passed under the new law.

During the recent football match at Nelson one of the Wanganui players named Coakley tad his leg broken, and had to be left behind at the hospital. The Wanganui Chronicle speaks in the warmest terms of the kindness which the patient is receiving frofi the Nelson people. The gate money at the match, abont £20, was to have been divided between the contending clubs, but the whole of it will be applied for the wounded man's benefit, tbe Nelson men generously and spontaneously proffering their share. Immediately on Caakley "being taken to the hospital, Mr. Fell, the Mayor of Nelson, visited him there, and offered all assitance •which might be required ; and at St. Mary's Church, on Sunday morning, the Rev. Father Mahoney requested the congregation, when visiting the hospital, not to forget tha youug man who had been injured.

Mr. Whitaombe has just given the finishing touches to a large-sized painting, which he proposes to dispose of. by Art Union. It represents a bush scene near Ngaruawahia, and the subject is treated in an admirable and artistic manner. The artist has succeeded in conveying an idea of the solitude and solemnity of the bosh, and has reproduced its natural characteristics with much faithfulness. The painting shows signs of cate and labour, and is in every rospect an excellent representation of New Zealand forest scenery.

The famous Matamataharak«ke block of land came before the Supreme Court yesterday upon an application for an injunction by Mr. Dufaur, solicitor for W. V. Stevens, to restrain the Registrar of Deeds from registering the title of the defendant Darrow under the circumstances stated. This is the block of land the sale of which by the plaintiff (Stevens) was the origin of the charge of " bribing a public officer," tried at the last criminal sitting of the Circuit Court. The application was adjourned to the next sitting in banco.

A musical correspondent, who signs himself "Maelzel," sends us the following : —I was present at the Blood and Fire gathering to-night (Wednesday), and after a most careful analysis of the somewhat varied impressions produced, I feel most anxious to put the queries—Why do the more prominent Salvationists so rigorously and so persistently dispose of the first and all-accented portions of the bar with an up beat ? And why, at the end of every phrase, they invariably either cut short asuetained note or ignore an all-important rest, thus utterly raining the smallest approach to rhythm ? Pray, Sir, don't term thesetriflcs. I am still in the rudiments, yet when I. reflected on the probable effect of that pscKffo-syncopation on our rising generation, and possibly on unborn hundreds, I could not but shudder, and felt myself in anything but a receptive mood for the non-rausical portion of the service. Allow me, Sir, most earnestly to commend to the Salvationist cpmmaudants a perusal of Pauer or Stainer on musical forrnSi

The entertainment ia aid of the Library funds, heldin the Papakur/» school-room on the 21et of September was (writes our correspondent) a eucceee financially as. well as otherwise. The Rev. T. Norrie, in opening the proceedings, spoke iu feeling terms of the Mr. W. I». Gordon, who, while in the district, took an active part in all matters for its benefit, and at the social entertaidments 'for the library or other district objects he was glad to assist. By his death the district had lost a good neighbour, a good friend, and a good citizen. The programme was a long one, and the lady friends came well to tb? fore. Amongst the items were old favourites, which, judging from the Press, aro agair. taking their places in the front rank as duets, such as ".What are the Wild Waves Saying?" "Gipsy Countess," "Larboard Watch," &c. The readings were well selected and well given, and the aide-splitting farce, "Do You Know me New?" concluded the entertainment. The Chairman, in thanking the audienca for their attendance, expressed a hepe to eee the room as well filled at the next entertainment, to be held on the 19th October next, when thoy would have, if possible, a better bill of fare than they had had that ni K ht. " The case against Messrs. Traca and JJhillipa, charged withmalicioualy injuring a house on Waiheke Island/ the property of fiobort MoLeod, which had been partly heard »at week and adjourned till yeßterday, had to be further adjourned until Friday, as the Sesident Magistrate was occupied in the yjort upstairs -in hie capacity as District -J«age.

"A Parent" writes coinciding with our remarks in reference to the evening classes at the Grammar School. He states that some time since he endeavoured to get information with a view of sending one of hie sons, but after one or two applications at the building in Syinonds-street he could find nobody bnt the janitor and a lad whu could give no certain information, aud so gave the matter up.

Mr. Dargaville, M.H.R. for City West, is' we understand, about to address liia constituents in St. James's Hall in the coarse of a few days.

We notice that in Australia prosecutions under the Trade Marks Ac 6 are getting somewhat frequent, and that in all cases the Magistrates' Courts seem determined to put a stop to all trade "irregularities," to use no stronger term. Fines more or less severe ' are invariably inflicted on diehonest traders. We fear that in New Zealand there is far less activity. Whether thie is because the injured parties are not "keen on the scent," or whether the police are inert, we do not know. Prosecutions for the Bale of opirita of les3 strength than the law permits, have been made very recently here; but althongh this fraud is bad enough, we scarcely thiuk it equals that of counterfeiting legitimate brands by ostensibly selling liquids out of particular bottles as the veritable articles labelled, while all the time an inferior spirit or liquid is retailed from the said bottlea. In Melbourne and suburbo this practice has been sheeted Jome in very many cases, and summary decisions of a decided character have been made about them. Public opinion is decidedly strong on all matters regulating the liquor traffic, and we advise those interested not to addtothe already somewhat Ion? list of irregularities that we fear cau with justice be charged to many, while w« freely admit there are o:hers that pursue their calling iu suuh a way as to merit entire public confidence.

The 'new wood block crossing over Fortstreet, from the Customhouse to the Anckland Gas Company, wa3 finished yesterday morning. There is no doubt the crossing will prove a great boon to all who have business in the street named.

Major Barker, of Salvation Army notoriety, is to be a passenger for the South by the s.s. Waihora, sailine; to-morrow at mid-day.

The teachers of St. Matthew's Sunday, school had a charming outing on Tuesday last. Mr. Soppett, one of the teachers, having invited them to go for a drive into the country, a large p«rty, filling two of Mr. Quick's breaks, proceeded to St. Helier's Bay, where a delightful day was spent. The evening, by the invitation of Mrs. Tebbs, was spent iu the parsonage, where, after tea, a most pleasant reunion was held. With mutual congratulations the friendly party separated, looking forward to their next pleasant meeting.

Mr. Ciieeseman, Secretary of the Museum, has just received per ship Grasmere some further gifts from Mr. Mackelvie, consisting of four large Roman jars or amphorae. The jars are excellent specimens, and are in perfect order. One of them has a hole in the side, and when it waa fuund in the sea it had inside a small cup of terra-cotta, which Baron de Bousteken thinks is of about the fifth century, and the conclusion is that that particular jar had been used in some ship to hold drinking water, and tho cup was used for taking out the water. The amphora were recently found on the coast of France, and bear unmistakeable signs of having been submerged for a very long period. These specimens of Roman jars will be on view at the Museum to-day. The Secretary of the Museum has also received a letter from the Premier, stating that a despatch has been received by the Governor from the Colonial Office, intimating that the old English armour for presentation to the Auckland Museum was packed and ready-to be handed over to the shipping agents. The armour is ou board the barque Ganymede, which sailed from London lor Auckland on July 25th.

Daring the first week in October, there will be ao inspection parade of all the volunteer companies. The parades will begin on Monday, and the companies will be inspected' in the following order : —Hobsons, Victorias, City Guards, Artillery, a'-id Navals. On the Saturday in the month theie will bo a daylight parade, and on Saturday, the 13th, all the iufantry companies will parade at half-past three p.m., for judging distance drill.

A correspondent, "5.R.," asks if there is no regulation making some provision for preventiug the overcrowding o£ public buildings. He states that the Theatre was so crowded last evening that, had any panic arisen, there must inevitably have been a great loss of life. The practice of half-closing the front door to prevent eutrauce is also objectionable, when we bear in mind the frightful accident at Sunderlaud. " S.R." adds that the police or some one in authority should determine when a sufficient number of persona are admitted, and not allow the vanity of the promoters of any revival or Other meetings to at sometime lead to danger and certainly risk to the hundreds of lives whom curiosity will bring together on such occasions.

We are glad to learn that Captain Field, of the Salvage Corps, who had his foot severely injured by the fall of a fence at the recent fire in .Victoria-street, is progressing favourably. He has not yet iecovered the use of his foot, tb'.. muscles of the instej. being severely Btrained, but there are no bones broken, and the injury, although affording Captain Field a compulsory rest, will not leave any permanent results.

A correspondent signing himself "Inquirer" wrjt-s :—"What are the advantages claimed for the so-called new waltz ? Now, Mr. E litor, so far as I was taught there are or were three ways of dancing the waltz— the deux temps and two ways of the trois tempa. The difference being in position 2, and a half-circle sweep round with the right foot in thu so-called new."

Mr. Frith, photographer, has been employed recently in taking a aeries of views of the city and suburbs. These views are now printed, and many of them are very charming sketches of portions of the city. Such views would give to many o£ our kinepeoplo at home a better idea of the appearance of Auckland than the longest and most laboured description by the pen.

Mr. Horace Walpole, manager of the Pukekoho Cheese and Bacon Factory, haa issued a small pamphlet, entitled "Guenon's j Escutcheon: An Infallible Guide in the Selection of Dairy Cattle, and How to Apply the System Practically." The pamphlet is well illustrated, and the various marks are given, and their value as indications for milk production is carefully described. Many years ago M. Guenon made a good deal of France on account of his discovery, and the system which he founded thereon. For a very long time those accustomed to handle cattle, and of an observing turn of mind, hav-J noticed thu marks which M. Guenon worked into a system, in which the value of each particular development of the mark or escutcheon, as an indication for milk production, was stated. Some, dispute the correctness of the cSuclusions to which M. Guenon arrived, but there ia no doubt that, though in practice the statements of Guenon might not in all cases be realized, thero is much useful information to be obtained from a careful study of his system. The pamphlet by Mr. Walpole gives the main points of ' Mr. Guecon's system, and added to this are the results of his own observations both in America and in Victoria. The pamphlet is Weil worthy of perusal by all yersons having an interest in dairy stock, especially as in the concluding portion of the publication is an appendix describing a simple process of cheese-making for home uae.

The Auckland Brick and Tile Company are pushing on matters rapidly in order to be able to produce bricku for the market. As already intimated, the company recently purchased Mr. Cater's brick works, and having made some additions, etc., will be able to tarn out bricks from this source next week. Meanwhile without waiting for the arrival of the permanent plant ordered from England for the company's main works at the Whau, a temporary plant is being fixed up, -and ic ie anticipated that in another fortnight the company will be able to turn out a large supply of first-class bricks from tbk source. Tiie great demand for bricks, at present a demand which the existing kilns ia totally inadequate to meet, will at one* afford a ready market for all the bricks the company can produce.

At Dunedin Mr. Justice Williame, on the 12th instant, admitted Messrs. H. T. W. Halliwell and E. A. Joel ae barristers and solicitors of tho Supreme Court. The former is the son of Mr. Halliwell, Bohoolm&ster at Pakuranga,

Many old Thames residents will learn with regret that Mr. Francie Joseph Wardell has succumbtd somewhat suddenly to an attack of inflammation of the kidne>s. He was only taken ill on Friday last, and yesterdsy he expired. In the pro.-peroas days of the Thames there were few mor« prominent figures thao. F. J. Wardell. He was for many years partner in the firm of Sully and Wardell, mining agents and brokers, especially when the Bright Smile was the leaiiing card of the field. Subsequently he carried on the business of auctioneer, and more recently still waa landlord of the Governor Bowen Hotel. His genial temper, easy manner, and general bonlwmmie made Mr. Wardell a' universal favourite, while his integrity and straightforwardness disarmed the suspicion of distrust. Within the last-few months he came to Auckland to try his fortunes here, and was in a fair business as mining and commission agent, when he fell a victim to this sudden attack of illuess. Mr. Wardell, who died in the prime of life, leaves a widow and family to mourn the loss of their breadwinner.

It will be eeen by our telegrams from Wellington that the Rugby Union there have had a meeting ; that the Wellington footballers claim a victory, but that they decline to agree to ths proposal of the Auckland Union to refer the dispute to the unions of Canterbury and O;ago, and propose instead that die matter ba referred to England ! This would amount to shelving the question with a vengeance. The reasons for declining the arbitration of the Suuthern Unieus are not stated, bnt they appear to have been conclusive to the Wellington men.

Woodyear's circus was only moderately patronised last night—that is to say, moderately as compared with reeeiit houses, although there was a good attendance. The entertainment was iu every respect as successful as on the previons night. To-night there is a great change of pr. gramme, in which the whole strength of the company will be brought into play. Full details of the programme appear in onr advertising columns. Special notice is called to the fact that the season will close on Saturday. The inmates of all the charitable institutions of the city are invited to attend tbe performance on Saturday afternoon, but the management request that notice be sent from each institution stating the number who will attend, and they will be admitted a quarter of an hour before the regular opening of the circus.

A man named-F, Martin, employed at Mr. Lamb's quarry, Mount Koskill, met with a painful accidont yesterday. He was assisting to load a dray, when the forefinger of bis right hand became jammed and was severely bruised. He came to town at once, and had the injured finger dressed by Dr. Tennent at his surgery, Wellesley-street, and it is expected thaG tho finder will ba saved.

Mr. Joseph Williams, whose premises in Victoria-street were burnt down on Sunday morning, yesterday forwarded to Superintendent Hughes a cheque for £5, to be divided at his discretion between the Fire Brigade and the Salvage Corps. This is in acknowledgment of tho services rendered by these budies at the recent fire.

The man Costollo, who was found in an insensible statp on the roadside by the police on Tuesday, and who was taken to the Hospital, still remains in a critical condition'. It is very doubtful whether he will recover.

The following mining telegram was received yesterday from the manager of the Prince Imperial : " Banked 16600z5. retorted g01d. ,.

Our Waiuku correspondent writes that the cheese and bacon factory will be completed in the course of a month, aud that the manager expects to be able to make a start on Thursday next.

We are requested to make a slight addition to the notice of the St. Matthew's Literary and Debating Society which appeared in our issue of Tuesday. We learn that in addition to the subject " Photography," by Mr. Broomhall, which will doubtless attract many amateurs, another paper on a subject equally interesting is promised by Mr. Newell Phillips—" Letterwriting as a Lost Art." A full announcement will appear in due course.

A football match waa played in the Domain hollow on the 25th inst. between the Kauwaeranga (Thames) audPonsonby Schools, which resulted in a drawn game in favour of the former. Airey, Davis, and Farquhar played well for the Kauwaerangs, as also did McDermott, Rule, and Legge for the Ponsonby School. The team from tho Kauwaeranga School have arranged to play matches with several of the Auckland public schools during the present week.

The Blue Banner of Tuakau Good Templar Lodge gave another of their open meetings on the i7th September, at which a most excellent programme was gone through, consisting of various selections of music, solos, readings, and recitations, provided by the numbers and friends, who were greatly encouraged by an attendance of the public unsurpassed for a country district. The liev. T. W. Dunn, through whose instrumentality tha lodge was organised, also took part in the proceedings, which ad'iod greatly to the interest of the meeting. His presence would be appreciated, could he but visit us of tenur in our meetings. The entertainment was brought to a close in the usual manner, all departing fully satisfied with the intellectual treat provided for them.—fA Corres pondeat, September 24.]

We have much pleasure in calling tho attention of our readers to an advertisement, which appears in another column, of Messrs Hancock and Co., the ente/prisingbrewers of this city. Mr. Jagger tho well-known proprietor of tho establishment, s-me two years ago considered the necessity of adding to the brewing business a bottling department, which was opened in due course in Customhouse-street. A few months later this gcutlcman added to that branch an industry quite in keeping wiih it, viz., the wine and spirit business, and tho ailvcrtisou?ent under notice specially refers to it. It i 3 a protiy widelyknown fact, we believe, that Messrs. Hancock and Co.'s ulcs are generally thought highly of, and we understand it was with a viow of making hotels, drawing their beer, still more attractive that tho wino and spirit businc33 was addel. Wo believe that the proprietor has rna'le tha most complete arrangements for securing the best brands of wine, &c, from tfco English and Continental markets. Tho firm lias latelr secured centrallysituated premises in Queen-street, nex-. tho Imperial (late Metropolitan) Hotel, and have bceu at considerable expense in fitting them up and making them specially suitable for the conduct of an extensive business. Wo heartily wish them every succ.ss in their undertaking.

It will be observed on reference to our advertisement columns that Mr. N. G. Lennox has secured a small number of the Hon. W. Swainson's work on " New Zealand and tho War." For many years this book has not been procurablo in the ordinary way of purchase. Occasionally an odd copy more or less damaged might haro been seen on a secoud-hand book stall, and now that coniploto copiee are procurablo no doubt mauy will desire to place the work of one of Auckland , - old identities upon their book-shelves. It is to bo hoped that Mr. Lennox will succeed in picking up a remainder of Mr. Swainson's othtr work upon New Zealand and its colonisation, which has aUo Been long out of print.

Mr. R. Arthur will sell nine allotments at lUwlingston to-day. The allotments aro all as near as possible half an acre in extent, a'ld aro surrounded by roads at loast sixty-six feet wide. Tho lots aro situated on tho volcanic land on the slope of Mount Eden, and from them a very pleasant and varitd vievcan be obtained. As tho lato Mr. Rowlings left these allotments and bis other property for the foundation of scholarships, &c, it is expected that tho fullest price will bo obtained, so that tho object tho testator had at heart may be givon effect to in as complete a manner as possible,

Mr. T. B. Hunuaford has issued in pamphlet form a number of the unsolicited testimonials he has received, respecting tho valuo of the cure for deafness bo received in his own ca3o from the lato Dr. William Harvey, .Qf the Koyal Dispensary for Discasee of the Ear, London. Many ol the correspondents speak of the relief obtained in ao stinted terms. In a recent letter from Mr. A. Taylor, Stipendary Magistrate, Fiji, tho following occurs :—" I usod your remedy, which I believe to be a most efficacious one. Only in my case I had not a good opportunity of giving it the benefit of a good trial; as, just before 1 got it my deafness, as it generally does, left mo for a time, liowovcr. feeling that it was still hanging about, followed the directions, and I boliovo that it may havo tho effect of preventing a roturn. I» attacks tho very seat of my deafness, aud I havo no doubt that, had I been suffering as much as I was when I first wrote, I should havo received alinosl instantaneous relief."

Lrrocers, brewers, earthenware dealers, and others, are reminded of the auction sale this day, at John Reid and Co.'a stores, Queon-otreot.

A meeting of the ratepayera of the Point Chevalier District Highway Board will bo held at tho Great Northern Hotel, threat Aor.h Eoad, to-raorrow evening to discuss various matters relating to tho district.

A rehearsal of the music for the annual choral festival will bo held this evening, at St. Mary's Church, Parnell. Membors of the choir whowißh to take part aro requested to attend at half-past seven o'olock.

Tha Auckland College and Grammar School athletic sports will take place to-morrow (weather permuting) in the Domain cricket ground.

Horssowners and others arc reminded that the nominations for the Huvdle raco and Spring Handicap, to be run at the Auckland mooting, clobo tomorrow, at 8 o'clock p.m.