THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1888.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6822, 28 September 1883, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1888.

We regret;, to learn that further examination :o£ ' the Mataura's cargo .has. not confirmed. the' favourable opinion formed from rfirst appearances on the' arrival of this vessel at \ London. Our telegrams give us the-rather unpleasant news that, ,011 the examination of: the' cargo- on Wednesdayj- a considerable portion of it, was found to-be; rotten. In the absence of more precise informal tion, we are unable to form, an opinion, as to the extent to which the shipment; has been a failure, or what .the precise causes that may have contributed •to this: result.. It: is not difficult, however;, to recognise a number<o£-circumstances, attaching to the manner :in which the operations on this : side : were carried oht, circumstances in 110. way 'necessarily connected with -the business: of freezing mutton, -but, ; some. ,of . which weire in this particular case, inevitable, and any of which : may have been sufii-. ■oient to mar the'success .of. an operation; 1 which is.evidently one oil no inconsider- : 1 able delicacy.- - - '

It. was known, xhat some risk- attended - the method, of receiving, the meat on board in an unfrozen .state, and freezings the daily'additions : to the cargo in the chambers: in. which . the frozen' meat. had been already stored. The necessity of having the chambers continually opened for the reception of fresh meat gave an unevenness to the operations which may ;;.reasonably be assumed to have militated against the /success of : the shipment. ; This practice of freezing on board-has ■ been in other cases successful,, but in some cases ,had already failed; and the shipment by the Mataura s.may be just, another of'.the non-succosses resulting from this particular way of: ; operating. Again, some suspicion' exists that the .kidneys being'left in the sheep without being 'separated, as ..has been generally . the custom in Southern shipments of; frozen-meat; may have had some effect' in pro-: ducing decomposition; or it :. is -possible that during the prolonged operation ' of freezing,. a : moment's neglect or casual carelessness may;have .been ..: sufficient ■■ to start the . process :o£ decay. . Careless'or too rapid 'freezing,., it. isowell known from previous experience in this and the sister .colonies; is quite -suiftcierit 'to account . for the condition in which a portion of 'the cargo has arrived j andfnotwith-;. standing all the attention that Was ad-mittedly-bestowed on the operation, it is impossible to say that in some cases' I this may not have occurred. At the j same .time, it .will occur to many to recollect the circumstance, of a ? vessel 1 loaded ; with, bones, .and emitting a stifling effluvium of 'decayed;; animal ..matterv;being. alongside, the'/Mataura during a portion of the . time 'in which she Avas- taking-in the freslr carcases ; and .nobody ... can .doubt that through this means the germs' of: disease and : decomposition may .have- been lodgedin the meat, and: in the , atmosphere" of' the frozen chamber. . Itwill' be : remembered tliat the captain - of the Mataura was fully - alive to this danger, and that he determinedly closed the chambers, and refused to have them reopened until the vessel and its offensive and pestiferous cargo were removed from his neighbourhood. It is in the highest degree probable that this wretched and thoughtless

' .. ... ■ 1 """ 1 .Jv'■; ; blunder of permitting such a putrescent abomination in immediate proximity tr f the cargo of fresh meat'may he, to som e ' extent, accountable for the unfortunate result.

One thing is very clear, that a ber of generally avoidable circumstance* of a more or less unfavourable kind' attended the initiation of this- n-/ ticular enterprise; but. ditappointins" as it is to see our first venture in new enterprise comparatively unSQ C . cessful, there is not in the whole affair anything to give the smallest ground for discouragement. The trade of freezing and exporting meat has been placed far and away beyond the stage of mere experiment, and failure- in every ease can now be traced to circumstances against which we can guard. There is not the least > doubt that careful examination of the cargo will point to the specific causes of this comparative failure, ans the lessons to be learned by the Ma--taura shipment will not be profitless. It will be generally satisfactory to know that the insurance, drsidett among the various offices, will prevent the loss from falling on those \?ho spiritedly united in promoting the shipment: so that pecuniary loss -win not be added to the temporary disappointment in disspiriting them froCI further ventures in the same direction. The trade of frozen meat is itseK an assured success, and one little misadventure at the beginning-•• cannot 4j? suffered to throw even a shadow on the future of what is bound to be the staple trade, the hope and fortune of New Zealand.

But there is one thing -*,ve are specially shown, the absolute necessity of pushing on the projected freezing works at Auckland. It is needless to say that with these, every one of the causcs of non-success in the case of the Mataura can be avoided, and every condition of success necessitated by the requirements of- this sensitive car®o will be fully supplied. With the meatdeliberately frozen, and stored away, and then, with the steamer alongside, rapidly transferred to her frozen chambers, every risk will be obviated* and the only effect which this little disappointment should have, is in stimulating the general desire to have the works of the Freezing and StorageCompany in operation at the veryearliest possible date.

It will be observed that a little difficulty. Lias arisen in connection with the ■cutting -. down of Emily Place, the .vestry of St. Paul's having declined the offered sites at Alten-road and the junction of Wakefield and Symonds Streets, and having asked for the site of the Police Barracks and the adjoining- lots instead. We have np reason to look on this difficulty as insuperable. The vestry prefer the Barrack .site, and wo do not wonder, and doing so, they naturally decline the others as the only way of obtaining this. If they had said they would have either of the others, then in so doing they would have closed their chances of getting this, and as they have set their he'arts apparently on this one, they very properly say, this , one or none. Tl\ey are quite righi. We should do just the same in the . circumstances. If we had any very particular choice, we would not have the. others—not by any manner, of means. So long as any chance remained of our getting our favourite, .we would certainly try it on, because if we showed any hesitation or indecision, or worse still, consented to accept one of the. others, our if surrounded with difficulty, would never-. be placed within our reach No Withe Barrack site is surrounded with:-difficulty, very great difficulty. It is the property of the Government, and , Mr. Bryce is. as inflexible as a- crow-iron. StilT, no one can.', say . .but. pressure from the Council might;.induce him to relent. .At all eveiits, it : is worth the try, and thevestry have made the try. . Notwithstanding the palpable nature.of the move, we really think the Council should make an effort to gratify the people of St. Paul's. It would he a beautiful site for the church, which would itself be an ornament to the Albert Park. It is possible that, the Government might facilitate the exchange,.,: though we do not think it likely; :at , all events a distinct , and positive refusal 1 would ; clear the way for ■ business, when the vestry would, of- course, reconsider the sites at Altenroad and the Wakefield-street junction. Either of them, to be sure, is. far superior, to, the present site, and the vestry know it; many a time superior to the present site, should the roadway on either side be cut away and the old ramshackle building' be left perched, like a gaz-abo, on the top of a peak. But., St. f Paul's people should be kindly and generously ■ dealt with : and the very best site that can: be found for them should be given. in exchange.It ,woukl,;:.be ; injurious to remind them that their present, site was ; a free' gift of the public to them,, and; .that ;.the ' greater 1 part of the .cost of . the building was contributed ■by...the/general -community. But no. matter; about- that now, The public . will buy back the site with another and ■ better site, and will doubtless subscribe again , three-fourths... of the cost of the ■ new building, besides the compensation that .w-ill .be given from the 'civic chest. But the Council should have the question ... of / sites settled, by getting a .definite' answer: from , Wellington, and without further coyness the vestry i should at once decide on accepting the .beautifnl and commanding site at the top.of-Wakefield-street. . The Alten-road site is, of course, in .their, option.; but it would be anun'gracious thing to put their church there and : hide St. Andrew's and its .gorgeous steeple, a source of such delight to its people, and yet such anxiety withal, as it is still unpaid for. ;SaV, let, them' enjoy their steeple, and-let .not such an attempt of Episcopacy to .overshadow Presbytery arouse the , Jenny Geddis spirit, and generate and" /propagate. a feud that will continue to the detriment of the unborn millions of the human race. For so sure as it is'done, and a church built there, SO sure will the two Churches begin blowing blasts of defiance at one another on their organs of a Sunday, and the spirit of' the outraged steeple will take a gruesome revenge, and it will'be bells, bells, bells, bells, the wrangling and the jangling of the bells.

We regret that a typographical error occurred in our leading article in yesterday® issue, iu which, by a misreading of the maou* script, the word "obsqene" Was substituted for "obscure." The phrase should read, "the interpretation of some obscurflpaasage or incomprehensible mystery."

th;s mornimr conintelligence published yesterday 2rtW conflict between Ulster Ortb»' the followers of Mr. Parnell is e at rmngannon, a expected to t». Ration of about four jniall town Tyrone. The former thousand, in Go j etermin ation to prevent T e avowed tnei meetings m the the Parnellites ■ j Q i ar g e numbers town, and ? r ® "j Q consequence of the frith that intention. g military f orce threatening aspect Dangannon. Our aas been ai cablegrams th ' 3 3e d ovor Limerick, severe le ., ® ~i P daniage. King Alfonso, :ausing s Kaiser Wilhelm who has been on a pro p osea to visit it the German .wing his stay at Berlin, Paris; colonelcy of a Uhlan contemplated journey to the regimeni, ius co » k dmuc hindignation, French h!s acceptance of such the French reg evideace 0 f an unfriendly in apppintme jj r _ Archibald Forbes 'eeling towar „j nd an d has published an iaS3 Tnlhe cferlcteriWcs of the Australasay on th f su b ; ect on which he wrote co '°? icle for a Sydney contemporary : h Sy b£hU departure for England. The City Council meeting last night was w- rirotracted, for m addition to the S routine business several questions of ifterest cropped up, which gave rise to some Kscussion and difference of opinion. A good the conncillors are dissatisfied with ?? arrangement of an elaborate desk for ach councillor and a pulpit for the Mayor. §Ie effect may be pretty to look at, but the tmnciUors are unable to lean across the able and converse with their fellow-coun-Hlora in the same free and easy fashion as t the long table. The result is that instead f whispered conversation, the talk is now irried on so loudly as to obstruct the nsiness, and reader it impossible for those ,fao attempt to follow the proceedings to do i These desks aro voted no improvement, 3 d when the little bill comes in there will e a lively discussion. The fortnightly meeting of the Crown ands Board was held yesterday, and a xae amor,at of routine and general business as transacted. A detailed report of the roceedings appears in another column.

The ordinary weekly sitting of the dent Magistrate's Court wa9 held yesterday. There were three defended cases set down forbearing, but in two of them judgment passed by default. The case Gilfoyle v. the Union Sash and Door Company has some features of interest. The plaintiff, a bushman, loses his "order for £39 wages.' The ■company has special rules for payment in such cases, after the lapse of a certain time, and upon certain conditions. In thia case, the plaintiff offered to sell his interest in the lost order to one Laycock for £20. The negotiation falls through. Subsequently, the plaintiff gets an advance of £20 from Laycock. Laycock held this to be a sale of the plaintiffs interest in the order upon the previously negotiated basis. The plaintiff treats the advance as a loan. The'plaintiff in due time demands payment from the defendants, who have, however, received notice of the transaction with Laycock. They refuse to pay plaintiff• unless he establishes his title to receive the money. Thus the real contention was between Gilfoyle and Laycock, and not between Gilfoyle and the Sash and Door Company. Hi 3 Honor reserved judgment. The case is reported in another column.

It will be remembered that soon after the loss of the pilot boat's crew at Nelson the Government agreed that all the various pilot services should be supplied with life-belts, so that should any of the boats upset, or men fall overboard, a means of keeping the victim •afloat would be at hand. The order for making the belts was entrusted to Messrs. Dutton Brothers, cork workers. The order was finished yesterday. The belts, which are made upon the same principle as those used by the crews of the life-boats on the coast of England, are supplied with cork 11-inch in thickness by 15 inches long. They are to be sent to Wellington to-day. The .Harbour Board here also ordered a, supply, and they being also completed, will be delivered to-day. ;

It is rumoured that at the next general election Mr. Seymour George will not find himself unopposed for the representation of Rodney. We understand that a gentleman not many years from England, who has lately settled in the district of Maungaturoto, has been pressed to offer himself to the constituency as a candidate. The gentleman in question held for many years a high position in official circles at home, and thus has the advantage of possessing a large and varied acquaintance with political matters. Whether he will accept the invitation of his neighbours, and consent to add to the duties and cares of a settler those of a legislator, yet remains to be Eeen. It is likely that a large amount of support would be given by the Kaipara people to one of themselves, in preference to One who did not live amongst them.

An inquest will probably be held at the Hospital to-day, on the body of Michael Coatello.' Costello, who was addicted to intemperate habits, was found by the police some days ago, by the roadside, in a miserable state. He was taken to the Hospital, but never recovered consciousness. He died yesterday morning at eight o'clock,

The events of the recent fire in Victoriastreet were discussed by the City Council at a meeting last night. _ There was a good deal of difference of opinion on the subjnet. A report was received from the .Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, which was received. A counter motion to send it to the Finance Committee was lost. The discussion maialy referred to the powers possessed by the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade as Inspector, and the status of the Salvage Corps or- police at a fire. The Municipal Corporations Act was quoted, to show that the Fire Inspector's authority was supreme, bat this was questioned by Mr. Crowther, who insisted- that the Salvage Corps had a status, and should not be: interfered with, unless they interfered with the operations of the Fire Brigade. The details will be fouud in our report of the proceedings of the Council.

At tbe Crown Lands Board meeting yesterday, a somewhat curious and involved question was raised. An application bad been received from a Mr. Blair, asking permission to float timber down a branch of the Hikutaia river at the Thames. The application disclosed the fact that the applicant had purchased 2950 kauri trees from the Warden, and as this was unusual the Warden was asked for an explanation. He replied that he acted under the powers conferred on him by the Hauraki gold miuing regulations, which empowered him to sell kauri trees on payment of £1 5s each to the receiver of goldfields revenue. The Board held that it was never the intention that the Warden should bo allowed to sell forests wholesale, and that the intention was only to allow miners and others to take timber for mining or building purposes, not for sale. A resolution on the subject was drafted, and ordered to be forwarded to the Government. The Board did not seem recollect that when the gold mining regulations were drafted, the Government were not owners of the goldfields lands, and tue charge per tree, ai well a3 the revenue from miners' rights, were native revenue, collected by the Warden's department for them. No doubt the Government will adept the suggestion of the Board now that their attention is called to it.

The case of Elias v. J. and A. McLeod, which terminated yesterday in a verdict of £45 and £28 12s costs is instructive in respect to the legal aspects of the subject matter of the inquiry. The chief particulars of fact ia this casa have been already stated in our reports; In Bumming up the evidence yesterday Judge Smith submitted a series of issues to the jury, which comprehends nearly all the possibilities that can arise in f>uuh a case. J3ia Honor evidently looks upon the whole question as one of great public and legal interest. The interrogatories put by the -Court to the jury (of four) suggest to those concerned in the floatage of timber ■upon creeks and streams the great variety of Ways in which brei.ehea of statutory provisions, as well as infraction of common law rights, rnay be effected. These issues with thp finding of the jury upon each will be found iu another column. There still remains the legal question of the " navigability" of this particular creek, to be argued on Monday next; but the legal issue will still be subject to tho verdict found upon the questions of fact.

The Auckland College and Grammar School annual athletic sports will take place on the Domain .Cricket Ground to-day, weather permitting, beginning at ten a.m. The old boys' races, for which post entries Trill be received, will take placa at half-past iaiee arid foar p.m. A band will be in attecdance'during the afternoon. All persons uteres ted are invited Ue attend.

At the City Council meeting last night, a letter was received from the vestry of St. Paul's, in reference to a proposed exchange of sites, so as to carry on tbe proposed improvement of cut itig i!owu Emily Place to Princes-street. The vestry declined the sites offered by the Council—that in Alten-road and that at Alexaudra and Symonds Streets junction—but would accept the site, with adjacent allotments, at present occupied by the police barracks. The Government, it is said, are very unlikely, after their strong opposition to the removal of the armoury from the Albert Park, to give up the site now asked, to gratify what Mr. Bryce would call tbe "jesthetic proclivities" of St. Paul's vestry. The matter has been referred to the Finance Committee of the Council, and it is understood that a conference will be arranged with the vestry of St. Paul's. One councillor last night urged that the work of cutting down the street should proceed,, even if the question of compensation should arise. It is hoped that such a step will be unnecessary, and that some amicable understanding 'will be arrived at when the conference discusses the question.

Mr. R. Arthur sold at his rooms yesterday the property at Mount Eden, belonging to the late Mr. Rawlings, who, it will be remembered, bequeathed hiß property to Messrs, J. Newman and J. Buttle as trustees, for the purpose of providing scholarships in the public schools here. There was a large attendance, and good prices were obtained for the different lots. The total result of the sale will be close on £3000. A list of prices obtained will be found in our commercial column.

While Dr. Mackellar occupied the post of house surgeon at the Hospital he did not have very happy times, and did not get on well with the committee. It Wi uld appear as if time had been working a change in favour of Dr. Mackellar. Those who have been most associated with him came to the conclusion at length that he was very different from what they first expected. The employes who came most in contact with him at the Hospital have already presented a handsome testimonial to him, and we have learned thaC a testimonial by the patients in the Hospital and other citizenß is now being largely tigned, for the purpose of being presented to him previous to his departure to Ducedin in the course of next week. A testimonial is also being illuminated by Mr. Gulliver for the purpose of being framed and presented to Dr. Mackellar before he leaves Auckland. The testimonial has already received a large number of signatures, and no doubt many more will be added before the day when the presentation will be formally made.

The various vessels in harbour were all gaily dressed with bunting yesterday, in honour of the wedding of Miss bainty, daughter of Pilot Saiuty. We trust the fair bride will never have cause to regret having shipped upon the sea of matrimony, and will be able to steer clear of those " storms" that sometimes beat upon married life. At the North Shore, whero the young couple were married, everything presented a gay and holiday appearance, exhibiting a convincing proof that the bride and bridegroom were highly respected.

In addressing the Church of England Sunday-school As«ocistion the other day, the Bishop of Melbourne took occasion to impress on teachers the necessity, if .they desired to keep in contact with real conditions and real requirements, to study the newspapers in which the conditions and needs of the day are reflected. He advised the teacher to " keep a book for suitable newspaper cuttings of the present day, as they supplied the materials for hundreds of lessons. And," he added, " the Bishop of Manchester found the matter for the whole of his public addresses in che newspapers, and he was one of the most successful speakers in England.' Of course, the speeches were marked with the stamp of his own energetic and practical mind, but '.he paragraphs furnished them in the first instance."

The eaiihquakes we have been reading about app ;ir to be travelling this way, for our telegr ms inform us that a shock was felt in Wellington yesterday.

A boy named Edward Megenny was brought tc the Hospital yesterday with his lip cut through, and several of his teeth knocked out. The cut was an unusually bad one. It snems that the lad is employed at ono of the timber mills, and works at a circular saw. < The injury was caused by a piece of Wood'Sying up and striking him on the mouth. Dr. Bond, house Burgeon, dressed the wound, and the boy returned to his home in Nelson-street.

The tenders for the Pukekohe Cheese and Bacon Factory, manager's house, and piggeries have been opened and decided upon'. Tho tender of Messrs. Smith and Howe, Auckland, was the lowest, and was accepted. The amount was £1296. The work is to be commenced at once, and completed in two months. The quarterly meeting of the Grafton Jttoad Wesleyan Circuit was held on Wednesday evening. The financial report was very satisfactory, and large additions were reported to the church membership. A lengthy conversation took place on various subjects connected with church work. The Rev. W. G. Parsonson was unanimously invited to remain a third year in the circuit, and regret was expressed that the Rev. W. C. Oliver woald have to be parted with, he bad fulfilled Jiis cQ.nnectional term. His 3Ucee&s6f ivas Hot nominated.

Mr. S. Rout writes The complaint made by your correspondent " S.R." in yesterday's issue, relating to any over-crowding of the theatre building on Wed aesday evening last, and the possible risk (hereby caused, seems superfluous ; inasmuch as the same building has on several occasions' during the past two or threb years iiad an equally packed audience ; besides which the special means lately arranged for egress in event of any alarm, seem quite ample. Remembering tbis, there was no speciality relating to the crowded meeting held by the Salvation Army to form any sufficient groundwork of complaint whatever.

Ten tenders, each accompanied with a deposit of £100, were received at the City Council meeting last night for laying the water mains in the Grafton, Ponsonby, and Karangahape Wards. The tenders wero not opened, a resolution being carried that separate tenders be called for each ward. This was the instruction given by the Council in its resolution on the subject. It was urged by several councillors that the pipes should be laid and jointed by the Council's own employes even if tenders were called for the pipe tracks. The tenders will not be opened.

There was a change of programme in the cirens last night, which included the grand Mexican cavalcade, Cooma Ritchie's (Japanese), barrel and, tub act, the Uirards, horizontal bar exercises, double ladder act, in addition to the general features of the hippodrome. The weather was not favourable to circus-going; aevertheleas the att-ndance was numerous The riding, tumbling, jumping, trapeze, aad balancing were of the best kind, and elicited loud applause. The performance last night concluded with a humourous pantomime entitled " The Industrious Family of Madrid." Tlu-re remain only two nights of the "circus" season. The last midday performance will be on Saturday at two o'clock.

Mr. C E. Button, the new partner in the firm of Messrs. Whitaker and Russell (law practitioners) appeared for the first time in the Resident Magistrate's Court jester day, as counsel for the defendants in the case of Gilfoyle v. the Union Sash anil Door Company. Mr. Button is evidently a skilled advocate and an accomplished legist, an<i hit accession to the Auckland Bar will be an element of strength to the profession.

A somewhat alarming occurrence took place at Pokeno last night. A spark from the engine of a goods train set fire to a truck laden with tow. The inflammatory material at ouce blazed forth, and there was imminent danger of the other trucks being set fire to, but the burning waggon was detached from the rest of tho train, and means taken to extinguish the flames. This was eventually accomplished, but not before the truck and its contents had almost entirely destroyed.

Chambers's Journal of July 14 has an article on "Frozen Meat," in wbichalarge amount of information is given on the subject. The article states (■ne cargoes which have been brought to England. It says "The New Zealand Shipping Company s steamer J.onic, one of the new monthly line between New Zealand and London, has refrigerating chambeis capable of holding 14,000 sheep." The article mentions that the largest Bell - Coleman refrigerator ia that erected by the New •-'outh Wales Government for cooling the whole meat supply of Sydnsy to 40 degrees in the height of summer. The article goes carefully over the whole subject.

There was a capital attendance at Abbott's Opera House last aight to witness the performance of " The Court Minstrels " and the " Hibernicon Comedy." Mr. Hegarty would appear to understand the popular temper, tbat craves for its complete satisfaction cumulative humour, interspersed with that sore of surprise and practical joking which contribute to irresirainable laughter. He is recollected as having brought Farron's Company iiere upon a former A performance such as that of the Hibernicon Comedy -evades criticism. • It appeals to " laughter holding both his sides," and having accomplished its object it iB indifferent to comparison or compliment. Every care is taken to exclude any objectionable element that could be supposed to lurk under exuberant drollery. I'hn company have evidently hit a special kind of taste, and its patrons are present in large numbers from night to night.

What might have proved a serious accident occurred yesterday afternoon. While Dr. Tennent was driving in his buggy along Cityroad a cart belonging to Mr. Philips, baker, came round the corner, anc the street being narrow, ran with great violence into the buggy, the wheel of the cart passing completely over it. A man and a boy, the occupants of the cart, were thrown out and partially stunned, while Dr. Tennent, and a youth who was also in the buggy, had a narrow escape. Fortunately none of the occupants of the vehicles sustained any injuryjjbeyond a severe shaking.

The Otago Daily Times of September 20 says : —" The return lawn tennis match between Messrs. Dargaville and . McDonald (Auckland) and Mr. H. MacNeil, jun., and Dr. Batchelor (Dunedin), which was arranged to take place yesterday, has unfortunately fallen through. The cause is au accident to Mr. McDonald, which, although not serions in itself, has so far crippled him as to render athletics impossible for some short tine to come. Mr. McDonald struck his knee violently against a post or stake whilst playing lavt Saturday, and has since suffered a good deal from the effects,"

The resolution, of which notice had been given by Councillor Phillipps in regard to the cutting up of the Surrey Hills Estate, occupied the attention of the Council for some time last night. All agreed that the manner in which the estate was cut up was bad, hut the Newton Highway Board having taken action, and the salt; b- ing postponed, several were of opinion that it was needless to proceed further. Finally the resolution was carried.

The following telegram was received yesterday from the manager of the London mine:—"Broke down small portion of reef bottom of winze; iOlbs. picked stone."

The only occupants of the police cells last night were one man for drunkenness and C. A. Petersen, for a breach of the Shipping and Seaman's Act, by being absent without leave from the ship Grasmere.

There will be no lecture on biology at the University College this evening.

The funeral of the late Mr. P. J. Wardell will take place this afternoon, and as the deceased was a Mason, members of the order are requested to attend.

The Auckland Weekly News (illustrated) is the best and largest weokly journal published in the coloDy, and contains an ample and well-assorted collection of general, commercial, political, mining, agricultural, and sporting intelligence ; the latest English, American, and Continental cablegrams, recording tho principal events throughont the world; special contributions from eur travelling correspondents; tales by the most popular novelists; and interesting items relating to art, literaturo, science, music, and the drama— the whole combining to render it tho most attractive and readable weekly journal published in Nov Zealand. An excellent wood ongraving ol Mr. F. J. iloss, M.U.E., is given In this week's issue.

The Turkish Batbs Company have lately been rep apcring and refitting, with new carpet, curtains, etc.. the cooling rooais at their establishment. Upp- r Queen-street. The alterations are now completed, and will be found to add materially to the comfort of bathers, as well as conduce to brightness and cheerfulness.

We notice that Mr. E. Miller, late of Grafton-road, has bought out Mr. Collins, of Manu-kau-road, Parcell, and is prepared to carry on business as formerly, and at prices that will compare favourably with thoso of town.