THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1883.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6827, 3 October 1883, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1883.

It will be hardly questioned that the annexation proposals which startled the colonies as a novelty in the sphere of politics, have the sympathy and goodwill of the great body of colonists. At the same time it would not be in accordance with our experiences of human nature if this, or any other project, should meet with universal acceptance. The question is one of great magnitude in itself, and many sided ; and while admitting the aggregate of advantages resulting from a great scheme of territorial extension, it is quite possible to look at annexation from points of disadvantage, and to admit that it has objections. Nor does it require a man to be a pessimist in his temperament to regard the matter in this light, for the strongest and most enthusiastic advo(cate of annexation will admit that the contemplated results are not to be obtained without making sacrifices. Our correspondent who, in another column, writes to us on what he styles the "annexation mania," fairly states the objections that have doubtless presented themselves to many minds, and they are such as claim to be fairly considered. He categorises the sacrifices that will be demanded by an annexation policy, into the maintenance of an increased civil service, and increased taxation; and the maintenance of a standing army and navy. Assuming for the time that this is so, and that our moderate advances towards an incipient foreign policy may necessitate an increase in the cost of administration, and the creation of the beginnings of military and naval power, we apprehend that sooner or later these necessities will be forced upon us. The most shortsighted observer of events must see that eventually we must drop our isolation, and take an interest in our surroundings. A very cursory observation of the teaching of statistics shows that another I generation will not have passed away, until the interests of these colonies will be so extended as to bring them into very immediate contact with the islands of the Pacific ; that no special efforts will be required to bring this to pass, and that it can only be averted by some special and extraordinary effort to arrest progress and extension. In these circumstances the question naturally presses itself on our attention, whether it. would be better now to anticipate events and make timely provision against the possible difficulties that may then have 1 compassed the group of colonies, or by a moderate expenditure, either avert those difficulties, or place the colonies in such a position that our children may be able to hold their own. It is needless to say that the latter course is more in accordance with our national traditions, and • that had British statesmen not anticipated and met dangers before they had come to a head, England would not now be mistress of the seas, and in a position to give peace and security everywhere to the citizens of this great empire. We are not speaking of glory, but of mere utilitarianism, and we ask, do we not now enjoy the advantages a thousandfold of the expenditure and the spirited enterprise of our forefathers, who in spite of narrow means, and in very truth, in the day of small things, spared not themselves in laying the foundations of England's greatness. It is true if we banish every' thought of the future, of its dangers or of its greatness, and think only of the present and of our comforts, it is our duty to shirk every claim on us that may tend to tax our incomes or diminish our wealth; but we cannot conceive it possible for anyone to carry his thoughts down the lapse of a few generations without conclnding that it is the duty of those charged with the care of the interests of these young nations, to make timely provision against evils that, if left unchecked, are sure to surround their future with grave complications and great dangers. To go no further than the immediate danger of the New Hebrides being made a great penal depot, to which it is proposed, as a first instalment, to deport a hundred thousand of the ruffianism of _ France, will anyone say that this is a matter of practical indifference" to us 1 Already in the colony of Victoria they have had to deal with burglaries of the newest and most savage type, the'perpetrators of which have recently been discovered to be refugees from New Caledonia, who requited the hospitality they had received in the colonies by reverting to their old criminal habits ■ and will it be nothing that a huge pest-house of this description is to be set up, which will send forth its hordes of criminals to scatter themselves among the uncivilised inhabitants of the beautiful islands of the Pacific, and convert those islands into scenes of crime and .terror.

Butourcorrespondentsays:" If France is determined, to send ber criminals to the Pacific, the action, of our Premier and ex-Premier at the Conference, will be about as much use as if they ran their heads against a stone wall." And he adds, " Unless England is prepared to back us, by going to war with Prance, which is not very 'likely, to obligeus, as it would cost her at the least, .say 50,000 livesandonehundred millions of money, we may just as well band to the inevitable." According to this theory, whatever great national wrong is intended to be attempted, the

threatened people should merely bend to the inevitable, unless they are'sure of being able themselves to repel the! enemy id et armis. But this is making everything of the material, and nothing of the moral forces that govern international relations. In the first place, if the colonies take a very decided stand in opposition to this deportation of criminals to their neighbourhood, we venture to say that France herself would not persist in the project; second, if she did proceed, there is not the slightest doubt that the British Government would protest in the very strongest terms, and that-in deference to that protest from a friendly power, France would refrain ; and third, if such protest were not effective, and not sufficiently impressive from the . contingency held out of more vigorous measures, we venture to say that Mr. Gladstone's Government would not be worth a day's purchase in face of the outraged feeling of England; and that not even the danger of the sacrifice of fifty thousand lives and a hundred millions of money would prevent England from sweeping the French fleet from the seas, and blotting out the name of France from the Pacific.

"While our correspondent proceeds on the assumption that we have no right to cherish national aspirations in the colonies, but should confine ourselves to the narrowest and most shortsighted requirements of utilitarianism, he also assumes, with what warrant we snow not, that national life has also diei out in the Empire, and that bending to the inevitable has taken the place of the maintenance of national rights. While he talks in chaffing pleasantry of our one torpedo boat, and Auckland sacked and in ashes, of course implying the ludicrousness of defence, or doing anything but bend to the inevitable, he assumes that there is the same sentiment of fatalist indifference to the safety of the Empire at home, and regards " the fuss made by the home papers" as only the vulgarest desire to abuse the Government. But two things he appears to have overlooked, first that it is not merely Opposition papers that have made " the fuss," but that Liberal journals have vied with Conservatives in denouncing the apparent apathy of the Government, and the indifferenceshown to the reasonable claims of the colonies ■, and second, that a little higher credit might reasonably be given in this case at least, to the Conservatives, seeing that their action in favour of the vigorous assertion of national rights is strictly on the lines of the ancient traditions of the party. To the persiflage with which our correspondent's letter is interspersed we shall not refer. To any persons disposed to look on great public questions on the low plain of immediate ■ self-, interest, any aspirations after national achievements either present or prospective, such as have ever inspired statesmanship, afford an easy and a tempting subject for banter. The confederation of the colonies for the purpose of protecting their interests, and attaining objects outside the narrow sphere of their own domestic and humble politics, is no exception to the rule. But we do not hesitate to say that the prompt and general response which this proposal of a foreign policy elicited is as genuine and practical as it is in the highest sense honourable to the colonies; and it shows that not even the degrading influences of mere money grubbing, which the circumstances of colonial life induces, are able to grind out the noble national spirit of the Anglo-Saxon race—a race destined yet to dominate the world.

The latest files of papers from the South contain comments upon the recent changes in the Ministry, and these are much more in accord than they are wont, to be. A.ll the papers refer to Mr. Whitaker's great ability, and acknowledge his expertness and accuracy as a Parliamentary draughtsman ; his genial and conciliatory disposition is held up as an example to all politicians, and especially to his successor in the Premiership ; while his honesty and unselfishness during a public life of almost forty years, are gratefully recognised in quarters from whence, in the heat of political strife, opposite expressions have usually issued. The universal opinion is that the Ministry will suffer severely by the loss of Mr. Whitaker, and that whenever Major Atkinson, is not able to fence himself round by the defences of circumstances he will come to grief. | Beyond that, all is the darkness of con- [ jecture. Certainly the Ministry cannot be said to be a strong one in itself. It I has very little support from the comj mercial centres and the most active j constituencies in the colony. It .never had in it an Auckland man having a seat in the House of Representatives. Dunedin has furnished Mr. Dick, but he only got elected by the skin of his teeth, and seems to have little influence in the place where he resides. Mr. Oliver, who has lately been given a portfolio and a salary, was taken into the Upper House for the reason that he was not likely to continue a representative of Dunedin, so that his accession cannot be said to have carried much strength to the Government. The Legislative) Council will not be content to be led by him in the same way in which it was willing to submit to the guidance of Mr. Whitaker. It is reported that the Government are likely to make Mr. J. C. Richmond a member of the Cabinet, and to associate with him Mr. Oliver in the leadership of the Legislative Council, but we venture to predict that although their two heads put together may give mutual assistance, they will not be equal to Mr. Whitaker's either in the Gouncil itself, or in advising in the [Cabinet. Besides, neither one nor the other brings the smallest popular strength or sympathy. It may besaid, therefore, that neither Auckland nor Otago contribute to the personnel of the present Government or accord any of its members a.ny hearty or earnest support. Canterbury is almost in the same position. Mr. Rolleston represents Avon, but from a number j of reasons he seems to be thoroughly I unpopular throughout the whole of the provincial district. He is enthusiastic in support of several democratic notions, but he has failed to attract for them any general sympathy ; and it would appear as if Canterbury would be quite as well pleased to have him out of the Ministry. Whv does not Mr. Rolleston take a leaf out of Major Atkinson's book, and undertake a lecturing tour throughout the colony, to show the advantages ' of perpetual leases ? Ho would probably obtain more support,

for that proposal than the Major d;,* S for his, "fad," and thus strengthen £ ! position as a politician. . w 1 But notwithstanding all thdse cau EC * 1 of Weakness, the present Ministry j! I likely to last beyond the lil® of the 1 present Parliament. They are a I of men who are not popular, but the i colony hears with them because thev B are believed to be inclined to econom* I rather than extravagance, and because I there are not in the House any other H set of men who could act together I in the discharge of public business. 1 When House meets next session, Major Atkinson will wield the power- I ful weapon of a dissolution in his hand I and in any case Parliament will have to go to the country soon after its pro- [ rogation, Politicians will then be thrown into the crucible of the elections, and i"' then will come the tug of war. TJn- tless the Opposition can manage to t associate themselves together in some [• kind of order, and to have a leader ' and principles of action, they i may issue from the elections in a state as disorganised as at present, ! while Major Atkinson will then have ' an opportunity of strengthening his team by one or two men who are i proved to have something in them, and : to be capable of inspiring throughout ; the colony that confidence which no i Minister should be without. I

The insult to the King of Spain in Paris i haa caused intense excitement iu Madrid, I where much ill-feeling against the French j is being shown. Vindictive and abusive placards have been posted, and such is the dangerous state of the populace that the French Embassy has had to be protected by military. A tremendous ovation is being prepared for thp King on his return. Miss Booth has been acquitted in Switzerland on a charge of causing a disturbance of the peace by her Salvation Army proceedings. An immense Tory meeting has been held in Birmingham, the Radical stronghold, and resolutions passed denounoing the policy of the Government. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were resumed yesterday. Robert Golding pleaded guilty to three indictments charging him with wholesale robbe.ies of drapery aad clothing from the sliop of Mr. Gilmour, of Symonds-steet; of watches and jewellery from the shop of Paul Louis; also, from the premises of Mr. J. B. GDSllan. An excuse that he was somewhat feebleminded was set up by his counsel, but His Honor sentenced tho prisoner to three years' penal servitude, j Anne Dobbyn was acquitted of the charge of stealing seven pounds in the house of Mrs. Lynch, Shortland-street. Anne Quinn, of Hamilton, charged with forgery and uttering, was also acquitted. The Court adjourned at a quarter to six, and will resume its.sitting this morning at ten o'clock. ' At the Harbour Board meeting yesterday a letter was received from the Marine Department, containing certain remarks ana suggestions by the Engineer-In-Chief in reference to tho dock plans. Mr. McDonald, Harbour Board Engineer, replied to the remarks in the memo, seriatim, but as they would not affect the plans or cast materially he suggested that the recommendations might be adopted in order that the Order-in-Council might be obtained. The suggestion was adopted by the Board. Yesterday afternoon the monthly meeting of the council of the Acclimatisation Society was held. It was decided to construct trout breeding ponds at Waitak'erei, and to obtaina supply of brook trout ova from California.. At the meeting a private letter from Mr. E. A. Wight, Komata, Ohinemuri, was read, in . whiehit was stated thata strange fish, probably o trout, was very plentiful there. The true character of the fish is not yet known, but according to the information supplied by theMaoris the flesh is pink in colour. Some of tho members the society who are thoroughly conversant with the different varieties of trout and young salmon, should visit the district, and have some .of these young fish caught and identified. It may yet turn ont, as suggested by the Chairman of the meeting, Mr, ft. Hobbs, M.H.R., that these strange fish may be among the first fruits of the salmon ova which Mr, Firth; several years ago. deposited in the rivers in the Upper Thames Valley.

Meetings of creditors were held yesterday' in the estate of James Daley, a storekeeper, of Hamilton (absconded). Liabilities £1600, assets £1200. Mr. .R. K. Davis was elected trustee. In the estate of S. Lipscombe, seedsman, liabilities £395, assets £105 (realised -£26), the creditors recommended the debtor's discharge. In the estate of Charles E. Forder, liabilities £141, no creditors attended. The debtor will have to apply to the Court for his discharge under the 184 th section of the Bankruptcy Act.

A telegram from Dnnedin states that Mr. A. C. Begg, of that city, has received intimation of the death of his father, the Rev. Dr. Begg, of Edinburgh. Dr. Begg has been a prominent man in "Scottish ecclesiastical and political matters for about half a century. He was a contemporary of Chalmers, and Candlish, and Guthrie, and the other giants of the great Non-intrusion controversy which culminated in the Disruption of 1842, and in the ercction of the Free Kirk of Scotland. In many respects Dr. Begg was the equal of those men. He had no oratorical gifts oi skill. He had a harsh voice and a snufflingdisagreeable utterance. But his weight ofintellect and force of character made him a. leader at an early period, and he was a cower not only in the Presbytery, and Synod, and Assembly, but in politics. He was an ac* knowledged leader of a section of the Church. Dr. Begg was fierce and unccmptomising against all that savoured of innovation in practice or dootiine. He was a true de. scendant of the old covenanting heroes, usiog the language of David Deans and Balfour of Burley. The age progressed and opinions were modified on manv matters, but Dr. Begg's mind was incapable of change. He was vehement against organs or the use of any instrument in a church, and resisted the smallest innovation in public worship. He was equally fierce against auy running of trains on (Sundays, or the performance of any work on that day. Like many other ministers of the Kirk, Dr. Begg had a horror of everything cunnectod with theatres or the stage, and yet, strange to say, one of his sons becainc tin actor, Gominfiiicing his theatrical | career in our own city of Auckland, where he played under the name of Walter Bentley. Dr. Begg has passed away, and left no successor behind in his fierce, uncompromising hostility to all innovations. Certainly there are few men in either the Established or the Free Kirks who are his equals in intellect and: energy.

The long inactivity in shipping circlesgave signs of a favourable turn yeaierday, as shortly after daylight the signalman ran up the signals of a schooner and a barque as in sight "inside Tiritiri." This was followed , a «er by that of a "sail in sight outside Tintin. At about nine o'clock this last signal was changed to a "ship outaUe Tiritiri." The schooner proved to be the Handa Isle, from Lyttelton, and the barque to fce the Frederick Bassil, from Timaru, both with produce. The ship up to nighfc'jil] had not been made out, as she was still a long distance off, too far to ascertain what she was. Later in the evening it was found to he the Otaki from London, after a good passage of 92 days. Having powder on board, the ship dropped anchor at the powder ground. The other two vessels lost no time in running into berths at the Qaoen-street Wharf. Dr. Grabham, Inspector of Hospitals, will "isit Auckland shortly, when he will inspect and report on the Auckland Hospital. The Harbour Board at its meeting yesterday adopted a resolution to instruct f e Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the Hohson-street Wharf. By the B.s. Rotomahana yesterday th 3 Eank of New Zealand received six boxes (47640z5.) or gold from the Thames. Mr. Hislop, Under-Secretary of the Education Department, is at present in Auckland. He is visiting and inspecting the industrial schools. By the Southern steamer on Tuesday, the Kevs. T. Spurgeon and C. Carter (of Poiisonby), and Messrs. John Chambers and S." H. Matthews (lay delegatee), proceed to Nelson, in order, to attend the sittings of the Baptist Union, which will be held there this year. Mr. Nathaniel-Keid, for many years a hotelkeeper at Papafeura, and a vers old colonist, died, yesterday, at the Lunatic Asylum, of congestion o£ the longs.

A question of great interest to the City Council, a3 well as the public generally, cropped op at the Police Court'yesterday, Four persons were prosecuted by the police under the city by-law for driving at other than a walking pace round street corners, and it was pointed out to'ihe Bench that several serious accidents had occurred recently from breaches of this by-law. Mr. Tneo Cooper, who appeared for one of the defendants, a' TTouth who, in driving an express 1 from Queen-street into Durham-street, ran over a l»y named Busby, causing injuries which it was feared would prove fatal, raised the point thst the by-law was ultra vires, that the Council had no power to make such a by-law as it was not in accordance with Schedule 13 of the Act, also, that although people were supposed to know the emmon Jaw and statute law of the country, they were not supposed to know by-laws, unless they were brought under their notice. He also pointed out that iu Christchuroh a similar by-law had b-en ruled to bo ultra, vires. Sergeant White, who conducted the prosecution, suggested that as these points had been raised, which he was not then prepared to argue, the cases should be adjourned, in order that the city solicitor might appear. I The snceestion was adopted, and the cases were ad'ourned for a week.

' The HibcraicOD season is drawing, to ; close, last night's entertainment being th last but one of the season. The highly enter taining nature of the performance given bj the company, the novelty of the appoint dents, and personnel of the minstrels, am the general hilarity sustained throughout make the performances of Mr. Hegarty'i troupe unique and interesting ; and in addi tion to these attractions there are in th( panoramic views and scenes objects of world wide interest brought under the notice o the audience in an artistic and elegant man ner. The company bas had a successfu season in Auckland, and no doubt th< to-night will be largel; patronised. The first contract for the Calliope Dock ha resulted in a serious loss to the contractor Mr. D. Fallon, who in a statement furnislhec by him to the Harbour Board, at their meeting yesterday, s< t out the extent of bis loss, and asked the Board to make him some recompense, so as to save him from actual loss. His contract was £2445 ISs 6d, and he told the Chairman when signing the contract that he had made a mistake of £1000. In addition to the error, several difficulties had arisen through water breaking in on him, necessitating the erection of powerful pumping machinery; but in spite of loss and difficulty he carried out his contract faithfully, to the satisfaction of the Engineer. His actual expenditare, exclusive of personal expenses or charges for management, was £3655 14s 9d, Bhowing a loss of £1199 16s 3d. The Chairman and several members commented on the manly and straightforward manner in which Mr. Kallon had carried out his contract, remarking that there was hardly another contractor in the place who would have done so, and the letter was referred to the Finance and Legal Committee to report on. . His Honor Mr. Justice Gillies yesterday complimented Mr. Hatrick, a draper of Hamilton, for having, when he gave a blank cheque to a person, signed that person's name on the " butt" of the cheque torn out, so that the document could be traced. His Honor said if other people in business followed this exampls the administration of justice would be much assisted and crime would often be brought home to persons who now escaped punishment;. j

For September the Jjirths in Auckland district were 135, and in the borough 86. The deaths in the above district were 64, and in the borough 39. Marriage licences issued were 45, of which 15 were solemnised in the office. The births registered for three quarters of the present year were 1496; deaths same period, 637; and marriages ditto 432.

A /party of men aze busily engaged on the foundations of the block of buildings to be erected on the site of the projected Waverley Hotel. The contractor is Mr. A. Sutherland, and the amonnt about £2500. The whole of the foundation consists of piling, the logs being of kauri, and forty feet in length, driven down into the reel amation below the level of the street. Yesterday afternoon Detect!ve Hughes was coming down the roadway at the back of the Masouic Hotel, when he observed a wellknown character, named Patrick Carroll, misconducting himself. He arrested him, but a Becond man appeared on the scene at this juncture, a mate of Carroll's, and interfered. The detective seized both his foes, but Carroll managed to wriggle out of his coat, leaving the discomfited police officer ■with nothing but the empty coat. As usual there was a woman ir. it, and Detective Hughes called upon a bystander in the Queen's name to escort her to the police station, while he and Sergeant Keiley endeavoured to get Mackintosh down to the samp, randezvous. In the evening Detective Hughes espies Carroll in a hotel, and " run him in."

_ A young lad, named John Riordan, who lives in Ea3t atreet, Newtjn, met with a Berious accident yesterday. It appear j that he is working for Mr. John Brown, contractor, of Freeman's Bay, and that, while getting hay for the horse 3, he fell over a box, a nail inflictiog a lacerated wound, extending from the cuter part of the left knee to the inner part, leaving the kneecap bare. Dr. Tennent stitched the wound rip, and the boy was subsequently taken to his mother's residence.

Mr. E. B. Russell and Mr. Barry O'Neil take a joint "farewell" benefit to-morrow evening, at Abbott's Opera Hoaae. Both these performers are public favourites. They contributed materially tq the success of Mr Sheridan's Shakesperian season. The programme includes " Loat in London," a sensation drama, a "Musical Melange," and Mr. Barry O'Neil's "Lightning Changes." They should receive a substantial recognition from the admirers of the drama and genuine ability. Mr. Maalcolmson visited the Domain Gardens the other day, and inspected the cinchona plants now being reared there in the propagating honse. He informed us that he never saw more healthy looking plants, and is surprised at the progress they are making in growth. This is, no doubt, due 5o the use of bottom heat, and if it be continued the Domain Board will be able to force on a quantity of plants of this useful tree, as well as other economic plants, in a far shorter time than is possible by any other means. Mr. 0. W. Cave, late of the well-known firm of Travers and Cave, barristers and iiolicitors, Wellington, has joined Mr. J. A. Tole, barrister and solicitor of this city, in partnership. The partnership is announced in another column, and the firm's business will be carried on in their offices next to the 33aci of New Zealand, Queen-street. Mr. Oave is an English barrister of large experience. He came to New Zealand to prosecute the claims of Messrs. Biogden, and conducted their ca;e before a special committee of the House of Representatives during the session before last. He will no doubt, occupy a leading position amongst the legal profession of Auckland. The Northern Advocate says :—" In the retirement of. Mr. Whitakei: from the Ministry, North Auckland loses a good friend. Mr, Whitaker has had the control of all the public money spent in the district for many years, and not only acted with fairneesin the division amongst the districts,

but was useful in seeing that the money was forthcoming for expenditure. We fear vre shall miss his good offices."

The Victoria Company assembled for their monthly inspection and drill last night. There was a fair muster of 53 all told,' including Captain Mahon (in command). Lieutenant Skinner,-and Sab-Lieutenant Selfe. Major Shepherd was inspecting officer. After the inspection the company was put through a course of bayonet exercise, marching drill, &c.; and the movements were performed so •well that the men were commended by Major Shepherd. Mr. John Mitchelson waa married on Monday last to Miss Alley, of Hikutaia, Thames. The marriage fcook_ place at the residence of Mrs. Johnson, Kamo, the Rev. ~L. L. Cubitt being the officiating clergyman. Mr. F..F. Day gave the bride away, Miss Johnson was bridesmaid, and Mr. McCoskrie groomsman. Immediately after tho wedding Mr. and Mre. Mitchelson proceeded to Auckland to spend their honeymoon, from whence they proceed to the Wairoa. Althouph the weddicg was intended to be kept a profound secret, someone let the cat out of the bag, an<l as a coriaeque-ce Kamo was gaily decorated with bunting and strings of flags across the streets. A spread was given to tn« employes of the firm of Messrs. J.'Mitchelson and Co., Kaino, at the Star Hotel, on Monday sight, Mr. P. F. Day being in th 3 chair,when a very pleasant evening waa spent,— .Northers Advocate.

in the lock-up last evening Patrick Carroll and Mary Walah, on charges o£ abroach of the Vagrant Act; and John Mackintosh/ charged with drunkenness and also of wilfully obstructing Defective Hughes in - the execution of bis duty. Two wi,men were in on charges of drunkenness.

Bishop Cowie haa appointed the Rev. J. L. Keating, of Danedin, to the temporary charge of St. Thomas's parish. The rev. gentlemanhas been for some three years past labouring in the above city.

An address was presented yesterday to Dr. Maokellar, late House Surgeon at the Hospital, under circumstances which mjisfc have made the event gratifying to the recipient. The proceedings will be found reported elsowhere in our columns.

In our cbituary columns will be found recorded the death of Mrs. Coney, relict of the late Mr. Jamea Coney, at the advanced age of 80, at the Waimate, Bay of Islands. The deceased lady was nn old identity, and well known in Auckland.

Some twenty new buildings are in course of erection at Waiorougomai;. two sharebrokers have started business. Altogether the township bears a very healthy and prosperour appearance.

New Guinea is a land of cockroaches, " I was awakened last night,'' writes the Argus correspondent in one of his letters, "by one of them actually nibbling tbe point of my nose. Uj»h! It makes one shudder with horror."

John Reid and Co. direct attention to their sate of 600 pictures by auction on Friday, commencing at twelve noon.

" The Rescue of Harry Gray" is the title of the new Cantata now engaging the attention of the Auckland Band of Hope Union Cboir. It has experienced a very successful carcer in thu United Kingdom, and as it contains over thirty new and original pieces of music in the shape of solos, duets, quartettes, choruses, etc., with a thrilling, but humourous narrative by eight principal characters, its production here will be anxiously looked for by those interested in its work. Tho members are notified elsewhere that a rpecial*rehcarsal takes place to-morrox evening in the Aloxandra-street Primitive Methodist School-room.