THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1884.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6936, 9 February 1884, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1884.

We are told that the Imperial Parliament in the new Session will be called on by the Government to vote two millions for improving the defences of the Empire at home and abroad. The propriety of the step will not be disputed in view of the extremely unsettled state of European affairs, and the continued activity of the Continental Governments in warlike prepai'ation. Indeed, since the Gastein meeting of Emperors and other official gatherings credited with a political character, the idea, as we see again by the last.mail, appears to be rife on the Continent that war is not far off. It isnofc the expected that always comes about, but against the mysterious possibilities eventuating from a great European struggle even nations not among the anticipated belligerents have need to be prepared. Circumstances have wonderfully favoured Prince Bismarck's policy of isolating the nation which cherishes

the hope of regaining Alsace. Fortune has smiled and continues to smile on him in this way, and so able a states-' man knows how to turn her favours to account. Certainly o£ all these favouring circumstances, that. of piime importance his policy is what must be termed the imbecility through a series' of years of successive French Ministries—irritating, sometimes absolutely estranging, all neutral or friendly Powers. And another circumstance of great service also for the views of the German Chancellor is the Republican scare which seems of late to pervade the Continental dynasties. Of course the fact of France having become once more a Republic was a point for some diplomatic manipulation, but when tried in that way a couple of years ago it created little prejudice, much less alarm. It was no longer the bugbear it could be even fifty years ago. The attempt which was made to associate it with the Socialist movement would not do, and fell dead. The " Socialists in France are not more numerous than the same party in Germany, and much less formidabla than the same party in Russia. And it was abundantly manifest that the French Republican Government were as much disturbed by them, and had as much or as little reason to be afraid of them, as Bismarck himself and Emperor William. Republicans who are also peasant proprietors do not become Socialists who decry property ; and France—where of all great countries of Europe the system of peasant proprietary is most general—is just the. particular country where Socialism makes least way outside the town 3. ISo the French Republic did not frighten the people elsewhere who see only a narrow line between a Moderate Republic and a Constitutional Monarchy ; nor did it just then- frighten . j the Sovereign houses either, and the ■ less so because their subjects were not likely to be attracted to Republican institutions by the extraordinary mismanagement, at any rate in foreign affairs, which French statesmen wereexhibiting.

Of late, however, certain things have occurred to give the matter a new. complexion in the eyes of princes. Norway, which by the Treaty of Vienna was handed over from the King of Denmark to the King of Sweden, has by its constitution a Lower Chamber, elected by the people, and the Upper House, nominated by the King. The two branches have got into collision, as is sometimes witnessed in legislatures even this, end of the world, and in-the Norwegian difficulty the K-ing in ■ supporting the body he nominated," wherefore a movement has sprung up j likely to become general in the country, to constitute Norway a Republic. At the opposite side of Europe, in .Portugal, some agitation for a similar object has appeared. There, however, it has no more chance of success than in" Spain, where the Republic set up not.long ; since had but brief existence.;. The influence of the clergy, potent in the Peninsula and not favourable to that form : of government, would alone suffice .to hinder it. Nevertheless, King_Louis,. of Portugal, like many other princes of modern times, finds so little pleasure'in ; wearing a crown, that lie has., declared' his perfect readiness to lay it down if his subjects so desire. ,In- the -Balkan Peninsula the rulers of two little States, not long created, namely—King Milan, of Servia, and King "Alexander - of Roumania, are at feud with their sub- , jects, and .now rule only :by their 5 armies. The consequence of all this is something like a scare among the dynsistic houses of the European Continent, and though the example of the mismanaged French Republic ought not to be very contagious, theyseem to regard its existence as a standing danger. Nothing could; sialic in more exactly with the views at PrinceBismarck. Th-3 Kings of Italy, Spain, and Servia kave.become avowed, members of the alliance with Germany and Austria. Even Russiaj which was set down as the ally of France in thfl case, of a European war, is, it appears, no longer to be regarded in that light. Probably the Russian.Government are" more apprehensive of their, own Sclavonic party, clamouring for change, than of the rival Empire next dbbf. A Russian Envoy. M. de Giers, has been interviewing Bismarck, and the tone of the ofiicial organ in' St. Petersburgis not this some time back friendly' to France.

It may be that some -' of those Sovereigns do not for the alliances they desire carry with them the'feelihg of their subjects; but in Italy, at any rate, it would appear to be popular if ■we are to judge by the hearty receptionwhich was accorded to the: German Prince when he passed through Genoa, on his way to visit the Spanish Court, and it is evident the resentment continues whicL was caused by the . French Government's. Tunis pro-" ceeding.' It is not easy, indeed, to, imagine a more dangerous position than that of France , at the present moment, with all the other States of the Continent either neutralised or figuring as allies of Prince Bismarck. And though that statesman has for' some years suffered much from various. illness, and is now said to show the effects of his rocent attack of jaundice, he may consider the precarious state of'his health the stronger reason for seizing while he may an opportunity to realise his well known projects. When we look at all the circumstances of the situation, it is hard not to share the fore--bodings of a great war or impending crash, which are now freely "expressed in Europe. ' -

Evidently the Board of Education are labouring under a most ludicrous misconception of their position in relation to the scholarship scandal. It seems incredible, but they positively appear to consider that a great wrong has been done them, and they are determined, or at least some of them, to have the lad and his father subjected to severe and searching examination, so that they may get at the bottom; and have these offenders severely and justly dealt with. Mr. Parr, it appears, has demanded an investigation, and the Board, with a naivtU that is infinitely amusing, assume that the investigation is to be into the conduct of Mr. Parr and bis son, and the unfortunate lad narrowly escaped—and only at the intervention of the lawyer at the 'Board — from being subjected to a. preliminary examination after the fashion o£ French tribunals.' Apparently he was trapped into thing present at the office of the Board at the hour of meeting, by ..the. adroitness of the Chairman ; and despite the protestations of Mr, Cooper and Mr. ; Goldie i» to the unfairness of placing the young lad under examination'in the absence off

/of the members of" itip; to haye very reluctantly ai^^ o ne*<be* chance:;.oj: worrying -the '% Liy Jlr./Biickland '"especially,;.;who ap"Hearsto: tea gentleman of a very fine tjaase of honour, seemii rto liave - been ''■'■' leiwd jwith; the desire to get at' the *b6tt6m<ofr the- whole matter now -that ■bey h a 4 got the helpless lad in their ■ ijjndSj' and' almost pathetically asks, ■'■■•'iCTKen" , you' will "let the whole- matter. dtopt" ; People will hardly believe their : eyes when i;hey note the action of fye ; BoaVd and the evident idea of the -embeds that they have been the in--•gred .party- It is needless to tell inyoneuthat the true case is' that Mr. i:t.be father of the lad, has im--peratiTely'deniandeil an inquiry into the SoJiconduct of the Board and its officers, yjd is determined, at : any trouble and gjjst, "to probe the matter to the bottom, ,iSd : find how wherefore this attempt ■gis 'made to deprive his boy of his Bchplarahip. The letter which the lad Ju'maelf sent, "and which the Board coolly cKarge. as being " impertinent," was no doubt "thei dictation of his father, who in deemed it advisable that the jMi'should be associated with him in the .-.demand for justice ; and the most laughable of the transaction is that some afthe.Board actually felt disposed to take th'e.Mholarship 'from the lad as a punishißßiit'tb 'him r fbr' that he and his father JeSf'resehted the attempted injury already done, or attempted to" be done, to him by jKe'Board. Had it not been for the intervention of Mr. Copper and Mr. Goldie, .flie public would have had one of the most ludicrous. scenes enacted by a public Board that have been witnessed for many a day. i The Chairman felt that a " demand bad been made for an investigation into tKe wtrole of the facts," never thinking . apparently that the demand was from the ether side, and that he was himself to stand as one _of ■ the culprits at the bar; •while nothing woul'd satisfy Mr. Buokland but that they " should have the boy before tHiru to question him about this telegram." "Clearly'two at;least of the members of ■fcfie.Board, consider : that the granting, of Bchojarehips is a .natter of the Board's grace and. not of the merits of the candidatea, and-the whole proceedings of yes- . terday evening in relation to the wrong attempted' on , this lad, "and the further dfSsire' to; wrong 1 him,- and even a tendency tcfward's i; a desire to deprive him still of hS'?ha;rdly-won scholarship, convey the painful .impression that the interests of out y°ung^people are not safely placed in thV /hands of. our existing Board of Education. .

The. public will, from our report of the proceedings at the Board of Education yesterday, become alive to'the fact that but fpr.'tlie forbearance of the. bank the Board wo old be in the same position as its. brother of: Westland, and the bailiffs /wopldr be in; pessessionof the schools. Tliis. shows an- extraordinary amount of maladministration and stumbling along in People "have "almost ceased to wonder at anything a member of the Board of Education may do, so that it 4 will not'astonish anybody that Mr. Buckland' Should 'be quite -surprised at. the dfectosur£j;&nff:jhat\a committee should- :- bJ" i appornted J t(y examine .into the financial position, pf the Board. One would wlaye t&ug'b^t'"tliat a step of this kind -eljSiiuia.have.. preceded the raising, of the salaries- officials''and-the. sppoint- ' vseni «f additional inspectors. 'But in truth .'{he .'Board-cannot be expected '',:.;■ to.; : teonqinically. j .They/ fto jnpt ; faise.-C the. money. •■; The Blembeps are : not accountable •to any . one°fol? its;; eipendiinre.' '.They never meet llieiri. constituents,- and -if they conßJtitueiits ,:havd; nothing-, to , )do TPiffi thflfinaniie "of: the.'Board, and would -not •question' them.-• In• dealing witllJthe ordinary-revenue o[f thfj'.BoaVd, tie members have acted as if they hnd-a yorfranatus purse io dip their hands into. s have when *bo f members th&right-the time cU . raise, the -salaries of -the -officers they\roul4 "have "taken"'<sarevto 'ShoW : 'to the | 7 frablic .'{ha£, such a. thing -was necesSary KBfid^expedient/--They- Ought to ; have' ' ehown that the Board- was in a- position to'raise the salaries of thei officers without ; via- any! wayi-iiatinting ■• the.. schools, or /weakening the claims of , the Board for LftQWu Schools.. The. Jonly.; preparation I jßnionget the memqers for the raising of '}■ i&xe 'we preaOtoe,,.a-little private! Jc'onyfersation amongst" themselves, an'df , getting -quit * of': the ieporie;*ai by] announcing thai thp Board was/in! committee..; 5 Mr. TBuekland says, quite trtily, that every tended tbe'y accept iricreas.es tß'e ; ?liability, and. "Mr. - Cooper Vsays'.they will more money on .the ne^t' meetihg "of Parliament. ,"TiU thenj, tie Board can do' nothing^'in -the'- 5 way of* - erecting new buildings, ~by"leave of the bank. When nSxt'lsvssioii. the Parliament Coaes to deil- with' the education will not,dream of voting"a , eumto.enable tUe r Auckland ,;£oard to br^,up ! a'rrfears- .;' Tlie. 'vbie". for school boUdingar" had/^dropped': down from JlpjOOp Jast jeax to £90Q0 this year, and nexfi'year. itiwilL.probably haye a still n»6re seyeje falli ; ---By ' the time Parliament'"gets to: the .education vote, the Auckland-Board willhaye as big an over--draft on ih-'s matter of:. school, buildings i will amount •sff-to Boyj- it 'ike bank will allwir them tp '. go' i oin'pv)Brdratwing, and does not send id the bailiffs in the meantime. In connec-tion-'witji-this?matter.of: new schools, ani the large excess.• of ■ expenditure ou the: ,?: veto, , it, would be a curious subject of in-: •teltigation to endeavbiir to ascertain if se.veral: have.not been erected, which ■- were ,: quite unnecessary,- and the'chief ebjectof-jwhose creation was to smooth theroad to the House of Representatives. "We - shall "not deal .with that subject farther to-day, but simply draw the . public attention to the fact that while the : Baar,dijhaye} been engaged l in increasing their and raising the salaries, they ■fffcten up to find themselves at the .mercy ofctheir.creditors. " : ••' •■ : j

The report published in the. London Daily News that Gordon Pasha had' been. made.a prisoner by the rebels, turns out to be without foundation, and is authoritatively contradicted in our cable messages this morning. It'appears uncertain now'whether he has v turned back or not. Trusting: ;to his influence with the Arab tribes, he was tp_ attempt to reach Khartoum with- , ont a military escort, 'but should the news that they have revolted prove , to be correct it is probable that- he will abandon the undertaking. The position of affairs "at Souakim is very serions. ■> Baker, J'asha. reports that the revolt is iipreadicg, and - that he expects an "attack will be made on the city. He is, however, stmguine of being able to hold it with the troops under his command. These will shortly be • reinforced by about two thousand "British marines, who are now under orders to_ proceed to Souakim, The .Egyptain. 'policy of ■ Mr. Gladstone's Government is being condemned by the- Liberal- Press by reason of its . irresolateness and vacillating character. The . Conservative leaders.in both Houses of Parliament have also given notice of their inten- **°?*?. propose a motion.equivalent to a vote of censure on.the Government, The extreme . Irish' Press, is as usual jubilant at the sucedssea'achieved by the False Prophet. .The, annual meeting of the Auckland Rjegatta Club is to be held at the club-room, Waitetnata'Hotel, on Tuesday next, at eight Pa. ; At this meeting, (n addition to passing; the'jbalancersbeet and report, the election of officers'arid committee, for the ensuing year takes 'place.. It is 'to be ,hoped that there • will, be a-good attendance at the meeting, as such ip highly .necessary,, so as to enable members to select a good committee to carry out jhe regatta of 1885. It should be borne m» rninfiihat every person who.has subscribed ■ 218, -"ori'.a prize" to., that ,-value, is entitled to capacity of .an officer, but, such .New blood is * "W? 1 t$$ t 'ff!&r in,; -*«<* committee, and we tnerefore trdst tosee a good attendance. ■SJhere'-were only two prisonare in the lock • ujklastnjght, a woman sor drunkenness, and S*mttßlClhrißtian for larceny. v . .

-Inthe report of yesterday's proceedings of the Board of Education, published in our other columns, the following incident is °?'™ e J d i, : —",li reference to the minutes, Mr. Biiokland noticed that in the report of the last meeting of the Board the Herald reported that, the Board decided that contractors were qualified to sit on bommittees. ," 1 he resolution of the Board had decided : that local contractors for work under the Board were not qualified to sit on committees. The important word 'not' had been omitted in the report." This form of malicioiia, reckless, and untruthful statement ia not infrequent with a certain class of public speakers, when they wish to point an argument. The words of our report as they appear in the columns of our issue of the' 2nd instant are these : "The question in Ohinemuri wae whether a person having a contract under the Board was qualified to be a committeeman. There were several others involving questions of purely local interest. In respect to the contractor at Ohinemuri, it was resolved that he was disqualified, and-could not serve on the School Committee." To say that Mr.. Buckland accidentally misread ,the words, is precluded by the additional words, "could not serve on the committee," 'so that the statement can only be attributed to a wilful and malicious intention to mislead his fellow members of the Board. That Mr. Buckland will acknowledge his offence is more than we are warranted in expecting. The incident speaks for itself. The following notices of motion have been given for next meeting of the City Council.: Mr.. La Roche : V That .the Engineer be instructed to report' to this Council the best means of providing drainage for that part of Grafton Ward lying on the south side of "Kyber Jfass," Mr. Burns: "That the drivers of the water-carts carry the hydrant with them to fill the carts under their control, the : extra men to be dispensed with, and to be included in the number of men to be discharged." Mr. Burns :■ "That the Engineer prepare plans and specifications for culvert in West-street, Karangahape Ward." Mr. Aickin.: "That the Engineer prepare plans and specifications for main levels, in Stanley-street; and that the question of contribution from the Government and the | proportion of allocation of cost be referred to Legal Committee."

An adjourned sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Conrfc was held yesterday to dispose of the balance of business from Thursday's sitting. The principal case was a claim by Mr. J. Lamb against Mr. St. John Keyes, of Auckland Forwarding Company, to recover rent for use of the stone mill in Fort-etreet. The proceedings will be found reported in another column.. Several cases were settled or adjourned.

Professor Payne, the famous fancy lightning shot, repeated his performance at Abbott's Opera House last evening.. Mr. Barry O'Neil sang some character songs, as did also Miss Bella Sutherland. The lady al&o contributed some very pretty dances, which, judging from the applause,' were greatly appreciated by the andience. Owing to the inclemency of the weather the attendance was small. ' ; .'

About three o'clock yesterday afternoon a painful accident happened at Kowe's timber mill, Onehunga'.' A young.' man named Frederick was working at the boringbit; —a spiked tool working like a circular saw—and on turning to receive an order from the foreman one of the spikes • caught "in his trousers and pierced his leg. Assistance was immediately obtained, the belt was thrown off the machine, and after some little difficulty the spike was withdrawn from the leg ; it had pierced Tight through the thigh aod protruded- from the other side.- The flesh was much, mangled, and the poor fellow fainted before He was. extricated. Dr. Scott was sent for; after dressing the wound he recommended.the sufferer's removal to the Hospital. I)r. Goom met the trap at New-, market; ' and accompanied- "Blades to • his, residen.ce in Burleigh-street. ? The wound bled profusely, but the medical; inen stated that no artery bad been injured. The injury is not apparently a serious-one. " ;

The committee, of the Auckland Racing Club offer a premjum of fifty guineas for the' best' design of" a 'grand-stand,' capable ,of I carrying 25.00 people, at-a coat not,exceeding' ! £5000. The buUdiag is also to contain Stewards' and Secretary's' rooms, weighing, lnh'cheoa,' bars, -1 iavato'rieW I»AiVb' retiring ' room, also ,ste)varcli='.amf iepqtturs' I stiiDd The plaiis, with uscimated cost ef building, must be feent uiiSer caver by Ist next. * ; : A'' oorrespondent, " Hauriri," says.: *-' The ladies of, Auckland were recently called on,tp contribute for a piano to the Hospital, osten- , 4ibly,-for' jfhaluee of the mursee, - but that recently it .has, Been shifted from the nnraes'. dining'-roorii to a room common only to rise of the Our correspondent considers that if .these officials are so very fond, of, music; they can afford to. purcbaee an instrument for themselves. He concludes. by say ing that "if Mr. Lincoln, who was the head and front of the movement: for. procuring. the piano, does not : get this matter put right, he ought never to,aak for : another subscription -from anyone for any special, purpose in, connection with the Hospital again."; - v '

: Mr.. Kelly, ironfounder, of Freeman's Bay, has: patented- a < centrifugal centriple steam or water engine, and a model engine is now at work,' and can be inspected at hie foundry daily. It seems extremely simple of construction, and not liable to get out of repair. The friction of the I'iiachine ie reduced to a minimum, as it only consists of four bearings, and between the bearings work : the -two driving ■ pulleys. The model, engine is-at present driven by water power;. Mr.Kelly is making a'large one to the order of Mi-. iC.' JT. Hutchinson, of Customs.- street- West;' which is calculated to lift one ton 60 feet a minute, so that the. merits of the new invention will soon- be -thorcughly tested. The engineers -who have.already inspected the working model speak very favourably of the invention.' ■ ■ ' :

The weekly-meeting of the Ark of Eden Lodge, No. 52, 1.0. G.T., was held on Tuesday evening. After the reports of the various offipers bad been received (showing the lodge to be in a Very flourishing condition) the following officer's 'were duly installed by Brother 'Bailey, assisted by Brother Lepirie; as J'.M., and Brother Jarvis, as , -1.-D.M: : —'PiW.C.T., Brother Douse; . W.C.T., Brother White; WiV.S., Brother McLaughlin; W; Sec.', Brother Mears; W.AS., Sister Watkinson ; W.F.S., Sister Clarke; W.5.,-'Sister Bailey ; W.C., Brother Poklington; W.M., Siefcer Collins; W.D.M., Brother Woods; W.G., Brother Braithwaite; W.Sen., Brother Ularke. After the usual vote of thanks to the retiring' officers, and the inaugural speech of the W.C.T,, the lodge closed at half past nine p.m.

Sydney Taiwhanga contributed half-a-crown to the Parnell Testimonial Fund.

The monthly meeting of the Grafton-road Wealeyan Band of Hope was held-in the school-room on Thursday evening last, the Rev. W. C. Oliver in the chair. A very fair programme was gone through, consisting .of recitations by Mr. T. McLaughlin.and Master Edward Good, and readings" by Masters Alfred r ßurton and Harold Young, all of whioh ,were very well received. A very interesting and instructive address was given by Mr. J. Bratne, which was very encouraging to the young persons present. Tho next meeting"of the Band of Hope will be held on Thursday, March 6.

The sale of the leases of quarry reserves at Kangitoto, wa3 held yeeterday, at the,offices of the Crown Lands Board, and was conducted by Mr.: D. A. Tole, Chief Commissioner. The terms were for seven years, with the right of renewal for a further like term, and section 6 was offered, subject to;£150 for improvements. Each section was offered,at a reserve of £10 a year. Seetiona 2, 3, and 4, were not leased. Section 5. 9£ acres, was leased to Mr. D. Pallon, at £12 a year; and section 6, 10| acres, to Mr, Fallon, at £10 a year. . ... ■ .

There is likely to be a keen competition for the cup presented to the Hobaon corps by a lady friend. Twenty-five members have handed in their names as competitors, and the firing takes place at Mount Eden range this afternoon, being the company's Saturday, at two p.m. ! In addition, a number of the Naval Artillery will fire < to qualify *e representatives in the forthcoming' Rifle Association matches, so that the range will be fiilly occupied.' ' • ' ■ . . ■

A special meeting of the Epsom Road Board was held in Mr. W.' S. Cochrane's office yesterday' afternoon. The business was to levy the special rate for making the gravel pit road under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. Accordingly, -»-'special rate of one-eighth of a penny was levied, whioh will become payable on the 31st of March next. The Chairman was authorised to call for tenders for filling, forming,' and metalling the unmade part of the : Cleghbrn well road, near the well. Mr. John Jamie-' Bon was appointed to collect the dog tax in f;he?oad district. .-•-._ - <.. t >_..-.. = .•

_Mr. E. itawlinga, manager of the Opera House, writes :—I do not wonder thai Professor Payne's. .* extraordinary exhibition has raised doubts in " Sceptic's " mind as. to the genuineness of the performance, but if " Sceptic " or anyone else is still unconvinced they have only to come forward and apply what tests they please. As to "Sceptic's " questions in his letter which you publish,' permit me to say a word Or two. He tells us he is bashful, but his bashfulness is .eclipsed by his simplicity. .If he imagines that Professor Payne can fire away a dozen cartridges without diminishing the number available, "Sceptic" has yet to learn the yule of subtraction. Nor do the bullets melt in thin air, as he seems to suppose; they imbed themselves in a prepared target.. But mere (assertion will probably fail to convince "Sceptic," so.I am prepared to aooept on behalf of Professor Payne any challenge of any local marksman to compete with him with the rifle with only one condition, that the contest should take place on the stage of the Opera House, and that the audience should be the judges. ■

A cablegram was received yesterday in Auckland to the effect that the underwriters of the s.s. Triumph have refused to pay the insurance.

There are at present on view at Mr. Leech's premises, Shortland-street, three fine pictures of Middle Island lake scenery, by Mr. George Sheriff, a rising young artist, and a resident, of Wanganui, The first is a view from the end of ; Park, Queenstown, " Storm and Sunshine," one of those rapidly .changing days so common in summer in the Southern Alps. The second is a view at the head of Lake Wakatipu from Kinlooh side, looking across the Staircase Mountains and the Keece Valley, and depicts a winter's evening on Wakatipu. The third is a view near Queenstown in early spring, "The peacetul close of a stormy day." The rainclouds have dispersed, and left the mountains enveloped in mist, which break up and disperse, rolling up the mountain's side in dense clouds. The distant ripple is catching the nearer light from thja bright sky, ; while in the foreground it,is under the shadow of the mountains. Mr. Sheriff has sent one of .his pictures to London, to be exhibited' at the Royal Academy. It is a very fine study, being.a faithful reproduction of a very familiar occurrence in the hilly country of Otago, viz., the destruction of a eheep by keau.

We have several times lately given ourrency to rumours on' the subject of the next elections for the - House of Representatives,' but are now-in a position to announce something definite .respecting the Newton electorate. Mr, W. Swanson has decided to retirt". Mh J, R. Upton will be a candidate, and vie understand will have Mr. Swanson'a support. Mr. Devore ■ has frequently "been , spoken of as likely "to seek election,'Jor Newton, but he dqes npt intend coming forward at the next -election, and will support Mr. Upton. The retirement of Mr. Swansbn, who has represented the electorate for so many years, will be generally regretted, not only in Newton,--but-through-out the colony, Mr. Upton' has, not hitherto taken any active part in politics, but there are few citizens who are better known privately, or who have taken a keener interest in all political and social matters: He will, therefore, take the field in a very favourable position for ultimately winning the victory. He will, we understand, come out as a moderate and independent Liberal.

VVe have received a, specimen collection "of very beautiful Christmas ' and New Year's cards from Messrs. Raphael Tack and Sons, 72.and 73, Coleman-street. City, London. The collection comprises a most varied assortment,'almost every ceraoeivable subject being appropriately delineated. The designs are chaste and of high merit, while the workmanship is not to '.ba surpassed. They are indeed works of art, and the best specimens of pbrpmo-lithography we have seen. The publishers well merit the high praise' bestowed upon thorn by the leading journals at home, and we wish them all the success that their enterpris'e'deserves. . ' " ""t

' ' We are informed that the loss sustained a the fire in Mr. Grcenham's drapery store, Ipswich, ■ Queensland, by the South British Insurance Company, was £500, and not £4500 as has been stated. .

: Mrmut-street is to bo made and drained to the fixed level, and the. slopes of section 35 •going to street level i 6 :be:slop>4 from the, street line into the section. Aβ ■ soon as the work is completed the section will be let in allotments ou long leases. '_ ■

; The meeting.of.parishioners and attendants of S.t.. Matthew's last evening, was well attended, considering'the downpour of rain. There was a unanimous consensus of opinion tbatthe Sunday-sch6ol~accommodation was wofully deficient, and should be remedied at Resolutions to this effect were put and curried unanimously, a comrmtteo being appointed "to prepare plans and "estimates, which are to be submitted to an adjourned meeting, to be held on Friday evening next, the 15th inet., at eight p.m. Several contributions were announced, and' we bave not the slightest doubt but. th -\i the v»:ork will be carried but'at once, and vie raised to pay on cp'mp'letion. The parishioners of St. Matthew's can do this easily , , and we feel certain that they will do it willingly and promptly. . ' ;"' ■'■' ' ' •

It is intended by the city authorities to cut down the hill on the west side of Graf-ton-road between Park-road ,and Carlton Gqrerroad,: and , ! the ground will be sloped into private allotments, so as to give. the full width .of pavetnent.i,The surplus earth will' be used to continue the embankment: at the foot :of Grafton-road.jand; the-cnlrert, will silso be extended. ..'. : i ■ •.■■..; • '■ •.' ,

The lad Joseph-Bradbury, who had his skull fractured on Wednesday by the fall of a brick, and was removed to the Hospital, was reported last night as not beihg'in suoh a favourable condition as hitherto.' ' .

Mr. Pooley's marine .concert this afternoon will, from its novelty, aewell as by its merits from a musical point of view, commend itself to all patrons of concerts. Not only is there in store a' pleasant trip by water, but there will be the enlivening element of good music, combined with delightful scenery, which those who have not been up. the Waitemata have yet to see tp appreciate. The weather certainly does not look promising, but if a postponerhent is necessitated,. the marine concert will take place next Saturday. The return is time far a quarter to. six, ia time for six o'clock train and omnibuses. The Takapuna will leave the Queen-street Wharf at half-past two p.m.

The Auckland Weekly Nswa (illustrated) is the best and largest weekly journal published in the colony, and contains an ample and well-assorted collection of jreneral, commercial, political, mining, agricultural, and sporting intelligence ; the latest English, American,' and Continental cablegrams, recording the principal events throughout the world; special contributions from our travelling correspondents; tales by the most popular novelists ; and interesting iteina relating to art, literature, science, music, and the drama—the whole combining to ronder it the'most attractive and readable weokly journal published in Now ' Zealand. ' Amonsst the illnstrations this weok Iβ a portrait of Sir Frederick "Whitaker. - - ;

"We beg to explain to our customers the reason for the omissloa of our advertisement :[rom the Stat last week. Wo are a singular people, we admit, but when wa appear in the columns of a newjpapor, we always pre'/er to do bo in'the plural form. Last week the plural form was considered so singular, that it was objected to by the editor, and as we objected to it in any other form than our own, we ; wore of necessity shut out,and appeared onlr in the columns of tho Hekamj, aud in our old place the Right Corner Stall, City Market, where wo shall be found to-day as usual. We have just received another lot of Prime Canterbury Bacon and Cheese, and our motio is " a big piece for a little mbnoy."—Provision Company, right corner Stall, City -Mar»et, A, Bk-itany, Manager. P.S, This also has been refused admission as an advertisement in tbu columns of the Star, the editor evidently thinkin? that lie ought either to write'our advertisement* or dictate them for us.— [Advt.'J

M. Albin Villeval, French visiting master to the Girls' High School, notlfle.i by advertisement that lie-is forniin? two French classes. The first class is intended for young ladies, who having left school desire to-continue their studies in tho French language-; ihcsecand is for beginners. '

The " following tenders were'received by Mr. E. JJ'. Watt, architect, for four concrete shops on the Great Norlh-rnad for Mr. T. McMasterj-Shailor, £2750: Woods.'£27<o ; 13rab.izon. £265* ; Morris and Co., £25t!0; Ellingham. £2560: H. Ti Jones, £2550: HutchosOH, £2540 ; Kay, £2520 ; ColebrooTi, £2490 ; Jtose ana Cla'rk, £2428; Wtigley and Handcock, Mell and' Loo (accepted). £2403.

Sewing Machines for families; dressmakers, tailors, and bootmakers, at O. S. Chambers', Wliolesale ' and RetHl Mftclilno Depot, 70, Queen-street, opposite the Bank of New Zealand. 'Repairs, oil, and needles f6r air machines. The trade Kupplitid.

, We have to.. acknowledge the. receipt of 10s from " Epgirieer " for Mrs.' Allies, of Mount Eden-

Men's and boys' clothing now obtainable in all the - latest fashions at or nearly London prices ; men's Melton coats from 7s 6d: men's serge'dltto, 6s 6d ; men's tweed trousers from 3s 9d; men's tweed suits. 19s 6d; men's sorgo ditto, 21s; job line in coloured soft felt bats, 2s UJd. worth 5s 6d ; helmets, from Is etch ; shirts of every'description; boys' twilllined backs, (rom loijd each ; knlckerbocker suite, nicely braided, from Oβ 6d suit; serge trousers, 3s lid; jackets ditto, 4s Cd.—Tames Scutt, London House 'Victoria and Melßon-streets, Auckland. - - • -