THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, 21, 1884.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7050, 21 June 1884, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, 21, 1884.

With a view to meet the convenience and interests of the newspaper-reading public, we have decided to adopt a new system of the Herald, which, we are confident, will not only increase its usefulness and circulation, but,-by bringing it within the reach of all classes,[create and maintain a healthyinterest in local and colonial matters. From the first of , July next the Herald will be supplied to the public in the city and suburbs through selected and responsible newsvendors, from whom anyone may purchase copies either regularly or intermittingly. This arrangement has two great advantages. It will enable those who are > not regular subscribers :to obtain a copy of the Herald at their j own doors : whenever they so desire, j .without the necessity, as at- present, of calling at, or sending to, ib.e publishing offices in Queen-street j while to those who are regular subscribers, or who may become so, the cost of each pacer will be three half-pence, as from the ; commencement of the new system the newsvendors will only charge ninepence per week to those customerswho take the Herald every morning. The advantages of such an arrangement are obvious, and will, we have no doubt, be highly appreciated and largely made use of.

The reasons which have led to the adoption of this new system of distribution are many and various. The old system, while it answered its purpose admirably in the past, has been found, with the rapid extension of Auckland, and the growth of population, to be attended with innumerable inconveniences, and to be altogether unsuited to the requirements of the times. It has, therefore, had to give way to a system better adapted to present circumstances, and calculated to prove of far greater benefit and use to the public, ■ for whom a newspaper exists. It has been in 'vogue for some time in other colonial cities, and is the universal practice at Home; and wherever it obtains it is found to work most satisfactorily, and to be of immense convenience to the general public. We have every confidence that it will have a similar result here.

A good morning newspaper is a necessity of 'modern life. No' home is complete without a copy of the morning journal; and no home ought to be without one. The newspaper of to-day is not only one of the marvels of the age; it is one of the greatest educators of the age. In the public arena, and in the * family circle, its influence for good. can hardly he exaggerated. It brings before the reader .each ' morning a clear and succinct epitome of the news of the world during the preceding four-and-twenty hours. It is in its columns that the utterances of public men go down to posterity, and the great and little questions of the day are discussed. Everything that is worth recording, everything that has an interest for men and women, from a country dance to a Ministerial crisis, is duly recorded in its pages. No one who is desirous of keeping abreast of the spirit of the age, who is anxious to know what is going on in the world around him, or who concerns himself with the great events which make up the daily history of the globe we inhabit,-will fail to be a constant and careful reader of a first-class morning newspaper; and no parent who wishes his sons and daughters to grow up with a knowledge of men and things, and conversant with the social and political movements . of their time, will ;be without such a journal in his household. , - ' It is admitted by all impartial critics that the Herald fulfils all the conditions of a first-class morning newspaper, and the advantageous terms onwhich .it may be obtained, under the new system we have spoken of, ought to secure for, it a, place on the table of every working man in Auckland. . We hope and believe it will. .Our rapidlyincreasing circulation is a proof that the advantages of subscribing; to - a really good newspaper,' to which we have briefly referred, are being more and more appreciatedby the working classes,' The, Hehald to be

the best; and largest newspaper in the colony, and' it has few equals among the great journals of Australia.'lt is gratifying to us' to be able to say so much, as it is the most convincing proof that could; be adduced that it possesses the confidence and support of the community. . r ' .

As a. preliminary to the passing of temporary Supplies, the Colonial Treasurer, on the assembling of the House yesterday,» submitted his Financial Statement, and. during -the remainder of the afternoon's sitting, as well as in theevening, members -were engaged-in discussing its contents. In view of an immediate dissolution, the of cpurse,-does" not deal with the estimates, but is restricted to an exposition of the monetary condition and prospects of the colony. As might be expected, a good portion of it is occupied with an. explanation of the causes of the deficit in the. revenue, of. which the public have already " heard not a little. These are, substantially, the same ■with those mentioned by the Treasurer in his speech at Hawera, and repeated elsewhere. In fact, the statement as. a. whole may, be regarded as simply an. expansion of the explanations, given on that occasion, but accompanied with more details with the view, if possible, of enabling such members as Mr. "W. Thomson to comprehend the state of the public finances. It is gratifying to learn from the. Treasurer that, had he been' making'the complete statement which is usually submitted to the ■House, he would have been, able to j.show how the deficit could be met, without increasing the taxation, from the balances of unexpended votes and 4 reducing.the expenditure in all departments of the service, and in connection with public institutions, It is to be hoped that when the new Parliament assembles Major Atkinson will reappear in his-'old place as Treasurer, and have the opportunity of realising for the country the expectation to which he thus gave utterance. Meanwhile the confidence with which he expresses his faith in the financial soundness of the colony, and the speedy return of its prosperity, may fe relied on to modify somewhat the desponding tone in which ; s6me parties have, for the sake! of political ends, been in the habit of speaking of the temporary depression which has in some quarters been prevailing.

It will be seen, by our report of the proceedings at the Board of Education yesterday, that Captain D. H. McKsnzis has sent in his resignation as a member of thatbody. We understand that Professor . Tucker, Professor of Classics and English in Auckland University College, has determined to be a candidate for the seat vacated by Captain McKenzie, and as we think he would be a useful member of the Board in a department: in -which hitherto it has, been deficient, we would ask- careful attention to hiß claims. It is no secret that the present Board, by their eccentrioities and vagaries during the past two years, by their perpetual unseemly quarrels end childish bickerings, and by their confessed ignorance of many of the details of their work, - have alienated from ; themselves the sympathy and respect of a very large, and that not the least intelligent, portion of the From the same causes has . arisen a strong suspicion that a radical change would before long have to be made in the method of administering this branch of national education. - With £cme-indeed- this suspicion : has already acquired ilia force of a settled conviction; | but probably the fault is. not so much in j the., -.system itself, as ;in- the men whe'have had the management of it; and that what is chiefly wanted is :j that ' primary education should be,as secondary ~ and collegiate education already are, put' into the hands of capable, disinterested, and trustworthy men. - £!or. some .time past a seat at the Board has been regarded merely, or chiefly, useful as a stepping-stone to political distinction. There is, of course, no reason why a member of the Board should not' also. be a member of tho House of Representatives; except that in aach casfes the.Board is, for at least three months in the year, deprived of the services of these gentlemen. But that the Board "should largely consist of political aspirants, is nothing leas than a public misfortune. In such a Board it is impossible for the public to place that confidence which the interests of education demand; and it is by the want of . this confidence, more than., by' anything else, that the . existence of the present system of administration is being continually imperilled. It is felt, and justly felt, that in the .management of primary education, ; as in the management of alt other affaire in; which the interests of great numbers of: the community are concerned, men who are candidates for political honours-either: cannot, or do not, always act without fear, or favour, or with the same impartiality! which men show when they have nothing to , gain . by -acting otherwise than .their! unbiassed judgment directs. That a man' should be influenced in his action by the; knowledge that the persons with whom he' is dealing are or may become his political; constituents, is only human nature-; but: it.is a phaaeof human nature which has been exhibited too often already at -the meetings of the Education' Board.- Among: other reasons why the City Council enjoys the'confidence of the people at large to.a; dogree , unknown, in the recent history, of ' the Board of Education, it"' may be thought that' not ; the least is.this—that the councillors, on the whole,-' are-and have been, first and last, City Councillors, satisfied with the office to .which they have been elected, and doing the best they could by it ; sot political: candidates' dealing with civic interests with a xiew,to their own nlterior political preferment. And what wo' desire to see .at the Board of Education is a body of : men-sirailarly disposed, who will devote, ' their ability and energies, while they are at the Board, exclusively to the duties which they have been'appointed to fulfil. With a.Board of this-kind we should; speedily tee the end of thoße abuses, and suspicionn. of abuse only less injurious, than the abuses themselves, by which the administration of primary education in this province hasboen frequently disgraced. The interests which are at stike upon the right, management of this-, portion of education are too vast and far-reaching to be committeu. with impunity any longer to anybut 'impartial and capable trustees. It is for this reason amongst otheirs that we ara glad to see Professor Tucker come forward'as a ,candidate for' a seat at the Board. Nobody ' will be disposed to" • doubt ; that Professor Tucker; has the; requisite knowledge of the subject. That there is no fear of him shewing himself to be the narrow-minded pedant which a learned specialist ia sometimes apt to' becorie, we infer from the liberal- tone of his public utterances on various occasions, and the character of - the- lectures which lie has. at different times delivered, some of which have been fully reported in the columns of this newspaper. That he has an interest in, as well as a knowledge of,, the subject, is. evident from the £pct of his desiring.to obtain a seat at the Board.. And we.have a further guarantee that he ia •. a f man •'who. would fulfil: ; his ■ duties' at; the. Board with conscientiousness arid" : impartiality, in the' fact -that h« ' v can Have no possible ; motive.

for v acting- in any: ofchsr 'way• for a_ University professor, « soat in th* Souse is obyioualy not " within tha range or practical politico " An excellent instance of tbs ;jood 'flut may be done by jthe prosecco of. a. ColWa professor ;ajk an -Educational; Boarii. afforded_T>y the Board S Dnnedin, of which ProfeaaorisHand Iu« for. soma time been a member nad is now Chairman. We have reason to < believ« that theaffkirs of that Board Slave lately been conducted in a manner satisfactory to everybody concerned—-if we except tbe peculiar circumstances under - which a certain Mr. Mackenzie recently gained an ■unenviable notoriety. Mr. however, waa a member of thi>Honsa of Representatives, and that may perfcap, serve to explain, any .disturbances that may hsre . arisen. Jj'or th 9 general good conduct of that-Board, however, Professor Shand, who is the Chairman of it j, largely, to be thanked. The presence »t the Board of a man who has a wide technical knowledge of the multifarious details of education must of necessity make the Board more efficient in dealing with theße subjects. It removes the evil of • that-. ignorance which Mr. Hobbs pleaded at a recent meeting of this Board as an excuse for constantly referring to the Inspector for guidance, from which so much unpleasantness has at different times arisen. At the same time -the Board, by poßßessing this requisite knowledge of its own affairs, would be placed in a much bettor position for dealing with the Education Department at Wellington in regard to all questions affecting exami. nations, method and subjects of training collage for teachers, etc., with which neither the department nor the Board have at all times Bhown that they possess that degree of familiarity that i* to be desired. For many therefore, 1 -we nope that - the candidature of Professor Tucker wiH be successful ; and it would be a matter of congratulation to the whole city if more of those men who have the necessary leisure, intelligence, and integrity would show-the sincerity o£ their professions of interest in the education and general culture of the young, in all its: stages, by coming forward and showing their readiness to undertake th&se and similar public daties.

Sir Julius Vogel, like some others with the same self-regarding proclivities, has been endeavouring to magnify his importance by airing his opinions on the question of the dissolution of Parliament. He alleges as hiß reason for furnishing an ex cathedra statement of his views of the constitutional aspect of the question fte circumstance that he had been asked by so many what these views might be that he thought it incumbent on him to make them known through the Press. . One would have thought that' for - both the questioning and the questioned on this matter the vim wee answer* would have quite suiliced. This quiet mode of delivering himself. of thei thoughts that arose in him did not, however/ suit the purposes of the man who, ander the mask of an assumed disinterestedness, aspires once more to sway the destinies of New Zealand. He' deemed it necessary asa step towards a reccipiition of his transcendant merits' that his - judgment should be put on record, in the hope that all men might be induced tothink of him an; an authority. The time selected for its' publication was fitly and even craftily chosen. Within, a few hours of the time when the question was 'to be subjected to the test of discussion, and a.vote, in L tha House of Representatives, his Verdict appeared in the evening journal of Wellington, and was intended, no doubt, to.influence the'decision'of 'the House. 1 Aa bid luok would have it, the East Coast constituency had, by refusing him a walk over, deprived him of the opportunity of being jn the: House during the present crisis; isn't-why - should he, on that account; refrain from making hia very absence a power among the members of a bewildered Opposition, and inducing them to look to him as the very leader whom they sorely wanted now,. and' the" one whom they would probably acknowledge in the future? Though outside the House, his voice might thuu be heard within it, and prove effective in rallying the discordant forces of the Opposition, 'and leading them to a second, though barren victory. But the voice of the charmer, though charming cunningly, yet charmed in vain. ."-To the credit of the House and-of--the country there was a 'sufficient number; of those whom it was r meant .to . influence who had shrewdness enough to detect the badly concealed design, and robustness of character sufficient toorasent aa an impertinence, thus'-obtruded on them. We . had a suspicion that the change of front shown by the several Opposition leaders and certain of their followers. in deprecating the dissolution they had previously ; combined to secure was largely due to the manoeuvring of this returned adventurer ; • and this impudent attempt to • embarrass the situation by encouraging the Opposition to refuse supplies or. take some other step which might create confusion and prolong this session, confirms this view. If the House could by any means be committed to a course which would be productive of fruitless attempts to construct a'Ministry, time might be thus allowed' to him to appear within its walls as the elect of Ashburton, and attract to his resplendent banner the forces whom no one else seemed capable of managing. No wonder that he made light of the desire of the Opposition: that Parliament should "be dissolved, or disputed the right of the 'Government to .refer to this as a reason for recommending" a dissolution, or deprecated the exercise of the Crown's prerogative for sake of "some fancied good to arise from that procedure." These considerations did nob suit his plans.- "What mattered it. that the. burdens of the country were' increased, or that parties became more embittered by prolonged I strife 1 .These and other deplorable things which might happen would only-render his descent on the. troubled scene more welcome, and lead to his being, hailed ss the saviour of the country. But the country wants 110 snch saviour. From "former experience it has leaniedto fight shy of a political gambler, and has sense enough left it to conclude that this encouragement of faction in the Opposition, and- the insinuating-; of constitutional dereliction on the part of. the. Government and the Queen's representative, are only part of unblushing attempt to pave the way for Sir Julius 'Vogel' being reinstated as Premier" pf New Zealand, should any constituency now be foolish enough to return him as its representative. That such an electorate may be found is possible, but even-then, we. are much mistaken if - a man who has thus presumed to impose His dictum on the House at a critical moment, and has, moreover defended his'presumptuous, action, will not be regarded as having forfeited rail claim to the confidence of the House. He has gratuitously insulted ; the independence of members by an' irresponsible effort to induce them to commit themselves to an unconstitutional course, which, though it might benefit him, would certainly be to their, prejudice and that of the colony, The House has wisely dispensed with his advice, end the country does not want the adviser.' : i

• Captain D. H., McKonzie, Chairman of the City: North" Licensing Committee, has sent an his. resignation as n member of the committee, .to Mr. J.'B. Stoney, - the olerk. Captain McKenzia's rfcason for resipiing is that he lias recently- been appointed^ustee in an* estate in Wh'iingarei, suad hi'tMnks be could not therefore conscientiously retain Jus seat on the Licensing Bench.

A special meeticj; of the members of the Auckland- Licensed 7 . Victuallers* -Association was held on Thursday laat,atwhicli severs, important matters weredisousaed. A refers will be found elsewhere.

The Porte, according to the London Times,'; has propounded a scheme for. the. (solution of question; ' It proposes that the British army of occupation should be withdrawn, and thatit 'should. be replaeed'by either a purely ~ Turkish or- a 'mixed armyconsisting of English,' French, Italian, and Spanish troops/ Thia''at)pears to be attempt- fj> force a recognition of - tho suzerainty of the' Porte in' regard to Egypt.': A'The scheme, howe ver;i3 impractiout of the question, and iaiacarcely likely 'to .receive the serious consideration of the English Government

It is announced to-day from Paria that the French Government have formally annexed Cambodia, over.which Francehas claimed a protectorate for some time.' .Cambodia was formerly a powerful empire, but .was reduced by aggression,.-; on , the part of -its Siamese and . Aimamite v. neighbours, , to'- a ' fragment pf, its- - original extent. .It, includes a portion of' the valley of the Meton, the most conoiaerable of the great rivers of the Indo-Chinese peninsula. The present oapital ii Oodocmg. or Udong, a wretched collection of thatched houses, surrounded by a wooden paljsade.. .It is a . flat country, full of navigable rivers, and possessing a rich alluvial soil. A few miles beyond! - the northern extremity of the Lake of, ralesap are the ruinS of Makhou, the ancient capital o£ Cambodia, -and once a city of vast extent.. These ruins, hidden within a forest of ancient growth, and within a tract of csuntry which is now almost deserted, are of the most imposing magnitude, and display architectural works, which rival those of India, or. the anoient Buddhist temples of Java. ■

As we anticipated, the report that Abyssinia was to undertake the relief of the, garrison at Slassala turns out to be inacicuralte. TEe report is denied by. the Pall Mall Gazette, an uncommonly wellinformed • journal, possessing exceptional sourcts of information. All that' King John has consented to do is to facilitate the 'retreat. * 0f,., the .garrison towards the Abyssinian frontier: There iB little doubt that in return for this service the King has stimulated for the inevitable quid pro quo.. This will probably take the form of granting him the right of free entry to the port of Massowah.

The threatened invasion of Upper Egypt by the rebels of the.- Soudan was made tne aubjeot of a Ministerial statement in the Hoiu# of Cocnmonj ( on Friday evening. -In answer 'to an interrogation addressed to ths Secretary for War respecting the strength of the military forces in Egypt, Lord .Hartington gave . the satisfactory 'assurance that the troops in that country at the present time are, in the opinion of the military authorities, quite adeouaw to protect the Egyptian frontier and . resist any _ attempted invasion. He also stated that in the event of the necessity arising for the despatch of an Anglo-Egyptian force to the front, the supreme control of the expedition would be placed in the hands of General Stephenson. It may be pointed out, however, that the actual .danger to be feared is not so much an invasion of Upper as a revolt among the natives inhabiting that part of the country.; Thsre was a considerable demand yesterday for tickets for the approaching season of the London Comic Opera" Company /Running's), to' commence at Abbott's on the 28th. The company appear to be doing * capital business at Napier. They have had great success in all the cities of the colony where they, have appeared. • We observe that Miss Donovan's concert | is fixed to take place in the .Choral Hall on Thursday next, the 26th. The programme contains numbers of special interest to all! lovers of good music. • The names of the' principal local artists are announced to assist, Including the violinist, Herr Tutschka, As to Miss Donovan herself, it is scarcely necessary to speak of her performances as a pianists. She is one of the most accomplished musicians and most successful teachers of the pisuio in this city. She has claims also on public favour, havingbeenborn in Auckland. ' The concert promises to be one of the best: of the season; •• • — -•;••• ■■.- ' Mr. J. R. Grevllle, the comadian, is announced to take his benefit on Monday next at Abbott's Opera House. This artist is one of the oldest andmost popular comedians of . the Australian stage. He is quite a veteran as w* actor. . Those' who saw him as Larry in " Youth," and Jarvis in the "Lights can prettjr accurately.appraise.' • hl» quality. ■- The piece to be " played is the. ."Irish Volunteer." This comedy - will afford a good opportunity foe what are called '•local hits," for which Mr. Greville'has a faculty, A pnblictea meeting was held yesterday to celebrate the opening of the new rooms of .the Sailor's Best. . The Bishop of Auckland presided at the public meeting which followed* The rooms (25, Queen-street) were

haadaomely decorated by a number of well-

known' ladies who have taken a great personal interest in the success of this institution. Professor Aldis, Dr., Purchas, and the Bishop addressed the meeting, an account of which is given in another column'. - The Rev. R. Laishley will deliver 'his second lecture on his recent visit to England. o» Wednesday. '' Those who profess to know gay'.that it is sot posaihle for Mr. Cotter, Mr. Collins, or 'any other Registration Officer, to keep the electoral rolls in even a tolerably accurate condition tinder the present system, aniens assisted by a competent staff. - Those qualified to vote will not even take the trouble to -register themselves, to say nothing of fur-- ■ nisliing the officer with their, change of abode or sale or, transfer of property.Everybody leaves the business to the last moment, and on the'eve of a general election, when .the rolls have to be closed unpnrged, and with all: their imperfections bristling in every page. The only, possible way to keep the rolls, even tolerably pure, is for both political parties, aj in England, to revise the rolls in the interests of their respective parties, and ■tlirough their joint labours and rivalries, we get " the survival of the fittest "—on the roll. . yesterday's Hsbaxd contained the following announcement:—" Missing Friends—lf Robert J. Hunter, formerly, of Eccles, nesir Manchester, England, will communicate with Arch. Noble, provision store,: corner Picton-streefc,' he will hear of something to his advantage." Mr.: Noble, it- seems, was lately inEngiand, and .was asked if he knew anything of a person, of the above name in Auckland, bnt was -unable to give, any information. On returning he inserted .the above advertisement, which, was answered by Mr. IL P. Barber, in whose employment Mr. Hunter was at the time of his death; ■It will, be remembered that Mr. Hunter's body was'iound in the harbour on:Maylß, .1832, ; and that nothing was known then of his ' relatives. Mr. .Noble ascertained, that .they were in excellent positions in England,' .and that the .unfortunate deceased, was'entitled to a considerable amount of money. " .

At the Police Court yesterday the two informations against Charles W. Langatone for embezzlement and larceny as bailee of' » watoh, preferred against him by W; T.: Davis, were dismissed. At a meeting, of the committee of the Auckland Kugby Union 'last night it was unanimonsly agreed to present medals to the .Auckland, members of the' New_ Zealand' team in-commemoration of their tour, and to meet . them at Onehunga on Tuesday and convey them into to wn in a drag. - In the: report of the conference between the .representatives of the Waitemafca; County "Council and the Birkenhead and Northcofce Road Boards, a misprint occurred in the Iter. * - Mr. McCallum's letter. It should' have . read, "The pages of the minute-book are all numbered," /intead of "unbound."

,~ Last night the new drama of;" The EaHd and. Glove '* or " Hie .Black Book " 'was placed upon the' stags at Abbott's. Opera House," before " a very fair; attendance, par-' tieularlyin'the lower parts ..of the house. Miss Carry Nelson , took , the part,of Fanny Egerton, and'her. rendering of the character was excellent, and. the same may be said of Mr. Geo. Greville as Hand,; and Cates jit Glove. -The other characters were also well: sustained. Miss Masters as Lucy deserves praise for the ability: shown in the rendering of not a very easy part for. so. young a .''stager." The performance' con- '' eluded'with the comic drama of " Captain : Charles." To-night the same programme is Jp jhe given, with- a further addition: of the d«Ms»c.opera, of "Jack §heppard." Such a • WH should have the offeot'pf drawing a large attendance. . « r.v.v

The-. proaeoutioHß . against _J. Adams, 'licensee-of the Swan 'Hotel,' in: regard to ■tiie. alleged 'cases "of lambing down "t iava been .renewed by, tha poHoe. and will: come on for hearing at. the Police. Court - - ' - -

' The weekly sitting eftlie BoardofEdu°a o t ' on , "f 8 eld yesterday. The business was wholly of a routine; character.; There were several cases of applications: for of money for repairs. In every case where the.cost was considerable,:it was declined, for want of funds. , ; Mr. Liudsey appointed , Commissioner for the .■: Huntly district.- .The^- retiring [governors 'of /the Whangarei High School, were.:requested to' apcept office for, a new term. . -/The details the. business : transacted • appear -in 1 our report of the .proceedinp»V!- which .will ibe tound in another column. . There*, was, however, . one matter of a rather singular considered; A teacher had spread reports in a . newspaper affecting, 'another teacher;. theao were published. • An unconditional apology was : demanded. .The inspector . recognised-> the : right v of, the aggrieved-teacher to make the demand.. -The aggressor seemed to make • light of • the an( i the matter was brought before Iv^.?* rd -J eat ? rd?i y- The Board resolved lust the offending teacher should ;be required: to make an unconditional apology. l " .

Z..Q® Saturday evening last, the Waterview Band of Hope held its fortnightly meeting, when a very good entertainment, comprising songs, ■ recitations, and dialogues,: was;given by the following ladies- and'gentlemen from ths city-—Mr.- Jenkins, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, Miss Anderson, Miss Campbell, «nd Mr. Mackey.' The .object 'was to raise funds for Band-of Hope work.' The attendance was not so large as the merits of the entertainment deservsd, owing no doubt to the want of publicity. All present seemed to enjoy themselves, and a very ' pleasant evening was spent. • A vote of thanks : was given totfte performers for their kindly assistance, who promised to come out again at an early date.: ,

The midwinter holidays in connection with the . public schools in the city of Auckland and suburbs begin on Monday," June -30, They will extend over a week. ;, • ■ ' : The annual examination of. pupil teachers begins in July, at the Auckland Training College; at the Thames, at the Kauwaeranga Boys'-School; and at Waikato, at the Public' Hall, Hamilton AVest. There was not a solitary "..drunk" in the lock-up last evening. v . A very good specimen of a Queen Anne style of mantelpiece may jußtnow be seen in G&rlick and Oran well's show-room.. It is madeto special order from original design, and is worthy the inspection of our local architects and those who have a love of the artistic.

. The incumbent of St. Paul's is announced to preach at the evening service, oaa subject which causes at times much comment—viz.; "The Indifference of People to Religion." At this* service Dr. Garrett's' anthem, "In Hnmble .faith," which was snng on Trinity Sunday, will, by special request, be repeated. . •

Yesterday Mr. Boldini, the well-known architect at Dunedjn, took his departure for the South by the s.s.'Manapouri. Be expect a to return to Auckland in' the course of three weeks or a month

The adjourned meeting of the sub-com-mittee appointed to revise the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral. Association's programme for the forthcoming show was held in their office yesterday afternoon, but there was not ;ime during the afternoon to fully go through the work, and it was resolved to adjourn the meeting until Friday next.'

Now that the use of the telephone is-be-coming so common, we think it would be desirable to have one introduced at each of the public institutions in the city, < such as the Free Public Library, the Young 1 Men's Christian Association Kooms, the Auckland Institute, Chamber of Commerce,. &e. Having a telephone available at each'-,of these institutions would be a great source of convenience to those who p2tronise them.

The adjourned licensing meeting of the Karangahape district was held yesterday. The 'renewal of the'license of the. Queen's Hotel' was granted on condition ' that a transfer from tho present occupier, Mr. SWihdley, should be.applied for on the Ist. of July! The license of the York Hotel was refused on the grounds the house was unnecessary. •

• : The Ponsonbyites ought to feel flattered. There '■ are. no less than three : highly esteemed and respected fellow-'.citizens clamouring for the honour of representing them in . the City Council. ; Mr.. J.. H. Upton was first in the field, but hard ufcon his heels is Mr. W. J. Dalion; and last night it was stated Mr. Edward Cooper, solicitor, would be nominated.' The nominatipns will close to-day at noon. :.,

The following notices of motion have been gives for tho next sitting/of the City. Council i—Mr; Aickin to : move: (1) " That the- Streets Committee 7 report upon the improvement of Custom - street between the railway station and the' strand. (2) That the' Engineer report to the Streets Committee "in order to recommend as to lighting of Customs-street East to the strand, Symonds-stre'et, and the' East Ward generally." • \

Wholesale wine and spirit merchants should bear in mind that before' their licenses, falling due on the 30th instant, are renewed, they require to obtain from the Clerk of the Licensing Bench, a certificate authorising the' issue of such licenses. This also applies to holders of packet licenses.

'-' -The Auckland " Wheel* ; Nws,' - .the largest, best, and most readable family journal 1b the colony, 'consisting of forty pages.' ''Besides being admirably illustrated, it is characterised by tlie fulness of its intelligence and the variety of its contents. It 3 agricultural articles are: carefully written', its country, colonial, English, and foreign news full and .well selected, and its literary, matter both interesting and edifying. .- It publishes each week sermons by the most prominent ■ preachers of the age,■' serial tales- by the ablest authors ..of. the day, special articles on genoral topics by wellinformed writew, entertaining letters from its correspondents in America and England, and a large variety of instructive matter. As V weekly newspaper'and family journal,'the News is witiiont an equal. An ezcellont engraving, " On Guard," appears tn. this issue. ■! The next dance, of the Rumiiera' social union will take place on Thursday evening, 3rd Jnly. At the'reqnest of many membora, dancing will finish at twelve o'clock. - We challenge Auckland to produce anything liko-the New Potted Batter that we'shallscll To day at Is, or anything to equal our Taranaki Fresh Butter at Is 2d per lb. Bacon, 8d and 9d ; Cheese, very prime, best in town, 6d and 7d per.lb.—-Auck-land Provision Company, Bibhi Comor Still, City Market.—A. Bettany, Manager.—[Advt.J ; : A reunion of all Professor Bernard's Javcnile, Clauses takes place in the. Masonic-Hall, Princes-street, this afternoon,. at - half-past two o'clock. - Members of the Ponsonby Rowing Club are reminded of the special .meeting of the olnb, which is to be held in the Ponsonby Clnb -Hotel, this evening, at half-past seven o'clock. - A full attendance, is desired, as business ef importance is to be broujht before the meeting.