THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CEOSS. SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1885.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7282, 21 March 1885, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CEOSS. SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1885.

The telegram of yesterday morning, stating that in November last Mr. Gladstone demanded that the Russians should withdraw their troops from Sarakha, and that, on the Russians refusing, the demand was not pressed, conveys a rather startling piece of information. It shows how the Central Asian question has been allowed to drift unchecked by weak diplomacy until it has reached the stage at which, it threatens to issue in war. If, as is said, Mr. Gladstone made the demand represented, and afterwards connived at the disregard with which it was treated, upon him and his Ministry must rest the responsibility of thereby encouraging the Russians to make those' inroads into Afghan territory which are now causing the relations between the two Empires to be strained to the utmost. Possibly, the term i demand employed in the message may represent Mr. Gladstone's action in too strong a light. That may have amounted only to an expression of the misunderstanding that might arise if the occupation of Sarakhs were continued, accompanied with a request that the occasion of such a probable danger might cease. That, however, would not diminish his responsibility in failing to make his words—whatever- they were—be respected. The tameness of spirit displayed by his condoning the action of Russia in seizing the place might not appear in such- bold relief if it followed a weak instead ef a peremptory protest. But none the less would that acquiescence lay him open to the charge of having thus placed at the command of the Russians the most important line by which Herat may be approached from Central Asia. Had Sarakhs at the proper time been declared a position which, in the interests of peace, Britain would not permit Russia to occupy, or, better still, had it been taken possession of, as it ought to have been, by the British immediately Merv, contrary to her pledge, was seized by Russia, 'Mr. Gladstone's Government would have now been in a position to control the boundary question, and afford security to the whole of the north-west of Afghanistan. The importance of Sarakhs as a strategical position cannot be overestimated. In his " Journey Through Khorassan" Colonel MacGregor, one of the few officers of the Indian army who have personally examined the country, refers to it as follows:— " I think a glance at the map will show that in the complications which must arise ere the Russo-Indian question can be deemed settled, its future is likely to be a stirring one. Placed at the junction of roads from Herat and Meshed by the Herirud and the Ab-i-Meshed valleys respectively, and at the best entrance to the province of Khorassan from the north, it cannot fail to exercise a very serious influence on the momentous issue of the above question. This must happen, whether it fall into the' hands of the friends of England or into those of her foes. Whether Russia use Sarakhs as a base for offensive measures against Herat, or England use it as a defensive outpost to defeat any such operations, that position -will be heard of again. And if my feeble voice can effect a warning ere it is too late,. let it here be raised in these words: If England does not use Sarakhs for defence, Russia will use it for offence." Yet this is the position which Mr. Gladstone allowed the Russians to occupy, although, as pointed out in our columns yesterday, he was aware as early as the month of May last year, that they intended seizing it, and against whose occupancy he appears to have contented himself in November with entering a fruitless protest.

The actual loss, however, which the seizure by an advancing Power of a point of such strategical value implies, is not the consideration which most awakens alarm. The advantage it gives to the invader may still be neutralised by holding in strength the positions of Kushan and Panj - deh. But what causes anxiety at the present moment is that the slackness which permitted Sarakhs to fall into the power of the Russians, may, now that, the question is relegated to diplomatic negotiations, again entail reproach on the Empire, and further weaken the security of its Indian possessions. And on this point there is the greater occasion for apprehension that, according to one of this morning's telegrams, it has been stated in the semi-official journal of St. Petersburg that Mr. Gladstone's recent declarations regarding the Anglo-Russian situation had cleared the ground for parleying of a pacific character. The only statement by Mr. Gladstone that we know of which could be referred to thus is that in which he spoke of this question as one of the greatest delicacy, and deprecated any enquiries being made on it in the House of Commons. The desire for secrecy in conducting the negotiations thus referred to is what gives the greatest occasion for fear. It is only after the lapse of so many months that the English public are made aware of how the opportunity of resisting the Russian advance at Sarakhs was allowed to slip, and this furnishes ground for some misgiving lest irrevocable yielding should again occur before they know where they are. If Mr. Gladstone has a love for secrecy, it is yet more highly prized by Russian diplomatists, with this further alarming difference, that while it constitutes their strength it is the source of his weakness. At this moment there is nothing more

passionately longed-for by every Briton than that the Government should firmly put down its foot, and at this crisis in the Anglo-Russian question fearlessly assert the right and power of the Empire, and it is to be hoped that for the sake of their country, as well a3 their own reputation, the Gladstone Ministry will take the people into their confidence, and prove themselves worthy of their trust.

It is. very difficult to see how this SaHioah affair is to make progress. The Samoans appear to be anxious for , a union with New Zealand, and it is said that that is the only way to save the group from anarchy, bloodshed, and all

the evils of a cmlwar., Bat ment mast feel a dignity «T*S?beginning. If Sir aSjfo&^R' been allowed to become laTtW V have appointed agent, to wgofe'S? any persons appointed on behalf of t? people of any island, or eronnrrf i.i T 8 which desired to be &%?£» Zealand. But that Act L, not few .we stand just where we were bScrTu was passed by our Parliament M Z* it is not certain that Sir George» GrWS accept the position to which he ha?b2 nominated by the Samoan ParlianS Supposing he does, the question arises > what capacity can he be received by t£ Government of New Zealand? His*,! not having come into force, it „J appear that they have no' powe? S appoint delegates to confer with Tv, from Samoa 6 In the ewe of Hn„f Sir Arthur Gordon, the position of s, V " came before the Supreme Court „j v° a Justice Richmond then stated that su must be taken to be an independent £° 8 dom, having a Parliament and an .!" ministration of its own. In these ci stances it would seem that New 7 P Ua i' being a colony of Great Britain i, ' [more entitled to negotiate with' <? Do than with Russia. Although w« i -° a that Great Britain in dealing tS other European states in resLf ♦ groups ; of islands in the Pay fi mast always keep in view the ! ■ tion and the interests of her P ° Bl ' colonies in these seas, still it m,„f°I n remembered that Britain has al a entered into treaties and agreements' • I ! other European Powers respectiveth Samoa is in the awkward positi™, t being an independent State, and vet°-I cannot dispose of its own destinV. because Great Britain and Germany h ' agreed that it must remain as it i» ! | present. Ministers are, however, pl e( ui Ito recognise and deal with the aeen? appointed by the Samoan people L „ the 15th of November last, the tt" (Mr. Stout) wrote the following k{ t ™Z Mr, Lundon :— w "Wellington, November 15, 18& Sir T have the honour to acknowledge therecaln'ri ! your letter respecting the Samoan Island, I a to thank you for the many inter»«tin- i tails as to them. The Government? ft colony are at present negotiating with tha I perial Government respecting the P» m Islands generally, and in view of these I tiations they cannot directly authorise ™ person to act as their agent, or even as ft,adviser in the Samoan Islande. If the neoZ of Samoa wish to treat directly with this Goverameat, • they can of course .appoint'inch person as they may consider suitable for that purpose; bat in the present state of the ntio, tiations as to the Islands generally thk Government cannot. I think, interfere in any 'way, unless the Samoan peopk make some request, winch would at once receive conti deration. I may add that if any of the Samoa chiefs were to visit New Zealand, I have no doubt the Government would see that thsv were suitably reoelved.

Mr. Stout evidently sees no reason why the Samoaus should not " treat directly'' with the Government of New Zealand. The Samoan people, in appointing Sir George Grey and Mr. Lundon to act as their representatives, no doubt did so relying upon the pledge given in the above letter, and they did so in the most authoritative manner, by an Act passed by the native Parliament. Oar Government are therefore pledged to consider the subject, and possibly in next session they will propose some legislation which may have the effect of bringing thewhole matter again before the Imperial authorities.

Our cable news to-day states that Mr. Gladstone's recent declarations have, in the opinion of the St. Petersburg Journal, cleared the way for parleying of a pacific character between England and Bussia. The report that Germany had offered to mediate between France and China is autboritively contradicted. A forward movement has been made by the British troops at Suakim; bat,

with the exception of a slight skirmish, no encounter has taken place with the enemy, who were found to have evacuated their position at Haskeen, whereupon the troops returned to Suakim. It is stated on the authority of the Daily News that the northern portion of Queensland is to be made a Crown colony. The Emperor of Germany attains the great age .of eightyeight to-morrow, and the anniversary of his birth is to be celebrated in an appropriate manner. Among the distinguished guests who have arrived in Berlin to take part in the natal festivities are the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Albert Victor.

The Registrar of the University College advertises that the examinations for entrance scholarships will begin on Tuesday, the 7th day of April, and that candidates' notices, stating the subjects selected by the several candidates, will be received not later than Tuesday, the 31st instant.

Mr. J. £. Macdonald, Chief Judge of the Native Lands Court, left for Wellington yesterday, having, we believe, been summoned by telegram from the Native Minister. Probably Mr. Macdonald's presence is required in connection with the new legislation in regard to native lands.

The Union Company's steamship Waihora,' which left for Southern ports yesterday afternoon, was the bearer of a large number of passengers, amongst whom we noticed Mr. J. Reid, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. John Oxley (of Messrs. J. and D. Oxley), and the Rev. Mr. Carter. Amongst her cargo she took 278 tons of sugar, which was shipped on board the vessel by the New Zealand Sugar Company, at their wharf at Birkenhead.

The Customs, departments in the Post Office Buildings are in process of being transferred to their temporary offices, Albertstreet, when the area vacated will be at once occupied by the Post Office Department, which has been rather cramped in its opera* tions of late for want of space. Similarly on the upper storey of the building the Telegraph Department have nearly completed the alterations by which the whole of the first floor is devoted to the operations of the Telegraph Department and the Telephone Exchange,

The argument in the Pukekura and Paahoe cases was concluded at the Supreme Court yesterday. At the opening of the Court Mr. Hesketh referred briefly to a point he had omitted to touch on on the previous day. Mr. Bell replied to the main points in Mr. Hesketh's argument. His Honour reserved judgment to the 15th prox. It is reportedthat a writ was served yesterday giving notice of action in respect to other lands which are thought to be in a similar position to Pukekura .and Puahoe.

" At the inquest held lately in Danedin, Dr. Brown, who was one of the witnesses, brought an important matter under the notice of the Coroner. He mentioned that he had cautioned a nurse attending on a woman suffering from puerperal fever not to attend on other persona, tut she had refused to heed his warning, and he believed she was then attending on another patient. This, in his opinion, was a very serious matter, as it was highly dangerous for the nurse to go about as she appeared to be doing. The Coroner said that apparently he could not interefere, but suggested that the matter be brought under the notice of the local Board of Health, who could V™ hi] fl deal with the case under the Public Healta Act. Unfortunately there is no provision in the Act for such a contingency, and the Mayor of St. Kilda telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary for instruction as to what should be done. Mr. George S. Graham, the late general manager of the Colonial Insurance Company, has just received from Melbourne a very handsomely illuminated address, signed by the Australian managers of the company, stating that they cannot allow him to retire from the position he has held since the inception of the company without lOT"* the high esteem in which they held nun. and at the same time thanking him '<"; ni» invariable courtesy in his business relatione with them, the severance of which wwy deeply regret. The address has been. beauu fully illuminated by a Tasmanian artist, ana is suitably framed. It bears the «««»*«" of the managers in Melbourne, Sydnoy, Aae laide, and Tasmania. . ! The steam roller is still hard at work grinding down the road metal 00 ttjJJ fonbyroad and consolidating the .roadway so as to fit it for general traffic. It has been found nectary to break up►the roadway and lower the pipes in some places, incww of their being injured when £«g* roller passed over the street surface aDove them,

The Auckland Dairy Company are' greatly troubled with the dogs among their cows crazing an Mr. Dilworth's farm at Bemuera; 'and on several occasions last week fifty or sixty cows in full milk were driven "helter skelter" from the top of Mount Hobson to [the flats below. It is , scarcely possible to estimate the loss to the owners and the injury to the cows this chasing may cause; and, in order to protect themselves, the owners have reluctantly been compelled to issue instructions to their men to shoot any dog seen wandering on the Remuera estate. 'The owners of dogs in the locality should take timely warning, and chain up any dog for which they have regard or upon which any value is set. .

An observatory, with a transit instrument and telescope, has been erected at the ilhames by Mr. Grigg. The "position" has been carefully calculated, and a standard clock established.

At Abbott's Opera House last evening The Princess of Trebizonde" was again performed by Pollard's Liliputian Opera Bouffe Company. There was a capital attendance To-night a very attractive and varied bill is to be gone through. It consists of the everpopular "Pinafore" and Gilbert's dramatio contrast in two acts entitled "Sweethearts." For Monday next the opera of " Patience" is underlined. This will be the first time that this talented company have played the piece, but if we are to judge by the performances of the company in other operas, we may safely predict for " Patience " a complete success. New dresses and scenery have been prepared. The part of Bunthorpe is to be taken by Master H. Hall, a son of one well known to Auckland playgoers—Mr. J. L. Hall.

"Ex Patient" writes suggesting that as there ia now a vacancy on the Hospital Committee, it should be filled up by some one who has devoted attention to the Hospital. He suggests the name of Mr. Frederick Jeune, and says:—Mr. Jeuno has for the last twenty-two years taken a very lively and beneficent interest in our Hospital and, unless absent from Auckland, has very rarely missed a week without paying it a visit. He has always made himself personally known to all the patients alike without distinction, and many can bear testimony to his substantial kindness, not only during sickness, but on attaining convalescence and being discharged. He has long regretted the absence of an active visiting committee, to whom the patients could with confidence make known their complaints, and by that means much of the discontent which has existed would have been obviated. The present committee are personally unknown to nearly all the patients, and very few have ever Been any one of them. The meetings are rarely held in the Hospital, and the patients have a natural disinclination to writing letters of complaint. Mr. Jeune from his retiring and unobtrusive habits is but little known beyond the sphere of his philanthropy, but being a gentleman of independent means and much spare time, is eminently qualified for an active member of the committee.

A very interesting gathering took place on Thursday night at the Pitt-street United Methodist Free Church, for the purpose of presenting to one of their members a token of esteem and affection on the occasion of his leaving them for Waipawa. Mr. James Wrigley was the recipient, and the Rev. C. Worboys, on behalf of his society class and other friends, presented two splendid vols, of " Morrison's Commentary on Matthew and Mark," two vols.' of "Knight's Half Hours with the Best Authors," with the promise of another volume of the same author ; also " Drnmmond's Natural Law in the Spiritual World," as soon as they could be procured from the bookseller. '. Messrs. Wheeler, Couley, and Booth all spoke of Mr. Wrigley in the highest terms of praise, and expressed their deep concern for his future success, Mr. Wrigley suitably acknowledged the presents, and he left by the Waihora for Napier yesterday.

On the question of Oamara 1 stone, a correspondent {Monitus) writes ;' —" As builders in Auckland have continuous samples and varieties of building substances pressed upon their notice, and as, upon trial, so-called building materials are found to possess various qualities of durability, it would be desirable that a knowledge of the constituents of Oamara stone should be known, and also the geological structure, and apparent conditions of its formation, for the word stone is a wide generic description, and conveys nothing whatever of .qualities."

The" Garrison Band . will play at the Weatarn Park this afternoon.. As the season is getting late only a few more performances will be given. .

Among the passengers by the s.s.. Waihora, lor the South, was the Rev. Charles Carter, late pastor of the Ponsonby Baptist Church, who proceeds to Caver sham, Otapo, in order to assume the pastorate of the Baptist Church there.

The usual meeting of the French Literary Society will be held this evening, when M. C. de L'Eau, President, will deliver a lecture, entitled " A Visit to the Convent of the Trappist Brothers, near Antwerp."

Some of the spiritualists have got possession of a portion of the human bones found at the rear of the Fitzroy Hotel, with a view from this data of unravelling the mystery which surrounds the affair. If they are no more successful with this business than they were with the Winiata and Hamilton-Priestly episodes, Detective Walker will not be much enlightened through their communings with the world of spirits.

The other day a young German sailor named John Dorpath appropriated a silver lever watch from the cutter Mahnrangi, which he pawned, and subsequently sold the pawn-ticket on Monday, in Victoria-street, to some passer-by, who went and released the watch. As the watch was stolen, the police desire that the buyer of the pawnticket would communicate with the police authorities.

At Motuihi the N.N.E. gale of Saturday last was very severely felt. The quarantine buildings were very much strained, and the iron roofing so knocked about, that the rain poured in in several places. The headstones on the graves there were also blown down, and in the greater number of instances wero smashed to pieces.

"Land, Labour, and Capital" is the title of the lecture to be delivered by Mr. Rees at the Theatre Royal, on Monday. The topics to be discussed have recently attracted renewed attention, owing to the writings of Mr. Henry George and others, and the different theories which have lately been brought forward. Mr. Rees is not an expositor of the teachings of any school, but claims to have new ideas of his own on the subject, which will solve the problem.

We are informed that Mr. John Smyth has written to the Waitemata County Council, requesting that no further action may be taken by that body in the matter of taking the land of Mr. James Dilworth for a new road from Waitakerei station to Waitakerei Valley. Mr. Smyth repays the County Council all the costs of the Engineer's explorations and surveys. The project will in all probability now be abandoned by the Council.

The last of the present popular series of concerts of the Auckland Orchestral Sooiety, under the condnctorship of Herr Schmitt, will be given in the Choral Hall on Friday next. The programme, which is an excellent and varied one, will be found in our advertismerit columns.

Remenyi, the king of violinists, and his admirable concert party, give a performance at the Thames this evening, having completed a hurried but brilliantly successful tour in Waikato. The public of Auckland will be glad to learn that they will have another opportunity of listening to the incomparable performance on the violin of M. Remenyi. On Tuesday evening he will give a farewell performance in the Theatre Royal under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor. - As this will (in all probability) be the last time that this celebrated violinist will ever sppaar in Auckland there will, no doubt, be a large attendance.

The Christchurch Volunteer Rifle Corps is to be revived, and it is expected that it will soon be placed in its former high position.

The late storm seems to have been very severe in the Patea district. Considerable damage was done in that township.

The number of Maoris in the Middle Island is 2061, and the land reserved for their purposes is 79,544 acres 2 roods 14 perohes. Of these numbers 601 natives reside in Canterbury, and the area of the native reserves there » 10,074 acres ; 703 inhabit the district of Otago, and the extent of the land reserved for native purposes in tbiß district is 20,616 acres.

Some half dozen sailors belonging to tho barque Alpha have cleared out from their ■hip, and are now being sought for by the police.

In yesterday's issue we published the tenders for the erection of a block of shops and offices for Messrs. R. 0. Greenwood and Co. There were sixteen tenders, ranging from £4989 to £4322, which is considered very close tendering in a job of such magnitude. The quantities were furnished to the contractors by Mr. Hubbard, quantity surveyed, otherwise the tendering would, it is alleged, have been much higher. A percentage is charged for making out the quantities, and these are guaranteed, the difference (if any) against the contractor being paid by the computer.

The extension to the city baths is now nearly completed. All that remains to be done is to fix the steps and sluice valves, and clear out the silt at the bottom.

The excavations at the Art Gallery and •Free Public Library site, corner of Coburg and Vfellesley Streets, will be completed in about a week. Sufficient earth will be obtained from the block to fill up the gully at the back of the Drill-shed, so as to form a play-yround for the Wellesle'y-street East School and a parade-ground for the volunteers. The staging in front of the Drill-shed has been removed and the hollow filled in with earth, which will be a great improvement. It is rumoured that Dr. Philson intends cutting out his block adjacent to the Art Gallery site down to the street level, which will be a great improvement to the locality, and lead to its being utilised for business purposes, which cannot bo in its present condition.

We are informed by telegraph that the man Erwin, who was stabbed at Aratapu, is now considered out of danger.

It is estimated that twelve tons of apples were brought to ground in the Port Albert district by the late gale.. A large quantity of fruit is now grown in the district.

Mr. J. A. Crain (who was wrecked in the Mary Ann Annison at the Kaipara Heads) announces by advertisement elsewhere that he will take his first benefit in the colonies, at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday next, on which occasion he will be assisted by all the available dramatic and musical talent at present in Auckland. As Mr. Crain is well known in musical circles here, and has assisted at many of our charitable entertainments, no doubt he will be accorded on this occasion a liberal patronage.

There were in the lock-up last evening three persons on charges of drunkenness ; a man for using obscene language; and Martin Dunyer for malicious injury to private property.

. The half-yearly general meeting of the Bank of New Zealand will be held on Wednesday, 22nd prox., at noon.

The nomination of candidates for the forthcoming local Parliamentary Union elections is already proceeding. The nominations close at four p.m. on the 30th instant, at which period the membership feo of 53 must be paid. The electoral roll will then be made up, and the elections take place on the 31st instant. Mr. R. J. Debney has been appointed Clerk of the Writs. Probably the first annual meeting of the Union will be held during the ensuing week. It is anticipated that the ensuing session will be better than the last, as all the preliminary work has now been accomplished whioh occupied so much time last session, and consequently more time will be available for the discussion of the "burning" questions of the day.

As the birthday of the Emperor of Germany falls this year on Sunday (to-morrow) our German fellow-citizens have arranged to hold their commemorative festivities on Sunday evening next. Kaiser Wilhelm was born on the 22nd March, 1797, and will consequently to-morrow complete his SSth year. He was educated as a soldier, and bore a part in the wars of ISI3 and 1815 against the French. In 1840 he became Governor of Pomerania, but the revolution of IS4S, which swept over Europe, and dethroned so many kings and rulers, caused him to take refuge in England. He returned to Berlin in a short time, and in 1849 was . made Commander-in-Chief of the Prussian army. His brother, Frederick William IV., dying without issue, January 2, 1861, he succeeded under the title of William I. to the Crown. At the close of the Auatro-Prusaian War of 1866 he became the head of the North German Confederation, comprising twenty-two States, representing a population of 29,005,000, and on January 18, 1871, during ■ the FrancoPrussh n War, he was proclaimed German Emperor, within the Hall of Mirrors, in the Palace of the French Kings, at Varsailles, in presence of the German Princes, under the standards of the army before Paris, and surrounded by representatives of the different regiments, thus realising Prince Bismarck's idea of a united Germany.

To-morrow an excursion takes place to the island of Tiritiri, in the steamer Staffa, which leaves Queen-street Wharf at halfpast nine sharp. The excursion is got up for the benefit of Mrs. Hampton and family, who were burnt out at the recent flobsonstreet fire. Tickets are 2s 6d each.

The Free Public Library keeps up its popularity, as it is rilled with visitors from early morn to dewy eve. Indeed, the wonder is in these busy times how so large a number of people can devote so much time to sitting in the building perusing periodical and standard literature, as they evidently do not belong to the ranks of the " unemployed " in the ordinary sense of the term.

The cutter Florence, which broke away from her moorings at Muddy Creek, during last Saturday's gale, and drifted over the Manukau bar, has been discovered ashore at Port Waikato. She was the property of Mr. M. Laing, of Muddy Creek.

It will be seen by advertisement elsewhere that Major Shepherd invites a parade of the garrison for nine o'clock on Monday morning, for the reception of the rifle and carbine champions on their return from Wellington. Arrangements are also made for entertaining the champions and their comrades at a banquet. The Thames Volunteers are also preparing to do honour to the champions. The Thames Advertiser of Saturday says :— By advertisement it will be seen that a meeting of volunteers and gentlemen desirous of assisting in suitably receiving the returning viotors is called for to-night at the Naval Hall, and we anticipate that the goodly attendance will show that the success achieved is appreciated. What form the reception shall take this meeting will have to decide, but we trust that the warm-hearted liberality which has hitherto marked these welcomes will not be lacking at this time." Our Thames correspondent's telegram last night says :—" At a meeting of the citizens it was resolved to hold a reception ball in honor of Lieutenant Lucas and Gunner Parslow, the champion shooters."

The first annual report of the New Zealand Art Students' Association has just been issued in pamphlet form. A list of competitions for this year iB also published. The gold medal of tho association will be given for the best Is cw Zealand landscape, in oil or water colour; the second prize being the silver medal; third, bronze medal; fourth, certificate ; and fifth, letter of commendation. Prizes are offered for the beat works in a number of subjects, competitors not to exceed 15 years of age.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Education accepted the following tenders yesterday : — For erecting a new school building at Pakara : Messrs. Moore and Ewen, £270. For removal of a school building at Hautapu (two accepted) : P. J. Worthington, £147 ; and G. Smorden, £159 (both of Cambridge).

It says something for the Ponso'nby district, that for the fifth year in succession Mr. James Blomfiold, of Fearnley-street, has carried off the first prize against all comers, for grapes grown in the open air.

At a late meeting in Christchurch, one of the speakers stated that if the Government did not publish the Commission's report on the unemployed in full, the Commissioners, or some of them, would. The announcement was received with loud applause.

Four tenders were received yesterday by Messrs. Hammond and Sons, architects, for the erection of the Mission Hall, Northcote, but as there is apparently some misunderstanding as to the tenders, no decision has yet been come to as to the acceptance of any of them.

In accordance with a request, the Artillery Band will reader some sacred selections tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon on the Hospital lawn. The items will include Karl Woda's Mass in A, and a grand aeleotion, "The Gospel Trumpet."

The second annual meeting of the Auckland Tramways Company will be held on tho 31st Inst., at noon.

Members of the Bands of Hope will practice In tha Newton Congregational school on Tuesday evening.

The preliminary programme of the Ponsonby Regatta will be found la oar advertisement columns today. '