Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7552, 3 February 1886, Page 4

Latest intelligence ree»rding the En V t. Ministerial crisis is somewhat confn The announcement is made that Mr Q\*f etoue has undertaken the task of form, Ministry ; then we have the statement ti * Lord Granvillo has been sent for bv Queen ; and, lastly, the Daily News niv list of the new Minietry, Mr. Gladstone b?' designated Premier and Chancellor „» |? s Exchequer. It is evident, however f the fact of Lord Granville having been moned to Osborne that a hitch hae occur"",) somewhere, indeed the announcement only explicable on the assumption that \i' Gladstone, the Daily News nothwithata H ing, has failed to form a Ministry. It will be remembered that a short ti ago Mr. George Graham, late J p . ■ M.H.K., Auckland, but now residue England, presented to the Auckland Museo" , an excellent portrait of King Tawhij The same donor has again laid that inatit° tion and the Auckland public generall' under obligation to him by the gift o f y splendid portrait of the late Sir M OB * Montefiore, Bart. The portrait, which u' very large oue, was taken from life, aad represents the venerable phiUnthropiet'ash appeared seated in hie arm-chair on hie 99.1. birthday, and it does great credit to th, artistic skill of the well-known photographJ. E. Mayall, of Brighton, England. Xhj dimensions of the frame in which, the picture is set are four feet by three feet.

The New Zealand S.S. Company'g g , ToDgariro came into harbour from London yesterday afternoon with some 2200 toua of cargo and 98 passengers. On the way nn she landed 100 at Wellington. The TonJ! riro'e trip has not only proved a v ery pleasant but also a most speedy one, the to off Dunedin having been made in 41 days 10 hours 30 minutes, or 39 days 23 hourjjn,] 32 minutes actual steamiug time. From Plymouth to Teneriffe the trip was done in 4 days 11 hours and &-ha*f. From there to Capetown in 14 days 17 hours and ]i) minutes, and from Capetown to off Uunedia in 20 days IS bours. Some delay w 4J occasioned in the berthing of tho Tongarin owing to the fact that the R.M.s.s. Maripo« s was occupying the outward berth of the Qafen-street Wharf. However, on her departure, the Tongariro took up the vacant position, and no time was lost in prep&rin for the landing of the carpo and passeDger;" baggage for this port. Particulars of her passage, &c, appear in our shipping columt:,

The sittings of the Anglican Genen Synod were resumed yesterday. Tg( greater portion of the afternoon kitting va occupied in discussing a resolution propcH by Archdeacon Harper, aeking the Beach o Bishops to authorise a form of prayer to bs used in cases such as unbaptised person', suicides, &c, where the rubric prohibited the use of the ordinary burial eemce. Ai the evening sitting eeveral Bills were mi a second time and passed through committee, There was a long discussion on a Bill bronth; in by the Bishop of Wellington, providing for the Bishops licensing chaplains for publia schools and institutions and several amendments were proposed in committee. At eleven o'clock the Chairman of Committee! reported progress ;:U'i obtained leave to tit again and the aid then adjourned until half-past three p.m. to-day.

The Mariposa left yesterday for San Francisco at two o'clock. She took a boi of sovereigns, valued at £1000, shipped by the Bank of New Zealand at Sydney.

We have received the following letter, which explains itself :—" Aβ Mr. G. A. S»'i has honoured me with a position in his article on the Hot Lakes, may I trouble you to correct the idea therein contained that I am a relative of Lord Rosebery. I believe I can trace my birth to noble ancestors, bat under no circumstances, perhaps, neither Lord Rosebery nor they would be best pleased to leara that one of their relations had been living amooget Maoris in a semisavage state, donning a blanket and a hit eolely. Aβ 1 ieave by the Toogariro, I take the opportunity of thanking all kind friends —many of whom have come from your town —for the interest they have taken in me, and their kindness, I trust, will never be effaced from my memory, even when «*le\y resting on the shores of Old England,— Yours truly, E. W. Bucke."

One of the most tasteful exhibits from Auckland for the Indian and Coloniil Exhibition is a csit-e of greenatone and kauri fi;um ornaments by Mr. G, Danneford, lapidary, of Queen-street. It comprises blocks of greeustone in natural formation, and polished to show the grain, mere», ancient mere pounamu, watch ornamenti, &c. The kauri gum ornaments, comprise Maori heads, brooches, necklaces, heart?, crosses, and specimens with fera leave* and insects, in the formations. Mr. Danneford'n atelier is at Ponaonby, the various lathee, drills, and cutting machines, being driven by a 4-horse power engine. His pl»nt is considered the most complete of its kicd in the colony.

Requisitions are in course of signature in the city respectfully requesting sir Julius Vogel to address the citizent of Auckiand. When the lists are completed they will be taken to Waiwera by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. R. Waddel], who intends interviewing Sir Julius on the question of Charitable Aid.

The congregation of St. David's Preibyteri»n Church, Upper Symonds-street, it their annual meeting lasc evening, unanimously resolved to call the Rev. J. P. Dickson to the pastorate, and it was agreed to offer him a stipend of £350 per annum. The Kev. Mr. Dickeon was recently pastor of St. John's Church, Sydney, where he preached with remarkable success. Owing to bereavement in his family the Rev. Mr. Dickson determined to resign the pastorate of St. John's and leave Sydney. He proceeded home, but was obliged to return to the colonies owing to th* severity of the winter. Mr. Diokson preached at St. David's last Sunday, and met with the uuanimous approval of the congregation. He is said to be a powerful preacher, and it is thought that he will be a worthy successor to the late Eev. T. McKenzie Fraser.

The second deposit of £10 a-side in the six hours' walking match between Messrs* S. Goodman and V V. K. Stevenson was made with Mr. D. Twohill, stakeholder, last night. The third and final deposit will be made on Tuesday next, and the maten haa been fixed to come off in the Theatre Royal on Saturday February 13.

A public meeting of the residents of Onehunga has been convened by the Mayor for this evening at the Public Hall, in tb» interest of the Woollen Factory. It is desirable that all persons interested in the establishment of this important industry »*■ One hunga should be present. Sir Maurice U'Rorko will take the chair on the occasion.

Yesterday afternoon a very degrading spectacle was witnessed in Swanson-strect, a woman was so helplessly drunk that the constable on the beat could do nothing with her. Another constable went to the police station for the stretcher, and, strapped down upon it with leather buckles, she was so taken amid a crowd of two or three hundred people to the lock up. A Maori, who «»• riding past, turned round in his saddle and said in good English, " Well, that is * sight 1"

Aβ it is possible an erroneous impression may be conveyed by the extraot which we made from the examiners' report on the Auckland College and Grammar School, so far as the French classes are concerned, we ,may mention that that the extract only referred to the Lower Fifth. Iα the other classes the examinations yielded very m* ,B ' factory results.

The bronze medal of the Royal Hamate Society of Victoria has been awarded Constable Christie for hie bravery in rescuing » man who feU into the harbour several montw ago. This officer has saved six men irom drowning—one in Aaokland, one at t« e Thames, and four in Wellington.

Yeiterday morning a fire occurred in on« of the houses of the native settlement o£ Orakei, which resulted in its destruction with its contents. Chief Paul Tuhare estimates the loss at £300, and, as nr* M M expected, the losa was not covered by i n surance. - - In one of the retail shope in Christchurcb, the Press says is to be seen a quantity or mushrooms grown in a garden here jt°& mushroom spawn imported from D S'* D '!- Mushrooms grown in this way can be bed " the year round;

The question of charitable aid is still in a ver v unsettled and unsatUfaotory state. The United Charitable Boards recently applied to Government for an advance contribution from local authorities. To that request the following reply was sent by a Wellington official: "The Premier directs me to say the Audit will not pass such advances, and sueeests you should arrange with a bank Failing this Government will try and help. The Board did "know a bank," but they do not know a bank manager who would make advances on such slenJer authority, and the rinanoial position remains as before. In two counties in the provincial district the Counties Act is not in force, and the Board have requested the Government to stop the contribution to charitable aid from the amounts coming to the Highway Boards in such districts. An interview took place yesterday between the Mayor of Auckland »arl tho Mayor of Newmarket relative to the payment of the contribution of the Newmarket Borough. Some of the Newmarket councillors are opposed to paying anything towards charitable aid, and the Government decline to pay over the subsidy to the borough till the matter was settled with the Charitable Aid Board. Yesterday Mr. Suitor arranged •with Mr. Waddel that he would support the payment of the contribution as soon ae the gubsidy was paid over to the Newmarket Borough. A meeting of the Board will take place to-morrow at ten o'clock to consider the financial situation and other matters. The contractors for the Art Gallery and Free Public Library are making good progress. The interior roofing is finished, but the slating cannot be gone on with, as the iron spouting i» net yet to hand from London, In all probability the provision for protecting the building from lightning will be increased. At present there is only one lightning-con-ductor tiied at the great dome. Experience and experiments have alike shown that a building is only protected from lightning for forty-five degrees from the protecting point. That being so, it will be necessary to put a on each of the other targe pinnacles at the extremities of the building in order to afford thorough security and protection. One of the oldest non-commissioned officers of the Auckland police. Sergeant Andrew Clarke, of the water police, has just received well-merited promotion from the Commissioner of Constabulary (Sir George YVhltmore), on the recommendation of Superintendent Thomson, by being raised from second-class to first-class sergeant, after 22 years of continuous service in the Auckland force. The second case is that of plainclothes Constable Herbert, who has been awarded £5 out of fhe Police Reward Fuud, in reward of his gallant capture of Dunn, the notorious burglar, under very trying circumstances. He is promoted to the grade of second-class constablo from date of Dunn's arrest, and it in undorstood he is also to be appointed to the permanent detective staff on the first vacancy. These promotions will stimulate other members of the force to merit the approval of their departmental superiors. The store of Mr. John Buscombe, gumbuyer and storekeeper, Makarau. was. burned down yesterday morning. It con tainod some £400 worth of stock. Little or nothing was saved. It is not known whether the place was insured or not. Among the passengers by the s.s. Tong&riro is Colonel Dowel!, who, with his wife and family, intends to settle in the Tauranga district. List year the Sydney tramways ended with a deficiency of £40 000; this year it is expected to be £80 OUO. The Government ave asked by a syndicate to lease them, and urged by a portion of tue press to sell them. One argument used in favour of leasing the tramways at four per cent, on their cost of construction is that nearly £SO,OOO a year would be saved, and that the result of the change would be that the tramway system would be managed by business men, anxious to get a profit by supplying the real wants of the community, and not by politicians. There is a very general outcry about the increase in the recent assessments of property under the Property Tax Assessment Act. A number of appeals and remonstrances have been received at the City Council offices. The City Council, however, have nothing to do with the matter, and the appeals should be made in duplicate—one going to the Assessment Court of the district, and the other to the Town Clerk. The Waikomiti cemetery is now neatly pegged out. There are some thousands of lections laid out, but nobody seems to be in i hurry over getting a corter allotment in the "silent city of the dea.'i.' . The sextons' residences have not been started yet, but the walls of the mortuary chapel are up several ieet. The lodge-room of the Sydney " Mutual Imps " was burned down recently, and the records destroyed. It is supposed that the fire had smouldered from Sunday night to Tuesday night. The ways of the circumlocution department at Wellington are past finding out. Some two months ago the Devonport Tramway Company made arrangements for the laying down of a tramway at North Shore. The line was surveyed, the rails purchased, the construction of tramcars commenced, and a contract for laying down the rails signed, sealed, and delivered. It seems, however, that an Order-in-Couneil requires to be published in the Gazette giving a permit to go on, and this has not been ae yet done ; consequently the contractors for formation are stuck np. It was hoped that the requisite papers would have arrived yesterday by the Tongariro, but they did not do so. An "urgent" telegram has b»en lent to Wellington to inquire cause of delay. The residents of Shelly Beach district and neighbourhood are greatly annoyed through lads from all parts of the suburbs taking their horses down to the beach of a Sunday to swim them, thue depriving Jadies and children of using the beach as a recreation ground. It is further complained that the conduct and language of the boye is so bad that ladies in many cases have left the beach rather than endure the spectacle. As many as 400 horses, it is stated, have taken to the beach of a Sunday, while the hoodlums have engaged in every form of amusement, from cock-fighting to pitch andtosi and cards. Two petitions are in course of signature to the City Council and Harbour Board, respectively, praying that the approach to the beach may be fenced, and a turnstile erected for foot paeeengers. On Saturday next another of the open-air concert?, under the anspicee of the Mayor, will take place in the vVestern Park. The whaleboat race between the Waiternata and Hauraki lowing Clubs, for £'200 a-side, was fixed yesterday morning. The race is to be pulled on the 17th of 4pril next, and Mr. Owen Humphreys lies been appointed stakeholder, Mr. Thos, Henderson, jun., judge, Mr. J. Waytnouth, sen , judge of the weather, and the start ie to be a mutual ooe, thus dispensing with the services of a starter. It is stated that several of the leading Auckland brewers have been down to Waiwera, aud have interviewed Sir Juiius Vogel respecting the alterations they desired made in the Licensing Act, one of them being that compensation snould be awarded where a hotel has been abolished. Rumour hath it that the interview was not an unsatisfactory one from a L.V.A. point of view, and that with a gratitude which is "a lively expectation of favours to come," the representatives of vested interests in the liquor traffic are prepared to give a cordial reception to Sir Juliue at the Auckland public meeting, if it comes off. The members of the Guiding Star Lodge No. 11, 1.0. G.T., met in tho Presbyterian Church, Kllorslie, on Monday evening, when Uro. C. Peek, W.C.T., opened the lodge. After tho ordinary business had been disposed of tfre reports of the retiring olh'cers were read, and, on the motion of Bro. Lawrence, were adopted, and a cordial vote of thank* given ti> all retiring officers. The pG.VV.C.T., Bro. Lawrenoe, aen., assisted jy Bro. VV. Porteous as W.1.M., and Sis. A. Lawreuce, D.W.1.M., then proceeded to install the newly elected officers :—W.C.T., g'o. P. Hunt; W.V.T., Sis. J. E. Hill; W.C., Bro. C. G. Hill (re-elected); W.S., Bro. John C. Angus (re-elected) ; W.F.S., en. Mabel Hill (re-elected); W.T., Bro. Lawrence; W.M., Sis. Isabella Howard; W.U., Sia. M. Howard; W.S., Bro. w l T? oVer; W 'A.S., Sis. J. C. Anaus., Sis. E. Lawrence; P.W.C.X., Bro. (~ Peek. The Treasurer's report shows ?u ? u Ce ° f £l ls 9d > and tho Secretary'.) onu l memb ership stands 17 sisters and ft brothers, which is very good, considering the scattered district. A young man named Alexander Conn, residing near Alexandra, sustained a iractare of the right arm above the elbow, Deeidee some severe bruises, by hie horse

The adjourned inquest upon the body of the male infant child of Minnie Fowler, known as Mrs. Taylor, which was found dead in its mother's bed on Thursday last, was resumed at the Hospital yesterday before the District Coroner, Dr. Philson. Coansel attended to watch the proceedings on behalf of the mother aud Mr. A. Taylor, the father. A verdict of "Accidental death " was brought in by the jury, when some discussion ensu9d betwoen the coroner, the jury, and counsel. Eventually, after retiring and bringing in what ie termed an open verdict in deference to the wishes of the coroner, the following was framed and returned as the verdict:—" Found deedsuffocated in bed—alongside his mother." A report of the inquest will be found eleewhere.

On Sunday next the Y.M.C. Association will enter upon tho tenth anniversary of the Sunday evening evangelistic services at the Theatre Royal. Tho Right Rev. Dr. Stuart, the Bishop of Waiapu, we understand, will deliver an address in the Theatre on Sunday evening next.

The Kev. Mr. Rice, who during the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon's absence in England filled the pulpit of the Wc.llesley-etroet Baptist Church, is at present in Auckland on » tiying visit from Adelaide, having arrived by the Waihora, via the South. He leaves for his Adelaide charge again in about a fortnight.

Those of our readers who take an interest in the welfare of the Maori race, will be glad to learn that the Grand Lodge of New Zealand have received from the R.W.G. Templar Mallins, of Kngland, a large supply of Goo.i Templar rituals, constitutions, and odes, in the Maori language. These were published as a result of the principal members of the Embassy joining the ordnr on their recent visit to England. The G.W.C. Templar has forwarded copies to tho chiefs Topia Turoa, Waihi (Taupo) ; Tamati Wirenui, Mercer ; Hiri Ropia, Waipawa (Napier); Major Te Whero, Koekoe (Waikato) ; and Pepa to Awaroa, Waikato. It It is expected that a Good Templar Lodge will soon be in active operation in every settlement.

Wβ have just received the February number of the Church Gazette, and find it filled with valuable and interesting information. Tho article upon the " General Synod " is a very useful one, giving, as it does, a resume of the President's opening address. In it ho touches upon the history and scope of the Synod, and showes Synodical action to bo requisite when a Churoh is self-governed. The most important point, and one on which he lays great stress, is the need of lay help in evangeliealwork amongst our increasing population. With good show of reasou ht> poiute out that such help should be afforded by duly authorised workers as beiug the bust means of preserving unity and order. There is some very interesting Melanesian news in the number, which is well rilled also with diocesan and parochial intelligence.

The monthly meeting of the Acolimatis a ' tion Society was heid yesterday afternoon ; and a report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere.

In a leading article on the political outlook, the Lyttelton Times says :—" A dissolution before the session would be the appeal to the people aft«ir all other methods of carrying on the Government constitutionally had failed. It wonld save the expense of a double session, and get the voice of the people quickly pronounced. Even from the Opposition point of view, we cannot understand the objection to the dissolution, for a dissolution is the only method by which tho Opposition can hope to euoceed in permanently keeping out the policy of the Government. They ought not to be encouraged to compass that end by keeping the Government iu office."

The recent prosecutions for non-registra-tion of dogs serins to have had little deterrent effect OB other offenders. The Dog Registrar is busy preparing a batch of summonses for service on the laggards, as some people prefer t>o pay three time* as muoh in legal expenses as would pay for the collar.

At a special meeting of &t. Matthew's vestry, held last evening, Dr. Hooper, Mr. Doonin, and Dr. Dawson were elected parish nominators.

On Monday evening the officials of St. Matthew's Church invited the teachers aud assistants in the Sunday-school to a social evening. Upwards of forty of them assembled in the schoolroom and sat down to tea, the ends of th«> table being taken by Mrs. Tebbe and Mien Doonin. After tea a most enjoyable time was epent in merry games interspersed with musical selections, refreshments being handed round.

In the paltry days of his career as a promoter of public companies, Baron Grant became connected with the Crookshank tin mines in Australia. A company, with a capita! of £100.000, wa3 projected. Of this £55.000 was to yo to Baron Grant, the working capital being placed at £20,000. When the Baron's affairs became involved Mr. Hawkins, a metal broker, claimed £5000 commission in connection with the sale of the mine, but the proof being rejected, Mr. Hawkins, a few days eince, agreed to prove for £800.

A marriage of special interest to residents of Auckland, New Zealand, took place at St. Mary's, Acton, Kngland, on December 12, when Mr. John Maunsell, the sou of the Ven. Dr. Maunsell, Archdeacon of Auckland, was married to Miss , Emma Beauchamp, niece and adopted daughter of H. H. Beauchamp, Esq., of East Lodge, Acton.

The Union Company's steamship Arawata in to make the annual excursion given to the children of the various charitable institutions to-day, leaving the Queen-street wharf at ten o'clock. The placa chosen is Menare. Reid Bros.' beautiful island of Motutapu. The general public are invited to take part, tickets being available at 2a Gd each. The proceeds from the sale of these tickets are equally distributed amongst the various echools. With fine weather the trip is expected to prove a moat successful one.

The dingy race in connection with the annual regatta took place last evening, and four out of five competitors came to the post. Mr. Headerson got the four lade away to an excellent start, and after a spirited race it waa won by C. Farquhar, A. Farquhar being second. Bailey being third, and Petley last. On the way down the harbour C. Farquhar fouled one of the buoys, but it did aot, fortunately, interfere with his position ia the race.

At the recent meeting in Christchurch of policyholdere in the Government Assurance Association to protest against the appointment of Mr. Driver, one of the speakers, Mr. Weaton, said : "At first, and for a long time, the management had been most economical, but now, when it was seen that year by year the expenses increasing, it behoved those concerned to bestir themselves. The appointment of Mr. Driver at Dunedin appeared to indicate a new departure, and that the expenses of the institution were to be materially increased. Not satisfied with the appointment of largesalaried officers, the Government were launching out in expensive buildings. In thin district; it was said that the building of Mr. Maliag had been purchased—a building out of the way, and of no architectural pretensions. It would be too large for the requirements of the institution, and there was no probability of the offices which wero not required being let. The time was not far distant, should this policy be continued, when the colony would insiet upon getting rid of the institution and handing it over to anybody that would take it. With the limited population of New Zealand, the result would be that the colony, by guaranteeing the policies, would be landed in a serious loss, which must /all very heavily upon the taxpayers. The Government appeared to be entering into competition with other insurance companies, and would have either to extend operations to other countries or to greatly increase their local business, otherwise there could be no doubt that eventually the taxpayers would be heavily burdened." Another ' speaker, Mr. Chrystall thought that canvassing and management could not be combined. The Australian Mutual .Provident Association had managers at £250, and was a successful institution. Other institutions paid similar salaries, with a like result. Anyene who understands insurance business would be at a loss to understand the appointment of Mr. Driver. That gentleman was most likely to sit in his office, and not to go outside to canvase. The expenditure of the department was becoming enormous. The Central Board at Wellington received £1000 a year, Mr. Luckie £800 a year till lately, wh»-' the salary had been increased. Now there was £1100 in Dunedin. In Chrietchurch the management was economical enough. Contrasted with this, there was the Australian Mutual at Wellington, where the Central Board had £800, while the branches were managed at £250 a year*

A fire took place in the packing chamber at the New Zealand Freezing Company's works a day or two ago. Fortunately it was during working hours, and it was speedily suppressed. The damage amounted to about £20.

At the Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. W. R, Waddel, and R. W. Moody, J.P's., Edward Walsh, a prisoner undergoing a sentence of two months at Mount Eden, for an assault at Hamilton on December 21, was again brought up for misconduct in the gaol. It seemed that on January 2oth, when being dealt with by the Visiting Justice for idleness aud uaing insulting language to Warder Forsyfch, ho used offensive language to that officer, and on boing brought subsequently before the Visiting Justice was ordered to be taken before the Police Court. The Bench eentencod him to an additional month's hard labour. It will be remembered he received three days' solitary confinement on bread and water when previously before the Court.

The healthiness of Waikato, and especially of Hamilton, is beginning (writes our Hamilton correspondent) to make the district known as a place of resort for iuvalids from the mother country. Several gentlemen with their families, who have arrived iu this part of the colony confirmed invalids, whose lives oven were given up if they remained in the old country, and have been sent on by medical men in Auckland to Hamilton as the most suitable residence, are either settled down iu Waikato for good or have returned home invigorated in health. The consoquenco haa been that the return home of such persona in robust health has caused Others to believe in the efficacy of North New Zealand, aud only within the last fortnight two such families have been added to our population. One came direct on the advice of a relative whom a two years' residence here has completely set up in health ; the other came direct to Aucklaud, but was recommended by a leading medical man in that city to take up his residence in Weikato. and arrived here with his family on Saturday.

There were in the lock-up last evening two persons on charges of drunkenness —a man and a woman.

We call attention to the sale of tho largo and valuable Horary of the lute Venerable Archdeacon Prltt, which take* pUce at the -tores of M»ssrx. B. Tonks and Co. on Thursday next, at eleven o'clock The library is one of tho finest in the colony, and is the result of many years research and collection. It numbers come SOO volumes of clafi*te«l, theological, reference, and other works, and we have no hesitation in referring it to the notice of clergymen ami others who mar reqniro works of the nature above do-icrlbed, ami feel assured tliat it is well worthy of th«ir attention and inspection. are in all some 335 lot?, and them have been classified and catalogued by a guntlrmin of acknowledged ability. Tho sale takes place to-morrow at eleven o'clock, and tho hooks are now on view at the stores of Messrs. B. Tonka and Co., where complete catalogues of the library can be obtained.

To-day, at noon, Mr. R. C. Greenwood soils at his mart, Vulc»n lane, the unsold allotments of the kVimlebank property, most pleasantly situated on the Brighton K,oa:i, with frontages to the Sea View Road, having magnificent views of t!i« harbour, etc., with hofclthy situalioo, and within two minutes , wals of omnibus and rail. At same time will be offered two go>d semi-detached fi-roomed homes, situated aI Marshfleld, Archhill, on large allotment, 66 feut x 390 feot Also, a large allotment, Svraondsstreet, with a frontage of 7" feet to Symonds-street, and 57 feet 6 inches to Gr»fton Ro»d. hy a depth of 132 feot, subject to a ground rent of £H(H rer Juinum' having a moaj central position, with tine view, etc.

The following is the report of the Prison "ate Brigade Home of the Salvation Army (Urigade Ciptaln Li'.tlei for the week endlnij 2uth ultimo : — Number if meals given. lf>6; beds supplied. 40; parsons admitted, 3: discharged, 5 ; still in the Home, 6. Donations: Of m«*t, from Messrs. Wood, Walker, Garrett, Huluie. and HelUby ; broad, Messrs. ■Rniiley and Brown (Syraondvst>»et). J. Cowliy, Vfriers, Crowe. Kingtford : milk and buttor, Auckland and Devonshire dairies; £1, and clothing, Miss RioKton; £2 "A Friend." Otahuhu. Kequisltes : Potatoes r.ml iluur. Home quiet.

The North New Zealand Farmers' Cooperative Association have determined to hold weokly aueti<v> sales of produce, for the pnrposo of clearing .too bulince of consignments. The first silo will be held to-day at eleven o'clock, at tho Association Stores, Customs-street.

Mr. J. S. Buckland advertises that he will hold a lnrro 8»le of stofik it llr Firtli's estate, Matam»ta, on Wednesday, Kebmary 17.

In our advertising columns will be found an announcement respecting the reduction in tho price of Hirbutt nnd Easton's Patent (combined) Scrub and Mop Wrineer. This it one of the most useful inventii>ns of the Hey, rendering the complaint known ai the " housemaid's knee" a thins of tho put.

Dealers in kerosene are reminded thai; licences expiring on tha Slst ultimo, require to be renewed forthwith.

A general meeting of the Devonport Steam Ferry Company will bo held on Wednesday week to receive report and balance-sheet.

The third battalion of Aucklaud Rifle Volunteers will parade at the Drill-shed on Thursday at ln]f-t>»st savtn p.m.

Claim.* against the Auckland Regatta Club mutt be sent iu by four o'clock this afternoon.