Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7836, 4 January 1887, Page 4

The opportune expos 6 made by the Paris correspondent of the Times of a RussoGerman alliance is supplemented in to-day's cable messages by - additional - particulars. By this secret treaty Germany binds herself not to interfere in the event of Russia's policy in the Balkan Peninsula bringing her into conflict with Austria, while the Czar, on the other hand, engages to remain neutral should the present strained relations between Germany and France result In hostilities. This aeeret treaty is do doubt the result of the prolonged conferences which took place between Prince Bis* rairok and M. de Giers at Franzenbrunn a few months sgo, and which actively "excited the curiosity of. European politicians: The [ effect of this revelation in Austria will be keenly watched. * j

The efforts to form a coalition Ministry in England are likely to prove .gucoessful, judging from the tenor of our' cable messages this morning. Yielding to the urgent advice of both Lord Hartiogton and Mr. Chamberlain, it is thought probable that Mr. Goschen will acoept office under Lord Salisbury, in which oase he would, of course, hold the portfolio of Chanoellor of the Exchequer. Mr. Goschon would undoubtedly ! prove a valuable accession to the ranks of the Con* servative party, with whose policy he has always had a natural sympathy, although a professed Liberal of the moderate school. Coalition Ministries in England, I however, have not always been regarded with popular favour, or distinguished by conspicuous sucoess, and although : the party' necessities of the political situation amply justify such an expedient at the present juncture of affairs, it is extremely doubtful whether the experiment would prove palatable to either of the two great politioal parties, or whether it would be acceptable to public opinion.

The situation in y Europe, if we are to accept the eminently sanguine speeches of several important personages, which will be found, briefly recorded in our cable messages this (doming, is a little less critical than it has been represented in former despatches.

The utterances of M. Goblet, President Grevy, and M.Tisza, are all studiously pacific.

Each of these distinguished statesmen is anxious for peace, and hopeful that it will remain unbroken. But these are the com-

monplaces, which one,naturally, expect? from men in responsible, positions, whose words, they know, will be read next day in every capital in Europe, - and flashed to every important journal in the world. Therefore, they do not afford an accurate in-

dication of the actual state of affairs, far more important is the complaisant reference which is made to the readiness of France and Austria to meet war should it unhappily come. Statesmen do not allude to the military resources of their country in the event of hostilities without a deep purpose, and when we find them doing Bo we may be sure that there is danger in the air. Hence the speechea of the French and Hungarian Ministers are less reassuring than they at first sight appear to be.

His Excellency the Governor was busy yesterday morning with his despatches by the outgoing mail steamer, but left the Northern , Club at noon for the Ellerslie raoes.'j After the Steeplechase he left for Onehnoga, to embark on hoard the s.s. Hinemoa,- which sailed soon afterwards for Wellington.

Among the passengers by the Rotomahana from.the South yesterday was Major-General Whitmore, Officer Commanding the Colonial Foroesi He has visited Auckland at the present time to complete the tour of inspection initiated at his last visit. To-day he will visit the batteries and harbour defences. It is his intention to have a, conference with the volunteer officers as to the Taranaki encampment, and if the Attendance at it is not "practicable, then as to having a local encampment. Major-General Whitmore will proceed to Waikato to inspect the Waikato Cavalry, visiting Waiukn en route to inspect the Waiuku:< Cavalry. After fulfilling that mission he will go on to the Thames, in order t> examine the volunteer force of the district. In conversation with a member of our staff relative jto the vexed question of the quality of Whitney's ammunition, Major. General Whitmore admitted that in some of the issues the lead was of defective quality, causing the bullets to strip, but he had every confidence these defects could and would be remedied! An official trial of Whitney's ammunition would take place at Christchurch on the inst., when its qualities would be exhaustively tested. (

The notices of births, marriages, and deaths, inserted in the Herald, will, for the future, be found at the top of the first column of the first page.

The New Zealand Shipping Company'r steamship! Rimutaka arrived in harbous yesterday (morning and dropped anchor in the streamy where she had to wait until after the departure of the mail steamer Mariposa. She then took up the berth vacated by the mail steamier. The Rimutaka is from London, and en route she called at Capetown, Dueedin, lyttelton and Wellington, there to land mailß and passengers. The steamer had a fine weather passage out, and has come into I port in excellent order. No sooner was the steamer berthed than the work of landing her cargo for here was commenced, and vigorously carried on daring the night. 1 She is expected to proceed on to southern ports on Thursday next. _ In our shipping columns will be found a list of her passengers, and a report of her passage. In connection with the appeal of the Colonial Insarance Company of New Zealand against the] verdict of the Chief Justice of South Australia, given in September, 1884, | in favour 06 the Adelaide Marine and ,1* ire Assuranoe Company, which has, been dismissed with) costs by the Privy Council, the Argus says: —"This was an action by the Adelaide Company to recover .from the Colonial Insurance Company £1708, being an amount reinsured with them on a cargo of wheat per Duke of Sutherland, which was lost at Timaru before the completion of the loading. The Colonial Company's first ground of defence was that their agents exceeded their powers in accepting the risk, but at the trial this point .was entirely ignored, and , technical grounds* were relied upon for a ! verdict —viz , that they only covered the risk from Timaru, and not ' at and, from,' and that the vessel not being fully Uden, the insurers with the Adelaide Company had no insurable interest. The case has practically been before the Adelaide Court since Jane 1882." The A. It.(J. Summer meeting was brought to a most , successful conclusion yesterday. The attendance on the course was much larger than on -New Year's Day, and quite as large as on Boxiing Day. His Excellency the Governor was present during the greater part of the day. : The only serious accident which occurred was in the Steeplechase, when the rider of Omata, which had missed a round in the Steeplechase, joined in the finish with Silvio, which had then a splendid ohance of winning, having headed his field all the way. The rush of Omata causing Creasy, Silvio's rider, to think that the other horses were, close on him,'he Increased his pace, and came to grief at the stone wall at the foot of the hill. , The stewards promptly

met and fined Laing (Omata's jockey) £10, and disqualified him during their pleasure. Dr. ,Hooper attended Cressy, who was picked up'in an insensible state, and was found to be suffering from concussion of the brain, bat under Dr. Hooper's treatment he re oovered conscoiisness within an hour, and is now in a f&ir way of recovery. .

A cable message from New York, dated the 30th of December, received in Auckland yesterday, states that the new business of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States during 1886, is about twentytwo million pounds sterling (£22,000,000).

The only business at the Police Court yesterday consisted of two oases of drunkenness, the offenders in each being fined 5s and costs. The presiding magistrates were Messrs. Collins and Thompson. No one bad been locked np since Saturday.

The Sheriff, Major Green, who has been on a visit to the Soatb, returned yesterday by the 8.8. Rotomahana.

Steps are being taken to repair the culvert which crosses Patterson-street, the roof of which had become injured. Now that the stone apron has been completed across the month of Freeman's Bay, and the beach is not scoured by the tide, a very unpleasant odour is felt by the residents in the locality from the stagnant drainage deposited upon it, when the wind blows from the northward.'

The little boy Smith, who had been three days unclaimed at tbe Police Station, was at last identified, and claimed yesterday by his motheiV'.who appears to have "made haste slowly.*' The little fellow had become reconciled to his new home in the guardroom —the lockup-keeper doing his best to make the lad comfortable.

The aooredited agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society of New South Wales, the Rev. H. T. Robjohns, 8.A., may be expected to visit Auckland in a few days. Be will lecture and give addresses in Auckland, Waikato, the Thames, Whangarei, and other places. The local committee are making arrangements for various meetings.

'' At the recent fire in Hobson-street one of the firemen, Charles Borham, got badly hurt. He is now recovering under the medical care of Dr. Dawson, honorary Burgeon to the Auckland Fire Brigade. . Borham's uniform waß singed and partly burned on his back.

In Friday's issue, in Local Gossip, " Mer outio " gave an illustrative incident entitled.

"The Champion Mean Church." "Fairplay ' now writes giving his version of the affair.

He says :—"From what I have heard of the incident I certainly join issue with * Mercutio.' When the clergyman filled neighbouring pulpits bis own congregation fell off, the collections suffered, w Some of the members of that church belong to that class unappreciated by the modern under shepherds, but of whom it is said, in reference to Him who is their Shepherd and Bishop, they heard him gladly. Hearing that their minister had received two fees for one service, at the

proper time, in a proper manner, through the proper channel, very properly caused' the question to be asked. Although it occasioned ministerial surprise it was answered in the negative, and the subject dropped. Judge of the prise of the congregation when

at the close of » service two or three Sunday evenings after that occurrence, without any previous intimation; their minister informed them that that was his last service. When it I.is; known that this congregation] looked well after'.their pastor daring a long illness, regularly paying, his stipend, I think the general verdict will ■ be that they are an honourable Church. If such proceedings are the outcome of Congregationalism, I can quite endorse the opinion often expressed that it is uDßuibed for New Zsaland."

In connection with the question of opening tip a trade between ' this colony and India, the Wellington Post says" We have reason to believe that the - Government baa instituted very careful inquiries as to what can be accomplished in the direction suggested-, and that these are not yet concluded. It appears doubtful, however, ■ whether India offers any large or profitable market for the staple productions of New Zealand. If, however, our stockbreeders would devote their attention to raising a class of hoi-sea adapted to military service, there is little doubt that a very profitable trade might be established. The breeding of such horses would doubtless require to be pursued on a somewhat extensive scale. The demand for cavalry mounts of a suitable type is very large. If a sufficient and regular supply could be assured, a steady demand at remunerative prices could be relied on. The industry appears one specially adapted to co-operative enterprise. With regard to inducing Indian officers and men to settle in New Zealand when retiring from the army, the prospects of success are, we believe, hopeful. Most of the veterans possess some means on quitting the service, which, although not sufficient to enable them to support a position in England, would enable them to live very comfortably in this colony."

The following applications for patents have been gazetted :—W. Henderson, Dunedin, for improved cutters for standard making machines; R. H.Hodgson, Victoria, for a new and useful method or principle of entrapping wild rabbits; T. G. Maearthy, Wellington, for a machine designed for speedily and perfectly washing malt for brewing and distilling, and for speedily and perfectly mixing other substances, wet or dry; B. Adams, Southwark, England, for improvements in springs. for doors and other analogous purposes, and in checks for preventing slamming : W. Cowan, Edinburgh, for improvements in apparatus for the measurement of liquids ; ,W. Gilbert, Dunedin, for a packet mould ; J. Reilly, Auckland, - for washing clothes ; A. Morrison, for a screwed brush for brushing casks ; R. J. Wild, Ho« kitika, for shampooing and cleaning the hair, and removing scurf, dandriff, ringworms, and all other cutaneous disorders incidental to the scalp ; W. Stevenson and John Stevenson, Helensville, for a machine for ploughing and pulverising the land, and eradicating all noxious weeds, etc., from the soil, and rendering the same fit for agricultural purposes ; J. Bates, Cambridge Eaat, Waikato, for an invention for nee in connection with harness for horses.

Amongst the passengers by the s.s. Rotomahana from Napier yesterday were Messrs. Barton, Hudson, and Carr, the Auckland representatives at the Farndon Park tennis toarnamenti

The Otago Daily Times has the following: —"Messrs. Anderson and Morrison are at present engaged manufacturing a number of gas lamps! and fittings for the " Auckland Art Gallery and Free

Library, the firm having secured the contract at prices a little below English

cost. The contract includes the supply of 46 light pendants, four dozen brackets, two outdoor lamps, and a large octagonal hall lamp. The pendants and brackets arc 0: a much larger design than anything in that way previously manufactured by the firm, necessitating the construction of entirely new mouldings. The hall lamp, which is five feet high, is of rather intricate design. It will be attached to a pendant 20 feet high. It is made of copper, and covered with alternate panes of ruby and blue glass, etched at the corners, The ornamental work is to be painted in green, bine, and gold, so that altogether j» very pleasing effect will be attained. The whola of the work is manufactured and finished in a style that reflects great credit onjthefirm." Te Aroha has been gazetted a Town District under the Act. A table of the inquests held during 1885 in

New Zealand shows that there were 330acci

dental deaths during the year. Six persons were victims of homicide ; there were 51

suicides, in the case of three of which verdicts of felo de se were found; 21 were found dead ; and in seven cases the jury ascribed death to the visitation of ■ God. In only five cases was death attributable directly to intemperance.

Some of the pupils of Mr. Newcombe, Domain Grammar School, having been imperfectly described in the list of those who passed the Civil Service , examination, we repeat the names of the pupils of that institution Junior examination : Creagb, ! George

Cashel, Onehunga Giammar School, 2, years i Rev. C. Bispham's school, 2£ years ;; Auckland Grammar School, 2 yearn; Domain Grammar School, 6£ months. Robs, ! Frank Ernest, Kaikora School; Mr. Oldham's school, Dunedin ; Albert-street public school, Dunedin; Boys' High ' School, Dunedin; Auckland College and Grammar School, 2 years and 4 mouths; Boya' High School, Napier, 1 year; Domain Grammar School, Auckland, 1 term. Sonerville, J. B. W., Wellesley-street State School, 2 years; Mr. Macrae's High School, 1 year; Auckland College and Grammar School, 3 years Mr. N ewcombe's school, 1 term. 1

The Domain .Gardens were visited jby a large number of persons on New Year's 1 , Day. The flower-bed» were greatly admired, being in a blaze of harmonious colour. \

A new and revised edition of Caisell'a Illustrated History of England baa;been begun. The first number of tho reissue has been received from the publishers. Thejwork is well known, having been before the public now for many years, so that nothing need be said as to the merits of the work. Theipresent edition is got up, like all Cabell's works, in excellent styli, is richly illustrated with well executed engraving!], and with thejfirafc number is a presentation plate representing a me&tingof n ivy officers at a game of bowls when the Spanish Armida was reported to have been seen off the Cornish coast. The present issue nhould command a large k»le. It is printed on good piper, with clear type, and is a handy size for easy perusal. F The performance at the City Hal, in which $ola goes through the operation of being shot out of a cannon, attracted only- a moderate house last nighs. However, the programme was faithfully carried, out, Sand elicited a large amount of applause. j The first o); the meetings for united [ftnd universal prayer in connection with J the Evangelical Alliance was held last evening in St. James* Church, Wellington - street There was a fair attendance, the close holiday doubtless kept numbers away. The Rev. R. F. Macnicol presided, and conducted the meeting. Aft.r prayer, led by the Revs. T. Hamer, Thomas Spurgeon, and Mr. R. Fry, the Rev. H. Bull delivered a suggestive and profitable address,"' taking the subject for the evening, viz., "Piaise.'' The Holy Communion having been administered, the Kev. S. Macfarlane spoko of the fact; of united prayer and praise being made all over the world during the week, the deep carina for gratitude at the unity thus shown by all sections of the Church of Christ joining in the meeting. He exhorted his hearers to make tihis new year one of increased devotednesa t? the One who loved so much. The meeting concluded with the Benediction. A collection towards the necessary expenses was. made, amounting to £1 14»5d. This evening, at halt-past seven, the meeting will be held in the Bareatord-atreet; Church. The Rev. Mr. Closs will preside, and addresses will be delivered by the Revs. R. F. Macnicol, and R. Bavin. At the Parnell Weslejan Church the Rev. T. G. Carr will preside,, Addresses will be given by the Kevs.' 0. Worboys and Selby. Friends will find full particulars of the week's meetings in our ad vertising columns. The teacher*, scholars, and. friends of the Ponsonby Baptist Sunday School, in number about three hundred, assembled on Saturday last for. their annual festival, in a paddock at Murine Parade, Home Bay, kindly lent by Mr. Fie ld. The young folks arrived on the ground bout ten o'clock, and from thjit; time until seven p.m. had a continuous round of en meat. Bet ween .the meals the scholars and visitors had frequent draughts of gingei beer,' Mr. Gray having kindly sent a cask full for i : reo distribution. A large quantity of very good toys, sweets, etc,, were given away among the youngsters, adding greatly to this delights of the occasion. | Tha Glass-blowing Exhibition was largely attended yesterday afternoon, when prizes from the Chrietmas tree were presented to every visitor. : In the evening there was another excellent audience. This afternoon in addition to the usual presents to each visitor, there will be a handsome giants shade with a ' group of fruit (in glass) to ft the prettiest child in tb3 room, the award*to be made by a committee of ladies. To-morrow special prizen will be offered for the best and worst conundrums on matters pertaining to the Glass-blowing Exhibition. There was only one prisoner in the 4 lockup laat night, namely, a woman,, for di.'uaken ineag ,, >h. , \ ;

80 far, 10 entries from New Zetland brigades and 2 from Sydney have been received for the fire brigades' demonstration to be held in Dnnedin on the 22nd and 25th February. Entries will bo received up till January 17; so that a large number of additional entries are expected. T'ho following are the brigades which have signified their intention of sending teams Balmain (Sydney), Standard Brewery (Sydney), New Plymouth, Wanganui. Marton, Rangiora, Ashburton, Naseby, Invercarglll, Duuedin Railway, Dunedin, and South Dunedin.

As a contribution to the newspaper literature on the subject of the fasting contest between Dr. Succi and the artist Merlatti, regarding which a cable message gave some particulars the other <?ay, Mr. A. B. Williams, of Blackheath,. writes to the London Standard of October 29, giving the hutory of what he terms a " genuine fast. ' He says "As fasting appears now to be occupying some attention, it may be interesting to recall a case, quite involuntary it is true, but yet in its severity far exceeding the self-imposed tasks of tho presont day. More than thirty yearS ago the ship Jane Louden sailed from America on a • ' fall' voyage with a cargo of timber. When in mid-ocean, about the month of November, the vessel sprang a leak, and her crew, finding their efforts to pump her out of no avail, provisioned the tops, and when she became waterlogged, went aloft to their exposed refuge. One day a heavy sea struck the ill-fated ship, and threw her fairly on her side, a portion of the crew and all their provisions being washed away. The topma.it after a while broke off, and she righted again. The survivors, left in a helpless plight, died off one by one, till only one was left—Captain Casey, of Padstow, the master. Incredible as it may seem, he lived absolutely without food for 2S days, his only refreshment being whatever ram he could catch in his handkerchief and squeeze into his month. Exposed to the severity of an Atlantic wintdSi he lost his fingers and toes, and had not even the strength left to throw off the three remaining corpses of his dead comrades. In this terrible state he was found by a Dutch vessel, and was most judiciously and humanely treated by her cap l tain and crew, who landed him at Antwerp, where his wife joined him and nursed him till his recovery. That he was able to undergo such an ordeal, he himself always said, was owing to his wearing no less than three suits of clothes, which k«pt him comparatively warm. The facts of this remarkable fast are detailed in a Parliamentary bluebook, and I hare heard them related by my father, who was much interested in the case at the time. To survive such hardships for twenty-eight days, under such circumstances, to my mind far exceeds the comfortable and careful tests of abstinence which are just now attracting public notice."

Those who preach depression cannot well continue the sermon after observing the lavish expenditure which took place during the Christmas holidays. Excursion steamers were crowded to their utmost limits, high holiday was held by all and sundry, and sever on any previous occasion has there bsen such large attendances on the EUerslie racecourse. The totaliiator was worked to its utmost capacity, and it is probable that about £32,000 has been actually put through the machine in bets on the 21 races of the three days' programme. The travelling expenses, entrance fees, and other necessaries mount up to a very considerable total, which without sufficient data we fear to estimate ; but it was all through the holidays manifest that if there has been serious depression in Auckland, it hid itself away during the holiday season.

The other evening the inmates of the Lower Refuge were provided with a sumptuous tea and entertainment by Messrs. Westmorland, Tracy, and Miss Newcombe and friends.

Australia (remarks the Melbourne Argus) has'apparently added a new word to the vocabulary of the empire, for in the accounts given in the London press of the recent tumultuous proceedings in Trafalgar Square the term "larrikin" is freely used as a matter of course. No inverted commas are employed to excuse the word. The narratives read straight on. " The larrikins slipi away," "The larrikins dispersed," "Tho larrikins cried, ' No, no.'" Having a choice between the San Francisco "hoodle'nm" and the Melbourne "Larrikin," England, it appears, has accepted the latter. As the word is destined to live, it is really lame that some definition were agreed upon. Anybody, it has been said, can be brought under the provisions of the vagrancy law in Victoria, and the term " larrikin" is equally elastic. It is applied to all sorts and conditions of men. Tradition carries the word back to a worthy member of the police force who wished to charge certain culprits with the offence of "larking," but though the mischievous lad of the streets was undoubtedly first indicated, yet now the young rough generally obtains the title. The street nuisance, who is not yet a criminal, is the larrikin of to-day. Ha glides imperceptibly into the rough on the one hand, and he disappears in the cad on the other. While the word is new, yet it is to be noted that society has always had the larrikin in some form or another. Milton's lines— .... When night Darkens the streets, theii wander forth the sons Of Belial flown with insolence and wine.— suggest the larrikin of his generation. The authors of the Anne period were as full of their larrikin as is the journalist of to-day. Addison describes the wish of Sir Roger de Coverley to visit the theatre, and his fear of the Mohocku, as the offenders were then called. The mohock was the larrikin of the upper classes, but if the upper classes so behaved, we can imagine the horse play of the lower. Our fathers waged brave war against the evil, and we have to continue the contest with the foe in his last retreat*. To give an evil a specific name is to embody an objection to it, and as Australia has been the first to recogniaa that horse play and viciousness in the streets are a peculiar offence, deserving of and requiring a special phrase of opprobium, we may hope that it is from Australia that larrikinism—consequent upon a steady pressurewill first disappear.

We have received the first number of " The Hospital," the sub-title of which is "Aa Institution, Family, and Parochial Journal of Hospitals, Asylums, and all Agencies for the care of the Sick—Criticism and News." "The Hospital" is a magazine of eighty-six pages, filled with matter of great interest to all who have given any attention to hospitals or asylums.

The Southland Times reports that on being ■horn, the four prize Lincoln sheep purchased for the Merivale estate, were found to have yielded between them over 1121b of wool; the ohnmpion ram's fleece weighing 301b, the other 4-tooth's 29ib, and the two hogget rams each producing 26£lb wool.

According to the superstitious, the year which has just closed should have proved one of the most unfortunate on record. The number of event» celestial and terrestrial which have occurred on that unluckiest of all day, Friday, was paralleled. The year ISS6 began on a Friday, ended on a Friday, and contained no fewer than 53 Fridays. Four months in the year had five Fridays in them. Five changes of the moon occurred on a Friday,, and both the longest and the shortest days of the twelvemonth were Fridays. It might indeed bo termed Friday Year.

Last night the comedy " The Librarian" was repeated at the Opera House, there being a full attendance in every part of the theatre, and the amusing play being received throughout with the applause and laughter which it never fails to produce when played in the excellent style which was shown by Messrs. McMahon and Leitch's very able company. Every part was well sustained, and jus usoal Mr. Leitch's singing, in the character of the Rev. Robert Sparerib, of "The Good Young Man Who Died" was received with the heartiest applause, and several encores. Tonight "The Pearl Divers" will form the attraction of the evening, and will no doubt be received, as the representations of this clever and popular company have always been, by a fall and appreciative audience. The play is singular in embracing quite an astonishing number of unique situations and novel effects, any one of which would suffice to excite the interest of the public. Among these may be mentioned the very amusing episode of the Salvation Army procession, with full brass band, with that most novel and realistic of all stage effects, a downpour o! "real" rain; tiie leap from the speeding train, and thai most pleasing stage spectaole, "the bottom of the sea." The exceptionally heavy cast of characters should be well filled by the large and talented company at the disposal of the management, while the opportunity of renewing acquaintance with Mr. George Leitch as Thibbets, and enjoying again the hearty laughter always evoked by bis now famous ejaculation, "Such a dawg," should prove a welcome one to playgoers during the remaining fiw night of this pleasant and deservedly successful season.

The meadow hay or ops of the oountry are now nearly all secured, and, perhaps, never in the history of this part of the colony hail the hay been harvested in better' condition, The 'crops on the whole were very fair, averaging about 30owt to the acre in the best districts. There is, however, a general opinion that the oaten hay crop will be unusually light, especially where the crop was not sawn early in the spring. The same remarks apply to most grain crops, more especially on heavy retentive soils, which wore completely sodden with the unprecedented rains of September last. The potato crops will also be light, as a very large proportion of the tubers rotted in the ground after planting; and the present continuous dry weather is visibly affecting and retarding the growth of those just now in dower, and at a more advanced stage. The early crop are klso light, And we have heard of no yield, so far, beyond seven tons to tho acre, whilst many fields have not returned more than from four to five tons. The mangold, tamip, and carrot crops are also very poor, and in many oases are an entire failure. Taking the crops as a whole, the indications are that the yield this year will be light.

The annual Christmas feast in oonnootion with the Maogere public school was held at Mr. Washer's farm on Wednesday, December 22. The day being beautifully fine, and the hay crops gathered in, there was a larger attendance of parents and young folks than for several years past. Nothing conld exceed the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Washer in placing everything required at the disposal of the school committee. There was quite a display of books and toys, for in addition to the books, there were some fifty-four volumes provided by the committee, and given away as prizes. The Soripture Gift Association forwarded through Mrs. John Wallace quite as many more, to be presented to those children who had done the work in the manner prescribed by that association. Races and the games usually indulged in on festive 'occasions occupied the children and young folks until tea time. After tea was over rounds of cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Washer, for tho teachers, and for Mr. Neilson, of Onehunga, jwho had kindly sent a present of a piece of beef. Horses then were saddled, traps and buggies were brought out, and everybody went home thoroughly pleased with the pleasures of the day.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph of the 29th ultimo has a leading article on "The Alleged Religious Persecution in Tonga," from which we quote the following passages :

—" An extraordinary story of religious persecution is told in our correspondence columns this morning. The Rev. R. Sellers, President of the New South Wales and Queensland Conference of the Australian u'esleyan Methodist Church, the Conference which has jurisdiction over Wesleyan missions in the South Seas, sends as a long extract from a letter just received from the Rev, J. E. Moulton, of Tonga, with his own explanatory and indignant comments. Mr. Moulton says that one of the native clergy, as much a clergyman as, Bay Mr. Sailors in Sydney, a man whose 4 charactsr is absolutely stainless,' has been fined several hundred dollars and sentenced to twelve years' penal servitude, 'which, as he is over fifty years of age, means the term of his natural life.' One of the charges against this old man was that he had slandered the King. "He had said that he imitated Saul, who obeyed his king in earthly matters, but not in matters spiritual. This was construed into having compared King George to Nero.' Another charge was that this old man had dared to say that the King 'had erred.' For each of these extraordinary crimes he was sentenced to five years' hard labour, and the terms are not concurrent. The other details given in our correspondent's letter all go to sustain the allegation of systematic persecution. There is no disputing the fact of the persecution ; the difficulty is to find out a way of stopping it. The situation was lucidly explained to Sir Charles Mitchell, the new Governor of Fiji, on Friday last, but previous appeals to other Imperial officers had no effect. It would appear that so long as Mr. Shirley Baker does not , touch British subjects he cannot be interfered with. What he does to Tongans is done under the pretence of Tongan law. He can be reasoned with, but that is now a. hopeless remedy for the state of affairs." *'»

The following is the rota of Justices frojn January 4 to January 11 January 5, G. S. Kissling and C. Laßoche; 6, T. H. Lewis and D. H. Lusk ; 7, W. C. Lyon and D. B. Macdonald ; 8, D. G. McDonnell and J. Macfarlane; 9, W. McCullough and C. C. McMillan; 10, W. P. Moat and R. W. Moody. -f-

Notwithstanding that » good look-out is being kept, the body of the'-tniasine cook of the schooner Toraa, Richard Rich, has not yet been recovered.

Oar Coromandel correspondent writes The Volunteer Bind Concert, held in the Lower Township Schoolroom, was a com' plete success, both as to attendance and the performance generally. The concert.was got tip to raise funds for the band. The band performed a number of pieces very successfully, and which were highly appreciated by the audience. Miss Moore played a pianoforte solo, " Abyssinian Expedition," with groat effect. This lady also accompanied most of the singers on the piano. Mrs. McGuirc3ang, "Leave Mo Not in Anger;" Miss Kate Lynch, "Happy Moments," accompanied on violin and piano by Dr. Atterbury and Miss Boyd; Mr. and Mrs. PatoD, a duet, "Very Suspicious;" Miss McCormick, " Does Your Heart Beat True," and "Molly Mavonrneen." Dr. Atterbury and Miss Boyd performed some beautiful pieces on the violin and piano. Miss Andrew sang "The Reign of the Roses;" and Volunteer Coghlon, "You'll all be Wanted." A galop on the pianoforte by Miss French was very good. Mr. Paton sang "Sailing," and Mrs. Paton followed with "Maggie's Secret/' Those two were a host in themselves, and went a long way to make the concert the success it was, Volun teer Hardy sang " Crossing the Mississippi;" Miss Kate Lynch, " Kitty's Letterand Captain Gatland, " Let me Like a Soldier Fallafter which, on behalf of the band, he thanked the audience for their attendance, and those ladies and gentlemen who.had so ably assisted to make the concert a success. The National Anthem closed the proceedings,

An entertainment took place in the Odd Fellows Hall, Howick, on December 24, in aid of the funds of the Public Library, A varied programme was gone through, and gave great satisfaction. The entertainment was opened with a well executed duet by Uic Misses Kells. Miss J. Kells conducted the musical arrangements throughout : the evening in a most creditable manner. The first song, " Muddle Paddle Porter;" by Mr. Slinn, was well received, and was followed with the song, "Castles in the Air," by Mrs, Babe, given in her usual sweet style, and was londly applauded. Song, " What Would I Not Give," by Mr. T. P. Gill, was well sung and received an encore. Miss K. Brady was loudly applauded for her song, "Yesterday." She has a really good, clear, and powerful voice. Mr. McAniny brought down the house with an Irish comic song, eliciting rounds of applause, and kept the audience in roars of laughter. Miss J. Kells and Mr. H. Ockenden then gave the duet, "Very Suspicious," in good style. Mr. Slinn sang, very humorously " Blow the Candle Out, John." "The Minute Gun at Sea," by Messrs. Slinn and Gill, was well received, and acknowledged, as was also 4ho song, " Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded," by Mr. T. P. Gill. "Jessie's Dream," by Mrs. Babe (whose sweet soprano voice gave the song its fullest expression), received loud applause, which brought this lady again on the platform, and' responded by giving, "What Was I To Say?" "Oh, No, I'll Never Marry," by Miss Brady, was well received, and erioqred. Mr. McAniny added very muoh to the pleasantry of the evening by his comicalities. Dancing was interspersed with the above, and was kept up with vigour till the small hours. The entertainment was patronised by several Auckland friends who thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The refreshments were: supplied, by Mr. Pennell, Panmure, and were of excellent quality. Messrs. Hutchinson and Molnness, the members of the Library Committee present, ably discharged their duties. Mr. W, W. Hutchinson (chairman) acted a3 M.C. • ■

We notice in our advertisements that Mr. H. T. Pyoroft, who was for six years at the Church ot England Grammar School (for three of them as head-matter) has opened a school at Remuera, preparatory for the Auckland College and Grammar School. He also intends taking boarders either for his own or the Auckland College and Grammar School. A preparatory school and a boardinghouse are both of them badly wanted ; and parents who send their boys to board with Mr. croft, may be sure that their home lessons will hare thorough super* vision.