THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1887.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7974, 14 June 1887, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1887.

Sir Robert Stout has certainly lost no time in placing his political platform before the country. He has already issued a manifesto to the electors of Dunedin East constituency, ■whom he now represents, but it is manifestly intended by him to be regarded as expressing the views of the Ministry and to be accepted as the manifesto of their party. The several planks in the platform mentioned in this document, which is published in our other columns to-day, are such as the Ministerial speeches during the late session have led us to expect, and are presented in that artful way which is peculiar to the Premier, and is resorted to on this occasion for the purpose of misleading the public. With the first and third of these planks— which are retrenchment in the public service and the adjusting of the tariff go as to assist local industriesmost

people will be prepared to agree. They are so general and vague as to mean little or nothing, and in this respect are simply a reflection of the ideas on these points expressed in Sir Julius Vogel's Budget, rendered notorious from its condemnation by the House and by the press of the colony. The fifth, 'which is the strengthening of local government by the decentralisation of all possible government functions, is simply ( one of those fads which, like that of land nationalisation, the Premier _ is everlastingly talking about, but which as a rule are impracticable. In so far as the present Ministry have acted on their professed devotion to the extension of local government, the only result has been to increase immensely the local taxes. Tuke, for example, their Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, whose effect has been to impose a poor-law upon the country, and to aggravate the peoples' burdens, in that, while it has relieved the Treasury of the necessity of helpingthe distressed, the extravagance of the Government and the public debt have gone on increasing. The electors, therefore, are not likely to be caught by these baits. They know that during the past three years, and even when their following was strongest, the Ministry did really "nothing to reduce expenditure, but, on the contrary, have conducted their administration of affairs with an extravagance surpassing that of any preceding Government, that during that period they have done nothing to encourags local industry, and that any measure of local government they have granted , to the people has simply meant an increase of taxation. The mention of these questions, therefore, as part of the Ministerial election cry will be estimated at their proper value by the electors. The second, fourth, and sixth of the Ministerial planks as laid down by the : Premier in this manifesto, are, accordingly, the only ones deserving of any special notice. These are the increasing of the property tax for all who are possessed of limited means, the continuance of the small settlement schemes, and the maintenance of the education scheme on its present extravagant footing. Of course these pills, which the electors are expected to swallow, are all carefully gilded. The exactions of the property tax are to be effected so as not to increase the burdens of persons of small means. And where, we should like to ask, are the persons to be found who at the present are possessed of anything buc small means'? Are there any of them included in the Cabinet 1 Leaving out of view the Premier, who may be regarded as a man of large means, is there one of its members who contributes anything to the property tax? The answer to this question might disclose the reason, why, with their professed abhorrence of that tax, the Ministry yet have abstained from passing in lieu of it an income tax, for which they would make the public believe they have a preference. And that reason would probably be, that, while under an income tax, they would all have to contribute something to the revenue, they, under the property tax, mostly escape scot free. Yet they each take annually £1500 with unlimited personal expenses out of the Treasury, and are coldblooded enough to impose further taxation on all of that numerous class, who, though having some little property, do not get therefrom one-third the income of these gentlemen who are loafing on the Treasury. These are the men whom the electors are asked to continue in their pleasant billets! Then, with respect to tbe settlement of the land on the village or small farm principle, the Premier very cunningly avoids the fact that it is not to such settlements in themselves that many people object, but to the extravagance with which the present Ministry are evidently resolved to carry out the system, and also the tenure by which the lands are held, the perpetual leasing principle being regarded by many as a delusion, and certain to militate against the permanency of the settlements so founded. This aspect of the question Sir Robert Stout finds it convenient to omit from his manifesto, but the electors are shrewd enongh to fill in the blank. The same disingenuousness is shown in the Premier's statement about the maintenance of the education system as a point at issue in the election contest now impending. As he well knows it is not the scheme or the principle of it that people are at present taking exception to but the wasteful extravagance with which the system is managed. The people have made up their minds that the country can no longer afford to spend half a million of money in doing work which might be done for at least one-half the amount, and be done more efficiently. To this matter, as on the other points in this manifesto, we have had occasion again to revert, and, meanwhile, dismiss this characteristic document with the remark that, from beginning to end it teems with fallacies, bufc that these are so obvious to all the electors that they will defeat the purpose they are cunningly meant to serve.

According to the telegraphic reports, the reply made to Lord Randolph Churchill's charge about the fortificacation of King George's Sound does seem an odd one. A telegram dated London, sth instant, stated that in his attack on the administration of the army and navy, he cited " the scandalous offer of the officials to protect the important position of King George's Sound with obsolete muzzle-loaders." A telegram two days later informed us that the Under-Secretary at the War Office replied to the censure by saying that the Defence of King George's Sound was considered unimportant; and a few days after wo have word that Mr. Stanhope endorses the statement as to the little importance to be attached to the post. But the places to be fortified were mentioned at the Conference with the colonial delegates, and if that post were not one of any consequence, why was the proposal to fortify it entertained 1 Two places were suggested as convenient positions at opposite sides for defending the Australasian waters against an enemy approaching through the Indian Ocean from the Suez Canal or round the Cape. One was Thursday Island in Torres Strait, and the other was King George's Sound. It is unnecessary to say that certain posts and stations out here are required for the protection of the immense tide of British Commerce in these seas, as well as for assistance to colonial defence. As for the two posts at the entrances from the Indian Ocean, the Imperial authorities refused to help the fortification in Torres Strait, but agreed to arm King George's

Sound, provided they were not asked to furnish the latest and costliest artillery. As with ships, so with cannon, they have undergone a series of changes and improvements of late years, and the Delegates could scarcely have expected that the groat guns selected for the armament would be the " obsolete muzzle-loaders." Such guns would be useless opposed to modern artillery, and Lord Churchill's charge against the officials in Whitehall is not contradicted. It is no excuse to say that the post is not worth fortifying. As it was agreed to fortify it at all, the thing should not be done in a farcical manner. And is the position an unimportant one 1 We have always seen it among the places enumerated in the service journals, and marked out by well-known military and naval authorities as suitable for a naval point of defence. If we- go back to the lecture delivered by Sir William Jervois on the " Defences of New Zealand," published in this journal on the 6th October, 1884, we find it thus spoken of :— Considering tha question from an Australasian point of view, security against the attack of certain ports in Australasia is an essential part of the maritime defence of this portion of the Empire, and it will be seen that there are some which are of common inte rest to all these colonies. For instance, all ships approaching Australia by the Ope or Red Sea routes must pass comparatively near to King George's Sound.. If, therefore, this harbour were held by an enemy, his warships, acting therefrom, might cut off our steam and merchant vessels. On the other hand, if Becured to us, our men-of-war i cruisers could use that port as a base for the defence of our commercial marine. . The defence of an anchorage in Torres Straits ie also of common interest both to this colony and to the Kastern Australian colonies. But important as are those positions, there is another, which now-a-days is still more important. His Excellency next proceeded to say : — Again, New Zealand is, as it were, an advanced ahield to the south-eastern part of Australia, and this is more important in view of the probability of canal communication being opened by the Isthmus of Panama. Harbours in this colony are advantageously situated as centres for naval defence of Australasia. , . Generally speaking, there is no harbour in Australasia more suitable as a centre for aaval defence than Auckland. Important as it is to guard against hostile visits through the Indian Ocean or round the Cape, we venture to repeat that it has become still more so to guard against an enemy coming down the Pacific, because all the nations are crowding into this ocean, and Russia especially has established naval stations with always a squadron of warships in the north; and because the Panama Oanal is sure to be soon finished, despite the false reports circulated by railway proprietors in the United States to discredit the cutting of the isthmus. Nevertheless, we see no sign of Auckland being selected for a naval station, notwithstanding the commanding position, the splendid harbour with a graving dock, and coal mines close by, and the recommendations for the selection which have been frequently put forward by recognised authorities on such a subject. Mutual co-operation for the defence of the Empire being the principal business entered upon at the Conference in London, we are naturally concerned as to the manner in which the contract would be carried out. Some time previously the Commander of the Forces, the Duke of Cambridge, referring to the subject of colonial defences, expressed the, opinion that "it is altogether a matter of taxation." But much more than that seems to be necessary, for John Bull pays very heavily for his military and naval requirements, and does not get the right thing after all. So at least Lord Churchill says, and the replies which have been given to his assertions about the contrasted expense of the British and Continental armies, and the obsolete artillery intended for Kh j George's Sound, instead of refuting appears to substantiate the charges. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the old abuses are still potent, notwithstanding the show of reform which was so often made, and that each successive Ministry has forborne to tackle a state of things which is of old date and widely and strongly rooted. Will Lord Randolph himself do better if he should get the chance 1 That, of course, remains to be seen. It is only since the Press grew up that such abuses were exposed. True, before that the sailors who under Nelson made Britannia mistress of the seas, overthrew and destroyed all rival navies, and the soldiers who under Wellington carried her flag over the Peninsula in an unbroken series of victories—they did not invariably return rejoicing. They bad too often reason to grumble, for they fought in the cold shade of official indifference, as Napier has said in his history, and they had gone through the hardships inflicted by its neglect and corruption. But the public were intoxicated with glory, there were no more foreign navies to threaten invasion, and the evils of the system permitted at the Horseguards and the Admiralty were lightly heard of by the public. Wellington himself during his Peninsular campaigns complained constantly in his correspondence with the Government of the way he was hampered by the neglect iu Whitehall, and the \ licence allowed to contractors and commissaries. But when he came to be at the head of affairs at home he did nothing to mend the mischief. The Iron Duke was a great soldier, but not a patriotic reformer. He died in 1852, and the Crimean war broke out in 1854, when an army, after heroic exploits, perished of want and misery, a sacrifice to the tolerance of an evil system. Oar cable messages tbia morning state that in spite of strenuous opposition in the House of Commons, necessitating the frequent application of the oloture, the motion that tbe committee should report on the Crimea Bill by Friday was carried by an immense majority. In deference to the wishes of her snbjects, the Queen will wear her crown when within the precincte of Westminster Abbey on the occasion of the jubilee celebration. The revolt in Afghanistan appears to be spreading. Two regiments at Herat have joined the rebels. The new Tay Bridge, erected to replace the one which fell on December 28, 1879, has been, a cable message states, opened for traffic. The new bridge is nearly two milee long and contains S3 piers, the site being only 60 feet farther up the river than that of the old erection. Four piers on the south end are within tidal range, the next 23 continue the structure to the south side of the navigable channel, which is spanned by 14 great piers. From the north end of the navigable channel to the Dundee side of the river 36 piers are erected, Seven piers on laud connect the bridge railway with the North British system running into Dundee. The height of the bridge above high-water mark averages about 77 feet clear under four of the spans in the navigable ohannel, that of the remaining great spans being 75 feet to 58 feet on the north side, gradually growing less ; and for some distance on the aoath aide the height 1 is from 63 feet to t>s feet.

A meeting of the University" p,n Council was held yeaterday "t L * ge trar's Office, Eden-street. With Jf Re 8'»the proposed school of annlied Z ; Dcs to committee appointed to^h,^J h %*» fenor Brown reported favourably It It scheme, and recommended that ad 9 master be appointed ■ suitable accomS* turn- being provided for the Si d *' students. The committee's lltl *of adopted. The proceedings are detL*? 5 another column. s "*nea i a Yesterday the ship Centurion , » charter to theN.Z. Shipping Co c am ttdw harbour from London with a full " a cargo. With commendable promp OS' ship was. on arrival, berthed at the O 8 atreet Wharf by the deputy Harbour fc?" and to-day she is to commence th« j-' charging of her cargo. The paa Ml »\ "" pied 96 days, and was of an unL ' nature.. She brought no passengeT^ l cargo is valued at dose on fi'iqS? Amongst this is iron shot for defend „ ' poses valued at £1200. Ce at - A meeting of the Political Financial P«f Association was held iast evenine in p«u ? dining-rooms. There was a *£™^ ' dance, and Mr. Upton presided Th e , prepared by the committee appointed ** first meeting were brought up or diacn • and after some amendments were a ,i \'°?' The offices of chairman, vice-chairm? i treasurer were filled, but owing to the If ness of the hour at this stage of the hi ness, the election of a committee of man men*, and also a motion proposed by £' McLaohlan, were deferred until an ann r , ; meeting to be held on Thuraday £ '? report of last night's meeting a p DM «i • another column. B Ppears a Hia Worship the Mayor publishes - official advertisement, inviting &S' ai ) Auckland to observe Tuesday the of.' ° f the holiday in celebration of the jnbiu M - Her Majesty Queen Victoria," H e ™' ? that the illuminations be from h a [C seven to ten p.m. Some people think Th!f an error has been committed, and that J illuminations should comment **■ - ,■ hour The Mayor is hoTetr )U f t D er Sr The illuminations could not be kept up t half-paet five o'clock to nine or ten on? By half-paab seven o'clock all the nennil will be able to get into town-having h J time to take their .tea comfortably— > the beginning of the show. The Wairarapa left Wellington vest» day afternoon for Southern ports with th following members of the Legislature o board: — The Hons. Holmea, Adam! Walker, Reeves, Menzies, Taiaroa, Peacock Messrs. Fergus, Hatch, F. Richardson Ross' Steward, Fultou, T. Allwright, and Pvke ' The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court commenced yesterday, and a very formi. dable list of 40 indictments wa3 before the Judge and jury. His Honor, in his address to the Grand Jury, referred to the heavy nature of the calendar, and then adverted to the various charges briefly and pointedly. A considerable number of the cases were disposed of during the day. materially reduciug the list, and the Court sat until nearly six o'clock. A detailed report of the pro ceedinge and the leading features of Hu Honor's charge to the Jury will L d found in the usual column. At the sittings of the District Court to-day the case of J. A. Macartby v. the Newton Borough Counoil will be heard, The plaintiff, who is engineer to the Borough of N"ewton, sues the Mayor and Corporation of that suburb for a claim of £100, which he alleges is due on account of the drawing np of plans and specifications for a water supply, whose estimated cost wag £4000. A number of other charges had increased the amount claimed, but Mr. Macarthy abandoned these in order to bring the case within the jurisdiction of the District Court. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon, in the Prince of Wales Hotel, Hobaon-street, by Dr. Philson, the District Coroner, and jury, of whom Mr. George Akers was chosen foreman, concerning the death of Jno. Hearst, who died suddenly on Sunday under circum. stances which were detailed in yesterday's issue. Sergeant McMahoa and Constable Bernard represented the police during the proceedings. The first witness called wad Mrs. Annie Bedree, who gave evidence as to finding the deceased dead. William John Miller stated that Hearst was a native o! County Monaghan, Ireland, and had been in the colony about four years. Jidwsrd McDonald, general dealer, also gave evidence. Sergeant MoMahon deposed that he hail known deceased for three years, and had seen him about a week ago, when he was fa perfect health. His death was reported a: about one o'clock, and witness went to the house in company with Constable Kelso. He saw deceased upstairs lying dead in his bed, There were no marks of violence upon the body, which was slightly warm. Witness examined the clothing of deceased, and took charge of the contents of the pockets and the effects in the house. He found a bank-book, which showed that deceased had £Sl 15s to his credit in the Savings Bank, and £S 5i was found in the honse. He did not find any will- Dr. Hooper gave evidence that he had made a post mortem examination of the body. He found that the heart was enlarged and flabby, and in a state of degeneration, and he considered that the cause o! death was this heart disease. The jury gave in their verdict without retiring, " Tbst deceased died from natural causes." At the District Court yesterday, before H. G. Seth Smith, Esq., District Judge, only two cases came up for hearing, and they were decided in favour of the plaintiffs. namely, Minett v. T. Fawcett, claim £27 18s, coats £5 3s ; Johneton and Co. v. B. S. Rowley, claim £33 14s Sd, coats £4 IS*. Messrs. Hermann Brown and George P. Pierce—two gentlemen who had been summoned on the Grand Jury— failed to attend yesterday, service of the summons in each case was proved, and His Honor imposed a fine of £5 on each, unless cause was shown. Comparing Auckland with Singapore, I correspondent draws our attention to a statement in " Enlim's' article which require' correction. From the latest publishes statistics the revenue of the Straits settlements is about half a million sterling, but £13.000 of that amount comes under tne head of port and harbour dues, the buU of the £355,551— being derived from licenses to sell opium and spirit*, farmed out to the Chinese. "Is there no moral wbica is applicable to ourselves to be drawn from all this?" Oar correspondent concludes dv saying that the latter portion of the artier is totally impraeticable and visionary in Ucircumstances of this colony. In his report on the Wellington Hospital, the inspector says :—" By introducing » regular diet scale notable reductions were effected in all the chief items. In the mater of tea alone, taking a period of thr«e monW , the consumption was reduced nearly a J 1 * ~ The wines and spirits bill was * 1 -'',j! against £433 in the previous year. AH ™ 11 has been effected by the energy and vigilaDW educed by the change from Go«rnment control. The number of in-patients during the year wae 615, a daily average of (6. J these it is significant to find that 4b *«•« oases of typhoid. ' The annual meeting of the Auckland wd North Shore Ferry Co., whioh was called iw yesterday afternoon, lapsed for want ot id necessary quorum of 18 shareholder!. Jadjournad meeting will be held at the«»» time and place next Tuesday. The balance sheet is as follows :-Dr. May 31-0»P»J 20 000 shares at £1, £20,000 ; shares allow "' 9994 at £1, £9991 ; less 2s fid per sbar * " called, £1249 5* ; less calls in arrean. *•£ . 2s 6d: total, £3609 7s 6d-£6354 12. calls paid in advance, £380 6.1; "J 1 ., owing, £8606 lie U ; bills payable. * l -°' 4d : total, £15,498 0s sd. Cr. May o By cost steamers and construction, * -- gj 10s 6d ; ship yard and buildings, *'" 6d ; office furniture, £17 8. i ?™ h **ff. expenses and general charges. f 00 "- ;, r,i cash in hand, £9 14a: total, £15,493 Oa^ An interim meeting of the Charitable At Board was held yesterday afternoon, 'i. tenders for Hospital supple were ope The results will be found in another column. The flobson Rifle Company will ho grand jubilee ball on the evening oi day, 20th inst., in the Poreste re *J* Ka y rangaha P e Road. The b.IM.. u«.d« distinguished patronage of Colonel u> Lieutenant-Colonels. Shepherd. D.jnjn, the Mahou, Majors Isaacsi and <'««" 01, '' oeifl officers of No. 2 Bullion. The d » will be supplied by an "oellent trm ■. ,J under the direction of Mr. McU me i, the catering has been put into ia It is anticipated that all the coiup tbe {he gatrisOß will be repr«ented «t gathering, as a large number of ticket been sold among them. Ihe belt pree to the H:obson Company by the »" " ne tenant W. G. Connolly, which «of um I design and workmanship, Will be on 6XB' 1 tion during the evening.

w fhe ordinary meeting of the Parnell Borough Council was held last night, when the Mayor's motion to strike a general rate of Is in the £ was carried. After considerable disoussion the salaries of the Town Clerk, Foreman of Works, and labourers were reduced considerably, the aggregate saving amounting to over £150 per annum. The prize poem competition in connection with the Temperance Jubilee festival, to be held in the Choral Hall next Monday evening, closed yesterday, the hon. secretary, Mr 11. Rotherham, having received 33 poems. These are from various parts of the colony, one or two having come from Christchurch. The jntlces are the Rev. G. B Monro and Mr. G. B. Lilly, who will probably make their award to-day, and the name of the successful competitor will be made known tomorrow. The prize is two guineas, and the poem will be recited at the festival by the author, or by some gentleman appointed by tho oommittee. In the report of the meeting of the Piako County Council, held on Saturday at Hamilton, Mr. J. C. Firth's views in regard to the purchase of the lease of the Piako County tramway were not made very clear. Ho stated that he had become the purchaser nnder peculiar circumstances, the tramway being offered for lease before the English syndicate which was negotiating for the purchase of the battery and claim in which he was interested, were quite in a sufficient etate of preparedness to aot for themselves. It was under these circumstances the Battery Company had secured the lease, and in consequence of being interested he had to resign his membership In the County Council. The first of a series of entertainments or penny readings took place in the Coromandel schoolroom on Tuesday evening. June 7th, and was in every way an unqualFfied success. At the hour appointed, eight o'clock p.m., the room was pretty well packed, notwith standing the inclemency of the weather. The following programme was rendered : — Miss Home, piano solo; Mr. L. C. Marshall gave a reading and a song, " Death of .Neleon," and, assisted by Oaptain Gatland, a duet " Pulasky'e Banner ; " Mr. Kern sang "Jack's Come Home," and the "Midship mite;" Miss McCormick sang "Apart," and, later on, "Yesterday;" Ur. Atterbury aud Miss Boyd a duet violin and piano; Dr. Atterbury also played a solo ou euphonium ; Mies Boyd sang "In the Gloaming :" Captain Gatland sang " Hearts and Homes ; " Mrs. Inder sang "Come Back to Krin;" Mr. Watling gave recitation, " A Barrel of Pork;" Miss Woollams and Miss French each played a piano solo. Captain Gatland thanked the audience for their attendance, and those who had taken part in the entertainment, and the proceedings were concluded by singing the National Anthem. — [Own Correspondent.] There was a good attendance last evenJng in St. David's schoolroom, when Dr. Lindsay, late of the University of Edinburgh, gave a most instructive "medical talk" on •' The Structure of the Human Body." Mr. J. Lamb presided, and introdnced Dr. Lindsay in a few appropriate remarks. The lecturer dealt in a lucid manner with his subject, and described the facetious and properties of the bones, mußcles, blood, nerves, most minutely. Several musical selections were rendered by the choir during the evening, and at the close of the discourse a vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Lindsay, which ne courteously acknowledged. We notice that the proprietor of the Opera House (ilr. Abbot) has started "word competitions," which have had such a successful run in England. It is really wonderful how many words can be made out of the letters of other words ; and as the words chosen for tbi3 occasion ("Victoria's Jubilee") are very appropriate, we expect a large number will compete for the prize of £5. Particulars In respect to the competition will be found Iα our advertising columns. The Industrial Exhibition to be opened on Jubilee day gives promise of being a great succese, and the secretary is already busy marking space for the various Auckland products. The entries already include exhibits »f furniture, marble top tables and mantelpieces, transparencies, and lapidaries' work, bleo exhibits of preserves, fancy soaps. There are also perambulators, portmanteaus, glassware, woollen goods, baskets, saddlery, preeerved goods of all kinds, washing machines, dairy utensils, brooms and brushware, biscuits, flour, confectionery, agricultural implements, models of steamers, boots and. shoes, perfumery, etc., etc. One of the great attractions no donbt will be a splendid case of kauri gum, which created quite a sensation amongst! the visitors at the Coloaial Exhibition in London, and has only just ( been returned. To enable visitors to Auckland during Jubilee week to see a3 many operas as possible, the management will change the programme as often as possible. Special facilities are also offered by the Railway Department. On Saturday, the ISth, and on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Saturday return tickete available for return up to and including 27th June will be issued. Extended excursion tickets to Anckland from Tβ Aroha, Morrinsville, Tβ Awamutu, Cambridge, Ohaupo, Hamilton West, and Ngaruawahia, will be issued at the usual low fares on the same dates and available for the eame period. On Tuesday, June 21, day exenrsion ticket? will be issued at ileroer, Papaknra, and intermediate stations to Auckland by the morning train, and on this day, after the opera, late trains will leave for Onehnnga and Mercer. A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of James Steel Sherriff. of North Shore, was held on Saturday, at the Official Assignee's office. It transpired that the debtor kept no books, and had not filed receipts for money paid away, and consequently was rot in a position to give a satisfactory explanation of his past transactions. From the debtor's statement it appeared that about twelve months ago he disposed of his farm, horses, and other property to his wife for fchf> Bum of £200. He stated that the £200 received from his wife had been divided by him amonget his various creditors, but he had not preserved the receipts for such payments. The Assignee said that he would require a list of names to whom this money was paid. It was decided that the debtor Bhould be examined by Mr. Hesketh at halfpast two o'clock p.m. on Tuesday (today), and that a meeting of creditors should be held at the same hour on the 17th instant, for the purpose of considering the results of the examination. It had been intended to open the Devonport reading-room on Jubilee Day, but as thie has been found impracticable, the event has been postponed, and a conversazione will be held to celebrate the formal opening. The subscriptions are oomiag in freely towards the funds of the institution, Mr, R. Monk, M.H.R., having yesterday given the Mayor Of Devonport a cheque for £25 in aid of the work. The Grand Jnbilee Burlesque and Pantomime Company at the Agricultural Hall lest evening were fairly patronised, considering the other and strong counterjittractions. The performance passed off riost eacceesfully, and it is to be repeated this evening. Active preparations are being carried on in the way of decorations for the coming Jubilee. A number of tho principal buildings in Queenstreet and ehewhere are to be illuminated by transparencies, and we have been ehown soma designs executed by Mr. J. G. Hendereon, of Wyndham-etreet, which aro really works of art. Amongst others, there is a representation of Britannia, 15 feet by 12 feet, pointed to the order of the Auckland Savings Bank ; a moat elaborate picture for the Captain Cook Hotel, also a portrait of Her Majesty. There ie therefore every reason to expect that our principal thoroughfare* will look their gayest. It will be seen on reference to our advertising columns that Messrs. Wilson, Williams, and McCullagb, drapers, Queen-street, have purchased the atock and lease of Mr. 'William Hattray on very favourable terms, and for the purpooe of reducing the stock an extensive clearing sale has been resolved upon. The sale will be carried on simultaneously in the old place as well as in the premises formerly occupied by Mr. Rattray. The present ie a favourable opportunity for securing bargains, and those in quest of snch should pay a visit to the firm. The sale begins to-morrow (Wednesday), and will be carried on until further fiotice. The members of St. Jamee' choir will perform two choruses on Monday next, at the Choral Hall, during the Grand Jubilee Festival. The two piecßß arn " Mijthty Britannia," and " Stretch Forth ! Stretch Forth !" The comtnittee are sparing no efforts to make this gathering a success. The Oddfellows' Hall, Ponsonby, is once moro tie scene of an attempt to form an assembly for the present season. The opening dance passed off successfully last Wednesday evening, and another ie to be held to-morrow, and thence fortnightly to the end of the season. The erohestral department is especially well looked •ifter by the Messre. Adajtpa Broe., of Ponsonby Aoad.