THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1887.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7976, 16 June 1887, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1887.

The cry for retrenchment, which from one end to the other, this colony is sending up must convince every thoughtful person that it is no mere indefinite demand on the part of the people that it denotes, hut a genuine determination to arrest the extravagant expenditure which is rapidly bringing ruin on the country. That this public awakening has lately been experienced is easily gathered from the ' fact that successive Ministries have almost been encouraged to pursue a system of borrowing, and that no Government has hitherto been called upon to formulate a policy of thorough economy. During the last few years, however, those who were most anxious that foreign capital should be largely introduced to New Zealand, viz., the working classes, have gradually come to understand that the wave of false prosperity caused by a lavish expenditure of borrowed money must in time recede, leaving the country in

a condition at once exhausted and unhealthy. Exhausted, because of the stagnation in business its withdrawal must induce, and unhealthy owing to the abnormal state into which most enterprises built on the colony's ephemeral prosperity could not fail to drift. This rude awakening to things as they at present stand has come to us none too soon, but now that, the people are to a great extent if not thoroughly roused we expect ere long to see matters placed on a more satisfactory footing, and the pruning knife applied with an unsparing and impartial hand wherever opportunity offers. All are agreed on the necessity of economy, the only difficulty being how it may most judiciously be effected, and what departments can in the first instance best bear reduction.

On Friday last a motion was carried by the Board of Education with which wo heartily concur one whose adoption, indeed, shows that this body at least is beginning to realise its position, and to recognise the direction public feeling is slowly but surely taking in the matter of the present system of State education. The resolution referred to was proposed by Mr. Cooper, as follows, and unanimously carried after a brief discussion " that the inspectors be requested to confer and report whether in their opinion the time has arrived when the teaching of singing, drill, and drawing can be given by the teachers of the ordinary staff of the schools." It is scarcely too much to say that no department of the Government service is now receiving a more keen scrutiny than that having control of educational matters, and it may, therefore, be expected that no portion of this department bearing even the appearance of extravagance will for any length of time be allowed to exist. At present there are in the employ of the Education Board for the purpose of teaching singing, drawing, and drill, three instructors, whose duty it is to periodically visit the various city, suburban, and country schools in the immediate neighbourhood of Auckland. Owing to the numerous schools to be visited and the lar£[e number of children attending, the amount of time given by these masters at the schools is, in most instances, so short as to be practically useless, and no progress at all would be made by the children were they not instructed by the ordinary staff of teachers as well.

It seems somewhat ridiculous that the several masters in charge of the various schools should themselves be compelled to sufficiently master these subiects as to be able to teach

them, and at the same time be deemed so incapable of thoroughly discharging, their duties, that extra teachers have to be appointed. Surely the inspectors have sufficient time and the requisite experience to see that the Board's instructions are carried out and thattheeducationsyllabusis rigidly adhered to. From inquiries into this subject, we find that the instrucf&m given by these extra teachers is in the great majority of cases comparatively thrown away, owing to the long interval which must of necessity elapse between the lessons imparted. It is difficult to resist the conviction that if, instead of rare and flying .visits to the various schools the efforts of these masters were confined merely to instructing teachers at the Saturday training classes, the saving in the Board's expenditure would be considerable without interfering in the least, with the present effectiveness of the education system. Our remarks, it must be understood, do not merely apply to the schools in or near the city of Auckland, or, for the matter of that, to the Auckland province. All other cities or towns where the staff of ordinary school teachers is supplemented by extra masters come within the range of our opinion, and the Board or Boards of Education having supervision of their schools would do well to follow the course which' the Auckland Board is evidently resolved on taking for reducing the expenditure. The cry for retrenchment is in the air; and, despite all that may plausibly, and for sake of popularity, be said to the contrary, great changes in the working

of the education scheme are sure to be demanded. The conviction is daily gaining ground that for a population which does not exceed that of a secondrate city of the United Kingdom our educational machinery is coating the country more than its finances can bear; and, unless those having the direction of it can materially reduce the cost of its working the system itself will certainly be soon placed in serious danger.

The return called for by Mr. Barron of the expenditure in connection with the several departments of the Government of the colony for a series of years extending from 1860 to 1886-7, makes some instructive disclosures, and shows the disastrous rate at which the cost of managing public affairs has been increasing, Taking the period of the last six years, from 1880 to the present time, a pretty correct idea will be obtained of the rapidity with which the expense of governing the colony is advancing. In 1880 the Governor's establishment cost £7516 ; in 1886, .£10,493, or an increase at the rate of about £500 per year. The expenditure of the Cabinet in 1880 was £10,516 ; in ] 886, £13,036 ; the salaries in the former year being £7808, and in the latter £9250 while the travelling allowances and expenses for these respective years were £1174 and £2385. In connection with the Legislature the expenditure in 1880 was £38,498; that for 886, £46,572. The various departments under the control of the several Ministers cost in ISBO £1,860,279, and in 1886 £2,074,553; while the total cost ol the Governor's establishment, the Cabinet, the Legislature and Ministerial Departments was for 1880, £1,916,807, and for 1856, £2,144,654. These ligures are sufficiently alarming, and reveal the great necessity for retrenchment" in every department of the State. They show that during the period of the pa3t six years, and especially during the last three years, the governmental expenditure has oeen increasing at the rate of about £50,000 per annum. If, however, we uke a period of ten years, the re« suit will appear still more startling. In 1876 the total cost of government amounted only to £804,794; whereas, in 1886, it has swollen to the enormous sum ot £2,144,654. The question that will occur to most people is, what has there oeen in the growth of the colony, in the course of a brief decade, to justify the fact that the cost of governing it has during that period been very nearly trebled '? Looking at these figures we are not surprised at the reluctance of the Ministry to supply the return Mr. Barron moved for. On turning to the document it is noticeable that it was printed on the 19th of May, but was held back and not issued until the closing hours of the session. Had it been distributed earlier some very pointed and awkward interrogations would no doubt have been put to the members of the Cabinet ; and, even in the brief time that elapsed after its circulation before Parliament was prorogued, some very pungent remarks were made about the large amount spent oy Ministers, under the head of travelling allowance, and expenses in the course ot the past year. One very important purpose the calling for this return will certainly serve ; and that is the clear indication it gives as to the directions in which retrenchment may be and ought to ue effected. In every department of the State the expenses must inexorably be cut down. The evil of unchecked extravagance lias been steadily and stealthily growing for years ; but, now that it has ueen laid bare, it i 3 for the electors to declare with trumpet voice, that it must no longer be tolerated.

A message from the Governor, which appears in to-day's issue, states that His Excellency has received a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, intimating that Her Majesty Queen Victoria desires to tender her thanks to Almighty God for the numerous mercies vouchsafed during her reign, and for the loyalty of her faithful subjects throughout her dominions. This communication from the Queen, which is, obviously, meant to be regarded as a personal one to every inhabitant of the British Empire, will, doubtless, be cordially accepted as a proot of the interest Her Majesty takes in their individual welfare, and as an invitation to them, all and severally, to join with her in an expression of gratitude to the Gievr of all Good for the benefits bestowed on them in their mutual relations as the head and members of a highly favoured nation. That this is Her Majesty's intention is evident from the supplemental portion of the official telegram, which suggests that her desire may be mentioned in all the churches and chapels at any thanksgiving services which are held in them in connection with the celebration of the Jubilee, and that the announcement may appropriately be made before the offering ol special prayers suitable to the important occasion. It will also be noticed that intimation is given in the Governor's message that. His Excellency will cause a Royal Proclamation, expressing the thankfulness of the Queen to Almighty God, to be issued on the morning of Tuesday, the 21st instant, which is to be recognised throughout the Empire as Jubilee day. On that day it is, we believe, the intention to hold a special service in some of the churches ; but the general understanding, as also the expressed wish of the Queen, is that athanks giving service will be held in all the churches on Sunday next, the 19th instant, and the officiating clergymen of all th 6 religious bodies will no doubt then take the opportunity of acquainting their hearers with the desire of the Queen and the intention of the Governor.

Further particulars of the celebrations in connection with Her Majesty's Jubilee are given in our cable messages this morning. Special thanksgiving services will be held in the churches on Sunday in accordance with the wishes of Her Majesty. It is also understood thst military and naval prisoners charged with miuor offences will be granted an amnesty. The details of the Royal procession as now arranged will be read with interest. A meeting in connection with the Jubilee was held in Sydney last night, and was characterised by the same spirit of rowdyism which prevailed at the previous one. There was an immense concourse, but the loyalists were in a majority. This, however, did not prevent an attempt to rush the platform, which, however, proved unsuccessful, a strong body of police, bluejackets, and others resisting the efforts of the rioters. The Governor and Premier were among the speakers, but in consequence of the uproar which prevailed, their addresses were almost inaudible,

We understand that Sir George Grey has consented to open the Exhibition of Looal Industries on Jubilee Day-

H.M.S. Nelson, which left Sydney last Thursday for Adelaide, is to return again to Sydney, and from there will come on to this port. She may be expected to arrive here in about five weeks.

The following members of the House of Representatives were passengers by the s.s. Te Anau, which arrived here yesterday : — Messrs. Hamlin, Moss, Moat, Katene. The Hon. Mr. Dignan, M.L.C,, was also a passenger by the tame vessel.

We are informed by Superintendent Thomson that he has received information from Melbourne to the effect that the case of Forwood, the solicitor, was argued in the Supreme Court there on the 14th instant, when the Judge further adjourned the case until the 24th instant, when he will make known his decision as to whether Forwood can be legally sent back to Auckland.

The criminal sittings of the —" were continued yesterday. The taken was that of James LoJrieS °' 36 with attempting to murder hi wife plea of insanity was set up b v th P he for the defence, Mr. O'Meagher W^ 1 jury brought in a verdict of wound' n , - he intent to do grievous bodily harm A? prisoner was sentenced to two v«r'• • ha prisoßment. George Lacy, who ws» W 'l' up on a very trivial charge 0 7 wn j g 1 Alfred Butler, was kept in custody tiU a rising of the Court, and then entered W* his own recognisances to come un for to tence when called upon. James ill ? n " who, on the previous day had h es * vioted of violently Uniting qVT Streem was brought up for sentence p" dance.of previous good character W A' ' and the mitigated penalty of f onr If r * imprisonment was imposed FT Pn ,. rM oDtll! charged with larceny, pleaded 4,;?. 30D ' was sentenced to six months' iW • y ' an<l H.nry ICrnest Perry, . SZT" 1 age— former inmate of the T i °' School- convicted of having com" 5 an indecent assault on a child n d» years of age, and was sentenced L years imprisonment, and to bath, • Wt ' birched. Thomson McCallum a ga ? na ? > a true bill of indecent assault had^hV^ 0 * turned, did not appear, and the reco^ 6 " r5 of his sureties were estreated R• 2 Dces took occasion to animadvert in'atrT DOr on the conduct of the Justices in? 8 ter - m{ sureties of £25 only for 7Z ptl^ with. such a serious offence, and for he was liable to seven years' n&nal -I, Hugh Storey wa. Sj'J assault on a Chinaman and „ a , KC J' t twelve months' imprisonment with l , labour. mth "ard

We have to acknowledge the receinf „» copy of the report of Receiver. r\ , 4 Fiji of the trade and commerce and -° of the colony for the year 18S6 and p - Dm S ment of th. trad. L «>«*■ colony for the years ending the ?Uf rT " 5 ber, 1883, 18S4, 1885, and ISS6 Th " shown that the trade of th« . . Bre P° rt gradually being developed, and thou riV .ng the past few years prices h&j e feeling in certain articles, still the volume of tJade is rapidly increasing. The imDortat;" beer and spirits is steadily on the derV °' .bile that lor ric. and bread,?« lDg.

The work 01 establishing the Kindersait-r school and creche is progressing very 4 , factorily, the alterations and r old Free Library building having t j ow h completed. A. large gallery has been erec ed in the room for the accommodation 0 f 2 children, while the unitary arrangement ' have also been specially attended to. Onl peculiar feature of the fittings is the wall paper which is that invariably nge d Z the Kindergarten schools, and which ii so illustrated as to afford to the chi dren suggestions for games etc \r„ J. O'Neill, P.. ..d ! r Si"s S. Whitley, Glanville and Ellyett, i an a Young, have forwarded donations of raising sugar, flour, and suet, to be used in the plum pudding to be made for the opening of the Kindergarten; whilst clothing for the creche has been received from Messrs Smith and Caughey, J, M. HcLachian Scott, and the executors of the late Mr' T. Short. The children who are to join the Kindergarten will be enrolled at the school building on Monday, from ten to twelve a.m., and from two to four p.m., when they will each receive a ticket, which they will present on being admitted on Tuesday Mothers who bring babies to the creche will also have tickets given them. An efficient staff of teachers have been engaged for the Kindergarten, whilst the services of a matron have been secured for the creche. Dr. Bond has consented to take care of the health of the children at the creche, doing this free of charge.

Many people are under a wrong impression with regard to the honorarium, believing that if a second session of Parliament is held in the same year a second honorarium of £210 will be drawn by members. The Act*of 1884 provides that in such case only a half honorarium, or £105, can be drawn for the second session, so that members of the last Parliament returned to the next will be able to draw only a half honorarium. .New members, however— the coming session will b* their only one for this yearwill draw t'nfull honorarium of £210.

Commenting on the overthrow of th Stout-Vogel Ministry the Australasian says: —"The continuance in office of the Ministr; has been a cause of uninterrupted anxi«t' to all the steady-going people in the country At any moment Sir Julius Vogel migi.'. broach a fresh scheme of political gambling or Sir Robert Stout announce a catchis. proposal for nationalising the land, or M r Ballance propose the enfranchisement women. In a letter which Sir Robe.". Stout has done us the honour to address to the editor of the Australasian, and which we publish elsewhere, he protests against the adverse criticism his Ministry has been subjected to. ' Depend upon it you are doing all you can to prevent any hope of closer relationship between the colonies,' etc. This is the error into which Ministries for the time being frequently fall. They think they are the colony, and that what is said about them individually affects the standing of the whole community ; bat the delusion vanishes when the tide rises and sweeps them and their memory away lor ever. Sir Robert Stout has spoken like a statesman on many occasions, He spoke wisely at Invercargill on the subject of such fads as the State bank and papei currency, and the wholesome truths hi addressed to the unemployed of Christchurch, when they were demanding perpetual maintenance from the State, put an immediate stop to a ridiculous but threatening agitation. But for the greater part of their time the leading members of the Stout-Yogel Ministry have been engaged in repressing one another's vagaries ; and there is scarcely any single great public question on which they can be said to hold unanimous views. Sir Robert Stout is a public man of great ability, and we believe of personally unselfish aims, but his indiscretions are many, and he too frequently goes up in a balloon,"

Tho adjourned meeting of the Auckland Political Financial .Reform Association is to be held to-night. As the objects of the Association—namely, to secure a substantial reduction in the taxation of the colony and a considerable reduction in the cost of govera meat—are common ground to all classes o* the electors, the meeting ought to be wel attended. Infected by the enthusiasm of the Committee of the Industrial Association, an also by the knowledge that the success o the forthcoming Exhibition is already an established fact, would-be exhibitors are in large number making application for >p sC ® and giving the committee much concern to accommodation. Already there are ove three hundred exhibitors whose man" sc tures will fill the entire space of the t«o large rooms at the disposal of the -Assoc ation. Those who have been allotted are hard at work fitting cases and arranging for the display of the material being e hibited. It will be requisite for everyt iug to be in place by Saturday, so as to entire completion of the exhibits by day, as the committee are determine have no delay in regard to the open s> ceremony on Tuesday next, *PP ' tions for space v?ill be entertained ai morrow evening. . The weather was extremely wet and mpleasant last evening, but one ol the is audiences of the season filled every P - the Opera House. In the dress ci rc orchestra stalls there was not a vacant t - ne The opera was " lolanthe," it be 'f f arf sixth representation of the f aVOU " , u' t opera, which doubtless would at :£ a " h een dozen more good houses; but it 0B withdraw, for the arrangements °f p tietjce include two popular revivals— . r hnt h gi and the Pirates of Penzance, » w in which Miss Alice Barnett will app characters specially written ■ first performance of "Patience &g place to-night, and no doubt there j auß great a desire to see the origins .her|oiitbas there was in Wellington and o 0 f em cities. Mr. Howard Vernon w ill ba course, be the Bunthorne, Pa become a played by Miss Elsa May, who j". great favourite during this I tour , enor, Ridsdale will appear as A 'tailed by and most of the other partsi wf „, t hetic ope" old favourites. Although the ffisthetic 1 F is only to be performed tor three n fcy tirely new scenery has been pa George Gordon. J , g^j. An inspection parade of the _ w3S and "0" Ratterv I Artillery " neers and U • rtill-sbed, under held last evening in the M 1" > pjrlß command of Major Andersj , „ very good also being present. There a, > muster of both companies. lastrttC entt put the men through the yarbus m of company drill, and Major fine HKtru a sauad in musketry exerciser

Messrs. Hermann Brown and G. P. Pierce, vho failed to answer to tbeir names when called on the Grand Jury, and who were each fined £5 unless cause was shown, appeared before His Honor Mr. Justice Ward in his private chamber yesterday. Mr. Brown explained that he was not a naturalised subject. The excuse was accepted, and his name was struck off the list. Mr. Pierce esid he was absent from home when the gammons was served, and did not return home in time to attend. The excuse was accepted and the fine remitted.

During the past few days the oondltion of the Very Rev. Monsignor Fynes has, we regret to state, gradually become worse, and on making inquiries early this morning, we W ere informed that the fatal termination of his illness would probably only be a matter of a few hours. The Rev. Father Coßtello is assiduous in his attentions to the sufferer, and spent the greater part of last night as well as the previous night, in attendance at ilonsiguor Fynes' bedside.

A meeting of the general committee for the carrying out of the Temporance Jubilee Festival was held last evening in the Gospel Temperance Office, Young Men's Christian Association Buildings. There was a full attendance, and Mr. J. T. Garlickwas in the chair. It was decided, in connection with the festival to be held in the Choral Hall on Monday next, that the whole programme be advertised at length in Saturday's Herald, and that notices from each Temperance Society be also published, calling on the various members to attend in full regalia, and to nominate one representative from each to take his plaoe on the platform. The result of the prize poem competition on "Temperance" was announced and Mr. E. S. Husband ("Lucius") was declared the winner, Mr. J. Blackman ("Leo") taking second place, Mrs. Hulbert("Gretha") being third. A letter was read from Mr. Husband, in which that gentleman generously donated the prize, £2 2s, to be equally divided between the Gospel Temperance Mission and the Now Zealand Temperance Alliance. In order to get the town and country workers in the cause together to confer about the " plan of campaign" for the ooming year, it was decided to hold a breakfast in Robson's Rooms at half-past eight on Monday morning ; after which Mr. G. B. Lilly will open the conference with an essay on "The Future of the Temperance Cause." During the evening, at the Choral Hull, Lady Fox will present the prize givenfby the Women's Temperance Union for the best essay to the winner, and Jlr. R. S ; Barry will recite the prize poem. At half-past six ft promenade concert will be held, when Mesdames Judson and Johnson, Misses McMillan and Main, Mr. Taylor, and other well-known amateurs will give their valuable aid, and the St. James choir will also assist. For the convenience of any of those who may be holiday-making, and whose time is limited, it ha 3 been arranged that refreshments will be provided in the side room by Messrs. Crosher and Masey prior to the opening of the concert.

At the Museum Buildings yesterday evening Mr. W. I. Robinson, drawingmaster at the city schools, delivered an interesting lecture on the subject of "Mechanics." There was a good attendance, Mr. Joeiah Martin presiding. Mr. Robinson demonstrated by experiments the deflections under various circumstances of beams of various lengths and thicknesses, and showed the importance of building into the wall by securing a beam at its ends, when it bore a weight of 1271b5, breaking at n strain of s'2lbs when tested with both ends free. The lecturer also proved the tension of and compression of rectangular beams when subject to strain, this experiment showing that the best place for boring a hole is in the centre of the beam, where no tension is exerted.

The Australasian. Times and Anglo-New Zealander states that " Mr. Phil Robinson, the well-known English author, journalist, and lecturer, was entertained by a number of friends at the Gaiety .Restaurant, prior to his departure for Australia. Mr. Robinson goes out to fulfil an engagement entered into with Mr. R. S. Smythe, to deliver a series of lectures in Australia and New Zealand." Mr, Robinson is a passenger on board the P. and 0. steamer P&rramatta, which will arrive at Melbourne on Sunday. Mr. Smythe, as most people know, *a at present in Auckland.

The whole of the Masonic brethren of Auckland are, we are certaiD, pleased to observe amongst the list of colonial Freemasons admitted to the past rank of grand officers of the Grand Lodge of England in honour of Her Majesty's Jubilee the name of Brother W. Lodder, Deputy District Grand Master of the English Constitution of the North Island of New Zealand. All will agree that no more deserving Mason or painstaking officer could have been selected for the high honour bestowed on him, and we are quite sure he will receive the hearty congratulations of all the Masonic constitutions represented in Auckland. He has been for years* the virtual head of the E.C. in Auckland, and the spread of Masonry and the number of lodges opened by him under the E.C. bear testimony not Only to hia assiduity but to his judgment end care.

Writing to the Australasian on the subject ■of its strictures on his land nationalisation policy, Sir Robert Stoat says :—" We have b very heavy task before us, for it is undeniable that the sentiment of the English people is in favour of freeholds. The freehold system has had a trial; no one can say, looking at the older countries of Europe, that it has been a success. Ido not pretend to say that oar system will be a success. If it fails, then some other will have to be devißed ; but this I do state, that in a bew couatry, those who wish to see the evils that blight England, Scotland, and Ireland not finding root here should, at all events, make an experiment with the conditional freehold system which is now the law of New Zealand. I might just add that I have noticed for some time that, whenever you refer to New Zealand politics, your information is exceedingly inaccurate. This I attribute to your correspondents, and I cannot understand, except it be from them, why it is that you should treat especially the Colonial Treasurer with the scant courtesy yon always employ. Depend upon it, your mode of dealing with New Zealand public men does not help to bring about that kindly feeling amongst the Australasian colonies which it should be your effort to promote. On the contrary, you are doing all you can to prevent any hope of closer relationship, far less even an informal federation."

The origin of the Primrose League (writes the London correspondent of the Arcus) arose from a mistake. To Lord Beaconsfield's burial the Queen contributed a huge wreath of primroses, with the inscription on them— " His favourite flower." In the Royal mind "His " always signifies something belonging to the Prince Consort, and it was so in this case; but the fashionable world jumped to the conclusion that she meant the late Premier, and at once began to remember how passionately fond he used to be of primroses. There is one mention of them in nis works, and I believe only one, in which a noble lord is made to say that hb has a re epeot for the flower in question because he has heard that at a pinch one can make a salad of them. But anything more out of character with Lord Beaconsfield, whose favourite bird was a peacock, than a preference for the simple primrose, cannot be conceived.

The usual meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Uniomwas held yesterday, when the awards of the judges re the prize essays on "Alcohol" were received. The judgea were Sir W. Fox, Dr. A. O. Knight, and the Rev. Peter Mason, who, after a careful and painstaking examination, gave their decision as follows :—Class I. : Ist prize, Stupor Comes EbrietatiH 2nd, "Delenda est Carthago;" 3rd, "No Surrender." Certificates: "Be Just and Fear Kot," "Never Despair," ''Waste .Not, Want Not." Class 11. : Ist prize, "Wine is a Mocker;" 2nd, "Cieave to that which is good ; " 3rd, "Spes." Certificates: "In Cruce Vinca," " Wait-a*wee," " Yield not to Temptation." Class 111. :No competition, " Labor omnia vincit." ,*lfc may be remarked that though there was no competition in the third class, the Union have decided to award a prize to the one entry. The essays have all been written by the several competitors under a nom de plume, The names of the prize winners will not be known until the prizes are given at the festival, on Monday next.

The trotting match whioh was to have been held in Plumpton Park in connection with the coursing match on the 22nd instant not having filled up as expeoted, it has been struck out, and a 16-dog stake for all-aged dogs substituted. All dogs which have won money this season are excluded.

There waß a clean iheafc fit the police station last night,

Mr. Jastice Ward held a short sitting in Chambers yesterday morning, and, on the motion of Mr. George, Mr. John Ansenne was admitted a solicitor and barrister of the Supreme Court, and Mr. Chas. Montague Calder was admitted, as a solicitor.

The election for the return of a city councillor for the Grafton Ward takes plaoe totk® polling place being St. Sepulchre schoolroom, Symonds street, and tte hours of polling from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Amongst the Jubilee illuminations in Auckland it is very improbable that any will excel those which have been prepared for the Auckland Working Men's Club. Mr. Pulford, scenic artist, has prepared a number splendid transparencies of large size, some, indeed, of huge dimensions, and these will be set off, not by means of ordinary gas jets, but with the electric light. A powerlul dynamo has been procured and fitted up under the supervision of a skilful electrician, and it is worked from the steam engine in Fisher's establishment, underneath the club premises. The apparatus was tested last night, and afforded every satisfaction, the light being steady and clear, and the machinery working accurately and without vibration,

A correspondent, "Rekab," sends the following concerning the Jubilee rejoicings : —"As no ono in Auckland seems to have a good idea concerning the fireworks, I should like to make tho following proposition: Mount Eden being so far away, and the Albert Park too near the houses, which might be dangerous, could not the Corporation do as is now done in all large watering places in England ?—that is, moor, say, two or throe hulks In the stream, say between the three wharves, viz., Hobson-street, Queen-street, and Railway Wharf, thus making sure against all danger, and likewise giving everyone an opportunity of witnessing an imposing spectacle,"

The Auckland Weekly News occupies the position of the premier weekly journal of New Zealand. Its popularity in the town and country districts of tho North Island is attested by the largo circulation which It enjoys, while in other parts of the colony, in Australia, and the islands, and in America and England, it is widely known and road- As an advertising medium it thus possesses advantages which no similar newspaper in the colony can lay claim to. Its country news, supplied each week by a numerous staff of reliable correspondents, is complete and impartial. Considerable space is devoted to the practical work of the farm, and to all subjects relating to agriculture. This department of the News is under the charge of a gentleman of great exporienoe and knowledge of all matters connected with the cultivation of the soil, and to render the information given as useful as possible, the subjects treated on are illustrated by skilfully-executed engravings. The sports of the field and turf are fully chronicled, and attention is devoted to the pleasant and interesting games of chess and draughts. As a family journal and general newspaper the Mews ranks equally high, and the greatest care is exercised to maintain the wholesome tone and character of its reading matter—nothing that is offensive to good taste or cherished convictions being admitted to its columns. It contains a weekly history of the news of the world, and special contributions on a wide range of subjects, from the facile pens of accomplished writers. Its serial tales are of absorbing interest, and are contributed by soma of the foremost novelists of the day. A sermon by an eminent divine, and some well selected Sunday reading, is also published each week.

Sale of dogs at the city kennels to-day. Annual meeting Auckland Chess Club this evening.

The afternoon concert at the City Hall on Sunday will be of a Jubilee character, and will be under the patronage of Colonel Ljon and other officers,

Messrs. S. Cochrane and Son will offer a large number of freehold properties for Bale by auction at their rooms to«day.

The second chamber concert to be given by Herr Tutschka will be on Friday, the Ist July, at the Choral Hall. The programme is a good one, and should draw a big house.

Messrs. Tonka and Co. will sell the privileges of the Onehunga races (to be held on Jubilee Day) by auction to-morrow at noon.

Messrs. Hunter and Nolan will hold thei regular Waiuku sale at the yards, Waiuku, on Saturday, the 18th insfc.

Attention is called to the sale of 10 cases of shrubs, plants, and bulbs from the Sydney nurseries, which takes place at the stores of Messrs. B. Tonks and Co. this afternoon, at two o'clock. These plants have been selected with the greatest care, and comprise camellias, including moßt of the leading double varieties, hydrangea, daphnes, coral trees, lilies, azaleas, dahlia bulbs, gladiolus, etc.; also about 200 orange and lemon shrubs of about 15 varieties, which have been grafted and especially selected to suit the Auckland climate. All these are from the well-known Sydney nurseries, Paddington, Sydney.

Holders of wholesale wine and spirit licenses, also packet licenses, are reminded that all licenses require to be renewed in terms of tho Act on or before the 30th instant.