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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8951, 16 January 1888, Page 4

An extraordinary fog has prevailed in England for several days, the darkness being described as black as night. In Birmingham some local preaohere endeavoured to improve the occasion by predicting the end of tbe world, which according t» them was to happen on Saturday la«t. The rewll was that among the ignorant and credu* lone great alarm prevailed, and much ex< citement was manifested. A oon«pir»cy has been discovered in Bulgaria, and numerous arrests have been made. Lord SalW bury takes a hopeful view of the Europe" situation. While admitting the d»ng« arising from the maintenance of the gigann armies abroad, he expressed the opinion tw the prospects of peace had improved. a™ rulers of Europe were straining every nerve to avert war, and he looked »» the future with hope. On the other nan* the news from Vienna does, not wo°ra w iv* this optimistic view of the situation. ■»■"•* the feeling of alarm is reviving, In ooii quence of the continued massing of HuM»» troops on the frontier. ■■'■ * It la reported that Mr. Allan MoGuire, •» Auckland contractor, is the successful tenderer for Te Aro (Wellington) rec^ atl( * No, 3, the amount being about £40,Qw>

H.M. b. Opal arrived in harbour on Saturday, after a little over a four months' cruise. The greater portion of her time was spent &t Tongatabn. Fiji was also visited, mainly, however, for the purpose of coaling. The trip appears to have been greatly enjoyed by the officer!) and men, and theTongans did all is their power to make the time pass as pleasantly m possible. Some of the officers are proud of the faot that they have been able to pretty fully master the Tongan lan* snags, and they are able to speak it very fluently considering the short time they had at Tonga. During yesterday the ship waa open to the publio, and was largely patronised.

There are a good many tourists now finding their way to Taupo. Two steamers are now plying on the lake. Aβ the trip by train to Liohfield is done in one day, and the coaohes do the run from Lschfield to Taupo via Atiamuri in seven hoars, Tanpo is thns brought within two days' journey of Auok« end. The district is being gradually opened, uid shortly its attractions will be as familiar o the tourist as those of Rotorua.

A gentleman recently from England says that English capitalists are ready and willlag to invest money in Thames mines whenever satisfied that the enterprise is boua 6de and likely to prove remunerative. They prefer, however, to go in as oontribntories in getting the mines explored, rather than to Buy out interests wholly, sharing the joint risks and the joint profits.

The valuation lists for the city, for the year 18S7 18SS, are now open for inspectioa at tue City Council otlicee, and objections must be left at the Police Court, before the 16th February, addressed to the Assessment Court, and a copy of the objection must be left at the City Council offices not lees than seven days before the sitting of the Assessment Court.

It was stated somo time ago that Com* miasioner Gudgeon was expected here shortly in connection with police matters. So far nothing ia known here as to his expected arrival. It seems that the Government will have some difficulty in carrying oat their contemplated scheme of retrenchment in this branch of the service. The first idea, It was rumoured at the time, was to select four or fire of the inspectors of the longest service, and compel them to retire on the usual compensation. It seems, however, that the appointments of some of the officers are uur* rounded by special circumstances, which preclude their being dealt with in that summary fashion, except at an amount of compensation whiun would render the promised retrenchment a most expensive business. The police force is said to be under the strength at the present time, as contrasted in the ratio of population,, with the police force of the different Australian colonies. It is an open secret that through the want of police officers in country districts, a good deal of smuggling and illicit distillation is going on, to the great injury of the revenue. Indeed the loss to the revenue is said to he a great deal more than the proposed saving by the retrenchment of the force.

The annual meeting of the Harbour Board will be held in the Board-room to-day (Monday) at noon, the business being to consider the accounta of the Board for the past year, in terms of section 55 of the Harbours Act, 187 S.

The Graphic of November 26 contains No. IL of Mr. B. G. Spsaring'e " Byways of Hew Zealand." The following are the pictures, which are well drawn and well engraved : Whaling Station, Rusaell, Bay of Islands; Pelorus Sound, near Picton, South Island ; Pioton, on Queen Charlotte Sound ; Pelorus Sound; Bank of Tree Ferns in Pelorus Sound ; Gaily, formed in Twenty Years by a Solitary Golddigger, Queenstown ; Auckland, North Island ; Port Chalmers ; Qaeen-etreet Landing Wharf, Auckland; iMew Zealand in Sight; The Kaikouraa ; View opposite Wellington ; Kxtinct Volcano, Mount Albert; Mount Eden, an extinct volcano ; Evening at Wellington. Iα a note to the picture of Mount Eden it is stated : "The view from thia mountain is considered oue of the finest in the world."

It ia stated by visitors from the Northern special settlements that unless the Government interpret the perpetual leasing regulations more liberally, as regards advances for improvements, some of them will have difficulty in holding on. Some of the eettK re are disappointed at not receiving what they had anticipated, and the storekeepers finding the regulations to be now rigidly interpreted, are getting chary of making further advances of stores. In some cases the settlers are paying little attention to the advances of fruit trees given to them, alleging as their reason that they do not know that they will ever reap the fruit, and therefore it is not worth their while to look after them.

Wβ understand that some portions of the specimens discovered at the Upper Waihou, Hokianga, have been forwarded to the Bank jf New Zealand, and to Mr. George Fcaser, 'jor testing by assay. The discovery had jeen known iu the district for some little wime, bat those concerned have been reticent lDtil their plans were matured.

The prospect of increased facilities of railway coaimanication between Otafauhu and Auckland is likely to harden property in the former settlement. Some properties have lately changed hands there at satisfactory rates, and some new residences erested.

The annual treat to the boys of the Kohim*rama Training School, organised by Mr. Kowe, of the Cnetoms, took place on Saturday last. The p.s. Britannia was chartered to convey people from Auckland, and as the day was beautifully fine, a very large number took advantage of the occasion to enjoy a iaj'a outing, Mr. Waddel, the chairman of he Harbour Board, being among the number. JThe pleasure-seekera were landed at Kohlmarama by the crew of the Ika Vuka in boats belonging to that vessel. All tho* rougly enjoyed themselves, especially the boye, for whose benefit races and other aports wore got up. A good tea was also provided.

Yeeterday, being the Feast of the Holy Kame of Jesus, there was High Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral at eleven a,m., Rev. Father Hackett (Adm.) beiDg the celebrant. His Lordship Bishop Luck was also present in the sanctuary. The Rev. Father Hackett preached an eloquent and appropriate dincoarse.

On Saturday evening as a country settler was mounting his horse at the foot of Wellesley»etreet, the horse plunged and threw him heavily to the ground. A constable and some of the bystanders went to his assistance, when it was found that he had not received any seriona injury. He persisted in hie attempt to remount the restive animal, and at last succeeded in doing ao and gallop* ping up Upper Queen-street.

In some "Notes on the Wafotapu Valley," made during hie phofcographio tour, Mr. G. D. Valentine gives some interesting particulars concerning its natural wonders, which are jast being opened up, for the benefit of tourists:—"One curious feature nf the Tohuringa mud volcano is that the liquid mud ooines up in bubbles—an exact representation of the arum lily in shape —before bursting into the air. There ie, on the way down the valley, after passing it, a Beautiful miniature terrace of the shape of a fan coming out of the side of a bank of grey clay. Passing from there, the tourist gbes over an enormous area of ground containing large pits, the walls of which are a perfect artists' or colourman's ehow board, every conceivable colour—dark red, purples,, Itnd all shades of yellow. Aremarkablefeaturo is the sulphur caves in the sides of these pits, the fumes forming stalaotitee of sulphur, pendent from the mouth of the cave. These features are so delicate that at the slightest touch of the Soger they orumble into dust. If these wonders of Nature are not protected by Government appointing a curator, the Vandalism of tourists will soon make them a thing Of the pant. As these natural beauties are all on Crown land the matter of their protection ought to be seen to. Tho cauldron at KotersKairamua i> about an acre and a half in extent, and is fall of boiling strongly acidulated water, the margin having beautifully noalloped edges. At one side of the terrace Is a aulphurouH spring, which from this point tarns the whole of the overflow, and passing along a narrow race falls over a cliff of about 13 feet in height. The deposit forming on this U sulphur crystals, and gives a fall having the appearance of solid sulphur, and of exfcetly same formation as the staircase of the Pink Terrace. Standing at the foot of this fall, and looking to the left, one feels as if transported from a Valley of Horrors to Fairyland. Large cliffs of pare alum stand out in perspective like the side wings of a theatrical stage against a background of dark-red earth, in the centre ef which are several of these sulphur caves, giving an exceeding variety of beauty and colour.",

The Auckland Saltwater Baths have just been repainted, repaired, and renovated, and are in capital condition. An impression has got abroad that the bathe are not ehark proof, but this Impression is wholly erroneous, the 1 whole of the fencing having been examined and is now in good order. About 200 visitors attend daily, and avail themselves of the baths. The custodian (Mr Strong) since the accident at the Freshwater B»ths has life-buoys, grappling irons, etc., in readiness for any emergency. It is a pity that the city authorities do not raise the walls of the baths, as at low water there is only four feet of water. An increase of depth would lead to an inorease of visitors, and at present many go away rather than use the baths at low tide. The hour for ladies has been altered from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is done to enable the young girls of the faotorles, etc., to have the opportunity of using the baths. In order to popularise the baths, we understand that school patties of children, of not less than twenty, are admitted at a half-penny each, as at the Freshwater Baths. Tho electric lighting experiments con-< eluded on Saturday night, and havo been so far most satisfactory. It will now remaiu for the City Council to consider the report of their own officers, and the question of cost. j Mr. Josiah Martin made some experiments tho other evening, with a view of contrasting the electric light with gas light. Hβ found that the light from an electric light lamp was equal at a distance of IS7 yards to gas light six yards distant from the lamp; in other words, that the electric light projected its rays thirty times further than the gas light. Mr. Thomas Barron, an old prospector on the West Coast end the Thames, seuds us the followiug in regard to the Chriatchurch company's proposal to dredge for gold along the sea coast between the Grey and Hokitika. Hβ says :—" I have been working about there for two or three years, and would like to give my opinion of that part of the coast. I worked one winter, and received the gold that was driven ashore by the sea at one particular place, close to the old Ballarat store. There are only certain places that are workable or payable, and not very rioh at that; but after a heavyjblow from the nortb-west there would be an extra deposit of gold. There is gold in the sea, bat is it payable ? I mean, will :it pay expenses ? There are quartz reefs in the sea running along the coast, cropping np at certain places where the sea has power to work on them. What makes me think so is because there were pieces of gold driven ashore polished like a gold ring on one side and ragged on the other side, showing it was held by some hard substance. The heavy sand that carries the gold free from silt or drift sand is in the breakers, and the heavy backwash from the shore causes the under current to carry the drift outside the breakers. That's where the dredger would not be able to go deep enough to get the sand that carries the gold. To work from the beach in a face crossing all the old golden leads and picking tbe golden sand that's driven ashore would pay dividends for years."

Notwithstanding the great heat lost night and the numerous other services the City Uall evangelistic service was largely attended. The Rev. J. S. Hill dolivered an instructive addreis, in which he spoke some plain words to parents about negleoting the training of their children and the harm and loss resulting therefrom. Mr Brakenrig presided. The fence around the Supreme Conrt Is now almost completed. It is a substantial plain picket feuce, with ornamental gatee, and the rounding off of the sharp angles not only greatly Improves the roads, but adds to the appearance of the grounds. The whole of the timber used is of the best totara. Recently Mr. G. D. Valentine, the wellknown photographer, made a photographic tour of the Lake Country aud Taupo, and hem returned to town. The whole series comprises Whakarewarewa, Tikitere, Waiotapu Valley, Waiarakei, and Tanpo. The six views of the principal scenes of Waiotopu commence with a view of Maungakakaramea, hentinel Rook Crater, at the foot of same famous mountain, and Tohuringa,a large mad voloano—in fact the largest mud volcano in the whole of the Lake district —measuring IS feet in height, and 30 feet from lip to lip. Next is a terrace, the oolour of which is a most delicate primrose. Ita sole beauty being the delioate primrose colour, its reproduction by photosrapby was an impossibility. Next comes Kotere-Kairamua—the new terrace formation, —although wanting in many of the striking features of the Rotomahana terraces, it may best be described as a reproduction of the trickling buttresses of the White Terraces. Another picture is the Sulphnr Caves. Of Waiorakei there have been obtained the four principal eights of the Waiarakei Valley — the great Waiarakei Geyser, Champagne Pool, Eagle's JVest, and the Twin Geysers. Some remarkable effects hare been secured by the use of the instantaneous drop shutter. By the new road which forms part of the proposed new route from Rotorua via Waiotapu Valley, Orakei-Korako to Waiarakei and Tanpo is got a view of the Huka Falls and a large tract of the valley of the Waikato. On the opposite side of the Waikato i& got a view of the Spa—Joshna'a Glen. Ten minutes' walk from the Glen is the far«famed Crow's

Nest geyaer, which Mr Valentine was fortu

nate in getting in action, and securing a drop shatter photograph of this remarkable geyaer, which at the time of his visit was shooting into the air to a height of 60 feet. The Waiotapu series of photographs are the first given to the public of that famous valley, and will be, from their novelty and beauty, especially prized by tourists and lovers of nature.

A contributor to the Sydney mail has the following paragraph :—" I had intended to write something eloquent about the new year, but looking ac one of the country papers I came across this sentence, which Introduced a leading article on the question : —'A few houra after this newspaper leaves the printing office the year 1877 will have gone, rolled into the measureless embrace of eternity.' This stopped me; lam contented to take a back seatl"

Mr. Jastice Innes, of New South Walee, has given a peculiar decision in Chambers, in the case of Nioholls v. Curnow. The latter, & clerk in a solicitor's office, wrote thus to the former: "I am in reoeipt of yours of the 13th instant, enclosing cheque for £12 7s 6d, amount of my taxed costs and bailiffs' fees." This letter did not bear a receipt stamp, and the plaintiff thereupon set the law in motion to obtain the penalty for non-com-pliance with the Stamp Act. His Honor held that a mere cheque waa not payment or satisfaction of a debt, and indeed the letter did not actually purport to accept the cheque as an acknowledgment of the pay-, ment of a debt. Consequently, there was no necessity for a receipt stamp. This is certainly drawing rather a fine distinction, and it is said that the law officers intend to appeal to the Supreme Court for a review of the judge's decision. On the other hand the letter certainly only acknowledges the receipt of a cheque, which, unless it was duly honoured, would certainly not amount to payment of the debt. If it were honoured, however, probably no second receipt would be either given or demanded.

The free entertainment at the Temperance Hall, Albert-street, was crowded on Saturday evening, several of the men belonging to H.M.B. Opal being present, when tho following programme was given by the Beresfordstreet Church Band of Hope choir. The entertainment commenced with a glee by the choir, "The Stars that above as are

Shining," which was followed by a pianoforte solo (Schubert's "Impromptu"), by Mr. Hooton; Mr. Cousins then sang, "The Harbour Lights at Sea." Miss Davis sang the song " Laddie" so nicely that it was redemanded. Mr. Tndehope gave a very stirring address on "Temperance as it is and as it will be," which wae listened to very attentively. Mrs. JBartlett followed with the song " Carrier John," which was encored, Messrs Peace, W. N. F. Cousins, and Bartlett favoured the audience with a humorous

quartette, "The Three Chafers," which they had to repeat. Mi«s Edmonds rendered "The Broken Pitcher" in such a pleasing manner that it was encored. Mr. Bartlett sang, "Down in the Deep," and Mr. Aierston gave a comic reading, " Major Namby," which was well received. Messrs Griffin and Kingaley. two sailors from H.M.s, Opal, gave "The Lah de»dah Brigade," and "ihe Rose of Tralee." Ihe choir then sang a glee, "By their Songs so Sweet and Clear." Votes of thanka being given to those who took part, the entertainment closed with the National Anthem. The Good Templars from the Opal will take part next Saturday night.

There were in the lock-up last eveniDg Lily Barrett and Susan Mathieson on a charge of larceny of carpeting, value 15g, the property of Dr. Wilkine ; and three men for drunkenness,

A St. Petersburg correspondent, writing on November 6, says :—"The present situation of Europe reminds one strongly of that of the beginning of this century, the part of France being now played by Prussia. .Russia is again menaced by a powerful coalition. At first the European Press began a vigorous attaok against her, and by insinuations, and not unfrequently calumny, poisoned the public mind in Europe against her; then began a war against her economical inte reste, her commerce, her finances. Now Europe, armed from head to foot, joins forces to meet, and if not annihilate, at least so weaken this coloiisal Empire as to render it harmless ; and in a diplomatical, economical, and financial sense, Russia is in a state of siege. The question is, has Russia very much to fear from this coalition ; and, in the long run, will not her enemies suffer more from the gigantic struggle that is preparing than sho will herself ? There is every reason to believe that, for from weakening Kusaia, the impending war would awaken her dormant energies, force her to take advantage of her great neglected roaourceg, shake her into action, and (orce her to throw off the unnatural apathy she is labouring under. As to prolonging the present state of things, if it is ruinous for Russia it ia still more so tor her adversaries. There is no doubt that we are living through a most important historical moment, and tbe most clever and experienced diplomates are at a loss to predict what may happen in a few months or even a few weeks." The granite pedestal which has stood for so many yeaiß between St James's Church and the Hyde Park Barracks at the top of King-street, Sydney, untenanted, will this month bear a, valuable burden and become a centre of attraction. The statue of Her Moet Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria arrived in the Oroya, s., ana will be placed on thia pedestal in a few days. Lady Carrincton will perform the unveiling ceremony, which will be one of the first oentenary proceedings. Her Majesty is represented iu her royal robes ; she wears the> crown, and carries in either hand the sceptre and orb. The atatuo is of bronze, and is about 11 feet 6 inches in height. The figure is most impos* ing, and Mr Boehtn has succeeded in getting a very good likeness of the Queen. The statue was too large to be made in one single casting, and the body, head, and arms were cast separately. ! The parts have been put together very skilfully, and it in impossible to detect any flaw in the workmanship. The casting was done at Moore's foundry, Thames Ditton, and was witnessed by a couple of Australians. It is complimentary to the sculptor and the colony that the Quoen preferred this statuo to any other model submitted to hor, and chose a replica of it for ereotion at Balmoral. ,Her Majesty is represented in a regal drt-ss, handsomely draped, with a long train embroidered with emblems of the rose, shamrock, and thistle. On the breaat are the ribbon and star of the Garter, in the right hand is the sceptre pointing downwards, and in the left the orb. On the head is placed an Imperial crown. The following notifications are from Lloyds' Weekly o£ December 4:—Mre. Langdon (nee Ellen Donovan) left England for New Zealand, September 24, ISSS, with her husband and four ohildren. Her mother has not heard of her since. Oliver Martin, otherwiso Oliver Shaw, was apprenticed to Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, in New York or Pennsylvania, and was brought to London to see his brother and sister about 33 years ago, returning to America veiy shortly after, t (is father was in New Zealand at that time, having gone out to the war in 1844. He is now resident in England, and anxious to find the son he has not Been for 43 years. Mrs. McShane (nee Catherine Kerbert), who left Ledgate, Durham, in 1877, for New Zealand, with hor husband, a coal factor, is sought by her brother and mother. Richard Morrie, ongaged as steward on the P. and 0. boat Behar, waa last heard of in IS7I, and is euppoeed Dow to be either in Australia or New Zealand. His mother and brother would like news. George Charles Smith, of Whiteiriars'streot, London, was last hoard of in April, 1879, at Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand. His mother inquires. Walter Keen Viney, shipwright, went out to New Zealand in the Kuterpe, about 14 years age, and is known to have reached Wellington, but has not since been heard of. His father seeks news,

" DeDgue fever," whioh was so troublesome :n New Zealand some timo ago, seems to havo been very widespread in its ravages. A correspondent o£ Truth, writing from <Jairo, towards the end of November last, sayg :— "There has been a very severe outbreak of •dengue' fever here. Nobody knows, by the way, the derivation of 'dengue,' though some people eay it ie a corruption of ' Aden ague." It is a most nnpleasanv, though not fatal, complaint, leaving the sufferer very weak and shakj for about a month. Nearly every Englishman, and most of the foreigners have had it. Sir Francis and Lady Grenfell, Lady Baring, Sir E. Vincent, and Colonel Tulloch have all been amongst its victims. It is hoped that the cooler weather which has now set in will atop the epidemic." A writer in a Sydney contemporary eays : —It was somewhat unfair to call attention, as someone did the other day, to the faofc that a gentleman whose name has been mentioned in connection with the public life of the colony failed once in the witness-box to spell "January." lew people are in training for such feats as this. We say "January," but we nearly always write "Jan.;" and it ia very unreasonable to ask anyone, especially in the witness box, to spell the word right out. We all know how crossexamining barristers fluster and disconcert the diffident and bashful witness ; and it is easy to understand that even a man with a handle to his name might be unable in the enervating atmosphere of a law court to grapple successfully with euoh a word aa January. And after all ia it a crime to spell badly—ls it any more than an amiable weakness? I onoe knew a literary man of some prominence who constantly wrote "Teueday" instead of "Tuesday;" but no one thought the worse of him for doing so. No doubt he could have written " Tuesday " if he had pleased, but he preferred to write "Teueday." I have also seen the writings of an important church dignitary which were conspicuous for bad spelling, but this venial fault did not affect the said digaitary's statue in the Church or his standing in the community to which he belonged. If our public men never did anything worse than break down over their spelling, ifc would be well for the colony. Lately looking over the books and aooonnts of the late Katkoff (the Moscow journaliet), it was discovered that he had received for several years the sum of 35,000 roubles an percentage for some mysterious capital that could not be found. The fact is that when that crusade against the Jews took place some years ago, some rich Iwaelite o»pitaliata offered Katkoff the percentage of a great sum of money, which thfey supposed to be able to save by hie ailence, and the great publicist accepted the bargain, and never wrote a word against the Jew* from that day. Thte fact is a>l the more ohwaoteristic that Katkoff's honesty had become proverbial, and nobody ever asked how he made the great fortune which he left. j

«'Z,"the last letter of the alphabet is always spoken of in England as "zsd," but in America always as "zee." An American expressed surprise at this, and said in the Now Xork Journal of Commerco, that in any village in England to speak of the Jotter "zee" would be unintelligible. Walker, in his "Priuoiples of Pronunciation," eaya that "'Zed,' borrowed from the French, i* the more fashionable form of this letter, bui has not been adopted in America." Was the form " zee" ever in common use in Englind, and, if so, when did the fashion change ? asks a contemporary.

We may remind those intorested that tie night-school at Newton East will ha ret opened to-day. Mr Draffin retains charge cf, the classes up to the end of the present! month, when fresh arrangements will have' to be made as Mr Draffin will then assume the duties of assistant master of the Weilesleyicitreet Sohool.

By advertisement in another column it will be seen that our local shootiats are invited to attend a meeting, to be held in the Drillshed on Wednesday evening, to consider the advisability of sending a team to represent Auckland at the forthcoming Centennial Rifle Association meeting at Sydney. The project is one which we are sure will com* mend itself to all those interested in rifle

shooting, and we are quite confident that a team could be selected composed ot marksmen who would render a good account of themselves, and worthily represent Auckland in Australia.

The Tramway Company have discontinued the *bue service, both on week days and on Sundays, to 86. Helier'a Bay, until further notice.

It will be seen by our advertising columns that Mrs. A. Fawoett Storey, from the Technioal College, Sydney, has kindly oonsented to deliver a lecture on " Household Soience" to-morrow evening at half-past seven o'olock, in the lecture hall of the Young Men's Christian Association. The Rev. J. S. Hill, who has himself taken such an aotive interest in such matters, by his popular lectures on cookery, will preside. The lecture will be free to all members of the Young Women's Christian Association and of the Young Men's Christian Association, only non-members being charged. Mrs. Storey brings excellent credentials as to her ability to deal with suoh topics, her leoturea in Sydney being not only largely attended by the general public, but by a number of medical men of good standing, who expressed their jhigh approval of them. Misa Crisp, the lady superintendent of the Hospital, has suggested that it would be a good thing if the Hoppital Board would avail themselves of Mrs. Storey's visit to the city bo get her to give a short course of, say, three lectures on " Invalid Cookery " to the female nursing staff of the Hospital, and no doubt the suggestion will be duly considered. On Saturday evening a display of boxing was given in the City Hill by Harry Laing, the champion of the colony. There was a fair attendance. Mr. B. Donovan was chosen referee, and Mr. J. Cnaafe acted as time* keeper. The sparring consisted of a series of bouts between the champion and seven local amateurs, on the condition that the best of the latter was to receive a silver medal presented by Laiug. At the close of the contest the referee stated that three of the competitors—Saxon, Evans, and Konward —were tqual in point of merit, and would have to box again. Saxon was, however, subsequently disqualified as not being a strict amateur, and as Kenward declined any further contest the prize fell to Evans.

The Suva brings from Gieborne three children who have been committed to the Industrial School, Auckland.

An open-air meeting was held last evening near the watermen's steps by the Gospel Temperance Miasion workere. Mr. J. T. Garliok presided. After devotional exer* oisea and reading a portion of Scripture, Messre. T. L. Wilcook, Abel, and W. K. Cook gave addressee, after which fifteen pledges were taken. This was the largest open-air meeting the above mission has yet held on the wharf.

The Auckland Weekly News occupies the position of the premier weekly journal of Now Zealand. Its popularity in the town and country districts of the North Island is attested by the large circulation which it enjoyw, while in other parts of the colony, In Australia, and the islands, and In America and England, it is widely known and read. Aβ an advertising medium It thus possesses advantages which no similar newspaper in the oolony can lay olalm to. Its country news, supplied eitch week by a numerous stiff of reliable correspondents, Iβ complete and Impartial. Oonaideriblo spaoe ia 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 expenenoe and knowledge of all matters connected with the cultivation of tho soil, and to render the information given as useful us possible, the subjeots treated on are illustrated by skilfully-executed engravings. Tho sports of the field and turf are fully chronicled, and attention is devoted to the pleasant and Interesting games of cheas and draughts. An a family journal and general newspaper the News 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 oolumns. It contains a weekly history of the news of the world, and special contributions on a wide range of subjects, from the facfle pens of accomplished writers. Its serial tales are of absorbing interest, and are contributed by some of the foremost novelists of the day. A sermon by an eminent divine, and some well-selooted Sunday reading. Is also published each week.

Tho weekly meetings of the "Progressive League" will be resumed this (Monday) evenIng. The evening will be spent in considering the question of Bible-roadlng in public schools The president (Mr. X. West) will deliver the opening address.

The annual meeting of the Auokland Working Men's Olub will be held in the on the 20th instant.

Licenses to sell and store keroeone goods, expiring on the 31et, must be renewed before that date.

A meeting of Iho trustees of the Auckland Savings Bank will be held on tho 18th Inst.