THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1888.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8988, 28 February 1888, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1888.

Lv another week or two the difficulties of the severe European winter will be quite over, and there will be nothing to prevent the war beginning if it bo really intended now. There are certain obvious reasons why most of the parties concerned should wish it postponed, and Russia is one of them, for it is well known that she is not ready at all points for a gigantic straggle. For instance, if her reserves are, as is stated on good authority, only provided as yet to a small extent with tho repeating rifle, it would be rash to now enter on a straggle with so potent an adversary as Germany. But the Russian Government has peculiar domestic exigencies, has to defend itself against the charge of want of patriotism, of being only half-Russian, made against it by the more vehement nationalists, and so might wish to please the public by a dash upon Constantinople, that longcoveted object of Muscovite ambition. Moreover, it appears that Germany, instead of being an adversary, would be a consenting party to such an enterprise, for Prince Bismarck has again repeatedly declared—as he said through his official organs last year, after his famous interview with M. de Giers —that Germany does not intend to interfere with Russia's views and interests in the Balkan Peninsula. Under such circumstances, the latter's great massing of troops on her frontiers in Galicia and Bessarabia does indeed look ominous. We have never been able to agree with the assertion very often made that the condition of her finances, sometimes said to be almost bankrupt, would prevent her going to war. The Government in St. Petersburg have several ways of meeting such a deficiency, and one way is, as some years ago in Armenia, and on the borders of Asia Minor, by making the country where the war is waged support it. On the present occasion the movement of immense masses of men to the frontiers has already involved great expense, and perhaps it has fallen as heavily on the industry of the provinces traversed as on the Imperial exchequer, for wo are told that all business traffic on the various lines had to be suspended while the transport of the troops and their baggage and stores was going on ; and it seems it still continues, for, according to telegram, on a single day, the 21st inst., twentyseven trains carrying troops entered Bessarabia. In the face of this immense and costly movement of troops it is hard to doubt that the Russian Government intend the war to come off now— is, that they mean on the arrival of fair weather to begin a Balkan campaign, with Constantinople for the goal. And yet it is quite possible that the event may not now occur after all. The present state of things is a visible repetition of last year's arrangement between Prince Bismarck and M. de Giers, when the German Government was bound to throw over the interests of Austria provided the Russian Government would similarly throw over the interests of France. That was the exact arrangement divested of varnish. But it fell through because Germany, speaking through the non-official Press, refused to abandon her ally, Austria ; and Russia, speaking through the Moscow Gazette, the only journal' that dared to beard the Government, refused to abandon her ally, France. Matters, however, seem more opportune for the revived arrangement now. The German Chancellor, in the private con-

ference which we are told he held with the leaders of all parties of the Legislature, to win their assent to his enlargement of the army, very likely did not confine his persuasions to that subject; for, contrary to what was seen last year, we hear of no opposition in the press or Legislature to his favouring Russia's ambition in the Balkan quarter. So, too, in the latter empire, M. Katkoff is dead, has ceased to be at the helm of the Moscow Gazette, and there is now no outcry against an understanding with Germany, which must mean an abandonment of France. At the same time, it is most improbable that the Old Russian party, although speechless at present, fail to recognise the danger of having their army occupied in a desperate struggle against AustroHungary, Turkey, and certain Balkan States, at a moment when the German Chancellor would seem to be getting his hand ready for a colossal move towards European supremacy. Russia would not like the balance of power upset by anybody but herself ; and even the acquisition of Constantinople would not be compensation for assisting her potent neighbour, and sooner or later her inevitable antagonist, to now acquire a European predominance. It is quite possible that public opinion, such as it is in Russia, and however late in showing itself, may compel its Government to halt, even after moving more than half a million of men to the frontiers ; and if so, a way will be found to let the matter drop. Perhaps Prince Ferdinand may be induced to leave Sofia, and the Bulgarian question be left to stand over for another year ; and people will then wonder, was it for this only that Russia, with her bankrupt finances, made sucli an expensive row 1 "In the name of the prophet— figs !" Yet, likely enough, this will happen, and if so, instead of averting, it may accelerate the happening of another thing by and by, namely, revolution in Russia. The manner in which Prince Bismarck is drawing his net round France may well be a caution even to the halfRussian Government in St. Petersburg. If the war come off now, and France go downand the chances visible so far are tremendously against her, something very like a dismemberment is plainly contemplated. Besides what Germany would take along with Belgium outside the border, Italy would get a share, and it is reported that overtures have been made to Spain with temptation to join the Alliance. The African policy initiated by Gambetta altogether estranged Italy, and it alarmed Spain ; but France, with two Empires next door, where previously there were small States, could never again be formidable and dangerous as in times past, and if she were to be now blotted out as a great Power, no nations would ultimately have more reason to regret it than Italy and Spain. Of course, the English Government do well to stand aloof and wait for developments, for after all the fuss, matters have not yet emerged from the region of diplomacy

The administration of the Police Offences Act seems to demand more consideration than is usually bestowed upon it. In its capacity- of dealing; with " rogues and vagabonds," it is a measure of exceeding elasticity; and it must be confessed that in its operation it does not seem consonant with generally-accepted ideas of civil liberty. It is, of course, of the first necessity that a measure that has to do with the irregulars that hang on the skirts of. society, should be of a comprehensive nature, and at all times the Vagrant Act has stood apart from all other corrective measures for the freedom with which offences arc interpreted. The fact that those commonly brought under its operation are of a class that does not fit into our ideas of orderly life, is apt to make people think that they have no rights at all ; and so the rounding-up of a number of "rogues and vagabonds," and sending them up for lengthened periods of imprisonment, are commonly looked on indifferently as a thing merely necessary for the peace and good order of society. But the fact that our sympathies are repelled by the manner of life led by men and women, who are regarded in the eye of the law as " rogues and vagabonds " when they are called up tor judgment, should not blind us to the evils inherent in a system which operates so intermittently that the subjects of it cannot possibly know at what time they are liable to be called upon to answer for their offences. From time to time we hear of a raid made on these irregular members of society, and a number of them are brought to Court, and on the grounds of their having no visible means of support they are sent to gaol. Yet for months, it may be years before, these persons have been following the same course of life without any interference from the police. We do not for a moment.. maintain that they are not rightly called to account and punished, but anyone noticing the occurrence of these intermittent applications of the law must see that these unfortunate people are not governed under law as others are, but under a species of personal government that is entirely at variance with our ideas of justice. If, as is assumed, when they are brought to Court, they have been living in violation of the law, then why, we ask, is not the law uniformly administered ? And if one, or two, or three are brought up and punished, why are the others spared, who are pursuing the very same line of life without having any lawful visible means of support? If the law is intended to be a terror to evil doers, then it certainly fails in its object, when it is not uniformly applied ; and though such occasional raids of the police may serve to show their zeal and efficiency, they certainly have not the effect of deterring- hers from criminal courses, when it is seen that punishment reaches them, not in consequence of any new departure in wickedness, but apparently from sudden caprice in the application of the law. That evils must arise from such irregular operation of law, must be evident to anyone ; and, much as we may shrink from sympathy with those who may have put themselves out of the pale of society, society itself must suffer from any section of the community b e i under the rule of personal government or caprice rather than the reign of law. We do not insinuate that the police may have ever abused such power as is thus placed in their hands ; but we do not hesitate to say that this power of discriminating between criminals who are all equally offenders, and of rounding up some to punishment when dozens of others living the same lives are permitted to go on with impunity, is not one that should be placed in the hands of any man or body of men ; and this spasmodic action of the law, which gives us from time to time the picture of one or two unfortunate men or women brought up and punished on the

grounds of their means of support. i s a J* 0 lawful administration of law ae °a tk This view of the questing i, greater importance now th a ? all ment is being dealt out tJ* with extreme severity by th. the Police Court. We are ,lc!l of objection to the severity Jn not imposed by Mr. been too much trifled with in a? by the inadequacy of punishnr!? posed on offences in the 2 f 8 "»• public to be inclined to 1! 7 r % the wholesome discipline wlS 1 deley has introduced • but ? Bai twelve months' imprisonment labour is becoming the standard S tor what used to be consid^f na! !? ciently punished by a w« e k < * U& -' gaol, there is something verv ,[ ! = in the thought of the tp.-i, . ea^a! might be exercised, by the <2? use of the power of rounding Court those who may be sinL? t/J from their fellows as having nn ,s means of support. ' av, ti] As will be seen from telegram • ' other column, one of the rU.iH, "- ari " visit of the Minister of Public \Y 0t | l!ie the west coast of the Middle M ; Sto that the harbour works of GrV 4 is and West port will be taken owr'S Government This, at least do* seem in the direction of retm J? not so far as the State is concerned 1 is to be feared that it is but the'i^ '* ning of an operation of which » ' likely to see too much before I are years have passed. Indeed, it h a - 55y rumoured for some time that a n ment was on foot which had fn,°'" object taking action in the con' session to obtain legislation author? 5 the passing over of a- large numbed the harbours of the colon v to the St t If this is to be so, it will be but tK natural sequel of that criminal facilj-' ! with which local bodies were eria't ' by the Legislature to undertake er'r? mous responsibilities on the Wr \ that if the people were wifli n , '?* tax themselves, the colony should"" • stand in the way of their doing f This was the plea on which the V/?' struction of district railways was niai? tained in places where nearly evervor' except those immediately intere-t-J believed that railways could not" made to pay for many years to come Whether the promoters believed it themselves, or merely were billing to undertake obligations in the full assurance that the colony would come to the rescue, these railways were sanctioned and in due timo were purchased bv the State. But the desire for local railway; was nothing to the rage for harW--making, and a few years ago nearly every little settlement abutting on t'sea or inlet, seemed seized with a frantic desire to raise a loan and have a harbour. The result of this, as of all othtpublic recklessness in which the people of New Zealand have been indufe is beginning to come home to usTand no doubt the Greymouth and Westerharbours will lead the way to the Stay being saddled with the burthen o! nearly all the minor harbours of the colony.

News of a terrible massacre in Centra! Africa is reported in our cable messages this morning. An armed force of Arabs attacked a number of villages on the shores of Laie Nyassa and outraged and murdered the cafortunate inhabitants. Several cf the Litives concealed themselves among the reed* on the banks of the lake, but these were set on fire by the Arabs, and those h hiding were either burned, or speared to death, or devoured by alligators on attempting to swim to a place of safety. Alter these atrocities, the Arabs attacked the stations of the Livingstonian Mission, but the Europeans managed to escape. The Bulgarian crisis is approaching a climax. The Russian ambassador at Constantinople has formally demanded that the Sultan shall depose Prince Ferdinand. The latter Ik announced his willingness to retire from Bulgaria when the Powers are unanimous in their selection of a successor to him, who shall be acceptable to the Bulgarian peeple. The condition of the Crown Prince ei Germany is now said to be less favourable. During his stay in town, Sir George Grey has daily visited the Art Gallery and Free Public Library. To the latter he yesterday presented twelve volumes, namely—tM narrative of "Commodore Wilkes's Exploring Expedition in the South Seas, i volumes ; "Dampier's Voyages,''s volumes: and Froude's " Oceana." The catalogueo: the Grey collection is now in the hands o: the printer. We understand that there is» probability of the Mackelvie art collection being placed in the Art Gallery after all, the trustees having taken legal opinion on the matter. Sir George Greys suggestion on that head is the best yet made lor getting over any legal hitch in the way. and he is willing to introduce in the General Assembly a Validating Act if necessary. It seems that after paying the legacies unaer the will of the late Mr. J. T. Mackelvie, there will be no such large sum left as*a anticipated. A considerable amount ot fcii fortune was invested in stock of mining timber, and other companies, which throuj the vicissitudes of the times have greatly shrunk in value. Sir George Grey, wears pleased to learn, is in fair health. He returns to Kawau to-day. We are assured, on good authority, tliS j Colonel Fraser, M.H.R. for the Thame, does not contemplate resigning his seat. & stated in a paragraph in yesterday s issueSome of the saloon passengersi by s.s. Mariposa, mail steamer, who we * quarantined at the island of Motuibi, co plain strongly of the defective acconun dation and arrangements at the q®p- n ( tine buildings, also of the offensive stj w the Quarantine Superintendent. »e un & stand that communications are being ■ warded to the Government on the subject That long-suffering Borough Parnell—hitherto the most clemen considerate of local taxing bodies -- . at length obliged to enforce pay® 5 . rates by legal proceedings, owing toping necessities and claims for m • Twenty-five summonses were tote against defaulting ratepayers yestera t h e an instalment of the system vrti > . Town Clerk informs us, will bee o "; m , until all defaulters have paid up. ter | be well for those in arrears torero that, by paying up speedily, they *j i. the payment of costs involved d) 8 . which, in many cases, are largely in of the actual amount of the rates due. We are glad to learn that Mr.& ° ron i ing, solicitor, who has been sulfen t an attack of typhoid, and had some r J* is slightly better. The attack c attributed to sewer gas fr°m_tii grating opposite his &£.*&£ •n Saturday, Mr. Goldie, the SaniW spector, was, under instructions, v tu . sacking over the street gratings, a _ rating them with carbolic acid £ n gi. fectants. On inquiring at the . v rD) jj neer's office, our reporter wasi jn( j that the street openings were tr gj; that there could be no escape ° • . j ollt inasmuch as the pits were sea ejaiiy inches of water, and were, supp , y , with clean water from the city Pr * a At twelve o'clock yesterday t er short sitting of the R.M. Co , ffl for case of Dr. Laishley v. Cave, a t £42 interest on a mortgage on " Tbeo . land at North Shore, was heard. -• , Cooper appeared for the plainMj vi dence Cotter for the defendant After ® M , for the plaintiff' had been hca Cotter applied for a nonsu't, ill some argument judgment was next Thursday. . sof The sports given by the ° oth Auckland for the officers and . C rick squadron, took place at the . tnesge d by Ground yesterday, and were days about 5000 people. Data. Isi oMJ 1? is proceedings will be f° unc r wr ffl eeti D probable tliat the committee, af mon6 y all expenses, will have, a.rfJjJJ th 6 * in. hand, and it has been de« be l^ such be the case, this balance A i d M to the Hospital and ChantoWe q[ 0 to dispense in charity. Th day - rewas taken ° f 2 c suit far exceeding the anticip wottld B g committee, who thought they yflel ted£* with considerable success u they at) the &atfis.

Yesterday morning Admiral 'Fairfax and party left by the eight o'clock Waikato [rain for Lichfield, going on via Atiamuri to t'iuiw to-day. It is intended to stay a week at Taupo, making the ascent of Tongariro, tents being provided for camping out. We understand that the Hon. Mr. Fisher will leave Wellington for Auckland about Saturday. In all probability he will remain in Auckland for a week or two. On Sunday Mrs. Fairfax, wife of Admiral Fairfax, pinned the medal of tho Royal Humane Society on the breast of Georgo B<?ard, boy of H.M.s. Nelson, who had gallantly'attempted to save the life of Major Robilliard, of the Royal Marines, who was drowned through the capsizing of a sailing boat in Sydney Harbour. He was also instrumental in saving the lives of the survivors by cutting away the sail, and when the boat turned bottom upwards, helping them on to her bottom. Beard severaf times got the major to the boat, and endeavoured to keep his head above the water, but the lamented officer died of exhaustion. A curious complaint has reached us recarding the tramways. A number of passengers were proceeding by car to Newmarket on Saturday. The day was warm, nil the temperature in the car was uncomfortable. One of the passengers opened a window, but tho ticket-taker interfered and closed it again. When tho inspector or ticket-puncher came round he was appealed to but ho ruled that the window could not be lowered, as it contained an advertisement. Three of the passengers got out at Kvbor Pass and walked tho remainder of the distance to Newmarket rather than be subjected to the suffocating atmosphere of this car, in which tho windows could not bo lowered because of the advertisements on ihe panes of glass. Threshing has commenced in the Pakuranvja district, and the heavy yields of wheat obtained have fully justified tho anticipations. Messrs Charles Roberts and White have realised over fifty bushels to the acre.

Tho number of visitors to the City Freshwater Baths is still keeping up. A feature is the largo number of school children';! vailing themselves of the establishment. These are admitted in batches of cot less than 20, in charge of a teacher, at (i halfpenny each, and the reduction in tariff is greatly appreciated, and the privilege largely availed of.

At the District Court. yesterday morning the case of Andrews and another v. Farrell was heard. The case was undefended, and judgment was given for plaintiff.for £50 17s Bd.'with costs, £4 lis. In the afternoon the case of Whitley v. Hastings, a judgment summons for £S7 5s 4d, was heard. Mr. l>ufaur appeared for the plaintiff, and M Napier tor the defendant. Mr. Dufaur stated that it had been arranged that the defendant should pay the amount by instalments of £3 a month. An order was made accordingly.

Yesterday evening Constable Mackay of the Water" Police, arrested on warrant a fireman belonging to the steamer Bayley, named Edward Flanagan, on a charge of assaulting Mr. Thomas Ewen, the second engineer of that vessel. The assault is dieted to have taken place during the trip ioal Sydney to this port, and Flanagan is also called upon to answer another charge of disobeying lawful commands while on board the ship. It is stated that the accused, with several of his comrades, had expressed considerable discontent at the provisions supplied to them, and they allege that the present arrest is a consequence of their grumblings in this matter.

With reference to the new comet we find the following telegram from Melbourne, dated the 22nd inst, in a Sydney paper <l A telegram from Kiel, Germany, was received at the Observatory this morning announcing the discovery, at the Cape of Good Hope, on the 18th inst., of a comet, in constellation Telescopium, its right ascension being 19 hours 12 minutes, and declination 56 degrees south. Its daily motion in right ascension was 7 minutes, Increasing, and declination 1J degree, iiminishing." We have received from the publisher, Frederick Pitman, of Paternoster Row, London, copies of two solo anthems (basso), Entitled " I Am Well Pleased" and " Bless the Lord, O My Soul." both libretti being taken from the 116 th Psalm, the composer being our esteemed fellow-colonist, Mr. James H. Pope, Inspector of Native Schools. Several syllabic misplacements notwithstanding, these pieces evince conliderable musical culture and facility in the jrt of composition ; and, being well within the ranee of ordinary ba-ssi, we may hope they will at an early date be accorded an idequate public performance. There are over a dozen lads now in the Cost ley Institute, about half of whom are apprenticed to trades. There is some difficulty experienced in getting the lads work. Several of the lads are being educated at the public schools, not having attained the necessary educational standard, before they can be apprenticed. The inmates of the Institute are being drawn from the ivohimarama Industrial School, care being taken to select none of the criminal class or ivhose record is indifferent. As showing how the city ratepayers are burdened in the matter of charitable aid, a man lately took ill at Wallis' Island. His passage was paid to Auckland, and he was left here without means to be a burden upon the Charitable Aid Board. Mr. Wickham, the Relieving- Officer, has suggested that proceedings De taken under the Imbecile Passengers Act, which provides that if any passenger is brought into the province likely to be a permanent burden upon the authorities, or upon any charitable institution, the Collector of Customs jnay require the owner, captain, agent, or tharterer to enter into a bond of £100 to Vieeb any expenses entailed. An election took place at Onehunga yesterday to fill a vacancy in the Onehunga Borough Council caused by the resignation jf Mr. F. Keehan, and resulted in the relurn of Mr. Enoch Burden by a large majority. The following is the result -. — Mr. Enoch Burden, 161; Mr. John Lundon, 63. Majority for Mr. Burden, 98. The result of the poll announced by the returnlug officer, Captain Galbraith, was received quietly. About three o'clock yesterday afternoon some consternation was caused on the Noi-thcoto Ferry tee by a man slightly under the influence of liquor falling from the wharf on to the deck of the steamer Vivid, a distance of about fourteen feet. Captain Regan at once telephoned for a doctor. Dr. Hooper examined tho man, and found that he had not sustained any injuries worth speaking of. He refused to give any particulars regarding himself beyond that he wa3 a gumdigger, and had no money. On Thursday next the return match between the team of cricketers from H.M.s. Nelson and the Pakuranga Club will be played at the grounds of the latter. Tho of-wars-men will drive out in a sixhorse break, and dino at Panmure, and in tho evening both teams will go to the Howiek Hall, and take part in a concert and dance, which is being organised for their amusement by the residents. The Industrial and Fine Arts Exhibition a All Saints' Schoolroom, closed finally last evening. It proved a great success, and fiomo £50 has been added to the church funds through the exertions of the promoters. There were on view last night some paintings of Auckland and northern Scenery by Mr. E. Aldis, lithographic views of Auckland in 1852 exhibited Dy Mr. Cobb, * girl's head (crayon) by Miss Louie Devore. * or the flower competition the awards were made and the certificates presented by the chairman of the committee (Mr. C. Macin- £*-'), to the successful competitors : —Bridal bouquet: Ist prize, Miss Devore ; 2nd, Miss P°bb- Hand bouquet: Ist prize, Miss l J ton ; '2nd, Miss Ada Dixon. During 19 evening the following musical programme was executed, under the conductort ( 1 j ?/ -Mr. F. Edger :— Part song, " Gipsy l" e; song. Mr. Arch Tayler, "Bedouin Un?» on^ . part song, "Up Brothers, I'm' Ul dueC for violin "and piano, Herr "Ti r. an( Miss Wright; part song, "Tt ,^ n °vale son Mr. Arch Tayler, iv '°l Minstrel" (encored); toy iftii M o . n y » l ,art song, " Good Night, Farewhifl Save uie Queen." The bells lent v, J** 6 / 0 ll9e d or the chimes were kindly £deo/ easrß - Garlick and Cranwell. Mr. was mi. k' av ° two selections on them. It intja . nounce at the close of the proceedyiron.,l 1 e schoolroom would be open "cajavt'f o^' lo tlay t0 enable exhibitors to B '"sir property.

There were two cases of typhoid reported yesterday to the Sanitary Inspector, Mr. Goldie—one in Pompallier Terrace, and one in Wallis-street. A case of scarlet fever in Randolph-street was also reported. Further enquiries made by Detective Herbert show that Seriac, the Auckland burglar, arrived here from Noumea, Caledonia, in the schooner Marion, on the '22nd January last. It seems that he stayed at Park House, Rutland-street, paying weekly in advance, but having no meals there. He went out early every morning, and did nob return till evening, when he always cleaned his boots and dressed himself with care. One of the hands on board the Marion says that he did not notice him till the day after the vessel left Noumea. Duriug the voyage he let his beard grow. Ho stated he had valuable property in his trunk, but only two half-sovereigns in money. This sailor took ill, and went to the District Hospital. While there he was visited by beriac, and as Constable Chris tie, who wasan inmate of the ward, occupied the next bed, he had a good opportunity of seeing Seriac, though he had then no suspicion Seriac was the burglar. The police are now strengthened in their belief that Seriac was a recicliviste from New Caledonia. The Onehunga Waterworks loan of £5000 having been successfully floated by the Council's agents, the first progress payment will be made to the contractor (Mr. Brierly) this morning, at ten o'clock, and on Wednesday morning the work will be again progressing.

There was a large attendance of the public at the Police Court yesterday morning. A charge of cruelly ill-treating a dog was preferred against a Greek named Daimon, and the statements of three witnesses showed that accused had thrown the animal violently to the ground and had kicked it. The dog in question was in the Court-room, and during the hearing of the case gambolled at it's master's heels, whilst Daimon frequently caressed it, as if to prove tho truth of his assertion that "he loved his dog, and would not ill-use it." Mr. Baddeley, who was on the Bench, stigmatised the case as a most disgraceful one, and he fined the prisoner £10 and costs, or in default to undergo one month's imprisonment. A murmur of astonishment ran through the Court-room when the decision was given. The annual general meeting of the share holders in the Thames Valley and Rotoiua Railway Company (Limited) will bo held at the Company's offices, Shortland-street, today at noon, tho business being to receive tho annual accounts and elect directors.

A meeting of the Newton Borough Council was held yesterday evening to consider the question of maintaining the Great North Roaa. The Mayor presided, and Messrs. Riggs, Casey, Faulder, Ambury, Morrison, and Garrett were present. Four members of tho Archhill Highway Board attended the meeting to discuss the question with the councillors : and after a long consultation, it was decided to adjourn the meeting till Thursday morning next, when the members of the Council aiid those of the Archhill Highway Board will meet to inspect the road in question, and consider the subject of boundaries, etc. It seems that I*3oo must of necessity be spent upon the road, and the Newton Council aro willing to contribute half this sum 011 condition that the other £150 is given by tho Archhill Board. The latter body, however, contend that they should not be asked for more than one-third of this sum ; and thus a difficulty arises.

The adjourned meeting of the Onolninga Council took place in the Council Chamber last night. There were present:—His Worship (Dr. W. 11. Erson) in the chair, Messrs. Clark, Jackson, Tapp and Goldsbury. Mr. Enoch Burden, the newly-elected member, made and signed the usual declaration and took his seat. The Mayor, on behalf of the Special Committee, reported that the financial agents (Messrs. Connell and F. W. Brookfield) had been successful in floating the waterworks loan at par, the rate of interest to be 6 per cent, for a term of 10 years. The Mayor intimated that owing to the Council having agreed to provide a sinking fund of £100 a year, at next meeting of the Council he would move " That Messrs. Connell and Brookfield be appointed commissioners for investing the sinking fund." It was unanimously agreed that the financial agents be instructed to lodge the money in the Union Bank of Australia, to the credit of the waterworks account.

Nothing could more forcibly illustrate the mania for gambling which prevails than a glimpse at the Auckland detective office. It is gorgeously decorated with the various gambling paraphernalia which they have confiscated. Among the "properties," which are valued at £50, there are roulette cloths, equipment for "Sneak 'em," "Doodlembucks," " Under and over," &c. The gambling plant is complete with the exception of "Aunt Sally."

.As a portion of the public appear to be under a misapprehension concerning the parcel post system, we would call their attention to the regulations which forbid the enclosure of letters in parcels sent under that system. All parcels containing letters are charged double letter postage on delivery. The regulation is on page 65 of the Postal Guide, and runs as follows —" Parcels may not contain any letter or communication of the nature of a letter, money (coin or bank notes), or a packet or parcel intended for delivery at an address other than that borne by the parcel itself."

The settlers and others are still growling at railway management, and which they declare is showing no improvement, the permanent officii of the department proving too strong for the Ministry. Some time ago an agitation was got up by those interested in the timber trade to get the Government to agree to the introduction of Hoppus's measurement for baulk timber. After some debate this was agreed to, but the concession was rendered nugatory by increasing the tariff. Formerly, timber was carried from Wairnauku to Onehunga for Is Sd, and now the charge is Is 9d ; so by a little financial legerdemain the concession is rendered nugatory. In Victoria, the Railway Commissioners do not seem to be able to please everybody. They have been lately (leputationising Mr. Speight, tho Chief Commissioner, to reduce the grain rates, as they cannot grow wheat and pay the charges. He told them it could not be done, and if wheat did not pay then they should grow something else which would pay. Previous to the commencement of the sports at the Domain cricket ground yesterday, a lad named Cody was playing on the ground, when he was struck and knocked down by a beam, which fell after being put into position for the obstacle race. The boy, who was injured in the back, was taken to the Hospital. In all tho Wesleyan churches in the Manukau circuit 011 Sunday last there were special harvest thanksgiving services. At Otahuhu the church was very prettily decorated with fruits of various kinds, Scripture texts, and sheaves of wheat and oats. The church services were well attended, but special interest seemed to centre in the united thanksgiving service in the afternoon in the Public Hall. Persons of different religious creeds assembled from Mangere, Onehunga, Flat Bush, and other places to unite in thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest. Under Miss Burns' conductorship the school children sang some harvest hymns very nicely. Tho Rev. R. Bavin, presided, and ho and the Rev. W. Gittos addressed the adults, and Mr. Ewington addressed the children. A Rangitikei resident who was in town last week (says the Wanganui Herald) informed Mr. J. Laird that he had seen the fly that so much fuss is now being made about in tho Rangitikei district years ago, and that it did not do very much damage. We notice that the Advocate mentions a similar fact, Mr. C. F. Henneke having informed our contemporary that he saw the fly 20 years ago, and that it only worked in low-lying and ill-drained patches, doing but little damage. The annual concert in aid of the funds of St. Peter's Church, Takapuna, will be held in the Lake schoolroom. A good programme has been prepared, in which some of the leading lady and gentlemen amateurs from Auckland are to take part. The Tramway Company notify in outadvertising columns a change in the Newmarket and Onehunga time-table. In another column it will be seen that the Columbia Elite Roller Skating Rink is being formed in the Agricultural Hall. Mr. Salmon is to be the local manager, and Mr. V. A. Harris is the general manager for all Now Zealand. The hall has been secured for seven months, and will be opened on Tuesday, the 6th March. The company who are making the alterations intend to spend £500 in fitting up the hall, and Auckland will make the tenth roller skating rink controlled by Mr. Harris and his partners.