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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9013, 28 March 1888, Page 4

There is an absence of warlike news in our cablegrams this morning, which shows that the situation in Europe, if not more pacific, is without any material alteration. General Boulanger has been returned for the department of Aisne, but as he is upon his trial for a breach of military discipline it is uncertain whether he will be able to take his seat. Moreover, a.second ballot is to be taken. M. Wilson, the son-in-law of ex-President Grcvy, who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment for participation in what are known as the Paris scandals, has had his sentence quashed by the Court of Appeal. An exploring party in New Britain is supposed to have perished by a tidal wave, which, following a violent seismic eruption, swept over the island, carrying everything before it.

Mr. John Taylor and family were passengers by the Te Anau yesterday for Sydney. Mr. Taylor has been a resident of Auckland for more than twenty years— having been associated with Mr. Amos in the erection of the Supreme Court Building. He has carried out several large railway and other contracts. But the days of big contracts in New Zealand are over for a time, and Mr. Taylor has decided to take up his residence in Australia. His many friends, however, expect and hope that he will see meet to. return to Auckland at no ery distant period.

The Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, has received an intimation from the Colonial Secretary's office to the effect that the season for native game will open on Friday next, the 30th instant. The season usually commences on April Ist, but this year that day falls on a Sunday, and as Good Friday is so close to the end of the month, the Government have thought it advisable to commence the season two days earlier, and thus give sportsmen the full benefit of the Easter holidays. The season for imported pheasants, quail, etc. —will commence on May Ist, as usual.

Mr. W. A. Hunt, well-known in connection with the discovery of the Thames goldfields, was a passenger to Auckland by the Wairarapa. Mr. Hunt has had varied experiences since the palmy days of the Shotover mine. He has lately been engaged in mining on one of the good fields in Australia. Mr. Hunt comes back to take a look at some of the recently-opened mines in the Upper Thames,-a district with which he is well acquainted.

By the s.s. Wairarapa, which arrived yesterday morning, Mr. J. P. Campbell, of the firm of Russell and Campbell, returned from Samoa, via Sydney. Mr. Campbell, who was present at Samoa when Malietoa was deposed by the Germans, proceeded to Sydney by the steamer Lubeck, and as an evidence of the dullness of trade for that vessel, he states that the cargo consisted of little more than a few bunches of bananas, whilst there were not twelve passengers on board.

The Danish Consul informs us that he has personally received the following subscriptions in aid of the Norse wood settlers :— Dr. T. B. Kenderdine, £5 ; H. Brown, German Consul, £1 Is ; H. P. Barber, Consul for Sweden and Norway, £1 Is ; A.D., £1 ; C. Scherff, 10s ; R. F. Luks, 10s ; D.8.C., 10s ; A.H.N., 10s ; John McK. Geddes, 10s 6d ; P. Olsen, 5s ; G.W., as ; E. Arnold, 2s 6d : total, £11 ss. Mr. L. Coupland, of the firm" of Coupland and Co., Customs-street, has generously offered his assistance by receiving cast-off clothing of all descriptions, to pack them and deliver them free of charge on board the steamer. We feel sure that many families who cannot afford to part with any money during these bad times will gladly contribute in this manner, and as the need of blankets, boots, and clothing of all description, especially children's, are urgently wanted amongst some twenty families, with more than fifty children, who are all homeless and penniless, we feel sure that it will meet with general sympathy and response.

By the steamer Te Anau for Sydney yesterday there were shipped to the order of Mr. Barnes, of the Clarence River, New South Wales, five young Hereford bulls from the herds of pedigree cattle of Messrs. R. and E. Maclean. The animals were much admired, their excellent points being the subject of comment by several authorities who witnessed their departure. The Rev. E. A. Teller gave his lecture on " Recollections of Queer People," last evening, in the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church. There was a large attendance. Mr. F. L. Prime presided. The lecture was given previously at Grafton Road, but had lost none of its attractiveness. In his remarks on queer chairmen, and queer public speakers, the lecturer spoke strongly on the necessity of teaching young men the art of public speaking. It was pitiable to witnessas he had witnessed—men who had been in the House of Commons for a quarter of a century, wealthy, and well educated, yet who had never got further in tlfe councils of the nation than to utter "Hear, hear," in a debate. To-night Mr. Telfer will lecture in the Tabernacle, 011 "Gideon Ouseley, the Fearless Irish Evangelist." This lecture has been highly spoken of by the Australian Press. Incidents from the wonderful life work of Ouseley will be given, and traits of Irish character. Admission is free, but a collection will be taken up in aid of the church funds.

Residents in Alma Place and the eastern slope of Ponsonby complain that when the wind is easterly the odours whichare wafted up 011 the night air are not of Araby the Blest. The sewage from the sewer at Wellesley-street and those at Franklin Road and the western side of Freeman's Ray is deposited on the beach, where it rests, but very imperfectly deodorised by the ingress of the tide. They think that steps should be taken to fill up the Bay, and thus get rid of a plague spot and add valuable building land to the endowmemts of the Harbour Board.

Considerable interest is now being evinced in the forthcoming Ponsonby licensing election, which takes place tomorrow. By advertisement in another column it will be seen that both parties are now on the warpath, and we may expect to see the extreme of friendly feeling shown in their endeavours each to wrest a victory for his own side. It appears the brewers' canvassers are spreading a report that if the licenses are refused a club license will be obtained. The prohibition canvassers on the other hand contend that there is no likelihood of a club license being granted to take the place of refused licenses, and that the time is near when club licenses must be under the control of the police.

Our citizens appear to appreciate the Art Gallery. It is estimated that one thousand persons a week now visit) the Gallery and inspect the pictures.

~^* e funeral of the late Captain J b Morpeth, Ponsonby Naval Volunteers took place yesterday afternoon, with miiwt honours at three o'clock. A short ser viZ was held at the deceased's residence 5? Mary s Road by the Rev. R. F. Macn'icol prior to the funeral cortege leaving f or til Presbyterian cemetery, Symonds street The coffin, covered with wreaths and draped with the Union Jack, was placed on M, carriage of a nine-pounder of the "a° Battery, and drawn by the Ponsrm'u Navals. The officers who actedT 3 "ft bearers were Captain Geddes, " A" Batter, Lieutenant Parker, Auckland N-n-/ '' Captain Hitchens, Waitemata Nav'-d' Captain Hulse, Onehunga Navals- r\n tain Fenton, and Adjutant GerrJP" The firing party was composed of the Pnn sonby Is avals, under the command Z Lieutenant Miller, of that corps The fir J carriage contained as chief mourners th four brothers of deceased and Captain T bert ; the second, Messrs. J Lamh'p*' Turtle, A. J. Hurndall, R. andG. K? the third, Messrs. W. Hunter, HurnrMi (sen.), F. H. and A. Haszard ; the ES the Revs. D. Runciman, R. F. M,° ' i and G. B. Monro. His Worship the Nr.,, ' (Mr. A. E. Devore), Messrs. T. PeucorV F. Lawry (M.H.R. most of the leadin residents of Ponsonby were present' • i the members of the Auckland Shi brokers' Association, of which deceaV?) was a member. There was a good at d t dance of the men of the various Cl) ,'*' Among the officers present were cffi Shepherd, commanding district; Car ' Commandant Colonel Mahon \f ain " Payne, Tonks, Clifton, Birnie (V, ',' Jorj Little, Leahy, Robertson, Captain '""i* Quartermaster Selfe, Grant, Dacre (' -l ton (Wairoa), Smith, Moore, Bo\' P < I'-" sing, Allen, Tobin, Somers. \h' n „ t route in Karangahape Road and Svmnn i street the side pavements were li nec ' great crowds, and there must , 1 from 4000 to 5000 spectators. During f progress along the route the X ava I f under Bandmaster Hunter, nlawa ' Dead March in Saul," '<tC t- , Halt," and The Artillery Dead MarcH*' At _ the cemetery the Presbyterian burial service was read, the. Kev< I) \\' Runciman and R. F. Macnicol conducting the service alternately. At the cW tl.r volleys were fired over the grave ' afto" which the volunteers reformed and marched to the Drill-shed, under command of Cm, tain-Commandant Leßoy, where they were dismissed. On tne march back the l„,'i played, "See That My Orare is Kept Green and Rocked m the Cradle of the Deep. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Garlick and Ci-n well.

For_ some time past the municipal anthorities have been worried about thdisposition of the night-soil, and various suggestions have been made as to its disposal, one being to remove it by rail to the country in the form of poudrette or otherwise. In the event of this bein» done Morningside railway station is the mo-t, convenient point for loading up. But the residents have already taken the alarm" and will have none of it. In a petition forwarded to the City Council they say- " Your petitioners learn with great, alarm that it is proposed to make Xlorningside railway station a depot for nightsoif collected in Auckland. That there can be 110 doubt whatever that storage of night soil for even a few hours will cause considerable sickness in the Mount Albert district, and be a source of danger to the citizens of Auckland."

Mr. C. Muller, who lives next the Primitive Methodist Church, Alexandra-street, had a rough experience at an early hour yesterday morning. Some time before daylight, Mrs. Muller heard a step in the yard, and afterwards a man walked on to the verandah, and tried to force in the door. Mr. Muller got up and opened the door, when lie saw the intruder at the end of the verandah. He told him to clear off, but. he insisted that this was his house. He made a rush towards Mr. Muller, at the same time opening his coat. Mr. Muller, thinking that he was going to produce a weapon, sprang at him and seized him by the throat, forcing him over the verandah rail. Holding him there, Mr. Muller called on a man who was living in his house, and when he came, the two dropped their disturber over, the fall being several feet. He then gathered himself up and ran away. A curious circumstance is, that when the intending robber came towards Mr. Muller, he called as if on a dog, and a dog then jumped on the outside fence and barked twice. But the dog got his head between two palings, and later on was found hanging there quite dead.

A meeting of the City East Licensing Committee took place yesterday forenoon at the offices of Mr. S. Y. Collins. There were present: Messrs. J. Winks, J. J. Holland, J. P. King, and J. Craig. Mr. Winks was elected chairman.

The monthly meeting of the Institute of Architects was held on Monday evening, at the old Council Chambers. After the routine business was disposed of, .Mr. Bell read a very interesting paperon " Pre-historic Architecture," touching 011 the social condition of primitive races, and motives which prompted the erection of megalithic structures, as at Stonehenge, Carnac, Abury, tomb of Atreus, &c. The old Arcadians, a Cushite race, the predecessors of the Chaldeans in the valley of the Euphrates, were to be credited with the earliest architectural efforts, which found greater development oil the banks of the Nile, and subsequently in Greece. Many points of resemblance were traced between the primitive architecture of Assyria and Egypt with those existing in America, particularly in Peru, Yucatan, and Mexico; also a similarity of religious ideas, &c. Reference was also made to the singular archaic structures in India, Crimea, Sardinia, Ireland, Scotland, and other countries, the views of noted archaeologists as to their erection and use being considered, the conclusion being that the primitive races, though simple and natural, were no more brutal than their modern successors, and that their architectural remains indicate the exercise of spiritual aspirations and fidelity to social obligations.

The following are extracts from the letter of Mr. Coleman Phillips, of Wairarapa, to the premier of Victoria, with reference to the disease at present affecting rabbits in the Wairarapa district—l have the honour to inform you that the bladder fluke" disease has a firm hold of the rabbits upon this run, and that it has also been met with upon neighbouring runs. You will observe by the copy of Sir James Hector's letter attached what a fatal disease this is, and that it practically keeps the North American continent free from the pest. I consider it nature's true remedy for over-production, like the " liver fluke" in sheep,which, if not carefully guarded against, would quickly decimate the English blocks. In the v> •»- rarapa district we have had the rabbits very bad, but we have managed to get them down. The " bladder fluke' disease la now keeping them down. I will send you a box of the diseased rabbits, and tell you what measures to take if you purpose trying the remedy. The disease "has been upon this run about eighteen ninths to _ two years. Personally I have no faith in eithei M. Pasteur's (cholera) or M. Renard s (scab) remedy. The mildest form of fever attacking sheep causes them to lose their woo , and lam disinclined to accept A l . Pastern a assertion -that the cholera microbe will only attack the rabbits ; true, it may kill oti many of the rabbits, but the fever germs are certain to attack other animals, althoug 1 they may not kill them. As to scab, we all know what that means. Either remedy endangers the wool clip. The rabbit i? a bad pest, it is true, and an expensive one, but in the course of five or six years it \\i run its course, like thistles or one of the blights. Netting is required for fencing, also rigid inspection under a Rabbit Act, so that each individual settler shows due energy. There must be no km of energy shown either by your government or by individual settiers. Cats, ferrets, stoats, and weasels require to be turned out. Poison requnes to be laid where it can be done. Men, dogs, and guns should be used also, and gradual y the pest will be got down. The " bladaei fluke" disease, it carefully propagated, then keep the pest under. I have personally. gone through all these measures, and sent home about a quarter of a million skins. It is simple madness to essay som drastic measures of relief for any pest. is safer to face and slowly conquer a a pest with nature's true and safe remedies. We have conquered the pest in this districo over about two million acres of land. can do the same in Australia. our dry open plains will nob afford near the shelter to the rabbit given by the watercourses in our hillsides. Besides, the rabbit must have green food or water.

Account sales for the butter sold in England for the Frozen Meat Company, with a letter describing its quality and, condition, have been received in Auckland. We have .seen the letter and the account sales. Tho description given of the quality and character of the butter ifi of a gratifying nature, as the lot appears to have reached its destination without detriment. The letter gays, " The butter is good in quality, mild, opens up fresh, also colour right." The writer goes on to say, We found that our first sales were the worst, as the buyers did not know the quality of the butter, and though best butter had fallen in price, outlast sales showed an improvement in tone. Indeed, the demand was unlimited. If you ran continue to send us similar quality, we can sell any quantity here at the top price going, but ib is important that we receive regular shipments from you. If you will send us he whole of your make, we can establish your brand upon this market." All this must be very gratifying to the Freezing Company. How to got butter into England so that it will "open up fresh" has been the knotty problem, but the Company apjiear to have solved it. That dealers should be more eager to purchase on the second day of the sale than on the first, although the market had fallen, speaks well for the system under which the butter was made, and he care taken in packing, shipping, etc. The offer to own the whole concern, and "establish the Company's brand," is evidence of the agent's estimate of the quality of the butter. Indeed, everything is flattering except the account sales, which, with . freight, and expenses, etc., show a loss of one-fourth of the original Cost of the butter. However, having overcome the difficult task in getting a really first-class article into England, the Company must now apply itself to the less difficult, but no less vital, question of how to produce their commodity at a cost which will enable them to sell it at English ruling prices.

Seventeen applications for the position of headmaster at the Nelson-street School, forwarded by the Board of Education, were considered at the City Schools Committee meeting yesterday evening, when it was decided to recommend the Board to appoint Mr. Cronin, 8.A., who received four votes in the final ballot, Mr. O'Donoghue securing three. Mr. Cronin, who holds a B1 certificate, is at present headmaster of the Mount Albert School, and he has been for six years in the service of the Board of Education.

Yesterday evening the anniversary soiree of the Ponsonby Baptist Sunday-school was held in the schoolroom, Jervois-road. There was a fair attendance, about lot) sitting down to a tastefully-laid tea, which was dispensed by Misses E. and L. Smith, Maxwell, Jones, Clough, and Plummer. When the good things provided had been disposed of, the meeting was adjourned to tilt- church, where the Rev. J. D. Gilmore, pastor of the church, took the chair, and Messrs. F. Battley, R. Fry, and Rountree also occupied seats upon the platform. Apologies for absence were read from Revs. Spurgeon, Garland, Smith, and Euneiman. After the opening address by the Chairman, the Secretary, Mr. F. W. May, read the annual report, which showed the school to be in a flourishing condition, the at tendance having increased considerably during the past twelvemonths, there being -l(i scholars and '.'ti teachers now on the roll. An earnest address upon the "'Past, Presents, and Future of Sunday-schools" was then delivered by Mr. Battley, which was attentively listened to. The remarks made by Mr. E. Fry upon Christian Giving," were also evidently appreciated. Mr. Rountree also spoke briefly. At intervals between the addresses the following musical programme was rendered in a very pleasing manner by the church choir, under the leadership of Mr. W. H. Newton :—Anthem. "Christ is Risen " (Goss), choir: quartette and chorus. "By Grace Are Ye Saved," Misses Edmiston and Plummer, Messrs. Grigg and Battson ; quartette and chorus, " He that Heareth," Misses Gilmore and Plummer, Messrs. Crafts and Battson : anthem; "For God So Loved The World," choir.

A somewhat remarkable communication has been forwarded by Mr. Purbrook, electrician, to His Worship the .Mayor and the City Council relative to the city electric lighting scheme. Mr. Purbrook sets out by remarking that as there appears to be a lull in the discussions of the Council with reference to the scheme, he craves permission to come before them to fully explain his views on the subject, and to consider any questions they may be good enough to put to him. If after that interview they deem it wise to seek at his hands written statements of details, and require of him to furnish elaborate calculations as regards cost in whole or in part, positions of stations, and the present work pertaining to electric lighting of city, he requests that " they will vote a moderate sum to pay him for his time and trouble, such sum as in their wisdom they may deem sufficient." It will be seen that the crucial point is at the end of the letter.

The Railway Department advertise in another column a train leaving Auckland on Good Friday at six a.m., and Newmarket at ten minutes past; six a.m., for Mercer; returning from Mercer at ten minutes past ten p.m., stopping where required on both directions to pick up or get down passengers.

A meeting of the recently-formed Ratepayers' Association will be held this evening at Mill's Hall, Dock-street, Freeman's Bay, at half-past Seven o'clock. It is stated that the business to be brought before the ratepayers is of an urgent character.

"E.F.G." writes: —"Sir, —I notice in your issue of to-day that Mr. J. A. Froude, true to his fame for inaccuracy, has been writing vapid nonsense about what Roman Catholics believe and disbelieve. It is easy to see at a glance that Mr. Froude has met and conversed with only nominal indifferent Catholics in the course of his money-making peregrinations. Indeed, it is only such who would have any ambition to meet the fossilised anti-Catholic historian, whose mis-statements the eloquent Dominican Father Tom Burke exposed years ago. In the face of the multitude of thoughtful, educated, principled people of high and low degree who are returning to the faith of their forefathers in England, Mr. Froude might just as well say, and with as much truth, that practical Catholics have given up faith in animal and vegetable food, and taken irrevocably to sawdust."

An Adelaide paper says that nothing but mining, in all forms, is spoken of everywhere. In shops, business places, places of amusement, private houses, on tramways and railways, everywhere the talk is of the silver mines. One comical instance is told of having occurred at a North Adelaide church. Two families were proceeding to divine worship coming from different directions, with olive branches marching demurely ahead. They met at the church door, the children going in first, the wives next, and lastly the two heads of the family coming together. As they were uncovering and entering the sacred edifice one paterfamilias said to the other, "Take 5s for your Gipsy Boys ?" " No, sirree," was the audible answer as paterfamilias No. 2 enters his pew" You can have them for 5s 6d." And throughout the service we presume both men thought anxiously of mines and scrip.

Messrs. Cro3.<-ley Bros. (Limited), Manchester, the makers of the well-known Otto Gas Engine, were exhibitors at the late Adelaide Exhibition. The exhibit consisted of a half horse-power vertical engine with dynamo combined, lighting 12 •amps of 16 candle power each, the engine Dnly using 40 cubic feet of gas per hour ; i four horse-power engine with a refrigerator combined, delivering 2000 cubic feet of air at a temperature of 25 degrees below zero per hour ; also a new type of gas engine for electric lighting, which takes a charge of gas each cycle of movements, varying the quantity of pas and not the number of explosions, which results in very steady driving and a perfectly steady light, This engine was driving a Crompton iynamo with 40 glow lamps and two 2000&rc lights, and was in charge of Mr. Fieldwick, the company's representative in Australia. This gentleman, who is now in Auckland, informs us that 26,000 Otto Gas Engines have been sold. The engines are now made in twenty sizes, from 2-man to 120 horse-power, and are employed for every conceivable purpose for which power is required, whether it be the pumping of town sewage or such onerous work as that required at the great lighthouse at Sydney Heads, where the dynamos are driven by Crossley's gas engines. Mr. Field wick, by advertisement, asks for communication relative to any business connected with the Otto Gas Engine. 1

Yesterday Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin re- , turned to Auckland after an extended tour in Europe, and were welcomed back by a i large number of acquaintances. 1 A letter from San Francisco, dated February 6, says :—" Mr. Creighton returned a fortnight ago by the Zealandia, and is now engaged with a mercantile firm. Perhaps he will take over the New Zealand Agency again ; but, so far, he has declined to do it. Probably the office will go abegging." This evening at the Opera House, the Brough - Boucicau'it Burlesque Company open a season in Auckland, when the three-act burlesque, " Little Jack Shoppard," will be produced for the first time in this city. The piece, whilst abounding in comedy, contains bright and sparkling music ; and it. will be mounted in effective style, and with all the accessories which accompanied its production in Sydney, where the play had an unprecedented run. Mr. Brough, who is to assume a leading part, is one of the best comedians in the colonies, and lie is to be ably assisted by a powerful combination. A well - trained chorus will assist in the performance of the work, whilst the efficient orchestra will bo under the baton of Mr. F. Stanislaus. As showing the value attached to the Auckland-grown fruit, we may mention that prior to the leaving of H.M.s. Nelson, for Sydney, Admiral Fairfax arranged with Mr. Ben Dawson, fruiterer, to have a supply of all seasonable fruits sent to him by each Sydney steamer. The contractor for tho new Customhouse, Mr. Newson, is pushing on with the foundations, which are both heavy and deep. A good deal of trouble has been experienced through water, and it lias been found impossible to keep it down with either a syphon or hand-pumps, and a steampump has been brought into requisition. There has been some difficulty in getting services held regularly at the Kohimarania Industrial School, but the Rev. ,T. S. Hill, has arranged with the master, Mr. Hogan, to hold service on Wednesdays, fortnightly. The following district order has been issued by Inspector Sherman to the force under his command, on his retirement, ' yesterday : —"ln consequence of the short notice of my retirement from the service, I regret that I shall not have an opportunity of visiting the several stations to say goodbye to the many worthy members of the force throughout the district. Though I have been a comparatively short time here, 1 have had enough opportunity of seeing for myself the advantages derived by the inhabitants of this important district from the zealous and considerate manner in which all have conducted their arduous duties. I leave you all with feelings of deep regret, and shall always retain a warm remembrance of the mutual sympathy which has at all times existed between us. Had it been in ray power to advance your interests, nothing would have given me greater pleasure. It is gratifying to me to know for your snkes that Mr. Broham, whom I have known for many years, is to succeed me. J can safely say your interests will be guarded by him with the same kindly spirit lie has always shown towards the men over whom lie has been placed. Though our connection has been severed, I shall always entertain an ardent desire for your welfare and that of the service, and the same feelings which induced me to come to New Zealand to offer my humble mite towards the benefit of my fellow men, shall always be my guide through life. The change has come so suddenly upon me—l am unable to say what I shall do, or where I shall go—but my spirit will always be with you."

Steps have been taken to repaint the whole of the iron railings in front of the Municipal Buildings, as also the entire railings of the Albert Park. The resultis greatly to improve the appearance of the building, and the surroundings of the Park.

The Rink was largely patronised yesterday. Arrangements are being made for a hoop race, a policeman's race, a fat man's race, and the polo match. The latter will probably take place on Monday afternoon or evening, if not arranged previously. On Monday evening Mr. Dixon, the champion skater, will do a spin against time. His best record hitherto has been the mile in 4.30. The champion of the world has covered the distance in 3.4 on a 7-lap rink. Mr. Woodward leaves for Wellington.

The anniversary of the United Methodist Free Church Sunday-school was celebrated last evening by a tea and public meeting. Tea was laid in the schoolroom. There was a large attendance, and the tables were presided over by Mesdames Waterhouse, Major, Booth, and Mason, and Misses Hill, Tudehope, Piatt, Beswick, Parker, and Smart. The public meeting was held in the church, Mr. Wm. Knight, superintendent of the Sunday-school, presiding. The annual report, read by the secretary, showed the school to be in a fairly flourishing condition, although there were fewer scholars on the roll than last year, owing to the number of families leaving the colony. There were 21 teachers and officers, and 150 scholars. Satisfactory reports were also given of the Young Christians' Band, which meets weekly ; the Band of Hone, which meets fortnightly, and has monthly public meetings ; and the Mutual Improvement Class, which meets every alternate Monday. The Treasurer's account showed a balance in hand of £10 7s '2d, and £13 lis 5d to the credit of the building fund account. The Rev. B. L. Thomas gave an address on " Leaves, Blossom, and Fruit," the Rev. F. B. Dutton on " The Aim and Influence of the Sabbath-school," and Mr. W. R. Bridgeman on " Perseverance." The church and school were neatly decorated for the occasion, and the proceedings were rendered enjoyable by several musical selections by the choir.

We are desired to contradict the statement made that several cases of typhoid fever existed on board the Russian man-of-war Rynda, which left here yesterday morning for Fiji. The doctor of the ship desired it to be stated that the men are all in the best of health, and have greatly benefited by their short sojourn in Auckland.

It will be seen from our advertising columns that the Auckland Roller Mills have now started operations again, after having been stopped during a couple of months in order to have a thorough refitting, and put in Simon's new patent machinery. This has now been done under the supervision of experts sent out expressly from England ; and the mill is now second to none in the Australian colonies. Splendid flour is now being turned out on Simon's British system. The brands will be "Premier," " Standard," and " Housewife's Pride," "Queen's" and "Royal" being done away with. Lamb's patent porridge meal, which has attained such a reputation as a favourite breakfast food, will be made as hitherto.

Captain Edwin, at four p.m. on Tuesday, predicted : —North-west to west and south gale after 12 hours frow now, with very cold weather and glass rising.

Inspector Browne is shortly to be removed from Wellington.

Sir Frederick Stephenson, previous to his departure from Eprypt, received a sword of honour from the Khedive, in testimony of His Highness' personal regard. The sword consists of a handsome Damascus blade, with the hilt mounted in gold; the scabbard is of tortoise-shell and gold.

The Rev. George Wilson,of Canonbury, has been appointed to the position of Literary Secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society—a post that requires much erudition. Mr. Wilson is a cultured man.

A new Tennis Club is in course of formation, and plans and estimates for forming grass and asphalt courts are in the hands of Mr. Richard A. Carr, who will be glad to show them to interested persons at his office, Fort-street. That gentleman has called a meeting for this afternoon at five o'clock, as per advertisement elsewhere, and these plans, etc., will then be brought forward.

The working plant of a boot manufacturer will be sold to-day by Messrs. Arthur and Buddie, at their auction mart at eleven o'clock.

Those New Zealand Tweeds at 2s 6d per yard, which are being supplied by the New Zealand Clothing Factory, 158 and 160, Queen-street, surpass anything we have seen for boys' school suits. Parents and guardians will do well to inspect.

Remarkable Disappearance.Very remarkable disappearance of all dirt from everything, by using Hudson's Extract ok So.ap. Reward— Purity, health, perfect satisfaction by its regular daily use. For clothes, linen, knives, forks, dishes, saucepans, and ail domestic washing.