Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9179, 8 October 1888, Page 4

Our cable messages this morning state that the New Zealand football team have scored another victory in the match against Northamptonshire. Cardinal Moran has been presented with the freedom of the city of Dublin. The National State Colonisation Association are seeking to cooperate with Mr. W. L. Rees. Ishak Khan has been defeated by the Ameer. A fresh difficulty between France and Italy appears to be brewing. The German Emperor has been banquetted by the Emperor of Austria. Very complimentary speeches were delivered. Some significance is attached to the fact that the ambassadors of France and Russia were absent from the banquet. The youthful Kaiser is about to visit the Pope. We are informed that certain Auckland members who have consistently supported the Government have been asked by prominent members of their constituents, who are sheepowners, to withdraw their support in consequence of the manner in which their representations have been ignored re the appointment of a Sheep Inspector who is very unacceptable to the Auckland sheep district. It is stated that telegrams to this effect have been sent to the Premier and also to the Minister of Lands. The sheepowners claim a strong moral right to have some consideration in the matter of inspectors, as the whole departmentissupported out of the taxes levied on the sheepowners, ami, as there are more than sufficient to pay the working expenses, it does not so directly concern the general taxpayers. The feeling against Mr. Bay ley is greatly intensified by the alleged fact that he was the direct cause of Mr. Elliott's dismissal for a reason said to be altogether insufficient to dismiss an officer against whom no charge, except! the committal of an error of judgment) through excessive zeal to do his duty, has been made, and it is doubtful even whether this assumed offence can be justly laid to Mr. Elliott'e charge,

The outgoing mail steamer, Alameda, arrived from Sydney last night, and is announced to leave again for 'Frisco this afternoon at two o'clock. She brought about a dozen passengers to Auckland, and lias 92 in transit, included among whom are Miss Nellie Farren, Mr. Fred. Leslie, and the members of the Gaiety Company, en route for America and England. On Saturday night the direct mail steamer Tongariro arrived at Wellington. She brings English mails to August 25th, and has about 130 passengers for New Zealand ports anil 2000 tons cargo. In the sharemarket on Saturday there was an enquiry for Bank of New Zealand* at from i'S 103 to £8 17s 6d, with no sellers. Saxons were in demand at 4s 7d, in consequence of the favourable news from the mine. Among the passengers per s.s. Alameda is Mr. J. H. Witheford, who has been three months in Australia representing some of our mining interests, and in many ways giving commend;. prominence to the New Zealand goldhelds. Among his collection of quartz from various mines Mr. Witheford has samples of material he took from the lead of the Madame Berry alluvial mine, near Creswick, the workings bein£ a distance of 3000 feet from the bottom of a 500-feet shaft. This mine is about to pay its centennial dividend. This hundredth reward to shareholders brings up the total paid to £506,000 since the mine was started. At the time of Mr. Witheford leaving Melbourne it was generally understood that Mr. Fergus, the Minister of Justice, and Mr. H. A. (-'onion. Inspecting Engineer of the New Zealand Gokllields, were determined to work a reformation in the mineral display, deeming it a very inadequate show. Mr. Gordon will proceed at. once to erect a trophy of quartz in the front of the Court, facing the Avenue of Nations, a design having been specially prepared for the purpose. -Mr. Gordon examined the specimens Mr. Witheford had on view, and was so pleased with their representative character that he wrote requesting they should be placed in the Exhibition as being calculated to aid in furthering the interests of the goldtields. At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday, Air. Seth Smith, R.M., gave judgment in the case of Elizabeth Anderberi: v. George, and Clara Jane Woods, which had been heard on the previous day. The claim was for £10 10s, money alleged to have been lent to the defendants. .Mr. Tele for the plaintiff, and Mr. Cotter for the defendants. The judgment was for the defendants, with costs £1 9s. A suirirestion has been made to us that nn excellent way of showing the good feelinl: of the citizens to the crew of If. M.s. Diamond, which is shortly to proceed to England, would be for those who could do so to contribute any books, periodicals, or papers which they could spare for the use of the crew. These would add to their amusement, ami relieve the monotony of the long voyage to England round Cape Horn, the passage at this season of the year especially being a tedious one. Our correspondent adds that he has no doubt, although he has not asked that gentleman, that Captain H. F. Anderson would gladly receive any books, etc., which may be sent to him for this purpose. During the past week, evidence was taken before the Resident .Magistrate, in a Christchurch case, Outward v. Maud and Barnes, proceedings arising out of the Waitoa Gold-mining Company's matter. Mr. George Fraser was examined by Mr. Theo. Cooper, for the plaintiff, and crossexamined by Mr. Nicholson, for the defendant. The evidence was ordered to be forwarded to Christchurch. During Saturday and yesterday there was a good downfall of rain, which will prove welcome in the country districts, and also replenish the household tanks of suburban residents outside the radius of the city water supply. The weather has been very cold and blustery, and the high wind is likely to prove injurious to the prospects of the orchardists. The anniversary services in connection with the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church were held yesterday. Rev. W. Keall, from the Thames, preached in the morning from Hebrews iii., 14.; the Rev. E. Best preached in the evening from Rev. ii.. 37. The congregations were very good considering the unfavourable weather. The collections were: Morning, £10 0s 5d ; evening, £5 15s 3d. A congregational meeting will be held to-morrow evening, when addresses will be given by various ministers and friends, and there will be a tea and coffee supper. The Christchurch Press in the course of an article on the improved outlook says : — " Having got their tariff, the manufacturers cannot very well grumble at the expenditure necessary to give a helping hand to the farmers. Something is being done in connection with the dairy industry in the way of imparting instruction to the producers of butter and cheese, but we hope that the expected visit of Professor Long will result in the adoption of something like the continental system of instruction in the colony. It may cost a considerable sum of money to bring such a system into operation, but it will be notning to what purely protective duties extract from the public purse, while as the experience of Denmark proves it will repay us a thousandfold in the immediate future." On Saturday evening a seaman named Timothy O'Leary met with a painful accident at the Ferry Company's Wharf. While stepping ashore from the ferry steamer Alexandra he missed his footing, and Struck the rail, getting injured in the loins. As lie had been employed on board the barque Stavanger, over at the Calliope Hook, he was taken to the North Shore, and removed to the Devonport Hotel. Dr. Parkinson was called in by Sergeant Gillies to attend the injured man. Yesterday the doctor ordered O'Leary's removal to the District Hospital, as he was suffering from severe bruises, though there were no bones broken. Sergeant Gillies, accordingly, brought him over to the Hospital. A lunatic named Arthur Harley has been brought up from Tauranga, having been remanded to Auckland for medical examination. Notwithstanding the inclement weather, Commissioner Gudgeon is busily engaged in inspecting the country stations. On Saturday, accompanied by Inspector Broham, he inspected the Otahuhu Police Station, and to-day they leave by coach for Warkworth, to inspect some of the Northern stations. The usual evangelistic service was held yesterday evening at the City Hall, Mr. Brakenrig presided, and Mr. C. E. Button delivered an address, taking for his subject, "The Brazen Serpent." There was a good attendance, considering the drizzling rain. There seems to be an impression, in some quarters that the Salvation Army have no rights which anybody is bound to respect, and therefore that they may disturb their services even inside their Barracks without let or hindrance. The magistrate has already decided that point by fining some disturbers of public worship, but judging from what took place last evening at the 'Salvation Army Barracks, the lesson seems to have been forgotten by that section of the community whose memories most need refreshing. There are some of our public halls an J places of amusement which require some alteration, so as to provide for the comfortable ingress and safe egress of a large crowd. At one of these places, St. James' Hall, steps are being taken to .alter the floors so as to make them open outwards, in case of an alarm of fire at any time during the holding of a meeting. In referring in the article in Saturday's Herald to Mr. Crombie's views on land settlement, as enunciated in his lecture on the assumption that land-owners should be compelled to reside on their own holdings, it is only fair to Mr. Crombie to state that his contention was not that all owners of land should have their tenure dependent on occupation and cultivation, but only those to whom lands were given by the Crown under special and favourable conditions for the express purpose of fostering settlement. J The Trades and Labour Council have not ' yet succeeded in coming to a clear understanding with the Messrs. Garrett Brothers concerning the outstanding question between that firm and their employe-. The Council have as yet received no reply to j their letter of the 27th ultimo. A further application is to be made to Messrs. Garrett for a reply, and a special meeting is con- ' vened for Friday next, to consider the position. The members of the Bootmakers' Union are to be invited i<> attend. The friends of Guard Such, who lost one of his legs through a , ail way accident at Mercer, will be glad to hear that he is mak■*"2 a very favourable recovery.

The interesting ceremony of renewing the baptismal vows of the children attending the Roman Catholic Sunday Schools of the Cathedral and Ponsonby parishes took place at St. Patrick's Cathedral at three p.m. yesterday, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, both the children and their parents and friends were present in large numbers. The girls, as in former years, met at the Convent Schools in Hobson-street, where the Sisters of Mercy and teachers arranged a procession to the Cathedral, the sodalities of the children of Mary and Guard of Honour of the Blessed Sacrament and the Orphan children from Ponsonby taking their places in the procession, with their respective emblematic banners and bannerettes. The boys in charge of the Very Rev. Father Hackett and the members of the Christian Doctrine Society, met in the Cathedral, where several hymns were sung, Miss D. Lynch playing the accompaniments. When all were seated, His Lordship Bishop Luck addressed the children in homely and simple language, reminding them that by baptism their bodies became temples of the Holy Ghost, and that they should renew the promises made by their sponsors at the baptismal font. The usual form of the vows was then read very clearly and distinctly by Miss Mary Hist, and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, given by the Rev. lather Lcnihan, concluded the ceremony. The arrangements were under the direction of the Very Rev. Father Racket the energetic administrator of St. Patrick's parish. It should be mentioned that this ceremony is looked forward to every year with interest by our young Catholic friends, and the spectacle of hundreds of little ones so tastefully dressed and looking so cheerful, is looked forward to with equal interest by their elders. " Inquirer" writes asking where the Irish sprang from. He states that the settlement ot a bet depends on the question of whether their ancestors were Danes or Normans. In reply, we may say that the Southern Home Rule Irish are Celts, like the Cornishmen, the Welchmen, the Highlanders, and the French ; while in the east and north of Ireland there is a very large strain of Teutonic blood from Danes and other invaders. This is particularly so in the North, where so many Lowland Scotch, a Teutonic race, were settled in the reign of James I. " Inquirer," will thus see that the ancestry of his Irishman will depend in a great measure on the part of Ireland he hails from. It cannot, however, be said that the Irish are either Danes or Normans, so the bet is clearly "off." Mr. J. Mayo writes:—"Sir.—I am not inclined to split hairs with Mr. Henry Worthington nor with the Rev. T. Norrie. I won't, even say " they ought to know better," because 1 feci I should not state what I think, but the Rev. T. Norrie must surely have forgotten introducing Mr. Worthington to a gentleman and asking him to guarantee £50 per annum in return for Mr. Worthington's services in teaching school. I know nothing of Papakura or Mauku school matters.'' A requisition was forwarded from a number of residents in Mount Albeit district to the Road Board on Saturday, complaining of a nuisance created by the deposit of nightsoil on a paddock centrally situated in the district. The section is owned by Mr. Harbutt, and is advertised on a large board as being for villa sites, but in the meantime it is let to a Mr. Hill, who uses the land for the growth of green feed. It appears that nightsoil carts have been emptied daily on this land for the last week, and those residing in the vicinity, more especially those who have to be abroad early, complain of the intolerable stench created, and request the Highway Board, as the local Board of Health, to insist on the nuisance be abated, and the practice of depositing nightsoil there prohibited. The London Standard print? a protest which has been sent to Lord Knutsford, Secretary of State for the Colonies, in regard to an Act passed by the Quebec Legislature in regard to the conversion of the public debt. The Standard remarks that there seems ample justification for the protest. It is as follows:—".My Lord, —We beg to draw your attention to an Act recently passed by the Quebec Legislature, at the instance of the Government, for the conversion of the public debt of the province, clause 5 of which runs as follows : — 'It shall be lawful to determine the delay within which the holders of the present debentures may exchange them for the new debentures, or claim the redemption thereof in cash ; and to order that after such delay, interest shall accrue upon all classes of debentures at the rate specified for the new debentures.' We would point out that the five per cent, debentures of the province, which have from time to time been issued in London, expire at various dates from 11104 to 1912, and that to arbitrarily determine these debentures by an Act of the Legislature is in opposition to the terms under which the public were induced to subscribe for the respective issues, amounting in all to £2,160,000. We beg most emphatically to protest against this measure as a breach of faith on the part of the Quebec Government, and as calculated to injure the credit of all classes of Canadian securities ; and we therefore request that you will take such steps as will withhold the assent of the Crown from such an act of confiscation as is now proposed.—Baking Brothers and Co. ; Glyx, Mills, Ccrrie and Co. ; Morton, Rose, and Co. ; For Northern Assurance Company, James Valentine, General Manager; W. Westgarth and Co. ; Mullens, Marshall and Co. ; Hickens, Harrison" and Co. ; Brijnton, Boukke, and Co. ; James C.-U'EL and Co." It will be seen by a Southern telegram that the Rev. C. E. Barley, Wesleyan minister at Hawera, died on Friday evening last. He was formerly minister of the Primitive Methodist Church at the Thames, hut after leaving that district joined the Wesleyan Church, and received an appointment to Mahurangi, from whence he was transferred to Hawera. He was much esteemed and respected by those who had made his acquaintance here, and the tidings of his death will be received with feelings of deep regret. There seems to bean epidemic of juvenile crime at the present time. The other flay a lad named Richard Goflin was arrested for stealing sacks at the premises of Mr. George Fraser, but he was placed as a first offender under the provisions of the First Offenders Probation Act. On Saturday a number of lads were engaged in stealing sacks from the stable of Mr. Wyman, Epsom. They were discovered, and stampeded, only one of the lot being captured, namely, the lad Goflin, and he was arrested on a charge of larceny. Two other lads, Frank Williams and Isaac Nansett, were also arrested on Saturday on two charges of larceny, namely, of live shillings from the till of Mr. H. Littlejohn, Parnell, and of a goldfinch from Mary Gent. They were released on bail. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Auckland Institute will be held in the Museum Buildings at eight o'clock this evening, when Dr. Challinor Purchas will give his promised lecture on " Optics." The lecturer will explain the nature of light, and how we perceive it, and will then fully discuss those points in optics which bear more particularly on the structure and use of the eye. The subject will be treated in a popular manner, and several experimental illustrations will be given. The usual Saturday evening entertainment was held in the Temperance Hall when the programme was provided by the Templar Lodge on board H.M.s. Diamond. An officer, Air. J. Smith, occupied the chair. The following programme was gone through : —Piano solo, Miss Tremain ; song, "We Mourn the Loss of Beaconsfield and Railway Porter Dan," Mr. Martain ; song, "The Fisherman's Child," Mr. Fivers; nigger song, " When Noah Came Marching In," Mr. Smith ; songs, " Tipperary Christing : Eighteenpence," and "The Maid at at Mill," Mr. Ladd ; songs, "The Wanderer," and "A Light at the Window," Mr. Booth: song, "Good-bye Till I See You Again," Mr. Booth ; songs, "A Night With the Baby," and " Meet Me by the Maple Tree," Mr. Martain ; recitation, ' The Good Templar Tars," Miss Seymour ; song, "Rolling Home," Mr. Booth. Mr. Smith gave an address on "Temperance Reform." It was announced that next Saturday evening would be taken up with the annual tea meeting when the secretary's and treasurer's reports would be read. In a few well-chosen words, Mr. Tremain wished the sailors good-bye and God speed, as they expected to be leaving us next week. The Chairman responded in a few wellchosen remarks. The meeting closed by a hearty vote of thanks and "God Save the Queen." The Christchurch bakers have raised the price of bread to 5d the 41b loaf.

Last evening the Rev. Mr. 'Watkin, of the Tonga Methodist Church, delivered an address in the Freeman's Bay Mission Hall. There was a full attendance. He took as the subject of his address "A Question and Answer," as given in the following passage of the Gospel of John, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovesfc thou mo more than these ? He saith unto him, yea Lord, thou knowesfc that I love thee." At the close of the discourse Air. Watkin made a few remarks about missionary labours in Tonga. He said that fifty years ago Christianity had been introduced into the Friendly Islands, where it had achieved a great success. For twentytwo years he had laboured in that mission field. They had there in the Tongan Church the class meetings, the fellowship meetings, and love feasts usual to the Methodist Church. Their hymns were also of Methodist origin, although they used some of Sankey's also, for the islanders were fond of singing, and a musical people. He gave illustrative anecdotes in the death of some of the natives, showing how largely Christianity had laid hold of their lives and conduct. They were liberal in contributing to the mission work. It was nob uncommon at a single meeting to subscribe £100 for that purpose. Air. Watkin stated that he was returning to Tonga this week, and he thought he might say that the Tongans would send up something to show their sympathy with the Freeman's Bay Mission. During his address, he sang a verse of a hymn (by request) in Tongese. Messrs. Smith and J. M. French subsequently made brief addresses. A collection was taken up for the poor of the neighbourhood, as is the custom at the mission, and which is used in aiding the necessitous, the expenses being defrayed from other sources. The grievances of the engine-drivers on the railway are now occupying the attention of the Trades and Labour Council. Their hours tire, according to the rules, ten hours a day, but ib is alleged that owing to the way the regulations are worked, though they may and have been actually on duty from twelve to fourteen hours a clay, they rarely secure the overtime. It is explained that this is done by calculating only the time actually employed in driving or working the engine, and deducting from the gross total all the halfhours or hours not so employed. The matter is to be brought under the attention of the Hon. E. Mitchelson (Minister of Public Works). A series of advertising hoardings have recently been erected in Pitt-street below the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, which attract the attention of the passers-by, owing to their being quite out of the ordinary run. The artistically-embellished advetisements on them are the handiwork of Mr. Tracy, decorator. Hitherto most of the notifications on the street hoardings have been somewhat evanescent, and after a few hours' immunity from the übiquitous larrikins, soon present a ragged appearance, and manifest signs of being considerably the worse for wear. Mr. Tracy is more ambitious in his efforts, and desires through the medium of his brush to make such advertisements not only a thing of beauty but a joy for ever. From the number of his hoardings now scattered over the city he appears to nave convinced his patrons on that, score. Miss Von Finkelstein, whose lectures on The Home and Haunts of Jesus" are attracting so much attention, concluded a most successful season at Wangantii on Friday, and leaves for Auckland via Nelson to-day. The wire baskets or cages which are filled with stones, and used in the Waiohine River, near Greytown, is an idea in connection with turning the course of a river that ought to be widely known throughout the colony. Mr. Hart Udy, jun., is the inventor, and after proving the value of the wire basket he was desirous of patenting ii; but the Patent Office informed him that this could not be done if the invention had been exposed to public view. Having, of course, tried its merits in the bed of the river, Mr. Udy could not say that it had not been open to public observation, and the patent was not granted. Tnisdoes not appear fair, for how is ib possible to prove the value of such an invention without testing it in a turbulent stream ? As Mr. Udy has no desire to keep the plan a secret, we will state the modus operandi, in the hope that it may be of service in other parts of the colony where the rivers often become mountain torrents. A large wire net is made of No. 12 wire, for it is cheaper to buy the wire and plait it than buy the netting, the cost of the wire and plaiting not amounting to 4d a yard. The plan adopted by Mr. Udy was to drive some stout nails in a horizontal line in the wall of a barn, and commencing from these nails with different wires, weave them into diamond patterns ; the net can be worked to any size required. This is then put on the spot selected in the river, boulders are piled on, and the ends of the net brought together and laced securely. This forms a solid block which cannot be washed away, and turns the whole course of the stream when put in at the desired place. The invention has been in use for over twelve months by the Waiohine River Board, and has been most successful. It has done away with all piledriving, and saved the Board a lot of expense. All the piles and booms previously put in have disappeared, but the wire netting tilled with stones stands uninjured. Just above the Alatarawa Swing Bridge there is one of these wire cages containing- about twenty tons of stone, and there are others of smaller size in different parts of the river. During the past week there has been some excellent shooting at Mr. Hazard's shooting gallery, in fact the best record in that line that has been made in Auckland. He offered for all comers, as first prize, a Martini-Henry or a Henry rifle, and hitherto the prize has been won with 7, 8, and on one occasion 25 bull's-eyes— the latter being considered a phenomenal record. Last week the shooting commenced with a score of 18 bull's-eyes in succession, and afterwards it was beaten by one of 27. Then in succession was made a score of 33, 57, and then capped by 85, made by Mr. Webster, of the "A" Battery, Mr. S. E. B. Mowbray with 57. The prize open only for second class shots was won by Air. John Draffin with a score of 20 bull's-eyes in succession. Webster out of 126 shots made 124 bull's-eyes. In consequence of this wonderful shooting Air. Hazard has had to reduce the bull's-eye to one-half its former size. It is the best shooting Air. Hazard has seen since ho opened the gallery, nearly a quarter of a century ago. A party of gentlemen (says the Southland Times of the 26th ult.) bent on exploring the country contiguous to Milford Sound, and attempting a passage overland from there to Lake Te Anau, leave the Bluff by the steamer Ohau. The party comprises Alr.T. Mackenzie (M.H.R. for Clutha), Mr. C. W. Adams (chief surveyor of Otago), and Mr. W. S. Pillans (of Inch-Clutha), accompanied by two volunteers in the persons of Messrs. Wyinks and Adams, jun., and a cadet from the Survey Office. The first object of the journey is to fix the exact position and measure the height of the Sutherland waterfall, which has been reported to be the highest in the world. In connection with this undertaking Mr. Adams, in his report to the Government for last year, states that " Sutherland's contract for cutting a track from the head of Milford Sound to Sutherland's Falls is progressing favourably," and that " Sutherland says he expects to finish in August." If this anticipation has been fulfilled, the party should experience little difficulty in reaching the falls, and opening up the country to tourist traffic. Reliable information has been received that a chain of lakes extends almost all the way from George Sound to the north-west arm of the Middle Fiord of Te Anau Lake. Messrs. Mackenzie and Pillans, who have already accomplished some difficult exploring work, intend if possible to travel overland from Milford Sound to Lake Te Anau, and Mr. Adams purposes accompanying them. Mr. Melland, a station holder in the Te Anau district, will have a boat in readiness to carry the explorers to his homestead, bub as the season is rather early for travelling over such high and snowy country, and as all previous attempts at making the journey have failed, ib is questionable if they will be able to avail themselves of his kindness ; should they however succeed in discovering a practicable -route they will do much towards throwing the whole of the wonderful West Coast country open to the world. Mr. Pillans will liberate 12,000 young trout in the branches of the Arthur River, and Mr. Adams takes with him a number of goats, seeds, &c. Two parties of photographers, one representing Messrs. Burton Brothers and the other Mr. Morris (both of Dunedin), accompany the expedition.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of the October number of the Australasian Bee Journal. It is quite up to the standard of its predecessors ; and in the seasonable notes for the current month it is stated that on the Bth of last month a large swarm of black bees, estimated to weigh 7lbs, was taken and hived at Remuera. The editor states that this is the earliest swarm he ever knew to be taken in New Zealand. For the last five or six years swarming did not begin until six or seven weeks later. On the 16th of September he supered a hive to prevent swarming, as the bees were just preparing' to do so. The paper on "Is the Ventilation of Hives as yet Perfected ?" by J.R.M., is continued ; and so is the paper by Mr. T. J. Mulvany on the question of " Can Honey Become a Staple Commodity? Other interesting items are to be found not the least so is the one on " Bee Gossip, by Mr. 0. Poole. We are glad that at the meeting of the committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, it was resolved to take steps to prevent the destruction of sea birds. To the unthinking juvenile members of the community it is fine sport to blaze away at these harmless and beautiful creatures, which, in consequence of these cruel practices, are not nearly so numerous in the harbour as they used to be. It has often pained us to see them lying in a helpless and maimed condition, tho victims of those who, if properly educated, should be their protectors. South Australia is wiser in forestry matters than her sister colonies and is doing well with trees and timber fact, making money out of them, and still going on planting. According to the Adeliade Observer, there are 180,000 acres dedicated to forest purposes, which have been leased for ; 14 and 21 years at rents ranging from 3d to 2s 8d an acre. From the rents accruing £4500 is annually obtained, while from the sales of timber, comprising sleepers, telegraph posts, fencing posts, rails, etc., about £6000 is yearly added to the general revenue. Altogether this year's revenue will exceed £11,000. Against this is an I expenditure of about £7500, so that there will be a profit of £3500. In addition it must be remembered that the department has planted a million trees this season, which, in 15 year's time or less, will be worth at least 10s apiece. Speaking approximately, the Forest Department has expended £60,000 and received £70,000, or a profit of £10,000. Of the 180,000 acres referred to, 40,000 represent natural forests, and 8000 the area that has been planted, the remaining 132,000 representing reserves on which the lessees are allowed to run their sheep and cattle. Six million trees have been planted in the various reserves during the last 10 or 11 years, and during the same period the Government has given away about two and one-half millions to farmers, landlords, and others, of which two millions have been reported as alive. Cowen's Suite do Ballet, " The Language of the Flowers," Nos. 5 and 6 of which are included in the programme of thePonsonby Choral Society's next concert on Monday next, under the conductorship of Mr. T. Tallis Trimnell, Mus.Bac., Oxon, was composed for and first produced at the Birmingham Musical Festival of 1882, for which festival also were composed Gounod's "Redemption," Gacle's "Psyche," Benedict's "Grazilla,' Gaul's " Holy City," an orchestral serenade by Villiers Stanford, and a symphony by Hubert Parry. These new works, together with the " Messiah," "The Mount of Olives" (Engedi), Cherubim's Mass in C, Elijah," Mozart's symphony in G minor, Brahm's " Triumphlicd," and other works, constituted, in the words of an eminent musical critic, "a programme assuredly hitherto unrivalled in novelty and interest at any musical festival in the world." The same writer, describing the performance of " The Language of the Flowers." said: "This is one of the most charming works of this rising artist. All the pieces are remarkably fanciful, but the grace and delicacy of No. 3 (the Fern) and No. ;"> (the Yellow Jasmine) elicited a storm of applause, the last-named being enthusiastically encored." Well hasCowen since sustained his reputation by his cantata, "The Sleeping Beauty," his Scandinavian symphony, his oratorio " Ruth," and other compositions. The esteemed conductor of the Ponsonby Choral Society is to bo congratulated on his efforts to introduce a class of music hitherto unheard in Auckland. Under his auspices the society has performed Cowen's " Rose Maiden," written when he was only eighteen years of age, and Stanford's "The Revenge." To him also they are indebted for the first performance in Auckland of Schubert's lovely " Rosamunde" overtures, and Weber's " Jubilee " overture, and at the forthcoming concert the society will also perform the Chaconne and Rigodon, from Monsigny's "Aline," a delightful specimen of this form of music. Next year other works of threat beauty are promised, which we are sure will be looked forward to with interest by all lovers of music. " Partners for Life" at the Choral Hall next Wednesday, promises to be a great success. The piece has been under careful rehearsal for some time, and will be effectively and handsomely staged. The presence of a full amateur orchestra will no doubt be an additional attraction. Judging from the way in which seats are being booked at Mr. Wildman's, a crowded house may bo looked for. There was a good attendance at the Columbia Rink on Saturday afternoon at the children's matinee. A well-contested polo match took place between two juvenile teams. The benefit of the Rink employees takes place to-night, and the events include a costume polo match, nigger race, a ladies' and gentleman's race, and fancy and trick-bicycle riding by Master Bernard Harrison. As the employees have been remarkably courteous and attentive to visitors, no doubt there will be a large attendance of the latter to show their appreciation of the services rendered. It is stated that some stations in the west of New South Wales that marked 75 per cent, of lambs will not in a month have more than 30 per cent., and that the dry weather will have the effect of stunting those that live. One account says that all the waterholes are filled with dead sheep. Our Hokianga correspondent writes :— The minds of the good people of Rawene have been much exercised of late aneiit the removal of the teacher of the district school (Mr. Ritchie), who has occupied the position for the past four years. During his residence at Rawene, Mr. Ritchie has made many friends, and deservedly so; but, owing to various causes, the school has not come up to the standard required, and the inspectors have reported adversely, and Mr. Ritchie's removal has been decided upon by the Board of Education. A small section of the community (probably personal friends of the teacher) have taken umbrage at this, and throw the whole blame of the teacher's removal on the chairman of the local committee. At the request of three members, the chairman called a meeting of the committee, the business being, inter alia, the investigation of certain charges preferred against the chairman by a member of the committee. The charges were that the chairman had stated his intention of getting the teacher removed " by hook or by crook." This was flatly denied by the chairman, who read a letter from the Board of Education informing the committee that the Board was guided ' solely by the continued adverse reports of the inspectors." The committee passed a resolution exonerating the chairman and censuring his accuser. A groat deal of sympathy is felt for Mr. Ritchie being deprived of his means of livelihood, owing to the determination of the Board of Education to dispense with his services, he having been twenty years in their employment. Twenty cases of Japanese goods just arrived at Montague's Bazaar. Fans, screens, cabinets, baskets, boxes, birds, kites, and curios innumerable. Open daily from 9to 6. The most splendid assortment of Japanese goods in Auckland.—[Advt.] In another column will be found an advertisement, by Messrs. Wilson, Williams, and McCullagh, drapers, 180 and 182, Queenstreet, notifying the arrival of spring and summer goods. They state that every department will be found replete with the leading novelties from the English and French manufacturers. They have effected considerable improvements in the lighting of their premises, greatly to the convenience of customers. The ordinary meeting of the Auckland Literary and Debating Society will be held this evening at St. James' Hall. The subject of debate is, "Is it desirable that capital punishment should be abolished?" the affirmative being taken by Mr. H. C. Poulsen, and the negative by Mr. C. M. Calder. In our auctioneers' column will be found an advertisement giving particulars of a sale to be held at Mr. Smith's stables, Mount Eden Road, this day. The plant consists of every requisite necessary for a livery stable, and as no reserves will be placed, bidding should be brisk. Alfred Buckland and Sons , are the auctioneers.