THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1891.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8473, 26 January 1891, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1891.

The names of the men who compose the new Ministry are now announced, and they have been sworn in. They are: Hon. Mr. Ballance, Premier, Treasurer, and Native Affairs ; Hon. Mr. Buckley, Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General (conducting the business in the Legislative Council); Mr. John McKenzie, Agriculture and Lands Mr. Secklon, Mines and Public Works ; Mr. W. P. Reeves, Justice and Education ; Mr. Ward, Minister without portfolio and without salary. It will be observed that there is not amongst these any Auckland member, and as to who is to fill the position there appears to be some doubt. It has all along been supposed that Mr. Cadman would be the representative of Auckland in the Ballance Ministry. He has been a faithful party man, and has certainly the best claims on that account. As

regards character and ability, no objection could be made to him. He is identified with the mining interest, and his selection has, perhaps, been regarded less favourably by Mr. Ballance than it otherwise would have been, by the claims of Mr. Seddon having been looked on as paramount to the portfolio of mines. Mr. W. Kelly is also spoken of as the possible Auckland representative. We do not think his selection would at all strengthen the Ministry here. But it seems that the vacant portfolio may be offered to Mr. Goldie, an announcement which will take everybody here by surprise. Mr. Goldie was regarded as an adherent of the Atkinson part}*, the only divergence from them of any importance being on account of his strong opinion that they did not carry retrenchment far enough. Mr. Goldie fought the last election as an " independent." It was generally supposed that he was likely to be strongly against the Bal lance party, as that section of the House wore not earnest on the retrenchment question. We doubt very much whether the selection of Mr. Goldie instead of Mr. Cadman will be regarded as securing- to the Ministry additional strength from Auckland. However, that is mainly their business, and it may be remarked that Mr. Ballance, amongst the Auckland members, has very little choice. Mi*. Goldie is an active and able man, and would no doubt attend diligently to Auckland interests.

j As for the new Cabinet as a "whole, I little can be said, as most of the members have the bad fortune, or perhaps the good fortune in the circumstances, not to have any record to speak of. Mr. JBallance was a member of the Grey Ministry of 1877-79, he was in the Stout-Vogel Ministry of 1884 ; and in the second Stout-Vogel Ministry which was in office from September, 1884, to October, 1887. This is the first time he has held the office of Premier, and his career will be watched to see if he has the particular qualifications necessary for that office. We believe Mr. Ballance to be sincerely honest and patriotic. He has certain notions regarding land nationalisation and taxation which we think mistaken, but lie is not likely to err in pushing these forward at the present time. Rather, we think, it will be found that he will restrain the extreme men of his party. The Hon. Mr. Buckley, who is to be Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General, was a member of the last Stout-Vogel Ministry. He will conduct the Government business in the Legislative Council. All the other members are entirely new men. Those who cry out for " new blood" must bo satisfied, but the majority will think that we have rather too

much of it. However, Mr. Ballance has but little choice of men of experience. Mr. John McKenzie, the Minister of Lands and Agriculture, is an Otago farmer. He has no official experience whatever, except as a member of the Otago Land Board. Mr. Seddon, Minister of Mines and Public Works, has for many years represented a West Coast Mining constituency. He is famous for the length and the frequency of hi; speeches. He is undoubtedly a man of ability, but he has still to prove whether he possesses any administrative talent. Mr. W. P. Reeves (Justice, Education) is the son of the Hon. W. Beeves, an old Canterbury settler. He has shown considerable capacity as a speaker in the House, but he has no experience in administration. Mr. Ward, who is Minister without portfolio, is a merchant at Invercargill, and it may interest our readers to remind them that he has been known chiefly in the House as a strenuous opponent of the San Francisco service.

Such is the Ministry which now guides the destinies of New Zealand. It is very difficult to surmise its policy from its composition. The only scrap of information given is that the new Government is in favour of "reform of the Legislative Council, retrenchment, and change in the incidence of taxation, not necessarily, however, by the abolition of the property tax." Reform of the Council is a matter on which the country does not feel very keenly. Mr. Ballance, no doubt, feels that he will not be strong in the Council, and he holds " reform" as a kind of threat over the members. " Retrenchment" as a declaration is somewhat vague, and may mean very little. To make such a profession, is indeed a matter of course with any Ministry now taking office. The merit lies in the application of the principle. The next point, "change in the incidence of taxation, not necessarily however by the abolition of the property tax" is so meaningless that we need not discuss it. As to the procedure there is likely to be keen discussion. Ministers, it is believed, desire to prorogue directly after the Address-in-Reply, and to have another session in April. The Opposition are disposed to resist the prorogation, and think that an adjournment of about a fortnight ought to be sufficient. This course would have the effect of saving the cost of two sessions, but it is not likely to be adopted on that very account.

Our cable messages this morning contain a number of items of interest. The Irish party have not yet settled their grievances, and Parnell is assuming the leadership. An effort, however, is being made to get rid of him, by despatching him on a mission to America and Australia. Sixty miners have been killed by an explosion in a German pit. The revolution in Chili is daily increasing, and the insurgents are gaining in strength; A • blizzard in Russia has destroyed a number of villages, and caused serious loss of life. The Princess Victoria of Wales is reported to be betrothed to the Duke of Luxembourg. An English expert claims to have discovered a cure for anthrax in sheep. Madame Melba has been a great success in St. Petersburg, and was specially thanked by the Czar after her first performance. The English Government are | at last moving in the direction of legislating for shorter hours for railway servants. _ The outgoing mail steamer Alameda arrived here from Sydney en route for San Francisco ab 2.30 p.m. yesterday afternoon after a pleasant and fast trip across. Prior to the vessel's departure from Sydney, her popular commander, Captain H. G. Morse, was entertained by a large number of his friends at a banquet, when in the midst of a very representative gathering, some ladies who had experienced the genial skippers courtesy on shipboard, presented him with a hassock beautifully worked in a design emblematic of the flags of all nations. After a suitable acknowledgment by Captain Morse, a very pleasant evening was spent in mirth and melody. To-day, the 26th instant, the hours observed by the Cable Company at Wakapuaka will be 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., and 7,30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. New Zealand time. There arrived yesterday by the R.M.s. Alameda Mr. Charles Goodchap, ex-Com-missioner of the New South Wales Railways. He is accompanied by his brother and sister-in-law, the intention of the party being to spend a few days in Auckland sight-seeing, and then proceed to the Lake Country and overland to Wellington. They go on to Otago with a view of doing the Southern lakes. Judge Edwards and Mr. Ormsby, Native Lands Commissioners, will commence a sitting in Auckland to-day, at the Native Lands office, that being the place gazetted for the purpose, but it is understood they will then adjourn to the Supreme Court. There are two applications by Mr. E. B. Walker in respect of the Pukekura and adjoining lands set down for hearing. In another column we publish an interview with Mr. Thomas Melville, the local agent for the Cassel gold-extracting process. It will be seen that steps will be taken for forming a company for working the process in New Zealand, but failing this arrangements will be entered into with individual companies for the adoption of the process in connection with their own plants. There is no doubt the first course would be the best, but in any case the Cassel method of treatment will have to be generally adopted, for it is the only known process which can effectually save the highest percentage of gold from the refractory ores of Thames Peninsula.

The coroner, Dr. Philson, held an inquest on Saturday afternoon concerning the death of Mr. John McCarthy, tailor, residing at Newmarket, who committed suicide on Friday evening by stabbing himself in the breast. After hearing a considerable amount of evidence, the jury brought in a verdict to the effect that McCarthy "had committed suicide while suffering from the effects of temporary insanity." Deceased had been apparently mentally weak for some time before his death. Among the passengers by the outgoing mail steamer to the United States will be Elder Haskill, of the Seventh Day Adventists, who has just returned from the King Country. He takes with him four young students for the Healdsburg College. He intends to return and visit the Lake Country. Mr. Haskill is an American delegate, who has been visiting the New Zealand churches. He returns to America very favourably impressed by what he has seen in New Zealand. The following appointments are gazetted • —Thomas J. Bennett to be lieutenant in the New Zealand Militia; J. E. Hume to be lieutenant in tho artillery branch of the Permanent Militia; Brevet-Colonel A. Lean to be colonel on the honorary unattached list New Zealand Militia; Lieut.-Colonel Wales to bo colonel on the unattached list of the New Zealand Volunteers. The Government are endeavouring in various ways to patronise local industries. The other day Messrs. Cook and Sons, of the Freeman's Bay Glassworks, supplied a consignment of battery jars for the use of the Telegraph Department. At the Police Court on Saturday, before Dr. Giles, R.M., judgment was delivered in the case of Wynn v. Baker, in which William Baker was adjudged the father of an illegitimate child, of which Anne Wynn was tho mother. Before delivering judgment, Dr. Giles alluded in scathing terms to the action of Mr. H. Short-land in the case. Mr. Shortland had promised to give evidence on behalf of the prosecution, and then had enlisted on the side of tho defence, endeavouring to disprove what he had promised to give in evidence for the prosecution.

[ I On Saturday afternoon Mr. Theo7 Deputy Inspector and Mr. F. ft Ewi °° per » , Official Visitor, made an officiai visit t,°' Asylum, accompanied by Mr. Justice i wards, who was gratified to see such ! , lent provision made for the insane tt* 1 " i found none under mechanical • y only two or three temporarily i„ "jfrooms, and six confined to bed. L) r « and staff do all in their power to miti» ell . the sufferings of these unfortunate iJI?® The attendants do not get much recrpr 1 themselves. Last week they had a,' 8 annual ball, which the Department v ' properly sanctioned. About 120 of the ? tendants, their relatives and friends as/'' bled in the dining hall, which was tasted decorated for the occasion. This affair wait cently incorrectly described as a patients'Sy' The patients have a dance every altenit Thursday, the attendants on the?e oris sions dancing with them and doini/ tfci best to interest and amuse them. SotnJo' the patients sing, dance, and play the pL beautifully, and some of them are linr» U L A very large sum is now being spen/on drainage, and soon the building for/the males will be enlarged. A billiard-tale i» required for the men at the auxiliary, lum. That which the citizens gave redntiy for the main building is much appreJted Gifts of fruit, flowers, books, and piJoriaj papers would also be acceptable/ Tb e Official Visitor, Mr. Ewington, is tfirous of getting a situation for a heal thy,Titelli! gent, kindly-disposed young worn/ who has now recovered, and would makf. good housemaid. If any of our citizens ill help him in these respects they wilj confer favours on a class who need help ili sym. patliy above all others. 1 The old historic church of St.phn, of Te Awamutu, the scene of many ptirrin» event in the days gone by, a| in the burial-ground of which numbers I officers and men who were killed in tin war are laid, was the place where a b rht and interesting marriage service toolijlace on Wednesday, January 21, when M Campbell Johnstone, second son of thaate well, known and respected Captain Johi'ampbeil Johnstone, E.1.C.5., of Te Haroj Raglan, (the talented author of " Maia," was united in holy marriage to an ex lent and most estimable young lady, Mi Clementina (Mina) Alexander, eldest d ghter of Mr. Charles Alexander, Mangijko, near Alexandra. The ceremony as performed with much solemnit by the Rev. R. O'Callaghan Biggs, t! incumbent of the Anglican Church, Hamilton. Mr. Johnstone and his family "6 highly esteemed settlers of long stanog in the Kaglan district, the late Captair ohnstone having purchased it many yeai ago at a high price for those times, and h ing spent a large amount of money on it ice. Mr. Johnstone is a grandson of the tte Major Speedy, R.M., formerly an ofi r in Her Majesty's 3rd Buffs, and he is lephew of the well-known Captain Spee< of Abyssinia, India, and New Zealand. He is also a cousin of Lord Campbell £ Stratheden, and of the member for irkcaldie, Scotland, Sir George Campbel 'ormerly a Governor of India. The family his bride are most excellent and high esteemed settlers at Mangapiko. Aft the ceremony, the wedding party di e to the residence of the bride's parent Lt Mangapiko, where an excellent bijkfast was partaken off by the guests. T health of the bride and bridegroom was oposed by Mr. J. M. Grace. At the Young Men's Chri an Association Sunday Evangelistic seice, held in the City Hall last evening, the: was a good attendance, consisting for the ost part of men. Air. P. Cheal preside Two addresses were given, the first bj he Rev. J. Olphert, who took for his suect, "lam the light of the world and 5 other by the Rev. J. Sharp, of Duner, from the words, " How shall we escape j we neglect so great salvation." Both of 3 addresses were clear, thoughtful and jrnest, aDd were followed with the greal t attention by those present. The series of photographi< jasb issued by Mr. Josiah Martin, ptographer, as the result of his recent tour 3 the Lake Country, will be greatly appelated by tourists. About a dozen of » series are devoted to Lakes Rotolti, Rpehu, and Rotama, and the sulphur pootyf Rotoiti. Another series show the deposits formed artificially at Whakare a by Mr. Malfroy, C.E., and theartifiul geysers he has formed at the Rotorua S4atorium. One view is an interesting one I an old mud geyser near Mr. Malfroy's iidence, which shows how he has utilise! it as a cook hole. He placed a cob over it) and conducted the steam through a pipe into a box used as 4 steam oven where ho can cook Any thing from a potato to a ham, ala Soye/ Of the Wairakei series, there are mav giving new features, including "The fackhorsa Geyser," and the waterfall dimming baths." The Huka Falls have ilso been got from new points of view,giving a better idea of their majesty and jrrandeur. Mr. Martin has succeeded in gating good views of the Aratiatia rapids-lvhere the Waikato river drops 300 feet in hlf-a-mile. The instantaneous view give a fine conception of the fierce swirl of ti 5 currents as the river dashes in seething iara down the gorge, and dissipates itself i cataracts over the rocky ledges of the rapi s. The Pitt-street Rambling C!:b bad a: outing on Saturday afternoon Ist in the vicinity of Otahuhu and Mangen On their way out their brake was pulledlup at the butter factory of Messrs. Amburj and English, over which the party itere very courteously shown by Mr. S. J.'iAmbury. At Mangere the members of the cub made their way to the top of the moultain, the splendid view from which amply ripaid all their troubles. After dining at ttahuhu, the horses' heads were turned homeward?, and the party arrived in town well-pleased with their afternoon trip. I

The Wellington Land Board, aciing oil the advice of the Crown law offices, ha! exonerated those persons who took Irnd at) the instigation of Coleman Philips of any intention to commit a breach of the Land Act ; and, with regard to the action of Phillips, the Board have resolved tba' the matter, so far as he is concerned, should be referred to the Minister of Justice t take action. On Sat urday evening Mr. E. T. Smith repeated, by request, at the City Hall, (Rough's oration, " For the Sake of Other?.' 1 It was most effectively given. Yesterday afternoon, in the same building, notwithstanding the steady drizzling rain, there was an excellent audience to hear him re' cite Talmage's famous sermon, " Who Slew All These?" The recital was a most impressive one. Mr. Glover presided. Owing to the great success of these recitals and the crowded audiences, the committee have arranged with Mr. Smith to continue them for three extra evenings, the body of tie hall being free, with the exception of a few seats, and the old charge for the dress circle. The recital to bo given this evening i' entitled, "Man and His Masters," and has been . described as Cough's masterIn it are graphically given reminiscences of Cough's early life,—the Council in Pandemonium—a fire in London, and other*thrilling incidents. The special advantages of Mr. Smith's work for the Temperance cause appears to be that while his recitals of Cough's orations are good temperance work, they also form an excellent literary and dramatic entertainment, thereby attracting those who feel no special interest in the subject with which they deal. Perhaps, also, one reason of his success here is that his work is an entirely novel phase of Temperance advocacy. I® will be seen by advertisement elsewhere that Mr. Smith has a few vacant dates before proceeding southwards, and is open to accept engagements. The entertainment at the Sailors' Home was provided by friends from various suburban districts. There was a good attendance, the hall being well filled with seamen and their friends. Mr. Hamilton presided. A pianoforte solo was contributed by Miss Brown, and songs by Misses Grace Lye, Grindrod, Minnie Lye, Niccol, Mrs. "• P. Anderson, Messrs. Marson, Niccol, and Fell, and recitations by Misses Pollock, Myra Tanfield, and Mr. Oswald, Mr. Marson played the pianoforte acocmpa" l ' meats. A very enjoyable picnic was given by Mr. H. Swales to the employes of his tailoring establishment, Victoria-street, on Saturday last. The party went across to Gladstone Hall, North cote, where a very pleasant day was spent. All sorts of games were indulged in till lunch time, Mr. and Mrs. Swales having a splendid lunch laid out M the hall, which the party did full justice to. In the evening dancing was indulged m until ib was time for leaving, when J-* 11 ?® cheers were given for Mr. Swales, and tne party returned to town, having thorough'/ enjoyed themselves.

A.D.C. to the Earl of Lord rovernor of New South ales, purJerse V leave Sydnev in a few days on a gfto Zealand.' 1 Friday l«st F - J ' Mos !' I th ? ( re " '? in ted New Zealand Resident for ;el * r{ left for Wellington to interview f Snor and Ministry on business in the( '°Hon with the affairs of the Hervey conn ml the reforms which lie is instiroup " IIU toting lieu% , , \',nv Zealand correspondent of the B i I'" Morning Herald writes : — " The 5 - Z\ prospects of the colony were pronll,'. never more eneuraging than they . the present moment. There is every » re ? 'wl of a magnificent harvest, nl>rtin parts of Canterbury the drought thol f h " line mischief. The mining in|Kls . both on the West Coast of the c'l>! oui ami in the Auckland pro- • how* si"tis of great revival, and rUki not be surprised if the , ? t year is ihe most important in proton oetl experienced during decade. Trade generally is in a taC • ' ■mm ! and progressive condition, and market under manned. This • Vim' to the large exodus of our working 'V'.iilatlon which" took place when the I'.' -li ot depression was most keenly felt, fry wanderers are now returning with our •vived prospects, and are agreeably surrV.,,l at the healthy state of things they see on all hands. Our export " j,, j, rapidly increasing, while there is 'n'ueh greater demand for land for bona V l v .ftletnent. The Colonial Treasurer '.J-viiKites a substantial surplus at the end !.»• -mo financial year, and his expectations ir,. more than likely to be fully realised, J'jie itirlux of visitors and tourists from and the Australian colonies is bec:;ancr greater every season,and the number \uv.ii i no doubt be vastly increased were the beauties and wonders of the colony c.ore widely known. As a health resort i'no it is probably unequalled anywhere f ;,e in the world, while its hot springs in i'-,- Rotorua district have effected tniracucures. There is a very hopeful feeling syringing up, and the indications on every j!,-;.. afford reasonable ground for believing J'vu the colony during the present year „i;l make great and substantial advanceLast week we published a Sydney cable»r.>::i relating to an epidemic called " pink ~'e," which "had broken out among the in a number of the large stables of gviiney. The Sydney Herald of last \\ ediV'uy gives the following particulars con-ci:-nin"g"""the outbreak The Sydney Tratnv.iv i nibusCompany hasat the present tiir'e l.'W horses sick with t he complaint., which is known as " pink eye." The disorder is not a new one, although this is its first abearance here. Mr. O. Kay son, the manager of the company, consider? that the epidemic is of the nature of influenza. About four years ago it broke out in New York, and paralysed the tiailic. Two years ago it was experienced in Brisbane. " It also broke out. in the northern portions of South Australia about 1> months ago. The first appearance cf the disorder in the Sydney Tramway and Omnibus Company's horses was on Monday week, at ::is> ■ st able?. Since then three horses have died, and last, night there were 130 disabled. but recovering. The symptoms are that the horse's eyes become inflamed and disti'H leu, and the inner part of the eye forced with blood. The nose becomes !itfadiv cold, and generally the hind-quarters are r-araivsed. In some instances, however, the animal loses the use of his forelegs. The attack comes on quite suddenly, and horses that commence on a journey apparently quite we'd will all at once lose their power and .'0 down on the road. The animals sutf-r a great deal from fever, and the horses that have died have been animals that have been bled. The attacks are not ntje?-arilv fatal, but the horses have to be looked after, and their strength kept u;>. It is thought that about three weeks must elapse before the animals will recover iunieient'strength to resume work, but up to the present none of the horses attacked have been able to do so.'' Bv the Lubeck, from Samoa (says the Sydnev Morning Herald), there arrived Mr. Robert Louis Stevenson, the author, on a short visit to Sydney. The Lubeck brings word of a hurricane at Tonga tabu. .As mentioned the other day, the hurricane seems to have set in early this year at the islands, several heavy blows having already been reported. The hurricane at Tonga occurred on the last day of the old year, and caused some destruction to a few native-owned vessels. An Austrian barque, the Theresa Consulich, had a narrow escape o£ stranding, and the same vessel was later reported to have taken tire in some of her cotton cargo. The Lubeck on the voyage to Sydney broke down, her crank shaft giving way. Under sail alone she managed to make fair progress, and temporary repairs having been carried out to her machinery, the steamer performed the latter part of her trip in a most satisfactory manner, though the passage was necessarily protracted by the misadventure.

A Samoan correspondent writes : —lt is .early yet to judge of Mr. Cederkrantz, the new Chief Justice, but so far he has created a most favourable impression. He gives one the idea of being a gentleman of ability and —what will be nfeeded in his future work —great determination.

It is with regret that we record the death of Mr. James J. Conway, who died at his parents' residence, Drake-street, at eleven p.m. on Saturday at the early age of 24. "Hooker" Conway as he was familiarly known was one of our best known Auckland athletes, and his excellent performances on the football field, in conjunction with his merry disposition and quiet unassuming demeanour, made him a great favourite alike with public mid players. The news of his death will come as a great surprise to all with whom he was acquainted, as ihough it has become known during the past week that he was seriously ill, it was thought that his splendid physique and youth would successfully combat disease. He has been suffering from some affection of the lungs, and during the last stages has had the attendance of Drs. Bakewell, Moir, and Mackellar. Conway after graduating through the junior team of the Nelson Football Club joined the well-known Ponsonby Club in IS3G. In ISB.'J he was ciios en as a "rep.," and against both Canterbury and Otago proved his calibre by scoring in each match. Since that time lie has always held a prominent rank as a " half back," while in rowing and running circles his efforts have claimed attention. His personal characteristics endeared him to his associates in all circles, and now that " the sure collar Death has laid him low" the athletic community will, it is anticipated, attend in large numbers at his funeral, which leaves Drake-street at two p.m. for Symonds-street cemetery.

A fire broke out at the shop of Duthie Brothers, drapers, Uunedin, on Saturday morning. Insurances : Building, i 000 in the New Zealand; stock, Union, £2000; South British, £2000 ; Equitable and Standard, £1000. The damage to the building is not serious. The damage to stock is entirely confined to water, but is considerable. A :ire at South Dunedin broke out in the shop of Wootton, grocer, which was dei toyed, andalsotheadjoininghouse, occupied by Brown, coal dealer. Brown was insured for £110 in the Union ; furniture, £110 in the same office, bulk of the furniture was saved. Wootton's stock was insured for £130 in the South British, and the house for £100 in the Standard. The second house, belonging to Titchener, was partially burnt. It was insured for £125 in the Standard. The South Dunedin Brigade declined to assist, because the Cavershatn Council refused to pay their expenses, and 'frere onlookers while the building burned, even refusing to assist in removing the furniture.

The crew selected to do battle on behalf )f the Waitara. Rowing Club, in the champion whaleboat race on Thursday, arrived •J" the Mannkau by the s.s. Gairloch on Saturday, and proceeded to Auckland, taking with them their lacing boat. The crew, although a light one, is said to be i" excellent condition, and should render a pood account of themselves.

The entries for the Auckland Annual Regatta will be received at the clu{s-room, " aitemata Hotel, this evening between the hours of eight and ten o'clock. There will be a meeting of the committee half-an-hour oefore the meeting. The regatta promises to be successful. The flagship s.s. Te "■nan will make a trip outside the harbour liter th". last race which is thrown in for die small charge of 2s 6d to the flagship. Admission to the wharf will be Is, and bands will be provided both on the steamer ai ni the wharf.

There are several pugilists passengers by the Alameda for 'Frisco. Ike Weir, the American light-weight, is returning home to the States from a trip to Australia. Three Australian members of the ring are going to try their luck in San Francisco, namely, Abo Willis, Mabor, and Jim Hall, lightweights. The following matches were played.at the Auckland Bowling Green on Saturday afternoon :—MoCaw, Jarrett, Ross, Dingwall (skip), 13, v. King, Connelly, Duthie, Holland (skip), '20. President's Prize : W. S. Jones, Newcombe, Paterson, Taunt (skip), 17, v. Lawson, Cattanach, Payne, Winks (skip), '21. Subscription medals : Moritzon, Edwards, Gane, Miller (skip), 17, v. Heron, Frater, (Julpun (skip), 21. News received at Christchurch by cablo from the Agent-General announces the death of Mr. F. J. Steadman, who occupied the post of Registrar at the Canterbury College for fourteen years. He left for England lust year, owing to ill-health, and to secure medical advice. The news of his decease is received with the deepest regret. At the City Hall on Thursday evening next the Moa minstiels open under the management of Messrs. Hadfield and Arrowsmith. It is intended to continue these concerts every Saturday and Monday evenings at popular prices. At a caucus of the Atkinson party on Friday, presided over by Sir John Hall, every statement relative to Sir H. Atkinson was loudly applauded. Mr. T. Morrison has been re-elected chairman of the Press Gallery of the House of Representatives. Mr. A. Cohen has been elected vice-chairman. The weather at Christchurch is very hot. The coal export from Greymouth last week was '27SS tons. Last week 2369 tons of coal were exported from West port. A Gazette issued on Saturday night contains the resignation of the late Government. At St. Patrick's Cathedral last Saturday afternoon -Mr. Frank Bradley gave his sixth organ recital when there was a good attendance ot the public. This evening Mr. Bradley gives his farewell performance. To-night the anniversary of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, will bo celebrated at St. George's Hall, by a concert and ball. There is to be a great gathering of the clans, to the skirl of the bagpipes, and the haggis which has been prepared, is said to be " weel worthy o' grace as lang's my airm."

The Americans go in for big things, and one of the latest is a big cheese, the biggest ever made in the locality where it was manufactured, and probably the largest ever made in the United States. The cheese factory at East Otta is credited with having made this monster cheese, which measured 5 feet in diameter, and was 39 inches high. Its weight was something like 40001b, and fully 38,0001b of milk was used in its manufacture. It was expected that this huge cheese would be of prime quality, as tho pasturage in which the cows fed had been abundant, and the milk was unusually _ rich. To cute it thoroughly would take at least a month. The cheese was made specially for a grocery house in Cincinnati. At the monthly meeting of Lodge St. A 'idiew, 418 C., at half-past seven p.m. h - evening, the Provincial Grand Lodges f Scotland and England will be present, 'i ne business is the installation of officers and the election ot a member of the Hall committee. A special meeting of the Butchers' Union will be held at the" Trades Assembly Rooms this evening, to arrange for picnic and other important business. The half-yearly meeting of shareholders in the Bay of Islands Coal Company (Limited) will be held at the company's othce, Queenstreet, February 2, at twelve o'clock. A meeting of the Master Tailors' Association will be held at the Thistle Hotel this day, at a quarter to five p.m. sharp. A meeting of the Auckland Tailors' Union will be held this evening, at eight o'clock, in the Y.M.C.A. rooms.