Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8482, 5 February 1891, Page 4

Our cable messages this morning state that Michel Eyraud, whose trial for murder, along with Gabrielle Bompard, his quondam mistress, was the talk of Paris, has suffered the extreme penalty of the law. The crime with which Eyraud and Bompard were charged was of a type almost peculiar to French society. M. Gouffe, a .process-server, and a devotee of dubious pleasures, disappeared suddenly on or about July 26', ISB9. lb was nob until August 13 that his decomposed body was found in a thicket at Millery, in the Department of the Rhone. Near to it was subsequently found a trunk, in which the body had evidently been conveyed from Paris to the spoc. Simultaneously with Gouffe, one Eyraud, with whom he was acquainted, had vanished. Eyraud was a bankrupt, and a man of bad antecedents. It was ascertained that, some days before the disappearance of Gouff6, that Eyraud had visited London, and there bought the trunk in question. Bub Eyraud was nowhere to be found. There the matter rested until Gabrielle Bompard, in "January of this year, suddenly made a confession to the police. She told how, in concert with Eyraud, she had entrapped Gouffe, reputed to be a wealthy man, into an apartment, rented for the purpose, where Eyraud was concealed, and how Eyraud first attempted to strangle him with a noose, and, when that had failed, finished the business with his hands. A few months afterwards, Eyraud, now destitute and wandering from one country to another, was arrested in Havannah and brought to France, after, twice attempting suicide. Mr. Justin McCarthy is not to be outdone by Mr. Parnell. He also declares that the Irish Parliament that is to be must have control of tne land and the police. It must have struck most people as not a little curious that the Home Rulers should be so desperately anxious that their Dublin Parliament should have control over the con-

stabulary. Professor Butcher"^ ssss burgh, himself an Irishman born L! di «" has, we. learn from an English * a br ed, rary, pub the matter into v er ° te >- language. He- says: "The R oy £, IS Constabulary is an armed and div' M body. Under a ' short ser--; ce te pli Irish Executive will be able to ma » whole effective male population Pa * s tll « constabulary, and in the course °f gi} th « years to turn out a great national "> The Irish Government would not • be so foolish as to* rush into ri,, ed . They would only need to lie n * lli( >>>. Great Britain was engaged in v lill war,' or in 3orae difficulty elsewhere L ean demanded all our available troops \v ' oll then would bo our position ?'" \j" stone was invited, to reply to this ini- J ' ing question, bub has nob yet done so * At the Banco Sittings of the Su Court yesterday His Honor gave ii:r] preiaß against the defendant in the case f ttt Queen v. Mr. E. A. Mackechnie. The tlle tion of law had been argued aba rj Cl - Uea ' sitting of the court, and involved a eVl ° Us what peculiar question as to a soli 6 > m ®" lien over deeds ir. his possession. Jlr°\i kechnie was solidtor for the Kaihu V f° Railway Company, and in arramdnt? r! y to land, claims fcr compensation,°et,c • curred costs to the extent of about + ! n ' and held the deed* of the property ' curity. But the Crown became mortJL 8e of the property by. guaranteeing the Cn' 68 pany's debentures,-and the whole of t?' money was expended without providing the solicitor's costs, and for the Crow ■ was claimed that they were not liable V the costs. His Honor, although reluctant! 0 '" upheld the plaintiffs contention, but pressed a hope that as the Crown was ol tiff some compensation would be made'? Mr. Mackechnie. Mi: Hesketh intitnaw that as the question involved was an i mr .tanb one, the defendant would prob-bf take the matter before the Court of Anneal In another column' we publish a few from Mr. E. Hesketl in respect to the r port and accounts of St. Mark's ar i s u" Remuera. The meeting was not reported in our columns, but we cannot take much blame to ourselves for the omission. l n c instance do the clergymen or office-bearers of any parish send word when the annual meetings are to be held. They are never advertised. We hav? considerable dig culty in getting information on the subject For the information ol " Churchman" and other's we publish the following extracts from the report: The consolidated debt is now reduced to £200, towards the payment of which there is a balance in hand of £$g 17s 2d. It is nob too mich to hope that by a combined effort during the next twelve months this debt may be altogether paid Current income and expenditure is not yet in a perfectly satisfactory state. By dint of a stringent economy the expenditure has been reduced to more nearly balance the income, so that with outstanding account? of about £35, as compared with £80 on December 31, 1889, the liabilities show an improvement of £45. There are 229 child. ren and 24 teachers attending our Sunday. schools. The treasurer's balance-sheet shows a small balance in hand, with no outstanding liabilities. The sum of £12 collected last year in the Remuera School' having been met by a liberal grant from' the S.P.C.K., the library has been improved by the addition of books to the value of £26. The annual statement of receipts and expenditure showed the general receipts to be £554 Is, and the expenditure the same, less a balance in bank of £3 12s. £191 17s Id had been raised by special collections, etc., on behalf of the consolidated debt.

There has been a rumour current thu some of the nominations of candidates for election to the Board of Education are invalid, the requirements of the Education Act not having been complied with. The Act provides that between the Ist and 31st of January the school committees shall nominate two members to the vacancies in the Board, the written consent of the persons nominated having been first obtained, and that the Board at the expiry of the period allowed for nomination shall publish the names of the persons so nominated. It is rumoured that some of the candidates nominated have not given their written consent, in fact have declined the nomination ; that some of the committees, from an excess of modesty, have nominated only one candidate instead of two, as provided by the Act, while other committees have lived up to their privileges —and, in fact, beyond them by nominating five candidates instead of two, or about half the Board ! The accuracy or otherwise of these rumours cannot be ascertained till the meeting of the Board to-morrow afternoon. No doubt the Board will in due course publish the names of the persons nominated, as the Act states that the names of the persons nominated shall be published; but the moot point arises as to the power of the Board to receive the reported invalid nominations, namely, where the number prescribed bylaw have not been nominated, or where the nominations have been in excess of the number prescribed by the Act. The development of affairs, and the action of the Board, will be watched with interest.

Nothing further is being done relative to the boring operations at the Western Springs with a view of ascertaining the volume of the subterranean stream underlying the scoria formation, owing to the season having been so favourable for a continuous water supply. Owing to the seasonable rains at intervals, there is still a good overflow at the Western Springs reservoir, even after 30 hours' continuous pumping to the city reservoirs. It has been ascertained that a supplementary supply to the extent of 80,000 gallons per day can be pumped up from Edgecombe's Creek. The information obtained from the boring operations is so far satisfactory, and will be of considerable service in the event of a renewal of the experiments being undertaken next season.

We have ,to acknowledge receipt from Dr. Barnardo, the well-known manager of the Homes for Destitute Children in London, of a pamphlet entitled "Am I Unfit?', being a verbatim report of speeches on the Roddy case, delivered by Dr. Barnardo before Lord Esher (Master of the Roll*), Lord Justice Lindley, and Lord Justice Lopes (Judges of the Court of Appeal), with a summary of opposing counsels speeches, and of their Lordships' decision as taken from the London Times. According to his statement he receives into his Homes destitute children without regard to creed, destitution being the only qualification; that after he has, in some cases, trained and educated these children, they are then claimed as Roman Catholics, by Roman Catholic organisations, and the law set in motion to obtain control and guardianship of the children. He says :—" Numbers ot those who do apply at our doors have already applied in vain to Roman Catholic agencies, who notoriously do less for their destitute co-religionists than any other body of professing Christians. They have no agencies at work in the slums, and ita only after we have rescued our proteges that : they begin to display such an overweening: interest in the welfare of the children as forces them to take any ana every step to gain possession of a child ; who, probably, had previously knocked lin vain at their own portals. In ' n 9f ß iof such cases the children are tne offspring of mixed marriages, or c " Itually of Protestant parentage, who are sought to be prosletysed. In the very case under appeal to the courts of law, or app»; cation for admission, the mother of the boy Roddy declared she was a Protestant, ana we found the boy had been baptised by bet in the Church of England. How could any action on our part safeguard us in such a instance from attack." Dr. Baruado intimates to subscribers to the Homes that tne expense of the publication of his pampn«i does not fall upon the funds of the institution under his care, and that he has ai=o made himself personally responsible for tna entire cost of the legal proceedings in a .- fending what he regards as his lal , guardianship of the children consigned his care. The Exhibition of ■ the Auckland Art Society takes place about the 25th ot we present month. We learn that the low artists are very busy in preparing for ' ,7 Miss Dobson, Messrs. Pay ton, BlomWia, and the two Wrights being well represented. Numerous other members » working hard, and there are a number" Southern competitors. As His Excellency the Governor will be in Auckland in tiro for the Exhibition, he will, no doubt, solicited to officiate at the opening. *' Canterbury Art Exhibition takes ace h -! month after the Auckland one, and w will give an opportunity for the J\ w £, artists, whose works may remain unsold, forward them South.

Grey Hotel afc Waerad»J? 6 owned by W. Adair, and occafa i;c'oSnneli; was gutted by fire yfe" V morning. The insurances are :-jff u £ aay m %win the New Zealand; &Q "» £f Norwich Union; £125, Lift pool, £ 6 „don, and Globe. Furniture, £$ «the phoenix. / » number of the Auckland numbers of k! Houses of the Legislature fed ye* Wavbv thes.s. Wanaka frof. WeUiog. ef namely the Hon. Sir Fredrick hitETW"Sanson, P. DignanKPollen, *?'«««. B. Mitobelson, Aamljn, 1. SfompS R. Thompson, W Kelly, and Houston. / For sonic time past th/ New South Wales Fresh Food and Ice Company, of MA Mr. B. Ford, of Rfeell, Bay of Hinds, is the local repressive, have been forwarding shipment*£ frozen fisn, L etc., from this citjio the Sydney g rl ct Mr. A. Ford, of (bromandel, has Conceived the idea that wfaj has been done £ the above company sofcuccessfully in Gerard to Sydney, might Iso be done by Sorter company in regtf to supplying Melbourne with fish suppli* from this city. There seems to be a pub* misimpression fint the latest project isfconnected with he New South Wales Jesh Food and Ice Company, but thisls an error, as neither that company nd its local representative, Mr. E. Ford, live any connection with the projected/enterprise. Mr. A Ford's idea is eitherio employ a small steamer with specially obstructed " well," c 0 i* to bring the iish to port alive, or to have fishing hoats wit/ fishing stations, taking delivery of thefish at a contract price "and using the stdber as a tender for collecting the fish at th( stations. He thinks that the men engaged i the industry would bo willing to take part f their wages as an interest 'in the Comply, and that that would give a guarantee to the paying shareholders that they tould use their best exertions to make the eterprise remunerative to all concerned. \lt is not overlooked that there is a deater difficulty in supplying the Melbourri market with fish from Auckland owing jo the sea voyage taking over double the me (14 days), but Mr. Ford thinks the dfticnlty is not in>u>erable. Some time to the New South Wales Fresh Food and Ice Company contemplated sending pa* of their consignment of fish from New Zealand overland to Melbourne by rail in rerigerating cars, but we have not heard wither the project was carried out. Mr. A. Ford intends to submit his proposals to sr*ie of our capitalists and investors during tjo coming week.

A case of a most da/tardly and revolting nature, revealing, as if did, the particulars of a traffic in human flesh, was brought to licht at the Police Cvnrt yesterday. Four children—Elizabeth Amn Seffiell, 10 years ; George Seffiell, 7 yen* ; Lily Fong, 5 years ; Edie Elien Lund, 2 tears—were committed to the Industrial School. Mr. Strathern, visiting officer of the£haritabie Aid Board, Stated that the moiher of these children kept a brothel in Aiercrombie-street, and up till recently had had five children with ber. On the arrival of the steamer Kweivan? here from Foochow, she actually dis rased of one of thim—a little boy of five rears of age, named Orpheus Fong. to a Chinese sailor, for the sum of £5. It was the intention of the sailor to take the Lid back to China, there, in all probability, to suffer the slavery into which he has "been so cruelly bartered by his inhuman mother.

The Leading Wind's careo of flax is being discharged with all expedition, and a lot of the bales have been opened and spread out to dry in Quay-street. Mr. T. M. Jackson sold a quantity of the badly-injured flax at about 20s per ten. He will continue the sale to-day and offer the better stuff in lots of 50 tons.

It appears tint the promoters of the "glove fight" which was so unceremoniously stopped tne other evening by the detectives and police, are anxious that the patrons of the fistic art should not be disappointed of their expected pleasures, and have accordingly waited on the police authorities with specimens of the " gloves" which they propose to use in order to secure official sanction. Inspector Broham has been strictly non-committal, and probably when the little affair is again renewed " we shall see, what we shall see"— Chief-detective Kirby and Sergeant-Major Pratt bearing a hand.

The gentlemen who are to represent the Auckland district at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, to open at Christchurch on the 10th instant, will leave by the Hauroto to-morrow (Friday), at noon. There are about 15 representatives altogether, including both ministers and elders, but two of these, Messrs. Hill and Hunter, have already gone. The Assembly will sit for about eight days. It is the supreme governing body of the Presbyterian Church in New 'Zealand, with the exception of Otagoand Southland, over which places it has no jurisdiction.

The Otago Daily Times, referring to University matters and matriculation examinations, says :—" While we think it very right and proper that matriculation examiners should be appointed from among the graduates of the University, we are glad to see that Convocation set its face against the degree examiners being chosen entirely within the colony. The value of a University degree, it must be admitted, is in no small measure a matter of sentiment in so far as that large portion of the public is concerned which is unfamiliar with the actual work done in academic halls. The sentiment is one which requires careful nurture, and the fact that the work done here is adjudged by men eminent in their own way, in distant places, free from any possible suspicion of partiality or personal or local bias, is a powerful help in nourishing respect for a New Zealand University degree. In our opinion the time is still very far distant when it will be wise to make any change in the direction of getting examiners for a degree from this colony." The comments made on the matriculation papers set from time •to time were severe, but not too severe. Inextinguishable laughter, not to say disgust, was aroused from one end of the colony to another over a recent paper set for matriculation on geography ; while Dr. Posnett's paper on English, in 18S3, was rightly censured with no little severity."

The exodus of Australian belles to preside over ancestral homes in England still continues. The Sydney Daily Telegraph, in mentioning that Captain Trench, who for a couple of year 3 acted as A.D.C. to Lord Carrington in New South Wales, has returned to England, via San Francisco, adds that his fiancee, Miss Nellie Cox, second daughter of Dr. Cox, of Sydney, and sister of Viscountess Bertie, left that city a few days after direct for England, to be the guest of her future father-in-law, the Hon. Colonel Trench, until her marriage, which is to take place early in the present year. Captain Trench (adds the Daily Telegraph) is the third member of Lord Carrington's staff who has chosen an Australian bride.

With characteristic good nature Miss Freda Marsden and a small bub efficient company paid Huntly a visit on Monday Last, and gave a very pleasing performance of vocal and instrumental music, which was thoroughly enjoyed by those present. The object was to further increase the Disaster Fund (started in aid oi' the sufferers by the late accident), and the net proceeds, imounting to £5, were liberally handed n-er to the committee, who desire to publicly thank the talented young artiste and iho-e who supplemented her efforts in so worthy a cause. The visitors returned to town next day, and it is reported that they intend visiting Waikato again about Easter time, and giving a still further proof of their abilities and accomplishments in the musical line.

The Sailors' Home is getting on very comfortably, all the unpleasantness arising out of the action of some of the Union seamen during the recent seamen's strike having died away. There are some 35 inmates in the Home at present. All the improvements connected with the refreshment department have been completed, but no attempt has yet been made to refresh the library with some additions of current literature. The library wants about 100 new works in order to present any attraction to the seamen.

A terrific hailstorm was experienced at Riverton on Tuesday. It was preceded by a tremendous thunderstorm, lasting till after the shower of ice stones. Some of these Were as large as hens' eggs. The fall lasted ten minute's. Not a single skylight or conservatory escaped, nearly every pane of glass being completely riddled. Fruit; and vegetables suffered severely.

The Sydney Echo of the 29th ult., has the following; particulars concerning > tho marriage of Miss M. Bruce, daughter of the Rev. David Bruce, formerly a resident in this city: —" On Wednesday evening an interesting assemblage took place at Crow's Nest, North Sydney, the town residence of Mr. and Mrs. John Hay, of Coolangatta. The occasion was that of the marriage of Mr. Duncan Edward Clerk (son of Mr. John Clerk, of Rolleston Hall, Leicester, barrister and Queen's counsel) to Miss" Madge Bruce, daughter of the Rev. David Bruce, formerly of Auckland. The marriage ceremony was performed by the bride's father, the bride being given away by her uncle, Air. John Hay. The bridesmaids were Miss Mary Alexander Sinclair Bruce and Miss Isabella Hay, while Mr. J. M. Stevenson (lately of Remuera) acted as groomsman. At the close of the ceremony the guests were entertained at supper by Mr. and Mrs. Hay, and all cordially united in wishing every happiness to the newly-married couple, who intend to spend their honeymoon by a trip to New Zealand. A circumstance which lent considerable interest to the event was the presence of the bridegroom's father, who, under considerable difficulty, got forward from England in time to witness his son's marriage. Having made a break in his voyage at Ceylon, Mr. Clerk came as a passenger from Colombo in the steamer Victoria, and in consequence of an alleged case of smallpox on board, ho narrowly" escaped being quarantined at Melbourne, and he was obliged to push on overland, leaving his luggage behind. his is Mr. Clerk's first visit to these colonies. After spending a. weok or two in _ this colony, he intends to proceed on business to New Zealand, where ho expects to enjoy for some time the company of his son and daughter-in-law, and he may return to England via China and Japan." Mr. and Mrs. Clerk arrived hero by the s.s. Hauroto yesterday. The Auckland Regatta Committee held a meeting last evening to arrange affairs in regard to the carnival on the 29th ult. It was found on examination of the accounts that a small sum is still required to enable the prizes to be paid in full, and this they will endeavour to raise by collection. It was decided to refer the decision in regard to the large fishing boat race back to the umpire for reconsideration ; while it was agreed that the second-class open boat race should be competed again at a date to be arranged. The time for the paying over the prizes was fixed at Monday next, the 9th inst.

The Rev. Henry T. Robjohns.'B.A., the representative of "the Bible Society in iSew Zealand, begins his fifth visitation of the colony with Invercargill, instead of Auckland as on previous occasions. In other words he works from South to North instead.of from North to South. This will alter the dates at which ho may be expected at the different branches. He will begin at Invercargill on February 16. This is later than usual. The fact is his work has been much hindered by the great strike in Australia, parts of which he also visits. At Huntly. yesterday, John Kaye and James McLellan were charged before Captain Jackson, R.M., with omitting to make safe for the employes the new dip portion of Ralph's mine. A similar charge against William Montgomery was withdrawn. Mr. Hay appeared for the Crown, instructed by Mr. George Wilson, Mining Inspector. Defendants, who were without counsel, pleaded nob guilty. _ A second charge was preferred against the defendants of negligence, causing the recent disaster. A similar charge was preferred against William Collins, manager of the mine. Mr. Tole contended that the case against the manager should be taken first. "He mentioned that the information for negligence was only laid that day. The Bench declined, and said the present case might last till Saturday. The cases had not concluded when the Court rose. On Tuesday night a trial was made on the Queen-street Wharf of a patent highpressure gas lamp of a special design. The new light was sob up near the foot of the main pier, and in its brilliance and steadiness quite eclipsed all the ordinary lamps which have been doing duty on the quays. The light, which is named the "Onslow" light, is of a power nearly equal to the best electric light, and quite superior to the ordinary incandescent.lights, while its cost is hardly more than that of an ordinary full-power burner. The strong beam of radiance which the " Onslow" cast around was the subject of wondering and admiring comment by the many frequenters of the wharf last night, and the extra illuminating power possessed by it contrasted strongly with that of the existing lamps. The great steadiness possessed by* this new light (which is quite unaffected by wind or rain) makes it eminently fitted for the lighting of seaboard streets or wharves, and it is quite probable that the Auckland Harbour Board will see to replace their present system by this improved method, an innovation which we are sure would be gladly welcomed by the public. The light has been fitted up by Messrs. A. and T. Burt, of Dunedin.

A special meeting of the Gum Storemen's Union was held last night in the Temperance Hall, Mr. White presiding.. The balance-sheet for the last half-year was read and adopted, and some discussion took place in regard to the treatment of unfinancial members. The following officers were then elected:—President, Mr. Codes; vice-president, Mr. C. Robinson ; secretary, Mr. P.. Peace; treasurer, Mr. Daisley; auditors, Messrs. Culhane and Black ; trustees, Messrs. Graves, Fry, and Lindsay; committee, Messrs. Deason, Smith, and Brenner. A vote of thanks to the retiring officers terminated the proceedings.

It appears that the barque Anna Herbertha, which arrived at Invercargill from Adelaide on Sunday, had two cases of scarlet fever on board, but notwithstanding she was allowed to berth alongside the wharf.

The 'Dunedin Presbytery has appointed Mr. Roberts, Commissioner to the Church of Scotland, and carried a resolution asking the Governor to use his influence to have effect given to the wishes of the ' Rarotonga natives in stopping the sale of intoxicants in the Hervcy Group. There are on view in the show window of Mr. G. Chapman, bookseller, a series of photographs of some interest in connection with the death of King Kalakaua and recent events in the Sandwich Islands. They belong to the Rev. J. Mortimer Silver, of Hawaii, who- is at present in Auckland on a visit for the benefit of his health. The first is a portrait of King Kalakaua himself, the second of Queen Kapiolani, the third of the Princess Lydia Regent (Mrs. Dominis), and the fourth _of Victoria Kaiulani, born lGth October, 1875, the future Queen of the Hawaiian Islands, a bright, intelligent, and handsome girl. A party from Hawke's Bay ascended to the summit of Kuapehu the other day, and found dense black smoke issuing from the crater. On their return they were overtaken by a very heavy fog, and they had a rough experience. Mr. Wood (headmaster of the Boys' High School, Napier) and his son, Mr. Olsen, and Mr. Westell were all stricken with snow blindness, and had great difficulty in descending. They are, however, all right now. The weather is very bad ; there is no snow on the plains, and it is deep on the mountains. The New Zealand Baptist for February contains some items of general interest. The Rev. Thomas Spurgeon has fulfilled his Evangelistic mission at the Catlin's River, and on the loth instant visits Canterbury, with a similar object. Mr. and Mrs. F. Battley go home by the Tongariro, on the 19th instant. The editor says, "An earnest worker always, we shall miss Mr. Battley, and while wishing him bon voyage, hope for his return with somewhat of his pristine vigour restored. We regret to learn that his health is not all that his friends could desire. The Rev. Alfred and Mr 3. North and daughter leave for England by the Arawa, on the 7th proximo, in time for the May meetings, and will write a series of articles descriptive of his trip and the meetings for the Baptist. A notice is given of the death of Mr. Wm. Olney, senior deacon of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, who paid a visit to Auckland some years ago. Mr. C. H. Spurgeon, in the Sword and Trowel, thus refers to this gentleman's decease: —"The name of Olney was made dear to us by his father's devotion ; Mr. William has made it dearer still. His beloved brother, Mr. T. Olney, as our esteemed treasurer; Mrs. Wm. Olney, the bereaved wife, as a gracious worker among the women of Bermondsey ; Mr. Wm. Olney, Jan., as pastor of Haddon Hall; and Mr. John Olney, as a generous giver, will keep the name fragrant among us."

The Salvation Army are having a week of self-denial in Auckland, and it is taking the form of a strenuous effort to get clear of their present debt.

There is little doubt that the Mercer Regatta and Athletic Sports, to be held next month, under the patronage of Tawhiao, will secure a large attendance of visitors from Auckland owing to the attractive character of the programme. In comprises large canoe races, one for natives and one for Europeans only, canoe hurdle races, boat racos, swimming contests, tug-of-war, wrestling matches, and foot races. In addition there will be a Maori war dance and an excursion by steamer on the Waikato River.

The Minister for Defence is considering the question of the thorough classification of the police.

A telegram from Gisborne received last) night says :— "Two of the largest audiences ever assembled within the walls of the Gisborne theatre attended the exhibition performance of Edison's phonograph. Tho lecture by Professor Archibald was highly interesting, and brought the audience to a high pitch of curiosity regarding the marvellous machine. Then came the delightful concert in which the phonograph reproduced cornet solos, coach horn, banjo, piano, clarionet, tin whistle and music, bagpipes ; a number of band selections, including the Salvation Army band, with all its vagaries. There were several fine songs, duets, quartettes, recitations, and Mr*."Gladstone's speech to Lord Carrington. A message from the Napier Maoris to the Poverty Bay natives was clearly reproduced. Archdeacon Williams made a speech both in English and Maori which was instantly spoken by the phonograph. Every item was applauded." This wonderful machine arrives in .Auckland on Monday.

Tenders are invited by the Point Chevalier Road District for breaking stone. This affords an opportunity to the unemployed of doing the work on the cooperative principle. At the Tararu school on Monday afternoon the scholarship won by Master Ernest Victor Hall at the recent examination was presented to him by Mr. C. J. Ellis in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Alex. Thorburn, chairman of the school committee. Cheers were given by the scholars for Master Hall and the hoar; master (Mr. Newton).

Mr. Harrow writes complaining that the Waitemata County Council are- making repairs to a road at the Lake, closing the road, while no notice has been given, and no light is shown at night. He also refers to certain public roads leading to Shoal Bay which are closed by barbed wire fencing. An art union drawing, conducted by Messrs. Boy lan and Brown, for the possession of some valuable statuary, was held yesterday afternoon at the Dunblane Rooms, Queen-street. There were twentyfive prizes. The results of the drawing were :—No. 252, Ist prize, Mr. Rogers, Karangahape Road ; IS, 2nd prize, Mrs. Knight; 331, 3rd prize ; Mrs. Suiter, Melbourne ; 259, 4th prize, Mr. T. Minetti ; 350, sth prize, Mr. J. flurrell ; 306, 6th prize, Mr. P. Brodie ; 52, 7th prize, Mr. J. Dickey ; 275. Sth prize, Morley ; 60, 9th prize, Mr. J. Ball ; 30, 10th prize, Mr. T. Chine ; 149, 11th prize, Mr. E. J. White ; 337, 12th prize, Mr. T. T. Masefield ; 123, 13th prize, Mr. G. Johnston ; 33, 14th prize, Mr. R. Cameron ; 1, 15th prize, Mr. \V. Dignan ; 5, 16th prize, Mr. W. Binstead ; SS, 17th prize, Mr. F. Sharland ; 231, 18th prize, Mrs. Ralph ; 57, 19th prize, Mr. G. R. Morpeth ; 20, 20th prize, Mr. George Panter ; 222. 21st prize, Patterson and Co.; 129, 22nd prize, Mr. H. E. Cherrnside ; 7, 23rd prize, Mr. W. D. Dallen ; 69, 24th prize, Mr. C. Canning ; 199, 25th prize, Mr. J. J. Craig. The first prize is a bust of Paganini with the violin, and the second also a bust, representing a lady playing a guitar, whilst the third is the head of a Roman girl. The other prizes comprise busts, pedestals, vases, fruitdishes, urns, and small ornaments.

On Tuesday night a performance was given at the City Hall by Miss Amy Vaughan's Company."in aid of the Huntly Disaster Fund. There was an excellent attendance. The comedy, "Love in Humble Life," opened the entertainment, and was followed by the burlesque "Black-eyed Susan," in which this company gained a considerable measure of success during the Christmas holidays. Miss Vaughan wishes to thank Mr. Hunter and the other members of the Artillery Band, who kindly assisted at the entertainment without charge.

Harvey Bros.' Minstrels gave another change of programme last night, including a number of new musical selections, which were well received, and several of them were encored. The attendance was not large, but those present appeared to appreciate the performance. At the City Hall the Moa Minstrelswill give a special performance on Friday evening next, when an attractive programme will be presented. The concerts will be continued on Saturday evenings as usual.

Smith and Caughey are advised by their Loudon buyers of large shipments of new autumn goods now on the way. Before opening these, S. and C. are determined to clear out the balance of their summer stock, and at an early date will announce a special ten day* clearance, sale, when all summer Snoods, remnants, etc., will be reduced to such low price* as must effect their object.

The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Institute will be held in the Museum Buildings on Monday next. At the conclusion of the above meeting a special general meeting will also be held for the purpose of repealing, if considered desirame, that portion of rule 6 providing for the payment of an entrance fee by new members.